NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Regression
It was still reflecting persistently, witnessing everything that person had changed, and that initial moment.
"It will be... the time and space that belongs to her..."
As the last soft whisper floated in the deepest part of the void,
The world growing on the Tree of Imaginary Numbers also opened up. The bifurcated road, the great power of the world, was revealed at this moment.
So, Otto returned to that night 500 years ago,
The evil that he had started, when the saint's final curtain came, he chose to make a desperate move, but fate did not favor him.
He released the Honkai Beast to cause chaos at the scene, but this crushed his last hope.
Ominous signs—the sun being swallowed up by a total solar eclipse, the old dead vine tree with the lingering cries of crows, the ferocious spikes of the Honkai Beast, and the flowing blood flowers on Kallen's slender waist—
In this world, the golden dome light curtain symbolized the determined destiny, covering the square of blood and fire ravaged by Honkai Beasts below.
Everything seemed to be smeared with golden yellow. Time was condensed at this moment. The world was suspended at this moment.
Then, a crack appeared on the eclipse, breaking the golden dome as it shattered into piece, and Otto's figure, covered with wounds, appeared in the air.
The seriously injured body was about to complete the last step of his plan.
In the air, he managed to twist his body,
Holding the Sacred Flame Sword tightly with both hands, the sword pointed downwards, falling from the sky like a meteor, trailing a cluster of golden tail flames.
As the light curtain dome disappeared, time seemed to move forward for a moment,
~ ~
Then, the original wound on Kallen's waist disappeared. At that moment of decision, she successfully resisted the Honkai Beast and pushed it away.
Different Scenes flew by in front of Otto's eyes. From the last moment, from the execution ground, to those two pairs of clasped little hands at the beginning of their story. What kind of fireworks would ignite at the last moment of his life?
Otto gave the answer.
He sighed as he closed his eyes, welcoming his end.
As the flame of light fell in front of his face, the Honkai Beast was annihilated with him, turning them into smoke.
"Kallen..."
"...live."
The last voice echoed in the air. The man who fell from the sky did everything he could.
The Honkai Beast was killed and, Kallen's fate was changed for a better future
Kallen looked back at the place where the meteor had just fallen, and an unknown sadness filled her heart. Her eyes were a little dazed. Looking at the disappearing tail flame, she felt a pang of pain in her heart.
A very important person had disappeared, but she didn't know who it was.
The scene turned blank white, and words began to appear:
"This is the most selfish thing one can do."
[The most selfish thing... but who doesn't want to accomplish such a selfish thing?]
[Here, Captain Hyperion pays his highest respect to the former Bishop of Schicksal.]
[Everything in the past has been paid for with this sword. In order to protect the one I love, I will launch an AOE attack!]
[I have personally turned this imperfect world into what you expected, Lord Bishop——]
[Cheers, for the most respectful villain.🍷]
----
As the figure in the video gradually resembled the one from her dream that cut through the sky and fell, the two figures overlapped, and the memory gradually became clearer.
Kallen held her hands tightly together in her chest, looking at the screen with misty eyes,
Unbeknownst to her, Otto's stigmata on her back shimmered slightly, as if to soothe her grief. The power of the stigmata had been aroused by the violent fluctuations of consciousness. At this moment, Kallen could only feel the pain from the bottom of her heart. Feeling powerless, watching a comrade she recognized and a very good friend disappear in front of her,
She was still not sure about her feelings toward him, but she could still feel the deep pain from her heart.
'Otto... we can never see each other again.'
'No matter if it is the past or the future.'
"It's really... a very selfish thing. Look, no one can get involved in this, Otto," she whispered through tears.
"But... it really shows how important a person's life is"
"Amazing. The world will truly change because of him, and time will retreat and flow back because of him; fate will bow down and protect him." She smiled weakly.
"The evergreen water of life infuses the past, and the dissipated starlight. Successfully continued by you."
"You have allowed me to transcend death and achieve miracles..."
"Huh—" Kallen's clenched hands trembled slightly, suppressing the thoughts in her heart and the tears in her eyes, and continued as she whispered softly:
"Really... no matter what time you are, you will always do amazing things..."
Looking at how the world changed because of one person, everyone present stayed silent as they all watched Otto's curtain call with attention.
He was certainly not a good person. And he had always called himself a rational villain. Everything he did showed his true intentions. He did not hesitate to do all those evil things for Kallen.
But this does not hinder their respect for him. What he did was worthy of this emotion called love.
....
"Although I quite hate him... tsk, no matter if it succeeds, I still hope I don't have to see him again next time."
