At St. Freya.
Mobius and Vill-V's progress wasn't going smoothly. Tesla and Einstein had also joined in on this research battle. The differences in the Herrscher's powers — their ability to mold infinite possibilities — left them both fearful and awed. Even though they could put up some resistance, it didn't mean they had lost interest.
How could they pass up such perfect conditions to study these powers? After all, so many Herrschers here had harmless personalities. It might even be the first time in history so many had gathered like this.
The sheer volume of data, the countless combinations of possible abilities, made their heads spin… yet it was intoxicating at the same time.
Perhaps it was due to the special nature of the cores, or because the powers were leaking into the surroundings… or perhaps because Welt had once merged them together before — that brief, dangerous moment when the Seven Powers fused. That event had been one of the island's most perilous moments.
The equipment used back then had condensed countless Stigmata nodes, incorporating the strength equivalent to three S-rank Valkyries. It was an unparalleled masterpiece… one that made Vill-V briefly regret missing the dazzling "fireworks" that followed. Theresa's sharp glare from beside her quickly reminded her that such regrets were dangerous.
But the problem didn't lie there — it was in Mobius's recent analysis. After processing countless data sets, she realized her assumptions might collapse.
Those shadowy figures spanning different dimensions were indeed the manifestation of the Cacoon of Finality's power leaking outward. But they weren't enough to truly push the Cacoon of Finality itself.
A critical issue emerged: the way this power manifested differed across eras. In other words, it could reveal abilities far beyond what they'd seen here — what they were witnessing was merely one "form" shaped by the progression of human civilization.
Mobius had expected as much… but still, this meant achieving the "optimal" result was nearly impossible. She could only retreat and seek alternatives — something she didn't want to do.
If I could merge those Stigmata powers into it… Mobius sank into thought.
"It seems the Cacoon of Finality's power will have to wait until someone becomes its Herrscher in the future," Vill-V said lazily, resting her chin on her palm. She didn't seem too troubled by the matter.
"Hmph~ You could at least try to hold out a little longer," Mobius muttered. "I admit, our earlier steps to recreate the 'Divine Fire Seed Project' were too ambitious… but it's not like we gained nothing."
"The artifacts tied to that power do have the potential to combine into something entirely new," she admitted.
"What? A meteorite encased in ice? A hollow flame? They're just layers stacked together — the core power itself hasn't changed." Vill-V sighed, leaning back in her chair with a helpless tone.
"Honestly, we'd get more from the Stigmata inside Kiana than from this."
Mobius fell silent for a rare moment. After some hesitation, she finally said:
"You're not the type to give up so easily. Besides… aside from Theresa's Binding, Luo Mo's corrosion ability feels… different. Something about his body's nature might be altering the corrosion itself."
"You seriously want to push him toward the Cacoon of Finality? You know he might not even belong to this world!" Vill-V said in surprise.
"Kiana, Theresa, Luo Mo, and Elysia… their roles in this experiment are unique. The 'Finality' aspect determines how difficult it is for them to work together or harmonize. Elysia's powers come from Stigmata and memories — she can only pair with us. But Kiana and Luo Mo…"
"True. Kiana is still the most stable candidate," Vill-V agreed.
"Then… let's postpone studying him until later. No need to put a test subject at such high risk." Mobius made up her mind. She couldn't gamble this world's future on her own ideas.
Still, she regretted it — finding another chance to lure him in later would be hard. Her instincts told her the upper limit of what he carried inside could be extraordinarily high.
"If something really happens, the other Herrschers won't let you off… and neither will Elysia." Vill-V gave her a sidelong glance, tracing her finger across the table with a grin.
"You haven't slept in two days. How about resting? Don't look at me — I'm on shift rotation."
"Hmph. I can tell." Mobius ignored her and went back to studying power combinations.
Perhaps these powers couldn't act as a torch to light the darkness — but together, they could form a greater darkness capable of swallowing all others. And she didn't believe it was truly impossible to unite the Finality Cacoon's power.
Besides, she had spotted the real issue: many Herrschers here showed no traces of battle or training. They simply couldn't act with the precision of an extension of one's own body.
So… she would add a different kind of "ingredient" — the Flame-Chasers Signets.
---
On the Moon
The lunar base had existed since the previous civilization. This cold, barren land had buried the ashes of countless wars — stories that once stirred hearts were severed here.
Ruined, incomplete structures still bore the marks of time, faint traces of lost civilizations lingering in their air.
Now, the group had gathered here to face the final trial for humanity in this era.
This would be the last experiment. Pass or fail, they would next face the Finality 's cocoon.
Every Herrscher with human traits was present, along with the thirteen Flame-Chasers, Kallen, Durandal… and World Serpent's Kevin, who had chosen to appear in person. He had come to fulfill his promise — and his end.
