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The divine mind transcends human comprehension.
However, Finality is not truly a deity.
Even if she were, by assuming human form, she inevitably adopts some aspects of human thought.
Though "Kiana" lacked human emotions, she could still think like one. Having passively endured attacks since her descent and confined within this limited space, even she felt it was time to retaliate.
"Boom!!"
Golden energy pierced the sky, its surging power repelling the warriors near "Kiana." They were sent hurtling away like scattered cannonballs, leaving trails of dust upon impact with distant lands.
"Beware, her strength has escalated drastically—it's becoming dangerous."
Instantly thrust onto the frontlines, Kevin raised Might of An-Utu defensively while cautioning Durandal, who stood not far behind him.
Durandal gently nudged Klitchina, swiftly arriving at Kevin's side. With a frown, she asked, "Ancestor, is this truly the start of her counterattack?"
"Possibly, her hidden power is being unleashed... Hmm? Order immediate retreat across all fronts—quickly!"
As Kevin watched "Kiana" ascend high into the sky, raising her hands amidst a towering golden glow, he sensed a terrifying concentration of energy coalescing into a tiny, pinprick-sized golden dot between her palms. With a stern expression, he issued a warning without waiting for Durandal's response, then surged towards the heavens, engulfed in blazing flames that reddened the sky.
"Ancestor?! Retreat! Everyone, fall back! Do not linger!"
Durandal was slightly delayed but swiftly sensed the terrifying threat emanating from above.
"Klitchina, let's move!"
After issuing orders to the entire army, Durandal surged forward like a trail of dust, transforming into a somber blue lightning bolt and unhesitatingly following Kevin.
Joining them were several Heroic Spirits and some allied reinforcements from other realms. Their dazzling figures converged in the sky, heading towards the miraculous golden light that pierced heavenward. The accumulated energies unleashed earth-shattering roars and shockwaves spreading for thousands of miles.
Then, "Kiana" slowly extended her arms, and the tiny golden speck between her palms exploded instantaneously. A torrential surge of golden energy engulfed everything within its vast reach.
In that moment, silence enveloped "Kiana."
It was pure annihilation, consuming even the air itself, leaving no possibility for any sound to propagate.
After a brief moment of dazzling radiance, the golden light vanished, leaving the silver-haired girl with flowing white dress standing alone amidst the sky. Her icy golden eyes gazed forward, beholding only an endless expanse of emptiness; nothing else could reflect within her gaze.
Suddenly, a tall figure emerged from the blank world before her.
At that instant, external air rushed into this vacuum region, merging chaotic energy remnants with roaring winds to form massive tornadoes spiraling towards the heavens.
Magma erupted from the depths below as the tornadoes roared between sky and earth, summoning turbulent clouds, lightning strikes, and thunderclaps.
In this apocalyptic scene, only a towering pillar of golden light illuminated all around, resembling a beacon of redemption amid Armageddon—ironically, this beautiful glow was the very source of disaster.
Separated by lethal currents and surging energy chaos, Welt locked eyes with "Kiana."
"Kiana" had clearly shaken off her passive stance, raising her hand as specks of golden energy coalesced in her palm.
Welt also raised his hand, and unstable gemstone crystals materialized one after another—these were numerous artificial simulated Herrscher Cores.
"Boom!"
The two surges of Honkai Energy clashed across the distance. Instantly, Kiana's energy overwhelmed Welt's, unleashing an invisible torrent that dispersed the massive tornado swirling around them and shattered the turbulent black clouds above.
Yet Welt remained steadfast.
In this clash of presence alone, the mere First Herrscher was naturally no match for the Final Herrscher, swiftly succumbing to defeat.
However, such a superficial confrontation was far from enough to truly vanquish Welt.
"Crack!"
Welt clenched his fist abruptly, shattering the colorful crystals instantly. The resulting surge of potent Honkai Energy fused into his body—simultaneously, fissures appeared on his face like cracking porcelain.
"Kiana... I don't know if you're truly Kiana, but even if you are, I believe you would understand my actions, right? We've shed too much blood and tears already. At this point, there is no turning back. Accept this—the counterattack of humanity!"
"Buzz—"
With this mournful sigh, the Herrscher of Reason unleashed his abilities for the first time without restraint. Within hundreds of thousands of miles, the earth was covered by endless steel creations.
Missiles streaked across the sky like countless twinkling stars, while multicolored beams of energy converged like reverse spotlights.
Honkai Fission Bombs, Moonlight Throne System, Honkai Inscription Warheads, Godslayer Bullets, Demolisher Grenades... Countless weapons representing the pinnacle of anti-Honkai technology swarmed together in dense, orderly formations.
Following the meticulously planned strategy devised by genius scientists, Welt harnessed numerous artificial simulated Herrscher Cores as power sources and channeled them through the Herrscher of Reason's ability as a conduit. He recreated the awe-inspiring might that "Kiana" had initially faced—the price being that he never intended to return alive.
