Edge of the Vortex

...The life support systems are at their limit. She's putting on a brave face, but...she doesn't have long. The best thing you can do for her right now is stay by her side.

......

...I fought so hard to save your world.

I lied to people...

I turned on my own allies... But then...

I have to go back. I have to learn the truth.

Noahxis is gone?

Correct. He disappeared from the village a short while ago.

You think he could've gone on an expedition?

It's unlikely... We had an appointment to go and check on the repairs to the ship, an appointment to which he never arrived. Our captain is not one to be late.

Hmm. I can see why you're worried.

Klein! We're back.

We went through hell to find this thing. I hope it was worth it.

Well done. May I ask if you encountered the captain while you were away?

Noahxis? Yeah, we saw him in the vortex a while ago.

Did you now?

Yeah. Looked like he was searching for something. He hadn't gone far.

I see. Hopefully it's just my imagination then...

You know Klein, I could go and check on him for you.

You would do that for me?

Of course. What're friends for, right?

I appreciate it. But don't go taking any unnecessary risks. The moment things start to look dangerous promise me you'll turn right around.

Don't worry, I'll be careful.

I'll bring you over to where we saw Noahxis, then. Just lemme know when you're ready.

Thanks! I'm counting on you!

Keep your guard up. I've got a bad feeling about this.

I will. See you soon.

Hi~!

Well if it isn't Nona and Sesta! What brings you two young ladies here?

We heard things have been tough in Arat lately. Thought maybe we could help out for a bit.

How can Sesta help?

I appreciate the gesture, but don't you two have other obligations?

Nah, I've got time! Arat did a lot for us, so if you guys are in trouble then I wanna help.

Village let Sesta stay. Sesta will repay.

Strange... I swear I saw him right around here...

It's fine, I can take it from here. Thanks for bringing me this far.

...Hey, uh, can I ask you something?

What's up?

To be honest Noahxis looked pretty rough when I last saw him. A lot's been going on lately. If you don't mind, do you think you could try and help him out? Just hearing what he has to say would be enough. I know it's weird to be asking you of all people, but Klein just isn't good with this kinda stuff.

Of course. Thanks for letting me know.

We're getting pretty deep now... Just how far did you go, Noahxis?

Ooh! There he is! Heeey! Aldoooooo~!

Nona! Sesta! What are you guys doing here?

We're here to help! Klein sent us!

So, uh... Where's Noahxis?

Further in I guess. Seems like something's been bothering him lately, so we should try to be quick.

Oh yeah? I wonder what it could be...

I don't know, but his comrades in Arat are worried. For now I just wanna find him and ask if there's anything I can do to help.

Sounds good to me.

Let's get going!

I know it's around here somewhere...

...I know you're watching! What're you waiting for, huh?! Come and get me!

...So that's where you were hiding it. Hand over the time layer displacer.

Hmph, just as I suspected. Why are you after this?

Isn't it obvious? That device could be used to meddle with history. The Time Hounds could never allow such a dangerous piece of technology to remain in your hands.

"Time Hounds", huh? Never heard of 'em. Wanna tell me who's holding your leash?

I'm not here to answer your questions. If you won't hand it over peacefully, then we'll take it by force.

By force, huh? Good luck with that.

We have you outnumbered. What can you possibly hope to achieve by yourself?

Oh I dunno...this maybe?

Electromagnetic spike detected... Energy reaching critical mass...

...A trap. That's dirty.

Maybe, but I like having a little insurance. Now talk. Who sent you?

Surely you haven't forgotten this face.

No. And I haven't forgotten how sick she was either. There's no way she'd be up and walking around. So what're you after, imposter?

Imposter?

Hah...hahaha!

You think this is funny?!

From my perspective, you're the imposter here.

Wh-What?

Damn! The device!

What kind of fool let's their guard down while standing face to face with a known adversary?

Gh...! Give it...back!

Still moving are you? Impressive.

I was planning let you live, but if you insist...

, Get away from him!

Lifeforms detected... Three in total.

You okay, Noahxis?!

These are the same people who attacked Arat before!

Woman smells like enemy.

We don't need to waste time entertaining you, The device is already in our hands. Beaming out.

