Chapter 7: Memories

Fufufufu...

Kill. Kill. Kill! I will kill you all!

More fresh organs... And more power...

My love... I will... bring you back...

Hersey, would you mind helping me with something?

I'm all yours, Lady Yuffie.

Do you remember that new kid? Her puppet seemed to be linked to a special lens.

A special... lens?

It's something that can grant commoners the power of Radiants and boost this power to the maximum extent. Since it appeared in Bloomsea City... I wonder if it has appeared in other places, too.

If such a thing does exist out there, I'm afraid it won't do us any good. Can you investigate the matter and see if you can find it?

I know this task could be dangerous, but only someone as strong as Hersey can handle it. Be careful out there.

Understood.

I'm counting on you.

Is that the special lens? Doesn't seem much different from regular ones...

Lisa... Have you forgotten me?

!!!

Lisa... Lisa... You have been quiet for long. Don't you want to see me again? My dear Lisa...

It's me, Hersey!

Hersey... how would I forget you? My love, Hersey...

I've tried and failed a million times... What should I do, Hersey? Please tell me...

My head... It's tearing apart...

Arrrrrrrgh! Hersey...

What is this... feeling...

The energy... is getting stronger! With such power... Perhaps it's time to try another time...

To bring Hersey back...!

Lisa... Lisa...

Ah... it's Hersey! I can hear Hersey's voice!

Lisa, look at me...

Hersey!

It's really you!

Is this a dream?! Did I make it? You... do you live again?!

Of course, it's true. I'm your Hersey.

This is wonderful!!! Hersey, you have returned to me once again...

I've always been here with you, waiting for this moment...

You've been... waiting?

Of course. Didn't we promise to be together forever?

I've been watching your pain, watching you become a Radiant.

Watching everything you've done for me...

And eventually, forget about me.

I didn't! I never forget about you for a single second! I just didn't want to become a Nightmare Lord. I wanted a real you, in reality!

Reality or not, does it even matter? All we wanted was to be together, didn't we?

Hersey...

You little fool...

Did you know? After you left, I was drinking to numb.

I hated the dream you mentioned. And I cursed your so-called responsibility.

Until I realized you were really gone. All I could do was to look for your shadow in illusionary dreams.

From now on, we being together forever is your responsibility...

You have no idea how much I wanted to be together with you. So I tried again and again, trying to bring you back.

Until one day, Jack the Ripper told me he could bring you back to me... So I signed his pact with no hesitation.

But after that, my memories started to blur. I couldn't even remember your face...

And I forgot your voice. The picture of you started to look strange. Then I lost it... I could let you disappear from this world.

So I dressed up as you and used your name. Until you and I became one in the mirror.

That's the only way... That I can find back my blurred memories...

Don't think too much, Lisa. You've done well... Just continue with it. Keep me alive...

That's!!

This is not good, the energy of the lens is rising exponentially...

He seems trapped by something! Damn it!

Is that so... Hersey...

Yes, Lisa. That's our most important responsibility.

Did you forget? A Radiant's duty is to protect the world. And I am your entire world.

You are my entire world... That's right. I became a Radiant to revive you in the first place...

So, don't remember why you are here. We are always together. We were. And we will be.

Don't believe the nonsense of protecting the world. You lost your name, your voice, your face. You've made it so far. Just one more small step. Give up your own will...

It doesn't matter... I will give up everything for you...

That's right. Reality or dreams, true or fake, none of those matters... Hersey...

You are here with me. And that's enough.

This time, nothing and nobody can do us part again!

Hmph, is that all you got?

ARRRRRGHHHHHHHH!!

More, I need more power!

His body is twisted, yet he can keep his speed...

Don't even think about escaping!

Angle confirmed.

Eileen, stop the time of the cube in this position.

Alright! Leave it to me!

Done!

Wow... It's the first time I see so much energy in the cube. I hope it won't explode.

Are you only "a bit tired" after releasing so much energy?

No wonder everyone wants to have the Elementium Lens.

That was the last one. Our trap is ready.

Charlotte, would you mind explaining it a bit? I think ${playername} is almost too tired to stand up!

You idiot monkey...

Normally, humans will unconsciously restrain their strength so we won't tear our muscles. But Jack the Ripper is not in such status.

It's probably because of that thing.

Yeah. The word on the street is that it can empower the Radiant. It's also one of the things I'm investigating...

Do you mean that's how Jack became this? Affected by the special lens?

Probably. That's why we must harness enough energy to remove that lens from him.

The Ripper is using his hearing to identify directions.

Indeed. But we can lure him to the target location with timed traps, then use the power of the Elementium Lens to finish him off.

Huh?! But that sounds a bit too risky!

That's why we have a Plan B, Saya.

He won't die, not under the watch of the Witch of Reincarnation.

She said she saved a dying person. So it shouldn't be too hard for her to save him, too.

Applause for Charlotte! I admire you even more now!

Let's get down to business. Saya will probably push the Ripper into our traps soon.

Four more chances... I'm sure she can make it!

Eileen, unleash the Time Stop on the cubes on my command.

OK!!

As for you, Leader, your task is to run down the street...

And run.

What did you think? The immense energy of your Elementium Lens is the best lure.

5 seconds. Get ready!

Saya! Let him pass!

Saya! Let him pass!

