"The United Nations has confirmed an outbreak of infectious disease B in Nagazora City. Survivors, please evacuate immediately to xxx location."
The disaster alert flashed repeatedly on screens throughout the streets, but the only response came from the hissing and groaning Dead Soldiers shuffling through the wreckage.
"Get out of the way! You're already dead, so stop blocking our path!" Kiana pulled Mei's hand, sprinting through the streets. Their weapons spat out a constant stream of gunfire, but the effect was minimal—just ordinary bullets.
Behind them, a massive, tank-class Honkai Beast lumbered forward. Though its movements were slow, it simply smashed through walls, while Kiana and Mei had to navigate the winding streets.
On the rooftops of nearby buildings, Sparkle and Bronya flickered in and out of sight.
"Target locked. Annihilation operation initiated."
Several beams of red light shot from Sparkle's Sabayon, piercing through the Honkai Beast's body and immobilizing it.
Bronya then leaped from the rooftop.
"Heavy Bunny!"
With a soft cry from Himeko, a massive mecha materialized behind her. Heavy Bunny raised its shield with its right hand to protect Bronya, while its left hand transformed into a spear that descended from the sky, piercing straight through the Templar-class Honkai Beast and cratering the ground. The sudden depression nearly sent Kiana sprawling.
Heavy Bunny then vanished, and Bronya gently landed beside Mei.
"Thank you, Bronya. You arrived just in time," Mei said, looping her arm through Bronya's and expressing her gratitude.
Watching Mei repeatedly thank Bronya, Kiana grew jealous and pointed at Bronya, fuming, "What's there to thank her for? She almost attacked me too! You useless little runt!"
But Bronya didn't even glance at Kiana, replying, "Kiana's safety priority is 0. System determines her survival is inconsequential."
"Are you trying to start a war?!"
"Bronya's probability of victory: 99.99...9%"
"Mine is 100%!"
Kiana, baring her teeth and claws, began arguing with Bronya, who responded with a perpetually bewildered expression.
This wasn't the first time Kiana and Bronya had quarreled recently. Bronya still remembered Kiana's previous beating, while Kiana was jealous of Bronya's constant proximity to Mei.
Kiana reasoned that even though she already had Ryn, adding Mei wouldn't be a problem. After all, Ryn had told her that most of Asia practiced monogamy. "My husband is Ryn, my wife is Mei—what's wrong with that? Nothing at all!"
Just then, Sparkle leaped down from the rooftop. She gently tapped Kiana and Bronya on the back of their heads with her hand blade.
"You two idiots, stop arguing! We need to leave quickly. There are still many Honkai Beasts nearby, and they'll come running if they hear the commotion."
Both girls immediately ran to Mei's side, each grabbing an arm and begging for comfort.
That night, the four of them found a house to rest in for the night. Sparkle and Bronya, the main combatants, went to sleep first, leaving Mei and Kiana to keep watch.
Kiana and Mei sat shoulder to shoulder, Bronya resting her head on Mei's lap, using her as a pillow. Sparkle, meanwhile, was using Kiana's lap as her pillow.
Pouting angrily, Kiana poked Bronya's cheek with her finger.
"Hmph, how dare she sleep on Mei's lap? I shouldn't have even brought her along!"
"Don't say that. Bronya has helped us a lot along the way. Without her, this journey wouldn't have been so smooth."
Kiana turned her head halfway, replying sarcastically to Mei, "Yes, yes, Bronya is truly amazing. Mei loves her the most!"
"Yes, I do."
"Ugh..."
Kiana's heart ached. This must be what Ryn meant by the feeling of heartbreak... Waaah~ My wife is slipping away! Stupid Mei, go ahead and be with your Bronya! There's no place for you in this house anymore!
While Kiana was still lost in her mental storm, Mei nudged her with her head and smiled at her, saying, "I love Kiana the most too!"
"Really?!"
Kiana jumped up excitedly and hugged Mei. Sparkle, startled by Kiana's sudden movement, tumbled to the side, while Bronya was awakened by the two women's embrace.
"Of course! Kiana saved my life, after all!"
"Mhm!"
Kiana had been trying to put everything behind her, but now her mind was racing: I have another wife! Left hand Ryn, right hand Mei—my perfect life is about to begin! Morning cuddles with Sparkle, midday cuddles with Mei, and sleeping with Ryn at night—woohoo!
"Damn it, Kiana, what are you doing?!" "Mei-jie, Bronya can't breathe..."
Just then, Cortana issued an urgent alert.
"A high-level Honkai Beast has emerged nearby. Prepare for combat."
Bronya and Sparkle immediately stopped scolding Kiana for her carelessness. Both summoned their armor and prepared for battle.
"Cortana, give us its location."
"The target is charging directly toward us. It has detected our presence."
A massive spear suddenly pierced through the air, cleaving the floor Kiana and the others were on in two. The enormous Templar-class Honkai Beast then raised its spear again, preparing to strike.
Bronya summoned Heavy Bunny, transforming it into a spear to clash with the Honkai Beast's attack. However, the impact sent her flying straight through a nearby building, disappearing into the night sky.
"Bronya!" Mei cried out in alarm, but the Honkai Beast's spear immediately turned toward her.
"Always thinking about Bronya... I'm getting jealous," Kiana said, leaping forward at the last moment to pull Mei into her arms. But the Honkai Beast's attack struck Kiana instead, sending both of them crashing heavily to the ground.
"Phew... just made it," Sparkle said, wiping the sweat from her brow. She had barely managed to cover Kiana's back with Sabayon in time, preventing serious injury. She recalled the Sabayon from Kiana and turned to fire at the Honkai Beast, but the impact had significantly damaged her armor, weakening Sabayon's firepower considerably.
"Kiana... Kiana... Ah! Ah—Ah!"
But Kiana had been knocked unconscious by the blow. Mei's eyes widened in horror. She hadn't seen Sparkle's actions, only Kiana collapsing unconscious in her arms. As Kiana's eyes closed, Mei felt the world tilt upside down, the thread of her sanity snapping violently.