After bypassing layers of Schicksal's security systems, Tesla finally broke through to the core files.
What she uncovered made all three of them freeze.
On the main screen, schematics, records, and classified research logs scrolled past—centered around a single name: Spear of Destiny.
For a long moment, the control room was completely silent.
Tesla stared at the data, then slowly turned to Himeko. Her lips parted as if to speak… but no words came out. Her usual arrogance and confidence were nowhere to be found.
Sensing that Tesla couldn't bring herself to speak, Himeko stepped forward.
Himeko said : "Tesla ... Can you make the Spear of Destiny?"
She extended her right hand.
In her grasp was the crimson serum—the test tube clearly labeled HSN-b46.
Her grip was firm.
Himeko said : "It's about time we make use of this."
They knew the theory:If they could locate samples of the Holy Blood somewhere in the lab, combine them with the research data and Tesla's expertise, then—maybe—the Spear of Destiny could be recreated.
But the risk was enormous.
Tesla looked at the serum, then back at Himeko.
Tesla said : "Not trying to be pessimistic... but there's too little serum in this tube. We have only 1 shot at this."
Before anyone could respond—
BEEEEEEP—!
Alarms erupted throughout the lab.
Red emergency lights began flashing.
Himeko immediately pressed the serum into Tesla's hands.
She and Kouga turned toward the entrance as heavy mechanical footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Kouga's voice was calm, but firm.
Kouga said : "We'll handle the enemies."
Tesla stood there for a moment, staring at the test tube in her palm.
She could still feel the warmth of Himeko's hand.
Her hesitation vanished.
Her eyes sharpened.
Her confidence returned.
She slammed her fist onto the console.
Tesla regain her resolve and said : "...let's do it, people. I'll show you what we can do! ...hold this place! Don't let anyone bother me!"
Outside the lab doors, the corridor had already filled with Schicksal mechas.
Kouga transformed into Ryusoul Red, summoning the Ryusoul Ken.
Beside him, Himeko stood ready, gripping the Ryugeki Sword of TyrannoRanger.
The first wave of mechas charged.
Kouga leapt forward first.
With a single sweeping slash, his Ryusoul Ken ignited in blazing crimson light, cleaving three Asleikr units clean in half. Sparks and shrapnel scattered as ruined machines collapsed behind him.
He spun, bringing his blade down in a vertical strike that split another mech from shoulder to core.
Himeko followed immediately after.
She dashed through the battlefield like a streak of red.
Her Ryugeki Sword roared as she swung it horizontally, sending a shockwave of energy that ripped through a line of mechas at once.
She twisted her body mid-air and brought the blade crashing down, crushing another unit beneath her strike.
Mechas advanced from every direction, but neither of them slowed.
Kouga lunged forward, parrying a giant blade with his Ryusoul Ken before counter-slashing, slicing the mech apart in one fluid motion.
Himeko charged through an incoming barrage, tanking minor hits as she carved her way forward—each swing of her sword cutting down another enemy.
Piece by piece, machine after machine fell before them.
Metal littered the floor. Smoke filled the corridor. But still, more enemies poured in from above.
Breathing heavily, Himeko scanned the battlefield.
Himeko said : "These enemies came down from the top floors. We can't let them get any closer to Tesla!"
She turned sharply toward Kouga.
Himeko said : "Kouga, you stay here and protect Tesla."
Kouga hesitated.
Kouga ask : "What about you ?"
Himeko tightened her grip on her sword.
Her voice was steady.
Himeko said : "I'm going to the bottom floor."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and sprinted down the stairwell, disappearing from sight.
Left alone in front of the lab doors, Kouga stood his ground.
More mechas surged toward him.
With a battle cry, he charged back into the fray—Ryusoul Ken blazing as he slashed through mech after mech.
The battle outside the lab raged on.
Mech wreckage was scattered across the floor like shattered steel corpses. Sparks rained from severed joints, and burning circuits filled the air with acrid smoke. Kouga, still in Ryusoul Red form, cut through enemy after enemy with relentless precision, his blade blazing as he held the line in front of the laboratory entrance.
Every time one wave fell, another surged forward — but none managed to breach his defense.
Just as he cleaved through a particularly massive unit with a downward slash, a familiar voice suddenly crackled over the comm system from inside the lab.
Tesla's voice rang out proudly:"That's right, mophead! I'm a true genius!!"
