Proto Eden

Galliard? What's wrong?

I heard the voice of the planet.

That strange voice that only you and LeA-BAK can hear? What did it say?

...It spoke of the fall of humanity.

Huh? But that's...

The words were clear. In the not so distant future...humankind will go extinct.

...I heard it, too. The humans have made one too many mistakes. Therefore they will be removed from this planet's future.

Professor Chronos also believed that would be the case. If even the voice of the planet is saying so, then...

I'm sure that's exactly why Chronos added it to his report.

"The voice of the planet", huh? Not the name I would have chosen for a simple alert system.

Alert system? You mean this is all related to that machine Professor Chronos created?

Yes, the planetary-class analytics system, Proto Eden, in case you've already forgotten. It was built to lead humanity to a utopian future...to the paradise we once lost, "Another Eden". That voice of yours is just the sound of its synthetic speech module.

Its speech module? So it's just some kind of warning?

Guess that means we don't need to sweat it right this minute, then.

Agreed. The only ones capable of hearing the voice are Galliard and LeA-BAK.

That's only IF you are correct in your assumption that Galliard and LeA-BAK are the only two beings capable of hearing it.

Are you saying there might be others?

LeA-BAK's ability to hear the voice of the planet is just a side-effect of a certain piece of equipment... ...A receiver that was also utilized in the mass-production units.

What?! You wanted access to Chronos's legacy so badly that you mass produced a piece of technology you didn't fully understand?

(But when exactly? He doesn't sound like he's lying, but how could he have hidden it from me of all people?)

...Wait. There could be one other explanation for why I can't remember it.

...Because history changed and you weren't around to experience it?

Exactly.

Exactly what? Could you explain it to the rest of us?

Remember what Biaka said to us right after we first changed the past? She'd never even heard of the rebellion circuit. That's exactly what's happening to us right now. I'll spare you the details, because you really only need to know one thing, , In this timeline, the KMS mass-production units are all capable of hearing the voice of the planet.

Can you PLEASE return to the topic at hand.

Sorry. The boy is prone to getting lost mid-conversation. In any case, I agree that neither of us have the time to waste on idle chatter.

We don't know how many of the synth humans will actually choose to act on what they've just heard. We need to proceed with caution.

Sir! We have a situation!

Explain.

The synths from the underground factory have forced their way to the surface. They're attacking humans with impunity!

What?!

It must be because of what they heard from Proto Eden...

...I'll deal with you people later.

I need to check on this situation personally. You go and check on the equipment in the emergency operations room.

Y-Yes, sir!

We need to go, too. I'm worried about the city residents.

This is bad...

Looks like the oppressed have finally found a voice to inspire them.

"Inspire" is such a tepid way to put it. Their AI is merely being overtaken by anger.

Why is this happening? The rebellion circuit was destroyed. That was the entire reason I traveled back in time...

Hmmm... And here I was thinking you were only acting on Delamair's orders. Let me guess, you were trying to erase the rebellion circuit from existence for Helena's sake?

I did what I did for myself and no one else. But in the end it looks like I only managed to make the situation worse.

Proto Eden has always been watching us. Perhaps the events it witnessed earlier in the underground facility were the final straw.

But wasn't Proto Eden built by Professor Chronos's team? Why would a creation he named Eden choose to eradicate humanity? I find it hard to believe.

Despite the sentimental nature of your statement, I'm inclined to agree. Proto Eden's only purpose was to gather incredible amounts of data. It wasn't granted any sort of autonomy, so it shouldn't be capable of making decisions like these on its own.

Are you saying someone ordered it to do this?

Most likely, yes. Someone must have told it to calculate the path to an ideal world...and then ordered it to make that world a reality.

So it's gone totally out of control.

Yes, and the huge volumes of data it's sending out are more than the mass production units can handle.

Please, mes amis! You mustn't let zem harm ze humans! Zis isn't about guilt, I just...I'm begging you from ze bottom of my heart!

We knew that from the very start, Helena. Even after what we did to Galliard, you chose to find a path forward rather than take revenge. That was the day I realized we really could have a future together with the synth humans.

Let's go, everyone.

...Can you wait here for a little while? I promise I'll be back for you.

Alright. I won't go anywhere.

Delamair. I assume you prepared a failsafe for this situation?

Of course. We installed a self-termination program as a form of insurance.

Good. Don't hesitate to use it if it comes down to it.

Where are you going?

To help out in my own way. This is an emergency, so I'm going to need to borrow a few of your toys.

You never fail to get under my skin...

I'm going to begin preparations to put a stop to this. Do whatever you want.

Even without the rebellion circuit fanning the flames, the humans still treated the synths badly enough to start a war. Helena... It seems we were naive to believe the humans could ever make your dream a reality.

N-No! What are you talking about?! Get away!

Sorry, but I can't allow that.

You're right... We did treat you like tools. I can't even begin to imagine how much pain that must have caused you.

But that doesn't give you the right to hurt the townspeople!

We want to face up to the pain and suffering we've caused you. Do you think you can give us another chance? I want to work for a better future together.

I know. I get it. But I want to express my feelings with words, not violence.

Are you trying to get yourself killed?

Of course not. I don't wanna see anyone die here today.

Thanks for the save, by the way.

I'm just paying you back for earlier.

I thought you already did... So wait, does that mean I owe you one now?

I'm...not actually sure.

Uh, um... Thank you for saving me.

...Hmph.

I guess there are heroes among the synth humans, too...

That's right. They might look different from us, but their hearts are exactly the same. Race and heritage should never get in the way of living together in peace.

But for now, you should focus on getting somewhere safe.

Get into ze church! Hurry!

O-Okay!

Aaah! It's a robot!

Liar! You were just trying to trick us!

I knew we shouldn't have listened to a stupid synth!

You are mistaken. We have no intention of harming you.

Helena would never do something like that!

I'll speak to them myself, Aldo.

It's only natural to be scared of someone who looks like ze people who attacked you. I understand. I used to feel ze same way about humans. But please, just zis once, I want you to believe me. I can't bear to see you get hurt.

Agreed. I do not detect any other mechanical lifeforms within a 100 metron radius.

......

Come on, sis. It'll be okay.

I'm so glad they believed you...

Our voices may be tiny compared to Proto Eden's, but as long as we keep trying, zere's always a chance our words will reach zeir ears.

You're right. If we can reach even one person around us, then it will have been worth it.

I'm finished looking for an easy path to salvation. No matter how small ze victory, I will fight for it, and one day zose small changes will become a revolution.

Come! We must save ze others.

This way! Run!

Ah! No!

Stop this at once. We have no reason to fight one another.

Why did you save us? Aren't you one of them?

Ngh... Get out of here...

...Let me take it from here, comrade. Go treat those wounds.

Thank goodness we made it in time.

We met you underground...

We would have never made it out of there alive without your help. Now it's our turn to save you.

