Honkai: Star Rail — Kamen Rider!

Amidst roaring flames, the imposing figure that had left such a profound impression on Sora once again appeared before him.

How could he forget? It was at Nokiribi's hands that he had experienced his first-ever forced de-transformation.

What does "forced de-transformation" mean? It meant getting thoroughly defeated!

And not only had he been beaten down, but he'd even ended up unconscious afterward.

How could such a humiliating experience fade from memory?

Wait… he thought wryly.

If he thought carefully, wasn't his very first defeat in this world actually at the hands of Touma-sensei?

If so, his first loss had already been dedicated to that Flame Swordsman!

Sora shook his head, dispelling these distracting thoughts, refocusing entirely on Nokiribi.

Previously, he'd suspected that Nokiribi might indeed be the missing Hotaru. Now, after finally seeing her clearly, his suspicion had been confirmed.

Although her hair was now streaked dark red, her face and the long hair unique among Iron Cavalry unmistakably confirmed her identity.

There was only one lingering question…

"Were you pretending to be mute all along?" Sora asked bluntly.

Indeed, this was the burning question that lingered in his mind.

Previously, he'd doubted Nokiribi was Hotaru precisely because Hotaru couldn't speak freely.

Yet, her earlier words clearly destroyed the notion of her being mute.

Though Sora bore no malice towards their people, he disliked having his goodwill exploited.

After hearing his question, Nokiribi—having completed her armor's transformation—didn't immediately respond.

Sora could clearly see her armored face tilting slightly upward; evidently, she was observing him carefully.

Neither side immediately initiated the fight, both maintaining tense silence.

After a pause, Nokiribi finally answered, "I wasn't pretending. I truly couldn't speak before."

"Is that so?" Sora nodded, choosing to believe her.

Considering how earnestly delighted Hotaru had been upon discovering he understood sign language, he doubted she'd possess the cunning to fake muteness. That genuine joy, he believed, could never have been faked.

At this moment, Nokiribi quietly asked, "Are you here to stop me from cleansing this planet?"

Seeing Sora arrive now, she assumed he'd come to prevent her from wiping the planet's surface clean.

After all, their three-day agreement was rapidly approaching. Her earlier promise to purify this planet wasn't mere talk.

To find Serus's hidden location, completely wiping out this planet's surface was the simplest solution.

"That's merely something I'll deal with on the way," Sora replied firmly. "My true goal is you."

Nokiribi herself was the root of all their problems. She'd suffered cruelty, thus resorting to cruelty herself.

What Sora wanted to show her was that this universe wasn't solely filled with malice.

"For me…? Isn't it just to prevent this planet's destruction?" Nokiribi's voice dipped slightly in disappointment.

Ultimately, Sora had still come for her—to stop her from destroying the planet's surface.

"No use in further talk," Sora said decisively.

But first, Nokiribi needed to truly listen.

"Yes. No more words."

Nokiribi shifted into a ready stance.

With conversation ended, tension filled the air, thick and heavy.

Having previously suffered defeat at Sora's hands, Nokiribi heightened her guard against him to the utmost degree.

All his movements were tracked precisely by her armor, as though hundreds of eyes carefully analyzed his every gesture.

Yet, she was somewhat surprised: "You're not using your sword?"

Without a sword, Sora's threat level diminished significantly.

His response, however, was simple and direct. "I don't need it. For you, fists are more effective."

Contained within his fists was an ardent sincerity he must convey.

As Heart-sama had said: The sword was meant for the harshest battles against absolute malice.

But for Nokiribi, this prickly hedgehog, a gentle (physical) touch would more effectively penetrate her defenses.

"Then don't blame me."

Nokiribi's body blazed with crimson flames before instantly vanishing from sight.

The ground cracked violently beneath her vanished form, sending countless fragments suspended slowly midair.

The [Super-Heavy Acceleration] field still enveloped the area, yet Nokiribi moved freely, unhindered.

Is this… the power of the Void?

Sora felt awe seeing this scene.

The Void's aura surrounding Nokiribi was precisely what exempted her from [Super-Heavy Acceleration].

Within the Void, nothing mattered.

Life, flesh, soul—even time, gravity, and the Paths themselves—all became meaningless in the Void's presence.

In the end, everything would return to nothingness; thus, no force or rule could influence the Void, because the Void awaited at the very end of existence.

Hence, Nokiribi's Void aura allowed her immunity to [Heavy Acceleration]—even [Super-Heavy Acceleration] couldn't slow her.

Each second of time, each pull of gravity—all dissolved in the Void's embrace.

Thus began a true, earnest battle.

