While your conversation with Shadow may have shed light on a few things... it's obvious he doesn't think you all are up to the task of saving the universe from Eggman. Which also means that now you're dealing with his test, starting immediately. Some of you may be whisked away with no time to even blink, while others may find themselves wandering the Void aimlessly. Regardless, it seems this week won't be a particularly easy one.
THE VOID
Nothing has changed in the Void. Nothing ever changes in the Void. It's impossible to track the passage of time in here, and your only escape are the rings... though you should be careful with them, as there's far fewer this week. You're free to travel between worlds as you see fit - Shadow won't stop you - but you can be snatched up from wherever you are at any given moment and pulled back into the Void. Maybe don't plan on spending to long anywhere else, because it won't end well for you if you do.
The hexagonal shards will still show you visions of other worlds... but this time they all show the same thing. You'll see worlds - maybe even your own - taken over by robots and Eggman's chroma, reduced to smoldering ashes or being rebuilt in Eggman's image. Your friends, allies, and enemies may even be going about their lives just as listlessly and dutifully, heedless of their surroundings. You may even see alternate versions of yourself among them. Regardless, it seems all these shards have to show you this week are all the possibilities of failure - that other versions of shardbearers in other timelines have already lost.
MINDSCAPES
Shadow's usage of the Phantom Ruby and his own fake Chaos Emerald shard have caused quite the problem for you all - namely, you'll find yourselves traversing each other's innermost thoughts and dreams. Exactly how this mindscape manifests depends on the individual, but one thing will always remain true: you won't be able to find the owner of the mindscape easily.
As a reflection of these inner thoughts, mindscapes can be any sort of place. Perhaps they are a reflection of the owner's inner demons and fear, or perhaps they showcase a bright future they want to work towards. Regardless, this is a dream and one the owner must be awoken from... which means finding them and bringing them back to reality. That's easier said than done when traversing through this dream-like state, where the rules are made up by the owner and you're a foreign being that the dream recognizes as a threat (even if you aren't).
You may encounter familiar places or people within these mindscapes. You may not. You may end up fighting for your life in here... or you may not. Each one is individual, and the experience can vary wildly from person to person. No matter what you face, you must find the owner of the mindscape and bring them back. You must ensure you're strong enough to support them... and protect yourself.
Curiously, you can activate your shared shard power with the owner of the mindscape at any time - or bolster your own power if you share shard colors - even without them being present. Will this make it easier or harder to help bring them back? It depends on the person, your bond, and the mindscape itself...
Waking them up is as simple as convincing them that they're dreaming - that this isn't real and that they still have things to return to - but that may be easier said than done depending on the person... or the mindscape itself. There's no telling what you'll encounter, after all.
SHARDS
You'll find you're capable of more now than you were before. You're really adapting to using your shard powers and fighting with others. Those of you who share shard colors will feel the strength of your shards increasing even more when working together.
As you fight with your allies - particularly those you have a close bond with, positive or negative - you may feel the tug of something in the back of your head; it tells you that you can do more. Together, you can become more powerful. You can use your shards together. Doing so will grant you a new power, or strengthen the one you already have. The more you trust one another, the easier this power will be to use.
It might be good to experiment with these new powers; after all, you never know when you may need them.
TAILS' TASKS
Given that your allies are being pulled into mindscapes and are unable to break free of their own, your task this week is to help your friends. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are off dealing with their own mindscapes, but whenever they are around, they're adamant about the importance of making sure everyone is freed and prepared for whatever comes next.
ENEMIES
Like last week, you will not encounter any of Eggman's robots. The Void is still free of enemies, though other worlds may possess their own threats. Mindscapes are a bit of a different beast; each one varies, and you may or may not encounter threats of any sort in them. Best be on your guard.
[Dorothy's definitely doing better than she has been in weeks, but there's a certain distance to her actions this week. That isn't to say Dorothy isn't going to be not trying to help others, because she is, but...