Stop! You're not getting away!

You're too late.

...Get back you three!

...I'd rather activate the device here and now then let it fall into enemy hands.

Fool! If you do that!

Aldo!!!

...See that this gets to Klein!

Wait Noahxis! I'm coming with you!

...Don't. This is for the best... This will...save...everyone...

Noahxis!!!

No...way...

What is this thing? It's just a small cube...

N-Now what?!

...I sense an enormous wave of power. The beasts are growing restless, boy.

Leave now if you want to live.

I can't just leave Noahxis behind! There's gotta be something I can do!

Too many enemies. We must regroup.

But!

No buts. Aldo coming with Sesta, like it or not.

Aldo... We've gotta go.

...I know.

Charge!

...I see.

We need to get back in there and find Noahxis asap.

It'd be nice to know where that rift leads before we jump into it, though...

I might be able to help with that. Based on your report it's most likely a spatial anomaly connected to a singularity point.

A singu-what now?

Basically it's a rift to the era we originally came from. You and Noahxis were right next to the point in time connecting our time layer to the vortex. There's a chance he was pulled in.

So your original era is the "singularity point" then?

In theory, yes. But we can't say for sure without more information.

Oh yeah! This might help. Noahxis threw it to me right before we got separated.

He said to give it to you...but it's just some kinda cube. Do you know what to make of it?

Let's see... It looks like some kind of data storage device. You might be able to play it back using the memory device. It's worth a shot in any case.

Alright, then that's where we're headed.

I'm going to try and access the storage device.

Noahxis!

As I suspected. He left a message for us.

......

...I see. It's an archive of video data.

Klein...

Let's start.

...Still nothing. I just have to keep trying.

Noahxis? What are you doing in here?

...This time we'll change the outcome and...

Noahxis! ...Were you secretly using the monitoring system?

Look. She needs treatment. If I can just locate a time layer where the disease has been cured, I can...

Please tell me you aren't seriously planning to travel to a different time layer over this madness...

...If that's what it takes, then yes.

Don't be a fool! If it ever got out that you used information from another time layer to alter history!

......

...I get it. I understand how you feel. It kills me to see her like that too. But Noahxis... There are some things mankind was never meant to touch.

Are you telling me to give up? To let her die?

Of course not! But what you're doing right now isn't going to help either of you. You're going to end up dead yourself before you ever save her.

Noahxis's memories, huh? So that was your era we were looking at just now, Klein?

So it would seem... That was the time layer monitoring center.

The what?

It's a facility for monitoring and recording events happening across all of spacetime. It houses a large machine called the time layer monitoring system.

Why would you need something like that?

To keep tabs on enemies of the government. The time travel technology in our world is astonishingly advanced, you see. It got to the point where it became incredibly easy for even private individuals and organizations to manipulate history. The chaos wrought by the technology left the Ministry of Time no choice but to take complete and total control of it. They banned it from common use and enforced their new policies using the time layer monitoring system.

...Klein knows much about this.

That's because I was one of the engineers involved in creating it, though it's not something I'm proud of. I didn't realize until it was too late that they were planning to use it to monitor every aspect of civilian life. I made the mistake of voicing my concerns, and that was the end of my career. After that I drifted from position to position, until finally being dispatched here to Arat. But don't misunderstand, I'm happier here than I ever was under their command.

......

...Well Noahxis didn't look like he was using it to spy on people. He was just trying to help a sick friend.

I wonder if that had something to do with the problem he wanted to tell me about.

Probably, but it's difficult to say for sure when this is all we have to go on.

Did he leave any other recordings for us?

Yes, there are still a few more files on the storage device.

Shall we then?

Alright. Let's find out just what it was he wanted us to know.

Time is running out. Tomorrow...she...

Noahxis? What are you doing in here?

...Sorry. I'm gonna need more time. I appreciate you keeping this between you and me.

N-Noahxis! You can't be serious! You're planning on traveling to a different time layer in order to save her?!

Huh? Y-Yes...

What are you thinking?! If it ever got out that you used information from another time layer to alter history!

(What's going on here? I already told him what I was planning...)

...Look. I won't tell you how to live your life, but you need to be careful. Both for your sake and hers.

