Location: Echohold-09 (Main Gate Area)

  Time of Day: Morning

  With that, the team set off toward Echohold-09, the looming structure drawing nearer with every step... step until it finally stood before them.

  The massive facility stood right before them - solid concrete walls, tall fencing wrapped in barbed wire, with security cameras and mounted turrets lining the perimeter. Rows of dark windows reflected the pale sky. They stopped at the entrance fence, where a warning sign hung slightly tilted: KEEP OUT! HOLLOW PERSONNEL ACCESS ONLY!

  Behind the fence, large metal generators were scattered across the outer grounds of the building, tall and wide enough for someone to hide behind. A few steps beyond the fence stood the main access gate - a heavy, reinforced steel door that was sealed tight with an access panel beside it. Echohold-09 was right in front of them now.

  Hikari let out a quiet breath. “…We finally made it.”

  Slayer cracked a small grin beneath his helmet. “Man… after so many battles and a couple of near-death experiences.” He chuckled lightly. “We actually managed to make it in one piece.”

  Captain shot him a glance. “And here I thought you weren’t gonna make it this far.”

  Slayer laughed. “Ha! I was gonna say the same thing to you, soldier boy.”

  Lumina’s gaze shifted to the warning sign hanging on the fence. KEEP OUT! HOLLOW PERSONNEL ACCESS ONLY! She let out a soft sigh. “Keep out, huh. Glad I was invited to an uninvited Hollow party.”

  Hikari gave Lumina a small smile. “Don’t worry, Lumina. I’m sure we’ll have lots of fun in there… whether you're a Hollow or not.”

  A faint smile tugged at Lumina’s lips. “Tch. Yeah, well… I hope there’s lunch included.”

  Hikari smiled back, then stepped forward. “Okay. Let’s go in.” She reached for the knob on the entrance fence and turned it. CLACK. The fence door creaked open.

  Slayer blinked. "...That was easy. I was expecting it to be locked. Or that we'd have to use some kind of brute force or something." He glanced around. "I mean, this is an important place to you Hollows, right?"

  Hikari nodded once. "Yeah, well, this is just the entrance fence. And with all the turrets and cameras around here, getting this far isn't easy to begin with." She lifted a hand and pointed ahead. "That door right there... that's the one that'll be locked for sure, since It leads us inside. And the only way in."

  Slayer followed her gaze to the reinforced main access gate, then grinned. "Then what do you guys say... we crash this Echo party." He punched his palm. "I'm ready for some dessert."

  With that, the team slipped through the fence and moved in. They hadn’t taken more than a few steps across the outer grounds when-

  From Hikari’s coat pocket, the Black Star Artifact gave a faint pulse. THUMP!

  Akari’s voice came out quick and tense. “E-Everyone… I feel a presence coming ahead of us. Please, hide.”

  Hikari blinked, glancing down at her coat pocket. “Huh… you sure about this?”

  Akari’s voice answered urgently. “Y-Yes. Quick, behind the gens!”

  Hikari nodded. “O-Okay…” She looked up at the others. “Everyone, hide!”

  No one questioned it. They reacted instantly to her call. Hikari and Captain moved to the left, ducking behind a large generator near the fence and pressing close as they took cover. Across from them, Lumina motioned for Slayer to follow. The two slipped behind another generator on the opposite side, crouching low. The outer grounds fell silent.

  Then, from the main access gate ahead TSSS! A sharp hiss echoed as the heavy door slid open just enough for two figures to step out of the darkness.

  They wore black, full-body tactical suits - matte and streamlined, built for special operations. Their armor was segmented but flexible, layered over a tight undersuit, with reinforced plating along the chest, shoulders, and knees. Each had a sealed helmet with a dark visor that hid their faces completely, thin red sensor lines glowing faintly where their eyes would be. Compact rifles were held close to their bodies, already in a ready stance.

  The two agents moved with practiced precision. One took position to the left of the door and the other mirrored him on the right. Both stood still as if guarding the entrance.

  Behind the generator, Hikari glanced down at her coat pocket and whispered, “Akari… how did you know someone was coming?”

  Akari's voice answered just as softly. "I-I can detect movement within a certain radius around me. Anything that gets close... I can feel it."

  Captain glanced toward Hikari's pocket, impressed. "Now that's a useful skill to have around."

  From the other side, Slayer leaned out slightly and called across in a hushed whisper, "Hey, Hikari... who are those people at the entrance? Are they people you know?"