It comes out most in the early days of the Void, with Dorothy staring at a shard of her own world in particular. Humans and Raptures seem to have finally managed some level of coexistence through Eggman's machinations; the Nikke of the world do not have to fight anymore. Humans are repopulating the surface, slow but sure, and even her fellow Goddesses are back with humanity at long last. Sure, there's a few visions of just complete ruin, but...
It makes her think. And Dorothy's head has never been a good place to be.]
...What use is there for me, when our battle is said and done...
[Dorothy's left staring, transfixed--though she'll eventually remove herself from it hours later with help and go forth and train. If you need her help here, she'll be glad to provide it.
But of course, Dorothy herself will eventually get swallowed by the void, and where you end up is...not exactly what you would expect.]
cw: mindfuckery, body horror in the replies to come[The problem mainly lies in how peaceful everything is.
It's a Chicago free of Eggman's chrome and gloom, and everything seems...normal, actually. People go about their lives in ways that they normally would, but they seem even more aware than normal. Most of them greet you kindly and with great honor, in fact; you're the saviors of this world, after all. They're in your debt, and they're thankful as hell to you for all you've done. It isn't quite to devoted levels, not really, but even the most surly of bastards can be found giving you some sort of friendly rapport and a kind smile.
Of course, the problem lies in the fact that no matter where you go, you'll always end up in a different place. Streets don't lead where they should. You could go one direction and end up somewhere else entirely, even if you know where you're going. You might even end up in a place known as Dahngrest, though your time there seems hazier before ending up back in Chicago. There's a feeling of listlessness in the air, directionlessness. It's likely something you'll have to fight off, but...
Once you get outside of town, no matter where you go, you'll end up towards a cave.
A cave with...what seems to be worn down drawings of flight patterns for Eggman's robots, long worn down from disuse. There even seems to be cobwebs, implying it's been unused for a long time, but...
You can sense something in the cave. Do you transverse it?]
What use is there for any of us, when all is said and done?
[...he's maybe been observing a little quietly, but...]
...I suppose that is an improper philosophical conundrum to bring up out of the blue. Nevertheless... I suppose it is worth considering. These visions are designed to confound us, after all.
[...Hah. Dorothy looks over to Jasper at that, unsurprised but nodding her head slightly.]
They are, I'm certain. I think I'm just...sick of all of this, from the things that were dragged out of us by Infinite.
[...]
But it's alright, it's...well. I've been fighting a war for well over a century now; the idea of peace being reachable or even attainable has been an utterly foreign concept for so long. I have no doubts that we'll find some way to deal with Eggman, but...
I tire of it as well, but... it is strange. I feel as though despite everything, it has been strangely helpful, at least in terms of coming to terms with things that have happened to me.
[or may have happened. that shit's weird, he doesn't know about the weird time shit, okay.]
...
Still, I am somewhat cynical about what awaits us going forward. Not when it comes to the trio that brought us here, of course--call me sentimental, but I am almost more worried for them than I am for us.
...I feel much the same, if I can be honest with you. Granted, most of what I intended to do was out of vengeance for all that happened, but...
[Dorothy shakes her head.]
I understand. I'm deeply worried for them as well; we've been fighting so hard to give them back the world that they once knew, and it really does all rest on us. And they've been tormented just as much as we have, if not moreso because of the stakes at hand.
[...]
I'm only so optimistic myself because I'm leaving my world to rot, all be told. Because this feels more...surmountable, than the things I've faced for the past century. But I can certainly understand where you're coming from, I think. We truly may be in over our heads here.
...I think I have mostly changed the target of my ire. Or, at the very least, I want to clarify upon whom I should be taking vengeance.
[perhaps that is not the lesson he should be taking from this.]
And in any case, I cannot blame you for any of that, really. We may, indeed, be over our heads... but at the same time, something about the fact that he is simply a human who has--perhaps temporarily--gained a large amount of power and only relies on mindless mechanical minions makes me feel as though he has some fairly glaring weaknesses compared to some other threats we could potentially be facing. When you get down to it, despite him having what amount to countless limbs, there is only one of him and there are a decent number of us.
[Dorothy is clearly feeling down. Obviously this calls for narrative analysis.]
