The final metal hatch groaned open, spilling weak afternoon light into the stairwell.
Karl squinted, raising a hand against the brightness as he stepped out of the underground access tunnel and back into the ruined streets.
It was quiet.
Not peaceful — the city was still broken, still scorched from demon attacks —
but quiet.
No screeching. No flapping wings. No distant roars.
Just wind and drifting ash.
Agnes silently increased her brightness, forming a soft barrier of scanning light around him as Karl took a deep breath of cold surface air.
"Feels… weird being back up here," he muttered.
"Like the world paused while we were down there."
Agnes floated beside him, her hologram solid enough that wind parted around her outline instead of cutting through it.
"You were unconscious for eight hours," she said softly.
"I was awake the whole time, thank you very much."
He rubbed his face.
"Sorry you had to babysit me that long."
Agnes crossed her arms.
"If you say that like I minded, I will pinch your Vythra node."
Karl snorted.
"…Can you even do that?"
She smirked.
"Try me."
He raised both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright."
A moment of silence passed as Karl surveyed the cracked pavement, collapsed buildings, and black scorch marks from demon claws. His Vythra hummed steadily at 61 percent now — rising slowly, comfortably.
He didn't need to transform. Not yet.
But soon… he'd have to decide which frame to use for travel, combat, and emergencies on the way back to the safe zone.
So he glanced sideways at the glowing figure drifting next to him.
"Hey, Agnes."
She hummed in acknowledgment.
"…Between the frames," Karl said, clearing his throat. "Which one do you prefer?"
Agnes blinked.
"Prefer?"
"Yeah." He shrugged. "Overburn Nitro Jet Frame or Gearstorm Nova. We can use either on Rider or Erevos. But each has a better synergy, and since you're the one managing power flow, I want your opinion."
Agnes stared at him for a long moment.
"…You've never asked me that before."
Karl frowned slightly.
"I ask you things all the time."
"You ask me diagnostics. You ask me calculations. You ask me hazard ratios."
She tapped her chest lightly.
"But you never ask what I like."
Her voice warmed — soft in a way that made Karl's heartbeat thrum in his ears.
"So yes," she continued quietly. "It's… nice."
Karl shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, cheeks warming just a little despite the cold wind.
"…So. Which frame?"
Agnes drifted ahead of him, turning backward midair so her gaze stayed locked on his.
"Alright, let's break it down," she said, switching into half-professional, half-cute mode.
"Overburn Nitro Jet Frame"
Works on both Rider and Erevos.
But best with Rider Frame because it's light, agile, and built for speed.
Booster output is high but controlled.
Overburn mode doesn't drain Vythra passively — it drains in bursts.
Karl looks "cool as hell" when using it.
Karl raised an eyebrow.
"That last bullet point seems a little biased."
Agnes flicked her holographic hair.
"It's a valid scientific observation."
Karl smirked.
"And the other option?"
Agnes inhaled — unnecessarily — but did it anyway.
"Gearstorm Nova Frame"
Her voice lowered.
"Massive output. Massive drain. Eight gears — and Erevos Frame is the only one that can handle everything it gives."
Karl nodded.
"Yeah. Rider Frame caps at four gears. Any more and the exoskeleton would tear itself apart."
Agnes pointed at him.
"Exactly. And Erevos is heavy-duty. Reinforced. Stable even at full momentum charge."
Karl scratched the back of his neck.
"You sound like you're leaning toward Gearstorm."
Agnes paused in midair.
Then slowly drifted closer.
"Karl."
"Yeah?"
"You nearly died today."
He blinked.
Agnes continued softly:
"You ran your Vythra to fifteen percent. Then dropped below five. Then collapsed."
She lifted her hand — solid — and pressed it against his chest where the warm Vythra pulse glowed beneath skin.
"You can pretend you're invincible… but you still bleed. You still shake. You still fall."
Her eyes softened.
"So my preference?"
She leaned closer, whispering:
"I want you to use the frame that keeps you alive longest."
Karl swallowed.
Her hand on his chest didn't feel cold.
Didn't feel holographic.
It felt… real.
"You think that's Overburn," he said quietly.
Agnes nodded.
"I do. Overburn is efficient. Controlled. Less taxing on your Vythra."
She tilted her head.
"And honestly? You handle speed better than brute force."
Karl raised a brow.
"Since when do you think that?"
"Since forever. You're reckless, not stupid. You move best when you can adapt — change direction — react on instinct. That's Rider Frame's whole philosophy."
She crossed her arms.
"And Overburn pairs with that perfectly."
Karl blinked slowly.
"…Gearstorm is stronger, though."
"Yes," Agnes admitted. "But strength isn't what kept you alive today."
She drifted close, pressing her forehead lightly against his.
"Your decisions did."
Karl's breath hitched.
Agnes whispered:
"So let me help you make the next one smart."
A long moment passed.
Wind rustled broken signs.
Dust drifted across cracked streets.
Karl finally nodded.
"…Overburn Nitro Jet Frame."
Agnes smiled — warm, relieved, soft.
"I'm glad."
Karl lifted an eyebrow.
"Because it looks cool?"
"Because it fits you," she corrected.
"Because it keeps you alive."
Her voice dipped.
"And because I'm not ready to lose you."
Karl looked away, ears burning slightly.
"…Thanks."
Agnes drifted beside him as they began walking again, side by side through the ruined street.
"So," she chirped, regaining her playful tone, "shall I prepare your Rider Frame for Overburn mode?"
Karl smirked.
"Yeah. Prep it."
"And Karl?"
"Mm?"
"You do look extremely cool in it."
Karl groaned.
Agnes giggled.
And together, they headed toward the safe zone —
one broken scientist,
one flustered AI,
and a decision that might just keep Karl alive another day.