Honkai Impact: The Dream Keeper

(Continuing from the previous story, the group rescued Kallen in the virtual world and returned to reality. What will happen this time?)

At Qianyu Academy in Changkong City—

A young girl sat slumped on the ground, several vines attached to her body. These vines were connected to several other girls lying on the ground, seemingly dead. The vines were still wriggling.

"Why? I'm perfectly conscious, but I can't even move a finger. Am I having a nightmare? Ouch, my body hurts so much. Where am I?"

"Ah! I kind of remember now. I overslept this morning and got scolded by my mom, then I came to school. My first class was math, I think, and then that white-haired transfer student sitting by the window was dozing off again. Ugh, I just can't do anything with her. And then... I heard a scream coming from the hallway, and the class monitor suddenly stood up... She rushed to the podium, and she... bit the teacher's neck..." Just as the girl was still reminiscing, a short figure holding a Judah slowly walked in...

"...What exactly happened? Who...who am I?" Yuno asked, looking around.

"I've kept you waiting. I've come to end your suffering," Theresa said, holding up Judas to Yuno.

Just six hours ago, in the Dean's office at St. Freya Academy—

"Hello? Major Himeko, is there anything I need to report?" Theresa was talking to Himeko.

"Of course," Himeko reported to Theresa, "the Science Department just reported that a huge Honkai energy fluctuation was observed in Changkong City."

“Even stronger than the Honkai energy fluctuations of a Honkai Beast…” Theresa muttered to herself, “Is it a new Honkai Beast?” “Unfortunately, no. The Science Department now suspects it’s… the fluctuations of a Herrscher…”

"Impossible! Because only one Herrscher is born each time a Honkai occurs! And isn't the Third Herrscher already under our surveillance?"

“That’s right, and the people from the Science Department said that the fluctuations observed this time are indeed weaker than those of the Third Herrscher. They suspect that Changkong City has lost its ruling Herrscher, and the remaining Honkai energy has regrouped—”

"Furthermore, Honkai energy is still creating new Herrschers, but the Science Department believes that this Honkai energy is not yet sufficient to form a new Honkai core, and the formation speed of Herrschers is also very slow," Himeko said.

"But if this continues, it will eventually pose a threat to us. Should I clean it up?"

“No, no, your injuries haven’t healed yet, so leave it to me this time. I can handle it all by myself,” Theresa said to Judas. But a figure was secretly listening outside the door…

"Could it be Yuno? I have to save her, but how? Maybe I should go and see what's going on; I'll try to save her if I can."

————Back to the present————

“Heh… I’ve finally found you. You’re the new Herrscher, right?” Theresa said, looking at Yuno’s pained expression, while Yuno remained sitting on the ground, groaning in agony…

"It's painful, isn't it? Your body has been corrupted, but a sliver of consciousness remains..." Theresa placed Judas on the ground, took out the weapon from him, and said to Yuno.

"Let me end your suffering," Theresa said as she attacked Yuno, a tear sliding down Yuno's cheek... Theresa plunged her sword into Yuno, a spray of blood erupting...

Theresa's weapon was blocked by Yuno's thorns, but Yuno's thorns had already pierced through the right side of Theresa's body. Theresa then quickly jumped away.

"Damn it, how could this be?" Theresa clutched her wound, staring at Yuno, who was slowly awakening before her.

“Foolish humans! I knew you were coming to destroy me! Why am I always the unfortunate one? My mother has always hated me, and I get scolded for the smallest mistakes. My classmates have always distanced themselves from me and bullied me… But, those annoying guys are all dead now, and I have gained power that surpasses everyone else. Hahahaha, I am the one who was chosen!”

"So her mind had already been consumed by corruption all along?" Theresa realized and said.

"Die!" Yuno had barely finished speaking when she launched a fierce attack on Theresa...

"Don't underestimate me!" Theresa used Judas to block the attacking thorns, but suddenly, Theresa couldn't muster any strength.

"What's going on? Why do I have no strength at all? Could it be... that those vines are poisonous?! I have to get out of here first!" Just as Yuno was about to launch another attack, a beam of light suddenly struck her.

"Ugh...who is it? Who is attacking me?"

"Huh? What's going on?" Theresa was taken aback.

"Yo, Headmistress," Long Qiao stepped out from behind Yuno and greeted Theresa...

"Qiao? What are you doing here?" Theresa said to Long Qiao, clutching her wound.

"Huh? I was looking for you earlier when I heard you were coming here to take care of this new Herrscher, so I followed you, but I got lost..." Long Qiao scratched his head and said.

"I see, but let's... let's defeat this Herrscher first..." Theresa said, rubbing her forehead.

"Damn it, the poison seems to be taking effect..."

"The poison has taken effect, huh? Then, Dean, I'll take care of her." With that, Long Qiao flipped open her Faiz phone, switched it to rapid-fire mode, and pulled the trigger, beams of light hitting Yuno.

"Ugh...you damn bastard! I'll kill you!" Yuno, enraged, attacked Ryuu Takumi...

While dodging the vines, Long Qiao also fired at Yuno using the Fiiz phone's explosive mode, but he was hit a few more times, sparks flying. Protecting his chest, Long Qiao said to Yuno...

"Oh, not bad, you actually managed to hit me. But your poison won't work on me."

"What?! Damn it, who are you?!"

"Oh? Me? I'm just a Kamen Rider Faiz passing by. Remember that," Ryuu Takumi said, pointing at Yuno.

"Kamen Rider? What's that? But the little girl next to you is going to die, hahaha!"

"What?" Long Qiao rushed to Theresa's side, listening to Theresa's breathing growing weaker and weaker.

"Oh no, I have to get going, or Dean Theresa's condition will be critical," Long Qiao muttered to himself.

"Hey! Herrscher, let's save our battle for next time, I have to go," Long Qiao said to Yuno as he carried Theresa to the window.

"Heh... I'll let you go for now, but next time we meet, I'll definitely kill you."

"Next time we meet, maybe I'll be the one who saves you? Sayonara!" With that, Long Qiao carried Theresa and jumped out of the window, where they were caught by the motorized Pegasus and sped away...

"Heh... You're really stubborn. But I forgot to mention, my poison can penetrate things, heh heh... Next, I'm going to gather more energy to cleanse this filthy world..."

"Hey! Dean Theresa, you have to hold on!" Long Qiao shouted to the unconscious Theresa behind him as he rode his motorcycle, but suddenly he felt that he couldn't muster any strength.

"Damn... I didn't get hit too, did I?! Aren't I already a Kamen Rider? And this one even has the ability to penetrate?" Long Qiao couldn't control himself and fell to the side, deactivating his transformation. Long Qiao looked at his purple hands and said...

"Ding! That's because Yuno's abilities have also been enhanced; her poison can penetrate armor and reach the wearer."

"System? You're here... Damn, I knew it, so I got boosted. I feel so dizzy, like I have kidney deficiency." Just as Long Qiao was about to faint, she saw a figure walking towards them.

"Who are you?" After saying that, Long Qiao officially fainted...

----split line----

(The story is not over yet, stay tuned for the next episode)