Under the dim light of the Domination Theater, four black shadows streaked and intertwined like meteors, separating and then colliding again. Each impact produced a terrifying, shattering sound.
Having become a Herrscher with two doppelgangers, Pardofelis was now fighting with unprecedented seriousness. In her current state, she was absolutely on par with most of the Flame-Chasers.
Although Pardo was well aware that she was no match for a truly serious Fu Li, trapping him here with her control over the space was still an easy task.
Of course, the most important factor was that Fu Li was completely incapable of getting serious against her.
In the midst of the chase, Pardo reached up and pulled on her black hood, trying her best to avoid eye contact with Fu Li. She gritted her teeth and roared:
"Eight-Part Light Wheels!"
With a sweeping motion, Pardo's chakrams spun at high speed. She flung out a series of black light wheels, like the blades of a chainsaw, that flew toward Fu Li.
With a turn of his feet, Fu Li easily dodged the black light wheels, moving like a dancing black cat, elegant and swift.
But immediately after, a black shadow had silently arrived at his side. Taking advantage of the moment he was evading, Black Pardo shot out from the shadow and lunged at Fu Li.
"What the—!"
The sudden development startled Fu Li. In the instant he was about to tear her apart with his claws, he changed his movement, shifting from a grab to a push, trying to shove her away.
However, his hand felt no real sensation of touch. Fu Li's hand passed right through Black Pardo's body, and her dark chakram passed through his in turn.
A jolt of pain flared up, but his physical body was undamaged.
Fu Li knew this was a weakened version of the Herrscher of Sentience's power, its purpose being to confuse him.
As the battle continued, Pardo grew more and more proficient with her newfound abilities, and this space constantly replenished her Honkai energy.
If he couldn't kill her in one blow, Pardo was an existence with an infinite mana bar in this space.
But while he possessed the ability to end it in one strike, with his opponent being Pardo, he couldn't bring himself to be so ruthless.
He had no choice. He could only continue to search for the weak points of this space while resorting to talking her down.
"That's enough, Pardo! I don't want to fight you!"
"And you think I want to fight you?!"
Beneath the hood, Pardo's eyes were bloodshot, but her face remained grim as she continued her assault without pause.
"Always, always, you've been sacrificing yourself to protect everyone else."
"You, more than anyone, know what it feels like to die. To be pierced, to be eroded, to be killed by the Finality."
"I understand the grand principles of saving the world, but how do you expect me to endure all this?! All I know is that in my heart, you are more important than this world!"
"You've already saved the people you wanted to save! Why?! Why are you still unwilling to stop your steps and enter the new era with us?!"
"Tell me! Why!"
The rhythm of the battle slowed in an instant. The four black shadows seemed to fall into a collective silence simultaneously.
Fu Li looked at Pardo, who was charging at him with her chakrams raised, and for the first time, he stopped moving.
He did not evade. He simply reached out and caught the chakram swinging at him. The powerful impact forced him back several steps.
But now was not the time to worry about that.
He looked at the little girl he once knew. Her head was hanging low, and she was biting the lip beneath her cloak so hard that faint traces of scarlet blood were visible.
One had to remember that Pardo was now a genuine Fusion Soldier and a Herrscher. Heaven knew how much force she had to use to make herself bleed.
"Pardo..."
Fu Li soothed her gently. In his peripheral vision, he could see that Black Pardo and the black cat had both stopped, surrounding him in a triangular formation.
Pardo did not speak, only burying her head lower.
In the silent air, the sound of a single drop of liquid hitting the ground was so light, yet it echoed clearly throughout the entire space.
"Listen to me, Pardo..." Fu Li called out in a familiar tone.
"I know you're in a lot of pain. But you know, I have never saved everyone I cared about."
"There is still one person. For the sake of this era, to allow the people of this era to have a better ending, she did not hesitate to sacrifice herself."
"I may have saved many others, but without her existence, we are still incomplete."
Elysia...
The name surfaced in Pardo's mind. She gritted her teeth, finally acknowledging the person she had been subconsciously ignoring.
It was Elysia, who, just like Li, had always cared for and loved them.
None of the Flame-Chasers were normal people. That included her, included Mobius, and even included Eden.
"But, just like I said..."
Pardo's hand gripped the blade again. Her voice was hoarse as she growled out the unwillingness that had been circling in her heart: "Li, after knowing all of that, how am I supposed to endure it?"
"Pardo?"
His surprised voice had not yet faded when a violent gale followed, pushing Fu Li directly into the center of the three's encirclement.
Fu Li looked at Pardo, whose face was still streaked with tears, and vaguely seemed to understand her resolve.
"Li, I know you don't want to hurt me. That's why you kept running away."
Though Pardo usually acted carefree, she was, in reality, an exceptionally intelligent girl. She slowly raised her weapon, trying her best to maintain a blank expression.
"It's enough, Li. You know I won't give up."
"This space is constructed from my power. I have absolute control here. So..."
Pardo paused, exchanging a look with the black cat and Black Pardo.
Their eyes met, and they understood her meaning. Black Pardo bit her lip, but in the end, she closed her eyes in resignation and nodded slightly.
They both agreed with Pardo's idea.
"If you want to leave this place, then use your full power... and defeat me completely."
Only then will I be able to say that I've already done my best, that I have no regrets, and that I have decided... to accompany you, and continue down your path.
Fu Li opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something more, but seeing the renewed seriousness of the three, he closed it again.
For the first time, he drew his own weapon and seriously faced the three Pardos.
---o---
Three hours later, the Domination Theater completely collapsed. Within Imaginary Space, Fu Li slowly opened his eyes, meeting a pair of feline pupils glistening with tears.
Pardo was still in her Herrscher attire. Faintly, two exhausted phantoms could be seen behind her.
"We're back, Pardo."
"Mm... I know."
Pardo reached out, wrapping her arms around Fu Li's neck and burying her head in his shoulder.
[Congratulations, you have stolen this simulation's sole designated item: The Heart of the Aberrant Herrscher of Domination - Pardofelis. Successfully unlocked hidden ability: Resurrection of the Dead.]
(Author's Note: I feel like I didn't write enough angst. I really need to practice my writing.)