Light Curtain Danmaku—
Powerful, beautiful, magnificent...
No words in the mortal realm could describe the Elysia of this moment.
Her splendid form was like a perfect fusion of humanity and divinity. All the languages of the world failed to capture her current state.
Amen to Elysia. This was no longer just a simple description of her divine nature; it had evolved into a full-fledged religion.
Across the worlds of the multiverse, people were whipped into an unprecedented frenzy. Many raised signs bearing Elysia's name or image.
God loves the world, and the world will return all its love in kind.
Conan Edogawa: "Elysia is a god, but she is also human. And because she is more human than god, she is so beloved."
In the world of Detective Conan, Conan took a deep breath. The Thirteen Flame-Chasers... every single one of them was worthy of the name. Each was a true hero in every sense of the word.
Hachiman Hikigaya: "Her arrow, her love, her flower... she holds nothing back. That's why even I can't help but be captivated by her..."
In the Oregairu world, Hachiman Hikigaya sighed with emotion. Though he couldn't witness it in person, what he saw was undoubtedly the genuine article he had been searching for.
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "Is this the end of Elysia's story? Although the ending is happy, I really don't want this story to end..."
In the Saekano world, the author Utaha Kasumigaoka sighed. Elysia... was truly a character who could only exist in anime or novels...
In the Honkai world, Otto stood in the control room. Beside him was Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, Durandal, who had come to report on her work.
"You've seen it as well. What are your thoughts?"
Otto spoke slowly to the silent Durandal. The appearance of the light curtain had given him a great deal of previously unknown information, but it was undeniable that its existence had begun to unconsciously affect his plans.
"They are true heroes, worthy of being studied by every Valkyrie," Durandal replied after a moment of thought.
Otto chuckled twice. "You're the same as ever, Bianka. But... I believe your future achievements will be no less than any of theirs."
Durandal was his student, and Otto had high hopes for her. If Kevin was the strongest warrior of the Previous Era, then... Durandal was the strongest warrior of the Current Era!
---o---
On the Light Curtain—
The Outer God was gone, scattered to dust by the combined strike of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
The sky gradually brightened, and sunlight shone down upon the ruined land of Fuyuki City.
After enduring so many trials and tribulations, this land finally saw the light of day once more.
With Elysia's help, the Flame-Chasers gradually landed on the ground. Having transferred all their power to Elysia in the form of Signets, they were now no different from ordinary people.
They looked at the ruins beneath their feet. This place, once a bustling city, was now a desolate wasteland. Over a million citizens had gone missing during the war.
This was something that couldn't be explained away by a gas leak, because even Fuyuki's gas company was now a pile of rubble.
"Is the crisis over, Ely?"
Eden asked softly, looking at Elysia, who was floating in mid-air with her eyes closed, sensing the movements of the surrounding space.
"Mm... Of course. With everyone's power, I'm capable of anything," Elysia's divine sense quickly scanned the entire surrounding area, including the void where the Outer God had been, and found no anomalies.
The Outer God's body had been utterly annihilated, with no possibility of resurrection.
Hearing Elysia's affirmative response, the Flame-Chasers breathed a sigh of relief. If even that hadn't been enough to destroy it, they would have been in deep trouble.
"What are your plans now, Elysia?"
Kevin asked. Although his tone was still cold, it was filled with concern.
The crisis was resolved, but this was ultimately not Elysia's world. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would have to return to the Honkai world...
However... Kevin fell silent. Compared to the Honkai world, perhaps it was a better choice for Elysia to remain in this one.
This world was relatively more peaceful. Although mages existed, they were just a disorganized mob. And with Elysia's personality, she could adapt to this world quickly.
Though he was reluctant to admit it... humanity had already lost against the Honkai. By the time Elysia returned, human civilization... might have already been reduced to scorched earth.
"Wait a minute, Kevin. Speaking of which... there's one more thing I haven't done yet."
