My and Their Anime-Style Otherworldly Survival Adventure

The girl stretched one hand towards the sky, as if trying to grasp something, but then let it fall limply to the ground.

After the magic circle collapsed, the girl's black clothes, along with her red-and-black cloak and white skirt, turned into specks of golden light and dissipated into the air. In her place was a white nightgown, or perhaps a hospital gown would be a more accurate description.

This time, Jiu Xiao recognized the girl's identity at a glance. With such obvious features, it would be hard not to recognize her, wouldn't you say? Fate Testarossa Harlavin. But judging from the girl's appearance, she probably hasn't been given the Harlavin surname yet.

Just as Jiu Xiao was lost in thought, the sound of someone falling into the water pulled him back to reality. Recalling the girl's appearance just now, Jiu Xiao judged that Fate was conscious, so he did not rush to rescue her immediately.

After waiting for a while, the girl still didn't surface. Jiuxiao grew anxious and quickly swam over, pulling Fate out of the water. With great effort, he dragged her ashore and found her eyes wide open, pupils dilated, and face pale. Fortunately, Fate's breathing was even; she hadn't drowned, but her disheveled appearance was rather frightening.

"Hey, do you want to die? Why don't you surface? Why don't you struggle? If I hadn't spotted you, you might have drowned."

Fate remained silent for a long time before uttering a cold sentence. It was hard to imagine that such an indifferent tone came from the mouth of such a young girl.

"Don't worry about me. My mother abandoned me anyway. I'm just a failed substitute. Let me end my life here, just like Alicia."

This time, it was Jiu Xiao's turn to fall silent. Having watched the 'Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha' TV series repeatedly back then, he naturally knew about Fate's past. Logically speaking, setting aside his desire to help others and respecting her fate should be Jiu Xiao's top priority now.

But he couldn't do it; he couldn't bear to watch such a young life wither away before his eyes. Especially not Fate Testarossa, whom he had always admired and loved.

Although the specifics of what happened are unclear, it's evident from the girl's simple statement that Fate has learned she is a copy of Alicia. Combined with the girl's hospital gown attire, it's not difficult to conclude that Fate likely traveled from this point in time after the 'Time Garden' war.

According to the original story, after the battle at the 'Garden of Time', Fate's mother, Precia, took a vessel containing Alicia and jumped into a time rift. She went to find Al-Hazard, obtain the technology for resurrection, and resurrect her true daughter, Alicia Testarossa.

In the story, after seeing her mother jump into the time rift, Fate wanted to follow, even though she had been severely hurt by her mother. However, she failed and was stopped.

'Could it be that this Fate successfully jumped into a time-space rift world line?' Jiuxiao pondered to himself.

But none of that matters right now. What's important is finding a way to give Fate a reason and the courage to live again.

Jiu Xiao picked up the distraught Fate and placed her on a nearby reef. He then took off his coat and gently draped it over Fate's seawater-soaked body.

After doing all this, Jiuxiao said, "Although I don't know what happened to you, if you can, could you tell me? I think I would be a good listener. Don't keep everything bottled up inside. Speaking it out might make you feel better."

Perhaps it was Jiuxiao's passive skill 'Witch's Affinity' that took effect, or perhaps she was moved by Jiuxiao's sincerity, or perhaps both. A glimmer of light appeared in Fate's eyes, and that long-lost warmth from the care of others melted away a bit of the ice in Fate's heart.

As if guided by some strange force, Fate began to slowly recount her past, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Just as Jiuxiao had guessed, after witnessing Precia's suicidal act (entering the spacetime rift with her physical body), Fate's Dao heart shattered. According to the original world's timeline, someone prevented Fate from following Precia into the spacetime rift.

But the timeline shifted, and Fate, with a death wish, successfully jumped into the spacetime rift. However, she did not die, but instead, by a twist of fate, she ended up next to Jiuxiao.

Chapter Eleven: Guidance and Agreement

To be honest, after hearing Fate's account, Jiu Xiao couldn't empathize. Having lived two lives, although he had experienced life and death, he had never had the thought that he couldn't live without someone. Jiu Xiao had always lived for himself. Even if the whole world abandoned him, he could still live only in his own world.

Jiu Xiao's eyes flickered slightly. He wanted to say something to comfort Fate, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. He just silently grasped Fate's right hand and held it tightly, wanting to pass on his strength to the helpless Fate.

Perhaps after pouring out her pent-up frustrations, her emotions were released. Although her voice still carried a hint of coldness and detachment, it no longer seemed so resolute. She didn't pull away from his grasp, tacitly approving of Jiu Xiao's actions. Or perhaps, Fate was also yearning for this sliver of warmth.