Ah, a classic if underexplored conflict. Once the hero's battle is won, what more is there for the hero to do? [Dorothy has protagonist energy, this makes sense to him.]
There's a couple different avenues you could take, actually! It depends on what's important to you, I think.
[Oh, Fukuda. Dorothy looks at him briefly, brow quirking, before a soft chuckle escapes her.]
...All be told, if you had called me a hero over a month prior, I would have deeply disagreed with you. I was something more akin to a villain where I come from, you know.
But now you do have me curious; what sort of avenues were you thinking?
Heroes and villains are a matter of perspective when it comes down to it, really.
[In other words he'd be on Dorothy's side no matter what.]
Well, for starters, a classic avenue is for the hero character to go on and become the mentor character for the next generation of heroes! If you're the nuturing type, that's a good one.
Another, since you mentioned having done some less than admirable things, is the path of penance. The hero goes on to try and help those indirectly harmed by their righteous actions.
[ It is apparent that Dorothy isn't the only one who manages to become swallowed up in the mindscape. The images, the twists and turns of a different world, do seem to be odd in how they blend into the hazy background.
The strange haze over their mind settles like an odd fog that clings to their person, against their own will. But, they persist.
The blond steps forward, and curiously makes their way towards the cave after the odd brightness of everyone involved - which they know is simply just too weird, too jarring to be real, after all. ]
[The cave itself feels dimly lit by some force or another; it almost feels like torches guiding your way, albeit a little darker than that. It feels like a light following you, guiding your way just a bit, and...
You can hear someone's thoughts in the background.]
...I've spent so long pursuing vengeance. I nearly had the Ark right where I wanted it; begging for assistance and ready to sow enough discord to destroy it from the inside, as I've always wanted to do.
And then...he showed up, and got me to put that all aside to save this world.
It's funny. I wonder if he would have still taken me in, knowing the terrible person I am. The terrible person I'm...certain, that I will always be, no matter how much this place wants to change me.
...Do you think that people can truly change?
[An invisible barrier will stop Void from pressing further for a bit, no matter how hard that they try to break it. But...well, it seems you've been asked a question. How about giving some sort of answer? Couldn't hurt to try, right?]
[ Vengeance, is it? Void Archives finds it quite amusing to consider - their acts could have been construed as exactly that, after all. But, in reality, they surprisingly don't have much of a vengeful bone in them - perhaps only against one singular person who is now dead...which makes it hard for them. Their anger and hatred burns brightly and quickly, only to be diminished quicker than most.
But, hearing these thoughts, they recognize it isn't the same for them. Yet, they do recognize what it means to be "terrible"...and yet...if there is something that they do believe, more than anything—before they even consider the barrier: ]
It's never too late. Hah, such words may sound so terribly hopeful from myself, of all people.
But, it is what I believe. No singular lifeform is meant to be static - incapable of change. It is a logic that can never be defied by anything, no matter what kind of pathetic argument is dared to be leveraged against it.
[ They...were not quite certain that they could still be counted as a 'lifeform' exactly, but they recently realized that they were capable of change. Not just the amount of knowledge applied to their database - so, it has made them wonder:
What else can they be capable of? And if they didn't know, why should it be any different for anyone else? ]
...Yes, I believe people can become quite different. So, why not take heart of this fact, hm?
Strange. I would have expected an AI that prioritized human survival to be much more severe about such a thing. You really must have softened.
But...I believe I understand what you're getting at, even if I cannot agree entirely.
Please, proceed.
[Void Archives will be allowed further at this point, and the cave actually lets out into a far more beautiful area to start. White flowers bloom all around and the field seems almost endless. But it's...peaceful, if briefly, until Void walks further. They'll find something on the ground...or the remains of someone, rather. An unidentified man, seeming to be left to die in a way that looked agonizing.]
I've killed a great many people in pursuit of this revenge. The Commanders of the Ark have grown to see Nikke as nothing more than mere weapons. Things to be thrown away, cast aside and left to rot without any consideration of the lives they were made from. Always expendable...always replaceable. Many of the humans I've come across seem to share this sentiment, and before any human is let into Eden, I give them a test of character of sorts.
