Confusion, frustration, defiance, fear... fragments of memories unfolded in his mind, particularly those profound moments of failure and dread, evoking intense emotions from each recollection.
Zeke had once believed himself devoid of significant weaknesses, but Honkai's corruption served as a stark reminder that this was not the case.
"Human life is truly fragile, while uncertainties abound in this world... I am weary of guarding tirelessly yet constantly living in apprehension. From now on, I shall reshape the world entirely under my control!" With these words, Zeke's astral body shattered dramatically, returning to the realm of reality.
Real World: The Laboratory.
The mounting pressure of Honkai Energy and intense vibrations throughout the sea giant disappeared abruptly, instantly transforming all chaos into absolute silence.
Hera, Mobius, Fu Hua, Kiana, and Li Sushang were momentarily stunned, followed by an indescribable sense of unease within them.
"Whooosh—"
A sudden weak breeze arose in the windless laboratory, converging towards Zeke's experimental cabin from all directions.
"Creak!"
The sound of metal twisting echoed—the force drawing materials towards Zeke rapidly intensified. It seemed as if the surrounding air was instantaneously sucked away, causing even the laboratory walls and floor to distort towards him.
As though Zeke had transformed into a black hole.
Both Hera and Mobius, the experiment designers, showed immediate concern on their faces.
"This deviates from our estimated process. Zeke has become the Thirteenth Herrscher. Let's go!" Hera declared resolutely, swiftly retreating and pulling Fu Hua, Kiana, and Li Sushang with golden chains to break through the wall and escape.
Mobius also acted decisively, evacuating promptly.
"Rumble!"
Just as the laboratory emptied, the entire colossal ship warped towards Zeke, condensing into a massive metallic sphere.
Then, a beam of pure white light pierced through the clouds with a deafening roar that shook both sky and sea.
"Boom!!"
Following the blinding radiance and intense energy waves, the group reconvened on the frozen ocean surface created by Kevin.
"What happened? What's going on with Zeke?" Kiana effortlessly tore off the golden chains entwining her body. Simultaneously, her shirt and skirt transformed into pristine flame-enchanted armor, her fiery red eyes fixed intently on Hera.
Hera casually retracted the chains from Fu Hua and Li Sushang, squinting slightly before responding:
"The Herrscher transformation process deviated significantly from our previous experiences and research. Zeke completed his metamorphosis remarkably quickly. I'm uncertain if it's due to his unique nature or if the Will of Honkai has different plans for the Thirteenth Herrscher. Regardless, we were unable to intervene... Prepare yourselves; we may have to confront Zeke head-on!"
Hera's voice carried gravity but lacked panic. They had anticipated nearly every possible scenario prior to the experiment, and this situation was still within their plans—the pinnacle of human civilization's combat power, now half-assembled here, precisely to handle such contingencies!
"Be cautious; I sense an overwhelming threat." As Hera finished speaking, Kevin, who had been closely monitoring the towering pillar of light ahead, chimed in.
Kevin was straightforward, and his words could always be taken at face value.
Everyone immediately focused their attention on the sky. The glow gradually dissipated, revealing Zeke descending slowly from above, clad in his black trench coat with cold, emotionless golden eyes fixed forward.
At first glance, he appeared unchanged, but as the unrestrained aura of Honkai Energy emanated from his robust figure, just as Kevin warned, it instilled an unprecedented sense of menace in everyone present.
Zeke's feet touched the ground.
Boom!
The vast ice-covered landscape instantly shattered, sending shockwaves deep into the ocean and triggering colossal waves laden with chunks of ice.
"Freeze!"
Confronting the awe-inspiring, towering wave, Kevin extended both hands, freezing everything in an instant.
In that moment, the surging sea transformed into an endless expanse of ice, ultimately coalescing into majestic icy mountains reaching for the heavens.
One by one, figures broke through the frozen terrain, gathering in a flat area surrounded by these peaks, facing off against Zeke at its center.
"The freeze was timely, but the shockwave still propagated beneath the surface... Dr. Ein, prepare for tsunami mitigation along coastal cities. Additionally, initiate the Major Honkai Eruption contingency plan and make all necessary preparations to combat this event."
"[...Zzzt... Received...]"
As Hera approached Zeke, she relayed instructions to Dr. Ein, but the strong Honkai Energy emanating from Zeke disrupted the communication signal significantly. Simultaneously, she gestured to those behind her, urging them to observe patiently without interference.
