The Heart of Taurus, the Lance of Light.Following the Monolith's collapse, the civil officers look on in terror as the JASDF are overwhelmed by the Gastrea swarm heading their way. At the same time, Rentaro's adjuvant break their rank to neutralize a detachment of Gastrea in the woods. Upon returning to the battlefield, Hidehiko Gado maniacally informs them of a mysterious "Lance of Light"[c] which devastates the remaining civil officers. In the aftermath, Kisara informs Rentaro of the mercury poisoning shown by the wounded alongside Tina's intel of a massive Stage Four Gastrea to be responsible. Afterwards, Nagamasa summons Rentaro and fills him in on the Aldebaran's regenerative abilities as well as the Pleiades Gastrea responsible for the "Lance of Light". Nagamasa then deems the Pleiades to be equally as threatening and forces Rentaro into a suicide mission to destroy it as punishment for breaking ranks in the earlier battle. Heading out on the mission that night, Rentaro suddenly gets ambushed by a Gastrea pack. Shockingly, he finds himself saved by Kagetane and Kohina themselves. Afterwards, Kagetane once again tries and fails in recruiting Rentaro. Despite this, Kagetane points Rentaro in the Pleiades' direction the next day and the unlikely trio sets off.