"Next… it's time. Kiana, Bronya, Mei — you may attempt to use your Stigmata powers to face the final trial."
Luo Mo's voice was deep, his usual teasing tone gone. He tried to match the solemnity of the moment. The time had come to decide humanity's fate.
"…Got it." Kiana nodded, blue eyes brimming with determination.
She had never feared a moment like this.
"So, you still intend to use such a delusional method to obtain the Power of Finality?" Kevin stood with arms crossed, speaking toward Mobius.
"Just prepare for your own matters… Even if this experiment fails, I've already found a way to activate Kiana's Stigmata. She will still be able to wield Finality. But in that case, your death would be so insignificant, it would be meaningless."
Mobius didn't look at him, only biting her lower lip.
"..."
Kevin didn't reply.
Zero multiplied by anything was still zero. When it came to fulfilling Otto's task, he took a pessimistic stance. Yet he didn't reject the plan—like Vill-V had once said, there was no death more solemn than this method.
After defeating the Honkai, there was nothing left to keep him alive.
"Let's begin. This time, the Flame-Chasers will lend their Signets to help you grasp Herrscher powers. That is, after all, the ability we memory forms possess. Even if it's not in our peaceful resting place, the effect will still be very small…" Mobius said calmly.
"Thirteen Heroic Signets—exactly matching the thirteen Herrschers. Perhaps it's just a coincidence… Of course, one of them is both Hero and Herrscher." Her eyes shifted toward Elysia. Over there, no other Heroes stood, nor were they needed.
Facing Mobius's unfriendly gaze, Elysia only smiled lightly.
"Oh my, is Dr. Mobius jealous of me? Or is she envious that no matter what group I'm in, I'm indispensable? Hmph-hmph ♪~"
The corner of Kiana's mouth twitched. This reminded her of an unpleasant memory—the time she tried to form a Herrscher Club, which fell apart halfway through because she realized Elysia was everywhere.
Best not to think about trivial matters in the middle of the final battle.
"Hehe, Griseo and I will just watch from here. Kiana has two cores (flame & void), and Sister Hua has two as well (rock & Senti)… hehe." Pardo stifled a laugh from afar, pulling Griseo along to observe from a safe distance.
Fu Hua stood behind the Herrscher of Sentience. She might not be able to grant her successor an Imprint, but their bond was deep enough to need no such thing. The Herrscher of Sentience's chatter wasn't unwelcome—it was help nonetheless.
The other Flame-Chasers stood behind their chosen Herrschers. Kevin took his place behind Kiana, Mobius, after driving away Vill-V, chose to stand with Luo Mo…
"In the name of Truth, to surpass the past!" Bronya spread her palm, releasing the pure-blue power of the Herrscher of Reason. Within it faintly reflected the original form of civilization itself. Behind her, Vill-V used her Spiral Signet to help stabilize that rational force.
"God grants me a gateway, to traverse the cosmic vault, to bring forth from nothing—the sovereign of space."
Stigmata in Sirin was in her Herrscher regalia this time, not her usual casual home clothes. Her golden eyes brimmed with authority. She raised a hand, revealing a light tinged with deep violet, almost black in its unfathomable depths. She said nothing—only calmed the chaotic space around them.
"Lightning." Mei had lived beyond her adolescent years. She spoke the two syllables softly, yet lightning surged within her core, condensing the dominion into tangible form.
Then came Wendy, Seele, Anna, Little Senti, and Su Lu.
Each unleashed their own authority—pure azure wind, the gray stillness of death, icy white frost, illusory consciousness, and pitch-black liquid malice.
With Theresa carefully releasing the power of Binding, only Kiana and Luo Mo remained.
"Come, guinea pig. I'll help you…" Mobius passed the infinite Imprint to him. She had coveted his body for a long time, but during training, that mysterious force within him always resisted her advances.
Luo Mo stayed silent. The deep-blue power of Corruption spread from his hands, instinctively wanting to seep toward other powers, but he forced it back. Then, a freezing aura traveled from the Signet into his palm, aiding him in the process.
"Ah—Hoo~"
Kiana wasted no time. The magma and flame within her body had already merged well, so when Mobius gave the signal, she was ready.
Thanks to the Stigmata of Finality, it wasn't especially difficult for her. Kevin's memory form stood quietly behind her, engraving the Deliverance's Signet onto her.
Elysia's power was the most peculiar—it came purely from Stigmata and her own unique traits. Lacking a core entirely (in truth, she didn't have one at all), her role was to temper the other Herrscher powers, helping them merge smoothly. She didn't need to wield them herself, nor did she have the strength to fully integrate them.
