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Chapter Text

— Vrrrr!!

The puppets created by the Husk, Existentialism crumbled back into imaginary energy. The Hyperion's cannon's hum slowly faded with an eerie quiet replacing the once eventful space.

The fragments of the disintegrating being acted as the grand entrance for the Hyperion flying straight into the arena. The cockpit opened, and the three girls disembarked.

"It seems you have the appropriate qualifications." Kevin's voice echoed.

From his throne composed of a broken shell fragment from the Cocoon of Finality, he stood and wielded his sword.

Shuhadaku of Uriel, the sword that transcends the end pulsated. The burning flames that would even consume the stars roared.

Kevin pointed the blade down towards them.

"Prove me wrong. Show me that you will surpass me, and transcend 「Finality」!"

The ground shook beneath his feet, his body surged forward with a single flap. The tattered flames drifting slowly as a trail of his intention.

Kiana took the first step.

Her own sword swung against the Divine Key, causing Kevin's path to be altered ever so slightly.

From there, Mei unsheathed her weapon.

The katanas slashed into the fusion of scales, bandages, and flesh. Sparks flew leaving only a minor cut against the chimera's body.

"He's extremely durable." Kiana pointed out.

"Yeah, I know." Mei replied.

As fast as the wound formed, Kevin's flesh fused back together. Missiles fired from Bronya, using the Authority of Reason at its fullest extent. A myriad of lasers and shots of energy with a flurry of gunfire reached Kevin. Yet, only small scratches with bits of scale and blood dripped on the floor.

From behind, Mei began her pursuit.

Time began to slow down as a mask covered the Herrscher's face. Her sheath on her katana disappeared with lightning consumed it.

"Thunders are manifested here."

For a moment, the background shifted. An endless wasteland of sand was all that was left in this time-stopped domain. With a calm breath, Mei began to swing. Each slash followed another. The domain under her vision of「Origin」began to crack. Lightning accelerated, volts of power rang before ceasing.

The sword split into three interconnected single-edged blades.

With a single swipe, Mei left a claw mark across Kevin, ending her usage of Absolute Time Fracture.

"Useless."

Kevin turned his body towards Mei, the black greatsword in his hands following rapidly with an arc of red and orange flying to her neck.

"Hah!"

Kiana yelled. A black hole formed momentarily, dragging Kevin's body away from Mei. Each shot from Kiana's pistols only split a few scales.

Unbothered, Kevin's wing covered the front, the fires consuming each shot.

"Ugh!"

Suddenly, Kiana threw a purple bat at Kevin. The unexpected action stunning him for a moment.

"Tch!"

Uriel roared, the jets of red and blue ringing out of its base as Kevin slashed the air. Fire erupted and reached to the heavens. A pillar of devouring embers.

"Uwahh!"

Kiana threw herself to the side and shot at Kevin again. With a flap of his wing, the bullet ricocheted.

"Kiana! Move!"

A sudden bolt of pure blue flew through the air before erupting skyward. Dust scattered as Bronya lowered her newly formed cannon, the machinery slowly receding.

Ever cautious, Mei lunged into the dust, her sword's path abruptly being stopped by a slouched figure.

"Show me more. Prove to me that there is another path."

Kevin's cold eyes bore into Mei. His face had a small wound of rend flesh with his arms and side visibly bleeding.

It seems that even if it was a little, he was not invulnerable.

Hiss....

Then, something strange happened.

His torn skin and revealed muscles slowly began to intersect. The drippings of blue ichor making a strange voop with a forceful fusion of flesh.

"..what the— ?!"

The weight of a hammer slammed into Mei's ribs. Air escaped her lungs as she was flung into the platform.

"Mei!"

Kiana, not missing her opportunity, slashed her sword downwards at Kevin's neck.

Clang!

Only getting an inch deep, the white sword of the moon was jammed in between a crevice of white and black scales with ice forming small crystals around it.

"Good effort."

Kevin's fist was caught by Kiana, the impact while still great was slightly reduced.

Her heels skidded across the floor as she held both gun and sword in hand.

"Hooh..."

A breath slowly left her lips. A smile slowly grew across her face.

The man slowly stood up, throwing the sword lodged in his neck back at Kiana, paying no mind to the two other sets of eyes readying themselves to continue their assault.

With a sigh, Kevin's eyes slowly went from side to side, taking in everything.

"Time to start."

A sudden pull overcame Kiana, the power of gravity, a part of the Herrscher of Earth's authority dragged her.

"Ngh— !!" She grunted

Under「Reason」, a replica of Shamash flew at her.

"Hah!"

Her momentum ceased under her own command. She swung through the effigy but continued a forwards flight at Kevin.

His stance lowered, his body standing forward with a focus. As Kiana's approach grew faster, his body swung forward before..

Thunk!

The purple bat from earlier slammed into the back of his head.

Kevin fell to his knees and two blades pierced into him.

The moon blade of Kiana managed to pierce through the mix of bandage and flesh around the upper part of his breast while the sleek purple katana of Mei was jammed right below his ribs.

His muscles spasm briefly, shifting and forcefully moving before stabilizing.

A growl came from Kevin's lips, his body twirling with his sword swinging around like a curtain.

Both weapons retracted immediately, distance created in an instant.

Kiana stood next by Mei. And Mei stood next by Kiana.

