Hero's Memory

### Introduction

**Kevin Kaslana:** Codename "Deliverance", CM-001. He is the first of The Thirteen Flame-Chasers.

One of the only MANTISes to make it to the Current Era.

His simulation doesn't have all the memories of the real thing, but gives insight into how he was before.

Here are Kevin Kaslana's Recollections.

### 1 - Rumor: Coldness

"Fuxi... you again? No, no matter what you say, it's still a no. It was you who spilled the beans last time... Huh? I'm the most well-informed person in the base? I guess that's true..."

"I guess I could tell you about it, I mean it's not like it's top-secret... Wait, you must not have seen Kevin much lately if you don't know about it. His side effects are well-controlled now. Though he still can't make physical contact with other people, at least he won't accidentally hurt other comrades around him anymore."

"Sigh... Back then, after the 7th Herrscher incident, I saw Kevin walking alone on a lake."

"Walking?"

"Yeah — every inch that he passed over was frozen because of his excessively low body temperature."

"But if you think about it... that's not necessarily a bad thing. For a MANTIS, it's not a big deal to have low body temperature, am I right? You must've noticed it too — on hot days, Kevin would become much more popular all of a sudden... Even Dr. Mobius showed up beside him a lot more often than usual."

"Mmm."

"By the way, Elvin, do you know anything about the cat that occasionally appears around Kevin? I heard someone else mention it once."

"What? *A cat?* How is that even possible? What kind of cat can stand such low temperatures? Whoever told you this must have seen it wrong..."

### 2 - The Demon

"He's got potential. What say you?"

"Why are you asking me?"

The green-haired girl put down the files and raised her head to eye the aloof-looking man. "Stop pretending, Kevin. I know your relationship with him, and I know you cut him off after you joined the MOTHs... to keep him from finding this place."

"He's your opposite. He won't agree to work with you."

"...But that assumes we have other options. He'll understand, right?"

"..."

To the girl's delight, the man fell silent. Reptilian eyes glinting, her lips curled into a sneer. "It's about time you drop the good guy act, Kevin. I'm well aware that I've crossed the line. But what about your dear MEI? Is she any different from me?"

"Oh, there's a difference. She's far crueler and colder than me - because she only makes rational choices."

"..."

"Pure rationality... is the real monster. You know that, don't you?"

### 3 - Crimson Ice

By the time the reinforcements arrived, the 11th Herrscher had already been strung up on an inscrutable crucifix, never to make another sound. Even the strongest-willed among the warriors shed tears — they believed that this was the end for them — that this would be the end of them all — warriors and former friends alike. But victory came ever so suddenly... and ever so incomprehensibly.

There was ice, crimson ice everywhere. Although the battle had ended some time ago, the chill that surrounded that man still wrapped the entire battlefield. All the blood that had been spilled upon the land was frozen in mid-air, trapped like a frozen dark-red tableau of sea-spray. A violet glow slowly extinguished amidst it all. Even that eternal rose of crystal threatened to wither and shatter in the face of the tragedy before them. Carrying the unconscious girl, Elysia stood before that man.

"Kevin... How are you going to explain this? This is not the ending she would have hoped to see."

"Hua will understand."

"It is just as I said. We had no other choice." Ice and frost spread out like the veins of a leaf under the man's feet. The chill he wore like a cloak grew stronger in an instant.

"Kevin... You may not wish to admit it, but you're practically an extension of MEl's will right now. Understanding you... is not a difficult thing to ask."

"Even today, you're just following her orders. I understand that."

"But look at the people who have fallen. They were your comrades. They believed in your strength and resolve more than anyone. Everyone understands how they would end up from the start. But still, they stepped forward... Because they believed in *you*. They believed that you would bring us victory and hope."

**"Look at their faces, Kevin.** Will your tears... freeze?"

"..."

"Their hopes have been forged into the hopes of many others. Were the circumstances any different, I would've made the same choice nonetheless." "We cannot cling to the past, Elysia. We are fighting for humanity's future."

"...I ***hate*** people who don't keep their word." Gazing down at the girl asleep in her bosom, Elysia lightly tapped her own forehead against the girl's brow. "But thanks to you, I can never fulfill my promise to her." She said little else, and taking Hua with her, she turned to leave.

