Spirits are beings that transcended mortal life. They do not suffer from biological aging, have no need for food or any kind of sustenance, and possess power that defies physical laws.
Going further was the First Spirit, Takamiya Mio. She was a creation of the world; an entity artificially made with the world's support. She held the power to overwrite an entire world, lording upon it with one thought.
Spirits were made by dividing her powers into smaller pieces. Although, it was still unfit for "mortal" use, hence the need to purify these Sephira Crystals with human lives. That process creates a "monster", which was hunted by Kurumi back in the days.
When the Sephira Crystal was "washed down", it became the Sephira Crystal held by all ten Spirits.
Aleph's completed Sephira Crystal was no different from them. Only, it housed numerous powers on the same level as a complex information life (i.e., gods).
His strength took a drastic turn the moment he completed it. For once, Albion's true power. He would no longer self-destruct whenever he turned into Albion's "true form". That alone gave him the power comparable to an Ultimate One's.
It did not end there. There was still the power from his [Embryonic Power System] as well as [Nihility's Fragment].
Add to that the indescribable light…
"Why now?"
Kevin asked with a serious face.
"It's because of me that everything happened." Aleph replied. "It's best to settle it now."
"Aren't you rushing it? Where's your usual cautious self?"
His remarks made Aleph smile wryly.
"I don't want to see this world end."
"...Are you burdened by those casualties? Haven't you said to others not to think of them?"
"...Ironic, isn't it? But…" Aleph paused before continuing, "There are a hundred million casualties since the last two major eruptions… one hundred million."
According to Kurumi, the spacequake caused by the First Spirit's birth caused a hundred and fifty million deaths. The casualties caused by the two major eruptions were two-thirds of it.
Aleph could control his emotions well, but even he was bothered by this one harsh truth.
'If they die…'
The possibility of his friends and acquaintances dying was never zero. He could not bear to witness a tragedy similar to that one future he saw.
Aleph does not want all of his actions to become meaningless.
"You know me well, Kevin. If it's time, it's time."
Kevin fell silent before letting out a sigh. He first passed the blue odachi into his left hand, before grabbing the Nitro Blade he stabbed to the ground. Then, he sheathed it on his back.
"I will go and help others." Kevin stated. "You won't let anyone come with you."
"That's right."
Kevin was about to leave when Aleph told him one final thing.
"I left some things with Kurumi. She'll give them to everyone later."
"...Alright."
When Kevin looked back, he was no longer there.
*****
Aleph's next destination was the Herrscher and the ex-Herrscher. What they faced were two Judgement-class Honkai Beasts. One of them resembled a humanoid with blades connected to its arms. It was made up of thick white shells. A purple line was present on its face, acting as its "sight".
The other honkai beast bore the shape of a wolf with three varying heads. A sharp wing was present on its back, which did not match its overall appearance.
Splash-!
Anna was thrown back to the sea. The brunt of her fall was caught by clusters of solid ice.
Despite this, she did not forget to enclose their surroundings in her power. The temperature dropped drastically as the thirty-kilometer radius of the sea turned into ice.
Swoosh-!
Hum-!
The footing created for Agatha was enough for her to jump towards her flying enemies. The battlesuit on her body was partially broken by Mahesvara's powerful attack. It caused her flight function to fail.
BAM-!
The flames all over her body burned brightly. Her figure came close to the three-headed wolf.
Mahesvara did not stand still. It was about to intercept Agatha when a strong suction force dragged it to the ice surface.
Bam-!
Crack-!
Numerous fine lines appeared on the surface of the ice. It remained unknown when, but Anna was already standing with a black staff on her hand.
Tap-!
The gravitational force became even stronger. It was rendered immobile for a moment.
Then…
Tap.
Their surroundings turned silent. The sound of the waves crashing at the ice surface stopped, and so did the cracking sound of ice. The flames fell silent along with the gusts of wind.
Everyone stood in place—even inorganic things.
"How ironic."
Aleph did not mind using the same word twice today. He looked towards the two Judgement-class Honkai Beasts. After the seventh eruption, they disappeared along with the four Herrschers. It was easy to think they went under the Sixth Herrscher's commands.
'What should I use?'
The 'True Form' he revealed to the Fourth Herrscher was one of his newest powers gained from the complete Sephira Crystal. It revealed the barest concept of Aleph's powers—Albion, the Embryonic Power System, and Nihility's Fragment.
Once glimpsed by any lifeform lower than a complex life form (i.e., Aeons), they would most likely die instantly.
He did not choose for long. Time passed in an instant even with Great Sage undergoing its evolution.
'Nine ropes.'
'Polarizing light.'
'Crow and shimyo.'
'The gap within and without.'
The four lines of chant included in this newly-unlocked Cursed Technique—also the final technique that was locked—was completed in a matter of an instant.
[Cursed Technique: Infinity (New)]
A spherical blue light merged with a spherical red light. This action was also done instantly.
'Hollow Technique… Purple.'
The perception of the four entities—two humans and two honkai beasts—only saw a destructive purple light headed towards the latter two.
By the time the former two humans blinked, they saw a gaping hole that pierced straight to the seabed. A huge cylindrical gap was opened in the middle of the sea. The seawater on it disappeared out of thin air.
Fire MOTH's strongest demonstrated why he was the strongest once again.