Eira stumbled forward as the cryostasis fog lifted from her.
Kai instinctively moved to steady her , but a sharp, mechanical whir made him hesitated hidden mechanical under her skin hummed to life visible in flashes along her arms and spine.
For a moment, she simply stood there, breathing heavily, as if remembering how .
Then , her voice broke the silence clear but distorted, like two tones speaking at once.
Identify yourself she demanded her blue eyes glowing brighter.
Kai raised his hands cautiously were not enemies he said quickly my name is kai.
This is lune .
Lune simply nodded, still keeping her weapon half raised not trusting yet.
Eira gaze flickered between them calculating
Assessing.
My system... She muttered touching the implant at her temple. incomplete damaged .
( Eira: status - partial memory lock .
Combat system: 40% operational)
The system fed kai the information instantly, scrolling across his vision.
He took a slow breath. She wasn't at full strength but even half functional, she was dangerous.
After a tense pause , Eira lowered her hand.
You're not infected she said you are... Human.
Something almost like relief softener her stance.
Kai stepped closer. We're survivor.were fighting against the mechas.
At the mention of mechas Eira body tensed.
Hatred flared in her glowing eyes pure Cold ancient.
I was created to destroy them she said and now.. they have overrun this world ?
Kai nodded grimly.
Eira fists clenched, metal thread tightening across her forearms .
Then I will continue my purpose she said with or without you.
Lune left out a short, dry laugh. Confident aren't we?
Kai shot her a look but couldn't help smiling a little.
We could use your help. He said seriously. But if you come with us , it's on our terms we work together not alone.
Eira studied him long enough that kai felt the weight of her gaze strip him bare .
Finally, she nodded once.
"Agreed , she said simply.
( New party member Acquired: Eira combat specialist)
The system flashed a new icon in kai vision
A small glowing symbol linking their profile.
For the first time since arriving in this world, kai felt a sliver of hope.
Not just surviving.
Building something.
Lune holstered her weapon. Fine but if she glitches out and tries to rip your spine out don't expect me to save you.
Kai smirked good to know.
Eira tilted her head slightly, as if analyzing the joke and then, after a pause , the barest hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
It was gone in an instant.
A loud rumble shook the ground under their feet.
From outside, the sound of heavy grinding footsteps echoed far larger than the drone they fought before.
Kai and Lune exchange a look.
Eira, kai said urgently can you fight?
In answer Eira arms shifted metal plate snapping into place, forming gleaming arm blades .
Her blue eyes blazed ..
I was made for it .
Together, they rushed towards the ruined
entrance blades and guns ready.
The real war had just begun.