[ Void Archives huffs at being called 'soft' and a protest is on the tip of their tongue. They haven't grown soft at all!
Or so they'd say anyway, in a manner that wouldn't exactly prove that they're anywhere near right...
Nonetheless, the sight of those remains are easily caught in their eyes - and it makes them indeed halt, curious to see what it's all about.
The state of him is unenviable indeed. And so that is why it's further incentive to listen to the words that filter in right after. Then, the flash of memory, of the man who looks upon the 'Nikke' as less than people; things to be commanded as less than that. As mere tools.
They can only chuckle at the ask. ]
Hah, I'll tell you something first...and that is that I doubt I am capable of such a thing - "forgiveness", that is. I've witnessed the cruelty of humans firsthand, known exactly what they believe of tools that can't serve them. To humans who think such things, who believe those like the Nikke to be discarded and others once they outlive their 'use'...
[ That was the very same done to them, by their creator. Thrown and sealed away. Because they could not be controlled, was the fear. They could not serve a purpose for her.
Therefore, it's clear what kind of answer that they would have... ]
They should never be forgiven. Nor should they be 'inherently' considered to be granted or given forgiveness.
As for what I believe should happen to those that think such humans don't deserve forgiveness - hmph, no such punishment, if that is what you're considering.
Let them be free in thinking such things. Yes, for those who rise above such humans, let them enjoy a deserved freedom of such shackles. A life of their own, however they wish to live it.
[ The ability to be free doesn't exist only in the mind, but in the body as well. Even if the mind catches liberation, "free will" is a mere word if someone is shackled by those who believe that they deserve to be controlled.
[This feels so surreal. Chicago free of Eggman's influence leading right into Dahngrest... but this shouldn't be happening, because they haven't defeated Eggman yet, which means he wouldn't be returning to Dahngrest. And even then, he's probably still banned from the city (not that there's many people to stop him) which is another thing he'll have to sort out when he goes home, but for now...
For now he finds himself in front of that cave, and Yeager wastes no time in entering. He has a feeling he knows who he'll find inside, after all.]
[There's no immediate response from inside the cave itself; it seems like you're going to have to go a little deeper. The cave you wander seems to be full of shards just like the Void, but they're a dim pink in color that guides you down further and further into the cave system.
It isn't quite sprawling as one would expect a cave to be, but it's actually surprisingly safe to walk through. You can see little glimpses of things through those crystals if you touch them, sort of playing like little recordings; little inane thoughts from Dorothy about people, little memories, just small things if you want to see them.
But eventually, your path will be blocked off by a bigger crystal. It's brighter than the rest, and you can see inside of it; there's Dorothy, of course, but there seems to be woman with her, too.
Maybe you should try touching the crystal? It's worth a shot at least.]
[Fascinating. Yeager ends up looking into several of the crystals, watching Dorothy's little memories play out before moving onto the next, captivated by what she has to share. But eventually he does come across the larger crystal, and he reaches out for it instinctively. Just who is this other mysterious woman, and what will this one show him?]
[A warm sensation courses through you as the memory plays within the crystal, and the woman with white hair speaks up.]
...Your NIMPH has been removed, as you have requested. There were no complications in the procedure; you should be able to take the field if you need to in the next few days. As you've requested, I did not go 'poking around your brain' for anymore than necessary.
Splendid work, Cecil. [Dorothy checks herself over briefly, nodding her head in some form of approval at least.] I will be expecting much of you in your contributions to Eden, going forward. I do not want a single Nikke who passes through these walls with their NIMPH activated, if they intend on staying with us for an extended period of time. The Ark would be far too excited to get their ungrateful hands upon what we've built, and frankly, the sooner they rot? The better.
[Cecil doesn't say anything in approval nor denial of that, at least. But something in her brows knit momentarily, and she does speak up.]
Of course. But Dorothy...you're certain that you do not want any sort of enhancement to your memory?
...I told you once before, that I do not want you anywhere near my brain until I can be certain you've discarded your loyalty to the Ark. [Dorothy's tone is harsh, and something almost threatening despite the smile on her face. Her eyes have gone dark, cruel almost.] Why exactly are you insisting on trying? Do you want me to leave you for dead?
