Throughout history spanning fifty millennia, and even across countless parallel worlds, Otto Apocalypse had experienced two direct encounters with the God of Honkai—an unparalleled feat. These instances occurred during the Siberian battlefield of the Second Major Honkai Eruption and later with Theresa's Herrscher of Binding experiment.
During the first encounter, Otto gained knowledge about reversing timelines and reshaping parallel worlds.
During his second encounter, Otto gained even more knowledge about Honkai and how to overcome it.
Then, as a mad scientist who cared little for his own life, he delved deep into forbidden territory and developed Mimicry of the God of Honkai technology—also known as Pseudo-God Mode.
In the lunar battle against Zeke, Otto had first employed this technique. At that time, his mastery was still rudimentary, limiting the completeness of Pseudo-God Mode. Additionally, prioritizing the preservation of his useful body—and most importantly, ensuring Zeke's safety—he held back significantly.
But now, he holds nothing back.
'Kallen, when you recall moments like these in the future, perhaps it will be slightly easier for you to bear?'
Hera internally questioned herself without any trace of joy or sorrow; her altered mind and emotions could no longer grasp the intense obsession inherent in those words.
A golden radiance erupted from Hera's slender form, spreading across half the sky before swiftly transforming into pure white—a color representing immaculate purity yet encompassing all existence.
The Final Herrscher "Kiana" was visibly moved.
"Heresy! How dare you blaspheme the divine authority?" "Kiana" softly spoke, her expressionless face revealing no emotion, but the sudden surge of energy betrayed her anger.
Simultaneously, she extended both hands, lifting an incredibly radiant orb of golden energy that enveloped the remaining half of the sky and earth with its gold-hued glow.
The pure-white fake god versus the golden embodiment of Finality—this confrontation split the world in two.
Even satellites and space stations orbiting Earth were awestruck by this standoff spanning nearly half the planet's surface.
"So you do possess intelligence, akin to a Herrscher's persona? No, more accurately, it seems like a Herrscher persona completely tamed by the God of Honkai?"
"Heresy, face your judgment!"
"Ah, robotic combat logic, robotic dialogue patterns... It appears the God of Honkai has deeply influenced you. Or perhaps, due to operating on too high a dimension, human thinking is simply inadequate for you..." Hera sighed softly.
Her meticulously crafted physical form rapidly disintegrated under the white light, unable to withstand the escalating spiritual power and strength. Yet, neither panic nor fear surfaced within her; amidst the swiftly fading human heart, there remained only tranquility.
Kiana, however, showed no concern for Hera's condition or mindset. She swiftly concentrated immense energy in her palms before casually pushing them forward.
Silence ensued.
This attack was so devastating that it even wiped away any medium capable of producing sound, rendering it eerily silent yet terrifying.
From the vantage point of outer space, golden light instantly engulfed half the planet's surface, as if the blue orb had transformed into a dazzling star radiating throughout the cosmos.
"Grandpa."
On the battlefield thousands of miles away, Theresa, purifying countless Honkai Beasts with her Divine Grace Barrier, looked up at the golden radiance enveloping the sky.
It's said that when deeply loved ones depart, people sometimes experience inexplicable sensations, such as sudden heartache or unprovoked tears.
Theresa didn't know if there was any truth to this notion.
She instinctively raised her right hand and pressed it firmly against her chest, feeling a tear quietly slide down her face and drip from her fair, graceful chin onto her jet-black nun's habit.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry. Even though you warned me, I still forgot to wear extra layers today."
Gripping her shoulders tightly, Theresa suddenly felt very cold.
Crack!
In a deep office within the imperial palace, Amber, who was busy handling various battlefield details, heard a sudden snap. The golden glasses she wore year-round had developed a crack.
"My lord..." she murmured.
Her hands paused in their work, and she reached up to remove her fractured spectacles, revealing a pair of blue eyes as clear as the sea. She stared vacantly around the empty room.
"There's still more work to do," she reminded herself. "The Lord Bishop said we must give our all to win this war."
She put her glasses back on, concealing everything but the cold beauty of her lower face, just like always, and continued with her tasks—as if nothing had happened at all.
Kiana's assault lasted only briefly.
However, its intensity and coverage area were the most extreme since her initial descent upon Earth.
