 | Transcluded ScriptThis section contains story script that was transcluded from the game with the help of OCR tools to avoid human-made mistakes as much as possible. Generally speaking, it shouldn't be altered unless the in-game equivalent has been changed. Any typos or other errors that are also present in the game are to be retained on the wiki but can be marked via {{sic}}.Chinese and Japanese romanizations and translations, if present, are unofficial. |
|---|
Chapter 2[]
About MANTIS 1[]
Elysia
Hi, Mei, I've been waiting for you.
Mei
...I feel this has happened a lot of times before. What is it?
Elysia
Hmm... Have you been hanging out with a girl lately?
Mei
A girl?
Elysia
I only caught a glimpse... a bit shorter than you but more mature... also very cute... World Serpent agent too?
Mei
You mean Raven? Yes.
Elysia
Can you introduce her to me?
Mei
...
Elysia
Come on, we're good friends now and you've met all my friends...
Elysia
So it's only fair that I get to know your friends too.
Elysia
Of course, we're still besties and that's not gonna change.
Mei
All World Serpent agents are baptized here. If you're interested, why didn't you come to her earlier?
Elysia
Ah, now I remember. No wonder she looks familiar. The last time she was here, she was always in her cloak.
Elysia
Ah, she came to see you. I won't disturb you two, but do introduce me next time, alright?
Raven
Who was that?
Mei
...You've never met her? That's Elysia, the 2nd Flame-Chaser.
Raven
Elysia? That was her?
Mei
Something wrong?
Raven
...Nothing. I read about her records, but never met her in the Elysian Realm.
Raven
I never thought she'd be such a charming young girl.
Mei
...I think you'll get along with her just fine.
Mei
So I guess you didn't meet all then Flame-Chasers then?
Raven
No one has.
Raven
According to Gray Serpent, those who came before only met seven of them at most.
Raven
You haven't met all of them, have you?
Mei
Not yet, but I believe it's just a matter of time.
Raven
...Right, you're not like us.
Mei
How many did you meet?
Raven
Me? Just Gold, Setsuna, Deliverance, and Infinity.
Mei
And Decimation too, right? The masked man you told me about.
Raven
...If I could, I would remove him from my memory.
Mei
...Same here.
About MANTIS 2[]
Raven
Haha, Sora does it too sometimes.
Raven
Kids are kids. There are some things they all have in common.
Sakura
Yeah.
Raven
...
Raven
...Sakura, you've met a lot of successors, and you probably know how the world you lived in ended.
Raven
Your sister...
Sakura
I know. You can stop here.
Raven
...
Raven
If I were you, I'd have a mental breakdown.
Raven
We're practically doing the same things, and you showed me the most likely and most horrible outcome.
Sakura
Others feel this way too here.
Sakura
But... Miss Cioara, there are many things in life that are beyond our control.
Sakura
Even without my protection, she lived a peaceful and happy life. That's enough for me.
Raven
...A peaceful and happy life?
Raven
Ah... right.
Raven
Oh, I almost forgot why I came to look for you.
Sakura
Anything wrong?
Raven
Not exactly. I've been worried you would misunderstand— I wasn't trying to avoid you.
Raven
Even though I also prefer to end battles fast, the Setsuna style doesn't suit me.
Sakura
I understand. The Elysian Realm only points out a way for the successors and leaves them with a choice.
Sakura
But I didn't expect you to return. Few successors did that.
Raven
It couldn't be helped. Duty brought me here.
Sakura
Just like the last few dozen times you came here?
Raven
...I guess you could say that.
About MANTIS 3[]
Mobius
Ah, you came back. Changed your mind?
Mobius
I'm sorry, you're not my favorite anymore.
Mobius
However... if you're interested in my other experiments, the offer is still on the table.
Raven
That won't be necessary. You're such a headache, just like Jackal in the outside world.
Raven
I'm not interested. Not even one bit.
Raven
But if you play your cards right, I might be able to bring you the report on the Herrscher of Sentience.
Mobius
I was just asking. And do you really think I'd be interested in that report?
Mobius
Modifying a Herrscher's mind and making her believe she's someone else. I tried that ages ago.
