"Flame Demon: Heaven-Cleaving Strike!"
Kiana fused martial arts with her ability—using the former to maximize the Honkai Energy her body could harness and the latter for its most potent output form. Combined with her current state of six core energies, this attack might surpass even Kevin's maximum power output.
However, miracles only occur once.
Zeke effortlessly caught the punch, his eyes transforming back to golden hues with a hint of resignation flashing within them. Then, an immeasurable surge of energy began brewing in his hand.
"Snap Strike: Heaven-Cleave!"
After a brief moment of shock, Fu Hua regained her composure, realizing what needed to be done. Without hesitation, she coordinated with Kiana.
Two Heaven-Cleave punches—one radiating intense heat, the other exquisitely precise—simultaneously struck Zeke, creating ripples but failing to breach his invisible defense.
Zeke completed his power buildup in that instant. Seeing the determined gazes of the two, a hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes before he thrust out his palm.
"BANG!!"
No one could withstand a direct hit from Zeke in this state. Despite possessing the powers of six Herrschers—Sora, Flame, Wind, Ice, Death, and Thunder—and despite Fu Hua's invincibility spanning millennia, both were instantly sent flying, coughing up blood.
However, Zeke did hold back.
They were still Kiana and Fu Hua; he genuinely couldn't disregard their safety.
But after a brief moment of hesitation, the decision to eliminate variables and seize control of the future compelled Zeke to raise his hands, gathering the energies of thunder and flame within them.
"BOOM!!!"
"That's about the current situation, Welt, Little Theresa, and Mr. Su. Now, I need assistance from all our top-tier combatants, including you."
The battle raged on, but it could conclude at any moment. Meanwhile, Hera had reached the Lunar Base to convene an urgent joint meeting between Earth and Moon forces.
While everyone else pondered intently, only Welt seemed to peer through the screen with a peculiar gaze, studying the visibly exhausted Hera.
Hera raised her eyebrows, silently asking, "What's on your mind, Welt?"
"Nothing, just curious. Theoretically, you're not someone known for shouldering such global concerns. I would've expected you to surrender without hesitation."
"Hmph!" Hera rolled her eyes, letting out a derisive laugh. On the surface, she appeared to mock Welt, but deep down, she knew she was laughing at herself.
Why hadn't she simply surrendered instead of enduring this hardship? Even Hera couldn't explain her reasoning. She never intended to be a hero; indeed, she believed she'd long lost any claim to that status. But...she wanted to leave behind a better world for Kallen. So that when Kallen reminisced about their childhood together, there might be a glimmer of brightness amidst those memories, wouldn't that be right?
Hera shook her head, suppressing these thoughts deep within herself. Gathering her composure, she continued:
"Zeke likely believes that following our current path will ultimately lead to defeat at Finality's hands, resulting in a regrettable outcome. I don't know his exact plan, but it undoubtedly involves overturning our favorable progress and securing victory at costs we're unwilling to accept. To give you an idea, imagine the consequences of Project Stigma being implemented; Zeke's approach may even be worse than that."
"Then we must stop him," Welt sighed, instantly heightening the solemn atmosphere of the meeting.
"I'll reiterate: The battlefield cannot be set on Earth itself! Our planet cannot withstand a conflict surpassing the energy levels of Herrscher battles right now; it would only destroy all the long-term progress we've made."
"You mean to deploy our most formidable combat forces to the moon and decide the outcome there?"
"That's precisely my intention. I believe this is also an unspoken understanding between Zeke and us—he probably doesn't wish to needlessly ruin the accumulated civilization we have built so far."
"I have no reason to disagree. With Mr. Su's Cosmic Juggernaut, we should be able to instantly reach the moon. Is that correct, Mr. Su?"
Under everyone's gaze, Su slowly nodded.
"No problem, Alliance Leader."
Then Hera unfolded a world map and said,
"Additionally, there are some arrangements I need your assistance with... But before that, Welt, I require you to restrain Bronya and Sin first."
"Hm?"
"Just do as instructed. This time, it's not part of any scheme; it's a legitimate request."
"...Alright." After pondering for a moment, Welt agreed with a nod.
He had roughly guessed Hera's concerns.
Bronya was raised as an assassin from childhood, her early years shrouded in darkness. Later, she was adopted by Cocolia, and eventually, she became deeply influenced by Zeke's beliefs. Despite Welt believing there is kindness within her heart, he understood that its purity likely couldn't match Kiana's innocence. Facing Zeke, Bronya's choices would indeed be uncertain.
As for Sin... She was purely a yandere type, unwaveringly devoted. Even if Zeke declared his intent to destroy the world, this girl would gleefully hand him the killing blade and assist without hesitation.
Welt concluded that these two children could not be relied upon as combatants and were better off resting at the rear.
Hera nodded satisfactorily and proceeded to outline her plans.
"Taixuan Sword Form: Mountain Collapse!"
"Sword Goddess!"
