Not only am I not getting any signals, my Originium Arts are also being suppressed by the environment.
Raidian
Think, think—
'Raidian...'
Raidian
This signal profile—PRTS?!
Raidian
Closure? But the terminal still shows disconnected.
'Track me...'
Raidian tracks the faint signal to an unexpected source.
Raidian
Dr. Kal'tsit?!
Raidian
How? But you're—no matter how you did it, you need to—
Raidian
...No, you can't stop now.
Raidian
Thank you, Dr. Kal'tsit.
Raidian
I know what to do now.
'This is Raidian speaking.'
'With assistance, I have been able to establish a temporary electromagnetic communications environment.'
'Intel provided by Dr. Kal'tsit indicates that the abnormal events currently occurring on Rhodes Island originated from the core area known as the Abyss.'
'You are now receiving a briefing about the Abyss. All elite operators are asked to locate the Abyss, while making every effort to ensure your own safety.'
'I repeat. Locate the Abyss, but do not approach without permission. Maintain constant communication at all times.'
I got sidetracked by the changes to the deck plan.
Stormeye
Luckily, Dr. Kal'tsit and Raidian were able to reestablish communications. Who knows what else I would've run into.
Stormeye
You mentioned Whitesmith over the radio?
Sharp
......
Sharp
One instant she was inviting me to drink and dance in front of her fire. The next instant she was gone, leaving only a bunch of Originium-polluted machines crawling out of the furnace to attack me.
Stormeye
A hallucination?
Sharp
I can tell what's real and what's not, Stormeye. But what's happening here is beyond anything I can comprehend.
Sharp
Not that I'm the only one who's seeing strange things.
Originium formations are growing at a visible pace. They thought they knew Originium well enough, but now the facets of the crystals threaten to draw their very minds in.
Stormeye
...?
Stormeye narrows his eyes. He sees Sharp's mouth moving, but his ears hear nothing.
All is quiet. Soon, he cannot even hear his own heartbeat.
The expression he sees on Sharp's face changes.
The next instant, all sound disappears from Rhodes Island, leaving only dead silence in the communications channel that Raidian established.
'Don't fall behind, Stormeye.'
He sees familiar figures, men who were once brothers to him...
Stormeye
——?!
He has been reunited with the brothers from his wandering days. But they died long ago...
'That beer we looted is gonna get warm if you don't drink it quick. What are you so worried about?'
Stormeye
(Soundless words)
'Yeah, the rocks have gotten to my throat, but I can still drink. Haven't gotten my tongue yet.'
'You really want to go with those people? Suit yourself. Won't shed any tears for you if you die on that Rhodes Island.'
'But... sit a while longer by the fire before you go. The moons are almost up. Don't you want to see them?'
He had yearned for a peaceful parting with his brothers, but right now all Stormeye feels is anger.
At the same time, on the other side of Rhodes Island...
'Where are you going?'
Ascalon
......
'You've already found me, Ascalon.'
'There's no need to go any further.'
Only a timely push by Misery saved Ascalon from the flying Originium shrapnel.
'We haven't settled our bet yet, Misery.'
'Don't get distracted. Look, I still have four rounds left in my gun.'
Misery
......
Originium is growing rampant, and the appearances of the mysterious Originium enemies are ever more frequent, accompanied by 'illusions' that they cannot help but be distracted by—
The very place itself is trying to drive them out.
Ascalon wants to reach Raidian, to tell her that the Abyss has been located...
But the Originium drowns out all sound.
The deathly silence is a mystery, a tomb made of lead, threatening to drag Rhodes Island into an abyss from which there is no escape—
'This is Mantra'.
'I've spoken to Dr. Kal'tsit. I will not suffer this mockery of memory and emotion.'
Every operator on Rhodes Island hears Mantra's voice in their head. It is her Originium Arts, the power and fury of which all of them can sense.
She's sharing the information that the others have collected.
Amiya
Ascalon and Misery are close to the Abyss.
Amiya
They've sent over the Abyss's signal profile to Raidian, who will be able to trace it, even if the spatial environment changes again.
Amiya
They are currently holding position, helping Raidian establish an information anchor based on their own biosignals.
It's too dangerous.They need reinforcements.
Amiya
Blaze and Rosmontis are on their way. It won't take long.
Amiya
I'm worried about Dr. Kal'tsit too, Doctor.
Amiya
Raidian's information indicates that Dr. Kal'tsit is in a dangerous predicament...
Regroup at Ascalon and Misery's position.
Then, we'll work together to find a way through the Abyss.
We won't make Kal'tsit wait too long.
Amiya
Yeah. We're able to maintain communications thanks to Raidian and Mantra's Arts, but this puts a lot of stress on both of them.
Amiya
Time is of the essence, Doctor. Let's go.
You carefully lead Amiya through a forest of Originium shards. Your ability to precisely predict when and where explosions will occur is a major advantage.
Focused on the path ahead, you fail to notice a little detail on the massive crystal formation that you just passed.
It is not your figures that are reflected in the smooth surface of the Originium crystal.
A Cautus girl with her back to you, her thin, fragile hand held by another, just like you and Amiya right now.
