Chapter Text
The blue Seele came home from a mission early in the morning. She immediately wanted to see her counterpart who she thought was still sleeping in their bed.
“Seele, I’m home.” She went straight to their room only to discover her wife was nowhere to be found.
So, Seele wondered and checked her phone if ever she missed a news from her red counterpart.
A minute later, the red Seele replied.
- Spicy Seele
- Uh, I’m with Senti in the usual spot eating breakfast. Are you home already? I’ll go back.
- Sweet Seele
- No need Seele. I just got home and will take rest. Enjoy your breakfast with Senti.
The Herrscher Seele put down her phone on the bed table and started to lie in their bed. Suddenly, she got up again because of a realization.
She noticed something from her wife these past few days. Her wife was been with Senti most of the time. “This is not right. Is she cheating on me? No, no, no. Seele loves me.” The blue Seele got worried. So, instead of sleeping, the blue Seele left and followed her red counterpart to know the truth.
She arrived at the usual place the red Seele and Senti’s been eating at. It’s an open cafe shop minutes-walk from their house and from there she saw the two chatting. So, she quietly finds a closer place to eavesdrop.
“I’m worried about Seele. I’m been lying with her all this time. Maybe I should tell her.” The blue Seele raised her awareness after hearing that confession from her wife.
“Hey! Didn’t we agreed that no one should know all about this.” Senti reminded her friend who’s sitting opposite to her.
“I know but... I promise Seele that I shouldn’t be hiding from her. After all, she’s my other half.”
“Don’t worry too much, Seele. We’ll going to tell her after everyone settles down.” The Herrscher of Sentience assured her friend.
“Yeah... it should be alright.” As the red Seele sighed.
“Oh! It’s time already, let’s go.” Senti checked on her phone and stood up to leave while the red Seele took her phone beside her and immediately followed her friend.
After everything the blue Seele heard from their conversations, she became more certain of one thing. Seele and the Herrscher of Sentience were hiding something from her. And that’s the more reason to follow them as she also left the cafe shop and continued following them from a distance.
The two walked somewhere in a dark alley on Nagazora as Senti suddenly halted, “I think someone is following us.”
“Isn’t that only your imagination?” The red Seele said, “And besides we’re almost there.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Come on, they are itching to see us again.” Senti ignored her instinct as she continued walking with her friend to their destination.
“They?” the blue Seele heard that, she learned that her wife and the Herrscher Sentience will be meeting with some people, but who? And in Nagazora? Now, the Herrscher Seele became more suspicious about this.
Finally, the two stopped on an old warehouse while checking their surroundings first before knocking on the door. Suddenly, the red Seele received a message from her wife.
“Hey Senti! Seele is looking out for me. What should I reply?”
“Just say you’re playing with me at my house, she won’t DOUBT that.” Senti suggested a reasonable reason but instead, the girl in front of her looked at her suspiciously.
“You already told me that yesterday, and on the other day.”
“What? Isn’t she always believed that?” Senti countered, “Come on! Act normal.” She then grabbed red Seele’s phone and turned it off after she quickly replied on the blue Seele’s message.
“Hey! Why did you do that?” the red Seele complained as she was about to snatch her phone back. But before the red Seele could try to snatch back her phone from her friend, the door opened and pulled them inside, like a gravity sucked them in. All was left was their scream that echoed in the alleyway until its faded as the door immediately shut closed.
The blue Seele saw what happened, immediately ran towards the door and panicked. She thought many things already behind the door. Did her wife had a trouble that she can’t escape? Should she barge in and save them? All her wisdom and experience were suddenly erased just for this plot to happen. She doesn’t know what to do in this kind of situation so, she called Bronya for a witty reinforcement.
“Bronya-jiejie, I think Seele is on trouble. I need your help.”
“Seele, tell me your coordinates. I’ll go there immediately.”
As soon as Bronya ended her call with Seele she then told Project Bunny, “Prepare my new particle cannon, we’re going to WAR.”
“Shit. Here we go again...” Project Bunny rolled her eyes as she was dragged along again in the antics of her boss and friends.