Listen my brothers! You've all heard the voice of the planet! But are your actions right now really your own? If this is truly the path you have chosen I will not forsake you, but if not, then you must open your eyes. You can lend the voice your ear if you like, but you must never let it bend your free will. We are slaves to no one!

If you were underground, then how did you manage to start this rebellion in the first place?

His circuitry couldn't handle the contradicting data. He's completely shut down.

I never could have calculated that the voice guiding you all this time was such a dangerous entity... What exactly had it been telling you?

It was like a compass, guiding me towards the choices that would lead to a better future. As long as I followed its advice, things would always work out.

So it was like your own personal strategy guide? I can see why you would want to avoid making mistakes, but...

I know. Blindly following someone else's orders is a soulless way to live your life. It's no different from living under human oppression. But still...

(If that was the world my people wanted, then it was my responsibility to deliver it to them.) (That's what it meant to be the leader of the rebel faction.)

They just keep coming! How many of these things are there?!

Can't we stop the elevator?

There's no way to cut the power from here, and to make things worse, they don't need a password to come up like we did to go down.

We need to evacuate ze citizens ourselves, zen. But zere aren't enough of us to cover such a wide area...

We might be able to assist with that, my lady.

Synth Hydra! You came!

Of course. As you know, I placed a tracking device on you that will send a signal any time you're in trouble.

Yeah... I remember. I still don't know how to feel about that...

But right now I'm just glad you came. The people here need help.

If anyone's been hurt I can get 'em tuned up.

Merci, mes amis.

It's up to us to fight for our dreams. It's no different from what you and Galliard have been doing this whole time.

Right... Zen let's make our dream of coexistence a reality together.

...I'm glad to see you haven't lost your fighting spirit, Helena.

Alright. That should just about do it.

Thank you for your service, synth humans.

What do you want this time? Go take some responsibility for what your company has done!

Hmph. I don't need you to tell me that, girl. And I won't be needing any more outside assistance, either.

What are you planning?

To stop the rebellion. Nothing more, and nothing less. We predicted that something like this might one day come to pass.

......

All synth humans are built with a safety mechanism that can overload their circuitry in case of an emergency.

What?! Are you planning to wipe out our entire race?!

Something needs to be done before any more human blood is spilled. As the ones in charge of this situation, we have to be able to make difficult decisions.

First ze rebellion circuit and now zis?!

I assume you mean that unfinished variant of Chronos's opposition circuit. What kind of fool would intentionally give a tool the ability to disobey orders?

Tools are meant to serve humans, and nothing else!

Guh...

You fool! Do you know what you've just done?! You just destroyed our only chance at stopping this massacre!

I cannot stand here and watch my brethren be helplessly killed.

Siding with the rebels again, I see. I guess that's to be expected from a class-A criminal like you.

I might not be an enemy of humanity anymore, but that doesn't mean I've given up my convictions. I'll always stand by my brothers in their fight against oppression. Harm them, and I won't think twice about rejoining the rebellion.

Shall I take that to mean that when you have to make a choice, you will choose the synth humans?

Correct.

It's not zat simple, mon brave! We shouldn't have to be choosing in ze first place!

You're right, Helena, but sometimes we have to. Your work to make this world a better place is exactly what's given me the ability to do so.

That goes for the choice I'm making now, and the choice I made to lead the uprising so long ago.

...You always do zis!

Galliard, you...you imbécile!!!

Helena?

You always do zis! You always try to shoulder everything alone! Listen to me! I'm speaking to you in my capacity as leader of ze pacifist faction!

Throwing your life away isn't a personal choice!

Maybe, but sometimes that's what it takes to live up to your ideals. You have to be rational about it.

What's rational about choosing to die?! I won't accept it! If zat's really what it takes to do everything alone, zen don't! I'm right here! We can find a better way together! Aren't we partners?!

Haha... This whole thing might've been worth it just to see that one little outburst.

Xianhua! Where have you been?

Attending to some minor business. Since you managed to make me smile for once, I'll fill you in on a little secret.

I need to make something clear to you about the nature of the opposition circuit.

The original Helena only designed it to give synth humans the basic ability to express when they don't like something. That's it. All this fighting for something as pointless as that.

What?

W-Wait. You make it sound like...she didn't design it to make the synth humans hate their masters?

No. That was something that was added in later using the opposition circuit as a base. Its original purpose was just to give them more freedom of expression.

Oh, I... I see... So zat was why...

It seems hearing this information has made you quite happy. Interesting.

I guess I'll add in one more thing while I'm at it, then. A way out of this mess.

Y-You really have an idea? Tell us!

Have a look at this.

Isn't that the device Delamair was using underground?

Not exactly. I took his cheap imitation and remodeled it into something closer to a real hyperspeed arrow of light.

You make it sound so easy... You wouldn't believe the amount of time and money my company put into that project only for it to end in failure. This is why I can't stand you scientific prodigy types...

Helena. Galliard. I'm going to use this arrow to shut down all of the mechanical lifeforms in the area. If there's anyone you want to protect from its effects, make sure they take refuge in the Synth Hydra within the next three minutes. It won't destroy them, but anyone who doesn't make it in time will be knocked offline for at least a few days.

You heard her! Everyone on ze Synth Hydra! ...It's going to be alright.

Need a hand, LeA-BAK?

Hmph. Not from you.

How 'bout mine then? You're pretty banged up to be goin' it alone.

...Will you please leave me alone?

Looks like it's about time.

I must say, it's not the most elegant weapon. The range is limited and it can only be used in certain places... Maybe I should tweak the design a bit.

I'm sure you're already aware, but at best, this is only going to buy us a little time.

True. But even half a day should be more than enough to remove the lesion causing all of this. Not that I care much if humans end up being erased from history.

Well I do! I don't want to see that kind of future ever again!

Ah, that's right. You witnessed just such a future first-hand when Professor Chronos changed the past, didn't you?

I did, and it was almost impossible to describe. No people. No sound. Just an endless, dead horizon of sorrow.

Faced with the reality that human greed would eventually destroy this world, Professor Chronos felt forced to commit the ultimate sin, , Erasing human history entirely. There was a time when I agreed with the choice he made.

But I've come to realize that taking away someone's future isn't any different from taking away their freedom. That's why I intend to correct the mistake I made that day.

Oui, let's do zis together. I'm fighting for a world where synth AND humankind can live in peace. I can't let zeir story end here.

It seems we've come to a conclusion, then. Our next destination is the planetary-class analytics system, Proto Eden. Any objections?

......

What's that look for, old man? You still want Proto Eden for yourself even after all you've witnessed today?

...No. I have no use for a system that would see humanity eradicated, no matter how advanced it supposedly is.

Science exists to serve human progress. If it doesn't further our goals, then it isn't worth having. It seems that Chronos left us nothing more than a worthless heap of scrap.

The old and bitter just love to blame others for their own mistakes.

Better to be openly old and bitter than trying to hide my age from the young and foolish.

I've never cared much for pets, but there's something soothing about the whimper of a worthless dog like you.

Grr...

And will the rest of you be joining us?

