Honkai impact 3rd: [The Mission - System]

The golden light of the setting sun stretched across the city, casting long shadows that danced over the streets and rooftops. A cool breeze drifted through, carrying the crisp scent of autumn, dry leaves, faint traces of smoke from street vendors, and the distant murmur of a city winding down.

Beyond the school grounds, the trees swayed gently with the wind, their thinning foliage rustling as scattered leaves broke free, spiraling through the air before settling onto the pavement. Birds chirped in the distance, a soft, scattered melody. In one of the larger trees near the school fence, a mother bird fluttered down into her nest, her wings folding in as she landed. The tiny hatchlings within greeted her eagerly, their beaks wide open, their cries sharp and insistent. She wasted no time, carefully dropping a small insect into one of their mouths before nudging her other chicks to eat.

Inside a third-floor classroom, A girl sat by the open window, camera in hand, watching the scene unfold. The wind tugged at her short hair, sending a few strands flicking against her cheek. Her school ID, clipped to the front of her uniform, swayed lightly, as if caught in its own little rhythm.

She shifted in her seat, adjusting her grip as she steadied the camera against the desk. The metal legs of the chair creaked slightly as she leaned forward, her posture firm but relaxed. Her gaze locked onto the mother bird and her young, waiting for the perfect shot.

Just as she was about to press the shutter—

A tap on her left shoulder.

She startled slightly, her grip tightening instinctively, but she quickly caught herself, exhaling through her nose. Her reaction had been controlled, just enough to avoid messing up her shot. Turning her head, she met the familiar face of her classmate, standing beside her desk.

"Hanna," the girl called, her voice light but curious. "Are you done with your collection for the documentary?"

Hanna blinked, letting the question settle before nodding. "Yeah. Got a few good ones today." Her tone was casual, her expression calm, though there was a quiet satisfaction in her words. Then, shifting slightly, she added, "What about you?"

The girl hummed, tilting her head. "Almost. I was just about to head out. Wanna walk home together?"

Hanna glanced over at the teacher's desk, where her purple bag sat beside a neat stack of books. "Hold on. Let me grab my stuff first."

Her friend gave a small nod, already stepping toward the door. "I need to get my bag, too. I'll meet you outside."

Hanna was about to turn back to her things when a thought struck her. "Maya," she called out.

Maya paused in the doorway, glancing back.

"Ayin and Red, are they done?"

Maya's expression brightened slightly. "Yeah, they're already waiting at the gate."

"Got it."

Maya waved before jogging off, disappearing down the hall. Hanna exhaled, pushing herself up from her seat before heading to the front of the classroom. She grabbed her bag, slinging it over one shoulder before taking a quick glance around.

The hanging clock at the back of the room read 4:37 PM.

Her eyes swept over the classroom, desks lined up neatly, chairs pushed in, the blackboard wiped clean. The windows had already been shut, save for the one she had been using. She walked back and pulled it closed, listening for the faint click as the latch locked into place.

Satisfied, she made her way to the door, stepping out into the quiet hallway before turning to pull it shut behind her.

The sound of footsteps, quick, light echoed down the hall, and before she could fully turn around, Maya came jogging back, her bag now in tow.

"Ready?" Maya asked, barely winded.

Hanna nodded, falling into step beside her as they started down the corridor. The school building had grown quieter now, most students having already left. A few voices still lingered in the distance muted laughter, the occasional shuffle of books, the rustling of bags being packed up.

As they descended the stairs, floor by floor, the murmur of lingering students faded further. The lower levels held only the occasional stray conversation, the occasional teacher tidying up before locking their rooms.

By the time they reached the first floor, the last remnants of daylight streamed through the windows, casting a warm, orange glow against the tiled walls. Stepping outside, the cool evening air greeted them once again.

The school gate was just ahead, and beyond it, the silhouettes of Ayin and Red stood waiting.

Ayin and Red waved as Maya and Hanna picked up their pace, closing the distance between them.

"Did you guys finish your task?" Red asked the moment they got close.

"Almost," Maya replied. Hanna nodded in agreement before turning to Ayin. "What about you? Is yours done?"

Ayin gave a calm smile. "Yeah, it's finished. I left it at my house."

Red exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Then let's just go there now. I wanna be done with this already."

Maya let out a small laugh. "Agreed." Without wasting any more time, they all started walking off the school campus.

A steady breeze accompanied them as they moved, occasionally picking up and sending stray leaves tumbling across the pavement.

Maya tugged her sleeves down as another gust swept through. "It's really windy today..."

Red glanced up at the sky before sighing. "Yeah, another typhoon's on the way."