The man stood alone amidst the scarlet icy ocean for a long time. He was the victor, but no one would cheer for him. No one would cheer for such a tragedy.

Suddenly, the man seemed to notice something. He heard a sound.

*The sound of breathing.*

As everyone watched, he raised that great sword that symbolized destruction... only to break the frozen ground at his feet. As they all watched in shock, he dug patiently until that faint breathing once again reached his ears... and those of everyone else.

"Can you still stand, Kalpas?"

### 4 - Some Reminiscences

"No, MEI, that won't be necessary. That's enough. Get behind me, none of them... will live."

"Kevin, we all know that you're not ready yet. Hand Judgment of Shamash to me for the time being."

"I never expected that L10-461 had powers that could wear you down like that... I'm sorry for not foreseeing this unfortunate outcome. But now... time is against us, Kevin. Only by bringing back the Herrscher of Fire's power can we possibly annihilate the 10th Herrscher."

"And I've been wanting to tell you something... This is the moment."

"No... The Key of Blankness puts great strain on its wielder, so you mustn't use it again. Exterminating them... has been my mission from the beginning."

"Kevin."

"You're a soldier."

"Of course, if you only had to protect me, I have no doubts that you would be capable of it. But if we don't take this chance to wipe them out... we'll never get a second chance. If you don't want this to happen again... take whatever happens next to heart, Kevin."

By the time the auxiliary troops arrived to mop up the battlefield, Kevin's eyes still had a red tinge of fire. Words paled in comparison to the splendor of what he had just witnessed.

"Is this what you wanted to tell me, MEI?"

"Yes, Kevin. If... someone like me can do it... you surely can as well..."

"No... you'll do better, and far surpass... the limits of the Key of Blankness."

"But... to do it... you must know... what you're fighting for. Which is... something greater... than yourself."

### 5 - The Visit

"Elysia?"

"Uh-huh, you better stay in bed, Kevin. You're in a hospital bed for a reason."

*"Oof...* how did a veteran like you get hurt this bad?"

"...What do you want now?"

"Listen to yourself... Can't I come here just to visit an injured old friend? I even brought you a fruit basket!"

"Besides, this old friend of mine might need something from me."

"..."

"Kevin, I heard... that pink-haired killer, her weapon... was it a blade? It belongs to the MOTHs... That killer shouldn't have any means to get her hands on it... right?"

"..."

"You must be thinking the same thing as me — it was obviously an inside job. I just don't understand, Kevin... what kind of character did you mess with to have such a terrifying killer come at you?"

"...Her target was MEI, not me."

"Huh... that explains why you were boating in the lake in the middle of the night... You don't look like someone who would have such a hobby, but it makes sense if it was a date."

"..."

"Well... though it may not be obvious, you must know that those projects proposed by MEI are not approved of by everyone, and some would even be strongly against them... both in the light and in the dark. But I'm curious — what made them decide to take action so soon? Is it the upcoming Divine Key project? Or the previous ones that were suspended?"

"..."

"Forget it. If you knew, you wouldn't be lying here."

"Well... I got the info I needed. I'll leave you alone for now. Take care~ I'll come visit you again another day~"

"Wait, Elysia."

"Hmm? What's wrong? I didn't know anything about the fact that you guys secretly sheltered that killer. As for who sent her... I have no clue either, I swear."

"..."

"I was just trying to say... Elysia, since you've already finished that fruit basket all by yourself...

...Can you please take the peels and cores with you?"

### 6 - The Blind Spot

They saved the ninth chair for Kevin — which was the last chair. But instead of taking the seat, Kevin walked past it and stopped behind MEl's chair. "I will not stand against her in any way. You can save that chair for another recruit." Those present were suffused with a pale light.

Many were absent — Elysia, Hua, Kalpas. Though they seldom coordinated their actions, it was the first time that several members did not attend a high-level meeting. Those who came each had their own reasons, but chose to remain silent unanimously. They were all aware that an invisible crack was eating away at the organization.

After a terribly long while, a thick sneer broke the silence. "See? I warned you about this. A discussion that is bound to be fruitless... What a waste of time."

"Dr. Mobius, please don't say that. Now that everyone's here, let's settle down and let Dr. MEI explain why she summoned us."

