Lights in a Starless Sky - A Honkai Impact 3rd Fanfiction

Act 7: Nightmares

MATURE WARNING: Perceval's flashback sequence involves a graphic depiction of death that some readers might find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.

One Week After the Skirmish at Nagazora: Shicksal HQ

Durandal thrust her lance at the training projections, sending them flying into the simulated trees that stood opposite her. More holographic Honkai Beasts appeared from he lake beyond the trees, causing Durandal to throw a smaller beast into the others; creating a large explosion. Perceval looked on through the layer of one way glass that stood between the Training Room and the Surveilance Room, the way Durandal fought was seamless. No energy was wasted on extra movements or altered attacks, her philosiphy of fighting was far beyond anything Perceval was capable of. Rita walked up beside Perceval and watched Durandal practice. "Master Durandal is quite the fighter, yes?" Perceval nodded. "It's incredible, her technique is all but flawless." Rita chuckled lightly. "Even so, she still finds ways to improve. Master Durandal really is one of a kind." Perceval frowned, he treated Durandal as a friend but he still knew very little about her origins or life at Shicksal. He turned to Rita nervously. "If I might ask?" Rita nodded "About Master Durandal?" Perceval was stunned, this maid's perception skills were as sharp as a nail. "Yes. You've clearly known Durandal for a long time, what was her past like?" Rita paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before responding. "You should ask her yourself." Perceval turned his head in surprise. "Wouldn't that be a bit rude? Simply walking up to her and asking 'What was your past like?'" Rita shook her head. "Not at all." She walked towards the door of the Surveilance Room. "In fact, I think she would enjoy getting to know you better as well, Master Perceval." She bowed before turning back to the door. "I must be going now." The door slid shut, and Perceval looked back to the Training Room. Durandal had cleared out the program and was now resting on the bench that sat at the edge of the room. 

Durandal scoffed "That was not enough, I need to change up my attacks more." A hand offered her a bottle of water, she turned to see Perceval smiling. "Have some." She took the bottle and took a large sip. "Thank you, I needed that." Perceval shook his head. "No worries. With the way you were fighting, I thought you would like a cold drink." Perceval sat down beside her, Thanatos resting in his hands. Durandal took another sip and turned her head towards him. "Perceval, can I ask you something?" Perceval gave an affirming gesture. "Shoot." Durandal paused, then spoke. "What was your past like?" Perceval's eyes widened, he was going to ask the same question, but Durandal beat him to the punch. "It's not really an exciting story." Durandal shook her head. "I'm fine with that." Perceval sighed, "My past is... Different than most other kids'. Like most: I had a mother and father, good friends, a good education, a decent home..." Durandal listened intently, Perceval's face lit up as he talked about his parents. But his expression suddenly darkened. "But, I encountered a... Troublesome experience when I was in high school, more accurately, when I was thirteen." Durandal's voice froze. "What happened?" Perceval turned his head away. "Honkai." Durandal raised an eyebrow, Perceval turned his head back to face her. "The Honkai happened."

Perceval's Past, Undisclosed Date. (WARNING: Graphic Scenes ahead!)

The city of  Melbourne was bustling, it was post-work rush-hour traffic. Perceval and four others walk down a bustling alleyway of shops. "Cmon Percy, tell us the score you got!" A short girl asked him, he shook his head. "No way, Haze. Not until you tell me what you got first." Haze sighed and muttered under her breath. "Fifty-six percent..." Two of  the others, save for Haze, Perceval and another girl, belly laughed. "Oh man, Haze! You really rub Ms. Einsworth the wrong way!"  said one of the boys. "Like you can say that, Miles. You got Sixty-three percent!" Haze was clearly agitated. "That's still more than just a pass, mate." The other boy had a thick Aussie accent. "Shut up! I bet you didn't do as good as Percy, Will." Will put his hands on his hips. "Eighty-Eight percent." He said with pauses between each word, Haze was stunned. Another girl spoke up "Don't be like that, Haze. Fifty-six is still a pass." Haze wouldn't have any of it. "You can say that because you got ninety-two, Maria." Maria smiled slyly "It's because Perceval helped me study." Will spoke up. "Aw yeah, that's cause you and Perceval were all crushy in the library last week." Perceval shook his head "What are you getting at, Will?" Miles backed up Will with a goofy smile. "He thinks you and Maria are a thing." Maria and Perceval looked at each other and then looked away, Haze's mouth almost hit the concrete pavement. "No... Effin' Way!" Will shook Perceval by the shoulders. "On ya, mate! I knew ya'd do it!" Perceval shook his hands akwardly "It's not like that! W-We just went out for a coffee the other week! Right, Maria?" Maria looked down at the ground. Perceval was about to respond when Haze pointed up at the sky. "You guys see that?" Hundreds of small black dots appeared on the horizon, Perceval squinted to look closer. They appeared. Hundreds of small Honkai Beasts. Will took a step back. "The hell? What are those?" Perceval grabbed Maria's hand and gestured to everyone. "Move! Come on!" They ran back through the panic strucken street until they appeared in the main CBD, the things were everywhere. Perceval noticed a Beast pick up a man with its claws and ravage him with energy until he became a Honkai Zombie. "W-What are they doing to them?" Perceval ran, bringing Maria and the others with him. They almost made it clear of the city, before a massive shockwave struck the city. Rubble of buildings piled up in the streets, crashing down onto trams and pedestrians alike. Perceval stuggled to get to his feet, he was bleeding all over. "Maria! Will! Miles! Haze!" He called out hoping for anyone to answer, he noticed a portion of a building had collapsed. He looked at it in shock, underneath it was Maria. Her torso was just clear of the building, Will's leg was in plain sight, it was disconnected from the hip. Blood was pouring from underneath the ruined building, Perceval ran up and attempted to lift the rubble enough to get Maria out. His body ached and every cut felt like it was screaming, Maria tugged at Perceval's trousers "Percy... Run, save yourself." Perceval shook his head furiously "Are you an idiot? I'm going to get you and everyone else out!" He lifted again, the building barely budged. His fingernails dug into the stone, pushing them back into his fingers causing them to bleed. "Percy... I'm the only one left. The others... They're buried under the rubble behind me." Perceval made a horrific gasp, his face twisted in horror. "And my legs... They'll be of no use if I get out..." Perceval wouldn't waver. "THEN I'LL CARRY YOU OUT!" Maria's temper finally flared. "LISTEN TO ME, PERCY!"  He flinched. Maria unclasped the necklace she wore around her neck and placed it in Perceval's hands which were stained with blood. "Don't forget me, Live on! Please!" Perceval clutched the necklace in his hand, the elaborate flower design etched in silver shone thorugh the gaps of his fist. He attempted again to lift the rubble. "Save the heroic speeches! I'm going to live on with you alive!" As he let his grip go, a man grabbed him by the waist and slung him onto his shoulder "Hey! What're you-" The man ran and Perceval reached out to Maria. "No! Maria!" Maria began to cry, Perceval turned his head to the man carrying him "Let me go! I need to go back!" The man shouted "There's no use!" Perceval looked back to notice a large Paladin Honkai Beast pick Maria from underneath the rubble, it held her in its large hands. Perceval felt tears running down his face, he reached out again "MARIA!" The beast clutched her tightly. "MARIAAA!!" The beast closed its grip, crushing Maria. Blood was sent flying across the street, her body became limp and her head sagged and fell completely off her body. The crunching sound of bone echoed through the streets, Perceval tried to look away. But the sight of Maria's crushed, broken, mutilated corpse was forever burned into the depths of his mind.