Kiana's strike gleamed brilliantly, as if cleaving through the starry sky, while Fu Hua followed up with her Sword of Consciousness from behind.
Zeke shattered the fiery sword aura with one hand, but against the flawless Sword of Consciousness, he could only brace himself head-on, momentarily stiffening his movements.
Regardless of how the battlefield dynamics shifted, the Taixuan Sword Goddess—Fu Hua's technique honed over millennia, envisioning Honkai and Finality as adversaries—always demonstrated its divine potency, rendering it unavoidable and unblockable.
Zeke's gaze paused, golden eyes fixed on Fu Hua.
"Not the complete Sword Goddess? You've simplified it?"
"My apologies. Even though I believe I have regained my peak strength from years past, executing the full Taixuan Sword Goddess remains beyond casual reach. To adapt to more complex situations, indeed, I did simplify it somewhat. As we can see now, the results are still commendable."
With blood at the corner of her lips, Fu Hua smiled gently, exuding an unnervingly captivating allure.
Then, she extended her sword finger, launching the same simplified version of the Sword Goddess towards Zeke once again—having confirmed its effectiveness, seizing victory was paramount!
Appreciating Fu Hua's breathtaking prowess, Zeke's lips curved upwards, gears spinning within his eyes.
Time froze before Zeke, allowing him to swiftly analyze the structure and movement patterns of all energies from his elevated vantage point.
Zeke couldn't master the Sword Goddess technique, but with ample energy at his disposal, replicating Fu Hua's movements and executing this simplified version of the Sword Goddess was not impossible.
In no time, Zeke lifted his sword finger, and invisible forces clashed—the simplified Sword Goddess against its intangible counterpart.
Clang!
The resonant clang of swords echoed within their minds.
Fu Hua and Kiana were momentarily stunned.
"Fu Hua-sensei, your Sword Goddess seems to have been countered?"
"It indeed has. It looks like he used the Sword Goddess against itself, but Zeke shouldn't be able to comprehend such a realm. How exactly did he...?"
Still reeling from shock, Fu Hua watched as Zeke raised both palms, unleashing another terrifying surge of energy.
Boom!
Kiana braced herself head-on, absorbing the impact while Fu Hua provided support from behind, assisting in dissipating the force. This wasn't the first time they had been thrust backward, accumulating more injuries each round.
Truthfully, it wasn't their well-coordinated teamwork that allowed them to withstand Zeke's repeated attacks; rather, it was due to Zeke meticulously safeguarding their lives throughout the battle.
However, as their wounds deepened with each clash, Zeke gradually gauged their condition. He once again gathered energy in his palms, preparing for a strike that would finally render them immobile.
"It ends now," Zeke murmured, feeling a slight sense of relief internally.
To Zeke, Kevin, Hera, and Welt posed no real threat. The greatest resistance on his path forward came solely from these two girls, seemingly embodying the essence of heaven and earth.
Kiana and Fu Hua exchanged glances, both sensing grave danger emanating from Zeke's impending attack. They reached a silent understanding.
"Not that easily! I am—Kiana Kaslana!"
"Zeke, abandon your delusions and stop right there!"
"Taixuan...Sword God!" × 2
Realizing they couldn't compete with Zeke in terms of raw power, they simultaneously relinquished physical resistance and channeled all their strength into their mental domains to unleash the Void Sword God technique together.
After all, knowing they wouldn't die, they could afford to take such risks, couldn't they?
"Hm?"
As anticipated, upon detecting their response, Zeke swiftly restrained his energy, reducing by ninety percent the force that would have incapacitated them severely. In doing so, he lost the chance to analyze and counteract Taixuan Sword God due to the intense focus required for controlling his output. Consequently, he faced head-on this spiritual assault capable of violently shattering even connections forged by the God of Honkai.
Boom! Once again, the surge of wild energy carved out an endless, deep ravine.
Kiana and Fu Hua collapsed at a distance.
Zeke remained standing, his golden eyes flickering momentarily before dimming their glow, and he slowly lowered his head.
In the next instant, the golden clock face that had once appeared materialized behind Zeke again. As the hands turned backward, the fading aura swiftly recovered to its full strength.
"Always resorting to clever tricks. Do you think such tactics would work on a real battlefield?" Zeke narrowed his eyes, still shaken as he stared at his hands, discontent surging within him. He knew all too well that if necessary, Kiana and Fu Hua wouldn't hesitate to choose mutual destruction.
He cherished their pure beliefs and souls, even taking pride in them. Yet simultaneously, what he disliked most was their unwavering courage in the face of death!
These conflicting emotions stemmed from genuine love—love breeding resentment and fear alike.
With newfound clarity, Zeke openly acknowledged his affection, further solidifying his current choice.
"Fall!"
Zeke raised his hand, targeting the distant pair. After precise calculations, the final assault erupted like a torrential wave composed of particles of light, engulfing the earth.