Elysia interrupted Kevin's thoughts. She looked up at the sky and said, "The Counter Force. Although it's said to be for the continuation of human civilization... its existence is like fate itself, binding everyone to a predetermined destiny."
The future of humanity should not be set in stone. Especially after Elysia's arrival, the disappearance of a million people in Fuyuki would definitely cause a deviation from the history the Counter Force maintained. This was something Elysia did not want to see.
"So, you mean... you're going to get rid of this world's consciousness as well?"
After Elysia told the Flame-Chasers everything about the Counter Force, Kalpas said nonchalantly. He didn't sound like a good person. If Elysia wanted to, then just kill it.
"To open up a new future for humanity? That is indeed a good thing. But... the future created by humanity might not be better than the one predetermined by the Counter Force. Even so, you still wish to do it, Elysia?"
Beside her, Su spoke with his eyes closed. Although he asked the question, he already had the answer in his heart.
"Su... no matter what, I will always believe in the future that humanity creates with its own hands~"
Elysia smiled. She knew all the beauty of humanity and was also aware of all its sins, but she still chose to believe in it without hesitation.
The good and beautiful side of humanity would definitely overcome its own shortcomings!
"Tch, do as you please. I'll let my power stay with you for a little while longer," Mobius said awkwardly, but in her heart, she agreed with Elysia's sentiment.
"Whatever you do, Ely, I will support you unconditionally..." Eden didn't have much to say on the matter. In her eyes, Elysia would never do anything to threaten humanity.
In less than a minute, the Thirteen Flame-Chasers unanimously approved Elysia's plan.
At this moment, Saber, standing to the side, silently watched the Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
Dealing with the Counter Force. If it were anyone else, Saber would have thought they were joking. Although the Counter Force wasn't overwhelmingly strong, it was so good at hiding that very few could actually find it.
But the current Elysia was far stronger than she was, having defeated the Outer God in a single move. In her current state, even some ancient gods might not be her match.
Saber could only mourn for the Counter Force for three seconds. It thought it had found a temp worker from another world, only to discover it was a tough nut to crack.
Now, not only had it failed to turn Elysia into a grunt like Red Archer, but it was probably going to lose itself in the process.
---o---
Turning Elysia into a grunt? Was that the Counter Force's initial goal?
The light curtain danmaku began to fill with anger. The idea of a predetermined future for humanity had already dissatisfied many. Now, to learn that it had also intended to target Elysia, their favorability towards the Counter Force instantly dropped to freezing point.
In this world called Type-Moon, the waters ran terrifyingly deep. The so-called Counter Force was not benevolent at all.
Just look at the Counter Guardian EMIYA. Look at what he had been put through. His skin was tanned dark, and his complaints about the Counter Force never ceased.
And while Jeanne d'Arc, also summoned by the Counter Force, seemed to be having a relatively good time, that was because she had powerful backing. With God watching over her, not just the Counter Force, but very few in the entire Type-Moon world would dare to truly harm her.
Conan Edogawa: "It wanted to turn Elysia into a guardian like EMIYA? What was the Counter Force thinking, trying to recruit someone from another world as a Heroic Spirit?"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "So its previous plea for Elysia to save the world was all a lie? Is this how a world's consciousness treats outsiders?"
Gilgamesh: "Hahahahaha! Excellent! As expected of the woman this King has taken a liking to! That's right, completely annihilate that damned Counter Force for this King! Whatever treasure you desire, even EA, I will give to you without hesitation, Elysia!"
In another worldline, Gilgamesh's狂 laughter hadn't stopped since Elysia destroyed the Outer God. One of the reasons he despised the gods was their control over humanity, treating them like livestock.
While the Counter Force's methods were much gentler than the gods', it had still repeatedly tested the King of Heroes' limits. Seeing Elysia's actions now, he naturally had to laugh maniacally.
