GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE story · Main story
Chapter 48: Reborn
Rebirth brings new power.
8 scenes, 1,347 lines
1. The Giant Black Tower
85 linesUm... are you sure it's gonna be okay?
What?
Th-the Ark. You know, with the missiles and all.
That's a good question...
... I'm worried, but we just have to believe in the Ark and its ability to defend itself.
They already managed to fight off the last attack.
Honestly... there's nothing we can do at this point anyway.
... Yeah.
The Ark's full of monstrous freaks. It'll be fine.
That's right!
!!
My apologies. As one blessed with knowledge, I have been remiss in my duty to share it. I shall resume elucidating you all once again.
... Anyway. There are Raptures here, but nothing remotely strong.
Yeah, and usually the sound of fighting will attract more to come swarming in, but that hasn't happened either.
I don't think so.
She just fired more missiles, and...
Leviathan points toward the Lift.
... take a close look at that.
I look closely at the Lift.
Something about it is off, almost as though...
... It looks like it's glittering.
That's right.
To be precise, it's not the Lift itself that's glittering.
The Dark Matter that's stuck to it is moving around, reflecting the light.
... Dark Matter?
Yeah. Dark Matter has attached itself to the Lift.
Remember those pools of Dark Matter we saw on the ground?
They were heading toward the Lift.
The Queen's gathering all the Dark Matter to the Lift.
... I bet a structure that size could hold all the Dark Matter she took from our place.
What do you think she's trying to do...?
... Dark Matter can be used to do something akin to creation.
The obvious guess would be she's making Heretics.
...
Snow White steadies herself,
and takes aim with Seven Dwarves.
... What are you doing?
I'm going to shoot the Lift.
You can't be serious...
We have no way of knowing what they're planning right now.
If we get any closer to investigate and fall into an ambush, we might not be able to retreat.
I want to see what happens if I shoot it from here, since we can still secure an escape route.
I'm sure we'll get a reaction of some kind.
That's part of it too. Maybe seventy percent.
In other words, you just made up all that other stuff as an excuse.
... It's worth a shot. Fire away.
I knew you'd understand.
Everyone, stay on alert. We don't know what's going to happen next.
*Boom!*
A blinding flash erupts from Snow White's rifle.
The surge of white light rushes forward with tremendous force,
and tears a gaping hole right through the center of the Lift.
That's just crazy...
What'd you say? You really want to pick a fight with me in enemy territory?
It's a compliment, you idiot.
*Blurb, blurb, blurb*
The Dark Matter clinging to the Lift quickly begins to move.
It quickly seals the hole.
Tch... That's annoying.
... This might be bad. It's almost fused together.
*Bam!*
With a deafening sound, a section of the Lift bursts open,
and a staggering number of Raptures comes pouring out.
... The swarm is so thick, it's like a veritable tidal wave of Raptures.
Prepare for battle!
So that's where they were all hiding!
Here we go! It's time to unleash maximum firepower!
Let's go!
We'll join.
All right! Let's wipe them out!
Y-yeah!
I shall demonstrate that I, the ever-so-wise Bahamut, possess more than intellect!
Encounter!
2. The Silent Titan
100 linesWhat's going on?! They just keep coming!
Then we just need to keep wiping them out!
Time to transform!
No! We don't know when a Heretic will appear! Conserve your strength!
But we can't keep fighting these things like this!
I, the sagacious Bahamut, shall inform you. The Raptures are currently—
If you're going to say something stupid again, save it! We're too busy fighting to deal with your rambling!
... Some of them are heading toward the Ark.
... What?
Ziz!
I-I'm on it!
Ziz soars up into the air.
She looks around, then turns pale.
Sh-she's right! About half of them are heading toward the Ark!
Young Man! Will the Ark be okay?
They have an airship, a giant robot, and a few heroes! They'll be...
*Bam! Bam! Bam!*
Three flashes of light erupt from the Lift,
and three Annihilios rise up.
... Oh, come on.
The missiles have changed course!
They're heading for the Ark!
Argh...!
Commander! We need to go!
Ziz! Give us a ride!
You won't get there in time!
We know! But we can at least cut them off in the middle!
T-take hold, everyone!
Ziz flies up into the air.
She spreads her wings and deploys a black veil downward.
Just as the Counters are about to grab on...
Where goest thou in such haste?
*Swoosh!*
Wh-what the...?!
The black wings are sliced in two, and Ziz plummets to the ground.
Since thou hast journeyed thus far, prithee leave thy head as a gift before parting.
Egovista!
Oh, so you're the shoddy knockoff of Scarlet and Isabel!
... What's that?
If you're so confident in close-quarters combat, I'll be your opponent!
Are ye the greatest combatants amongst this rabble?
Excellent. My spirits had grown dull for want of a worthy adversary.
Let's go, Rapi! I'll take the left!
No, you take the right!
And as they draw your attention...!
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Rapi and Behemoth split off to either side as they charge towards Egovista.
Egovista's front is left wide open, and Neon, standing right in front of her, unleashes a barrage of rocket fire.
Mark me well. Naught exists but what my blade can cleave.
Egovista raises her sword.
Just as she is about to swing at the incoming barrage,
a familiar silhouette steps in to block her.
Do not waste your strength.
Altruia deploys a shield, blocking Neon's attack.
... Those shots were quite heavy.
Their appearance alone doth suggest as much.
I did not mean heavy in that sense.
Hey, get out of the way.
Anis bursts out from the explosion caused by Neon's attack.
She reaches out and absorbs the energy shield Altruia had deployed.
I remember you. You were quite the nuisance.
Rude!
Anis's hand begins to glow.
At the same time, Rapi and Behemoth close in rapidly from both flanks.
Oh, an assault from three directions?
...!
Entertainment Punch!
Seven Dwarves Zero! Fully active!
Uh... Be... Behemoth Claw!
Oof, that was terrible.
