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- Durandal? You can trust her.
- —Mei, Chapter 28
DuraMei is the femslash ship between Bianka "Durandal" Ataegina and Raiden Mei from the Honkai fandom.
Canon[]
A Shooting Star Streaking Across the Night[]
Mei and Durandal were both Schicksal Valkyries, with Mei being a St. Freya student and Durandal the most powerful Valkyrie of the organization. Though the two did not meet until long after Mei and her friends had defected from Schicksal, making them enemies. After Kiana saves Arc City, Mei desperately runs to her falling body. When she arrives, Durandal blocks the way, telling Mei that she has orders to retrieve Kiana. Mei is shocked to face the S-Rank Valkyrie, but is determined not to let her take Kiana. Thus, the two engage in a battle that results in Mei's defeat. Durandal admires Mei's will, but tells her that her abilities are not enough. She then leaves with Kiana. Mei fruitlessly chases after them before breaking down over how easily Kiana was taken from her.
Here Lies Bellflower[]
It was from her failure to defeat Durandal, combined with Kiana's disregard for her own life, that motivated Mei to join the organization World Serpent so that she could save Kiana. In Chapter 18, Mei and Durandal meet again in wake of the Herrscher of Ice's awakening. Durandal was initially surprised to see that Mei joined World Serpent. Durandal and Mei are willing to cooperate as long as they don't get in ecah other's way. The two shake hands, agreeing that the Immortal Blades will deal with the Honkai on the outskirts while Mei and Raven confront the Herrscher.
Later, World Serpent agent Owl betrays Raven and Mei because of his history with Ana Schariac, the Herrscher of Ice. Durandal learns about this and sets off to help Mei confront the Herrscher. Mei and Durandal work together to seal the Herrscher of Ice, though Owl's determination to save Ana reminds Mei of herself. This culminates when Owl jumps in front of Ana, refusing to let Mei kill her, causing Mei to hesitate. Durandal asks Mei why she is holding back and attempts to throw her lance at Owl, but Ana releases a large frigid blast that allows the two to escape. The blast creates a dangerous freezing surrounding area, so Mei uses her Herrscher power to protect herself and Durandal. They agree that the Herrscher must be pursued as soon as possible. Durandal decides to go back to her forces to assist them in making sure the Herrscher doesn't escape the area. Before leaving, Durandal advises Mei not to hesitate again.
Owl ends up awakening as the Herrscher of the Stars, fusing with Ana to become the Herrscher of Rimestar. Once Durandal is informed of this, she hurries to gives Mei assistance in fighting the fusion. They are able to defeat the Herrscher of Rimestar, and Mei ends their life. In the aftermath, Mei sees Durandal at the beach paying respects at Ana's grave, who tells Mei that Ana was a glorious Valkyrie. Mei asks about Ana's necklace, and Durandal explains that it was very dear to her. Mei retrieve the matching half of the necklace that belonged to Owl and places it on the grave as well. While Mei gazes silently at the grave, Durandal leaves.
Thus Spoke Apocalypse[]
Durandal and Mei don't interact much for the remainder of the story. The original trailer for the arc showed that Mei and Durandal were originally going to have a fight, which didn't come into fruition in the main story. Instead, during Mei's brief reunion with Kiana, Kiana tells her that she is working with Durandal. Mei comments that Kiana can trust Durandal.
Moments[]
- Chapter 32
- As Kiana's group reunites with Durandal's group on the moon, Durandal and Mei greet each other,
- Chapter 34
- Durandal and Mei agree that reclaiming St. Freya from Project Stigma will be a good start.
- Mei is surprised when Durandal says she is an Awakened of the Kaslana Stigma.
Quotes[]
- “I like that strong look in your eyes. But your powers fail to match your will.”
- — Durandal to Mei, Chapter 15
- Mei – “You have your belief, and I have my duty. I won't stop you, but if you stand in my way...”
- Durandal – “Right back at you.”
- — Herrscher of Thunder and Durandal dorm interaction
- “In our age, it's wielded by a mighty warrior with whom you’ve fought.”
- — Mei to SIM Kevin about the Abyss Flower, "About Divine Keys (1)"
- “Durandal and Kiana... Indeed, they both look like sisters.”
- — Herrscher of Origin bridge line
Fanon[]
DuraMei is a rarepair in the fandom. Most people prefer them platonically, considering Mei and Durandal to be in-laws due to Mei dating Durandal's sister. Besides that, the majority of discussion around the pairing is usually about disappointment that the fight between them teased in the Pre-Revelation trailer ended up not happening. Nonetheless, DuraMei still has some interest as a romantic pairing; Their dynamic is one filled with both distrust and mutual respect. Another version of the pairing centers around Durandal's former identity of being the original Kiana Kaslana. Since Mei is with Kiana, it is natural to assume that Mei could have gotten together with Durandal if Durandal's identity never changed. This variation is present in canon divergent fan fictions in which the original Kiana never lost her memory.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Bianka Ataegina/Raiden Mei tag on AO3
- Original Kiana Kaslana/Raiden Mei tag on AO3
Gallery[]