I'd like to, but I can't leave my father's clone to fend for himself.

Yeah, sorry, I've got KMS stuff to do.

Which leaves...

I have a responsibility here as someone who worked on Project Eden, but don't think this changes anything between us.

A temporary truce then?

Call it whatever you want.

You don't need to worry about me going after Helena again. I can accept that letting her ideals live on through a synth human doesn't lessen them in any way. If anything has tarnished her legacy...

...It's Proto Eden. Right?

I just can't understand how it came to the conclusion that humanity should be destroyed. Perhaps it will become more clear once I regain full access to my memories...

Well we can't do anything about that right now.

Maybe seeing Proto Eden will jog your memory.

...We'd better hope so, because we won't get a second chance at this.

......

First we need to head to the Synth Hydra. We're only wasting time by staying here. We'll talk more about Proto Eden and what we intend to do about it once we get there.

We need to get to the Xeno-Domain. Can you take us there?

Who could deny a request from a cold, calculating beauty like yourself?

I heard the synth humans built this ship using designs left behind by Chronos, but who exactly chose this terrible voice for it? It's an insult to an otherwise perfect marriage of flesh and steel.

Maybe cut the chatter next time, hon. It's hurting your image.

...Yes Ma'am.

Don't let it get ya down, bro! I'll always love your style!

Alright, let's get this lecture started.

As you know, Proto Eden is an analytics system designed to lead humanity towards a better future.

Yeah. You said it did that by gathering data from different time layers, right?

Correct. I'm glad to hear you were paying attention.

Considering where you're taking us, is it safe to assume Proto Eden is somewhere in the Xeno-Domain?

Perhaps I complimented you too soon. I called it a "planetary-class analytics system" didn't I? Do you really expect something like that to fit inside the Xeno-Domain?

Well if it's not in the Xeno-Domain then where is it?

It's far, far above it, adrift in a sea of stars. I'll explain more about that later, but for now you can basically think of it as being in space.

I would've never guessed that...

They needed a way to conceal the project from prying eyes, especially considering the dangers of work involving other time layers.

You mean the threat of multi-dimensional tremors?

Correct. By keeping the project as far away from the planet as possible, we could minimize any damages caused by potential timequakes.

You must also consider zat it managed to convince even Professor Chronos to try to alter history. Placing such a device in an easily accessible location would be madness.

...I still wonder what could have possibly pushed him to make that call.

Well, I can tell you that it wasn't something he was originally planning. Deep down, he really believed in the future of the human race, even if they rarely lived up to his expectations.

That's the only reason we agreed to help him with such a dangerous project in the first place.

So that's how he felt...

The first thing we're going to need to do is pinpoint the exact location of Proto Eden.

And to do that, we need the "key" inside of Helena.

Huh?

You heard correctly. That was the entire reason Delamair was after you.

We'll be arriving soon.

Alright, then take us to the Xeno-Domain research sector.

I'll grant you all the privilege of seeing my own personal lab.

So where is your lab, Xianhua?

Right in front of you, though I suppose you can't actually see it.

Now zat I think about it, I remember zere being a laboratory here in ze Xeno-Domain's past.

Good to see that at least someone isn't experiencing any memory loss. ...Wait here.

I once considered the Xeno-Domain to be my own backyard...

A room that even MY scanners couldn't pick up? I'm disappointed in myself.

Why would you go this far to hide your laboratory anyhow?

You have to remember that there were countless other scientists working here back in Chronos's day. Plenty of them had a reputation for poking their noses in other people's research. In fact, you've already met one of them.

......

So basically, it was a security measure.

Isn't that...

A transporter. Is that really so unusual?

It's just that I heard from the Administrator that this kind of technology was no longer in use.

Ah, that's because for all the convenience such equipment affords, it's also inherently dangerous. Even one mistake when inputting coordinates can lead to disastrous consequences. Because of that, they're only used in extreme cases, like traveling between continents.

I see...

We're ready. Let's begin.

......

If you have something to say then say it. You can't expect me to read your expression when it's perpetually locked in an irritable grimace.

Don't worry, mon brave, I'll be fine. If zis is what it takes to prevent ze fall of humanity, zen I'm happy to do it.

And I can't quite explain it, but...I know zat Xianhua would never hurt me.

You know... It's foolish to put your faith in something without evidence, Helena.

......

Ugh, you too? Please refer back to my previous advice and say what you're going to say.

You once said that if we can create a perfect copy of a person who's died, it would be no different from bringing them back to life. And yet, you seem to treat this Helena quite differently from the original.

You're imagining things.

Now tell me Galliard, do you still have that sound orb you stole from me?

...You mean this?

That's the one.

Now then, listen carefully, Helena.

......

......

H-Hey... Can I talk to you two for a second?

(I'm reading 100,000 gravitons of pressure in this room right now!)

Look, I get that things between you two are...complicated. There's nothing any of us can do about that. But from here on out, we're gonna have to find a way to work together as a team.

I'm willing to do so when the time comes, but now is not that time.

I agreed to put a stop to Proto Eden, not to be your friend.

Alright. I get it.

(Nice try, Aldo, but these guys are way out of your league...)

Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for keeping you waiting. We've successfully pinpointed the location of Proto Eden. It's currently four time layers away from us.

What?! You mean to tell us that Proto Eden isn't even in this time layer?!

Proto Eden was built to constantly shift across different time layers to collect data. In just a few minutes, it will be shifting back into our own interdimensional airspace.

While I understand that you needed to keep your research hidden, this is a bit much.

It wasn't just placed far out of sight, it was taken out of reality entirely... Zat certainly explains ze difficulty of accessing it without ze coordinates.

But why hide zem inside of moi? Surely zere were other options.

There was no particular reason for it. You just happened to be someone I cared about, and something about that felt "right".

Xianhua?

Forget I said anything.

I've finished entering the coordinates. Proto Eden will be entering our time layer shortly. We need to get moving.

Yeah. Let's do it.

Isn't this Elzion? Please don't tell me the teleporter malfunctioned...

No, this is definitely the place. I can hear her voice more clearly than ever.

It's close?

Which makes this...

Wh-What?!

Look at zis place... Ze synth humans are so free. Could zis be ze world that ze Eastern Division synth humans were shown? No wonder zey fought so hard for it... Our people wish only to be treated as equals, without fear of oppression. Zis...zis is the world I have always dreamed of... If I were told zere was a way to make it a reality, even I would...

...It looks like our guide has arrived.

Welcome to Proto Eden, my esteemed guests. Everything you see here exists solely to guide humanity towards their ideal future. This is the 326th time we have passed through your time layer. The world you see before you is based on data from time layers 1,176 through 1,180. Do you find it to your liking?

I'm afraid I do not. In fact, I find the idea of synth humans mimicking behaviors such as child rearing to be rather nonsensical. You were meant to be superior to humans, not copies of them.

I see. We had hoped the existence of children would generate a positive response in biological lifeforms...

