Arknights story · Operator Records
A Long, Long Time Ago
A newly born prince seems to see a 'black cat' mentioned in legends. Now, what sort of destiny awaits him?
1 scenes, 217 lines
1. Interlude
217 linesLong, long ago, the legends of this land spoke of a 'Black Cat'.
They said only the chosen ones could see Her, and that She would bring love and joy while also punishing the wicked. Though some would rather believe the Black Cat was inauspicious, and a harbinger of misfortune.
But the Black Cat only wandered to Her whims, and once she was tired, she rested wherever She was.
Mrrow~
(Yawns languidly)
(Stretches slowly)
Purr...rrr...rrr...
Rrr...
Today, an uproar awakens Her from a nap.
Uwaah!
Wahhh—!! Uwahh—!!!!
——!
By the gods, it's a boy! The queen has given birth to a prince!
Quick, inform the king! Everyone waiting outside must know of our healthy and adorable prince!
Days pass. The servants decorate the palace with fresh flowers, and the celebrations for the newborn begin.
The king and queen bask in the sun as they receive well wishes from their guests.
The black cat leaves the windowsill where She was taking Her afternoon nap, and sees a pair of eyes immersed in complete bliss.
Oh... such a cute little thing. So we meet again.
This remains our little secret, yes?
Meow~
Another pair of eyes follows, with a sprinkle of worry mixed into the bliss.
......
(I can still see Her... I pray my son will grow up healthy and happy, away from any harm.)
The king's sour worry draws the black cat's attention. She turns around to see a man holding a wine glass aloft.
Hahahaha, cheers, cheers! A toast to bless our king and queen, as well as the newborn prince! May their lives forever be blessed!
Waaaah... uwaaah...
Uwaah!
The black cat shakes both tails, and prances into the baby's cradle.
The king and queen do not stop Her, and everyone else seems unable to perceive Her, but the little prince who was bawling in his cradle begins to giggle.
He reaches out his hand, trying to grab the cat's drooping tails.
(Drooling and giggling)
(Trying to put tails inside mouth)
Mrow?
(Jumps far away)
—Uh? ...'Mrow'!
...'Mrrow'... 'mrow'!
Ah, the legend, the tale of the Black Cat...
So the prince can see that elegant and beautiful creature of legend! The one visible to only the chosen few!
We pray She brings him love and joy...!
More than ten years later.
—No! Impossible!
Father was a king as great as a god, so how could he suddenly become a corpse lying in a cold coffin?
Uncle, Uncle! Mother fell into a coma from her overwhelming grief while I was studying abroad. Could you tell me what happened while I was away? How did Father become like this?
...My dear child, I am as shocked as you are. The physician said perhaps it was a wicked insect from the gardens that stole your father's life away with its vile poison.
All I can offer you is some time alone with him, so you may say your last goodbyes.
But do not grieve overmuch, dear child. Now, I must inform those outside of the palace's affairs—and leave at once.
...Yes, go, Uncle.
Ugh... Father, Father... how did this happen? Who has the answer?
...What exactly is going on?
My brother has just passed away, and our country ought to mourn, but we must also consider our present situation.
Every one of us knows that the prince claims to see, and even to touch, a divinity that we cannot—this strange Black Cat.
Legends speak of the Cat as a bringer of love and joy, but has anyone witnessed this happening with their own eyes? Can we be sure this was not a tale fabricated by the king to hide the inauspiciousness of a certain individual?
I speak only of facts, and I must wonder: Could that ill-fortuned individual actually be a son who brought his own father a tragic death?
Is that how it is...?
Could the prince actually be an ill-omen? The king suddenly died, and the queen fell into a coma, while he remains safe and sound. He even frequently speaks of seeing a Black Cat...
Ah, look! Here he comes!
No, it's nothing like that!
Those are lies! I did not send Father to his grave, and Mother merely fell into a coma out of grief...!
Believe me, everyone, I will uncover the truth!
Mrow?
Ah, the Black Cat...
You're here... you... what exactly, have you brought upon us...?
(Silent as usual)
Everyone! The country needs a sovereign.
The prince is yet young, and the queen unconscious...
—So, I implore all of you to support me as your new king!
—Have you no shame?! To publicly declare my son an ill-omen!
You may have taken advantage of my coma and my son's youth to crown yourself king, but still I spurn you! I hold nothing but contempt for you, usurper!
I know well that the Black Cat is no ill-omen, and the same goes for my son! There is no way he would slay his own father!
Hush now. You act nothing like a queen, your manner belying only your madness and obsession. Your husband's demise has stripped you of your sanity, yet still you hope to excuse your son from this!
I sit on the throne now, and my words are the truth!
Disgraceful dreg of the land, to snatch the throne for your own not even a week after your brother's death. To accuse his wife, to slander his son... I will—I MUST declare you as the one who murdered our king!
