"ROAR!"
The lava had cooled into scorched earth, giving way to the spreading frozen landscape ravaged mercilessly for miles around by blizzards—the source being the colossal dragon roaring through the skies above.
Benares, inherently a Judgment-class Honkai Beast, already possessed Herrscher-level Honkai Energy. Combined with the Ice and Wind Herrschers' abilities shared by Sirin at that moment, she was truly formidable.
In summary, it was incredibly durable and powerful, with limitless energy, astonishing recovery capabilities, and even a fucking resurrection ability as insurance.
For what might have been the eighth or ninth time, Wendy was sent crashing to the ground by Benares's impact, her face beneath the black armor flushed unusually.
"Ugh!"
Wendy removed her helmet, spat out the blood welling up in her throat, caught her breath, then casually wiped away the crimson stain from her lips.
"Just like its master—such a pain!" she muttered to herself.
"How are your injuries?" Bronya's concerned voice echoed in her ear.
Shaking her head, Wendy promptly opened the squad's shared communication channel.
"I'm fine. Listen, this creature's strength surpasses our expectations, but its weaknesses are equally apparent. It lacks experience; during combat, it doesn't exhibit proper tactical awareness or discipline—it relies solely on instinct, seemingly unable to comprehend our various strategies... In short, attempting to kill it is futile due to its immense vitality and high likelihood of resurrection. However, exploiting its sluggishness, we may be able to trap it instead. Ana, Seele, I have an idea that requires your cooperation."
[Understood, Seele and Wendy!]
[I believe you, Senior Wendy!]
The trio temporarily eased their offensive to quickly exchange some strategic ideas.
Meanwhile, Bronya intensified the worker bees' assault while ordering Sin within the high walls to unleash her full firepower with relentless ranged attacks, filling the gap left by the trio's withdrawal and keeping Benares pinned in midair.
Just as Wendy observed, Benares indeed lacked combat experience. Unaware of the subtle changes unfolding around her, she relied solely on her superior strength and energy reserves to resist and counterattack.
As they coordinated their tactics, however, Benares inadvertently glanced in the direction where Kiana had disappeared during a brief lull in battle.
My Queen...
Benares felt perplexed; although she didn't know what exactly had transpired, she sensed the same presence of her Queen emanating from Kiana.
The aura emanating from Kiana felt akin to Sirin's, along with that familiar telepathic connection. It led Benares to a ludicrous yet seemingly plausible conclusion—had her Queen unknowingly split into two?
Despite Kiana's completely different appearance and personality, even not recognizing Benares at all, something deep within Benares' soul told her this was also her mistress.
Witnessing the battle between Sirin and Kiana... truthfully, Benares had been utterly bewildered, unsure whether she should assist Sirin or not.
Fortunately, the unfolding situation resolved Benares' dilemma. Faced with a conflict between two Queens, she didn't know what to do; thus, her choice became clear—to eliminate the other enemies first before considering her next move.
"ROAR!!!"
After enduring another blast of Dawn's light, Benares observed the distant swarm and the massive base unscathed far away. With a flap of her wings, the howling winds intensified, focusing towards the impregnable fortress city.
Benares charged forward.
Atop the towering circular platform within the Theater of Domination, two figures crashed into the stone bricks with deafening thuds.
Boom! Boom!!
"Damn!"
"Kiana..."
"I'm just venting because it hurts like hell, okay?!"
"All right..." Raiden Mei stood up, wielding her blade. With a flash of lightning, the dust on her body dissipated entirely, deep concern etched in her gaze as she looked at Kiana.
Without access to Herrscher powers, how could Kiana possibly contend against Sirin? Her only recourse was sheer determination and pushing herself to the limit.
Simultaneously, Kiana rose to her feet amidst flames hot enough to melt rock. She cracked her neck, wincing momentarily before solemnly gazing skyward at the slowly descending Queen of the Void, whose presence weighed heavily upon the world.
"Hey, you redecorated this place? Looks pretty awful!" The Bright-Dazzling Blade dragged behind Kiana, melting the foundation beneath her feet. She tilted her head back, smiling brightly as she commented.
In reality, forcefully containing this unruly Divine Key while simultaneously harnessing fragments of the Key of Judgment's power left her in such agony that if Zeke were here, she'd instantly collapse into his arms, writhing and weeping from pain. Unfortunately, Zeke wasn't present, nor did Kiana wish for him to be; it would signify her failure.
Sirin looked down at them both, her icy gaze slowly shifting toward Kiana's radiant smile.
"Your smooth talk—is it to mask your fear?"
"Do I look scared to you?"
"I couldn't care less about the emotions of those on the brink of death."
"Don't be so sure of yourself!"
"You're already trapped within my world. What, do you still think there's... Oh right, almost forgot—you could always cry for that man's help, can't you? Go ahead, summon him! Today, no one can save you two!"
Having made her threat clear, Sirin lost patience and lingered no longer. This theater was her domain; she had full confidence in dealing with anyone who entered here. But why invite unnecessary trouble? The sooner she obtained these abilities, the better to avoid any unforeseen complications.
With her decision made, Sirin raised her hand, coalescing fluid currents, freezing gusts, and deathly energy in the sky above. Accompanied by unstable ripples through space, her ultimate attack enveloped both enemies.
In her own world, Sirin surrounded her opponents—quite literally.
As danger loomed closer, Raiden Mei unexpectedly deactivated the Phantom Armor, sheathing her sword and relinquishing all aggression and momentum. She stepped up beside Kiana.
"Mei..."
Kiana murmured something and then found herself embraced by Raiden Mei, their foreheads pressed together.
The scorching heat emanating from Kiana's body involuntarily paled Raiden Mei's face, but she endured it. She knew this slight discomfort was nothing compared to what her friend was enduring.
"Stay strong, Kiana," Raiden Mei whispered gently, her eyes brimming with encouragement and blessings.
"Mei..." Repeating her name, Kiana gazed into the eyes of her closest friend at arm's length, took a deep breath, and broke into a radiant smile.
"Thank you, Mei, for always indulging my whims."
"Silly girl, that's what friends do! Come back soon—I'll be waiting for you at home."
"I will!"
Their foreheads touching, the two girls radiated an unmistakable depth of genuine affection. However, witnessing such a sudden display amidst battle made Sirin frown unconsciously.
"How absurd... What exactly are you—huh?!?"
"Pfft!" As Sirin stared in utter bewilderment, Kiana abruptly thrust her hand through Raiden Mei's abdomen, drawing forth a torrent of blood. What the hell is going on? Why did they suddenly start fighting each other? Sirin's mind filled with question marks.
Blood welled from Raiden Mei's lips, yet her gaze toward Kiana grew even softer.
"Stay strong; I believe in you, Kiana..."
With these gentle words of encouragement, Raiden Mei thrust both her sword and its sheath into the ground.
Simultaneously, a familiar black mist engulfed her body, swallowing her up within seconds.
Only Kiana remained, her palm extended, still dripping with warm blood.
"Hmph!"
Kiana sniffled, burning away the tears threatening to spill over. She lifted her head towards Sirin, as arcs of electricity began crackling around her form.
"Hey! For your sake, dear Mei got hurt, Sirin! You owe her at least a hundredfold repayment for her suffering—prepare yourself!" Kiana raised Bright-Dazzling Blade, pointing it directly at Sirin, each word enunciated firmly.
"What is this?"
Caught off guard by Kiana's declaration, Sirin watched as Kiana slowly drew the longsword left behind by Raiden Mei.
Dual blades in hand—one radiating holy flames, the other shimmering with lightning—Kiana's Honkai Energy surged to unprecedented heights.