Story Reader / Main Story / 21 Spiral of Chronos / Story
A blinding flash of light engulfs his vision. Within the depths of his sight, the twisting spiral tower emerges and collapses repeatedly, while the surroundings blur and shift at a rapid pace through the passage of time.
As helpless as an unguarded dike, he can only resign himself to being devoured by the deluge of information, awaiting its relentless consumption.
The familiar feeling throws him back to that simulated battle, yet every fiber of his being is acutely aware of the palpable sense of reality that envelops him.
Before him, an infinite array of fleeting time fragments unfold, each as insignificant as a droplet dissolving into water.
He realizes that even the briefest repetition of a negligible moment has the power to weave a tapestry of longevity that can endure for centuries.
However, these fragments of information, regardless of their brevity, length, or complexity, still cannot be pieced together into a coherent whole.
If what he surmised holds true, that this is not his first attempt but rather another try after countless failures, what awaits him at the end this time?
How many more failures must he endure before he can finally uncover all the missing fragments?
Or... will he not even be able to survive a mere moment of M.I.N.D. overload?
Within the violent torrents of information, he opens his eyes, anticipating his vision to crumble. Yet, he finds himself embraced by a gentle, comforting darkness that tenderly enfolds him.
In the distance, a faint glimmer from a lighthouse catches his eyes.
...A Mind Beacon?
The M.I.N.D. overload is abruptly halted on the verge of causing a total breakdown. At that moment, he senses a warm grip from his hand as his visual modules reload.
Commandant?!
After Lee breaks free from the swirling torrents, he sees a person standing before him, whose arrival is unexpected yet not entirely surprising.
Why are you here? This tower is far too dangerous for you!
You...
...
Those words tenderly soften his resolve to argue back. Just as he is on the verge of surrendering to the comforting grip, those fragments of information he saw upon entering the tower strike him again.
Don't ┘ ┘┘ Commandant ┘ will ┘ ┘ ┘ die.
...!
With swift determination, Lee forcefully pushes the person before him away and severs the M.I.N.D. connection, as if the warmth emanating from those hands suddenly sears through his skin.
The moment the connection is shattered, once again, Lee finds himself drowning in the overwhelming flood of information caused by the M.I.N.D. overload.
A mere momentary lapse in concentration will bring a permanent breakdown upon his M.I.N.D., reducing everything to ashes.
If he gives up now, there will be no more...
Distant sighs and the weariness of torment beckon him to halt, but the prickling pain from those fragments of information relentlessly propels him forward, refusing to let him rest.
┘ ┘┘ Commandant ┘ will die for ┘ ┘.
...This is not the first failed attempt, nor the first time to bid farewell.
...What?
The enigmatic figure responds only with silence and walks toward the distant whirlpool.
Wait!
Desperate to halt her departure and seek answers, he reaches out his hand, but the sight of blood staining his palm catches his attention.
Unlike his blue vital fluid, that blood is bright red, suggesting its human origin.
Commandant...!
Suddenly, Lee realizes that the blood on his hand has inexplicably vanished, as if what just happened was nothing more than a haunting nightmare.
...?
How am I here?
Lee notices the unmistakable signs of youthful inexperience on this Commandant's face, indicating recent graduation from F.O.S. Perplexed, he begins to observe his surroundings carefully.
It's 2 p.m. in the afternoon, and this is Gray Raven's preparation room.
And you're my commandant.
The person before him looks surprised upon hearing his words.
Did I say anything wrong?
Surprised?
The person starts chuckling while talking.
Tsk, it seems that the other way is still better.
As the human tries to explain, Lee turns away, gazing at their own reflection in the glass.
The Palefire frame... Gray Raven just finished restructuring...
Compared to the present, that period could almost be deemed "peaceful."
But now, he finally understands how he himself squandered that precious peace.
Stubbornly pushing ahead alone, he shielded his heart from Murray and perceived every commandant as nothing more than a mission-dispensing machine adorned with a pretty title.
