Cantus Null: Dissonance (Part I)

[November 27th, 10:00 JST]

Tochigi Prefecture – En Route to Abandoned Industrial Zone

The convoy rumbled steadily along the empty highway, a line of Foundation vans cutting through the pale morning sky. Tempesta Unit rode in one of them, the tension inside muted but unmistakable.

Beside Reina sat a girl none of them had met before, Aikawa Yuzuriha.

Long pastel-pink hair framed her shoulders in soft waves, the ends fading into a lighter gradient. A thin braid on her right side held a small white ring that glinted whenever the van shifted. Her rose-gold eyes curved gently as she smiled, almost too softly for someone assigned to a raid.

“So... what kind of mission is Yuzu joining today?” she asked softly, curiosity slipping into her tone.

Takeshi, seated in the front, switched on his notepad without turning around.

“Ahem. Let’s do a quick recap of last night’s briefing for team captains... especially for Aikawa-san.”

He paused, letting the girls settle.

“Two days ago, after the Budokan Live, we apprehended the bomber behind the vehicle explosion. During interrogation, he revealed he belonged to a cult calling themselves... Cantus Null.”

Yuzuriha blinked curiously. “A cult...? And they know about Divas? Yuzu didn’t expect that.”

“More than they should,” Takeshi answered. “They somehow possess knowledge of CODA, Diva resonance, and Novium. Worse... they obtained meteorite fragments we failed to recover. They’ve been using them to conjure and direct CODA.”

The van fell silent for a moment.

Momoko muttered, “This sounds unreal... can anyone really control CODA?”

“In theory, it’s possible. But we don’t have the method to do so.” Takeshi continued. “Their main goal is nationwide release. A coordinated disaster. Fortunately, the culprit listed every one of their bases. Including their headquarters in Tochigi. All Aria Corps teams are being deployed simultaneously. Team 02 is assigned to take the HQ.”

He finally turned his head slightly toward Yuzuriha.

“And as for our new addition... Aikawa-san was personally assigned by Vice-Director Saionji Kōgetsu. A Cantus Level-grade Diva specializing in frequency manipulation.”

Yuzuriha lowered her head in a small and gentle bow, hands folded neatly on her lap.

“Yuzu will be in your care. Ah... and please call Yuzu by her nickname. It’s easier for Yuzu to get close to everyone.”

 Reina smiled, giving her shoulder a light tap. “Alright then... welcome aboard, Yuzu-chan.”

Before the mood could settle, Mika leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing.

“Something’s wrong. That culprit gave us the information way too easily. And... how does anyone outside the Foundation even know about CODA? Do we have a security leak?”

Takeshi answered without turning from the front.

“It’s still under investigation, and yes... that’s what we thought too. That’s why we’re rolling with JSDF support in case it’s a trap.”

A short pause.

“But it’s a trap we have to step into. If we can capture the leader of Cantus Null alive, we’ll finally learn where their information came from.”

Reina added quietly, “There’s another reason. We believe the cult is armed. If a gunfight breaks out... the Foundation would rather not risk sending Diva into direct fire. One stray bullet is enough to kill any Diva below Cantus Major grade.”

“Yuzu doesn’t understand... why only below that grade?” she asked, tilting her head.

Takeshi tapped his notepad.

“Cantus Major-grade Divas generate a passive haze that greatly reduces physical harm to their bodies, similar principle to why conventional firearms cannot kill CODA. Divas below that threshold lack this protection.”

Emiko’s voice wavered. “Then... if a gunfight happens... there’ll be real bodies... right? That’s scary.”

Nana hugged her gently, trying to calm the trembling in her shoulders.

Misaki reached over and rested a steadying hand on Emiko’s back.

Reina looked down, unable to give an answer she didn’t want to speak.

Takeshi sighed softly and took over for her.

“Diva were never meant to kill people,” he said, voice lower than before. “You girls are symbols of hope. That’s why your task is to handle any CODA that appear... while the JSDF handles the human threat.”

The van interior fell quiet again, the weight of the mission settling over them.

Yuzuriha’s rose-gold eyes curved as she beamed.

“Yuzu will do her best!”

Reina smiled faintly at her earnestness... but the smile didn’t fully reach her eyes.