...I don't have time worry about it. Let's just get started.

Huh? The date has rolled back... Did I just dream all that? No... That'd be too convenient. Not much time left now. I need to be quick.

...How long...have I been in here? I need to go see her... Damn it...I'll never accept this...

Noahxis? What are you doing in here?

N-Noahxis?! You look terrible... What?! You're planning on traveling to a different time layer in order to save her?!

You can't be serious! If it ever got out that you used information from another time layer to alter history!

It's the same as before... (Something's definitely wrong here.) The date has rolled back again, too...but why? Time has definitely passed normally...

...Hey. Where's Garnet right now?

Huh? In the medical bay. Where else would she be?

Is she alive?

Yes, but...I heard she doesn't have long left.

I need to go!

H-Hey! ...What's with that guy?

...Garnet...

...Noah? You're back already?

I thought you were working. Isn't it a bit too early for you to be here?

...Are you...safe?

What kinda question is that? I'm the same as when you, H-Huh?! What's wrong? You look awful...

...Listen. This might sound strange, but can you tell me how long it's been since you last saw me?

Huh? A few hours I guess? What a weird question.

......

...Right. Sorry I woke you.

He's overworking himself again, isn't he...

It doesn't make any sense... It's been much longer than that since I last saw her. She shouldn't even be alive... It's almost like...like time is repeating itself. Wait... Could that... Could that really be the case? Some kind of time loop?

How's the monitoring system look?

All clear. The counter is reading normally.

When you showed me the system's report... I almost couldn't believe what I was reading. A three day time loop... In all my years of research I've never once run into something even remotely similar. If this ever went public there'd be chaos in the streets.

Exactly. And that's why we need to do absolutely everything in our power to fix this before that happens.

I heard you volunteered to join the away team on their expedition to the source of the anomaly.

That's right. They were basically begging for an expert in the field to come along.

Aren't you worried? There's no telling how dangerous things could get out there. You may not even be able to return home.

I'll be fine. The crew knows what they're doing.

They weren't violent offenders. I was told most of them were former researchers and political prisoners.

That'd be nice if it was actually true. But I admit...I'm jealous of you in a way. You're setting off on a voyage to where no one has gone before.

Would you like me to bring you a souvenir?

I'd rather you bring me back a solution to our current predicament, thank you very much.

Heh... You got it.

Klein! That woman just now, Garnet!

Yes... I'm as shocked as you are. She looks identical to the woman who attacked Arat...

Isn't she the same person who disappeared with Noahxis?

Considering the woman we saw just now was completely bedridden, I doubt it's that simple. The captain was in shock when he saw who was behind that attack. It clearly wasn't something he planned for.

...Just who is she?

I'm afraid I can't answer that...

But at least now we know what it was that the captain was after. He never intended to repair the time loop, He was protecting it to save that woman.

He came to Arat to destroy any clues he could find.

He must've been hiding the truth from us this entire time...

...That's kinda bad, huh?

But then again... He did it to save someone that he loved. Trapped in that loop, for so, so long...

Nona...

From his perspective coming to Arat was all about buying her more time...at least until we got attacked. It calls into question his motives behind rushing to launch the ship. Did he really mean to protect us?

He did. I'm sure of it. I saw his face when he said he wanted to protect everyone. He meant it.

I suppose you're right... The next file is the last one. An audio log...and some sort of data file. Blueprints from the looks of it.

Yeah. Let's hear him out.

......

That fool... Why didn't he tell us earlier? I guess these are the blueprints he was talking about...

Wh-What in the, ?! What was he thinking...

What's wrong?

It is. In layman's terms, it creates an enormous burst of energy at the singularity connecting a time layer to the vortex, severing it artificially.

Severing it? That sounds a lot like what I did with Ogre Rancorem to end the time loop in Baruoki...

Wait, doesn't that mean Noahxis is basically trying to make his own personal Ogre Rancorem?!

Hmph, quite the dangerous pursuit for a mere human. But with great risk, comes great reward I suppose.

Come to think of it, Noahxis mentioned that I'd helped him out a while back, even though I couldn't remember doing anything in particular.

