The Crypods
Celestia's shadowed form loomed over the unconscious bodies of Synthena and Absinthe, both resting in cryopods, concealed deep in an unknown location.
The room was dark, save for the sterile glow of LED strips lining the walls, casting faint reflections against metallic surfaces and blinking monitors. Everything about the space felt cold, calculated—fit for a scientist, not for survival.
Absinthe's face twitched—a barely perceptible movement.
Then, the monitors flickered, brain waves spiking suddenly, a clear sign of awakening.
Celestia reacted instantly, stepping away from the control panels, moving toward them.
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The Forest
She dragged Absinthe's body beneath the trees, settling her near the river—a quiet, peaceful place to wake.
A few feet away, Celestia sat, arms wrapped around her knees, watching in silence.
After hours of relocation, the exhaustion seeped into her bones, but for now, she simply waited.
Her emerald gaze remained fixed on Absinthe's form, searching for any subtle sign that she would wake.
Then—a twitch, the first real movement.
Celestia's breath hitched, relief rushing in.
She wanted to stay, but deep down, she knew she shouldn't be here when they woke.
With one last glance, she leapt to her feet, slipping into the trees.
But she lingered, watching from the shadows.
Time passed, and she witnessed the battle with the mutated squirrel, the startling revelation of Absinthe's abilities.
She almost stepped forward, ready to help—until she realized they were strong enough to face it alone.
Then, Synthena called Absinthe's name.
Celestia's heart clenched—the deep, unwavering desire to reveal herself, to return.
She took a step forward, hesitating—
A stick cracked beneath her foot.
Synthena snapped to attention, shifting into defense mode.
Celestia froze, knowing it still wasn't time.
She stepped back, disappearing into the darkened forest, waiting for the moment when she could finally reunite with them
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The Alley Way
A few days later, Celestia watched Synthena and Absinthe from the shadows of a darkened alleyway.
She had witnessed the battles between the soldiers, but remained hidden, careful to avoid detection.
Now, barely poking her head out, she spotted Absinthe standing at the window archway, looking down—waiting.
After a long moment, their eyes met.
Celestia lingered, making sure Absinthe truly caught her shadow before stepping forward.
Across the street, she saw Synthena manifesting a pair of binoculars, the shape misshapen but functional.
Celestia smiled to herself, knowing she had been caught.
She stepped from the alley's edge and wandered toward a bin, the soft sound of her movements muffled by the quiet night.
Unnoticed, an unknown amount of blue dust drifted from her clothes, scattering as she moved—an unintentional mark left behind.
She carefully placed a written note inside the bin, fingers brushing against the paper, leaving faint traces of blue dust on its surface.
Pausing, she glanced back one last time—
And smiled.
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Travis?
The trio's voices echoed through the forest, their laughter bouncing off the canopy as they made their way toward the cabin—their only sanctuary, protected by trees and rivers.
Their safe haven.
Celestia and Absinthe's playful bickering carried through the air—Absinthe walking with her hands behind her head, while Celestia kept her posture straight, arms stiff at her sides, her expression poised yet teasing.
Their conversation stalled as something shifted in the air.
Absinthe's brows furrowed, realization creeping in.
"Something's off... It's too quiet." Her voice was thoughtful, measured.
Celestia glanced around, then nodded.
"Now that you mention it—it is, isn't it?"
Their gazes locked, mutual recognition sparking between them before they instinctively glanced back—toward Synthena.
She was different.
Her usual bubbly aura had faded, replaced with a slouched posture and vacant eyes, her mind distant.
Absinthe tilted her head.
"Are you okay, Syn? You're not your usual self." Curiosity softened the edges of her voice.
Celestia and Absinthe halted, turning their attention fully to Synthena as she paused mid-step, her gaze locked onto the grassy path below.
Absinthe stepped closer.
"Syn?"
Celestia kept watching, concern flickering beneath her composed exterior.
"Is something on your mind, Synthena?" Her voice held an unfamiliar softness.
The shift in tone caught everyone's attention.
Synthena's fingers curled into a fist, her expression darkening.
"Think about it..." Her voice wavered. "We have Celestia, Abby, me, and Obsidion. Even though he's still sleeping, we have no idea what's happening to him!"
Her teeth clenched, frustration weighing in the space between them.
Celestia and Absinthe stood still, trying to process the emotions swirling in Synthena's words.
Then—Absinthe broke the silence.
"Think about it... Everyone is here. But—"
Her voice faltered.
"Travis." absynthe quickly added
The warmth of the moment vanished. The forest wind turned still, as if mourning the name itself.
Synthena's eyes welled with tears, but she fought them, blinking rapidly, unwilling to break completely.
Celestia, not fully aware of Travis and Synthena's closeness, hesitated—uncertain how to understand the weight of Synthena's pain.
Her grip tightened at her sides.
Then—a vision flickered through Celestia's mind.
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Celestia & Travis Flashback
Travis' voice echoed.
"Look... I understand you and Absinthe aren't on the right page, and I don't blame her. But we were close once, and that shouldn't get in the way of our last day together."
Celestia's jaw clenched, eyes flickering toward the ground.
"You do know what I did, right?" Her voice was strained, tight.
Her PSP hung loosely at her side, her body slouched against the lockers.
Travis exhaled, his tone unwavering.
"Yeah, I know what you did. And I will never forgive you for it..."
Celestia's breath hitched.
"...But that doesn't change anything."
She felt the words dig into her chest, clawing at emotions she had buried long ago.
Her fingers curled into fists, pressing against the cool metal behind her.
A voice followed over the vision, pulling Celestia deeper into her own thoughts.
She remembered Absinthe's face when she entered the café, the way shadows curled at her expression, obscuring what lay beneath.
A silent reminder.
She still hadn't forgiven her.
Celestia's own voice echoed in the void.
"What if she doesn't forgive me...? What if she tells me to leave?"
Absinthe's shadowed gaze lingered in her mind, unwavering.
Then—Travis' voice cut through the silence.
"We'll figure something out."
The words faded, dissolving into the depths of her memory.
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Celestia watched Absinthe consoling Synthena, the warmth between them carving at the edges of her own thoughts.
Her heart grew heavy.
She remembered Travis—what he had done for her, how despite his own struggles, he still cared deeply for their friendships.
But the one person he truly cared for...
Was Synthena.
A flash of his face surfaced in her mind—silver and lilac streaks catching the light, his deep purple eyes digging into her skull, unshaken, unrelenting.
Before Celestia could speak—before she could take the first step toward repairing the fractures of the past—
A roar tore through the forest.
Familiar. Haunting.
All three froze.
Their eyes widened, heads instinctively snapping toward the cabin in the distance.
They knew that voice.
They knew what was coming next.
Obsídion.