Come to me...
Sea Nettle.
Rapi, Anis, and Behemoth are sent flying back.
They tumble to the ground, struck by something fired from far off.
I look down to see the remains of what had been fired at a speed too fast for the eye to perceive.
... Water.
It's just water. There doesn't seem to be anything special about it.
The surroundings grow dark.
I raise my head and look up at the sky.
A massive figure is floating there, looking down at us.
Something about it feels familiar.
There is a terrifying silence.
The colossal figure blotting out the sky is utterly quiet, to an unsettling degree.
... As far as declarations of war go, I think we've made our point.
Let's retreat.
What are you talking about? This is just the beginning. We haven't even properly introduced ourselves yet.
Hmm. I think it would be wise to listen to him.
Y-yeah. Based on this feeling... it's definitely her.
... So that's why they only took her body.
Huh...?
What's gotten into you all?
... If the Heretics are reacting like that, it probably means...
... Commander, give the order.
Everyone! Retreat!
It's Liberalio! She's transformed!
*Whoosh!*
I feel the ground start to rumble in a way that's all too familiar.
I turn my head and look to the source.
Sweeping away every single building in its path,
An unfathomably large wave is approaching.
3. Hallowed Gold
198 linesAt Eden's Repair Center...
Cecil and Papillon silently survey the interior of the repair center.
There are two giant machines that create Nikkes,
three brain shelters,
and Rose, lying there completely motionless.
After looking around the quiet repair center for a long while, Papillon finally speaks.
This place is practically a morgue.
A real morgue wouldn't be much different from this.
...
Cecil stares at the brain shelters resting in front of her.
She picks one of them up.
Rapunzel's tag is attached to it.
She hands it over to Papillon.
Put this in the body maker.
Okay. Time to revive her.
Rapunzel, at least.
... Is Scarlet beyond saving?
...
It's not going to be easy.
If I'd known it would come to this, I would have secured the body data for the previous Scarlet.
She wouldn't have let you. I heard you two didn't get along.
That's true. Still, I could have at least tried asking.
Perhaps I should have gotten on my knees, or begged.
Pride, differences of opinions... It all feels so unimportant now.
...
Lately, all I have is regret.
I don't regret anything.
I'm talking about myself right now.
Joining the Counters to play spy. Getting taken hostage by Eden.
... Starting to flee to the Ark, then turning back.
Deciding to settle down and stay in Eden.
Inheriting you-know-what.
I don't regret a single thing.
Even if I could turn back time, I would make the exact same choices again.
Our decisions change naturally as we make our way through life.
I always made the best choices for who I was at the time.
I'm sure you did too.
...
How convenient. Are you sure you're not just reframing everything to make yourself feel good?
The first thing a spy has to learn is to adapt to change.
When you get tossed back and forth so much, the only way to survive is to become more elastic and go with the flow.
Papillon inserts Rapunzel's brain shelter into the huge machine.
A loud mechanical hum fills the room.
... Is that all I have to do?
Yes. I've already input all the body data. The machine will take care of the rest.
... I don't want to watch. I feel like I'd have a Mind Switch if I did.
I know we're produced by machines, but knowing it and seeing it are two very different things.
Sure. I understand.
Call me if you need help, okay?
Yeah.
...
Hey, Cecil. Snap out of it. If your head's not in the game, Eden is doomed.
... Will do. Thank you.
Papillon opens the door and steps outside.
Cecil quietly stares at the monitor connected to the body maker.
All the readings are normal. There are no signs of abnormalities.
She turns her eyes away from the screen and gazes at the brain shelters of Scarlet and Noah.
Yeah, it has.
This must be a space generated from NIMPH data.
That's right.
The fact that you and I are together in this space,
means that you have infiltrated my NIMPH.
That's also correct. You're amazing.
How are you even in here?
Because they're currently trying to transplant my weapon onto you.
... Red Shoes?
That's right.
That's how my personality data, hidden deep within the weapon, was able to infiltrate your NIMPH.
Ah, I see. It's personality data.
Did you leave it behind because you had some final words for me?
Whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise to pass it on to everyone, to the entire world.
No, there's no need for that.
After all, I'm going to be living within your NIMPH from now on.
... What do you mean?
I've waited so long,
wondering who would eventually wield this weapon.
I'd expected the new owner to be more than an ordinary Nikke, given that it's a second-generation Grimms model,
but I never thought it would be someone of your caliber. It's quite the happy miscalculation on my part.
I really am lucky to be receiving such a perfect vessel...
... Are you trying to take over my NIMPH using the personality data embedded in your weapon?
That's right.
How is that even possible?
My personality data has a corruption mechanism within it.
Eventually, you will succumb to corruption.
But you won't become a Rapture. Instead, you'll become me.
...
The fact that you're conversing with my personality data right now means the corruption has already taken root.
Thank you, Rapunzel, for giving me such a perfect body. You really are generous.
You're saying that once I succumb to the corruption,
my mind won't become like a Rapture's, but rather like yours?
That's right. You catch on quick.
Because you modified your personality data to become a form of corruption?
Yup, yup. I hate to repeat myself, but you're really amazing.
What do you intend to do with my body?
This time, at long last,
I want to become a Heretic.
With such a wonderful body, I'm sure the Raptures will welcome me with open arms.
Yeah, although it's more accurate to say I cultivated it.
I see. So you inserted your personality data into the Raptures' corruption technology that targets NIMPH.
That allows you to think "voluntarily," at least by Rapture standards.
... Again, that's amazing. You figured that all out so quickly.
I researched corruption for a long time.
I tried long and hard to pinpoint the source of it.
But there was a point where it achieved an inexplicable evolutionary leap forward.
A point where it jumped from only paralyzing Nikkes temporarily to suddenly making them think like Raptures.
It was such an unusual progression that I always suspected there must have been a catalyst,
or some external intervention.
