Chapter 7

Lily soars through the air, spiraling above the plaza as the look-a-like’s corrupted starlight grazes a support beam. The structure instantly decays into shimmering dust, collapsing onto the tiles below.

Sanguinella bursts out of the shadows behind him, the katana splitting into twin daggers and spinning in a rose-like pattern.

Sanguinella
“Crimson Rose—Thorn Pierce!”

The blades arc toward the imposter’s ribs. He turns just in time, catching one with his bare hand. The daggers' blood-forged edge carves his palm—but he doesn't flinch.

???:
Impressive.
You’re already stronger than the simulations predicted.

Sanguinella
Yeah? You’re already more annoying than I expected.

She slams a shadow spike into the ground, triggering a surge of thorned vines to erupt beneath him. The imposter leaps back—just as Lily descends in a flash of pale gold, Dramatic Play slicing a burning curve through the air.

Lily
“Radiant Intermission: Scene Five—Severing Curtain!”

The blade explodes on impact, flooding the plaza with light and smoke.

From the dust, a cough—then a laugh.

???:
Cute.
You're using real stage techniques now.
Your growth is... quaint.

The smoke clears. His coat is torn, his cheek scorched from Lily’s strike. But he’s smiling.

Lily (eyes narrowing)
You keep pretending to know me.
But you’re just a shadow.

Sanguinella
Or a puppet.

The figure looks between them, pausing. His expression... falters. Just a flicker. Almost like regret. Almost like confusion.

???:
Shadow. Puppet. Reflection. Incomplete.

He steps back, the corrupted starlight swirling around him again.

???:
I have to go now.
Elsewhere. There are... adjustments to be made.
Our time will come again.

Lily
Wait—who are you?

Sanguinella
And why do you look like him?

He begins to vanish, the space around him folding inward like a reverse lotus bloom. But just before his face disappears entirely, his voice echoes one last time.

???:
Tell the real Astera:
“I’m not finished becoming you.”

Silence. He's gone.

Lily lands beside Sanguinella, breathing hard. She places a hand on her friend’s shoulder.

Lily
We need to call Dad.
And Astera.

Sanguinella
And maybe... whoever built that thing.

They both look up at the city skyline, glowing under the night.

Unspoken between them: this was not just some random attack.

Whoever—or whatever—that was...

…was only just beginning.