The radiant glow of the Moonlight Throne shone like sunlight or moonbeams, piercing and omnipresent, relentlessly devouring vast quantities of Honkai Energy with astonishing efficiency.
"Miss" tilted her head skyward, emitting a continuous stream of golden energy that annihilated the white anti-Honkai energy in opposition.
As Honkai Energy continuously radiated from her, her emotions—the so-called human heart—were swiftly overtaken by a superior and immense presence reflected in her golden eyes.
"We're running out of time..." murmured "the Young Lady"—or rather, Kiana.
In this decisive moment, all she could do was delay her other self's awakening as much as possible, allowing humanity's forces to unleash their full potential.
The holy-blood force field exerted continuous suppression, further disintegrating and eliminating Selene. The formidable defense forged from solidified Honkai Energy neared its collapse.
Kiana awaited more incoming attacks.
Perhaps guided by some unspoken understanding, even though their interaction on this timeline had been brief, Zeke issued orders just as Kiana hoped he would.
Countless beams descended from the sky, momentarily resembling a shimmering starlit expanse.
A smile tugged at Kiana's lips.
As light and heat flooded the world before her eyes, any remaining warmth or emotion finally vanished from hers entirely.
"BOOM!!"
At that instant, Finality arrived.
Intense energy bursts unleashed pure white light that illuminated thousands of miles, seemingly turning the world entirely blank.
On the front-line forces, soldiers either wore protective eyewear to shield against the blinding glare while enduring the scorching gales, or sat within sturdy mechs, observing this dazzling "fireworks" display through visual sensors.
She must be dead by now, many thought—despite being warned about the enemy's terrifying power before arriving here, this sentiment arose in numerous minds.
After all, they had never witnessed the simultaneous firing of countless Selene installations worldwide nor such dense and fierce bombardment.
This wasn't wishful thinking; rather, precisely because they were elite warriors, they comprehended better what such an attack implied—the targeted area had become an absolute no-go zone for any living being. Whether Honkai Beasts or Herrschers, it was hard to imagine any life form surviving that onslaught.
However, as the frontline commander who had personally experienced Zeke's might, Durandal was least likely to entertain such illusions.
"Zzzt... Zzzzt..."
The brown eye patch shielded most of the incoming light while relaying various data back to Durandal. However, amidst such an incredible energy explosion, she could only perceive chaos and rapid fluctuations, accompanied by occasional static interference.
"All units, assume combat mode," commanded Durandal sternly, her voice devoid of any humor.
Despite the chaotic readings providing no meaningful information, despite the intense energy burst obscuring all potential changes within, as the strongest Valkyrie battle-hardened through countless engagements, the warrior's blood and soul instilled in Durandal an overwhelming sense of impending danger:
The ultimate enemy, possessing unimaginable power, had emerged!
"Rumble!"
In that instant, the vast legion initially dispersed and bracing defensively against the shockwaves stood up. One by one, mechanized soldiers raised their numerous cannons. The Valkyries hidden behind the steel machinery emerged onto the shoulders or atop the heads of the machines, drawing their weapons.
This was the world's elite fighting force, executing orders without hesitation or delay.
They were prepared for anything, ready to charge fearlessly even against a monster unscathed by humanity's most devastating barrage.
Everything unfolded as Durandal had intuitively anticipated.
As the sky transformed from azure blue to pitch-black,
the dense barrage lit up the world like a second sun on the ground before gradually fading away.
Then, under the starlit sky, above the volcanic crater of calamity with flowing lava, emerged the vision of a girl in a white dress bathed in golden radiance. Her skin and attire appeared astonishingly pristine amidst the chaos, catching everyone's attention.
"Prepare fire! Maximum power output—engage!" Durandal issued the command without hesitation, her pupils then suddenly contracting.
'Her appearance may shock you, but do not doubt it - she is your enemy... Was this what Master Zeke meant? Kiana, why does she resemble you so closely?'
For a brief moment, Durandal felt perplexed, but her gaze quickly regained its firmness.
She was a Valkyrie, a warrior, and the commander leading these brave souls behind her. There were no other choices; all doubts and confusion must be set aside. Victory should remain her sole focus at this moment.