That was you, wasn't it?
That's right.
Why?
Because joining forces with the Raptures is the only way to win this war.
If we can achieve actual unity, then victory and defeat won't matter anymore.
... So you're an apostate.
"Apostate" is just a label that people in power use to eliminate anyone who stands against them.
The world belongs to Raptures.
If you really want to draw lines in the sand, it's you who are the apostates.
...
Hmm. This is taking longer than I thought it would.
I guess the NIMPH of someone as extraordinary as you is unusually sturdy.
Thank you for the compliment.
You're welcome.
Hehe, you're really gentle, huh?
I'd been hoping to see you get upset, but not anymore.
One last thing.
I had been missing just one last thing.
I didn't know what caused the corruption's sudden evolutionary leap.
It was the last piece of the puzzle that I needed to conquer corruption.
All of the code from the point where that evolutionary jump occurred was indecipherable.
It was the only part I couldn't make sense of.
...
But now that I know the corruption was modified by a person, I can put it together.
If I proceed under the framework of that indecipherable code being the result of human interference,
I can find the answer.
Congratulations.
You found the answer right at the end of your life. How touching.
... What's going on? Something's wrong with this space...
There is something I should tell you.
I carry the NIMPH of countless others within me.
The space where you and I stand was not created by my NIMPH.
It was created by the NIMPH of my fellow sisters who are with me, now resting in eternal slumber.
...
The NIMPH you have been attempting to corrupt is theirs.
They are buying me time so I can have this conversation with you.
I suppose you could call it a... bait-and-switch? A decoy? Something along those lines.
I would hate to trouble their NIMPH any further, so I think I'll end our conversation here.
NIMPH resists corruption on a fundamental level.
You can see this from how early-stage corruption heals naturally.
The reason Nikkes succumb to corruption is because it overwhelms the NIMPH's data capacity,
essentially outweighing and crushing it.
Since there is a limit to the amount of NIMPH data that can be loaded onto a single Nikke, it is impossible to outclass the corruption.
... Rapunzel, wait.
Golden particles begin to ripple throughout the space.
Soon, everything is dyed gold.
Fortunately, I carry the NIMPH of my sisters,
a full twelve-thousand who have passed into eternal slumber.
I will never fall to something like corruption.
Wait, just listen to what I have to say. I—
Modifying your personality data into a form of corruption was a mistake, Red Shoes.
I know you did so in order to steal my body,
but it ended up backfiring on you.
...
I'm begging you, please spare me.
The gold permeating the space starts to swallow any trace of red.
Red Shoes struggles frantically,
but the sacred gold hue shows no mercy.
Eventually,
only the golden light and Rapunzel remain.
...?
Cecil peers into the monitor connected to Rapunzel's body maker.
She thought she detected a brief anomaly, but now there is nothing unusual.
...
I must be nervous. This isn't like me.
Cecil turns her gaze to another monitor.
The screen is filled with Scarlet and Rose's data.
She shifts her eyes to her personal PC,
and stares at the numerous formulas and notes on the screen.
She suddenly feels a sharp ache in her head.
... Is there really no way...?
Cecil stands there silently for a moment.
She looks at the other body maker.
Then she looks at the two brain shelters.
She hesitantly stretches forth her hand.
As she reaches for Noah's brain shelter,
she suddenly stops as she feels a chilling sensation behind her.
...
Cecil hastily turns around.
Rose is staring at her.
4. One More Day to Bloom Again
144 lines...
...
It seems you've regained consciousness.
... How?
...
Rose raises her trembling arm and points to Scarlet's brain shelter.
... I'm working on it.
It's not easy. The damage is severe.
Rose turns her arm.
Disturbing snaps and cracks echo through the room.
She points at herself.
...
You heard everything.
...
...
Theoretically, yes. That is the correct course of action.
Giving your body to Scarlet is the solution most likely to succeed in the current situation.
But... taking someone's life to save another...
It's not easy. I hope you understand that.
...
Rose's arm moves again, accompanied by sickening cracks and snaps.
She pulls out her broken sword,
and stabs herself in the head.
...!!
Rose collapses, and Cecil rushes over to her.
She checks the wound.
The cut is precise.
There is no saving her.
What did you do...?!
Cecil feels the life fading from Rose's body.
After staring for a moment, she abruptly stands up.
... Okay.
Leave it to me.
Thank you.
Scarlet looks down to see a bottle of liquor and two cups.
Scarlet raises her head. She sees Rose.
Hello, Scarlet.
You're prettier than ever.
And thou remaineth unchanged.
Let's sit. We don't have much time.
It seems someone both capable and kind has bought me some time with you.
Oh, is it so?
Scarlet and Rose sit facing each other.
Rose quietly pours them both a drink, and the two clink their glasses.
After taking a sip, they gaze at each other in silence.
...
Yeah, it's almost too nice.
*Splash, splash, splash*
From the tranquil surface of the water,
swordsmen clad in black emerge.
Scarlet gazes at the familiar faces and breaks into a bright smile.
Scarlet. Draw your sword.
My sword? For what reason?
Those aren't our allies.
They're here to make us into puppets.
Hmm?
She enjoys this sort of thing. Drudging up your own memories to force you into submission.
"She"?
Yeah, a dismal creature who enjoys watching others fall apart from the shadows.
The world hath no lack of such miscreants.
If those things defeat us, our NIMPH will break down and we'll become nothing more than puppets.
She planted all these blackboxes throughout my body because she didn't want to lose her puppet again.
Thou speakest as if from experience.
Yes, it happened to me before.
Not really, but they make you unable to attack.
You were the one I saw when this happened to me.
I knew it was fake, of course, but I still couldn't do it.
... I couldn't bring myself to attack you, because all of my memories are of me hurting you.
...
Thou didst command me to wax stronger,
that I may never be controlled.
I have lived long by that creed,
and now know I am the master of mine own blade.