Raven
Is that so? How did it work out?
Mobius
I found a better solution.
Mobius
You love making deals, right? Bring me the file you just mentioned if you want to know what it was.
Raven
...Mobius, you're being too obvious.
Raven
Besides, as Hua's former teammate, aren't you curious about her fifty thousand years of memories?
Mobius
...
Raven
Ah, you're so cold-blooded. I'm feeling sorry for her now.
About MANTIS 4[]
Kevin
No need to call me that... I'm not the same as him. You're talking to Kevin, the bearer of the Deliverance Signets.
Raven
...Sorry, I've grown too used to it.
Raven
But you're right, in reality, he is more like a god, a symbol.
Raven
Isn't this interesting? Knowing someone at different stages of their life simultaneously. That doesn't happen every day.
Raven
When I was running a bar, a guest once said this:
Raven
The me who's had one drink and the me who's had ten would definitely be good friends. It's a shame they can't meet each other.
Raven
And now we're looking at the same situation.
About World Serpent 1[]
Raven
Hi, you came back. Find anything new?
Mei
Not yet, but I just realized something. There's a question only you can answer, Senpai.
Raven
You make it sound like a big deal. What is it?
Mei
Kevin's sim told me he didn't found World Serpent.
Raven
Can't you just call him Sire? It feels weird, like I rank lower than you.
Mei
...I'm not obligated to call him that.
Raven
Haha, just kidding. But I thought what you experienced here would transform you and make you a true agent.
Raven
In case Jackal makes you her next victim, I'm already thinking of a codename for you. How about Flashy Drake?
Mei
...
Mei
Back to the topic, Raven. You didn't seem surprised to learn that Kevin didn't found World Serpent.
Raven
No, I've known that for a long time.
Mei
I had my doubts about the meaning of World Serpent, but it seems to me now that the serpent refers to Mobius.
Raven
Bingo! She's the real founder, and that's no secret. But you joined us in a rush, so it's natural you don't know.
Raven
Of course, it wasn't until I got here that I met her for the first time.
Mei
The first time? You never saw her in reality?
Mei
She said she was the real Mobius, so in theory, World Serpent is still under her control.
Raven
She might have lied to you. Sire is the only leader of World Serpent now.
Raven
You can even see him as the "god" of World Serpent.
Mei
Yeah, I noticed long ago. The members seem more like Kevin's devoted believers than subordinates.
Raven
To be exact, the agents don't worship him. They believe in a vision, an ideal represented by Sire and Project Stigma.
Raven
Of course, World Serpent is an ancient organization now. Even faith can grow weak over such a long time.
Raven
Only a legend can remove their doubts— a leader that would never fall.
Mei
A Flame-Chaser.
Raven
That's right, but it doesn't seem to be effective on you.
About World Serpent 2[]
Mei
According to what you said, the faith in Flame-Chasers is what keeps World Serpent afloat.
Mei
Did you know of their existence before coming here?
Raven
Of course. The legendary thirteen have always been the guarantee of Project Stigma.
Raven
It's not completely accurate, but you can think of World Serpent as a religious organization to understand this better.
Raven
Project Stigma is a doctrine, but it's not enough. World Serpent needed a god, especially in its early days.
Raven
That's why it can only be led by Flame-Chasers.
Mei
Sounds like it doesn't matter who sits on the throne, as long as it's a Flame-Chaser.
Raven
Correct again. For most people, the origin of their faith is simple— decisive and world-changing power.
Raven
Maybe in a certain bubble universe, it's led by your friend Hua. It might have a different name though. Like World Bird.
Mei
...
Mei
As you said, Project Stigma is what the members believe in, but the agents I saw are more like the enforcers than believers.
Raven
That's what Gray Serpent wants. In his words...
Raven
"No one is thrilled to see the sun rise— there's no room for fervor if you're absolutely confident in your faith."
Raven
The ones you saw are the most pious followers of the plan. Their motives may vary, but they share the same desire.
Mei
And you too?
Raven
Me? I told you, I'm just like any new member, except I know a bit more.
Raven
I'd never come back if not for the fat paycheck.
About Kevin 1[]
Raven
I can't help. The countermeasure isn't working here.
