MGSFV?! Chapter 519. Celebrating Too Early; Hi~♪ How Does It Feel?
Another door?
Could this be Vill-V's true backdoor?
With that doubt in mind, Mei stepped forward a few paces.
Very soon, in-game Mei realized something was wrong.
No, this feeling was…
What was it?
Her inner thought didn't surface clearly.
But before her, phantoms had appeared—shadows of herself, and a faint, indistinct figure, clashing back and forth.
Of course, though the figure opposing Mei was blurred, the players recognized it instantly.
Because the black raven feathers all around were too iconic.
Clearly the traces left by a certain lady while painstakingly charging SP.
+3 +3 +3 +3
So this was…
The reenactment of that battle in Arc City, between Raven and Mei? The turning point of Mei's fate?
Many were still pondering.
But Mei already strode firmly past the illusions.
Yes—even without player control, Mei moved forward on her own.
Players: ...
Seeing this, they paused, thought for a moment, and withdrew their hands—allowing in-game Mei to act freely.
Perhaps… this was better.
As Mei passed her turning point of destiny, more illusions appeared—each in her Herrscher of Thunder form.
Those were her past resolutions, charging forward, resolute yet faintly uncertain.
With every step, the weight of her past choices pressed down on her.
The further she went, the deeper into the storm she plunged.
"My body feels heavier and heavier…"
"As in myth… is this the weight the human heart bears before the truth, pressing upon the soul?"
"…No matter."
After a moment's silence, Mei spoke softly, but with her aura magnified.
She already had the courage to wear shackles, and the determination to grasp them tightly.
The one she had fought to protect—her end was now within reach.
What once terrified Mei, she no longer feared.
Because she was no longer the powerless Raiden Mei of the past.
She would accomplish something. She must.
She could believe that if the Crown of the End truly existed… it would not fall on one head alone.
Former enemies no longer made her feel helpless.
Past confusion no longer made her unable to face forward.
These burdens were heavy—but Mei's steps did not falter for even a moment.
They could not hinder her now.
If you don't believe it, then come—no matter how many. She would take them all.
And tell them: you… are nothing special.
…
Bearing this belief, Mei carried all her past upon her back.
She did not slow. Instead, her steps grew lighter.
From walking, to brisk walking, to running.
Thus, what lay ahead were not the illusions already unable to shake her heart.
But the contradictions she must face in the present.
First came Gray Serpent…
"Ready to judge the world, successor of Origin?"
"This world does not belong solely to humans. The inorganic and the organic share this earth—mechanical life, or Stigmata archetypes, exist equally alongside Homo sapiens."
"You have no right to take humanity as the standard and judge rashly. That is nothing but arrogant condemnation, terrifying hubris."
This was the world's question:
Are humans truly supreme? Machines have life, archetypes have life.
Why should humans arrogantly assume themselves above all?
"..."
Once, as one of the Trinity, Mei might not have answered.
She might have had her answer, but lacked the courage to voice it.
But not anymore.
Now she could.
"No one can judge so-called qualifications. None of us can. And Stigmata likewise has no right to destroy humanity itself."
"I speak only as one among humanity, defending what we cannot lose."
"To see our ideals endure, we can pay any price. That is humanity's arrogance—and humanity's pride."
"If so, then let arrogance and pride endure together. Let a hundred flowers bloom, let good and evil coexist—that is the true face of humanity."
Humanity was both arrogant and proud.
Is there a problem with that?
"..."
That…
It was hard to reply.
But if so—what about facing him?
Kevin's silhouette appeared.
Even as only a shadow, he said nothing.
Instead, Gray Serpent's voice continued:
"The foe you face, his resolve far surpasses yours. His obsession spans millennia. You share ideals, but cannot walk together."
"To face one more arrogant, more proud than yourself…"
"You will challenge his will, bury his mission, and mark the end of his existence."
"—Are you ready?"
To clash with one whose creed mirrors yours—are your actions truly right?
Can you shoulder the unfinished ideals?
"Of course."
Mei's voice was resolute.
"I've crossed blades with many. Stances, reasons, states of mind—each time different."
"But one thing never changed: because their will was unshakable like mine, I had to fight with all my strength."
"..."
She knew Kevin's resolve.
But that was precisely why she could not falter.
Bearing the Thirteen Flame-Chasers' will, she must stand before that man as the representative of the present civilization.
His resolve, his unfinished ideals, lost wishes, and worthy intentions—she knew them all.
So, if possible, let her be the one to end them.
So firm, so burning, so absolute.
For she understood—that the blade she must one day swing, regardless of the result, was what he truly desired.
So how could she waver?
…
The phantoms fell silent.
Mei continued toward the white door—now nearly running.
Though burden upon burden pressed on her, her pace only quickened.
From walking, to brisk steps, to running.
What does not break you, makes you stronger.
"Perhaps Kiana and Elysia… have done this countless times already."