Hearing that, Kouga let out a small breath of relief beneath his helmet. If Tesla was bragging like that, it meant things inside were going well.
Not long after, heavy footsteps echoed from the stairwell behind him.
Kouga turned — and froze for a split second.
Himeko emerged from below.
She was no longer in her Scarlet Fusion suit.
Instead, she stood clad in an entirely new battlesuit.
A sleek, red-and-black armored form wrapped around her body like sculpted metal. Bright crimson plates gleamed against black accents, with faint, burning orange lines pulsing like molten veins beneath the surface. Her gauntlets ended in sharp, blade-like points, and her legs were asymmetrical — one wrapped in dark, crisscrossed armored straps, the other encased in smooth, polished red plating.
Her tall, weapon-like heels clicked against the floor with every step.
Most striking of all were the massive metallic wings unfolding from her back — red and dark gray blades spreading out like razor petals, giving her a regal yet terrifying silhouette.
Kouga watched her approach.
Himeko stopped in front of him and calmly extended her hand, returning the Ryugeki Sword.
Kouga took it, the weapon dissolving into energy in his grip before being absorbed back into his system.
He looked her up and down.
Kouga asked: "New toys?"
Himeko smirked slightly as she said. "It's a relic from the Previous Era. It was the prototype that modern Valkyrie battlesuits were based on."
Her eyes glowed faintly as she continued.
"Otto wasn't satisfied with just restoring it. He integrated the Gem of Haste into this armor… attempting to recreate the power of the Herrscher of Fire."
Kouga's expression tightened beneath his helmet.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"You do realize how dangerous that is, right? I may have reversed your aging and restored your body, but that doesn't mean your body can casually handle Herrscher-level power."
Himeko met his gaze without hesitation.
She smiled softly.
"I already made my choice, Kouga."
For a moment, he just stared at her.
Then he sighed and shook his head.
"…Fine. But don't you dare be reckless."
Himeko grinned and gave him a confident thumbs-up.
About an hour earlier — the battlefield above Schicksal HQ
Mei lay on the shattered ground, breathing raggedly.
Her body was battered — torn fabric, scorched armor, and deep scratches marked by Honkai energy. Purple lightning still flickered weakly around her, but it was clear she had reached her limit. Her katana rested beside her trembling hand.
High above her, the Herrscher "Kiana" hovered calmly in midair.
Around her, countless glowing purple portals ripped open in the sky. From each one, jagged subspace lances began to materialize — thousands of them, all aimed directly at Mei below.
The air itself seemed to tremble.
Just as the barrage was about to fall—
CLANG.
Reality froze.
Golden chains burst from empty space, coiling around the Herrscher's body like divine restraints. The lances shattered mid-air into dust. The sky seemed to lock in place.
At the same moment, a familiar figure descended before Mei, standing between her and the Herrscher.
Theresa Apocalypse — Oath of Judas planted firmly into the ground, chains spiraling protectively around them both.
Theresa glanced back at Mei with concern as she ask : "Mei, are you alright?"
Mei stared up in disbelief and said : "Principal…?"
Theresa exhaled, relieved but tense adn said "Great, I've managed to catch up."
Without looking away from the bound Herrscher, she opened her comm channel.
Theresa said : "Professor, I've met up with Mei. But Kiana…"
Einstein's voice responded almost immediately, strained and incredulous : "High Honkai energy readings detected in Kiana's body. We're getting a reading of 4458 HW… is this reader broken?"
Theresa tightened her grip on Oath of Judas. and ask : "Where's your mech unit?"
Einstein replied grimly: "I have not received signals from any of the 67 mech units of the Vanguard. The number of hostiles is still increasing. Many are joining the battlefield as we speak. The situation is not looking good for us."
Theresa clenched her teeth.
Her gaze hardened as she looked back at the chained Herrscher in the sky.
Theresa said : "I've no choice but to bet on this…! We have a chance of winning if we can stir Kiana's sense of self."
For a moment, the Herrscher remained motionless.
Then—
The chains snapped apart in a burst of dark energy.
The Herrscher vanished in a flash of crimson light.
At the same time, the sky tore open in dozens of new rifts.
Hordes of Honkai beasts poured through, diving straight toward Theresa and the wounded Mei like a living storm.
Theresa raised Oath of Judas instantly and said :"The Herrscher has disappeared! Stay alert! She could attack at any moment!"