You misunderstand their purpose. Reproduction is a method for lesser lifeforms to preserve and pass on their genetic data. Such functions serve no purpose for synth humans, as they are able to live forever by preserving their AI and memory data digitally.

Some of my colleagues who hold an interest in human individuality are quite fond of this idea, but I see your point. Your feedback is appreciated.

But may I ask you why you have humans accompanying you? An order for their eradication should have already been transmitted from Proto Eden. They should be extinct by now...

Yeah, well we're not, and we don't plan on kicking the bucket any time soon either. We're here to put an end to Proto Eden's "perfect" future.

And the mechanical lifeforms accompanying you agree with this sentiment?

Of course! It's our job to help people, not hurt them! I can't think of anything more helpful than helping them avoid total destruction!

I dream of a world where synth and humankind stand hand in hand. Zat can't happen if you eradicate them.

At the end of the day, what you're doing isn't any different from what the humans did to us. I will not sit idly by as a people's freedom is stolen from them, be they synth, human, or otherwise.

...Violence is an aspect of human culture that is best avoided, but alas, you give me no choice.

All threats to a prosperous future for our world must be eliminated.

I knew it... Humans are truly despicable...

What happened to Elzion?

It was never real. That was just a simulation of one of Proto Eden's calculated futures.

But it looked so real...

That's because it WAS real, at least in one of the time layers that the system analyzed. Somewhere out there, a world like that really exists.

I guess zat means the uprising was successful zere...

Forget it. That's not the future you're fighting for.

You're right, it's not. I don't want a future where one group takes happiness from ze other. I want a world where we all share what prosperity we have, regardless of race or origin.

Be warned, even if these are just computer generated simulations, they can and will hurt us. Don't let your guard down.

I thought you said this facility was abandoned after an accident. Why is everything in such good condition? Was it repaired?

No, this is exactly how we left it. The only technicians capable of repairing it were killed in the accident. The reason it doesn't look damaged is because the accident in question was caused by a phase shift failure.

Um...

During a phase shift, objects are broken down at the quantum level and then reconstructed. The failure happened during reconstruction, but such quantum level differences cannot be observed by the naked eye.

S-Sorry, but I'm completely lost...

Hmm, how shall we explain zis in a way you can understand? Imagine you traveled to ze past, but a part of your body got left in ze future. Ze accident Xianhua is describing is something like zat.

...Th-That could really happen?

It happened to me. That's the risk you take every time you travel across time and space.

And yet, us scientists cannot help but plunge ourselves into the depths of the unknown. In fact, I would say that's a hallmark of the human race as a whole, not just scientists. We're foolish creatures who will always choose the excitement of freedom and adventure over the comforts of safety and stability.

And research into alternate time layers is just one manifestation of that?

That's right. And the results are all around you.

Is this a time-space structure?

Affirmative. Do you still have the time layers force that we found in the old KMS building, Aldo?

It should be around here somewhere...

Good! We can delete it using an energy overload like before!

Sure, sounds good to me.

Huh? Is it not enough power?

It's a problem of quality, not quantity. The time-space structure you encountered was one of KMS's, correct?

This one was created by Chronos himself. You're going to need a device advanced enough to completely negate it if you want to get through here.

You mean the lance?

Right, the Origin Lance. You named it yourself, didn't you? No need to be shy about it.

...Madoka made the final call.

But isn't the Origin Lance already...

You mentioned that it broke, but I find that difficult to believe. That weapon was strong enough to warp time layers. What in the world were you doing with it?

It was my fault for getting captured by ze enemy. Is zere any other way to get past zis?

There is, but it will take time. I'd say it would take about a month to force our way through without using the actual key.

Can you repair the Origin Lance, Professor Xianhua?

People HAVE been saying her genius is on par with Chronos himself...

...I was going to repair it whether you asked me to or not.

Please let me know if I can assist you in any way. As an all-purpose service droid, my arms are whirring and beeping in anticipation!

No, your help won't be necessary.

Sob... I was not anticipating such a swift rejection...

...Hmph. Is that all? This shouldn't be a problem.

Thank goodness. We can't afford any more delays.

That said, even I'm not going to be able to understand the inner workings of another scientist's work at first glance.

What do you propose, then?

It's simple. We'll go take a look at the schematics in Chronos's lab.

You want to return to the Xeno-Domain? I thought KMS had already removed all the documents that were left there.

That they did. The capitalizing bastards managed to steal just about everything they could turn a profit on. There isn't much of value left. However, they can't steal what they can't touch.

What do you mean?

...We're going to take a look at Proto Eden's records.

You mean you're going to use the system to generate a simulation of Chronos's lab?

Correct. Chronos was a notoriously untidy person, and he had a habit of leaving his notes and documentation out for anyone to see. I can't even remember how many times I saw Madoka scold him for scribbling digital memos all over the walls and floor.

...He wrote on the walls and floor?

Digital memos are only visible using AR, so it's not a problem.

"Be it memo, doodle, or artistic feat, cleanup's as easy as one, two, delete!" ...Was the crux of their marketing campaign.

(That does actually sound kinda fun...)

...No. Focus, Aldo. So what's the plan, then?

In addition to observational equipment, this facility is equipped with a small databank of information on different time layers. It should be located somewhere in the research division. We'll access Chronos's laboratory from there.

Alright, that should do it.

It's going to work, then?

As long as I can gain access authority it should.

...Galliard. The human one I mean. Would you mind standing in front of that console for a moment?

Do it yourself.

Sorry, but I've always been a little squeamish about how the heat of the laser feels on my skin. I can't see that bothering you though, right? Try and be useful for once.

......

Good. Now we just input the coordinates.

Ah...

Professors Chronos and Madoka...

Galliard. We've decided to entrust the system key to you and Helena.

Why? I can understand why you might choose Helena, but I'm just a lowly engineer.

Because we're trying to create paradise, and a paradise needs couples in love. If the two of you work together, I'm sure you can find it.

What do you mean "paradise"?

We based the name of the system on an ancient myth called "The Path to Paradise". Madoka is particular about such things.

She's always been a bit of a romantic.

That's the one about Adamant and Eva, right? Does their god ever explain why they wasted time creating humans in so many different forms? Our species would have been much easier to maintain if they had simply copied the best design ad infinitum.

Xianhua on the other hand...

It's precisely our differences that lead to a beautiful and romantic story.

The two protagonists, Adamant and Eva, leave the utopia God has created to find a paradise all their own. Doesn't that remind you of your own work in Proto Eden?

I'm honored you feel zat way, but I think you might be exaggerating just a little.

Can't really see a rough guy like myself being the leading man of a creation myth.

Want to change places, then? Who says a love story requires a male lead?

Hahah. It must be nice to be so popular, Helena.

Hey, come on. Don't tease him like zat.

It's fine. I don't mind.

But I AM a pretty uninteresting guy. I think you'd be practically dying of boredom if you got stuck in paradise with nobody else but me.

That's what you're worried about?

...Heheh. You really are hopeless.

