???: ♪
Radio: The shower is estimated to fall at 4 a.m. today. By then, the comet will also ...
???: Three and a half hours to go. Oh, almost forgot about this—music.
???: ♪
In this dark, confined space, there arises a melody played on the violin.
The place looks nothing like a livable space for humans.
The walls, the table, the floor ... Every surface in sight is covered with paper of seamless formulas. The only exception is a roughly plastered wall, which is full of symbols marking the passing of days.
An old telescope is standing in the mess, pointing at the blocked sky.
Shamane: coughs You alright?
Kaalaa Baunaa: I-I'm fine. It's not too high for me.
They slide down through the crack.
Kaalaa Baunaa gets back on her feet, patting the dust off her.
And then, she freezes.
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...
Kaalaa Baunaa: Kumar!
Kaalaa Baunaa: What ... what happened to you?
Kumar: Oh, well. I didn't expect so many visitors.
She seems a bit absent-minded.
Kumar: But since you're here, please take a seat. I built this place by myself. It's not a big room and not soundproof.
Kumar: Yes, I heard you very clearly under the ground when you searched the room and went through my stuff. What's wrong about an astronomer reading "Calf Feeding and Management"?
She paces around shakily, muttering to herself.
Kumar: You ... you should have left. Hmm, my plan has chan- ... changed.
Kumar: ...
Kumar: Let it be. Let it be. What do they call this? Destiny? You know about destiny, right, Kaalaa Baunaa?
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...
Kumar: Watching the stars with me. Good, good. It's like living the old days again.
She turns around. Her gaze falls on Shamane.
Shamane: Kumar. Sister.
Kumar: ...
Kumar: Haha. Sister. Sister ...
A fleeting sneer appears on her lips.
Kaalaa Baunaa frowns deeply.
Kaalaa Baunaa: You looked much better in the Realm. What did the Manus do to you?
Kumar: The Manus? Oh, they're fine. Helps me a lot. Impressive arcane skills, experiment apparatus, and food—lots of food.
Following Kumar's fingertip, they see a pile of naans in the corner, which are under a layer of unknown insects.
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...
Kaalaa Baunaa: These are ...
Shamane: Seems like she's no longer capable of commanding those wandering Manus.
He would have panicked, but he is calm this time.
He reminds Kaalaa Baunaa in a whisper.
Shamane: But the priority is to stop that star. We can deal with the rest ...
Kumar: The star? You're going to stop the comet. You are taking it from me? Again?!
Kaalaa Baunaa: Kumar. Argh!!
Kumar, who was absent-minded a second ago, seems to be triggered now. She suddenly pushes the two out with enormous strength.
Kumar: I will never ...
The confined space starts melting.
Shamane: ...!
The basement is no longer there.
Instead, the space opens up, unfolding before them like the vast universe. Nebulas are churning beneath their feet, like a colorful, harmless mist.
Kumar stands in the void, like standing in the middle of a grand stage.
Kumar: I will never let anyone set their hands on it!