It's possible he learned about the sword by monitoring you over spacetime. But even if he was our world's foremost expert in the field, it's astonishing that he could replicate it through mere observation.

But wait a second. Isn't this the same device the attacker had when Noahxis disappeared?

Yes, Sesta thinks Noahxis was trying to get back from them.

What?! You're saying he already had the device from this blueprint?

Is something wrong?

This "displacer" would allow you to break the time layer free of the vortex while also maintaining its current rotation. In other words, the user would be able to preserve the loop.

Outside of the vortex? Is that even possible?

In theory at least. With the amount of energy the displacer creates, you might be able to maintain the loop's rotation under the right conditions. But there's no way that the user would survive it. They would be completely obliterated.

What?! But Noahxis, he was still...

Right. After press button, man was still very much man.

Maybe he wasn't able to produce enough energy. Going by these blueprints, you'd need enough to power an entire starship. To think he was able to open a rift with a device that wasn't even at full power... It's terrifying.

What in the world could have propelled him to take such a risk?

Maybe he wanted to save everyone. Both Garnet AND the people of Arat.

What do you mean?

With the time layer severed from the vortex, not only would the government have no way to attack Arat... ...The energy created by the process would also be able to maintain the loop's rotation and keep Garnet safe. It was the perfect solution really, one that Noahxis probably thought was worth dying for.

Hold on, Nona. I think you're making too many assumptions here. We have to think about this logically.

Maybe... But you can't deny how sad Noahxis sounded just now... Logic probably wasn't the first thing on his mind.

Hmm... I guess it's at least possible. It sounds like something he would do.

No way...

......

I'm sorry, but can you give me a little time to think? I need to share all of this with the others. It's not as if we have the means to reach the singularity point right now anyhow.

...Alright.

How can Sesta help in meantime?

Noahxis's assailants could come back at any moment. I'd like you to prepare our defenses in the event that happens.

Sure. We're on it.

Sigh... When will you finally learn to rely on us, captain?

Where...

...Am I...alive? Where am I?

Isn't this the time layer monitoring room...? I'm back...!

Now I get it... Unleashing all of the displacer's power at once must have torn open a rift home. But there's no way for me to know if I was able to sever the time layer from the vortex successfully. And what about that woman...

...Is someone there?

Huh?!

Noahxis?! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the away team...

There were still some things I needed to do.

Don't tell me you deserted the mission just to see her again?! They'll end up taking her into custody, too! She'd never survive in a detention center!

You mean she's still in the medical bay?

Huh? Where else would she be? You know better than anyone that she can't walk in her condition.

Just as I thought...

Huh?

Then who was it that attacked me? She could've been Garnet's twin... There's no way that was just a coincidence. Not to mention...that ring was definitely real. Could she have come from a different time layer?

I can't understand a word you're saying...

I need to go. Can you let me through?

...Alright. But you'd better remember this the next time I need someone to cover my shift.

I owe you one.

Why did you have to come back, Noahxis? You know I can't just let you go. If I did that, they'd come for me, too...

...A deserter, that's right... Yes, he's alone... Yes... Alright...

A time layer where people have no freedom whatsoever... Could she really have come from a place like that?

Hmm, didn't she say that the people in her timeline didn't even have names? I wonder if they go by their government identification numbers...

Just as I thought...

...... ...No. I've seen enough.

I already know that they came to Arat to prevent us from changing history. If they determined that it was my displacer that caused the change... ...Then it might not have been such a good idea to leave the blueprints with Aldo. I need to find a way back as soon as possible.

Where am I? The last thing I remember is the time layer displacer going haywire, and...

...Ah, right. I failed. I was a fool for thinking doing something like that would bring him back...

Is this...

...Some kind of medical ward?

The signal is faint, but...I'm detecting life.

...Back already?

Tch!

Oh, forgive me. I seem to have mistaken you for someone else. Are you a new member of the medical team?

......

I guess that means it's already time for my medicine, huh? Give me just a second, I'll take it right away.

...You don't need to get up. I'll bring it to you.

Th-Thank you.

...You don't look so good.

I guess I'm not...

How long has it been?

...For as long as I can remember.

I see.