Raven
I can't stop a Herrscher in this case. You're on your own now.
Raven
...
Raven
Ha, you don't sound nervous at all. My gut feeling is that stopping her has never been your real purpose.
Raven
Oh, sorry, I shouldn't have asked.
Raven
I've some private business to attend to, so I might linger on in the realm for a while. See you around.
The communication was cut off.
Raven
Oh, you're back.
Mei
Hmm, how are things going on your side?
Raven
Not bad, considering my opponent is a Herrscher. He'll understand.
Mei
Good.
Mei
Oh, there's something I meant to ask you.
Mei
You said you once met someone whose limitation was removed. Was it another agent from the baptized ones?
Raven
I didn't say that.
Raven
...
Raven
Alright, he sent you here, so I guess it's not a secret.
Raven
It was Sire himself.
Mei
Kevin?
Raven
Growing up in the organization, I saw some things that maybe I shouldn't have, including his other side.
Mei
You only saw the records, right? After all, it was just months ago when Kevin returned from the Sea of Quanta.
Raven
Yeah, but what difference does that make?
Raven
And it wasn't just records that I saw.
Mei
What do you mean?
Raven
After Sire's return, Gray Serpent offered him Chiyou's body to hasten his recovery.
Raven
It was only for a brief moment, but the surge in power... overwhelmed him.
Mei
..You saw him transform?
Raven
It was only for a short time, and only part of his body changed, but...
Raven
You'll never see anything more dangerous or horrifying.
Mei
That doesn't sound like the usual Kevin.
Raven
Maybe, but back then, I only felt lucky.
Raven
That I turned down the bounty of the Flame-Chasers. If I crossed he line, I'd never be the same.
Mei
...
Mei
(Recovering his strength using Honkai Beasts... How much has he recovered then?)
About Kevin 2[]
Eden
...So it was after that they began to call him "Sire".
Eden
I thought he was already the leader of World Serpent when the age began.
Raven
I'm more curious about the story.
Raven
I don't think anyone could trap him in the Sea of Quanta besides the Flame-Chasers.
Eden
Sorry, my friend, I can't imagine that any Flame-Chaser could do that. Maybe Ellie could, but she wouldn't do something like that.
Eden
So it might just be Kevin himself. He didn't initiate Project Stigma right away, and that's proof.
Raven
...Hard to say that what he was doing had nothing to do with Project Stigma.
Raven
Jackal told me that the stories of Sire using the Kaslana name became legends and helped shape the World Serpent faith.
Raven
But it seems he didn't do this on purpose.
Eden
Kevin and the other Pioneers have been through a lot. Our age ended long ago, but they still have my blessings.
Eden
Anyway, my friend, why did you come this time?
Raven
As usual, I just came to drink and chat with you.
Eden
You're certainly a special one. For most successors, the wine is just simulated.
Eden
They can taste it and feel tipsy, but their minds are still hellbent on telling them it's all fake.
Raven
What's wrong with that? Shame that I'm not tech savvy, otherwise... a bar for the mind is a perfect business opportunity.
Raven
Most people don't share your taste. They drink not to enjoy the flavor, but to get drunk— it matters not whether it's real.
Raven
Besides, what I really look forward to is what happens after drinking. Cheers?
Eden
Cheers, my friend.
Raven
...
Raven
(Kaslana...)
About Mobius 1[]
Raven
Ah, isn't this Raiden Mei, Lady Busy?
Raven
What, you've finally picked up some workplace etiquette and come to visit your senior?
Mei
...I've some questions for you.
Raven
Still the same old Mei who won't even bother to act nice. What is it this time?
Mei
You said you never saw Mobius in reality, but that could mean a lot of different things.
Mei
A few months ago, no one in World Serpent had seen Kevin, and it might be the same situation for Mobius.
Raven
So?
Mei
...Is there any record about Mobius's death in the World Serpent database?
Raven
Death record? Impossible. I told you Flame-Chasers were worshiped as gods in World Serpent.
Raven
Anything that touches them reads like myths and legends.
Raven
From the start, records about them are not to help you understand them better, but to nurture fear and devotion.
Mei
...Any examples?
