Arknights story · Operator Records
Filter Stars
A boy stays true to his parents' teachings even though everything has changed. After he is rescued, he decides to show his appreciation in his own unique way.
1 scenes, 170 lines
1. Interlude
170 linesGrab your stuff! It's over at the slums!
It's too late... If only we caught wind of this earlier in the day. Let's see if there's anything we can still do. Prep your medical equipment. We'll set up shop here—
—Not here. We still have no idea what exactly happened. Let's not draw too much attention, just to be safe.
You're right... Bring out the medical tent. Not a lot of people go to the woods behind the hills. Set it up there. We'll head over to the slums!
Over here!
Boy. Boy! Wake up. Can you hear us?
I don't see any Originium crystals on his body. Hard to say if he's infected or not... He's holding onto something... A staff? A kid like him?
Nngh...
Quick, bring him with us!
We're back! Got a kid with us.
Good work. Now leave the rest to me.
We couldn't tell whether he's infected, but he won't let go of this staff, so he probably knows some Arts. Anything else you need us to do?
You two just get some rest. I'll give him a checkup. A few guys stayed behind at the office to listen for news. All you have to do is make sure no one finds us here.
Alright! I'll fix you guys a midnight snack to fill your stomachs. The kid doesn't look like he's had much to eat, either. I'll make some porridge.
Alright, I'll take him inside then.
......
He must still be in his teens... *Sigh*... You're just a kid, but you've already had to go through all that.
......
............
There are no obvious signs of Oripathy on the surface, but... the tests show he's infected.
His injuries aren't too serious, but with his weak body... Let's speed things up with some Arts.
We still have some suppressants left, and we already gave him a sedative.
......
(The power generator's too loud. We're done with the checkups, so I guess we won't need this equipment for now. The lights will just make it harder to sleep.)
(So I'll turn them off along with the generator. The least I can do is let him get a good night's rest.)
(I'll also set a timer to check up on him in two hours.)
*Sigh*...
Inside the dark tent, a tiny body is curled up on the bed.
The pain from his fever and exhaustion is canceling out the sedative effects of the medicine. He dreams a restless dream, where he is suddenly trying to find something.
Perhaps he seeks the embrace of his parents, or the warmth of his home.
But all those happy things had left him the day before. Even though he's not fully aware of it right now, his loss is no less painful in the dream.
*Cough*...!
Oh... It's dark...
There's no one here... Mm...
*Whimpers*... It's pitch black. Is the electricity out here too?
Eep... What's that next to me? An IV drip? Was I saved after Mamá got me out?
Is there anything else here... Oh, I still have my staff with me.
Right, two men found me. They must've brought me here. I've gotta thank them.
I should get out of bed and take a look around... Phew... Ah... Just sitting up is so tiring...
*Sobs*... There's no one here... I'm all alone.
But how come Mamá didn't say anything and just told me to run?
Will I... get to see Papá and Mamá again? *Sobs*...
This place is so dark, and there's no one around... Did something happen to them? I... I know how to use Arts. Mamá taught me how.
The frail boy lies on his bed and reaches a hand out to the staff by his bedside.
He was the one who put this staff together, piece by piece, from broken parts and abandoned ore, until the moment a light shone from his hands.
'Light.' He kept thinking about that word. He wanted to shine a light to help those who helped him.
The glass lampshade is still in one piece. These gears and screws are all in great shape, too, but were thrown away just because the machine broke. What a shame.
But now I have all the parts! I just have to connect this wire to the main board, then connect it here... Maybe I should try casting some Arts?
Whoa! That gave me an electric shock! It hurts... Maybe this isn't as easy as I thought.
Papá and Mamá still aren't home yet. I can't wait to see their faces if I manage to get it fixed before they get back!
And after I find a good job, I'll buy Mamá lots of medicine, and once she gets better, Papá won't have to work at the factory anymore.
Hmm... It takes so much force to turn these screws... Papá must be really strong. He does everything so fast.
Yeah! I'll finish this before they get home!
Mamá, look! I can use the Arts you taught me with this staff!
Hup—Look, it lit up! I built this staff all by myself, too!
I remember everything you taught me. I wrote it all down in my notes too. Increase the voltage—Hup! Look!
I'm a fast learner, right? I'll become the best Caster around. We'll have an endless supply of electricity, enough to keep the lights on all day!
Mamá, wait. They said we'll get sick if we go outside. You can't—
Papá's factory? He's not back yet. Where is he?!
I'll come with you, Mamá. Let me come. I know how to use Arts. I can—
Mamá!
In his endless dreams, he bravely broke open the door his mother had locked, and powerfully sifted through all the shining debris at the factory. The scary disease the adults spoke of had no effect on him.
He used his mother's Arts to illuminate the sky. Under his light, the rescuers pulled unconscious workers out from the rubble one after another. His father had only minor injuries, and immediately joined the rescue team.
Then, after they got home, they moved far away, to a place without dust in the air.
He learned even more Arts, and lived a happy life with both his parents.
Eep—There we go...
*cough* *cough* *cough*.
Hmm—
It's not much... Just a tiny light.
But it's more than enough. If I can light the path beneath my feet, I can help others...!
The ice-cold air rushes into his nostrils. The frail Perro boy has always wanted to turn his dreams into reality.
In front of the factory's rubble, he saw his mother casting Arts on such a large scale for the first time. Her radiance illuminated the night and shone upon every corner of the area.
He, too, wants to help others with his light.
