Vera's frame suddenly burns, the tips of her hair igniting into a fiery red, her eyebrows tightly knitted together.
Meanwhile, the Hetero-Creature named "Eve" lifts its head from the Ascendant's mangled remains.
It watches two haggard humanoids gathering supplies, then the mother<//father> forcefully pushes away the one-armed waste material.
Mother<//Father>...
It climbs off the Ascendant's remains, slowly approaching the humans as the other assimilated Hetero-Creatures begin to follow suit.
You cover Haniff's movements, opening fire on the slowly crawling Hetero-Creatures approaching you, driving back its siblings.
Yet it nimbly dodges the bullets, understanding that it is a more "advanced" being—a child more worthy of getting close to Mother<//Father>.
Until Haniff vanishes at the far end of the corridor.
Be... [gentle]... please...
Tch...
Raising the gun is now almost pointless, as the Hetero-Creature before them seems to understand that "this black thing is about to lose its killing power"—it has indirectly grasped the concept that "the bullets are almost depleted."
Gurgle...
It stares at you, lowering its body even closer to the ground.
It vividly remembers that underwater entanglement, which provided it with incredibly rich yet refined information, leaving it deeply enchanted to this day.
But humans are too fragile, with bones that snap with a mere bend, and remarkably soft muscles, blood vessels, and skin.
Simply allowing itself to get close would corrode everything.
Can't act affectionate, can't press too close.
Just getting a little closer... just being intimate for a moment would be enough.
So it approaches with extreme caution, not daring to make even a sound, longing for closeness.
Mother<//Father>...
It longs for Mother<//Father> to give it a hug.
Only one bullet remains in the gun, yet the Hetero-Creature continues to approach with "curiosity." You have no choice but to pull Vera along while dragging your injured leg backward inch by inch.
The sleeping beauty furrows her brow, seemingly irritated by everything in the outside world. You can also feel her struggles firsthand through her turbulent M.I.N.D.
Your Mind Beacon detects numerous blurred fragments within Vera's M.I.N.D.
The most emotionally conflicting of these is undoubtedly the fragment seen through Vera's "third-person perspective"... the fragment about yourself.
Sharp pains repeatedly shoot through your head as long-dormant memory shards bob up and down on the surface, still impossible to grasp with certainty.
But without a doubt, both of you need a proper "reunion."
You grit your teeth, raising your gun once more to aim at the Corrupted lunging toward the two of you.
Put it down... Don't resist...
Even with just one bullet left, you'll fight with everything you've got.
Your other hand grips Vera's wrist tightly, unable to ignore the increasingly violent tempest raging within her M.I.N.D.
No matter what happens, even if you end up crawling pathetically, you must always drag yourself one step further.
As long as you refuse to be trapped by despair, someone will always be there to catch you.
And Vera, being called upon by you, hears something.
！
She awakens with a start, only to find herself in complete darkness, with what feels like tides ebbing and flowing beneath her, washing over her limbs.
...What was that sound just now...
Her memory data is fragmented. She only remembers using her "Little Commandant" to pull out the safety pin, completely unleashing the full power of this test frame. Then she cut the ropes and watched as that person ran toward the base with the sample.
What about me?
She tries to lift her hand, only to see it covered in bright red. Her own vital fluid.
...
She remembers fragments—she chose to stay behind as the rear guard, continuously slaying Corrupted until vital fluid poured from every opening in her body, crimson flooding her vision... Only when the red deepened into darkness did she finally collapse upon the ruins.
Am I... dead...?
...How could I die now? I was looking forward to teasing that fearless Little Commandant, it was going to be the perfect opportunity.
At that moment, a beam of light slowly illuminates the dark waters.
She stares intently at that beam of light, taking a full two seconds to realize what it is—someone's Mind Beacon. Her consciousness is still stuck in an earlier state, not yet fully adjusted to Mind Beacon connection methods.
[player name]...
As she instinctively says your name, she props herself up, wading through the data streams of her M.I.N.D., and hurries forward.
The splashing of water echoes all around. With each step, she crosses another fragment of reality, restoring another piece of her memories.
