An unprecedented legion of formidable warriors descended upon the vast, mirror-like Infinite landscape.
Without hesitation, Kevin ignited towering infernos and charged forward.
"Is that relative of our Imperial Father? He looks somewhat similar yet displays an unparalleled bravery never seen before."
"Uh... Although hearing you call him 'Imperial Father' feels rather peculiar, technically speaking, we're indeed related," Kiana replied with mixed emotions to Durandal, her counterpart from another world and her estranged elder sister.
After this brief exchange, they shared a smile before unleashing their full power simultaneously.
"You are this world's Kiana, deeply loved by the Imperial Father as his wife. Theoretically, should I address you as my queen mother?"
"Cough! Please don't call me that! It's just...awful on so many levels!"
"Speaking of which, why does this Final Herrscher resemble you so closely?"
"...Let's set those questions aside for now. Focus all our strength; this is a battle to protect our world, and victory must be ours!"
Amidst blazing inferno, Kiana's expression momentarily darkened, but then a fierce determination ignited alongside the flames in her eyes.
In the next instant, overwhelming waves of fire surged forth, chasing after Kevin like twin miniature stars colliding sequentially with "Kiana."
"Boom!!"
Two infernos melted vast swathes of earth, their sudden intense heat and shockwaves nearly distorting space itself. Yet from the seemingly motionless "Kiana," an even greater surge of golden energy erupted, repelling both the towering flames and her assailants simultaneously.
"Crash!"
Almost instantaneously, Kiana and Kevin slammed onto the ground, rising amidst flowing lava.
"Patriarch, she seems to still be conscious?"
"She is significantly weaker than before; this might just be an instinctive counterattack. However, persistent attacks could potentially awaken her prematurely... Everyone, give it your all! We have only one chance to inflict maximum damage!" After a brief assessment, Kevin swiftly made his decision.
No one present was stronger or more experienced than him, so his words were met with unanimous agreement.
As soon as Kevin finished speaking, he produced a deep purple syringe, decisively injecting its contents into his neck. Dark purple veins immediately surfaced on his face.
Su, who had just approached beside Kevin, opened his eyes wide in alarm:
"Kevin, you..."
"I trust Mobius and Zeke's abilities," Kevin replied calmly, melting the emptied syringe in his hand. A terrifying, twisted aura filled with malevolence surged within him, showing signs of bestial transformation around his eyes and ears, yet his expression remained stoically composed as he faced Su.
Su chuckled bitterly, injecting himself with the same substance resolutely. He sighed, "Mobius said this would grant us a chance to unleash even the power of Artificial Collapse... I believe her on that aspect, but I'm certain it will likely cost our lives."
"It doesn't matter to me."
"You're right; at this point, there's nothing left to worry about." Su nodded in agreement.
Simultaneously, Elysia, Aponia, Sakura, Kalpas, Eden, and others—all except for Griseo (due to her youth and frailty), Pardofelis (also weak and young), and Memory Fragment Kevin (who chose to stay due to his true form still existing)—injected themselves with the serum.
As expected, they had gathered together, their ominous and terrifying auras merging into a suffocating abyss of death that spread across the melting earth.
"Boom!!"
"Hey, you dimwitted bunch, didn't we all agree to stay in the Elysian Realm until death? Why did each one of you come out here? Luckily, I prepared extra doses of my serum; otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough!" Amidst the humanoid monsters with grotesquely mutated bodies, a slowly swelling giant serpent hissed amidst black flames, questioning languidly—only Mobius could maintain her composure and rationality in such monstrous form.
This deranged woman had long grown accustomed to these transformations through relentless experimentation with her serums!
"But who can blame Hua for confessing she's in love? When she pleaded like that, we couldn't help but respond," Eden replied with a smile while examining her increasingly mature and curvaceous figure. The scales adorning her chest seemed more sensual than alien-like.
The giant snake swayed its head within the black flames, appearing incredulous, it said:
"Hah? Just for such a foolish reason? Ha ha ha, you truly are idiots! Why didn't you emerge earlier? That way, I could have conducted some intriguing experiments with your bodies. Although you're all familiar lab rats now, I've recently developed many fascinating ideas... Alright then, you must do your utmost to preserve your corpses; I'll be grateful for your contributions to the pursuit of truth!"
The giant serpent let out a deranged laughter that shook the surroundings.
Most of the Heroic Spirits displayed expressions of resignation.
In matters of scientific research, they were all too familiar with Mei's eccentric and unrestrained nature.
However, there wasn't much time for further discussion. After this exchange, the power amassed by the Heroic Spirits reached an astonishingly high level—so much so that the nearby Herrscher Squad members exchanged glances.
"Big Sister Kiana, their average energy intensity seems even stronger than when you had multiple Cores back then!"
"Calm down, Wendy, and the rest of you youngsters. They are old comrades of patriarch Kevin and Teacher Fu Hua after all. It wouldn't surprise me if they were even more formidable!"
Kiana wrapped her arms around her ample bosom, her crimson and golden eyes—symbolizing flame and space abilities—radiating calmness that pacified even the agitated Herrscher Squad.
Then Theresa leaped up and smacked Kiana's head with a fist.
