Herrscher of Dominance in Honkai, starting with the abduction of Kiana

"Why do birds fly? Why would you ask such a thing?" Mei looked at Ren, puzzled.

"Just a thought, looking at these ruins. This is Kevin's Quantum space (World Bubble), a projection of his memories. Haven't you noticed the unique architecture?"

Mei, who had been casually admiring the scenery, paused. Looking closer, she noticed a subtle beauty in the seemingly ordinary ruins.

The intricate patterns on the platform, the unique carvings on the broken walls, the collapsed tower—these remnants, frozen in time, bore the mark of a bygone era, etched in Kevin's memory for millennia.

"So these are traces of the Previous Era..." Mei sighed. At nineteen, she was still young, not yet fully attuned to the echoes of time.

"When the branch a bird perches on withers, where does it go?" Ren asked.

"Perhaps it finds a new shelter, a new life," Mei replied tentatively.

"But finding a new tree isn't easy. This is where it grew, the last tree in the forest. What would you do if you were that bird?"

"Fly elsewhere, of course. The world is vast. There must be another suitable branch."

"So that's your answer, Raiden Mei? Birds fly because they seek new hope?"

"..." Mei fell silent, unsure of Ren's meaning. Following her intuition, she nodded.

"A fine answer." Ren offered a look of approval, without judgment.

"Do all Obsidian Concord members ask such cryptic questions?"

"No. I was merely pondering what Kevin, perched on the last branch of a dying civilization, must have felt when humanity's remnants were ravaged by the Honkai."

"Kevin?"

"You'll likely spend time with him in World Serpent. If you have the chance, ask him that question for me."

"Alright, but..."

Boom!

A violent explosion rocked the distant space. Ren and Mei exchanged a glance, dodging in opposite directions.

A lance, trailing black light, obliterated the spot where they'd been standing, splitting the platform in two. Neither was harmed.

"Kev-in!" A furious shout followed the lance, accompanied by more explosions.

Flames erupted as two powerful figures clashed, each impact shaking the surrounding ruins.

"You can't fool me!" Senti's enraged cries echoed as the battle moved towards Ren.

Whatever had transpired between Kevin and Senti, it was clear these "old friends" weren't on good terms.

Normally, even with Fu Hua's body, Senti wasn't Kevin's match. But Kevin, weakened after his fight with Ren, was on even ground.

Compared to Senti's rage, Kevin remained silent, deflecting her attacks with precise movements of Judgment of Shamash.

"I thought you'd welcome an old friend after so long. I wanted you to see how I've grown. But you treat me like this! You never considered me a friend!"

Kevin's movements faltered for a fraction of a second. "You know her true identity better than I do," he replied, glancing meaningfully towards Ren.

Senti's eyes lit up. Abandoning Kevin, she flew towards Ren.

"Kiana! Thank goodness you're alright!" Landing gracefully, her anger melted into relief.

"Of course I'm fine. What happened with Kevin?" Ren smiled, offering no further explanation.

"That jerk said I'm not Fu Hua!" Senti puffed her cheeks, fuming. "We're friends from 50,000 years ago! He can't even recognize me!"

Ren shook his head, offering comfort. "Don't mind what others say. They can't define you. What matters is who you believe you are."

"I'm Fu Hua, of course!" Senti declared, thumping her chest. "You're right. I'm not the same person I was. I don't need their approval."

"Then why are you angry?"

"I..." Senti glanced at Ren, verifying his familiar appearance, then relaxed slightly. "I don't care what Kevin thinks, but he said you weren't Kiana!"

"..."

"What a joke! You're my best friend! If you're not Kiana, then I've been played for a fool!"

"..."

"I don't care if Kevin doesn't recognize me. I can just ignore him. But I won't let him insult you."

Ren sighed. This nascent Herrscher of Sentience was truly like a child, fiercely protective of her friends.

Senti's birth was accidental. Unlike other Herrschers, she hadn't been corrupted by the Honkai. Her mind was a blank slate, her future shaped by recent experiences.

Therefore, Ren hadn't manipulated her like other Herrschers, choosing instead to guide her, nurturing her worldview with friendship and acceptance.

But this approach had limits. He wasn't Kiana, and he couldn't keep up the charade forever. The truth would eventually come out.

Ren decided to end the deception. "Kevin is right. I'm not Kiana. Raiden Mei is here. She can confirm it."

Senti's tirade abruptly stopped. Her mouth hung open, eyes widening in disbelief.