["The Second Herrscher has been subdued. I can't maintain this for long."]
Kiana, controlled by the Feather of Fenghuang, knelt on the ground like a lifeless doll, her eyes vacant. Fu Hua spoke to
Otto: "Otto, hurry and do what you must. Then we'll eliminate her together."
"Thank you, my friend."
Never had Otto offered such sincere gratitude. Facing Fu Hua, he revealed a genuine smile. Otto manifested a replica of the Feather of Fenghuang. As golden feathers drifted through the air, he entered Kiana's consciousness. Amidst a white sea of flowers, Kiana's mother lived happily with her. In the next moment, that same mother lay dying on a hospital bed. Otto watched coldly from the side. "Heh, found it. This is the one."
"Feather of Fenghuang, help me... modify this memory."
Otto altered the memory of Kiana's mother's death. In bed, Kiana awoke from a nightmare. To ignite Kiana's desire to resurrect her mother, Otto disguised himself as Bella and subtly guided her. Using the Herrscher of Death's power, Kiana extracted DNA from her mother's belongings. Through the authority of creation—from cells to tissues to organs... From nothingness, Kiana poured all her strength until finally, her mother stood before her once more. But Otto was utterly shaken. How was this any different from using DNA to clone Kallen? What kind of Herrscher of Death was this?! What kind of divine power was this?!
[Mei] "So this is why Otto has been allowing the Herrschers to run rampant?"
[Vill-V] "The Black Abyss and White Flower are in your possession, Overseer. Haven't you considered the Herrscher of Death's authority?"
[Otto] "Of course I have. But if there's even the slightest difference, even the smallest chance... I won't give up."
[Herta] "It seems the resurrection you seek requires her original consciousness. Gathering scattered consciousness is nearly impossible!"
[Honkai Star Rail Welt] "Otto succeeded in the end."
Being from the same world, Welt couldn't let others look down on them. For once, he spoke in Otto's defense.
[Theresa] "Grandfather played the role of a child quite convincingly."
[Herrscher of the Void] "Human! How dare you toy with my memories?! I will kill you!"
[Still unwilling to give up, Otto used Bella's form to question Kiana:] "My Queen, I don't understand... Is the person you're holding really Mother? Does she truly possess Mother's soul?"
"Soul?! Bella, what nonsense are you spouting? This is my mother who loved me most! She—" Perhaps due to Otto's tampering or Kiana's own wavering heart, in an instant, Kiana's "mother" turned to ashes and vanished. At that moment, Kiana could no longer deceive herself. Yes... Mother hadn't truly returned... Otto continued to prod Kiana, urging her to try again—to test whether the Herrscher of Death's power could reach the soul. "...No, Bella... I don't understand... What is a soul?"
This was a question even Otto couldn't answer. For 500 years, he had pondered it without finding a solution. Even if he could clone Kallen's body, even if he could implant Kallen's memories into that clone... He knew it wouldn't be Kallen. Because, because, because... It was her essence—what made her herself. Both Kiana and Otto fell silent. Neither had an answer.] [Herta] "Well now, your world's research on consciousness and souls is quite advanced!"
For once, Herta set aside her disdain. She had assumed a civilization that hadn't even stepped beyond its universe wouldn't offer much to discuss. Yet here she was, schooled.
[Jing Yuan] "The Xianzhou Luofu's Ten-Lords Commission collects the consciousness of the deceased, but even that can hardly be called a soul."
[Mei] "Transferring consciousness is simple enough. But gathering dissipated consciousness? Impossible. Unless you alter history..."
[Ruan Mei] "Altering history... Is that truly possible?"
Ruan Mei shook her head. She didn't favor the idea.
[Stelle] "Why not? Rules are meant to be broken!"
[Elysia] "My~ Such sincere emotions!"
["Bella... I don't understand what a soul is..."
"Perhaps... only God knows the answer to souls."
Kiana's murmured words sent a jolt through Otto. God?!
It was said true Herrschers could converse with the God of Honkai. Could it be true?! Otto's rationality screamed at him to stay composed—to freeze the Second Herrscher's consciousness and slowly research how to resurrect Kallen, even if it took centuries... But his emotions roared back: "Composed? With what composure?!"
The means to revive Kallen were within reach. Otto decided to take the risk. For Kallen, Otto had the courage to face anything. Even God would be no exception! As golden feathers swirled around them, under Otto's persuasion and hypnosis, Kiana chose to seek an audience with the divine.... Outside the illusion, Fu Hua was reaching her limit. The Feather of Fenghuang's construct could collapse at any moment. They had little time left. Within the illusion, Otto was ecstatic, heedless of any danger. "Don't worry, old friend. I'm close to obtaining what I seek."
Under Otto's watchful gaze, Kiana prayed devoutly to the divine: "O God... Please help me."
As she prayed, a brilliant pillar of light descended before them. Otto opened his eyes to find himself in a pure white space. His heart pounded violently. He realized—he was about to face something beyond human comprehension. Otto strode toward the divine figure in excitement. As if reflecting a thousand faces, the God he saw bore his own visage. Otto earnestly posed his question to [God], though behind him, the Judgement of Shamash still blazed with flames. The God didn't speak but instead imprinted the answer directly into Otto's mind. To test him, the God of Honkai flooded Otto's consciousness with countless truths. Even Otto, who prided himself as the world's wisest man, could scarcely endure it. This time, Otto knelt sincerely before God and asked how to resurrect the dead. God didn't answer. Instead... God smiled. Then conjured a blade and impaled Himself. In bitter frustration, Otto was expelled from the illusion. The final image burned into his mind—God piercing Himself with that sword.] [Herta] "Fascinating. Truly fascinating. The truths of the God of Honkai? If Honkai is indeed the work of an advanced civilization... what secrets might they hold?"
[Mei] "As expected. Before activating the backdoor, this so-called God of Honkai has no connection to Prometheus."
[Vill-V] "What intrigues me is... that method of resurrection. And that final image of God taking His own life—what could it mean?"
[Kiana] "Could it be... a life for a life?"
[Bronya Zaychik] "Idiot sea cucumber... It can't possibly be that simple."