Fate spoke slowly again, her voice low and heavy.

“I know I am a substitute for Alicia, an existence created to continue someone’s hope. Mother... she sacrificed so much to resurrect the real Alicia, even at the cost of me. I... I am just a failure, an existence that can never replace Alicia.”

As she said this, a hint of sadness flashed in Fate's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute look.

“In that world, I always tried to be a daughter who would please my mother, but I found that no matter how hard I tried, I could not get rid of the label of ‘substitute.’ I was tired, really tired. So, I wanted to end it all, including my own life.”

Jiu Xiao listened quietly, his heart filled with mixed emotions. But Jiu Xiao hoped that Fate could break free from the shackles of the past, break free from the label of 'Alicia', break free from the shadow of her mother, and live for herself, not to please anyone else.

“Fate, do you know? In this world, no one is a substitute for anyone else. Everyone is unique, with their own meaning and value. Your mother may have her reasons, and she is not your whole life. Your existence is not to be anyone's shadow. You have already given so much for her. From now on, you can try to live for yourself.”

Jiuxiao spoke gently yet firmly, her eyes filled with encouragement and support.

Fate's body trembled slightly; Jiu Xiao's words seemed to have had some effect. She looked up at Jiu Xiao, and a light gradually returned to her previously empty and lifeless eyes, though still faint, giving her a reason to live for the time being.

Seeing this, Jiu Xiao felt a little relieved. As long as he didn't try to kill himself now, he could gradually melt the ice in Fate's heart.

"Really? Can someone like me really have a life of my own?" Fate's voice carried a hint of uncertainty, but more so anticipation and longing.

"Come to think of it, someone else said something similar to me before, but I didn't even remember her name, and I even hurt her several times..."

This "she" must refer to Nanoha Takamachi. Jiuxiao silently mourned for her for five seconds. Poor Nanoha, so pitiful. She wanted to be friends with Fate, but no one even remembered her name.

Without a moment's sadness for Nanoha's plight, Jiuxiao nodded and smiled the next second: "Of course you can. You can be anyone you want to be, or you can just be yourself. Whatever happened in the past cannot determine your future. Now, you have a new beginning."

After saying that, Jiu Xiao stood up, went behind Fate, and untied her black hair ribbon.

"How about starting by changing your hairstyle to say goodbye to your past self? In my hometown, we call it 'starting from the head'."

Fate looked at her hair, which was falling like a waterfall, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered up her courage.

"Um, thank you, Onii-chan (big brother)."

Faced with Fate's sudden "brotherly offensive," Jiu Xiao was caught off guard and almost vomited blood from cuteness. "My life has been worth it."

Suppressing the urge to hug Fate tightly and shower her with affection, Jiu Xiao said seriously, "My name is Yuan Jiu Xiao. You can call me by my name, or Jiu Xiao Gege (Brother Jiu Xiao), but please don't call me 'Onii-chan' (Onii-chan), it's bad for my heart. What's your name, cute girl?"

Faced with Jiu Xiao's playful praise, Fitt seemed a little awkward; it was the first time someone had ever called her cute...

"My name is Fate Testarossa. If you don't mind, please call me Fate, or Jiu Xiao Ge..."

Clearly, Fate found it difficult to speak to this unfamiliar "brother," as it was the first time the girl had ever called someone "brother," and this was someone she had only recently met.

But this made Jiu Xiao extremely happy. Who wouldn't want such a cute little sister?

Reaching out, Jiu Xiao wanted to pat Fate's head. Fate instinctively tried to dodge, but she held back. Jiu Xiao pretended not to see, and his wicked hand ravaged Fate's head.

“That’s wonderful! I’ve always wanted a little sister. If a cute kid like Fate were willing to be my little sister, I’d probably wake up laughing in my sleep.”

Feeling the warmth and gentleness from above, a long-lost sense of peace slowly seeped into her heart like the warm spring sun. She raised her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with an unprecedented light—a joy of being accepted and cherished.

“Brother Jiuxiao, I’m so glad to have a brother like you.” Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, yet it was unusually firm, as if at this moment, she had truly found her place.

Upon hearing this, Jiu Xiao's lips unconsciously curled up, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

"Then, as your older brother, I will do everything in my power to protect you and prevent you from getting hurt again. No matter who it is, if they dare to bully my sister, I will not let them get away with it." His words were filled with unwavering determination, as if he were building a solid barrier for Fate.