Eep, it's so cold—
What a big tent. There's no one else around, though. Where... Where did they all go?
Papá said that we should lend others a helping hand whenever we can, and only then will our lives get better...
It's so dark though... Did something really happen here? I... I gotta go—
*Whimper*... My whole body's sore... Where is this place?
The woods? T-The ones behind the mountains? That's so far away... Mamá told me it's dangerous here, because people rarely come.
It's already so late, and they don't have any lights. They must need my help. I... I need to be like Mamá, and help those in need!
I need to head outside and find them...! I-I'll help them!
*Cough*... How long have I been walking...? Why isn't there anyone here?
Ugh, my head hurts.
No, I need to hang in there. I need to be a man of my word. I need to be strong. I...
I... I...
Two hours later
(It's 3:50. Let me check on him.)
...! Why is the tent open?!
Where did he go?!
Oh no. I knew two hours was too long!
Quick, the boy we rescued is gone! Hurry and check the area—!
He's not here—
Not here either—
Look over there! Why is it glowing there?
—Oh, he's here! I found him!
The next morning...
......
Hmm... Is it morning already?
Phew—You're finally awake.
Here, have some water.
I'll warm up some porridge for you. We made it last night. No need to chew, just swallow it. It's not going to upset your stomach.
Oh, uh, g-gracias!
L-Last night, did I—?
About that... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone in there.
N-Not at all! It's my fault for trying to go outside. I thought it was too dark, so—
Porridge's here!
What were you two talking about? You can chat later, but you should fill yourself up first. You haven't had anything to eat the whole time, and Rita said she's gonna need to do another checkup on you afterwards.
I'm back! Is the kid awake? Come on, let's sit you up. You must be exhausted, after running around in the dark like that. Rita, why don't you take care of your other work? The two of us can look after him.
Alright, I appreciate it.
Everything looks good. You're just a little malnourished. Your Oripathy is looking pretty mild so far too, but we'll need to take you somewhere with more professional equipment to run more thorough tests.
Don't worry, kid! We won't just abandon someone we saved partway through. Just relax and focus on getting better.
We also have something to tell you.
Right, we're backline workers for a medical company called Rhodes Island. This is just a temporary medical tent we've set up.
We talked this over last night, but given the circumstances... Sorry, we can't ensure your safety for too long.
D-Do you know what happened near your home?
I... I don't know...
Mamá sent me outside and told me to run as far as I could, then... she went back...
A few days ago, Papá said he was going to the factories to look for a new job, and he hasn't been back since.
After that... I'm not too sure what happened.
Then... Do you know that you're sick?
I do... They told me before that you get rocks on your body when you catch this disease. A lot of people have it where I live.
Then... What about your parents? Are they both Infected?
Sí... There was an accident at the factory...
......
They got people Infected, then drove them into a corner. Those pendejos!
Hey, not in front of the kid!
My bad... I know I shouldn't get worked up, but I mean, it's just too...
Hurry up and tell him. Just listening to this is pissing me off.
So we were talking last night, and we're thinking about introducing you to our company. You know, see if you're interested, or if you want to go.
We have some medical equipment here, but it's leaps and bounds better on Rhodes Island. Besides, you know some electrical Arts, don't you?
We have plenty of amazing folks there who know a ton of awesome Arts. You could learn a lot from them.
Even more awesome Arts?
Yep, that's right. By the way, who taught you yours?
I learned them from mi mamá...
*Sigh*...
Sorry, kid, I didn't mean to swear. We're sorry about you and your parents. We'll... keep looking for them.
Y-You don't have to apologize!
I...
Thank you so much for saving me, and... I also want to do something to return the favor.
I-I know a little electrical Arts. I woke up in the middle of the night last night, and it was so dark. There wasn't any light at all...
So you have no electricity here, right? Just like where I'm from? I... I was going to give you guys some electricity... to return the favor...
I saw how dark it was here. Did something happen to this place, too? But I... I passed out after a while, and when I woke up, I was back on this bed.
This is my staff. I was too tired last night, so it wasn't very bright, but... I can usually light up my whole house!
So you came outside to light up our base?
Mm-hm!
When I use the Arts mi mamá taught me, I can make my staff glow for a really long time!
Was I any help?
......!
(So that's why he...)
Yes! You absolutely helped us.
These two guys were lost last night, and you know how dark it was outside. It was thanks to your staff's light that they made it back.
They were going to thank you, but forgot because of all the work we had this morning. Isn't that right?
...Yeah! Totally slipped my mind!
We were going to sleep it rough last night, but then we saw a faint light, which led us to you. We wouldn't have found our way without it!
(Winks)
(Gets the idea)
That's right! Your light was real bright last night! Thanks, kid!
R-Really?
Then... I'll go! I'll get even better, and I'll learn even more awesome Arts, lots of them, then I'll come back to help you guys!
Alright!
I know me being here isn't very helpful, but... I don't know where my parents are either, and I need you guys to help me find them...
I'll come back once I get better! I'll be back to light up the whole night sky!
Alright, then we'll wait for you here. It's a promise. You gotta learn lots of useful Arts to help us out.
Okay!
Right, what's your name anyway? We still don't know what to call you.
Just so you know, we all have codenames here, but we've all known each other for a long time, so we just call each other by our real names.
I'm Fernando, this is Pedro, and she's Rita.
But now that you're going to the landship, you should pick a codename for yourself. Pick whatever you like.
Hm...
C-Call me Greyy!