A/N: Stand proud

Narrator POV

In front of the group composed of Kiana, Y/N, Hua and Fu Hua, was a familiar scene for Fu Hua

Himeko and Tesla, beaten down, as in front of them was Fu Hua and Rita, who were tasked to capture them

Hua(?): See? The past me was corrupted by Otto and commited countless crimes for him. The reasons behind? My obsession with Project Ember and the fact that he once saved me

Hua showed what she would have done if she was here instead of Fu Hua

Hua(?): So? Do you see our gap now?

Kiana: But Fu Hua... she later stood up against Rita for us...

Hua(?): Hmph, she was just riding the fence and struggling with her mind, but me... I always have a clear plan before I take action

Y/N: And how about we see what you would have done for what happened later?

The scene changed, as they were now in front of the 2nd Herrscher

Kiana: The 2nd Herrscher had the better of me... At that time, I was the single greatest threat to the world. What would you have done?

Hua(?): If it was me.... I'd have killed you right here and then. Of course, I was a lot weaker than now

She showed what she would have done, and turn back to the group

Hua(?): Defeating Herrschers with love... Otto says it all the time. I don't buy it.... No, it's more li-

Y/N: You still haven't showed what I was talking about

They turned to him, as she smiled at Hua

Y/N: You and Fu Hua know better than anyone else what I am talking about. So go ahead, and show me what you would have done

The scene changed, as now, they were in front of the Y/N of that moment, as Rita was fighting alongside Fu Hua

Hua(?): If it was me, I would have defeated you too, and made sure you understand you are in the wrong side

Y/N: Then, I can't wait to see the results

She showed them what she would have done, if she was the one going against Y/N

However.... the results didn't changed, as Y/N used his Authority, and the illusion froze

Hua(?): What the...?

Y/N: What's wrong? I thought you are better and stronger than the one you were before? Can't even beat me at that time?

She tried again, but it ended again with Y/N using his Authority

Hua(?): I forgot.... You are a damn anomaly in this world... How can a single guy, extend his authority over the whole planet....

She turn to him, glaring furiously

Hua(?): And kill 100,000 Honkai beasts, that could wipe out Humanity, in less than 10 minutes?!

Y/N: You wanted this illusion to show my loss... However, there are things you will never change. The basis of this world

He looked at the sky

Y/N: Water brings life, air is needed to live, and would I ever lose?

He looked back at her, with his confident smile

Y/N: Nah, I'd win

Hua(?): You-!

Fu Hua: Her previous fight against him has cracked her ego and confidence, and he knows it well. He is playing with that so she start to doubt

Y/N: Our first encounter showed it clearly. You stand no chance against me. Killing Otto? Easy. Beating Kevin? A walk on the park. But reaching my level?

He smirked, mocking her

Y/N: Only the real Fu Hua could ever dream of doing that! But of course, a fake like you cannot do it! You are not her and never be her!

Hua's eyes widened, before she lifted her frowning face, lips bleeding from hard biting

Hua(?): You're an idiot!

Her Honkai energy exploded, as she was fuming with anger

Hua(?): Idiot! Fool! Moron! You... You....!

And it instantly stopped, as she looked at them, and threw a question with interrogative eyes

Hua(?): You made up your mind at the very beginning, right? You never treated my question seriously. It wasn't a choice

Y/N: Exactly

Hua(?): So you just want the old Fu Hua back, right? Here you are!

She freed Fu Hua, as a Phoenix quill emerged out of thin air. Y/N took it in his hands

Y/N: Yo, Fu Hua. Been a while, eh?

Fu Hua: Y/N.... It's a relief to see you safe.... I'm sorry for what I did back then.....

Y/N: We keep that for later. Now, we have more important things to do

Kiana: That's right... We will take your body back, Fu Hua

Fu Hua: No, Kiana, she's too dangerous!

Y/N: Now that is something I can get behind, Kiana!

He secured the quill, before tearing off his coat, and pop his neck

Y/N: Ready, Kiana?!

Summoning her lances, she stood up, nodding

Kiana: Ready!

Y/N: Now then!

They both took their stance, as Y/N smirked

Y/N: Shall we get cooking?!

Hua(?): It would seem that...

Her energy changed, as her appearance was another one

Here she was

The Herrscher of Sentience

HoS: I should take you two somewhat seriously!

The area changed, as Kiana and Y/N appeard in the middle of the sky, free falling

Kiana: What the-?!

Y/N: Below us!

Chains and swords were sent at them, as using her void power, Kiana managed to dodge the chains, and started to run on them

While Y/N countered the swords, destroying them with his fists, before jumping, and run on a chain too

They were now both sliding down

Kiana: What a wide range of attack!

Y/N: Don't falter! If she use range attack while she's specialized in close combats means the speed and strengh of her attack are weaker!

The chains disappeard, as Y/N and Kiana's eyes widened

Y/N: So she can make it appear or disappear at will....! I thought at first it was just like any other weapon, but I was wrong. That's an Herrscher for you!

They were free falling again, as dozen of chains appeard again, but now from the sky and the ground

Y/N/Kiana: Kiana/Y/N!

They pushed each other with their legs, dodging the chains, before landing on the ground, hard

Herrscher of Sentience appeard in front of them, with her usual smile

Y/N: You okay, Kiana?!

Kiana: No problem!