"Hehe."

A cheeky smile grew across Kiana while her bat flew back and disappeared into stardust.

"Let's go."

Bronya popped up behind them before firing. The cascading mix of orange missiles and the cerulean blue of fired shots of pure energy all aiming at Kevin. Through their cover, the duo flew in unison straight at him.

The first strike was from Mei.

Lightning flew downwards yet was only devoured by the roaring flames. Then, a shot pierced the side of Kevin before a sword plunged into his shoulder.

Shuhadaku of Uriel screeched, the flames attempting to devour the knight and prince.

Yet, he only had two arms.

Defending one led to another attacking. Attacking led to a weakness opening up.

Yet, opportunity was always an opening for both sides.

The shots of starlight from Kiana were abruptly stopped with a single kick.

Flames erupted from the ripped flesh of Kevin's wing, his focus solely on the two.

"Burn."

The supreme black sword plunged into the floor.

Red scorch marks began to grow.

"..! Kiana! Mei! Quickly!"

Immediately, an outline of blue grew as steps towards an asteroid appeared in front of them.

The duo immediately flew upwards right by Bronya and a hexagonal sphere enveloped them both.

***

Pillars of destruction reached towards the night sky.

Only ashes remained.

The three looked down as the demon gazed upwards, but something was off.

His face was slightly pale, his palms trembling with a slight fidget well hidden in his left arm.

"Something's off.."

Kiana's senses began to blare. An unexpected danger was coming from him.

The claymore in his hands dropped against the metal floor, skidding as a grimace grew.

"Tch..! Nghh— !"

Something was building inside him. From behind the platform, tendrils of silicon flesh and metal gripped at him before soon encasing him. As it slowly emerged from the very epicenter of the arena, the ground split before its presence.

This Worldly Beast's pupils dilated before focusing—an otherworldly gaze fell upon the three Herrschers.

Chapter Text

Consumed by both the raw instincts from CHIMERA and the Will of Honkai, This Worldly Beast formed before them. Kiana's pupils dilated, feeling a strange tug in her with the eyes of the being locked on her.

The leviathan had transformed the area, remaining at the very center. The sudden arrival of the creature led to everybody being separated, Its body heaved, breaking apart into a multitude of silicon pieces that created strange entities similar to the shape of claws and needles.

'This is bad..I should try to regroup with Mei and Bronya as soon as I can!' Kiana thought.

In the background, the small outlines of purple lightning and the blue explosions at the very least reassured her that the two were safe.

A hand suddenly lunged at her. Its claws stabbing into the ground after missing, scraping desperately before receding. The star pupils it had, reminiscent of Kiana's after becoming the Herrscher of Finality, was unfocused.

Each time a hand fell and missed, Kiana fought back with her pistol and sword in hand. Each shot from her visibly damaging the thing, felling each one-by-one.

Emerging from the tendrils of silicon were honkai beasts. While they weren't even close to a Judgment Class like Ganesha, their proximity to 「Finality」had strengthened these pawns to an annoying level.

"Ugh..! When did they become so strong?!"

She twirled her gun around her finger before rapid firing. The purple shots of starlight exploded, leaving visible bullet holes in them as they disintegrated. The strange needles kept flying at Kiana despite how many times she destroyed them, leaving only minor cuts across her arm and thigh.

A roar emanated from the Beast. A horrid screech, a blend of despair and exaltation, flooded the arena. Kiana, Mei, and Bronya fell to their knees while a red fire bellowed from the very core of it.

"Everyone, don't forget about the Hyperion's main cannon!" A voice chimed in.

Two bombshells sank through the open crevices of the amalgamation, the damage which minor disrupted the creature and blinding it.

"Ai-Chan!" Kiana exclaimed.

Kiana swiftly hook shot between the floating claws and regrouped together with Bronya and Mei. The leviathan in the meanwhile composed itself, its eyes beginning to focus.

A halo of fiery red gathered above where Kevin was imprisoned, the amalgamation now reorganizing itself in a new way.

Without missing a beat, the three went back to wailing on it. Even with its constant regenerating hand needle hybrids of silicon and flames, it visibly injured the entity.

With a jump towards the sky, lightning struck upon the flesh imprisoning Kevin, sundering its fleshy yet firm cover.

Heat gathered, but it was different this time.

"Childhood must come to an end. And there are only a limited number of paths for the future."

Kevin's voice echoed out of his cage. The movement of the claws and their trails of velvet flames slowly became more precise, more calculated, more efficient.

The Hyperion's constant bombardment was cut off short. A sudden crimson barrier cascaded over the sky, preventing the airship's support in this fateful battle.

An arm formed outside of view. The tendrils of silicon, branches, and wrapping flesh formed into the limb. A sudden cleave hit the girls out of nowhere. Kiana took the worst of it, having a clear cut across her midsection. Her headache worsened, and she fell to one knee.

"Kiana! Are you okay?"

Mei asked, maneuvering around the flying needles of flesh.

"The Bronya can provide cover while you recover. Don't push yourself too much, Kiana!"

Bronya flew forward, her dual-edged spear seared the flesh with each slash. The holographic ribbons behind her flew around as she and Mei took center stage while Kiana tried to recoup her diminishing strength.

'Strange...this shouldn't be happening. I shouldn't be performing this poorly. It feels like something's missing.' Kiana thought.

