Divine Keys, though once assessed by Mobius as an inefficient use of a core's power, possessed their own unique advantages.
For example, the different stages of their liberation would manifest in a form unique to their wielder.
When Seele used Abyss Flower, its power of creation took the form of butterflies. When Cecilia used it, the power of creation bloomed into blood-red flowers.
And when Pardo used it, the form of Abyss Flower became a coin.
[Abyss Flower] First Rated Power—Nine Lives' Reversal!!!
With Black Pardo's help, Pardofelis finally mustered her last ounce of strength to activate this authority.
It was like a downpour of golden coins. Every MANTIS struck by a coin felt the wounds on their body slowly fade as strength refilled them.
However, because of their own immense power and the fact that Pardo herself was at her absolute limit, the coin rain only restored a fraction of their abilities by the time it stopped.
Fortunately, it was enough. Their lives were no longer in danger, but...
— I thought I was going to make sure you lived...
— When we first landed on the moon, I was so sure I'd use my good luck to get you through this alive...
— Even though our plan went wrong, I... I still managed to pull everyone back from the brink of death, so why...
— Why couldn't I save you...
After accomplishing this, Pardo, supported by Black Pardo, made her way to Li's side. Looking at his body, still as broken as before, she clenched her fists in bitterness.
The phantom coins had saved everyone else, but the original coin, the one with the cat-paw print, had already snapped in two, lying discarded in the pale lunar dust.
Pardo's grief had not yet subsided when she suddenly felt the force supporting her vanish. She stumbled, instinctively looking at Black Pardo in confusion, only for her pupils to shrink in shock.
Black Pardo's face first showed a dazed expression, then she looked down at her own hands, which were beginning to turn translucent. A smile of understanding crossed her lips.
"Sorry, 'me'. Looks like I can't hold you up anymore."
"No, how is this possible? What's happening..."
Seeing the now semi-transparent Black Pardo, the panic and confusion in Pardo's heart intensified. She tried to embrace her, but her arms passed right through.
Black Pardo had already taken a gentle step back, her hands clasped behind her, a look of peaceful acceptance on her face.
"I guess forcibly waking up from a near-death state and overdrawing so much power... it's impossible to not pay a price for that."
"No, don't..."
"Hey now, don't cry. I... can't wipe your tears away for you anymore."
Watching Pardo's tears fall endlessly, Black Pardo slowly tightened the fists she held behind her back. Her own heart felt constricted, as if something was blocking it, and she felt the overwhelming urge to cry as well.
From the very beginning, they had cooperated for a common goal. They slowly grew familiar with one another, and finally, they acknowledged each other's identities, recognized each other, becoming the most steadfast, yet also the most boisterous of partners.
She possessed Pardo's previous memories, her life experiences. As a being born from emotions, she had witnessed Pardo's dejection, Pardo's powerlessness, and Pardo's determination.
Although they bickered constantly on the surface while competing for Li, they had never truly been angry with each other.
It was a pity... that kind of life was about to end.
Her journey would stop here, but Pardofelis still had a future, and her mission.
"There, there."
In the end, she still hugged Pardo.
Though the embrace had no physical substance, only an outline matching her form.
Pardo's hands trembled, but she eventually, slowly, wrapped her arms around the phantom figure, as if it were a real hug.
Of the original three people and one cat, was she the only one left...?
If only she had Sis Sakura's ability, could she have used [Setsuna] to freeze this moment in time, to save them from this fated parting?
An irrepressible tide of negative, dark thoughts rose from the bottom of Pardo's heart.
But just then, the core within her trembled slightly. A resonant sound, unique to the authority of Domination, echoed in her mind. It was like a gentle breeze, sweeping away her dark thoughts.
It was a weak voice, but as warm as sunlight. It was... Li's voice.
"Alright, Pardo. My time is short, but you still have a future."
"So, if you can, please leave with the others. The MOTHs headquarters is buried deep underground. Mobius, Vill-V... they might not be dead."
"So, if it's possible, could you please go back to the base for me? Help me see if they're safe, and then... send word of them back to me."
The MOTHs... they might still be alive...
Looking at the Earth, its surface now a blazing fireball, Pardo bit her lip.
The resonance of the core was far clearer than mere words. It carried emotion, allowing Pardo to feel the deep worry that both Black Pardo and Li had for the people back at the base.
"Yes... I understand."
The current situation was irreversible. Therefore, the least she could do was help Li fulfill his final wish.
And she had to be fast, very fast... She had to get there before their memories faded completely, so they wouldn't be left with any regrets.
At that moment, Eden, who had recovered, walked over and gently patted Pardo's shoulder. She then placed the last intact combat earpiece by Li's ear.
If they stayed on the moon, they could only watch helplessly as the two of them faded away. They all knew this.
Returning to Earth might be meaningless for some, but to argue about that now would be far too tactless.
So, after a brief moment of sorrow, the survivors boarded the ship to return home.
Though their home had been turned into a shattered sea of fire, the seeds of humanity were still buried beneath it. And what they carried on their shoulders was hope.
The ship slowly departed from the moon's orbit. Fu Li, accompanied by Black Pardo, quietly awaited the arrival of death.
Waiting was always torment, especially as Fu Li watched Black Pardo fade away bit by bit.
But luckily, he still had one more card up his sleeve. A card he had previously thought useless.
The third ability of [Tarot Card - The Moon]: Randomly copy the effect of another Tarot Card. Can only be used once. Can only copy once.
And the card he had copied was [Tarot Card - The Devil].
[Tarot Card - The Devil]
[Unique Effect: Devil's Contract. You may sign a contract with an individual born from a Herrscher's core and bring them to reality.]
[Note: The contracted individual will become an unconscious, inanimate object in the real world. They will be restored to their pre-contract state at a certain point in time upon entering the next simulation.]
Originally, Fu Li hadn't thought much of this effect. After all, if the targets were just the Judgment-class Honkai Beasts born alongside a Herrscher, it would be meaningless. But now...
Seeing the three words [Can be contracted] appear above Black Pardo's head, Fu Li revealed a relieved smile.
"Naiyisi, are you willing to entrust your everything to me?"