Bizarre Honkai, a Wife-Chasing Crematorium

"I must admit," Otto began, "World Serpent's Stigmata plan is ingenious. Escape the Cocoon of Finality's cycle, live in a blissful illusion, a perfect utopia. No more death, no more suffering, just eternal happiness in a fabricated reality…"

"Of course, one could argue that if everyone believes it's real, it becomes real."

"But a lie is still a lie. We both know that."

"Living in the 'Adam' Stigmata space… it's just a glorified brain in a vat. If the ultra-rich wanted immortality, they'd pursue medical advancements, not uploading their minds to the cloud."

"What if I disagree?" Li Mo countered. "What if I think living in a dream is perfectly acceptable?"

Otto chuckled. "Indeed. Everyone has their own beliefs. I wouldn't presume to judge. But the person you care about most, the most promising Valkyrie, the strongest Herrscher—Kiana Kaslana—she might not share your view."

"She's fighting World Serpent, fighting me, with everything she has. She envisions a future where humanity lives freely under the sun, not huddled in the shadows of a fabricated world."

"Sounds like a typical Heroes protagonist, doesn't she? So bright and heroic. Unlike you and me, destined to lurk in the darkness."

"Do you want to see her efforts go to waste? Or do you simply believe her efforts are meaningless, that World Serpent's plan is the better option?"

"..."

"I'll leave this here. The choice is yours." Otto placed a syringe on the table, a custom-made device. He'd even leaked information about a "Type-2 Stigmata Project" – all disinformation, of course – to further his plan.

The Type-2 Stigmata was a single dose, a concentrated Honkai energy suppressant combining the powers of multiple Herrschers. Injecting it into Li Mo, combined with Otto's arrangements, would send him directly to the Cocoon of Finality…

Li Mo wanted to discuss it with Kiana. She didn't come home that month.

Or the next.

He waited six months.

When she finally returned, bundled in layers of clothing to hide her injuries, he knew.

She'd matured, but some habits never changed.

He cooked for her as always, even though she couldn't taste it anymore.

"Kiana," he began, "there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I'm considering Schicksal's Type-2 artificial Stigmata project. If it works, the Honkai corruption will be greatly reduced. Normal Valkyries could live to fifty. I could fight alongside you." 

A lie.

"I've heard of it. It's not ready. I won't let you do it! Men can't handle Honkai as well as women. Do you want to end up like Ms. Himeko? I can save everyone on my own! You need to live!"

"...Alright. I'll decline."

He was already dying. Otto's Type-2 Stigmata was rewriting his body, consuming his life force. He had less than six months left.

Learning of Kiana's struggles against World Serpent, he made his decision.

Otto had laid the groundwork. Teacher-student bonds, friendship, family…

Kevin Kaslana played his part. Project Stigma, apotheosis…

Kiana was the key, the one most compatible with the Cocoon of Finality.

All that remained was for Li Mo to offer himself, his remaining power and emotions, as the final stepping stone for her ascension. Nothing was more receptive to Kiana than himself.

All Herrscher powers combined, with perfect human compatibility, would birth the Herrscher of the End—not to destroy civilization, but to end the endless cycle of suffering.

Their sacrifices would bloom into a magnificent future.

Inside the Theater of Domination, Kiana, now the Herrscher of Flamescion, pointed her four-cored greatsword at the final puppet.

"You lose."

The puppet paused, its masked head tilting in confusion.

"Yes… we lose. But… what did we lose to? Justice? Hope? Or simply… power?"

Kiana didn't offer a condescending lecture.

"You wouldn't understand. You're just puppets. Not real people."

"But we want to understand, Kiana. We envy you… why do you always win? No matter the obstacle, you never waver. You overcome every challenge."

"I'm never alone."

"But we're not alone either! We have a thousand companions!"

"Yes, but you're not connected by ideals, or dreams, or trust. You're united by a single purpose, driven by a singular emotion. That's not companionship."

