Lucia: Inverse Crown VII
—!
—!
White light.
A blinding white glare wipes everything else out.
For a moment, it feels like nothing in the M.I.N.D. ever existed.
Throne
Alpha's left arm comes in. You block on instinct with the blade in your right hand.
Then her right hand follows.
Your power armor goes full power. You lean a little to the right, dodge the attack from your right, then rush forward.
BANG—
You slam your left shoulder into Alpha and push her back, creating a little space.
You reset your posture fast and angle your stance so you can block an attack from either side. You take a deep breath and steady your steps. You cannot go down.
Because Alpha's next attack is already coming.
M.I.N.D.
Clang. Bang.
The sound is hard to place. Part of it is fine metal cracking. Part of it is a heavy hammer hitting the ground. Each hit feels like it punches into the back of your mind, beating in time with your pulse.
Even the shockwaves spilling off their strikes turn into invisible blades, tearing and cutting through everything around you.
Come, submit to me. My blade will sever these useless restraints, and I will become the strongest power in this world.
Alpha, your soul has been tainted by those noises. You've become sentimental, weak... pathetic!
I, am the only worthy host of this body!
Before the roar even fades, "Shadow" launches again. The daisho sweeps up from Alpha's left at a tricky angle.
...The arrogance.
Alpha flips her blade into a reverse grip in her left hand and blocks. Steel meets steel, throwing sparks.
A cold smile flashes across "Shadow's" mouth. She surges faster, draws a dagger with her left hand, and drives the tip straight for Alpha's face.
It's over!
If this hit cripples Alpha, Shadow can seize Alpha's M.I.N.D. immediately.
Bringing the fight into the M.I.N.D. was your biggest mistake!
But the dagger stops right in front of Alpha's eyes. It's inches away, yet suddenly feels unreachable.
Heh. Got you.
Alpha grabs the dagger with her right hand. Vital fluid runs down between her fingers.
—?!
BANG—
Alpha tightens her grip and snaps the dagger in her hand. Flames burst around her, lighting up her mismatched eyes and making her look like a demon.
Mere shadow, what gave you the privilege to look ME in the eye?
Alpha twirls her blade in her left hand, then points it at "Shadow" and slashes diagonally down across its body.
And who fed you the illusion that just because you're here, you're somehow qualified to challenge ME?
Dark red vital fluid bursts from "Shadow's" body. Shadow drops to her knees, strength drained.
In that moment, "Shadow" realizes Alpha is far more ruthless than she ever expected.
This isn't blind rage. It's a clear choice to burn everything down, even if Alpha burns with it.
The flames in the M.I.N.D. mean Alpha is forcing it into a full meltdown, almost like she's willing to destroy herself to do it.
Anything conscious inside this space will be hurt, no matter who it is.
"Shadow" turns and tries to pull back, desperate to escape.
Are you crazy?!
But Alpha is already on her. In the next instant, she's right in front of "Shadow".
This is my M.I.N.D. You don't get to waltz in and then check out as you see fit.
A hand wrapped in flame clamps onto "Shadow's" throat.
Flames surge up around them, trapping them in a deadly embrace and licking at their bodies.
Fueled by Alpha's anger, the entire M.I.N.D. becomes a sea of fire.
In the burning pain, "Shadow" hears Alpha's low voice cut through the roar of flames.
The moment you set foot here, your fate was sealed.
This... is the burial ground I prepared just, for, you.
Alpha throws "Shadow" in front of her, then sheathes her blade and steadies herself in an iaido stance.
The flames pull back and vanish in an instant. The temperature drops fast. Ice crystals start forming in the air of the M.I.N.D.
Alpha lets out a soft breath. Her short blade slides out without a sound.
Clang!
In a split second, color drains away. Sound drops out too. The world turns into a frozen black-and-white frame, with one exception—
Alpha, and her blade.
In the next instant, Alpha is already behind "Shadow". The strike is finished. She slowly sheathes her weapon.
Only then does time start moving again. Across "Shadow's" body, countless crimson cuts burst open all at once.
They're the marks left by Alpha's crimson dagger.
Alpha sheathes her dagger. Behind her, Shadow's body shatters in an instant and dissipates.
Myriads of light and shadows flash before her eyes. It doesn't take long for Alpha to realize what these are—they're Shadow's memories.
Ravenge's betrayal...
Confronting Babylonia...
Losing Luna...
Fully accepting the Ascension-Network...
Crossing swords with Gray Raven...
Marching toward her end in the valley...
Shadow never let go of her hatred toward humanity.
And now, Alpha understands her true nature. Unlike Hiro, she was not born from Alpha's inner desires.
She was nothing but an illusion with false memories.
The Punishing Virus... or rather, the Ascension-Network, never once gave up on its plans for her.
After Alpha went to the Mist, the Ascension-Network seized the opportunity and created this alternate version of her.
She closes her eyes in silence. Her struggle against the Ascension-Network never ceased.
Throne
Alpha pushes off with her left leg, twists from the waist in midair, and drives her right leg down in a kick toward you.
