Location: Echohold-09 (Outside Area)

  Time of Day: Morning

  Hikari's Bloom Form time was up. The petals of light around her slowly faded, drifting away until none remained. THUD! She dropped to one knee, one hand catching herself against the cracked ground. Her black coat began to shift back to white, color filling across the fabric like ink spreading in reverse.

  The green vines with pink thorns wrapped around her arms and legs loosened. They slid downward in lifeless coils, hit the ground, then turned black - crumbling apart like burnt flower stems. Vitanova followed next. The blade dimmed at the tip first... then dissolved downward in drifting fragments, pale ashes carried off by the wind. By the time the hilt vanished, she was left holding nothing.

  Hikari exhaled softly. Her brown eyes lowered to her empty hand, a small smile forming. "Thanks... Vitanova." The word left her in a tired whisper, gratitude for the form that had let her win... and protect her teammates.

  "HIKARI!!"

  Their voices echoed across the battlefield. Hikari turned toward the sound and saw them sprinting toward her from across the dry earth.

  Slayer reached her first, dropping to a knee beside her. He grabbed her shoulder with one hand, the other clenched in excitement. "Hikari! You were frkn awesome!"

  Hikari gave him a weak, gentle smile. “Th-thanks… I’m happy you’re all still here by my side.”

  Lumina stepped in front of her, voice firm with a hint of relief. "I'm glad to see you were able to manage on your own. Truly an amazing victory, Hikari."

  Hikari nodded weakly. " Thanks. Good to hear I left an impression on you." She closed her eyes for a moment, a small tired smile appearing on her face.

  Captain stopped beside Lumina, his eyes lowered to Hikari, voice low and steady. "You saved us all, Hikari. That form of yours was really something else."

  Hikari looked down, nodding once, a hand pressed to her chest. "Yeah... couldn't have done it without it."

  Slayer stood up and offered a hand to Hikari. "Can you stand?"

  Hikari looked up and nodded once. She took his hand and rose to her feet, brushing off her coat and sleeves.

  Captain stepped forward next, holding something out to her, it was Hikari's black tie. "Here. You can't be forgetting this."

  Hikari blinked, then smiled softly. "Oh. Thanks, Captain. Can't be forgetting that now can I." She took the tie from his hand and slipped it back on. Then she put both hands on her hips, a smile spreading across her face. "How do I look?"

  Lumina cleared her throat before answering simply, "Just like Hikari actually."

  The group chuckled lightly. Behind them, the bones of Mimiris clattered as the wind stirred. But none of them looked back. All eyes were on each other, back together again.

  Hikari spoke as she turned toward the pile of Mimiris's bones. "I'm sure you guys have a lot of questions about what happened."

  Slayer raised a hand immediately. "Oh yeah, we do. How did you even awaken to that? Did you eat a void sandwich or something?"

  Hikari let out a tired laugh. "No, Slayer... I did not eat a void sandwich." She looked down for a moment. "But... it did feel like something - or someone - helped me awaken to it."

  Lumina stepped a little closer, her tone curious. "What do you mean by that?"

  Hikari looked up at her. "Right after I got knocked out by Mimiris, I had a memory. Something from my past."

  Captain crossed his arms slightly. "A memory of what, exactly?"

  Hikari breathed in gently. "A memory of my father... when I was little. We were planting seeds in a garden."

  Lumina rested a hand against her chin. "A memory of your father, you say..."

  Hikari nodded. "Yeah. He reminded me that the things that grow the strongest... are the ones that refuse to stay small." She looked down at her gloved hand. "Meaning we all have the potential to grow, if we choose to keep going."

  Lumina spoke softly, "Those are wise words from your father. He sounds like he cared deeply for you."

  Hikari looked up at her. "Yeah... he did."

  Slayer tilted his head. "So... where is he now, anyway?"

  Hikari spoke calmly, "He's... in another part of the world. He's a researcher, so he travels a lot for his work."

  Lumina nodded gently. "Hope to meet him one day."

  Hikari smiled faintly, glancing over everyone. "Yeah. I'm sure he'd love to meet you all someday." She refocused, her expression turning thoughtful. "Anyway... after that memory triggered, another one came. But it didn't feel like a memory. It felt real. Like it was happening right then... and someone was calling my name."

  Captain stepped forward slightly. "Someone we know?"

  Hikari shook her head. "Unfortunately, I can't recall the voice fully... but to sum it up, it reminded me of the people who got hurt. And the ones who died because I wasn't able to protect them."

  Slayer blinked. "Woah, well that wasn't harsh at all."

