Honkai: Starting to Wander with Kiana

Ryn couldn't figure out why the man who'd been smiling and chatting just moments ago now had such a sour expression. Whatever the reason, Ryn wasn't going to tolerate the attitude.

"You... you're with Otto's group, aren't you?"

"Who else? I'm with Schicksal; if not Otto, then who?"

"Figures..." Ryouko Kunikida muttered, his face darkening. "I swear, I'll get to Siegfried one day. That bastard will pay."

Ryouko's frustration boiled over as he cursed Siegfried aloud. After venting for a while, he seemed to make up his mind. Looking Ryn straight in the eye, he declared, "Ryn, tell that dog Otto this: Mei... she's also a natural-born Stigma user. She awakened at eight years old, but her body couldn't handle the power and nearly broke under the strain. I had to seal it off.

"Let Otto know. He'll understand the significance. If that bastard dares to use Mei as a human anchor point for the Herrscher of the Void, or sacrifices her, I swear I'll take Entropy and blow everything sky-high!"

Ryn was stunned. "Mei is a natural Stigma awakened being too? That's surprising news." He thought back to the last natural Stigma user Otto had recruited and their subsequent treatment. Smiling at Ryouko, he added, "I'll let Otto know. He'll be thrilled to have Mei join Schicksal. But what do you mean by 'anchor point' or 'sacrifice'?"

"It's best if Otto understands... She's not like you."

Ryn's patience thinned. "What's that supposed to mean? Why talk in riddles? I'm a guy; she's a girl. Apart from that, how are we different? I have Stigmas too."

He crossed his arms. "Stop being cryptic. Do you need me to contact someone from Entropy again?"

"Yes," Ryouko relented. "Contact Einstein or Tesla—the other agents. If our leader Walter could reach out himself, that would be ideal."

Ryn nodded curtly. "Fine, just give me their contact information—or better yet, here's my phone. Handle it yourself."

Handing over his phone, Ryn watched as Ryouko hesitated, looking dumbfounded. "Just this? You're having me call them directly?"

"What else? Did you expect me to hack into Entropy's communication system and send them a message?" Ryn shrugged. "I could if I wanted to, but since you're being difficult, I'll pass."

Finally, Ryouko gave in and dialed a number filled with static. From the moment the call connected, a series of beeps and buzzes rang out. Ryn smirked to himself. That 'red terror' nickname Tesla's got is well-earned.

Through the crackling line, Tesla's voice came through, furious and fast: "After Cocolia revised and released information about you, everything's changed. That manipulative bitch infiltrated your ME Corporation with her people. We can't extract you right now.

"And get this—that conniving woman even tried to steal my Conquest Gem! She's always going on about how much she loves her child, but she implanted a tactical chip in her daughter's brain! And where the hell did she get that armor for the Ural Silver Wolf? That little brat slaughtered my entire elite guard—armed with heavy weapons—all by herself!"

(Can't imagine Bronya in full killing mode? Check out her solo animated short film. It's badass.)

Ryouko clenched his fists silently. The Conquest Gem Tesla had was a fake anyway. I switched it long ago. Let Cocolia take the heat.

As the conversation carried on, Ryouko's phone flashed, casting an urgent, flickering light across his face. A palm-sized hologram of Cortana appeared, startling him.

"Emergency situation: Kiana engaged in combat...

Combat mode activated.

Alert: Kiana shot and unconscious; Mei kidnapped.

Tracking system engaged. Based on speed, the kidnapper likely has a flying vehicle."

Ryouko's eyes widened. "What the hell! Those bastards dared to touch Mei!"

"What about Kiana?" Ryn snapped, snatching his phone back. As he sprinted towards the indicated location, he barked commands at Cortana.

"Scanner result: Kiana's fine, just unconscious. The kidnapper's target was Mei. Scanner detected heavy weapons and high-energy devices, but they're using tranquilizer darts."

"Track Mei's location constantly. Request a transport device from Schicksal, and message Sparkle to gear up for backup."

Ryn touched the Stigma on his right hand. He hadn't unlocked Herrscher powers yet, but he'd discovered new Stigma abilities. The Stigma, once belonging to God Nana, now obeyed him.

Using Cortana and the Stigma's power, Ryn developed the Link System and created a weapon—the Ether Armament Array. It featured three forms: a giant sword, dual daggers, and a heavy cannon. The array could absorb various weapons or Honkai energy to achieve different effects.

Images to follow later.

The Stigma also contained God Nana's combat techniques. Though limited to close combat, they were invaluable to Ryn. (He'll master the Vast Sword Intent later. The Sword God is just too cool.)

Not long after leaving the prison, Ryn found the unconscious Kiana. She wasn't seriously injured. Her attackers had acted swiftly, knocking her out with tranquilizers. Despite the heavy dose, Kiana's Kaslana bloodline kicked in, and she stirred while Ryn was still examining her.

Kiana grabbed Ryn's arm, signaling him to stop. Standing up, her pale face betrayed her shock. The enemy had moved too quickly. Mei had been shot and taken before Kiana could react, and then they'd shot her too—multiple times when one dart wasn't enough.

As soon as she woke, Kiana urgently said, "Ryn... Mei's been kidnapped! We have to save her!"

Ryn nodded. "We will. But the kidnappers have a flying machine and are already beyond the city. I've requested combat gear from Schicksal. Sparkle is bringing a transport vehicle to support us. For now, we can only wait."

"Damn it... I'm too weak..." Kiana's fists tightened. She couldn't accept Mei being taken right in front of her while she was powerless to stop it.

"No, this isn't your fault. No one could have predicted this. Cortana, prepare antidotes and ensure Sparkle is ready for anything."