Story Reader / Main Story / 31 Shaper's Ripples / Story
East side, Golden Time Court
Near the underground parking entrance
The ground quakes violently, splitting open to reveal a terrifying chasm. The street yawns wide like a ravenous mouth, swallowing every last thing on the surface.
A Red Tide bursts from the fissure like a spring, flooding the sunken street in an instant. Only surging waves and swirling eddies remain, announcing that the collapse below is far from over.
The underground parking lot is already underwater.
Lucia holds the human in her arms, flying overhead through this continuously collapsing zone.
Watch out!
An explosive burst shatters the floors; Lucia shields your head with her arm, twisting swiftly aside to dodge the crumbling wall.
Behind her, thick smoke billows, and terrified screams pierce the air without pause.
Commandant.
She still won't let go of those protective hands around her.
We have to tackle the core problem first if we want any chance of helping them.
I've just moved Darcie and Rose to the D7 Twin Observation Tower on the west side. It's higher up and farther from the underground parking lot, so it's still safe for the time being.
Got it. Hold on tight, Commandant.
D7 Twin Observation Building 2nd Floor
You reached second floor with Lucia. Just as Darcie comes into view, the crash of breaking glass rings out overhead, and everything goes dark in an instant.
Watch out!
W-what's happening?!
Darcie's anxious voice echoes through the dark.
Mm.
The dim emergency lamp flickers, so you slow your pace and advance carefully.
The glow lights up the path with every step. As you scan the hall, your eyes lock on splattered blood—and bodies—sprawled across the floor.
...Bodies?
They're wearing the same gear and uniforms, just like those mercenaries looking for trouble earlier. Must be mercenaries of some sort.
Don't ask me—I was shocked coming over here! It wasn't here yesterday!
Suddenly, a flash of lightning shoots up from below, heading straight for Lucia.
She swings her sword in a smooth arc, slicing the lightning clean in half and exposing what it really is.
What is it?
It's Hetero-Creature—they're coming in!
Before Lucia can even finish, more butterflies surge from the shadows.
Pulling back behind Lucia, standing back-to-back with her, supporting her with your covering fire.
A swarm of butterflies floods into the light, surrounding the two of you.
Their assault is straightforward and delicate, relying on their small frames and sheer numbers to overwhelm.
If you let your guard down, one slips into your blind spot and sticks to you, almost daring you to slice through both it and whoever it clings to.
Ten... twenty... thirty... The broken wings accumulate around you, creating a crimson circle.
Just when you think you're in for a long, grueling standoff, the remaining butterflies suddenly pull back into the darkness as if they've been given a direct order.
I'm okay... what just happened out there?
Hetero-Creatures aren't supposed to be this smart. It's obvious we're their target, which means someone must be controlling them.
Lucia lifts a fragment of the butterfly wing, holds it close to her Omega Core, and engages the Pyroath frame's Phantom Tracer system.
So it really is Cradle... She's the one who made these butterfly-like Hetero-Creatures.
She scans the area again, making sure no threat is left unchecked, before finally lowering her blade.
There must be an underground crack linked to the Inver-Hetero Tower. That's likely why the Red Tide rolled in so fast.
If it's really below us, submerged like that, there's no way you'll make it through.
...
Okay, I'll hurry and locate the rift leading back to the Inver-Hetero Tower, then find a way for both of us to get in.
Lucia suddenly turns towards the east side of the exhibit hall.
There's a live signal—human, armed, heading upstairs.
It doesn't look like this person is with the mercenaries. I'm also detecting other signs of human presence in the building.
Could it be Yuko or other colleagues?
Possibly. But aside from them, I'm picking up signals of other Hetero-Creatures on the upper floors.
Lucia closes her eyes and concentrates, trying to sense the outlines revealed by her scans.
They're acting strange... I suspect Cradle is close by.
...Okay, let's establish a regional comm link. Whatever happens, don't cut off communication—stay connected at all times.
Once the comm link is up, Lucia goes over her gear again.
I'm off. Stay safe, okay?
Lucia's voice echoes from both ahead and through your headset, reminding you to stay on guard.
...
And the answer to those words is an unexpected hug.
Commandant...
It's obvious why she's worried.
She's spent so long reliving loop after loop in the Inver-Hetero Tower that her body is riddled with lingering side effects.
Vivid memories of those shifting pathways, warped spaces, and the onslaught of M.I.N.D. interference and illusions—along with the looming threat of death—still haunt her.
Now, completely unprepared, you've landed in a strange city overwhelmed by catastrophe, right into the enemy's carefully laid trap. No one can be sure what might happen next.
As comfort and promises turn to lies, embrace and touch become the sole means to comfort one another.
The arms around you tighten a little more.
You protect yourself first—just remember, only by solving the root problem can you hope to keep everyone safe.
And...
She leans in close to your ear and softly reveals the most chilling truth.
The "Key" is about to get broken. I'd guess it has maybe two uses left... No... it might only have one.
Okay, I'm off. Stay put until I get back, and if anything goes wrong, shout for me.
