The influence of two Aeons shook Amphoreus. The already bad situation turned into the worst-case possible. Like a game hitting a dead end, the only way out is to do a clean restart.
That is what the Flame Reaver is planning.
He stared at the three women. Cipher is being slapped awake by her assistant, Zagreus. The four-leaf clover coin in her hand turned into dust.
Hysilens kept playing the lyre. Its sounds could only temporarily put him in a lull. The Flame Reaver began unsealing more of his power, unleashing the might of a dozen Coreflames at once.
Finally, there was the performer, the Imperator Cerydra. Their surroundings turned into a pale blue stage. Her attacks kept on disrupting the Flame Reaver's senses. Memosprites made of water stirred the chaos further.
'One more strike.'
The Flame Reaver knew he would be tied down here, yet he willingly entertained them. His main purpose is to eliminate Cipher. As long as she was here, she could disrupt his plans (i.e., Phainon).
Not only did the Flame Reaver have to think about eliminating Cyrene, he also had to find a way to have Phainon kill him. Only then could the Flame Reaver enter the next cycle, with the current Phainon acting as the next Flame Reaver.
He remained hesitant to unleash his full might. It is a do-or-die charge. Once the time is up and he hasn't accomplished the two tasks above, Amphoreus will usher in Destruction… and Nihility.
'I can't delay further.'
The Flame Reaver made a choice. He aligned his dagger to the crescent-moon of his blade.
Crack-!
Crack-!
Lines of molten magma ran through his cloak. His black mask cracked as it fell apart, revealing a statue with 100% semblance to Phainon. Another set of volcanic cracks appeared on the statue's stiff face.
Cerydra's heart skipped as she saw it transpire.
"Is the little cat awake?"
"N-no! The blow was neutralized by the gold coin she held, but it still knocked her unconscious!"
She turned her gaze to Hysilens. The latter saw through her plan.
"I am willing to be your blade. It has been my answer since the day we met."
Cerydra knew she couldn't do anything else. The Core Protocol in her hands is reserved once she reunites with Shi Tian. That will happen once they reach the Era Nova.
Without this killer weapon, all they can do is fight until the bitter end.
Hum-!
A wave of crimson light spread with the Flame Reaver as the center. Okhema's eternal night was briefly lit by a dim red light, embodying the burning rage of someone through fifteen million cycles.
His asymmetrical wings of gold and black fluttered. The blazing halo behind his white-golden hair let out specks of golden blood.
Underneath his pressure, their earlier struggles amounted to nothing.
"Phainon's" first gesture is to slash towards the unconscious Cipher. The invisible strike tore through the filaments of reality, creating black-red gashes running straight towards the sleeping cat.
Hum-!
Hysilens summoned the large whale, intending to let it block his strike, but to no avail. It let out a mournful wail before being split into two.
Tap-!
Bam-!
The stage around them shifted into a huge television screen. It halted his attack.
Crack-!
Cerydra shot a gaze at her staff. Cracks appeared from her handle. They only stopped showing once it was on the verge of breaking.
'Is it over?'
Contrary to her expectations, Phainon did not immediately launch a second attack. His golden eyes shot back at her.
"Why do you keep the Core Protocol?"
"Because we have other uses for it."
"...Then so be it."
He was convinced she would rather die than use the Core Protocol. He looked forward to what Cerydra would do with it, though he no longer had time to see through it.
Sou-!
A falling comet headed straight towards the three. Zagreus looked utterly panicked. Hysilens is still finding a way out. Cerydra already manifested another shield, prepared to take on this strike or the next.
Everyone held zero expectations of what would happen next. They would either die or buy enough time for the Era Nova's descent.
Shatter-!
'Is it..?'
Cerydra looked at the shattered television above them. She attributed the sound from it.
She is dead wrong.
Click-!
The sound of sheathing came forth. Hysilens was surprised to see an unknown woman standing beside her. A blade remained sheathed on her waist. The hot wind blew over her long purple hair as she stood elegantly. Her eyes stared intently at Phainon.
The falling meteor?
Perfectly cleaved into two.
"Shishou's power… inside me…"
Her mutterings were overlooked by everyone save for Hysilens. She looked at Mei. The familiar sensation of Nihility seeped out from her. The exaggeratingly long chopstick-like heels she wore carried an air of authority.
Before she could ask a question, two more women arrived. One of them carried herself with a haughty look, tilting her head slightly upwards. The other one bore unmatched elegance, and at the same time, a hint of playfulness.
The haughty one, Sin Mal, looked at Cerydra inquiringly.
"This venerable is one of Tian's girlfriends… lovers… no, wife!"
Her self-introduction silenced everyone present.
"Ahem. We can only exist for a limited time. You heard that right, winged-guy from above!"
Even Phainon felt speechless at Sin Mal. He did not rashly attack these newcomers. He has a bad feeling about them.
Sin's theatrics made Vita let out a light snicker.
"A natural-born entertainer, she is." She suppressed her laughter as she faced Cerydra. "This cycle is facing its end. We are here to deal with troubles as well as the Black Sun above."
"Let me take care of him." Mei cut off their discussions. "Do what you need to do. I will hold him back."
"Don't go asking for help later."
"I will never."
Just like that, the two women disappeared. Only Mei remained among the three. She was ready to act when a Century Gate opened beside Phainon.
He blitzed away.
Tap-!
Buzz-!
Mei's figure turned into a trail of purple light, disappearing into the horizon.
"What a pity."
An identical Mei appeared from behind Hysilens. She wasn't surprised this time. She looked at her shadow, and then to Queen Mei.
"We could have dealt with him. Anyways…" She met Hysilens' gaze. "You carry a lot of questions. I will answer them all."
Soon, Shi Tian's true life was presented in front of the two.