While she was still agile enough to avoid the sudden stabs from the Cenozoic Chimera's claws, she couldn't muster any strength to strike back.

White and black fused in the middle of battle, the few flying claws and needles crumbled into bits and pieces before reforming into a head of a dragon. It's red eyes pulsated, a primordial fire granting it life.

The twisting branches emerged from the insides of the leviathan, converging with the new skull. Strange portals ripped through space under the power of the「Void」, descending honkai beasts empowered by the red blaze.

"Thunders are manifested here."

The domain of 「Origin」opened once more, yet this time, micro movements came from the prison of flesh. The honkai beasts under the power of Finality had moved, small distances while insignificant spelled something terrible, something diabolic brewing underneath.

The silicon freaks were quickly slain, yet the skull had shielded itself with the branches embed in it.

"It's able to move through even Absolute Time Fracture now!"

Mei alerted. She swiftly took a step back to avoid an incoming needle.

Bronya kept firing on, the blue beams blasting from each cannon raining upon the skull, slowly chipping away at its shape with a combination of strikes from her spear.

"Ngh..sorry for being late everyone!"

Kiana yelled. She ran forward and stepped on the air, wings emerging by her side. The supreme blade fashioned under Finality cut through Kevin's cage, but it remained undeterred despite space being cut. 

"All life is in a bird cage."

The thought echoed. Shockwaves of crimson erupted with each slam of the dragon's head. The three kept moving, trying to continuously attack despite their predicament. Visible cracks grew across the skull, with some even reaching the outer shell of Cenozoic: Chimera System.

A fierce shot of crimson and red bellowed from the imitation of myths. While it only burned Mei and Bronya, Kiana was still struggling with the laceration across her stomach.

"Tch!" She ticked her tongue.

The damage on them was building up, the while numerous yet nonlethal wounds would prove to be significant in the changing tides of battle. Small bits of blood dripped from Kiana's lip as she threw her bat. 

An audible thunk! came from the skull, a large dent symbolizing a weakness in its structural design. 

"Come on!"

Kiana yelled. Her body flew straight at it. Numerous lacerations of purple were left in her wake. Mei followed behind with lightning and Bronya flew back, a mechanical cannon rapidly being formed in her hands. The mechanical engine inside began to whir, electric blue slowly releasing sparks around her while she heaved it up.

"Have you ever seen shattered stars?"

A single streak of blue shot forward.

With that, a pillar of pure energy rose. The destruction completely vaporizing the skull as the ground split into pieces. The pillar that reached into the heavens caused thousands of the steel and silicon to fly towards orbit, visibly scarring the branches and wrappings of silicon around Kevin.

The branches wilted, the arm holding the head visibly burnt. But the battle was not over yet.

"A new age is coming."

Chapter Text

The CHIMERA writhed, its halo now gathering the broken bits of metal of the ground and devouring it above. A crimson black hole gathered fragments of celestial bodies, crashing together whilst being devoured.

"This is the origin of everything and the destruction of everything."

A red fog formed across the sky, gathering more clumps of debris before shattering the barrier set above. Folding under its own pressure, the black hole imploded. A crimson rain of stone endlessly falling upon the Herrshcers.

"The earth's endless history will be recorded by one, by Finality. "

The cascade of meteors were compounded with the flying claws and needles of silicon flesh. The multi-layering of the arm began to regrow, each burnt piece falling apart with new branches acting as connective tissue recreating it. With a single smash, the remaining pieces of land crumbled into bits. Falling endlessly into the void of space, Kiana used her wings to gather momentum through using the falling stones as foothold. Behind her, Mei followed zoomed as an outline of thunder.

Outside of Kiana's eye, she could see Bronya flying up rapidly whilst maneuvering around the grasping hands of the CHIMERA.

"Humans created civilization, and they thought they ruled the planet. But this was just their childhood."

The shell of Kevin's cage broke, he emerged without hesitation, no longer losing to the Will of the Honkai. With a snap of his fingers, the rubble floating around began to fly at the squad. The chunk of mineral was split into pieces by a swing of Kiana's blade. Despite that, the red glow around them intensified. The rocks flew at her with a vengeance.

The few that managed to get through only left bruises on her side. Undeterred, Kiana flew forward. Mei and Bronya followed right by her tail, destroying the flying stones obstructing their way. With a sudden leap, Kiana lunged forward with her sword. The blade lit with purple lightning as it plunged to destroy the encasing of Kevin.

Under 「Earth」, the arena reassembled itself. The cage that once enclosed Kevin fell into pieces and turned itself into material for their stage. Kevin rose above, his hand covering his eye.

Kiana collapsed to her knees, a sharp pain grew rapidly in her head.

"What..is this..?!"

She groaned out. A searing pain was directly on her right eye.

"Kiana!" Mei yelled.

Both Mei and Bronya regrouped with her, only to see that one of her eyes had changed. The pupil symbolizing the Cocoon of Finality, a bright lavender star was missing from one of them.

"Hmph."

Kevin cut from the sky with Shuhadaku of Uriel in his hands. A rift formed, an endless starry landscape that he put his hand through. From there, he descended with the blue flames wrapped around his claws.

"Come, burdens I've carried for 50,000 years."

