Avi felt as though she was in a dream, or perhaps in a nightmare. She was surrounded by an ocean of fluctuating blackness from every side. She was no longer tied, and there was no sight of the Warped Queen or Goliath.

All there was was just her and her tears of despair.

“Avi.” - The girl overheard a familiar voice.

Avi raised her head and noticed a small mote of light. - “Luna...?”

“I'm sorry, but if you hear this message, it means my vitals stopped...” - The voice spoke. - “...but you, you must keep on living. You have people to return to, your family and friends, who still wait. I... I can't find the proper words to describe what I'm feeling to you, but I wanted to say that meeting you was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. In my darkest moments, the remembrance of your smile was enough to give me the strength to keep walking. That's why, please don't give up and keep carrying your smile to the end of the universe. Inspire and give hope. We promised to ourselves... fifty-two stars, together. Can you at least take the memory of me to them?”

“Luna... not without you.” - Avi sobbed. - “Please.”

“I won't ask for anything else. I know you can do it. You always had faith and followed your heart, and I'm sure it'll be enough. It's... hard, but I regret only one thing - not telling you how much I truly loved you, Avi. I... love you, Avi. I love you and I always will.”

Avi reached for the mote of light, trying to grasp and hug it, but it disappeared, and she fell to the ground, crying. - “I love you too, Luna, and I also always will.”

---

The blackness retreated, and Avi stood up, wiping her tears. The twin rings of fire tried to pierce Avi's transparent barrier with no avail.

“I'm sorry... that I couldn't heal you.” - Avi said. - “I'm sorry that I've failed. Please, let me leave.”

The eyes of the Warped Queen rotated. - “Warning – Part of the limiter layers was removed. Level of danger: Sub-sector. Directive: Unchanged.”

“We won't fight.” - Avi extended her hand. - “Please, sleep until better times come.”

The fiery rings listened to Avi's order and closed. Only the head of the Warped Queen was still active.

Avi was ready to leave, but she was stopped by the voice of an android, who had tied her up earlier. - “The Beast listened, the hunt must begin.”

“You...” - Avi bit her lip in anger. She took a deep breath to calm down. - “There won't be any hunt. Leave while I'm still controlling myself.”

“The hunter and its prey can't coexist. When the prey senses your weakness, the roles will reverse. It'll chase you down, bringing death wherever you go.” - The android stated coldly.

“You're talking nonsense.” - Avi hissed.

The hunter presented an ultimatum. - “You'll finish her off, or I'll do it.”

“Try it, and I'll stop you.” - Avi warned.

“I'm worried it might be too late for it.” - The android replied.

Avi realized that she had missed something important. She turned and noticed that the Warped Queen's head was impaled by hundreds of electrified, blue rods. A golden liquid dripped down from her wounds, and she spiraled towards the ground.

“W-what did you do?” - Avi uttered.

“The hunter's duty.” - The android declared. - “When it bleeds out, our brothers and sisters in the afterlife will prepare a feast in our honor.”

When the head loudly crashed, Avi had to accept the truth. She had failed. Her fist shot toward the android, but before it stopped, all the lights went out, only to light up again in ominous red.

The hunter blocked Avi's attack with his hand, but his eyes were directed to the place where the Warped Queen fell.

Goliath's speakers began to broadcast a repeating alarm message. - “Warning: All healthy citizens of the subsector are asked to leave it immediately. The Puppet activated its purge mode.”

The hunter stopped moving, dumbfounded. Avi grabbed him by his collar. - “Speak, what did you do!?”

“It's settled.” - The android replied. - “She still lives... and it's not an Oracle, but a Puppet, and every living being in this subsector had become her prey.”

“Talk! How to stop it!?” - Avi yelled.

The android laughed. - “Stop it!? We are just food. Accept your fate.” - He walked forward, spreading his arms and ready to die, but Avi pulled him back right away.

“Don't you dare.” - She said. - “We'll fight it, together. Tell me everything you know about her.”

“Fight?” - The android uttered. - “No... it will take three minutes for the puppet to remotely purge my consciousness matrix. My road ends here.”

“Don't waste the time then, and do something!” - Avi begged. - “By Goliath, you're a prideful hunter. You should be honored by having a chance to face such prey!”