Even Kiana, known for her impatience, managed to restrain herself. This was not a situation where recklessness would be tolerated. In the past, no matter how rashly she acted, Zeke had always been there to catch her mistakes. But today was different; only calm rationality could protect him now.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Hera finally reached Zeke, a radiant smile gracing her face.
"Congratulations! It seems our objective has been achieved successfully. So, standing before me now—is it the true Zeke or Herrscher Zeke?"
"Ordinary humans cannot easily accept the amplified destructive desires brought by Collapse. Thus, to counterbalance with their darkest instincts, a dual nature emerges—partly the Herrscher and partly the true self—which is termed the Herrscher personality. I'm different; rather than embracing such unstable divisions, I prefer directly accepting the destructive urges bestowed by Honkai. Hence, there's no Herrscher personality for Zeke. I am simply Zeke, nothing more."
Zeke spoke calmly as usual, his demeanor and tone unchanged, making his words highly persuasive.
Hera's smile widened even further, responding softly:
"As expected from Zeke, effortlessly achieving what others couldn't. Should I call it confidence or recklessness?"
"Bend your knee, adhere to my will, and I may alter my original plan, granting you a future where you can live alongside Kallen."
Without any preamble, Zeke extended his hand, offering Hera this choice.
Instantaneously, Hera's grin vanished.
Despite knowing that something was off about Zeke, this promise truly stirred her heart.
Yet she shook her head.
"No, if you're not the original Zeke, how could I entrust Kallen's future to you? You know, Zeke, what I've always desired wasn't merely obtaining Kallen."
"In that case, you become an unpredictable variable."
"Oh? So, you intend to kill me now?"
"Yes."
Zeke declared firmly and swiftly flipped his inviting hand, unleashing an immense surge of Honkai energy that transformed into a colossal beam of white light piercing through the icy mountain range.
"BOOM!!"
In an instant too swift for anyone to react, one corner of the towering ice formations was leveled, instantly widening their field of view. Meanwhile, Hera had vanished from beneath Zeke's palm.
"The battle begins!" Kevin made a decisive call, charging across the frozen landscape as Tianhuo Jiemie descended on Zeke with devastating force. The intense heat distorted the air around them, melting vast swathes of glacier terrain.
It was clear now: something was indeed wrong with Zeke. With no other choice, they could only follow their predetermined plan—stop him at all costs!
The others sprang into action immediately. Kiana's flaming sword, Fu Hua and Li Sushang's martial arts strikes, Elysia's energy arrows, and Mobius' tentacle chains all converged on Zeke nearly simultaneously.
"EXPLOSION!"
As this planet's mightiest warriors attacked together, they unleashed a whirlwind-like blast, stirring up chaotic gusts. Thousands of miles away, monitoring facilities registered unprecedented energy alerts.
Following the barrage, figures flew off in different directions, each plunging into the melted sea below.
Amidst the tumultuous waves, Zeke stood with one hand behind his back, effortlessly grasping Might of An-Utu's scorching blade as it distorted the air around it. He calmly gazed at Kevin across from him, whose expression was grave.
At this moment, only these two figures were visible amidst the chaos.
"Project Stigma is quite impressive, and I'll retrieve Dr. Mei for you too. So why not comply?"
"Your current state makes such promises unreliable."
"I've already said it—I am Zeke, merely seeking a more certain way to defeat Honkai. Naturally, my methods will face opposition, so I aim to minimize resistance... Are you sure you won't cooperate?"
"I make my own judgments," Kevin replied unwaveringly, releasing the Greatsword of Destruction. His body then plunged into a suddenly opening space tunnel, disappearing instantly.
Zeke paid no heed to Kevin's disappearance, casually slinging Might of An-Utu over his back. Looking up, he saw countless beams from the colossal Moonlight Throne descending from the sky, enveloping a hundred-mile stretch of sea.
"Boring tricks," Zeke muttered dismissively.
Simultaneously, data chaos struck the coastal Moonlight Throne installations firing their bombardment, causing their energy output to abruptly halt.
Just before the beam above Zeke could strike, it vanished without a trace.
In the distant aerial command platform, Einstein, Bronya, and another Hera avatar studied the information on the floating screens, their expressions growing somber.