7:13 AM
March 16, 2162
Central broadcast... jumper cables... found them.
Let's cause some chaos—
Good morning, Carthaki!
In the early morning, while most of Carthaki's residents are still lost in slumber, a sharp, piercing siren suddenly shatters the tranquility and reverberates between the city's buildings.
All teams, assemble immediately!
The security system at the rocket factory has been compromised. We're investigating a possible Punishing Virus infection. We need to assist the military and contain the situation!
Time is critical! Everyone move out now!
Nirvatia bursts through the door of Room 303, only to find Margaret's bed perfectly made. The room is completely empty.
Margaret...!
She storms out of the dormitory, taking the stairs two at a time as she sprints toward the Carthaki Research Institute.
Just then, sirens blare at the rocket factory. Taking advantage of the scattered security, Nirvatia quietly slips over the gate, crosses Unity Square, and makes her way to the base of the Alliance Heritage Monument.
A seamless alloy gate blocks her path. A facial recognition scanner in black is mounted on the left side of the entrance, but when Nirvatia steps up to try it, it only flashes "Access Denied".
Her eyes sweep the surroundings, finally settling on an inconspicuous vent grating high on the wall.
...
After enduring minutes of dust and rust, Nirvatia finally reaches the end of the dark passage. Phosphorescent light filters through the grating, casting striped patterns across her face.
She carefully dismantles the grating and gingerly drops down into the cold, dark space below.
The sharp scent of antiseptic lingers in the air. As she looks up, an imposing laboratory stretches out before her eyes.
Under the dim lights, thick cables sprawl across the floor like veins, connecting dozens of capsule-shaped chambers throughout the space.
The chambers are arranged in a circular pattern, with a pale blue transparent sphere pulsing with light at the very center.
Floating within that sphere is a pale-skinned girl.
Margaret?!
Nirvatia's pupils contract in shock, her body frozen in place.
...
The blue cultivation fluid shimmers in the light. Within it, the girl floats motionlessly with her eyes shut tight, her arms wrapped around her knees in a fetal position.
Even more disturbing are the grayish-brown cables connected to her exposed shoulders, neck, and arms. Visible electric particles flow from her body, continuously extracted and channeled into the equipment outside.
Nirvatia slowly approaches the sphere, examining the familiar figure up close. The skin where the cables connect reflects a dull metallic sheen.
A term Nirvatia learned from her textbooks suddenly comes to mind.
...Construct?
Tap... tap...
Suddenly, Nirvatia hears something behind her.
?!
She immediately covers her mouth, crouches down, and hides in the shadows of the laboratory.
...So the "procedure" was voluntary?
Yes. We informed her of all the potential risks, and the volunteer arrived in Carthaki the day before yesterday.
Major Li and a man in a white lab coat slowly enter the room.
What do you mean? Is her life in danger?
...Major, you have no authority to question these matters. I've already said more than enough.
(Procedure...? In danger?)
Though Nirvatia can't hear their entire conversation, even these fragments are filling her with profound unease.
She recalls what Margaret has told her and Jagienka, and her eyes tremble slightly as her worry intensifies.
Nirvatia desperately wants to rescue Margaret right now and free her from this steel prison.
Almost without thinking, she reaches out and presses her palm against the reinforced glass of the sphere.
...
At that very moment, the girl's body shudders as if jolted by an electric current.
She slowly lifts her head and opens her eyes, her gaze unfocused and bewildered.
Margaret...?
The girl's gaze sweeps over Nirvatia's panic-stricken face, then falls upon her wrist.
There, the two bracelets—one yellow, one purple—reflect a faint gleam under the cold laboratory lights.
...
Margaret's lips tremble slightly as she raises her arm wrapped in cables, slowly extending her fingertips toward Nirvatia's palm.
Their palms align, separated only by the cold, transparent barrier.
The next instant—
Whirrrr—
?!
A massive torrent surges into Nirvatia's consciousness like a raging tidal wave, violently engulfing all color from her vision.
As the storm howls, a rift seems to split open the darkness before her eyes. Brilliant light cascades down, completely enveloping Nirvatia's body.
Seconds later, the roaring current finally subsides. Nirvatia opens her eyes again, and a blinding light strikes her face as a world bathed in golden radiance unfolds before her.
...I'm here.
Beneath an enormous golden oak, a figure waves at her.
It is the woman Nirvatia would see during an episode. This time, Nirvatia can finally hear her words clearly and see her face.
Nirvatia approaches in a daze.
Who... are you?
