Story Reader / Main Story / 17 The Surviving Lucem / Story
If we can't defend this place, we'll be exposed to their attacks unprotected.
I'll leave the rest to you.
Got it. We're all going to survive this.
...
How long has it been since she made that promise?
Now, they are trapped inside this church, a sanctum that should be protected by the gods, and all they can hear is the sound of the Hetero-Creatures surrounding them.
She knows her companions are nearby, but she cannot move an inch from all the Corrupted and Hetero-Creatures blocking her way.
She tries to call for her companion, but the transmissions only return disjointed words and white noise.
Perhaps it is true that sometimes prayers do not get answered in this world.
In a brief moment of trance, Lucia recalls the place that sent her down the path of becoming a Construct.
Children cluster together, cold and hungry, lying and hurting each other for their survival.
That... was also a church...
She lost her last family at a church. Is she going to fall at a place like it as well?
This... isn't the end...
Supporting herself with her katana, Lucia struggles as she moves forward.
We haven't...
Her will is still defiant, but her frame can no longer support the fight that has lasted over ten days.
It is time to face the truth—perhaps this is the end of the line.
...
Did they make the wrong choice?
Should they have followed Liv back no matter what?
No...
More people would have been lost if they had not stayed.
That is not something she, or anyone from Gray Raven, would want to see.
Captain Chrome has not complained about the harsh battles once in the last ten days. He never regrets his choices because of what he is going through.
How would Captain Vera from Cerberus act?
Vera would look reluctant, but the truth is she would not stop fighting, Lucia thinks.
Vera...
Vera was casually talking about her previous rescue missions on the transport craft back from Atlantis with the commandant.
Once, Vera found herself at a place where search and rescue equipment was not operable, but a sheepdog by her side helped her find the target.
It was because of that story that Lucia and Liv managed to find the pregnant Fantine at the ruins with the help of Matches.
As Lucia fights the endless horde of Hetero-Creatures, fragments of her memories flash by her M.I.N.D. like a merry-go-round.
None of us... wishes to see another life lost...
The other teams might not be here, but Lucia believes that every one of them would have made the same choice.
Even Vanessa, whose whereabouts are unknown, has chosen this path not long ago.
Each of them has someone or something they want to protect, and each of them has fought until their very last breath.
We do not regret...
But the world is not merciful.
Cutting down the enemies before her, Lucia looks around at the more Hetero-Creatures yet to come.
Her frame is pushed to the brink, her Inver-Device at the threshold. Lucia estimates that she has ten minutes before she stops moving.
I won't stop even if I only have ten minutes left.
Her belief will be with her until her last moment.
As if her determination is being rewarded, she hears a voice on the Gray Raven comms channel, one that she has not heard in a while.
Lucia!
What's happening? Why can't I see you on comms? Where's Lee? Why couldn't I contact you before?
The monitor on the comms is not showing anything. Lucia cannot see Liv, and Liv cannot see her.
That is because the moment she hears Liv's voice, Lucia immediately covers the terminal. She does not want Liv to see her like this.
And maybe Lucia's terminal was damaged during the battles, so she cannot see Liv on it as well.
But that is fine. Despite not being able to see Liv, it is good enough to hear her voice in the end, Lucia thinks.
Are you still on Babylonia?
I'm on a transport craft to you. I'll be there soon.
No, don't come here. It's too dangerous.
Lucia? What's going on? Why is it dangerous?
...
It's okay, you don't have to worry about me. Do you remember the weapon President Hassen mentioned before I left? It's done.
It doesn't matter how dangerous it is. I can protect you.
...I can do it now, Lucia! Please, believe me!
...
...How long until you reach us?
It... should take another hour.
An hour...
...It is too late.
What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?
If she cannot change the ending, then at least she can go accompanied by Liv's gentle voice.
Can I...
Huh?
...Can I hear you sing one more time?
What? Lucia... why are you...
Think of it as a countdown. I'll feel more assured if I can hear your voice when I fight.
When your song is close by, I'll know you're near.
Lucia...
And Liv... sing it to Commandant someday, okay?
...
Lucia...
Has she realized the situation Lucia is in? Lucia can hear her gentle voice shaking.
I'm sorry... it's untoward to ask you to sing mid-flight.
No...
...It's the only thing I can do before I reach you.
Let me stand by you this way.
But you have to promise me that you will keep yourself safe and never give up.
Hold on until I get there. I will be able to help.
You have always been able to help, Liv.
In order to keep Liv from being more worried, Lucia tries her best to chuckle.
Then... I'll be waiting for you here.