His eyes slowly opened. On the right side of his face, small luminescent cracks grew from his lower eyelid down to his jawline.

The lavender star's gaze was cold. Void of emotion yet lacking malice.

Above him, light cascaded before taking shape. The symbol of 「Finality」, a halo representing the beginning of everything and the end of everything. The endless samsara that plagued the world.

With the greatsword in his hand, Kevin began to walk over.

Kiana was sweating bullets. Her body felt stuffy and heavy. Even trying to stand up was out of the question right now.

"Bronya, let's go!"

Mei stepped forward. With no time to help Kiana, the two had to keep Kevin at bay. The lightning of「Origin」and the true output of「Reason」would have to face the overwhelming shadow of「Finality」.

Uriel was faster. In an attempt to block it, Mei locked blades with Kevin. The heat was unbearable, her fingers under her gloves burning and even sticking together with them. The orange flames grew rapidly in an attempt to incinerate her.

"Hooh!"

Mei turned her katana downwards, using the weight of the greatsword to land right beside her. With one quick stroke, she slashed into the spiky formation on Kevin's shoulder.

The recovery speed from earlier presented by Kevin had slowed down rapidly. While it was still healing, it no longer was a huge issue. With another severing strike, Mei's lightning desperately grasped at Kevin's neck.

A sudden force caused her to lurch backwards. She couldn't breath.

In that small gap between then, time began to slow down. But Mei couldn't move; she was now stuck between this time-stopped domain.

Kevin calmly stepped forward and with one swipe, a blaze consumed everything.

The aftermath of time resuming threw Mei backwards. A visible wound that cauterized itself formed from her shoulder down to her hip. The air in her lungs was desperately trying to return while she laid injured.

From behind, Bronya plunged forward. Cutting off the spikes decorated across his back, the wing on Kevin was severed. 

"Oof!"

A donkey kick sent her back. She felt the sweat on her begin to turn into steam with the Divine Key right above her.

Under「Binding」, no one was able to use their authority.

"Hkk...fire..!"

Bronya fired off a cascade of plasma at Kevin, her malfunctioning cannons exploding in the process.

With a swipe of it, the majority of the blasts were turned to nothing. The few that landed on him left only minor burns across him.

"Is this all, Herrscher of Reason?" Kevin asked.

Uriel roared, the blade heating up even more. Cracks across Kevin's skin grew before...

The blue ichor dripped down his lip. He began to cough, unable to withhold the portion of Finality he usurped. His focus waned, leaving him in a moment of weakness.

"Hyaaah!"

Kevin was sent into the floor, a crater forming beneath. The violet glow across where he was thrown then devoured him in a cloud of dust. Kiana was breathing heavily, her hands were beginning to feel numb. The supreme blade in her hands was feeling heavier as she pointed it at him.

"Come on, Kevin! It's not over yet!" She brazenly declared.

In the distance, Mei tried to recover as much as she could. Her condition was bad. Her burnt fingers struggled to grip properly and the laceration from Kevin throbbed with pain. But she stood up. She had to. In one step, she closed the distance between her and Kiana, rejoining them.

"What made you so late?" Mei teased.

The small bits of banter had helped cool down some of the tension of the moment.

"Thank you, Kiana."

Bronya stood up, her body covered in large burns and bruises from her altercation with Kevin.

Kevin stood, slicing the air again. From the newly opened rift, an eerie golden glow emanated as he began to usurp Finality once more.

The purple of his pupil changed to a mix of yellow and orange. He submerged himself into the starscape, vanishing for a moment. Then, something fell out.

From there, a monster, no, an Angel descended. The severed wing of Kevin returned, two white leathery masses mixed in with purple Feathers. The black abyss that once pooled around his body altered his bodily structure. The black greatsword devoured by the ancient fires of destruction changed shape. Splitting into a double-edged sword adorned by the heavens. The violet strips acted as decorations, a declaration of his ascension.

A new halo proclaiming the arrival of the emissary. Kevin had integrated Finality into his very being.

Kiana was shocked by the new appearance.

"A honkai beast? No...this is..."

"It's not a matter of choice, or of life and death—"

The combination of both beast and divinity slowly stood up.

"Right now, the will of all people converge into a single wish—"

The stars of the sky shined brighter. Kevin's body levitated with his renewed weapon following suit.

"Step forward. This is the 「Signet of Deliverance」."

Chapter Text

A club forged under burning stars. The Leviathan Bolas. With a single swing, the ground crumbled. In front of the three was the true CHIMERA of humanity. The Leviathan of civilization. Even in his volatile state between imminent destruction and creation, he didn't back down.

"The burden of a hundred beasts... A diabolic descent. A deliverance by the blade—"

The back of his wings cracked open, a crystal blade forming while he danced in the air. Like a knife through hot butter, anything in his way would be cleaved.

Each Herrscher took a step back, avoiding Kevin in there own ways.

Kiana's swift movements using her wings and portals from「Void」to Mei's lightning quick steps with her familiarity over「Thunder」whilst Bronya used her mecha to burst in quick successions with「Reason」.

"It is the chimera of humanity, the end of stigma, the blade that transcends 「Finality」—"

The twin-blade of Uriel soared. Kevin's hands twirled them around, blocking the counter attempts by Kiana and Mei. Each collision between each other gradually worn down their weapons.

"If you cannot overcome it, you cannot carry the dream called fire."

