Story Reader / Main Story / 33 Wither to Shine / Story
A woman draped in a pristine white cloak walks into the dimly lit base.
...It's been a while.
Her gaze falls upon the red egg placed beneath the small Tree of Life.
Forgive my uninvited appearance. You've obtained the <phonetic=Hetero Tower>"key"</phonetic>, haven't you?
Yes, she's about to hatch.
The spindle-shaped "egg" pulsates slowly, beating like a human heart.
So, the key. Would it be safe to see it as that commandant's... daughter?
I'd say the key is more like the actual commandant.
The introduction didn't go well. The memories and consciousness aren't entirely complete. I saw several shards that belonged to others.
Ugh...
Perhaps it could already be considered a complete "return ticket".
...
The man lets out a soft sigh, seemingly dissatisfied with the current state of things.
Why did you choose this commandant when anyone with a stable M.I.N.D. can be the core of the key?
Her question seems directed at more than just Vonnegut.
I need someone who understands the cost of power.
The <phonetic=change>key</phonetic> isn't just a tool. She possesses her own consciousness. Having to go down the same path again and again is torturing, and few have what it takes to stand that.
Most people use this power to satisfy their own desires once they realize what they are capable of.
And we both know what can happen when that happens.
He also turns his gaze toward the pulsating "egg".
Only this commandant...
...has what it takes to become the perfect "<phonetic=change>key</phonetic>". Unfortunately...
Making the "real" commandant serve as the "key" is no simple task, and besides...
The agent lowers his head, staring at his palm.
Throughout countless cycles, he has made desperate attempts before, but the results always fell short of expectations.
I've tried using the "real" commandant as the "key", but the results were less than ideal.
What I need is "future", not playing along with their happy ending charade.
Ohh...
I wish the best of luck to you and your new key with passing through the door.
Sensing Vonnegut's penetrating gaze, Ishmael offers an intentionally ambiguous explanation.
I don't wish for these developments to be erased. What I truly look forward to is witnessing the "rules" being shattered.
So, I won't obstruct your actions... whether you're Ascendants or humans.
If you're referring to the struggle between humans and the Punishing Virus, I don't really care which side emerges victorious.
...
You're far less interesting than when you were still alive, Professor... so much so that I barely recognize you now.
Are you still merging those "voices"?
...
He instinctively touches his mask, pauses, and tacitly acknowledges the statement.
You're nearly forgetting who you are. You might be able to get out of the closed loop of time now, but you're no longer the same person that you were.
Even if you obtain the "key", have you envisioned your ending?
Ishmael studies the agent with an inquisitive gaze.
That doesn't matter.
The man's voice remains composed, unfazed by Ishmael's brief dismissal.
Regardless of the outcome, this path is exactly the one I set out to take.
And it won't be so "uninteresting" for you either, right?
The two both fall silent, no longer conversing.
Thump—Thump—
The "egg's" heartbeat grows increasingly rapid, like a nestling unable to break through its shell—restless, struggling to find its way out.
Ah... unable to find her "self"?
She sweeps her cloak aside and holds the egg in her arms.
Should we give her a name? Giving her an identity, providing information—it can help her hatch sooner.
How about...
She gives a peculiar smile.
We call her [player name]?
Thump—
Tiny cracks appear on the egg's shell.
That's a terrible joke, madam.
The dark figure stares at the egg about to hatch, briefly lost in thought.
Chaos—let's stick with that for the time being until she names herself.
In silence, the shell of the egg gradually cracks...
...It's here, I see.
She seems to hear something, giving a knowing smile.
I... see...
Within the small Tree of Life, the <phonetic=Chaos>Hetero-Creature</phonetic> slowly opens her eyes.
So this is... your choice.
...
The agent gazes at the hatched Hetero-Creature, seemingly lost in thought.
What's wrong? Not happy with it?
Isn't this... the result you wanted?
Lifting the young Hetero-Creature from the now-shattered "egg", Ishmael gently wraps her in her cloak.
...This is quite unexpected.
Chaos before him is clearly more complete than he anticipated...
Vonnegut remains silent, unsure whether this development is beneficial or detrimental to his plans.
A stable consciousness is certainly better than an unstable one.
The key is quite complete... Perhaps she truly can become a nearly perfect "return ticket".
Gazing down at Chaos in her arms, Ishmael gently brushes the hair on the little Hetero-Creature's forehead.
Since the result meets your expectations...
Would you mind sharing what your original plan was?
...
No emotion visible in his golden eyes, Vonnegut pauses for a moment before slowly speaking.
I will take Chaos into the Hetero Tower.
He searches repeatedly through his memories, looking for the corresponding "plan".
Dominik's plan is a pipe dream. You and I both know that the contaminating memetic can never be truly sealed away.
Only by addressing the problem from its <color=#ff4e4eff>source</color> can we truly break everything apart.
After you enter the Hetero Tower... then what?
I'm not sure either.
You won't tell me what the current situation is inside the Hetero Tower, will you?