"Buzz—"
The Herrscher of Reason's powers continued expanding outward, rapidly increasing the number of weapons at his command. Aiming for maximum theoretical destructive potential, Welt constantly drew upon the overloaded energy within him, striving to settle everything with one decisive blow.
Simultaneously, his fragile Herrscher body edged ever closer to disintegration.
"Boom!"
Although it felt like an eternity, mere moments later, a deafening explosion erupted from within Welt's body. The majority of his torso shattered violently, leaving only his head and clenched fist intact, still facing "Kiana."
Welt wished he could emulate the fearless warrior, steadfastly completing this attack with unwavering determination. However, the limitations of life prevailed; even as he lay mortally wounded, his vision blurred, and the expansion of his abilities visibly slowed down.
'Have I reached my limit? But I'm just short... Still capable of generating more power...' A defiant whisper echoed in his mind. Welt tried to ignore his rapidly deteriorating state, striving to push towards greater intensity, but it proved futile.
The spread of his abilities soon halted, while Welt maintained the momentum of the current force. Yet, the fragmentation of his body had already extended below his neck.
"In the end, I truly cannot match you, Joyce..." A bitter smile flickered across Welt's nearly shattered face, and his weary gaze drifted downward.
"Yang, it's not over yet—don't fall asleep."
"!!!" Welt's eyes widened abruptly.
In his line of sight, a handsome young man with short dark blue hair appeared beside him. Taking over for Welt's shattered body, he raised his hand towards Finality.
"Is this...a dying hallucination? Never mind that. So, Joyce, have I done well so far?"
"Absolutely! You've been phenomenal, much stronger than me!"
"Then, I haven't dishonored the name Welt, right?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? No one embodies the name 'Welt' better than you!"
"I see... That makes me very happy. So, could you help me just one more time?"
"Of course, no problem!"
Joyce and Yang, two generations of Welt—one a fragile statue reduced to only its head, the other an ethereal phantom—smiled at each other. Miraculously, the halted ability began spreading again, reaching its theoretical maximum power.
Moments later, "Kiana," having prepared her attack, was engulfed by endless light.
"BOOM!!!"
Blazing energy engulfed everything—or perhaps it's more accurate to say that before Welt's assault, there was little left within Finality's vicinity to destroy; all had been rendered desolate.
Nevertheless, this wave of attacks severed one of "Kiana's" hands.
Despite her silver body rapidly regenerating and her indifferent golden eyes showing no signs of defeat, after enduring an attack nearly drawing upon the full might of civilization, she no longer exuded the invincible aura she possessed upon her initial descent.
She had weakened.
Though still immensely formidable, her strength had indeed diminished.
"Caw—"
Scarlet flames scorched the sky as the colossal divine bird Shamash unfurled its wings, resembling a celestial golden crow descending onto Earth, its awe-inspiring might overwhelming heaven and earth alike.
"Kiana" looked up.
In an instant, red light filled her entire field of vision.
"Kiana, if possible—even just for Zeke's sake—please come back to yourself..."
A whisper brushed past her ears like a gentle breeze.
The heavenly golden glow enveloping "Kiana" suddenly withered and vanished, leaving behind a scarlet sword mark piercing through her heart—a wound once thought insurmountable for a divine being.
"Kiana" turned to see a fading ember plummeting through the distant sky, its weakening aura reminiscent of a candle's flame about to be extinguished by the wind.
She gently pressed her hand against her chest, but the wound piercing her heart refused to heal, and specks of golden Honkai Energy escaped uncontrollably from within.
With just one strike, Fu Hua had pierced "Kiana's" body, mind, and soul. The injury would only deepen and widen, impossible to mend easily.
"Well, hello there, cute little missy. Fancy some afternoon tea?" chirped a voice.
"Kiana's" ears twitched as she spun around, spotting a blonde girl in a vivid red dress levitating effortlessly in midair, legs crossed, her charming smile radiant.
At first glance, Hera undoubtedly appeared as the epitome of grace and beauty.
But the swirling Honkai Energy in those golden eyes, coupled with an unsettlingly familiar presence that resonated instinctively with "Kiana," emanated a profound sense of threat.
Aside from the sword wound on her chest, all other injuries on "Kiana's" body had healed. She raised both hands, summoning unstable bubbles of golden light above her, poised for action.
"Hmm, quite unapproachable! But that's just like the other Miss Kiana; she always had such a hard time giving me anything but a cold reception. Can't really blame her though, considering...Otto Apocalypse truly deserves every bit of his eternal damnation, wouldn't you agree?"
Hera's lips curved gently with a serene smile as she posed the question, not expecting a response. She was merely speaking to herself, unwilling to fade away during these final moments without expressing her thoughts.
As she spoke, Hera slowly straightened up. With a pure and radiant grin reminiscent of both love and triumph, she elegantly raised a fair index finger, gracefully pointing it towards "Kiana."
Instantaneously, the golden eyes gazing at "Kiana" lost all traces of warmth and emotion, rapidly fading away.
Hera approached the brink of Finality—more precisely, she neared divinity itself!