Story Reader / Hidden Story / 14 Imprisoned Sight / Story
Gabriel...
You're not escaping this time.
...
...
...
I knew you were here.
Gabriel is making his way forward through the dark sewers, heavily injured.
You rely too much on Ascnet and have forgotten the most important aspect of combat.
She splashes through the tunnel, heading toward him.
You may be strong, but it all counts for nothing if you can't hit your target.
And now, you're heading back to that agent to beg for his help.
Alpha draws her katana and cold glint dances along the length of the blade, reflecting the glistening light.
I won't let you escape again.
How... foolish...
With some difficulty, Gabriel uses his cane to prop himself up.
Humans and their despicable behavior have always been the bane of our existence. If we do not turn to the great power of the Ascension-Network for help, how would the world be saved?
The purpose of the filtering is to allow qualified seeds to live on. But you devoured them to steal their power for yourself.
She does not wait for a response, and flashes over to Gabriel and brings her blade down on his cane, sending sparks flying that reflect in Alpha's eyes like angry embers.
Alpha, I thought that you of all people would understand the value of the Polyphage.
Gabriel draws the Punishing Virus in the Red Tide below them into his hand, instantly boosting his strength.
But before his cane can break Alpha's katana, she hurriedly retreats out of range.
Only with absolute power can we eradicate the humans and protect ourselves against their despicable actions.
Alpha grips the hilt of her katana with both hands, and thrusts at Gabriel at lightning speed.
Just as Gabriel is about to retaliate, she abruptly changes her position and drives her blade sideways into the back of his shoulder.
Arrrrrrrgh—!
The blade has damaged the body he is so proud of, but no liquid flows from the metal. Gabriel staggers, and swings his cane in Alpha's direction with his working arm.
Their weapons clash again, and Gabriel's first three quick strikes are blocked by the katana. Just before Gabriel can deliver his final pulverizing swing, however, Alpha flashes out of range.
Haven't you learned your lesson from what happened in the Arctic?
Only those with sufficient power have the right to forge the world of tomorrow.
But there is absolutely nothing in your world tomorrow.
Alpha responds as she stabs at Gabriel's chest from the right. He quickly flies up, avoiding the attack, though the low ceiling limits his movement.
The main reason Luna wants to move the filtering forward is because she believes it's the only way to preserve the lives of at least some people.
When the filtering is complete, the weak will be corrupted by the Punishing Virus, while the Ascendants will bring a new beginning to the world.
Although I have no interest in the filtering, nor in Ascnet, I support the future she's chosen.
And you... you're just a lunatic who claims to serve Ascnet and the filtering, but really just wants to consolidate power for himself.
How are you any different from the humans?
She sheathes her katana and strides toward Gabriel, concentrating all her energy into the tip of her blade.
If we get more power from the Ascension-Network, the humans will have no choice but to surrender! To reach this goal, any sacrifice is worth it.
A despot with an insatiable craving for power has but one end—to be torn apart by those under your thumb.
I'll say this again. The road you've chosen has but one ending—absolutely nothing!
It seems we can't come to a consensus. Well then, give me everything you've got!
Just as how I loathe your ridiculous feelings, you too wish to deny my ideals and aspirations.
Red circuits course through Gabriel's body, turning his wings blood red. As he hovers, each flap of his wings causes the unstable walls around them to tremble.
I stake everything on my burning ambition—!
The red light bursts outward, causing the surrounding walls to collapse in the smoke and harsh light. It is difficult to dodge a devastating move in the confines of a narrow space, so there is only one possible ending.
Gabriel looks down at the dust and smoke, thinking of what someone told him.
...I'll prove with my actions that you were wrong.
Just as he is turning around to leave, a multitude of shimmering blade-like beams bursts forth from where Gabriel's attacks were concentrated, shooting toward the gloating "angel" high above.
The beams tear through him, sending him plummeting.
Once the dust settles... Alpha finds Gabriel's remains among the destroyed walls.
His mechanical parts lie beneath the pale white light, the energy not yet dissipated causing them to twitch among the rubble.
The word "immortality" that was carved on his body was torn apart by the blade beam, whispering its master's unfinished ambition.
Those memories of the past buried deep and never talked about...
Those long-held aspirations, prejudice, and unspoken feelings...
Have all died together with the unknown origins of his name.
The remnants of what was once an angel struggles in his death throes, forcing his last hoarse words through the damaged voice module...
... not long before filtering... soon born...
But he has not even finished his last words before using up his last bit of energy and returns to a deathly stillness.
...
Alpha does not say anything and leaves for her next destination.
Her silvery hair flutters in the wind, revealing the team insignia that is usually obscured by her long hair and rarely noticed.
If the filtering that Ascnet has implemented is meant to be accompanied by blood and battle...
... The path Gabriel has chosen ultimately led to his funeral.
Did he fall victim to his own beliefs on a path he chose?
Farewell, you crazy martyr.
A breeze wafts through the sewers, lifting the hem of Alpha's outfit, as the darkness gradually envelops her figure.
While no one may know from whence the wind blows, or where it is headed, there will always be traces of what existed here.
After Alpha has disappeared into the distance, a golden-eyed girl quietly hugs the head that once stored Gabriel's memory...