Maya groaned, crossing her arms. "Again? Feels like they're coming one after another these days."

Ayin chuckled at her frustration, while Hanna gave a small, amused smile. Red shook her head, laughing lightly. "Well, at least the country's better prepared now. With all the advancements in technology, the damage and supply shortages aren't as bad as they used to be. It's still a hassle, but at least we don't have to worry as much anymore."

As Maya and Red continued chatting about the upcoming typhoon, Ayin's attention shifted to Hanna, who was still holding onto her camera. Noticing this, he asked, "Are you planning to keep taking pictures?"

Hanna glanced at him before looking down at her camera with a soft smile. "Yeah. The way the sunlight hits the city today... it gives off a unique atmosphere. I want to capture it as inspiration."

Ayin nodded, satisfied with her response. "That makes sense. Now that I think about it, some of the pictures I took when I borrowed your camera should still be in there. Once we get to my place, that'd be the perfect time to check them out."

Hanna's eyes lit up with realization. "Oh, right! I also finished enhancing the picture you asked me to work on. It's already saved on the SD card."

Ayin's expression brightened. "Seriously? That's great. My sister's gonna be happy when she sees them."

A breeze swept past them, rustling the trees and sending scattered leaves across the pavement. As the wind passed, Hanna caught something in Ayin's expression—a fleeting moment where his usual calmness wavered, replaced by something more distant.

She hesitated before carefully asking, "Is she still ignoring you?"

Ayin's steps slowed slightly, and for a moment, he didn't answer. Then, with a small sigh, he replied, his tone quieter than before, "...Yeah."

A brief silence settled between them, broken only by the faint chatter of Maya and Red ahead of them. Hanna glanced at him, noticing the way his gaze drifted slightly downward, as if lost in thought.

"...That sucks," she muttered, gripping her camera a little tighter. "After everything, you'd think she'd at least talk to you."

Ayin chuckled, though it lacked its usual warmth. "Yeah... but I guess that's just how it is for now."

Hanna frowned slightly but didn't push further. Instead, she simply walked beside him, letting the quiet linger between them as the group continued their way forward.

As the group walked along, Maya and Red continued their conversation, their voices mixing with the distant sounds of the city. However, their attention was soon drawn to the soft sound of crying.

A little boy stood near a tree, his face buried in his hands, while beside him, a girl roughly the same age patted his back in an attempt to comfort him. The group, noticing they were nearby, naturally veered toward them.

Red was the first to step forward, crouching slightly to their level. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious. The others followed, standing close by.

The girl glanced up, her expression a mix of worry and frustration. "Our balloons got stuck in the tree," she explained, pointing upward.

Following her direction, the group tilted their heads back to see two plastic balloons tangled in the branches. One had a cartoonish robot design, while the other was a bright yellow crown with blue and red gems decorating it.

Red let out a short laugh. "I see. Don't worry, we'll get them down."

Ayin studied the tree before speaking. "I'll need a boost or something to give me enough height."

Red, already knowing what that meant, smirked. Without hesitation, he crouched down, positioning his hands to form a stable foothold. He nodded at Ayin, signaling he was ready.

Hanna and Maya turned their attention to the two kids. "Step back for a bit," Maya gently instructed.

The children nodded and moved a little further away, watching curiously.

Ayin took off his bag and placed it near the tree before stepping back to gain some distance. With a quick inhale, he dashed forward. His foot met Red's hands, and in one smooth motion, Red pushed up, sending Ayin higher into the air.

Thanks to his lighter build, Ayin easily reached the branches, his fingers grasping both balloons before gravity pulled him back down. Landing with a slight bend of his knees to absorb the impact, he straightened and handed the balloons back to the children.

The boy, who had been crying just moments ago, wiped his eyes and smiled brightly. "Thank you!" he said, his voice filled with relief.

The girl who Maya soon found out was actually his twin sister after asking nodding as she held her balloon close. "Don't let go of it this time," she lightly scolded.

The boy nodded eagerly, and after a brief exchange of words, they parted ways.

Hanna, who had been quietly snapping photos throughout the whole event, lowered her camera as Ayin approached. She turned the screen toward him. "Here, take a look," she said, showing the pictures she had taken.

Ayin leaned in slightly, scanning through the images with mild interest. He smiled. "Not bad."

As Red stretched his arms above his head, he let out a satisfied sigh. "Alright, let's get going."

The others agreed, falling back into step as they continued down the street. They passed in front of a small coffee shop, the aroma of roasted beans faintly reaching them.

