[ The Saint's Cradle / October 1, 0078 12:40 ]

The long corridor took Fate all the way to the reactor room. It was a massive spherical chamber with enough space to host an air show, yet it was dominated by a single object—a colossal red crystal that was the Cradle's main reactor. A catwalk broad enough to walk in pairs ran the entire perimeter of the room.

She found Signum floating just above the tip of the reactor, dead center of the room. She was already in Unison, Laevatein drawn in her hand and Kaiserkrone on her head. Fate flew closer.

"We met again, after all," she tried to smile.

"For the last time," Signum nodded sadly.

"It's not too late," Fate pleaded. "Come with me, the Bureau will help you."

"It is," Signum shook her head. "I cannot leave this room anymore. I am now feeding off residual mana from the reactor—if I leave now, I will simply disappear."

Fate bit her lip, studying Signum's beautiful but already so distant face.

"You really believe it," she felt a cold touch of despair inside her chest.

Signum nodded without uttering a word.

"Well, I don't!" Fate's yell echoed through the massive chamber. "Bardiche, Sonic Overdrive!"

"Riot Zanber," her Device confirmed calmly, as it split in two.

"I will take you down and bring you with me," she leveled an energy blade at Signum. "Whether you like it or not."

Signum raised her sword, too.

"That form… Fate, please… I cannot hold back now—I will strike with full force," she paused. "If I hit you, you will die."

"If you don't want that, give up and let me help you."

"I cannot," Signum shook her head.

"Then I will take my chances."

Fate charged.