[OPENING SCENE — SKYVAULT GRAND HALL, NIGHT]
Hundreds gather in the luminous marble halls of the SkyVault Capitol. Digital spotlights swirl across the ceilings, refracted like crystal chandeliers. News drones hum above a crowd of city officials, press, and citizens. A large screen projects the symbol of the VANGUARD OATH.
The crowd cheers as the six heroes walk up the golden steps of the podium. Irion walks last, cape fluttering with the breeze of pride and quiet reflection.
Announcer (over intercom):
"Tonight, we honor those who stood when all seemed lost. The defenders of SkyVault. The VANGUARD OATH."
General Vortan pins the Medal of Ascension on each member's chest — Kael, Yuna, Tari, Jax, Echo-7, Irion. Veya arrives in full black glam-combat fashion and a wink to the cameras, drawing a few cheers of her own.
General Vortan (firm, then softening):
"You've reminded the world that even in the age of shadows, light still answers."
[SCENE — OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL, LATER]
Kael leans against the balcony, looking down at the city skyline. Footsteps approach. He doesn't need to turn.
Kael (without looking):
"Knew you'd come back."
Aurix (smirking):
"I missed the fireworks. But I heard you didn't miss."
Aurix — cloaked, leather coat sweeping behind him — joins the rest of the group by the drop-ship. He hands Veya a small black case.
Veya:
"What's this?"
Aurix:
"Gift. For being cooler than I expected."
Jax:
"Wait — did you just compliment someone?"
Aurix:
"Shut up."
[SCENE – NIGHTFALL RESTAURANT – LATER THAT EVENING]
Chef Malro claps as the entire Vanguard enters. Patrons stand and cheer, lifting their drinks.
Chef Malro:
"My tables are yours! My kitchen will weep with pride!"
He signals the crew. Plates begin to fly out. Nostalgic dishes. Roasted starfruit. Riftspice noodles. Blackpepper astro-steaks.
Jax (mouth full):
"Ten outta ten. Would save city again just for these dumplings."
Tari (deadpan):
"You said that last time. And nearly choked."
Echo-7 (projecting a hologram of Jax choking):
"Memory confirmed."
Irion (laughing softly):
"Maybe I stayed for this."
Everyone smiles. Even Kael looks relaxed, sipping a dark blue drink.
[SCENE – MID-DINNER CONVERSATIONS]
The mood shifts slightly as Yuna pulls up a projection. A shifting pulse of Nullborn's residual code — fragmented, but still active.
Yuna:
"There are still pulses. Deep under the memory net."
Irion:
"She was fragmented — but not destroyed."
Kael:
"She's watching. Or waiting."
Aurix:
"Then let her. If she comes back, we'll bury her again."
Tari (studying the data):
"Or... maybe she doesn't need to come back. What if she's already inside the digital subconscious of the city?"
Veya:
"That's horrifying. But like, you're hot when you talk dark science."
Tari:
"...Thanks?"
Jax (pointing his fork):
"I got a theory. What if Nullborn was just Phase One? What if she was just the bait, and Mother Null — the real mind — is somewhere even deeper?"
Echo-7:
"Probability... high."
Kael:
"If we ever face her again... we'll need more than powers. We'll need to be ready to fight the idea of her."
Silence.
Chef Malro (popping in):
"Enough cryptic soup! Eat your joy before it gets cold!"
[SCENE – LATE NIGHT ON THE ROOFTOP OF NIGHTFALL]
The team finishes dessert under a canopy of warm lights. The city glows beneath them. Music from the restaurant echoes softly.
Kael (lifting a glass):
"To surviving. To fighting. To whatever comes next."
Irion (clinks his glass):
"To finding the pieces of ourselves we didn't know we had."
Jax:
"To whatever psycho tries next — and how hard we punch 'em."
Veya:
"To style. Obviously."
Tari (quietly):
"To stillness. The good kind."
Yuna:
"To us."
They raise their glasses. Laughing. Breathing. Together.
[POST-CREDIT SCENE — SUBLAYER SIGNAL, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION]
*A figure stands over a massive glass sphere — within it, a small pulse flickers. The echo of Nullborn's laugh. Then, a second voice: calmer, older, familiar.
Mother Null (whispering):
"Let them dream. I'm almost ready."
[TO BE CONTINUED…]