Location: Planeptune Tower – Central Archive Room

Sunlight poured through the crystalline windows of the upper tower, painting soft patterns across the polished floor. The hum of holograms echoed gently in the background, flickering with data pulled from all four nations. Rom and Ram sat side-by-side at the central console, legs dangling slightly off their chairs. Both wore fresh versions of their CPU Candidate attire, their wounds fully healed— though the memory of their defeat still lingered in their eyes. Across from them, Histoire hovered gently in her projection form, flipping through multiple screens at once with her usual rapid efficiency.

"Thank you for your patience," she said in her calm, even tone. "I will now provide a summary of the situation based on the most recent reports from all regions."

Ram leaned forward, eyes sharp. "So? What's everyone found?"

Histoire nodded and began, her voice steady. "First: Neptune and Nepgear have successfully secured the fragment near Twilight Valley. The rift corruption took hold of a massive Steel Golem, but they were able to destroy it and retrieve the core safely. The fragment has been stabilized for containment."

Rom's fingers fidgeted slightly. "We felt… something when that thing attacked us. I think it tried to do the same thing."

"Correct," Histoire said, flipping to the next screen. "Next, Lady Noire and Uni located the second fragment beneath the ruins of the Zero Point Foundry in Lastation. A rift-infected mechanoid nearly triggered a sector-wide meltdown. They were able to neutralize the threat and secure the fragment."

Ram tilted her head. "So two down. What about the others?"

"Lady Blanc is currently in the Neutral Zone, investigating an ancient site where no fragment was found— but traces of Vortex energy have been detected. She has encountered… something, but its identity remains unknown."

Rom blinked. "So the fragment moved?"

"Possibly," Histoire said. "Or something else is drawing energy away from the fragments. We are still analyzing the data." She tapped another key, and the central screen zoomed in on Leanbox."Lady Vert has entered the Spirit Forest. Communications are unstable, but we believe the third fragment is hidden within a deep barrier zone created by the forest's guardians. She has yet to make contact."

Ram crossed her arms. "So that's three recovered, one missing, and one… unaccounted for?"

"Correct," Histoire confirmed. "There appears to be a fifth fragment— unknown to our initial records. It did not appear on the original tracking grid. Only when the first three were disturbed did it begin emitting energy." Rom and Ram exchanged a look.

"…Is that what that weird dragon was talking about?" Rom asked quietly. "'The seal won't hold'? It wasn't just a threat."

Ram frowned. "Then what's it holding back?"

Histoire hesitated, her wings fluttering slightly. "Based on ancient Lowee records retrieved during Lady Blanc's last report… the Eon Vortex is not a creature, but a construct— a convergence point of sealed dimensional anomalies. The fragments act as keys."

Rom's voice was barely a whisper. "And someone's trying to unlock it."

Histoire gave a solemn nod. "It would appear so."

Ram stood up, fists clenched. "Then we're done sitting around. We're not hurt anymore, and we've fought worse together."

Rom stood beside her. "Tell us where we're needed."

Histoire floated forward slightly. "I will update the team and request transport arrangements. Your assistance will be critical in what comes next."

As the twins turned toward the tower balcony, ready to head out once again, a new report quietly pinged on Histoire's screen—

— Unstable energy reading detected.
— Origin: Beyond Leanbox border.
— Designated Priority: Emergency.