Story Reader / Collab / Untold Naraka / Story
What. Are. You. You. You. Doing?!
S-speak?
Looks like you can understand us.
We've run into mechanoids that weren't labeled red or blue, but they couldn't understand us.
This is an interesting turn of events. Maybe they can tell us a thing or two.
Who? What?
What's your name? Did you or someone give you a name?
...A-Askr.
Askr? Isn't that...
I think I ran across this name while reading a document in Babylonia.
I think I've heard of this myth as well... Isn't it the brother of two siblings carved out of wood by the gods?
...I think so.
If I remember correctly... the girl's name is Embla?
I. Just. Can.
Just like the "defect" we saw. Seems like they have at least some degree of cognition.
C-cognition? What's. That?
You. Won't. Kill us?
Are you referring to those "red" and "blue" mechanoids?
Relax. We aren't like them.
"Red". "Blue". On you. Too!
The mechanoid raises its hand and points at Lee and Lucia, bringing a previously relaxed situation back into confrontation.
Lucia gestures to the mechanoid to calm down.
That may be true, but we're not hostile like those mechanoids.
The people in blue and pink and the person behind me are my "comrades."
..."Comrades"?
Yes, "comrades."
Correct.
"Comrade." I. Have too.
The mechanoid steps forward while still shielding the figure behind it.
Don't worry. We won't harm you or your "comrade."
Lee looks toward the small figure hiding behind the larger mechanoid.
A-Askr...
No. Embla. Don't. Come out.
They. Not like. Robots. Want "war."
Embla. My comrade. Father's book. Says "sister."
Askr. Protects. Embla.
Askr. Protects. Embla. We survived. Last "war."
"War." Many times. Many remains. Different remains. Askr and Embla. Hide here. And live.
We. They. All know.
Red. Blue. No color. We live. Like this.
...What's going on?
...You aren't. Mechanoids. Made by. "War System"?
Are you... Outside. Beings?
Lucia and Lee look at you as if debating whether to tell the mechanoid where you are from.
Yes, we... we are from the "outside world."
But. My "knowledge." Says no. Outside beings.
Beings. Only in. Naraka.
You. Me. Are "beings"
Here. There. All is. Naraka.
...
You. Don't speak.
Unlike. Beings. In "Naraka".
If you. Are. Outside beings. Then...
"Knowledge." Is. A lie.
"Knowledge" is. Naraka. Beings. Must know. Do know.
"No outside beings." "Only 'war' prolongs 'beings.'" "Only 'war' awakens 'Father.'"
When. "Father" is awoken. All will. End.
We aren't getting too many explanations, just more and more questions waiting to be answered.
When "Father" wakes up, everything will end...?
This is. What. I must do.
Me. Embla. Hesitate. Weak. Cannot "war."
Only way. Is. Push everything. Past breaking point. I can. Wake "Father".
Naraka. Cannot. Be this.
...You want to wake up "Father"?
Wake "Father". Make Father. See everything.
Our. Pain. Our. Suffering. Make Father. See.
The other mechanoids also said...
Supreme Father won't sit idly by.
The mechanoids think... this "Father" won't ignore their suffering...?
Indeed. If we can find "Father"...
Um, Askr?
...Speak.
We want to help you awaken the "Father" you speak of.
...Why?
You. Want to. Ask "Father"?
That is, if he, or she, is willing to answer us.
...Alright.
You. Outside beings. Why care. About "Father"?
We're just following orders.
Orders. Come here?
Understood. You. Also share. Our. "Knowledge."
?
...That's right.
Then. Please. Help...
Askr points to a nearly indiscernible wound on Embla.
—You notice an indentation. The outer metal layer was cracked with black lubricant seeping out of it.
Damaged. Movement. Slow.
But. With. Parts...
Understood. You want us to help you find parts so you can repair it?
Askr remains quiet as if his language module cannot find an appropriate response.
But after a period of silence, he nods with his spherical head and upper body slightly.
No problem. We came here on a mission, but our duty as soldiers is to help those in need.
Agreed.
I'd be... more than happy to help others...
"Let's do this"... Do not. Compute.
...
...Let's. Do this?
