Story Reader / Floating Record / ER02 Cinder Burns / Story
An Ascendant?!
The retreated Constructs' reinforcements have finally arrived.
Were you responsible for the attack on our base as well?!
N-no! I just arrived!
We were also under attack at Medical Center 09! Our way out is blocked by the Red Tide, and our comms are down. We need protective suits to move our patients, so I—
Who would trust an Ascendant?!
I'm not an Ascendant! I'm just...
I don't know what I am, either! Stay guarded all you want, but please trust my words!
There are still many people in Medical Center 09 who need help! Their CPF can't sustain for long—people will die if you wait any longer!
You're probably trying to trick us there to slaughter us!
How can I make you trust me?
We'll never trust you!
The Constructs all draw their weapons, charging toward Noan, not giving him a chance to explain himself.
Their blades and bullets graze his body, leaving behind several bloody marks, but Noan refuses to strike back.
Stop dodging!
A female Construct leaps onto a set of broken stone staircases, striking Noan with her blade from high ground.
Do you only know how to run away?!
I'm here to seek help for the people of Medical Center 09.
Lier!
I'm not...!
A barrage of bullets drives Noan back before he can finish, entrapping him among the Constructs.
Kill him!
Hearing his order, other Constructs who have been hiding inside the ruins leap out, blocking any escape routes.
Right before their blades strike Noan, the Punishing Virus concentration in the air rises drastically. Crimson spikes sprout from beneath Noan's feet, shooting at everyone around him indiscriminately.
Watch out!
Seeing that one of the spikes is about to hit the Construct closest to him, he rushes to catch it, but it still pierces through his palm uncontrolled.
...!
And you said you're not an Ascendant?!
Unwilling to give up, the Construct raises his weapon and strikes again. The spikes, in turn, form a rocket launcher of arrows, primed and ready to fire.
I'm sorry! I can't control it! Please stay away!
What are you...
I didn't want to become this! I don't want to hurt any of you.
I'm here to ask for help. The people in Medical Center 09 are trapped by the Red Tide. Please trust me on that.
The female Construct does not say a word. She quietly turns away, sending a comms request through her terminal.
Anything?
Nothing from Medical Center 09, just like what he said.
We're so dead if this is a trap.
You can call for more reinforcements if you still believe it's dangerous. It's safer with more people.
Which base has the people to spare at a time like this?
The elite squad investigating the deserters is still nearby. Maybe they are free?
Let's send in a request and see how it goes.
...Thank you.
What do we do with this guy? He... doesn't seem like the other Ascendants in our files.
Should we let the elite squad handle it as well?
Yeah, they can handle whatever he is. How they deal with him will depend on who's in the squad.
I can stay here as long as Medical Center 09 gets the help it needs. You can keep an eye on me if you want.
...
The Constructs share a glance and discuss quietly.
We've sent a rescue request. We'll head to Medical Center 09 too after rendezvousing with them.
Thanks.
There's no point in keeping an eye on you. I hate to admit it, but given what you're capable of... there's nothing we can do if you do want to take us down.
I'll stay here, then.
...
Can we really trust you?
Trust me.
...
Doubting they may be, the Constructs have come to a decision despite the concerns for their own safety.
Let the elite squad deal with him. They're almost here.
...
After he watches the Constructs leave, Noan turns to look at the red spikes beside him, lost in thought.
...What am I...
Something unusual must have happened to him, even if he is not an Ascendant or Transcendant.
I don't want to become the enemy. If I can't control this power, perhaps I should let their elite squad...
...Hold on.
Noan suddenly hears a soft voice from a dark alley.
Lithos? How did you get here? You made it through the Red Tide?
You were away for so long... I was worried...
Don't worry. Help's coming. And you didn't answer me.
Lithos ignores him, focusing on Noan's hand worriedly instead.
The wound on your hand...
Wait, stay away! I still can't control these spikes. I could—
You're an Ascendant?
...
Do you want to hurt me?
Of course I don't, but I can't control it.
Then... do you want to control it?
Yes.
Should we look for an Ascendant? Only they have the power to control the Punishing Virus.
...How do you know so much?
Because I've seen my share of deserting Constructs.
What do you mean? Were you a deserter as well?
Lithos does not answer him. Looking into Noan's eyes, Lithos slowly approaches him.
Stay away, Lithos.
It's okay... I won't get hurt. I can control it.
And the spikes have not moved an inch as Lithos moves closer to Noan and holds his hand.
Who are you really? Can you tell me?
I'll tell you, but first... let me treat your injury.
Lithos takes out some simple tools, gently fixing the wound on Noan's hand.
Don't be afraid of this "anomaly." If you can accept and learn to control it, you won't hurt anyone you don't want to hurt. You might even be able to save them.
Save them...? What happened to your teammates when I met you?
They... refused an irrefutable offer, and they were disciplined accordingly.
Disciplined?
...Naughty children need to be disciplined.
Hearing that, his shrouded memories suddenly clear up as if someone has shone a light upon them. With that hint of light, Noan finally remembers.
As his memories flood back, his expression toward Lithos changes from worry to confusion to realization before it becomes an expression of calmness and acceptance.
Lithos. You...
...Yes?
Curious but uncertain how to phrase it appropriately, Noan still decides to voice his question.
What pronoun do you use?
...
So you've finally remembered.
Yeah... It was you who turned me into a Construct back then, wasn't it?
It was...
Why are you passing as someone you don't identify as...? Wait—that's not entirely true.
You weren't hiding your identity when I first met you. I just forgot...
Lithos turns his head away, sneering in lament.
No, that's not the point—you were the Ascendant hiding among us all this time?
Well, yeah... I was worried you couldn't control yourself or wouldn't accept me. This is the only way I can stay with you.
Come back with me. Your "anomaly" has sprouted within you. I can teach you how to control its power.
...
Noan once again reminds himself of his lost memories—there must be a reason he refused Lithos' offer in the past so resolutely. Giving Lithos an answer now before remembering it would be reckless.
No. I haven't remembered everything yet. I can't tell how much of what you're saying is true.
It won't do you any good to remember your past.
They are my memories. I'll be the judge on that.
Do you really want to remember... even that time when they all hunt you down?
What?
I've reset your memories four times now. This happened last time as well... You wouldn't accept me, and you couldn't control your Ascendant power. You became a walking target after you lost control.
I had to kill them to protect you.
...What did you just say?!
I said I had to kill them to protect you. But your M.I.N.D. immediately deviated after seeing their bodies... You don't remember any of this, do you?
...It doesn't matter what you say...
You still want to remember before you make a decision?
Yes.
That was what you said last time and the time before. Your M.I.N.D. deviated both times before you could give me an answer.
But that's alright. If you still insist on getting your memories back, I'll give you what you want.
Come here, Shrek...
Lithos silently reaches out.
I can be patient. I'll stay with you... until you understand me. Until you become my family.