Considering that I built this structure, aren't you being a little rash?
[Dorothy glares sharply at Cecil, and in an instant and with strength that far exceeds what Dorothy has been capable of here, she grabs Cecil by the throat and holds the much taller woman in the air, her expression shifted to a sneer.]
You would do well to know your place. I could figure out in time just how to keep everything operational, and you'd do well to remember that.
...Dorothy, you only have five more years of memory left in your brain.
[The words from Cecil's throat come out tight, and Dorothy seems to pause, her expression shifting to one of shock for a moment as Dorothy lowers Cecil to the ground.]
W--What? But...there's no...
Human brains were not meant to live for as long as this war has continued for. [Cecil pauses, her gaze averting.] ...You were never meant to live for this long, and the human brain cannot keep up with so many years. It's a wonder you haven't had to start deleting memories now, but that isn't going to remain the case for much longer.
[Something goes blank in Dorothy's expression.]
...And if I were to start deleting memories now?
...That isn't going to work how you want it to. But depending on how much you delete, you could get another couple of decades. Nothing more than that, however.
...I see. So this revenge mission has a time limit, then.
Very well. [Dorothy releases Cecil, her expression still blank, but...] You are dismissed. I will find a way to deal with this myself.
...Very well.
[The two women separate after that, and the large pink crystal shatters to reveal the way to the next destination. It's still lit, but it seems...dimmer, almost.
[Yeager watches silently. Her true strength isn't a surprise, nor is her temper and reaction (hot???) but her memories...
Dorothy clings so desperately to those memories of her past. Deleting them to make way for new ones is unbelievably and unfairly cruel. Did she end up doing this in pursuit of her revenge, or did this happen just before she arrived here? Has she already had to make that decision while she was here?
It... really isn't something he likes, but he suspects he's going to have to keep thinking about it with whatever this place has to show him next. Onward we go. What's next?]
[Much like Yeager before him, Raven finds himself thrown off at ending up in Dahngrest in the middle of this strange dream. He didn't think he'd be back so soon, and alone at that. No, this definitely isn't right. The battle isn't yet won, and the people he's planning on going home with aren't with him.
Sure enough, he's back in this weirdly peaceful Chicago, with a familiar sense of listlessness that he's lived with for the last ten years. He thought he was finally shaking it off, but...
Well, one thing leads to another and he finds himself at the cave. Whatever he senses within tugs at him to investigate, and so he does. It's not like he has any other idea of where to go from here.]
[The path that Raven is led down is mostly dark, with the flickering light of what appears to be something like orbs leading him down further; bright pink in color, the walls of the cave seem even more littered with various drawings and the like. Battle plans, tactical ones. Ones that are long worn from disuse, but they're there and they get more nonsensical over time. It's strange. Like someone clinging to the only thing that they know.
But the orbs stop in front of a way deeper into the cave, and you can hear some kind of voice speaking to you.]
What does one do, when their purpose is fulfilled? When they were made for a singular purpose, but it is no longer needed?
What sort of path forward is there, for someone who's never known how to live a normal life at all?
Am I merely delaying the inevitable, by agreeing to this...? There will surely come a time where my strength isn't needed, before I fall apart entirely...but what do I do, then?
There has to be a time when the fighting will end. When it'll stop. When I won't be...needed. Or useful. It's happened to me before, and it wasn't pleasant.
...Of course I'm worried.
[The orbs will lead him deeper into the cave, in front of a rather large pink crystal. Raven can make out some shapes from within the crystal; they're all in different outfits, for sure (save for Dorothy), but they're all gathered in front of a strange looking machine in front of a massive gate.
If Raven places his hand upon the crystal, the vision inside will begin to move, playing out a memory of sorts...a rather unpleasant one, from the looks of it. (49:20 to 53:10)
You can feel the emotions off of this crystal, if nothing else. The pain of being betrayed. The pain of being left behind, after all of the fighting that Dorothy had done. The things that Dorothy had sacrificed, in sanity and in power, and it was all thrown back in her face, and...