Upon hearing this, Fate felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and her eyes welled up with tears. She had never imagined that someone like her, burdened with a heavy past, could find such genuine care and love here. She nodded gently, as if silently responding to Jiuxiao's promise.

Then, Jiu Xiao took a small mirror out of his pocket and handed it to Fate.

"Here you go. The conditions are simple, and this mirror is the only thing I can offer right now. Consider it a gift from your brother to your sister. I hope you won't mind, Fate-chan."

This mirror was a rearview mirror that Jiuxiao took off his little motorcycle...

Little Motorcycle: "Listen to me, thank you."

"Look, your new hairstyle suits you so well, you look completely refreshed."

Fate took the mirror and gently touched it; she couldn't remember the last time she had received a gift.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw the same image as always, but the oppression and heaviness seemed to have lessened slightly with the change in her hairstyle. She revealed a long-lost, genuine smile, a smile as pure and beautiful as a newly blossoming flower.

"Well, I will cherish it."

Seeing the changes in Fate, Jiu Xiao felt a surge of satisfaction. He knew this was just the beginning, and there was still a long way to go to completely unlock the shackles in Fate's heart. But, where there's a will, there's a way; what the 'White Devil' could do, Jiu Xiao might be able to do as well.

“Come on, Fate, I’ll introduce you to some new friends.”

Jiuxiao reached out his hand, and Fate, without hesitation, grasped it tightly, as if holding the whole world in her hands. The two walked side by side, embarking on the road back to camp.

Because of the delay caused by Fate's matter, the sun had already sunk below the horizon. If they didn't return soon, Jiuxiao was afraid that Sanya would worry about being alone at the camp. Naturally, the search for ingredients was also put on hold.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two, its golden light bathing them and adding a touch of warmth and tranquility to their journey home. Fate followed closely beside Jiuxiao, each step firm and steady. The gloom in her heart seemed to be gradually dissipating, replaced by boundless anticipation for the future and trust in her new older brother.

After traversing the winding path strewn with pebbles, the outline of the campsite came into view. Wisps of smoke rising from the campsite blended harmoniously with the last rays of sunset on the horizon.

At this moment, Sania was standing by the campfire, anxiously looking around, clearly waiting for Jiuxiao's return.

Seeing Jiuxiao walking towards them, Sania's eyes lit up, and she immediately went to greet him with a bright smile.

"Jiuxiao! You're finally back!"

When she noticed a strange girl beside the boy, the light in her eyes seemed to dim slightly...

"Who is this……?"

For no apparent reason, Jiu Xiao felt a little guilty, like a wife who had worked hard all day at home only to find out that her husband had brought a mistress home (just kidding).

You're all sweaty, aren't you, brother!

Chapter Twelve: Stealing Bird Eggs

Setting aside any unwarranted awkwardness, Jiu Xiao smiled and introduced, "Sanya, this is Fate. For some reasons, she's now my sister. Fate, this is Sanya, my important friend and partner. From now on, we'll be partners in arms, so get along well!"

We're all good kids, so we should be able to get along peacefully from now on.

Sania immediately extended her hand warmly and said, "Fate, welcome to our team! I'm Sania, so please let me know if you need any help in the future!"

Despite her usual aloof and indifferent demeanor, Sania actually longs for friendship. And over the past few days, Jiu Xiao has noticed that Sania is gradually smiling more; she only puts on that expressionless face when interacting with strangers.

Fei may think she's young, but her personality is actually quite mature and composed compared to her peers. Her past experiences have given her a rather quiet nature; overall, she's a very pitiful child.

Fate took Sania's hand shyly and said softly, "Thank you, Sister Sania, it's a pleasure to meet you."

And so, these three people, who should have been completely unrelated, became acquainted on this deserted island for some inexplicable reason. As night fell, the three sat around the fire, and Jiu Xiao explained the current situation to Fate.

"We're currently stranded on this small island. The situation is a bit difficult, but fortunately, the island is rich in resources. As long as we put in the effort, survival shouldn't be a problem. And as time goes by, the magic within us is slowly awakening. Speaking of which, Fate knows magic too, right?"

Sania was a little surprised; she hadn't expected to run into a fellow traveler here.

"Huh? Is Fate a witch too?"

Fette nodded and said, "Yes, in the world I live in, women like me who can use magic are generally called magical girls."

Fate silently sensed the state of her magic power and continued, "However, the magic power I feel now is very weak, probably less than one percent of what it used to be. So, I'm very sorry, I'm afraid I can't be of any help in combat for the time being."

