4 4 301 DialogEnable 1 The young man departs alone, leaving the road paved with the Red Tide and crimson vital fluid behind.
5 5 301 A chilling breeze carries quiet sobbing from a distant alleyway, whispering the tragic tales of the survivors.
6 6 301 ...It will not be long before the Red Tide floods this place.
7 7 301 Noan is about to catch up with the retreating groups to check on them before realizing that he might just lead more disasters to the few remaining survivors.
8 8 301 In the end, all he can do is leave.
9 9 301 Noan ... 1
10 10 301 He feels an intense pain in his chest. Vital fluid is dripping from the tear on his frame.
11 11 301 To stop the Corruptted from going for the wounded, the powerless "Ascendant" gave it his all in that endless battle.
12 12 301 His fragile armor broke after receiving several hits, revealing the underlying mechanical structure.
13 13 301 Noan can feel his internal parts exposed to the air through the gap in his chest. He will not escape the Red Tide the next time he is attacked.
90 90 301 DialogEnable 1 Noan ...I suppose they're just difficult to achieve. 1
91 91 301 Summer The Noan I know doesn't give up just because something is hard. 2
92 92 301 Summer And what you really want is to become a hero, isn't it? 2
93 93 204 1 3
94 94 301 Noan ...Don't be ridiculous. 1
95 95 301 Summer But you've always wanted to turn this place around and help everyone... How can you give up on something like this? It's engraved in your soul! 2
96 96 301 Noan It's engraved on my soul? 1
97 97 301 Summer Yeah! It's leaking from your soul through your skin and has written "hero" on your forehead. I can't even laugh about it. 2
98 98 301 Noan ... 1
99 99 301 Summer I'm going to ask you again—what do you want to be in the future, Noan? 2
128 128 301 —But what if this path is unalterable as well?
129 129 301 The things he has seen and the lives devoured by the Red Tide are plainly declaring their plans—to give up the weak through the filtering.
130 130 301 Once Noan becomes part of them, it seems obvious how much freedom and space he will actually get to act as he wishes.
131 131 301 Rachel chose to work with those in power, and she ended up being constrained by them.
132 132 301 Much like her, the slightest accident could end up hurting the people he cares about the most and regretting it for the rest of his life.
133 133 301 Noan ...No. That's not what I want... 1
134 134 301 —!
135 135 301 Noan ...? 1
136 136 301 Noan can hear a muffled voice somewhere from behind.
137 137 301 —Ascendant—?!
138 138 301 The voice is asking something anxiously.
139 139 301 Noan ...Ascendant... 1
140 140 301 ...Whoever has seen the scene of slaughter and how the people were attacked would reasonably suspect that the only person who made it out alive was the culprit.
141 141 301 —Don't move! Put down—!
142 142 301 ...Noan is still being pursued.
143 143 301 That is why Noan must not stop. If his "anomaly" goes haywire again, he cannot tell if it will fail or get out of control. He does not wish to hurt another person with it.
144 144 301 Noan ... 1
145 145 202 1
146 146 301 He must hurry. Once he crosses the street lamp ahead, Noan will enter the vast darkness ahead, and he will be free to welcome his ending in the unknown land alone.
147 147 401 100 2 1510
148 148 401 120 2 1510
149 149 401 100 2 1510
150 150 301 RImgBg1Shake Noan should not have stopped, but gunshots replace the voice behind him, grazing his shoulder and leaving behind two lines of blood.
151 151 201 1 500507
152 152 301 1 The sudden sharp pain pulls Noan out of his head and wakes him from his chaotic mind. He finally hears what the voice is saying.
153 153 301 —This is your last warning! Stay there!
154 154 301 Noan ... 1
155 155 301 Noan ...Last warning? 1
156 156 301 —I'll be forced to shoot you if you insist on going to the Ascendants!
157 157 301 Does the owner of the voice think Noan is one of the deserters?