...
..
.
What did really happen? Well...
Let’s us go back from several days ago, where Senti and red Seele were strolling somewhere in Nagazora after their mission.
“You know what, after both of you left me on the convenience store that night, Old Timer went to pick me up and instead of being mad at me, she cooked me a delicious dinner. I ate all of those then I told her I want every day like that but she said that I should buy her the ingredients so she can cook whatever I want. So, I save money to buy ingredients this time.”
“That’s good that you’ve learned now, Senti.” Her friend who listened to her was nodding proudly.
“You’re right, Seele. Home-cooked food is the best, especially if the one who cooks is the one important to you. I bet your Seele’s cooking is delicious too. And I’ve really learned my lesson to not waste money.” Senti clung onto Seele’s arms, “So, you’ll the one paying this time. Hahaha” She teased the red Seele.
“HEY!!!” The red Seele pouted, but she knew that she has to treat Senti too, as her pout slowly turned into a soft smile.
While they were walking to the grocery, a girl in a black hoodie who’s in a hurry, accidently bumped Seele. Due to the impact the girl and the paper bag of goods she’s holding fell on the ground.
“Next time, watch where you’re walking.” Seele picked up those apples which scattered on the ground and help the girl stood up. She then recognized those hands or rather the girl has doll-like porcelain hands.
“Ah, I’m so sorry, Se—” The girl in the black hoodie suddenly shut her mouth as she fixed her hoodie to avoid looking at Seele’s scary crimson eyes. “Thank you.” She took everything quickly from Seele’s hand and left immediately without looking back.
“What a clumsy girl, is she in a hurry?” Senti commented.
“I had a bad feeling about this, Senti. She’s...” Seele’s mind was tainted with the bad memories she had in that theater. That theater where Seele and her were trapped before. “Let’s follow her.”
They followed the girl secretly. The girl stopped in an entrance in one of a dark alleyway and checked first her surroundings before proceeding further inside.
On the dark alleyway, the girl hummed the song “Dual-Ego” while walking happily. “I’ve seen Seele, it’s been so long but I’m still happy.” Suddenly she stopped, “Wait... Did she recognize me?” She looked back again checking if someone had followed her but she hadn’t saw any. She then sighed in relief. “I should hurry, master will scold me.” She run hurriedly but soon halted as she saw a figure of a person in front of her, red blood eyes looking at her in the dark and holding a red scythe. Chill felt down her spine — as if she had any — as she fell in the floor because of fear.
“Well, long time no see... Herrscher.” Seele walked slowly towards her while humming the very same song the girl had hummed a while ago. The girl who was now in the ground tried her best to escape but she was blocked by another figure who holds a spear. She realized that she was cornered by the two in the dark alley so, she dropped on her knees helplessly.
“Please don’t kill Lily. Lily is begging you.”
“Good thing you know your situation and didn’t fight back.” Seele said calmly.
“Seele, you’re right, she’s the puppet of the Herrscher of Domination.” Senti removed the hoodie to reveal the face of a puppet with blond hair.
“Lily’s name is Lilly. Lily is not a Herrscher.”
“Oh, you have the right to speak?” As Seele’s red claws gripped that fragile body, ready to crush it. They could slightly hear the sound of a breaking porcelain.
“Please... Don’t break Lily. Lily only has one body.” The poor doll plead.
“But I thought this one was already dead. How did this one survived?” Senti asked as if she can’t read mind.
“Do you want me to interrogate her?” the grip was becoming tighter and the sound of a porcelain breaking was becoming audible in the quiet alley.
“Wait! Lily’ll talk. Lily will tell everything she knew.”
*****
Seele, the Herrscher of Sentience and the doll called herself Lily were standing in front of an old warehouse and in front of them was the glorious Herrscher of the Void wearing a big t-shirt while scratching her belly, and her white hair was a mess. It seemed that she had just woken up. “What took you so long, Lily?”
“Are you sure this is your master?” Senti asked in a mocking way.
“Wait! Can we talk it over? Let me explain.” The Herrscher in front of them snapped from her daze.
