This is my mission
The battle is about to start, and the person who has always claimed to be Hua (?) in the game has officially changed her name to the Herrscher of Sentience.
After a few simple exchanges, which were just a warm-up and a test, the Herrscher of Sentience said, "Alright, Kiana, I value fairness above all else. You use a spear, so I'll use a spear too. I want you to lose convincingly!"
With that, the Herrscher of Sentience reached out her hand, and a long spear appeared in her palm.
She immediately charged forward, wielding the spear and mimicking moves from her memories.
" This is a long-handled one..." Kiana pursed her lips and looked at the opponent's Spear path.
" They're all Spear anyway!"
The Herrscher of Sentience pressed forward, swinging the heavy spear towards Kiana, who quickly dodged. Kiana looked a bit dishevelled amidst the dust.
On the other hand, the Herrscher of Sentience seemed to be in her element, skilfully wielding the weapon and effortlessly countering Kiana's attacks.
She calmly dodged Kiana's attacks and found opportunities to strike back.
She even had time to taunt and provoke Kiana, "Is that all you've got, Kiana?"
"How about you surrender now? I might still spare you..."
"Watch out for this!"
As the battlefield plunged into darkness, the Herrscher of Sentience vanished, replaced by several red phantoms. They all spoke simultaneously, "Come on, Kiana, guess which one is me?"
All the phantoms attacked at the same time, making it even harder to identify the real one.
---
[Is Little Senti being careless by toying with her opponent?]
[What should we do? It feels like the ending is already set. Wait, don't tell me they're going to start killing people off?]
[Even at the beginning of the fight, Little Senti didn't see them as opponents. What a nice guy... I mean, what a nice Herrscher.]
[This is scary. Fu Hua's single chapter is also coming to an end. She's not part of the main group, more like an elder or even a teacher... It feels like the buffs are stacking up.]
" Haha——, they are both Spear, but with long handles. Little Senti, you are really interesting. "
Elysia covered her mouth and chuckled, and the others couldn't help but smile at the scene.
This Herrscher of Sentience really is like a child, only caring about her own emotions and preferences. Even with Hua's memories, she lacks the seriousness towards battle.
"By the way, why do you keep mentioning Kevin?" Fu Hua asked curiously.
"Doesn't everyone agree that Kevin is the strongest in the previous civilization? And Durandal is the strongest in the current civilization. So, if I successfully challenge both of them, wouldn't I be the strongest in the world?" The Herrscher of Sentience said confidently, thinking her reasoning was sound made sense.
"Even if it's not a complete success, a tie for first place wouldn't be bad."
Then, she glanced at Kevin and added that he was indeed strong. The last time they sparred, she couldn't even get a good measure of his full strength.
Oh well, it's better not to be too absolute and give him some face.
"..." Kevin remained unmoved. This was the most bizarre reason he had ever heard for someone challenging him.
"Uh... is being first that important?" Fu Hua asked after a moment of silence.
"Of course! If I'm first, I can definitely do whatever I want freely. I could even try to surpass Kevin and become the sovereign of World Serpent." The Herrscher of Consciousness said bluntly, not hiding her thoughts.
"You can try..." Kevin said briefly.
"Tsk, I tried. It was a 50/50 split. If I add in other people, it probably won't work." The Herrscher of Consciousness shook her head seriously.
---
With a sudden burst of energy, Kiana harnessed the power of the Herrscher of the Void, propelling herself forward in a lightning-fast dash.
Her attack shattered the enemy's spear, sending fragments flying in all directions, before she gracefully slid back to a safer distance.
"Hehe—" The Herrscher of Sentience quickly stood up, her body emitting a black-red light, symbolizing her full use of her power.
She stared at Kiana and stomped the ground, throwing a punch at Kiana. She was a bit angry and starting to get serious.
Kiana summoned a swirling vortex of dark energy, a black hole of space that swallowed her up in the blink of an eye.
This allowed her to narrowly evade the incoming attack, but she was forced off the relative safety of the stone platform.
Now, she stood on the risky chains, her gaze fixed on the magnificent figure in the distance.