May I ask who you mistook me for just now?

Ah... There's someone I'm waiting for. So when I heard the noise just now, I thought that maybe...

I can tell from your expression it was someone important to you. A lover perhaps?

...I have no right to call him that. Lovers are there to support one another. What can I ever hope to do for him when I'm like this?

...... ...I've felt that way before myself.

You have? Would you tell me about it?

...I had someone. Someone who would always look out for me, who would always guide me in the right direction. I cared a lot about them...and I wanted to do something, anything, to repay them for all they'd done for me.

...But one day they just disappeared, without ever giving me the chance. Forgive me... It's not much of a story.

No, it's fine. It's the same for me. The person I'm waiting for left on an expedition to somewhere far, far away. He told me it was a run of the mill reconnaissance mission, but I know the truth. The government sent his crew off to die. ...I may never see him again.

...I'm sorry to hear that.

I...I just want him by my side. I don't have long left. And I don't know if it's because I've been getting weaker, but recently... I've been having awful dreams.

What kind of dreams?

Dreams where I feel like the world around me keeps repeating endlessly, and I'm trapped.

......

In the dream, the person I'm waiting for is fighting to keep me alive. He hurts himself, he's forced to lie, and he just suffers, over and over until he begins to look like a shadow of his former self...

I see. You must have felt very happy to have someone who would fight that hard for you.

...That's where you're wrong.

Why's that?

How could I ever be happy when he's out there suffering? When I'm in the dream, I wish from the depths of my heart that he would let me move forward, that he would bring me tomorrow.

......

...Bring you tomorrow, huh? Maybe that really would be for the best.

...Are you awake, Garnet?

Hm? You're alone? I could've sworn I heard you talking to someone just now.

...No. I was just talking to myself...more or less.

...This is the same time layer I discovered in the system. A world stuck in an endless time loop where he continues to live out his days as a researcher. A world where an incurable illness will soon take my life... None of this is new to me, so why do I have such a tight feeling in my chest?

Looks like the current time is just a little after the research vessel carrying the away team launched. The instruments are all functioning normally, and time is still looping, which means we're still connected to the vortex. ...I guess Arat's not out of the woods yet.

...I should find out more about her.

I won't be able to use the system to monitor parts of the vortex outside the range of our time layer. Let me see if communications are still online and then I can work from there.

I need to find some kind of clue about my attackers...

The Time Hounds could never allow such a dangerous device to remain in your hands.

The Time Hounds... That's what they called themselves. There's a similar group maintaining public order here, but they aren't nearly that extreme. These aren't the kinda people you want to come knocking from another time layer.

"Time layer shift"..."Maintain public order"... "Time Hounds"...

...In response to numerous outside attempts to alter history, this layer's ruling regime enacted a policy of total control over the populace. These policies include cultural and ideological indoctrination, a complete ban on free speech, and the abolishment of individual names. The regime's totalitarian policies have resulted in the rise of numerous opposition factions. While many of these factions intend to flee the time layer entirely, others are seeking to topple the regime by manipulating history.

To combat this the regime has established a peacekeeping organization charged with maintaining public order. The primary mission of the organization is to identify and eliminate threats to the time layer before suspects can ever act. They are commonly known by their unofficial moniker: "Time Hounds". In order to conduct their operations across time and space, hounds are authorized to carry a suite of highly regulated equipment. Their loadout is known to include spacetime teleportation devices and a wide range of electromagnetic weaponry.

Well they certainly sound like a friendly bunch... Dealing with threats to the time layer pre-emptively... There was a similar project in the works in our own time layer, but it never came to fruition. I guess in this one it did. That explains why their equipment looked so familiar to me.

...In response to numerous outside attempts to alter history, this layer's ruling regime enacted a policy of total control over the populace. These policies include cultural and ideological indoctrination, a complete ban on free speech, and the abolishment of individual names.

The regime's totalitarian policies have resulted in the rise of numerous opposition factions. While many of these factions intend to flee the time layer entirely, others are seeking to topple the regime by manipulating history. To combat this the regime has established a peacekeeping organization charged with maintaining public order.