As they crossed the road, the wind picked up slightly, fluttering their clothes and hair. The warm light of the setting sun bathed them in orange hues, casting long shadows across the pavement. Other pedestrians moved along with them, all illuminated under the soft golden glow of the evening.

As they walked, their conversation flowed naturally, shifting between trivial topics, the latest trends, personal stories, and school-related discussions. The atmosphere was light, their voices blending with the sounds of the city around them.

As they reached a large bridge overlooking the river, Hanna suddenly paused. Her gaze locked onto the shimmering reflection of the setting sun on the flowing water. Without a word, she raised her camera, adjusting the angle to capture the perfect shot.

Ayin, noticing that she had stopped, also came to a halt. He watched her for a moment before casually stepping toward her.

Just as he did, a thunderous noise suddenly tore through the air. The sharp screech of brakes, the deafening blare of horns, and the heavy crunch of metal sent a shockwave of sound across the bridge.

Ayin's head snapped to the side.

_What the—?_

His breath hitched as he took in the scene. A massive dump truck, overloaded with enormous stones, barreling down the bridge. The vehicle swerved slightly, its tires skidding against the pavement, and it was heading straight for them.

His mind raced.

_Why is it moving so fast? Is the driver—?!_

His body tensed, the world around him seeming to slow. The weight of the moment pressed down on his chest. Hanna, still focused on her camera, hadn't noticed.

_Shit._

Hanna, caught up in framing her shot, barely registered the blaring horns and roaring engine until the vibrations of the ground and the sudden shift in air pressure reached her. Her reaction was too slow.

She turned her head, eyes widening as she finally saw it. The massive dump truck was hurtling toward her at an alarming speed. But before she could fully process the danger, a powerful force slammed into her right side.

Her body lurched, shoved with such force that her feet barely touched the ground for a moment. The world blurred as she stumbled sideways, her balance thrown off completely.

It was only when she caught herself that she realized.

_Ayin!_

He had pushed her.

Her gaze snapped toward him, and for the first time, she saw his face twisted in raw concern and fear.

In that split second, she also noticed something else. The strap of her camera, looped around her wrist, had caught onto Ayin's right arm as he shoved her. The force of the movement caused the camera to twist sharply, yanking against the strap.

Everything felt unbearably slow, as if the world had been thrown into a dreamlike haze.

Ayin's right elbow pressed against the camera, halting its momentum, but the force was too much that the strap stretched to its limit. The metal hook securing it to the camera snapped with an audible crack, sending small fragments flying. The severed strap whipped away, and in an instant, the camera separated from Hanna.

Hanna barely had time to process what had happened, her breath caught in her throat. She glanced at Ayin, her mind reeling, and what she saw sent a chill down her spine.

His expression.

His eyes were filled with an overwhelming mix of shock and terror, as if in the next moment, something irreversible was about to happen.

Hanna's world came crashing down in an instant.

Her usual composed demeanor shattered like fragile glass, replaced by raw, unfiltered emotion. The calmness she always carried, the detached expression she wore so effortlessly and was gone. Her eyes widened in terror, her breath hitched, and for the first time in her life, true panic overtook her.

Ayin saw it. A glimpse of her face twisted with fear, her lips parting as if to scream.

But there was no time.

Something primal, something buried deep within him, screamed at him to move. Every instinct, every fiber of his being commanded him to act.

Jump. Escape. Survive.

And he did.

But

It was too late.

The impact came hard and fast.

A monstrous force slammed into his left side, the sheer mass of the truck crushing into him like an unstoppable wave. His shoulder crumpled under the pressure, bones snapping with an audible crack. His ribs fractured some breaking completely while his leg twisted at an unnatural angle.

His body had no time to process the pain before it was violently thrown into the air, blood spilling from his lips as the force sent him flying.

"AYIN!"

Hanna's scream tore through.

She had never screamed like that before, never once had she lost control like this.

Ayin couldn't respond. His brain was reeling, his senses overloaded, his breath barely coming as the world blurred around him.

The camera still loosely strapped to his right shoulder collided against his upper body, the thick casing absorbing just enough impact to spare that side from complete devastation.

Then the gravity took him.

His hazy vision flickered, barely able to focus, yet in the split second before he fell and he saw it.

The river below.

The dark, endless waters awaited him, rippling beneath the bridge. The massive dump truck remained lodged against the railing, its weight barely held back from plunging over the edge.

And then.

_Hanna._

She was already moving, pushing herself up despite the tremors wracking her body. Her hands clenched into fists, her eyes locked onto him in utter disbelief.

Her lips moved, forming words that never reached him until she finally found her voice again.