Determined, Kiana sprinted towards the figure. The fate of her Squad Leader are in her hand, and she knew she had to push herself beyond her limits to defeat this formidable foe.
The air crackled with danger as countless sword blades whistled through the air, some soaring over the chains, others zipping past Kiana's face. She couldn't help but become more focused, and she felt very nervous.
Every step brought her closer to her opponent.
With nimble reflexes, she dodged the incoming blades, occasionally deflecting them with her trusty spear.
Kiana ran towards the opponent quickly along the chains.
---
Outside the game, this had apparently become a parkour game, and Luo Mo also added a difficulty option at the right time.
"Stupid Kiana, Bronya really can't stand it anymore. If you were put in the game, you would definitely die in this battle sooner or later."
Bronya really couldn't stand Kiana's clumsy handling of the controller. She even dared to grab the controller in front of so many people.
Although her reason was also very reasonable—Hey, of course I should control myself, I can definitely beat little Senti!
So, Bronya tried to reach out and help Kiana. By the way, wasn't the opponent embarrassed to see Kiana getting hit by sword energy in the game every time?
"Oh well, okay, okay, I'm just not good at this kind of game." Kiana's face was a little red, but it was only for a moment.
She thought she could easily win in the game, and in reality, she would definitely be even better. Under their teasing, she directly chose the highest difficulty.
In the words of the Herrscher of Sentience, how could choosing the easy difficulty reflect her strength? So, Kiana was embarrassed to find that the opponent was indeed strong, but her own skill level couldn't keep up...
"Tsk, let me do it. As expected, only I can defeat myself!"
As if finding some comfort, the Herrscher of Sentience said.
As for the controller? Bronya soon found that the one in her hand slowly faded away like smoke meeting the sun.
Obviously, it was the opponent's doing, but Bronya didn't notice when it happened at all.
Under the control of the Herrscher of Sentiece, this level was passed very smoothly, with the sound of sword energy being parried perfectly.
It was just that her face was a little conflicted, as no matter which side she bet on, it didn't seem like a win-win situation...
---
Finally, Kiana and the Herrscher of Sentience met face-to-face. With a clash of wills, they both poured all their strength into a single, explosive punch.
The impact sent shockwaves through the air, but the result was devastating for Kiana.
She was knocked off her feet, sent dashing downwards towards the ground.
Their battle raged on, moving from the stone platform high in the air to the treacherous chains, and finally crashing down to the earth below.
The fighting was intense, a rapid of power and fury, but it was clear that the Herrscher of Sentience held the advantage. Blow after blow landed on Kiana, leaving her bruised and battered.
Kiana gritted her teeth and got up from the ground again and again, touching her scars but careless try again, and facing the opponent once more.
In every aspect, the Herrscher of Sentience was a difficult opponent. Her strength, her control over Honkai energy, her battle experience, and her mastery of her powers were all overwhelming. Kiana struggled to keep up, gritting her teeth as she endured a relentless barrage of attacks.
Sword, spear, and chain whirled through the air in the Herrschers of sentience hands, a dizzying display of unpredictable and deadly force. Kiana could barely anticipate her movements, let alone counter them effectively.
"She's about to die... why, why protect a... waste?"
The attacks became more and more fierce. Herrscher of Sentience still didn't understand why Kiana didn't accept her.
---
" The Herrscher of Sentience and the Red Kite Immortal? What a strong combat response, I should work harder. "
Durandal glanced at the battle situation and judged - if this were reality, her sister would undoubtedly lose, but she was the protagonist, even if she lost, she shouldn't be in danger - that's what Rita told her.
The Immortal's physical qualities plus combat experience, combined with the Herrscher core, even she couldn't say she would definitely win.
Just like how the opponent directly fought her at the beginning, they were very strong.
"Perhaps... I could spar with them? I still feel unfamiliar with this new power, unable to fully utilize it..."
Durandal put down the dumbbell in her hand, somewhat troubled by her progress these past few days, she thought to herself.
