Story Reader / Main Story / 34 Dream till the Timeless End / Story
Bane's Capital
Yuqin Hotel
20:30
Line Spacing: 2
The grand hotel hall gleams with brilliant decorations. A banner celebrating the signing ceremony hangs in the center. Photographers bustle about to record the event from various angles.
Glasses clink and lights dance as the crowd's chatter fills the hall with a lively buzz.
Jonathan, the man of the hour, basks in attention as people gather around him. Dandelion stands by him with a slightly stiff smile.
You thought you and Iris would go unnoticed, but...
Here's my business card, F.O.S., Iris. Please do give my proposal some thought.
You take the card, offer thanks, and find an excuse to leave the social hub with Iris.
Really? I actually think catching attention is quite normal for people like us.
The United Government has been making too many waves, attracting all sorts of opposition. Every delegation of the "The New Earth Codex" has met trouble, to varying degrees.
So escorting a key delegation quietly into Bane's capital is no small feat.
Iris looks at you with admiration in her eyes.
Dandelion told me that among those meeting with Jonathan, only one person had a sour expression—Bane's border security chief.
Care for a drink? To celebrate our success?
You've barely taken a sip when someone's gaze falls on you, forcing you to pause and give a polite nod.
Just as you finish speaking, an announcement echoes through the hall. Iris suddenly pauses with her arm still linked with yours.
The signing ceremony for the codex will start in 30 minutes. We kindly ask all guests to enter in an orderly fashion.
...
If you're uncomfortable here, shall we step outside for a bit?
You walk next to Iris through the crowd to a higher floor.
The city sparkles with lights beneath the night sky like awakened dreams too timid for daylight.
Your gaze falls upon the streets below covered in irregular shadows. At every intersection, travelers hesitate, uncertain whether they should cross the ravines before them.
...
Iris sits at the edge of the rooftop, the evening breeze weaving through her long hair.
Her fair face bears the faintest blush, her luminous eyes gazing forward, motionless as she contemplates the play of moonlight and shadow below.
You look away from the city, but before you can turn around, a warm, soft touch lands on your left hand resting at your side.
...Can you tell me your real name? F.O.S..
Your instincts as a Commandant tell you to stay silent, but the moment Iris speaks, emotion overrides reason.
You don't question why she doubts your name, nor wonder why she's chosen this moment to ask.
[player name]...
I love your name. It's so beautiful.
A name is the key, a right, a promise from its owner. It holds one's past and future, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
She can finally speak the syllables that have lingered in her dreams, without causing suspicion.
[player name]...
So she says it once more. The syllables dance on her tongue, with the rhythm of poetry.
Her fingers tighten around yours as she turns around, her eyes kindling with a faint trace of emotion.
Iris slowly lifts her head and traces your features with her gaze again and again.
I'll always remember.
A whispered confession. Iris had thought all her desires were shredded by the blade of restraint the moment she made that decision, then burned to ashes in the endless cycle that followed.
But now, the scattered ashes break free, tearing at her consciousness, desperate to be voiced. Only when she looks back does she realize with a start that they've tuned into shackles of thorns.
...
Iris's teeth begin to chatter. She's panicking. Her mind betrays her body, but what of her body itself?
What cannot stay will slip away, and the closer you reach, the deeper you fall.
Let's go, [player name].
Finally, Iris lowers her eyes to avoid eye contact before speaking again.
Thank you for your help throughout this journey.
She takes out the core she got from today's battle. Its once dim markings are now overflowing with the deep blue that represents Iris.
...Hush.
Wispy white mist begins to surge as Iris presses a finger to her lips.
[player name], please don't say anything.
White noise grows louder as the finger pressed against your lips applies more pressure.
You break free from it and try to say something, but everything your eyes can see suddenly becomes shrouded in mist.
Bane's Capital
Yuqin Hotel
20:45
Line Spacing: 2
Conservation Area 221
Babylonia Logistics Warehouse
20:45
Line Spacing: 0
You reach out, trying to find her, but are lost in the white mist.
Commandant...?
Someone seems to be calling out...
The white mist gradually dissipates, and someone unexpected comes into view...
Anomaly detected, initiating alert mode!
Wait... Commandant... it's the commandant!
The sound of weapons being put away rings through the silent mist. You feel like you're breaking through a dream as people rush to your side.
Beginning vital signs verification, preparing to collect biological data...
Notify Babylonia! The commandant has returned!
You focus your mind again. This... is the warehouse in Conservation Area 221, where you last fought with Lueya.
After a quick identity verification, the isolation is lifted, and Ayla dashes into the warehouse—now little more than rubble after the battle.
Commandant! We've been looking for you for so long... Where did that mech take you?
Resolved? That's good...
...Oh, right, I think Asimov discovered something.
A streak of dark blue appears at the edge of your vision.
Isn't that why we came here? Commandant, are you okay...?
Ayla turns around in confusion. A frame is being transported by several uniformed Babylonia personnel behind her.
Immediately, you see the frame's silhouette...
Commandant?
Your heart stops briefly before it starts racing. An overwhelming sense of unease envelops your entire being.
No... it's, I'm just... thinking about how to explain it.
I belong to... to the Union Government of another time, Unit... Number 654, Operation Codename... Iris.
...You can't.
We are... too far apart. It's like going from the very top line of a musical staff to the very bottom.
The distance from one to five, in terms of time, is already very long.
You instinctively lick your dry, cracked lips.
Your consciousness begins to jumble as your breathing quickens.
Commandant?! What's wrong?!
Too many questions crowd your mind at once. You open your mouth, but the words catch in your throat, and you stay silent.
Beep—beep—beep—
Just then, your terminal chimes with a notification after reconnecting with the network.
—From: Ishmael.