  Hikari let out a tired laugh through her breath. "Yeah. And then it asked me... if I was going to keep going the way I was, or if I'd finally bloom forth. Then it asked for a yes." She pressed a hand to her chest. "And that's when I agreed... and I awakened to it."

  Lumina crossed her arms slightly, voice firm. “The memory, the voice, that agreement you made… all of it sounds like it was connected to awakening your Neo-Emanation somehow.”

  Hikari's eyes widened. "Neo-Emanation?! You seriously think it was that?"

  "Perhaps." Lumina answered. "Like I told everyone earlier, I'm not entirely sure what that form is... Bloom Form is what you called it, right?"

  Hikari nodded. "Yes. That's the name I called out when I awakened to it."

  Lumina continued, "It's similar to the naming of my Elegant Form. But there's one key difference. When I enter Elegant Form, my entire outfit changes. Yours didn't. The only drastic changes were your weapon... and the way you fought with it." She placed a hand on her hip. "That's why I came to the conclusion that it was only half of your Neo-Emanation that awakened. But I've never heard of anything like that before."

  Hikari lowered her gaze slightly. "I see... only half, huh."

  Slayer chimed in, grinning. “Also, that final move you pulled off? One helluvah skill! And that blade of yours? it carved right through Mimiris’s armor! Now that was something else.”

  Hikari tilted her head. "Oh, you mean Vitanova?"

  Lumina flinched, eyes widening just a little. "Vitanova...?"

  Captain raised a brow. "Is that a name you gave it, or something?"

  Hikari shook her head slowly. "I don't know. It was like... I already knew its name the moment I called for it. And then it appeared."

  Lumina placed a hand on her chin, thinking. "Your weapon has a name, huh... Not even my twin blades have names. Makes me wonder why yours does." She crossed her arms, eyes narrowing slightly. "Hey, Hikari. You think you can bring that form out again?"

  Hikari shook her head, tilting it slightly. "That's a negative. I don't feel that aura at all anymore. It's like it's completely gone."

  "Hm... interesting," Lumina murmured. She looked down for a moment, then back at Hikari.

  "There's still a lot we don't understand about how you awakened to that form so early. But I don't think that'll be the last time we see it."

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  Hikari blinked. "What makes you say that?"

  Lumina answered calmly, "Well, it awakened because of your strong drive to save and protect us. So my guess? All you need is another push like that... and it'll most likely come back again."

  Slayer crossed his arms. "Yes, but let's just hope it's not us getting our ass kicked again for it to happen, haha."

  Captain shot him a look. "Well, that's probably gonna happen again if you don't pick it up."

  Slayer pointed at him. "Hey! You're one to talk when you were on the ground too!"

  Captain scoffed. "Hmph."

  Hikari chuckled softly, smiling. "Come on, you two, cut it out." She looked at all of them. "Well... whatever the reason is for triggering Bloom Form, just know I'll be there to protect you all. With or without it."

  The others smiled. They were ready for whatever came next, now stronger than before.

  Then-

  A faint pulse throbbed against Hikari's coat. She flinched lightly and glanced down. "Th-The Artifact... it's reacting." Her hand slipped into her pocket, and she pulled it out. The Black Star engraved on its surface glowed softly.

  Captain stepped closer. "Is it finally ready to seal it?"

  Hikari nodded once, turning toward the scattered pile of Mimiris's bones a few steps away. "Yeah... it's time."

  Suddenly, a voice echoed from the Artifact, calm and faintly mechanical. "The Echo once known as Mimiris has been deceased... Would you like to proceed with the containment process? If so, please consent..."

  Hikari blinked. "...Odd."

  Lumina tilted her head. "Hm? What's wrong, Hikari?"

  Slayer leaned in. "Yeah. Aren't you gonna contain it?"

  Hikari held the Artifact in her palm, staring at the glowing black star. "It's just... the Artifact said 'the Echo once known as Mimiris,' not just Mimiris. Like... it wasn't that Echo anymore."

  Captain raised an eyebrow, arms crossing. "I mean, does it matter what it said? We're gonna seal that damn thing anyway."

  Slayer nodded. "Yeah. And it had that mutation form, so maybe that's why it phrased it like that."

  Hikari exhaled softly. "...Guess so."

  Lumina placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Hikari. Let's finish this. Best not to overthink it when we're this close to finishing it now."

  Hikari nodded once. "Yeah... you're right. Let's end this." She lifted the Artifact toward the sky. Its black star glowed brighter. "I con-"

  A voice cut through the air. "That won't be necessary."

