[ Abandoned building site, Southern Mid-Childa / September 22, 0078 13:32 ]

A sudden sinking feeling struck Runessa. A moment later she realized the source: an Area Search probe was floating just outside her field of vision. How did she miss it? Her mind raced, as a realization dawned upon her. She sprung up and dashed for another cover.

She barely managed to brake when a figure in black-and-while Barrier Jacket uncloaked just in front of her, a gun pointed directly at her face. Dropping the rifle, Runessa reached for Silver Dagger but her hand froze on its hilt.

"You are ambidextrous," Runessa smiled weakly. "Two Area Searches—one to distract me, one to transmit my location. An illusion to keep me looking in the wrong direction. Well-played."

"Yes," Teana nodded calmly. "You lost, Rune. Let go of your gun."

"Is that thing still loaded with my bullet?" Runessa nodded at Cross Mirage. "Why don't you just blow my brains out like you planned to? I killed your girlfriend, remember?"

"Put your hands up, Rune."

"Stop calling me that!" Angry tears appeared in the corners of her eyes as she clutched her revolver tighter. "You have a gun to my head and keep calling me pet names! Just get it over with already!"

And eerie smile appeared on Teana's lips.

"Shall I… cool your head a little?" Her thumb did something to Cross Mirage and a large bullet hit the concrete floor with a loud clank.

The next moment, a massive stream of orange-tinted mana collided with Runessa's head, throwing her onto the ground. Everything went dark.

Standing over Runessa's unconscious body, Teana dispelled illusions and Area Searches. The feeling of relief was amazing. Exhausted, she sank onto the floor and called Ginga.

"Captain Lanster?"

"Hello there, Ginga-san. I have apprehended the sniper. Send someone to pick us up. Cross Mirage is sending the coordinates."

"Roger that. Lanster-san, about Subaru…"

Ginga was still saying something, but Teana couldn't hear her anymore. A strange pounding noise filled her ears and grew stronger every second. Her entire body went limp and numb, shaking with tension. Ginga's face on the screen became worried. Finally, as the loudness of the noise reached its peak, a million of stars exploded in front of her eyes and she felt no more.