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A 2nd Chance (Honkai Impact 3rd/Worm) [re-write]

Chapter 28 New
"I believe we have a great deal to talk about," Armsmaster said, his voice carefully even, "if you are willing."

Sirin blinked, trying to clear the fog from her thoughts and make sense of what the man in front of her was saying. Somehow, it was difficult to focus. Like there was a haze around everything, a sort of muted sense of unreality.

It took a few moments, but eventually her thoughts were gathered enough for her to respond.

"Yes, but– I'm waiting for Mary," she said, trying and failing to keep her words from sounding uncertain. There was a part of her that knew that the healer wouldn't mind her talking with the local hero, and that the sooner they figured out what was going on, the sooner Sarah would be back, but her body felt leaden, unwilling to move. "Amy– Panacea said she'd tell me about her when she was done."

Armsmaster nodded. His expression didn't change, but his body language did, leaning forward slightly as if he were listening.

"That's quite understandable," he replied. "Panacea's reputation is well earned, I'm sure your friend will be fine. I was hoping to discuss your role in recent events with you, however, particularly those at the shelter earlier today."

"I, um, I guess?" Sirin sounded out uncertainly. She looked around the waiting area, trying to gather her thoughts. The idea of talking with Armsmaster, especially when her head was such a confused mess, made her feel oddly anxious. At least he wasn't being rude? "What did you want to know?"

"Perhaps not here," the hero replied. He looked around, seeming to take in the hospital. "This is a rather public venue." His gaze came to rest on the girl, and she could almost feel him evaluating her. "Would you be willing to accompany me back to the PRT headquarters?"

Sirin blinked, feeling oddly off guard by the man's politeness.

"I don't-" She hesitated. He wasn't doing anything wrong, was he? And the PRT could help her find Sarah, couldn't they? And yet, the idea of leaving the hospital while Mary was still being treated seemed somehow wrong. What if something happened, and she wasn't there to help?

Armsmaster seemed to sense her uncertainty, his posture shifting slightly as he continued in the same calm tone. "We will, of course, be able to maintain contact with the hospital and you would be free to return when Miss Dallon is done."

She hesitated, biting her lip. The offer was tempting. It was really, really tempting. And at the same time, her entire being recoiled at the idea of not being there when Amy finally returned to tell her Mary's fate.

"I'd like to stay here. Please?" she asked, her voice small and weak, a faint whisper that sounded so different to her usual tone. Armsmaster blinked behind this mask, she felt it, then sighed gently and nodded.

"Very well," the hero agreed. Sirin breathed a little sigh of relief as the man paused. Then, a moment later, added, "Is there anywhere you'd like to go for now? I can have someone notify me of Miss Dallon's return if so."

Sirin looked down, thinking about it. That... didn't sound bad. It would at least give her a chance to get some fresh air, and maybe it would help her think a bit. Her thoughts were a confusing, chaotic mess, and the constant, low murmur of hospital noise in the background wasn't helping. Still, if it was the presence of other people that he was worried about, couldn't she just check and convince him to talk here, in the waiting area?

For the slightest moment, she'd allowed her senses to stretch out, quickly enough to get a general location of the people in the room before retracting them. No one seemed to be coming towards them, meaning they could speak freely, at least for now, but Sirin noticed that as soon as her power washed over Armsmaster, the man stiffened, if only for a second.

"Is, uh, here okay?" she asked, swallowing nervously. The last thing she wanted to do was annoy him, and the hero was known to be somewhat intimidating, especially in public. "I don't- I don't really want to go outside."

"That should be fine," Armsmaster said. His posture relaxed a fraction, though he kept his eyes on her, almost like a hawk. "Do you mind telling me what happened?"

"I-" Sirin hesitated.

How was she supposed to answer that? Where did she start? Did she start with the beginning, or did she explain about the shelter first? Or did she say that Sarah was missing, and leave the rest of the story to later, after Amy had returned so that she could deal with both of them at once before searching for Sarah?

She took a deep breath. Then she swallowed. The world suddenly seemed a little less stable, the lights a little brighter. It was a lot. Too much. Yet, she pushed forward. Just like back then.

"I, um," she said, her voice catching. Armsmaster didn't react, watching her in silence. "I decided to visit Alan earlier today. He wasn't awake, but-"

She swallowed. Her hands were shaking. Why were her hands shaking?