The thirteen Herrschers were assembled.
Now, the moment of Finality had come.
The air grew heavy without anyone realizing. Feeling the dangerous fluctuations of power, Su got a bad premonition—his left eyelid twitching nonstop in warning. He felt that Mobius and Vill-V's plan was… reckless. Like holding an atomic bomb in their hands—except, maybe if it were just a single warhead, people nearby could still escape.
"It's beautiful… this sight." Griseo's eyes sparkled, gazing at the circle of people, the distant blue planet, and the infinite blackness of space. She didn't blink, wanting to remember these colors forever.
"..." Kevin quietly watched the night sky, unchanged from before—deep, clear, dotted with eternal starlight. But human history would split in two this day. He would witness the moment when all Herrschers stood together to save humanity—a surreal sight.
"Let's begin." Elysia swept her gaze across them all, then called out loudly.
Everyone focused, holding their breath as they guided their Herrscher powers toward the center.
In an instant, from that central convergence erupted a pillar of pale light that pierced the heavens—straight into the vastness of space. On Earth, people might see a streak across the moon that day, shining so brightly it outshone the stars and even the midday sun.
Occasionally, glimmers of various powers leaked from the pillar's edges, but nearby machinery immediately captured and stored them in Honkai-energy collectors.
The moment was brief, yet felt impossibly long. The group adjusted with utmost care, letting every strand of power blend into the whole.
Over a dozen kinds of authority intertwined, flowed, fused, and pulsed in the air… until all light was smothered into one—an energy of milky white.
Outside, the pillar of light slowly dissipated, and the once-clashing forces now settled into a strangely harmonious balance. That power drew back under control and gently drifted toward Kiana.
Elysia felt the aura of that power and her expression shifted in startled uncertainty. She sensed that this force… compared to the "Finality "… seemed even closer to the source, the true origin.
There was no time to ponder why.
The next moment, Kiana took a deep breath, clearing her mind entirely. The silver-white wings on her back flared brilliantly, releasing a sacred radiance. The authority of the Finality revealed itself in full.
The dormant Finality form within her was completely awakened, a searing, flame-like heat spreading from her back. Every inch of her body was subjected to immense pressure, draining the color from her face. Her thoughts froze for a heartbeat.
But she recovered quickly, using the power of the Finality within to sense a faint, almost imperceptible connection — though she couldn't pinpoint its exact location. The discovery filled her with a quiet, eager joy. This change had come at just the right moment.
She could feel it — clearly. The position of the Finality 's cocoon.
Her smile had barely formed before the Finality power within her touched that other, milky-white energy. The two forces merged, and her own power became tinged with a faint misty hue.
No time to wonder what was happening inside her. In the next moment, she felt a call from the frontlines — urgent, searching, almost embracing her.
–Crack—
A silent shattering sound echoed in this world. Even Kevin couldn't determine what had just happened. But in an instant, every Herrscher in the arena vanished without a trace.
...
It was like stepping into some miraculous adventure from a story — and Kiana now found herself living a legend once told to her. Like the myths of humanity's civilization… except this journey wasn't lonely.
Among the sea of stars, she met the Herrscher of Origin. The scenery was even more beautiful than what had been drawn in the game, and she herself was no longer wandering an empty sky.
Elysia smiled and waved at her, then walked alongside her.
"It's beautiful," Elysia said, gazing at the dreamlike world behind them.
"It is," Kiana replied softly, stepping forward. Ripples spread across the sea's surface as they walked toward the great gate ahead.
Elysia quickened her pace to walk beside her.
"The final curtain should always fall with grandeur and ceremony. But this time… I like this kind of farewell too. Warm and beautiful. Come on — looks like we can reunite with all our friends."
Side by side, they cast one last lingering glance at this world before moving forward.
---
Nagazora City
Rain fell without pause, the ruined streets draped in a veil of mist.
It wasn't always on rainy days that they met, but the rumble of thunder had long been their oath. She stood on the broken red bridge, her back to the two approaching figures.
"So that's how it is… This is better," Mei said, hearing their footsteps. She turned to look — pausing briefly when her eyes met Elysia's — and let a faint smile bloom.
"Speaking of which," Kiana suddenly asked, gazing at the oppressive storm clouds, "that time with the Herrscher of Flames' core… was that your mischief?"
"Hehe~ I have no idea ♪" Elysia replied, pulling a playful face.
The three continued toward the gate.
---
Siberia's Snowy plains.
In front of a wooden cabin, a petite girl stood in the snow. Bronya joined the journey.
---
The Grasslands of New Zealand
Wendy stared into the distance, waiting.
--
The Heights of Taixu Mountain.
The little Sentience martial artist sat cross-legged in the courtyard, unable to hide her impatience.