158 158 301 Noan ...Fair. 1
159 159 401 2 1511
160 160 301 AniZhuanchangBegin He stops running, pulling his already-loosened chest armor off.
163 163 301 DialogEnable With a self-mocking smile, Noan slowly looks up.
164 164 301 Noan If that was your last warning, then I ask of you... don't miss next time.
165 165 301 All the regrets that have been slumbering in his lost memories merge with the sin he is about to commit, paving the path to the future.
166 166 301 His soul has died, having given up his dreams, now awaiting his body to perish along with it. If that is the case, Noan sees no fault in entrusting his fate to the duty-bounded executioner.
167 167 301 Noan ...What's wrong? Why don't you shoot?
168 168 302 Are you... the Construct who lost his memories back in the base? 169
169 169 301 Noan ...I am.
170 170 302 What happened at the medical center? 171
171 171 301 Noan You're asking me...?
172 172 302 There's no one else here. 173 I should get the facts straight before I convict you. 173
173 173 301 Noan Do you think I'll tell the truth?
174 174 302 I trust my judgment. 175 Speak first, then I'll decide. 175
175 175 301 Noan ...
176 176 302 Our main objective this time is to investigate Ascendants and deserters. 177
177 177 302 We received a rescue request during our mission. 178
178 178 302 And we detected Ascendant activities in the vicinity. 179
179 179 302 The people in Medical Center 09 told us there was a deserter working with the Ascendants. 180
180 180 302 Were they talking about you? 181
181 181 301 Noan ...Perhaps.
182 182 302 Perhaps? 183
183 183 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 3000 The young man nods, detailing his journey to the person before him.
185 185 302 ...You were made by the Ascendants? 186
186 186 301 DialogEnable Noan ...I was.
187 187 302 So this isn't voluntary. 188
188 188 301 Noan I don't think it means I should be forgiven.
189 189 301 Noan As long as the anomaly in me can't be kept under control, I could easily hurt others again.
190 190 301 Noan To stop that from happening, I believe...
191 191 302 What if it can be controlled? 192
192 192 301 Noan ...That was the idea. I was going to find that Ascendant and seek help regarding how to control this power.
193 193 302 No. I'm asking you to go to Babylonia with me. 194
194 194 302 The researchers there can fix your anomaly. 195
195 195 301 Noan Researchers...
196 196 302 If you do not wish to hurt the innocent... 197
197 197 302 Then stop running and following the Ascendants. 198
198 198 302 You can still choose. 199
199 199 301 Noan I can... still choose?
200 200 302 You can choose to go with me to Babylonia and live. 201
201 201 302 Or you can choose to die here before you become an Ascendant. 202
202 202 301 Noan Does that count as me still being able to choose?
203 203 302 I'm sorry. Those are all the options I can offer. 204
204 204 302 I can't just watch on when another Ascendant is about to be born. 205
205 205 301 Noan ...
206 206 301 Noan Aren't you worried that I'll hurt you or your friends after I come with you?
207 207 302 In your state? 208 I trust my team. 208 I think you're struggling to even move now. 209
208 208 210 301 Noan ...
209 209 301 Noan Perceptive.
210 210 301 Noan Can I ask you something, then?
211 211 302 Go ahead. 212
212 212 301 Noan If I go to Babylonia like you asked, but the researchers there fail to do anything about me—
213 213 301 Noan And I lose my chance to gain the power to control the Punishing Virus that Talbot... or other "deserters" of yours had wished for, along with it the ability to help others...
214 214 301 Noan ...Is it still the correct choice if I give up the power to change simply for what I consider "righteous"?
215 215 302 Of course it is. 216 That's not the power to change. That's you giving in. 216
216 216 302 The researchers' momentary setback doesn't mean there won't be any progress. 217
217 217 302 Every perished soul here died to bring change to our hopeless present. 218
218 218 302 A hopelessness that was caused by the Punishing Virus and the Ascendants. 219
219 219 302 If you wish to become their accomplice in exchange for that power... 220
220 220 302 It's a betrayal and an insult to those who lost their lives! 221
221 221 301 Noan ...