"AYIN—!!"

She ran.

It wasn't just shock.

It wasn't just fear.

It was something far worse.

But it was too late.

Ayin was already falling.

Ayin's vision blurred as he descended, yet his mind sharpened capturing everything in painstaking detail.

He saw Maya.

Frozen.

Her body stood rigid, her face pale with shock, her mouth slightly open as if trying to form words but nothing came out.

He saw Red.

The same wide-eyed look of horror, but unlike Maya, he was already moving. His bag hit the ground with a dull thud, his hands reaching toward the railing. His legs tensed, his body leaning forward.

He was going to jump.

Everything felt slow.

As if the entire world had stretched out this moment, letting him witness every second in agonizing clarity.

Ayin let out a shaky breath, a faint, bitter smile barely forming on his lips as his thoughts drifted.

_So... this is it._

He had spent his days living as if tomorrow was a given, walking the same streets, laughing with his friends, dealing with life's small annoyances. He had never imagined it would end like this.

Not falling. Not helpless.

His mind reached out, not just to Maya and Red but further.

His parents.

Would they even know what happened to him? Would they wait at home, expecting him to come back, not realizing he never would?

His sister.

The girl who used to cling to him when they were kids, always seeking his attention, always looking up to him.

And now? She was detached. Cold. As if he no longer existed in her world.

He wanted "just once" to hear her call his name the way she used to.

But that was impossible now.

The wind howled around him, the surface of the river growing closer.

Ayin's body struck the river, the freezing water piercing through his skin like thousands of needles. The impact sent a shock through his broken bones, but the pain barely registered. He was already numb.

He sank.

The water embraced him, pulling him deeper into the abyss, the faint golden light of the setting sun above growing smaller and smaller. His limbs felt heavy, his chest tight, yet he made no effort to move. No effort to fight against the current dragging him down.

_I... can't.. is this really it?.... I've expected too much.._

His mind was strangely calm. Detached. As if it was simply watching, processing everything as an observer rather than the one experiencing it.

_I.. had so many things... I wanted to do._

His dreams, his ambitions as they all surfaced in his fading thoughts.

He had wanted to go places. To experience more of the world beyond his everyday routine.

He wanted to build something for himself, to reach a point where he could look back and feel proud of what he had accomplished.

But now?

_None of it matters anymore._

There was a bitter acceptance in those words.

His thoughts drifted toward the small joys that had always been there, things he had never truly appreciated until now.

His hobbies.

The games he played, the ones that helped him escape, even for just a little while.

"Arknights." He remembered the thrill of building his squad, carefully strategizing for each new stage.

"PGR." The precise dodges, the satisfying combat flow, the way his fingers moved instinctively across the screen.

Yet, there was something else.

A third game.

Something new. Recent. He had played it just days ago.

His mind knew what it was. He could recall the events, the characters, the world.

But the name itself? It slipped away.

_What was it called...?_

He sank deeper. The world above blurred, the golden light swallowed by the vast, endless blue.

His body drifted. His heartbeat slowed.

His very existence was fading, dissolving into the water like an unfinished thought.

And just as the darkness finally closed in—

The name surfaced.

_Ah, it was Honkai Impact... 3rd._

The words barely escaped his lips, lost to the cold depths.

Then, everything went black.

Night had fallen over the city, the skyline glowing with scattered lights. The distant hum of civilization echoed faintly, blending with the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore.

On the quiet, desolate beach, a figure lay motionless as bruised, battered, and barely clinging to awareness.

The wind blew across the sand, carrying fine grains that scattered over his body. A sudden tickle against his nose forced an involuntary sneeze.

"Gh—!"

The abrupt movement sent a sharp jolt of pain through his body, dragging him back to reality. His teeth clenched as he let out a low, pained groan.

"Shit..."

His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. Every inch of him ached, his body screaming in protest as he stirred.

Ayin lay still for a moment, forcing himself to breathe as his sluggish mind tried to catch up. His fingers twitched, moving weakly across the coarse sand, instinctively brushing against his face to wipe away the dust that had settled in his eyes.

He blinked several times, his vision clearing just enough to make out the sky above.

Darkness stretched across the vast expanse, but patches of light pierced through, the glow of the city in the distance bleeding into the night.

A quiet, breathless chuckle left his lips.

"I'm... alive."

He didn't know whether to feel relieved or horrified.

Pushing his palms against the ground, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to sit up. The second he moved, a sharp stab of pain shot through his ribs, making him suck in a breath between clenched teeth. His muscles burned, his entire left side throbbed, and for a moment, he felt like he was about to collapse again.