The Herrscher of Sentience shrugged bluntly.
"To the former Bishop of Schicksal, Otto, with the most sincere respect."
Luo Mo said softly, raising a glass, looking at the last firelight.
"..." Kalpas said nothing.
He looked at the champagne he had bought, then looked at Luo Mo. He said nothing, but the anger behind him also subsided for a moment.
...
"Chaotic and complicated, maintaining a bright future with evil deeds, your story has finally ended..."
Elysia said softly, her eyes as bright as stars. It was her first time seeing someone like Otto, The will he had was so strong that was enough to impress her.
"...Kallen will take over the brush to write the continuation of the story."
She smiled slightly as she added, "I wish I could grab a wine glass, drink it all in one gulp, and feel the blush on my cheeks~"
...
"Goodbye, to this bishop who I have never met. I will not feel sad for your death."
Kiana looked at the figures on the screen. The enemy of herself in another world. The villain she had seen countless times. Her eyes flashed slightly as she whispered, "...But I won't be overjoyed about this. It's over, and that's good."
-----
As the last flame fell, the great sword of Shamash burned out its light, and the man who once faced the world alone also burned out everything he put into it.
The magnificent plan has finally come to rest.
(TL/N: don't forget to put on your headphones~)
~ ~
The calmness and musical lyrics began to play in the background. No matter what, even if it was appropriate, MiHoyi would never forget its loyalty to music.
At the moment when people are at their weakest, it delivers a final blow to their hearts.
[Too much of the past for one to memorize]
[Too many words remain for one to read between the lines]
The breeze blows in the green woods, and a paper airplane rests on the grass.
It doesn't have any advanced technology, but it carries the original dream of a great inventor.
As time passes, the trees cast colorful shadows under the light, creating whirling, dreamlike hues on the plane.
A boy and a girl run past it, laughing. The blond boy, weak, pauses for a moment, then picks up the plane, showing it excitedly to his companion, saying something before waving it toward the distance.
He throws the plane, and it spreads its wings, carried away by the breeze.
It flies to a very far place.
Through the breeze, it soars through the cold winter, crossing the sky, crossing time, flying freely through the air.
In an instant, young Otto felt something amiss and turns to look back. The girl smiling at him is no longer there. He stares blankly at the spot behind him, an indescribable feeling in his heart.
[Every night brings a dream but the day, relentlessly, keeps me awake]
The plane continues to fly, high in the blue sky, shaking its wings on an unknown journey.
The journey is endless, with no end, no purpose, and no one pulling it forward.
Scenes begin to emerge—moments Otto has lived.
Standing before the execution platform in the square, he carries her unconscious body in his arms, her bright smile now gone, and her bright blue eyes dimmed. He grits his teeth, holding back his tears.
In the main hall of the Schicksal Sanctuary, he stands with a sword in hand, looking down at a fallen family member, a pool of blood at his feet, hatred on his face. His chest trembles, blood splattered across his white shirt and cheek.
In the secret depths of his lab, dark green liquid fills a chamber holding a Honkai creature he cultivated, and through the glass, his cold eyes gaze.
[All the rest will be torn up whenever a choice is made!]
Somewhere in China, the Rakshasa carries a coffin on the ground, bringing back the warrior girl with him, who isn't in tune with the current events. He looks coldly at the Immortal, who has lost her power, then leaves.
In the battlefield, surrounded by flames of destruction, he met the despairing first Herrscher Welt. Otto passes by, coldly instructing him to fulfill his role.
Seeing the kind-hearted, brave girl who resembles Kallen, his eyes widen in surprise, and for the first time in five hundred years, his heart stirs when she refuses to kill another clone of herself.
On the Siberian snowfields, he wears a clown mask, watching the collapsing snow in the distance, where the fight takes place, schemes forming in his mind.
In a desperate moment, he looks at the faceless statue that claims to be a god, stabbing its neck with a cross dagger. His heart trembles as he catches a glimpse of the answer he's sought.
On his 423rd attempt, he sees a child figure in a tub in a warehouse. The child opens its blue eyes, reflecting the color of the Kaslana family.
[Everyone has their own desire leading to the ultimate!]
Watching the artificial Herrscher grow step by step, he quietly observe her, seeing her evolve from a naive little girl, to a lone warrior.
In the golden light curtain within the 1st Divine Key, his negotiation with the leader of World Serpent erases his final doubts, freeing him to do what he set out to accomplish.
Holding the imaginary number in his grasp, the authority of the tree, the halo shines behind him, like a god blessing him. Determination fills his eyes as the final moment of his plan arrives.