222 222 302 But you already knew that, didn't you? 223
223 223 301 Noan I did.
224 224 301 Noan That answer brought me nothing but confusion... It still does, if I'm being honest.
225 225 301 Even if he understands it, the old dream that sank his heart like an iceberg refuses to melt.
226 226 302 Do you agree with the "filtering" the Ascendants insisted on? 227
227 227 301 Noan Of course I don't. Even the most ordinary lives are equally powerful—they all deserve the right to live and die freely as they wish.
228 228 301 Noan No one should get to make the scale that judges a person's worthiness to live.
229 229 302 Then trust that humans have progressed past that. Trust that our progress will lead you to the future you seek. 230
230 230 302 Even if it's going to take a while. 231
231 231 301 Noan ...
232 232 302 Didn't your message say that you'd hate to turn down my invitation, after all? 233
233 233 302 Time to keep your word.
234 234 301 Noan My message...?
235 235 301 It takes him a second, but Noan remembers leaving behind a note before he left to express his gratitude.
236 236 301 At the end of his message, he wrote—
237 237 301 "I'd hate to turn down your invitation... Once I've regained my memories, I will find you and everyone else who has trusted me to explain who I am."
238 238 301 Noan What a time to bring that up.
239 239 302 Since you still look pretty unsure. 240 Since I want you to come with me. 240 Since I don't want another Ascendant in their ranks. 240
240 240 301 Hearing that, Noan quietly smiles.
241 241 301 Noan ...Alright.
242 242 301 Even with all his worries and doubts regarding going to Babylonia, Noan decides to follow his soul's guidance and chooses one of his few available choices.
243 243 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Noan I'll go to Babylonia with you.
244 244 105 DialogDisable 1000
245 245 201 AniZhuanchangEnd 2 500507
246 246 301 DialogEnable 1 Noan drags his heavily wounded body forward, slowly approaching you.
247 247 301 Just as he is about to cross the dimmed street lamp and hold your hands, he feels a sharp pain on his back.
248 248 401 1 36
249 249 204 1 4
250 250 201 1 500514 -400
251 251 301 RImgBg1Shake 1 Noan ...Aargh! 2
252 252 401 1 102
253 253 301 Red vital fluid spills from his mouth. Noan has to exert himself to turn his scarred shoulder to notice the purple figure behind him.
254 254 301 Noan ...Lithos... you... 2
255 255 204 1 2
256 256 301 Lithos ...
257 257 301 Noan Why... 2
258 258 301 Lithos You... you can't leave me at a time like this...
259 259 302 Who are you?! 260
260 260 301 Lithos does not answer. Instead, his gaze fixes on you as he hides behind the wounded Noan.
261 261 301 Lithos ...Gray... Raven?
262 262 302 You know the Gray Raven symbol? 263
263 263 301 Lithos ...You're a human... from Gray Raven... A commandant? Ravenge?
264 264 302 Ravenge? 265 You know the previous Gray Raven Commandant? 265
265 265 301 Lithos ...Ravenge... that man... is dead.
266 266 301 Lithos Ha...
267 267 202 2 1
268 268 203 1 0.3 -70
269 269 301 300 Lithos quickly pulls out the short sword he used to stab Noan before rushing toward you.
280 280 301 1 Noan tries to stop Lithos, but his frame is too damaged to function properly.
281 281 202 2 1
282 282 203 1 0.25
283 283 301 Lithos ...It's a surprise that you're still standing, given how broken you are. 1
284 284 302 (Open Fire) 285
285 285 401 2 1510
286 286 203 1 0.1 -80
287 287 301 Lithos ...That won't do anything. 1
288 288 301 Lithos easily dodges your shots as if he can predict the trajectories of the bullets.
289 289 301 Right as you are about to enter combat with the unknown Construct with your delicate flesh and blood, a familiar figure appears out of nowhere, dashing between you and countering the enemy's strike with her blade.