"Ah—fuck..." He groaned, shaking slightly.

As he sat there, panting from the effort, a strange thought crossed his mind, one that felt almost absurd given the situation.

He had seen so many movies and news reports of people surviving accidents, of victims being pulled out of wreckage with broken bones and bleeding wounds.

He had always wondered.

"How bad does it really feel?"

Now?

He finally had his answer.

A strained, humorless laugh escaped him as he muttered under his breath.

"Yeah... hurts like hell."

Ayin gritted his teeth as he forced himself onto his feet. Every movement sent waves of stiffness and pain surging through his body, his muscles aching, his injuries screaming in protest. His legs wobbled slightly beneath him, but he steadied himself, sucking in a sharp breath.

"Damn... everything hurts."

He pressed a hand against his throbbing ribs, trying to collect himself. Once the dizziness faded, he lifted his gaze.

In front of him was the sea.

The dark waters stretched endlessly, waves rolling gently under the moonlit sky. The cool breeze carried the scent of salt, the rhythmic crashing of the tide filling the silence around him.

He furrowed his brows. Why was he here?

Slowly, he turned his body, his movements sluggish, strained.

Behind him, instead of familiarity, he was met with an unfamiliar cityscape.

Bright lights flickered in the distance, casting a glow over unknown streets. Buildings stood tall, bustling roads stretched beyond his vision, and yet nothing about it looked like the place he knew.

His mind raced, trying to piece everything together, but the answers weren't there.

A breath escaped him.

"At least... I'm alive."

That was the only thing he could be thankful for right now.

But now, he had a new problem.

_Where the hell was am i?_

With no other choice, he forced his body to move forward. Each step felt heavy, his injuries making every motion agonizing. Yet, he pushed on, dragging himself toward the only direction that made sense, the city.

After thirty minutes of walking, Ayin finally stumbled upon a road near the beach.

It was more populated here and people were scattered along the shore, some enjoying the ocean view, others engaged in casual conversation. Streetlights illuminated the pathways, their warm glow contrasting the cool night air.

As he trudged closer, eyes turned toward him.

Some merely stared, confusion flickering in their expressions. Others gasped, visibly alarmed by his state.

Then, a few people rushed toward him.

"Hey! Are you okay?!"

A man seemingly in his early twenties was the first to approach, followed closely by a group of his friends. His brows were furrowed with concern as he scanned Ayin's battered appearance.

"What happened to you?"

Ayin exhaled tiredly, barely able to keep himself standing. His body screamed for rest, his thoughts still sluggish from exhaustion.

But still, he answered.

He wasn't in the mood for a full explanation, so he gave them the shortest, most direct response.

"...Got into an accident."

It wasn't entirely a lie.

Ayin took a slow, shaky breath, forcing his mind to stay focused despite the exhaustion weighing him down.

"...Where am I?"

One of the guys in the group, a friend of the man who first approached him, casually replied, "You're at the beach of Nagazora."

Ayin's breath hitched.

His body locked up. His mind came to a screeching halt.

He was about to thank them, and was about to ask more questions but the moment the name reached his ears, all of that vanished.

His throat felt dry, his heart hammering against his ribs.

"...Wait." His voice barely came out, hoarse and unsteady. "What did you just say?"

The guy raised a brow at his reaction but repeated himself without much thought.

"I said you're in Nagazora."

Ayin's lips parted slightly, but no words came.

His mind refused to process it.

He stared at the man, his tired, injured body frozen in place.

"...Nagazora?" he repeated, his voice faltering.

The guy gave him an odd look but nodded again. "Yeah. Nagazora."

Ayin felt his chest tighten. His stomach twisted.

_Why does that name sound so... familiar?_

The moment the thought entered his mind, it clawed at him, demanding his attention. The unease settling in his gut grew stronger.

He knew this name. He had heard it before.

Like a switch being flipped, like a memory that had always been there but had been buried beneath layers of exhaustion and shock.

Nagazora City.

A major location in Honkai Impact 3rd.

_A city that was—_

His body shook.

Not from the cold. Not from his injuries.

But from the sheer realization of what this meant.

On the outside, to the people around him, it looked like he was just trembling from fatigue, from shock, from barely surviving whatever he had been through.

It made sense to them.

Some of them even started murmuring, commenting on how he was lucky to be alive, how it was amazing he had traveled so far and somehow survived.

Ayin in his mind was already spiraling.

_Because if this was Nagazora—_

Then this wasn't just some random city.

This wasn't his world.

Ayin murmurs that is audible to himself only as he finally grasp the reality of his position.

".... Shit"