Essence Storage
Ezette
What...? How is this... possible?
They made it here. There was no invasion, no breach...
THEN WHO?!!
Thump. Thump thump!!
Muffled impacts echo from nearby, as if coming from a small, sealed space. Realization dawns, and Kamui rushes toward the sound.
The noise leads him to an observation pod in the corner, its exterior seal intact. He reads its designation, then pulls up scan results on a nearby master control screen.
Within the pod, something like a small robot is active, hurling itself against the wall in a frenzy, struggling to break free.
That shape... Is that...?!
No, [player name]. I got this.
That little thing in there... if it's what I think it is? It might freak out and hurt you.
With that, Kamui positions himself between you and the pod, ensuring you are safely behind him. Then, without hesitation, he opens the sealed door.
Cookie—Cookie—
An active little robot bounces out of the observation pod, hopping straight for Kamui as it chirps without pause.
This is... our messenger bot. Cookie. It's not even that damaged... Someone kept it safe on purpose.
Azael and Catrayv... It must be them! They must've wanted to tell me something!!
Cookie! Detected Kamui! Kamui's home!
Playing voice messages!! For Kamui!!
Receiving the command, Cookie spins a full circle in midair. This small flourish exists because Kamui pestered Azael until he finally caved.
Whenever Cookie played a stored recording, it would first loop through its detection area, pick one of its three masters at random, land on that person, and start playback.
Cookie... Cookie? Azael? Catrayv?
Cookie orbits the air twice, hesitation in its movements, as if confused by the absence of the other two masters.
Cookie... Kamui! Kamui!
Recognizing a familiar face, Cookie chirps with joy and lands on Kamui's shoulder.
Current landing point! Kamui!
Cookie activated! Message playback!
Message from: Aza█▄▅▁▄
Verification error! Rescanning identification data!
Facial ▇▄█▅ feature comparison!! Com▇▄▃▄paring...
Facial feature ▆▃▇ comparison result: Ca█▃▆▄▃▂trayv! Information ▇▄▆▃▄ corrected!
Message from: Catrayv!
Kamui's gaze locks onto Cookie, desperate for it to play the message faster. What happened back there? Is there any chance they're still alive? What is he supposed to do?
...Ka▅█▄▁▅mui▁▁█▄▅▁
Ka... Kamui.
Static swallows the first call, the words too garbled for Kamui to grasp. After several attempts, the audio clears, and he finally recognizes the speaker's voice.
...Kamui. You found Cookie. Can hear this message.
This is... Ca█▃▆▄▃▂trayv.
Everyone's hurt bad. Azael's gone. So I'll say, the last words.
The truth about back then, if you need, take it back to Babylonia. I speak, you record, for your mission.
After that big fight, we three broke through. Ezette back to base. Stayed there. Project Barleycorn continued. Then, Azael and I, made it. But you... nothing.
The conversion, Punishing Virus spiked. Drew Corrupted. Lots of them. Ezette was trapped. We sent you to Babylonia. Stayed behind.
But Marlis. She was still watching. Had to cut contact. Hide and defend.
You never came back. That's fine. You were hurt. Probably forgot everything.
It's ▅█▄▁▅ alright. You're home. That's enough.
Marlis wanted the Golden Suns gone. We couldn't hold. Left essence here. Drew her away. We extracted, everyone's essence. Left what we could. For you.
Maybe, you can still do it, Kamui. Live on for us. Maybe, you can make, another sun.
We can't, go on anymore. Kamui, remember, have to remember...
Take us █▄▆▃▁▆ back ▇▁▅█▃▂▁▂▂ back ▃▁ home.
Home ▇▂▄▁▅▆▄▁▂▂▅
Krrshhh—
Latest message playback complete!! Cookie initiating █▄▇▃ auto-loop mode!!
Playback logic ▇▆▂!! Sort by ▅▆ time! Sort by ▄▃▅ play count! Error ▇▄▆... playing randomly!!
Kamui!! This is your final warning. Next time you're late, you're getting extra training on your own!!
Kamui. Azael found out, our injuries. He's not, here yet. We run.
Error! Error! Detected ▆▃▇▄ missed message!! Ending ▆▃▇▅ auto-loop mode! Beginning playback!!
Kam█▅▇▃▁▁ui, after this message, you leave.
Ezette ▇▃█▁ runs on the Golden ▆▂▇█▄▃▆ Suns. The essence source is destroyed. The defense █▆▇▄▅▁ systems will fail.
The essence will make, Punishing Virus ▇▂█▆▁▂ spike. Dangerous.
Dan▆█▄▇▃▂▁▅gerous, don't worry about ▇▄█▂▆ us. Go ▆▇▂█ now █▅▇▄▁!!
HISSSSS!!!
Kamui doesn't even have time to process it. Cookie is already lunging at him. You intervene just in time, batting the frenzied little machine aside.
