Xixi Arrives

Rover had fully recovered, regaining his complete body.

Truth became a blank apparition once more, its snow-white outline swaying slightly, as though digesting an unexpected defeat.

"I have to admit, you won this time. You have already paid a sufficient price. Go and take what you came for!"

Truth's voice was much calmer, its lofty mockery subdued.

"Boom!!"

Rover said nothing more. He turned and smashed through the door.

Light shattered like thin ice, and he stepped through, coming before Imperator once again.

The pegasus assumed human form and stood quietly and gracefully, her wings folded, pure golden frequencies flowing over her entire body.

Her eyes were as clear as newborn stars. She gazed at Rover with a serenity that had transcended life and death.

"Charioteer."

Imperator's voice rang out in the void, gentle and solemn.

"Enough talk. Come on!"

Rover stepped forward and took her hand. The next moment, Imperator's body turned into golden motes of light that filled the sky and flowed into his palm.

At the same time, a vast amount of knowledge flooded Rover's mind. It was the complete blueprint of Imperator's soul, containing all her memories and feelings.

"Don't forget, you still owe me an answer to one question."

He looked at Truth and spoke with utmost solemnity.

"Truth has always kept its promises. Go now, leave through your gate!"

As those words fell, the great gate inscribed with "All Beings Create Gods" suddenly opened. The reliefs on it came alive, the countless beings standing above, looking down and reaching out their hands.

A path leading to reality unfolded beyond the gate, light flowing along it as it led to the deepest part of the stronghold.

"Savior..."

"Golden-eyed stranger..."

"Take care... Have a pleasant journey..."

Clusters of figures waved farewell from both sides of the gate. Their faces were indistinct yet warm, their voices aged yet clear. Then they turned into light, illuminating Rover's path one last time.

Rover stood before the gate, silent for a moment.

He gave a slight nod and stepped onto the path of light without looking back.

In reality, at the deepest part of the stronghold.

Cartethyia had transformed into Fleurdelys. Her greatsword swept through the air, cutting the fusion monster Xiutake had become to pieces again and again.

Hundreds of human faces let out piercing wails, and countless arms and legs were severed beneath her blade. But with a flash of ruby light, the pieces gathered again, reassembling into a twisted body.

"It's useless! I have enough Philosopher’s Stone inside me. No matter how many times you try, you can't kill me!"

Xiutake's voice came from inside the monster, twisted and deranged.

"Every time you cut me, I regenerate. Your stamina is bound to run out eventually!"

Fleurdelys panted, the hand gripping her sword trembling slightly.

The fellow was not particularly powerful, but his healing ability was exceptionally troublesome. Every time, he could come back to life at full health. The two-hour limit was drawing near, and her heart sank further and further.

"I won!"

Xiutake spoke with smug satisfaction.

"Is that so? Then have a taste of this..."

A voice suddenly rang out, calm and steady, carrying an unquestionable pressure.

Fleurdelys's pupils contracted sharply.

"Righteous One!"

Xiutake's monstrous body shuddered violently, disbelief appearing on hundreds of faces at once.

"How is that possible?! You should have been lost in Truth long ago! No one can come back from there!"

"Hadō number fifty-four, Haien!"

A dark red disk of flame shot out and struck the fusion monster. The long-burning flame was especially effective against regenerative abilities, and would not go out until it had burned its target to nothing.

Xiutake struggled violently, hundreds of human faces screaming at once. He regenerated again and again, but Haien burned him again and again. His regeneration grew slower, and the ruby's light dimmer.

After dying repeatedly, he was finally gravely wounded. The monster's body completely disintegrated, and he returned to the form of the slovenly scientist.

"What a transcendent being. You've already broken my theory. Heh heh... Ha ha ha!!"

Xiutake lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath, but his mouth spread into a grin and a mad light flickered in his eyes. "Wonderful! The final piece of Father's puzzle has finally been found! You will surely help us complete our great undertaking!"

"Hand them over, and I'll spare your life!"

Rover spoke coldly, pointing the Blood Oath Covenant at him, killing intent surging like a tide.

"Heh heh heh... What do you want?"

Xiutake asked a question he already knew the answer to, the smile on his face revolting.

"The Philosopher’s Stone, and the blueprint for Imperator's body."

Rover knew exactly what he wanted. He already had the blueprint for her soul. With the one for her body and enough Philosopher’s Stone, Imperator could be fully resurrected.

"I have those. See? They're in that safe behind me." Xiutake tilted his head toward the metal cabinet behind him. "But can you get them?"

He grinned viciously and took out a remote.

"Take a good look. This is the self-destruct button. All I have to do is press it, and all the data will be completely destroyed!"

As he spoke, he pressed the button.

"Time Stop!"

Rover activated the power of time. Invisible ripples spread, and everything froze. He stepped past Xiutake and opened the safe, only to find it completely empty.

Time began to flow...

"Ha ha ha..."

Xiutake burst into a triumphant laugh. "You fell for it! In the end, you were still one move short! The real data is in the ring on my hand!"

He raised his hand. Sure enough, there was an inconspicuous silver ring on his finger. Its face glowed faintly, storing a vast amount of data.

"It won't even take a second to destroy it now. Can you stop time again?"

Xiutake looked thoroughly satisfied, his whole face twisted into the expression of a victor.

"I want you to know what regret tastes like! I want you to know that even a savior isn't all-powerful!"

His thumb pressed toward the face of the ring, gently, yet irresistibly?

Just then.

Time stopped again, and everything froze, including that twisted face, which now looked especially comical.

"I'm here!"

White twin tails descended from the sky. Jinhsi arrived on a flying sword, like an immortal exiled from the moon palace, a dragon's shadow soaring behind her. The power of time covered the entire space, and Xiutake's finger stopped an inch above the ring, unable to press down any farther.

"It's the great beauty Jinhsi! You came at just the right time!"

Rover smiled and let out a long sigh of relief.

Jinhsi glanced at him without responding to the nickname. Yet small, shining dragon scales had already appeared on her fair wrist, a sign of her embarrassment.

"Ahem!"

Jinhsi raised a hand, and the silver ring slipped off Xiutake's finger and flew steadily into her palm.

"Five seconds is enough."

Time resumed its flow.

Xiutake's finger pressed down on empty air, and the smile froze on his face. He looked down at his bare finger, then up at the silver ring in Jinhsi's hand. His entire face twisted in an instant.

"Give it back!!"