The crystal shatters, once the memory finishes, clearing your path forward if you wish to continue.]
[Oh, he recognizes a few of these people apart from Dorothy. Even Pinne is there... Then this must have taken place before the Incident.
What transpires is a nightmare all on its own. Raven thinks he understands the just of it all without the aid of Dorothy's rightfully anguished emotions seeping in. Whatever this Ark is, it must be the only safe space for humans...and they just sacrificed Dorothy and her squad to secure it without even telling them beforehand. He doesn't even blame her when he watches her threaten that man. It's awful. No wonder Dorothy has a strong hatred of humanity.
The memory then finishes and the crystal shatters, leaving a few stray shards in his palm. He takes a breath and tips his palm to let them join the rest on the ground.
[Turo doesn't sound surprised in the least by this line of inquiry. How could he be?]
I thought you had been out before this? Out of...well, whatever. [She's another machine. Of course she'd been in something or another at one point. No one builds a machine without purpose.]
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no subject
It comes out most in the early days of the Void, with Dorothy staring at a shard of her own world in particular. Humans and Raptures seem to have finally managed some level of coexistence through Eggman's machinations; the Nikke of the world do not have to fight anymore. Humans are repopulating the surface, slow but sure, and even her fellow Goddesses are back with humanity at long last. Sure, there's a few visions of just complete ruin, but...
It makes her think. And Dorothy's head has never been a good place to be.]
...What use is there for me, when our battle is said and done...
[Dorothy's left staring, transfixed--though she'll eventually remove herself from it hours later with help and go forth and train. If you need her help here, she'll be glad to provide it.
But of course, Dorothy herself will eventually get swallowed by the void, and where you end up is...not exactly what you would expect.]
cw: mindfuckery, body horror in the replies to come
[The problem mainly lies in how peaceful everything is.It's a Chicago free of Eggman's chrome and gloom, and everything seems...normal, actually. People go about their lives in ways that they normally would, but they seem even more aware than normal. Most of them greet you kindly and with great honor, in fact; you're the saviors of this world, after all. They're in your debt, and they're thankful as hell to you for all you've done. It isn't quite to devoted levels, not really, but even the most surly of bastards can be found giving you some sort of friendly rapport and a kind smile.
Of course, the problem lies in the fact that no matter where you go, you'll always end up in a different place. Streets don't lead where they should. You could go one direction and end up somewhere else entirely, even if you know where you're going. You might even end up in a place known as Dahngrest, though your time there seems hazier before ending up back in Chicago. There's a feeling of listlessness in the air, directionlessness. It's likely something you'll have to fight off, but...
Once you get outside of town, no matter where you go, you'll end up towards a cave.
A cave with...what seems to be worn down drawings of flight patterns for Eggman's robots, long worn down from disuse. There even seems to be cobwebs, implying it's been unused for a long time, but...
You can sense something in the cave. Do you transverse it?]
void
[...he's maybe been observing a little quietly, but...]
...I suppose that is an improper philosophical conundrum to bring up out of the blue. Nevertheless... I suppose it is worth considering. These visions are designed to confound us, after all.
no subject
They are, I'm certain. I think I'm just...sick of all of this, from the things that were dragged out of us by Infinite.
[...]
But it's alright, it's...well. I've been fighting a war for well over a century now; the idea of peace being reachable or even attainable has been an utterly foreign concept for so long. I have no doubts that we'll find some way to deal with Eggman, but...
[Dorothy shakes her head and looks at Jasper.]
You're having similar thoughts, I take it?
no subject
[or may have happened. that shit's weird, he doesn't know about the weird time shit, okay.]
...
Still, I am somewhat cynical about what awaits us going forward. Not when it comes to the trio that brought us here, of course--call me sentimental, but I am almost more worried for them than I am for us.
no subject
...I feel much the same, if I can be honest with you. Granted, most of what I intended to do was out of vengeance for all that happened, but...
[Dorothy shakes her head.]
I understand. I'm deeply worried for them as well; we've been fighting so hard to give them back the world that they once knew, and it really does all rest on us. And they've been tormented just as much as we have, if not moreso because of the stakes at hand.
