Story Reader / Main Story / 28 Polaris Bond / Story
Pulao!
By the time you see Pulao, she is already surrounded by corpses and debris. The Hetero-Creatures and Corrupted are slowly pulling back after the initial wave of assaults.
Lee, stationed high in the control room, shoots a bullet, ripping open massive wounds on the Hetero-Creatures surrounding Pulao. They writhe for a moment before collapsing.
However, Pulao, seemingly unsatisfied, calls back her Dragon Axe and leaps into a fresh fight.
I'll go—
No, just leave her be.
Chaofeng holds back Chrome, who is on the verge of raising his gun to stop Pulao, and gazes toward her.
She's already... lost so much.
Let her vent her anger.
She swings the Dragon Axe, so large compared to her body size, repeatedly and silently.
As long as there is one enemy in her sight, she will persist until everything is utterly obliterated—
The mechanoid who is still unconscious...
She rescued and took Pulao in on the Nighter. Without her, Pulao might have died on the Nighter long ago.
She's likely the only person Pulao can consider "family" in this world.
Are you talking about the mechanoid called Hanying? Even Lee couldn't really find a way to repair her...
That small, fragile figure stands alone on the battlefield.
Since Hanying was stabbed by the mechanoid who calls himself Schulz, she's been in a coma, only exhibiting some routine circuit signals.
From that moment on, Pulao has never uttered another word. She has simply been executing her duty in silence.
Child...
Before your eyes, two faint shadows appear near Pulao.
What?
When you shake your head again, the two shadows disappear.
You can see them too?
A person in worker's attire approaches you, clutching a chipped crowbar.
Despite his age, his eyes retain a bright and resolute gleam.
Hey, can you see those shadows too?
The old man points toward Pulao in the distance.
I can't see hers, but I can see mine.
I'm not the only one; Ma's granddaughter can see hers too.
Those are... shadows of the dead.
Sometimes, I also see such shadows appear around me.
The old man offers a wistful smile and releases a deep sigh.
...Probably.
Father...
It's only for a moment, but a similar shadow flickers near the old man.
You saw it, right?
In this realm where virtuality and reality intersect, some things can no longer be explained by common sense.
What's wrong, Commandant?
After confirming no more fire support is needed, Lee stands concerned by your side.
Lee gazes at you with a serious look and shakes his head.
No.
Me neither.
No, I haven't.
...Could it be a problem with your Mind Beacon?
Are you experiencing any physical discomfort?
Strange...
You mean...
Lee's eyes instantly light up in alertness.
Huaxu?!
We need to prepare precautions immediately. Lucia, Liv—
Are you sure, Commandant?
Lee's brows stay furrowed, while Lucia and Liv appear perplexed.
Although you are unsure of what Huaxu and these "shadows of the dead" intend to show you, a sense of premonition—or perhaps curiosity—compels you within.
Involuntarily, your gaze is drawn to the small room where Qu's body rests.
If these "shadows" are the dead uploaded to Tabula Akasha...
So, what does "the dead"—"she"—want to show you?
Maybe it's because you have something to do with all of us.
That's why you can see them.
But we don't believe in that.
The old man squeezes the crowbar in his hand.
The dead is dead.
There's no... so such a place for the dead to return to.
The place they truly belong...
...Should be within the hearts of us, the living.
My<//OUR> time... is running out.
Huaxu's... Tabula Akasha's time...
...Is running out.
Do... what... you... must...
Chief...
The words before your eyes slowly fade away, leaving only echoes in your mind.
...Cough...
Commandant... right?
A gentle hand tugs at your sleeve from behind.
I... cough...
She barely holds herself up, her breath feeble, yet a faint bitter smile lingers on her face.
I... saw them...
Yoyo... They are... right beside Yoyo...
Hanying, your injury...
Hanying trembles as she grips your hand.
No, I shouldn't be your concern now...
This contains her memories of her parents... and of Kowloong...
Upload them... into Tabula Akasha.
Upload them into Tabula Akasha... Please... you must...
With her final ounce of strength exerted, she slumps beside you, yet still wearing a peaceful smile.
Her hand, scarcely distinguishable from a human's, loosens its hold on you. A small storage device is left in your palm, with a slightly faded tassel attached.
Fuxi! Hurry!
Naturally, the medics cannot treat mechanoids. However, ever since Hanying fell unconscious, even the Fuxi Crew of Kowloong haven't been able to restart her.
But upon noticing the two shadows beside Pulao, she regained her senses and fought to pass the storage device to you.
Leave it to me, [player name].
Duheng, who has been guarding the room where Qu's body is kept, speaks.
At this moment, she is clutching another storage device in her hand, but the one she holds appears more damaged and... savage.
Everything I've done is for Tabula Akasha.
Be it Huainan, Sufu, or Qu...
Only the dead can enter Tabula Akasha, and the dead must enter Tabula Akasha.
