Sometimes, fight is the only way.

-"What's going on?!"-Loki asked after a salvo of lasers hit the ship.

-"It would seem that we run into Antimater Legion."-I spoke while engaging battle protocols.

-"Are we in danger?"-Astraea looked at the approaching fighters.

-"No, but if you wish for some fun, there are two turrets and one pilot station to try your hand at space combat."

-"I'm going to shoot!"-Elysia ran to the seat I pointed at.

-"Count me in."-Loki took the second seat.

Elysia and Loki got into shooter positions and started firing on the attackers.

-"Do you mind me trying that whole piloting thing?"

-"Go for it Zhongli, break your leg."

-"Are we truly safe?"-Ningguang asked again after all the battlestations were left in the hands of total noobs.

-"I'm using my power to make sure nothing can hit us."-I said as one of my tails was faintly visible behind me.-"Just stay on the ship and let those three play. I'll go and make our troubles go away."

-"Be careful."

-"Good luck."

My figure dissipated from the ship.

The next moment, I appeared on the flagship of the enemy group. My appearance shocked the crew, who quickly tried to attack me. As the bullets were to hit me, everything slowed down to a crawl, giving me every bit of time I needed.

Doing quick work of legion members, I made my way toward the bridge, where everybody was already panicking. Nobody was left standing after a few breaths of time. After getting the ship under control, I went towards the storage area.

Inside was full of most likely stolen crates, but what gathered my attention was a small jail made from a cage made to transport animals.

In it was a lying woman of Foxian origin, seemingly unconscious. I approached and slashed through bars to make an opening. After checking her live signs, I took her with me and returned to my ship.

-"Yue, you're back."-Astraea greeted me when I returned.

-"All done. Do any of you know some first aid?"

-"Is something wrong with her? Leave it to me. I have treatment development ability, so don't worry."-Riveria stepped up after hearing my question.

-"Then I'll leave her in your hands."

-"Did something happen inside?"-Ningguang asked while looking at the battle happening outside.

-"Other than her situation, nothing really happened. She was inside storage in a cage. I believe that is not a simple situation. Antimatter Legion does not take captives."

-"If so, then this is indeed strange. She must be needed for some kind of purpose."-Loki looked back from her seat.

-"Wait for her to wake up."

-"Are we taking her to Hold?"

-"She can't be left alone on the ship."-I nodded at Astraea's question.

-"Good."-She smiled after hearing my choice.

-"What about those still flying outside?"-Ningguang pointed at the window.

-"On it."

I turned around and let my tails appear in full glory. Raising my hand, the power of Finality manifested, turning the world gray. As the world became devoid of colors, the ships outside slowly turned blurry, and soon after, they turned into ash. After the color returned, only empty space was left outside.

-"This..."-Riveria looked at me surprised.

-"..."-Loki's eyes opened for the first time since I met her.

-"That power..."-Astraea was also surprised by my abilities.

-"Time, as Emanator of Finality, I can use time as my weapon."

-"Even among gods, few would risk fighting with you."-Loki now looked at me with eyes she reserved for those ancient gods from her world.

-"Are there any restrictions on your power?"-Ningguang asked interested.

-"Yes, outside some minor ones, there are three rules that can not be broken. First, time must always flow. Second, I can exist only once at every point in time. Third, I can't change my own past."

-"You can travel back in time?"-Riveria asked after catching the implications behind the existence of those rules.

-"I have done that many times before, even changed the history of a few places, but that power is not the perfect panacea many people imagine it as."

-"Why? If you knew what went wrong and solved it before, wouldn't it be easy?"-Asked Finn.

-"When I gained my power, I also thought that. The stronger the rules of a world, the more powerful [Correction Force] exists. It's like rowing through a river in a canoe. It's hard to swim against the flow, and if you are not careful, you will be overturned. Better to steer yourself with a flow while slightly changing course."

-"Time is Taboo for gods. Even those with divinity associated with it are afraid of losing themself."-Astraea agreed with my words.

With a somber atmosphere, we returned to Hold, where everybody slowly started parting ways, and in the end, only Fox Lady was left with me. Having nothing to do, I returned to the workshop to keep myself busy. Much later, somebody's gaze drilling through the back of my head threw me out of concentration. 

-"You are awake. I have left a note by your bedside. Do you need anything?"

-"Benefactor, thank you for saving this me from the grasp of Antimatter Legion."-Bowed the Fox lady.-"But I have to beg you. Help me travel back to the Xianzhou Luofu as fast as possible!"

She was starting to kneel when I stopped her.

-"Slow down a little. You are in luck, as I'm already traveling toward Xianzhou Luofu. Would you mind introducing yourself so I know how to call you?"

-"Ah yes, excuse my manners. I'm Tingyun, an amicassador of the Sky-Faring Commission."

-"My name is Yue. Can you tell me more details about what happened to you?"