...I remember now.
Now she remembers everything—during the data synchronization process, she promised her Little Commandant she would return to reality just one second later.
And the reality is—you and her, with you as the Gray Raven Commandant, encountered Ascendants at sea and became stranded on this island with its hidden gene repository.
Her Garnet frame was on the verge of complete failure and automatically entered hibernation mode, but the support aircraft sent by Kurono only dropped that old test frame from years ago.
You chose to save her—you had to save her—by replacing her frame.
...Damn it! That frame barely passed the berserk test back then... and it was recalled after going haywire during its very first mission!
She knows Kurono loves exploiting loopholes, but never expected they would take advantage of even this situation, actually reactivating a frame that should have been sealed away long ago—and worse, she discovers that the internal circuitry seems even more extreme than it was back then.
So you've been iterating on this design all these years...
She suddenly notices something even more important and touches the area between her collarbones. Only now does she realize that where the "safety lock" should be, there's nothing but empty space.
...
...Removing the safety lock before deployment... are they trying to test this frame's upper limits?
And once again, the mandatory testing protocol executes by default, trapping her within her M.I.N.D.
An electronic voice resonates above her:
I was the shadow of the waxwing slain, by the false azure in the window pane.—Test commencing.
"The battlefield of Punishing is complex. Your companions could be killed by Hetero-Creatures at any moment. This fills you with rage."
No! I absolutely will not allow this!
Vera sprints forward, watching as the Mind Beacon's light begins to flicker erratically—she senses the massive number of Hetero-Creatures surrounding them, while you keep firing to hold them back, dragging an injured leg.
But there are almost no more bullets left.
"After witnessing your companion's sacrifice, you believe you've developed psychological trauma, or more severe symptoms of M.I.N.D. drift."
She realizes that "Eve" has nimbly dodged the bullets and sunk its teeth into your side.
...Faster, I need to move faster!
"While fighting for the goal of reclaiming Earth, you feel that all of this might be false."
I know what is real...!
Where you stand is still on the living shore of the River Styx.
She lunges toward the Mind Beacon—but in that very same second:
"Test failed, authorization terminated."
...!!!
She plummets back into the sea.
Frame authorization terminated, with data synchronization declaring "failure" at the final moment.
Her M.I.N.D. is confined within a narrow corner of starless night, as her data model instantly degrades back to that of a Garnet frame.
...
The electronic voice monotonously delivers its final statement.
"You harbor resentment toward the world and everything around you. You decide to shatter the window."
Still refusing to accept failure, she gradually turns her head to look out the window.
Beyond the window stretches an endless sea, and the building she occupies resembles a tombstone rooted in the deep ocean—she realizes that within her M.I.N.D., the most tranquil sanctuary is actually at the highest point of Atlantis.
...
I... refuse to accept this...
Data Synchronization Progress: 99%
You aim your gun at Eve, down to your final bullet. For the first time, your hand trembles slightly as the gun wavers.
The Mind Beacon persists within Vera's M.I.N.D. as you call out for her, eyes fixed on the data synchronization progress stalled at 99%.
Simultaneously, you pull the trigger.
Bang!
In this mission that has devolved into disaster, you have lost count of how many gunshots you've heard... but this will be the last one.
Video: Vera: Geiravor_Text Cutscene
The dual-blade gun pierces through the sable night, sending transparent shards flying through the air, each one reflecting Vera's resolute face.
Kurono's preset program... what the hell does it think it is!
Flames of fury sweep through her M.I.N.D. as the enraged Valkyrie forcibly seizes control of her frame.
Since it's MY body, I WILL be the one to control it!!
Data Synchronization Progress: 100%
Vera burns with fury, her visual module precisely locking onto the figure before her.
Meanwhile, Eve is covering the still-smoking gun barrel, its arms locked in a death grip around your waist as it sinks its teeth into your side.
The grotesque sound of flesh being chewed fills Vera's auditory module.
Witnessing this scene, Vera almost believes herself trapped in the past... once again watching you press the opening of the box against your side.