  Hikari carefully peeked around the edge of the generator, just enough to get a look, then pulled back again. “They look like Hollow agents,” she whispered. “Although I can’t confirm that since I don’t see any Hollow symbol on their clothes. But it’s odd that they’re guarding this place… especially after everything that’s happened.”

  Slayer frowned. "Maybe everything's under control now?"

  Hikari shook her head. "If that were the case, then the turrets and security cameras wouldn't be inactive." Her eyes narrowed. "And they look a little too calm for everything that's going on right now."

  Captain's voice dropped. "Then that means we can't trust them. They could be Echos trying to play an act, for all we know."

  Across the way, Lumina whispered from behind the opposite generator, “Then what’s the move, Hikari? Do we go confront them and hope they’re not Echos… or do we take them out swiftly?”

  Slayer clenched a fist. “I’d say we just go with plan B and put them to sleep.”

  Hikari shot him a look, even in a whisper. “No. Let’s not proceed with those kinds of measures just yet.” She took a quiet breath. “I want to make sure they really aren’t foes first. So I say we go and confront them… peacefully.”

  Lumina nodded once. "Fair enough. How do you want to approach this, then, Hikari?"

  Hikari paused, thinking... then a small idea sparked. Hikari's lips curled into a small, knowing smile as she looked at Lumina. "...How do you feel about drawing their attention?"

  Lumina blinked. "Drawing their attention... how so?"

  Hikari leaned in a little, lowering her voice. "Let's just say... you have a presence that's kind of hard to ignore."

  Lumina tilted her head slightly. “Hm? Why, because my outfit looks like a cosplay, is that it?” She sighed faintly as the memory came back. “Just like that bandit said back at the stadium?”

  Hikari shook her head quickly. "I can guarantee you that's not the case here. There's... a different reason why I'm choosing you to go confront them."

  Captain shot her a look. "Just spit it out already, Hikari. What are you planning here?"

  Hikari raised her hands slightly. "Okay, okay, fine." She turned back to Lumina. "I just need you to go and... flirt with them. Ask them reeeally nicely if they are Hollow Agents or not." A faint grin crossed her lips. “And if they are, then I’ll step in and take charge from there.”

  Lumina stared at her, then sighed as she lowered her head. “Please tell me you aren’t really serious about this…” She lifted her gaze back to Hikari, a bothered look in her eyes. “Really, Hikari… we couldn’t try a different approach? Why choose this one?”

  Slayer leaned in, clearly amused. "I'd say that's actually a solid plan."

  Lumina shot him a look. "Oh, be quiet, Slayer. You just wanna see how this plays out, don't ya?"

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  Slayer shrugged. "...Maybe?"

  Hikari gave a small grin. "Oh, come on. I know it'll work. I have some knowledge on how to get people to give in with this kind of stuff."

  Lumina raised a brow. "...Really now? And how so?"

  Hikari tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Based on past research and studies on behavioral responses to charm and emotional influence... people tend to lower their guard when they feel drawn in."

  Lumina let out a slow breath as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I can’t believe I’m about to commit to this… fine. I’ll do it. But only for the sake of your world, since I promised to help.”

  Captain huffed quietly. “Hmph. Didn’t think she’d actually give in.”

  Hikari’s eyes lit up a little. “Awesome." She lifted a finger. "Oh, and to give it some spice too…” She grinned. “You could also use Elegant Form to help you in this battle. That dress of yours would really make them drop dead.”

  Lumina turned to her at once. “I am not going to use Elegant Form just to fulfill their desires. I’m a warrior, not an entertainer.”

  Hikari quickly waved her hands. “Okay, okay. I won’t push it. You’re good as you are then.”

  Lumina folded her arms. “Plus, I’m already agreeing to this as it is, so don’t make me go back on my word.”

  Slayer gave her a confident nod. "Alright, Lumina. Show them your graceful warrior side."

  Lumina sighed again, then reached up and tied her hair into a neat ponytail. “…Stop talking, Slayer, before I make you go over there instead.”

  Slayer chuckled lightly. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop giving you a hard time.”

  Hikari leaned in one last time, her tone serious now. "Remember, Lumina. Just confirm if they're really Hollow agents. And if you suspect they aren't, don't push it and come straight back." Her eyes narrowed. "Better not to alert them. There may be more of them inside the facility."

  Lumina gave a short nod, her ponytail swaying as she spoke with a bothered tone. “Understood.”

  Just as she was about to move, a soft voice came from Hikari’s coat pocket. “U-Uhm… I’m not sure what’s going on, but… please be careful, Lumina.”

  Lumina glanced at Hikari’s coat pocket, giving a small nod. “Thanks, Akari. I’ll be fine.”