None can wield me.
I have lived freely, by mine own discretion guided.
Thus I pray thee, say not thou hast wounded me.
...
Now, we need but slay the rabble there, do we not?
Yeah. They're not real, of course, so don't hesitate.
... Let's do it.
Haha!
...
Sumptuous is too cold a word for such a dream as this, one that surpasseth all description.
The sisters rush forward.
With their swords in hand, they cut down their enemies.
They flow like water, effortlessly dodging the enemy's assault.
They strike like lightning, slaying their foes with swift cruelty.
They move like flower petals carried on the wind.
The sisters act in perfect harmony, as if they are one body.
The enemies' assault intensifies, crashing down like a tidal wave of swords from all directions.
The sisters stand back-to-back.
Neither looks back, their eyes fixed only straight ahead,
because they each know that behind them stands the greatest swordswoman there ever was,
and that all they have to do is defeat the enemies right in front of them.
They slash, cut, and stab again and again and again.
The water's surface shakes violently.
Only the clang of clashing swords fills the air.
Occasionally, the sound of the sisters' breathing can be heard, mixed with laughter the two are unable to contain.
Then, at long last,
there is complete silence,
and the water's surface grows calm.
The sisters gaze at each other.
They break into wide, beaming smiles.
Flower petals in full bloom begin to fall from the trees.
They rustle as they fall, as if shedding everything that had held them back.
The older sister slowly approaches
and embraces her beloved little sister.
"Flowers are fleetly fading."
I always hated that saying.
It feels so... stingy.
Do they really have to be so fleeting? It's just cruel.
I mean, what's the rush?
...
Well, my time ended long ago, and I already wilted.
But at least I was given one more day to bloom again.
And that was today.
... What, goest thou now?
Yeah, I have to.
Take care, Scarlet, my little flower of a sister whom I love so much.
I'm going to place one last curse on you.
Live a happy life.
Rose's body turns into red petals and vanishes.
Scarlet embraces Rose even tighter.
The red petals flutter down quietly,
until the last petal gently settles upon the water's surface,
causing a tiny ripple.
Scarlet opens her eyes.
5. Echoes of the Past
187 linesOne corner of the dark space is bustling with noise.
The girl and Marian watch the battle taking place around the Lift.
Leviathan narrowly manages to seize control of the nearby Dark Matter and create a massive wall to block the wave.
However, it soon reaches its limit. Just before the wall collapses, Ziz envelops everyone and soars into the sky.
Liberalio's body unleashes a swift, high-pressure torrent of water from one of its tentacles, sending Ziz crashing down.
Without giving the fallen party a moment to recover, Liberalio's body continues to blast jets of water from its tentacles.
At such a staggering size and height,
it does not dodge any of their attacks
It merely looks down with contempt and shoots blasts of water.
It is enormous, durable, and powerful,
to an unprecedented degree.
It does not possess any special abilities, or rather cannot use them,
as it lacks a brain to utilize all of its functions.
As such, it can do nothing but unleash attack after attack.
Liberalio was the second Heretic ever created.
Unlike the first Heretic, Anachiro, who was created almost by chance,
the second Heretic was created with clear intent, focus, and with everything available at the time.
And now, its overwhelming power is being fully unleashed.
Altruia and Egovista watch the scene from afar.
...
Commander... Everyone...
I've made up my mind.
I'm going over there.
What...?
They're weak.
I'm strong.
I will go kill that thing in the sky, steal the gene, and become the Queen.
Yeah... That's what I've decided.
... Why?
Because I have to save them.
...
...
But...
do you want to become the Queen?
... No. I don't want to.
But I have to.
We can't let that thing be the Queen.
I felt something when I fought it.
It only wants one thing.
To kill everything except what it created.
It will kill everyone...
And try to start over.
... I don't want that. So I have to do it. I have to become the Queen.
What do you want?
A world where my friends and family are alive.
No, I don't mean that.
I wasn't asking what kind of world you want to create.
I want you to tell me what you really want.
...
I want to live together with my sisters.
I want to spend time with Daddy and Mommy.
I want them to hug me, and take me places.
I want to laugh every day, and have fun.
... Wow, you are deeply loved.
...
Yeah.
They give me hugs.
They hugged me so much.
Can you not do those things if you become the Queen?
You really don't know anything, huh?
The Queen has to build the world together with the Seven Arbiters.
That's her duty.
She can't do anything else.
... I won't be able to ask for hugs.
I won't be able to go out to play, or even laugh.
I'll be lonely.
...
But I still have to do it.
I am the only one who can defeat that thing.
I have to do it.
If I don't, that thing will take over the world.
...
Marian slowly approaches the girl.
She sees the emotion in her seemingly empty eyes.
She quietly embraces the girl.
... The idea of becoming the Queen is really weighing on you.
Yeah.
You're just a child who loves to play around and be hugged.
Yeah.
And you're planning on giving that up for the ones you love.
Yeah.
But it's okay.
My sisters...
have shown me so much love.
So it's okay. I can become the Queen for them.
...
Marian embraces the girl even tighter.
The girl closes her eyes and lets her body yield to the comforting warmth.
You're a good person too.
Everyone is good.
... But they are weak.
That's why I have to become the Queen.
Marian feels a heartbeat.
Two heartbeats.
Two comforting scents.
Both are familiar, and a wave of nostalgia rushes over her.
... Oh.
I know this feeling...
... Rapi.
And... the Commander?
Yeah. Mommy and Daddy.
... What?
They're my mommy and daddy.
Is that... so?
Marian closes her eyes.
She surrenders herself to the nostalgia,
to that warm and deeply familiar feeling.
Hug me tighter.
Daddy must really like you.
Marian embraces the girl even tighter.
She feels her mind going blank,
as if everything is melting away.
She casts everything she is into that feeling.
Your head is glowing.
Marian's bandages begin to glow.
And then..
