—[player name].
Kamui releases your hand and steps forward, positioning himself to shield you completely.
The Forbidden Chain's broken now, so you can't affect the other Tails anymore. The gem might be useless, but Marlis can still control them directly.
If we wait any longer, she'll surround us with her Tails.
While I... haven't completely lost control yet, I'll rush her and keep her busy. She won't be able to focus on anyone else for a little while.
If you can manage it, get the other Tails out of here.
If I hold her long enough, I'll lose my mind completely... but my power will skyrocket. I'll be strong enough to take her down for good.
After that, you'll all be safe. No more threats hanging over you.
With that, you reach out and take his hand once more. This time, an invisible thread accompanies the gesture, soothing his turbulent emotions and replacing the Forbidden Chain with your connection.
...But that's just one possibility. There's no guarantee it'll work.
If it fails, I'll drag you down with me, so let me keep shielding you instead. That way, at least you'll have a better shot at getting out.
Kamui freezes, unable to answer. His old self would have scorned him for his hesitation and cowardice. How did he become something even he despises?
I'm afraid of how powerless and weak I am. Maybe I don't have what it takes to stay in control, and I really will become a killing machine. Even if it's unlikely, I can't bring myself to gamble with your life.
And if I'm allowed to be selfish... I'm terrified of losing the last connection I have with you.
Even if we sever it like we planned... what comes after that? More hidden traps that could hurt you? Or worse, I end up heading down a path without you again.
I'm too much of a coward. If that's how it is, then let me do this now, while I'm still yours. Let me burn for you, completely.
...Because you told me something after you saved me all those years ago.
"You're not incapable of feeling like a human. You've just been robbed of the soil to grow them."
"Stay with this family. Their love will water that broken soil, and you'll grow the ability to love again."
"You deserve to be loved by this world. You are a human with a real soul."
I want to do for humanity what you once did for me...
[player name], I want to protect this human world... the one you're in.
Because you were the one who brought my soul to life. You're the most important person to me.
With the strength flowing from you, the screams and chaos in Kamui's mind fade, and the hallucinations weaken. Through your guiding thread, Kamui can see this darkened world clearly once more.
—I get it now. With your support, there's no way I'm letting myself lose.
—If anyone tries to use you or control me, I'll...
—RIP THEM APART!
BOOM—!!!
Kamui raises his weapon and charges at Marlis with full force. She strikes back, cursing under her breath about how powerful he is.
...Insect. You really think you and [player name] can defeat me?
Then I'll summon every last Gecko Tail I have left and show you just how outmatched you really are.
—Ha! You're the foolish and arrogant one here! Still think you can win by hiding behind your puppets?
—[player name]! I've got her pinned! Now!
—BANG!
—?!
You fire from a short distance away while Marlis locks blades with Kamui. She has no time to dodge.
Drip—drip—
The shot connects. Marlis staggers back, clutching her wounded right eye, as blood seeps through her fingers and drips onto the floor.
Both times you took control of the Tails, your right eye glowed a little brighter with the same red as that gem of yours.
You guys put in all that work to make a new [SU-0]. No way you'd break something that lets you control him.
Marlis' expression twists. She bites her lip hard, seething at how you two have derailed her plans.
You dare strike me... Filthy wretches!
So what? You know as well as I do, [SU-0]... those failsafes may be chains, but they're also shields.
You destroyed the device in my eye, so the mark on your left ear is the final failsafe. If you don't care whether [player name] lives or dies, go ahead and remove the collar from your neck to become the beast you truly are.
So? Do you really have the guts? As long as the Forbidden Chain exists, I still have control over these Tails.
All of you, attack! Tear these wretches apart!
No... won't... be controlled...
Resist... help... Kamui...
But not a single Tail obeys her. Instead, warmth returns to their voices as they fight back against the force controlling them.
...Useless trash! Why are you resisting?! Obey me!
You're the one resisting in vain, Marlis—
Kamui steps forward to where the Tails have gathered, his weapon raised against Marlis. What drives him now goes beyond what you gave him, but also the resilience and faith he's forged along the way.
