Gaia Chronicles: The Integral Saga

Location: Gaia HQ – Council Chamber (Mission Briefing Room)

The chamber lights dimmed as Irene Synthesis 3 activated the mission hologram. The image revealed a jagged ravine just beyond Gaia's southern defensive line—a tear formed after the last Abyssal skirmish. From it, strange energy had begun pulsing intermittently, as if alive.

"We've identified abnormal ether activity within the ravine," Irene said. "It mimics Rift radiation, but it's not Abyssal in origin."

Tryce crossed his arms, speaking from his usual seat near the shadows.

"So, Orion?"

Sophia nodded.

"Most likely. The interference is jamming both satellite and crystal-based surveillance."

Irene turned to the group gathered.

"We need scouts. Fast, stealthy, and precise. We can't afford another infiltration."

Elaine and Harriet, both still nursing injuries from the Howler encounter, stood up simultaneously.

"We'll go," Harriet said, her voice solid.

Elaine added with a small grin,

"Team Gale and Ember, reporting for round two."

Irene hesitated.

"You're not fully recovered."

Harriet's eyes sparked.

"We're enough."

After a pause, Irene relented.

"Very well. But this isn't just recon. If it's a trap… don't play hero. Come back alive."

They both nodded.

Location: The Ravine – 47km South of Gaia HQ

They arrived near nightfall.

The ravine yawned like a scar in the earth. Wind howled unnaturally within, and strange violet mist clung to the rocks. As they rappelled down the sides, Elaine took a deep breath.

"This place feels… wrong."

Harriet glanced around warily, Vermithar already in hand.

"Like it's watching us."

They descended in silence until they reached the base.

There, they found it.

An obsidian monolith embedded into the cliff wall. And carved into it—an Orion sigil glowing faintly. As they approached, the air changed. It grew heavy, distorted… personal.

"Harriet Synthesis 10," a voice echoed around them—Seluna's voice.

"Elaine Synthesis 7."

"Welcome… to your unmaking."

The floor collapsed.

Location: Unknown – Orion-Induced Trial Space

They landed hard.

Everything around them twisted—an endless expanse of black glass reflecting their faces, broken and stretched.

Elaine stumbled up, only to see a clone of Harriet standing a few feet away—grinning maliciously, wings smoldering.

"What the—"

Behind her, Harriet rose and found a mirrored version of Elaine, rapier dripping with black wind.

"It's not a fight," Elaine whispered. "It's a choice."

Seluna's voice rang again.

"Only one of you can leave. Kill the shadow of the other… and you walk free."

The clones attacked.

Combat Sequence – Heart Against Shadow

Harriet clashed with the mirror-Elaine, dodging precise wind strikes that mirrored her friend's real attacks.

"She's not you," Harriet grunted. "You'd never aim for my back."

Across the field, Elaine ducked a blast of corrupted fire from shadow-Harriet.

"Too chaotic. Too brutal. That's not her."

Then they heard it—each other's voices from across the field.

Elaine:

"Don't give in, Harriet. It's a trick."

Harriet:

"You're not real. You're not her."

As if in response, the shadows screamed, growing monstrous.

Seluna's voice turned venomous.

"You're wasting time. What if the real version of you gave up first?"

"What if she's already dead?"

Elaine's grip trembled.

"Harriet…"

Harriet hesitated.

The clone lunged.

And Elaine threw herself in front of Harriet's.

Clash – Ether Surge

Their Divine Artifacts reacted.

Vermithar and Aetheris ignited, pulsing in sync. Fire twisted into wind, and wind carved through flame.

Together, they cried out—

"You don't decide our fate!"

The blast erased the shadows.

And the illusion shattered.

Location: Ravine – Return to Reality

They awoke side by side, bodies scorched, minds reeling.

But alive.

Elaine, still coughing, managed a whisper.

"You didn't choose me."

Harriet looked at her.

"No. I chose us."

Location: Gaia HQ – Medical Ward

They returned with injuries, but no regrets.

Sylvia and Cyg visited them both. Sylvia brought music. Cyg brought silence and still eyes.

"You two were idiots," he said simply. "But impressive."

Elaine smiled faintly.

Harriet grinned.

"Glad someone thinks so."

Elsewhere – Orion Central Command

Seluna stared at the dark monolith, its light fading.

"They passed."

Erebus' whisper came, pleased and distant.

"Good. Let them grow. Let them cling to each other."

"And then?"

"Then… we rip it all away."