Qu: Shukra

We know each other well enough. Let me witness your growth, Commandant of Babylonia.

This is it?

This promotion is but a title. What difference is there between a monarch and a peasant? A person's status can only be attested by her history and her people.

Their echos are getting ever clearer...

Good. We shall sharpen our blades this way.

An ancient river is flowing through my palm.

This is it?

This promotion is but a title. What difference is there between a monarch and a peasant? A person's status can only be attested by her history and her people.

Their echos are getting ever clearer...

Good. We shall sharpen our blades this way.

An ancient river is flowing through my palm.

One is neither rich nor poor on the battlefield. You are either dead or alive.

Every responsibility is a burden, and this one is a burden only I can bear.

That was unexpectedly efficient, Gray Raven Commandant.

You don't seem particularly frightened of me, do you?

Babylonia is but another part of history. I have seen its face during its infancy—people then were not as weak, cowardly, and faltering as they are today.

Every memory within the Tabula Akasha is unique. I will never gamble with my subjects, for they have entrusted me with the future of Kowloong...

Kowloong has never yielded to war and famine over the past thousands of years, and this time is no different... But the sparrows can only build their nests in the trees once they return home next spring.

My people have shown their will to live. I must respond in kind to that will by becoming who they expect. This is my destiny, and I shall accept it gladly.

Have you seen the girl named "Yoyo" on the Nighter? She has been through so much since she left Kowloong. Now, she is someone the world can count on. Even that mechanoid created by Villier... The fate of Kowloong and this world rests upon their shoulders.

Profound understanding brings about profound love. How much does a commandant from Babylonia know about this era and its hidden history, I wonder? Will you still be this optimistic when you witness its truths?

Some truths must be guarded with lies in this day and age, just as peace must be defended with wars... It appears that you only agree with the latter half of what I said. You will understand all of it one day.

There are no coincidences in history, Gray Raven Commandant. The battle at the Observatory, Luna capturing Huaxu, and the incident that almost felled Babylonia... None of them happened by chance. That said, you and Lucia were certainly something I did not foresee.

Highrises stand underneath a blue sky in a city rapidly built by automatons; people in loving communities pursue their dreams or enjoy a day off underneath the pine tree's shade... Our civilizations were meant to enlighten the world, but now... Hah.

Many of your people hold a stereotypical view of Kowloong, especially the WGAA. Kowloong is not a backward civilization trapped in centuries past. No one here speaks like an ancient scholar anymore. Your ignorance of the progress Kowloong has made is insulting.

Moyuan... hiss... Thank you... "Their" dying wish still echoes in my head, and I can still hear "them" as if "they" were right in front of me... Thank you. I'm... feeling much better.

The Tabula Akasha is indeed a tombstone of civilizations, but it is also a seed. Perhaps new civilizations will sprout somewhere else one day, and although I might not live to see it, Kowloong will watch the sun rise in the new world... I believe you will bear witness to it, as well.

Shortsightedness is a leader's worst enemy. Leaders must see and plan for the future people cannot realize, even if it means being misunderstood and betraying our beliefs... I think we are alike in that way.

I've been called "Lady Qu" and a "liar," and some see me as a "traitor to history," a "coward who refuses to listen," and a "sinner who attempts to destroy humanity's hope"... I do not care how people see me. But, Gray Raven Commandant, tell me—who am I in your eyes?

Hmm.

Hmm... Not entirely useless.

Is this how you wish to demonstrate your sincerity?

I appreciate your gift. You have my thanks, Gray Raven Commandant.

Are you trying to... please me? Very well. You may continue.

The relics in Kowloong's vault are as extensive as the ocean and vast as the stars... I believe that even an insignificant speck of light has significance.

How stubborn.

I shall consider this a gift for Kowloong.

Raise your head and speak your mind. There is no need to be formal.

Even I cannot give away Kowloong's treasures. What shall I give you in return, then?

Do you know what you are doing? Do you really...? Fine. Very Well.

I would be a vessel brimming with wishes if your gifts also contained your dreams.

Time is stretched infinitely within the Tabula Akasha. Every second can be as long as a century, and you will personally see the rise and fall of civilizations, and the birth and death of stars, right until the heat death of the universe... Come with me. Together we shall bear witness to the end of all stories.

Kowloong will provide you with any support you need when necessary. Pay no heed to what our aid is worth, for you are worthy of my companionship.

Leaders can seek counsel from themselves in times of solitude. And I... I've been alone for too long.

I see a craving in your eyes, Gray Raven Commandant. Do not think me ignorant of what you are thinking... You do not have the right to command Kowloong, but I do appreciate what lies beneath your desire.

What a waste of time.

How improper is such slothfulness?

Sigh... Asleep? Very well. I shall pick up these tasks.

Sigh... Are you truly this available? If you have nothing better to do, take a comb and comb my hair. I'll allow it.

Come here. Tell me what is bothering you. I will not allow my partner to be abandoned.

Does even something so trivial take you this long to resolve? Hand me your pen. Yes, that one... Alright, close your file now, and close your eyes. Rest.

Go rest. Your hard work has been well proven.

Perhaps you should become a Construct to perform your duty much more sufficiently like I did... You can't? What a shame.

You should place some softer and more comfortable furniture here... Ahem. They'd be good for when you want to take a break.

I do not mind adding you to the Tabula Akasha upon your expiration from overworking. You will be an immaculate sample of humankind, but that means I will have to work with other mediocre Babylonians in the future... Stop and rest if you understand what I'm saying.

You have arrived.

This cold, barren room again. Not much has changed since I was last here.

Well done. Punctuality is the most rudimentary of etiquettes, so keep it up. Me? My routine has been this way for a very long time. It has never changed.

You always seem to show up at this hour. Is this because of your biological clock? I see.

Come here, Huiyu... It appears that Huiyu likes you.

Before the future I envision arrives, I will remain here.

Greetings are mere formalities. To us, true meanings were attained when you arrived.

Hmm? This? You are my partner, so of course I have to go over your tactical plan. I can see you certainly have grown a lot since then, but you still have a long way to go to achieve that future you desire. Come. The knowledge within the Tabula Akasha is enough for you to study for a very long time... Don't worry. Time is all we have.

I have spent many seasons within the Tabula Akasha. Waiting is not something unfamiliar to me, and yet this period of time feels remarkably long... Regardless, you have returned. We shall proceed.

Ugh... Enough! You'd better have an explanation for your disrespectful behavior!

What is it that you can shake up? The world... or me?

Oh? And here I thought Babylonia was about to fall again. That will save a lot of people some work, don't you think?

The lesson taught by history and experience is that humans never learn anything from history and experience.

Do you think I'll satisfy you with screams like the others? My blade shall answer for me.

Ahem... Sigh... It has been a long time since someone touched me like this. I do not mind it; I'm merely aware that building a connection is way more difficult than the act of touching... So, are you done poking me?

Perhaps I should consider delegating some Kowloong duties to you. I trust that you won't disappoint me.

Face the combined will... of Kowloong!

We are all reflections of history.

And Kowloong shall live forever.

History will still lead to other paths...

This is your last chance.

Your futile struggle is pitiful.

Follow me into the frozen depths of eternity.

In an icy embrace, all lives shall fade.

Their voices hush, in stillness laid.

Parlor trick...

Is this the best you can do?

The sun will shine... upon Kowloong again...

Spread out. I'll bring up the rear.

Time to end this.

All paths end as one. Together, we shall witness Kowloong's future.