Raven
Hmm, let me think... Ah, Sakura is a good one.
Raven
Before coming here, anything I read about her was pretty much like this:
Raven
"The shadow walker, with her dual blade forged by gods, took a path of betrayal and sundered her fate in the old world..."
Raven
Hmm... I'm not 100% sure about the words, but it was something like that.
Mei
...
Raven
Before seeing these Flame-Chasers with your own eyes, you won't get anything valuable from the pretentious scripts.
Raven
Anyway, why are you suddenly asking me this? What, you're interested in where Mobius has ended up?
Mei
I just want to find out if she's survived.
Raven
Why don't you simply ask her?
Raven
I don't want too much contact between you two, but for this question, only she can give you the best answer.
Raven
Oh, wait...
Raven
I remember Gray Serpent said something about Mobius.
Raven
He said when he was looking for a surviving Flame-Chaser as the leader of World Serpent, Mobius came to his mind first.
Raven
But... of course you know it's Kevin who sits on the throne now.
Raven
I don't know what happened, but... if Mobius wasn't a survivor, Gray Serpent wouldn't even consider her.
About Mobius 2[]
Mei
I've heard about you from more than one Flame-Chaser.
Raven
Huh? Someone else spoke of me besides Eden and Sakura?
Mei
Yeah. What you did left a strong impression on them.
Raven
Hey, what's the big deal about it? I don't believe I'm the only one who's done this.
Mei
From their reactions, you're perhaps the only one who's passed the trial but rejected the bounty at the final moment.
Raven
...
Mei
I know you've been very cautious, but I don't suppose anything ordinary would make you run away instantly.
Raven
"Run away"? Can you find something more appropriate? Like "retreat".
Mei
If you wish.
Mei
So, before you retreated, what did you see?
Raven
Hmm... to be honest, I didn't see anything.
Raven
The best time to fallback is when your gut feeling tells you to. It's too late when it actually happens.
Mei
But there must be something that triggered your instinct, right? After all, you're not a real bird.
Raven
Who knows. Have you read Grimm's Fairy Tales? Maybe I'm a raven that can foresee the future.
Mei
...
Raven
Alright, I was joking.
Raven
The reason was probably that I felt something was amiss.
Mei
Something was amiss?
Raven
Hmm, it was Mobius handling me the bounty, and she's someone you'd better steer clear of, even for a chat.
Raven
Not to mention in that particular situation.
Mei
Particular situation?
Raven
Yeah, she showed up out of nowhere and congratulated me on passing the trial of Infinity.
Raven
Then she took me to an area I'd never seenseen before... It was green and made me uncomfortable.
Raven
She said she was going to baptize me for the last time, but something felt off when I entered that area.
Mei
Which was?
Raven
For instance... A battle obviously occurred there. Call it a professional hunch... I'm sensitive to those matters.
Raven
This is peculiar. Removing the restraints... Why on the battlefield, of all places?
Mei
You've known the true meaning of the Elysian Realm since then?
Raven
No, I found it out from Mobius on my way there.
Raven
You know my stance on lifting the restraints... I was already planning a safe retreat at the time.
Mei
It's not that simple, right?
Raven
Yeah, I assumed someone like her had gotten used to being rejected a long time ago. Who knew she'd flip without warning.
Raven
She sensed something before I even spoke. I have to say... she's dangerous.
Raven
I swear, all I did was blink, but she... was gone.
Mei
... Gone?
Raven
Yes, in a split second, she was replaced by... uh...
Mei
What?
Raven
Uh... Nothing, it's just that I couldn't find a word to describe that thing.
Raven
It's too solid to be called a shadow, and too sharp to be called a black liquid.
Raven
And it was squirming like a living being... Uh... This sounds impossible, but... this was what happened.
Mei
Like a living shadow... And? Have you figured it out?
Raven
Of course not. The only thing I know is that I must get as far away from that thing as possible, and never look back.
Raven
What a battle... Anyway, I'm glad I got lucky, or... you could very well be seeing a different person.
Mei
If I were you, I might have stayed behind and observed.
Raven
Sigh. This is why you're always in danger, Miss Raiden.
About Mobius 3[]
Raven
How should I address you now?