"No, not just them. Maybe everyone…"
"From different angles, we gaze upon the same tapestry of the world. Dreams weaving and merging—disputes like waves, yet always like drops of the sea, inseparable."
"…I think I finally understand why you always said you loved everyone."
Mei's voice turned gentle.
"I love people like this. I love a world like this."
The players snapped back from immersion, hearing her words.
Watching Mei approach the door, her pace quickening, her tone softening—
Was it coming?
Would it really happen this time? No more false alarms?
Their hearts brimmed with hope.
"…Hahaha."
In-game Mei laughed softly.
[Mei laughed. This must be it!]
If players laughed early, it was "celebrating too soon."
But if Mei herself laughed—then it was surely a sign.
Not a hint, but a clear declaration.
They believed.
[I'm laughing with Mei now.]
[This feeling, this sense—it's really here! Stronger than ever!]
"[I dreamed of a star, a bright isle, where in tranquil leisure I was born.]"
"[There my life would fulfill its work, like a ripe field in autumn.]"
A fragment from Tagore's Stray Birds.
"Elysia…"
Mei's pace quickened, her voice softened, her emotion deepened.
Faster, faster.
And joy welled up from within.
"I finally understand your feelings. This world is so beautiful—full of vigor, life, love, and hope—making one want to protect it."
"And yet, so cruel—birthing conflict, hatching sin—forcing all that is good to fight endlessly."
"..."
"But… we are Herrschers. Before good and evil, we are already nature's emissaries, incarnations of creeds…"
"Thus, we can be the bridge between heaven and earth, between humanity and beyond. Where there are no angels, we become angels. Where there is no paradise, we create paradise."
Mei: "..."
And those were no idle words.
Elysia had truly created a paradise.
The Elysian Realm… more than just the Elysian Realm.
"There will never be another you."
"But that's fine…"
Mei's voice quivered, emotions overflowing.
"Because—everyone will be you."
Just as "Herrscher of Humanity" no longer meant only Elysia.
It had become a symbol of beauty itself.
[I once pondered the question Elysia had about her Divine Key. Later, the archives showed even MOTH members wondered…]
[Some said the brilliant mechanic hid her masterpiece in secret.
Some said the Thirteenth Herrscher left no core at all, vanishing into the finale.
Some said a certain eccentric green-haired doctor buried all records of that hunt—perhaps to hoard humanity's final weapon.]
[All half-true, half-false.]
[Vill-V likely did bury something for Elysia. And Mobius likely did hide the records—not to seize a weapon, but to grant Elysia's wish to keep the truth hidden.]
[I haven't read the archives… what was the final answer? (puppy eyes.jpg)]
Those records hidden within Valkyrie suit stories weren't things everyone read.
But the "Honkai scholars" in the stream did.
And passionately typed:
[The final flawless Key—it is here. It exists in our hearts, and thus endures forever.]
…
And so Mei's meaning was clearer.
"[We wish to protect this world—because some gave all for what they loved.]"
"[We wish to protect this world—because here we met our beloved ones, laughed, and fought together.]"
"[We wish to protect this world—because it is our place of being, our irreplaceable home.]"
At last, Mei reached the white door.
She stopped.
Then reached out—and touched it lightly.
"We understand. We can comprehend. Now more than ever, we draw near to Origin."
Silently, the door opened.
Mei lifted her head, looking to the distant sky.
And once again, she spoke that name.
"Ever closer… to Elysia."
"So…"
Because of that closeness.
She now understood Elysia's weight, her rare faith in beauty, the miracle she wrought.
Stars shining, flowers blooming…
To see the world change because of her—
Of course she did.
Of course.
With that thought, Mei breathed deep.
Then, with boundless resolve—
She called out.
Called for Elysia.
"Answer me!"
"Elysia!!"
"..."
"..."
Only silence.
Space and time seemed to freeze.
[????]
[No response??]
[Impossible!!]
Unacceptable.
The buildup was too perfect.
One more fakeout, and they'd riot against miHoYo.
Of course—it wouldn't be.
Ding ling~~ ding ling~~
A bell rang out.
[A bell?]
[It's the bell on Elysia's skirt!]
[So she's coming!?]
A wave of pink, brighter than the stars, filled their vision.
The long-awaited Miss Pink Fairy appeared—
Riding her manta ray, descending before Mei.
[Origin] had answered her, had answered her conviction.
"Who knew someone would actually reach this place?"
"Then perhaps I should give a proper greeting."
"Hi~♪ How does it feel?"
[...]
For a moment, hearing her speak those all-too-familiar words, the players felt a strange blur between reality and memory.
But then—at once—
The screen flooded with messages:
[Just like the first time!!]
[Ai-men~♪]
[Elysia!! I almost fainted from excitement—better grab tissues first.]
[Same here! Every real Captain knows when tissues are needed.]
[Pink Jesus!]
Huh? That came from an international viewer sneaking in?
But… "Pink Jesus"?
Interesting.
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