Y/N: Alright! Then let's speed up the thing!

They both rushed forward, as Y/N smirked confidently

But when he was about to take one more step, he felt something grab his leg, as he looked, and see a chain around his ankle

Y/N: ...Ah

The Herrscher of Sentience smirked mockingly, shaking her head

Y/N was now being tossed around in the air, as Kiana looked up

Kiana: Y/N!

He was then tossed to the ground, as he slided down, as behind him was a wall made of swords and spears, ready to impale him

Kiana: Y/N!

Before she could help him, the Herrscher of Sentience rushed at her, attacking her

HoS: That's one down!

Y/N was about to be impaled...

CLAP!

And the next instant, it was the Herrscher who was being impaled, as she gasped

Kiana was confused, before she looked to the side, and see Y/N was here instead, and she accidently hit him

Kiana: A-Ah, Y/N! I'm sorry!

HoS: I see... It's simple... yet so troublesome!

Y/N: And it's perfect for someone like you!

She got out, walking to them, before rushing back to the attack

Kiana was the first to rush, about to attack, as Y/N was at the side

Y/N clapped his hands before Kiana could be hit, as he swapped the place of Kiana and HoS, and Kiana land her hit

He took the opportunity to attack the Herrscher too, as Kiana took the chance getting ready

The Herrscher tried to predict, as Y/N only smirked, clapping his hand

She turned around, but they didn't swapped

HoS: He tricked me?! Crap, I need to-!

It was too late, as Kiana landed a Honkai Flash at the side of the Herrscher

She wasn't done, before doing one with a kick, and then a third one with an elbow strike

Y/N: Three in a row!

Kiana landed in front of the Herrscher, about to land a punch

HoS: I can tank it! Even if it's those flash thing, I can tank one hit from Kiana, then, she'll be wide open for a counter!

But sadly, she heard a clap, as instead, it was Y/N in front of her

HoS: Crap-!

He punched her in the gut, as she spat blood, sliding back

Y/N: Now, Kiana!

The Herrscher eyes focused on Kiana, as it instantly went wide, as she saw the position she took

HoS: That's Y/N-!

Kiana: Authority Expansion! Saturday Night Rush Hell!

Even if the effects are nowhere near the real one, her copy of his Authority still made the deal, as the Herrscher was hit head on by it

Y/N: That's all the supports I could provide for that! The rest is on you, Kiana!

Kiana: That's more than enough! Thank you, Y/N!

And so, the final act started....

https://youtu.be/NQdVJcEE0m4

After this, in a white void, stood The Herrscher, and Fu Hua

HoS: Doesn't make sense. Why the hell would I lose? Be it speed, strengh, or stamina, you two stood no chances without Y/N

She looked down, shaking

HoS: Just because I'm a Herrscher, I'm fated to lose?

Fu Hua: You've said it yourself

HoS: Yeah, however I fooled myself... When I unleashed my full power... no, it was actually even earlier...

???: So I guess, all along, you wanted to be accepted?

https://youtu.be/hhZlxRNcHiM

They heard footsteps, as they saw Y/N walking forward

Hos: I-!

Y/N: Yeah, I know. You never wanted to be Fu Hua, but have the same acceptation from others than her. Even when I understand it, I find it so dumb...

Fu Hua: Y/N, don't....

Y/N: If using force doesn't work, then prove them by your actions you are worth it. That even if you are seen as a joke, you are the one who will laugh at the end

HoS: .....Maybe you're right...

Y/N: Even so, you managed to impress me a bit

She grew surprised, as she looked at him

Y/N: Valkyries, Honkai, Herrscher.... I've fought them all, and you were still one of the better ones I fought

He looked at her direction

Y/N: Stand proud, Herrscher of Sentience

He smiled at her, like a proud sibling would

Y/N: You are strong

She looked at him, shaking, before she felt something falling

Looking down, she saw tears, falling on her hand

HoS: What's this..?

Y/N: It means that you are not a heartless Herrscher like the other dumbasses...

She felt something ruffle her hair, as Y/N smirked

Y/N: But another brat I have to take care of!

HoS: I-I am not a brat!

Fu Hua smiled, as the void faded, and so ended, the battle against the 8th Herrscher

Timeskip

https://youtu.be/iTnSzuDM560

Back in the Hyperion, Bronya, Kiana, Fu Hua and Y/N were throwing a small party

Fu Hua: Kiana, Y/N, Bronya, I must thank you three for saving me... Even though I pushed you all back, you still come and saved me...

Y/N: No need to mention it

Kiana: Of course! You helped us through a lot of things, so we had to save you!

Bronya: I think the same. It wouldn't feel great if you weren't here, class monitor

Y/N: And also! I can brag more about being the strongest know!

He laughed, as Fu Hua smiled, shaking her head

Fu Hua: How is your job going anyway, Y/N?

He instantly held his head, in desperation

(A/N: Thanks to @DEVANGABRIELLE for giving me the idea)

Kiana and Bronya laughed, while Fu Hua chuckled

She have suffered a lot through those 50,000 years

She lost friend, comrades, and more

But now, she have gained something she can call a family

And this family was safe, as long as Y/N was here

Chapter 20: Finished

A/N: In the next chapter! Stigmata, puppets and a Theater! Stealer incomming!

'Chapter 21: The Theater'