Arrrrrrrgh! Fresh organs...

Charlotte, I'm leaving the rest to you!

Make sure Leader is safe!

Arrrrrrrgh!

So much energy!

Roaaaaaaaar!!!

Eileen, 1!

Got it!

Roaaaaaaaar!!!

Leader, don't stop!!

Eileen, 2, 3, and 4!

Got it!

Roaaaaaaaar!!!

6, 7, 8, 9!

Roaaaaaaaar!!!

10!

The final blow!

Saya!!

I've been waiting for this, Jack the Ripper!

Three more times... Get out of here, you stupid lens!

Brilliant cherry blossoms!

ARRRRRGHHHHHHHH!!

Um!

N-No! My chest... it hurts so much... Something is wrong!

Damn it! Someone's attacking your physical body!

Lisa, you can't give up! Don't you forget... You must protect me!

Protect reality... Protect... the world...

Screw reality! Lisa, don't give up now! You can't let them pull the lens outside your body. If that happens... I'll be gone, too!

Lisa, Lisa! Do you really want me to disappear? It's me, Hersey!

Hersey...

Don't you remember? I'm your wife, your love...

Ughh!! It hurts so much...

Lisa, Lisa... We finally got back together... After so much!

Lady... Yuffie...

Forget about them! I should be the only one in your world!

What should I do...

Don't give up! Do you... Do you want me to die another time?!

No... No... I don't... I don't!

But... Hersey...

If all of this only exists in my dream, then it will dissipate sooner or later...

What!?

I really wished my Hersey could come back to me!

But you are not the real her!

Are you awake? Lisa...

Hersey? Is it really you this time?

Yes. I have always existed in your memory. And you just summoned me.

The more obsessed you are, the clearer my existence becomes...

I've been looking forward to this day. Lisa, you finally made it. I'm really happy for you...

Sorry... I'm sorry...

Why are you saying sorry...?

You are now a qualified Radiant.

Protecting reality and this world, and return a good night's sleep to everyone...

I'm sure you remember it now...

I just didn't want you to become a false existence in dreams... You once lived so vividly before my eyes...

So Hersey... I won't forget you. I will help you maintain the traces you left in this world forever...

We will never leave each other.

Hersey...

I'm sorry...

You dumb...

I'm always on your side no matter what you choose...

I'm here as long as you need me. But if one day you don't need me anymore...

I will support your decision with a smile...

No...

Hersey, I won't give up!

One day, I will bring you back to reality!

Trust me!!

Hersey, wait for me...

Arrrrrrrgh!

Alright, I'll take care of the rest.

Stay back, you youngsters. Don't get involved by my sealing magic.

Wow... That's amazing! I'd really like to film that with my camera!

It's special sealing magic of the Rebirth Witch. Your camera won't work.

What?!

Looks like it worked.

I-It's over. I didn't manage to film anything.

Once the lens was removed, the maddening aura of Jack the Ripper dissipated.

(Strange. She should have expected what would happen. So why did she send him here anyway?)

Yay! So, we have solved the dream incident this time.

Charlotte is the best!

Not without you having everything under control.

Wait, where's that special lens?

Ouch, it looks like we forgot something important.

That's really a bad habit we need to rid of.

It's probably somewhere in this dream. Let's find it asap.

I'm afraid there are more than one special lenses like this one...

I guess they are connected with the Spirit Away incidents.

Uhh... Hersey...

She's not looking good...

She's too weak, but that's it.

I actually care more about this kid than that lens.

Thank you, members of Muscipula.

Liberos won't forget your help. Fufufu...

(A secretive witch... Nothing seems to be a big deal for her...)

Should we feel happy that we had thanks from the agent of Liberos?

That's right, I'm talking about you! Leader of Muscipula!

Everyone's here. Perfect!

Phew... Let's rendezvous with others as soon as this mist is gone.

Sorry for keeping you waiting. Too many Nightmares.

But Victoria and I have cleared most of the Nightmares around this area.

Speaking of it... If I didn't force you to come here, you'd probably be still fighting them.

Hehe.

Since everyone is here...

Let's take a picture together to celebrate!

Everyone, look at my camera! Cheers!

That idiot monkey is so energetic. There's still much to do.

What's the matter, Saya? You look tired.

That final strike drained too much power from me... I need to get some rest.

Indeed. Let's get ready to leave this place.

By the way, I've felt it since we came here...

The influence of the dream this time is more serious than before. I wonder how's the situation outside.

SEED will take care of it. We can totally count on them.

Wow! What is going on? Is this dream collapsing?!

Let's get out of here quickly!

We can think about that later. It won't affect reality much if it's left here.

We can search for it once the situation is stable. I'll deal with it.

I need to get some good rest!

It's not over yet, idiot monkey!

What?!

I've found a lead to the origin of the special lens.

There's no time to lose. So I'll leave the investigation to you.

Alright, alright. I'll do whatever you ask.

Leader, hurry and report back to Berial.

After solving such a major incident, I really need to chill a bit.

Leader, shall we play the new game I bought when we are back?

And Anna probably still has some cakes left.

Ha, Anna's cakes are all that you care about, right?

Hahaha, you don't say.

(This is bad... Why it has to be now...?)

(The seal can't hold together any longer...)

Panting... Panting... Cough...

Phew... I'm fine...

Shut up!

......