  Hikari leaned forward slightly, nodding once. "Okay, Lumina. It's game time. Just make sure to really sell it."

  Lumina let out a quiet sigh. "Yeah, yeah."

  Then she straightened. Stepping out from behind the generator, Lumina made herself visible to the guards. She walked forward with calm, measured steps - her posture tall and her movements smooth, almost like a catwalk as she approached the entrance. The two figures reacted at once. Both lifted their rifles, aiming straight at her.

  "Who are you?!" one of them demanded.

  The other barked, "Identify yourself at once. This is private property!"

  Lumina stopped a few steps away, raising her hands slightly, her expression softening into something innocent as she played her part. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know," she said gently. "I got lost and somehow ended up in this place." She hugged herself, shifting her weight slightly from side to side. "Perhaps you guys could help a lady out? I heard you guys were Hollow agents… and that you help people in need, especially in desperate times like these.”

  The guards didn’t lower their rifles, but they exchanged a brief glance, as if confused by what they were seeing. Then their attention snapped back to her.

  One of them tilted his helmet slightly. “Why does it matter to you whether we’re Hollow agents or not?”

  The other added flatly, “Yeah, besides, that’s classified information. We don’t just tell anyone about it.”

  Lumina twirled a strand of hair at her side, her voice softening. "Well, I just heard that from someone..." She gave them a hopeful look. "And if you really are Hollows, then I could reeaally use some help getting back home." She took a small step closer. “I could use some protection from strong men like yourselves… especially with this breakout I’ve heard about that’s been going on.”

  One of the guards remained unmoved. "We'll need to ask you some questions first, before we decide to help you."

  Lumina's shoulders slumped. Then she suddenly brought her hands up to her face, letting out a soft, fake sob. "H-How could you still deny such a helpless lady...?" She sniffed dramatically. "I've gone through so much, and all I get is an interview... in a dreadful place like this." She looked up at them. "Oh, what has this world become...?"

  Behind the generator, Slayer covered his mouth, chuckling under his breath. "Man... she went from flirting to being a helpless lady." He shook his head. "She's really outdoing herself here."

  Hikari whispered back, amused, "I gotta say... she's doing pretty good at this whole acting thing." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the guards. "But they still aren't giving up the info whether they're Hollows or not."

  Captain let out a quiet huff. "Hmph. Guess they're really following protocol to a tee." He glanced toward Lumina. "I would've admitted I was a Hollow by now after seeing that last act."

  From Hikari's coat pocket, Akari's voice came softly, full of concern. "U-Uhm... is Lumina okay? Why is she acting... different from her usual self?"

  Hikari smiled faintly. "Oh, it's nothing, Akari. She's just trying to get us in, that's all."

  One of the guards shook his head. "Ma'am, whatever you're doing right now is not going to work. We have strict rules here, and we can't just decide to-"

  Lumina suddenly placed the back of her hand against her forehead, swaying slightly. "Oh my... I think I'm about to faint. It's starting to get really hot..."

  The other guard frowned. "But it's only seventy-two degrees."

  "Yes, but seeing you two makes it feel like it's over a hundred," Lumina said softly. She gave them a warm look. "Perhaps one of you could help cool me down a bit?"

  One of the guards stiffened, his voice faltering. "M-Ma'am, please settle down. We are forbidden to engage in such acts."

  Lumina leaned in just a little. "Oh? But no one's around besides us." Her eyes searched their visors. “All you have to do is say you’re Hollows…” Her voice grew a bit firmer. “…and we can get out of here.”

  The first guard quickly shook his head. "Sorry. No. We don't take orders from some nobody that just showed up out of nowhere."

  Behind the generator, Slayer muttered under his breath, "Oh... oh. Not good."

  Lumina's smile vanished. Her eyes hardened as she straightened. "D-Did you just say... some nobody?"

  The sudden shift caught the agents off guard.

  "U-Uhm, ma'am," one of them stammered, "please calm down."

  Lumina took a step forward. "I'll show you that I'm more than just some nobody." Her hand reached back, gripping the hilt of the katana on her back as a dim green aura began to flow around her, stirring the air.

  From behind, Hikari suddenly called out, stepping into view, "Wait, Lumina!"

  The rest of the team emerged with her, weapons ready, revealing themselves from behind the generators as the standoff was broken. The two guards reacted instantly and both swung their rifles toward the rest of the team.

  "Who are you guys?!" one of them barked. "Stop right there!"

