Through the Frosted Mirror

The emergency sirens wailed across the Section 6 headquarters, their piercing tones reverberating through every corridor. Ellen and the rest of the team gathered in the main briefing room, where a holographic map of New Eridu's southern quadrant flickered to life. The tension in the air was palpable as Commander Inoue stood at the center, her expression grim.

"We have a critical situation," she began, her voice firm but urgent. "One of the major Ether power plants has suffered a catastrophic meltdown, leading to the emergence of an S-class Hollow. The Hollow is expanding rapidly and poses a threat to the entire southern region of New Eridu. This is an all-hands-on-deck operation."

Miyabi's sharp gaze never left the hologram. "What's the primary objective?" she asked, her tone steady.

Commander Inoue gestured to the map. "Rescue any survivors within the affected area, eliminate Ethereals to slow the Hollow's growth, and reach the center to neutralize the core Ethereal. It's likely that the core Ethereal is fueling the Hollow's expansion. We must act swiftly."

The gravity of the situation settled over the room like a heavy shroud. Ellen glanced at Mira, who sat quietly in the corner, her hands clutching a small plush toy. "What about Mira?" Ellen asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"She'll remain here," the commander replied. "The base will be on lockdown, and the automated defenses will ensure her safety."

Ellen nodded, though unease lingered in her chest. She approached Mira and crouched down. "We'll be back soon, okay? Just stay put and don't worry."

Mira's eyes were wide, but she nodded. "Be careful," she whispered.

The team arrived at the Hollow's edge, the air thick with Etheric energy. The landscape was warped, buildings twisted and suspended mid-collapse, as though frozen in time. Jagged shards of Etheric crystals jutted out of the ground, pulsating with an eerie glow.

"Stay sharp," Miyabi ordered, unsheathing her cursed blade, Tailless. The weapon seemed to hum with anticipation, its dark aura matching the ominous atmosphere.

Ellen adjusted the straps of her armored coat, her giant scissors gleaming with frost. Soukaku and Harumasa flanked her, their weapons at the ready. Yanagi moved ahead, her tactical naginata sweeping the area for threats.

The first wave of Ethereals hit them hard. Aberrant creatures, their forms grotesque and nightmarish, lunged at the team from all sides. Ellen's frost-coated scissors sliced through one, freezing its remains as it crumbled to the ground. Miyabi moved like a shadow, her strikes precise and lethal, while Soukaku unleashed powerful gusts of wind that disoriented their enemies.

As they pushed deeper into the Hollow, the resistance grew fiercer. The team encountered pockets of survivors, huddled in makeshift shelters amid the chaos. Harumasa and Yanagi escorted them to extraction points while Ellen and Miyabi led the charge toward the Hollow's core.

When they finally reached the center, the sight that greeted them was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. A massive, amorphous Ethereal loomed before them, its form constantly shifting. It radiated an overwhelming sense of malice, its presence warping the surrounding space.

Miyabi stepped forward, her blade glowing with a cold, ethereal light. "This is it. Everyone, stay focused."

The battle began with a deafening roar as the Ethereal lashed out, its tendrils striking with incredible speed. Miyabi darted forward, her blade slicing through the appendages with calculated precision. Ellen followed close behind, her frost abilities forming barriers to shield her teammates. Soukaku and Yanagi flanked the creature, their combined attacks creating openings for Harumasa to land devastating strikes with his dual blades.

The Ethereal's attacks were relentless, its form constantly regenerating as if mocking their efforts. Ellen's frost-coated scissors struck again and again, freezing segments of the creature's body, but each time it shattered the ice with a violent convulsion. Miyabi's movements grew more aggressive, her blade's cursed aura intensifying with each strike. Tailless seemed to hunger for the Ethereal's destruction, its dark energy seeping into the air.

"It's not enough!" Ellen shouted, dodging a tendril that smashed into the ground beside her. "We need to hit it harder!"

Soukaku gritted her teeth, her war flag glowing with Etheric energy. She unleashed a powerful gust of wind that sent the Ethereal staggering, creating an opening for Yanagi. The polearm's blade cut deep into the creature's side, but the victory was short-lived as it retaliated with a shockwave that sent the team sprawling.

Ellen scrambled to her feet, her breath ragged. "How annoying!," she growled, charging forward. Her scissors collided with the creature's core, the frost spreading rapidly across its surface. The Ethereal roared in defiance, its tendrils lashing out wildly. One struck Ellen, sending her flying into a jagged crystal.

"Ellen!" Miyabi's voice was sharp with worry, but she couldn't afford to lose focus. She launched herself at the Ethereal, her blade carving through its limbs with ruthless efficiency. Her strikes grew faster, more desperate, as the creature's strength showed no sign of waning.

Ellen pushed herself up, blood dripping from a gash on her forehead. She gripped her scissors tightly, her determination unwavering. "We've got this," she muttered, rejoining the fray.

The Ethereal's movements became erratic, its form destabilizing as the team's relentless assault began to take its toll. Harumasa's blades struck in perfect synchrony with Yanagi's naginata, while Soukaku's wind attacks kept the creature off balance. Ellen and Miyabi coordinated their strikes, their frost powers combining to freeze large portions of the Ethereal's body.

But just as victory seemed within reach, the Ethereal unleashed a final, desperate attack. Its core glowed with a blinding light as it released a shockwave of tendrils, each one crackling with Etheric energy. Ellen barely had time to react as one of the tendrils struck her arm, severing it cleanly.