“How about you talk to my scythe inside.” Seele pointed her red scythe on the messy-haired Herrscher making her raise her hand in defeat and walk backward inside the warehouse.
Senti couldn’t help but amused at her friend, Seele who’s taking this whole thing seriously.
As soon as they were all inside the warehouse, which was arranged like a house where there were living room, dining and kitchen, the two were apprehended by the merciless Seele and the Herrscher of Sentience. They were forced to be in their knees, their hands were raised up and were scared for their whole life.
“Should we kill them here?” Senti was eager.
“Not yet, where are the other, Lily?” Seele pointed her Sanguine gaze at the doll.
Lily hitched, “They are maybe in the kitchen and in the bed room.”
Senti checked and found another Herrscher hiding in the corner of the messy kitchen. “Herrscher of Thunder?”
It was like a raid in a den of Herrschers as Seele found the other two hiding in the bedroom — of all places, the former Herrscher couple, Ana Schariac and Chen Tianwu. Now, all the former and dangerous Herrschers, except for the windy Herrscher, had reunited in one room. Surely birds of the same feather flocked together.
“I didn’t expect to live and see this kind of development.” The Herrscher of Sentience would really want to expose the plot.
“What are you talking about?” However, the red Seele was still oblivious on everything, “Should we asked how did this happen even though Kiana is now on the moon? Especially you Sirin, how come you’re here when Kiana is on the moon?”
“Should I answer that one? How about you, Seele?” Sirin countered.
Seele didn’t answer that too as she sighed and changed her question, “So, what’s your reason being here?”
“I want to have a normal life.”
“I want to get married with Ana.”
“I want to be together forever with Chen.”
“Lily wants to have friends.”
The four confessed in chorus which made Seele and Senti looked at the last person who haven’t confess yet.”
“... I want to rest in peace.” The Herrscher of Thunder persona uttered in melancholy, it seemed she had already engulfed in a deep nihility. “What’s the point of living?”
“This one should not be called Herrscher of Thunder instead, Herrscher of Trauma.” Senti joked.
“Uh...” but Seele didn't like the joke as she rolled her eyes.
“Seele, please don’t kill us. We just want to live a normal and peaceful life. We haven’t even had our authority since Kiana took all of it.” Sirin plead on Seele as the other Herrschers all nodded in agreement.
“...”
“You’re all evil past Herrschers who tormented the world and killed innocent people. How would we allow you to live peacefully?” Senti bluntly said, “We’ll call Schicksal and turn all of you to them.”
The crowd shuddered in fear.
“Wait, Senti. Let’s spare them.”
“What?!! They are all villain in the past, we should kill them.”
“Aren’t you also our enemy in the past too?” Seele countered which made Senti hold back her tongue. “But even so, Kiana and her friends spared your life. Everyone has a right to change. The Honkai had made our life miserable that turned many into evil being but now that Kiana and her friends fought to make the world a better place to live, should we give others a chance to live a better life too? Whatever being they are.”
The crowd was speechless, they never thought that a person who only knew before was to eradicate all enemies through violence just to protect the most important person in her life will tell them that. Seele surely grows to become a better person — more human.
“Wow! Seele, you’ve changed too.” Lily suddenly babbled.
“Wha — ” The red Seele became flustered. She never expected those words from her former enemy as well. And besides, she’s still not used to compliments.
“You now sound like the other Seele, that Seele who’s weak and a crybaby.” However, the prank little doll didn’t watch her mouth carefully as Seele snapped in anger.
“You... Little piece of brat!!!” Seele brought out her claws and disassembled the poor doll in front of the other former Herrschers making them witness a traumatic experience that even the Herrscher of Thunder screamed of “I don’t want to die!” for the first time in her life. It etched in their mind that they will never EVER badmouth Seele. Of course, the red Seele would never change when it comes to her precious Seele.
And just like that, they became all friends in the name of Seele. They discovered that they have all the similarities and interests since they are all chaotic and playful. But since they also know that when people discovered that they were the former Herrschers who almost destroyed the world, they might be in tough spot so they decide to hide it in a mean time. Seele and Senti should first assessed the situation on how they will tell it to Schicksal.
