On the day of the mission, Lyon surveyed their surroundings with a discerning eye, the sun beating down intensely from above.

"Y'know, I honestly thought when Theresa and Himeko mentioned a rescue mission, it'd be somewhere like Japan—not New Zealand," he commented with a slight grumble.

Kiana bounced around, enjoying the warmth of the sun, and flashed him a playful grin. "Lighten up, Lyon! You're starting to sound like a grumpy old man. And with that white hair, people might even start believing it."

Lyon shot her an annoyed glance. "And you think you're off the hook? Your hair's as white as mine."

Kiana stuck out her tongue playfully. "Yeah, but I pull it off better because I'm a pretty girl, right, Mei?"

Mei, who had been quietly observing nearby, gave a small, affirmative nod, entering into the banter. "Yes, Kiana, you definitely are."

Kiana's grin widened smugly. "See, Lyon? Told you."

Lyon shook his head with a resigned sigh. "What a drag."

Mei turned to Bronya, hoping to steer things back on track. "Bronya, could you set up the communication gear? We need to connect with Himeko for a briefing about this mission."

Bronya, maneuvering around with Project Bunny, nodded in agreement. "Affirmative. Establishing a direct communication link to the Hyperion now," she announced, syncing their devices to their earpieces. "This setup will enable individual connections to the ship—specifically to Ms. Himeko—without the need for shared devices."

"Excellent thinking, Bronya," Mei praised, giving Bronya's head an appreciative pat. "This will grant us more autonomy during the mission."

"Understood," Bronya confirmed with a nod.

As Lyon gathered everyone, pulling along a reluctant Kiana, he questioned, "Why didn't we just get the briefing on the ship earlier? Seems like it would have saved us some time, especially for a rescue mission."

"We might have," Mei conceded, "if only we hadn't caught Himeko sneaking drinks on duty..."

Kiana, arms crossed and eyes shut in mock exasperation, suggested, "Maybe we should check in with Theresa instead? It might be more reliable than depending on our drunk instructor."

Just then, Himeko's voice crackled through their earpieces, "I heard that, brats."

Startled, the group listened as her holographic image flickered to life among them, ready to give the delayed briefing.

Himeko began the briefing with a probing question. "So, how's everyone feeling about the environment here? A bit tense, maybe? Feeling under the weather or weighed down?"

Lyon was quick to respond, "Honestly, I feel hot."

Himeko offered a playful grin, "Well, you've always been hot, Lyon."

Lyon grimaced. "Not in that sense. It's sweltering, like walking on the sun."

Himeko's laughter echoed briefly before she regained her composure. "All jokes aside, remember this is primarily a rescue mission, right?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Mei, sensing a deeper concern, voiced her intuition. "Yes, but there's something unsettling about this place. It feels... off. Is there something specific we should be wary of?"

Mei was sensitive to the lingering Honkai energy, which reminded her of Nagazora City, though here it felt less intense, almost subdued, making the seemingly peaceful city unnervingly so.

Lyon added, "Yeah, there's a glaring issue here that's quite literally blinding me."

Kiana, puzzled, looked around. "Are you talking about the sunlight? It is unusually bright."

Lyon clarified, "No, it's not just the sun..." His vision could detect various hues in the environment—a spectrum of green and orange in the sky and traces of pink on the ground that others might miss.

Himeko, catching the drift of their concerns, confirmed, "Exactly, Mei, Lyon. This location experienced a significant Honkai spike just yesterday. The energy here is unusual and potentially dangerous."

The group absorbed the information with varying degrees of surprise and contemplation. Lyon broke the silence, "Well, that certainly sheds some light on things."

Himeko nodded solemnly, "Indeed. And regarding your mission, it's not just a simple rescue—it's actually a retrieval mission."

Kiana's brow furrowed, "What does that mean?"

Himeko elaborated, "Several years back, Schicksal secured three powerful Honkai cubes, one of which is known as the Gem of Desire."

Bronya remained focused on maintaining the communication link, while the others listened intently. Kiana probed further, "So, the gem is hidden around here?"

"Essentially, yes," Himeko confirmed. "Three years ago, there was an attempt to harness the gem's energy in a project aimed at developing a means to counteract Herrschers."

Mei flinched at the mention of Herrschers, memories of her past self surfacing involuntarily. The thought of what might have been if such a power had confronted her former self made her uneasy.

Lyon noticed Mei's discomfort and gently reassured her with a pat on the shoulder, "It's okay, you're not that person anymore."

Mei managed a small nod, appreciative of his support.