Time seemed to slow. Ellen's scream echoed through the Hollow, and she crumpled to the ground, clutching the bleeding stump of her arm. Miyabi's eyes widened, and a feral rage overtook her. She gripped her blade tightly, its cursed power surging as she unleashed its full potential.

With a single, devastating slash, Miyabi sent a wave of frost hurtling toward the Ethereal. The attack was so powerful that it froze not only the creature but also the surrounding area. The Hollow itself began to collapse, the Etheric energy dissipating as the core Ethereal was obliterated.

Miyabi dropped to her knees beside Ellen, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She pressed her hands to Ellen's wound, using her frost powers to seal it and stop the bleeding. "Stay with me," she said, her voice trembling. "We're getting out of here."

The extraction point buzzed with urgency as the team of Section 6 arrived, Ellen unconscious and pale from blood loss. Miyabi carried her carefully, her grip firm yet gentle, her frost-coated blade still sheathed after their brutal battle. The team's silence spoke volumes about the gravity of their situation. Every step felt heavier as they approached the transport shuttle.

The trip back to the base was tense. Miyabi sat with Ellen's limp form cradled in her arms, her expression stoic but her eyes filled with unspoken worry. Harumasa's voice broke the silence briefly as he spoke to the pilot, urging haste, but otherwise, no one spoke. They knew their work wasn't done—not with the state of their comrade and the looming danger they sensed.

When they finally reached the base, the sight that greeted them was nothing short of devastating. Smoke rose in curling plumes from charred walls. The automated defenses, once a near-impenetrable safeguard, were dismantled, their wreckage scattered across the grounds. The usual hum of security drones was replaced by an eerie, oppressive silence.

"No..." Yanagi muttered, her weapon already drawn as her eyes scanned the area. "What happened here?"

Miyabi's grip on Ellen tightened as she disembarked. "Focus," she snapped. "We need to get Ellen to the medbay. Everything else can wait."

The team moved swiftly through the ruins, stepping over debris and scorched ground. Inside the base, it was no better. Desks were overturned, screens shattered, and walls were marred with scorch marks. Yet, their destination remained clear: the medbay.

Miyabi refused to leave Ellen's side. She sat beside the bed, watching as the medics worked tirelessly to stabilize her condition. The frost she had used to seal Ellen's wound had kept her alive long enough to get here, but the damage was severe. Her arm was gone, and her body bore the weight of their grueling mission.

Hours passed, and the medics finally stepped back, their grim expressions softening slightly. "She's stable," one of them said. "But she needs rest and time to recover."

Miyabi nodded silently, her gaze never leaving Ellen. As the medics walked out, she leaned back in her chair, exhaustion pulling at her every fiber. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to leave.

A day passed in tense stillness. Miyabi stayed vigilant, her hand resting on Ellen's as she dozed lightly in the chair. When Ellen stirred, it was faint at first—a slight twitch of her fingers. Then her eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused but slowly sharpening.

"Miyabi...?" Ellen's voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Miyabi's eyes snapped open. Relief flooded her face as she leaned forward, gripping Ellen's hand gently. "Ellen," she said softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "You're awake."

Ellen blinked, her eyes adjusting to the harsh light of the medbay. The memories of the mission came rushing back, her gaze flicking down to where her arm should have been. She tensed, her breathing quickening.

"It's okay," Miyabi said, her voice steady but soothing. "You're safe now. You're alive."

Before Ellen could respond, the door to the medbay slid open, and Yanagi stepped in. Her expression was somber, and she held a tablet in her hands.

"Yanagi," Miyabi said, her tone immediately alert. "What is it?"

Yanagi hesitated, her gaze shifting to Ellen. "I didn't want to interrupt, but... we've confirmed that Mira has been taken. Whoever attacked the base... they've kidnapped her."

The words hit Ellen like a physical blow. She sat up abruptly, wincing as pain shot through her body. "Mira?" she rasped. "They took her?"

Yanagi nodded, her expression grim. "We're still piecing together what happened, but the base's defenses were completely overrun. It was a targeted strike."

Ellen's hands clenched the sheets beneath her. "We have to go after her," she said, her voice trembling with both urgency and frustration. "We have to find her before it's too late."

Miyabi placed a firm hand on Ellen's shoulder, gently pushing her back down. "Ellen, you're in no condition to do anything right now. You need to recover."

"But Mira—"

"We'll find her," Miyabi interrupted, her voice resolute. "I promise you, we will find her. But you can't help her like this. Let us handle it."

Ellen's eyes filled with tears of frustration. She turned her head away, unable to meet Miyabi's gaze. "I should have been here," she whispered. "I should have protected her."

Miyabi's expression softened. She reached out, gently cupping Ellen's face and turning her back to look at her. "This isn't your fault," she said firmly. "You were doing your duty, just as we all were. Mira's safety is our responsibility, and we'll bring her back. I swear it."

Ellen searched Miyabi's eyes, finding an unwavering determination that steadied her own chaotic emotions. Slowly, she nodded, though the pain in her heart remained.

Miyabi pulled back, her hand lingering on Ellen's for a moment longer. "Rest now. Let us take care of this."

As Ellen closed her eyes, exhaustion pulling her back into unconsciousness, Miyabi stood. She turned to Yanagi, her expression hardening. "We move out as soon as we have a lead. Whoever did this will pay."

Yanagi nodded. "Understood."

The two left the medbay, their resolve solidified. The mission to rescue Mira had just begun, and Section 6 would stop at nothing to bring her back.