Location: Echohold-09 (Outside Area)

  Time of Day: Morning

  Hikari groaned, trembling as she fought to push herself up, but her strength was draining fast. The fragment on her back slowly shifted color - from dark purple... to a faint, glowing pink - as it absorbed more and more of her power, as if it were feeding on her aura. And Hikari felt herself fading.

  Hikari's thoughts tightened. ("This isn't good. If she takes my Emanation... I won't be able to heal them. Lumina... Slayer... Captain... they'll all fall. And possibly even me... I can't let that happen.")

  "Serava...!" Hikari gasped, forcing the words out. "S-Stop. I'll... I'll do it. I'll give you the Artifact."

  The absorption of her aura halted instantly. Serava smiled softly, her tone pleasantly surprised. "Oh? Is that so?" With a subtle gesture, she recalled the diamond fragment from Hikari’s back. Hikari grunted as it was pulled free. The shard slipped out and rejoined the others, all six hovering above Serava’s palm once more. "Then go on... bring it back." Serava continued gently. "I'm afraid your aura is almost depleted, but it should still be enough to cast Aura Vanish."

  Hikari nodded once, then clenched her fist as her faint pink aura flowed into her hand. "Aura... Vanish..." She opened her palm, and with a pink flash FWIP! The Black Star Artifact materialized in her hand. Her arm trembled as she lifted it toward Serava. "Here... all yours."

  Serava's expression brightened with gentle satisfaction as her Heartfract Prism shards vanished from her hand. She took the Artifact, examining it carefully. "Mm... yes. Such a wise decision you made, Hikari." She crouched down to Hikari's level, her voice soft and almost affectionate. "I'll be sure to keep it very safe." Her tone shifted - still warm, but with a chilling honesty beneath it. "Safe from you capturing any more Echos with it."

  Hikari's brows narrowed, her voice firm. "What are you talking about?! It's like you want the Echos to overrun our world!"

  Serava smiled and shrugged lightly. "I don't particularly care what happens to this world, to be sincere with you. My true goal was to simply obtain the Artifact and bring it back." She gave a soft laugh. "And just when I started to like you and your team, you know. Truly. But... orders are orders."

  Hikari gritted her teeth. "I knew something wasn't adding up. None of what you said was true... was it?"

  "Well," Serava replied lightly, "not everything was a lie. At least half of what I told you was true."

  Hikari glared at her. "And which parts were those?"

  Serava straightened, tossing the Artifact into the air once before catching it effortlessly, the motion graceful. "That," she said with a faint smile, "you'll have to figure out yourself."

  Hikari's voice hardened. "Then at least answer me these two things, Serava. What do you plan to do with the Artifact? And what is your end goal here?"

  Serava tapped the side of her broken mask lightly, humming softly. "Honestly... I'm not a huge fan of long conversations." She shrugged. "So lets save those questions for another day. If you manage to survive that long, that is."

  Hikari narrowed her eyes, a faint pink glow igniting in one of them. "In that case... you won't mind if someone else explains it for me, then."

  Serava paused, tilting her head slightly. "Hm?"

  Hikari pressed her hand into the cracked ground. "Aura Tech Link!" A thin pink line of aura raced along the surface, curving behind her before surging toward the shattered remains of Stagmandros. The scattered bones lit up pink ZSHHH! She didn't stop there. Hikari snapped her arm toward the Artifact in Serava's hand. A second pink line shot out, locking onto it and catching Serava off guard - Hikari still had some aura left she was holding on to.

  Hikari's voice rang out with absolute resolve. "I CONSENT!"

  The Black Star Artifact pulsed once in Serava's hand. A black glow came outward, swallowing its surface. Then a soft, child-like voice spoke - almost human.

  "Affirmative... beginning Black Seal Protocol."

  Serava's exposed eye widened, surprise breaking through her calm. "Oh my-? How is it activati-"

  She didn't get to finish. A small circle of black starlight opened above the Artifact FWOOOM! A surge of black aura erupted outward, so violent it staggered Serava back, flooding the entire clearing.

  "Gh-!!"

  The Black Star Artifact slipped from her grasp, clattering against the dry ground. From the dark void above it, shadowed chains whipped outward SHRRK! SHRRK! SHRRK! They lashed across the ground, slithering toward the scattered remains of Stagmandros. The chains reached the bones and latched on tight, coiling and wrapping them in darkness.

  Serava let out a soft hum. "Hm... that isn't good."