Sora's [Heavy Acceleration] had lost effect, and Nokiribi faced him at his strongest form yet: Kamen Rider Heart, more formidable than even Ixa.

Now, victory or defeat became completely uncertain.

Nokiribi vanished instantly into extreme speed, while Sora stood calmly, rotating his wrists, awaiting her strike.

He discarded distractions, golden arcs of electricity sparking along his body.

His focus was sharpened to an extreme, fists ready to convey the conviction he sought to deliver.

The air was incredibly dense under [Super-Heavy Acceleration], allowing Nokiribi's high-speed movements to leave clear trails through it.

BOOM—!

Just as tension peaked, Nokiribi's figure burst forth from nothingness!

Her fist wrapped in dark-red flames thundered towards Sora with astonishing power.

If Sora chose not to use a sword, neither would she.

Besides, fists and kicks were the true strength of this Fyrefly Suit!

Her fist hurtled directly toward Sora's back, generating explosive rings of sonic booms.

Though slowed by [Super-Heavy Acceleration], the sonic rings vividly displayed her astonishing speed.

This was the strike that had forcibly canceled Sora's transformation last time—and now, she unleashed it again at full strength!

But Sora did not retreat. Feeling the rush of air, he sharply turned, golden lightning surging around his right fist, and faced her attack head-on!

BANG!!

The two fists collided atop the tower!

A deafening shockwave reverberated through the surroundings, carving deep cracks into the tower's surface.

Neither fighter paid attention to this. Golden lightning intertwined fiercely with dark-red flames, struggling violently, each attempting to consume the other.

Failing to break through with one strike, Nokiribi vanished again, launching rapid blows like relentless raindrops.

Yet Sora's senses had sharpened immensely, matching her ferocious barrage blow-for-blow.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Continuous sonic booms signified the ferocity of their struggle.

Shockwaves rippled slowly outward under [Super-Heavy Acceleration], marking their tremendous force.

Even Zieltworth Tower began trembling faintly.

"Isn't this a bit much…?" Chenyu murmured incredulously, watching the once-unshakable tower quiver.

Zieltworth Tower was this planet's iconic landmark, constructed of some of the galaxy's rarest, toughest materials—strong enough to withstand collisions from small spacecraft.

Moreover, the scholars of the Intelligentsia Guild had specially designed its structure for maximum stability.

Its extraordinary materials and perfect construction earned it the moniker "Immovable Zieltworth Tower."

In fact, it was proven impervious even against small meteors.

Yet now, the so-called "immovable" tower visibly shook under mere physical blows from these two warriors.

Moreover, their combat had already fractured the top platform thoroughly. It only stayed intact due to [Super-Heavy Acceleration]—but didn't that imply without it, the shaking would be far more intense?

Realizing this, Chenyu swallowed nervously.

He couldn't even imagine what fate would befall the tower without Sora's mysterious field…

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Suddenly, ominous cracking sounds emanated clearly from the screen.

Chenyu fell utterly silent. If she hadn't seen incorrectly—

Visible cracks had formed on the tower itself.

This meant the energy unleashed by Nokiribi's and Sora's fists far exceeded even small spacecraft impacts!

And this was merely their punches colliding!

These two… what exactly are they—

Just then, Nokiribi ascended into the sky, transformed into a blazing meteor, and dove downward with incredible force!

Seeing Nokiribi's descent, Sora grinned fiercely.

This is exactly how it should be!

His fist, glowing brilliantly in pure gold, met her falling meteor head-on!

BOOOMMM!!!

A tremendous energy blast exploded outward from their impact point.

Even under [Super-Heavy Acceleration], this shockwave spread at alarming speed—demonstrating their unbelievable power!

Amid smoke and debris, Zieltworth Tower fractured spectacularly, then collapsed into ruin!

Amidst endless rubble, radiant golden brilliance coalesced around Sora's form.

Kamen Rider Heart – Over Evolved.

His pure-gold figure stood proudly like a sun upon the shattered earth, vapor around him scattering the dust.

"Ahh~" Sora exhaled hot steam, his heart thundering powerfully.

His Idealistic power resonated strongly, pushing him into this [Over Evolved] form.

Now, he sensed he could release an even stronger field!

He gazed upward at Nokiribi, who charged again toward him.

"No matter who you are, if you dwell on the past, you'll never truly evolve."

"You must remember the past—but only to step towards a brighter future."

He clenched his fist. Light blazed from his form.

Then, an even more overwhelming field spread forth, freezing all of Zieltworth—and even into the space beyond.

In this moment, the entire planet ceased to move.