After moving far from the star sector where the Luofu resided, Acheron came to a halt.
She was holding Acheron's hand.
Then, as if voluntarily releasing some kind of restraint, a heart-palpitating sensation began to spread outwards, centered on the two of them.
'Acheron' could naturally sense it.
The nature of this power was unmistakably Nihility.
But!
For even 'Acheron' to feel such dread—she hardly dared imagine what she was about to face.
Yet reality does not bend to one's will.
She could feel herself gradually sinking into a certain shadow.
The vast, unfathomable, silent surface of the abyss was slowly devouring everything she was.
And at the far edge of that surface, the great sun of the abyss hung suspended, unmoving.
Just then, Acheron's voice sounded abruptly beside her ear: "Stay alert, hold on to yourself. Can you do it?"
"…Yes."
After the initial shock, 'Acheron' quickly regained her composure.
Whether it was due to the body's excellent construction or the system's powerful protection, 'Acheron' wasn't affected by Nihility as she had been before.
Acheron observed Bai Ming's clear, unaffected eyes and gave a slight nod.
This was within her expectations.
If the other could withstand her full power unleashed, then merely setting foot in a sliver of Nihility's shadow should, in theory, also be harmless.
"Where is this?"
'Acheron' gazed at the completely transformed scenery.
Though she already had her suspicions, she still clung to a sliver of hope as she asked the question.
"We are treading upon the shadows of Nihility. A little further, and you will see all that I wish to show you."
"Alright."
Hearing this, 'Acheron' suppressed the turmoil in her heart.
Guided by Acheron's lead, she let herself sink deeper into the slightly rippling surface of the abyssal waters.
When her vision cleared again, 'Acheron' found herself on a desolate shore.
An endless downpour fell from the sky.
Above, beyond the veil of storm clouds, the abyssal sun cast a terrifying, heart-shaking radiance.
An unknown, viscous fluid, flowing from some unseen source, trickled all the way into the abyssal sea.
Without raising a single ripple.
And yet…
From within that sea, countless ghastly, withered, horrifying arms reached out, stretching their palms toward that dark sun, endlessly straining toward the light.
And from beneath the sea's surface came an endless tide of darkness and wailing.
Tap—
A crimson oil-paper umbrella was opened by Acheron, appearing above their heads, shielding 'Acheron' from the relentless, gloomy rain.
It wasn't just blocking the memories of the game.
The body she was using now was also telling 'Acheron' what those terrifying hands were.
She turned to look at Acheron's calm face, struggling to suppress the trembling and shock inside, then raised her arm and pointed toward the sea bristling with countless hands:
"Those… are the lingering obsessions of Pathstriders, born from the embrace of Nihility, aren't they…"
"Yes, Sin Thirsters. They see themselves as the principals, endlessly repeating the actions of the deceased in life."
"Then why can this shore exist at all?"
'Acheron' stared at the horrifying sea, complex emotions stirring in her chest.
She voiced her question, and Acheron provided the answer:
"This place has never truly existed. It, too, is a reflection. To Nihility, space and distance hold no meaning. Those who drown in the shadows may arrive here."
After speaking, Acheron fell quiet for a moment.
Only when the other had composed herself did she speak again: "Since you've imitated everything about me, you should also know my true name."
'Acheron' looked at the woman before her with complicated emotions, and nodded:
"Raiden Bosenmori Mei, right?"
"Mm. Raiden Mei—that was my original name. For countless years, I have guarded the passage to the River of Forgetfulness, guiding every soul unwilling to fall into it back to this side. 'Bosenmori' is also my duty."
"…"
'Acheron' suddenly turned away.
Endless wilderness, and an endless sea.
No trace of life existed here—only the boundless Nihility.
"You… have been keeping watch here all this time?"
"Not always. Occasionally, I leave to fulfill certain tasks. For instance, recently, I carried out the last wish of a Pathstrider and set off a firework on a certain planet."
Acheron spoke lightly of it.
In fact, even when she had first seen that scene in the story, 'Acheron' had only felt shock, awe, and even delight at the Easter egg.
But now, having truly stepped into the shadows of Nihility, arrived at this abyssal passage guarded for countless years, and hearing Acheron speak of it so matter-of-factly—she could only feel a deep, sorrowful ache.
"You face them all the time? Even though you yourself are already so…"
'Acheron' didn't know what words to use.
She just felt that this woman before her shouldn't have to live like this.
Nihility had swallowed everything she had, and though she should have died, she clung stubbornly to life.
Yet instead of experiencing the wonders of the universe, Acheron had chained herself here, remaining in this place for countless years, facing the very force that had stripped her of everything.
A warm hand rested on 'Acheron's' head, gently stroking her hair.
Acheron showed a faint smile.
She raised a hand and pointed toward the sea.
"I can still maintain my sense of self, still stand here and tell you all this, still feel your pity for me. But they… no longer have that chance. The only thing I can do is ensure they do not fall into the abyss."
"…"
'Acheron' didn't know what to say.
Those with strong wills walk their own Paths, becoming powerful Pathstriders.
And yet… those same strong-willed ones, after death, become Sin Thirsters struggling in the shadows of Nihility, unable to rest, tormented by unresolved wills.
This Honkai: Star Rail worldview is pretty dark, huh.
Seeing the conflicted expression on 'Acheron's' face, Acheron simply ruffled her hair firmly.
"I brought you here only to show you what true Nihility really means."
"…"
"Although it makes me happy to know there's someone in this world who resembles who I used to be, and remembers the world outside… please don't use my power again from now on."
'Acheron' gazed silently at the woman before her, then opened her arms and gently embraced her.
Warmth passed between them, skin to skin, and with it, Acheron's gentle words.
"From now on, you won't be alone."
As the words faded, a status panel flickered vividly before her:
--+--
[Role-Playing System]
[Name: Bai Ming (Acheron)]
[Lifespan: 156:59:53 (Paused) + 24 days (Role-Playing)]
[Transformable Characters: Big Herta (Charge: 18.2%), Acheron]
[Available Draws: 1 (3.6%)]
--+--
T/N: Does anyone actually know the name of this area, cause i couldn't find anything
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.