No. I don't want to listen.
No! I don't want to. I don't want that.
I want to be with the Commander.
So don't... please don't leave me.
I want to be together with you.
... Are you going to shoot me?
Haha. I know you, Commander. You can't shoot me.
You couldn't shoot me then, and you can't shoot me now.
You're a warm person. A kind person.
Over... here.
Comman...der!
Thank you... for your... bandage.
Please don't worry.
I will protect you.
Commander, I could use another bandage here as well.
BA-01 down! BA-01 down!
Please respond! We've been shot down!
... You want to be a Commander?
Why would you wanna be something like that?
I heard they don't make much money, and it's really dangerous.
...
Well, I'll root for you anyway. And your dream.
If...
And this is a big if...
If I ever become a Nikke...
I hope you'll be my Commander.
What's your name?
Commander? Haha, that's a weird name.
Oh, I haven't even introduced myself.
You can call me...
Hey...
Are you crying?
Oh...
Ohhh...
That's right...
I wanted to create a world where he wouldn't die.
A world where he could live happily.
A world where he could smile.
It's been so long...
A seemingly never-ending loop...
That's why...
I wanted to create a world where everyone can love one another.
A world where no one gets hurt, and no one hurts others.
A world filled with love.
That was what I wanted to create.
I have a favor to ask.
What is it?
Give me your Queen Gene.
... You want it?
Yeah.
No. You're too weak.
I was.
But not anymore.
Now I know what I have to...
No, not "have to." Now I know what I want to do.
More clearly than I ever have.
So I'm not weak anymore.
I can win.
The girl gently pushes Marian away and takes a step back.
She looks at Marian, who is gazing back at her.
She fidgets with her fingers.
...
Can I really give it to you?
Yeah.
The girl fidgets with her fingers more,
then shakes her head firmly.
Everyone's so weak.
They can't even beat that thing's minions.
Listen to me.
They are never going to lose,
because they are the Goddesses of Victory.
6. Power Awakened: A
48 linesThe assault from the transformed Liberalio continues,
overwhelming us with its staggering firepower.
But...
Commander!
I know! Its pattern is simple! It just keeps using the same attacks!
We can think of it as just a Tyrant, but a little stronger!
Since when did they become "just" Tyrants?!
Ever since the three of us teamed up!
Aw, that's actually touching! I like that!
Let's go, everyone!
Its attack pattern is definitely simple. It doesn't seem to be thinking at all.
There's no easier enemy to fight than a stupid one.
...
What? Why'd you go quiet all of a sudden?
Let's finish this quickly and then kill those two who are sneering behind us.
Altruia and Egovista continue to watch our battle from afar.
I can't make out Altruia's facial expression,
but Egovista is smiling.
Egovista gets on my nerves.
Y-yeah. She acts like she's way better than us.
Look at her all smug, just standing over there watching.
Don't get distracted. What we're fighting may not have a brain, but it's still the transformed body of an Offspring.
Tch, the Offsprings are no match for us now!
C'mon, no more holding back. Let's end this now!
Agreed.
Four Beasts! Transform!
...
...
...
Huh? Why didn't anyone transform?
Why are you the one giving the signal? You can't even transform.
Because it'd look cool if everyone transformed as soon as I, the astute Bahamut, gave the command.
It'd make me look like a leader.
*Sigh...*
Fine. Give the signal again.
Much appreciated, Levi.
Four Beasts! Transform!
Transform!
Transfooorm!
Would you all stop shouting? It's embarrassing.
A dark light bursts forth as they transform.
We're up next!
My fellow Seven Dwarves sister! Let's go!
...! Excellent!
... Should we shout something too?
How about... "Neo-Star!"?
Nah. Let's just go.
Okay.
7. Power Awakened: B
324 linesTarget down!
Rip out the core! It's the only way to stop it from regenerating!
Behemoth! Grab on!
Time to fly!
*Vrrrrrr!*
Rapi deploys Seven Dwarves Zero and soars into the sky while carrying Behemoth.
They fly up to until they are in front of Liberalio's body's falling core, where she deploys her drill.
I'll use the drill to grind down the area around the core, then you rip it out with your claws!
Okay! Leave it to me!
Pierce through it!
*Booom!*
A massive beam of light flashes past Rapi and Behemoth as they charge forward.
And pierces right through the core of Liberalio's body and the surrounding parts.
Liberalio's body begins to crumble and vanish.
Pierced right through it.
I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to Seven Dwarves.
I use Seven Dwarves too.
...
Rapi and Behemoth land on the ground.
Everyone takes a step forward.
They gaze at Altruia and Egovista.
Magnificent.
They defeated the one once hailed as the strongest, mindless though it may have been...
I can feel myself being moved to tears.
'Tis our cue to fight.
I had thought to reserve my strength...
Though, I grant little could be expected of the aged Sea Nettle.
In the end, the weightiest matters are best dispatched by one's own hand.
Where's the Queen?
You needn't concern yourself with the safety of our great mother.
The only thing within your power is to choose how you perish here.
Is she hiding in the Lift?
...!
Mother neither flees nor hides!
Your mother is a spineless coward.
She couldn't win on her own, so she stole Liliweiss's body.
Now that I hear it out loud, she's basically a common thief.
!
Hold thy tongue. I'll hear no more.
I had thought only to watch, in pity, thine attempt to prolong thy time.
But I cannot abide such slander of our mother.
In what manner wouldst thou have me cleave thy pate? Vertically? Horizontally? Perhaps diagonally?
Why don't you ask your mommy?
...!
Altruia and Egovista charge forward, their faces contorted in rage.
What're you trying to do by provoking them? We're all exhausted.
They're the ones stalling for time. They clearly have some sort of plan.
Still, you should find other ways to provoke someone moving forward.
Levi. Ziz. Are you okay?
... I'm all right.
M-me too. I think.
I, the wise Bahamut, am perfectly fine. Because I did not fight.