The primary mission of the organization is to identify and eliminate threats to the time layer before suspects can ever act. They are commonly known by their unofficial moniker: "Time Hounds". In order to conduct their operations across time and space, hounds are authorized to carry a suite of highly regulated equipment. Their loadout is known to include spacetime teleportation devices and a wide range of electromagnetic weaponry.

I should check on the current situation.

Finding a way back to Arat is going to be a priority.

Someone's coming! I'd better hide...

That's!

...Hi.

You!

We meet again.

...I'd figured you were pulled in as well, but I wasn't expecting to find you holed up in here.

We need to talk. Let's start by having you throw away your weapons.

Freeze!

...I'm sorry.

So that's how it is...

I have a family, Noahxis. They would've come after me, too.

Hands behind your head! NOW!

Wha, ?!

Don't worry, they're just taking a little nap. Now we can talk in peace.

That confirms it. She'd never be able to move like that. It's completely impossible.

You're the Garnet from an alternate time layer I take it?

Now there's a name I haven't heard in a long time.

How am I holding up over there? Did I turn into a hard-ass like you?

There is no you.

...What?

You're already dead. You died protecting me.

......

So? What do you want with me? You're trying to stop people from messing with history as a member of the Time Hounds, right? That's why you came after the displacer?

You seem to misunderstand what I made it for. I have no intention of changing the past.

Yes, I'm well aware.

Then why, ?

Why would you attack Arat and wound my comrades?!

It seems that some things even an alternate reality won't change. You were always putting others before your own well being.

What?

That's exactly what led to you opposing the government in my time layer...and it's also what got you killed. You lost your life shielding me from government agents.

Aren't you one of them, "hound"? Are you telling me that I was some kind of rebel in your time layer?

Yes. You were their leader in fact. You inspired our people to rise up against a regime that had stolen everything from them.

......

You want to know why I'm doing this? It's because I took an oath the day he died. I swore to take our world back. To that end I erased my past and infiltrated the regime by becoming a hound myself. Once I had earned the authority to survey other time layers I never looked back. I devoted myself entirely to searching for a way to save him.

...Leading you here. The irony of your story isn't lost on me, I assure you.

I came here from a world known as Astral. When I first stumbled upon your time layer using our monitoring system, it was like a gift from the heavens above. An endless, three day loop where you were still alive. If I could cause a similar loop to occur in my own timeline before he died, I'd be able to ensure his safety forever.

......

I was ecstatic when I found out you had perfected the displacer. I knew I had to have it at all costs, and so, I stepped into that dark void in search of your world's singularity. By using the energy from your device, I would be able to caused a rotation in my own time layer, a man-made loop.

I would have done anything to keep from losing him...

But now, I...

......

You've been maintaining this time loop to protect the version of me in this time layer, right?

...Yes.

And in order to protect your comrades from this time layer's government agents, you intend to cut it off from the vortex... Even if it kills you.

What of it? If it can save both my comrades in Arat and the woman I love, then my life is a small price to pay.

...You sound just like him.

What?

Let me ask you one thing. Do you really think that would make her happy?

I don't owe you any explanations.

Then let me change the question.

The girl lying in that hospital bed... What would she think if she saw you now?

You! If you laid even a finger on her!

Wait! Where are you going?!

...Follow me and I'll show you.

......

This is the main console used for issuing commands to the time layer monitoring system. I need to go see Garnet first.

...I've got other places to be.

I know. I can't detect anyone else in there, so if you're going in, now's the time.

I won't. I'll wait for you outside.

Just go. They'll find us if you don't hurry up.

Oh? Time for medicine already? I could've sworn I just took it...

N-Noah? What are you doing here?

...Like I got sucked up by a cleaning drone and thrown in the trash atomizer.

Heheh, sorry... I'm just happy to see you. I've only slept twice since you...

Or was it once? Come to think of it...have I slept at all yet? ...It doesn't matter. How was the expedition?

I see... So I guess you found it then? ...The cause of the time loop?

Bullseye. You never were a good liar, Noah.

I was a part of the research team too, remember? It wasn't difficult for me to look into it.

...I keep having nightmares. In them you're stuck in an endless loop trying to save my life.