He reaches for the bone ring on his left ear—what Marlis called the final failsafe. The searing pain in his body lingers, and the simple act of raising his arm feels impossibly heavy. But he does it anyway.
...What are you doing?
Marlis realizes what Kamui intends to do, and panic sets in.
You thought you could threaten me by weaponizing my emotions. You assumed I'd never take any risks because I care about [player name].
And that's exactly why you'll lose to the humans you look down on.
The formless thread from you grows stronger, bridging the distance between you and him. It is as if you are right there supporting his arm as he moves to act.
Finally, Kamui grips the bone ring on his left ear. His hold is firm and resolute.
Love isn't a weakness. It's not fragile like you think. It makes us unbreakable. Unstoppable.
So I won't be afraid of losing it anymore, because it's already with [player name] and me. Our love is eternal, and you don't get to decide otherwise.
Swish—!
He finally tears the bone ring that's bound him for years off his ear. Pain shoots through him, but Kamui feels something else entirely: his body and soul have never been more free.
With that, every last restraint binding the Gecko Tails vanishes.
Blood streams down from his ear, trailing across his skin and seeping into his heart. It burns through his soul, awakening something tangible within him... the bond and the sense of belonging he's found in you.
[player name] and I don't need your chains to stay connected.
I'm my own person from now on. I'm Kamui, and I'll protect this precious gift [player name] has given me.
Besides... I've never been alone.
With the Forbidden Chains gone, the numb Gecko Tails can finally breathe. Ignoring Marlis' commands, they close in on their enemy, step by step.
I was the first of the Gecko Tails to awaken. At first, I was terrified. I thought I'd be stuck in that cold place all by myself with no one to turn to.
But then I realized... none of us were just empty tools. Maybe the others were just slower to grow, but they were all striving for it too.
Whether it was under your shadow back then, or standing here now... we've never stopped fighting back against our fate.
They're not the wretches you say they are. Every single one of them has a name, a life, and a soul!
Your soul is too barren and empty to ever touch the hearts growing inside them.
Get ready to face your end, you monster!
Ka... Kamui... help... Kamui...
Rebellious... souls. Take back... our... souls...
More Gecko Tails rally to Kamui's side, fighting alongside him to stop Marlis and defending their newfound convictions. Most of them hold back "Kamui", while Kamui charges at Marlis for one final strike.
He recalls each moment from his past, every instance that filled his life with meaning.
...Why? Gecko Tails don't need to ask why. You're not allowed to think for yourselves.
Who corrupted you? I'll run a correction program right now—
SMACK! Just as Marlis moves to punish the ever-rebellious [SU-0], the three Tails modeled after your friends suddenly rush forward, shielding him from the blow.
Protect... protect.
Don't... hurt him... I'll... take his place...
Don't be scared... Don't cry. Here... have some candy... Don't be afraid...
...Fine. As Tails ranked below him, you are supposed to follow priority protocols to protect him.
If I catch you doing this again, you'll all be corrected together. Understood?
You are not to disobey your creator—no, "Mother," as my master would say.
I... please don't... destroy me...
I want to live... I want to go out and see the world...
You surveyed the devastated base, assessing whether the child's words were merely programmed deception, or a genuine plea that came from his heart.
In the end, you reached out and took the boy's hand, leading him into the warmth of the human world.
None of the Gecko Tails ever had names. During those endless days of darkness, he was only ever contemptuously addressed as [SU-0] by the woman who called herself his mother. A designation. A weapon.
But from that day forward, he finally had a name of his own—
Kamui.
Kamui.
Got it! My vision's coming back... I'll keep pushing forward!
Thankfully, someone is there to show him the way every time he needs it.
With his chain gone, Kamui has to face the agony of losing control alone, but that pain is also awakening a surging vitality within him. With every blow he lands on Marlis, the Archdevil's influence over him weakens.
The hallucinations fade, and his vision gradually clears. Kamui understands that he's now running toward the pain while conquering it, and he is fighting with everyone to reclaim the vibrant reality that belongs to them.
SLASH! SLASH!! SLASH!!!