303 303 301 His identity, his name, and his character are all known to her. She, therefore, does not hesitate to attack the "frail-looking" figure unrelentingly, forcing Lithos back with her aggressive strikes.
304 304 204 1 2
305 305 301 Lithos ...Lucia? 1
306 306 301 For some reason, Lithos looks amazed before being lost in confusion.
307 307 204 1
308 308 301 Lithos Wait... You're already... 1
309 309 202 1 1
310 310 203 2 0.25
311 311 302 1 You know who that is, Lucia? 312
312 312 301 Lucia I've mentioned him to you, Commandant. 2
313 313 301 Lucia He's the Ascendant that Commandant Ravenge connected to. 2
314 314 302 Ascendant? 315 Wait, that's him? 316
315 315 323 301 Lucia That's right. That tragedy wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been manipulating Ravenge and the people in power! 2
316 316 301 Lucia That's right. He didn't look like this when I met him back then. 2
317 317 203 2 0.25 -400
318 318 201 1 500507 400
319 319 301 1 Noan Cough... 1
320 320 301 Noan laughs drily despite the tension and his injury, covering it with his cough.
321 321 202 1 1
322 322 203 2 0.25
323 323 302 Can he shapeshift like Lamia? 324
324 324 301 Lucia I think he just changed his coating. 2
325 325 301 Lucia points at the "decoration" on Lithos' neck.
326 326 301 Lucia His face and his frame are still the same. 2
327 327 302 ... 328
328 328 301 Lucia It was my mistake not making sure you were actually dead before. 2
329 329 203 2 0.25 -400
330 330 201 1 500514 2 400
331 331 301 1 Lithos I... wasn't the only person who wasn't actually dead, was I? 1
332 332 204 1
333 333 301 Lithos I remember now... 1
334 334 301 Lithos The Lucia who became an Ascendant and you... Ha... 1
335 335 301 Lithos We were both awakened in the same way... but unlike you, that other me was actually dead. 1
336 336 204 1 2
337 337 301 Lithos Tell me... why are you here, Lucia? 1
338 338 301 Lucia We received a rescue request. 2
339 339 301 Lucia I assume the Corrupted that trapped those people were your doing. 2
340 340 301 Lithos ...Did you save them? 1
341 341 301 Lucia Of course I did! Even the people from the nearby bases came to help. I don't know why you were targeting them, but rest assured most of them have been treated and safely transferred away. 2
342 342 301 Lithos ...That's fine. I don't need them anymore, now that it's come to this. 1
343 343 301 Lucia I'm not going to let you go today, no matter what you're planning. If you're here, then your "Paper Crane" is also nearby, isn't it? 2
344 344 301 Lithos ...Ha. You still remember "her"? 1
345 345 301 Lucia Bring it out. I'll take care of both of you at the same time. 2
346 346 204 1
347 347 301 Lithos No. Forgive me... Lucia. 1
348 348 204 1 2
349 349 301 Lithos I've found a way to coexist with humans now. I won't make the mistake I made all those years ago. 1
350 350 301 Lucia You've found a way? What is it? 2
351 351 301 Lithos A secret, for now. 1
352 352 301 Lithos I'm only searching for companions who can travel this "way" with me. 1
353 353 301 Lithos Once it is complete, I will gladly die. 1
366 366 301 Lithos Kill me here if you want. I'll still wake up as I did before. 1
367 367 301 Lithos So let's not waste time on these meaningless fights. 1
368 368 301 Lucia Don't you go away! 2
369 369 301 Lucia dashes forward and strikes. Right before her blade hit Lithos, her vision suddenly becomes a kaleidoscope of lights, images reflecting and refracting as if filtered through a cracked gemstone.
386 386 301 Lucia dashes forward and strikes. Right before her blade hit Lithos, her vision suddenly turns into a kaleidoscope of lights, images reflecting and refracting as if filtered through a cracked gemstone.
387 387 301 Lucia ...My visual module is being interfered with!