You get hurt over and over and you're forced to lie to your friends, but nothing can stop you from trying to save me. The thought of your suffering torments me... But that's not the worst part, The worst part is the feeling that I've had the dream before. ...Maybe it was just intuition, but I knew something was wrong. That's why I looked into it.

To think that something like a time loop is actually possible... I guess it's looping even now, huh? After a while, I'll probably forget you were even here...

I wonder if I'll have that nightmare again...

I guess the dream itself is part of the loop...

I can't stand seeing you get hurt like that... It's even worse than the thought of dying...

I just want to wake up, to see tomorrow. That's all I ever wish for, and the only one who can show it to me...

...Is you, Noah.

...Cough cough!

...Huff...huff...

Please...let me...move on...

...I'm glad I could talk to you...one last time. I'm so sorry...I couldn't stay with you like this...forever...

...What?

A...ring?

N-No, you didn't...keep me waiting... But...are you really okay with this? ...With me?

Heheh...It's like...a wedding vow... I've never felt so happy... I love you too, Noah... I... I pray...that I can cherish this memory...forever... That it never fades...

Goodbye, Noah... Greet your tomorrow, and live.

What are you planning?

......

Alright. But how exactly? If you use the displacer it'll end up killing you.

Good... I couldn't bear watching him die again.

...It's nothing. Forget it.

If I'd wanted to I would have already done it. But...

...I can't answer your question. I don't know what I want anymore.

...Alright. There's nothing here for me in this time layer anyhow.

We're gonna have to find another way. They locked it from the other side.

Took them long enough.

If that's how they want it, then I'll just have to make my own exit.

Not with that puny weapon you won't.

...... I've got an idea. Over here.

What are you thinking?

There was an old weapons development project I was involved in. As long as the system is still online I should be able to...

Perfect. Now all that's left is...

...The matching outfit is a little much.

It's a just set of combat gear I worked on in an adjacent project. Come on. Time to break down that door.

Just make sure we don't get caught up in the blast.

Stay out of my way and you'll be fine. Let's go.

Ready to show off your new toy?

Stand back.

Well, well. That's actually not half bad.

We need to hurry. The authorities will be on us any second now.

The monitoring system has a teleportation function?

Yeah. It should be able to beam us straight into the heart of the vortex. The only problem is...

...I'm listening.

The only problem is I don't know the coordinates. The system isn't capable of viewing the inside of the vortex. Come to think of it didn't you say you got to the vortex by way of our time layer?

We followed the route taken by your ship, but I don't have access to the data anymore. My multicorder was destroyed when we got pulled into the rift.

I guess we're going to have to risk everything on a blind jump then...

Heh... Sounds interesting.

Huh? It's picking up some kind of distress signal...

The intruders! Don't let them get away!

This isn't the time to be getting distracted! Hurry up and beam us out of here!

...When wi...you...nally lea...rely on...xis?

That sounds like Klein's voice! But why?

If I can just trace the signal!

The memory device? Could the monitoring system have established a connection somehow when I sent my personal memory data?

What the, ?!

Arat is surrounded!

How much longer?!

I found it! I'm activating the teleportation device now!

What's going on?!

There are so many! Where are they coming from?

I've got a bad feeling about this. We need to go check on the village.

Monsters are spilling out of the vortex?!

Yeah, a whole horde of them. We've been able to hold them off just outside the village gates, but it's only a matter of time before they break through. We may be forced to retreat.

We can't do that before he comes back...

...I need backup! They destroyed the barricade!

It's coming from over there! Aldo!

Let's hurry!

Damn! At this rate the village is finished!

We'll take care of this! Hurry up and get out of here!

Th-Thanks! I owe you one!

Ah, AHHHHHH!

Aldo! Behind us!

We won't make it in time!

I-I'm alive?

It's her!

Wait... Did she just save him?

Stay focused on fight!

Whoa! Noahxis?!

Sorry to keep you waiting. You alright?

Y-Yeah. So far so good...

But the woman who attacked Arat is here, too!

Don't worry about her. We've come to an understanding.

Uh... How? And what's up with the edgy uniform?

I'll explain everything when this is over.

I'm not here to hurt you.

...I apologize for what happened before.