Ishmael makes a polite sound of acknowledgment.
I'm sorry, but I indeed cannot.
The interior of the Hetero Tower is too chaotic. After it was twisted by that Construct, I can no longer fathom what exactly has happened in there.
It could be the entangled Golden Age, or maybe a space submerged by the Red Tide, or even...
He might come face to face with visitors from a new civilization after entering.
But in any case... the key is more complete now, which is at least something positive.
She attempts to hand Chaos over to Vonnegut, but the pale doll instinctively furrows her brow the moment she sees him.
...
Handing Chaos along with the cloak to Vonnegut, Ishmael softly chuckles.
A nearly perfect return ticket... Perhaps this time, you'll succeed?
...Heh.
Taking the fragile doll, Vonnegut bows his head, gazing at this key hatched from the culmination of all his power.
She represents more than just success in a single gambit...
She is also the pass that determines whether he can completely break free from the time loop.
He has walked alone in this closed loop for too long—so long that... he has forgotten who he was at the very beginning.
How long has it been now...
Do you need me to tell you the exact figures?
...No, thank you. I don't actually want to know.
Gazing at the doll in his hands, for the first time in a long while, he recalls memories from the distant past without consulting his notebook.
If he can really make it this time...
Maybe then he can finally return to the place he once called home, rediscovering the path that is truly his own...
He has grown weary of failure and refuses to fail again.
Time's almost up, and now that I've learned your choice...
This is farewell.
Just as suddenly as she appeared, Ishmael quietly vanishes once more.
Sometime later, Lithos enters through the doorway and shakes his head at Vonnegut.
Mister, I didn't see how the lady left.
Yeah.
He is not surprised by this result.
She... has hatched.
Lithos notices the Hetero-Creature in the man's hands and cautiously attempts to approach.
Her name is Chaos.
Chaos...
...
The pale doll stares indifferently at the agent before her.
Your name... is Chaos.
Vonnegut addresses the petite doll with noticeable awkwardness.
...
Is that consciousness still inside her, Mister?
I'm not sure.
The agent lets out a sigh.
Her completeness is beyond my imagination. Probably something unexpected has happened.
But the breeding process was complete, with no abnormal data detected.
Lithos stares fixedly at Chaos in the agent's arms—she is... the "child" that hatched from that egg.
Maybe... it happened somewhere beyond our notice.
His deep golden eyes study the petite Hetero-Creature.
Tell me, who are you?
The "gaze" higher than Chaos observes everything here.
Strange shadows whisper in the corners, their chaotic murmurs constantly pouring into the M.I.N.D.
Chaos... Hetero-Creature... Egg...
Fragments of memories slowly resurface, unveiling the world like silk unwinding from a cocoon, revealing everything once more before you.
Just as Ishmael said, Vonnegut cannot fully control Chaos' will. Everything about "her" seems to be under your control.
Or rather...
"You" are "you."
When "you" become the true "Chaos", you will reign over everything within Chaos.
Your "sight" will transcend Chaos.
Your "sight" will exist beyond just this realm, preventing Vonnegut from manipulating your thoughts.
Tell me, who are you?
Vonnegut repeats the question sharply and persistently, as if trying to discern some clue from Chaos' indifferent eyes.
What do you remember?
Gray Raven... Babylonia... [player name]...
He utters one word after another, probing her responses.
There isn't the slightest reaction to those words. The petite Hetero-Creature remains expressionless, just like an actual doll.
Does she really have consciousness, Mister?
Observing Vonnegut's somewhat gloomy expression, Lithos hesitates for a moment before speaking softly.
From what we've seen with past test subjects, those without implanted memories wouldn't have any "memories" to speak of.
She should have no self-awareness.
...
He shakes his head.
She's too complete. I find it hard to believe that a Hetero-Creature fused with the memories of that commandant would remember absolutely nothing.
Back then... are you sure there was nothing usual about that cloned commandant?
...
Lithos recalls everything that has happened at the bottom of the sea.
There was nothing usual, Mister.
Everything has been proceeding according to your plan. All escaped subjects have been recycled by the Sea Fairies. So, there was nothing usual, Mister.
The cradle has remained stable, and all data shows no issues.
I saw the birth of her egg with my own eyes.
Lithos states all this with unwavering certainty.
...
The dark figure contemplates in silence.
He doesn't believe Chaos is completely without memories, but so far, she hasn't displayed any abnormal behavior.
Mister, what are we going to do next?
The boy looks up at Vonnegut.
...We're out of time.
He cradles the crimson doll in his arms.
There have been changes in the Hetero Tower. I suspect... the "Anomaly" has noticed this world.
The Anomaly...
We must proceed with the next phase of our plan.
The Hetero Tower is now encased in layered crystals, and the path of "return" has vanished.
He has been trapped in this closed loop for too long, and now his only option is to shatter this time cycle—
Embracing his final <phonetic=Chaos>hope</phonetic>, Vonnegut departs from the base.
