At that moment, another puppet appeared—and the space around them split apart.
In an instant, Bronya and Seele were separated into different scenes.
"Again? It seems they have some kind of spatial manipulation ability here."
Standing once more on the colosseum-like platform, Seele calmly analyzed the situation.
"My, my~ It's been so long since we last met. So? Have you made up your mind? Will you join us?"
"I'll never join you! And what have you done to Bronya-oneechan?!"
Seele's resolute refusal made the Herrscher of Dominance click its tongue in displeasure.
"Who knows~ Maybe the others are doing something fun to that cute little girl. Maybe she'll stay here… forever."
"You—! I will defeat you and save Bronya-oneechan!"
Gripping her scythe, Seele mustered her courage and glared at the puppet.
The Herrscher of Dominance only laughed before summoning a swarm of Titan mechs and Honkai beasts.
"Hahaha! Defeat me? With your cowardice? Play with these first—try not to die~"
With that, the puppet vanished, leaving Seele alone against the enemies.
Faced with so many foes at once, her courage wavered—she had never fought alone like this before.
"Other me… please help me."
"Hah?! Weren't you the one who said you'd rely on yourself? Changed your mind already?"
『Seele』's voice was laced with disbelief.
Seele's expression dimmed, but her gaze remained firm.
"I do want to prove myself… but Bronya-oneechan is in danger. Stubborn pride won't help now. There's no shame in admitting weakness… So please, other me—help me save her."
"...Tch. Fine. Leave it to me."
Inside Seele's consciousness, 『Seele』 cupped her face, pressing their foreheads together.
Outside, Seele's body transformed—crimson energy surged around her as her scythe morphed into two floating blood-red claws, each adorned with a sinister glowing eye.
"This time… the hunter becomes the hunted."
With a single swipe, the claws tore through enemies like paper.
Within moments, the platform was littered with corpses.
Then, the Herrscher of Dominance reappeared.
"Ohhh? It's you—the other Seele! No wonder you crushed our toys so easily~ So strong! Won't you join us?"
"Shut up. Tell me where Bronya is—now—or I'll rip you apart!"
The familiar taunting voice only fueled 『Seele』's rage.
This thing had tried to make her betray Seele—an unforgivable sin.
"So scary~ But did you really think this was all we could do? Let's invite some new guests~ Beat them, and I'll take you to her."
Quantum monsters materialized—crabs, mosquitoes, creatures from the Sea of Quanta.
"Tch. Just these? Pathetic."
Back in the Sea of Quanta, 『Seele』 had slaughtered countless of these to protect her other self.
She annihilated them without breaking a sweat.
"So fast! So amazing! Join us! Why waste your power hiding inside a coward?"
"I said—SHUT YOUR MOUTH, VERMIN!"
Grabbing the puppet's face, 『Seele』 snarled—but it only grinned wider.
With a wave, the scenery shifted again.
"Seele!"
Bronya's voice.
Turning, 『Seele』 saw her—surrounded by monsters.
Dropping the puppet, she lunged into the fray, carving a path to Bronya.
"Seele… You're not the Seele Bronya knows, are you?"
Bronya knew Seele too well.
This violent, ruthless fighter—this wasn't her Seele.
『Seele』 wasn't surprised.
Their personalities were polar opposites. Even a stranger could tell.
"No time for that. We need to leave."
"...Right."
As Bronya analyzed their escape, 『Seele』 guarded her.
Finally, Bronya found their way out.
"There—a spatial anomaly. Bronya recognizes it… It's like Idiotka Kiana's power. If we force it open, we can escape."
"Then let's go."
Slashing through waves of puppets, they reached the rift—
—and 『Seele』 tore it wide open with raw strength.
Together, they leaped through.
A flash of light—
—and they were back in reality.