Her strength almost stopped increasing, something she had never encountered before, and she felt a bit irritated.
---
On Taixu Mountain, there are many desolate and chaotic sword tombs, and broken purple crystal lotuses are scattered everywhere.
The spear stabbed straight into the chest, and a feather appeared out of thin air to hold the force; the halberd was swept across the sky and fell down, and the strong wind hit her face as he retreated.
Danger surrounded her, but Kiana remained calm and focused. With graceful movements, she evaded each attack, her movements as smooth as silk, thanks to the protection of Fenghuang Down.
"I can only offer you limited assistance," a weakened voice echoed from within the Fenghuang Down. It was Fu Hua, her energy waning. "Seize the opportunity, Kiana."
Kiana knew she couldn't rely on Fu Hua's protection for long.
The crumbling feather would soon give way, leaving her exposed to the full force of her enemies. Time was running out, and she had to act quickly to turn the tide of the battle.
The Herrscher of Sentience unleashed a whirlwind of fury, her weapons flashing in a blur as she vented her frustration through unrestrained aggression.
"That's it."
"Damn it, how is it possible, how is it possible to fight like this! Can't you two just listen to me!"
The full might of the Herrscher of Sentience erupted, raw Honkai energy swirling around her like a storm. Her eyes burned with an unnatural crimson light as she glared at Kiana, her rage reaching a boiling point.
Kiana, despite having fully unleashed the power of the Herrscher of the Void, found herself constantly on the back foot.
She could only dodge and weave, barely keeping ahead of the attack from the angry Herrscher of Sentience.
Smoke and dust filled every place of the battle, and broken crystal lotuses were scattered in all directions.
Weapons of all shapes and sizes rained down, each strike aimed at Kiana's head with deadly intent.
A relentless torrent of sword rain poured from the sky, forcing Kiana to leap upwards, twisting and turning to avoid the lethal shower.
The force of her movements sent shockwaves through the air, like thunder echoing through the heavens.
" Damn it, damn it, you bunch of fools, idiots! Why are you blocking my way? Why are you helping that loser, why! "
She gritted her teeth and said bitterly.
" You are all... obviously, losers ! "
She decided to prepare to end this boring battle. She drew in a deep breath, channeling an immense amount of Honkai energy towards the long swords she held.
The very fabric of reality seemed to warp around her. The sun, moon, and stars shifted and shimmered, and all manner of weapons rose into the air, drawn to her overwhelming power.
The sky crackled with violent Honkai energy, as if heralding a cataclysmic judgment upon the world.
The energy combined, taking on the form of a massive black phoenix, its wings outstretched, ready to unleash its fury upon the battlefield.
"This belongs to the squad leader..." Kiana couldn't help but exclaimed,
This is the Taixu Sword God. She had heard the squad leader mention it, but never imagined she would encounter it in person.
calm. calm. calm.
If you panic in front of the Taixu Sword God, your body and soul will be destroyed.
That was an unavoidable sword. Even the power of the Herrscher of the Void still had nowhere to hide, the only choice was to face it!
"Kiana, control your power, remember what I taught you..." Fu Hua's phantom pressed a single palm against Kiana's back, helping her regulate the energy flowing within her body.
Still water, then dustless; a clear mirror, then the great void.
The peak of the Taixu Sword Qi, the essence. The essence, the ultimate in change, the subtle expression of all things, cannot be questioned, cannot be used without a heart as clear as a mirror.
In that moment, though Kiana had not yet mastered the technique, she realized the Herrscher of Sentience lacked the necessary clarity of heart.
With a surge of newfound understanding, Kiana mimicked the Herrschers movements, gathering her own energy into a radiant golden sword of light.
She raised it high, pointing it directly at the hovering figure of the Herrscher of Sentience.
The Herrschers eyes widened in astonishment. She hadn't expected Kiana to wield the Taixu Sword God, and the surprise was evident in her expression.
"How is this possible, how could I lose to this guy!"
"Squad leader, is never a loser!"
With a final clash of wills, they both thrust their swords forward, unleashing a torrent of energy.
