Reckoning Night

Location: Orion Citadel – Vault of Echoes, Midnight

The core of Orion pulsed like a living thing—black spires twisting into the sky, veins of raw ether glowing beneath translucent floors. At the heart of it all stood Kael Verdan, Codename: Catalyst Sovereign, flanked by his holographic schematics and a blinking crimson screen.

"Sylvia's tether was broken," he muttered.

The data shimmered again—harmonic traces cleanly severed.

Behind him, Marta Sirova—Widowmaker—crossed her arms and leaned on a steel pillar.

"You said she was ready to return. Clearly, she prefers sunshine and violin recitals."

Kael didn't turn.

"No… she's remembering now. That's the beginning of the collapse."

From a higher balcony, Erebus descended, shrouded in obsidian robes, the aura of Nihileth radiating void from the scabbard at his side.

"Enough petty sabotage," Erebus said, voice layered in cosmic echoes. "The Violin Blade no longer concerns me. She chose her side."

Kael bowed faintly, but Marta scoffed.

"And what of Nyxa? She failed."

"Let her vanish into the shadows she worships," Erebus replied coldly. "She served her purpose."

Kael's eyes narrowed. But he said nothing.

Yet behind them, beyond the cold glass, a figure lingered—Valtros Ir, Codename: Mawchain, one of the oldest Chaos Generals. And his smirk widened.

"Even serpents can turn on the dragon…"

Location: Gaia HQ – War Room

The Octagon, still reeling from the battle, had gathered before a full-scale projection of Gaia's map. Small red pulses blinked in several coordinates.

"This isn't random," Cyg said, arms crossed. "Each flare-up from Orion over the past three months is following a pattern."

"A spiral," Elaine observed.

"Converging on Rift Site Omega," Charlotte added, eyes scanning data. "The original Abyssal rupture twenty years ago."

"And that's exactly where Gaia's seals are weakest," said Thea, stepping forward.

The room fell into silence.

Harriet cracked her knuckles.

"So what's the plan? We hit first?"

"No," said Astron, emerging from the shadows. "We observe. Orion is fracturing."

Cyg's eyes sharpened.

"Someone on the inside is moving against Erebus."

Location: Orion Citadel – Shadow Chamber

Valtros moved through the echo-drenched halls like a ghost. Inside his private chamber, he activated a resonance lock, revealing a secret archive—conversations, battlefield failures, suppressed data, and personal logs of Erebus himself.

He opened one.

Erebus, years ago, standing over the first Abyss Emperor's corpse.

"We are not mortals seeking salvation. We are architects of oblivion. Orion will not fall like Gaia—we evolve by extinction."

Valtros sneered.

"You evolve, yes... but not as fast as they are."

A message pinged his terminal.

From: Seneva Welve, Codename: Dea HarbingerSubject: Interested in Change?

He smiled grimly.

Location: Gaia HQ – Outer Wall Ramparts

Hikari stood under the moonlight, her hands gently clasped, Sanguira resting on her back. Her scythe's energy pulsed softly with each heartbeat—subtle, like a whisper just beyond hearing.

Sylvia approached.

"You okay?"

Hikari looked up slowly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Not yet. But better."

"You were the one who reached for me, even when I didn't believe in myself," Sylvia said.

"You would've done the same."

They sat side by side, their legs swinging off the edge.

"I'm scared," Hikari admitted. "That the Abyss inside me… might hurt all of you."

Sylvia tilted her head.

"That's what they want you to believe. That darkness means danger."

She placed a hand over Hikari's.

"But darkness can also mean depth. And resilience. And… music."

Hikari chuckled softly.

Location: Orion Citadel – Hidden Arena

Kael Verdan met privately with Brask Moltenhide, the war-behemoth of fire and steel.

"If Erebus falls, we rise," Kael said coldly. "But only if we ensure the Octagon does not interfere."

Brask slammed his molten gauntlet into his other fist, sending sparks into the air.

"Let me break their bones. Especially that strategist boy."

"Cyg," Kael said, tapping a screen. "His mind is our only match. And minds… can be hollowed."

"When do I strike?"

Kael smiled.

"Soon."

Location: Gaia HQ – Synthesis Chamber

The Octagon regrouped.

Thea, Irene, and Ali joined them for briefing.

"We received intel," Thea said. "An Orion General has defected."

Gasps echoed across the room.

"Who?" Sylvia asked.

"Name classified," Irene replied. "But they sent a message."

A projection played.

Valtros' voice:

"I will not kneel to a god of void. I seek balance… and to end this epoch of shadows. Meet me at Rift Omega. Bring only the Octagon… or the deal ends."

"A trap?" Eun-Ha asked.

"No," Cyg said. "A turning point."