[Location: Planeptune Basilicom – Strategy Chamber, Morning]
The room is softly lit by the morning sun filtering through the stained-glass windows. A round table sits in the center, surrounded by the CPUs and Candidates. Nepgear stands at the front, her expression serious but composed.
Neptune:
"So you're saying you saw a spooky glitch in the sky and your first instinct wasn't to blast it with a laser?" She smirks, trying to lighten the mood.
Nepgear:
"I'm serious, Neptune. It didn't feel like anything I've sensed before. It wasn't Share Energy, or even like the remnants of the Deity of Sin. It was... hollow. But powerful."
Noire:
"Hollow?" She leans forward, arms crossed. "Could it have been an anomaly? A rift?"
Nepgear:
"Maybe. But whatever it was, it vanished before I could analyze it."
Vert:
"Hmm… For something to register that strongly on your senses and then disappear so completely… that's no ordinary event."
Blanc:
"And it happened near the Wastelands? That area's been dead for years."
Uni:
*concerned* "You don't think someone's tampering with dimensional energy again, do you?"
Rom (quietly):
"It sounds scary…"
Ram:
"Yeah! What if it's some new monster trying to sneak in?!"
Nepgear:
"I don't know if it's a monster. But I've had a bad feeling ever since I saw it. Like something's waking up." The room falls into a thoughtful silence.
[Location: Histoire's Chamber]
Histoire hovers in front of a multi-screen display, magical data streams flowing around her. The Oracles of Lastation, Lowee, and Leanbox appear via communication windows.
Histoire:
"There was indeed an energy spike matching Nepgear's report. Brief, but unmistakable. It originated near a sealed location long removed from our records."
Chika (Leanbox):
"And you're only telling us now?"
Histoire:
"I only confirmed the readings a few hours ago. It was buried beneath layers of magical distortion."
Kei (Lastation):
"Then something— or someone— is trying to hide it."
Mina (Lowee):
"This doesn't feel like a random anomaly. It's too precise."
Histoire:
"Agreed. For now, I recommend vigilance. I've advised the CPUs to begin a subtle patrol rotation. If this energy returns… we must be ready."
Kei:
"I'll notify Lastation's security network. Quietly."
Chika:
"And I'll prepare Leanbox's defense protocols— just in case."
Mina:
"We'll do the same in Lowee. Let's hope this is nothing." The screens flicker off as Histoire turns back to her displays, a shadow crossing her usually calm face.
Histoire (quietly):
"…but deep down, I fear this is only the beginning."