"-but it was okay. I got to spend some time with him, and it helped."

She looked up, trying to judge the man's reaction. The hero's expression was neutral, not changing in the slightest. If it hadn't been for the faintest movement of the visible part of his face, the corners of his mouth dropping slightly, she would've thought him a statue.

"Sarah went to the shelter, to see if there was anything she could help with. We were, uh, meant to meet after. She was supposed to call me when she got there, but...she didn't. So I, um, tried to find her. Flew over to see if she was okay, but, um," her voice hitched, "the people inside-"

The words were coming out in a tumble, faster and faster as the story continued. It was like once she'd started talking the dam had broken and there was no stopping the torrent. She had no idea if what she was saying even made sense, or if it would be able to give Armsmaster the answers he was looking for, but the words didn't stop, even as her breath came in gasps, her vision blurring.

"-ova?" a voice said, sounding like it was coming from underwater. There was a faint sensation of something warm wrapping around her, and she shivered, curling up into herself. The feeling persisted, growing warmer and firmer.

"Miss Krylova?" Armsmaster's voice was a steady rumble as he placed his hand on the girl's shoulder. Sirin blinked, looking up at him. Somehow, there was a plush bear in the hero's other hand. Where had he gotten a bear? Still, subconsciously, her hands reached out for it, pulling it close.

"Everything is fine. You are safe. Can you breathe with me?" Armsmaster said. His voice was soft and reassuring. Sirin blinked again. The world was slowly coming back into focus, the haze lifting. She could feel the hero's hand on her shoulder, his weight beside her as he sat on the bench.

"In," the hero breathed, "and out."

Sirin took a shaky breath, following his instructions. In. And out.

"Again," Armsmaster told her steadily.

Sirin obeyed. Her breaths were still unsteady, but slowly, slowly, the world came back into focus. Armsmaster remained silent, simply holding his hand on her shoulder as her breathing stabilised.

"Better?" the hero asked.

Sirin nodded. There was a dull ache in her chest, but her breathing was better. The haze had faded. The bear was still held in her arms, pressed against her stomach.

"Do you believe you can continue?" Armsmaster asked, and Sirin nodded. "Very well. But please take your time, Miss Krylova. And if you need to stop, we can."

"Sarah wasn't at the shelter," she said after a few moments. Just enough to pull herself together. "Whoever did this to Mary and others must have taken her. I don't- I don't know where," the last words came out as a whisper. "I should've gone after her, but- but Mary was hurt. I couldn't just leave her."

She took a deep breath, her body still feeling stiff and cold despite the warmth of the bear. She couldn't help but wonder where Armsmaster had gotten it from, and who had given it to him. It felt comfortingly familiar.

"You've said that Mary was behaving unusually?" Armsmaster asked. Sirin opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off this time by someone else.

"Has Sirin been notified that this discussion is being recorded?" Carol asked, her voice carrying from the far end of the hall. The woman stood there, sharply dressed in the business formal armour of a well-fitted suit. Armsmaster stood, turning to look at her. Sirin stayed where she was, clutching the bear to her chest, and simply listened.

The older woman's gaze swept over the room, taking in the sight. She frowned at the sight of the hero, her gaze darkening, before it passed over to the girl.

"You should know better than to pressure a child," she said, her tone chilly. Armsmaster opened his mouth, and Amy's mom raised her hand. "Not another word, Armsmaster. You're already on thin ice, and you know it."

"Carol," Sirin whispered, and the older woman's expression softened. She walked over, crouching next to the girl.

"Are you alright, Sirin?" she asked. Sirin hesitated, feeling the older woman's gaze sharpen. "Amy mentioned you had a panic attack. How are you feeling?"

"I'm- I'm not sure," the girl replied. Carol's expression softened again, and she gently wrapped an arm around the younger girl's shoulder, hugging her. "Armsmaster bear kind of helped," she admitted, and the woman blinked.

"Armsmaster bear?" Carol asked, glancing at the man. There was a faint hint of amusement in her eyes. Sirin nodded, hugging the plush toy tightly, and the older woman's lips quirked upwards.

"It did, did it?" she murmured. The woman gave the hero a significant look, and a touch of red crept into the man's ears. Sirin nodded again.

