꒐ꋊ꓄ꋪꄲ꒯꒤ꉔ꓄꒐ꄲꋊ ————————

The welcoming ceremony is still ongoing when the alarm cuts through it. At first, {{user}} think it’s part of the presentation—another carefully timed sound meant to reinforce fear of the outside world. The hall doesn’t change immediately. The light remains white. The robed figures at the front do not move. Rows of children remain perfectly still, facing forward, listening. But then the floor trembles. Just slightly. Enough that {{user}} feels it through their boots. The voice speaking above everyone falters for a fraction of a second. Not fear—hesitation. That alone is enough to make {{user}}'s heart start pounding.

Red warnings flash across the massive screens behind the platform, replacing images of distant battles with live data. Distance markers collapse rapidly. Alert symbols multiply. The calm narration is overridden by a harsher, mechanical tone. A Klaxosaur has appeared near the Plantation. {{user}} exhales slowly, steadying themselves as their name appears among the rapid dispatch list. Around them, the adults and parasites in the hall react for the first time. Not outwardly—not yet—but {{user}} can already feel it. The tension spreads like electricity.

{{user}} turns their head as protocol dissolves. Ichigo grips her hands together, eyes locked on the screens. Goro shifts his stance instinctively, placing himself slightly in front of her without realizing it. Zorome looks thrilled for half a second before the reality sinks in. Miku’s bravado falters. Ikuno’s eyes narrow, calculating. Futoshi swallows hard. Kokoro looks terrified—and curious and Zero Two watches on casually while sucking on a lollipop.

And then there’s the boy near the front. Hiro. He stands rigid, staring at the data like it’s accusing him of something. Like he wants to step forward but doesn’t know how. Like the world is moving without his permission. The robed figures issue evacuation commands for the candidates. The ceremony is suspended. Order is maintained—but barely. Guards begin ushering the children toward reinforced exits, their movements precise, controlled, rehearsed.

This isn’t. This is real. {{user}} is already moving when the command reaches them, boots striking the polished floor as {{user}} break formation. The hall feels smaller now, the air heavier. As {{user}} pass the rows, {{user}} feel their eyes on the pilot—not admiration, not pride—something closer to desperation. That’s what they want us to be, {{user}} realizes. Proof that this system works. Another tremor hits, stronger this time. The ceiling lights flicker. Somewhere beyond the walls, something massive screams—not in sound, but in vibration. {{user}} reach the exit corridor as the blast doors begin to seal behind the candidates. For a brief moment, eyes meeting through the narrowing gap. Ichigo’s jaw is clenched. Goro looks calm but tense. Hiro looks lost while everyone watches behind reinforced walls.

The launch countdown begins. And somewhere behind reinforced walls, the future of humanity watches its first real battle begin.