In the world of the Previous Era, mental genius and strength were deemed the keys to unlocking the truest conclusions and most impressive results. This belief not only shaped their civilization but also propelled advancements and prosperity across various spheres.

As societies flourished under such enlightened governance, they not only shone brightly for the world to see but also embraced the necessary, albeit shadowy, actions required to maintain that luminous facade. This duality, though rarely discussed openly, was accepted as essential for the greater good, ensuring progress and stability for the entire human population.

This glowing era was a symbol of "hope," serving as a beacon for humanity's continual progression and adaptation in the face of nature's challenges. It represented their enduring spirit and their resolve to rise above adversity, striving to align with the expectations they believed mother nature had set for them.

However, the emergence of mysterious creatures introduced new dilemmas. Were these beings heralds of destruction, or another species destined to coexist with humanity? The uncertainty they brought kindled fear, a sentiment all too familiar to humans wary of the unknown.

Initially, this fear was manageable, as the creatures appeared harmless. However, the illusion of peace was shattered when one of the creatures claimed a human life. This event quickly transformed fear into outrage and anger. Any facade of innocence the creatures might have held was stripped away, replaced by a vengeful desire among humans.

Driven by a fervent need for retribution for the fallen human, humanity's wrath ignited a devastating war. They labeled these beings "Honkai," convinced of their inherent violence and murderous intent.

As the conflict dragged on, humanity leveraged their advancing technology, keeping pace with the evolving ferocity of the Honkai. They fought valiantly, achieving notable victories, but were caught off-guard by a new manifestation of power from their adversaries—the Herrschers.

The Herrschers were as malevolent as feared, each embodying the essence of the domains they controlled. One Herrscher wielded flames powerful enough to transform a frosty nation into a barren wasteland, covered in dry, ash-filled wood and smoldering embers.

This Herrscher was defeated by humanity.

Next, a Herrscher controlled technology, challenging humanity's accomplishments in AI and beyond. This being demonstrated abilities that not only mirrored but could manipulate the very fabric of human innovation.

This too, led to a battle where memories were preserved, and once again, humanity triumphed.

Following this, a third Herrscher commanded storms, darkening the skies with heavy clouds and unleashing lightning that scorched the earth below. This chaotic display of nature's wrath was unpredictable and unfathomable in its motives.

Despite these battles, humanity soon realized the conflict would never cease.

Even so, with their resilience and technological prowess, humanity could not withstand the overwhelming power of the Honkai and ultimately succumbed. From the ashes of defeat, however, a new era of unity emerged. The few survivors forged unbreakable bonds, their connection strengthened by shared loss and a collective resolve to rebuild.

But what if, in this cycle of perpetual struggle and fleeting victories, a seemingly insignificant character—ordinary and endowed with nothing but the will of humanity—decided to seamlessly integrate into their story? How would the narrative unfold if one man entered the clause and altered the course of events?

How would—

"Pause! Hold on a moment! The way you express yourself in writing, the manner in which you present your ideas—it almost seems as though you're trying to shatter the fourth wall," exclaimed a voice sharply.

In the confines of the room, three individuals were present. Among them, a woman with striking white hair interrupted the flow of the narrative.

The person she addressed, the only man in the room, had been busily chronicling various thoughts in his journal. He clutched his pen more firmly, his gaze shifting thoughtfully toward her.

"Kiana, I assure you, breaking the fourth wall was not my intention. Besides... shouldn't you be on the moon? You know, for your studies?"

Kiana's expression soured at the mention of her academic responsibilities, which she found dreadfully dull.

"Urgh..."

At that moment, another woman, her hair a soft shade of light gray, paused in her gaming to sip her coffee. She glanced up to see Kiana scowling and their mutual male friend maintaining a serene composure.

Idiots, both of them.

"What did you say, Bronya!?/I heard that!"

Bronya pressed her lips together tightly, realizing she had inadvertently spoken her thoughts aloud. She mentally chided her friends for prompting such a slip.

She exhaled deeply, attempting to gloss over her blunder, "You must've misunderstood. I was merely venting frustration at my game. Really, did you two have to take such a minor comment to heart? Don't worry, I'm not judging anyone."