Himeko continued, "That's why I say it's a retrieval mission. There's someone, or perhaps something, that knows the gem's exact location. Your task is to locate this individual or entity and ensure their safe transport to a designated safe point. I'll mark the location on your maps once we wrap up here. Sounds straightforward enough, doesn't it?"

The team acknowledged the plan, but Lyon voiced a lingering concern, "Why does this all seem so abrupt? It feels like you're telling us this at the last minute. If it's as simple as it sounds, why involve us? Doesn't Schicksal usually handle these sorts of things directly?"

Himeko gave a resigned nod, "To be honest, I'm just as skeptical as you. Everything sounds too straightforward, too neatly packaged... but we follow orders." She looked around at the team, "Any questions?"

The responses came quickly.

"None here!"

"All set."

"No questions."

"My brain can't think of any right now."

Himeko offered a wry smile, "Alright then. If there are no questions, let's wrap this up. Good luck out there—I'll keep you updated with any new developments as they come in."

With a final nod, Himeko's hologram faded out, leaving the group alone. Moments later, their devices pinged, displaying a map with a blinking red dot enclosed within a large circle, marking their target location.

Lyon scrutinized the map, tapping it thoughtfully. "So, that's our... target? Hostage?"

Kiana chimed in, "Or victim?"

Mei corrected them gently, "Let's just say 'target.' This is officially a rescue operation."

Lyon scoffed playfully, "Doesn't quite feel like it."

Mei just shook her head, smiling slightly. "That sounds exactly like something you would say, Lyon."

Seizing the moment, Lyon clapped his hands together, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, now that we know where to head, how about we choose a team leader? It'd be good to have someone in charge, don't you think?"

He glanced at Mei suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. Mei, understanding his implication, quickly demurred, "I don't think I'm cut out to be the team leader."

Kiana jumped at the chance, "If Mei's not up for it, I nominate myself!"

The collective response was immediate and unified. "No."

Kiana pouted. "You guys are mean..."

Bronya, ever the voice of reason, suggested, "Perhaps Subject Lyon should assume the role."

Lyon raised his hands in protest, "Hold up, wait a minute. That sounds like a lot of work. And honestly, I'm probably the laziest here."

Bronya, unamused, tapped him lightly with Project Bunny, asserting, "You are the most suitable, given your capabilities, and that you are a man."

Lyon feigned shock, "Oh, are we playing the gender card now?"

Mei gently jabbed Lyon's arm, her tone laced with affectionate exasperation. "No, you goof. Bronya's point is about you having the right demeanor to lead, given you're quite imposing."

Lyon surveyed himself from head to toe, feigning contemplation. "Well, I do have a rather commanding presence, don't I?" He then glanced at his companions, his expression shifting to mock horror. "But... Why on earth are you all decked out in these skintight spandex suits with barely any armor? Isn't that a bit much for privacy?"

Mei's cheeks tinged with pink, while Kiana examined her own form-fitting suit. "Eh? But it allows me to move freely." Demonstratively, she stretched, lifting her leg high, which only served to emphasize Lyon's point. "See?"

Lyon's eyebrow twitched as he averted his gaze. "That's exactly my point. You're proving how revealing it is. Please, stop."

Kiana murmured defensively, "It's not revealing..."

Bronya interjected, her voice tinged with logic, "Curiously, Subject Lyon, why aren't you wearing any armor? You criticize our attire, yet you have minimal protection yourself."

Mei glanced at Lyon's casual ensemble of a turtleneck and pants, voicing her concern, "Bronya has a point. It's actually your safety we should worry about. The enemies we face are unforgiving and armed. What if you get injured?"

Kiana studied him, her tone playful yet observant. "Well, he does seem pretty sturdy. His abs are practically armor themselves."

Bronya turned away, anticipating the direction this conversation might head.

Mei's annoyance was palpable, her voice sharp. "And how would you know about his abs?"

Kiana casually whistled, shifting her gaze away, while Lyon reassured them with a dismissive wave. "Relax, we'll all make it through just fine—maybe with a few scratches."

Bronya considered reminding him of their past experiences in Nagazora City but held back, noting Mei's discomfort with such memories.

Kiana, ever the provocateur, poked Lyon's cheek playfully. "Just don't get too cocky. Nobody here wants to mourn you, you know?"

Lyon spoke, though his words were slightly garbled by Kiana's playful interference. "Alright, alright, I'll tone it down. Let's get moving, okay?"

The group agreed, and Bronya provided a precise update, her voice clear and analytical. "The target location is approximately five kilometers from here. We should reach it in a matter of minutes."

