The journey back to Inazuma City was far from easy. The exhaustion from the battle lingered in their bodies, each step heavier than the last. Yet, none were more affected than Kiana.
She barely managed to stay on her feet as the group moved through the dense forests and winding paths. The battle against the Abyss had taken a toll on her body and mind—Sirin's influence gnawed at the edges of her consciousness, an ever-present whisper she could not silence. Her breaths were shallow, her steps unsteady, but she pushed forward, refusing to be a burden.
Until her knees buckled beneath her.
Before she could hit the ground, strong arms caught her.
Noah barely hesitated before lifting her up, his grip firm yet careful, as if the very act of holding her demanded reverence. Kiana blinked up at him, startled, her cheeks already warming—not just from embarrassment, but from something softer, something safer.
Her voice wavered. "I-I can walk, you know…"
Noah glanced down at her, his brow arched in that quietly exasperated way only he could manage. "Sure, if you want to collapse again."
Kiana's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't protest. A thousand retorts danced on her tongue, but none made it past her lips. Instead, she buried her face against his shoulder—not out of shame, but to hide the tremble of relief she felt. His scent, faintly laced with steel and forest wind, grounded her more than she expected. His warmth wasn't just physical—it soothed the storm churning beneath her skin.
"Don't get used to this," she mumbled, voice muffled by his shoulder.
Noah let out a quiet breath—something between a sigh and a laugh. "Too late."
Behind them, Elysia let out a teasing hum. "My, my, our fearless leader is quite the gentleman. Carrying our dear Kiana like a knight from a fairytale. I wonder if he knows how close he is to being someone's dream."
Lumine giggled, her voice soft but sincere. "He's always like this. Stubborn and gentle. You get used to it... and then you kind of start depending on it."
Kiana groaned, trying to will away the heat in her ears. "You're all the worst." But she didn't pull away. If anything, she let herself relax completely into his hold. Her fingers found the rose tied at her belt and brushed against it as she leaned her head against his chest.
It wasn't weakness.
It was trust. It was care.
And Noah, steady as ever, carried her as if she were weightless. As if she mattered beyond measure.
Once they reached Inazuma City, they found an inn and secured rooms to rest. Noah carefully set Kiana down on her futon before stepping back, watching her carefully. Elysia knelt beside her, tending to her wounds with a gentle touch.
"See? You got the royal treatment," Elysia teased. "Being carried by our fearless leader? That's a rare privilege."
Kiana groaned, covering her face. "Shut up."
Meanwhile, Lumine, still recovering from wielding five elements in battle, sat at the corner of the room, her breathing slowly returning to normal. Noah knelt beside her, checking her condition.
"You pushed yourself too hard," he said.
Lumine exhaled. "I had to. The Abyss wasn't going to go easy on us."
Noah nodded, understanding. "Next time, don't overextend. We need you at full strength."
Lumine gave a small smile. "You really do worry about all of us, don't you?"
Noah didn't respond immediately, but his expression softened. "Someone has to."
And in that shared look, surrounded by flickering lantern light and the fading echoes of battle, something unspoken passed between them—quiet and real, like the beginning of something more.
Later that night, Noah sat alone in his room, activating the Void Archives. The flickering golden light of its interface glowed before him, its presence ever enigmatic.
"You're troubled, Captain," the Archives spoke, its voice smooth with amusement. "You wish to save the girl."
Noah nodded. "I need to know if there's a way to suppress Sirin's influence."
The Void Archives hummed in amusement. "An honorable goal. There is a way—the 8th Divine Key, Key of Sentience, also known as the Fenghuang Down."
Noah frowned. "The Key of Sentience?"
"Forged during the Previous Era by MOTH, Fenghuang Down is the 8th Divine Key, created using the core of the Herrscher of Sentience. It retains her consciousness and possesses unparalleled power over the mind—it can read, alter, and stabilize thoughts and memories. During the Honkai War, it was used to suppress rampaging Herrschers and assist those on the brink of losing themselves. If you could wield it properly, you might be able to hold Sirin at bay without fracturing Kiana's mind."
For the first time in a while, Noah felt a spark of hope. "Where is it?"
The Void Archives chuckled. "Ah, but retrieving it is another matter. However… I can mimic its properties."
Noah's eyes widened. "You can?"
"Yes, but with limits. The Key's mimicry strains both wielder and target—because to stabilize another's mind, you must anchor your own completely. Any hesitation, any emotional instability, and you risk unraveling her consciousness instead. It was never meant to be wielded casually. Even in the Previous Era, only a handful could control it without consequence."