He never once considered the possibility that someone else could become his family, bearing an equal weight in his heart as Murray.
Commandant.
Do you have any wish?
He himself does not even know why he asked that question. Perhaps he simply desires to take one more step, to learn one more thing about that person before reaching a point of no return.
I'm not asking you to do a pep talk.
Can you just give me one that is actually achievable?
What?
...
The memory comes to an abrupt end here, and once again, he is devoured by the relentless torrents of information.
Lee still remembers his comment on Commandant's wish—"boring."
Because at that time, he considered "smiling" a mundane gesture, unworthy of being deemed a wish.
He thought that person was hesitant to reveal a sincere wish, using humor as a shield against vulnerability. He thought in the end, no one was truly willing to expose their innermost feelings, just like him.
Not until much later did he realize that he had been projecting his own negativity onto others, distorting his perception of their intentions.
Commandant did not become distant because of his cold demeanor. Steadfast and resolute, that person has been cleansing the bloodstains from his hand, erasing everything that Kurono made him bear.
But now, his hands are tainted with blood again...
I...
A voice traverses from the distant past <//PRESENT> to the present <//FUTURE>.
Once again, darkness enshrouds the torrents of information, yet the distant glimmer from the lighthouse continues to guide him. However, weariness weighs heavily upon him, hindering his advance.
Commandant... is here?
Amidst the tumultuous state of his M.I.N.D., he is unable to discern anything before him, only hearing that distant voice.
All I need to do is sustain the M.I.N.D. connection and take one more step further...
He firmly believes that he can find the solution once he unravels the truth behind this tower.
Only one more step?
That strange figure emerges again above the tempestuous ocean, surrounded by violent storms and torrents.
Even as you venture into the tower and immerse yourself in the ocean of information, your understanding of these peculiar languages remains fragmented, doesn't it?
Who the hell are you?!
In response, she quietly saunters toward the ocean, as the surroundings change in tandem with her movements.
Kowloong Metropolis?
The owner of this place once told me a story about "nine deaths for one chance."
She spoke of a fabled river in the ancient legend of Kowloong. Its currents were composed of relentless rushing sand, and no soul had ever managed to cross.
But there was this one person, who embraced death nine times in his relentless pursuit. On his tenth attempt, he utilized the remains of his previous bodies to forge a path, finally crossing the impassable river.
A sad tale, isn't it? If only someone had been by his side, he wouldn't have had to endure such suffering.
What are you trying to say?
This tower descended too early, and only you alone stand prepared. What awaits others is nothing but futile demise.
To ascend to the summit, you must pave a path with the fallen bodies of your own.
...!
It's a price that must be paid countless times, with no assurance of securing even a single fragment each time. As an example... you are already walking toward failure in this attempt.
You have indulged yourself in regrets and memories for too long, depleting the entirety of the time you have, incapable of retaining any further information.
Each passing second now costs you a weightier toll. Just behold...
She points at Lee's embrace, where a deep crimson hue has taken hold.
As Lee's M.I.N.D. collapses, he struggles to discern the figure in his arms, only sensing that his frame is drenched in blood.
That person whispers by his ear in a feeble voice... Little time has passed here, yet everything seems to be gravitating toward the bleakest end.
(Commandant!)
His attempts to speak fail, words caught in his throat. The desire to rise fills him, but his body refuses. All he can do is watch helplessly as the glimmer from the lighthouse fades into oblivion.
Then with a soft sigh, darkness once again engulfs him.
Everything returns to turbulence, even that mysterious figure dissipating into nothingness. Her departing words hang in the air, a declaration tinged with despair.
You must reach the "starting point" to grasp a slim chance of change. However, given your present state, this may just mark the conclusion...
—So he is still nowhere near the "starting point" despite all the sacrifices he made. With the Mind Beacon extinguished and weariness taking its toll, how can he continue to forge ahead?
Don't worry, you still have me. Let's keep pushing forward.
A new lighthouse emerges. As his M.I.N.D. finds stability, a faint image of Murray catches his gaze.