In the dark red sky, as the sun begins to set, the plane slowly falls, landing on the yellow-red grass.
Crossing thousands of mountains and ridges, over the long river of time, five hundred years pass in a blink of an eyes, and it returns to its original starting point.
It falls into the hands of a grown-up Otto.
He bends down, gently running his fingers along its frame. Under the fiery red clouds, he stands on the grass, staring at his original invention. Perhaps recalling the words of a great inventor, a warm smile crosses his lips
He looks up at the sky; through the red clouds, and sees the emerging starry night, with stars twinkling to light his return steps.
[Life is too long to end at a grave]
Bright stars shine in the night sky, meteors streaking one after another, and under a tree, a bonfire glows in the hazy night.
Leaning against a lush tree, the most important person rests on his shoulder.
Little Otto and little Kallen huddle together for warmth, peacefully asleep, their golden and pure white hair intertwined, their faces content and carefree.
So warm, so reluctant to let go.
So beautiful...
(TL/C: can't believe I just cried while typing).
~ ~
That was a scene he would remember all his life, and it was also the future he longed for most in his heart.
The stars twinkle in the dark sky, the orange light from the flames warming them. Their little hands clasp tightly together, fingers intertwined, and they will never part, no matter what.
Tonight, they will have a good dream, sleeping deeply.
How many evil deeds must a person commit to bring her back to dawn from the end of hell?
How far does a person have to go to...
...find his original self at the end of time?
After five hundred years, he finally welcomed his true self again.
[A ghost who should have died five hundred years ago...]
[He greeted his last self for the first time.]
[The epitaph is too short; this life, is too long.]
[MiHoyo, rushing to the battlefield carrying his stereo, and then... looking back, face full of tears.]
[Good night, the most hated and most respected inventor—Otto Apocalypse.]
[May your soul find a better life.]
----
"This life is long. I only regret that the epitaph is too short and cannot be remembered."
Durandal sighed, pursed her lips, and looked at the warm scene in the distance.
His journey had been so vast and remarkable that it couldn't possibly be captured on a small stone tablet.
"A monument without words... Haha—"
She shook her head, dismissing those idle thoughts. After all, she wasn't truly his student, but she couldn't help feeling a bit drawn in.
...
"Otto... Grandpa, um—"
Theresa was a bit stunned. Just moments ago, she had been frozen, unable to move.
She recalled watching her grandmother speaking to him in front of her. She remembered who Otto turn his head to look at her, warmth and joy shining in his eyes.
'It could be considered a good ending. If Grandma agrees, then maybe he was a worthy grandfather after all,'
She thought silently in her heart.
...
"The original us... It's been such a long journey, chasing time and going back to the past," she murmured.
"I wonder where the paper plane landed now, and those envelopes... they never reached you in the end."
(TL/N: I'm still unsure what envelopes she meant, but I think she's referring to the letters she sent to Otto when she ran away, But never reached him? I don't know.)
Kallen sighed quietly, a single tear falling to the ground. She reached up to brush it from her cheek, feeling a complex mix of emotions. Influenced by the music and the story, she could not help but cry.
Yet, she no longer doubted this comrade-in-arms' story. Memories of past dreams and distant days gradually became clear to her.
And, despite everything, she was glad to have seen him one last time.
...
-----
After the cutscene ended, the dark screen changed to white color.
'The wind blowing through halted time.'
Otto was gone, but his final words still echoed long in the wind.
Two voices began to speak, both belongs to the same person, but different in their age. The young innocent child, and his older version.
"...That's the story."
"I traveled to the distant future and experienced the impossible to have a chance to tell you the truth about the world."
"Don't worry. Everything will be different this time, because of you."
The voices spoke, as to deliver a final message to the both Kallen, in the game and the real one.
"Just like how very long ago, you changed the life of a certain boy."
"It was a spring morning...."
"He was a sickly boy without any friend, and he ran into you, who got across the wall."
"You said Hello to him, and asked him to play along."
"At that very moment..."
"This boy received his lifelong salvation."
"..."
"...."
A pair of blue eyes slowly opened, hesitation shadowing her face. Complex emotions glimmered in her tear-stained eyes as memories carried her back to the days when she looked down at Otto from the wall.
After that, she also gained support for her whole life. Just like that boy who always supported her.
This is the most selfish thing a person can do.
And yet...
It was the greatest thing a person can ever do.
----
Kallen, who was sobbing in tears, smiled as she looked at herself in the game opening her eyes.
She still remembers the final line in her script that Luo Mo gave her.
""Farewell... my great inventor.""
They both said in unison.
...