Story Reader / Collab / Untold Naraka / Story
The disc-shaped elevator descends slowly, finally bringing the you all to a larger disc.
After the four of you jump onto the disc, the elevator descends straight down to the desert below.
—But is it really a desert?
At such a height, none of you are able to discern its surface—whether it is covered with fine sand or coarse gravel.
But if you could magnify the image with an optical device, you would find that the dunes are made of crumbled buildings and debris.
Moreover, the constant collision and friction between the concrete blocks have broken them down into smaller fragments.
Once the fragments are fine enough, they seem to disappear altogether—as if sinking to the depths below.
There are also several towering buildings among the "sand," seemingly having survived the collapse without being completely broken down.
That being said, the constant erosion continues to take its toll on the buildings. With enough time, they, too, will disintegrate into "sand."
Regardless, Embla—or what appears to be Embla—kneels before a massive figure on the giant disc.
You are the one who wants to awaken "Father"?
I am.
...Your speech pattern has deviated from your defaults.
...I. Have been in contact. With outside beings.
Outside beings... I see.
You are a "defect."
...I'm a. "Defect"?
You are not a champion of the "war," nor are you the defeated.
You will be destroyed to uphold the rules of purity for the "war."
I. Will be... Destroyed?
The massive figure speaks as it raises the polearm in its hand—
Got it!
Although slightly hesitant about your orders, Lucia immediately rushes forward—
—And she smashes the weapon out of the figure's hand, sending it flying off to the side.
As Lucia attacks, Liv and Lee work together to drag the kneeling Embla off to the side.
What are you?
"Father" bequeathed me the name "Machiavelli".
"Father" bestowed me with power as the "Final Arbiter".
—I stand guard here for generations awaiting the "war" to produce a champion.
—With my own hands, I will awaken the half of "Father" most suitable for this land.
Therefore, all "defects" are not permitted to enter "the Strip of Truth". Only the champion... may enter.
You have no right to decide, even if there is a Sapien among you.
Judgment of said "defects" is not determined by uncertified "Sapiens" such as yourself.
Looks like it's refusing to talk this out.
I do not need to talk with the likes of you.
"War" must continue. Your flesh and blood will be used to build a new "battlefield."
Indeed. Then a new "war" will begin anew.
Beings that do not participate in the "war" do not have the right to live.
Well, I guess there's no point in wasting our breath.
If we don't stop it here, Embla will be destroyed and become a part of the city...
Indeed. The rules of Father warrant no exception.
Commandant, we'll count on your commands.
Defeating Machiavelli is the only way Embla... and we will survive.
