"Continue, Tilan," Efnie was enveloped in light, her golden hair seeming to burn like fire, sending off sparks.
Although she was only Sequence 4, due to her talent being highly related to flames, she was particularly resistant to the damage caused by high temperatures and fire.
In response to her companion's full support, Tilan nodded, took a deep breath, and the lyrics burst forth once again.
"And I can't hide from the feeling 'cause it's right."
"And I can't live in a fairytale of lies."
"A fairytale of lies..."
Tilan's black hair twirling as if she were a Black Swan, was almost overwhelmed and rendered invisible by the vast flames, but in this moment of near extinction, the resonant and proud singing surged once more, so firm and unyielding.
Bit by bit, amid the dazzling waves of heat and fire, an indelible azure began to seep through and emerge, growing ever fiercer, spreading and burning furiously, rising slowly from oppression.
"Now is the time!" Bennett roared from the sky.
Then, the ascending azure fire explosively burst, scattering the Swarm's Reign students engaged in aerial combat, followed by several students from Edith plunging toward the Swarm's Reign's rear, their speed was extremely fast, like streaks of azure light, drawing long silver lines across the night sky—in a matter of half a second, traversing distances of hundreds to thousands of meters, aiming directly for the band's protected position beneath the giant dragon.
Heavens of pale blue sparks converged, the slender blade gilded with a layer of glimmering silver-blue in the night breeze, exceptionally stunning and dangerous. Swinging and slashing, it instantly broke through several opposing members blocking their path.
"I'll stop you!" a Swarm's Reign student with a Greatshield roared, his raised shield materializing like crystal, spreading outward, colliding with the oncoming silver-blue Sword Edge, sparking brilliant flames and shrapnel.
"Quick!" Bennett roared again, all too aware that their chance would last but a mere moment—if they couldn't break through in these seconds, once the Swarm's Reign's other students returned to defend, all their efforts would be in vain.
Hearing this urgent call, the two members beside him moved silently forward, their blades once again coated in blood-red, thrusting straight ahead, piercing the raised Greatshield, penetrating it, and then stabbing into the body of the shield-bearer behind it.
The once-sturdy crystal-like barrier rapidly dimmed, and the two Edith students, drained of magic power and strength, also fell.
After dealing with the obstruction, Bennett didn't pause for a moment, rushing towards Prin Coco, who was then strumming her guitar, when suddenly a pitch-black Triangular Sword thrust out from the side. Unable to dodge in time, Bennett had to use his left arm to block in that split second before surging forward again.
Xia Kui swung the black Stinger Sword, severing his arm, but the loss of the block on Bennett allowed him a few more meters ahead.
The band members who had seen Bennett's party attacking from afar were already prepared. They quickly threw down their instruments, grabbed the firearms in front of them, and opened fire on the opponents who were assaulting their core position, ensuring Prin Coco was undisturbed.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment, bullets flying out as triggers were continually pulled, while behind Bennett, the black Stinger Sword shadowed him, ready to pierce through his back at the slightest hesitation or pause.
As if using his last bit of strength, Bennett swung his blade almost relying on muscle memory to deflect the speeding bullets, then a faint blue clockwork pattern surfaced in his eyes. This weak and special protection allowed him a slight advantage to evade the bullets before he flung the silver-blue Sword Edge, embedding it into a fiery red guitar a few meters away.
In the lingering echoes of that long sound, the melody that had been playing came to an abrupt halt, and the black Sword Edge that followed pierced into his back, running straight through.
On the bridge, against the night sky, the crimson flames reflected slowly scattered like ashes fading away. Only the burning azure flame remained, with the black-haired, black-dressed girl standing on the bridge, her gaze serene as if stepping out of a painting, fantastical, and such a scene, too, became an unforgettable memory for countless people.
Hexia Tilan, the 408th Songstress born in the history of the Rose Federation, was called the "Dark Songstress" upon her debut for her resemblance to a Black Swan.