[i]Dead.[/i] Or, at least, they all were. Or... well, maybe not. Now that they had help, there was a real chance they may be able to figure some way out of this world.

The oppressive atmosphere seemed to sap away the lingering anxieties that had plagued Aki's mind. The blistering heat, carried by a sickly breeze, washed over her, providing a temporary respite from the turmoil. Taking a moment to collect herself, Aki's attention was captivated by a new symbol that materialized in the corner of her HUD: a complex S design weaving into itself, lending to a 3D appearance. Curiosity piqued, she focused her gaze on the symbol, prompting a tooltip to materialize.

[i]Syncro meter, huh...?[/i] Aki mused, her thoughts drifting like vapor trails. The displayed percentage, a mere 5%, failed to inspire much confidence.

Aki took the time to study her folder, studying its contents with a clear head for the first time. [i]Holy Panel, Spreader, Gun Del Sol, Tornado, Air Hockey...[/i]—she scanned their names, her eyes tracing the lines and curves of each word. None of these chips were [i]stunning[/i], although Air Hockey could be broken by skilled players. Regret gnawed at her as her thoughts drifted toward her choices during the recent battle. If she had used Holy Panel right away, maybe Ciel wouldn't have been hurt as badly as she was. Maybe if she had just [i]listened[/i]—a line that wasn't unfamiliar to Aki—everything would have gone according to plan. But... all considered, there would be time for reflection and debrief once they understood just a little bit more about this world.