Kiana and the man responded with groans. Despite nearing adulthood, their reactions still bordered on the impulsive—hardly like the more restrained days of old.

Bronya turned her attention back to her game, casting a brief glance at the pair as they resumed their usual postures.

Yet, despite her efforts to move past the conversation, her earlier assertion remained true: they were indeed idiots, but they were her beloved idiotic friends.

A smile crept onto her face at this realization, prompting the man to regard her with a hint of suspicion.

"Bronya, you're thinking about how we're your "idiot friends," aren't you?"

Bronya's initial reaction bordered on panic—'almost' being the operative word. She managed to maintain a composed expression.

"What ever could you mean? My remarks, just like my thoughts, are always candid. You can't deny that. Besides, if you were so keen on revising your narrative, shouldn't you have opted for a computer? Writing in a journal seems rather strenuous on your wrists, doesn't it?"

Her eyes then drifted to the journal in the man's hands, her gaze tinged with nostalgia.

The sole man noticed Bronya's gaze fixed on his journal. The words he had been eager to write halted abruptly, and he felt compelled to close the book for the sake of their conversation.

He offered a wistful smile, gazing out at the starry night sky through the window, "Sure... My upbringing wasn't exactly privileged, and unlike you girls, I didn't have the luxury of fancy tech to play with."

His tone was laden with a somber gravity, making Bronya feel as though she had inadvertently triggered a surge of deep-seated emotions, while Kiana sensed she too was entangled in this sensitive dialogue.

But his next words seemed to clear the air.

"Well, we need to move past this. If we keep up this discussion, I'm not sure whether it'll be you guys or me who ends up in tears. God forbid I have to maintain my macho facade in front of Mei."

He stretched languidly while seated, stifled a yawn, and tucked his journal away... somewhere out of sight.

The women sighed in relief at his change in demeanor, thankful to steer clear of another emotional deep dive.

However, Kiana felt compelled to question him.

"That's all well and good... but don't you think your writings about the Previous Era are a bit off?"

The man's eyebrow arched in intrigue, and even Bronya leaned in, eager to hear more.

"I'm listening."

Kiana hummed, levitating slightly, "I wouldn't call it incorrect, but your perspective seems somewhat... pessimistic. Yeah, that's the word!"

Bronya's expression turned flat; she had hoped for a more logical critique from Kiana.

"Idiot Kiana, what he wrote about the Previous Era was realistic. It's just that there are details missing—"

"Hey! I'm still working on it!"

"—His narrative reflects their actions and moral justifications in their quest to 'win' the war."

Kiana let out a loud whistle, diverting her attention to the scenery outside.

Bronya sighed, "The strongest being in the world, yet with the memory of a goldfish. Go figure."

Kiana wisely chose to remain silent, knowing that a verbal spar with Bronya was unwise, especially since today was meant to be their rare day out together.

The man smirked, then suddenly questioned, "Hold on, Bronya. How did you know what I wrote in the journal? You're quite far from me."

Bronya and he were merely separated by a couple of couches.

She tilted her head innocently, "You broke the fourth wall, so why can't I? That would only be fair, wouldn't it?"

Her cheeky remark elicited a giggle from Kiana, while the man slouched deeper into his chair, defeated by the banter.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and the trio paused their activities to observe the newcomer entering the room.

A woman with flowing purple hair entered, her hands occupied by a bag of groceries.

Closest to her, Bronya greeted warmly, "Welcome home, sister Mei."

Mei responded with a radiant smile, her presence consistently brightening the room. "Thank you, Bronya. I trust you've been able to keep our two white-haired youngsters calm?"

Kiana and the man winced, feeling as though her words had struck them directly in the heart.

Bronya responded with a casual thumbs up, signaling an unspoken 'you're welcome.'

Mei nodded in appreciation and turned her attention to Kiana, "Kiana, could you take the groceries into the kitchen? I'll be right there."

Kiana, her mouth inexplicably stuffed with a bun, nodded and made a muffled sound of agreement, levitating the grocery bags toward the kitchen as she floated after them.

