After Hollow Agents Hikari and Captain learned Emanation and trained alongside the Xevian warriors Lumina and Slayer, the team used the Black Star Artifact to open a portal and return to Hikari’s world in order to reach Echohold-09. Upon their return, they were immediately confronted by an Echo codenamed "Gravehowlers" in Black Hollow City. After defeating them, they quickly realized that Echos had already begun threatening humanity on a much larger scale.

  Using a map to track their whereabouts, the team headed to a stadium to assist remaining survivors, where they encountered another Echo known as Bloodspore Siren. Though the battle was difficult, Lumina unleashed her Neo-Emanation - Elegant Form - allowing the team to win. After the fight, the Black Star Artifact reacted, revealing its ability to seal Echos within it. During this process, a mysterious voice began to emerge from inside the Artifact.

  From that point forward, the team continued their journey, sealing multiple Echos along the way - including Clockwork Reaper, Marionette Mime, and Carnivex. With each seal, the voice inside the Artifact became clearer, slowly shifting from mechanical into a more human, childlike tone.

  Eventually, the team reached Echohold-09, where they encountered an Echo known as Mimiris. The entity later mutated into Stagmandros, unleashing an overwhelming aura that defeated the team. In response, something awakened within Hikari - her so-called “Neo-Emanation.” Bloom Form. Allowing her to turn the tide and defeat Stagmandros.

  Before the Echo could be fully contained, a mysterious figure appeared: Serava Lysavelle, someone from Lumina and Slayer’s world and a member of the Obsidian Veil. Using her powerful Emanation, Serava attempted to prevent the sealing process. However, Hikari succeeded in containing Stagmandros, which triggered the awakening of the being inside the Black Star Artifact - Akari Kurohana. With Akari’s help, the team forced Serava to retreat through a portal as her situation changed.

  Due to Akari’s unknown origins, the team debated whether they could truly trust her. However, after learning how much she had secretly helped them during previous battles, the group decided to place their faith in her - at least for now. Akari promised to continue supporting the team and assisting in the containment of more Echos. With that decision made, the team pushed deeper into Echohold-09. Using Akari’s guidance, they were able to locate Dr. Naru’s position while fighting through additional Echos, such as the Whisperfangs and Nethcarnes, as they descended further into the facility.

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  Once reunited with Dr. Naru, the team learned that Echos had already attacked multiple cities across the region, confirming the scale of the growing Echo Breach. During this time, Dr. Naru’s Artifact was finally revealed to the team, which had a White Star on it, originally discovered inside Mimiris’s vault. With the help of the Echo object known as FOS, Dr. Naru discovered that the Artifact possessed the ability to open portals to the nearest universe, seal physical entry points, and even slow aging.

  When the team attempted to scan the Black Star Artifact, however, its immense stored power from all the Echos contained caused FOS to overload and explode, leaving its full properties unknown.

  Following this, Dr. Naru informed the group of the next critical step: reaching the Hollows of Echo Institution and meeting Solareth Ashcroft, the current S-Class Hollow Agent. A deal was proposed - if the team could locate the institution without any coordinates, they would be granted access.

  As preparations were made to leave, Dr. Naru revealed that he could not accompany them. The Nethcarne virus had already infected his body, and Hikari’s healing abilities were unable to reverse it. Accepting this reality, Dr. Naru entrusted his Artifact to Hikari and chose to remain behind. When a new wave of Echos began closing in on them, Dr. Naru activated the Echohold Termination Sequence, sacrificing the facility in order to prevent further spread. Hikari and the team escaped through an emergency hatch as the entire complex was destroyed.

  Now in possession of two Artifacts, and with Akari officially fighting alongside them, the team’s future path has changed. Their next destination lies ahead - the Hollows of Echo Institution - where they hope to uncover the truth behind the Echo Breach and the origins of the Artifacts.

  The next Arc begins.

  Next Chapter: Prelude - Relics of The Breach Arc