  The shadowed chains pulled hard, dragging the remains across the ground and toward the void above the Artifact FWOOOOSH! before yanking everything inside. The void snapped shut with a low hum. Silence fell over the darkened battlefield.

  Then-

  The Artifact spoke again. But this time... its voice was fully human.

  "The Dormant-type Echo once known as Mimiris has been sealed."

  Hikari let out a breath of relief. "Yes... It worked."

  "Hikari... can you hear me...?" The Black Star engraved on the Artifact glowed as it spoke, lying in front of her. Its voice was soft and gentle, unmistakably that of a young girl.

  Hikari's eyes widened. ("I-it's... communicating."). She nodded once, then raised her voice toward the Artifact. "Y-Yes... I can hear you!"

  “I’m glad… thank you for bringing me back,” the voice continued. “Your intentions to keep me safe were very kind… and friendly.”

  Hikari simply listened, still surprised by the voice speaking to her, while Serava watched in silence a few steps away.

  "Now..." The voice lifted, growing brighter and almost eager. "I won't just watch and stand by anymore."

  The Black Star Artifact flared suddenly. A surge of black aura erupted outward, washing the air around them in darkness. FWOOOM! From the Artifact, shadowed chains burst forth once more SHRRK! SHRRK! SHRRK! this time snapping straight toward Serava.

  "Oh...?" She reacted instantly, her usual smile returning behind the half-cracked stone mask. FWOOOM! Her purple Emanation ignited around her as she raised her arm, aura surging around it. The shadowed chains lunged to pierce and bind SHRRK! CLASH! SHRK! but she simply slapped them aside with sharp, precise movements, deflecting each strike one after another.

  The force drove her back several steps. She let out a soft hum, amused. "Not half bad, I'd say. Now..." Her smile curved behind the half-cracked mask. "...it's my turn to try." Then her exposed purple eye glowed brighter as she raised her hand outward. HUM! With calm certainty, she spoke, "Fracture Wave."

  A wide wave of purple aura exploded from her palm, ripping through the air as it surged toward the dark chains. FWOOOM! The shadowed chains swung wide, meeting the wave head-on. Black and purple aura collided. CLASH! The clash shook the ground as they pushed each other back and forth. Then the black aura overpowered it, swallowing the fracture wave completely before it could push through. FWOOO! The backlash sent Serava skidding back a few steps. She raised her arms to shield her face as rock fragments and black aura washed over her, her black hood fluttering in the surge.

  When it settled, Serava's lips curved into a slow smile, her exposed eye half-lidded. A soft hum slipped from her, pleased... intrigued. "...Very impressive," she said. She straightened, resting one hand on her hip. "Seems like your power overwhelms mine." A faint smile lingered. "Truly... a magnificent discovery."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Then the gentle voice echoed from the Artifact, this time carrying a firm resolve. "You will leave Hikari alone. She's done nothing but good." The shadowed chains twisted outward from the Artifact, moving like dark tentacles as they hovered protectively between Serava and Hikari on the ground.

  Serava's smile deepened as her purple aura faded away. "...I see. You're still you," she said softly. She lowered her head slightly, her exposed eye closing in quiet acknowledgment. A brief pause. "So... you've awakened again." Then, with calm certainty, "Akari Kurohana."

  Hikari's face was filled with surprise, disbelief in her voice. "Did she just call the Artifact... Akari Kurohana?"

  The voice echoed from the Artifact, still calm and gentle, yet firm. "H-How is it that you know my name? I've never seen you before."

  Serava opened her exposed eye. "Oh, There's quite a lot I know about you." She exhaled lightly. "Too bad you can't say the same for yourself though." She lifted a hand in a small shrug. "But let's not get too deep into it, since that isn't why I'm here."

  The shadowed chains hovered in place, swaying quietly between her and Hikari. The voice didn't shot back, like if it didn't know what to say.

  Hikari muttered to herself, "Just how much does she know about the Artifact...?" Her eyes then shifted to the Artifact beside her. "And what exactly is that voice...? Why is it protecting me?"

  Serava's eye shifted toward Hikari, still lying on the ground. "Well then," She continued, "it seems like you've won this round, Hikari. For now at least." She let out a soft sigh, not upset but just merely resigned. "Unfortunately, I've failed to fulfill my orders. And that probably won't end well for me." She gave a small shrug. "Oh well. I'll just talk my way through somehow." She turned her back to them, her black cloak fluttering.

  Hikari called out, "You're leaving just like that?"

