act42side

She stands at the corner, looking out across the deathly silence, completely unguarded against you.

But I don't like it, {@nickname}. It's perhaps <i>too</i> quiet.

But we have no other choice, do we?

(She's not limiting me, Doctor.)

(Amiya's not here. I can't guarantee I can hold her off... but I'll do my best—)

Relax, you're safe.

I won't allow you to be disturbed by the chaos these Sanktas caused.

Why are you here?;I thought you were still locked up in Rhodes Island.

That doesn't matter, compared to what's currently on my mind.

(Entering attack mode.)

(Sorry, Doctor, she might have shown up because of me...)

(I never thought she'd catch onto me when I tried to access PCS—)

Did you cause this calamity?

Calamity? I see only the evolution of a species, the pointless struggle of life.

Everything happening in Laterano right now is a product of PCS's autonomous derivations.

All I did was recalibrate it beforehand, returning it to its original purpose. Of course, it has adapted to the progress of the Originium project since.

Speaking of progress, ours has slowed far behind projections, {@nickname}.

...Recalibrate?;...Original purpose?

Good to know you haven't lost your curiosity.

PCS was an experiment developed using bionics, one that once offered many benefits to our soldiers and scientists.

But it was left behind on Terra, and without long-term maintenance, its cognitive radiation amplifier entered partial standby mode, and its operational efficiency is now extremely reduced.

But what's interesting is what happened after it came into contact with Terra's native species. It didn't have the effect I expected—

Not only were its beneficiaries able to share their knowledge and emotion, but even their species-specific traits were assimilated. That never happened during our testing.

A rather pleasant surprise, isn't it, {@nickname}?

Good to know you haven't lost your curiosity.

PCS was an experiment developed using bionics, though we were never able to understand its true nature. There was also the risk of it disrupting the subjects' cognitive functions when used—

But in the face of grim disaster, it was still brought into service ahead of schedule.

It can reduce barriers to communication and strengthen the bonds between individuals, all while maintaining thinking abilities and personality...

This offered many benefits to our soldiers and scientists.

It has been gathering dust since it was left behind on Terra, but as you know, {@nickname}, it is still far from operating to its full potential.

You mentioned it adapting to the Originium project's progress?;What connection does it have to the Originium project?

Don't get excited, {@nickname}, I'll explain everything.

However, your new companion seems like she has something to say to you.

(Bad news, Doctor, I can't find a way out of here.)

If her goal is still Originium...

We might not be in Laterano anymore...;This might be the future of Laterano...

As keen an intuition as ever, but one that lacks basic knowledge.

This is just a vision of a possible future I conjured up for you using the PCS system.

No more time, no more color. A place locked in eternal stasis.

It's rare for us to have a chance to walk together, {@nickname}. Come, leave behind these conflicts that have nothing to do with you.

No. You're afraid I'll access the PCS system.;You didn't expect me to show up here either.

I sense... hate in your voice. I understand.

It's because of AMa-10, your 'Kal'tsit'.

You left in such a hurry last time. You still have many doubts you have not yet cleared, while I have many conjectures I must confirm with you.

(Something's... strange about the way she's acting. Her expression's different from when she was back on the deck.)

(I could try an attack—)

Put away those talons.

I respect that you've given yourself a name, 'Mon3tr', but I understand your fundamental underpinnings better than you do.

If you want AMa-10 back, I can help you, {@nickname}. You know where to find me.

I know that's what you want too, <i>Mon3tr.</i>

Don't get taken in by her, Mon3tr!

This isn't her real body.

You've always clung to the connection between matter and reality.

Originium is the language we created, so naturally, I can use it to make my words heard by whoever I want.

It is so for you, and it is so for that machine—

'In response to me, it propagated, then created an even larger cache to perform a new round of calculations.'

'The machine operates on its installed logic, seeking the continuation of itself and its community that has achieved emotional resonance.'

'But in your haste, you decided this was an error to be stopped. Even those Sanktas regard it as rejection from the Law...'

'Follow me, {@nickname}.'

'Witness a true crisis with your own eyes.'

Every department of the Curia has its own offices. The Basilica is merely ceremonial. There should not be such a complex space beneath it.

We must perform one final round of testing.

You said you went down a one-way passage before, right, Andoain?

But we've changed direction six times, and now we're here again.

Seven, actually.

...We head back.

The three of them return to their former position. A platform, one where the white of a church blends with the black of machinery, wantonly streaked with red light emanating from an unknown source...

Disorder, chaos, imbalance, danger... No matter if from an architectural or religious point of view, shape and structure here has lost all meaning. They cannot stop themselves from wondering if they are still in Laterano.

Federico and Arturia stop walking at the same time. This is an exceedingly familiar experience. Before they met the Witch King, they wandered an infinite flight of stairs.

There is no need to go any further.

This is a derived structure that did not originally exist. While I do not know the principles or processes behind it, it has without a doubt warped space here.

We are in an incomprehensible maze.

He is preventing us from approaching.

Who?

The God of the Sankta, the answer to everything.

Don't expose our position, Fede.

I don't sense any human emotions coming from them. Are they really Sanktas, or are they machines here to tidy up the maze?

They are most likely the same as the organisms above ground. If ordinary Sanktas attack them, they will Fall.

The deeper we go, the more of them there are, and the stronger their... 'empathy' becomes.

We beat back a wave of them, and that just draws in another... We'll end up completely overwhelmed.

The procession is moving at a fast pace, and will not need much time to arrive at the Basilica. It is highly unlikely Cardinal Lemuen's team will be able to stop their advance completely.

We must learn the entire truth about this calamity. We have wasted too much time already.

Perhaps I may be of some use.

You are severely wounded.

I'll leave the patrols to the two of you.

But when it comes to pathfinding, I happen to be rather good at that.

Light gathers in Andoain's palm.

Arts?

*cough* Thank you, Andoain.

You shouldn't go so far, Señor Jaime! I didn't see you all day! I only found out you came to the beach after asking around.

I just wanted to find something to eat... Didn't think the sea fog would be this thick.

Even if there wasn't any fog, pirates roam these parts!

You shouldn't leave Rocamarea just because you feel like it... At least... At least ask me to come with you next time.

Alright, alright... Speaking of, was that your Arts just now?

The fog was so dense, I couldn't even see my own shoes. I thought I'd be lost forever, but then a ray of light came by...

I-I thought someone managed to repair the local lighthouse or something!

No need to be so dramatic! I'm just glad I managed to help you.

But Andoain, I heard your people use guns, custom-made ones.

I also heard your homeland, that place called Laterano, is a universal Paradise...

My home is Rocamarea. I was born here and raised here, Señor Jaime.