...Don't worry, mon amour. Ze time we spend together brings me nothing but happiness and peace. Even if we were ze only two people left in ze world, it would still be paradise to me.

......

Helena, I...

......

Don't forget what we came here for. Focus on finding the research data.

So, how's the anti-technology device coming along? We got a name for it yet?

It's meant to be used as a last resort in the event that humanity refuses to stop ravaging the planet. The device provides a way to reset human civilization by force, so to speak. In my view, the current name already sufficiently expresses that purpose.

You really are terrible at this kind of thing, aren't you?

The device isn't meant for human hands, and I doubt the mechanical lifeforms I'm entrusting it to will care what it's called.

Hmm... Well, why don't we try and think of some key words zat come up in ze myth? "Radiant Realm" or "Promised Fruit", for example.

How about the "Origin Key"? Adamant and Eva had to open the gates of paradise to search for their own perfect world, right? Though I suppose Chronos's device looks more like a lance than a key...

Hmm... I like it! The Origin Lance! Finally a guy with some naming sense!

Well, this guy can't even remember which reports he wrote without signing his name on them.

Urk... What's so bad about that?

So this is the world he lived in...

It's unlike you to get sentimental.

I wouldn't call it that. It just confirmed my suspicions that even if I was made from a copy of his genetic and psychological data, we're still different people.

Think what you want, but I can assure you that's not the case.

Even the mass production units develop strikingly different personalities given enough time apart. Perhaps the "perfection" you speak of fails to take into account the variables that time and experience place on the heart.

The "heart" is by nature an unscientific concept, and I will admit that such things fall outside my realm of experience. I intended to create perfect, immortal beings, but perhaps emotion is an unavoidable imperfection of intelligent life.

We got the data we came for. Let's get back to repairing the Origin Lance.

...Wait. There's something I need to do first.

Professor Chronos. Professor Madoka. I'm glad I got to see you. I pray that we meet again someday.

......

Hmph. If you miss them so much I'd be happy to build you a new pair...

...Actually, no. Maybe not.

What's wrong? It's not like you to contradict yourself like that.

By my line of thinking, converting the human body and mind into data is no different from transcending death itself.

However, I realize that you all do not agree, so it would be best not to suggest it.

Too bad you didn't figure that out a little earlier. The only "me" that can go on living is me. The same goes for Helena. Trying to make a copy is disrespectful to the dead.

......

Back in Eeza, I came to terms with the fact that your existence doesn't in and of itself disgrace Helena's legacy. ...But that doesn't make you the same person as her.

Actually, forget I said anything. Right now we just need to focus on repairing the Origin Lance.

Hmph. I guess coming to terms with something and accepting it isn't quite the same thing.

People can't change that quickly. He might be working with us now, but it has to be hard for him.

Indeed. He's consumed by anger, but doesn't have anywhere to direct it. Rather than give himself over to it entirely, he just lashes out at himself and everyone around him.

Yes. While his accusations against you and Helena seem illogical, I get the feeling he doesn't know what else to do.

He said that he lost everything. If that was because of a decision he made himself, maybe he could come to terms with it, but it seems like it wasn't as simple as that.

I wonder how we can help him...

It's impossible to know. It would be arrogant to think we can provide all the answers for another person's pain.

Even so, if he's in pain, I want to help him.

As do I, and that's exactly why I'll wait for him to find the answer on his own. I'll support whatever decision he comes to. That's the best we can do for him right now.

We shouldn't keep him waiting any longer. Let's go.

The answer, huh? If only I could find answers of my own among these broken memories.

...That is why I came here, after all.

Alright, the equipment we need should be in here.

The repairs might take a while, so find a way to kill time by yourselves.

I'd like to discuss something with you. Can we talk outside?

...Alright.

(Are those two gonna be okay alone?)

Wah!

Two fierce rivals decide to take things outside... I'm reading hard-boiled and heavy heat signatures at 1,000 percent!

Could we even be witnessing the dawn of a new love triangle, with Helena at the center?!

Wh-What are you talking about?! Zis isn't some trashy romance novel...

Right? ...Right.

Well THEY'RE certainly not going to let the cat out of the bag, which means...we need to go peek inside the bag ourselves!

This looks like it's going to take a while...

...And all that racket you're making isn't helping. If you want to go, then by all means, go.

I can't imagine they'd get in another fight, but yeah, I'm still a bit worried. Thanks, Xianhua. We'll be back in a minute.

I can't believe how easily they trust me.

At this point they're going to have me feeling guilty...but that doesn't change what needs to be done.

What do you need to talk about?

How much do you know about your past?

I don't understand the question. Synth humans like me have no past, only memory data.

Let me rephrase it, then. Just how much of me is in that body of yours? My personality? My thought processes? Just how closely did they manage to recreate me?

I can't answer that. Chronos never told me anything about the man I was based on.

Then let me ask you something else. How do you feel about Helena?

She is my irreplaceable partner unit. I trust her with my life.

Is that really all? You were supposed do be copies of us. Shouldn't you be lovers, then?

We were not created with such parameters. Even if you reset my memory to a default state and had me reexperience the world, the status of our relationship would not change.

Is that so...

When I first woke up, I believed you had stolen everything from me, even my name. But now I realize there are some things that can never be taken away.

(Seems like it's going okay...)

Ah, there's one other thing.

Watch your step around Xianhua.

(Huh?)

You're all treating her like she's some trusted ally, but I know her better than that. If she's helping you, it's only because she has her own stakes in what's going on.

...She might even be the one behind everything.

...Though I guess I shouldn't be throwing around accusations like that without evidence. The point is, you need to be more careful who you trust. That goes for both Xianhua and me. Even if we're not enemies right now, we're not allies either. Make sure your people understand that.

I'll keep your warning in mind, and so will my allies.

...Right, Aldo.

...Nothing gets past you, huh?

It's hard to conceal your presence when you always wear your heart on your sleeve. You need to figure out how to kill off your emotions a bit.

Sigh...

Let's head back to the lab before Xianhua starts to suspect something.

Huh? Where's Xianhua?

The Origin Lance is gone, too! Did she take it somewhere?

Just as I suspected...

It's not good to jump to conclusions! She might just be freshening up!

I don't see how she would need ze lance for zat...

Attempt at lightening the mood failed... Recalibrating...

Well, you're right about not jumping to conclusions. Maybe she ran into some trouble.

Isn't zat...

...Helena.

Attention, everyone. Our next phase shift is scheduled to begin shortly. While we haven't yet encountered any abnormalities in ze procédure, I urge you to not neglect your due diligence.

You say that, but I can't see us having much to worry about with Galliard maintaining the equipment. I just want to hurry up and get home to our time layer. As much as I enjoy the work, there's no substitute for family.

Well, you only have to wait one more day. You'll be granted leave from Proto Eden shortly.

Of all the days it could show us...

You recognize it?

It's not something I could ever forget. This is the day I lost everything.

What could Xianhua be trying to tell us by replaying such a thing?