My, how you've grown.
The woman strokes Nirvatia's curly hair gently, revealing a heartfelt smile.
Nirvatia blinks in bewilderment as a tear silently slides down her cheek.
...?
While Nirvatia is still pondering the meaning behind the woman's words, her tears begin flowing uncontrollably, stinging her eyes as they spill over.
I'm crying... but why?
She doesn't understand what is happening, but she can feel it. An immense sense of wholeness swells in her chest, awakening lost memories and making her fragmented soul whole again.
Standing beneath this radiant oak, the emptiness in her heart seems to be healing.
Are you... Jagienka?
Nirvatia looks up, but the woman has vanished. In her place stands Margaret, quietly watching Nirvatia.
I'm...
No, no, you're Nirvatia! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Margaret's cheeks and ears flush crimson as she shakes her head desperately.
...?
Nirvatia's gaze follows Margaret's down to her own wrist, where two pearls glimmer with a familiar light.
Suddenly, she remembers her second encounter with Margaret.
We're friends, remember?
Nirvatia raises her hand, revealing her lavender bracelet.
Oh, Nirvatia!
Margaret... Do you recognize us by our bracelets?
...
Her body trembles almost imperceptibly.
...I'm sorry.
After a long silence, Margaret slowly lifts her head.
She presses her lips together, her hesitant expression giving way to one of resolution, as if she has finally gathered the courage to make an important decision.
I have a strange condition. No matter how important someone is to me, whenever I fall asleep... I forget their faces.
She smiles with a hint of resignation, steps forward, and gently lifts Nirvatia's wrist.
...When did it start?
Like you, Nirvatia, it started from the moment I opened my eyes and arrived in Carthaki.
But unlike you, I'm a Construct. The adults said I became this way because of something called a "Seedling" hidden inside my body.
"Seedling"?
Nirvatia's brow furrows slightly.
The doctors showed me pictures of it. It's a small, shimmering sapling about the size of a fist.
It grows inside me, feeding on my M.I.N.D. and destroying my memory modules... That's why I can't recognize you or Jagienka.
But I found a solution. I weaved a special bracelet for each of you, and when I see the colors on them, I can remember everything about you.
She tilts her head to one side, smiling gently.
We were so worried about you. When we heard you were here, we found a way to sneak in. Jagienka created a distraction to draw people's attention away and we got separated.
I saw you suspended in that huge sphere. What's going on? I overheard someone talking about a "procedure"... Are they going to hurt you?
Margaret shakes her head.
Not at all. Everyone here has been very gentle with me. It was my own decision.
Nirvatia, do you remember the two times you collapsed in front of me?
The first time was when Jagienka took "Morigan".
The second time was when we were defending the rocket factory together.
Do you remember how you woke up each time?
My name's Margaret. Are you feeling any discomfort?
Opening her eyes, Nirvatia finds an unfamiliar girl smiling at her, holding her sweat-drenched right palm.
She can feel a warmth on her left cheek. Looking over, she finds Margaret gently stroking her face.
You're awake, Nirvatia.
Memories flash before her eyes. Nirvatia remembers clearly how Margaret has been by her side every time she overcame her illness and woke up.
Each time she broke free from her affliction, she could distinctly feel Margaret's touch.
Anyone who comes into contact with me feels a profound sense of peace because of the Seedling's influence. They can even... temporarily overcome psychological illnesses.
Not only that, it also gives me the power to resist the Punishing Virus, like this...
She raises her hand, and golden fragments seem to break free from gravity and time, halting their descent and hovering silently above her palm.
During the battle, when a Corrupted lunged at you, I stepped in front of you and was grabbed by the throat...
But you were completely unharmed afterward...
Margaret nods gently.
I should have noticed it sooner...!
She frowns, her expression filled with regret.
I once snuck a peek at your bookshelf, Nirvatia. One of your books' inscription read, "All talents come with a cost of equal value"... Hehe, it was the first time I remembered something so profound.
Margaret raises her head to look at the towering, radiant golden tree, a bitter smile forming on her face.
The Seedling will continue to erode my memories at an increasing rate. Not recognizing your faces is just the beginning. In the future, it will cause me to forget...
I'll forget Carthaki, forget all of you, and ultimately forget myself... Then everything will start from zero. A "me" who's forgotten all of my past will be reborn into this world.
...
The adults say they can remove this Seedling, but it has firmly parasitized my body. Once they remove it... I might die along with it.
So you're choosing to take that risk...? Aren't you scared, Margaret?
