"Might of An-Utu!"
"Short-inch Strike—Parting the Heavens!"
In the vast expanse of the duel arena, the most formidable Fusion Warrior from fifty thousand years past clashed with the mythic figure of present day. One wielded a colossal sword, while the other unleashed a palm strike powerful enough to rend the heavens. Their confrontation unfolded amidst the desolate landscape.
"BOOM!!!"
The earth trembled for miles, hurling countless shards of rock high into the sky. At the epicenter where their forms collided, a massive crater of unfathomable depth appeared.
After the impact, both combatants hovered midair, locked in each other's gaze, their bodies radiating boundless Honkai Energy.
"Hua, you've grown stronger—far surpassing your strength from fifty thousand years ago."
Kevin held Might of An-Utu at an angle, his cold demeanor gradually softening as a faint smile emerged at the corners of his lips.
Fu Hua smiled wryly and waved her hand dismissively. "You're still just as impressive as ever. No matter how hard I try, it feels impossible to catch up."
"You're too modest. This isn't your original body, yet achieving this level with a Soulium form is truly astonishing. Besides, aren't you more adept at attacks within the consciousness domain?"
"Would you like to give it a try, Kevin?"
"I assume that's the purpose of our sparring session—Su's suggestion, no doubt?" Kevin spoke evenly, showing neither joy nor sorrow. It seemed he harbored no resentment over his old friends making plans behind his back.
Fu Hua gently twirled a strand of her gray hair hanging near her temple and offered him an apologetic smile.
"My apologies; we meant no harm. Su shared your experiences and concerns with me, hoping I could be of some help... But can wounds of the heart truly be mended by outsiders? Perhaps all I can do is share my current state of mind with you. Are you willing, Kevin?"
"...Yes." After a brief silence, Kevin nodded in agreement. He didn't believe it would change anything, but considering the concern from both Su and Fu Hua, he saw no reason to refuse.
With her left hand placed behind her back, Fu Hua slowly raised her right, assuming a starting stance as her consciousness power radiated outward.
Moments later, Kevin found himself standing by a vast lake with mirror-like waters. A gentle breeze blew, revealing a clear sky adorned with wisps of clouds above.
"This is..."
Kevin lowered his sword, and instinctively placed his other hand on his chest.
A peculiar sense of tranquility washed over him.
Unlike the indifference he felt while observing countless world bubbles birth and decay from within the Sea of Quanta, this was a different kind of calm—a void where self and surroundings merged, experiencing infinity with both nature and oneself... However, the sensation lasted only briefly before Kevin could no longer feel that wondrous peace, returning to the usual emptiness and silence.
With another blink, Kevin found himself back at the combat arena Su had constructed.
"Ah..." Fu Hua shook her head, letting out a sigh.
"Kevin, I've experienced much and lost even more. Despite some memories fading due to the Divine Key's influence and my need to maintain my original intent, they were not without meaning. Through those losses, I endured torment, contemplated, and achieved enlightenment, reaching my current state of mind.
My heart once bore numerous scars, perhaps still does, but I continued moving forward nonetheless. Whether this mindset can inspire you or not, remember, we are friends. You are not alone, Kevin."
Fu Hua spoke softly, accompanied by her gentle smile.
Kevin fell into a prolonged silence.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure."
"So, shall we continue?"
"Certainly. I genuinely want to see your limits and determine if, after all these years, I have come close enough to match you."
Fu Hua replied, adopting a martial stance.
"Boom!!!"
After a prolonged battle, which could also be seen as an extended sparring session, Su released the shattered little world.
Kevin, sword in hand, walked across the grassy path back home, his breaths slowing from rapid to steady, gradually calming his surging Honkai Energy.
Fu Hua's lips curved slightly into a faint smile as she floated beside Kevin—yes, her Soulium body had been destroyed, marking the primary reason for the fight's conclusion.
Upon reaching their residential area, they found that Su had already prepared an abundant feast, eagerly awaiting their arrival with a warm smile.
Then, Fu Hua noticed the mansion door opening nearby, revealing Zeke carrying Kiana in his arms.
Kiana nestled close to Zeke, her hands wrapped around his neck and face buried against his chest, appearing both affectionate yet bashfully avoiding eye contact.
Seeing Kiana hadn't come out on her own, Fu Hua furrowed her brow.
"What happened to Kiana? Did her condition suddenly worsen?"
"She overdid it during circulation therapy; just give her some time to recover," Zeke calmly explained while gently stroking the small head resting in his embrace.