But Cookie refuses to stop. Thrown clear but still humming with power, its surface pulses with eerie red light. It's gathering energy, getting ready to attack again.
Kamui!! Wants to leave!! Not allowed!!
No one █▅█▃▁ is allowed!! To leave Ezette!!
STAY!!!
Stay!! Cookie wants you!! To stay!!
I told you already. It was supposed to be a communication device. We should just follow the standard settings.
You just had to add a "personality simulation system." And then you slapped on every tag—peppy, enthusiastic, clingy—the whole ridiculous package.
Do you have any idea what it was like? It followed me around for an entire day, talking nonstop. I'm losing my mind!
Aww, c'mon! Isn't it super cute? Look at it!
Besides, Catrayv actually asked us for something. Do you realize how rare that is?? You really gonna say no to him?
Yes. I want it.
...Alright, alright. I never said you couldn't have it your way. Just... turn down the volume. That's reasonable, right?
Defense system ▄█▂▆▂ shutdown—ANOMALY!! In█▃▆▁▁trusion!!
Cookie clamps its mechanical mouth onto Kamui's hand. It can't hurt him, can't even break the skin, but it holds on, stubborn and unyielding.
...?! Dammit, I really don't wanna do this!! But...
HAAAARGH—!!!
BAM!!! Kamui swiftly smashes Cookie to pieces, leaving the device completely unresponsive.
Warning! Warning! Ezette core damaged. Backup essence overflowing. All defense systems shutting down. Please evacuate immediately!!
A large amount of Corrupted detected infiltrating the area. Initiating Level 1 emergency protocol... Insufficient system power... Initiation failed...
System shutting down... All personnel evacuate immediately... please evacuate...
The Punishing Virus concentration here... it's spiking. Cookie must've got corrupted.
This place isn't safe anymore, [player name]!! We gotta move!! Now!!
With its core damaged, Ezette's remaining power lies exposed. The solar essence calls out like a carcass in the wilderness, and the hungry come to feed.
Corrupted flood Ezette like a hive in frenzy, Hetero-Creatures thick among them. This is no ordinary attack; it is an onslaught beyond anything Ezette has ever endured.
Distress signal sent!! [player name]! You good??
Yeah, just now! They're on their way, but we still gotta punch our own way out first!
Ezette's layout's a maze, and Babylonia doesn't have the blueprints. If they charge in blind, they'll just make things worse.
[player name]! Behind you!!
Kamui quickly steps into the path of the Hetero-Creature's attack, shielding you with his own body. He is not indestructible, but when it comes to weathering a blow, his frame surpasses fragile human flesh.
Tch!! These guys are blocking this route too!! We can't push through... That was the last exit we could try!
Wait! [player name], there's one more option.
Ezette's got a secret emergency passage. But the entrance is on the opposite side. We'd have to cross the whole place to reach it.
That's a long push, and the Corrupted keep coming. Plus... no guarantees that passage's in better shape than this.
But if that area hasn't fallen yet, we can make it out.
That last exit we tried wasn't even as bad as this spot. But we got totally swarmed and couldn't break through.
Forcing this one probably ends the same way.
But that secret passage is harder to breach. Technically, it's safer than here.
Yeah! Then we move!
The entrance is right ahead...!
If we can just punch through these guys blocking the way...
...[player name]? Hey. Hey!! What's wrong?! What's happening??
From the depths of his M.I.N.D., your Mind Beacon has begun to fade.
?! I'll move faster. I'll get you through this, just hang on!!
—[player name]!!
Kamui supports your weight. A quick assessment tells him that your condition is far graver than he thought.
This is no good. We can't wait for backup... I need to get you out now for treatment...
HISSSSS!!!
Tch?!! BACK OFF!!
A Hetero-Creature rips through the pipe. Kamui's blade meets it mid-lunge, carving it apart as he positions himself between you and the monster.
—!!!
The noise brings more. They swarm through the narrow space, cutting off any hope of escape. You are trapped.
It is a disaster on top of a disaster. But Kamui refuses to fall here. Not now. Not when he has finally found a way forward.
My frame can hold a bit longer. I'll cover the rear. You get into the passage. If at least one of us makes it, we can—
ROAR!!!
The bullet whistles through the air, striking the Hetero-Creature attempting to ambush Kamui from the side.
Your voice stays steady, your hands never faltering as you reload.
But... Nngh?!
Before the words leave his mouth, something tears through Kamui's M.I.N.D. like claws. He drops, unable to stand, hitting the ground hard.
M.I.N.D... turbulence... why now... of all times!
He forces himself up, body trembling, jaw locked. But his greatsword betrays him, its light guttering like a candle in the wind.
Right, the essence... There's still so much solar essence left here... It has to be enough to fix my M.I.N.D...
[player name], disconnect now! Don't let me slow you down... We need to break through ASAP!
RAAAARGH!!
Your voice vanishes beneath the rising howls of approaching monsters.
...!
