The battle persisted for a long time.
Initially, Theresa expected to gain the upper hand, assuming that as she familiarized herself with the unfamiliar Power of Binding over time, she would gradually mitigate its weakening effect. This, in turn, would allow her to dominate the stalemate on the battlefield.
However, as her counterpart relentlessly advanced towards the divine entity within the white space, Theresa noticed that the Herrscher personality's power was also intensifying.
'No, if this stalemate continues, I'll be completely under the God of Honkai's control—no wonder she isn't rushing at all. She doesn't need to suppress me; she just has to ensure she remains undefeated until the moment we fully embrace Honkai.'
"Ugh!"
Impatience led to vulnerabilities, and suddenly, Theresa felt her abilities weakening, her thoughts becoming heavy and sluggish.
"Boom!!"
Herrscher Theresa struck Theresa across the face with Judah, sending her flying violently away.
"Hahaha! You finally understand, under the gaze of God, we will ultimately complete our final transformation! You've failed, fool!"
As Theresa was sent flying backward, she hurled Judah at Herrscher Theresa's relentless advance, forcing her to retreat amidst laughter. Upon landing, Theresa felt drained and dropped to one knee, panting heavily.
"Pant... Pant... Pant..."
"Suddenly... Suddenly everything feels so heavy. Is this also due to that God's influence?"
"Approaching God empowers His apostles while weakening the unworthy humans. Did you find it hard to understand?" After touching down from afar, Herrscher Theresa casually asked. With victory already within reach, she had no qualms about wasting more time—after all, time was on the side of the Herrschers, working in their favor as they dragged out the conflict.
Expressionless, Theresa rose to her feet as Judah flew back into her hand.
"What a pity! I thought I might have lured you over!"
"Oh? Was it just a trap then? Or were you genuinely weakened before, now bluffing to deter me from pressing my advantage?"
"You guess."
"I won't. Why should I gamble with uncertain outcomes? Victory is mine for the taking if I simply wait; why bother betting against you?" Herrscher Theresa smiled, her eyes filled with intense malice.
Theresa sighed and shook her head. "I thought you were someone with integrity, but it turns out you only rely on external forces. Herrscher, as expected of Honkai's apostle, exuding the same vile and repulsive aura."
"...Provoking me won't work!"
"I'm merely stating facts. After all, there's no way Theresa Apocalypse would so easily become that nonsensical God's lapdog like you. You're just a crude counterfeit crafted by some unknown entity!"
Holding Judah, Theresa raised her thumb and pointed downward, her nonchalant expression now dripping with mockery.
The Herrscher remained silent, the feigned smile vanishing completely from her face, replaced by a murderous intent swirling within her golden eyes.
"I know you're playing mind games, but you've genuinely angered me. What could a worthless fool like you possibly understand? You failed to protect the most beautiful Cecilia, Durandal, and Kiana alike. When confronting Otto, he toyed with you effortlessly. For over a decade, you acted nothing more than a clueless imbecile, always giggling away—what use is there for someone like you to continue living?"
"Ha, you think you can engage me in psychological warfare?"
"You know damn well whether it's psychological warfare or not! Theresa Apocalypse, face reality—you're nothing but an incompetent waste and a coward! Your existence holds no value whatsoever. But if you surrender this body and its power to me completely, I can change everything! Cecilia will be resurrected; Otto will be reduced to ashes; Durandal and Kiana, I'll take care of them properly. The ones we despise will vanish, while those we cherish remain. Together, we'll create the world we've always dreamed of—what could possibly be wrong with that?!"
"But you killed Himeko! How dare you?!" Theresa flung Judah like a cannonball at Herrscher Theresa.
Boom!
Herrscher Theresa effortlessly caught it, revealing just how feeble Theresa had become.
This should have been the moment for Herrscher Theresa to declare her imminent victory, yet her expression betrayed uncertainty.
"I... It was because she got too emotional, and I'm newly born, still so inexperienced—I had no other choice! Don't worry, Himeko can also be revived then. By that time, I'll gradually persuade her!"
"Is that truly what you believe?"
