Above the sky, the golden divine aura spread mightily, forming an impenetrable shield to protect everyone.
The attack that could tear through worlds was completely blocked. The War God, Altherst, spread his eighteen wings wide, his golden eyes locked onto the unfamiliar divine being before him. His immense body instinctively tensed.
Feeling an unfamiliar sensation, something seemed to burn fiercely within Altherst's golden body. He raised both fists, black divine power enveloping them.
With his burning golden gaze fixed on the divine being before him, Altherst spoke: "A stranger among gods. I am Altherst, the strongest War God of Desbot. Where do you come from? Are you here to challenge my might?"
The amber eyes of the Geo Archon regarded the War God, now burning his divine essence. Zhongli—the God of Liyue, also known as Morax—clenched his right hand, summoning a spear that materialized in his grip.
"I am Morax, the God of Geo from Liyue," he declared calmly. "I am here merely to witness the legend of the children of man. They have completed their mission, and now, it is time for me—the God of men—to bring an end to it all."
"So, it's true!" Altherst roared, burning his divine essence, rapidly restoring his weakened godly body. He couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"So it's true! I sensed a power like that of the earth in that human below. Despite the weakest showing wisdom and radiance, I still refused to step down."
Divine energy surged around Altherst, shattering the space surrounding him as he laughed wildly. His golden eyes blazed, and his eighteen white wings turned black. With a punch powerful enough to destroy worlds, Altherst struck, laughing all the while.
"Indeed, the strongest must fall in a battle against a worthy adversary!"
The once bright sky turned instantly dark, the War God's strength shattering the sky, tearing the world asunder, exposing the black void beyond.
"All-encompassing shield."
Morax opened his arms, once again manifesting a barrier. He turned to the others and spoke calmly, "Leave this place to me. That boy named Riku still needs your help."
"Archon!" Keqing's red eyes reflected the figure of Morax standing resolute in defense of everyone, reminiscent of his eternal protection of Liyue.
She nodded silently, bowing respectfully. "May the Archon return victorious."
Seeing Keqing bow before him, Morax smiled faintly. "Go now. Leave this place to me."
"Understood, Archon," Keqing said, standing straight. She sheathed her sword and turned to the others. "We leave this to the Archon. Riku and the others might be in trouble. We must go assist them."
"Alright, let's go," Hiroshi said, standing upright with the help of Kuroko. He looked at Infinite, who was being supported by Xiaohei, and Banir, who was helped by Klee, and smiled. "Seems it's time for us to bow out."
"Isn't that quite fine?" Banir said, smiling as he patted Klee's small head.
"I am content now."
"Take this with you as well."
Morax's voice suddenly rang out, and the small world torn apart by Altherst appeared in his hand. Golden light flickered, and a severed arm rested in his palm.
He tossed it towards Touma, who stood upon a dragon's head. Morax gripped the Vortex Vanquisher, thrusting it at Altherst, piercing through the crystal wall.
Boom!
A powerful shockwave erupted, and Touma found himself holding his severed arm in bewilderment, disappearing into the horizon as Borsalino pulled him away.
On the ground, a towering green mountain stood amidst the dark and barren land. A flash of light streaked across the sky. Aqua, who had been snacking absentmindedly at the mountain's peak, lowered her sunflower seeds as she noticed a large group suddenly arriving.
"Roar!!!"
A deafening dragon's roar echoed. Aqua scratched her ringing ears and looked bewildered at the person standing amidst the eight dragon heads.
"Who are you?!"
Soothing the dragon heads beneath his feet, Touma awkwardly held up his bloodied right hand to Aqua, smiling awkwardly. "It's me, Touma. Can you see if you can reattach my right hand?"
"Who are you trying to fool?!" Aqua eyed him with disdain, hands on her hips. "I am the great Goddess of Water, Aqua. How could you fool me? Touma is just an ordinary human; there's no way he could have such flashy dragon heads."
"Aqua!!!"
Megumin's voice rang out, causing Aqua to flinch and clutch her chest in fear. She quickly straightened up, her expression serious, as she looked at Touma.
"No way, the power in your right arm is too overpowered. I can't use my abilities on it."
"Seems like you don't have to worry about that anymore."
Touma scratched his face with his left hand, shaking his severed right arm slightly. "After what just happened, it seems I've gained control over my right-hand ability."
"What?!"
Aqua looked at Touma in disbelief, shaking her head. She pointed her finger accusingly at him. "Are you the protagonist in some novel? Everyone else is injured, but you, Touma, somehow benefit from the disaster?!"
Thud!
"Aqua!"
"Ouch!"
Megumin's fist landed squarely on Aqua's head. Megumin bowed deeply toward Touma, sincerely apologizing.
"I'm sorry. My stupid friend spoke out of turn."
Megumin kicked Aqua, her eyes glowing red as she glared at Aqua, who hugged her head with tears streaming down her face.
"Apologize, you idiot!"
Finally understanding the gravity of her words, Aqua shivered and quickly apologized to Touma, who was looking awkward.
"Sorry!!!"
"No, it's fine. I didn't take it personally," Touma quickly said, helping Megumin and Aqua up. "We're all comrades here, after all. No harm done. The priority now is to get my arm treated and help Riku and the others."
"Oh." Aqua, seeing Touma's kind smile, sniffled and obediently took his arm.
A white light enveloped her hands, and Aqua smiled tearfully as she looked at Touma.
"It worked! My power didn't dispel."
"Alright, Touma, come see the great Water Goddess's abilities!"
She rolled up her sleeves, leaped onto the dragon's head, wobbled twice before steadying herself, and pressed the severed arm to his injury.
"Holy Healing!!"
In the platinum light, the eight dragon heads roared toward the heavens, slowly disappearing.
As Aqua fell from the sky, Touma stabilized himself and caught her in his arms. He looked at the massive golden light glowing in the sky and said, "Alright, let's move out."
"Hold on, kid," Hiroshi, pale-faced, patted Touma on the shoulder, trying not to laugh. "Without the eight dragons, you can't fly anymore. Even though you've got control over Imagine Breaker, with your arm back on, you're still a weakling."
"Ah!"
Touma, stunned, looked around at the surrounding onlookers before quietly setting Aqua down and crouching with his head between his knees.
"How unlucky!!!"
Hiroshi, Infinite, Kuroko, and Banir stepped back, staying on the mountaintop to recover. Aqua remained to care for them, while Klee stayed behind as a guard.
Ruri Gokou, Megumin, Venti, Keqing, Lumine, and Borsalino left to support Riku, Schwi, Satou Kazuma, and Emiya Shirou.
As everyone departed, Morax released his full power.
The divine battle intensified above the sky.