[Amidst stirring music, the sky gradually darkens, with only a single beam of light descending upon Cocolia's head, illuminating her like a creator god descending upon the world!]
[Surging energy condenses into a tangible form in her palm, transforming into a bizarre, monstrous boulder that blots out the sky!]
[As if hearing Cocolia's sinister laughter once more, the massive rock, like a falling star, plummets from the heavens, wreathed in an unstoppable golden radiance.]
"Too many unnecessary movements."
Uchiha Madara crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly upward. His Rinnegan swirled like a vortex in the ocean—dangerous yet mesmerizing.
"Still, this power is worthy of recognition. Its might rivals Tengai Shinsei... no, perhaps even surpasses it." Madara nodded approvingly.
Tengai Shinsei was a forbidden technique he unleashed using the power of his Rinnegan. By forming three distinct hand seals with Susanoo, he could summon a colossal meteor from the sky to annihilate everything.
Cocolia's summoned boulder was similar to Tengai Shinsei, though she didn't need hand seals—instead, she required a brief moment to gather her power.
"She likely can't summon a second one so quickly, right?" The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, murmured, his bandaged jaw trembling slightly. "Even with the Stellaron's enhancement, she's still just a mortal. Overusing a god-given power will exact its toll."
"True. But I'm more interested in how they'll block the first one." Madara smirked. "That world doesn't have Ōnoki's Light-Weight Boulder Technique or the Fifth Kazekage's sand."
"...Is the power of Preservation truly enough to withstand this?"
Madara's gaze lingered on the blazing lance held high in Stelle's hand.
["This is the will of Preservation!" Stelle slammed her lance into the ground, and in the next instant, surging flames erupted in a brilliant radiance, a violent burst of light spreading in all directions, coalescing into sturdy shields around everyone.]
[When the boulder crashed down, the battlefield was engulfed in dust. Yet as the smoke cleared, though March 7th and the others were slightly disheveled, none were injured.]
"Remarkable. Not a single scratch." At a tea stall in Liyue, Zhongli looked up at the celestial screen, exhaling softly in admiration.
Cocolia's summoned boulder was similar to his own "Planet Befall." Yet, in his memory, even during the Archon War, few could withstand such an attack head-on.
Not only did Stelle remain unharmed, but she also perfectly shielded her companions... and this was merely a glimpse of an Aeon's power.
"...So this is the power of Preservation. Truly profound."
Zhongli blew lightly on his steaming tea. He suddenly recalled a recent debate about who was stronger—him or the Aeon of Preservation.
Now, that argument had an indisputable answer.
["Wow, this shield is so warm!" March 7th marveled at the flames enveloping her body—not scorching, but comforting.]
[Even this charged strike failed to deal significant damage to Stelle and the others, signaling that the battle's outcome was already decided.]
[With one final charge from Stelle, a fiery whirlwind swallowed Cocolia once more. This time, however, she offered no resistance, instead accepting her fate with resignation.]
[As the crystalline shards covering her body shattered, Cocolia collapsed heavily onto the ground. Stripped of the Stellaron's power, she reverted to her human form.]
[But the backlash from the Stellaron had drained her completely—she couldn't even stand.]
[Realizing something, Bronya desperately lunged forward, only for Seele to seize her wrist, holding her back as the young girl sobbed, "No... don't take her away!"]
[Cough... Cocolia struggled to prop herself up, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes as she pressed a hand firmly against the Stellaron embedded in her chest.]
[Now, at last, she had awakened from her grand delusion.]
[But it was far too late.]
["The Stellaron... promised a future! It will... consume everything!"]
[With a final exertion, Cocolia forced the Stellaron's rampaging energy inward, the violent power instantly devouring the land around her!]
[And her last act... was a barrier of Preservation.]
[It sealed Bronya away—along with her own hope of survival. As her daughter screamed in anguish beyond the barrier, Cocolia said nothing. Her only atonement was to keep the Stellaron suppressed against her chest until her final breath.]
[Light gathered as the Stellaron's fury peaked. Then, with a crisp shattering sound, Cocolia dissolved into countless motes of light, vanishing without a trace.]
[Yet, at the very end, within the dissipating radiance, she looked at Bronya... and finally allowed herself a mother's tender, relieved smile.]
"The fortunate thing is that she finally awoke from this illusion." Sense shook his head. "The tragedy is that she awoke far too late."
"Death was a fitting end for her." Serie remarked leisurely. "Suppressing the rampaging Stellaron at the last moment... at least she made up for some of her past sins."
"Many spend their lives chasing a spectacular death, longing for a chance to burn out in glory... Yet after the Demon King's fall, most simply live out peaceful, ordinary lives."
"...Cocolia's death was dazzling. Magnificent."
Meanwhile, at St. Freya Academy, Bronya and Seele watched Cocolia's demise with mixed emotions.
In their world, Cocolia was also her "mother"—the head of the orphanage. Yet, she was someone Bronya deeply resented.
"Suppressing the Stellaron's power at the last moment and sacrificing herself..." Bronya let out a cold laugh. "Even as a parallel-world counterpart, she's far better than someone who only knows how to control others with biochips in their brains."
"From beginning to end, she had the freedom to choose... Hah, how ironic."
The world on the celestial screen felt like an inverted reflection of Bronya's own life.
Whether it was Seele, herself, or even Cocolia...
The Cocolia in the vision respected Bronya's choices. Yet the real one often forced her into obedience through the biochip in her brain.
"Big Sister... you don't like this ending?" Seele beside her noticed Bronya's solemn expression.
"No, I love it." Bronya's expression softened as she tightly grasped Seele's hand. "In that world, 'I' have you, and companions I can trust... It's a very happy ending."
"It's just a shame that Sister Mei and Sister Kiana aren't there..." Seele sighed regretfully.
"Maybe they'll appear later. That Kiana... wherever she goes, she brings chaos with her." Bronya massaged her temples. "A universe without her would lose half its liveliness."