"Who're you calling 'little'?! Show some respect!"
"Auntie, is this really the time for nitpicking?!"
Amidst their bickering, the Herrscher forces completed their assembly, unleashing vast waves of energy like towering tsunamis across the battlefield.
The Heroic Spirits relentlessly concentrated their power, matched by the relentless efforts of the Herrschers. The intermingling of pure Honkai Energy and complementary authority powers transformed the surroundings into a dystopian world ravaged by natural disasters.
Everyone else followed suit.
Intense, volatile energies surged from all directions as every participant pushed their strength to its maximum, striving to achieve Kevin's call for an all-out attack.
Though it felt drawn out, within just a minute or two, preparations were complete. With the Heroic Spirits taking the lead, the combined might of all factions erupted simultaneously.
Beside the golden knight galloping on horseback, a monstrous creature with black scales and icy protrusions sprinted through the frozen earth, its raspy yet gentle voice asking:
"Are you scared?"
"What do you mean, Dad... Isn't this just like our favorite game from when I was little? For love and justice, charge!"
"Haha, true enough! Stick with your old man; we'll take down these monsters together!"
The beautiful maidens riding alongside her ignited their full potential as they charged forward.
"Mei, Auntie...and everyone else," Kiana whispered softly, "let's have a feast together once this is over!"
"No problem, Go-Getter!"
"Sounds good to me, Kiana."
"Mm-hmm, Seele will prepare the most delicious treats for everyone!"
"I'm really looking forward to it..."
"Let's plan a team-building event once this war is over," Kiana suggested softly.
"Woah! Hearing Kevin say that is rarer than a solar eclipse! But sure, sounds good. I'll ask Zeke for some fine wine beforehand—just not another noodle feast; it doesn't suit your charming fairy aura at all, Eden! Don't you agree?"
"I concur. I could contribute... hmm, my entire collection is in the World of Elysium; I don't seem to have much else on hand."
"Bla bla bla! Who cares what you're planning later?! Just hurry up and crush everything, tear it apart, and burn it to ashes! Can't wait any longer, ha-ha-ha!"
"BOOM!"
In an instant, the vast territory shaped by the Power of Doomsday disintegrated. Miles upon miles of earth were utterly annihilated at its core, while the outer regions shattered and soared high into the sky.
It was hard to fathom that such destruction could be wrought by a mere living being.
The ground trembled and cracked, sending endless torrents of scorching lava erupting into the heavens.
Zeke observed this spectacle from the other side of the planet. He awaited the settling of various energies to precisely locate the Final Herrscher before deploying the remaining 30% power of the Moonlight Throne.
Afterward, it would mark the true moment for their final showdown.
However, minutes passed, and as the monitoring data gradually clarified, Zeke's expression darkened ominously, almost dripping with fury. With a sudden burst of strength, he obliterated both the ceiling and upper floors of the building.
"Q-ki-a-na!!!" he roared.
"Boom!"
Zeke enunciated each syllable of this troublesome name, his gaze fixed on the deserted center of the battlefield, where his hardened heart was struck by intense panic.
In the indescribable coordinates of the Virtual World, amidst a dim space littered with shattered building debris, Kiana and "Kiana" faced each other from afar.
Kiana held both the greatsword Might of An-Utu and riding lance Abyss Flower White Blade, while the Cross Oath of Judah rested on her back. The ring Key of Judgment adorned her index finger.
Simultaneously, crystals emanating terrifying energy floated around Kiana. The Herrschers' Cores—Herrscher of Reason Welt, Herrscher of Wind Wendy, Herrscher of Ice Ana, Herrscher of Death Seele, Herrscher of Thunder Mei, and Herrscher of Binding Theresa—each seamlessly merged into Kiana's slender yet robust figure.
Adding her innate cores of Flame and Space, along with the four Divine Keys, Kiana integrated twelve distinct powers into her body.
The Oath of Judah automatically transformed, becoming a radiant golden Valkyrie Armor.
Tianhuo Jiemie and Abyss Flower White Blade also underwent slight changes, adapting to sizes and shapes suitable for simultaneous use by Kiana.
The power of the Key of Judgment fused with Tianhuo Jiemie, causing lightning to flicker amidst its blazing flames.
The golden mask slowly enveloped Kiana's face as she raised her riding lance and pointed its longsword tip at the other "Kiana" far away. Determination shone brightly within her bicolored eyes.
"Sigh..."
"Auntie, Mei, Seele, Wendy, Ana, and Uncle Welt, thank you for indulging my stubbornness. This time, I must do this; there is no choice."
"I will end this war!"
"It would be too cruel to make Zeke confront you directly. Even worse, I dare not risk his compassion leading...to unforeseen consequences."
"In fact, your ability to traverse through space-time might have arisen precisely because Zeke couldn't bring himself to harm you, resulting in this tragedy."
"I believe it's best to resolve the troubles we create ourselves, don't you?"
Kiana murmured to herself, her surging energy wreaking havoc around her, destroying everything in its path.
Simultaneously, the battered and bruised "Kiana" slowly lifted her head, her lifeless golden eyes gradually regaining their glow.
"Boom!!!"
In that fleeting instant, a cataclysmic clash erupted within the Virtual Space.