The silence left over the city was unnatural. It was heavy, compressed against the transparent barrier surrounding everything, vibrating almost imperceptibly. When Morgana opened her eyes, still weakened, it took several seconds for her to understand what stood before her.
In front of her, a female figure floated, sustained by constant jets beneath her feet. Her hair moved freely through the air, as though it did not obey the wind, and her mechanical eyes fixed on Morgana with absolute precision. There was a clear intention there, cold, almost automatic.
The order came without emotion. Morgana was to return to her people. What was about to happen did not concern her.
Even exhausted, Morgana nodded. There was no room for questions. When the barrier opened, silently tearing through the air, her body began to levitate toward the ship. Even so, before leaving completely, she gathered enough strength to express her gratitude. Not only for what had happened in that moment, but for everything that figure had done in NeonyRain.
The response carried faint disdain. Being recognized still seemed unexpected.
The next instant, Aurora was no longer there.
The space before Rito distorted abruptly. He barely had time to react. His eyes widened, his body locking as he desperately demanded immediate evacuation. His voice, filled with urgency, contrasted against the silent presence now standing before him.
Aurora showed no haste.
There was absolute control in every movement. When she raised her arm, the gesture was simple, yet filled with intent. Her body shot upward and, in the next instant, descended violently.
The impact generated a wave of smoke and debris that spread through the area, completely obscuring vision for several seconds.
When the dust finally began to settle, no one remained beneath the point of impact.
Aurora was not surprised. She merely cleaned her fists calmly, turning as she analyzed the environment around her. She still was not at the necessary level to eliminate him. But the message had been delivered. He would know.
Her gaze then shifted toward the ship.
She knew she was being watched.
As she approached, she touched the metallic structure without hesitation. The effect was immediate. The material began reacting to her contact, first vibrating, then yielding. The rigid surfaces distorted as though they had entirely lost resistance. Cables, plates, and internal structures were pulled apart, compressed, and slowly absorbed into the palm of her hand.
Nothing resisted.
Within seconds, the ship ceased to exist.
Only the bodies remained.
For a brief moment, Aurora stood motionless, observing the result. There was something there beyond destruction. Almost a sense of punishment within the gaze of the Pillar of Knowledge.
But her body failed.
A discharge ran through her entire structure. Her movement stopped abruptly. She fell, first to her knees, then completely to the ground. Saliva escaped her mouth as her eyes lost focus.
Her shoulder blades opened, tearing through skin and exposing internal structures pulsing uncontrollably. Lines of energy spread across her body like luminous veins. The core in her chest accelerated unstably, while something resembling a respiratory system expanded and contracted, converting the surrounding air into energy.
Her body twisted against the ground.
Her fingers pressed into the surface with uneven force, searching for stability where none existed. A low sound escaped her throat, nearly inaudible, while her eyes slowly filled with tears.
Time dragged on.
Until, eventually, everything stopped.
***
When she awakened, the sensation was different. The cold stone beneath her body brought slow clarity. Morgana sat beside her, surrounded by the remains of Renkai Creatures. There was restrained relief in her expression upon realizing Aurora had regained consciousness.
She had remained unconscious for an entire day.
And, by some unusual luck, no creature had approached during that period.
Aurora absorbed the information in silence. Weakness still lingered in her body, but her mind had already returned to its previous point.
Rito.
Morgana did not hide the conflict within her. There was a clear desire to face him, to seek revenge for what had happened. But that desire was restrained by something greater. Her people depended on her. Abandoning them now would expose them to a risk she could not accept.
Aurora understood.
But she did not accept inaction.
By bringing up the spies, she forced Morgana to admit something she initially tried to conceal. Aurora already had access to that information. She knew about the communications. She knew the names. She knew what had happened.
Alice and Vector had survived, but remained in critical condition. Their daughter, however, was unharmed.
For Aurora, that was not enough.
If Morgana would not act directly, then she would need to offer something else.
The proposal came directly: the secret weapons.
The request was not simple. Morgana hesitated. There was risk. There was doubt. Trusting someone to that extent meant surrendering control.
Aurora did not soften her approach.
She made it clear there were not many options left.
Trust, at that moment, was not a comfortable choice. It was a necessity.
Morgana remained silent for several seconds, her thoughts visibly conflicted. In the end, she made a decision.
She turned away.
And began walking.
Aurora followed her.