The woman put down her glass and clapped her hands together, as if she were about to give an order. Everyone cast their gaze upon the chair in front of Kevin. The woman sitting on it looked so weary and frail — anyone on the scene could destroy her with ease. Yet her eyes that shone like the stars always struck inexplicable fear into the others. Those who met her gaze could not fight the urge to look away.

"I do not have much time left... so I will get to the point."

"From a name on paper to the last hope for defending the world, the MOTHS... To be honest, I did not see this day coming when I joined the organization. I cannot qualify to be a MANTIS, nor will I live long enough to rectify my mistakes. Before we can exterminate Honkai... I will most likely be defeated by the limitations of a human lifespan. Therefore, there are matters I must entrust to you."

"I wish to hear only the truth today."

"Everyone please recall..."

"How did you meet Elysia?"

### 7 - Cast In Gold

In the depths.

The chill in the air surrounding the man befitted the darkness. It was how this place usually struck its visitors - dark, cold... Desolate.

"You've locked yourself down here again, Aponia."

"Kevin? I didn't expect to see you here. No, you deserve to be here more than I do... Who should atone for the Tragedy of the Binding if not you?"

"My time to do so has not come. And you're the only one who'd willingly come here. Go, for the restraints you imposed on Kalpas have been lifted. Only you can subdue him again."

"Lying is a sin, Kevin."

"..."

"Aponia, you're not the only psychic MANTIS who survived. As for who lifted the restraints... it was Su. He did it unintentionally in the Tragedy of the Binding."

"Su... I remember him. He's developing at an incredible rate. But I can't comply with your request, Kevin."

"The enemies we face now are of a different breed. The restraints are a bridle, a prohibition... it's time we set the beast free again to hunt down new sacrifices for the god. And Kevin... haven't you realized? You already pose a far greater threat to humans than Kalpas."

"A vicious beast and a butcher with a cleaver... The latter is clearly more terrifying."

"You can believe whatever you want. I didn't come to squabble."

"But you didn't come for Kalpas either, Kevin. Lying is a sin."

"The proposal, the Elysian Realm... We've tested it. The conclusion... it's impossible without you. Only if you and Su work together can we possibly reach our ultimate goal."

"..."

"...Could the god have sent another servant so soon? Why are we rushing to implement a plan that should only be used as a last resort?"

"..."

"During the time you locked yourself here, Aponia... Humans have lost all cities but three."

"..."

"I didn't come today..." The blade cut through the chains. A flame arose, flickering in the stifling darkness. "... to discuss strategy with you."

"The chains and the darkness will cease to exist following today."

"Aponia, revert to who you once were."

### 8 - A Metamorphosis

"Look who we have here... Kevin? I assume this is your first visit." The girl put down a test tube and turned to face the uninvited guest. "Tell me, busybody, what brings you here today?"

The frigid air drew closer. The man took two steps forward without answering, as usual. "Hey, that's close enough! Stand there and don't come any closer. These sophisticated instruments can't withstand your body temperature... Just talk to me from there."

"..."

"I read the accident report, Mobius."

"I'm like the cover girl of accident reports. Be specific."

"...Serpent."

"..."

"You've been hiding things... about MANTIS."

"And if I guessed correctly... that day MEI asked me to leave you two alone in the interrogation room... was to discuss such matters."

"Wow... I didn't know you were interested in these matters." The girl narrowed her eyes and eyed the man before her like she would a research specimen. "You're already the pinnacle of the human life form, Kevin... How can you be hungry for more power? And since you've guessed correctly, why didn't you go see MEl directly? Don't you consider her some kind of omniscient being?"

"I don't want to burden MEI with more troubles. Though I wasn't there, judging by Hua and Su's reaction in the report... I think it'd be best for MEI to step back from this indefinitely."

"Even the mention of her name smartens you up. But... is this really necessary for you?"

"It might come in handy one day. Better safe than sorry."

"..."

"Fine. If this is what you want... then come with me. To be honest... I'm quite curious about whether the strongest human can be made even stronger."

"Almost forgot, the locker on your left contains an insulated hazmat suit. don't enter unless you're wearing one your size."

...

...

...

The preparations were almost complete.

The girl studied the man lying on the operating table and frowned.

