From Eve's body, I sense the star's madness.

She has always been that way, but perhaps because of her blind rage, it has intensified manifold. In a split second, her lost parts regenerate as she takes on a new appearance.

Larger cracks start to grow across her pale skin, while the purple haze practically oozes out of them. Surrounded by the star's reality-bendingly dense power, Eve's entire being almost seems fuzzy.

Her eyes now glow an ominous fury, which... is directed at me.

My body almost freezes the moment our eyes meet.

The madness surges onto me like a tsunami hits shore, its weight crushing. One moment, I see her feet moving.

''...!''

The next moment, her claws are already before my eyes.

''Hanako!''

Thankfully, Eva intervenes at the right moment, dragging me out of danger, ''Do not panic.'' She says, ''It only makes our chances worse.''

''A-Ah, okay.''

But the situation is looking quite unpleasant.

Our domain is rapidly being eaten up every passing second, and the enemy only gets stronger. Something... I need something.

''...Let's change the strategy.''

''Huh?''

With a gentle smile, Eva strokes my head, ''I will create a chance and hold her off. You plan to use that to deal with the star, right?''

''Yes, but you'll face her alone...''

''This is the only way. Let's do our best, Hanako.''

''...Okay.''

So, phase two begins.

Our objective has changed, so has our fighting style. Instead of trying to finish the opponent, we now play a game of cat and mouse, letting  Eve rampage while keeping our losses minimal.

One mistake, and it'll all be over.

The goal? For me to surpass Eve's cage and fly straight toward the star's crater. It is where everything began—the calamity that had struck this continent thousands of years ago. As long as I can destroy the source... even the corrupt goddess will fall.

Yet, it doesn't seem as though our opponent would allow that so easily.

''Tch...!''

A flick of uneasiness halts my breath as I watch the two clash.

Eva is evidently worn out from everything she has been through, while Eve only gets stronger by the second. Wielding increasingly potent magic, her defense has grown considerably thicker. Even the armor-piercing rounds I throw at her are starting to lose their lethality.

I need more firepower.

''Hoo...''

Gathering a batch of five rounds, I slap them together hastily to create a cannon-sized bullet. At my signal, Eva dashes out of the struggle, leaving Eve bare in the open.

As if predicting the attack, the woman conjures a thick shield enveloping her body, behind which counter magic is already brewing.

''Underestimating me again,'' I mutter, pulling the trigger.

''...!''

As if a thunderbolt had struck, a deafening shockwave razes the ocean surface beneath, nearly splitting the water along the bullet's path. The shell is propelled forward with monstrous power, recoiling my body sharply despite my active telekinesis.

With another loud shatter, Eve's barrier completely disintegrates.

The collision breeds dozens of fragments, blasting her skin and flesh mercilessly.

''Heh.''

Finding the strategy effective, I immediately gather numerous batches of bullets, intending to burn everything I have in this battle. Still, Eve isn't an idiot. Within mere moments, her tattered body fully recovers, and now, she is heading toward me.

Before she can approach, I yank myself away using telekinesis, pushing my mortal body to an inhumane speed while concocting the new shells. I don't even need to turn around to know that Eve is still hot on my trail.

''...!''

Flicks of dark magic sweep through me.

I unhesitantly activate short-range teleportation and arrive beside Eva, who is slowly recovering.

''Stay close to me. We can both protect each other.'' I whisper.

My goddess nods wordlessly.

It is apparent that even if I obliterate Eve's body, she will come back in seconds. It might seem as though I have the firepower to finish her, but that's not the case. 

The original plan stands.

As I continuously fire rounds after rounds, both to eliminate Eve's magic and to hinder her movements, doubts grow in me. Can we really break out of this?

The star's cage is steadily closing on us, and Eve is...

''Quit struggling. It will only fuel your misery.''

I can't keep her at bay.

Even with a rain of bullets punching at her, the woman easily maneuvers her way to us. Her long black hair flutters, carrying along the ocean's wrath.

Eva once again thrusts herself forward, shielding me.

By now, the difference in strength between them has become much clearer—Eva is being pushed relentlessly, focusing solely on defending.

Panic sets in.

If I can't find a way out quickly, both of us will be doomed here.

For a few moments, I drown out the sound of those thunderous shots. Countless thoughts run through my mind, but anything at this point seems almost hopeless.

Gritting my teeth, I force myself to make a choice.

To escape this place, I need to distract Eve for long enough and, most importantly, bore a hole through her domain. After that, Eva will hold her back for me.

If so, there is only one option—a reckless one.

''Fuck it. Here goes nothing.''

The sky, which has been tainted with the golden color of divine bullets, trembles. Heeding my command, every single one of them pulls toward one another, like magnets, before melting into a colossal mold.

Its size? Rivaling a train.

After signalling my plan to Eva, I get ready to fire my final card. Gradually, my divine power veils its long body whole, and soon, my finger is on the trigger.

''Not so fast!''

''As if I would let you!''

My goddess holds no doubt, bolting toward the enemy even more boldly to bind her in place. Looking at her gallant stance, I can't help but admire her all over again.

I take aim at Eve, meeting her murderous gaze. Despite Eva already clashing with her, the fearless Eve staggers toward me unyieldingly, looming as though a descending sun.

''Hanako, I cannot hold on for long...!''

''I'm ready!''

When I utter that line, zeroing in on Eve, she prudently leaves the struggling Eva, planning to avoid my ultimate. Yet, what she doesn't know is that I never wanted to shoot her in the first place.

''Go!''

With a flick, the 'finger gun' I have been holding turns its muzzle at the ominous sky.

I pull the trigger.

A blinding pillar of light burns the place whole, engulfing everything in a blinding glow. Water pulverized, clouds torn, and both domains shatter a gaping hole.

Not letting the opportunity pass, I shoot myself at that rift.

It isn't until I cover one-fifth of the way out that Eve realizes our plan. As I tear through the air at max speed, I can sense her presence drawing closer. 

''Tch.''

Eva herself is trying to intercept Eve, but it's not enough.

In this erratic environment, long-distance teleportation is dangerous. The most I can do is blink... what do I do?!

As I contemplate risking teleportation, a distinct roar fills distant clouds.

''What...?!''

Blazing through the thick fog is a majestic dragon whose golden-red scales ignite the night sky.

My eyes widen in shock.

''You guys!''

Even at this distance, I can vividly see my partners waving at me on Sariel's back. As they close in on us, blissful hope once again kindles within me.

''Leave this to us, Sylvie!'' Liana shouts, brandishing her scythe. ''You go!''

Excitement surging, I happily nod, ''Mhm!''

Despite carrying everybody's earnest wishes, my shoulders feel light. After all, this is what I have been preparing for my entire life.

Glancing back, I see my loved ones, my companions, throwing themselves into danger just to allow me a chance. Their silhouettes against the dark abyss, imbued with colorful sheens, are as beautiful as the stars above.

I am mesmerized by those stars' intertwining.

''...''

It's already the last stretch.

So, keep on flying, Hanako.

Keep on flying, Sylvia.