**** OFF!!!
Vera hurls her dual-blade gun with tremendous force—striking the Hetero-Creature square in the side of its face, tearing a gaping hole through its insolent visage as black mud-like substance splatters everywhere.
But even with its "head" impaled by Vera, the final evolution has already begun within the human host.
Bit down... Tore away...
Tasted... flesh... information...
Incredibly rich information floods into it, resembling a web of trees stretching across and encompassing countless "branches"—all of this, coming from a single human.
It wasn't mistaken after all. No wonder you sparked both hunger and dependency within it.
Must devour... seize... mimic... learn... evolve...
Hehehehe...
An immense satisfaction envelops it, a series of uncontrollable giggles spilling from its maw as it worms its way into your memories.
Where should I start?
That's a good question—but soon, a piece of information as sweet as honey firmly draws its attention.
Seeking benefit while avoiding harm is instinctive, and now, it finds itself infinitely drawn toward this concept of [love].
[Love], I must learn it.
It touches upon your love.
Not just for Gray Raven, but for many others—close friends, battle comrades, even passing acquaintances... These people coalesce into countless beautiful bonds, collectively surrounding you<//Eve>.
Like a fantastical, beautiful dreamscape.
Are you sure we don't need to accompany you on this mission? Is the mission assessment really that simple? Is Vera doing this on purpose?
I heard you're heading out to sea, so I'll prepare some extra emergency equipment... What's with this red medical kit? Why doesn't it even have painkillers...
The perspective shifts backward, where the captain of Gray Raven waits silently.
Commandant...
Please, you must...
There's no need to finish every sentence—they already understand each other's hearts.
...
Very delicious.
You<//Eve> bypass a section of long-silent memories and venture into a space of pure white.
White doors, white ceiling, and white bedding.
Is this person really okay? Their memory keeps resetting like a "reboot." Could there be other serious side effects?
Don't worry too much. The only real problem is that gaping hole in their side where the Corrupted stabbed them. The brain hematoma will go down on its own, it just needs some time.
...Fine, I get it. As long as the hematoma doesn't go away, this ****** situation will continue.
The doctor hastily departs. This is a temporary medical station, and a disaster has just swept through the area outside. There are too many people in need of treatment.
Little Commandant, I'm stepping out for a bit. You should rest.
The red-haired Construct waves her hand at the hospital bed, then leaves the room and disappears for a short while.
When she returns, it's already late. She's cleaning her hands while letting her hair down, looking as if she's been helping the medical staff.
...What are you staring at? Have you been awake this whole time, or did you just wake up from your rest?
Your voice is extremely hoarse, with a metallic taste of blood seemingly rising continuously in the throat. Even though Eve is merely "inhabiting" and experiencing the body, it can understand just how severely the patient is injured.
Don't keep calling me "Vera" this and "Vera" that. It's irritating.
Here, moisten your lips, then go back to sleep... Don't swallow it. Following the doctor's orders and focusing on recovery is the most important thing for you right now. Do you understand?
Thanks for the concern, but mind your own business.
Look away too, stop staring at me. I've already promised I'll stay here and watch over you, so hurry up and sleep.
...
...
You<//Eve> have seemingly closed your eyes for a long time, yet you fail to drift away into the darkness of sleep. Instead, chaotic memories intermingle in your mind, causing you frustration.
...Get... away...!
...Hummingbird... give me the coordinates...
Vera sits upright in the bedside chair with her arms crossed. Her eyes are tightly shut and her brow deeply furrowed, likely experiencing something unpleasant in her sleep mode.
The view shifts upward with effort—you<//Eve> rise up from the hospital bed and reach out toward the red-haired Construct.
You sink into the connection, doing your best to soothe her turbulent M.I.N.D.
But before long, you pull away with a look of surprise, uttering a single name.
You stare silently at Vera for a long time, then reach out to touch the bandage on your side.
Your gaze shifts to the apple at the bedside, along with a glass of water—the stale water has been replaced.
You reach for your terminal and make note of something.
Then, taking a deep breath, you reconnect to Vera's M.I.N.D.
