Ezette Corridor
Present
It's open! Let's roll!
Using the current password you found in the archive room, Kamui successfully opens the passage leading to the comms room. The two of you press on, your hopes of rescue growing stronger with each step forward.
Yeah... for a long while, actually! The beginning was pretty rough, not gonna lie. But it got smoother.
It didn't last forever, though. Once Project Barleycorn hit the next phase, we all headed back for the final conversion.
It was my first time seeing Ezette moving...
Throughout the Golden Age, despite many of its people having fled war-ravaged areas, Ezette itself remained rooted in its isolated location. As far back as Kamui's memory went, it had never shifted from that place.
It was so cool to see!
You reach for Kamui's head. For a moment, your hand lingers hesitantly, then softly touches the Inver-Device. It has already changed, no longer what it once was.
...
Thanks, Commandant.
I'm... not as sad about it anymore.
A warm smile crosses his face as his eyes look beyond the amber light, seemingly envisioning a scene from long ago.
Children, clasping hands, fought to stay alive. Their small, fragile forms pressed close together emerged as the sole source of light in that era of darkness.
Those years... they were hard. But they're also what made us family. All of Ezette.
Even when it hurt, even when it felt like too much... we'd still choose it. Broke down the walls, stood together, got strong enough to actually protect people we love.
...I've never regretted any of it. I walked that whole road, and it brought me here. To everyone. To you.
It was a promise you and Kamui made during frame adaptation in Babylonia. In the beginning, as his frame adjusted to the Corona Gene, the turmoil inside his M.I.N.D. proved overwhelming; each time he regained consciousness, Kamui remained unsettled for hours.
He explained to you that if he ever appeared distant or off, it likely meant he was wandering alone through some forgotten corner of his memories.
When that happens, just pat his head.
Through your familiar touch, he can always quickly find his way back to himself.
Once the brief moment of tenderness ends, Kamui's smile disappears, and he continues guiding you slowly forward through the gloom.
Then, without warning, a subtle ripple courses through the murky air.
...!
The faint disturbance does not go unnoticed by Kamui. Acting on instinct, he pulls you behind him and immediately sweeps the area for any indication of ambush or hidden intruders.
This corridor leads straight to the comms room...
No way. Don't tell me...?!
Having confirmed that no enemies lurk in the vicinity, Kamui moves to the wall and seizes the intercom. As far as he can recall, this device connects directly to the communications room.
The line opens at once, yet silence greets him on the other end. Only the clamor of chaotic crashing reaches his ears, and a feeling of dread begins to creep through him.
Hey!! Anyone there?! This is Kamui! What's happening over there?!
This is [SU-0] Kamui calling! Somebody copy, please!
His shout cuts through the intercom, reverberating along the corridor and overwhelming the commotion from the other side. Just then, footsteps approach the receiver, and a woman's raspy voice emerges, fragmented and strained.
...Ka... mui...?
Though faint and fragile, the voice is sufficient to freeze Kamui where he stands. He knows it at once. It belongs to Carol.
H-help... us...
Please... hurry... HELP US!!!
AAAAGHHH!!!
A blood-curdling scream, sharp as an arrow, suddenly bursts from behind the door. In an instant, it bridges decades of time and drives itself mercilessly into Kamui's heart.
The comms room is under attack!! [player name], we gotta move!!
Together, you sprint toward the communications room. The concentration of Punishing Virus rises steadily as you approach, just as expected. Fragments of intel from Babylonia flash through Kamui's mind. Why skip him and target the comms room? Were the agents stalking them all along?
Damn it!!
Kamui pounds his fist on the door. Despite entering the passcode as fast as possible, the door stays firmly shut.
OPEN UP!!
He throws his body against the door, yet it merely trembles in response. Mere inches beyond, a storm of anguished cries rages violently.
Carol!! You damn monster, I'll take you down with me!!
Carlie, don't!! AAARGH—
My hand—AAARRRGGGHHH!!! It's gone—!!
Stay away!! Please, don't—I don't wanna—
Waves of agonized screams wash over him, each one raking his heart like cruel claws. The scene stirs a painful familiarity: memories of comrades lost, of being helpless and trapped. He will not let this end the same way.
Kamui brings his weapon down on the door, abandoning all caution. A single moment's hesitation, he knows, and he will create another unerasable regret.
BAM!
BAM!
BAM!!!!
Smoke billows as Kamui shatters the door that stood between life and death. A nightmarish scene unfolds before him, bodies scattered in grotesque disarray. Before he can make sense of them, a torrent of crimson crashes violently into his sight.
Ka... mui... ugh...
Like worthless garbage, a torn and bleeding body is kicked out of the way. From the shadows, the mastermind behind the slaughter emerges, radiating an air of casual, unbothered confidence.
MARLIS!! YOU MONSTER!!
Kamui lets out a scream directed at the one who orchestrated this devastation. Even after all this time, her features are unchanged, exactly as he recalls.
It is evident that the World Government councilor who once monitored Ezette so intently has transcended humanity.
My my, little Kamui! Look at you, all grown up. So different from that reckless little fool I remember.
It's been so long. Did you miss me? Oh, silly me, my memory's just terrible. Right now, you must be dying to see your family again, hmm?
Words mingling with laughter, she clutches a petite figure that dangles helplessly, like a rag doll in her grip.
Her slender fingers dig without mercy into the throat of her captive, already breaking the skin and drawing blood. A slight increase in pressure, and she would effortlessly choke the life from her prey.
Too bad you're a bit too late. Almost everyone's already gone.
But I'm thoughtful, you see. I saved the very last one just for you. Go on, it's a family reunion! Say hello.
Ka... mui...
Run... Now...
Carol's throat is ravaged, her voice reduced to a broken echo of itself. She hangs limp and motionless, completely helpless. Gathering the final fragments of her strength, she pushes out a fragile whisper, a desperate plea for Kamui to run.
Let her go!!
Kamui, consumed by rage, launches himself at Marlis with lightning swiftness. But she remains completely calm. She first raises the concentration of Punishing Virus around her to slow his approach, even as her fingers tighten without mercy, extracting an anguished cry from Carol's broken throat.
Arghhhh—
Stop!! Don't you dare hurt Carol anymore!!
That's not for you to decide, sweetie.
Or do you really think you can reach me faster than I can squeeze?
[player name]. Commandant of Gray Raven. The big hero who keeps pulling off miracles.
Since you're so brilliant... why don't you take a guess?
...Heh. We'll see about that.
Poor little Kamui. Always too late to save the ones you love, aren't you?
It must hurt so bad.
So I'll be generous. Beat my game, and I'll give Carol back. A chance to finally save a family member. How's that?
I don't need your charity! Me and [player name]will wipe the floor with you!
Oh, you silly boy. When did I say I'd be your opponent?
You Ezette people never play fair, so I'm keeping Carol right here with me. Can't have you pulling any tricks.
As for the test, your opponent... is someone else.
Don't worry. This will definitely be a fight... you've been waiting for.