Before the first beast could reach them—
A flash of steel cut through the air.
Dozens of Honkai beasts were sliced apart in a single sweeping arc, their bodies dissolving into black ash.
Landing between the swarm and the two girls stood Yae Sakura, katana drawn, blade gleaming with killing intent.
Her eyes burned cold, unwavering, and fierce.
She stepped forward, placing herself firmly beside Theresa.
Sakura's voice rang out like a storm over the battlefield: "You will not lay a claw on them."
With that, she lunged into the horde — cutting down beast after beast in a blur of crimson slashes, her presence alone forming an unbreakable wall between the Honkai and her allies.
Behind her, Theresa tightened her grip, and Mei slowly pushed herself up, resolve reigniting in her eyes.
Honkai beasts poured in from every direction like a black tide, their screeches tearing through the sky. Theresa, Sakura, and Mei stood back to back, surrounded on all sides.
Theresa slammed Oath of Judas into the ground, the massive cross unfolding with a metallic boom. Golden chains burst from its frame, twisting through the air before firing outward like divine spears.
Each spear pierced straight through multiple Honkai beasts at once, pinning them to buildings, walls, and the shattered ground before they disintegrated into dust.
When more beasts charged at her, Theresa ripped Oath of Judas free and swung its massive body in front of her like a towering shield. Claws and energy blasts crashed against it, but the relic held firm, glowing faintly with holy light.
Behind her, Sakura and Mei moved in perfect sync.
Their katanas flashed like streaks of lightning.
Sakura darted through the swarm with ghost-like speed, every step elegant and lethal. Her blade carved clean arcs through the air, slicing Honkai beasts in half before they even realized she was there.
Mei fought just as fiercely, purple thunder crackling along her katana with each strike. She cut down beast after beast, her movements sharp, controlled, and precise despite her injuries.
For a moment, it seemed like the three of them had the upper hand.
Then—
The sky darkened.
A low, rumbling roar echoed from above.
CRACK—BOOM!
Blinding lightning tore across the clouds.
Mei's eyes shot upward in horror.
High above them, a massive Honkai dragon coiled through the storm, its glowing core pulsing as arcs of electricity spiraled around its body.
Mei shouted at once: "Watch out! These are lightning attacks from a Honkai dragon!"
Before anyone could react, the dragon slammed its wings downward.
Bolts of lightning rained from the sky like a deadly storm.
Theresa immediately raised Oath of Judas above her head, using its massive frame as a shield while chains lashed out to deflect some of the blasts.
Sakura dashed across the battlefield, weaving between strikes with incredible agility, her feet barely touching the ground as she avoided each bolt while still cutting down approaching beasts.
Mei leapt, rolled, and slid across the rubble, narrowly dodging strike after strike, her own lightning flickering weakly in response to the dragon's overwhelming power.
After a prolonged battle of cutting down wave after wave of Honkai beasts while desperately dodging the Honkai dragon's lightning, Mei, Theresa, and Sakura finally came to a halt, each of them breathing heavily.
Their bodies were battered, their stamina nearly spent, yet they still stood their ground.
The air trembled.
A dark spatial rift split open above them — and from it, the Herrscher 'Kiana' descended slowly, hovering in midair with cold, mocking eyes.
She looked down on them as if they were nothing but insects beneath her feet said : "Pathetic vermin. Lowly insects. Fight all you want. You will only make it easier for me. After all this while, you still don't understand, do you? Why do you bar my path, little girl?"
Theresa clenched her fists tightly around Oath of Judas, glaring up at her in pure fury and shout : "… shut up! That body does not belong to you!"
The Herrscher let out a cruel, amused laugh that echoed across the ruined battlefield.
Herrscher: "Hah. A greedy human made this body as a vessel for me. ---- It is an offering for my rebirth!"
Mei lowered her head slightly, her breath shaky. Inside her mind, she could only think in dread:
'Her void powers are immense… I can't even get close to her… It's day and night different from Wendy and me. True Herrscher powers…'
The Herrscher tilted her head mockingly, watching them struggle.
Herrscher laugh as she said : "Haha... I suppose insects provide some form of amusement. Your clumsy dance steps make me laugh."
Then, without even glancing at them, she raised her hand toward the sky.
The Herrscher command : "Benares, go give them a dance lesson."
