Story Reader / Main Story / 24 Chaos Unsnarled / Story
Video: No. 21: Feral Version_Text Story Cutscene
A rampaging dark shadow abruptly emerges, catching everyone off guard, as it forcefully breaks free from the confines of the forest. The once expansive forest now appears to shrink and contort into an egg shape.
Amidst the interplay of searchlights and darkness, the shadow springs forth with remarkable swiftness and height, resembling an untamed bird soaring out of a black egg.
Driven by an unwavering determination to be born into this world against all odds, the creature must, in turn, use its newborn claws to destroy the other world known as its "cradle."
The lingering ferocity and thirst for blood emanate from its very being, evoking aggression from everyone present. They react with defensive hostility, issuing a warning to this frenzied entity.
Everyone holds up their weapons. If this is a newborn enemy, they will eliminate it right then and there.
It rises to its feet, the dark coat stripped of its obscurity under the piercing glow of the searchlights—
It's No. 21 and Vera.
Lee, Liv, and a handful of nearby Constructs are taken aback by your yell. However, the rest of the group remains poised, weapons still held firmly.
No. 21's frame heaves as she breathes heavily. Both she and Vera are drenched in a viscous purplish-red fluid. Her frame reflects the dazzling light, making her look more like a beast succumbing to her primal instincts in a bloody fray.
The "beast" gazes at the startled Constructs with a piercing intensity, as if meticulously searching for the weak points of its prey.
Recalling the signs of stress that No. 21 has exhibited before, an alarm bell rings in your mind. Without hesitation, you step forward, ready to shield No. 21 with your own body.
You must get there before other people misread the situation—
Probably holding the same idea, Noctis forcefully pushes aside the Constructs in front of him as he yells out loud at everyone present.
Hey!! Drop your weapons! Are you all deaf?!
I am—!!
The maiden, who resembles a white wolf, yells out as her chest heaves violently for a moment. It is the first time that you, or maybe even Noctis, have heard such a clear and powerful shout from No. 21.
I am—No. 21 from Cerberus!!
No. 21 locks eyes with the onlookers—some bewildered, some fearful, and others perplexed. She stares back at the weapons leveled against her with unyielding resolve, embodying a proud lone wolf that disregards challengers with a dismissive glare.
Captain is injured. She needs treatment.
The weapons and the hands gripping them remain frozen in their positions, as No. 21 persists in yelling out her need.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Noctis rushes forward and takes Vera from No. 21's arms.
Get a stretcher over!! Are you ****ing lost? Hurry up and go save her for ****'s sake!
I got this... This is no good. The corruption level has greatly surpassed the safety threshold. Quick, move Vera here.
The shell of the nest, shattered by No. 21 and Vera, continues to diminish in size, withering at a rapid pace, as if the water within is being drained away.
The method by which No. 21 and Vera managed to create an opening in the rapidly expanding tree web remains a mystery to all. Nevertheless, you are aware that it is not yet time to lower your guard.
Leave it to me.
Reacting swiftly to your concern, Lee responds you with a reassuring nod before proceeding to coordinate arrangements with the members of the Purifying Force.
Suddenly, your private terminal springs to life, emitting frantic rings non-stop, as if it has awakened from a prolonged slumber.
You turn it on, only to discover a flood of overdue messages from Babylonia and various other contacts.
Commandant, the communication signal is coming back. We can now reach Babylonia, but there's still a significant delay.
The globular forest in the distance continues to shrink. The recovery of the signal is likely due to No. 21 and Vera's efforts in destroying or eliminating whatever was causing signal disruption.
I'll draft a brief report about the situation and send it over.
At this point, all that remains is to patiently await the arrival of reinforcements and focus on mitigating the adverse effects caused by the Hetero-Creatures until they arrive.
Fortunately, just before you departed the conservation area, the last group of civilians successfully boarded the transport craft.
Recalling the expressions in the eyes of those who had loved ones missing, you can't help but ponder which one is more cruel, the faintest glimmer of hope or the anticipation of the worst possible outcome.
You aim to find answers for them, if possible, because every name deserves their ending to be known.
Remembering an unexpected request, you quickly catch up to No. 21, who is walking alongside the stretcher.
Hm?
No. 21 answers with a nod, her body adorned with scratches and wounds, though not as severe as those inflicted upon Vera. You can imagine how painful the ordeal she endured.
Before the operation.
Upon hearing your promise to do your utmost in finding them answers, the last group of evacuees finally began boarding the craft.
Salans gave you a nod to show his gratitude, his eyes concealing a multitude of other emotions.
After people walked away for a while, a girl who had been standing aside quietly approached you.
Are you with No. 21?
A Construct...?
You couldn't discern the department she belonged to based on her attire, as the style of coating she wore was unfamiliar to you.
Your men said that No. 21's companion went missing. The little white machine that can dance.
She calls it Snore.
Understanding the importance of the Co-Bot to No. 21 to some extent, you realized that if it had indeed disappeared, she would've been just as anxious as the refugees you sent off a moment ago.
If you see her, could you help me deliver a message to her? "If Canon sees Snore, she will help keep it safe."
Thank you.
The Construct in the peculiar attire turns around without hesitation and promptly follows the people from the conservation area, but maintains a subtle distance between them.
After delivering the message from Canon to No. 21, she falls into silence with her head lowered.
While contemplating how to offer solace to No. 21 and formulating your plan to contact Babylonia for aid in finding the Co-Bot, No. 21 breaks the silence ahead of you.
It's okay. I've already found Buddy.
My headache... was probably because Buddy was calling for me.
It was just too late.
I figured it out too late.
After her return, No. 21 talks without looking into the other person's eyes for the first time.
Evidently, No. 21 is not inclined to discuss the details at this moment.
You can tell from the sorrow reflected in her eyes that the ending of "Snore" is the kind that people least desire to witness.
Something has changed profoundly within No. 21, and you already felt that when she showed up before you with Vera.
The price paid for rapid growth often proves to be far weightier than anticipated. In this world of natural selection, every advancement is achieved at the expense of sacrificing a part of oneself.
Okay.
No. 21 lifts her gaze, acknowledging your suggestion. She briefly examines herself, then turns around and proceeds forward without hesitation.