Based on satellite data, approximately one-sixteenth of the planet's surface had been leveled, with all protruding mountains flattened and every trace of surface water vanished without a trace.
Whether it was land or sea, after this attack, vast regions were left as terrifyingly barren wastelands, devoid of any recognizable features.
But Kiana's eyes widened slightly, her cold expression transforming into disbelief: "It hasn't disappeared?"
The pure white figure, resembling Otto Apocalypse, stood before Kiana. With ethereal, almost translucent fingers, he slowly reached towards her forehead.
***
His finger touched Kiana's brow.
Instantaneously, her eyes lost their vitality, her expression turned utterly blank, and a crack began spreading from her forehead across her exquisite face. The surging energy rapidly dissipated.
Yet, at that moment, the fading white apparition, having fulfilled its ultimate mission by contacting the Final Herrscher, underwent a change in demeanor, revealing astonishment:
"Time... parallel worlds... cycles... So this is how it works? Zeke, you intend to..."
Otto's final words carried hints of shock and urgency, abruptly cutting off.
Simultaneously, the illusory white figure vanished entirely.
In the third year of the Imperial Era, Otto Apocalypse, the madman and sinner who had lived for over five centuries, disappeared.
In the now-empty decision-making meeting room, Zeke stood by the shattered furniture and gently touched the transparent ice coffin containing what appeared to be the lifeless body of a petite girl—Fu Hua.
After gazing at her for a moment, Zeke approached the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down indifferently upon the gathered elite combat forces below.
"All our powerful trump cards that couldn't work together have been played. For this final round of attrition, let's not disappoint our world."
Below them stood Heroic Spirits, Herrschers, contemporary MANTIS operatives, the strongest Valkyries, and formidable reinforcements from beyond their realm—these warriors, who had already endured fierce battles, now stood tall with renewed vigor. After a brief respite, primarily aided by various mysterious potions provided by Mobius, they collectively exuded an overwhelming aura.
"Yes sir!" × N
Some had red eyes, pained by the loss or uncertain fate of their comrades; others gripped their weapons tightly, suppressing all emotions deep within, revealing only a clear determination for self-sacrifice in their gaze. Regardless, every one of them displayed unwavering obedience to Zeke's final command.
With a simple gesture, Kiana distorted space-time, transporting everyone to the front lines.
As Zeke watched from above, the girl stepped through the floor-to-ceiling window and embraced him tightly.
Zeke momentarily tensed but then gently stroked her soft, silvery hair, his voice soothing as he asked,
"Tired?"
"Exhausted, really want to just sleep first."
"But there's no time."
"I know. But Zeke, your mind is unsettled!"
Kiana released her hold on Zeke and pressed their foreheads together, gazing at him with eyes as clear and beautiful as the sky, filled with tender affection.
For a moment, Zeke remained silent. Then, gently touching Kiana's soft, smooth face, he smiled faintly. "Apologies, I couldn't remain composed all the time. It still hurts somewhat."
"Does that pain include Otto?"
"My apologies, even for someone like Otto, I..."
"Silly! My grudges are one thing; your friendship is another. I understand—you were friends, very good friends. I'll go ahead and wait for you up front. Oh, remember this, no matter what... I love you, Zeke!"
With a fleeting kiss upon Zeke's lips, Kiana cast one last glance at Fu Hua sleeping within the coffin of ice, then disappeared from the room wearing a radiant smile.
"...Don't jinx it!" Zeke touched his lips, recalling the warmth and subtle sweetness of Kiana's touch, followed by a resigned sigh.
Except for Otto, Zeke had contingency plans for all the other sacrifices, allowing him to accept their departures relatively calmly—even Welt's ultimate sacrifice.
But with Kiana, he honestly admitted to himself—he couldn't bear it. Even temporarily, he couldn't endure losing her.
'Fu Hua, I guess I'm not cut out to be a Civilization Lord, don't you agree?'
With a heavy heart, Zeke touched the coffin of ice before turning his gaze back to the roaring battlefield scene unfolding on the screen.
Whether qualified or not was no longer important.
Too many people had pinned their hopes on him, making the burden too weighty to halt his progress. And Zeke himself had compelling reasons to overcome this challenge.
Since an era lost in antiquity, victory has been his sole pursuit and choice.