Rita's scythe carved a silver arc through the air — only to be met by Fu Hua's reinforced gauntlets. The impact detonated in a shower of bright, fiery sparks that scattered like falling stars across the fractured floor.
They moved as blurs.
Fu Hua's eyes sharpened as she parried and countered.
Every swing was well-calculated... but she's only holding out against my attacks... She's trying to delay me... I'm running out of time...
Rita's footwork was flawless. She wasn't attempting to overpower Fu Hua — only intercept, redirect, stall.
Fu Hua's heart hardened.
...this might hurt her, but I have no other choice...
Energy began to gather faintly around her stance.
Rita noticed immediately.
Her gaze narrowed.
Rita: "Are you tapping into the Divine Keys, Master Fu Hua? Well then, to protect myself, ...I have no choice but to give it my best."
They pushed against each other — scythe shaft locked against armored forearm — then separated in a burst of force.
Both slid backward.
Both steadied.
Both waited.
The air thickened.
Fu Hua centered her breathing.
Incoming...
But before either could move—
A violent shock split the sky.
A lance descended.
It pierced the ground between them with overwhelming force, cracking the floor in a web of fractures.
The impact wind swept past both Valkyries, forcing them a step back.
They looked upward.
A figure sat casually upon one of the broken pillars above.
Golden light framed her silhouette.
Fu Hua's eyes widened :"Durandal?"
There she stood.
Heir to the Key of Creation: Abyss Flower.
S-rank Valkyrie.
Schicksal's strongest blade.
The Immortal Blade.
Rita also spoke, astonished.
Rita: "… Master Durandal?"
Durandal's expression was calm — yet absolute.
Durandal: "Enough, Rita."
No hesitation.
Rita: "Understood."
Rita lowered her scythe without argument.
Fu Hua observed silently.
She has put away her scythe...
Durandal stepped forward slightly, golden hair swaying in the wind.
Her gaze met Fu Hua's and told her : "Go now, Fu Hua."
Fu Hua hesitated.
Confusion flickered across her normally steady face.
Durandal continued : "We cannot offer you any support. But we fight to defend our faith and the people we love. I would have made the same choice if I were in your place."
The words carried no mockery.
No manipulation.
Only conviction.
Fu Hua studied her for several long seconds.
Then she bowed her head slightly : "Thank you. I will repay this kindness."
Without another word, she turned—
And leaped from the edge of the floating island.
Her figure vanished into the turbulent, whirling skies .
Silence lingered in her absence.
Rita and Durandal stood side by side, watching the clouds swallow her.
It was Rita who finally broke the stillness : "Why didn't you stop here?... she will die."
Durandal did not look away from the horizon as she answer : "It's her choice."
The wind howled softly around them.
Rita's gaze softened : "What a shame. I actually like her a lot."
Back to the present—
A streak of crimson cut through the storm-torn sky.
Fu Hua descended like a falling star and landed firmly before Theresa, Sakura, and Bronya. The ground cracked softly beneath her boots.
All three stared at her in shock.
"Fu Hua?!" Bronya blurted out, disbelief clear in her voice.
Fu Hua rose from her landing stance and quickly scanned the situation.
Theresa, Sakura, and Bronya were standing within the protective perimeter of Wizard Infinity Style, the silver-white mage holding a defensive stance. A shimmering magical barrier rippled faintly around them, absorbing stray shockwaves from the ongoing battle.
Fu Hua turned sharply.
A few meters away, Rainbow Gotchard cradled Mei's unconscious body while the Gotcharbrother Doctorhebi emitted a soft healing glow over her wounds.
"Mei…" Fu Hua breathed, tension easing slightly in her shoulders.
Then—
Her eyes shifted to the center of the battlefield.
The Herrscher 'Kiana' clashed violently against Gaim Kiwami Arms. Subspace lances materialized and shot forward , but each one was intercepted mid-air by a different summoned weapon—blades, bows, and polearms flashing in rapid succession.
Every collision sent a shockwave ripping through the clouds.
The air trembled.
Fu Hua exhaled quietly.
"Seems like I've been worried for nothing."
But her gaze sharpened again.
Something was off.
Gaim Kiwami Arms wasn't pressing the attack.
Wizard Infinity Style maintained only a defensive perimeter.
Rainbow Gotchard focused solely on stabilizing Mei.
None of them were attempting to defeat the Herrscher.
Fu Hua looked at Mei resting in Rainbow Gotchard's arms.
She made her decision.
She turned sharply.
"Theresa. Sakura. Bronya. Take Mei and leave."
Theresa blinked. "Eh? But don't we finally have a chance against the Herrscher now?"
Fu Hua shook her head firmly.
"They're not trying to harm her at all. Their purpose is protection, not elimination. And Mei must be secured first."
Bronya's analytical gaze shifted back to the battlefield. She carefully observed the exchange between the Herrscher and Gaim Kiwami Arms.
Every summoned weapon.
Every block.
Every counter.
Not a single strike aimed to injure.
Bronya nodded.
"Fu Hua is right, Principal. The clone's function appears to be defensive only."
Theresa clenched her fists—then sighed.
"…Alright. We retreat."
As if responding to theresa, Gaim Kiwami Arms raised one hand while deflecting another subspace lance.
Space distorted behind the group.
A silver crack resembling a giant zipper tore open the air, revealing the deck of the Hyperion beyond.
"Let's go, everyone!" Theresa ordered.
Rainbow Gotchard lifted Mei securely.
Wizard Infinity Style moved to the rear guard.
Sakura and Bronya followed closely.
They sprinted toward the spatial rift.
Gaim Kiwami Arms stepped backward while continuing to counter the Herrscher's attacks, gradually guiding the battlefield away from the retreating group.
Just before stepping through, Bronya turned back briefly.
"Bronya thanks Fu Hua for bringing her out of the dreamland."
Fu Hua gave a faint nod.
Then—
The Herrscher suddenly ceased her assault.
She vanished then reappeared above the fleeing group, lightning coiling violently around her form.
Her eyes burned with fury.
"Who allowed you to leave?"
Thunder roared.
She raised her hand to strike.
But before the lightning could descend—
A blur shot upward.
Fu Hua's kick connected with devastating force, striking the Herrscher midair and sending her crashing back across the battlefield.
The group crossed through the crack.
The zipper-like portal sealed shut.
Only Fu Hua and the Herrscher remained.
Dust settled slowly between them.
The Herrscher rose, eyes blazing with contempt.
"You humans are like maggots. Kill one and dozens take its place. Come at me all you want, worthless scum✩ .Someone should tell you that it's rude to disturb other people's party."
Void energy surged violently around her.
Fu Hua stepped forward prepare to fight.