The Wilted Rose
There was once a group known as the Blue Rose Sisterhood.
They were a reckless gang of bike hog riders who dreamed of tearing across every corner of Lavistar.
Some say they continue to ride even now, but their glory days are long behind them.
And at the center of it all... was someone known as The Thorn Vine of the Blue Rose.
Boss! How 'bout we carve out a new road today, eh?
Yeah, let's do it! My body's been cravin' a run!
Just like any other day, the act of riding itself was never in question.
Their only concern was deciding where they would go today.
Tomorrow was not something they cared to imagine.
Each had lost hope for tomorrow in their own way, and so they lived by charging headlong through today.
But that day, they chose to take on the risk of a new road.
I'm not sure whether you're aware, but riding an unfamiliar road can be far more dangerous than it sounds.
Once you've picked up speed, every unfamiliar detail becomes a variable.
But the thrill of overcoming those variables is what makes the risk worth taking.
H-Huh...? Hey, what's wrong with 'em!
B... Boss! The bike hogs ain't respondin' right!
*Gasp* V-Voidborns!
Everyone, fall back!
But they had overestimated themselves.
They didn't know what kind of place they had chosen to race through, or how powerless they truly were.
Boss! We're completely outnumbered!
Lots of us are hurt... and the bike hogs too...!
The helplessness of watching people get hurt, collapse, and groan in pain.
The devastation of knowing that days spent simply loving the ride could end so meaninglessly.
And their boss... was likely wearing the worst expression of her life.
Until she met a cold, empty light, so faint it seemed closer to a shadow.
...A special warmth.
Are you all right?
...You're badly hurt.
We'll take it from here. Leave the rest to us.
The maids of Candle Square are here to help.
Why had the maids come all the way here?
What were they capable of?
What was going to happen now?
The Thorn Vine of the Blue Rose could not think of anything at all.
All she could do was watch, dazed, as the Savior in front of her...
Lived up to her title as she helped the others.
Ms. Carnelia, the number of Voidborns appears to exceed our initial estimate.
Should we continue the operation as planned?
Yes. Did you contact Polaris regarding this matter?
Yes. We requested support from the Orbital Search Team's Observers. They'll arrive in approximately eight minutes.
Eight minutes... That will do. Our priority is getting these people to safety.
Maids of Candle Square, hear me.
Our destination is beyond the ridge ahead to the emergency team's position.
During the escort, minimize combat with the Voidborns. Prioritize defense over offense.
Once we reach that point, we hold out until the Orbital Search Team arrives.
I'll take the lead. Everyone ready, fall in behind me.
Let's move.
May there be dawn at the end of this long night.