[...]
I'm only so optimistic myself because I'm leaving my world to rot, all be told. Because this feels more...surmountable, than the things I've faced for the past century. But I can certainly understand where you're coming from, I think. We truly may be in over our heads here.
no subject
[perhaps that is not the lesson he should be taking from this.]
And in any case, I cannot blame you for any of that, really. We may, indeed, be over our heads... but at the same time, something about the fact that he is simply a human who has--perhaps temporarily--gained a large amount of power and only relies on mindless mechanical minions makes me feel as though he has some fairly glaring weaknesses compared to some other threats we could potentially be facing. When you get down to it, despite him having what amount to countless limbs, there is only one of him and there are a decent number of us.
void
Ah, a classic if underexplored conflict. Once the hero's battle is won, what more is there for the hero to do?
[Dorothy has protagonist energy, this makes sense to him.]
There's a couple different avenues you could take, actually! It depends on what's important to you, I think.
no subject
...All be told, if you had called me a hero over a month prior, I would have deeply disagreed with you. I was something more akin to a villain where I come from, you know.
But now you do have me curious; what sort of avenues were you thinking?
no subject
[In other words he'd be on Dorothy's side no matter what.]
Well, for starters, a classic avenue is for the hero character to go on and become the mentor character for the next generation of heroes! If you're the nuturing type, that's a good one.
Another, since you mentioned having done some less than admirable things, is the path of penance. The hero goes on to try and help those indirectly harmed by their righteous actions.
mindfuckery;
The strange haze over their mind settles like an odd fog that clings to their person, against their own will. But, they persist.
The blond steps forward, and curiously makes their way towards the cave after the odd brightness of everyone involved - which they know is simply just too weird, too jarring to be real, after all. ]
no subject
You can hear someone's thoughts in the background.]
...I've spent so long pursuing vengeance. I nearly had the Ark right where I wanted it; begging for assistance and ready to sow enough discord to destroy it from the inside, as I've always wanted to do.
And then...he showed up, and got me to put that all aside to save this world.
It's funny. I wonder if he would have still taken me in, knowing the terrible person I am. The terrible person I'm...certain, that I will always be, no matter how much this place wants to change me.
...Do you think that people can truly change?
[An invisible barrier will stop Void from pressing further for a bit, no matter how hard that they try to break it. But...well, it seems you've been asked a question. How about giving some sort of answer? Couldn't hurt to try, right?]
no subject
But, hearing these thoughts, they recognize it isn't the same for them. Yet, they do recognize what it means to be "terrible"...and yet...if there is something that they do believe, more than anything—before they even consider the barrier: ]
It's never too late. Hah, such words may sound so terribly hopeful from myself, of all people.
But, it is what I believe. No singular lifeform is meant to be static - incapable of change. It is a logic that can never be defied by anything, no matter what kind of pathetic argument is dared to be leveraged against it.
[ They...were not quite certain that they could still be counted as a 'lifeform' exactly, but they recently realized that they were capable of change. Not just the amount of knowledge applied to their database - so, it has made them wonder:
What else can they be capable of? And if they didn't know, why should it be any different for anyone else? ]
...Yes, I believe people can become quite different. So, why not take heart of this fact, hm?
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Strange. I would have expected an AI that prioritized human survival to be much more severe about such a thing. You really must have softened.
But...I believe I understand what you're getting at, even if I cannot agree entirely.
Please, proceed.
[Void Archives will be allowed further at this point, and the cave actually lets out into a far more beautiful area to start. White flowers bloom all around and the field seems almost endless. But it's...peaceful, if briefly, until Void walks further. They'll find something on the ground...or the remains of someone, rather. An unidentified man, seeming to be left to die in a way that looked agonizing.]
I've killed a great many people in pursuit of this revenge. The Commanders of the Ark have grown to see Nikke as nothing more than mere weapons. Things to be thrown away, cast aside and left to rot without any consideration of the lives they were made from. Always expendable...always replaceable. Many of the humans I've come across seem to share this sentiment, and before any human is let into Eden, I give them a test of character of sorts.