The massive Honkai dragon — Benares — let out a deafening roar in response, its body crackling with violent lightning as energy gathered in its throat.
Mei's eyes widened in horror.
Mei: "…! Incoming attack!"
Theresa immediately shouted:
Theresa: "Mei! Watch out!"
At the same moment, Sakura burst forward, dashing at full speed to grab Mei and pull her out of the attack's path.
Benares shot upward into the stormy sky.
Blinding arcs of electricity erupted from its mouth — a lethal, concentrated beam aimed straight at them.
But before the attack could reach the trio—
Dark energy spheres suddenly materialized in midair.
They slammed directly into the dragon's breath.
BOOM—!
A blinding explosion ripped through the sky, scattering lightning in every direction.
Smoke and shockwaves swept across the battlefield.
Mei, Theresa, and Sakura turned in disbelief toward the source of the attack.
Floating above the ground, surrounded by a shimmering Anti-Honkai barrier, stood Bronya.
Her hair was tied with yellow ribbons edged in black. She wore her Yamabuki Armor — a sleek one-piece yellow, black, and silver combat suit with a white collar and a yellow HOMU doll emblem. Her prosthetic legs gleamed in black, white, yellow, and silver. Around her neck glowed the blue crystal necklace Kouga had given her.
Behind her hovered Project Bunny, weapons charged and ready.
Bronya's calm, measured voice cut through the chaos: "Anti-Honkai force field... fully functional. Yamabuki Armor potential maxed. Operating at maximum output."
Theresa stared in stunned disbelief and said : "…Bronya!?"
Mei's eyes widened in both shock and relief and said: "Bronya-chan, why are you here?"
Bronya looked at them with quiet determination and said "Bronya is happy to see Mei, Sakura and the Principal. Bronya came in time. Bronya has rested for long enough. Bronya shall report back to duty."
The battlefield fell silent for a moment.
Above them, the Herrscher glared down in irritation.
Benares let out a furious, thunderous roar that shook the skies.
Crackling lightning coiled around its massive body as the Honkai dragon folded its wings and dove straight toward Theresa, Mei, and Sakura, its jaws blazing with destructive energy.
Before it could reach them—
BOOM!
A volley of pitch-black energy orbs streaked across the air and slammed into Benares mid-charge. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, forcing the dragon to recoil violently as it was knocked off course.
Project Bunny hovered beside Bronya, weapons still glowing with residual Honkai energy.
Bronya remained calm and steady, her eyes locked onto the battlefield below as she said "Bronya will provide covering fire. Attack at will, squad!"
Theresa gripped the towering cross of Oath of Judas, determination blazing in her eyes said: "Got it, Bronya!"
At her command, the battle erupted.
Theresa slammed Oath of Judas into the ground. Massive black chains burst forth, coiling like serpents toward Benares, attempting to bind its wings. At the same time, dozens of sacred spears launched from the crucifix in a storm of golden light.
Sakura darted across the battlefield like a crimson flash, slicing through the air with her katana. Each swing left trails of razor-sharp Honkai-cleaving energy as she targeted Benares's legs and underbelly, forcing the dragon to shift its footing.
Mei surged forward in a burst of violet lightning. Her blade hummed with crackling electric energy as she leapt high into the air, slashing across Benares's wing in a brilliant arc that lit up the storm-filled sky.
Benares screeched in rage.
The dragon retaliated, whipping its tail in a massive sweeping strike. Theresa raised Oath of Judas like a shield, planting her feet firmly as the impact slammed into her barrier with earth-shaking force.
Above them, Bronya and Project Bunny provided relentless fire support — black energy orbs, precision beams, and anti-Honkai shells rained down continuously, forcing Benares to divide its attention between the ground attackers and the airborne assault.
Every time the dragon tried to focus on one target, another strike came from a different direction.
Yet despite the coordinated assault, Benares refused to fall.
It reared its head back and unleashed a deafening roar that echoed across the entire battlefield
High above, the Herrscher 'Kiana' watched the entire battle unfold with cold amusement.
Her expression twisted into irritation as she comment : "What a disappointing start. No matter. The Queen shall settle this herself. Let's get the actual show started. I'm beginning to tire of this pathetic stage."
In an instant —
Before anyone could react, Theresa, Mei, Sakura, and Bronya were swallowed by the Herrscher's power and vanished from the battlefield.