  The team froze. Hikari's eyes widened, breath caught in her throat. The echoing voice lingered across the battlefield - calm, certain, utterly unfamiliar. They spun toward the source. Across from them, floating in the sky, stood a hooded figure.

  The stranger's cloak was pitch-black from head to toe, the fabric falling in heavy, shadow-like folds. On the chest, a white emblem glowed faintly - a circle with a diamond in the center, surrounded by four simple Roman numerals and curved shapes that looked almost like stylized branches or horns. The design felt geometric, ceremonial, and old, like a symbol from a secret order. Its face was hidden behind a smooth black stone mask. The hood draped low, shadowing everything beneath it, except for two faintly visible eyes staring down at them.

  Lumina's stance shifted, one hand drifting toward her blade. "An enemy?"

  Captain raised his rifle, eyes locked on the figure. "Doesn't scream ally to me."

  Slayer slid into a stance, ready to draw.

  Hikari slowly lowered the Artifact, brows narrowing, her voice firm. "And who might you be...?"

  The hooded figure let out a soft, almost amused breath. Her voice drifted across the battlefield - smooth, warm, and unsettlingly relaxed, like someone speaking during a lullaby in a story they've heard a thousand times.

  "Who, me?" She touched a purple gloved hand lightly to her chest, tilting her head. "Well... I've been following your journey since you all left. Every decision, every mistake, every beautiful little struggle..." Her tone melted into a soft smile you could practically hear. "...and let me just say-" She hovered a little closer. "...you four have been such an interesting group."

  "Following us...?" Lumina muttered. Her eyes widened as the memory clicked. "Wait. You were there, weren't you? Back at the tavern, high on the rooftop. It was dark, but I definitely remember that hood."

  Slayer turned to her. "Wait, seriously? That hooded figure was..." He looked back at the woman. "...her."

  The woman gave a soft, amused hum. "Mm. Looks like I've been caught." She descended gracefully to the ground, boots touching the dry ground without a sound. "Yes, that was me on the rooftops back in Xevia." She tilted her head slightly, her voice calm and soft. "And now... it's finally time you met me properly." She took a slow, deliberate step forward.

  Captain's rifle clicked as he tightened his grip. "Not another step."

  The woman turned her head toward him calmly, giving a soft, amused hum. "Please... there's no need for weapons," she said gently. "If I wanted to harm you..." She tapped the side of her mask with a single finger. "...you wouldn't still be standing."

  Then her voice lifted, playful and airy. "But don't worry. I'm not here to hurt you." Her gaze drifted to Hikari's hand - specifically, the Artifact. "At least not if you don't give me what's ours."

  Hikari's brows narrowed. She followed the woman's gaze down to the Artifact before turning back to her. "What do you mean by 'ours'?"

  The woman gave a small, almost theatrical gasp. "Oops. That one slipped by." She lifted both hands in a lazy shrug. "Oh well... no matter."

  Lumina stepped forward, voice firm. "Answer her question!"

  The woman let out a soft, amused breath. "Oh my... feisty, aren't we?" She rested a hand on her hip, posture relaxed. "Relax. You'll know in due time. For now, just do what I say and no one gets hurt."

  Lumina's jaw tightened, her hand pressing more firmly against the katana at her back. "Tch..."

  Slayer leaned closer to her, whispering, "Don't let her get to you, Lumina."

  Hikari's brows narrowed. "Then at least tell us why you revealed yourself to us."

  The hooded figure didn't answer Hikari. Instead, she slowly turned toward the scattered bones lying in the dust. She hummed softly. "Mmm... I see you managed to take down Stagmandros."

  Hikari's eyes widened. "...Stagmandros?"

  The woman glanced back at them, her tone light and almost pleased. "Yes. That was its true name after it mutated." She faced Hikari fully now. "Color me impressed. I didn't think it would be taken down so quickly." Her head tilted, studying her with quiet intrigue. "But that form of yours... was enough to bring it down."

  Hikari stepped forward, her voice firm. "What do you mean by its true name? It's always been codenamed Mimiris ever since I can remember."

  The woman's response came with a soft, amused hum. "Let's just say it got a taste of my power and became something far more... magnificent."

  Hikari's thoughts tightened, her brows narrowing. ("She keeps avoiding every direct question. She's definitely not here to help us at all. And the way she mentioned giving power to Mimiris... can she actually alter an Echo's fighting abilities? Mutate them even? If that's true... then she must be able to use it too. Emanation.") She lifted her gaze, voice steady. "Tell me. Are you capable of using Emanation?"