-"I was attacked and captured. Later, some strange voice thanked me for bringing her such a beautiful body to play with. When I blinked, another I stood on the other side of the bars. She cast some spell on me, and when I awoke, I was here."

-"I probably know who you met. Her name is Phantylia, one of the Lord Ravagers of Antimatter Legion."

-"Oh no... That would mean that I need to return even more."

-"My ship is on course. There is under a week left before arrival."

-"Thank, Aeons. I don't know how I can repay you."

-"No need to bother. We just crossed paths."

-"Debts must be repaid. Sadly, this poor girl has nothing left and can only promise with her body."-She spoke with a shy smile while looking at me.

-"Wasn't there an option to be a workhorse in the next life?"

-"Benefactor, that choice depends on the person saving a damsel in distress, and you qualify only for the first one."

-"If you can joke, then you must be all right. Let me end here and refresh myself. After I'm done, I'll get you something to eat."

-"Please don't feel troubled over me."-Tingyun returned to behaving like a proper lady.

After my quick bath, the two of us moved to the kitchen, where I prepared some light breakfast. While she tried to behave gracefully, one could see that she was famished from her speed of eating alone, so I prepared another portion for her. After eating both portions, she offered to make tea.

-"Please."-She handed me the steaming cup.

-"Thank you."

-"Can you tell me where I am?"

-"This place is my secret. As of now, I can not tell you."

-"Sorry."

-"No, don't worry. I hope that I can come to an understanding with Xianzhou Alliance after we arrive."-I changed the subject.

-"Are you in conflict with them?"

-"No. In the past, there were some hard feelings, but it is all gone now."

-"Thank god, I would not want to be torn between my home and benefactor."

As we were having some light banter, Riveria returned.

-"I was just about to check on you. How do you feel?"

-"I'm all right. Thank you for your care. You are?"-Tingyun acted politely.

-"My name is Riveria Ljos Alf."

-"I'm Tingyun."

-"I'm going to have to leave you, ladies. I have something to do."

-"OK, I'll have Tingyun undergo some examinations to be sure there is nothing wrong."

I left the kitchen and returned to the workshop.

While I was getting work done, more people arrived in Hold, and thanks to Hephaestus joining me in the middle, we were able to complete the proof of concept for the technology I was researching.

-"Done."-I nodded, looking at Hephaestus.

-"Good job."-She smiled at me.

-"Thanks to that, we will be able to operate much more easily."

In my hand was a small plaque full of runes. Its purpose was easy to understand. It could connect to the nexus lying on the table next to us.

-"While by itself, it is useless, but if we add the ability to send and receive messages between different worlds, it will be an essential item in the future."

-"Yes, right now, it is hard to catch somebody if you need them."

-"That's why I started working on that. In my world, most people use phones to connect."

-"That little thing on the table, right? I have taken a look inside it, and while most of the technology is lost on me, some basics were fascinating."

-"I plan to use it as inspiration, but I do not know if we will be able to replicate every function those phones possess."-I started to clean up the workstation.-"We are done for now. I can give you some books on technology if you like."

-"Yes, please."-Hephaestus nodded and began helping me with

After that, we planned to go to the [Grand Library], but on our way there, we ran into Elysia.

-"Yue! Can you come to my world?!"-She grabbed my arm in panic.

-"Did something happen on your side, Elysia?"

-"Dr. Mei detected a rise in honkai energy. The 11th Herrscher is coming."-She lost all her usual cheerfulness and looked at me seriously.

-"Then I'll follow you. Let us go."

-"Thanks!"-She grabbed my hand and started dragging me with her.

We quickly made our way into a military base. While I was following Elysia, many people passed us in a rush. Elysia led me to a room where 13 people were talking and looking over satellite photos of a ruined city. Our entrance attracted the attention of everybody.

-"Elysia, finally. We are about to set off."-A woman with glasses looked at Elysia.

-"Sorry, I was trying to get some help."

-"You mean that person you brought with you? Whatever, at this point, I'll take anything."

-"It has moved!"-A sudden call from a woman with multiple cogs on her clothes returned everyone's attention to the matter at hand.

-"No, time. Go deploy before it destroys another city."

-"Yes!"

They split into two groups. One focused on screens while the other went toward the exit. While following the latter one, I was able to get some information on the actual situation.

-"11th was named as Herrscher of Binding. Its power is to negate not only technology but even Honkai's powers. She, of course, is immune to that effect and can fully unleash the strength of Herrscher."-A woman who introduced herself as Fu Hua told me what she knew.

-"Mei, do you have any strategy ready?"-A pink-haired woman asked while speaking to a communicator.

-"Nothing for now. Any idea, Kevin?"-Mei spoke through the communicator.

-"No"

-"We will have to figure it out on the fly."-A man with horns spoke quietly.

-"Don't worry! We will succeed!"-Elysia regained some of her usual style, though I could see that she was forcing herself to raise her friends' morale.

-"Elysia is right."

-"On the subject of Elysia, who did you bring this time."-Another voice, which I connected to a green-haired girl from before, sounded in the communicator.

