'Hertatomb' had clearly underestimated just how quickly a Digimon could evolve when fueled by massive amounts of data.
Or perhaps, she'd underestimated the sheer quality of the data generated by the Emperor's Scepter's calculations.
On top of that, she never personally stepped in to experience the actual power level firsthand.
She was always watching through a screen.
But the problem was, all of Amphoreus was growing stronger in tandem.
And the benchmark—Irontomb—was set at such an absurdly high level.
The result was…
'Hertatomb' simply couldn't accurately gauge just how far Amphoreus's overall strength had progressed.
And in reality, up until the last cycle, when Khaslana, having absorbed the prayers of all Amphoreus, channeled both light and data into itself, the power it unleashed was truly formidable.
Even though that power was eventually returned to the beings of Amphoreus, the residual data still triggered a metamorphosis within Khaslana.
Nanook judged that it was about time for THEM to make a move.
Plus, Bai Ming was here too.
Perfect timing to pull both of them in together.
Last time, with Noa and Nous keeping watch, it wasn't convenient. But now, there were no meddlers around.
So, with a grand sweep of intent, Nanook yanked not just Khaslana, but the Bai Ming outside as well into this space.
And perhaps because Celenova was too close, coupled with her nature as a Lord Ravager, she too appeared within this Path Space.
And what she saw was a scene of tense standoff: a violet-gold giant radiating pure Destruction, 'Hertatomb', and Zephyro, all facing off.
Zephyro stood there calmly.
He glanced sideways at the newly arrived Celenova and gave a slight nod.
Phainon also saw 'Hertatomb'.
At first, he was puzzled, because 'Hertatomb's' form bore a striking resemblance to the headless frame of Irontomb.
But then he remembered what the two Madam Hertas had mentioned—a companion aiding them from beyond their world.
That must be Madam Bai Ming.
Compared to his state in the original storyline, where he was consumed by his own fury, this version of Phainon seemed far more lucid.
Though he only spared 'Hertatomb' a glance before turning with a roar and charging toward Zephyro.
The towering golden flames he unleashed carried a palpable will, evident even to an observer.
After a brief moment of disorientation, Phainon grasped some information: two immensely powerful Emanators of Destruction, and the very source of that Destruction.
He didn't know what they intended.
He only knew that the man now blocking his path sought to come to Amphoreus to applaud the ascension of his comrade.
And in Phainon's eyes, who could that comrade of a Lord Ravager be, if not Irontomb?
They wanted Irontomb to break its shell.
That couldn't be allowed.
Phainon had waited millennia. Cyrene had died again and again, across countless cycles, before this hope finally dawned.
The gathered Coreflames no longer scorched the self. Cyrene no longer had to die at the beginning every single time.
Now, they could even see the direction of success.
If several more beings of such power were to arrive, wouldn't Amphoreus simply revert to that endless cycle of calamity?
Why?
Why must enemies appear now, on the very brink of success?
Phainon felt a wave of suffocating despair.
No. He couldn't let them pass.
Madam Bai Ming could handle that white-haired Lord Ravager.
But the man before him… he had to fight him himself.
Phainon didn't understand concepts like a confluence of Paths or the nuances of power disparity.
He only knew the man before him radiated overwhelming pressure. If he reached Amphoreus, the situation would become utterly dire.
So, even though he had no comrades here, no allies at his back, standing alone, he could not draw upon that united light of countless souls, he absolutely had to defeat the man before him right here.
The golden flames blazed brighter, fueled by Phainon's desperate resolve.
To rebel against the Scepter's cage. To rebel against fate. To tear apart the Threat of Destruction.
To let Amphoreus see into Tomorrow!
These yearnings, mingled with his rage, transformed into the power of Khaslana.
Even without the utter despair and fury from the game's narrative, the will of Khaslana still allowed him to erupt with dazzling radiance and might.
Celenova moved to assist, but Zephyro raised a hand to stop her, stepping forward alone to meet the furious man.
An individual where Destruction and Hope intertwined.
No wonder the Aeon of Destruction regarded him highly.
As for Phainon's rage, Zephyro couldn't be bothered to explain.
Better to push him, to test his mettle.
So he advanced, engaging Khaslana in battle.
'Hertatomb' watched as Khaslana clashed with Zephyro.
She had originally thought she was just here to spectate today.
But then, while Zephyro was suppressing Khaslana, Nanook lowered THEIR gaze to look at 'Hertatomb'.
To Nanook, these Giants of Light of Bai Ming always brought some novel amusement.
Fallen beings of light were not unheard of, but it was clear: once one embraced Destruction, their light was immediately extinguished.
A being like Khaslana could truly be called rare.
As for Irontomb…
Frankly, after seeing Bai Ming's current state, Nanook figured Irontomb was probably just… unremarkable.
Nous would not allow Irontomb to be born complete.
And the Path of Erudition was different from the others.
If you couldn't directly refute Nous, you'd be incorporated into its calculations and then manipulated at will.
With failure a foregone conclusion, even if Irontomb truly had the potential to overturn the cosmos, it was meaningless.
Might as well let things play out as they were.
Exchanging that for the birth of an existence like Khaslana could be considered a decent trade.
And besides…
An entity capable of transcending Nous's calculations was right here, wasn't it?
This little one had even accepted THEIR blessing before.
Last time it was a bit stingy. This time, might as well complete the gift.
'Hertatomb' sometimes marveled at it all.
Here she was, such a pure and decent soul, yet gazed upon not once, not twice, but thrice by the Aeon of Destruction.
If outsiders knew, who knows what they'd think of her.
As for Celenova, she was so incensed she came charging over, claws swinging.
But it looked more like a petulant child throwing a fit for not getting enough attention.
Rather than a genuine threat, it was more like a kitten with its fur puffed up.
On the other side, Khaslana was losing badly.
Which was to be expected.
And Zephyro, as if having completed some test, faded from view.
At the moment his consciousness began to disperse, Khaslana's will—so desperate it would burn even itself—finally succeeded in igniting the Zephyro of Destruction.
Or rather, in order to resist Destruction, Khaslana finally accepted the power of Destruction that resided within its own body.
Thus, amidst the endless flames, the colossal form rose once more, wreathed in fire, and charged toward Nanook.
"Holy crap! WarGreymon?!"
'Hertatomb' stared at the form Khaslana had evolved into by burning itself, the exclamation slipping out unbidden.
No need to ask—it was definitely another design World Herta had fished out from her memories.
But the exasperating part was, the head, claws, chest plate, and leg armor had all turned purple.
"Why is even WarGreymon in yellow and purple? Is there any saving this guy's aesthetic sense?!"
--+--