"Fire!"
"Boom!!"
A synchronized thunderous roar echoed, accompanied by countless streaks of light converging towards their target.
Amidst the converging brilliance of meteors, "Kiana" indifferently raised her hand towards Durandal and the legion behind her. In an instant, blinding golden light engulfed everything.
Silence fell momentarily over the battlefield.
Even Durandal could only vaguely discern several massive silhouettes standing firm at a great distance ahead.
Moments later, amidst the space between Durandal and "Kiana," remnants of melted giant soldier corpses, reduced to mere legs, remained upright.
These were Arahato-Z Giant Soldiers!
Durandal swiftly identified the machines that had absorbed "Kiana's" counterattack. However, she was uncertain how many giants had been melted away just enough to safeguard herself and her forces intact.
"Reorganize formations; prioritize concentrated firepower! Close-combat units, engage freely!" Durandal issued orders to reposition her troops.
Whether it was the regiments not directly involved in the initial assault or those narrowly escaping annihilation from the overwhelming energy surge, all forces rapidly shifted their positions.
Long-range units quickly reached their designated locations, setting up for sustained fire output.
The remaining forces, without hesitation, charged towards the enemy from every direction.
"Boom!"
Energy cannons and physical projectiles—various forms of ranged firepower relentlessly converged on the center, replicating almost precisely the barrage from earlier that day.
Under this cover fire, armored figures swiftly closed in on "Kiana."
Durandal stood atop the magnificent crimson-gold Divine Machine's shoulder, holding her silver-white riding lance. She took a deep breath.
"Rita."
"I'm here, Lady Durandal."
"Show your strength! I know well that just like me, you've always pushed yourself to the limit, striving persistently for even the slightest increase in power—today is the day we reap our rewards!"
"As you say, may... humanity triumph, and civilization endure forever!" Rita smiled, bowing gracefully. The cool armor accentuated the perfect curves of her back and hips, exuding elegance and allure... captivatingly so.
Under Rita's watchful gaze, Durandal leaped down, her body shimmering with blue light. As she landed, a majestic black horse materialized beneath her, its entire body glowing with a purplish-blue radiance.
The Valkyrie clad in gleaming golden armor raised her riding lance high and spurred on her sturdy, unicorn-like steed with immense strength and vigor, shattering the earth beneath them.
"Rita, watch my back as we charge together! Let's go, Kreshna!"
With these forceful words from the young warrior, a streak of blue light surged forward tens of kilometers in an instant.
As Rita observed the girl she had lived alongside day after day take the lead among all fighters, swiftly galloping towards the enemy within mere breaths, she gently touched the cold exterior of the Divine Machine, revealing a soft and captivating smile.
"As you wish, I shall forever follow in your footsteps, Lady Durandal!" Rita declared. With a graceful sweep of her ornate long scythe, reminiscent of black crystal, the Divine Machine roared to life, following the path forged by Durandal.
Clomp! Clomp! Clomp!
Iron hooves seemed to strike through the very air itself, producing resonant hoofbeats.
Facing the fierce gale head-on, Durandal felt "Kiana's" colossal Honkai Energy, akin to the depths of the Abyss, rapidly intensifying within her perception.
'The earlier bombardment should have depleted a significant portion of her power, yet she still radiates such awe-inspiring might? Truly worthy of being the final adversary! But today, history will not repeat the fate of the previous civilization!'
"Haah!"
Durandal charged without holding back, unleashing her full power, intent on being the first to engage "Kiana." However, just as she was about to thrust her riding lance at the emotionless figure, a sudden burst of red light and heat descended.
"Final Herrscher, perish!"
From above, Kevin, wielding flames like a meteor hurtling toward Earth, crashed down with a thunderous impact, aiming his sword directly at "Kiana's" head.
Sharing the same bloodline, determination, courage, and aspirations, ancestor and descendant separated by fifty millennia had no time for eye contact or exchange. Instead, both Kaslanas instinctively summoned greater strength and increased their speed, launching their attacks simultaneously.
"Boom!!"
The extreme collision of three Honkai Energies drowned out all other sounds in a flash of blinding light, signaling the commencement of the second act in the battle against Finality.