  Serava glanced over her shoulder. "Yes... no point in taking an Artifact that can protect itself now." A faint smile touched her lips. "But I'm sure we'll meet again soon." She faced forward once more. "For now... I'll retreat and report on the events that occurred here." Her tone remained light. "Until further orders are given." She turned her back to them and began to walk away.

  "Wait - Serava!" Hikari forced herself up onto one knee, breath unsteady but eyes firm as she looked after her.

  Serava stopped and gave a brief side glance, her exposed eye half-lidded. "...Hm?"

  Hikari spoke, calm but resolute. "I know this might sound strange, but..."

  "Go on," Serava replied.

  Hikari steadied herself. "...Back then, when I used Aura Tech Link on your Heartfract Prism, I felt something. Through the link, I mean."

  Serava's eye narrowed slightly, intrigued.

  "I didn't sense any bad intent within it," Hikari continued. "It felt... purposeful. Like if there was some good in there." Her voice softened. "Even after everything that happened today, I trust what my Aura Tech Link showed me." She glanced toward her team lying on the ground. "I don't think you were really trying to harm us at all. If you were... I feel like you could've done far worse seeing the power you showed us."

  The Artifact glowed softly as it spoke, calm and gentle. "Hikari..."

  Then Hikari met Serava's gaze again. "So whatever orders you were given... you don't have to follow them. You can find and choose your own true path instead."

  For a moment, Serava said nothing. Then she exhaled slowly. "What a naive little girl you are. Don't talk as if you know me," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Just because you caught a little glimpse of me through your Link." She turned her head slightly. "I have my reasons for being part of the Obsidian Veil, and that won't change. No matter what you say."

  Hikari fell silent, knowing Serava wouldn't simply listen to her.

  The Artifact's shadowed chains coiled protectively at her side as she watched Serava's side glance for a long moment.

  "...Still," Hikari said quietly, "I really hope that changes one day."

  Serava paused again. She turned her back on her. "Hmph." She glanced back once more, a small, intrigued smile touching her lips. "You really are an interesting individual aren't ya...? Hikari Amane." She resumed walking. With a casual flick of her finger, a purple rift spiraled open ahead of her, its surface rippling.

  Hikari blinked. "Is that... a portal?"

  Serava reached up and removed the remaining half of her black stone mask. She let it fall. CRACK! The mask shattered against the ground.

  She stopped just before the portal and spoke without turning around. "Remember this, Hikari," she said calmly. "Whatever you do. Wherever you go." Her purple eyes glowed faintly. "The Obsidian Veil is always watching." She lowered her black hood, revealing the back of her long, wavy wine-red hair.

  "So take this opportunity," she added, "to become even stronger." A soft smile followed. "Because I can assure you... we'll meet again soon." She stepped into the portal. Without looking back, she lifted one purple gloved hand and gave a small wave. "Until then... "Do stay alive for me, Hikari."

  The purple portal sealed shut with a low echo, Serava gone - leaving the Artifact behind and Hikari kneeling in the quiet, darkened clearing. The shadowed chains recoiled at once, slipping back into the Black Star Artifact as the black aura thinned and dispersed. Above them, the darkened sky slowly cleared, morning light returning to the clearing.

  Silence settled.

  "Looks like she's gone..." Hikari said softly. She pushed herself fully to her feet, steadying her breath as her gaze fell to the Black Star Artifact resting on the ground. "Hmm... you still there?" she asked quietly, tilting her head just a little.

  A gentle voice answered. "Y-Yes... I'm still here. That was something else... wasn't it, Hikari?" The Black Star on its surface glowed faintly as its voice echoed from it. "But I'm glad it's over now. What matters is that you're now safe."

  "What matters is that I'm safe, she says..." Hikari murmured, a bunch of questions filling her mind. She scratched lightly at the side of her temple, her eyes drifting away for a moment. "Soo... Akari, was it? That's what Serava said your name was, correct?"

  "Hm-hm," the voice replied softly. "Akari Kurohana is my true name."

  "I see..." Hikari muttered. She let out a low sigh, eyes shifting aside. "...I can't believe I'm talking to a rock."

  She refocused, crouching slightly. "Okay, so... question. Do you have some kind of connection with Serava? It seemed like she recognized you right away and talked like she knew you." Her brows knit. "You're also the spirit of the Artifact she mentioned, right?"

  There was a pause.

  Akari hummed quietly, as if searching through distant thoughts. "I-I don't remember her at all actually. I've never seen anyone like her before. And... me? A spirit?" Her voice softened even more. "S-Sorry, Hikari, but... I don't remember why I'm inside this Artifact to begin with. Or if I'm even human for that matter..." A small pause. "All I remember is my name... and your journey. The battles you've fought... the Echos you've been containing."