The past few days, they have been meeting secretly because they want to hang out and play and because Senti and Seele were helping them to adjust to their new life.
*****
Going back to the actual situation right now where the blue Seele met Bronya near Nagazora. Bronya suggested that they should observed first the situation and planned for all the possibilities. She suggested that she will observe the situation from a tall building quite a distance from the warehouse the red Seele been abducted, while the blue Seele will guard the alley where the red Seele and Senti have been last found. They communicated through their intercom.
Bronya was looking through the binoculars, “I haven’t seen any unusual movement.”
The blue Seele who’s just on the other line became more worried, “Seele haven’t replied to me either.”
“Oh! I’ve seen now Seele. She seems talking to someone.” Bronya reported. “Blond hair, small just like a girl.”
Bronya heard a hiss on the other line, surely Seele has full of her insecurities. The next words she’ll utter will elevate the intense plot they were in.
“Wait! Seele was assaulted by that girl.” as Bronya stood on her position, “TARGET LOCKED ON. FIRE!”
Their communication was immediately cut off making the blue Seele in pure madness as she changed her battle suit in black and brought out her scythe. Whoever assaulted her wife will pay, that’s what on her mind.
Meanwhile, in the warehouse where Seele and her Herrscher friends were playing, they heard a loud sound of explosion which made the wall of their hideout destroyed.
“WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!” Sirin shouted while she ran towards the nearest sofa to hide behind.
Lily who’d flew from the earlier explosion tried to get up and ran to the safest place — Seele’s back.
Soon lasers and homing bombs attacked them simultaneously as all ducked and covered. The former Herrschers cowered in fear as they came together to hug each other, especially Lily who cried, “I don’t want to taste death again.”
Senti who heard that, tried to shield them from the incoming bombs, “Seele, protect them! I will fight this alone.” The Herrscher of Sentience was itching to fight that person since then. Senti flew to the direction of Herrscher of Truth.
Seele who was left with the other former Herrschers shielded them using her claws. “We should escape from here. I don’t know who’s attacking us but it seemed that they’re only attacking in one side so, this is our time to use that chance.” Seele was not entirely sure of her conclusion as she remembered her wife this time, she thought if what should her wife think in this kind of situation? If it’s only the red Seele, she will confront the assaulter head on just like what Senti did but... She had to protect her friends and Senti entrusted her to protect them. So, Seele will do her best. “Run towards the back alley! I’ll cover you.”
The couple Ana and Chen nodded and started to run as soon as Seele gave them the signal. Next was Sirin who dragged the Herrscher of Thunder who’s still in her depressed form. It was Lily’s turn to run but the scared doll refused to escape. “I don’t want you to be left alone, Seele.”
Seele was touched by her friend words. “What are you stalling at?!! We’ll all die here if you all don’t escape.”
“But how about you?” Lily hugged her, “I’m more scared in the outside world. Without you by my side, I think I will not survive there. Because you’re my most favorite friend, Seele.” This doll has more ways than a certain person we already knew. However, girl that will make you in a dangerous situation later.
“You’re watching too much drama. I’ll protect you, don’t worry. Now, go run and catch up with the other, I’ll catch up later.” Seele promised her as she pushed the girl away.
Lily ran towards the dark alley as she looked back one last time at Seele who was doing her best to shield them from the attack. She left the warehouse from the front door and ran in the dark alley when she noticed the unusual silent. A deafening silent and a sensation that someone has been watching her. She tried to run faster but she’s been already watched from above and suddenly a dark figure descends quietly like a messenger in the night. The next thing she saw was a scythe in her neck and a scary smile of a familiar girl.
“Ssh. Don’t move if you want to stay alive.” A girl in black holding a scythe mercilessly pinned the poor doll in the ground. One wrong move her head will fly away from her delicate body.
“Siri is that you?”
“Who’s Siri? No! Where’s Seele?”
“Please don’t kill Lily, let’s talk this out. Seele is — ”
“Seele, please don’t do that!”
