Song of Redemption

Location: Gaia HQ – Strategic Operations Hall

The Council's voices echoed across the domed chamber as an emergency communique played on loop—an entire relief squad ambushed near the Melan Crater, where Abyssal corruption was thickening faster than predicted.

"Three Integral Knights down. One missing. Communications severed," barked Lucas Synthesis 22, fists clenched. "If we don't move now—"

"It's a trap," Cyg said calmly, eyes fixed on the map's blinking red flares. "But we'll spring it on our terms."

Thea stood at the head of the council table.

"Then we need someone who can disrupt Abyssal frequency channels mid-field. Sylvia...?"

Sylvia stood without hesitation.

"Let me lead the insertion squad."

Hikari and Elaine nodded from either side of the room.

"You won't go alone," Hikari said.

"We're with you," added Elaine, determination sparkling in her eyes.

Location: Operation Site – Melan Crater Ruins

The wind screamed through the shattered remnants of what was once a bustling checkpoint. Abyssal shadows crawled across the stone. The Knights moved with precision—Sylvia, Cyg, Hikari, Elaine, Tryce, and Lucas.

Suddenly, the corrupted earth heaved, and a Black Core emerged—an Abyssal titan encased in armor, pulsing with explosive energy.

"Black Core inbound!" Lucas shouted.

Tryce aimed Glacienn, ice bolts freezing over its joints, but the monster's energy retaliated with a violent burst.

"We're too close to the blast radius!" Elaine cried.

Sylvia's hands trembled as Orisha flared, the earrings burning with golden ether.

Then, she stepped forward—alone.

"Everyone... cover your ears."

"Sylvia, what are you—" Cyg started, but she had already closed her eyes.

A breath.

Then a song.

It began low—a note of longing and pain, echoing through the crater like the wail of the earth itself. As it grew, the Abyssal screeched in agony, its corrupted ether trembling. Sylvia's voice rose, intertwining grief with light, pain with beauty. It wasn't just power—it was truth.

A Divine Assimilation awakening.

Orisha ignited into a glowing symphony around her, earrings floating mid-air, projecting shimmering harmonic pulses in every direction.

"You... feel it?" she said through her tears. "This is the voice of the fallen. Of those who couldn't speak. I won't let them be forgotten."

The Black Core convulsed, its inner reactor breaking apart as the resonance shattered its essence. With one final note, Sylvia's voice struck like lightning, and the monster exploded into silent ether dust.

Aftermath – Crater Edge

As smoke cleared, Sylvia collapsed to one knee, exhausted. Cyg ran to her, catching her before she fell further.

"I told you not to run alone," he said, holding her tightly.

She looked up at him, breathing hard.

"You heard it, didn't you?"

He nodded, uncharacteristically gentle.

"Every note. I always do."

Location: Gaia HQ – Infirmary Later

Sylvia rested, Mia and Elaine seated beside her, while Hikari stood quietly near the window.

"So... what was that?" Mia asked, smiling through watery eyes.

"Not a weapon," Sylvia whispered. "Not vengeance either. That was a song of redemption. Mine... and Calistea's."