The War Temple leaped down from Hua's head.
A crimson meteor, wreathed in the flowing light of a misty haze, charged straight into the meteor shower manipulated by Finality's companion beast!
The Authority of Sentience controlled by Leo was not particularly subtle.
When its mental attacks proved ineffective, it could only use its psychokinesis to pull meteoroids from the surrounding space. Aided by the powerful senses granted by the Authority of Sentience, this meteor shower, unweakened by any atmosphere, was a truly spectacular sight.
At the very least, it was enough to scour a planet's surface.
The War Temple's plan was quite direct. It intended to take on Leo head-on, protected by the mental barrier granted by the Monarch. While weakening the enemy's Authority, it would create a deliberate opening for the enemy to "seize" the chance to invade its mind, simultaneously creating a one-hit-kill opportunity for Hua.
Moreover, it didn't matter if Hua failed. The War Temple still held the ultimate move of "self-destruction" in reserve.
No matter what, it had a way to defeat Leo... the only difference was the "cost."
"You!"
The War Temple gave Hua no chance to negotiate or refuse—even if there was only a sliver of a possibility, it had to be made a reality.
Its figure, dissolving into starlight before Hua, played a magnificent and thunderous symphony amidst the downpour of meteors.
In that moment, Hua felt as if she was seeing the familiar back of her captain, walking toward the battlefield every time they set out on a mission.
Never hesitating, never stopping, never faltering.
"Captain."
This memory had once inspired Hua to move forward, yet it had also caused her to toss and turn through countless sleepless nights.
In this moment, through the phantom of her captain, she understood the reason for that unwavering resolve—once, it was for humanity; now, it was for civilization.
"I..."
Soaring flames transformed into boundless wings as a crimson firebird spread its pinions!
"Can do it!!"
The Grips of Tai Xuan, which had been flowing like golden threads at the firebird's wingtips, now reverted to their initial Xuanyuan Sword form. Countless Xuanyuan Swords soared through the deep void alongside the ascending firebird!
Himeko's image instantly turned to embers and ash, dissipating from Hua's memory. As a warrior, she was now madly burning her own memories and potential.
"Sword Heart!"
"Sword Form!"
"Sword Intent!"
"Sword Soul!"
"Tai Xu... Sword God!!!"
ZING!!!
A morning star, as bright as day, shone above.
A majestic golden Sword God, a crimson cutting edge—this was a true Tai Xu Sword God, its grandeur and magnificence far surpassing the Fenghuang Down · First Rated Output used by Aponia!
"So this is..."
Within the ashes scattered by the shockwave, the War Temple's gaze burned as it looked upon the sky-piercing greatsword that Hua had become.
"The power the Monarch spoke of."
The War Temple had given no chance for refusal, and Hua had directly used her actions as her answer, proving that her resolve shone with the brilliance of a star!
BOOM!!!!!!
Body and soul were utterly annihilated!
Leo... had fallen.
---o---
CLANG!!
A whip-like scorpion tail sent the Famine Temple flying.
The blow looked powerful, but in reality, it failed to even breach the Famine Temple's defense. Its defensive technique, Winter · Ideal City, formed by fusing its greatshield with its Authority, was capable of withstanding all things, completely neutralizing the destructive force.
At the same time—
"Heeyah!"
Honeycomb-like launchers opened from Babbage's shoulder pauldrons, and a dense swarm of missiles surged toward Scorpio!
BOOM! xN
CRACK!
Amidst the continuous explosions, the Famine Temple, having instantly regained its footing, raised its combined lance and greatshield high. From the sharp tip of the battle-axe, a pillar of blue-gold light shot toward the heavens!
"Release!!"
"With this—"
Dusk · Distant Kingdom!
The piercing, brilliant pillar of light transformed into a cutting edge, cleaving down upon Scorpio as it emerged from the explosions!
"Annihilate all my foes!!!"
BOOM!!!!
"..."
A long time later, Scorpio's Honkai Core, without even lasting long enough for Vill-V to analyze it, shattered into powder in Babbage's hands, never to be reassembled.
"You—"
"With your level of skill, you're only ranked as the Fifth Seat?"
Turning around to face the Famine Temple, whose chilling aura was steadily receding, Vill-V spoke word by word in an emotive, mechanical voice.
"..."
"The Monarch's favor."
The Famine Temple's duty specialized in "protection."
Its actual combat power and strategic abilities were unknown to all. Only one thing was certain: the Monarch's most "fundamental" attribute was "ice," and the first Authority he came into contact with was "flame," its polar opposite, yet inextricably linked.
Therefore...
"I see."
Vill-V nodded thoughtfully, her gaze following the stream of light as the Authority returned.
"Our conditions seem to be pretty good."
"Should we..."
The Famine Temple cut off the latter half of Vill-V's sentence.
"No."
"We will follow the Monarch's orders."
"...Alrighty then~"
---o---
"This won't work if it keeps up."
Aboard the White Whale, Kosma, having just fired a beam of light, was gathering his energy again. The massive wind shield enveloping the White Whale had only barely managed to block Gemini's attack with the help of Griseo's "colors."
There were two of Finality's Gemini companion beasts.
They respectively controlled the "creation" and "wither" aspects of the Authority of Death.
The former possessed the ability of infinite resurrection, capable of reviving its other half on the spot even if its core was shattered. The latter's destructive power was utterly terrifying, and no means outside of its Authority could affect it.
White Whale for interference, Griseo for support, Plague Temple for defense, and Kosma for offense—this already near-perfect team composition had only managed to fight their opponents to a stalemate.
The only threatening attack they had landed was when the White Whale, at the cost of taking damage itself, had used a solidified shield constructed with the Authority of Sentience to block Gemini's Light of Wither, creating a surprise attack opportunity for the Plague Temple.
Unfortunately, although the Authority of Wind had excellent piercing power, it was somewhat outmatched against an opponent that could create a core from nothing. On the other hand, Kosma's light cannon posed a greater threat—it wasn't just about pure destructive power. All attacks used by the Collapsed State Kosma were imbued with the "devouring" characteristic of Vishnu.
The enemy's Authority was diminishing with each exchange.
However, Gemini's strength was in the upper echelon among all of Finality's companion beasts. Even with four of them fighting it, they could not guarantee victory in a war of attrition.
"Miss."
"Your ability, can it connect all of us with the gentleman over there?"
The role of the strategist in this small team clearly fell to Mr. White Whale.
"My paintbrush?"
"..."
"I can."
Amidst the violent tremors, Griseo steadied herself and hesitated for a moment while looking at the paintbrush in her hand, before slowly nodding in reply.