INT. NOVA BASE – INFIRMARY – NIGHT
Lyra lay unconscious on the med-bed, her breathing shallow. Wires and glowing diagnostic runes from Zevor's systems traced over her body. The room was silent except for the steady hum of the machines.
The rangers stood nearby, the weight of failure heavy on their shoulders.
KAEL(slamming his fist into the wall)I should've been faster. I should've—
ZAYN(interrupting, but his own voice shaking)Kael… you couldn't have stopped it. None of us could.
RAYNA(clutching Lyra's hand)She saved me… she took that strike because of me.
Daiki stood at Lyra's side, silent. His small hands trembled as he adjusted her blanket. His eyes never left her face.
ZEVORHer condition is grave, but not beyond hope. The shard within her is sustaining her life. Still… if she faces another blow like that, she will not survive.
The words were a knife to Daiki's chest.
INT. INFIRMARY – LATER
The others had stepped away, giving Daiki space.
Daiki whispered, his voice cracking but filled with fire.
DAIKINee-chan… you always protected me. From bullies, from pain, from… from everything. And now… you're lying here because you protected someone else.
He tightened his fists, tears rolling down his cheeks.
DAIKIIf she really is our mother… then I'll face her. I'll drag her back from the dark. No matter what it takes.
He stood, lifting the unfinished Shard Resonance Amplifier from the table.
DAIKI(firm, trembling but resolute)I'll fight her alone if I have to. Because if she hurts you again… I don't think I'll forgive myself.
INT. INFIRMARY – BACK TO LYRA
Lyra stirred faintly, whispering almost too quiet to hear.
LYRA(weak, barely audible)…Daiki… don't…
But her hand slipped back into stillness.
Daiki looked down at her, fire blazing in his eyes now.
DAIKII'll save you, Nee-chan. And I'll save her too. Even if I have to stand alone.