The blue Seele’s scary smile turned soft as she quickly flew towards the red Seele and hugged her, tears formed in the corner of her eyes.
“What are you doing here?” the red Seele caught her wife in a warm hug.
“I thought you’re in danger so I called reinforcements. Are you alright, Seele?”
“I’m fine. But... So. You're the reason... Oh, no but I’m just playing with Senti and friends.”
“Playing? No one is assaulting you?” Of course, that was all Bronya’s exaggeration to trigger the blue Seele just to make to this plot, duck will always be duck.
“No. Why would I?” but the red eyes Seele was still muddled.
“Then who is this person?” the Herrscher Seele pointed the lying doll in question.
“She’s Lily, one of my friends.” This was the first time the blue Seele heard that from her wife, the first time she’d introduced a friend that she’s not yet familiar with — albeit they have interacted in the past.
“Hello, Seele’s Seele.” The poor doll tried to greet the blue Seele by holding her head in the right position, not long ago it was almost cut off from her body if it’s not for the red Seele intervention in the nick of time.
The red Seele explained everything to her wife as her wife almost embarrassed on how she misunderstood the situation.
“Seele, I’m sorry. I’ve been a very bad wife for doubting our relationship again.”
So, the red Seele hugged her for comfort, “I should be the one apologizing for hiding from you.” She then kissed her in the forehead, “But Seele, remember that our marriage is a choice that we choose for each other. And I find myself choosing you more and more every day of my life.”
“Seele...”
They’ve locked eyes and slowly leaned for a kiss when, “Ah! Seele, can you help Lily fixed her head so that Lily can see your kissing scene.” because Lily’s head already fell off from her body rolling to the ground near them. What a bad timing.
The couple felt embarrassed so, the red eyes Seele kicked Lily’s head farther. Maybe the kissing scene should wait for later — nope maybe not this time.
*****
The Herrscher Seele had met all of red Seele new friends. They were all the former Herrschers of this era. And she was introduced as the Herrscher of Life and Death by her wife who’s very proud of her and which made all her friends awed in the title.
They were now all back at the old and now battered warehouse. They were trying to fix what was left by the attack of the Herrscher of Truth. The Herrscher Seele apologized in her behalf for completely misunderstanding the situation — the former Herrschers already forgiven them though.
The blue Seele understood their situation that they only wanted to have a peaceful life in this world which Kiana and all of them was protecting. She also realized that her wife was now walking a path she owned all by herself as she watched her happily and playfully interacting with her new found friends — a place where she’s completely accepted and belonged.
That made her very proud and happy. “Seele, I’m so proud of you.”
The red Seele flushed in a hint of red, “Wha — I only did this because they might go berserk if they don’t have friends. There’s nothing to be proud of. Hmph.” And just like that, after a long narrative of growth for the red Seele — we already came this far — only to witness her coming back to what she really is.
“That’s what I truly love about you.” the blue Seele giggled.
And by that, the blue Seele also knew how to make her other half’s heart skipped a beat for a million times. If there were ants on Honkai Impact 3 rd , surely these two were one of their favorite meals considering how sweet they were together.
“Seele! How about we take a group photo together?” Lily suggested as she take out her camera. They all leaned closer to the couple and Lily clung to the red Seele’s arm but suddenly her arm fell to the ground.
So, the caring red Seele picked up her arms and give it to her, “Tsk. You’ve been clumsy, Lily.”
“Thank you, Seele. But...” Lily wondered why did her arms fell off, as she noticed behind the red Seele a familiar scary smile smiling towards her. Lily gulped and noted that the current Herrscher of Death was scarier than her friend Seele. She decided to not touch the red Seele on their group picture.
“By the way, where’s Senti?” The red Seele asked but no one could answer her.
In the distance place, Senti and Bronya were still fighting. But they were now fighting in the arcade. While sitting and holding the game’s joystick, the playful Herrscher of Truth asked, “You sure everything will be fine, Herrscher of Sentience?”
“Yeah, believe on Seele, my best friend.”
Their world is now peaceful and beautiful because of many people worked all out to be like that. And Seele is one of them.