I am scared, but...
I'm more afraid of forgetting all of you.
A gentle breeze lifts her silver-threaded curls. Under the clear sky, the girl's voice rings with a clarity never heard before.
The ability to calm people down... I used to think it was the most useless "super power" in the world!
But that all changed the day I met you, Nirvatia.
She looks directly into Nirvatia's eyes once more.
Because of you, I borrowed so many books about mental health from the library. That's when I learned just how many people in this world are fighting on despite being affected by shadows of their past.
But... I'm just a kid who dreams of becoming a pastry chef. I'm not as brave as Jagienka, and I'm not as smart as you, Nirvatia.
But what if I can pass my power on to others? What if this tiny sapling that can resist the Punishing Virus can help those who are stronger than me...
What if it can grow into a towering tree and protect those resilient souls living in the shadows... What if it can protect you...
She takes Nirvatia's left hand and gently presses it against her own chest, letting Nirvatia feel the warm beating of her heart.
I'm willing to take that chance, even if the cost is... disappearing forever.
Margaret! You... you fool!
Why didn't you tell us sooner? Aren't we family?
It's because we are family that I was afraid of forgetting you.
I'm sorry, Nirvatia. All this time, I've been hiding who I really am. I was worried that if you all knew...
Listen to me, Margaret. We don't care whether you're human or Construct.
Nirvatia cuts Margaret off, speaking with urgent desperation.
All we care about is your safety. We want to bring you home.
As for everything else, all those burdens... your family deserves to know. We can take our time and talk through it with Jagienka.
She slowly raises her right hand, extending it toward Margaret.
Let's go home together, okay?
...
Margaret blinks repeatedly, her gaze slowly settling on Nirvatia's outstretched palm.
She presses her lips together, then parts them slightly.
I...
CRACK—
A fissure splits the sky like lightning, violently erupting to tear a jagged black hole through the golden, gleaming firmament.
A deafening roar fills the air as the golden illusion shatters instantly. Storms surge through the rifts, raging with unbridled fury.
—MARGARET!
The violent impact forces Nirvatia's eyes shut. Through the searing hot gale, she screams until her voice breaks, desperately reaching for the space beside her.
But there is no one there.
The distorted light reconverges as the laboratory's floor-to-ceiling windows suddenly shatter. A massive fireball rises into the sky, radiating scorching rays that seemingly eclipse the dawn and set the world ablaze.
In that same instant, shards of broken glass fly outward like hailstones, raining down toward Nirvatia's face.
Time seems to freeze. The wholeness Nirvatia has just found is instantly torn away, as the familiar, overwhelming void quietly reawakens amidst the chain of explosions and clutches at her heart.
Ugh... Aargh!
The strange woman, burning skies, and the massive tree... A series of visions once again flashes in rapid succession before her eyes.
—GET DOWN!!!
Razor-sharp glass shards slice through the air as Major Li lunges forward, pushing Nirvatia down to the ground.
A second later, a deadly heat wave follows. Flames exceeding thousands of degrees roar, bending steel, disintegrating furniture, and surging directly toward the two of them.
As death descends upon them, something interposes itself before Nirvatia, cleaving through the blazing inferno and carving a narrow path to survival.
Nirvatia—!
Through her hazy vision, Nirvatia once again sees the golden oak standing like a reef amidst raging currents, blocking the sea of flames and offering shelter to those beneath its protection.
And at the center of that golden silhouette stands Margaret, her arms outstretched as she desperately maintains this nearly-exhausted energy from the Seedling.
—Aargh!!!
Crimson mist surges forth with the raging flames, shrieking as it hammers against the golden barrier. Margaret struggles desperately to keep it up, but fractures in the space continue to splinter, spreading like a web.
Her gaze pierces through the wavering golden light toward Nirvatia behind her. Nirvatia is kneeling in pain before the instructor, just like the first time they met.
A single, clear thought instantly overwhelms all her pain and fear.
—!!
Gritting her teeth, she uses her last ounce of strength to take a labored step toward the raging flames, separating the lethal mist from her friend.
Nirvatia...
Amid the boundless radiance, Margaret turns her face slightly.
She etches all the colors of the world behind her into her heart one last time.
...Meeting you all, becoming your family... It made me so, so happy.
The flames consume the girl's smiling face, leaving behind whispers that seem almost like a dream.
I'll stay in the past. You all must continue moving forward.
If you don't forget to look back, we'll always see each other again.
Nirvatia, promise me you'll protect Jagienka.