Otto Apocalypse: "To make such a choice, knowing both the good and evil of humanity? Excellent. This is a Herrscher who truly fights for mankind. Worthy of the Signet of [Ego]!"
In the Honkai world, Otto praised her. Sometimes, to persevere in doing something despite knowing the consequences is far greater than doing it in ignorance.
He prided himself on his deep understanding of humanity's dark side and had no confidence in overcoming it. Yet Elysia chose to believe in humanity without hesitation. Otto felt humbled by her resolve and will.
---o---
On the Light Curtain—
With the power of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, Elysia's strength was beyond question.
With a powerful conceptual force, she stripped the Counter Force of its authority and made it dissipate from the world along with the Outer God.
From this day forward, the fate of humanity would be firmly in its own hands. No existence could ever again deprive humanity of the freedom to pursue its future.
This was Elysia's final gift to this world.
As the sun set, just before the JSDF, the UN forces, and the mages from the Clock Tower arrived to investigate, Elysia, along with the Thirteen Flame-Chasers and Saber, had already left Fuyuki and arrived at the seaside.
On the beach, the sea breeze lifted the strands of hair from Elysia's forehead. She and the Flame-Chasers were watching the sunset together, and the world fell silent.
"Kevin, you asked me about my plans earlier. Were you asking if I plan to return to our original world?"
Under the sea breeze and the setting sun, Elysia's cheeks were slightly flushed, looking exceptionally beautiful.
Kevin stared at Elysia's face without moving, but his eyes flickered away for a moment. She had guessed his thoughts.
He both wanted her to stay and didn't want her to stay. No matter which choice Elysia made, Kevin would support it.
Not just Elysia, but the other Flame-Chasers as well. As memory constructs, they had obtained new bodies. Here, they could live the lives they wanted.
There was no need to return to a world doomed to destruction just to die.
"Then, Kevin, your choice goes without saying, doesn't it?" Elysia saw the flicker in his eyes and already knew what he was thinking.
Every Flame-Chaser had a reason to stay, except for Kevin. Or rather, even if he had a reason, he would choose to go back.
Because he was the Flame-Chaser of [Salvation], humanity's chimera, the final hope of civilization.
He would perish with civilization, or, after its destruction, continue to fight for the next era.
This was his duty as the Flame-Chaser of [Salvation]. It was the expectation of MEI and all the warriors who had died because of the Honkai.
Perhaps there truly was a predetermined fate in the world. When Kevin joined Fire Moth, when he chose to become a Fusion Warrior, everything was already set in stone.
This man would eventually become the warrior of [Salvation] who would overcome Finality!
However... his path would not be a lonely one.
"Kevin, oh Kevin, you're really not honest with yourself. If you're scared, it's okay to rely on us, you know~"
The young woman's voice echoed beside him. Kevin froze for a moment. Elysia continued:
"The Thirteen Flame-Chasers must always be together, right? If it's the end of the world, then let's face it together."
Elysia's voice was as clear as ever. Beside her, everyone was looking at Kevin.
"That's right! We can't let Boss Kevin go back alone! Even though I'm weak, I can still be of some use," Pardofelis said, clenching her fist. She was afraid of dying, but she was more afraid of Boss Kevin going to die for them.
"Kevin, you don't have to carry everything on your shoulders. We will always be with you. The Thirteen Flame-Chasers will never abandon a comrade. This is what Elysia would want to see, right?" His best friend's voice echoed beside him.
Kevin looked at the faces of the Flame-Chasers and knew that, because of Elysia, they were now united as one.
With a look of gratitude and relief, Kevin nodded heavily. The Thirteen Flame-Chasers... like moths to a flame, would go to save their own world.
Saber: "...Um, not to ruin the mood, but... Elysia, do you guys know how to get back?"
The Thirteen Flame-Chasers: "..."
Author's note:
ps: Good news, I pulled Jingliu; bad news, it was at hard pity, uwaaaah.