You know, the new Heretics the Queen made...
are probably even bigger monsters than the Offsprings.
A-are you scared?
Who said I'm scared?!
The two Heretics draw increasingly closer.
Altruia deploys a massive electromagnetic field and pushes it forward.
Egovista charges in as if ready to bring down her sword at any moment.
Counters and Snow White, you handle Altruia. You've fought her before, which should make her relatively easier to handle.
Four Beasts, you take Egovista. She's skilled in close-quarters combat, so Behemoth will have to bear the brunt of it.
Everyone nods.
The Heretics get even closer.
Soon, they will be within firing range.
Everyone, g—
Squander not thy vigor upon trifles.
Leave this to us.
A shining golden barrier appears before us.
And at its center,
there stands a saint, shining brighter than everything else.
Sorry to keep you waiting. Everything will be okay now.
Then the swordswoman casually steps in front of us.
Take a moment's respite. I shall fell them in a single stroke.
Scarlet...! Rapunzel...!
Reserve thy tears till a later hour.
We need to teach these impostors a lesson first.
Scarlet and Rapunzel gaze at the incoming Altruia and Egovista,
then dash forward.
It is an honor to finally meet you, Rapunzel.
... How vulgar.
Sister Noah's shields are not something the likes of you should imitate.
I will destroy them.
Light shoots out from the halo floating behind Rapunzel.
At the same time, Rapunzel charges forward.
Altruia and Rapunzel clash, both having deployed their barriers.
The air is filled with the sound of battle.
Golden and green particles scatter about violently.
What seemed like a close back-and-forth quickly tilts to one side.
... I'm being overwhelmed...? Me?
I told you. You are not worthy to bear those shields.
Suddenly, there is a loud hum.
The red components on part of Rapunzel's halo begin to glow.
She floats into the air and surges forward with a ferocious momentum.
As Rapunzel pushes forward, Altruia's barrier grows thinner and dimmer.
Oh my. You seem to be the type who crumbles when someone pushes back.
Hehe! I suppose I shall have to keep pushing, then.
Harder and harder... until you fall! Haha!
...
Rapunzel advances, and Altruia is pushed back.
*Ksshhkkk!*
With a sound like shattering glass, Altruia's barrier erupts into pieces.
Still deploying her shield, Rapunzel closes in.
A massive energy barrier strikes Altruia head on.
You're nothing but a false saint.
I am protected by our great mother. I will never suffer defeat.
Two arms extending from Altruia's back thrust forward.
*Grnnnggg*
They pierce through Rapunzel's shield. The arms are burnt to a crisp, turning into charcoal.
But they regenerate almost instantly.
Altruia's hands grab hold of Rapunzel's head.
Oh my! T-taking my head in your hands for a... k-kiss? At such a time as this?
I'm going to generate shields from both of my hands and crush your head.
*Bam!*
A loud crack echoes as a portion of Altruia's head vanishes.
As her head regenerates, Altruia stares at Rapunzel in astonishment.
Her gaze shifts above Rapunzel's head.
She sees a staff.
The red parts mounted on the head of the staff are vibrating.
*Vooooom*
The head of the staff is vibrating so intensely that it appears blurry.
Ultrasonic... vibrations?
Golden light pours out from the red parts.
Accelerated by the thrust, the staff strikes downward with explosive energy.
*Bammm!*
It smashes into Altruia's head.
Altruia is slammed into the ground, leaving a deep crater.
The hum of the vibration continues.
...
Oh wow... Th-this sound is a bit... dangerous. *Gasp*
I-I can flip this switch to make the vibrations even stronger.
Sh-should I flip it?
*Click*
*Vooooom*
*Rrrrrrr*
The staff vibrates even more intensely. Altruia struggles desperately against the vibrations of the staff pressing down on her head.
*Gnnnggghhh*
Aaaggghhh!
By the way, aren't you going to transform?
There's something I've been wanting to do.
I want to locate the weak point of a huge, powerful enemy,
and... assault it with my staff... Haha... hahaha!
This is... humiliating!
Utterly... humiliating!
*Clank!*
The clear sound of steel rings through the air.
...!
'Tis thee, the Heretic who dared to mimic myself and Isabel.
Scarlet...!
I have yearned to make acquaintance with thee. Thou knowest not...
... how I have sought to bandy blows with thee!
*Clank, clank, clank!*
Scarlet and Egovista exchange sword strikes.
They attack faster than the eye can follow, yet neither yields an inch.
Oh...! What a delight! Verily, the sword is mightier than all else!
The clash of two swords conveys so much without words!
Indeed, a single clang of steel says far more than a hundred words ever could! Hahaha!
...
A sword is but an instrument of death. How canst thou imagine it serve for discourse?
Ha, haha! I fear I did esteem thee too highly. I spake as if thou wert of understanding!
In truth, I have heretofore heard such an idle musing. Though I knew it a fiction, it held some likelihood of truth.
However, it doth suppose adversaries alike in strength.
Alas, thou art far too feeble.
... Thy sister was pitiful.
But a single strike of my sword did cleave her in twain.
The spectacle of her falling to the ground proved most amusing.
...
Egovista raises her sword.
She brings it down with all her might.
Scarlet lowers her stance and swiftly sheathes her sword at the same time.
Then, the moment she blinks and opens her eyes,
Egovista's sword is sliced in two and sent flying away through the air.
Sheathing her sword, Scarlet rises to her feet.
... What?
Egovista falls to her knees.
*Crack*
Her right shoulder splits open, and black liquid spurts out.
Cursed... human... imposter...
Thou art drunk with a love of the blade,
yet depend upon thy brawn alone to wield it.
'Tis unbefitting the name of swordsmanship. Desist henceforth to call it such.
It abashes me to hear thee speak.
Silence... imposter...! Do not slander... my sword...!
It is a mystery where thou learned to wield a sword in so lamentable a manner.
