Story Reader / Main Story / 13 Fake Ascension / Story
Focusing on the Mind Beacon above, Lucia strives to drift upward within the dark pit.
Having gotten over her attachments and accepted her regrets, Lucia escapes the abyss before the M.I.N.D.s merge beyond the divergence point.
...I've made it! The merge hasn't crossed the divergence point, and my consciousness hasn't been devoured!
Hmph. You won't be that lucky next time.
Looking in the direction of the voice, Lucia finds Alpha staring at her with her furrowed brows.
If not for the connection...
Alpha tightens her grip, focusing her energy and rage onto her blade. And yet a hint of weariness appears on her face.
You're also affected by the M.I.N.D. quake?
Before your consciousness completely dissolves, our minds will be tangled like a knot, impacting each other.
So the voices I heard during the quake... It was you!
What did you hear?
Wait, no. I don't care what a dying person had heard.
Alpha's katana has amassed all of her energy, and she charges at Lucia and strikes—
With a loud ping, Alpha's flame is easily subdued. No matter how hard she tries, Alpha cannot extend her fire beyond herself.
How?!
Alpha, you are the one who cannot overcome her regrets.
How can I still have regrets when I've been found?
Because you turned it into hate.
A person who is motivated by hate is the one who can't step into the future. Now... you won't be able to block this!
A chilling glow gathers on Lucia's katana. She lifts her head, her gaze on Alpha no longer in doubt.
Good... If you want to use the connection to thwart me, then have a taste of this!
No you won't!
Gathering a winter storm, Lucia's strike arrives with a sky full of snow, only to find Alpha not blocking or moving away. Instead, she dives forward and embraces Lucia.
The katana pierces through Alpha's body. Although her physical form is unharmed in the M.I.N.D., her psyche still takes a heavy toll.
What are you doing?!
Alpha says nothing. She clasps around Lucia's waist with one hand and grasps her neck with another one, and with Lucia in her arms, she jumps off the divergence point.
Alpha?! You want to dive deeper?!
Your hope won't save you, so drown in the goddamn truth!
The M.I.N.D. responses to Alpha's hatred and releases a thunderous roar. Shattered shards begin to fall everywhere.
I'm not running from the past! I've accepted their betrayal—that's why I want to make a change!
Don't you want to change things as well? Isn't that why you became an Ascendant?!
As they entangle and struggle, they once again fall into the Deep M.I.N.D.—
