Dormitory Lounge
Ezette
...Hey, Kamui. You really think she'll come?
The three children finished arranging the surprise on the table. Kamui had Catrayv help him check if the gifts were perfectly aligned. Watching the two of them work together so excitedly, Azael couldn't help but voice the doubt lingering in his heart.
No way Mom's not gonna show! Trust me!
BANG!!
A deafening crash erupted from the entrance. The three turned to find Odile standing frozen in the doorway, the shattered remains of the doorknob clutched in her hand. Her eyes dropped guiltily to the floor. Behind her, Eurytes was doing a poor job of stifling his laughter.
Uh... so... It's been a while since I've been to your room, and I, uh, forgot which way this thing turns. Might've given it a few... test twists.
How was I supposed to know this cheap piece of junk would just snap? It came right off in my hand! I'll, uh, grab you a new one tonight.
Everyone was present now, yet an inexplicable silence had settled over them all.
...Mom. Dad. We're sorry.
Kamui was the first to break the silence.
About before... we shouldn't have talked to you like that.
Odile simply stepped forward and gently patted Kamui and Azael on their heads. Behind her, Eurytes drew in Catrayv, who had been quietly hiding off to the side.
Nah, you kids got nothing to be sorry for. We're the ones who owe you an apology, for making you worry.
We kept trying to make everything perfect for you, to handle it all... We were in too big a hurry, and it backfired big time. A lot of our calls weren't exactly well thought out.
Mom, about Project Barleycorn—
...Just give us a little more time to figure it out, alright? There's still some risk we gotta sort out.
But we promise you this: no more secrets. From now on, we tell you everything straight. No more keeping you in the dark.
Azael opened his mouth to argue further, but Kamui's hand on his arm pulled him back.
...You know how they are. They're not gonna greenlight it right now.
It's all good. We got time. We just gotta keep grinding, get stronger. They'll come around.
...Yeah. You're right. Let's drop it for now. Pushing it is just gonna start another fight we don't need.
...We've got plenty of time, anyway.
...You two done plotting over there? You wanna do this birthday thing or what?
She approached Eurytes first, accepting the box he held out to her. Then her attention turned to the boy waiting quietly nearby, and she gave him a tender pat on the head.
Here. You guys kept bugging me for a comms unit, right? Tricked it out just like you asked.
Odile placed the box on the table and opened the lid. Inside, a small device sprang out.
Masters! Hello!! My name is! Cookie!!
Permission settings!! Now complete!! Cookie is a shared communicator!! For Kamui, Azael, and Catrayv!!
...It talks. A lot.
Well, I programmed it to your exact specs. Pretty slick, huh?
WHOA! It's seriously called Cookie? Haha, that's so sick! What a killer name!
...So you're the one who asked for that name, Kamui?
Got any better ideas, Azael? If you speak up now, maybe you and Kamui can hash out a rename.
...Whatever. It's fine. Wait, but it's your birthday. Why are you the one giving us a gift?
Oh? You don't want it? No problem, I'll just take it back then.
No way, we want it, we want it!! Look, even Catrayv's into it! He'd totally miss it, right?!
Yes. I like it.
See? He's all in! So if you like it—
Beep—beep—
The sudden blare of alarms cut their unfinished promise short. Everyone tensed, hands instinctively reaching for their communication devices.
It's a maximum-level alert!
Calling First Area of Defense!! What the hell is going on out there?!
Odile's communication device crackled as the connection went through, chaotic background noise filtering in from the other end.
Bzz... virus▇▄█▅corrupted... bzz... broken through!!
They're▇▄▆▃closing in... bzz... base█▄▆HQ!!
Odile's gaze swept across the area defense maps. Too many breaches. The outer lines were collapsing, and through them poured a tide of Corrupted, all of it rushing toward Ezette's headquarters.
Damn it! How did this many Corrupted just appear out of nowhere?! Where are our reinforcements?!
...The World Government just sent an update. The reinforcements ran into some trouble. They're delayed.
...We're on our own for now.
Odile immediately prepared to head for the outer perimeter to face the enemy. Without a word, the three young boys instinctively fell into step behind her.
You're staying here!!
Odile's sharp command cut through the air, freezing them in their tracks.