... Oh, I understand.
Thy mother, so filled with dread of swords after I severed her head,
settled her opinion of what a sword should be, and thus fashioned thee.
A confluence of prejudice and her own capricious ideals.
Haha. How ridiculous.
Ye call us imposters,
yet imitate us and desire to resemble us.
Does that not make you human imposter imposters, as the phrase is?
...!
...
...
As you wish.
I shall grant your request.
*Screeeech!*
!!
!!
I have heard this before...
... The Queen's calling signal.
*Whoosh!*
The fallen Altruia and Egovista spring up into the air.
They instantly widen the distance between us and stare in our direction.
... Mother summons us.
I will never forget this humiliation.
We shall see you dead. I swear.
Every last one of you.
Altruia and Egovista retreat toward the Lift from where the sound originated.
Shortly after, they disappear inside the Lift.
Scarlet and Rapunzel turn around.
Just as they are about to smile and say something,
Snow White steps forward.
Scarlet... Rapunzel.
...
...
Come quicker next time.
Must thou quench all cheer?
I feel silly for expecting anything else.
Wherefore art thou girt with such store of weapons? Art thou an armory? Show some restraint.
You're... not wearing any pants. You're finally starting to see things the way I do...!
What about you two? What's with all the stuff you've got?
Don't rely too much on your equipment.
... Thou has bereft me of all words.
Equipment is extremely important—essential, really, to bridge a difference in ability.
... Welcome back, you two.
I'm so relieved to see you again.
Ah, 'tis refreshing to hear. Thou alone dost offer so sincere a greeting.
You seem even brawnier than when I last saw you, Believer.
If you don't mind, may I touch... I mean... lick... I mean! May I massage you?
That's the word you decided to go with?
Neither of you has changed a bit, I see.
Yeah.
A great while has passed since last we met, Counters. Ye are all finely attired, I see.
... I can feel it. You've all grown stronger.
...
... Wait. Rapi. Thou art... changed...
Ooh, is this new outfit of hers to your liking? You never spoke of such things before, but now...
...
Red Hood?
Rapi quietly nods her head.
I have a lot to tell you two.
Yeah. We'd love to hear all about it.
By the way, who are these brazen sisters in black? They seem to be quite... bold.
Huh? Brazen?
They're the Four Beasts. They've agreed to help us in this fight.
... Er, they're Heretics, but they're on our side. You can trust them.
...
... I see. Thou art of a right sociable nature, my lord.
For what reason? Being now arrived, should we not press forward?
I agree. It's a little anticlimactic to stop now.
The Third Surface Reclamation War...?
What...?
I'll explain the details later.
We're in the middle of enemy territory. Now's not the time.
'Tis strange to hear such words from thy mouth.
Hehe, agreed.
Still, it wasn't all bad. We made quite the entrance, after all.
We did, indeed.
...
...
Thou hast grown tender in our absence.
See?
They will never lose.
They're sure to win.
...
Then...
I, uh...
Can I keep cuddling with everyone?
Yeah.
And go to new places,
and eat yummy food,
and laugh a lot,
and run around every day?
Yeah.
Really? Can I?
Yeah.
...
You're allowed to keep living, surrounded by love.
...
You know...
I really don't want to be the Queen.
Then I'll do it.
For all those you care for, of course,
but also for everyone. I'll create a world where no one dies.
A world where everyone loves and is loved in return.
The girl stares intently at Marian.
After nodding, she places her hand over her chest.
Her core glows red as black light drifts around it.
It moves toward Marian.
Thank you.
I'm going to do it. I promise.
8. Decisive Battle
261 linesTwo Annihilios have been confirmed destroyed.
Only one remains.
... You managed to shoot down two of those missiles while holding back all those Raptures at the same time?
Yeah, Matis and the Ark Rangers did.
The Ark is pretty impressive.
It's amazing is what it is.
Captain.
Yes?
Could you position us below the missile?
... Come again?
Whoa. You're gonna aim right for the power core, aren't you?
You're very perceptive.
That's right. I can shoot it straight from below.
No need to go through the hassle of stripping off all that armor.
Wow ★ That's not something that just anyone would try to do.
Perhaps, but I can do it.
Hm...
Yeah, let's do it! We'll dive beneath that Heretic and match her rate of descent!
*Whoosh!*
Dorothy watches the scenery outside the window tilt sharply.
Hmm. It looks like we're making a steep turn. But I don't feel anything.
That's right! ♥ We retrofitted the bridge with active gimbal technology.
You can even drink tea in here without worrying about spilling ★
Speaking of, would you like a cup?
Just like last time, I'll have it when I get back.
Hehe, all right! I'll have a warm cup of plum blossom tea waiting for you.
Dorothy looks up from the deck of the Wings of Victory.
Annihilio is plummeting down at breakneck speed.
Dorothy raises her arm and aims at the sky.
*Boom!*
A beam of light erupts from Dorothy's gun barrel,
and pierces straight through Annihilio.
Annihilio's posture falters. The light and flames spewing from her are completely extinguished.
... That was amazing. You hit the power source with a single shot.
But don't forget that there's a separate main body.
Of course.
Right. But if the warhead falls to the ground, the chemical payload will—
It's okay. I shot through the detonator while I was at it.
... "Amazing" doesn't begin to do you justice.
No kidding.
Annihilio continues to fall.
Dorothy waits. She waits for Annihilio's armor to peel away and expose the main body.
A piece of metal clanks as it flies off.
Then another, and another...
All of Annihilio's armor is stripped away.
Then, from within,
Monks with red eyes come pouring down.
... Huh?
... What?
N-Nikkes...?!
What the...?
Now then...
Shall we make some new friends?
Dorothy watches the red-eyed monks pouring down.
There are 42 in total.
Their eyes are red. They are corrupted.
Nikkes who have succumbed to corruption and can never return.