...Why would you do this? Why am I [happy]?
Understand...?
Is it... good?
You<//Eve> wander through your memories.
After tasting a portion of it, Eve gradually lost her smile, feeling that she was becoming entangled in the threads of fate just like her mother<//father>.
Their thoughts grow heavy, each successive interpretation becoming more and more burdensome.
[Love], incomprehensible.
What else? Is there anything easier to understand?
With the aid of Punishing energy, they step into yet another place.
So the eavesdropper... has taken an interest in our casual chat...?
Die... die... DIE!!
Let him die! Kill him, now!!!
(Rapidly exits.)
W-wait, wait... Is this right?
They glimpse Haynes, the creator who made them, while emotions splash out like blood drenching their entire being. Instinctively, they choose to withdraw.
...All... wrong...
You think...
You... deserve this... hah...
Hah hah hah... I... did it... The new seed... has already...
They cannot understand why humans are slaughtering each other, with their own creator leading the carnage.
No, no... Don't look at these.
But "silk threads" have already silently entwined themselves around Eve, preventing her escape attempt.
You seem to be looking down at her past as well, responding to her panic with a contemptuous laugh.
No... Let me go!
！
You raise your hand and forcefully push yourself<//Eve> deeper into the murky depths.
Guh!!
The sensation of drowning—now it's their turn to experience it.
Eve is forcibly confined within a human body, every scar across her form reawakening with its original pain.
It begins with some "insignificant" bruises and scrapes—all from training courses at F.O.S. Military College. Minor scuffles, minor ailments, things every student experiences.
A vibrant vitality would gently erase these wounds, as if they had never existed.
Tch...
After entering the battlefield, her wounds grew increasingly severe.
A Corrupted sliced open her abdomen while she was evacuating civilians. Cranial trauma.
To protect a damaged sample container, she pressed its breach against a wound in her side.
Sss-hisss!!
While fighting Vonnegut alongside Strike Hawk, she was buried under a collapsing wall. Fractured ribs. Lung damage.
While fighting a Hetero-Hive Mother, she was impaled through her side by Punishing tentacles. Minor organ rupture. Fractured hand bones. Cranial trauma. Subdural hematoma.
HISSSSS!!
Countless knife wounds. Countless explosions. Countless falls.
...
Heroes are sculpted by disaster—sculpted by the disasters crashing down upon the fragile human body, wave after wave, cycle after cycle, endlessly overlapping.
It is pressed down into the mire, experiencing [pain] firsthand. You had anticipated this reaction all along, and you issued your warning accordingly.
Get out! Run fast!! [Pain]!! [PAIN]!!!
You shove Eve forcefully, tearing apart the two of you that had begun to merge, with fine intricate threads, stretching like half-dried adhesive.
Eve immediately accepts this, even [ecstatically] embracing being expelled by you. It never wants to make contact with you again.
For a brief moment, it believes it is finally free.
But reality isn't so kind—no sooner has its mental agony subsided than its body is seized by new [pain].
Splash—
In this bleak reality, Eve is violently torn from your abdomen, and in the next moment, hangs suspended in midair.
HISSSSSSS!!!
...Who gave you permission to hurt my Commandant...?!
A delicate face, contorted with rage, presses close against its eyes.
"Eve's" vision blurs. In her delirium, the woman before her merges with the silhouette from the sea, the one who nearly killed her before.
You...
You... goddamned Hetero-Creature!!
You press down on the wound where Eve's corrosion has eaten through your flesh, voice strained with pain as you issue the command to Vera.
Vera raises her hand, driving her gunlance deep into the Hetero-Creature's body, twisting it to shred the flesh within. This time, she won't let this cunning creature escape.
Eve hangs suspended in mid-air, quietly gazing at the red Construct before her.
No one knows what it's "thinking."
The two of you can only watch as—in its moment of death, amid the spine-chilling sound of flesh being shredded, Eve unsteadily opens her "arms" toward Vera.
In the final moment of its life, it chose to embrace [pain].
And then, it ceased to move.