Don't blame your commandant. This is the choice I made.
How long did that fleeting conversation last in real time? When did Murray enter the tower?
In what state did the two humans he values most make such a decision—to maintain the M.I.N.D. connection with him, even at the cost of their lives?
Just as that strange figure said, he is bearing a weightier toll.
I'm not as talented as your commandant and may not hold it for too long... Are you capable of moving now?
He helps Lee up and asks him to press on.
Take me to the end you are trying to reach.
If you believe you can find the answer you're seeking there, I'm with you.
You sacrificed so much to earn me a chance at life. I want to protect you at any cost... The life you selflessly safeguarded, I'm going to return it in kind...
—Don't return it this way.
He yearns to retort, yet finds himself incapable of uttering a word.
Merely moving forward already pushes him to his limits. Given his current state, what can he even achieve when reaching that "starting point"?
Start anew and try again.
Even if failure is predetermined.
Amidst the fragmented voices echoing along the path, he tightly grasps Murray's hand, heading toward the spiral hub where information converges.
Thank you...
He smiles when feeling the firm grip on his hand.
You must be wondering something along the lines of "Why are you saying thank you?"
...
Because you always treat me as a child.
As Murray supports Lee, the two stumble forward.
"Everything is fine," "just some scratches," "no big deal"...
"You don't need to worry about me," "All I need you to do is stay safe"... You never tell me about your adversity.
Murray mutters quietly with a bitter smile as if there will be no second chance.
I was born weak, can get easily deceived, and need someone to watch over me all the time. I guess it's only natural that you hesitate to rely on me and gradually distance yourself, even if you don't mean to.
..."Don't be such a fool," that's what you want to say, right?
...
But you know what? When I stare at your back as you walk away, it throws me back to the moment when our father left.
When I was little, I once asked you if he had no choice but to leave us for a chance of surviving. Was it because of my illness... because I was a burden to him...
You denied it, but you've borne all the burden on your own, never telling me a thing.
...Because I was a useless burden, I thought back then. If only I could become someone you could rely on and share the hardships with.
He emits a quiet cough, and blood trickles from his nose, staining his immaculate suit.
Now, you are finally willing to rely on me once.
At the end of this tower, also the starting point of everything, the two brothers stop.
It makes me so happy that I'm finally able to help you.
Even if just once in my life.
He crumbles into pieces with a smile on his face in Lee's collapsing visual module.
...
The possibilities the starting point brings are right in front of him, but he is also on the verge of collapse due to M.I.N.D. overload.
Lee reaches out to touch the evanescent circle of light. Scenes that have flickered past him are now clearly presented to him.
You have once again paid this price to reach the starting point.
How many more times does this person you treasure so much have to be sacrificed before your body can forge the way to the top of the tower?
...
No matter, as long as you do not give up, I shall continue to watch over you as the "Gatekeeper".
Go read her message and let history replay itself.
Message...
In the crimson virus, the dancing message transforms into readable text.
—To the person carrying Heteromer Shards who is able to read this,
You will be able to find data on the language of the Punishing and its high-dimensional properties recorded here.
As long as you can speak its language, you will be able to send messages into the past and maybe prevent this disaster from happening...
I know you have experienced a lot of sad partings along the way, but don't give up, there is still a chance to save it all.
This is my gift to everybody... the gift of the "future."
And now you don't need to read any further, time is ticking, go and extract the data.
...
But on the off chance that you're not in a rush...
Can you relay a message to the commandant of Gray Raven, Liv, Lucia, and everyone else who is still alive?
—I miss you guys.
...
There was once a girl who lived here. A girl who loved humanity, and to protect those whom she loved, she was willing to sacrifice herself in exchange for a chance to leave a message here.
He cannot let her down and waste this opportunity.
The language of the Punishing... Message...
Was this the cause of the sense of deja vu and premonitions...?
Then, this time, I'll have to...
He redesignates all his computing power, and just before reaching the limit... He shouts into the past.
Video: Lee: Hyperreal_Story_Lee Calculation & Navigation
