The raging wind subsided.
The setting sun was blood-red, spilling over the earth.
It reflected a crystalline gleam.
The survivors raised their heads.
The longing for tomorrow rekindled in their eyes.
The salty, damp sea breeze swept up grit that stung their faces.
The rumble of the rescue fleet's engines echoed low in the distance.
Raiden Mei stood at the edge of the shattered embankment.
Below her lay Coral Island, once hailed as a jewel.
Now, only a lifeless concrete foundation remained.
Huge waves crashed against the reefs with dull booms.
It was as though countless wronged souls were wailing as they were forcibly dragged into the abyss.
The wreckage left by civilization's collapse returned to the earth with the tide.
This piece of history was destined to go unread.
It would become nothing more than a page of waste paper gathering dust in the archives.
"The cores are still beating."
Raven's voice was cold and hard, breaking the silence.
She stared at the two Herrscher Crystals wreathed in violet lightning in Mei's palm.
"You did it. You're another step closer to that goal."
Mei pressed her lips tightly together without a word.
Her hollow gaze fell on the sea's horizon.
Raven frowned, a hint of impatience in her tone.
"What, waiting for me to praise you? Cheer up. This is your achievement."
"This isn't a victory."
Mei finally spoke, her voice as hoarse as sandpaper scraping sheet metal.
She turned to look at the woman beside her.
Raven said nothing.
She merely lowered her head and wiped the recovered Third Divine Key in her hands.
The metal's surface reflected two exhausted faces.
The air grew suffocatingly still.
A long time passed.
Raven put away her weapon and stood up.
"There's nothing you can do, even if you can't accept