Raven
Miss Raiden Mei, or... Mobius?
Mei
Mobius.
Raven
You don't look like her at all. Want me to demonstrate? You have to yell for your assistant first.
Mei
So, you already knew Mobius's true intentions.
Raven
Yeah, but it was just a guess. hat, are you mad that I didn't tell you earlier?
Mei
No. No matter what, I would have gone to inspect Mobius' "offer" myself.
Mei
But... there is something you didn't tell me.
Raven
Really?
Mei
You told me the reason you gave up was that you didn't want to transform into that inhuman state. But Active Honkai Reactions are only for MANTISes.
Mei
"Removing the restrains" isn't an issue. A normal stigma awakening counts as receiving the legacy, and won't cause that kind of transformation. So...
Raven
...
Mei
I never knew that you were also a MANTIS.
Raven
Don't jump to conclusions.
Raven
The MANTISes weren't a completely successful project. World Serpent has been using different technology for a long time.
Raven
It doesn't transform humans into another species, and the risk of side effects is much lower. But the overall effect is similar.
Raven
It isn't that strange, Schicksal has done similar things.
Mei
(Is she talking about Principal Theresa?)
Mei
So, in Nagazora, when you displayed the ability to communicate with Honkai Beasts...
Raven
That was just a little bonus.
Raven
You never had the opportunity to see more. I don't want to use my ability, and I never will. It's a line I won't cross.
Raven
Giving up my human identity...just isn't worth it.
Mei
Even if you were forced into a desperate situation?
Raven
There are many ways to approach problems, there's no need to choose the worst solution. Do you remember how I left the Elysian Realm?
Mei
Of course... it was just your style.
Raven
So that's pretty much it, I've told you everything. But don't tell the others.
Mei
I won't.
Raven
I believe you. After all, you ought to thank me.
Mei
Why?
Raven
Think about it... Klein is just an ELF. She can't enter the Elysian Realm in sim form.
Raven
Who else here can assist you by providing data?
Raven
Basically, just remember that you owe me a favor.
About Elysian Realm 1[]
Mei
So, does that count as completing your trial?
Raven
Since I became a World Serpent agent without any problem, I guess so.
Raven
As I've mentioned before, the World Serpent regulations aren't that strict. There's no one standard for passing the trial, as long as we are able to complete our transformation.
Mei
The way you talk about it is very similar to someone else. I'm surprised she hasn't showed up by now.
Mei
But anyway, what kind of "transformation" are you talking about?
Raven
I found out they had their eye on me. If I didn't accept the bounty, I would never be able to leave this place.
Raven
To complete the baptism, I needed the help of another Flame-Chaser.
Mei
Sounds like it wasn't easy.
Raven
I went to see Eden, and she gave me something I could use as a bargaining chip with Kevin.
Raven
In the end, he gave me the chance to get out of here.
Mei
... You were able to convince him?
Raven
It wasn't as hard as you might imagine. In any case, I completed the trial given to me by the Flame-Chasers, but I just didn't want to accept the final "gift".
Raven
I should mention that although Kevin's sim isn't the easiest to get along with, you can reason with him.
Mei
I thought Eden would be the one to help you.
Raven
Eden... she gave me the biggest challenge when I was trying to leave.
Raven
Although we got along well, it took me a long time to get her approval.
Mei
Why?
Raven
Problems that can be solved by brute force are the easiest... and Eden values precisely the opposite.
About Elysian Realm 2[]
Raven
...Alright, until next time then.
Sakura
Hmm, goodbye, Miss Cioara.
Mei
...
Mei
You seem to be on good terms with Sakura.
Raven
Sort of. She likes to hear the stories of the kids from me.
Raven
If Sora and the others could come here, Sakura would definitely like them.
Mei
...I didn't know Sakura had such a soft spot.
Raven
...
Raven
Oh, you don't know?
Raven
She had a baby sister and they only had each other. When she created her sim, her sister was about Sora's age.
Mei
...I did hear her talking about her family, but not the details.
Raven
Ah... at least she still talks about her sister every once in a while.
Raven
If she gets to know what truly happened, there would be one less person here with whom we can have normal conversations.
Mei
Huh?