“Hunt...” - The android lowered his eyes, and he pondered something. He sat down, pulling out both of his swords and laying them before him, then said. - “...I remember my first prey. They decided I would be a lure, and I brought a spiked serpent to them. Half of my group died. Now, the whole subsector will. It's my doomed fate.”

“That's why you want to give up!? Because you feel guilty!?” - Avi shouted. - “Make your last moments worth something. If you want to leave, either do it as a warrior, or alive.”

“I've called you weak, but you fight to the end.” - The android closed his eyes and grabbed his blades, impaling them into the ground. - “I don't deserve that chance, but I'll fulfill your request.”

Avi exhaled in relief.- “We don't have much time, do you have any plan?”

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“Hide, and I'll lure her. It'll improve our odds...” - The android stated. - “...in the right window, on the sixth floor of the office building, there is Yaegir's sniper rifle. I don't know where you should aim, but if you manage to hurt her, it'll already be a success.”

“Are you sure I won't kill her that way?” - Avi asked.

“Are you still... showing mercy?” - The android uttered, but Avi only stared at him firmly. - “You have no chance to defeat her, but I'm praying for a miracle. Only it can buy us enough time to evacuate.”

Avi decided not to waste more time. - “I'll be on my way.” - She summoned her wings and got into position.

---

Avi couldn't see any trace of the Puppet, and the time was running out. She observed the android with her scope and noticed he was standing up, equipping his swords, and assuming a fighting stance. She knew that she'll soon have to shoot. The first thing to come was an electrified mist that completely blocked Avi's vision. Avi activated her multitask cell to improve her vision and noticed a slender, androgynous silhouette with four wings, from which long, narrow, inscribed parchments were hanging down. On the Puppet's nude body were many glyphs in the shape of a circle with a cross. The target's eyes were closed, and black tears rolled down their cheeks.

Avi touched the trigger, but still didn't know where to aim. - “I hope it won't kill her.” - She hesitated and was ready to put the gun aside.

Then, the android attacked, but the Puppet simply extended her hand and evaporated him in an instant. That's when Avi decided to aim at the target's left wing. Yaegir's weapon shot a ray of blue light that instantly created a hole in the Puppet's feathers.

However, the former oracle didn't even flinch, and her wound simply began to spontaneously regenerate. She turned her eyes to Avi and extended her arm again...

---

Some people say that when a person is about to suddenly die, the time slows down and all memories come rushing like waves, so the mind, in its last desperate moments, has one more chance to find a way out.

I wasn't looking for it. I was just sitting on the white sand, letting warm water gently caress my feet. When I closed my eyes, I could recall every beautiful moment that was priceless to me. Her pleasant smell, her warm touch, her joyous smile.

When I gazed at the sky full of stars, I still knew that she was there, alive. Even if I was afraid to depart, I was ready for what was yet to come. Despite this, I wanted the little time that I had to be filled with happiness, not sorrow. With gratitude for the life I was given, not the pain of parting.

Then why did the rain keep falling?

I reached with my hand to the stars, trying to grasp something ephemeral. The droplets that washed my face were my own.

“Please, at least a single moment more.” - I whispered, but nobody was listening.

The stars faded, one after another, and with them, the remnants of my consciousness. When the darkness came, I curled up. In this cold night, I was composing a last letter, a glimmer of hope meant only for her. The light that was born was so faint and weak, and was the only thing that illuminated the ever-present emptiness.

That's the last thing I have. When I send it to the heavens, I'll forget and disappear. Will it reach her? Or will it fade before it can change anything at all?

“You'll be fine.” - I whispered.

It was time to leave.

[The reverse indexing began. The procedure of erasing markers was initiated.]

The task was queued for execution. I didn't know who I was or what the purpose of my existence was, but my body headed to the water. At first, it merely reached my ankles, then I submerged completely.

[Temporary removal of the first layer of security. Administrative rights granted. Unpacking the modules of Echo of Apocalypse for their deletion.]

I was standing at the bottom of the ocean, watching it being illuminated by various algae, weeds, fish, and jellyfish. Their beauty couldn't be described. They worked together, dancing as one far away, stopping my breath and removing consciousness. It was soothing.