Kiana's nullification over 「Binding」restored everyone's sealed power. Machines formed around Bronya as she readied her reformed weapons. Blasts of plasma, explosives, and even the firing of cannons that humanity has yet to make relentlessly pursued Kevin. Mei vanished briefly before reappearing a few meters away from Kevin. Lightning formed as she sliced off his tail in a single move.

Soaring up in the sky, Kevin crashed down with a blazing arc. His body flew towards the end of the platform with the symbol of「Finality」behind him. At the very center, Kevin gathered around purple sparks before an ominous lavender eclipsed the sky.

Portals of the void formed around him. From those portals, replicas of two Divine Keys pointed forward. The Cleaver of Shamash, and Black 「Abyss」, White 「Flower」.

"This is no problem...for the Herrscher of the Void!" Kiana reached her hand out.

In retaliation, she opened her own portals.

The battlefield was covered with the subspace lances from Kiana and the disintegrating copies of the Previous Era. Then suddenly, all of the portals closed. A golden orb grew in Kevin's hands. With a flick of his fingers, the strange object flew and hit every one of them.

Under「Binding」and「Reason」, the Herrschers' were unable to fight back.

The Pioneer's Constraint, a combination between the Authority of「Binding」and the Authority of「Reason」. Ancient letters danced around those afflicted, leaving them only the ability to run around.

Kevin flew throughout the arena, throwing Uriel repeatedly. Wherever the weapon landed, only scorch earth remained. He constantly pressured on them, using the twin-blade as a javelin than an actual sword. Yet, the blade was beginning to crack. It would soon return back to its original shape.

"This is no problem for the Herrscher of Reason." Bronya stated.

Decoding the constraints, the chains and dancing letters loosened before disappearing. While she was busy, the crystal club descended. The surge of ripples shook the earth, throwing everyone off balance. Kiana was sent in the distance. A circle of spears surrounded her and she was then thrown into the time-stopped domain.

"Ngh..!"

Her limbs lagged, the sands of time were not in her favor. Kiana's vision began to shift slightly as Kevin vanished. Streaks of gold and violet filled the air, an unending assault that cut through her flesh. The sword dance seemed to never end. The small movements of lugging her body took a toll on Kiana's psyche. Her dress was covered in tears, part of it even flying off with each close dodge.

Soon, time resumed.

Kiana flew languidly and stumbled back to her feet.

Shuhadaku of Uriel grew. The double-edged sword returned back to its orgiinal shape. Kevin rose and extended the weapon's length. An unending inferno gathered with its increasing weight.

"No matter what the cost is, humanity shall purge Honkai!"

In one foul swoop, the greatsword severed the arena in unequal thirds. The clean cut left a grand fissure in the platform, leaving smoldering flames behind. Like lightning, he rushed forward and cut Kiana and Mei. The wounds from earlier only grew, the heated slashes growing more in fervor. Whilst he aimed at their vitals, they used brief moments of time-stop to mess with the accuracy and cut less important parts of their body.

Mei ducked under the super-heated blade. Her hair began to burn due to its proximity, but she continued to barely avoid it. With a flip, the incoming delay of slashes missed their target. Bolts of electricity gathered across her entire being. Then, her body vanished.

Kevin's gaze scoured the entire platform, scrutinizing every detail. With a step forward, Kevin returned his focus at Kiana before...

Clang.

The katana returned to its sheath.

"Blade of Dancing Shadows."

Kevin's free arm began to crumble. Thousands of small crevices appeared on his body before a flash of light rended him. His wings began to break apart and his body fell to the ground. The descending flashes seemed to be unending. Visible sparks began to break out of his body, symbolizing his near destruction. Yet, he continued. He marched on.

Kevin rose up immediately after, his body fusing the severe wounds while his wings split open only to spew out bright flames of orange and purple. The mixture propelled him upwards and he held his club high. The crystal around the top broke apart, raining down miniature shards of stars as it soon became a double-edged blade. Lightning emanated from the base rather than flames.

The sword soared forward in short bursts. Bronya swiftly used her jets to slide, avoiding the plunges while Kiana and Mei went to try and deflect them. With a mixture of successes, they left Kevin open for a moment. A myriad of orange rockets and blue blasts came from Bronya as she tried to capitalize on the moment. But, a demented wing blocked the way. The purple feathers began to fall, only the blaze burning keeping Kevin a float. Descending rapidly from up above, Kevin went to skewer Mei.

With her already planning to counter, the blades clanged against each other. A visible chip was now on Mei's katana, the purple blade beginning to waver slightly. Meanwhile, Kevin's weapon broke, both of the blades falling apart like glass. From the double-edged sword came the Leviathan Bolas. The large tip of the blunt weapon smashed into the floor, barely missing her. But, the floor beneath them disappeared with a rift replaced it. The rising energy expelling out had a hold on everyone, trying to prevent their movement. Again, Kevin brought the large piece of star up to hammer down upon the girls.

"Hmph!"

Kiana parried the incoming mallet. The club was thrown into the air and with it, Kevin too. Using the momentum, he returned to the center and held his hand high. The symbol of「Finality」returned. From above came pillars of pure energy in an attempt to pelt the Herrschers. With a zig-zag pattern, Kiana dodged the incoming rain but was suddenly swept off her feet.

