As for Evernight, she was somewhat at a loss at this moment.
Evernight had originally planned to take this opportunity to find Phaethon and ask him clearly about the exact whereabouts of her "Little March"—after all, this was the core reason she had intervened in this matter.
However, before she could find the right moment to speak, the Chrysos Heirs below were already shouting things like "family," "friendship," and those somewhat embarrassing-to-say words like "bonds," and charged forward all at once, completely stirring the situation into chaos.
She had no choice but to temporarily suppress her urgency and watch from the sidelines, looking somewhat helpless. There was no helping it; she only had the mechanics of "Oblivion," with no stats to speak of.
…
At the same moment, another battle line!
Cipher held Cyrene tightly, relying on the golden threads woven in the void by Aglaea using the power of "Romance," as well as the Infinity Gates precisely opened by the Tribbies like jump points.
Amidst the densely generating and continuously closing amber obstacles, they performed a dazzling high-speed shuttle and jump, like a magnificent dance dancing with death.
However, as they got closer to Phaethon at the storm's center, the speed and density of amber generation increased geometrically!
The space originally available for maneuvering was rapidly and ruthlessly compressed.
The surrounding amber walls were no longer independent obstacles but gradually writhed, connected, and condensed into one like living things, trying to trap them completely in an ever-shrinking golden cage!
Phaethon, now at any cost, was determined to prevent Cyrene from approaching him any further.
Hyacine used her power to guide them to detour towards exits not yet completely sealed, the colorful rainbow light like a lighthouse in the fog.
However, the amber condensation speed was too fast! The rainbow light guiding the path grew weaker and weaker behind the increasingly thick amber barriers, like a candle flickering in the wind…
At this critical moment—
"Open—up!!"
A thunderous roar came from the flank! Mydei, gathering all his strength, the laws of "Strife" gathered around his fist, punched out fiercely with overwhelming momentum!
Bang!!!
Rumble—!!!
The hopelessly thick amber wall blocking Cyrene and Cipher was completely pierced through from the side by this extremely brutal force, shattering a huge hole!
The path was temporarily opened!
Then, Cipher vigorously threw Cyrene towards Phaethon.
The dazzling sky light shone in through the hole, illuminating Cyrene's determined face.
At this moment, between her and Phaethon, there was no longer any obstacle!
Almost at the same time, not a second off—
Behind Phaethon, the final amber barrier, amidst a clear cracking sound, was completely shattered by a destructive sword light condensed to the extreme!
Phainon's figure, amidst the golden crystal shards flying all over the sky, burst through the barrier with overwhelming determination, suddenly appearing behind Phaethon!
…
Below, Welt gripped the Star of Eden tightly, his gaze sharp. He saw the determination in Cyrene's eyes, and also saw the undeniable, instinctive protectiveness for his brother and sister in every one of Phaethon's attacks.
"Now," he thought to himself,
"Create a brief force field binding, just 0.7 seconds, enough for Cyrene to break through the last line, but absolutely not enough to hurt Phaethon... I have to bet, bet that Cyrene's choice will create a miracle, not another tragedy."
…
Phaethon's gaze collided with Cyrene's blue and determined eyes.
That gaze, like the sharpest needle, pierced his frozen heart defenses, causing an uncontrollable flicker of intense wavering and doubt deep within him in that millionth of a second—
If the path I have chosen is absolutely correct, the only answer that can end the tragedy...
Then why are all those I deeply love and try to protect, my only brother, my sister Cyrene whom I regard as family, now risking their lives to... stop me?
This thought, like a venomous snake, bit into his faith.
But—
This wavering flickered in his mind for only an instant, then was completely crushed by a greater, colder "inevitability"!
He was correct! He must be correct!
This was not only because this choice could save the most people, but also for a deeper reason!!!
That reason hung over his head like the Sword of Damocles, forcing him to continue!
Cyrene and Phainon, they had indeed endured countless hardships, breaking through layers of obstacles, and rushed before him.
But, so what?
The gap of power still existed.
If Phaethon wanted to leave this place, he could escape far away with a thought, and Cyrene and Phainon... simply couldn't stop him!
Just as this thought arose—
Buzz—!!!
A huge tearing force suddenly burst out beside the three!
Under Welt's full force, a purple-black pseudo-black hole suddenly formed not far from Phaethon!
That was the strike he had considered repeatedly before unleashing! He had finally intervened, and he also hoped Cyrene could influence Phaethon's thoughts!
Phaethon's pupils suddenly contracted!
He could certainly use his own powerful power to directly break free from this black hole and leave calmly.
But—
The terrifying tearing force of the black hole also mercilessly enveloped Phainon and Cyrene, who were right beside him!
Almost instinctively!
Without even thinking, Phaethon's body reacted before his will—he suddenly raised his head, reached out his hand, mobilized his power, and blocked this strike capable of tearing apart stars for Phainon and Cyrene!
But it was precisely this deep-rooted, indelible protective instinct that made Phaethon miss... the best opportunity to leave this place calmly!
And at the moment he raised his hand to defend against the pseudo-black hole—
Cyrene's figure had already broken through that final half-meter distance!
Now, the two were close at hand. He could even clearly see, on the smooth, mirror-like blade of the ceremonial sword in Cyrene's hand, the reflection of his own blazing red pupils, slightly widened due to shock!
No attack, no reprimand.
Cyrene made a move that no one present, including Welt who had acted to restrain Phaethon, expected—
She let go of her hand, and the ceremonial sword containing the power of "Remembrance" and "Time" silently fell downwards.
Cyrene opened her arms to Phaethon, her clear eyes seeming to look directly into the depths of his soul. In a tone calm to the point of heartbreak, Cyrene asked that question which had run through all the recurrences of Amphoreus, the first and the final question:
"Little Phaethon..."
"In your view... what is the 'Prime Mover of Life'?"
"Of course it's because of Preserv—"
Almost conditioned, Phaethon was about to blurt out the answer etched into his heart.
However, at the moment when the thought of the word "Preservation" was about to form in his mind—
The expression on Phaethon's face suddenly changed dramatically!
He seemed to suddenly realize something even more terrifying than his own destruction!