Tremors shudder through the air as Vonnegut lowers his hands maintaining the force field, allowing the rift to stir before everyone.
Your heartbeat quickens as you instinctively move a step ahead.
As you step forward, a figure tumbles out from within, taking several unsteady steps before barely regaining her balance.
Those familiar eyes appear veiled by a gray haze, her gaze drifting aimlessly until finally settling upon you.
...Comm...
Ignoring the ache in your heart, you dash forward without hesitation.
You firmly support the faltering Lucia with both hands. While her frame shows barely any external damage, just as relief begins to set in, an inexplicable unease suddenly wells up within you.
...
The unease stems from Lucia's silence and the uncertain state of her M.I.N.D.
In this instant, her eyes lock onto your face as the haze veiling her gaze gradually fades away.
As if beholding a bright light, she stares in a daze, her lips trembling, her now-bright eyes reflecting the hope she holds dear.
Before you can call out again, you sense a sudden weight in your arms as Lucia envelops you in a tight embrace.
Casting aside the prolonged solitude and countless unspoken words, she embraces this long-lost warmth, clutching tightly onto the one to whom her heart belongs.
All the suppressed grief and confusion vanishes like mist. This moment of reunion strips away her shell of numbness, and beneath your touch, Lucia trembles ever so slightly.
She remains silent, simply tightening her embrace. Her soft murmur of acknowledgment is barely audible, a mere whisper in the air.
Commandant...
Her voice emerges muffled but steadier now. Lucia scrutinizes the person before her, as if absorbing every familiar detail she once knew all too well.
...Yes, Commandant.
Her voice grows steadier with each word. As her unease melts away, Lucia lifts her head once more.
She loosens her embrace and steps back, her gaze traveling from head to toe before meeting your eyes again.
[player name].
She breaks into a smile and responds with another fleeting embrace—so brief that you only catch the sound of her voice echoing softly by your ear.
Glad to be back.
Lucia steps back, ending the embrace. After meticulously checking your whole body, she unclenches her fists and gives a wry smile.
Watching Lucia recover, her Pyroath frame appears pristine on the surface, but there's no denying it has been under considerable strain. The earlier unease creeps back into you.
However, Lucia instantly senses your concern and takes the initiative to report her condition.
My frame is functioning normally.
As for my M.I.N.D.... there are no deviation warnings detected.
With those words, she initiates a M.I.N.D. connection with you.
All readings are normal, and her M.I.N.D. displays no sign of deviation. It's just as Lucia said—while under considerable strain, her frame shows no serious issues.
But... why...?
Over thirty years of combat, plus the life-or-death escape from the Fog... and she shows no serious issues at all?
An ominous feeling creeps in, as if everything before you is but a fragile dream, ready to shatter at any moment.
Your fingertips grow cold, the chill of anxiety creeping in, but then Lucia's hand finds yours, pushing back the cold with her warmth.
I'll be fine, Commandant.
Her voice is soft as if hiding something, but before you can grasp this fleeting moment of doubt, your thoughts are interrupted by movement nearby.
...She's coming back too.
Chaos approaches silently. Though she maintains a relatively safe distance, Lucia's hand drifts instinctively to the hilt of her Pyro Katana.
Lucia glances back at the rift, gesturing that there's an equally dangerous threat inside.
Then her gaze turns back to Chaos, suspicion and vigilance still lingering in her eyes.
After a moment of silence, Lucia nods, fixing a piercing gaze upon Vonnegut.
Got it.
With the plan laid clear and intelligence complete, even though it's a gamble, Lucia no longer hesitates.
She reaches into her frame and pulls out the "Key", extending it toward Chaos. Right at that moment...
CLANK—!
A crisp shattering and a deep howl echo simultaneously.
Watch out!
Clang—
A cold glint slices through the air as razor-sharp blades, forged from the Red Tide, clatter to the ground.
Well, well, we finally meet again. You guys certainly weren't easy to find.
Isn't it about time you give up? These futile struggles only make your life read like a tedious, wearisome novel.
Commandant, stay back.
We're still continuing like this?
Before Cradle can finish speaking, she swiftly dodges to the side.
An invisible impact grazes past her ear, taking with it a few strands of her long hair.
...
And here I thought you'd keep watching from the sidelines...
She glances at Vonnegut's body as it continues to heal.
Must have been quite painful for you these days... and yet you still help them?
Don't tell me you're working together now?
Cradle's frown turns to a sudden realization, and the Red Tide around her begins to roil in response.
With that, her smile fades and her eyes narrow.
Excellent. This way, we might just write ourselves a nice, clean ending. Despite the reef's resilience, when faced with the relentless tides...
It will eventually yield.
With her declaration, the towering Red Tide comes crashing down with thunderous force.