You three are taking the other kids to the shelter. You'll be safe there.
What about you? Why aren't you coming with us?
...Just do what I say. Get everyone settled. Once we've rounded up the rest of our people, we'll come find you. I promise.
...
Alright. Azael, Catrayv. Let's move!
Only after hearing Odile's promise did they finally agree to leave and carry out her order.
The disturbance bled inward like a tide. Kamui, Azael, and Catrayv stayed within Ezette's walls, but they couldn't escape the evidence: floors trembling beneath them, air growing heavier with the Punishing Virus. The enemy was pushing deeper. It was only a matter of time.
Come on!! Move it, move it, go go go!!
Kamui! How many more? Which group is this?
This is the last batch! Catrayv's inside doing a headcount now!
All clear. No one left behind.
Get them in the back and keep them hidden! If another Corrupted pops up out of nowhere like last time, people are gonna get hurt!
...What about Mom and Dad and the others? Not a single elite unit member has made it back yet!!
No response. We're not waiting. Last known location was the main corridor. We go to help them now!!
Help my ***! I told you three to stay put and hide!!
Odile slammed the isolation door shut with a thunderous bang. In the corridor beyond, she and Eurytes locked into a standoff with the Corrupted, then a familiar shout cut through the chaos. Kamui, that reckless kid, was charging toward them from a distance, two other children trailing behind.
Fear lanced through them both. But thankfully, they cooperated well, retreating successfully to the shelter's entrance.
Mom! Where is everyone else? Are they on their way?
If they need backup, I can run out again and—
OW?! That hurts!!
Odile delivered a sharp smack to Kamui's head, then positioned herself firmly in front of him.
They're on their way. So you stay put! Don't even think about running off again.
...Odile.
Odile and Eurytes exchanged a look. She held his gaze, reading what passed silently between them. Then she fell quiet—several seconds of stillness—before composing herself and turning to address the three boys behind her.
...See? They just pinged me. Said they'll be here any minute.
You three, head inside the shelter first. Move everyone further back and clear out the front area so they've got room when they get here.
You're not coming with us?
If we all pile in, who's gonna be outside to receive them? Stop arguing and get in there. We're running out of time!
...Then I'll stay and help you receive them. Azael and Catrayv can handle the evacuation inside.
Absolutely not!! All three of you, inside. Now. That's an order!
...Kids. There's no time left for debate. Someone needs to be inside to protect the others.
We promise you. We'll come back the moment we've received them. This is our word. We don't break our word.
Enough. Get inside. Everyone's already in the safety corridor. What could possibly go wrong?
The boys exchanged glances, then finally obeyed and entered to evacuate the crowd.
After everyone was settled, they returned together to the shelter entrance, only to find the doors tightly sealed.
Azael realized what was happening and lunged for the door. He pushed, heaved, threw his weight against it, but it didn't budge even an inch. It was sealed from the outside.
Mom—Mom!! Dad!! Come inside!! HURRY!!
Kamui ran to the lone protective glass panel. He pressed himself against it and pounded on the surface, desperate to get their attention.
Mom!! Dad!! What are you doing?!!
...Well, Eurytes?
It's locked. From this point forward, only the two of us and the World Government have the authority to open it.
Barring an external breach... this door stays sealed. Forever.
What are you talking about?! You promised we'd all stay inside together!!
Open the door—OPEN IT RIGHT NOW!!!
...Kamui. Azael. And Catrayv.
Odile stepped closer, pressing her hand against the glass, palm to palm with Kamui's on the other side.
This is the first time Mom and Dad have ever lied to you. And it's... the last time.
Don't worry. The World Government's forces are on their way. Once the reinforcements arrive, you'll be safe.
The Corrupted have breached the outer corridor. But don't be afraid. We'll stand guard out here, and the shelter is absolutely secure.
If... We're entrusting Ezette to you from now on.
Never forget Ezette's creed. Never forget what we've protected and fought for, the most important thing of all.
...Don't grieve for us, Kamui, Azael, Catrayv.
This isn't goodbye. We will be with you. Always.
We're entrusting Ezette to you now... so no more crying from now on, understand?
...We love you. And...
...I'm sorry.
...
...The protective glass shield switch is inside. Remember to... find it. Press it down.
