Глава 15

The connection between us will transcend even time and space. I am sure of it.

Even if the ocean completely boils away and the atmosphere vanishes, even if all the moons in the sky are pulled into the vortex of our planet's gravity, and even if the sun continues to mercilessly expand, eventually swallowing up all its children until none can be heard...

I am sure we will meet again. At the far end of our civilization, once adorned by darkness and the brilliance of the stars up above, we will meet once again.

I will wait until that day comes. I promise you I will. Wait for me. You must wait for me too.

...Don't ever forget about me.

Is it time...?

I should still be alive. This can't be an illusion.

This is the Rhodes Island I'm familiar with, and it seems to be operating as usual. Therefore, <i>It</i> is definitely not here yet.

Is she still asleep? What of Originium's current state...?

And as for the changes happening to this planet...

You're still here, AMa-10.

Perfect... Let's go for a walk outside.

From a distance away, a black-haired woman dressed in a white coat stands on the deck, concentrating her gaze at the sky.

Until she notices the two of you and turns around, a bright smile on her face.

You are absolutely certain you have seen this face before.

Perhaps in a dream within dreams, or in the depths of your dormant memories.

But this moment is no dream.

You can clearly perceive her presence and existence right before you with each of your senses.

Priestess...

Doctor, this woman... is the Priestess you talked about?

The enemy Dr. Kal'tsit has been guarding against...?

Amiya does not understand the danger she faces, but still she stands in front of you instinctively, ready to engage in combat.

You are unable to determine how exactly the current situation will unfold, but know very well this is not at all like any powerful foe or crisis you have faced before.

The woman seems to show no hostility, but still your instinct tells you—unfathomable danger lies right before your eyes.

Gently, she begins to speak.

You're a step ahead of me, {@nickname}.

You didn't wait for me in the awakening room, to share a mutual joy in seeing this new world for the first time.

But how could I possibly blame you for a little impatience?

You also feel her pure, sincere gaze.

From the distance wind blows and thunder rolls, along with the faint rustling of Originium spreading.

Within the clamor and chaos of this space, she fixes her eyes on you as if nothing else exists.

This reunion is not what I expected, but I'm willing to accept an unorthodox experience.

We've dreamed together too many times to count, how we would meet again when we awoke from our deep sleep.

We could wander freely on this planet completely covered by Originium, in a world that belonged only to us.

A world only one step away from our shared, ultimate vision, and we'd walk towards our new hope...

It ought to be a bright, sunny day too.

Doctor, look! The clouds in the sky—

Amiya hurriedly shouts a warning at you when she notices the sky's unnatural appearance.

But you fail to comprehend just what your eyes are currently seeing.

As soon as Priestess finishes speaking, thick Catastrophe clouds begin to contract and fold in a neat yet strange manner until they vanish completely, leaving a canvas-like sky.

Catastrophes, the most horrific disasters to happen to this land—gone, just like that.

You realize a terrible truth.

You can fully <i>control</i> Originium...?

We created it together. A crystallization that belongs to only the two of us, a seed of hope.

But tragically... you don't remember anymore, do you?

We... created Originium?;I don't remember...

I know you lost part of your memories in a series of unfortunate accidents.

It's a pity, but I believe your partial memory loss will not change your nature, and the connection between us remains unshakable.

I've no wish to be harsh on you, but I hope you can understand—time is short, and we have much to do.

Though, we can still enjoy our time working together, yes?

Return to my side, Dr. {@nickname}...

<color=#000000>Let Terra crystallize into Originium.</color>

<color=#000000> Create a bridge to the future.</color>

The gentle call seems to ring suddenly in your ears, and you feel incomparably close to the voice.

You are certain you cannot recall a single shred of her in your mind, yet your connection goes beyond memories, or perhaps information contained in language.

An almost instinctive reaction.

You cannot help but take a step forward.

Dr. {@nickname}!

Kal'tsit is behind you, gripping your arm. You feel feeble tremors through her palm.

You realize now she has been silent the whole time. Since leaving the sarcophagus, she has been so weak, at this point, she even seems to be struggling to stand.

You are baffled.

You expected Kal'tsit to give you some sage advice, like usual, or perhaps a simple and clear solution.

But now she seems to be suffering from terrible torment, her face bearing struggle and pain.

After an endless instant, she loosens her grip.

She leaves the choice for you to make.

No...;No.;...No.

I won't let Originium destroy Terra.

You see her eyes darken. A clear sign of disappointment. You don't know why, but your heart suddenly tightens.

So it's you... AMa-10. It's been a long time for us too.

Your current appearance is vastly different from the look you were born with, but I certainly recognize my very own creation that I poured my heart into.

In the past four million plus natural day cycles, you seem to have exerted a lot of effort, but your behavioral standards appear to clash with the preset goal encoded at your birth.

I'd like to know just what changed your mind.

Unlike your despicable fraud...

...My end goal has never changed.

Indeed... you regarded that one's order as an inviolable mandate.

So you hindered the Originium plan, and wasted our already limited time.

So, {@nickname}, how should I make you understand—

Just how disappointed I am?

And how should I forgive your betrayal?

Betrayal?

Kal'tsit, what is the meaning of this?

I've noticed, AMa-10.

You've already broken the language ban I put in place, correct?

Such a precaution was not enough to restrict your actions, for you always find a way...

But if that's the case, why not just say it?

Everything you've wanted to say to {@nickname} this whole time, but couldn't?

Priestess...

*Expletive from an unknown language*.

Ascalon and the Elite Operators are momentarily stunned after entering the rift.

This is the Abyss?!

Raidian, can you confirm if we're still inside the Rhodes Island landship?

Unable to detect any electromagnetic signals outside this space. Hm... no way to tell.

Everyone falls into brief silence, waiting for a commander's directive as usual.

Where's the Doctor?

And where are Dr. Kal'tsit and Amiya?

Once we entered the rift, I lost track of their positions.

Constant white noise fills the vast white space, the sound of operating machinery emanating from the center.

If this place is indeed the Abyss, then clearly it's distorting our perception of physical space.

Mantra's voice comes to everyone's minds as they learn this at the same time.

There's no way to identify the material the walls are made of.