She has to shoot them.
But she hesitates for just a brief moment.
Taking advantage of the opening in that flash of an instant,
one of the monks rushes forward,
and thrusts the thorn in her hand directly into Dorothy.
Hngh...!
*Thud, thud, thud!*
The monks land on the deck.
Some of their gazes shift towards the bridge.
Agh...!
Dorothy fires at them,
one after another after another.
The red-eyed monks fall.
They vanish, emitting a blue light.
No one leave the bridge under any circumstances!
Dorothy runs.
She pushes her way through all of the red-eyed monks.
Fortunately, their individual combat capabilities are not that high.
She feels confident she can defeat them without much trouble.
However...
Dorothy lets out a hollow, empty laugh,
and then points her weapon at the monks and shoots.
...
The monks are completely annihilated.
They leave behind no trace, almost as if they never even existed.
Dorothy gasps as she struggles to breathe.
Her body is tingling.
Her vision is tinged with red.
She looks down at her hands.
They are trembling ever so slightly.
Dorothy! Dorothy!
Wait! I'm coming right now!
Doro... thy.
But... the corruption...
Divert! Head back to the Ark!
Stop! You can't bring a corrupted Nikke back to the Ark!
B-but...
Dorothy's breathing grows ragged.
The symptoms are progressing rapidly, more so than she's ever seen before.
... It must be... a modified strain... for war...
Dorothy lifts her head.
She sees the vast surface stretching out beyond the deck.
After a few moments,
Dorothy pulls a pistol from her pocket and places it below her chin.
Stop!
!!
Stop! Don't pull that trigger! I'm going to kill you if you do!
Comman...der...
Run, Dorothy! Run!
Run as far away as you can!
... Commander, the corruption will erase me...
Shut up and run! Get away from there!
I promise you right now...!
I'll bring you back!
I promise!
...
We have plenty of options!
So don't shoot! Put the gun down, damn it!
Put it down! Don't shoot!
... Commander.
We'll find you...!
We'll find you and bring you back!
That's a promise, Dorothy.
Believe in me.
Believe in me, your Commander.
... I will. I swear.
Dorothy tosses the pistol aside.
She runs towards the edge of the deck,
and throws herself into the sky.
... Wait for me, Dorothy. I'll come find you.
... Yes, Commander.
She disappears from view.
...
Dorothy...
Arrrgggh!
*Bam!*
Andersen slams his fist down onto the table.
Damn it! Damn the Queen, that bitch!
Calm down. You still haven't fully recovered, so don't get too worked up.
...
I don't care.
*Bam! Bam! Crash!*
Andersen goes on a rampage as he sends furniture flying—chairs, the table, and whatever else he can get off the ground.
Watching Andersen, Burningum feels both shocked and worried.
After a while, Andersen stops his outburst.
Burningum gets into position,
ready to catch Andersen the moment he collapses.
...
... What the?
Burningum stares intently at Andersen from behind.
Something is wrong.
Burningum stares even more intently at Andersen, trying to identify what feels off.
Suddenly, he figures it out.
Andersen's breathing hasn't faltered in the slightest.
His shoulders aren't heaving, and he's not breathing raggedly.
Burningum freezes.
Silence fills the briefing room.
*Clang!*
Something metallic drops to the floor.
For a moment, Burningum feels as if his heart dropped along with it.
He looks down.
That's...!
He sees the thing that had been restraining his hero,
that cursed mechanical device, now lying on the floor.
...
Andersen... Your... life support device... just fell...
... I don't need it anymore.
I just get that feeling.
Andersen turns around.
Burningum takes a look at Andersen and immediately takes a few steps back.
He rubs his eyes.
His physical appearance hasn't changed,
but there's now an energy emanating from his face and posture, a certain vitality.
Standing before Burningum is the man who was both his hero and his ideal,
the legendary Commander.
... Let's go up.
To the surface.
Light illuminates the black space.
Marian embraces the core and the gene.
She entrusts her consciousness to memories that are becoming clearer.
My name?
Yes. I've got to call you something, don't I?
Uh... well.
Everyone used to call me No. 7.
So should I call you No. 7? That feels weird.
Yeah, it does feel a little weird.
...
You said your dream was to become a commander, right?
Yeah.
I made a promise with that child.
... What child?
... Hmm. I'm sorry. I can't really remember.
But...
I remember she was incredibly dear to me.
... I see.
...
Then, I will call you Commander.
Er, I'm not so sure about that.
It'd be kind of embarrassing when I just graduated from the military academy yesterday.
So what? It's just the two of us.
It should be fine, right?
... All right. "Commander" it is.
Now, what should I call you?
I'm...
Maria...
... Wow.
You're so beautiful.
You really look like a Queen.
Hehe. Thank you.
Marian gazes at the sky outside the window.
There is a radiance in her eyes that sparkles, as though the whole world is in her embrace.
Commander.
This time...
I promise to keep you safe.
... Wait. Everyone, hold on.
What's wrong, Levi?
... It's moving.
The Lift.
I turn my head and look back.
The monumental Lift is wriggling, covered in Dark Matter.
... It's enough to warp your sense of reality, seeing something that massive moving like liquid.
... What's it doing?
Y-you don't think it's...
The way it's moving... Yeah.
It's transforming.
Suddenly from the Lift,
a shockwave erupts together with black light.
I squeeze my eyes shut,
and then open them a moment later.
The colossal Lift is gone, now vanished without a trace.
Instead, filling my entire field of vision,
is something so enormous that I can't even take it all in at once.
...
...
...
... She's mocking us.
... Indeed, she flouts us downright.
You know, I don't think I've ever been this angry in my entire life.
Nor I...!
Towering before us is the statue of the Goddess of Victory.
... It's moving.
The statue of the Goddess of Victory moves.
It changes directions,
and then slowly starts to advance forward.
The ground trembles, and the air itself seems to shriek.