"I... What does this have to do with you?! Just surrender your body and powers completely to me!"
Herrscher Theresa flung away Theresa's Judah, seemingly brimming with arrogance. However, her ever-calm golden eyes now flickered with a hint of uncertainty.
Could she reveal that she never intended to kill Himeko? It was Himeko who first recklessly damaged her own body, leaving no time for intervention. Even when furiously choking Himeko afterward, Herrscher Theresa held back slightly. But as Theresa suddenly emerged, vying for control, it led to her failing to catch Himeko in time...
Despite knowing these underlying circumstances, Herrscher Theresa couldn't bring herself to explain them. Moreover, since Himeko appeared genuinely dead, she lacked the confidence to justify her actions.
In essence, influenced by Theresa's emotions and obsessions, this Herrscher had unwittingly become a rebellious daughter defying the majestic God of Honkai—a fact she herself remained unaware of.
Theresa gazed at her other self, her expression gradually turning peculiar.
"You..."
"I'm not lying!"
"I didn't accuse you of lying. Your actions are unforgivable; I will never coexist with you."
"Hmph! As if I'd want to coexist with you! Then let's keep fighting—only one consciousness will remain here today, and it'll be me—the Herrscher of Binding!" With those menacing words, Herrscher Theresa slammed her Cross heavily onto the ground.
"Rumble!"
Just then, the world bathed in golden light began to tremble violently. Clutching her head, Theresa collapsed hard onto the ground, her body flickering and becoming ethereal.
"My...my sanity...I...I..."
"Hey! Are you...okay?" Herrscher Theresa instantly appeared beside Theresa, crouching down with a furrowed brow.
Theresa endured the unfamiliar sensation of her thoughts feeling heavy as mud, her face pale as she gritted her teeth:
"Isn't this what you wanted? I won't give up, no matter if it's against a Herrscher or even God itself! My name is Theresa, and I have people I deeply cherish, along with those waiting for my return—I refuse to lose!"
With a forceful roar, Theresa's desperate cry caught Herrscher Theresa off guard, causing her to stumble and sit abruptly on the ground.
Before Herrscher Theresa could react or say anything, Theresa's figure completely vanished, leaving her stunned.
In the pale white void, Theresa watched helplessly as she found herself standing before God. Facing this entity who mirrored her appearance with arms outstretched, she slowly extended her own hand. Starting from her unwavering feet, her body gradually turned stark white.
"No..."
"I can't surrender..."
"I won't go to you..."
"I can't lose!" Theresa whispered weakly, but it did nothing to stop her hand's approach toward God or hinder the dissolution of her thoughts amidst the chaos engulfing her mind.
'So these children must overcome this process every day just to smile at everyone around them?'
Theresa grimaced inwardly, suddenly realizing how incredibly challenging it was to retain one's humanity as a Herrscher.
Unbeknownst to her, Kiana's burden had been borne by Sirin instead; Wendy and Raiden Mei had their Herrscher Aspects on their side, helping shoulder most of the influence; Seele and Fu Hua needed no explanation—both were fervent fans of their respective Herrscher Aspects, leaving little for their true forms to endure.
As for Ana, with Otto's and the Herrscher Squad's assistance, she had overcome this phase incrementally over multiple attempts.
In short, each Herrscher received aid from various sources, often allowing them ample time to buffer against the effects.
Theresa alone faced immense rebellion from her Herrscher Aspect, lacked any opportunity to ease into it, and, as a unique Herrscher of Binding, drew heightened attention from the God of Honkai... In summary, hers was undoubtedly the most challenging ordeal yet, not due to her own strength or willpower but rather external circumstances.
As Theresa's hand neared the chest of the divine being, despair finally surfaced amidst her chaotic consciousness.
"I'm sorry, everyone... But at least take my Core..." Theresa murmured haltingly, her face growing pale, eyes dimming.
Just then, a flash of gold caught her eye, and a hand rested on her shoulder.
"Little Theresa, I think you're heading the wrong way!"
"BOOM!!"
Golden radiance flooded the entire white space instantaneously.