Raven
Have you heard about the Herrscher of Corruption from the Previous Era?
Mei
Hmm, I read about it in the World Serpent database, but that's all.
Raven
...
Raven shrugged and felt there was no need to continue on that topic.
Mei
...
Mei
Was it Sakura's sister?
Raven
I guess you can say that. Sakura's death... also had a lot to do with it.
Mei
The only family she had left... I can imagine that.
Raven
Oh, right, never bring it up in front of Sakura. I wouldn't be able to help you if something happens.
Mei
I know. Someone already reminded me not to talk about her ending to her.
Raven
I mean every one of them, not just Sakura. Try not to bring up anything that happened in reality.
Raven
Even if they ask, you'd better stay silent or play dumb.
Mei
...Is that necessary?
Raven
I thought the same before, but... I learned a harsh lesson about that.
Raven
Before, there was some kind of order in the Elysian Realm.
Raven
But after Jackal came, it became a rather dangerous place. Who knows what she did.
Raven
Those who took the trial after her... a lot of them went missing. You know what I mean.
Mei
...
Mei
Jackal... was here before?
Raven
Yeah, anything odd about that? She's one of the World Serpent agents too.
Raven
But it's natural that you don't know. You wouldn't even know I was here if I didn't tell you.
Mei
...Indeed.
Raven
Don't talk about your experience in the realm. It's one of the unwritten rules in World Serpent.
Raven
It's not strictly forbidden, but if you talk, maybe someone would feel they were treated unfairly and come here to complain.
Raven
No one knows how this would affect the sims... but keeping it a secret brings the least trouble for everyone.
Mei
Flame-Chasers might be worshiped, but they're just like us... I can understand the secrecy.
Raven
That's probably one of the reasons too. Anyway, just try to keep it to yourself.
Mei
Right.
Mei
(Which means, the successors can indeed influence the Flame-Chaser sims in some way.)
Mei
(The harsh lesson Raven mentioned and Jackal...)
Mei
(Wait, I remember Hua said something similar before.)
About Mei 1[]
Raven
Hi~
Mei
You're still here?
Raven
... Am I imagining things, or are you ruder each time we talk?
Mei
I just don't understand why you continue to hang around this place.
Raven
Don't make assumptions. I'm here to...um...uh...provide assistance to you.
Mei
...If you hadn't hesitated so much, I wouldn't have believed you.
Raven
Don't worry about it. I can promise you that I won't get in your way. Can you accept that?
Mei
You don't even know what I'm trying to do, how can you promise to not get in my way?
Raven
At least for the moment, our goals are aligned.
Raven
Well, I've revealed the truth, haven't I?
About Elysia 1[]
Mei
I think it's odd that you haven't met Elysia yet.
Raven
Why?
Mei
I think you two are similar in some ways... it's hard to exactly why, it's just a feeling I get.
Raven
... I'll take that as a compliment.
Raven
Speaking of which, it seems you have a good relationship with her.
Mei
It's not like you imagine.
Raven
Really? I often see you two chatting, and it seems she really cares about you. Is it because you're a Herrscher?
Mei
... I've asked her the same question.
Raven
And? What did she say?
Mei
...
Raven
What, you don't want to tell me?
Mei
No... It's just that her answer...uh...well...
Mei
She said it was because I was pretty.
Raven
... What?
Mei
It's obvious this answer was meaningless. Elysia has always hidden things from me and doesn't want to reveal her motives.
Raven
...
Mei
... What is it?
Mei
Oh, she told me the reason she doesn't show up when you're around is that you're always wearing that cloak, so she can't see your face.
Raven
... Oh, I see. Never mind, I don't care that much.
Mei
(... She obviously cares a lot.)
About Elysia 2[]
Mei
Hey, it seems like you haven't been wearing your hood as much lately.
Raven
Do you like it?
Mei
Didn't you say you wouldn't let me see again? What, you aren't afraid that people will think you've gotten younger?
Mei
...
Mei
Wait a minute, could it be...
Raven
No, I don't care what Elysia thinks.
Mei
I wasn't the one who brought up Elysia.
Raven
...
Raven
Just don't tell anybody, alright?
