Location: Echohold-09 (Outside Area)

  Time of Day: Afternoon

  They quickly rushed forward and one by one, they dropped through the opening. Hikari was the last. She stopped at the edge and looked back. Their eyes met one final time. Then she turned and disappeared into the passage...

  Dr. Naru turned back to the terminal, his fingers moved quickly across the keyboard. A final command was entered and CLICK! The screen flashed red. ECHOHOLD TERMINATION SEQUENCE INITIATED... COUNTDOWN: 02:00... 01:59... 01:58...

  Dr. Naru exhaled slowly. "...That should be enough time for them to get out safely." He stepped away from the terminal and lowered himself into the chair by it. From his coat, he pulled out Hikari's notebook and opened it. His eyes scanned across her handwritten notes - sketches, observations, discoveries, small remarks written in hurried lines.

  A faint smile formed as he let out a quiet chuckle. "...Still writing everything down, huh."

  Behind him CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The reinforced metal entrance door shook violently as something slammed against it from the other side, but Dr. Naru didn't turn toward the banging sound. The red alarms continued to echo through the room. He gently closed the notebook and rested it against his chest. Then he closed his eyes.

  "Your past is written here..." he said softly. "...but your story isn't finished just yet, Hikari."

  The countdown echoed through the console room.

  00:05... 00:04... 00:03...

  "Please..." A faint breath left him. "...stay safe out there everyone."

  The reinforced metal entrance door suddenly burst inward. CLANG! The door flew across the floor as dark figures flooded into the room, rushing straight toward him. The countdown echoed. 00:02... 00:01... Dr. Naru didn't move. 00:00... BEEEEP! BOOOOOOM!

  - Scene Shift -

  Hikari and the team sprinted through the emergency tunnel. CLANG! CLANG! Their boots slammed against the metal floor as red emergency lights flashed along the narrow passage. Dust and debris rained from above, the structure trembling from the movement of multiple Echos somewhere overhead.

  "Keep moving!" Captain shouted.

  Ahead of them, a vertical metal ladder came into view.

  "That's our exit!" Hikari called out.

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  They rushed toward it and climbed upward one by one. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Hikari was the first to reach the top. She pushed against the hatch above her and with a heavy creak, it opened. Bright sunlight poured in. She then pulled herself up and out, her boots hitting dry ground as warm air rushed against her face. The others followed quickly, emerging one after another. Soon, they all stood together facing the facility. From a distance, Echohold-09 loomed before them.

  Then BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The facility erupted. Fire and debris blasted outward as the structure collapsed inward on itself, but it didn't stop there. The space around the building began to distort. A mysterious energy surged outward for a brief moment before swallowing the ruins whole. In seconds, nothing remained of Echohold-09. Only dry, empty land... and the surrounding forest.

  The team stood frozen.

  Hikari took a slow step forward, her coat tugged by the lingering wind. "...Dr. Naru..."

  Captain narrowed his brows. "It's... all gone now."

  Slayer stared at the empty land. "It's almost like it was never there."

  Lumina stepped closer and placed a hand gently on Hikari's shoulder. "I'm... very sorry for your loss, Hikari."

  Hikari nodded faintly. "Thanks, Lumina." She drew in a deep breath. Her voice steadied. "Even though it hurts to see this sight..." She lifted her gaze. "I can't stop now." Her fists clenched. "I'll make sure his sacrifice wasn't for nothing." Her tone sharpened. "And we will end this breach. No matter what it takes." She turned toward the team. "I know more challenges are waiting ahead." A brief pause. "And I'm sure it's only going to get harder from here on out." Her eyes burned with resolve. "...But that alone won't be enough to extinguish our fire." She stepped forward once. "We will keep moving.... For the people we lost.... and for the ones we still have."

  Captain tightened his grip on his rifle. "Well said. I'm with you on that one."

  Slayer let out a light chuckle. "Now that's a speech if I ever heard one."

  Lumina gave a faint smile. "Glad to see you're still holding up, Hikari."

  Hikari nodded firmly.

  THUMP! A pulse came from her coat pocket. Akari's voice followed softly. "S-Sorry to hear what happened, Hikari..."

  Hikari looked down and gently pulled out the Black Star Artifact, lifting it slightly in her hand. "Hey, Akari." She gave a small, reassuring smile. "Thanks for worrying but... it's okay. I'll be just fine."

  "I'm... happy to hear that..." Akari replied softly. There was a brief pause. "S-So... what's next from here, Hikari?"

  Hikari reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the second Artifact. The White Star embedded in its obsidian surface gleamed faintly under the sunlight. "Well..." she said quietly, then lifted her gaze. "Our next destination is the Hollows of Echo Institution. That's where we'll head to next." She brought both Artifacts together in her hands. "Now that we possess two Artifacts," her voice steadied, "I'm sure we'll be able to find a way to reach it. And once we do, we can ask Solareth what he thinks about the Artifacts."

  Captain nodded once. "Then what do you say we get moving? I'm sure Solareth is already waiting for us... hopefully with a few cups of coffee."

  Slayer perked up. "And hopefully some food too. I'm starving!"

  Lumina turned toward Hikari. "Well then... lead the way."

  Hikari nodded. "Right. Follow me." She carefully placed both Artifacts back into her coat pocket and tapped the fabric lightly, as if reassuring herself they were still there. Then she looked ahead and stepped forward. "Alright everyone..." Her voice was steady. "Let's get going."

  The team moved forward along the path to the right, their footsteps crunching against the dry ground as the sun bathed them in warm light. FWWWHH! The wind swept past them once more. And with that... They set off toward their next destination. The Hollows of Echo Institution. Where an S-class Hollow named Solareth Ashcroft awaited for their arrival, and the arrival of the Artifacts. Until then... their journey continues.