  The woman tilted her head slightly, as if delighted by the question. "I am," she said simply. "Though mine is... mm, how should I put it-" She tapped a finger lightly against her mask. "Different from the ordinary kind. And much, much stronger."

  Lumina's eyes narrowed. "If she can use Emanation... then that must mean she really is from our world."

  Slayer nodded slowly. "Yeah... makes sense. That's where we first saw her. But what does she mean by her Emanation not being ordinary?"

  Lumina shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure. But the fact she's hiding her identity behind a mask means she's hiding a lot more than just her face."

  Captain stepped forward, rifle still trained on the woman. "Well, she's definitely not here just to chit-chat. She stopped Hikari the moment she tried to seal Mimiris. That tells me she wants something to do with the Artifact."

  The hooded woman gave a soft, amused hum, almost pleased they were catching on. "Now then," she said lightly, her gaze drifting to the Artifact in Hikari's hand. "Enough talking."

  Her tone cooled - gentle, but with a razor edge. "That Artifact you're holding..." She pointed at it with a delicate finger. "Hand it over please. Before I'm forced to take it from you-" A small tilt of her head. "...and I would really hate to do that to any of you."

  Hikari spoke, firm and steady. "Tell me. Why do you want the Artifact? I'm guessing you know something about it, since you're trying to take it from us."

  The woman let out a pleased hum. "How astute you are." She tapped her chin with one finger, the other arm folded under it. "Let's see... well, simply because it isn't yours to keep."

  Slayer raised his voice. "And who decided that?!"

  The woman gave a soft, amused chuckle. "I may not look like it, but this little interrogation is really starting to annoy me." Her attention slid back to Hikari, and she extended a hand toward her - open, palm up. "I'll ask once again." Her tone gentled, almost kindly. "The Artifact. Hand it over."

  Hikari didn't move. "...We're not handing you anything!"

  Lumina stepped beside her, eyes sharp. "That's right. We don't trust you one bit. Especially not someone who won't even show their face or tell us who they are."

  The woman gave a dramatic little sigh. "Ouch. Harsh." Then her voice shifted - lighter, but laced with danger. "Well in that case... since you guys won't obey me. Then I guess it can't be helped."

  She lifted her chin slightly, the shadows of her hood shifting. “…I warned you all.” Her eyes opened - glowing purple, faint at first… then blazing like twin amethysts behind the mask.

  A low hum vibrated through the air before FWOOOM! A surge of purple aura erupted from her body, pouring outward in a slow, controlled wave. It wasn’t wild or chaotic like Mimiris. It was beautiful, but terrifyingly calm. The ground cracked beneath her feet. Rock fragments rose in a ring. Wind pushed outward in a perfect, flawless circle.

  Lumina’s eyes widened. “That aura output… it’s massive.”

  Captain kept his rifle trained on her as the pressure settled over them. “And this… pressure is intense.”

  Slayer stumbled back a half-step. “Careful, everyone!”

  The woman stood perfectly still, completely composed. “Ah… sorry.” Her voice was gentle, almost sincerely apologetic. “I truly am. This isn’t how I wanted our first meeting to go.” Her purple aura rose higher, swirling around her body like a massive, controlled flame. “But I’m afraid…” she placed a hand over her heart, tone softening again, “…that I really do need that Artifact from you.” She bowed her head slightly. “So... forgive me for what I’m about to do.”

  Hikari’s brows narrowed. “If you want the Artifact then…” Her hand shifted, pink aura flowing around it - she used Aura Vanish, and the Artifact disappeared from sight with a HUM! “…you’re gonna have to come and get it.” Her eyes shifted from brown to pink, her aura flaring to life around her body.

  The woman hummed lightly. “Hmm… using Aura Vanish, I see. Very clever.” Her tone dipped, calm but chilling. “But unfortunately, that gives me even more reason to torture you until you bring it back out.” She stepped forward slowly, almost elegantly.

  Hikari braced herself. “Everyone. We’re going to have to push through this. We don’t know what she can do yet, so we're gonna have to defend here and now.”

  Captain’s red aura burst outward in a sharp flare. “Copy that. Let's do this.”

  Slayer’s blue aura blazed to life as he unsheathed his blade and raised his shield. “Defend her off? Huh. I'll make sure she remembers us!”

  Lumina drew her katana in one smooth motion, green Emanation igniting around her like fire. “We fight as one. Protect Hikari at all costs.”

  The woman lifted a single finger, curling it playfully in a come here gesture. Her voice dipped, warm and amused. “Now then… come at me.”