Waves emerged from nothing. Like ripples on water, one led to the creation of another. The cascading effect had given an opportunity for a beam of light to smite Kiana.

"Watch your step."

Mei grabbed Kiana's hand and picked her up, narrowly avoiding it. They glided together like ice skaters while Bronya soared in the background.

"..now!" Bronya shouted.

Before them, small blue structures were created and formed a line straight up towards Kevin.

"Understood!"

The duo replied in unison. From there, they hook shot upwards.

Whilst Kevin focused on maintaining his attack, he was bombarded by missiles again. Close behind them was Kiana and Mei. Swift lightning sundered his body, and then Kiana thrust her sword into his side. The symbol of「Finality」crumbled with Kevin. His body was flung downwards, crashing.

"Urgh.." He groaned.

Cracks began to form around his body but he refused to give up. With a gradual stand, he used Shuhadaku of Uriel as a walking stick. The wings that were sundered and damaged by Kiana and Mei flapped,  soaring Kevin to the heavens.

Above Kevin, a lavender black hole formed.

Gathering as much energy as he could, it soared downwards and exploded.

"Ah!"

The three managed to barely avoid it. But the platform was left forever scarred. It was barely holding itself together with an ominous glow of purple similar to that of volcanic rock. At the center of the stage, Kevin enclosed himself off. A barrier formed around him, then another. Thousands upon thousands of layers encased him like a cocoon, leaving himself vulnerable but not in danger. Then, lightning rained around him.

Mei side stepped the defensive attack and ran her katana through the barrier, except, it didn't do a lot of damage. Only a small bit of it disappeared.

Kiana came from the back and stomped on the floor before showering Kevin's chrysalis with as many bullets she could fire. Nothing either.

Bronya's rapid fire of missiles, lasers, and soaring projectiles attempted to breakthrough the barrier. The result was as expected. Nothing.

"Our attacks...had no effect on him?" Mei muttered.

The several high-speed rends and slashes of electricity still did nothing.

"No. It's just that his defense right now is stronger than what we thought." Kiana reassured.

Kiana's sword was deflected by the shield, an audible ding emitted.

"If this continues, we'll be dragged down by our opponent instead." Bronya stated.

She continued to fly around in an attempt to look for a weak spot, using her mechas automatic blasts to keep up with everything.

"It looks like we have to utilize the power of the Herrscher of Reason to create enough Selenes in one go..."

Bronya swerved back from Kevin. The lightning hailing down was aimlessly raining down upon the given area they were in. With a heavy breath, she began to use the authority of 「Reason」. The thousands of consciousnesses bent to Bronya's will. Kiana and Mei circled the cocoon, constantly applying hit-and-run tactics to keep Kevin's limited actions focused on them.

***

Bronya was left alone with her thoughts. From when she used to be known as the Silver Wolf of Urals to the first time she met Seele and to their reunion which led to her inheriting the Core of Reason. It reminded her a bit at Kolosten when they needed to bypass the barrier Otto set up. Now, after giving up her legacy for「Reason」and piecing it back together, she could truly fight side-by-side with her squad from St. Freya. Right now, Bronya needed enough firepower to destroy that barrier. Her body ached, each bone and joint felt like they were forcibly shifted when Kevin hit her earlier.

But right now, the Bronya knew what she had to do.

The blue outlines of the cannons, a projection of creation under「Reason」began. The hours Bronya spent memorizing the schematics and blueprints were all put to work, remembering each and every little detail of Selene.

"Ahhh...!!"

From one to ten, from ten to a hundred, from a hundred to one thousand, from one thousand, to ten thousand.

Bronya's mind was overwhelmed by the sudden stress. She needed to create more. More than she had ever tried before.

With each and every Selene made, another was being created right beside it. Cannons began to overshadow the sky as they all whirred, the electric blue rising from the visible slits symbolizing their preparations.

Her chest began to hurt, she was going beyond what the core was capable of. Visibly, red sparks began to grow as the core risked overloading.

"Not yet...more!!"

Each and every part of her body throbbed in pain, her senses becoming hyper aware of each and every inch of her body. The small scratches to the severe cuts and burns led her to scream. Holding her hand up, she kept creating more and more before...

One hundred thousand Selenes were made.

The sky was overshadowed by the mechanical constructs, each one aimed directly at Kevin. The weapon system whirred in unison. With a weary grin, Bronya lazily flicked her hand.

"Fire."

Kiana and Mei stood by the sidelines, watching the display of their friend's power at its very limit.

An endless bombardment ensued. The bright flashes of light blinded anyone viewing. The barrier began to crumble, the amount of energy being displayed led to the cannons to explode on their own. From the air, Bronya collapsed onto the floor. Her consciousness was barely afloat. Her gaze landed on Kiana and Mei.

"Go...the Bronya...will cheer for...now."

With that small murmur, Bronya passed out.

The dust obscured Kiana and Mei's vision. Before soon settling.

Emerging was Kevin, except he was visibly breaking down. Cracks began to form in his state. The head that was closer to a Chariot honkai beast began to crumble, revealing the starry lavender pupil rather than the gold from earlier. Shuhadaku of Uriel had returned back to a black greatsword, unable to hold the flood of imaginary energy pumped into it during his 「Deliverance」.