Too many unknowns... what is this feeling of uneasiness I have?

Her hand curled slowly into a fist, the only outward sign of the tension coiling in her chest.

Emi leaned forward with her usual warmth.

“Welcome to the family, Yuzu-san.”

Yuzuriha blinked at the word family, just for a heartbeat. As if it was something she wasn’t used to hearing, before she quickly hid it behind a polite nod.

For a long while, only the engine filled the van, a steady growl beneath the weight of their shared anxiety. Eventually, the convoy turned off the main road and onto a narrow, overgrown path.

Takeshi glanced back. “We’ve arrived.”

The van rolled to a stop beside an abandoned two-story house. Its shattered windows, collapsing walls, and the vines crawling through broken frames gave it a haunting and hollow presence. JSDF trucks already occupied most of the space; the Foundation vans simply filled in the gap around them. Staff moved swiftly, unloading equipment the moment the vehicles halted.

Tempesta Unit stepped out into the daylight.

From where they stood, the abandoned industrial zone stretched endlessly. Rows of rusted warehouses and skeletal factories spread across the landscape like a graveyard of steel, motionless yet deeply eerie.

A temporary command post occupied the ruined house. Antennas jutted through gaps in the roof, and a folding table inside had been transformed into an operations hub, maps and various monitors glowing faintly under the dim lamps.

Takeshi led the girls inside. A tall, well-built JSDF officer greeted them with a firm nod. The medals on his uniform made his rank unmistakable.

“Lieutenant Morita,” he introduced himself. “An honor to work with the Foundation.” He offered his hand.

“The pleasure is mine,” Takeshi replied, shaking it. “Behind me are the Divas participating in this operation.”

“Tempesta Unit, yes?” Morita said, glancing at them with measured respect. “I’ve heard good things. Let’s discuss the details. We’ve set up a tent outside for your team to rest while we coordinate.”

Reina and her team bowed lightly before stepping back outside.

The “tent” was more of a camouflaged field shade, barely spacious enough for all of them. They placed their bags down, then quietly geared up: slotting their D-Mics into their belts, smoothing their uniforms, and adjusting their earpieces. Once ready, Reina gathered them just outside the shade, beneath a large tree overlooking the silent zone.

Yuzuriha reached into her shirt pocket and took out a small bottle. She shook a few pink, star-shaped pills into her hand and swallowed them quickly. Reina noticed.

“Yuzu-chan,” she asked gently, “Are those medicine? Are you feeling alright?”

Yuzuriha paused for a moment, a tiny, almost unnoticeable hesitation before tucking the bottle back into her pocket.

“Yuzu... has a complicated sickness,” she admitted softly. “Yuzu needs medication from time to time to suppress it.”

Her voice dipped, faintly sad, before she brightened again.

“But please don’t worry. Yuzu promises it won’t affect Yuzu’s performance later.”

Her earnestness was genuine, but something else hid beneath it.

Emiko stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.

“Yuzu-san... we’re a team now. So if you don’t feel well... please tell us, okay?”

Yuzuriha froze for just a breath, her eyes widening a fraction, stunned by the sincerity before she blinked it away and softened her voice.

“Yuzu... understands. Thank you.”

She smiled, but the faint tremble in her fingers said more than her words ever could.

Their earpieces crackled.

“Girls, operation will commence at noon. We aim to end this before nightfall. If they truly can control CODA, we’d rather avoid any night engagement.”

Reina pressed her earpiece. “How will the operation proceed?”

Takeshi answered from the command house.

“JSDF will move in first to secure the compound and neutralize any human threat. The moment CODA activity is sighted, they’ll withdraw immediately. That will be your cue to engage. Understood?”

A brief quiet followed before he continued.

“And girls... I need to stress this again.”

A heavier tone settled into his voice.

“Divas are not meant to kill people. Once you take a life, it haunts you. Your role is to protect—not to stain your hands. The JSDF will handle the human side. Your objective is to eliminate any CODA and capture the cult leader alive.”

“Capture?” Misaki echoed quietly.

“Yes. Their leader goes by the name Father. We don’t know his real identity, but he carries a long scar running from his right eye down to his cheek. That’s your visual marker.”

A light shuffle sounded before Takeshi addressed one more matter.