"I see, that's good then."
Relieved, Fu Hua nodded. Since circulation therapy was beneficial, there wasn't any cause for concern.
Not only did she feel reassured, but the two other fifty-thousand-year celibates present didn't perceive anything amiss either.
However, Kiana, tucked in Zeke's arms, had turned so red her face seemed ready to drip blood.
With Kiana still in his arms, Zeke casually sat down, placing her on his lap. As he continued to gently stroke her silky hair, he glanced at Fu Hua and nonchalantly asked:
"So, just like that, the Soulium body is ruined?"
"Yes, Kevin's strength remains unparalleled as always; there was nothing I could do..."
"And the materials? Can I recover them?" Zeke queried lightly.
"Eh?" Fu Hua's astral form flickered momentarily, akin to a TV screen glitching.
No, with Su dismantling the world bubble, that entity likely vanished completely—Fu Hua sought help from Su with a pleading gaze.
Smiling, Su lowered his head, examining his chopsticks and bowl as if discovering a piece of fine art.
Fu Hua fell silent.
Then she felt the intense pressure under Zeke's deadpan stare.
With forced cheerfulness, Fu Hua suggested:
"Well, um, how about considering it a gift to me?"
"That's Soulium, extremely rare."
"...In any case, it's gone now."
"Alright then, you owe me two kilograms of Soulium. Noted."
Fu Hua's smile froze, followed by a slight pout as she resentfully looked at Zeke.
Zeke's expression remained unchanged, his eyes unblinking.
After three seconds, Fu Hua nodded reluctantly.
"Fine."
"Let's continue eating."
"Can you give me another body? I can't eat like this."
"Nope. Do you think I'm some store clerk to fetch items from shelves for you at your beck and call?" Zeke replied mildly.
Fu Hua's gaze turned even more resentful—As if anyone would believe that! Hadn't he just effortlessly crafted her Soulium body right before her eyes? Was it really so amusing to tease her like this?
However, Zeke's playful mood indicated that Kiana was indeed doing well, putting Fu Hua somewhat at ease. With this thought, she regained her smile; missing one meal wasn't such a big deal after all.
"Ah—"
Zeke picked up a meatball with his chopsticks, patted Kiana's head gently, and signaled for her to open her mouth to eat.
Kiana hesitated briefly, then abruptly pushed away Zeke, sat down beside him, and, blushing, exclaimed, "I can feed myself! Don't treat me like a child!"
Unconsciously pressing on her oddly swollen abdomen, Kiana gritted her teeth, grabbed her chopsticks, and began devouring her food with vigor, as Su watched in awe, likening it to a storm sweeping through fallen leaves.
While not particularly graceful, seeing Kiana's hearty appetite, Zeke slowly put down his own chopsticks, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Eat slower, no one is competing with you."
"Mmmph... mmm..."
"As long as you enjoy it, I'll ask for the recipe later."
"Mmmph..."
"Haven't I introduced them to you before? Right, guess not—let me explain then. This is Kevin Kaslana... Don't widen your eyes; he truly is the original progenitor of the Kaslana family, and the strongest Fusion Warrior from the pre-epoch era. And this here is Su, also from fifty thousand years ago. Similar to Fu Hua, his mastery of consciousness domains is exceptional, and he's one of the few who grasps Cosmic Juggernaut. Just remember their names for now; we can delve deeper later."
"Uhmmmmm?" Kiana puffed out her cheeks, staring at Kevin while inching closer to Zeke, mumbling something indistinctly.
Zeke rolled his eyes and responded, "Of course I'm stronger, if it comes to a fight, I have plenty of ways to handle him... Focus on eating instead, look at all that grease around your mouth!"
With a sigh, Zeke took out a clean handkerchief and gently wiped away the soup stains from the corner of Kiana's lips.
Kiana obediently let Zeke tend to her, then swiftly picked up a meatball with her chopsticks and brought it close to Zeke's mouth.
"(?`?????) Mmphh?"
"Yes, they're quite good. If you like them, feel free to have more."
Zeke opened his mouth and nonchalantly tasted the meatball—then promptly picked up the entire plate and placed it next to Kiana.
Her eyes sparkled with delight, resembling a contented little animal being fed treats.
Fu Hua, Su, and Kevin were speechless.
For some inexplicable reason, these three Fusion Warriors, who hadn't eaten anything yet, suddenly felt as if they had overindulged.