The injuries were evident on both sides. Kiana's cut around her waist was beginning to worsen the longer this went on while Mei's cauterized wound pulsated.

"Haha..yes..you have passed..the diabolic test." Kevin coughed out.

His body shifted forward, holding Uriel in both his hands.

Mei stepped forward, lightning consuming her blade.

"Kiana..I'll go first." She muttered.

With each step, her body shook uneasily. The amount of damage accumulated both in body and weapon were at an abysmal state.

"Mei..."

Turning her head, a small smile grew across Mei's face.

"Don't worry, Kiana. Like I said before, "if saving you is a sin. I'll gladly be a sinner.""

With a single step, Mei flew forward. Unsheathing her katana, she began her duel with the First Flame-Chaser.

The sword Mei held, the「Domain of Unity」symbolized both her past and future. Her time back at Chiba Academy when she first met Kiana. The teachings of the sword by her father in her youth. Memories of the 13 Flame-Chasers back in the Elysian Realm came like a wave with each strike she exchanged with Kevin.

The black greatsword empowered by「Finality」was crumbling. Even if Mei was first to break, she knew fully well that Kiana would be able to win from here.

Kiana stood mesmerized by the ensuing duel. The bright flashes of lightning and the devouring flames struggling over dominance.

The two flew around each other, each entering the time-stopped domain and grinding steel against steel.

Each strike was appropriately replied by the other. Uriel's screams were no longer as hot. The flames were losing steam quickly compared to earlier.

Flickering from one side to another, Mei's katana glowed the brightest in that moment.

Lightning that a year ago would never touch him, finally did.

The severance echoed, the torso of his monsterfied state as an emissary shattering. From there, only the broken MANTIS stood.

Shuhadaku of Uriel shrieked for one last time. The torrent of flames threw Mei into the air before striking her down.

Her body smashed through a pillar before laying lax inside, her katana's blade collapsing into nothing but fine dust.

Kevin's body, littered in wounds was back in his diabolic state. The scales and bandages were torn, the foreign black matter across his body dripping slowly. The blue ichor soon turned red. His body was at its very limit and bound to collapse. 「Garuda」(Hua's ICHOR) could no longer keep him together.

"Well done...Herrscher of Thunder." Kevin commended.

Everything he felt in that moment bared down at him. Kevin wanted to give up—but he promised her. He wouldn't. He couldn't. This was his lone battle. These were his sins he must bear alone.

Kiana took a step back and pointed her cracked sword. The blade symbolizing the moon, symbolizing「Finality」pointed at him. Shuhadaku of Uriel, the blade that transcended the end would soon crumble. The last combatants, two Kaslanas both bearing Finality.

Chapter Text

The air was still with tension. The roaring flames of destruction from Uriel faded, now only an empty black greatsword. Within a single exchange, the two were on their knees. Kevin's body was breaking apart rapidly. Cracks that formed beneath his eyelids now stretching towards his neck.

"Hah...hah." He held his hand over his eye.

The star pupils of his dilated. His body was rapidly reaching its limit.

Kiana's sword began to crack. The ground beneath them trembled, it too was symbolizing the end.

"Let's finish this, Kevin." Kiana stated.

He was starting to disappear, fading away into imaginary energy. But he refused. His consciousness held on, forcing himself to keep moving forward.

"Yes." He replied.

With the black blade in hand, he held it out and called forth any remaining fire left inside.

Kiana, in turn, lowered her stance to stab forward.

The two ran forward at each other, their swords exploding at the same time.

The violet purple sent Kevin's body across the ground near the edge between uneven plates. The scales on him began to crumble as his horns disintegrated.

The body held together by a single fire could no longer fly anymore.

Kiana fell to her knees, her hands trembling with every nerve inside screaming in anguish.

"Not...yet." Kevin mumbled.

Desperately grasping the now destroyed Shuhadaku of Uriel, he tried to get up. The desperate attempts of the man led to his feet breaking apart, the black scales scattering across the ground like marbles. His eyes, the blue of the Kaslanas with the star pupil of Finality and his white hair. He heaved upwards to the heavens only to fall once more.

'Should I...give up?'

The thought echoed silently in his mind. The fire within him had finally burned out. The last of the MOTHs, the last Flamechaser, laid prone across the ground.

'..MEI...'

Memories that he kept hidden for millenniums resurfaced. The days he spent with Dr. MEI, the first honkai beast he killed with a baseball bat, to where he first met Elysia, to the time he spent as one of the 13 Flame-Chasers and all the way to the 15 hours before「Finality」would resume.

His head thought of all those that he had been with. Dr. MEI, Elysia, Aponia, Eden, Vill-V, Kalpas, Su, SAKURA, Kosma, Mobius, Griseo, Hua, and Felis. The Thirteen Flame-Chasers, like moths drawn to a flame.

Was it time for him to rest?

His constant efforts, a combination of his stubbornness to carry the burden and keeping his promise, at least this one, was etched into his very being. He had finished testing these girls. They had proved they can transcend 「Finality」.

But was that really the end he wanted?

Kevin's body began to move again. A renewed fervor etched into his eyes with the broken claymore in his hands. He held it up high, and closed his eyes.

Expectations, regrets, and old memories flooded him. With one final dash, he would showcase why he was a hero.

"My old friend..."

His fingers tightened around Shamash, ashes long wasted.