-"He is Yue. My secret weapon!"

-"Yue? What can you do?"-A man with a mask asked while looking at me.

-"Well, from what I heard, you have trouble with the powers of that Herrscher. I can keep his attention and make sure he does not wander from that point."

-"Mind telling me how?"-Asked Mei.

-"As much as I'd like to keep him occupied with discussion, I believe that fighting is the only way."

-"Are you sure you can contend against that monster?"-She ignored my joke.

-"Yes"-I also stopped with jokes.

-"Then do what you can. Rest either clean the battlefield, assist evacuation, or support him."

-"Yes!"

The plane we boarded during the talk was approaching the combat zone, so, one by one, everybody leaped out into the mayhem. When my turn came, I leaped with a sword in hand, quickly locating my target in the hellscape below. 

While closing on target, I felt that my powers were restricted by something, but my time powers were still usable, though they could not affect my enemy as she seemed resistant to them. As such, they could be only delegated to auxiliary roles.

⌊ Most of my techniques are usable as they don't use honkai energy. Let's start with CQQ. If the need arises, I'll start using my Vidyadhara powers.⌉

I landed with great impact and sprung into action. Herrscher saw me immediately, reacting by manifesting golden spears and throwing them in my direction. I started parring attacks while trying to approach.

Countless sparks started flying around. By subtly manipulating my own time and using swordsmanship horned over my long life, I was able to reach Herrscher and engage it in direct combat.

She started defending with a manifested spear while pelting me with countless weapons manifested around me. Stealmate lasted for a short while until I was able to find an opening and deliver the first hit in that duel.

-"So you still can bleed."-I spoke, seeing some liquid on my sword

As the combat continued, I tried to push her into a region void of living beings to prevent accidental casualties. At the same time, I was able to find my rhythm, continuing to dance around while dodging and deflecting arsenals of weapons flying all around. From time to time, either I would have to increase the distance in order not to be hit, or a shallow cut would allow me to draw some of the enemy's blood.

Suddenly, clanking could be heard in the background. Instantly, I jumped high into the air as the place where I had just been standing was surrounded by golden chains.

I stabilized myself mid-flight and began to mobilize my bloodline powers. Tails appeared behind me while nature started bending to my will. I started levitating while earth spikes appeared under Herrscher's feet. In the background, I started gathering flames from nearby buildings. 

My opponent was not one to be passive and also started mobilizing her abilities to take control of the surroundings from me. All around me, stones and flames were mixed with weapons manifested from the power of Herrscher. This situation didn't last long as, before long, a flaming sword appeared from my right and struck my opponent.

-"Kill it!"-shouted a person who appeared.

-"No need to tell me twice"

I focused on controlling the powerful fire before me, condensing it into a sphere around Herrscher. As I slowly started shrinking it, its colors started becoming lighter, and soon, a blue sphere that was hot enough to melt stone underneath fully formed.

When I felt force restraining me fading, I slowly let go of my control while making sure the fire was extinguished. In no time, the only thing left was golden crystal radiating the same power as felled Herrscher.

-"..."-Keving, who just helped me, looked at me warily.

-"You do not have to be wary of me. If I wanted to harm you, helping that thing would be a sure way to kill you all."

-"He is right, Kevin. I have many questions, but those can wait after clean up."-Mei's voice sounded once again.

-"Thank you for understanding. What can I do?"

-"Can you use some of that power to seek and help those buried under the rubble."

-"Leave it to me"

We hurried to save as many as we could and to achieve that, I slowed time for all of those in need to reduce the chances of dying before help arrived. As this was happening, I came next to a young doctor named Su and began to cooperate with him. Soon, both of us were performing field operations to save those who could not survive the travel to hospital.

-"The last batch of critically injured is being loaded onto transport. You two go with them."-Mei told us while sounding exhausted.

-"Sure."-I answered while washing my hands in the sphere of water I created.

-"I'll follow them!"-Elysia jumped at me out of nowhere.

-"Thank you for your assistance. If not for you, hundreds more would have died."-Su approached me and thanked me so seriously as if it was he who had just been saved.

-"I'm just doing my part."

-"I'm also thankful for your surprise arrival. I don't know where Elysia found you, but I'm glad you are here."

Even after returning to the base, I continued helping in the hospital, and only after two days had passed was I able to sit down and rest. However, the moment I was to rest, Elysia came and invited me to a small celebration with other Flame Chasers. She took me to dance with her, and after a few songs, we sat with full glasses of wine.

-"To survival, cheers!"-Mei started a toast.

-"Cheers!"

With cling, the festive atmosphere continued. Soon, everyone started becoming tipsy. While a few excused themself at the end, over half of the party lay on the floor dead drunk.

-"Your name was Mobius, right? Do you mind helping me take them to their rooms?"

-"OK. You carry them, and I'll lead the way."

Some trips later, everybody was tucked in. I decided to lay in a room allotted to me and sleep for the first time in a long while.