Mei then cast a softer look towards Bronya, "Bronya, could you lend Kiana a hand, please? While I trust her with the food, I'm less confident about her handling the kitchenware."

Bronya glanced up from her console, looked between Mei and the man, and pieced things together.

"Okay~"

She stood, set her console on the side table, and made her way to the kitchen.

Now alone with the man in the living room, Mei approached him as he sat with an easy smile.

He flashed a grin, his teeth gleaming, "You know, with the way you sent Kiana and Bronya off, I'd think you were worried they might steal me away. Don't worry, your husband here remains loyally yours."

Mei sighed at his antics, which sometimes bordered on the absurd, "You're an idiot..."

The white-haired man beamed, "I'm your idiot, remember?"

Mei groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead, "Urgh..."

The man chuckled, sensing her underlying concerns, and patted the space next to him. What was it— a chair or a couch? It didn't matter to him.

Mei took the hint and sat down beside him, their bodies touching comfortably.

They sat in quiet comfort, their serenity only disturbed by the distant clatter of Kiana and Bronya handling kitchenware.

The man craned his neck towards the kitchen doorway, "Aren't you going to stop them? I suspect your justified worries about Kiana's antics could lead to worse outcomes."

Mei, leaning against him with her eyes closed, murmured, "Like what?"

He deadpanned, "Like burning down the house we worked so hard to secure?"

She smiled gently, "It'll be fine."

The man relished the ensuing silence, watching her peaceful expression, until...

"Lyon."

Hearing his name, Lyon opened his eyes to find Mei holding his journal open.

Oh no.

Mei quickly skimmed through the pages, her eyes darting across the words. Lyon's discomfort grew with each turned page until Mei looked up at him with a teasing smile.

"For someone who was a bit of a ruffian in his younger days, your writing is surprisingly eloquent."

Lyon groaned, "Is that all? What about praising my metaphoric language, the poetry, the eloquent phrasing that could win any heart?"

Mei flicked his forehead, eliciting a yelp from him, "Alright, let's stop there."

Holding his forehead, Lyon suggested playfully, "How about you help me write our stories? It would be our full recollection from two unique perspectives—a quirky love story, just us!"

Mei considered this thoughtfully before voicing her hesitation, "Isn't that a bit too personal? Besides, our past wasn't exactly... all that happy."

Lyon dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand, grabbing hers, "It'll be fine. Trust me on this one."

Her cheeks warmed at his touch, his words always having a sweet effect, "If you insist... We'll do this together. But first, let's enjoy dinner with everyone."

Lyon smirked and reached for his pen, "Sure, I'll sketch out some ideas while you all cook."

Mei quickly swatted the pen from his hand.

"Ey?"

She smiled mischievously, "Remember, we're eating first. And you're helping with the cooking."

He shivered at her stern tone, feeling the static charge of her authority.

"Su-sure..."

Content with his compliance, Mei reassured him, seeing his puppy-dog expression, "Don't worry, Lyon. I know you're a strong, good man. You've always boosted my confidence, and now I'm here to return the favor."

Lyon sighed as they stood together, "Isn't that how it always is?"

"Mmhm, now let's check on the chaos in the kitchen, shall we?"

He shrugged, "As long as the food isn't charred, I'm happy."

Laughing, Mei led the way to the kitchen, with Lyon following, rejoining the lively group for their evening together.

Meanwhile, the journal lay quietly on the table, its pages ready for the next chapter of their story.

A chapter that would mark the beginning of their shared narrative.

End of Chapter

---

A/N: Hello everyone, I'm back with another book. This time, I'm focusing on Honkai Impact 3, since my previous two books were about Honkai Star Rail. I must say, I didn't expect such a large following and so much positive feedback from numerous people. I thank all of you who have supported me.

This will be my next project, and I hope you will support me in this one as you have with the previous ones. With that said, I hope you enjoy this read! I wanted to try out something new, so comments are always welcome.

With that said, again, I'll release the next chapter in a few days as I am currently testing the waters. Ciao~