Lyon straightened up, assuming the role of leader with a nod. "Okay, since I've been roped into leading, we'll make a dash for it. Bronya, keep us on course. You'll be our navigator."

Bronya confirmed the plan, her tone serious. "If we maintain a steady pace, we should arrive shortly. The destination is to our left. Stay alert, as we may encounter hostiles."

Lifting his thumb in affirmation, Lyon rallied the group. "Great, let's head out then."

With a collective nod, they all sprinted towards the designated location, ready for whatever lay ahead.

---

Only five minutes had passed when Lyon signaled their proximity to the destination. Energized, he sprinted ahead, the team trailing close behind.

Bronya, comfortably seated atop Project Bunny, navigated effortlessly. "We're just 50 meters east of the target now," she called out to the group.

Lyon, seizing the moment, leaped into the air, using his unique ability to propel himself forward in bounding leaps that mimicked a rabbit.

Kiana's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze swinging between Mei and Bronya who shared her astonishment. "Wow, he doesn't hold back, does he?"

From his high vantage point, Lyon spotted their objective—a girl in a wheelchair, surrounded by Honkai foes. His face split into a wide grin as he prepared for impact.

"Here we go!" he yelled, drawing the attention of the enemies below. One Honkai creature looked up only to see Lyon's black shoes descending rapidly.

Bam!

With a resounding crash, Lyon landed squarely among them.

As Lyon hit the ground, the force of his landing created a crater, and beneath him, the unfortunate zombie was crushed. He winced and shook his leg out. "I really need to get better at controlling this power to avoid—Ergh! Yep, that's going to hurt later."

The surrounding Honkai enemies, undeterred by his entrance, advanced with weapons drawn. But as they neared, their assault halted abruptly, their weapons freezing inches from him. Lyon grinned, flicked a finger, and the weapons were repelled by an invisible force.

"Hehe, gotta love this ability," he chuckled to himself, imagining the possibilities if he could automate its activation.

However, his attention quickly shifted to the girl in the wheelchair just a few meters behind the stalled enemies. With a resigned sigh, he called out to her, "Yo! Mind if I handle this mess first before we chat?"

The girl looked up, her expression tired but intrigued. "Um... Hi? My name is Wendy," she responded softly, somewhat awkwardly.

Lyon waved back energetically, unaffected by the enemies still struggling fruitlessly against his power. "Hello! I'm Lyon, and I'm here to... save you? Or something like that."

Wendy smiled faintly, amused by his demeanor. "It seems like this isn't your first rodeo, is it?" she observed.

Lyon laughed as he effortlessly dispatched the nearest enemy with a well-placed punch, sending it flying apart. "Actually, this is my first mission," he confessed, then shrugged off the seriousness of the moment.

"Missions aren't usually this laid-back, but you seem pretty calm about all this," Wendy noted, her voice carrying a mix of amusement and awe.

"Just trying to keep things light," Lyon quipped, striking a playful pose. "A little humor helps balance the seriousness, don't you think?"

Wendy chuckled in agreement just as Kiana, Mei, and Bronya arrived, swiftly dealing with the remaining Honkai enemies trapped by Lyon's spatial powers.

Lyon surveyed his teammates as they wrapped up their skirmish—a quick and efficient affair. "So... what took you all so long?" he teased.

The trio exchanged deadpan looks, with Kiana especially grumbling in response. "You do realize your ability is basically cheating, right?" she accused.

Lyon casually flicked away a piece of debris, watching it sail off like a pebble. "My Limitless? Yeah, it's a cool trick, isn't it?" he boasted with a grin.

Bronya, always the geek, showed interest in his powers. "Perhaps Bronya should conduct some studies on Subject Lyon's abilities, given their apparent space manipulation," she mused.

Mei, however, was quick to caution her. "I wouldn't advise that, Bronya. Trying to analyze his powers might just give you a headache," she warned.

Lyon cleared his throat dramatically, regaining everyone's attention. "Back to my original question?" he prodded, looking expectantly at his teammates.

Mei exchanged a look with Kiana and Bronya before addressing him with a hint of irritation. "We were observing from the sidelines. You seemed to have everything under control... that is until you were busy fli—," she began, only for Kiana to interject hastily, "Yeah, until you started chatting with—uh, what was your name again?"

The girl in the wheelchair smiled warmly. "I'm Wendy," she introduced herself.

Kiana nodded enthusiastically. "Right, until you were chatting with Wendy here. Honestly, you could have just dispatched those enemies a bit quicker."

Lyon dismissed the critique with a flourish of his hand. "I was merely securing Wendy's permission to showcase a bit of flair with my powers," he explained nonchalantly.