"Say, Kevin... Does this remind you of the time you first became a MANTIS? I remember I was watching you by the operating table just like now. Oh, MEI was there as well... She was even more nervous than you."

"I don't recall the past."

"Well, of course you don't. You've been living in the past, so there's no point in recalling it."

"..."

"Fine, fine. Let us begin, Kevin. This may take a long time... A pity that anesthetic hardly works on you anymore. You must bear the pain using sheer willpower."

"But I promise it'll be worth it. After enduring all the pain and suffering, I assure you that like me, you'll feel... *reborn."*

### 9 - Counterattack

Is anyone still standing?

The man walking fast in the passage had to doubt that. He had covered quite a distance, but everyone he saw was in a deep slumber. Lying on the ground in varying positions, they were all murmuring words that cannot be comprehended.

"Ah, that's why I always say you're now the least romantic man on earth, Kevin."

"Roaming through one dream after another. How wonderful and romantic ♪"

- At a future date, one of his partners commented such on this experience.

But he himself never viewed the situation in such a romantic light. Those who had fallen were drowned in an everlasting false dream that led them to death. And those who were sober fell victim to another endless nightmare.

He fastened his steps.

His heart had always remained strong and resolute, but not in this moment.

"MEI..."

He shouldn't have been so worried, as she was guarded by his most trusted comrade. But the enemy they were faced with can never be hurt by any blade.

...

...

...

"Hi, Kevin."

A familiar voice dragged him back to reality. At the end the corridor, the pink-haired girl was leaning against the wall.

"You're finally back."

"Elvsia? Why are you here? How is MEI?"

"Relax, she's safe in the lab. But I can't say the same for SAKURA."

"Did she fall for the 8th Herrscher's trick?"

"Yeah, fortunately, she only fell asleep. Good thing I arrived on time, or..."

"Or what?"

"Anyway, I've taken care of things on this side. SAKURA and MEI are both fine."

"But Kevin, how are things looking on your side? I've always felt you're the one who'd be most likely trapped in dreams."

"..."

He fell silent. He thought the same about himself. That's why he returned in a hurry after such a short departure. He had obtained the Discipline to resist the corruption and put on shackles that could free him of the nightmares. He had become different.

"Maybe, Elysia."

"But the 8th Herrscher's mental tricks won't work on me anymore. Time to strike back."

"Ah, Kevin, you know what, that's the most unbearable thing about you. You don't have to carry everything on your shoulders, really. Even if you don't trust Mobius, you can at least try to put a bit more faith in your old pal."

"Su?"

"The counterattack started long ago ♪"

### 10 - In The Past

The two of them stood side by side on the silent street. Three days ago, it was still the most bustling shopping area in the region. Day and night, thousands of people would linger here enjoying the urban vibe and shopping to their heart's content. But now, it was too quiet that even the wind seemed noisy.

**\*Thump\***

The man's fist landed on a signboard and left a deep dent.

"..."

"Don't do this, Kevin."

"Elysia, they're dead."

"Look around. These people died and even their bodies are gone... This is... all my fault..."

"Uh... Kevin, you misunderstood. I just wanted to remind you you'd have to pay for the damage."

"..."

"And don't say that. It's as much your fault as mine. No one could have known... the 6th Herrscher still had human emotions."

"But these people... what did they do to deserve this? They never knew their lives would end this way... because of what I did..."

"It was my hesitation that killed them... Me..."

"But it was also you who killed the Herrscher and ended it."

"..."

"Kevin, it's alright... It would have ended the same way if I was put in your shoes. I would have had the same doubt and hesitated... I would have made the same choice."

"...It changes nothing."

"Kevin, the loss of these lives is a responsibility shared by you, me, and the others. I don't want you to forget it. On the contrary, I want you to remember it, remember this moment, along with your hesitation and weakness."

"... That's you, Kevin. If one day, you'd sacrifice the minority for the majority, or the other way around... You won't be the Kevin I've always known."

"..."

"Sacrifice is... sacrifice, something we need to carry on our shoulders... but no more. So, Kevin... I hope we can remember this day forever. The weakness. The nameless location. It's the only thing that can remind us of what we're fighting for."

"Elysia... if you're to choose... Would you choose the majority or the minority?"

"..."

"Me?"

Elysia smiled and walked ahead of Kevin, leaving him only her back.