Fate received combat training from a young age and was raised by her mother as a pawn to revive Alicia. If magic were disregarded and close combat was involved, even Jiuxiao might not be her match. She might even be the strongest fighter among the three.

"It's alright, fighting isn't necessary right now. We hunted a wild boar, which provides us with a temporary food source. Although it won't last long, it will greatly help our future development. Our next goal is to find a water source first."

"At the same time, I also plan to try to make some simple fishing tools, since the ocean is one of our richest resources."

Fate listened attentively, a thoughtful glint in her eyes.

"I will do my best to do what I can. Although I am not very familiar with the environment here, I will study hard."

Her words revealed an unwavering determination, which earned her admiring glances from both Jiu Xiao and Sania.

As night deepened, the three people sat even closer together around the fire.

After a simple dinner, the three prepared to rest. Because someone needed to keep watch at night, there were barely enough beds. Considering Fate's young age, Jiu Xiao initially didn't want to assign her to night watch. However, on second thought, to help her integrate into the team as quickly as possible, he arranged for her to take the first shift.

Because Jiuxiao has a cell phone, he set an alarm. Fate's first shift runs from 9 PM to midnight, Jiuxiao's second shift runs from midnight to 3 AM, and Sania's third shift runs from 3 AM to 6 AM.

Jiuxiao woke up at six o'clock. It was cool in the morning, so he would do some work, and Sania could catch up on sleep until eight o'clock.

With the increased number of people, this shift schedule is just right, and it can also reduce the impact of night watch to the point that it will not affect the activities the next day.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Jiu Xiao was woken up by the cold. Since he had given his coat to the girls, Jiu Xiao had gone to sleep wearing only a t-shirt. The beach was quite cold in the morning.

Jiu Xiao gently rubbed his arms, trying to dispel the morning chill, while his eyes began to scan the surroundings, planning for the new day. Watching an unknown bird circling in the sky, Jiu Xiao had a sudden inspiration.

"Oh dear, how could I forget something so simple? There are so many birds on the beach, there must be a lot of nests, right? It would be so easy to just go and take the eggs, wouldn't it?"

The sudden noise startled Sanya, who was on duty. Seeing that Jiuxiao had already gotten up, Sanya was about to greet him when she saw Jiuxiao make a shushing gesture and point to Fate, who was curled up and sleeping soundly opposite her.

He tiptoed to Sania's side and whispered, "Good morning, Sania."

"Good morning, Jiuxiao, won't you sleep a little longer?"

"No, no, Sania, you're the one who works the last shift and it's the hardest. You should go get some sleep first. I'm going to go find some ingredients. You can look forward to breakfast today."

Sania did not refuse. She staggered to the spot where Jiuxiao had just been lying and fell asleep as soon as her head touched the ground.

Seeing this, Jiu Xiao smiled helplessly. It was truly a hardship for this girl with low blood pressure.

'If we make a simple door to seal the cave and then put the rocket launcher on the door, wouldn't we be able to skip the night watch?' He kept this idea in mind and planned to discuss it with the girls after breakfast.

Upon arriving at the beach, Jiu Xiao carefully observed the rocky cliffs and discovered that there were indeed many bird nests. Previously, he had focused his attention on the coconuts and the sand, overlooking these inconspicuous bird nests. Now, with a closer look, these bird nests had nowhere to hide.

Jiuxiao climbed onto the rock face, where countless bird nests were filled with eggs. The birds were startled away by her arrival, and seeing the eggs scattered on the ground, Jiuxiao was overjoyed; it was truly an effortless windfall.

He picked up the bird eggs, slightly smaller than chicken eggs, and put them into a plastic bag, filling it more than halfway, estimating it to weigh about five or six pounds. Looking at the remaining bird eggs scattered on the ground, Jiu Xiao didn't choose to exterminate them all; sustainable, albeit exploitative, approach was the wiser one.

Then Jiuxiao went to the beach, wandered around for a while, picked a few coconuts, and then headed back to the camp.

Back at the camp, Jiuxiao carefully placed the bird eggs on the ground, afraid of damaging them in the slightest. Looking into the cave, he found that Fate had woken up and was sitting on a pile of grass, looking at him with a confused expression.

Jiuxiao smiled at her, gesturing for her to come over so he could show her something nice.

As if presenting a treasure, Jiuxiao held up the bird egg, a smug smile on his face.

"Look, Fate, this is what I caught this morning! There are so many bird nests on the beach, and I brought back some bird eggs. Today's breakfast will be more substantial."