The puppet lowered its head, a flicker of understanding in its voice. "I see… But Kiana, one last question. Can those intangible things truly guarantee victory? We may have failed, but you face a far greater foe! Can you truly overcome such power with mere… feelings?"

Kiana didn't answer. She looked down at the diamond ring on her left hand, a silent answer not just to the puppet, but to herself.

Human emotions might fade, be forgotten, overlooked. But when remembered, they would shine brighter than ever, guiding lost souls home.

Why do we live? What is the meaning of life?

Did it matter?

"I don't know if I can defeat a stronger enemy," Kiana said softly. "I don't even know if I should keep going, or where to go… What's right, what's wrong… I don't know any of that."

"Then why do you keep winning? Why do you keep going?"

"Because he's behind me. I can't fall. I can only move forward. That's why I'm unstoppable."

Flames engulfed the puppet. Her answer, a declaration not just to her enemy, but to herself.

After defeating the Herrscher of Domination, Kiana returned to St. Freya. The long battle was over. Like any good shonen story, a celebratory feast followed.

But someone was missing. Or perhaps, not missing at all. Perhaps this was how it was meant to be.

Li Mo watched from afar, a bystander witnessing their struggles, their triumphs, their sacrifices. Powerless to intervene.

He watched the celebration through a video feed, their hopes and dreams projected onto a distant future. He sat alone in their quiet home, a silent observer.

Perhaps out of pity, Otto had granted him this final role before his own demise.

The Bystander.

"Kiana," Theresa asked, "aren't you going to invite Li Mo?"

"No. I don't want him to see me injured. He'll worry… Besides, I want to surprise him."

"Kiana probably wants to gift-wrap herself," Bronya quipped.

Kiana giggled. "Maybe a little. But no. It's A-Mo's birthday in six months. Imagine his face when I tell him we can finally live a normal life again! Just thinking about it gives me so much energy! Like I have the power of a hundred… no, two hundred people!"

"I have to work harder. Defeat the remaining Herrschers, defeat the Honkai! So everyone can go back to their normal lives!"

She'd hidden her struggles from him, her near-death experiences. She didn't want him to worry. Soon—less than a year—she'd be back by his side. They'd return to their old life, their little home in Nagazora… back to the past…

No more Honkai to disrupt their peace. Just a quiet life together, like before.

"Durandal," Theresa said, "your sister's found someone. When are you going to find someone?"

"I… finding."

Everything unfolded according to Otto's plan.

"Therefore," Otto declared, "I, Otto Apocalypse, hereby resign as Overseer of Schicksal and sever all ties with the organization."

His actions drew all attention to himself, to the mysteries of Kolosten, giving Li Mo the space he needed.

No one, not even Kiana, noticed his absence. Otto was a master of misdirection, unparalleled in his ability to draw attention—and hatred.

With everyone focused on Otto, Li Mo slipped through the cracks, reaching the Cocoon of Finality.

A colossal, purple, eye-like entity observed the ordinary human standing before it. Its intricate patterns scanned him, testing his worthiness to receive its power.

He failed, of course. He was just a human. Nothing special, except for the unusual Stigmata on his back and the frantic beating of his heart.

The Cocoon of Finality couldn't comprehend why he was here. He wasn't worthy, nor did he pose a threat.

And… he was dying. Three days at most. The Honkai corruption had spread throughout his body, reaching even his brain.

The Cocoon of Finality remained dormant. A human's death was inconsequential.

"Just as Otto described. Magnificent." Li Mo gazed at the alien entity. It seemed to exist in three-dimensional space. He could even touch it, though that was likely due to the Stigmata altering his own existence.

"Hello. My name is Li Mo."

The Cocoon of Finality didn't respond. Like a distant god, it didn't heed the pleas of mortals.

"You'll choose a girl to be your new master. Her name is Kiana Kaslana…" Li Mo spoke slowly, his corrupted face softening, his voice gentle.

"She's a glutton, but she's lost her sense of taste. You need to restore it." His words sounded like a command, or perhaps lines of code.

He bit his finger, letting his black-red blood stain the Cocoon of Finality, forming distorted 'characters'.