  Lumina clicked her tongue. The green glow around her faded as she lowered her hand from the hilt of her katana. "Oh, great," she muttered. "I assume you wanted to join me in executing plan B?"

  Hikari gave a sheepish smile. "Ahaha~ Not exactly, Lumina."

  Lumina shot her a look. "Then?"

  "I'll take it from here," Hikari said, stepping forward. "You gave me good enough info with what you did. Thanks."

  Lumina let out a tired sigh, folding her arms as she walked past her. "Just know... that I'm never doing that again."

  From behind, Slayer called out with a grin, "Eh, you did great. I'd love to see that helpless lady act again sometime."

  Lumina didn't even turn to him. "Shut it, Slayer."

  The guards shifted their focus back to Hikari as she came to a stop in front of them.

  One of them demanded, "Identify yourselves and state your reason for being here."

  Captain leaned toward Hikari, voice low. "You'll be okay?"

  Hikari nodded slightly. "Yeah. I got this." She cleared her throat, then took a couple of steps closer. "My name is Hikari Amane," she said firmly. "And I'm a Hollow agent of this facility."

  The two guards glanced at each other, then back at her. "I've never heard of you before," one said. "And if you really were a Hollow agent, you'd show us your Hollow symbol this instant."

  Hikari’s cheeks flushed faintly as she looked away. "I-I'd rather not show it... since it's in a place where I'd have to take off some clothes." She focused on them again. "And following rules, it is forbidden to engage in such acts." Then she gestured toward Captain's chest. "Perhaps his would suffice?"

  The guards’ visors shifted to Captain’s Hollow symbol - the black insignia of a serpent devouring its own tail around a five-pointed star, faintly visible on his chest.

  One of them nodded slowly. "...Affirmative. That checks out."

  The other raised a hand. "To make sure you really are a Hollow, though, answer these two questions and we'll let you pass." He lifted two fingers. "What are the four Echo classes listed under the Institution's ECO file procedure? And what is the Hollow Personnel Directive?"

  The air went still and all eyes turned to Hikari.

  She didn't hesitate and placed a hand on her hip, eyes steady. "Oh, easy. There are Null, Dormant, Yuila, and Zerm type class Echos." She lifted her chin slightly. "And for your second question... Hollows are to be inducted under Institution oath, and operational secrecy is absolute. Humanity's preservation depends upon strict adherence to E.C.O. procedures." She gave a small, confident nod. "Is that good enough for you guys?"

  The two guards froze for a second. Then, slowly, both lowered their rifles.

  One of them spoke, his tone changing. "...Amazingly done. No just anyone knows that kind of information. So we can trust that you are indeed a Hollow agent."

  Hikari placed both hands on her hips, standing a little taller. “Of course I am.”

  The other guard shifted his stance, visor turning toward the rest of the group, to Lumina and Slayer in particular. "Then what is their reason for being here?"

  Hikari followed his gaze, then answered smoothly, "Oh, they're soon to become Hollow agents themselves. I'm bringing them in so I can train them... show them around and teach them what we do."

  The guard glanced at Lumina again. "Just be careful not to lose sight of them. Especially with that one over there."

  Hikari gave a tired, awkward smile. "Yeah... don't worry. I will."

  One of the guards turned toward the main access gate and hovered his hand over a blue access panel beside the door. As his palm touched it, dark black tendrils suddenly seeped out from his hand, twisting as they wrapped around the access panel.

  Hikari's eyes widened just a bit at the sight. ("Knew it...")

  The guard stiffened, then quickly pulled his hand back. A green message flashed across the screen: ACCESS GRANTED With a heavy hiss TSSS! The reinforced steel door began to slide open.

  The other guard stepped aside and gestured inward. "Alright. You're good to go in." The path into Echohold-09 was finally open.

  Hikari gave a small gesture forward toward the team, then stepped in. “Alright… let’s go.”

  One by one, they followed her through the opening. Captain passed by the guards first. He gave them a small salute as he passed them.

  Lumina walked past next, arms crossed and eyes forward. "Hmph."

  Then came Slayer. He slowed to a stop in front of them, looking over their suits with clear interest. "By the way, those outfits you guys have on are really cool. Think you could issue me one sometime so I can-"

  "Slayer!" Lumina called out sharply from inside.

  Slayer jolted. "R-Right. Going." He hurried past them, not waiting for a response. The guards said nothing. They simply watched as he disappeared into the darkness beyond the steel door.

  Then, behind them TSSS! The massive steel door slid shut, leaving the guards behind. The light from outside vanished, sealing them in. And what stood before them now… was a place of horror.