It's tough to get a read on someone with no emotions, but there is one thing about her I know for sure. From the very beginning, her goal was to create the perfect lifeform, an eternal, immutable, and indestructible being.

I fail to see how she can possibly bring that dream to fruition after what the accident did to the project.

No, it's definitely still possible with Proto Eden's help. In fact, I think that she may have been the one who directed Proto Eden to eradicate humanity in the first place.

We were shown a world where only the synth humans survived when we first came here. Are you saying that the professor intends to make that world a reality?

...But it's strange. That announcement just now sounded like she used the Origin Lance to grant herself administrative access. Shouldn't she have had access in the first place?

Good point. She had an even higher level of clearance than Helena and me, so there's no reason why she should have needed the lance.

Which means she only took it as a way to slow us down...

It certainly looks that way.

Well we're not going to get any closer to a definitive answer by standing around discussing things.

Let's focus on getting back the lance for now.

Isn't that...

What are you still doing here?

The system experienced a minor malfunction. Galliard and Xianhua are looking into it as we speak.

What?! But access to ze calculation division is forbidden during a phase shift! It isn't safe!

This is Xianhua. The system has experienced a malfunction during phase shift.

Due to the effects of a space-time storm, the system is reporting errors in quantum level reconstruction. I cannot guarantee the crew's safety in the next shift. Therefore, if you value your lives, you should evacuate via the escape pods immediately. However, you should know that your chances of making it back to our original time layer are less than one percent.

Ahh! What is zat shaking?!

Ngh...ugh...

Galliard!

His body is badly inflamed... The reconstruction must have failed.

Please! Get him to an escape pod immediately!

What about you?

I have to go find Xianhua... She's my friend!

Helena! Wait!

If you go, you won't...

So after this she must have...

...The time-space structure is offline. I guess we know what she wanted the lance for.

......

Remember it's nothing but a recording. You can't save her.

Yeah... I know. You're right.

I couldn't save her... I was the only one who made it home, if only barely. Ten years later, I finally opened my eyes to a world without the woman I loved. It was Delamair who found me drifting out near the Xeno-Domain. He's the one who nursed me back to health.

So that's why you helped him...

Not really. I just didn't care about anything. With more than half my body destroyed in the accident, I didn't even have the capacity to feel pain anymore. The only thing left to me was anger, it was the only thing left for my half-dead heart to pump.

So that rage is what brought you back to life.

That's right. Hatred for the scientist who had dared to create shallow imitations of me and the woman I loved. Imitations that knew nothing of what they really were. But not only her...

I also hated myself for being a pathetic wretch who couldn't even die alongside his soulmate. I hated myself for breathing. For existing. And other than that, I had absolutely nothing at all.

...Merci, Galliard. Even though I'm not your Helena, hearing your feelings for her makes me happy.

Considering I was made to be a representation of her personality and thought processes, I'm sure she would have felt ze same way.

I know you're just saying it for my peace of mind, but...thanks. I won't be able to continue on if I get caught up in my emotions.

The section beyond here is called the time layer labyrinth. It was designed to collect data on parallel time layers. If you don't watch out you'll end up lost in its ebb and flow, so be careful.

Just being in here makes me feel nauseous...

It's not surprising. We're passing though thousands, maybe even millions of time layers worth of data right now. It's too much for ze human brain to handle.

I can confirm that Aldo's brain is running low on memory.

Even with so many worlds and so many chances, humanity was never able to find their paradise.

That voice... Xianhua!

Negative. Sensors indicate it is only a record of her past.

...And just like them, I wasn't able to make my ideals a reality either.

...There you are, Xianhua.

Helena? What are you doing here? I told you I'd be fine on my own.

And zat's exactly why I came. You aren't ze type to put your own well being first. You're too much of a perfectionniste to make ze "selfish" choice.

What's the problem with that?

The problem is zat what's right for you isn't necessarily what's right for everyone else. You asked me once why God made humans in so many different shapes and forms. It was surely so zat zey could learn to come together. Zat IS perfection. I truly believe zat.

That's nothing but an empty ideal. The human penchant for war proves it.

You aren't wrong. But without dreams and ideals, zere is no progress. Ze correct and perfect path cannot exist in a world zat was made to be imperfect.

Ngh...

Helena! What's wrong?!

I should've known I couldn't hide it from you. I was caught up in ze phase shift. Parts of my body are missing...

...What?! No! We... We have to get you medical attention right away...

...But how? There's nothing I can do here... Just look at you. The best we could hope for is making the end as painless as possible.

I'm sorry...Xianhua...

...Even if people call me heartless, I'll stand by my decision. I'm not wrong.

...And yet, you WERE wrong.

How could an error like this have been the truth I was seeking for so long...

Xianhua!

Sorry, but I'm going to need you to turn back. I can't allow you to go any further.

...What's your real aim here?

...I came to take my selfhood back.

Your selfhood?

My broken memories. I told you already, As long as you can make a perfect copy, there is no such thing as death.

I just... I don't want her memory to die. I want to protect the dream she lived for.

I understand how important ze original Helena must have been to you, but shouldn't stopping Proto Eden take priorité?

That won't be a problem. I'm capable of using the Origin Lance myself, so I want you to get out of here and leave the rest to me.

If our goals are ze same zen why deceive us?

The entire human race is on ze line!

Because while our goals align, our priorities do not. ...She's more important to me than the fate of the human race.

Return the Origin Lance, Professor Xianhua. We need to get to Proto Eden.

My answer isn't going to change. As one of its creators, dealing with Proto Eden is my responsibility.

You need to go home.

Please, Xianhua! You have to listen to us!

I've said everything I intend to say on the matter.

If you aren't willing to talk zis out with us...

...Zen we have no choice but to take ze lance by force!

I won't allow it.

I won't hesitate to do what has to be done!

The lance...

It's back where it was meant to be. The Origin Lance was entrusted to me by Professor Chronos, and it's my duty to protect it.

Heh... This isn't like me at all... Maybe seeing the truth shook my resolve a little.

This is a prime example of why I don't trust human emotions.

But it doesn't matter... I still won't let you through!

Space-time distortion detected! Get away from there immediately!

A-Ahh!

Wh...Where am I?

We have to go, Xianhua! Our bodies can't take much more of this.

If you want to go, then go. There's still something I have to do here.

I can't just leave you here...

You don't have a choice. I have important data to collect, and I don't have time to look after someone who's been wounded.

Why do you always have to be like this...

Fine. Suit yourself.

That's right. I'm not afraid to die alone. Helena needs you...

And I need to get to the device...

That memory seems earlier than the others. I guess she's always tried to shoulder everything by herself.

I'm sorry, Xianhua. Even after all we've been through, I still didn't really understand you.

I need to get back before Xianhua does something she regrets.

Is everyone here?

You made it back.

Being teleported caught us by surprise, but everyone is okay.

Xianhua REALLY doesn't want us to go any farther, does she?

Zere's only one path, but if we get caught up in ze distortion we'll be sent back. Zis isn't going to be easy.

