Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

Durandal had done her best.

Traveling from Europe to the Philippines took time, even for a Valkyrie. And she'd only departed after Schicksal HQ detected the second tsunami.

If not for Jell and Anna's efforts, and the Chen siblings' timely arrival at the base camp, she might have been too late.

"…motorcycle… map… marked… Lin Wei… danger…" Chen Tianwu had gasped, relaying the vital information to Rita before losing consciousness.

"Brother!" The little girl sobbed, her voice filled with panic.

"He'll be alright, for now." Rita, after assessing the situation, quickly treated Chen Tianwu's wound. "Come on, little one. I'll take you somewhere safe."

"But…" The little girl looked back at the city, her concern evident.

Rita shook her head, smiling gently. "We'll figure something out. I can't leave the others right now. Let's get you to safety first, okay?"

The little girl nodded, reassured.

Rita retraced her steps, returning to the base camp with the siblings, handing them over to the waiting Valkyries, who were slightly disappointed it wasn't Jell. She then resumed her post, as if nothing had happened.

She could have tried to reach Lin Wei, but she knew that leaving the base camp vulnerable, with its dwindling supplies and exhausted defenders, would be a disaster. If the defenses collapsed, all their efforts would have been for nothing.

So, she made the difficult choice, prioritizing the immediate situation, waiting for reinforcements. She needed more Valkyries before she could attempt a rescue.

After what felt like an eternity, she saw a streak of blue light on the horizon, leaving a trail across the sky.

*Durandal…*

She summoned Artemis, the massive figure rising into the air, then dissolving into shimmering particles, a beacon in the sunlight, signaling her location. Communication was still unreliable.

The blue light approached, descending like a meteor, and Durandal, carrying Yuno, landed before her.

"Durandal, and… Yuno?" Rita was relieved to see them, but also surprised by Yuno's presence. *Why is she here?*

"You've done well, Rita," Durandal said, noticing Rita's exhaustion. She'd faced a difficult challenge alone.

Yuno, after exchanging greetings with Rita, immediately sought out the other Valkyries, desperate for news about Anna.

Rita watched her go. Durandal hadn't stopped her, so she wouldn't interfere.

"With you and Yuno here, my task is… complete." Rita was surprised to see Immortal Blades' strongest Valkyries assembled here. "But there's one more thing…" Now that Durandal had arrived, there was a chance to rescue Lin Wei. But would they be in time?

"Immortal Blades is en route. They'll report to you directly," Durandal said, shaking her head. "I'm here on another mission." She briefly explained Otto's orders, then smiled apologetically. "So, I'm afraid I can't stay long."

*Is this fate?* Rita wondered, then said, "I'm sorry, Durandal, but Lin Wei isn't with us…" She quickly explained the situation. "He's somewhere on the other side of the city, after stopping the tsunami. I'm afraid I can't reach him alone. And the longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes. So, please, Durandal…"

Alvitr had been updating Durandal on the situation in Manila, including the sudden appearance and disappearance of the tsunami, and the clear sky above the city. Now, hearing Rita's explanation, she finally understood.

She wanted to meet this Lin Wei, to see if he was the same "He Kun" she'd met before.

"I understand, Rita. Give me his coordinates," Durandal said, looking up at the clear blue sky, a precious sight amidst the dark clouds on the horizon. "I'll go check on him. Dead or alive, I'll bring him back to the Overseer." She couldn't reconcile the contradictory reports about this man – a manipulative schemer and a selfless hero.

But she would soon have her answers.

"Good luck," Rita said, bowing respectfully, stepping aside.

"Wait, I'm going too!" Yuno returned, having overheard their conversation. "Anna isn't here. I have to find her."

She'd asked several Valkyries about Anna, but they all said the same thing: she'd been out of contact since the eruption, her whereabouts and condition unknown.

The news had filled her with terror and rage, almost triggering her Honkai powers. But the Valkyries' kindness had calmed her, and she'd decided to search for Anna herself. She couldn't believe her only remaining friend was dead, lost to the Honkai like her family and friends in Nagazora.

She'd been about to inform Rita and Durandal of her plan when she'd overheard their conversation. She wanted to go with Durandal. She was faster, and she had a better view from the sky.

Rita looked at Durandal, deferring to her judgment.

Durandal studied Yuno, assessing her resolve. Then she nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Rita watched them fly towards the city, a streak of blue light against the sky. She sighed.

*Is this the right decision, sending Lin Wei back to Schicksal HQ?*

She didn't know. But it was the only option they had.

She pushed aside her doubts, focusing on the task at hand. *Is it finally… over?*

......

Durandal flew over the ruined city, its familiar landmarks barely recognizable, a wave of sadness washing over her.

She spotted a familiar plaza, where she'd often rested, where she'd found Stan. Perhaps because it was an open space, it had remained relatively intact, a rare island of familiarity in this sea of destruction.

She'd lived here, just a few days ago. How quickly things changed. It was a stark reminder of the world's indifference, of humanity's vulnerability.

She was strong, she knew that. She was confident in her abilities.

But she was also humble, realistic, disciplined. She never allowed herself to become complacent, always striving for improvement, always pushing herself to her limits, leaving others in her wake.

And her will was strong enough to push aside such sentimental thoughts, focusing on the mission at hand.

Rita had sent her Lin Wei's coordinates. She just had to fly there and she would find him.

The areas closer to the coast were the most heavily damaged. Honkai beasts were still emerging from the sea, swarming the beaches and coastal areas, their advance relentless.

She'd never seen a Honkai eruption like this, not a localized outbreak, not a sudden appearance from the Imaginary space, but a… *flood*.

The Pasig River, usually so calm and wide, was now a churning mass of Honkai beasts, climbing onto the riverbanks, some lingering, others moving inland.

She saw two clusters of Honkai beasts, one dispersing, the other growing larger.

She flew towards the growing cluster, and there she saw them – a young woman, covered in blood, holding a motionless figure, surrounded by Honkai beasts.

She frowned, raising her hand. Energy crackled around her, forming a massive lance high above, a weapon of divine judgment.

She swung her arm downwards, and the lance plunged towards the earth, scattering the Honkai beasts, raising a cloud of dust.

"What… happened?" Anna, her mind sluggish from blood loss, opened her eyes, confused, then saw the familiar blue light descending, transforming into a golden-haired Valkyrie.

"Sorry, I'm late," Durandal said apologetically.

"Durandal…?" Anna's eyes focused, her voice filled with urgency. "Captain Jell… she's in danger!"

Durandal thought of the other cluster of Honkai beasts she'd seen, the one that was dispersing. She shook her head sadly. "It's too late."

"No…" Anna murmured, then tightened her grip on Lin Wei.

"What are you doing?" Durandal asked, her hand outstretched. Anna looked like a child protectively clutching a precious toy.

Durandal looked at Lin Wei's peaceful face. "I'm here to take him back to HQ. The Overseer's orders."

"What…?" Anna felt a surge of bitter amusement. She looked up at Durandal, a sad smile twisting her lips. "After all this… after so many have died… you finally show up…"

"Now that the storm has passed, now that the sun is shining, now that it's all over… you're here?" Tears streamed down her face, her voice filled with anger and accusation.

"And you're here… just to take him? To take Lin Wei, the one who saved us, back to your… ivory tower?"

She took a deep breath, picking up her blade, gently placing Lin Wei on the ground, then stood up, her body swaying, placing herself between him and Durandal, her voice filled with defiance.

"You will not take him!"