What nonsense are you on about?! What did you even see?
—When you ascended the throne, I opened up his tomb and coffin. I know why you hastened to put him in the ground...
For his chest bore a wound only possible from a dagger strike. Dare you say you know nothing about it?
——!
—Ah——
...Do you think my death will put everything to rest?
Mother, Mother!
I can hear him. My child... he'll be here soon!
Mother, Mother—
Heh, you've no window to move my body away now. I must have him personally witness exactly what you've done— I'm here, my child! In here!
You wretch!
—Mother! What happened? Why are you like this?!
Am I to blame for this? Because I can see the Black Cat? Because I truly am an ill-omen? I killed Father, and now you, Mother!
No, not at all...
The black cat shakes both tails, and sits down in a corner.
She tastes sorrow, mixed with pity and worry from mother to son.
My child, I wish to tell you, you have done absolutely nothing to bring shame to your father's legacy. The Black Cat you see is by no means inauspicious as your uncle claims.
Mother, why? How are you so sure...?
Because my child... as I walked with your father into the matrimonial hall dressed in white from head to toe, as flowers and blessings fell upon us... I saw Her.
When I felt unwell and sought a physician, who told me you were already in my belly, I also saw Her...
In every moment of incomparable bliss I could see Her azure eyes... hear Her comforting purrs...
I...
My child, you must believe me... She is a symbol of joy, a messenger of love, and She will punish the wicked... You can see Her, so surely you are a union of love and joy...
The queen's arm droops, no longer having the strength to hold her son's hand.
The black cat jumps twice, landing on the palace windowsill. The queen feels as if Her eyes are looking into the distance outside the palace.
Mrow.
The prince watches everything unfold in shock. He wants to save his mother's life, he wants her to remain with him always.
But his mother only says—
Run, child! Far away from here...
Your uncle may have killed me, but you are yet young. What can you do with no power to your name?
Leave that thief on his ill-gotten throne; stay far away from that murderer whom you have no power to resist...!
Go now! Quickly...
—Mother, no, no, Mother...!
The queen's hand drops onto the floor, splashing into a pool of blood.
The prince cradles his mother lying in her own blood. He looks at the cat on the windowsill, and She returns his gaze.
Then, he looks at his uncle—the throne thief, his mother's murderer—who has already regained his composure, his face bearing a smile.
My child.
I know not how it unfolded. I heard a noise and hurried over, only to see this.
Poor, unfortunate child. I do not mind your ominous reputation or the bad luck you bring upon others. I trust I can overcome and dispel your misfortune, and I pray you can become my son.
This way we will become a perfect king and his heir. What say you?
You—!
The black cat watches it all unfold from up high.
Hrrh— hrrh—
How... how did things turn out like this?
Only silence answers his question.
He hears the wind blow.
He hears fowlbeasts flapping their wings outside, blowing away the night mist, allowing the moon to illuminate the room he hides within.
Despair, grief, and enmity overwhelm the prince, and he finally succumbs to fatigue, falling asleep on the damp and freezing ground.
......
Father... Father? Ugh... Father!
Is that really you? Is this a dream, or has your ghost finally appeared to me?
I am a ghost wandering between realms, only under the cover of night able to share the secrets known by none.
Listen closely to what I am about to tell you, my child. Do not let tears occupy this precious pocket of time we have—
If anyone tells you it was an insect that took my life, his words are false, and you must remember this—he is the murderer who took my life!
——!
...Sunlight, dawn, I sense a scent that belongs not to me. I must go now, my child...
Do not forget my words...
So that's what happened, I see how it is! But who else can I go to for proof? How else can I prove it?
How I wish to carve all of this onto the stone beneath my feet, so it might remember for eternity that it was my uncle who killed my father and mother, and blamed it all on me...!
Unnoticed by the prince, the black cat walks into the room, sitting on the towering windowsill.
Mrow?
What should I do now?
Naturally, the black cat does not respond to him, and simply sways Her tails, silently waiting for him to speak again.
My prince, His Majesty has asked me to bring you fine jewels and luxurious clothing, as well as an ample feast to sate your starving stomach.
He asks that you accept it all, then to consider his prior proposal.
(Whispers) ...What... should I do...?
(Whispers) The ministers and citizens both believe I am an ill-omen. Father is dead, while Mother told me before she died to abscond far away, because I lack the power to seek vengeance...
(Whispers) Could I play the fool, pretend I am ignorant as to my parents' murderer, and accept his invitation?
(Whispers) Or should I draw my blade, and kill him at any cost?
(Whispers) What should I do? Who can answer me? Who?
(Whispers) Perhaps... perhaps...
The prince extends his trembling hand towards the door lock.