Kamui hurls strike after strike at Marlis, each slash more precise than the last. With every step he forces her back, he reclaims another piece of the color that belongs to him.
We were never meant to be trapped in some dull, colorless world. You were the one who stole our souls in the first place.
In that case, let me be the one to end this journey—
And sever those thorned chains of yours and take back our lives!
...Give me a break!
Her body riddled with wounds, Marlis is cornered with nowhere left to run as she gasps and struggles in her final moments.
Troublesome wretches... Go on then, keep at it. Savor your fleeting moment of triumph.
The hierarchy between our kinds is something you insects will never overcome! Blessed by the divine, my body has already ascended...
Even if you strike me down now, you cannot erase my soul. All you're doing is repeating the miserable fate destined for your kind!
AARGHH!!!
Before she can finish, Kamui drives his greatsword straight through her heart. Against a villain steeped in such wickedness, there is no need for mercy.
Blood pours from her wound, running dry as her life slips away.
W-why...? My wound... it should be healing...
My master said... I had become... divine... I cannot... die...
...Death? Why... I'm not supposed to... No, I won't...
I don't want to... die... die...
Disbelief fills her eyes as her struggling hand finally goes limp, crashing down against the cold, hard floor.
Outskirts
Outside the Castle
Daytime
...All accounted for.
Kamui has examined the last of the Gecko Tails. With Marlis dead and gone, whatever she buried in their bodies to control them has been rendered inert. They are free.
You leave the underground castle together, and once Kamui confirms that none of them are at risk anymore, they each set off in search of a new life.
About that... we're not really sure ourselves.
Marlis apparently produced the Gecko Tails in separate batches, each one sourced differently.
For instance, I was part of the first batch she created. From what the records show, she kidnapped humans and modified them directly. And after I got free, I started having these hazy memories, like I used to be human...
Those memories seem to line up with stories of the eldest son my family lost. But my body's still nothing like a human's, so I can't say for sure if I was actually him, or if his memories just got passed to me.
As for them... they came from a batch after mine. Marlis probably just stole something from those three guys you know, then recreated them using special materials. They're not the real deal.
The three Tails closest to Kamui have been at his side the whole time, assisting him. Only when they hear your remark do they turn around together.
The similar personalities are probably Marlis' doing too. She based them on those guys, right? Probably wanted them to have the same feelings toward you to boost their loyalty.
Oh, right. So, what about you guys? What are you planning to do now?
The three Tails—no, the three gentlemen—fall silent, lost in thought.
First, about our names... I don't want to change mine. Ever since we met [player name] seven years ago, everyone's been calling me by this name. I'd like to keep it that way.
Yeah, too much hassle. There's tons of people with the same names anyway. What's one more?
Exactly! I don't wanna memorize a bunch of new stuff. We're keeping them, and that's final!
As for what's next... A few years back, during that brief time we had our freedom, I remember seeing recruitment posters outside.
I'd like to give it a shot. I want to make a difference and gain the strength to help more people down the line.
I've spent time with some human children before. I really enjoyed it.
I want to find an orphanage that needs a doctor. There should be plenty of children there who need looking after.
Me, uh... I wanna open a restaurant. Nothing fancy! Just make food I like, earn enough to get by.
But it won't be just a regular restaurant! I'll also go out and get justice for folks who can't afford it for free. Long as I get a good scrap out of it, I'm happy!
Those all sound amazing!
That's wonderful. Now you'll all have lives of your own.
Then it's settled. We'll all chase after what we want and live happily as humans.
Seeing all of them find where they belong, Kamui's heart finally calms down. They all have their own paths ahead, and though the world is vast, none of them will walk alone.
That said, we should probably figure out where our hosts operate. Best to steer clear and avoid any mix-ups that could cause trouble.
I agree. Someone mistook me for that sheriff a few years back. Next thing I knew, I was throwing hands with some fugitive.
Good point. Guess we'll have to leave that to you two, Kamui and [player name]?
Hey, I'm more than happy to help! Though I don't really know those three either... You up for it, [player name]?