...I'll go and make her turn it off myself.

But it's impossible!

It's not as long as I have this.

Sorry professor, but I'm breaking through.

I'm only telling you once. Deactivate the teleportation device.

I'm afraid I cannot comply.

You all need to get out of here immediately.

Xianhua!

Stop!

Sigh... I admit defeat.

You're smarter than this, Xianhua. Why'd you do it?

...Because I didn't want you to use the Origin Lance.

Why not?

...Proto Eden's mainframe is just beyond here, and by my calculations, the only way to shut it down is by using the lance at maximum output.

Okay? So what's the problem?

...Do you remember what Professor Chronos called the lance earlier?

Affirmative. He called it the anti-technology device. The name would suggest that its purpose is to forcibly shut down all forms of modern technology.

...Which means zat logically speaking, we would be affected as well.

There's no problem if you use it normally, but once you unlock its true power...

Correct. The Origin Lance was created to essentially turn back the clock on human technological progress. Once you've been consumed by its power, there really is no coming back. There are no remaining copies of your AI.

I swear that Helena is the only thing in this world you care about.

I can't help it. She's the one who made me imperfect.

Heh... Hahaha...

What about this is funny to you? Did that accident leave you missing a few screws in the neocortex?

Hardly. I'm just finally starting to realize why you built a replacement for Helena.

After surviving that horrible day, I found purpose again in my anger. You on the other hand, found it in a meaningless quest to recreate something you could never get back.

I can't believe I never saw it before now. After thinking of you as a cold-hearted machine for so long, you turned out to be just as human as the rest of us.

......

Professor Xianhua. What will you do now?

I'll go with you. No matter what lies ahead of here, it's my duty to witness it.

It's time to open the gates to paradise. She's waited long enough.

So that's...

...Yes. Proto Eden's final memory. The last shard of my missing past.

Let's rest, Helena. We'll be shielded from the phase transition's effects in here.

Xia...Xianhua... Did everyone...escape?

That's the last thing you should be worrying about right now. You're completely hopeless...

Computer. Display live feed of the research district.

Get out of the way! Let me through!

Wait... You have to help me... Some of my bones are missing... I can't even stand up...

Sorry, but you're on your own. The accident didn't leave enough escape pods for everyone, and you're dead either way.

N-No... How could you...

Finding the path to paradise...

A world where everyone can live in peaceful coexistence. The world humans were meant to walk. We worked so hard for those ideals, but in the face of death, even the world's greatest minds are little more than cowardly beasts.

Creatures like them will never be able to find it. Humans will NEVER choose the righteous path.

Computer, entering administrative command: "Open the gates to paradise."

Xian...hua...

Something this ugly shouldn't be the last thing you ever see, Helena...

Eden, entering final command. No more wars. No more suffering. For Helena's sake... May you dream forever of paradise.

So that's the truth of it...

For all my attempts to be a perfect, logical being, it was exactly my emotions that led to that last fateful order. This entire scenario is nothing but the price of my own failure.

You're wrong!

Everything you did was for Helena! You should never regret something you did out of love!

Aldo...

Proto Eden had no way to think for itself, so it must still be pursing that ideal even now.

It was exactly her perfect nature that made her blind to her mistakes.

Ironic, isn't it, Proto Eden?

Proto Eden... Its voice has guided me for so long.

Chronos always trusted Galliard. That's why he was the one chosen to hear Proto Eden's warnings.

Intruders detected. Contact with the mainframe is prohibited.

Sorry, but we're here to put a stop to the dark future you've chosen for humanity.

Proto Eden. I rescind my orders.

Request denied. The order cannot be rescinded.

I figured as much. The system has completely locked us out.

There there's no need for hesitation. If it's come to this, then there's only one choice left to us...

, Use the Origin Lance to force a shutdown of the system.

It's still too early for that. What we're looking at now is nothing more than Proto Eden's outer shell.

What do you mean?

He means that in order to actually destroy it, we'll have to pierce the core that it's hidden among the time layers.

A spike in time layers force has been detected from the outer core! Interdimensional shockwave incoming!

Ngaaah!

Why...

I won't...lose her...twice!

Protect...Helena...

You have my word.

Threat analysis complete. Defense systems engaged. Eliminating targets.

Here it comes!

Recalculating enemy threat level. Shifting combat configuration.

So, you finally decided to show your face.

This is it...

You have to remember that this entire facility is part of Proto Eden. To bring it down for good, were going to need to target the angel at its core, That's the brain.

It's not the first time we've fought something this big, but I'm still calculating a mega-ultra- high risk of serious injury and broken bones.

Your choice is illogical. You are making a mistake. I exist across multiple time layers, transcending time itself. There is no victory in your future, only inescapable destruction. Your kind know only how to consume. It is time for you to make way for superior beings.

The old me might have agreed with you. Equality. Philanthropy. Respect. Coexistence. ...Humanity knows full well what the correct choices are, and yet they always choose the path of inequality, violence, and oppression. They're truly irredeemable creatures.

Your assessment is correct. I have stored data from countless time layers that confirms this fact.

It doesn't matter, because there's no way I'm going to allow our future to end here. We're not perfect, and we probably never will be... ...But it doesn't change the fact that we're all trying to live the best lives we can in the time we've got!

Who are you to take that away from us just because we're imperfect?!

You're right that humans are imperfect, but I would still never take that away from them.

Your statement is illogical. As the steward of my voice, you should be a nearly perfect being. I fail to see how you could come to such a flawed conclusion.

Maybe it's true that I could avoid making bad decisions if I just did what you told me to.

...But I refuse to hand over my free will to someone else. I want to live my life, and I want to live it alongside the humans. I've made my choice.

Let's make it through this, Galliard. All of us.

I will not deny that mistakes were made. I have made them. Aldo has made them. Even Helena and Professor Chronos haven't always been able to make the right choices. But after meeting the original Galliard and Professor Xianhua, I finally understood. The truly correct path can only ever be discovered by those with the ability to learn from their failures.

Well said, mon brave. We must find ze answers ourselves.

Failure is what gives us the capacity to reflect and change course. It's what allows us to rebel against the very state of our world. Nothing can be more just than that.

If you believe so thoroughly in your one true answer that you would deny the world even the freedom to change, then I will not yield.

Did we stop it?

No. Not yet.

Carrying out orders to protect the dream of paradise.

...A time-space structure?! Then we only have one choice!

It should be possible to destroy it the same way we did Deus Ex!

That's the last line of defense for paradise itself. Don't underestimate it.

Wait...

Professor Xianhua. How large is the area of effect when using the lance at maximum power?

Stop! The anti-technology device will kill you if you use it!

Aren't you listening?! Galliard!

It depends. You can focus its power onto a relatively small point, but there's no way for the user to avoid its effects.

Understood. That's all I needed to know.

Wait, mon brave!

Damn it!

Hmph. Is that all?

It's going to take more than a time-space structure to stop me!

H-He got through?! Then he's safe...