The black cat's head tilts with curiosity, Her twin tails tapping against the windowsill.
(Whispers) I...
His Majesty also mentioned he will allow you to address him as 'Father'.
(Whispers) 'Father'?
—'FATHER'?!
The prince quickly withdraws his hand.
'Father', a word he regards as synonymous with 'god'. He will absolutely not use it to address that man!
The prince sneers, draws his blade, and with a single swing slices the door open, along with the finery carried by the messenger standing behind the door.
The black cat stands, excited to see the sword-wielding prince. Her eyes light up, a rare sight, flashing a blue as deep as the night sky.
—No, no more mulling over this!
No more will I ponder over whether you are truly a herald of love and joy, or misfortune and disaster made manifest!
The answer I have been searching for has never lain with you, but in me!
I WILL slay that ignominious man!
The messenger long gone, all that remains scattered on the floor before the entrance is tattered finery concealing chains, linked to iron weights prepared by the new king in case the prince had refused.
He planned to shackle both my limbs and life in iron? Then I shall use them to destroy his life in return.
Immediately!
The black cat leaps down from the windowsill, showing an unprecedented level of interest. The morning light casts Her figure as a huge shadow on the ground, as if guiding the prince where to go.
All the way to the palace.
What's this about? Why has he rushed here with sword in hand? Where is he going? Someone, stop him!
Heavens, from where does he draw his strength...?!
The prince does not say a word, only dashing ahead with his head tucked down.
He runs out from his little hideout, across the garden he frolicked in as a child, past the courtyard where his parents accompanied him during swordplay training, and through the hall where they met their demise.
He runs, until he reaches his usurper uncle.
You've come, my child. Do you agree to my proposal?
No, that's a sword in your hands. You—
—Perish!
The prince whips the iron chain originally meant to bind his own hands around the usurper's neck.
He uses the iron weights meant to encumber his own feet to viciously pound the splendidly-dressed murderer's chest.
His fate was to be fixed with lies and malice by the one before him, so he uses the same method to rewrite the man's fate instead.
He thrusts his sword deep into his enemy's body.
A-Agh—S-Someone...!
...Quick... anyone... help!
Quick, protect the king!
Protect the king!
—Say—goodbye—to—your—life!
No one manages to loosen the tightly wrapped chains, until the king's neck is snapped, his limbs and body smashed, and his rigid corpse slowly slips from the throne he was clinging to and crumples to the ground.
The prince finally lets go of his blade, and smiles with satisfaction.
Ha... hah...
But he also notices the blood on his own body—
The soldiers have pierced his limbs and torso with their weapons, sending blood spilling onto the floor.
The prince chokes, and looks up at the blue sky.
Mrow.
He sees that black cat once more.
He hears all sorts of voices.
It's the Black Cat, isn't it? She enticed him, turned him into a madman... Not only did She kill his parents, She even killed his uncle who wished to take him under his wing!
But didn't the prince say it was the current king who killed the former king and queen? He's avenging their deaths!
Who's to say if that's true or false? Perhaps he suddenly went mad, and conjured the entire story to appease his own mind, to excuse the misfortune he brought upon himself.
Regardless, he's about to die... The former king and queen, and our current king too, they're all dead.
Is there a point in wagging our tongues any further?
Indeed, what's the point?
Mrow.
The black cat slowly approaches the prince, and sits down.
The prince uses the last bit of his strength to look into those azure eyes.
...What do you think...
...What I've done, did it mean anything?
The black cat still does not respond, and only watches him silently.
'...What I've done, did it mean anything?'
Lucian closes the screenplay.
The mysterious and beautiful creature sits on a distant windowsill enjoying the sun. She does not move when she sees Lucian looking up from the script, but only glances at him with a trace of curiosity.
Mrow?
...Did it mean anything?
Lucian droops his head in thought.
He looks at the Troupe behind him. The wounds from the river's rocks scratching him yesterday send sharp spasms of pain. A failed escape.
He sings a melody overflowing with suppressed zeal. A choice had already taken root in his heart, waiting only for the final day to come.
The pain is so vivid he subconsciously smiles.
...The result is but an answer I'll find at the end of it all.
The choice was made from the start, and no one can deny it meaning.
The moment he finishes speaking, the mysterious and beautiful creature suddenly stands, wagging her twin tails in excitement, as if a long-awaited toy has arrived.
Her eyes light up, a rare sight, flashing a blue as deep as the night sky.
Mrow!
She hops onto Lucian's desk, and with a show of practically extraordinary closeness, nuzzles her head against his, before slowly blinking her eyes at him.
Willful lunacy mixed with restrained rancor, like messy but absolutely enticing cat grass, woven into a furry ball of yarn. She likes this answer a lot, and emotions like these.
What sort of delicious emotions will this story and this person bring her this time?