Story Reader / Main Story / 33 Wither to Shine / Story
33-33 Lucia
I...
I am Lucia.
I've decided to start writing here to keep track of things. Perhaps text can better preserve the feelings I want to remember, and the words I didn't know how to express at the time.
I hope I can keep it up.
...
Today is the day we returned from City 006 to deliver our operation report. Something seems off with Commandant.
In the middle of the operation report, Commandant suddenly rushed back to the Gray Raven lounge and collapsed after barely saying a word.
We rushed Commandant to the Star of Life. After a thorough examination, the diagnostic report showed everything was normal.
After resting for a period of time—3 hours and 28 minutes to be exact—Commandant woke up.
Commandant's expression was terrible, as if having experienced something horrifying. Commandant kept repeatedly checking everyone's condition, not trusting even doctor-issued reports, and insisted on watching us undergo instrument examinations all over again.
I've asked many times, but Commandant always brushes it off saying, "Probably just a nightmare."
But I can't imagine what kind of scene could make Commandant show an expression like that... Was it really just a nightmare?
...
Lately, there's been a lost look in Commandant's eyes, like the commandant is sleepwalking... No, maybe it's more like dreaming, as if the entire world isn't real.
I'm very worried about Commandant.
...
It's been... seven days since Commandant's strange incident.
Perhaps this situation can't really be called "strange". Commandant might really have had a long, horrifying dream...
Is it really... a dream, though?
During sleep mode lately, I've also been "dreaming" about certain things.
A crimson spiral tower, the blasted Babylonia, a strange frame that belongs to me, a space filled with white fog...
No...
Those couldn't be just dreams.
The M.I.N.D. can't fabricate something so detailed.
The development of the Hyperreal frame was just completed. There's no way I could dream in such detail about its specific battle capabilities. My new frame is still just a blueprint—even its appearance remains classified...
I couldn't possibly visualize such detailed things that "don't exist".
Not to mention Commandant...
...
I dreamed that Commandant and I were in an open field...
(The paper shows signs of tearing here.)
...
The weather is quite nice today. I've noticed Commandant no longer remembers the specific details of that nightmare.
I casually brought up the dream in front of Commandant, who seemed to have no idea what I was talking about, but when I described specific scenes, I could see it in Commandant's eyes... helplessness and fear.
What's making Commandant so afraid?
I have a terrifying suspicion, but there's no way for me to verify it.
If everything in my dreams had actually happened...
...
Those dreams are fading from my memory as time passes, but I've been trying my best to record every fragment.
Unfortunately, those dreams are just scattered fragments. I can't piece together enough to form a complete picture of this "nightmare".
It might be a devastating battle, a mission bound to fail, or a... future I don't want to face.
Commandant has been carrying on alone for so long... it must've been so tough.
...
Looking through the small window from outside the lounge, you see Lucia with furrowed brows, continuously writing something in her notebook.
She's been acting somewhat mysteriously these days, often asking you strange questions.
Some things she mentioned felt like they happened in your dreams, but others don't ring a bell at all in your memory...
It seems you have forgotten many memories that "should be remembered"...
Your terminal buzzes urgently, informing you it's time for the scheduled surface mission.
Shaking off the tangled thoughts in your mind, you step forward and gently tap on the metal window frame.
...Commandant?
Absorbed in her writing, Lucia doesn't notice your arrival. When she hears you calling, she freezes for a moment before looking up.
Ah... I'm sorry, Commandant. I almost forgot we had a mission today...
...Thanks. I've already set up the combat supplies in the prep room. We can head out now.
Also, Commandant...
She hesitates for a moment before giving you a smile.
Commandant, you've... worked very hard.
It's nothing, really... Let's just say I had a nightmare too.
After saying this, she quickly gathers her belongings and leaves the lounge with you.
Lately, I've often found myself dreaming of strange, fragmented scenes, but for some reason, they always remain blurry and out of reach.
Given this context, you can't help but feel curious about Lucia's dream.
I'll tell you more about it once we're on the transport craft, Commandant.
It's alright, we have...
We have a very, very long time ahead of us.