Two beams of Taixu Sword Qi collided, one shimmering gold, the other an ominous black.
The air crackled and warped as unfathomable amounts of Honkai energy surged between the blades, creating a maelstrom of power that sent shattered stones flying in all directions.
This scene could be described as apocalyptic.
Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps time was not against her, but after the light of that explosion, the victor was Kiana.
"Thank you, Kiana," Fu Hua's voice echoed, filled with gratitude. "Leave the Herrscher to me. The illusion is fading; it's time for you to return."
As she spoke, the flickering flames of Drowning Sorrow, the marks of her seal, gradually disappeared from her black feathers. This time, Fu Hua didn't turn back to look at Kiana.
An indescribable wave of emotion washed over Kiana, causing her heart to ache.
"This time... this is probably goodbye forever."
Farewell? Farewell... farewell!
It couldn't be true. This couldn't be the end. Squad Leader Fu Hua, the legendary Red Kite Immortal, had endured fifty thousand years of trials and misfortunes. How could her journey end here?
Kiana couldn't accept this. She couldn't accept that after doing so much, she still couldn't save her Squad leader. But many times, things don't go as planned.
The joy of victory evaporated, replaced by a bone-chilling fear. Kiana's body trembled as she reached out, desperate to stop Fu Hua. "Wait, Squad Leader," she pleaded, "there must be another way!"
"Perhaps..." Fu Hua began, her voice trailing off. She glanced at Kiana, her eyes filled with a complex mix of nostalgia and resignation. "But this is my mission."
The word "mission" suspended in the space, heavy with meaning.
Kiana was reminded of a stormy night, thunder and lightning illuminating the sky, as she had uttered those same words to someone else—a sinner departing with a final requiem.
The memory of Mei's tears on that fateful night flooded back. It was because of those words, because of her solid commitment to her mission, that Kiana had already lost someone precious to her.
But only when she heard it from others did she understand the bone-chilling sorrow and... Mei's feelings at that time.
---- Was this truly a world that could only be saved through sacrifice?
Her own mission, Mei's mission, the Squad Leader's mission, the MANTIS' mission, the Red Kite Immortal's mission... It seemed like an endless cycle of duty and sacrifice.
But now, faced with the potential loss of another person she cared deeply for, she questioned everything she had believed in. Was this truly the right path? Did the world demand such a heavy price?
For those truly important to her, Kiana realized, things shouldn't end this way.
In this world, no one truly walks alone. We are all interconnected, each individual a vital thread in the grand tapestry of life. We cannot simply be responsible for our own desires and ignore the needs of others.
There were countless people who cared deeply for Kiana, even in places unseen by her. She had been that person for Mei, and Mei had been that person for her.
And now, Fu Hua, her Squad Leader, was walking towards the precipice of death.
How could she stand idly by and allow it to happen?
The last remnants of Fenghuang Down, now a mere wisp of its former glory, drifted down into Kiana's outstretched hand. The ethereal light, like a dying candle, flickered and dimmed, scattering fragments of broken wings in the wind.
Kiana stood speechless, her throat tight with emotion.
Countless broken stones, rusty chains, and broken swords fell along with it. In the silent, gray, sinking world, the Knight of the True beauty fell, unable to grasp her hand.
Pain surged from all directions like a tide, pushing Kiana's emotions further and further.
It seemed that everything had settled. Fu Hua and the Herrscher of Sentience were both dead, disappearing in this Taixu Mountain, this was the chapter where everything ended.
As the scene played out in the game, the players were left on edge.
There was no progress bar to indicate how much time was left, leading many to believe that this was the final, heart-breaking conclusion.
Even Elysia and her companions, watching intently from their room, held their breath in anticipation, unsure of what would happen next.
[Knife, a sudden knife! Not only Fu Hua, but also Mei was dragged out to intensify the knife.]
[My heart can't take this. Why didn't the queen teach Kiana this move? This is too painful to watch!]
[Red Kite Immortal... no! I can't handle this anymore. If they kill her off, I'm marching to the game company's headquarters and giving them a piece of my mind!]