You step back slightly and block with your blade. The hit is too heavy. It forces your arm and weapon down, leaving your guard wide open.
You saw it coming and try to fall back with the momentum.
SLASH—
A faint crackle of electricity and a mechanical break inside the armor suddenly sound huge in your ears, like a warning bell.
It's the mechanism inside the leg armor failing.
After the nonstop fighting, the power armor finally hits its limit, at the worst possible moment.
This time, you don't retreat as far as you meant to.
Alpha lands, steadies herself, and rushes forward. Her left hand curls like a claw as it reaches for your head.
The red armored hand grows larger and larger in your view, closing in like a scythe.
Your thoughts race, but there's no time to think.
All you can see is that hand. In that moment, death feels real and close.
Then the hand slows.
The madness drains from her eyes. The tiniest hint of a smile touches her lips.
Alpha's left palm lands lightly on your head. She gives it two quick pats, then pulls away.
...
Her presence softens. She's not as cold as before.
How bad is it?
You loosen up and let Alpha step closer to check you.
Left hand... fractured. What else?
Alpha goes quiet for a moment, then praises you.
You did well.
Her voice is soft but clear, and there's real approval in it.
No more explanation is needed. You both understand what happened. Everything you did led to this moment, and Alpha won.
With the enemy down, exhaustion hits you hard. You sit where you are, finally letting yourself breathe. Alpha sits down beside you.
You lean against her to rest. Alpha doesn't stop you.
…Thank you.
She had some skill. I'll give her that.
She falls quiet for a beat, then speaks again, softer than usual.
...That was a lot.
A little surprised, you smile as you speak.
Alpha lifts an eyebrow, her tone playful.
What, you want me to act colder to you?
It's not over yet.
As if proving her point, cracks spread under your feet. The sky peels apart like shattered glass, revealing emptiness and blackness behind it.
The world is breaking and collapsing. White mist rolls as it fades away.
Alpha stands. She starts to reach out with her left hand, but stops just before touching the sword hilt. Her eyes settle on your hand gripping the long blade, shaking slightly.
...
This kind of thing... it means more if we do it together.
She holds out her hand. You take it.
A very faint smile flickers in her eyes. She looks up at you and motions for you both to hold the hilt.
You shift your right hand and make room. Alpha places her left hand on the other half of the grip.
You raise the crimson blade high. In that moment, your wills meet fully and lock together.
Even as the world falls apart, you keep your hands tight on the sword together.
Ready?
In the collapsing space, Alpha's voice still reaches you clearly.
Argh!
With a shout from both of you, the blade turns into a bright silver arc and swings down hard.
SLASH—
Space tears open like cloth, splitting into a narrow gap.
On the other side, the familiar sight of old F.O.S. Prism Square comes into view, with sunlight and dust you haven't seen in a long time.
You and Alpha step forward together.
The rift closes slowly behind you. The white mist is gone. The strange world is gone. All that's left are a few Corrupted remains and scattered signs of a fight no one else will ever know happened.
In the distance, transport engines rumble. Alpha knows it's time for her to go.
As she turns and walks toward the motorcycle, something slips from her and drifts down soundlessly in front of you.
You bend down and pick it up.
It's something you both recognize: a photo of three people.
In the photo, a woman with a gentle smile sits at the dinner table, her hair lifted slightly by the breeze.
[player name] sits on her left. Alpha is on her right, looking a little stiff. Sunlight comes through the window onto the table, and white dandelion fluff drifts into the room and lands on Alpha's shoulder.
It looks like a family photo. Then the edges start to fade. The image blurs like ink soaked in water, dissolving inward from the outside.
Alpha turns back and sees the photo fading in your hands, and your stunned expression.
Alpha doesn't look surprised or sad. She looks like she already understood this would happen.
False illusions born from the mist... eventually disappear in it.
And it's only a photo.
She steps closer and takes the photo, now almost transparent. She doesn't try to hold onto it. She just pinches it between two fingers and gently presses it against your forehead.
Thud—
Then she leans in and presses her forehead to yours, using the same familiar touch she learned from her mother.
Between you, there's only that thin photo paper, fading fast.
You can feel Alpha's breath. And Alpha can feel your slight nervousness.
You're the fearless Gray Raven Commandant, and this stings you?
After the brief touch, Alpha pulls back. A faint red mark is left on your forehead. The photo is gone without a trace, and so is your power armor.
This way, you'll never forget.
You can call it a secret between you and me.
With that, she turns and walks away.
The wind lifts her white hair streaked with red, and it lifts the dandelion fluff too. The seeds drift across the square in thick swirls, almost like snow.
Alpha looks back.
You look exhausted, as if every step takes everything you have. But you still move forward, steady and unstoppable.
Alpha suddenly realizes the way you're standing matches the illusion she saw before.
She lets out a soft laugh. An illusion is just an illusion. You may walk different paths, but you still hold the same sword.
Her voice rides the wind, clear at first, then fading with distance.
I look forward to what intrigue you'll bring me next...
My... prey.