Kamui doesn't care what it costs, as long as he can break through with the commandant. He will not lose another person to his own weakness.
He presses the solar essence to his chest, following the ritual he knows by heart. But this time, neither the essence nor he shows any sign of change.
The golden liquid passes through like water over desert sand, unable to merge, leaving not even the faintest trace of its presence.
Why... why isn't it working?!
Cough... I'll use more. That'll do it. That'll definitely—
In the split second of Kamui's shock, his defense crumbles. From the darkness, a Hetero-Creature surges forward, claws extended, targeting his defenseless core.
Your call reaches Kamui. He spins around, and in that moment, your voice and your outstretched hand flash past him, already gone.
You don't hesitate. Every ounce of strength goes into intercepting the enemy, your body becoming his shield.
The gushing blood completely snaps Kamui back to reality, his pupils constricting in shock. In the next moment, Hetero-Creatures from all directions surge forward like a terrifying tidal wave, shrieking as they pounce.
—[player name]!!
Kamui roars, his blade howling as he tears through the enemies ahead. Then he staggers forward, catching your broken body.
Your labored breath falls on him like a weight. It crushes him, body and soul, until he feels he may never rise again.
...I'm sorry, Kamui.
Kamui!! Get out of here now!! Go!!
Kamui! Take the children and go now!!
...Kamui, you always say we're family...
We can't... be the sun anymore. So you... you have to see the dawn... for us.
Ka... mui...
Why...
Kamui...
Kamui...
Kamui... I... don't... want...
No...
In that moment, everything crashes down on him—faces he couldn't protect, moments he couldn't hold onto, all rushing before his eyes.
Poor little Kamui. Always too late to save the ones you love, aren't you?
I... can't save you?!
No! [player name]!!
Kamui is beyond reason now. He props you up, swinging his weapon wildly—no technique, no strategy, only the desperate need to keep the monsters at bay.
The agony in his M.I.N.D. sharpens, spikes, threatens to drop him. He forces his legs to move, dragging you both toward the passage entrance.
I can't fall now... I still gotta protect [player name]. I gotta stay in front!!
I absorbed the essence!! Where's the power...?! Why isn't it working?! Why is there NO REACTION?!
Faster... gotta go faster... We're out of time!!
No one answers his desperate cries. Not the silent solar essence. Not the hunting Corrupted and Hetero-Creatures. All alone, he forces his shaking body onward, staggering toward the entrance.
Don't you... dare!
I don't care who you are... I won't let you...
NOBODY stops me from taking [player name] home!!
GET AWAY!! You MONSTERS!!
Faster. He needs to move faster. [player name]'s wounds fester, the Punishing Virus taking hold. There is no time.
But his feet will not obey. Invisible shackles drag at him, relentless. Ghostly fingers rise from the earth and catch his ankles, holding, always holding. This path... he has run it so many times.
He ran it once to search for his parents' fate, for a chance to live, for the first light of dawn over a place torn apart, for friends drawing their last breaths.
But not once did he find what he was looking for.
THUD!!!
He runs until he can't, and then he falls. Kamui hits the ground hard, dusty yellow clouds erupting around him.
Even now, even falling, his body remembers what matters. He curls around [player name], taking the full force himself.
Sand... dust...?
Kamui barely notices the dirt. Something else cuts through—this isn't the cold steel floor he expected. And there, blinding sunlight floods his vision.
We're out!!
The sun beats down, scorching, but to Kamui, it feels more refreshing than rain. Relief floods through him. And then he hears the familiar, thunderous rumble of Babylonia's transport crafts.
He runs toward the descending shadow. Finally, this time, hope has come.
The vehicle touches down. Figures in familiar Babylonia uniforms rush out, and Kamui's chest fills with overwhelming relief.
We made it... We're saved!! [player name]!! Look!!
...[player name]?
But the human commandant in his arms can only manage the faintest response, barely moving at all.
Kamui feels as if his body, one that shouldn't house any biological heart, has somehow regained a heartbeat. This heartbeat connects him to the human in his arms, yet it grows weaker with each moment as the commandant's wounds worsen.
Soon, it may stop entirely.
No. No no no... [player name], you can't do this to me!!
I'm taking you home. Babylonia's gonna save you.
Alone, he can do nothing. It has always been this way. It is still this way now.
Kamui runs toward the Babylonia vehicle, toward help, the dying commandant cradled in his arms.
...H-help!! Please!! Someone save [player name]!!
Anyone, please. Only you can save the commandant now.
HURRY!! Save the commandant!! Please!!
Babylonia soldiers reach him, shock flickering across their faces at the commandant's condition. A few urgent words pass between them and Kamui, then together, they race for the waiting transport.
Inside, medical personnel spring into action. Equipment deploys, monitors beep, and someone contacts Star of Life headquarters even as they work.
Contact Star of Life now!! Tell them to prep everything!! Maximum priority!!
Clear an express route!! Move it!!