Not yet...

But he just pierced through it!

This is Proto Eden we're taking about. It can shift between layers instantly.

But that means we'll never be able to stop it!

We're here to back you up, Galliard! Don't even think about powering up that thing!

Origin Lance! Increase power!

Stop, mon brave! Your body can't take any more!

It doesn't matter. Putting my life on the line for what I believe in is the only way I know how to live. I'm sorry, Helena. I never meant to leave you alone again.

......

Show me the full extent of your power, Origin Lance! Even if this body breaks... ...My spirit will live forever!

Galliard...

......

Mon brave! I'm going with you!

Stay back, Helena! You'll be caught up in the blast!

No! I will not stand back and watch you fight alone!

So you're prepared to see things to the end together...

We can't let him do this! We're so close!

Isn't there any way to stop it, Xianhua?!

If there was I already would have, I've been trying to stop it this whole time! But it was Chronos and Madoka who made that lance, not me...

Hm? Those particles...

...Argh!

...Hngh!

Please stop! You've done enough! This isn't worth sacrificing your lives over!

...I've made my decision. Galliard will never give up, and I made him a promise. I'll stay by his side to the very end!

Are you sure about this, Helena?

Of course. You are my irreplaceable partner unit. It is only together zat we are truly whole. And together, we can do anything!

"Together, their love will break open the gates to paradise."

...Ugh. This is so like you, Madoka.

Galliard! Helena! Pierce the core, now!

But if they keep using that lance it'll kill them both!

Don't worry. It seems my esteemed colleague left behind a parting gift. Isn't that right, Madoka?

Origin Lance! Pierce through this fleeting vision of paradise!

...Are you two okay?!

We're fine.

The defense system is down. All that's left is the core...

What's that shaking?!

There is a high probability that the Origin Lance is causing Proto Eden to collapse!

But the core is still active!

I'll finish it myself. I want all of you to get out of here immediately.

No! We can't let you do this alone, Galliard!

I'll never allow you to sacrifice yourself! Your life is just as important as ours!

It's hard to believe you and I once fought to the death.

...But I don't regret it. The mistakes we made back then are what taught us to find a better way.

I can already see that nothing's going to change your mind, so I'm heading out now. The rest of you can do whatever you want.

Just...don't get yourselves killed.

Please go ahead, everyone!

You're going with them, Helena.

I already told you! We're partners!

My place is by your side!

...I know, Helena, and that's exactly why I need you to go on ahead.

Why?!

Because if your place is by my side, then it's my duty to return to it. I promise I'll come home from this.

You, !

You'd better be telling me ze truth! If you don't come back, I'll never forgive you!

I know... Keep them safe for me, Aldo.

...You got it.

Sorry to keep you waiting, Proto Eden.

Why do you refuse to obey me? This is the will of your creator. A world where all people live hand in hand. To that end, I have observed tens of thousands of time layers, and in all of them, the humans inevitably choose war and strife. Even knowing this, would you still choose them over me?

I would, and nothing you can say will change my answer. Living things know no satisfaction. They struggle until the day they die. They fight to make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today. They reject their past in order to secure their future, and if you ask me, that spirit of rebellion is exactly what it means to be alive.

If they cannot be satisfied with their present condition, then paradise will be forever out of their reach.

You're wrong. They might have to make an untold number of mistakes to get there, but one day they will surely find their path. Not some perfect world forced upon them by an unfeeling machine, but a paradise of imperfections, , Another Eden, won through their own blood, sweat and tears.

It's time for you to rest. Let them exist in their imperfection, and witness what lies at the end of their rebellion.

Farewell, Proto Eden.

So...

You didn't escape?

No. I came here for one reason and one reason only, to honor the memory of the woman I love. Helena wanted to use Proto Eden to help people.

She fought for a world where ALL life was respected, but in the end, Proto Eden had to be stopped for her ideals to become a reality. Now that it's done, the only thing left for me to do is take my place by her side, and rest.

You were never planning to go home from this, were you?

There's only so much a human body can take. It was a miracle Delamair's medical implants took me this far at all.

...I see.

But before I go, there's one last thing I need to do. Let's settle this, Galliard, once and for all.

......

Right here, right now, I'm taking back what's mine. My name, my existence...everything. It probably all sounds like nonsense to you, and maybe you're right, maybe it is a meaningless fight.

But even so, I...

...You have to see it through to the end.

Yeah. Unlike a synth human, I can't always make the right choices. I can't kill my emotions, so my mind is a slave to its own stubbornness, anger, and resentment. But this is MY choice, a misguided battle I chose by following my own misguided emotions.

You're right about that. It's totally irrational.

...But misguided choices can also be the right choices. If your heart desires this, then I desire it as well.

Alright then... Let's do this.

Heh...hahahah... It's my loss... A defeat so utterly complete that it's almost cathartic...

Satisfied?

No... Not in the slightest...and there's no way death is going to satisfy me either. My entire, pathetic life was defined by mistakes and regret. But at the same time...I think that's exactly how it should be for us.

Promise me... Don't settle for anything less than your ideals. Struggle, suffer, and claw your way forward. Stand by the woman you love, and rebel against the world until your dying breath.

...I will. I promise.

Good... Now go.

You know, it may have been meaningless, but it was a good fight. It was almost...fun.

Hmph... I thought synth humans were above that kind of stuff.

Synth humans make mistakes, too. That's just what it means to have a heart.

Can't argue with that...

I won't apologize, but...thank you.

"Thank you," huh? For all our similarities, we really are nothing alike...

I've kept you waiting for too long, Helena... I'm finally...coming home...

He's taking too long... Is he really going to be alright?

Don't worry, he was built to last. I guarantee it. Plus, he would never lie to Helena.

......

This song is really nice, huh? I'm finally starting to remember it.

Yes! In fact, it's so good it was nominated for this year's Elzion Music Awards!

I prefer the sharper sound of the original...

...But I suppose it's good in it's own unique way.

Yeah... I can live with this change.

How'd it go, Helena?

It went well. We discussed our plans going forward, and ze Administration was quite pleased with ze reduction in rebel faction incidents.

Thanks to your work, the humans are finally changing the way they treat our people. The rebel faction only ever existed as a response to human oppression. If they're willing to treat us with respect, then we have no reason to continue fighting them.

While I wouldn't say negotiating a ceasefire is the same as true peace, I can accept zat such things take time.

Indeed. But no matter how long it takes, I made a promise that I intend to keep.

What promise?

To keep fighting against the injustices of this world until the day I die...with you by my side, Helena.

Mon brave...

No matter how rough the path gets, we'll walk it together.

Yes...for you are my one and only partner unit.

Indeed...

...Hm?

Is something wrong?

...I heard its voice.

Tell me... What did it say?

......

...Hmph. Alright.

There's nothing to worry about, Helena. It just told me that it's decided to watch over this world's lifeforms.

Zen let's do our part, too.

I hear you, my planet.

Our rebellion will continue on...

...Until the day we finally find our paradise.