Now, this was Celenova's true level.
Just like how Sunday summoned Dominicus in the game.
The Harmony was indeed adept at gathering power into one.
But having a clear vessel to contain that power and unleash it—that would naturally be far more formidable.
Hertatomb watched the attack bearing down on her.
This strike was clearly far more aggressive than the earlier combined assault from the Legion.
So Hertatomb raised her outstretched, cross-like right arm high above her head.
Then brought it slashing down!
BOOM—!!!
A silent blade light, carrying a cold gleam as if to tear the galaxy asunder, an immense slash spanning light-years, infused with equally destructive power, quietly neutralized the furious blow from Celenova.
And then both sides, as if by mutual agreement, chose close combat, flying forward simultaneously, instantly closing the vast distance between them.
A slender arm reached out, charged with a staggering Imaginary Energy signature, with force so terrifying it warped perception, her hand formed a claw and stabbed viciously toward Hertatomb's chest!
Layer upon layer of stacked barrier shields shattered one after another, until the sharp claw, its force spent, finally halted just short of Hertatomb's breastplate.
It was clear.
Celenova was not unskilled in close combat.
It was simply something she rarely resorted to.
But just as Celenova closed in, countless threads, like a cage, attempted to completely seal off Celenova's form.
And in the instant they restricted her movement, a skeletal hand transformed into a blade and thrust out brutally!
CRASH—!
Terrifying force poured into Celenova's chest.
Even with the Legion dispersing some of the impact, the blow still sent Celenova herself flying backward like a launched cannon blast, only coming to a stop after smashing through an already fractured planet, the momentum finally spent.
And Hertatomb, using the Phase Flame, appeared before Celenova once more.
That icy hand lowered, tracing over Celenova's soft cheek and neck: "If you really wanted to find me, you should know... I'm quite skilled at close-quarters combat."
"Cough... How utterly condescending!"
The other's words churned the fury in Celenova's chest.
She clenched her fist, wanting to fight back.
Raised her knee, aiming to shatter the other's midsection.
Yet no matter the attack, it was either blocked or failed to break through the opponent's barrier shield.
Close combat?
When it came to fighting skill, she never considered herself weaker than anyone.
Ever since hearing news of that other 'her', Celenova had never neglected her close-combat abilities.
For this, she had even swallowed her pride to seek guidance from Zephyro.
The reason she had hardly ever displayed this ability before others was simply to keep an ace up her sleeve.
But...
Celenova never imagined that when they finally met face-to-face, after just a few rounds, her trump cards and strength would seem like fragile glass—flashy to look at, but in the other's eyes, no different from being 'unskilled.'
An unprecedented sense of powerlessness, under Hertatomb's suppression, rose unbidden from the depths of her heart.
For a moment, she even felt a flicker of self-doubt.
Had she truly lived up to the expectations of the Aeon who created her?
Created in the other's image, yet her own power before the original seemed so utterly feeble.
Celenova was... a bit shaken.
Now, forget about capturing the other.
She might be the one getting dragged back, and who knows, maybe even killed right here.
"Condescending? Me? Ever think that if you hadn't shown up shouting about fighting and killing, we could've actually sat down and talked?"
Hertatomb's voice, transmitted through the power of Harmony, fell into Celenova's mind.
A skeletal hand pressed down firmly on Celenova's body, leaving no chance for escape.
Around them lay shattered planetary debris, nearly burying both their figures.
Energy ripples still hadn't dispersed, interfering with the external fleet's scans of the battlefield's center.
Celenova stared at that eerie, Herta-like face.
"You're the victor. Anything you say is right."
Celenova had realized one thing.
The other's abilities countered hers far too well. That strange infectious virus was simply unbelievable.
"So, can we talk properly now? After all, you're someone I once impersonated. I do hold a bit of fondness for you."
Hertatomb's fingers trailed over Celenova's skin.
Partly because she was rather taken with Celenova's face, and partly because she needed to limit her output to this current level.
Defeating Celenova was one thing, but killing her completely wouldn't be so easy.
It could easily turn into a battle lasting days.
Her time with this character card was mostly spent; it might not be enough.
And this body's identity wasn't suitable for cooperating with other Emanators either.
To avoid exposure, she'd even preemptively excluded the Galaxy Rangers, for goodness' sake.
Moreover, last time, wearing Celenova's face to eliminate Zulo while Nanook watched from the sidelines was one thing.
But this time, if she, wearing the failed possibility of Irontomb, killed Celenova, Nanook likely wouldn't let the other Lord Ravagers just spectate.
If Zephyro got summoned over, things would get really lively.
It was better to focus on resolving the Irontomb situation here on Amphoreus.
Best to save the complications for later.
"There's nothing to talk about... If you're going to kill me, then do it. Just like with Zulo."
"Honestly, you've got a touch of Harmony in you. Why always so eager for fighting and killing?"
Hertatomb still wore that unnerving smile.
Besides, certain people probably weren't too pleased watching Hertatomb take down Celenova like this.
"Though I don't know if you're prepared to meet your end with composure, it seems some aren't too keen on letting you die just yet."
Hertatomb's voice rippled out through the Imaginary Energy waves.
And the next instant, a scalpel emerged from the void, channeling Imaginary Energy into an invisible blade, plunging straight toward Hertatomb's cognitive core.
But Hertatomb, long prepared, was hardly going to be hit so easily.
Not to mention, Polka Kakamond's Knowable Domain only covered the surrounding area, unable to include her within it.
The network defenses Screwllum set up hadn't been breached yet.
Until Polka Kakamond figured out the situation with Irontomb and, well, her own circumstances, her Knowable Domain couldn't affect Hertatomb.
The skeletal hand released Celenova's shoulder.
And after a soft chuckle by her ear, as the sharp giant blade sought to pierce hardened bone and shatter Hertatomb's core, the Phase Flame ignited instantly.
Sending that sharp, massive blade far, far away.
"Polka Kakamond, Prisoner of Erudition. After chasing me all these years, you've finally found your chance to strike?"
Hertatomb looked at the woman now standing on a distant starship.
A candy-colored dress and a face impossible to make out clearly.
A scalpel held delicately between her fingers, she gazed this way with relaxed poise.
--+--