"Let's go. This time, I'm loading my own life into the chamber..."

The black greatsword illuminated. The shower of embers cascading as it shed its form. Kevin's body seized, his voice cried out. Pain grew across with every single nerve in his body. His crumbling body fused back together, the assortment of spikes and scales molting back to human flesh. He stood tall, one last time. No longer is he the Chimera of Humanity, the usurper of Finality, the Sire of World Serpent, nor the last Flame-Chaser.

Right now, he was just Kevin.

Shuhadaku of Uriel crumbled, the shell of「Finality」encasing it disappeared. From the ashes of a bygone era, the Cleaver of Shamash was reborn.

The overwhelming blaze consumed the entirety of the sky. Kevin's blade that he had kept by his side for all this time roared. One final cry into the night, before the end.

"And expect you to transcend everything!"

With a stomp, he rose.

Across from him, Kiana couldn't move. Her body and consciousness were already at their limit. Her sword, snapped in two, wouldn't be able to pierce through tofu.

But a familiar silhouette gently held the base with her.

"Kiana, this isn't the end."

A familiar silhouette, the fiery red hair blew with the solar winds.

"...Himeko..sensei."

In Kiana's pocket, she took out the smashed fragment of Surtr.

The same sword that she used as a base when she first became the Herrscher of Flamescion.

The same sword that she brought to stop her rampage.

The same sword that was destroyed because of her.

"You're right...it's not the end..."

A single step forward, she held the fragment over her severed blade. A renewed blaze, an everlasting flame, consumed Kiana's splintered broadsword.

The two Kaslanas stared at each other. Both swords were renewed, the strands of red hair flying between them.

***

A memory from long ago rose inside Kevin. Right after when he had his Meta-Morph surgery, and right before he truly got Judgement of Shamash. In the cold cell of glass laid HIMEKO.

Today, was the day of her execution.

"Haha..come to see me off, Kevin?"

Her voice was weak. Her injuries hadn't healed since she was suppressed by him earlier in Syndey. The freezing cold emanating from him didn't seem to bother the Herrscher.

"Under Dr. MEI's orders, HIMEKO, you have been sentenced to death."

Kevin replied, keeping his cold tone.

"Of course. I became a Herrscher and annihilated an entire continent...this is my karma."

Behind them, there was banging against the door that led inside the room. The screams of a young girl, desperately pleading to be let in. To at least witness what would happen.

"I will now proceed."

Kevin's hands began to change into claws. A result of becoming something neither human nor honkai.

"Kaslana."

The long locks of red, disheveled seemed to have swayed for a moment.

"Tell Hua...that I'm sorry. And..."

Her gaze, weak but with a grin plastered on her face.

"I'm sorry that you have to do this, Kevin."

With a single snap, the embers that laid were devoured by the eternal freeze.

The Core of Flames gently tumbled onto the steel floor.

***

The two greatswords clashed. Kiana's sword was swallowed with it getting closer to the shape of Surtr. Arcs of flames slammed into each other, the Cleaver of Shamash's innate destruction fighting for dominance to this era's Herrscher of Flames, or rather, the Herrscher of Flamescion.

The Cleaver of Shamash kept exceeding its limit with each and every move. The destroyed blade held on, the Divine Key's soulium crumbling and reforming at the same time.

Each swing against another led to both stumbling. Their bodies wanting to rest but their spirits still raged on.

From the floor, Kiana threw her body upwards. Following her was the edge of Surtr, its dying flames dragging right behind her back before creating a beautiful wheel of fire towards the earth.

Kevin fell backwards. The ground beneath them shifted ominously.

"Show me, my descendant. Show me your resolve!"

This would be the last exchange.

Shamash was raised high above Kevin.

Surtr remained lowered.

The two ran forward. Two crescents of different angles colliding.

With one final slash, one final strike.

Shamash shattered.

***

When Kiana opened her eyes, she was in front of the Cocoon of Finality. The previous arena was gone with only starry waters surrounding her.

She was no longer wearing the dress form earlier. The familiar Valkyrie uniform was back on her just like when she first enrolled into St. Freya.

Gentle steps echoed across the vast ocean, rippling as a familiar figure approached.

"..Kevin?"

The outfit he wore was different. No longer was it the coat and turtleneck he wore to battle all these times.

He was in a school uniform, a vest without sleeves that draped over him and a necklace. Bits of bandage covered his leg and shoulder with one holding the thigh bag in place.

"You win."

A gentle smile grew across his face.

"Is...this the end?"

Kiana's voice was filled with uncertainty as she could only stare at him.

"Yes, this is the end."

He took his hand off his shoulder and put it by his side.

"The remnants of Project STIGMA will also be under your dominion.. and you will become the true Goddess of earth."

Kevin gestured towards the large celestial body before them. Its dormant state seeming unbothered by their presence.

"I have no interest in that."

Kiana replied, staring at that thing.

"But this is the first step for humanity to cross finality."

He faced the large eye of it, the mix of purple, violet and lavender of a star.

"Right right, but let's not talk about some gods anymore."

A bat slid down Kiana's sleeve. Then she pointed at him.

"What about the opposite?  Would you like an interaction between humans?"

The smile on Kevin's face grew. He twirled his own bat between his hands.

"Pft..haha. That's also interesting."

The two stepped forward.