Chapter 3[]
About Certain Rumors 1[]
Raven
Come on, Mei. Come and beg me.
Mei
...?
A hand rests on the hilt of the sword.
Mei
What am I going to beg you for? Beg you not to die later?
Raven
...Who did you get that dry humor from? I heard some rumors you might be interested in.
Raven
Still remember Sakura's little sister? I never imagined that the reason she encountered trouble would be something so unexpected...
Mei
...
Mei
(What's this... back again?)
Raven
Hey, Mei, are you all right? Mei?
About Griseo 1[]
Raven
Don't... Why don't you call me something else. I'm not that old yet.
Griseo
Okay... Mom.
Mei
...?
Mei
You two... have made fast progress.
Raven
Looks like you found an opportunity to mock me.
Raven
I have no idea why she insists on referring to me this way... Is it because she has spent too much time with children?
Raven
Oh, right. Griseo and I were just talking about the monsters we encountered in the studio. I never imagined that they were also her "paintings".
Griseo
... That's right, Mei.
Raven
Ah... it looks like me again. That's terrible. I don't want her to paint something that people will have trouble accepting.
Mei
You should also be wary about the amount of time you spend with her.
Mei
Wait, you mean... Those monsters were created by Griseo after she was influenced by other people?
Raven
Well, just a disclaimer, I'm not responsible for whether this is true or not, but... she only starts painting when she is "contaminated" by something.
Raven
Which is to say... She takes the "colors" that others leave behind and paints them on paper.
Mei
How would it differ from a regular work of art?
Raven
It's just rumors, but... I've heard that although her art can be easily destroyed, it has some sort of effect on the minds of those who see it.
Raven
And whatever that effect is will be determined by who she was last with.
Raven
That's what Eden told me. I heard that art that Griseo did after spending some time with Kalpas brought the whole city to the brink of destruction from internal chaos.
Mei
Really... So, since the Elysian Realm is a space constructed by people's minds, she can create life-like monsters here?
Raven
That's right. But they aren't all monsters. To be more accurate..., they are the manifestation of a person's self-perception. We've seen those before. They likely belonged to Kosma.
Raven
It was no easy feat for him to tame his inner monster.
Mei
If that's the case... I'm eager to see what Griseo will paint next.
Mei
But, is it okay for us to be talking about these things in front of her?
Raven
Why not? Are you really treating her like a kid?
Raven
At the end of the day... she is a Flame-Chaser. She has probably been through more than either of us can imagine.
About Aponia's Prophecy 1[]
Raven
Hi, Mei.
Mei
...You look so comfortable. You don't look like a "guest" at all.
Raven
Can't help it. People like us who have no home must learn to treat any place like home.
Raven
...Alright, I know you have something serious to discuss, so let's skip the idle chatter.
Raven
So? How did the conversation between you and that "Discipline" go?
Mei
Everyone believes that it's true.
Raven
Yeah, I also asked Eden for you, and the answer was similar.
Raven
So...you have to believe it, right?
Mei
...I won't acknowledge the existence of destiny. Otherwise, I wouldn't have came here. This has nothing to do with what I've seen.
Raven
So what are you going to do? Or rather... what can you do?
Raven
Let's hurry and go meet someone else — true or not, this won't hurt.
Mei
...No need. I still firmly believe that the prophecy she told me is limited to the Elysian Realm.
Mei
Only in this artificially woven "world" can destiny play out based on a certain prophecy.
Mei
Since that's the case...what if I "reverse" my thinking?
Raven
You've found a way?
Mei
You have seen Kalpas in the Elysian Realm, right? At the time...what did you experience?
Raven
Must you bring back those painful memories?
Raven
I don't think he is a Flame-Chaser at all. He is more like the most terrifying monster in the Elysian Realm. If it weren't for the intuition I've developed over the years...I'm afraid I would've suffered greatly.
Mei
Yes, Kalpas did mention to me that he was the "final trial" here.
Mei
And... as far as I know, only he and Mobius had caused the death of a successor.
Raven
Then I've really dodged a bullet...
Raven
...
Raven
Oh...is this the "solution" you came up with?
Mei
That's right, the prophecy Aponia gave was "I will die in ten days"...