What do you wanna do, captain? Can we trust her?

Yes. She's not a threat anymore.

Alright. If you say so.

N-Now what?!

...I'm picking up multiple hostiles in the area. We don't have long until they arrive.

Why do they keep attacking the village? What are they after?

I must have aggravated them when I opened the rift. They're probably after the energy we've stored here to power the ship.

So basically Arat is like a feeding ground for them... This is my fault, too...

Please allow us to help you.

Yeah! Arat's always had my back! It's time I had yours!

Arat gave Sesta food. Sesta will repay in monster's blood.

I appreciate the support.

I'd like you to help set up our defenses. We'll deploy all of the weapon systems we've been stockpiling here. You know the drill, right Aldo?

Yeah, no problem.

Good. Let me know as soon as you're ready.

Alright, I want you to help us set up defenses and intercept the monsters as they come in. Let me know as soon as you're ready to start.

Got it.

The defense system is picking up multiple incoming hostiles.

Engage the enemy. Don't let a single one through.

Nice! That took a few of 'em down!

Let's try to keep this up!

Wait. Sesta smells something.

Huh? What is it?

Something coming. Something big.

Something big? Why can't we see it?

Garnet! Are you picking anything up?!

Affirmative! We've got one extra-large hostile incoming fast!

What IS that thing?!

Energy readings are through the roof...

Looks like we found the big boss of the abyss. There's no way I can allow this thing to get near the singularity. I've got a vow to keep.

...No more hostiles detected.

Is it...over?

Is everyone alright?

We've finished clearing out the stragglers!

Those weapons you lent us made all the difference.

Thanks. We couldn't have done it without you.

I didn't do much. You fought well.

You make a good team.

I expect nothing less from my crew.

...Ahem.

I think it's about time you explained yourself, captain. What are you doing here with her?

Ah, right. Where do I start...

So she's a different time layer's version of your girlfriend?

Fiancé. ...Sorry for all the trouble I caused.

Nah, don't sweat it. You helped us when it counted. That's good enough for me.

I take it Aldo delivered my message to you, Klein?

He did. You came here to finish what you started with this, correct?

The time layer displacer... You actually completed it?

Improved upon it actually. I was able to drastically improve its energy efficiency, making the device safer to use. It no longer poses any risk to the user.

You never cease to amaze me, Klein.

The rest is in your hands, captain. What are you planning?

I'm not picking up any more hostiles. The path back to the singularity should be open.

Then let's move out. It's time to put and end to the time loop, once and for all.

...Activating displacer.

Are you really sure about this?

I am. This is what I should have done from the very start, It's my duty.

It's time to let the sun rise on her world.

......

Could I have a moment?

What do you want?

You came here for the displacer, right? It's yours.

......

I did what I had to do with it. Now it's your turn.

...I don't need it. It's not what he would've wanted.

I can't help but remember his last words... "Bring the world a better tomorrow..."

......

It's time for me to move on. I have to carve out my own path to the future.

Are you sure that's what you really want?

...I'm sure.

One last thing. I never returned your ring.

Ah... You can keep it.

I thought it was important to you.

It's fine. From the beginning it was...

...Forget it.

...Alright.

I should be going. There are still things I needed to look into here.

Thank you... If it wasn't for you, I would've never found my way.

You're welcome. We didn't have long together but...I had a good time, Noah.

Yeah... Me too...

...I'm staying behind, captain.

Me too. There's nothing left for me back home, anyhow.

You heard them, Noahxis. Arat's the only place we've got left. ...But you're different.

Exactly. You've gotta get out there and live, captain.

Live, eh?

Greet your tomorrow, and live.

...Then I'm staying, too.

Huh?! But why? There's no need for you to stay here anymore. You're free!

Hah! Had enough of me, is that it?

O-Of course not!

We'd all feel a lot better with you around, but...

I have a life here too, Klein. And besides, you guys couldn't tie your own shoes without me.

...You always have to have the last word, don't you, captain?

...His crew really cares about him.

Many warm smiles today. This is "happiness"?

Yep. They never gave up hope that he'd come back for them. Looks like our work here is done.

Yeah, let's head out.

...Let's get moving.

...Let's get moving.