22 minutes after the Great Akdilek Explosion
16-Mar-62
8:36 AM
Nirvatia...
In the murky darkness, acrid smoke fills her nostrils while chaotic, disorderly sounds echo in her ears.
...Nirvatia...!
Intense pain travels through her nerves while her shattered senses gather and disperse like iron filings as they gradually awake.
NIRVATIA!!
—!
Scorching air forces its way into her lungs as Nirvatia's eyes snap open. Jagienka is crouched beside her, her face etched with worry.
Chaotic footsteps reverberate in her ears as Nirvatia grits her teeth, fighting through excruciating pain to stand. A hellish landscape greets her eyes.
A massive fireball still hangs suspended in the air. As far as she can see, the once-bustling streets have been reduced to crumbling, burning ruins.
Everything in sight is bathed in crimson, and heart-rending screams fill the air... Some people flee in terror while covered in blood, while others kneel before the ruins, numbly clawing at the rubble with bleeding fingers.
Nirvatia feels as if she has fallen into a pit of blood in her daze, where living people writhe like scraps of flesh in a stomach, grotesquely squirming toward her.
Nirvatia! Where's Margaret?!
Jagienka lightly pats Nirvatia's cheek, pulling her back to reality.
Margaret...?
Nirvatia's eyes fly wide open, horror spreading across her gaze.
Margaret is still in the research institute!
...What?!
Jagienka frantically grabs Nirvatia by the collar.
What happened? You were supposed to rescue her!!!
I was talking to her... and then... suddenly there was an explosion. My condition flared up, and I don't remember anything after that.
No... no...
Jagienka shakes her head and slowly rises to her feet, gazing at the distant tower as it collapses and burns.
...MARGARET!
Suddenly, she steps forward toward the crowd that is surging her way like a tide.
Jagienka! Where are you going?
Nirvatia grabs Jagienka's hand, but it is futile against her determination. She pulls Nirvatia along as they begin to run.
We have to go back and save her!
Before Nirvatia can even process a thought, Jagienka has already dragged her headlong into the crowd.
Move aside! Everyone, make way!
However, the oncoming crowd has formed an insurmountable wall, blocking their small figures and constantly pushing them back to where they started.
Get out of the way! We're trying to save someone!!
Jagienka's voice is like a pebble dropped into the ocean, unable to create even the slightest ripple against the overwhelming tide of suffering.
MAKE—WAY!!
Tears of frustration well in Jagienka's eyes as her shoving and shouting fail to move the mountain of people before her even an inch.
Just then, a sharp horn blares behind them. A vintage sedan with a rumbling engine shoots out from a mansion, drifts sharply, and comes to a stop on the asphalt.
You two! Get in, now!
A familiar figure rolls down the window, his face marked with a jagged, bloody gash.
Instructor! Take us to the research institute!
Are you ****ing insane? The explosion came from there!
Margaret is still in there!
She shouts.
...No way! That's ****ing suicide! Nirvatia, get her in the car, now!
...
Nirvatia stands frozen, her gaze darting back and forth, unable to decide what to do.
Tch! Then I'll go back on my own!
Come back! Jagienka!
Shut up, coward!
Ignoring the car horn behind her, Jagienka charges into the crowd once again.
I'm your ****ing instructor! It's my duty to protect you, you little brat!
Nirvatia, promise me you'll protect Jagienka.
A voice suddenly rings out in Nirvatia's mind.
She abruptly stops, bites her lip, and grabs Jagienka's arm.
She has to do this.
Nirvatia?
...I'm sorry, Jagienka!
She swiftly raises her right hand and strikes Jagienka's neck with all her might.
Thud. With a dull sound, Jagienka closes her eyes and collapses onto Nirvatia like a puppet with cut strings.
Get in the car, now! The military is assembling at the riverbank! I'll take you there!
I'm sorry...
Tears stream down her cheeks as Nirvatia places Jagienka's body in the backseat, sits beside her, and slams the door shut.
I'm sorry... Margaret... I'm so sorry.
Her fingers weakly clutch the hem of her dress, her shoulders trembling. The overwhelming regret and helplessness transform into tears that silently fall between her shaking palms.
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...
She wipes her eyes again and again, trying to erase the lingering traces of pain, but each time her fingertips brush across her face, the tears only flow more fiercely, cascading down without restraint.
Whispering, Nirvatia slumps helplessly against the seat as she gazes back at her burning homeland—
—!
On the flame-engulfed horizon, countless red specks slowly emerge through the smoke and ash.