  Hikari's eyes widened slightly. "W-Wait... you remember all that?"

  "Y-Yes," Akari replied gently. "But that's all I can remember for now."

  Hikari frowned a little. "So... up to what point do your memories become faint, then?"

  "Uhmm..." Akari hummed, trying hard to recall. "M-Maybe anything past the point where I was first found?" Another small hum followed. "Ohh... I-I don't know... I'm sorry, Hikari. It's all still a bit foggy to me. P-Please forgive me."

  Hikari quickly waved both hands side to side toward the Artifact, shaking her head. "No, no, it's okay," she said in a soft, reassuring tone. "I... don't expect answers right away. I'm probably getting ahead of myself here so..." She let out a small breath. "...maybe we just need a moment to relax and settle down first."

  "O-Okay..." Akari replied softly. "If you say so, Hikari."

  "Hm..." Hikari thought, still crouching. ("Why can't she remember any of her past? She can't even pinpoint the moment her memories first began. Maybe they'll slowly come back... or maybe she doesn't have any past at all. I mean, she did just awaken so it's possible.")

  ("And something that bothers me is that Serava said she would unleash her wrath upon this world. But right now... she doesn't seem to have any intention of doing that. Well... at least not yet. Someone who sounds so innocent and gentle... could she really be as dangerous as Serava claims?")

  ("Or maybe this is all an act… and one day she’ll show her true colors once she gains our trust. I wonder if she even has a physical form, or if the Artifact itself is her body. Serava never mentioned anything like that, so it’s hard to tell. Even so… I’ll keep a close eye on her, and keep the Artifact close. I’ll have to ask her a few more questions at a later time.")

  A low grunt cut through the moment. Hikari turned toward the sound and saw Lumina stirring. She exhaled sharply. "Right... I got so caught up with the Artifact that I forgot to attend to them." She flicked her head once. "Dumb, Hikari." Then she refocused. "Anyway... I need to get to them." She looked back down at the Artifact. "Hey, Akari. Give me a second, okay? I need to go and heal them first."

  "O-Okay," Akari replied quickly. "Please do. I'll be here waiting... nowhere else to go anyway."

  Hikari let out a small, forced laugh. "Heh... yeah. Guess you don't really have much of a choice, huh." She nodded, scooping up the Black Star Artifact and slipping it carefully into her coat pocket. "In you go."

  "Now..." She looked at her hand and closed her eyes, reaching for her Emanation. Then, a soft pink aura flowed around her palm. Then she opened her eyes, relief washing over her. "Okay... great. It's still with me." Without another word, she hurried toward the others, pink aura now flowing faintly around her as she moved.

  The Artifact remained quiet at her side... watching.

  Hikari dropped to her knees beside Lumina first. Her body lay still against the cracked ground, katana fallen just out of reach. Hikari closed her eyes, steadying her breath. "...Okay," she whispered. "Just hang in there, Lumina." She placed her hands gently over Lumina's chest. Pink aura flowed outward from her palms, wrapping around her body. Wounds mended, pain eased... but Lumina still didn't stir.

  Hikari nodded once. "Okay. That should do it." She looked across the battlefield. "On to the next one."

  She moved quickly to the next. Slayer lay a short distance away, his armor scorched and dented from Serava's explosion. Hikari knelt beside him. "Don't worry. I'm here now, Slayer." She placed a hand against the damaged plating. Pink aura flowed around her palm again, threading through the metal and smoothing the dented sections. "...Okay. He's good to go," Hikari muttered. "Next one."

  Hikari hurried to Captain last, dropping beside his motionless form. For a split second, panic surged through her chest. She leaned down, pressing her ear gently against his chest. THUMP! THUMP! She exhaled once. "Thank goodness... he's still alive." She straightened herself. "Serava must've just used a type of sleep skill then." She activated her Emanation once more, letting pink aura flow into him, stabilizing his body and easing the lingering effects of Serava's ability.

  When she finished, Hikari sat back, exhausted... but steady. "Phew. I swear I work too hard sometimes." A small smile formed on her face as she chuckled lightly. "But I'm glad we're all still here."

  Then, one by one, she dragged them closer together, positioning Lumina, Slayer, and Captain in a small cluster where she could watch them all at once. She remained there, kneeling in front of them, her eyes scanning their faces as she waited. "Now... for the waiting game."

  Hikari waited in silence for them to wake up.