"Kevin, you should know there's a difference between minority and majority."

"In everyone's heart, there has to be a minority that's more important than the majority, or even all of it. So... my answer is probably the same as the one you'd give me right now." She turned around to face Kevin and lifted his hand to put it against her forehead.

"If one day, you could simply pull the trigger like this to save the majority... What would you do?"

### 11 - Wish

"So cold!"

The pink-haired girl pushed the white-haired man's shoulders to walk along the corridor.

"...Elysia, I don't think this is necessary."

"Ah, don't say no! Don't say anything! Just keep going!"

The man seemed confused, but the willful girl didn't give him a choice.

"We have more important things to do, Elysia."

"Huh? Isn't my party important?"

"..."

"New threats may come up at any time, and we have no idea of how the next Herrscher would surprise us..."

"Alright, alright! The 7th Eruption just ended. Can't you cut yourself some slack? Why do you have to push yourself so hard?”

"Ah, Kevin, you're growing more and more like MEI... and I bet you'd be glad to hear that."

"But..."

"Come on, no buts! Alright, here we are!" She pushed Kevin to a door, which was not locked, nor was it lit inside. He had to do what the girl told him. Finally, he made up his mind and pushed the door open...

"Happy birthday, Kevin!"

He was taken aback by the sudden light and voices and nearly rammed into someone hiding behind the door.

"Kevin, watch out!" The girl behind the door cried out and the cake in her hands almost fell to the floor.

"...MEI?"

The girl wearing glasses tilted her head and smiled gently.

Elysia draped a woolen rug over her shoulders, and the other people in the room came near to welcome the birthday boy.

Kevin blinked rapidly in a daze.

He knew everyone in the room, but they all seemed different today.

The first one that caught his attention was the girl with fox ears who wore a gown - a huge contrast with her assassin look. She noticed Kevin's attention and returned an innocent, carefree smile. The little girl by her side was using the power of psychokinesis as usual to send the cake and eight gifts to the table.

An odd green box stood out in the mix as a representation of the blessings from someone who couldn't show up. Then followed funny-sounding music. The boy who received four harsh lectures from Kevin and burst into tears on his first day in the group - he was playing the harmonica clumsily and trying to find the tune. But very soon, something else drowned the harmonica's sound entirely.

A sublime hymn began to echo in Kevin's head. He didn't expect her to show up, and in such a way.

The man who never had a moment's hesitation on the battlefield was staring at the cake with a frown as if he had a problem with how the candles were arranged.

Today, the future leader of the MOTHs and the first seven MANTIS soldiers... were gathered here for such an insignificant reason.

"I'm turning off the light."

With Elysia's joyful voice, the light went out. In the dark, the candle flames were blinking and dancing.

"Time to blow the candles, Kevin! Don't forget to make a wish!"

"No matter what it is, it will come true! I'll make it so ♪"

"Elysia, that was supposed to come from MEI."

"Huh? Is it so on the script I wrote, SAKURA?"

"Haha... Elysia, I bet you didn't even remember your own script."

"I... I wrote it myself. No way I would make a mistake! It must be that you have the pre-revision version instead of the final version!"

Kevin shook his head and laughed.

The twinkling candles lit up his cold body and took him back to the distant past when he last laughed like this. And then, in this pleasant atmosphere, he bent down and blew all the candles out.

...

...

...

Light went out, and so did the noise.

There seemed to be delicate coordination. Darkness engulfed the world and the light was never turned on again.

Gradually, his eyes became accustomed to the darkness. He saw the transparent glass panel of the hibernation pod and heard the humming of machines.

There was nothing else left.

"..."

The pod went down and into the embrace of darkness and silence. Only a lonely dot of light took his last dream and everyone in the dream far far away.

MEI. SAKURA.

Dystopia. Mobius.

Kosma. Aponia.

Ato. And... Elysia.

"..."

The light went out.

It went out along with all their names —

— and the wish he made.

**Irrelevant Files**:
**Chapter 1 -** Mission Report Kv10297 • St. Fountain Tour Guide • Golden Fountain • Fountain of Blood • From Sint Fontein to St. Fountain • Unsent Letter • A Flyer • A Resident's Diary • A Scrap of Paper • Duino Elegies