Scene 1: Wings of Retribution
The battlefield burned beneath an obsidian sky. Smoke spiraled in the air as airships circled like vultures, dropping void grenades and clearing paths for the armored Obsidian Knights. But amidst the chaos, a golden blaze tore through the clouds.
Katherine hovered with her wings fully unfurled—radiant, golden, divine. For the first time since the siege of the Eastern Arc, the Guild witnessed her Seraph Mode in full glory. Silence spread for just a breath, then screams as her power swept across enemy lines.
Three Obsidian Knights descended toward her. The First bore a hammer of dark plasma, the Second danced with twin shadow blades, and the Third wielded psionic chains. They came with synchronized precision, centuries of warfare in every movement.
Katherine didn't hesitate.
She twisted midair, golden feathers scattering into projectiles, blasting into the first knight's armor. She dipped low, kicked upward, and sent him crashing into the flaming ruins of a church. The second knight blinked in beside her, but Katherine saw the flicker—a tell. She spun, intercepting the blades with a flash of radiant energy and burst them with a cry of, "You will not break us!"
The third knight grinned behind his black visor and cast his psionic chains. They latched to her arms and legs, threatening to drag her down, but Katherine flared her wings—energy surged out like a solar eruption, and the knight screamed as the chains melted from her sheer force.
She landed amidst the crater left by her descent, panting. Her team fought in the distance. She looked up—and saw her.
Veronica descended with regal fury. Her black armor shimmered, decorated with blood rubies. The Princess of the Obsidian Throne.
"You," Katherine growled, eyes blazing. "You led this carnage."
Veronica smirked. "And you're the golden pet Earth clings to."
Their energies surged, golden and obsidian colliding. The shockwave split the ground as they clashed.
Blow for blow, their battle raged.
"Why fight for humans?" Veronica asked between strikes. "They will betray you the first chance they get."
Katherine pushed back with a glowing kick, "Because they're worth saving! They chose hope. Not conquest."
"Weakness," Veronica spat, summoning a storm of black energy.
Katherine blocked it with her wings. "Love."
Their powers spiraled in a massive explosion, throwing both back. But before Katherine could press forward, Veronica vanished into shadows.
Scene 2: The Fallen Sentinel
The moment Veronica blinked away, Katherine turned to pursue. But a scream pulled her attention elsewhere.
Sentinel Vex, battle-worn, stood amidst the rubble, holding the shield wall over injured recruits. He turned slowly, sensing the danger. Too late.
Veronica reappeared behind him, obsidian spear in hand. It plunged through his back, piercing his core.
"VEX!" Jeremiah yelled, leaping toward them.
Veronica didn't linger. She vanished into smoke, her task complete.
Jeremiah caught Vex as he collapsed. "I can heal you. Please. Stay. Stay with us."
But Vex shook his head. Blood bubbled from his lips.
"No... Listen," he whispered. The others gathered.
To Katherine: "You led with heart. Don't lose it."
To Jeremiah: "You were always more than a healer. Now prove it."
To Marcus: "You carry two worlds inside you. Use them to build, not destroy."
To Garth, who knelt beside him sobbing: "My son... my boy... I was always proud."
Garth grasped his hand, eyes wild. "No. No. Don't leave me. Don't. Please."
Vex smiled, the kind of smile only a father could give. "Make them pay. But don't lose who you are."
His hand went limp.
Silence. The battle paused, as if the world itself mourned.
Scene 3: The Burial
The next day, the Guild held a funeral in the stone courtyard. Vex's coffin lay draped in the Guild banner. Thousands stood in silence, heads bowed.
Katherine gave the eulogy. "He gave everything. Not because he had to... but because he chose to."
Garth stood alone before the coffin. He didn't cry. His fists were clenched.
Jeremiah placed a hand on his shoulder, but Garth whispered, "He adopted me when I had no one. He gave me purpose. And she took that from me."
Marcus stepped forward. "You're not alone. None of us are."
Garth turned, tears finally falling. "She will pay."
Lyra embraced him. "We will face her together."
As the coffin lowered into the earth, each member dropped a feather from Katherine's wings as tribute.
Scene 4: The Throne of Shadows
Deep within the Obsidian Citadel, Veronica knelt before the Emperor.
"The Guild lost one of its core Sentinels. Katherine is stronger than anticipated," she reported.
Leonard's eyes glowed behind the throne's veil. "And your wound?"
"Superficial," she lied.
Alexandra, the Queen, frowned. "Your recklessness exposed us."
Leonard raised his hand. "No. This was a test. Earth has shown its strength. We will hold. For now."
He turned to the great map of Earth glowing with battle scars.
"But when we strike again... it will be the end."
He smiled.
"Begin preparations for the Convergence."