Noah clenched his fists. "Then I'll train."
The Void Archives paused before adding, "And one more thing… The Abyssal energy you encountered—it's disturbingly similar to Honkai energy."
Noah froze. "What?"
"Perhaps that's why Kiana is so affected by it. The Abyssal energy resonates too closely with the same frequencies found in Honkai energy—particularly those tied to Herrscher fragments. For someone like Kiana, who has already been exposed to Herrscher influence and carries a fragment of that power within her, the effect is more pronounced. It's not just corruption—it's familiarity. The Abyss doesn't just challenge her; it remembers her."
Before Noah could question further, a sudden shift in the air made him turn sharply.
Kiana was leaving her room, the crystal rose from Elysia held lightly in her hand. Her fingers brushed its smooth edges as if drawing strength from its familiar warmth—a small light to hold onto when everything inside felt like it might collapse.
Noah found Kiana standing alone beneath the moonlit sky, gripping her arms tightly. She looked lost in her own mind, her body trembling ever so slightly.
"You shouldn't be out here," Noah said as he approached.
Kiana flinched but didn't turn around. "I needed air."
Noah studied her carefully. "Sirin?"
Kiana let out a bitter chuckle. "She's always there. Whispering. Waiting."
Noah crossed his arms. "You're stronger than her."
Kiana laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Am I? Because lately, it doesn't feel that way."
Noah was quiet for a moment. Then, gently, he stepped closer. "Do you remember Sky City?"
Kiana blinked. "…Of course. That rooftop. I was chasing a lead about my dad."
He nodded slowly. "You were swinging that absurd bat at a Honkai beast twice your size."
She snorted. "And you sliced the other one clean in half with that lightsaber of yours. You didn't even say anything. Just appeared and saved me like some grumpy space wizard."
A quiet laugh escaped Noah. "I thought you were reckless. But you were fearless."
Kiana looked down. "I wasn't fearless. I was desperate."
"You still swung the bat." His voice was soft. "And you never stopped fighting. That's why I believe in you."
Kiana's breath caught. She turned to him, eyes wide, as if trying to find any doubt in his words—but there was none. He meant it. The rose at her side shimmered faintly, almost in response, as if echoing the fragile hope rekindled in her chest.
A lump formed in her throat. "…Why?"
"Because I know who you are." His voice was steady, unwavering. "And I refuse to let you lose to her."
Something inside Kiana wavered. For the first time in a long while, she felt… hope. A warmth she thought she had lost. A memory of a rooftop, of a fight, of a spark that hadn't gone out.
"…Thank you," she whispered, barely audible.
---------
The next morning, Yae Miko arrived to check on them, bringing news that the Abyss was still active near the Grand Narukami Shrine.
"We've detected new fluctuations," she said, her gaze sharp. "Small breaches, scattered—but persistent. Whatever you did, it wasn't enough to finish it."
Noah exchanged a glance with the others. "Then we finish the job."
"As expected of you," Yae replied with a sly smile. "Though I wonder if you're this committed… or just trying to impress someone."
Kiana coughed into her fist, blushing. Elysia smirked knowingly, and Lumine rolled her eyes—but her smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
As they discussed their next move, Noah remained quiet, deep in thought. His gaze drifted to Kiana—laughing softly at something Elysia whispered—and then to Lumine, who was already reviewing a map of the region.
He had a goal now—a way to help Kiana. But before he could wield the Void Archives' mimicry of the Key of Sentience, he had to master it. The weight of that power—and the risks—were his to carry.
And he would. No matter what it took. For Kiana. For Elysia. For Lumine. For the bonds they'd forged in fire and shadow.
For now, the group took a brief respite in Inazuma City.
Kiana and Lumine explored the streets, sampling sweet dango and grilled seafood skewers, occasionally feeding each other in teasing competition. Elysia bartered for delicate ornaments at a street stall, laughing with the shopkeeper, while keeping a fond eye on them all. She later joined Kiana and Lumine, the three moving together like threads of one tapestry.
Elysia took every chance to tease Noah about carrying Kiana, her voice like honey laced with mischief. "Who knew our captain had such strong arms and an even softer heart?"
Kiana huffed, crossing her arms, cheeks still pink. "It was just once!"
Lumine added, "Once that we saw. Who knows what happens when we're not looking?"
Noah sighed, utterly betrayed by the chuckles surrounding him. "I need a quiet mission," he muttered.
Despite the moment of peace, the storm was far from over.
But for the first time, Noah had a path forward.
And he would walk it—to protect them all.