Sky City
BOOM—!
Kevin narrowed his eyes.
The girl before him — the one wielding a massive blade — was far from ordinary.
He had expected another standard Valkyrie, maybe a cut above the rest. But this girl's power… even he couldn't fully read it.
And in their brief exchange, she had held her ground.
He wasn't even using his full strength — but neither was she.
Just who is she?
Durandal stood tensely across from him, gaze locked onto the white-haired man standing atop the reactor.
So that's the leader of the World Serpent… No wonder.
He wasn't a Herrscher, yet he radiated pressure on par with one.
But another presence drew her attention.
Durandal's eyes flickered toward the purple-haired girl standing beside Teresa.
That girl, too… Her strength isn't normal.
Meanwhile, Teresa felt her pulse speeding up.
Time was almost gone.
Kevin hadn't used full strength — she could tell.
But even his partial power was overwhelming. At this rate, they'd lose.
And losing meant the reactor would explode… and Sky City would die.
She refused to allow that.
"Judas… please—"
Then her breath froze.
"…What?"
A thin sheen of black crystal spread across Judas' surface, swallowing its golden glow.
In seconds, the entire weapon was encased.
"No…!"
A cold, emotionless voice answered her confusion.
"You wield the Oath of Judah well. But after what happened last time… I cannot permit it another chance. Leave, all of you. You are useful to humanity's future. Though our paths diverge, harming you is unnecessary."
Kevin's expression didn't change, but his eyes briefly softened — just a flicker.
Teresa clenched her fists.
So it was him… but what happened 'last time'?!
"We won't leave just because you told us to!" Teresa snapped. "I won't stand by and watch you destroy this city!"
"Excellent!" Jiuxiao beamed, hands on her hips. "My comrade, you finally understand how dire our task is! But fear not! I, the chosen Savior, will solve everything!"
Teresa: …This girl…
Kevin looked at Jiuxiao quietly.
"…A Savior, huh."
It reminded him — painfully — of his past.
Of someone he once knew.
Of someone he once was.
He exhaled slightly, pushing memory aside.
"Truth is harsh. Allow me to shatter your illusions."
He stepped forward, power rising — no longer holding back.
And then—
Kevin froze.
This presence… familiar. Yet distorted.
A voice echoed through the night:
"Ugh, that brat never told me it'd be this lively here! But I didn't miss the fun, right? I hope not!"
Teresa stiffened.
"That voice… Fu Hua? But—"
It was Fu Hua's voice.
But Fu Hua would never speak like that. This tone was wrong.
Completely wrong.
Did she lose her memory? Did Grandpa do something again?
Nearby, Kevin's expression shifted — subtly, but unmistakably.
"…Hua?"
A blur sliced through the sky.
The figure descended lightly, standing with arms folded, balancing atop her floating weapon chest.
The Herrscher of Sentience.
"Hmm… looks like you're either fighting or sparring? Whichever— I wanna join!"
Teresa stared.
Durandal stared.
Kevin stared.
Everyone stared.
This… was Fu Hua?!
"What… what happened to her…?" Teresa whispered.
Even Durandal frowned. "You are not Fu Hua. Identify yourself."
"Ha? You don't recognize me?" The Herrscher pouted. "Durandal! We've sparred so many times! And Teresa, why're you staring like that? Still short as ever. Sigh. And Kevin — still stiff after all these years? Haven't changed at all."
She crossed her arms, muttering in dissatisfaction.
Do I have to beat you all up just to jog your memories?
…Actually, that might work. Should I?
Her eyes lit up at the idea.
Kevin slowly drew Tianhou Judgement from his back, red light flaring.
"You're not Hua. Her aura is nothing like this. Who are you?"
Her smile brightened.
"Oh? You figured it out. Good. I was just about to suggest it—"
Her gaze sharpened, anticipation bubbling.
Then Kevin stiffened again.
Another aura… the Fourth Herrscher.
Not good.
That one was… abnormal.
A creature unlike any Herrscher he'd faced — even in the Previous Era.
The Herrscher of Sentience's eyes sparkled.
"Oh? Found her too? Yes, yes— she's here~"
She grinned.
A lazy voice cut in.
"Well well— looks like I've been spotted."
Wendy drifted out from the shadows, licking the last bit of ice cream from her spoon.
"You humans sure talk a lot. I've been waiting forever. I thought I'd get to watch a whole fight scene…"
She stretched.
"…but you're all just standing around."
She smirked.
"So hurry up and fight already."
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