---
The chaotic realm of Quantum Seas
Seele smiled faintly at the sight of the approaching group.
---
A Frozen land
Anna let out a soft sigh.
...
When they reached the realm of Herrscher Su Lu, Kiana touched her head and looked around curiously. The world wasn't strange at all — in fact, it was identical to a scene from her memory, down to the smallest details.
"For a second there, I thought I'd come to the studio to record voice lines," she muttered, half-exasperated.
"Ahaha…" Su Lu chuckled awkwardly. "Looks like this place will stick with you even more than your time in the Puppet Theater."
Elysia cast her a sympathetic glance.
This mental space was indeed tied closely to the Herrschers — though not entirely. Individual will could also shape it, especially now, when death was not absolute.
"Well… come on, only two left," Su Lu urged, nudging the group toward the next gate.
(T/C: I'm nerves)
---
St. Freya Academy — the familiar campus scenery.
There, they found Theresa and Luo Mo, the two staring each other down in silence.
> "Looks like everyone's here ♪~" Elysia teased, casting a knowing glance their way.
In a situation where every other Herrscher had been scattered, the fact that these two could arrive together was telling — perhaps because of Luo Mo's peculiar nature… or maybe because both of them deeply loved this place.
"Yeah… the headmistress and the boss seem happy. Guess you could say… they're destined?" Kiana tried the word with some hesitation.
Theresa blushed and pouted, though she wasn't truly unhappy — in fact, there was a hint of secret delight. Luo Mo said nothing, simply nodding when necessary.
"It's a bit different from the game… Is it because of the way we obtained the Finality's power?" he wondered aloud.
"Maybe… but walking together like this, with more and more friends — it's wonderful," Kiana replied, her eyes shining.
She hoped that the path she walked wasn't just lined with names on gravestones, but with her friends waiting ahead — so that they could keep walking forward together.
"Then… one last step."
He looked at the white hair girl who seemed to have suddenly matured, speaking with a hint of awkwardness. The pressure had made her grow up quickly.
"Alright." The girl's voice fell.
Everyone stood behind Kiana, reaching out as if to push her forward. Their bodies turned into streaks of light in every color, sending her soaring, breaking through space, heading toward the direction of destiny.
Inside her, that power of the Bell of Finality grew faintly warm, shifting toward another path, becoming far gentler.
On the endless pitch-black road ahead, the light behind her softly wrapped around her from start to finish, breaking through layer after layer of barriers, until at last they reached the end.
Her senses had long since lost their hold, yet in that moment—short and yet impossibly long—her feet finally touched solid ground again.
Stars filled the sky above, meteors circling the Bell of Finality's cocoon like a shimmering halo. Below her, a jade-green lake lay like a mirror, rippling softly.
It was like a game scene, with the results of a trial finally displayed. She couldn't help but laugh, tilting her head back to gaze at the massive cocoon of Finality in the distance.
Her companions stood by her side. Her clothes had silently changed—now a dreamlike violet, deep and mysterious.
A violet, solidified mass of Honkai energy had condensed on the Cocoon's surface. Its gaze slowly shifted toward the Herrschers, silently conveying the answer of humanity.
The meaning was clear—
Their existence itself was the answer to how Herrschers and humans could coexist, how eternity and civilization could embrace one another.
They themselves were his voice.
And It… was not a being entirely ignorant of the world.
Even if IT's understanding came from instinctive fragments gleaned through them, he had still confirmed their resolve—
They were willing to fight for all the beauty in the world.
[Humanity… embraces…]
Kiana closed her eyes, feeling that silent exchange. Then she smiled, turned back to the others, and opened her arms, the light in her eyes seeming brighter than the stars themselves.
She gently closed her hands and embraced the air before her.
As if in response to that tenderness, the light of the Finality's Cocoon dimmed for a moment, then shone again.
An illusory figure identical to Kiana appeared before her, touching hers briefly before scattering into nothing.
They could feel their strength constantly flowing into Kiana, yet in their hearts there was only a heavy sense of peace. In the space of their shared consciousness, they bore the weight of Finality together with her.
"Everyone, we can go home now."
Kiana waved, her smile dazzling.
But in her heart, she knew the burden still remained. Human civilization's story did not end here.
Even if this journey had felt relaxing, without clear strategies for the path ahead, she knew the situation was far from resolved.
Would an omniscient, omnipotent being… enjoy such a game?
And why, within her body, were there now two similar yet distinctly different powers of the Cocoon of Finality?
Her doubts hadn't lessened—they had only multiplied.
Yet the pressure in her heart had completely melted away.
From here on, it was humanity's future—no longer shadowed by the constant threat of Honkai.
---