Mei stepped forward, her patience wearing thin, and yanked on Lyon's ear. "Agh! Mei, that hurts, please!" he protested.

She tightened her grip, admonishing him further. "Need I remind you that we're on a mission? We don't have time for your theatrics."

Lyon flailed comically, trying to escape Mei's grasp.

"HELP MEEEEE!" he cried out, his voice echoing slightly in the open space, much to the amusement of his team.

Bronya floated gracefully towards Wendy, perched on her mechanical companion, Project Bunny. With a polite nod, she introduced herself, "I apologize for the commotion. My name is Bronya. The white-haired girl there is Kiana," she paused, raising an eyebrow at Kiana's indignant look before continuing, "—affectionately termed Idiot Kiana by us."

"Hey, don't introduce me like that!" Kiana protested, her voice rising with a mix of embarrassment and mock outrage.

Bronya, unphased, gestured towards Mei, who had just finished admonishing Lyon. "And that is Sister Mei."

Wendy observed the group with a hint of amusement. "Quite the team you have here, Bronya. It's not often you see a man among the Valkyrie ranks."

Bronya acknowledged the comment with a slight nod. "Subject Lyon is an exception," she explained succinctly.

Wendy's gaze shifted to Lyon, who was still nursing his ears, a dramatic tear escaping his eyes. "I see..." she murmured, her voice carrying a tone of intrigued sympathy.

Their brief introduction was suddenly cut short by a crackling voice coming through their communication devices, drawing everyone's attention back to the task at hand.

Himeko's voice came through clear and composed. "Well, it appears you've located the target."

Kiana, always eager to take the lead, chimed in before anyone else could respond. Mei was 'assisting' Lyon, and Bronya was tending to Wendy. "Yes! She seems to be the only one here, and Lyon nearly landed on her."

Lyon snapped his head towards Kiana, his voice laced with exasperation. "I did not!"

Himeko let out a weary sigh. "Regardless, you've all done well. The next step is to escort her to the pickup location. I've updated your maps with the coordinates."

Kiana, ever the optimist, perked up at this news. "Great! After that, we can finally recover the Gem of Desire!"

There was a brief pause on the line before Himeko continued, her tone grave. "Actually, there's been a development. The Gem of Desire... you've found it already."

The team halted their bickering and turned their attention fully to Himeko's next words. "Three years ago, the Oceania Branch embedded the Gem into Wendy's calf, integrating it with her tibia to potentially unlock Herrscher-level powers."

Lyon, taken aback, cast a scrutinizing glance from Wendy in her wheelchair back to the communicator. "No offense, but from here, she just looks like an ordinary woman in a wheelchair."

Wendy raised her hand in a dismissive gesture. "No offense taken. The gem's power was too much for me, and the experiment left me this way."

Himeko responded with a resigned tone, "Wendy was once Oceania's top Valkyrie candidate. She could have been the fourth S-rank of her generation if not for the complications from the gem."

Mei expressed her concern with genuine empathy, "If the researchers knew the consequences, why didn't they remove the gem to spare her from this fate?"

"The Gem of Desire stabilizes uniquely within Wendy's system, despite its general instability," Himeko explained. "There's no easy resolution. You need to focus on completing your mission. I'll meet you on the Hyperion."

After the communication ended, the group looked at Wendy, who quickly gestured for them not to pity her. "Please, no pity. I chose to participate in the experiment, even though it didn't turn out as hoped."

Lyon crouched to meet her eye level, offering a supportive pat on the shoulder. "Sometimes life just throws curveballs, doesn' it? "

Wendy laughed softly. "You're quite the character, aren't you?"

Lyon grinned as he stood. "I try my best."

Wendy then addressed the group, "Shall we proceed? I understand what's required of us now."

Bronya activated her Project Bunny, which fashioned a seat for Wendy. "Project Bunny will transport Wendy at our pace."

As Wendy settled onto the adapted seat, she marveled, "This is incredibly handy, Bronya."

Kiana, eyeing the contraption, piped up, "Hey, can I hitch a ride too? My legs could use a break!"

Bronya responded with a flat, "No."

"Boo..." Kiana pouted.

Lyon turned to Mei, ready to move forward. "We all set then?"

Mei nodded, a resolute expression on her face. "Yes, let's go."

As they started towards their objective, unaware that two figures were observing them from a distance.

End of Chapter

---

A/N: I wonder who the two figures are... Well, nice to meet you all. Sorry for the late chapter release; I've been busy with life and fighting writer's block. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and I'll see you all soon. Goodbye!