"Then that's good," Carol said. "Though you should have been more careful, Armsmaster. You are a professional, and certain parties could look at this as you attempting to corner a minor."

"There were several complicating factors that forced me to establish contact as quickly as possible," Armsmaster responded. He frowned. "The nature of this particular investigation is time sensitive."

"There are ways and means, Armsmaster," Carol told the hero sternly. She looked back at Sirin, giving the girl a faint smile. "I'm not going to tell you off for talking with him, Sirin. You can make your own choices. I just think he could've been more tactful."

Sirin gave her a nervous smile which the woman almost returned. Then her expression turned serious again.

"Now, how is Mary doing? Have you managed to talk with Amy yet?"

"She hasn't come back since our first talk," the girl admitted, looking down. "But- but Amy said she'd come talk to me once she was done."

"I'm sure she will," Carol nodded. She stowed her small briefcase on one of the waiting room chairs, then sat down next to Sirin, her manner very formal. "Armsmaster? I believe that any further conversation will have to occur in my presence. There are, as you say, complicating factors."

The hero looked between the two of them. Sirin couldn't tell what he was thinking, and she shrunk into the bench, trying to make herself smaller. The hero didn't say anything for a moment.

"That will be acceptable," he finally replied.

"Good. If you're willing to wait, we can meet with Director Piggot after Amy is done with her treatment. I do not believe Sirin will be capable of focusing for as long as that remains unresolved. Would you agree, Sirin?" Carol asked, giving her a reassuring smile.

"I do," the girl whispered. Carol's expression softened a fraction.

"Very well. If that's the case, would you like me to bring you a meal while you wait?"

Sirin hesitated. Carol just smiled.

"It's no trouble, I assure you," the woman added.

"Yes, please," Sirin admitted quietly. Carol nodded, reaching out and squeezing her shoulder reassuringly.

"Then I'll return shortly. Armsmaster, would you be willing to keep the girl company?" Her smile was pleasant, but her gaze was steel.

"I will," the hero replied. There was a hint of awkwardness in his posture as he shifted in his chair. Was he uncertain? What about?

"Wonderful. If you'll excuse me," Carol said. She stood, giving Sirin a faint smile, before she headed off down the hallway.

Silence hung in the air, and Sirin couldn't help but feel awkward. This wasn't a situation she'd expected. At all. But, at the same time, it seemed that Armsmaster was going to let her be until the others arrived. The man himself was silent, sitting on the bench and staring straight ahead. If he felt any sort of tension, he didn't show it, the awkwardness fading as he collected himself.

In a way, she appreciated the silence. It gave her a chance to collect herself and calm down. The bear, still in her arms, helped with that. It was a nice feeling, the soft plush fur and the faint smell of a hospital. A reminder of everything she could be thankful for, doing their best to keep her safe in a world that had almost all fallen apart.

She just hoped that Sarah was okay. And if she wasn't…Sirin shook her head. She'd make sure that didn't happen.



The world was cold and dark, with only the faintest light trickling in from the cracks between the door and the wall, allowing Sarah to see vague outlines, and little else. Her head was throbbing, the drugs still in her system, making her feel as if someone had stuffed her brain with cotton.

There was an aching soreness throughout her entire body, her arms and legs cramping, shoulders and back protesting the awkward position, and the cold floor not helping in the slightest.

She had no idea how long she'd been here. It felt like hours. She'd managed to doze off a few times, drifting in and out of consciousness. She couldn't have stayed awake the entire time, she wasn't capable of that.

At one point, Sarah heard muffled noises from outside, voices, footsteps, and a strange, rumbling sound, as if something heavy was being moved around. A moment later, the door was yanked open, allowing the light from the corridor to spill into the room, stinging her eyes.

She winced, trying to lift her hand, only for the rope digging into her wrists and ankles to stop her.

"Ah, I see our guest is awake," the teen from before said, stepping inside. "There are a few things we need to ask you, and then we can proceed to the fun part."

His smile was a cruel one, but his eyes were even worse, reflecting something sharp and vicious.

"Now tell me… How well do you know Roman history?"

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A/N: Well, well, well, almost made it to the weekly schedule. Progress! I am having so much fun with what's to come, good god xD
Recommendation of the day:
- Spreading Roots (Seele Quest) - very fun stuff, highly recommend! Bronya and Seele are on an adventure!
 
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