Story Reader / Hidden Story / 14 Imprisoned Sight / Story
14-8 Night Gathers
The multitude of noises disappear, and Alpha opens her eyes, while the surrounding area shakes violently. Just as she has expected, the dark figure is standing a distance away, effortlessly doing battle.
Vonnegut!
Not bad, my respect for you is growing.
Compared to these unscreened "seeds," I'm more interested in one who has the qualifications to become an agent.
Agent? Alpha, could it be...?
I have no interest in that.
Such a pity.
With a simple flick of his left hand in their direction, an invisible force surges like a wave against the group.
Alpha unsheathes her katana and charges before slicing the invisible threat into two. The blade beams continue on toward Vonnegut, but are stymied by his force field.
Can you see it? Or is it simply a fighter's intuition of danger?
Her attack has torn the wave apart and reversed its trajectory, leaving the ground charred.
Vonnegut ambles toward Alpha, and red Punishing Virus currents flow and gather around him.
Alpha feels her strength quickly being sapped.
Never thought you'd stoop to such despicable methods.
Alpha scowls, continuously swinging her katana to block the projectiles coming from all directions before sheathing it to charge it.
Just as she draws the blade and attempts to stab Vonnegut at lightning speed, he catches it, holding it firmly in his hand.
...You caught a blade with your bare hands?
But on closer inspection, there is a tiny gap between the blade and his hand.
No, it's just another use of the force field.
Good analysis.
This time, he unleashes the lightning in close proximity.
Watch out! Defensive formation!
Will that really help?
The red beams explode and while the group's last-minute defensive formation was able to temporarily hold off his attack, the blast causes the floor beneath their feet to collapse.
!!
The four plummet to the lower area, where they heard a gentle sigh from a woman nearby.
Well, this was an unexpected meeting, isn't it, Miss Alpha?
You are...
Finding her balance, Alpha looks in the direction of the voice, and sees the woman who introduced herself as "The Merciful One" standing in front of them.
Vonnegut also senses her presence and stops his attacks.
Now!
Go.
The three beat a hasty retreat in the chaos and make for where [player name] is.
Merciful One, why are you still here?
My apologies, I was drawn to the "Mother" in the greenhouse.
So I thought I'd stay and watch how she grows.
...
Vonnegut looks at The Merciful One in a rare bout of silence.
(There's no need to remain here.)
Taking advantage of Vonnegut's inaction, Alpha makes for the exit.
...
Vonnegut sees Alpha leaving and does not try to stop her.
The guest in front of him is the one that requires his full attention.
Leaving the collapsing sewers, Alpha returns to the ruins.
She leaves the name tag she picked up while escaping near the transport craft, then turns and leaves the scorched earth behind.
Once the dust and smoke from the explosion have settled, a tranquil silence returns to the area.
The gale sweeps the shattered debris into its embrace and dances through the craters of the devastated land.
The dust will one day heal the wounds of the earth, and life will begin anew.
The transport craft carrying the Gray Ravens disappears into the sky.
In the flow of the setting sun, a motorcycle speeds past the refugee camp and off into the horizon.
Night is approaching, but never once does she look up at the sky.
