Глава 15

I cannot give you a definitive answer, Doctor.

But I will never stop trying. Any advantage I can gain may help Rhodes Island progress further.

I want to try.

At this moment when the situation is still unclear, I cannot come up with any more effective measures.

But diving recklessly into Civilight Eterna may not lead to the outcome we hope for, Doctor.

I'll go with Amiya.

Doctor, I cannot agree to such a risky plan.

Can Civilight Eterna link to my thoughts?

Doctor, that's too dangerous. No one has ever done something like this before! I agree with Dr. Kal'tsit that you shouldn't take the risk.

Kal'tsit recalls the experience of her dear friend, which is not something she is happy to recall.

Yes, Civilight Eterna can do that.

She did it before.

......;Theresa.

Doctor, your mind is incredibly complex, but you're not the only one at risk here—Amiya could be exposed to completely unforeseen shocks as well.

I will not agree to this preposterous proposal.

Dr. Kal'tsit...

Amiya, this is my opinion. I cannot interfere with yours and the Doctor's final decision on this matter, but I hope you understand my stance.

Amiya, I can open my mind to you completely.;We don't have to force it in one. We can give it a few tries.

But, Dr. Kal'tsit...

When it's all over, we'll go apologize to her together.;It's not this plan she's opposed to, per se.

I trust you, Doctor.

I'll leave the decision of when to stop entirely up to you.

Let's start after I finish arranging the defenses.

(Muffled roar)

Are you worried about me? I'm not mad at all.

Once again, we've arrived at a critical turning point. And last time… Babel met the fate I dreaded most.

It turns out that I can't make sure everything is running on its ideal track, Mon3tr.

(Raises claw)

(Rubs gently)

Our own limitations have begun to affect our usefulness in more important endeavors.

We may be able to witness the changes of the stars and the untamed cosmos, but when faced with a real crisis, we're no different from any other creatures on this great land.

(Dissatisifed growl)

Thank you for comforting me. I can sense your good intentions.

(Anxious growl)

Yes, I suppose Amiya and the Doctor have already begun preparing to delve deeper into Civilight Eterna.

I will not interfere with Amiya's decision. She is mature enough to make the most correct judgment.

And the Doctor... the Doctor isn't quite the same anymore either.

Maybe I still have a glimmer of hope in my heart. Maybe, this time the outcome will be different.

(Subdued bow)

It is true that my own sanity is constantly warning me.

Touching the Doctor's mind again with the help of Civilight Eterna is not a sound decision, but Amiya is right, we don't have much choice.

(Passionate cry)

Mon3tr, I will protect the Doctor and Amiya.

At this moment, Mon3tr can sense even Kal'tsit's slightest emotions.

Ever since Kal'tsit's latest awakening, Mon3tr has been at her side.

Mon3tr is her companion, the symbiote she personally guides... and more importantly, herself.

(Affectionate murmur)

You're wrong. I do not feel hopeless, Mon3tr.

I am delighted that the Ancients overthrew the rule of the Elders, and I am also pleased that Lugalszargus set the starting point for a new civilization.

I have made mistakes out of arrogance, but I have also regained my confidence by making dear friends.

Maybe yours and my basic structures will always be alien to this land, but that doesn't mean we will always walk alone.

I've found my home, in Rhodes Island, on this great land.

I've fulfilled her expectations, Mon3tr. I've learned to love. I've found myself.

(Moves confusedly)

(Wraps tail around Kal'tsit)

I must protect Amiya and the Doctor.

I must protect the true variable here... the future I cannot even glimpse.

I've communicated with Civilight Eterna before, yet I haven't been able to break through my own limitations.

But Amiya can. Of that, Theresa and I are certain.

I'm sure she can pluck significance from the massive trove of data. With Theresa's blessing… she can do it.

She is still Amiya, after all. I have seen her grow into a leader with my own eyes.

Following in footsteps, she might find some words that one left behind.

In the past, when Originium had not yet taken shape, there was an era when luminaries competed to argue with the epoch itself. Their wonderful ideas, born of a desire to celebrate and save lives, still persist.

All is not yet lost, Mon3tr. Terra has a chance, no matter how faint, to keep that hope alive.

(Excited howl)

Me? No, Mon3tr, I'm better at memories... remembering the history I witnessed, and have seen erased by time.

I am not special at all.

Kal'tsit calmly inscribes the important info into Mon3tr's spine.

If the outcome I fear most does come to pass, if the one I least want to see stands in front of us once more—

Protect the Doctor. Protect Amiya.

I will engrave this directive into your basic behavioral strategy matrix.

(Agitated howling)

Come, Mon3tr. We still have work to do.

If the threat does come, I must ensure that Rhodes Island is Terra's first outpost against the crisis.

...I will be your final safeguard.

I've never tried to use the Black Crown to access your thoughts before, Doctor—

Don't worry, Amiya.;I've opened up my heart and mind for you.

...Thank you.

She looks to her side, at the beam of bright, warm light gently tugging at her hand.

She shuts her eyes, and slowly lets out a sigh of relief.

'We're in this together, Amiya.'

I don't know where this journey of ours will lead us, Doctor, but I'll protect you.

'I'll protect you too, Amiya.'

Under the watchful eye of Civilight Eterna, she gives your brow a light touch—

Your memories and emotions flow towards me.

...It's strange.

They billow so gently as they flow, and the memories' edge is close at hand...

What did Theresa see back then—

Amiya sees you, and Kal'tsit, and herself, and the many people aboard Rhodes Island.

As she walks deeper, the boundary of that one memory comes within reach. Curiosity and concern nearly cause her to forget her mission. She wants to reach out to touch it...

Touch upon the start of your memories. Chernobog, the Sarcophagus, and you, weakly stretching out your hand—

'Doctor... Take my hand!!'

It looks like there's other memories too? Why are they so blurred?

Who was—

'Amiya!'

You grab ahold of Amiya.

...Were you lost?

I-I don't know. This is the first time I've ever dived so deep into someone else's mind. It's a very... odd feeling.

Good thing you pulled it off.

Thankfully, yes. Now, I can sense even the faintest of your thoughts.