Mei
That's why I'm curious. What would happen if I faced an "inevitable death" before that? For this, I must...
Mei
...Challenge Kalpas.
About Aponia's Prophecy 2[]
Raven
Mei, I thought you were... killed in action.
Mei
...
Raven
You said so yourself. How did it go?
Mei
I fought Kalpas.
Raven
Really? Did you... No wonder Sakura dragged me into the corner as soon as he appeared.
Raven
I know he has anger issues, but I didn't know he could get angrier than he usually is.
Raven
But I've been wanting to ask, have you ever thought of what to do if you actually beat him?
Mei
You're thinking too far ahead. I'm not his match... at least for now.
Mei
But to answer your question, I did. If that were to happen, the two of us should be putting our fists on his face by now.
Raven
Put... that's euphemistic. How was the fight?
Mei
His power is terrifying.
Mei
The only reason you see me standing is because someone mediated.
Raven
Stopping him? Who could do that? Elysia?
Mei
No... it was Aponia.
Raven
She's finally appeared.
Mei
But it didn't improve the situation. I couldn't validate that prophecy nor learn more about her.
Raven
You don't trust her clairvoyance even though Elysia said you could.
Mei
I don't have a choice.
Mei
One more thing... Raven, leaving the realm should've made you feel funny.
Raven
Yes. Returning to the hall produced a sensation of weightlessness and seconds of unconsciousness.
Mei
Yes, but every time Aponia sent me out of the Deep End, I didn't feel it.
Mei
It was like getting back from the deep zone in the blink of an eye.
Mei
Neither Klein's forced disconnection nor Pardo's craft produced the same effect.
Raven
You suspect she's special to the realm?
Mei
Yes... but I haven't figured out what it is.
Mei
I won't investigate it specifically. If she believes everything's written, then I'll be dealing with it one day.
Mei
I'll find a way into the Deep End as originally planned. Actually, I'd have done it if it wasn't for Aponia.
Mei
In short, I have my affairs to mind, so I can't waste more time on it.
Raven
You're optimistic... then good luck. Again, you can ask for my help, though I might be unwilling...
Raven
But I'd love to see the high and mighty heiress cry for help.
About the Deep End 1[]
Raven
Mei, I came to say goodbye. I've been here for so long that Gray Serpent is about to show me the door himself.
Raven
He said a mission demands me. You can imagine his tone.
Mei
Alright. Bye.
Raven
...
Mei
...
Raven
... That's it?
Mei
Um... bon voyage?
Raven
Don't tell me you're taking this as part of the prophecy.
Raven
Today's the tenth day. How are things at your end?
Mei
... I learned a thing or two. But I haven't found the decisive evidence that can overturn the prophecy yet.
Mei
And... even if the fate she spoke of is a lie, with Discipline and her status as a psychic, she can turn her prophecy into reality.
Mei
So I decided to confront the origin.
Raven
You found a way to enter the Deep End?
Mei
Yes, and I'm about to try it.
Raven
Want me to go with you?
Mei
No, in fact... I want you to stay in reality, so you can see what I see in safety.
Mei
In the worst-case scenario, this battle will destroy my spirit.
Mei
If I believe her prophecy, at least one thing's in our favor: Aponia can foresee the outcome, but not the process.
Mei
I might not come back in one piece, but I've got a chance at getting the information I want before that.
Mei
I need someone to preserve the information, and...
Raven
Pass it on to your companions... or get you out before it's too late?
Mei
...
Mei
I know this is difficult, so it's your call.
Raven
I understand. By the way, you're not asking Klein for help? She knows the realm much better than I do.
Mei
I have another favor to ask her.
Mei
I promised Griseo to find her a pigment that's associated with me and unheard-of.
Mei
This is the only answer I've come up with so far.
A test tube filled with red liquid was lying in Mei's hand.
Mei
I had Su help me. Since I'm the first Herrscher to enter the realm... I hope this represents that fact.
Raven
You went to such lengths to not disappoint that kid.
Mei
Maybe there's a better answer, but... just in case.
Mei
...
Mei
I should get going, see you... I hope I can keep my word.
Raven
...
Raven
You should've said more.