...NO?!
The door behind you is about to break!! Let us OUT!! We can fight with you!!
MOM!! DAD!!
Splash.
Kamui's cries died instantly as blood sprayed across the glass. At least the barrier held, shielding the children from what they didn't need to wear.
M-Mom...? Dad...
He stood frozen, rooted to the spot, a stark contrast to Azael, who continued desperately trying to force the door open beside him.
Kamui's hand twitched toward his weapon. Every instinct screamed at him to rush out, to fight, to do something. But then he caught sight of the reflection in the glass—the people behind them, the ones counting on them. He couldn't leave. Couldn't let everything happening before him be in vain.
Eventually, Azael's struggle gave out. He sank to his knees, face buried in his hands, weeping softly. When he finally spoke, his voice trembled as he pleaded with Kamui.
Ka... mui... close the... shield cover...
Don't watch... anymore...
I don't want to hear it anymore... I don't want... to see any of this...
Catrayv crouched down and wrapped his arms around Azael, covering his ears, but he couldn't stop his own tears from falling.
Everyone waited for Kamui to close the shield. None of them could bear another moment of this torture. Outside, the slaughter continued—roars, wails, alarms—sounds that slowly swallowed their own hoarse pleas and broken sobs.
Bang!!
Kamui punched hard on the switch to close the shield cover.
Kamui remembered how, after that day, he and Azael had spent a long stretch of time locked away in their room.
They had watched the tapes they'd recorded with their parents over and over—training sessions, playtime, anniversaries. When one finished, they'd simply play it again, as if the story would never have to end.
In them, their parents were whole, were safe, were alive.
No streams of blood. No bodies torn into pieces.
For a while, that had been easier to believe than the truth.
For as long as he could remember, Kamui had never liked the dark. Or rather, he had feared it.
As a child, he would throw tantrums demanding company at bedtime, insisting on sleeping with the lights on. He hated those damp, shadowy things. Within them, he couldn't see his path, couldn't see other people, couldn't even see himself.
He loved the daylight most, the sunshine warming him with its glow. In the light, he could see everything clearly—all that he cherished.
The irony was almost cruel: his fear was "cured" only after Odile and Eurytes left.
In that sealed room, the video player became his sun. He sat motionless before it, drinking in the images of Odile and Eurytes like a man living underground starved for light.
They fought, trained, existed. Kamui rose and followed their movements, stepping into their invisible footprints as he always had, trying to become a sun in his own way.
But he tripped and crashed hard to the ground.
The darkness taught him what light never could. He learned to move through it, to exist within it. His sensitivity to shadow was "cured" by necessity.
When he struggled back to his feet and found the screen dark, he didn't panic. He closed his eyes and summoned them from memory, continuing the imitation game he was best at.
Forward,
backward,
turning around,
until he was lost.
Then a hand, one that didn't belong to those he'd been following, reached out to him. Kamui took it without thinking, accepting that person's guidance.
And so he walked out of that room, returning to a present where gain and loss had been relived.
...[player name]?
I'm... okay.
...Yeah, you're right.
Whatever it was, it's all in the past now.
So they've... been gone all this time.
Come to think of it, that was all a lifetime ago.
But when I remember it again... it's like I'm right back there. Living through the whole thing all over.
What's lost is found, only to vanish and slip away once more.
Kamui's gaze drifts back to the screen. Just a little further down the archive page, and he would see them: Odile and Eurytes, frozen in photos taken years ago.
He studies those outdated images, trying to recapture the memory of who they once were.
...?!
A flashing warning light jolts him back to the present. Kamui accesses the surveillance feed. Most of the monitors show only static or black screens, damaged beyond function. But a handful, those near the archives room, still flicker with live footage.
Corrupted have broken in!
Shadows of two Corrupted dart across the screen's edge. They weave through the corridors near the archive room, their trajectory clear: they're coming straight for the two of you.
With the break over, the two of you prepare to set out and track down the invading Corrupted. But for some reason, Kamui pauses, his eyes still fixed on the screen.
Maybe he's just imagining it. But those movements...
It's nothing major, just...
Their behavior... there are too many weird details for it to be a coincidence. These are patterned movements.
And these traits... they look... kinda familiar.