“Aikawa-san... one more thing. The Vice-Director didn’t grant me access to your personnel file. I don’t know the reason, but I’m choosing to respect his decision. That said—this is your first mission with Team 02, and I haven’t seen your performance firsthand. So during the operation, you’ll follow my instructions and Reina-san’s commands. Clear?”

Yuzuriha straightened immediately, spine perfectly aligned. The kind of posture that came from instinct rather than thought.

“Yuzu understands. Yuzu will obey and be as helpful as possible.”

Reina stepped toward her, voice softening.

“Yuzu-chan... you don’t have to stand like that. We work as a team here. You’re one of us now, so trust us... and let us trust you too. You don’t have to follow orders like a machine. We look out for each other. Alright?”

For a moment, Yuzuriha’s eyes flickered, confusion mixing with something else. She lowered her gaze and nodded.

“Yuzu... will try.”

Reina gently patted her pink hair, giving her a small nod before turning toward the industrial zone.

The uneasiness in her chest only grew, tightening little by little with every passing minute.

Time crawled by under a pressing stillness until, at last, Takeshi signaled them to move to the large warehouse at the center of the zone, where the JSDF had already taken position.

Reina and her team were hidden behind the remains of an old office building — only a single wall still stood, facing the main compound. It offered just enough cover.

They watched as JSDF soldiers advanced in formation toward the rusted gates.

Boots crunching on gravel.

Wind slipping past broken fences.

Nothing else moved.

Reina’s gut twisted.

If we’re expecting CODA and armed men, why is it this quiet? Something’s wrong.

“Gate secured,” a soldier reported.

“Stacking up on entry.”

“Breach on my mark—three, two—”

A muffled blast shook the air, folding the rusted gate inward like tin.

Reina and the girls watched as the breach team poured into the building.

Then—

Silence.

No gunfire.

No shouting.

Not even radio chatter.

Reina pressed her earpiece, “P-kun, something isn’t right. We’re moving in.”

 She raised her hand, signaling her team forward, and together they advanced carefully toward the breached opening the JSDF had blasted moments earlier.

D-Mics held tight.

Footsteps slow and careful.

Static hissed in their ears.

“—contact! We have— we have— are they—!? It’s not—! Pull back! Pull ba—”

The transmission cut in half.

“Damn it,” Lieutenant Morita’s voice snapped through the shared comm. “JSDF Unit One, respond!”

Nothing.

Emi swallowed hard.

“Reina-chan... something is wrong.”

Before Reina could answer, a faint sound drifted through the ruined compound.

At first, it seemed like wind whispering through beams.

Then the pitch sharpened.

A voice.

Singing.

A song without words — a melody shaped by pure resonance.

A type of singing they all knew too well.

Takeshi’s voice came in low, urgent:

“Girls... I’m detecting resonance—”

“I know,” Reina cut in. “This is Diva resonance.”

Her grip tightened around her D-Mic.

So this is what I’ve been feeling all day...?

The singing swelled.

Then another voice joined.

Then a third, a fourth, and a fifth.

Emiko pressed close, trembling.

“F-Five... Divas?”

Before anyone could move, the wall beside them burst outward, shattered by a violent impact, concrete exploding into dust and splinters.

The shockwave threw the girls several feet back.

A shadow stepped through the settling debris.

A girl.

Swaying.

Eyes vacant despite the runic sigils burning faintly within them.

Musical sigils crawled across her skin, fractured and incomplete, like broken porcelain. Every pulse of her resonance distorted the air around her.

Behind her.

Four more emerged, moving in eerie unison.

Each held a D-Mic.

But even at a glance, Reina saw it. The shape was wrong.

Warped. Contorted.

She wasn’t even sure she could call that thing a microphone.

All five hummed the same warped melody.

“No way... no... they’re... Divas?” Nana whispered, breath shaking.

Takeshi’s voice cut sharply through the comm:

“Resonance confirmed. They are Divas, but none of their voices match any registered profiles. And their frequencies—they’re distorted. This isn’t natural resonance!”

Before Reina or her team could react, the five girls lifted their hands in perfect mechanical unison.

Their broken sigils flared—

A blinding, unstable light.

Reina’s instincts screamed.

“TAKE COVER!”

The ground beneath them erupted.