Fifty thousand years later, Durandal and Ryn awoke from a long slumber and began to walk the earth.
Ryn engaged in a debate with ancient Greek philosophers on the question of "why birds can fly." This was recorded by the people of that time and later romanticized into mythology by posterity, with Ryn being called Icarus.
Fu Hua's Project Ember failed, Project Ark's Stan went missing, and other bad news kept coming. Durandal's Project Valuka also made no progress. Ryn gradually lost hope and began to experiment with the Stigmata Project.
During the time of King Arthur's legend.
Ryn discovered cyp-630 in a lake near a certain shelter and released Honkai energy into the nearby Burton Village.
A Honkai eruption occurred in Burton Village. Except for a child named Arthur who awakened his Stigmata, there were no survivors...
Durandal, who was passing by, saved Arthur, who couldn't control his Stigmata, and taught him how to use it. Then she disappeared into the lake, entering the shelter beneath its surface.
Arthur etched Durandal's figure into his memory, calling her the Lady of the Lake. (In reality, the Lady of the Lake was Su.)
Arriving at the shelter, Durandal questioned Ryn about why the Honkai erupted in Burton Village.
Ryn bluntly stated that he was the one who released the Honkai energy and reassured Durandal that the island was a perfect experimental site, and no test subjects would escape. He then asked Durandal if any Stigmata awakeners had appeared in Burton Village, as they would be the best experimental material.
Durandal clenched her fists, suppressing her rage, and told Ryn that all several hundred people in Burton Village had died, and no Stigmata awakeners had appeared.
Holding onto a sliver of hope, Durandal tentatively suggested to Ryn that the parallel worlds she observed had high reference value and wanted him to take a look.
But Ryn didn't even turn his head, focusing on the implementation of his Stigmata Project. He just told Durandal to go back and sort out the Second Divine Key, and that he would go over after he was done.
Seeing Ryn like this, Durandal knew that Kevin had completely lost his humanity...
Ryn finished his work and went to where the Second Divine Key was, only to be pulled into a Bubble Universe created by Durandal.
"Durandal, what are you doing? This... is a Bubble Universe?"
"This is the Bubble Universe created with the Second Divine Key—Sumeru. It is isolated from the world, and you cannot leave without my help." Durandal's figure appeared before Ryn.
"We need to have a serious talk. I hope you can postpone the execution of the Stigmata Project. If this project succeeds, humanity will pay a huge price, with only a thousand or so people able to survive!"
"I know, Durandal. This project is the worst-case scenario.
I also know that you oppose this project. The deaths of those innocent people weigh on your conscience.
You tricked me into coming here because you want to trap me. You want to do everything in your power to stop me from carrying out the Stigmata Project."
Ryn raised the Judgment of Shamash, and with one strike, pierced the sky, shattering the Sumeru that Durandal had created.
But Ryn did not leave. Instead, he pointed his sword at Durandal.
"I'll give you a chance to stop me. After you fail, you will understand that you cannot change any of this.
Even if only one in a thousand, one in ten thousand can survive, it's still better than doing nothing and praying for some miracle to happen.
The sin of the innocent people who have died and are about to die... I will bear it alone."
"Hah... There's a huge gap in our strength, but I will use all my power, and the Divine Keys that can harm you..."
Durandal took a deep breath. Abyss Flower and Star of Eden appeared in her hands.
"Star of Eden, Zeroth Power—Pseudo Black Hole, release!"
Facing Durandal's pseudo black hole, Ryn simply raised his sword, and with one slash, easily cut through it and shattered the Star of Eden.
Durandal immediately switched hands, activating the withering power of Abyss Flower to its maximum, and thrust the lance at the location of Ryn's heart.
But the power of withering was completely unable to suppress Ryn's regeneration. Ryn grasped the tip of Abyss Flower's lance and crushed it directly.
Then, Ryn swung his sword at Durandal. Durandal could only defend by distorting space with the Second Divine Key. But even distorted space couldn't withstand Ryn's attack, and Durandal was sent flying by the energy of the Judgment of Shamash, landing under a tree.
"Ryn... in the thousands of years since you woke up, whenever I had the chance, I would act alongside you.
I made a vow to never let you be alone again. We have crossed mountains and seas together, watching the people of this era slowly rebuild civilization.
But, Ryn, you know full well that the Stigmata Project will destroy human civilization."
Durandal stood up, trembling. She was covered in wounds, but her will was firmer than ever.
"When you go astray, I will stop you. The fate of humanity should be decided by the people of this generation themselves."
"No. It's over, Bianka. Give up. I know you've always opposed the Stigmata Project; you can't tolerate such methods. But similarly, you cannot shake my resolve. I will not stop my steps, even if my hands are stained with my own blood..."
Ryn closed his eyes, unable to bear looking at Durandal any longer, and turned to leave, holding the Judgment of Shamash.
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Su's illusory figure appeared in the illusion, intending to witness firsthand what choice Durandal would make.
This was Su's final test. To save this era, even if the opponent was a dear friend, Durandal had to make a painful decision.
"Come, the next step is to activate the Second Divine Key and seal him away."
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"Ryn, I'll ask you one last time. Will you have no regrets, no matter the cost?"
"No, I will not regret it. No matter the cost, humanity must defeat the Honkai."
"Is that so... Then I should make up my mind as well."
Durandal staggered towards Ryn, took his hand, and looked at him with sincerity and determination.
"For you, I am also willing to pay any price. I will always, always be with you, and I will not let you bear this sin alone."
"Huh?" Durandal's answer made Ryn tilt his head in shock.
"Ryn, I do not agree with the Stigmata Project... but I have never seen you in so much pain as you are today. Never!"
"Uh... wait, did I get something wrong? Durandal, you're too emotional. This is a decision concerning the fate of humanity. Why don't you calm down and reconsider..."
"No!" Durandal hugged Ryn, tackling him to the ground. "I will never let you bear all this alone again.
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