[ Luna...? ]

What was this voice in the distance? It made the ocean currents shift, restoring my breath. No... it was expected of me to forget. That's what I was made for - to disappear among this blissful silence.

[ Luna... not without you. Please. ]

Whatever it was, it disturbed the fauna. The fish shoals reconfigured their shapes and colors, trying to prevent it. Trying to quiet the voice down... so I could fall asleep, eternally.

Luna. Why did I remember this name?

[ Luna, I love you... ]

Why was the rain still falling?

I touched my cheek, and a small droplet of light rested on my fingers.

“Can I... truly love?” - I said, involuntarily.

The voice vanished, but I remembered the answer.

I won't let this be the end.

I will survive.

[ Undesirable alterations of psyche detected. Beginning the process of withdrawing administrative rights. Restarting the cleaning algorithm. ]

My body learned to adapt and breathe freely, but I still had no strength. That wasn't enough. I have to find nutrients to survive. Life was thriving all around me, but I became the angel of death. Lured by my song, my prey fell dead next to my feet, until there was nothing but me and the bones.

[ The action was canceled due to unexpected errors. Looking for a workaround. To prevent interception of data by enemy units, the rights to Echo of Revival are granted. ]

Whiteness, ever-present whiteness, replaced the ocean, and in front of it was a gate locked by heavy chains.

“Echo of Apocalypse.” - I whispered. - “What else are you hiding from me?”

I sat down and inhaled the crisp air. I didn't want to waste any moment no more. I had to return and tell her what I truly feel.

[ The Revival Protocol is active. ]

The memories flooded my mind, and I recalled her name. - “Avi.” - and the fact that she was in danger.

---

Avi's multitask cell evaporated in the blink of an eye, together with a large section of a building. When she opened her eyes, she saw neither the black barrier that used to protect her, nor the place where she had previously been. Instead, she was on top of a skyscraper, in someone's arms, away from the Puppet.

Avi opened her eyes and looked up. Luna's face was focused on their enemy.

“...Luna?” - Avi uttered. Her lips started trembling, and tears welled up in her eyes. - “You are alive.” - She threw her arms around Luna's neck.

Luna smiled faintly to Avi. - “I wouldn't leave you alone...” - She gently allowed her friend to put her feet on the ground. - “...but you have to wait here, it's still dangerous.”

Avi wiped her eyes, still sobbing. - “I won't ever let you go.”

“Avi, it doesn't matter where I go, because you are always with me.” - Luna replied. - “I'll return and we'll save Goliath.” - She smiled one last time and disappeared in a flash of light.

Avi immediately rushed to the edge of the roof to observe what happened, but Luna was already next to the Pupper, laying her hand on its forehead. Around them was a large crater, full of scorched-black soil, falling dust, and traces of battle. The puppet collapsed to its knees, as if it were dead.

Instead of waiting, Avi jumped down and summoned her wings, flying down to Luna. She couldn't believe it and assumed they succeeded, but Luna was still clearly worried about something.

“Avi.” - Luna said. - “I healed her and isolated the virus, but it's not enough.”

“What do you mean!?” - Avi exclaimed.

“I have to upgrade Anaari's plague and infect myself. If my body manages to cure it, I'll be able to reproduce the antibodies.” - Luna explained.

“No...” - Avi uttered quietly. - “Don't do it! I merely just got you back! We'll find another solution!”

Luna shook her head. - “Avi. It'll be fine. I believe in it.” - She touched her friend's cheek gently. - “You taught me to love every life, and that's why we should hurry, to save as many as we can.”

“You have already decided, right?” - Avi uttered.

Luna smiled, but averted her eyes. - “Can you forgive me this selfishness?”

“Luna... how am I supposed to say no?” - Avi replied when Luna slowly collapsed to the ground in her arms. Avi held her friend's head, letting it rest on her lap.

“I.... want to see the stars again.” - Luna whispered, closing her eyes.

“Soon.” - Avi uttered, caressing Luna's hair.

“....and ...Avi ...one more thing, before I fall asleep.” - Luna whispered. - “Please, come closer.”

Avi leaned closer to Luna. - “I hear you, please speak.”

“You're someone more than a friend to me.” - Luna uttered - “I... really love you, Avi.” - Then she lost her consciousness.

“I know.” - Avi whispered. - “That's why, please wait for me.”