ALL NOVEL Chapter 221: The Final Battle, Part 5
In the dim expanse of the Imaginary space, information fragments drifted like snowflakes. The Cosmic Juggernaut, resembling a spectral train, hurtled through the void.
The portal connecting to the real world was closing. The Divine Key, carrying its precious cargo of data, could only follow its predetermined path.
A massive shadow materialized in its path. The Theater of Domination, vast and imposing, emerged from the Imaginary space. The Cosmic Juggernaut, unable to stop, collided with the theater's endless corridors, the sound of collapsing stone echoing through the void.
As the train screeched to a halt, a swarm of puppets descended upon it, clinging to its sides like passengers in an overcrowded station.
The data Otto had painstakingly collected was copied, absorbed into the puppets' processing centers, becoming a new source of information for Ren. He had found crucial data within the fragments he had intercepted earlier, but he needed more, hence his plan to hijack the Cosmic Juggernaut.
Unaware of the events unfolding within the Theater of Domination, the space above Nagazora, torn by Kevin and Durandal's battle, grew increasingly unstable, filled with turbulent spatial currents.
The ravaged space couldn't withstand another full-powered attack from Kevin. He had to restrain himself, feigning a struggle against Durandal.
Unnoticed, Tonatiuh (Star Eater), reborn by the Will of the Honkai, lurked within the spatial distortions.
Herrscher personalities were, in essence, blank slates, fragments of the Will of the Honkai. The fragment that should have become the Herrscher of Domination, however, had been usurped by Ren, becoming an independent entity.
It maintained a connection to the main collective, transmitting data periodically. But its long observation of Ren had left its mark. It had learned to cause maximum destruction with minimal effort.
Under its subtle influence, the Honkai energy permeating the battlefield shifted, a deep darkness spreading from the spatial rifts, consuming the light. This was Tonatiuh (Star Eater)'s power – to devour the Star.
Kiana, standing at the edge of the chasm, was the first to be affected. Her hair darkened, the suppressed consciousness of Sirin stirring within her, threatening to resurface.
But she was oblivious, her gaze fixed on the spot where Ren had fallen, her mind a jumble of chaotic thoughts.
Footsteps crunched on the ice behind her.
"Ren?" She turned, hope flickering in her eyes, then her expression hardened.
A man stood before her, clad in an elaborate robe, his golden hair pulled back, his green eyes glinting with amusement, as if the world were his plaything.
Otto Apocalypse.
Consumed by the Honkai's influence, Kiana summoned her weapon, memories of past pain, of Ren's apparent death, fueling her rage, driving her to attack.
But her spear of Honkai energy was stopped by a golden shield, unable to penetrate.
"It's been a while, K423." Otto's words, laced with a condescending amusement, ignited Kiana's fury. The Herrscher persona within her surged, amplifying her power.
The spear, now imbued with a dark energy, struck the shield, shattering both.
The shattered shield, a golden liquid, spread across the ground.
Kiana lunged, her fist connecting with Otto's Soulium body. But as she grabbed his throat, her hand froze.
"Ren isn't dead. Control your emotions, unless you want to become a Herrscher completely."
"He's… alive?" Kiana's voice was a raspy whisper. Kevin's power, the devastating attack, had convinced her of Ren's death.
"Of course. He's not so easily eliminated. But if you want to save him, we need a… safe space."
The Void Archives, a golden liquid, flowed outwards, enveloping them both in a protective sphere.
The First Divine Key, created by the Previous Era, was more than just a library. It was a part of Prometheus, the superintelligent AI. Though not as powerful as Prometheus 17, which had infiltrated the Imaginary Tree, it could still block the Honkai's perception.
"What…?"
Within the sphere, the world outside vanished, replaced by a pure, white void.
Kiana didn't understand, but as she saw black tendrils, like wisps of smoke, leaving her body, a chilling realization dawned.
"When your emotions spiraled out of control, the Honkai began to corrupt you, twisting your mind, feeding the Herrscher persona within you."
"That's just your theory."
"No. It's not my theory. It's something… born from Ren." Otto gestured, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I'm increasingly intrigued by that boy. I thought he agreed to cooperate solely for your sake, but it seems… he used me as well."
"Used you?" Kiana glared at him. "You, a manipulative schemer, claiming to be used? How laughable. Ren was just an ordinary person a few months ago. You've been exploiting his power all along."
Otto chuckled, offering no explanation.
He had pushed Ren, forcing him to participate in the experiments, using his power to open pathways to the Imaginary Tree. But this final experiment had spiraled out of control. World Serpent's attack, Ren's sudden… transformation…
And the Cosmic Juggernaut, carrying the data he needed, was missing.
Otto finally understood. He had been used. Not only had he faced World Serpent's wrath, but he was now obligated to deal with this… unknown entity within Ren.
And the Cosmic Juggernaut… it had to be in Ren's possession. He didn't know what Ren was facing, but if he wanted the data for Kallen's resurrection, he had to help Ren eliminate the Honkai threat.
"Whether I used him or he used me… our goals align. K423, you are the key he left behind. If you want to save him from the darkness, you'll have to set aside your hatred for me."
Kiana hesitated, her hatred warring with her concern for Ren. "What do you want me to do?"
"Simple." The golden light surrounding them coalesced, forming a sword in Otto's hand.
A replica of the Judgement of Shamash, a pseudo-Divine Key. He offered the hilt to Kiana, his voice cold.
"Kill him."