SWNOVELXO Chapter 192: Another Farewell
The echoes of battle faded. The crumbling building continued its slow descent into the water, sending up a massive wave.
Crash!
Seawater surged over the platform, a curtain of white spray rising dozens of feet into the air.
Through the veil of water, Kiana's pupils contracted. The glittering star pendants on Ren and Durandal's wrists seemed to burn into her eyes.
An unfamiliar emotion welled up within her, a feeling she couldn't quite place, different from anything she had experienced before.
She looked at Ren. His eyes, clear and unwavering, held a flicker of surprise at her sudden appearance, but no hint of avoidance.
A strange sense of calm washed over her.
The hollow panic receded as Kiana shifted her gaze to Durandal, slowly drawing her weapon.
Regardless of the relationship between Ren and that girl, regardless of whatever trap Schicksal and the Obsidian Concord had laid for her in this city, she had to get Ren out.
"Ren, wait for me," she murmured, her grip tightening on her baseball bat.
The Herrscher cores gnawed at her from within, leaving her with precious little strength. Her arm trembled with the effort of holding the bat.
The moment she saw the distinctive golden hair and lance, she recognized Durandal, Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie. In her current state, Kiana had little chance of victory.
But she didn't hesitate. Like a furious lion cub, she charged, swinging her bat with all her might.
Thwack.
The bat connected with Durandal's forearm, but the Valkyrie barely flinched. The bat stopped dead, unable to penetrate her defenses.
The disparity in strength was too great. Kiana had no hope of winning in a direct confrontation. But she was no longer the reckless girl of the past. She had learned to adapt.
As Durandal moved to disarm her, Kiana released her grip on the bat, lunging towards Ren instead.
Her goal wasn't to defeat Durandal, but to reach Ren. Even if her body couldn't withstand it, as long as she could grab him, she could activate one final spatial transfer…
Ren, sensing her intent, reached out instinctively. But before Kiana could touch him, a sharp pain doubled her over. Durandal's knee slammed into her abdomen, sending her sprawling across the ground.
"So, feigning anger to mask your true intent—using your spatial powers to rescue him? You're more clever than Schicksal's intelligence reports suggest." Durandal glanced at Ren, still reaching out, then back at Kiana.
Kiana pushed herself up, wiping the blood from her lip. "Tch. You're tough."
"Durandal. Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie. A name I revered during my time at St. Freya. And now… my greatest enemy. I don't understand. Why would someone as powerful as you willingly serve Otto?"
"I've answered this question before. Only Schicksal can protect the billions of people in this world. That is my mission." Durandal's voice was calm and unwavering.
"High-sounding words. Is it your 'mission' to allow Otto to inflict his malice upon the innocent? Are the experiments you're conducting on Ren also part of your mission?" Kiana had seen the needle marks on Ren's arms during her brief attempt to reach him.
"That's none of your concern, Herrscher of the Void. You are still too weak, unable to even control your own power. You can change nothing. If it weren't for Ren's agreement with the Overseer, do you think you would be free to—"
"Stop, Durandal." Ren's voice, sharp and commanding, cut her off. "We've been out long enough. It's time to return."
He looked at Kiana, his expression complex. "You should leave, Kiana. This city is dangerous. When this is over… I'll find you."
He turned and walked towards Durandal, leaving Kiana with nothing but his back.
Panic flickered in Kiana's eyes as she watched Ren willingly approach Durandal. She didn't know what agreement he had made with Schicksal, but judging by Durandal's words and Ren's weakening aura, it couldn't be good.
"Wait! Explain yourself!"
Ignoring the throbbing pain, Kiana summoned a spear of Honkai energy and charged towards Durandal.
"No!" Ren shouted, but Durandal was faster. Her white lance flashed out, intercepting Kiana's attack.
The force of the blow was overwhelming. Kiana barely managed to raise her spear in defense. The impact slammed her into the wall, the sound echoing through the ruins.
She coughed, blood spraying from her lips. Her spear shattered. Her vision blurred, fading to black.
The click of heels against stone grew closer. Durandal retrieved her lance, its tip pointed at Kiana's throat.
"Since you won't take the opportunity offered, I have no choice but to apprehend you." Durandal's gaze was resolute. Allowing the Herrscher of the Void to escape had been Schicksal's mistake. She wouldn't repeat it.
Kiana looked up at her, struggling to speak, but a crushing weight in her chest stifled her words.
Just as Durandal prepared to strike, a wave of intense heat washed over them. Her eyes narrowed. She spun, her lance meeting Ren's flaming greatsword.
The two forces collided, equal and opposing. Neither yielded.
"Durandal, it's clear Otto hasn't honored our agreement. I won't question Kiana's presence here, but if you harm her, I won't hesitate to repeat our previous encounter." Ren's gray eyes, burning with unwavering resolve, left no doubt as to his sincerity.
Durandal hesitated, then lowered her lance.
She brushed past Ren, her voice cold. "I expect you to honor your agreement as well."
As Durandal walked away, the flames surrounding Ren's greatsword dissipated. He knelt beside Kiana, reaching out to lift her from the rubble.
But before he could touch her, Kiana's hand clutched his clothes.
"Don't go," she whispered, her eyes wide, pleading. But her body grew heavy, her vision blurring.
"Kiana, I have things I must do. This isn't the time for reunions."
"No."
"Remember our promise? Your flames will light the way for those lost in darkness. You have more important things to do, a longer road to travel. You can't stop now. Neither of us can. So… leave."
"No."
"In a few days, this place will become Otto's testing ground. It's dangerous. When this is over, I'll follow your lead. After all, you are the flame that will light the world."
Kiana bit her lip, her grip unyielding.
Ren sighed, gently prying her fingers loose.
He fastened the star bracelet around her wrist, closing his eyes. A warm energy flowed from him into Kiana, drawing out the excess Honkai energy, easing the corrosive burden.
"This is my gift to you."
"Goodbye."
Darkness consumed Kiana. She fought to stay awake, but exhaustion claimed her, pulling her into a deep slumber.
Ensuring Kiana's safety, Ren turned and rejoined Durandal.
A Schicksal transport ship landed before them. The Valkyrie pilot seemed nervous.
"Lady Durandal, we detected the Herrscher of the Void's signal just now. Did you encounter her?"
"…No. That was me."
"Oh. I see." The pilot seemed dubious, but didn't press the issue, escorting them back to the waiting warship.