As the illusory body formed by the will of the stigmata was destroyed and dissipated, an endless desolation once again engulfed all the senses of the girl.
Different from other static memories she had experienced before... she could feel within this desolation, a curled-up, monk-like silent will.
As if in response to the attention of Durandal, that will unfolded, selecting a corner of the desolation as his mental scenery.
A golden-haired knight stood on the surface of a lonely and deserted planet, looking up, and the Earth appeared before her eyes.
"Is this... the moon?"
"Yes..."
Durandal followed the voice and saw a white-haired man wearing a jacket, with a serious and indifferent expression, not far away.
"After half a year, we meet again."
The girl shook her head, affirmatively saying, "You're not him."
The guy in fron of her was Kevin Kaslana, but not Kevin Kaslana at the same time.
"Yes, I'm just his shadow. I'm just a bubble that stays here to guard this special stigmata." The will of the stigmata appeared in the form of Kevin after a pause, then continued, "I don't have much time to maintain this state. This is probably our only chance to communicate."
"If you have any questions, just ask."
Durandal thought for a moment and began to ask questions to the will of the stigmata...
"Durandal...? Durandal?"
Luo Lin stood beside the golden-haired knight, looking at the closed-eyed girl, calling out to her, even waving her hand in front of Durandal's face.
The black homu helplessly supported his forehead with his hand, saying, "Alright, Miss Luo Lin, Durandal is currently under my assistance, attempting to awaken the true power of the Kaslana stigmata. I think you'd better not get too close."
"Oh."
Luo Lin took two steps back, surveying the golden-haired knight standing still.
Upon closer inspection, she indeed matured a lot after growing up... the chefs who fed her should be delighted because every bite of food Durandal ate became the cornerstone of her growth.
"Kiana..."
At some point, Cecilia floated beside Durandal, reaching out to touch the cheek of the golden-haired knight, but her fingers passed through.
Cecilia was startled, and her smile seemed a bit bitter. She lowered her head, caressing the daughter from a parallel world in her arms.
Little Bianka closed her eyes, with a slight smile on her lips, as if having a good dream.
In the mental space, the dialogue between Durandal and the will of the stigmata came to an end.
The will of the stigmata, resembling Kevin, saw that Durandal did not continue to ask questions and knew it was time to continue his mission.
"Next, I will awaken the dormant power of Kaslana within you... That power far exceeds the limits of ordinary humans. To ultimately overcome and control it... I suggest you be fully prepared."
The scenery of the man and the desolate moon disappeared in an instant, leaving only a biting cold enveloping the girl.
Durandal focused. She felt a path of fate, like a frozen glacier, slowly and firmly extending under her feet.
The extended path led her to the end of nothingness, where only one voice echoed repeatedly in her mind—
"Purge the Honkai."
"Purge the Honkai, Purge the Honkai, Purge the Honkai, Purge the Honkai..."
"Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge, Purge..."
"Ugh..."
Durandal suddenly frowned, groaning, her face unnaturally pale, her body temperature dropping rapidly, even affecting the surrounding air, strands of white mist enveloping the girl.
Her body was freezing.
Her blood was boiling.
Was she... going to collapse?
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded in Durandal's ear—
"It's okay, my child... That is not only your karma, nor is it a responsibility that you alone must bear."
Under Luo Lin's gaze, little Bianka was lifted by the suddenly appearing flowers. Her hands seeming a bit restless as they reached out and grabbed around. Cecilia inserted the Abyss Flower into little Bianka's arms, calming her down again.
The white-haired Valkyrie floated behind Durandal, her hands embracing the golden-haired knight's neck and affectionately pressing their heads together.
"Times like these... it's okay to rely on mommy's power a little bit!"
White light flickered, warmth returned to Durandal's body, and the madness from all directions could no longer affect her.
That power was warm yet silent, gentle yet powerful. It prevented her from becoming a vessel for unleashing the power of revenge, allowing her to grasp the reins of this ancient destiny.
She knew that it was her biological mother, who crossed the river of time to give her this fleeting yet eternal embrace.
"Goodbye, my child."
Cecilia smiled reluctantly. She kissed Durandal's forehead lightly, turned into specks of light, and disappeared.
And held up by the flowers, clutching the Abyss Flower, little Bianka flickered and returned to Luo Lin's body.
"Goodbye... mom."
Durandal opened her eyes, tears flashing past.
Unnoticed, a black shadow silently stood beside the girl. It was a steed constructed of plates, the horse slightly lowered its head, nuzzling Durandal who stood still.
The tips of the girl's hair turned slightly white, while the rest remained golden, giving her a mystical beauty.
"...Kiana."
Durandal mounted the horse, patting its neck, holding the pitch-black spear, "Midnight Ataegina".
This was the Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, who surpassed the Stigmata caused by humans, surpassed the Honkai's power, and entered the ranks of the Honkai's most powerful Valkyries by simultaneously activating the Kaslana and Schariac stigmata.
Her name was— "Durandal".
Her life was divided by ten years ago as the boundary, artificially severed by Otto— before that, she was called "Kiana Kaslana"; and after that, "Bianka Ataegina" was born into this world.
But even so, she was still consistently "Durandal".
This would never change.
Durandal shouted loudly, "It looks like I succeeded, Arbiter!"
"...You, who transcends sin and glory, still have one final step to take."
Accompanied by the sound of the pointer turning, a strange-looking monster appeared in her sight.
[Husk - Nihilism]
"Defeat the ugliness in your bloodline, prove that you possess a unique and brand-new inheritance that belongs only to you!"
Nihilism paused, drew out a giant sword resembling a pointer, and pointed it straight.... Not at Bianka, but at Luo Lin, who was sighing next to her.
"...Uh, why are you looking at me?" The girl swallowed nervously, then she thought of the earlier fiasco.
No way...
Husk... Imaginary... Tree...
End-game boss, can you spare me?