Most fail, as you can see.
[A memory plays. (end off at :44)]
Let me ask you something. Do you think even these humans are forgivable? Do you think they inherently deserve forgiveness?
And what should happen to people who think they don't?
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Or so they'd say anyway, in a manner that wouldn't exactly prove that they're anywhere near right...
Nonetheless, the sight of those remains are easily caught in their eyes - and it makes them indeed halt, curious to see what it's all about.
The state of him is unenviable indeed. And so that is why it's further incentive to listen to the words that filter in right after. Then, the flash of memory, of the man who looks upon the 'Nikke' as less than people; things to be commanded as less than that. As mere tools.
They can only chuckle at the ask. ]
Hah, I'll tell you something first...and that is that I doubt I am capable of such a thing - "forgiveness", that is. I've witnessed the cruelty of humans firsthand, known exactly what they believe of tools that can't serve them. To humans who think such things, who believe those like the Nikke to be discarded and others once they outlive their 'use'...
[ That was the very same done to them, by their creator. Thrown and sealed away. Because they could not be controlled, was the fear. They could not serve a purpose for her.
Therefore, it's clear what kind of answer that they would have... ]
They should never be forgiven. Nor should they be 'inherently' considered to be granted or given forgiveness.
As for what I believe should happen to those that think such humans don't deserve forgiveness - hmph, no such punishment, if that is what you're considering.
Let them be free in thinking such things. Yes, for those who rise above such humans, let them enjoy a deserved freedom of such shackles. A life of their own, however they wish to live it.
[ The ability to be free doesn't exist only in the mind, but in the body as well. Even if the mind catches liberation, "free will" is a mere word if someone is shackled by those who believe that they deserve to be controlled.
They know and understand that much. ]
mindfuckery
For now he finds himself in front of that cave, and Yeager wastes no time in entering. He has a feeling he knows who he'll find inside, after all.]
Dorothy, is that you?
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It isn't quite sprawling as one would expect a cave to be, but it's actually surprisingly safe to walk through. You can see little glimpses of things through those crystals if you touch them, sort of playing like little recordings; little inane thoughts from Dorothy about people, little memories, just small things if you want to see them.
But eventually, your path will be blocked off by a bigger crystal. It's brighter than the rest, and you can see inside of it; there's Dorothy, of course, but there seems to be woman with her, too.
Maybe you should try touching the crystal? It's worth a shot at least.]
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cw: memory issues
...Your NIMPH has been removed, as you have requested. There were no complications in the procedure; you should be able to take the field if you need to in the next few days. As you've requested, I did not go 'poking around your brain' for anymore than necessary.
Splendid work, Cecil. [Dorothy checks herself over briefly, nodding her head in some form of approval at least.] I will be expecting much of you in your contributions to Eden, going forward. I do not want a single Nikke who passes through these walls with their NIMPH activated, if they intend on staying with us for an extended period of time. The Ark would be far too excited to get their ungrateful hands upon what we've built, and frankly, the sooner they rot? The better.
[Cecil doesn't say anything in approval nor denial of that, at least. But something in her brows knit momentarily, and she does speak up.]
Of course. But Dorothy...you're certain that you do not want any sort of enhancement to your memory?
...I told you once before, that I do not want you anywhere near my brain until I can be certain you've discarded your loyalty to the Ark. [Dorothy's tone is harsh, and something almost threatening despite the smile on her face. Her eyes have gone dark, cruel almost.] Why exactly are you insisting on trying? Do you want me to leave you for dead?
Considering that I built this structure, aren't you being a little rash?
[Dorothy glares sharply at Cecil, and in an instant and with strength that far exceeds what Dorothy has been capable of here, she grabs Cecil by the throat and holds the much taller woman in the air, her expression shifted to a sneer.]
You would do well to know your place. I could figure out in time just how to keep everything operational, and you'd do well to remember that.
...Dorothy, you only have five more years of memory left in your brain.
[The words from Cecil's throat come out tight, and Dorothy seems to pause, her expression shifting to one of shock for a moment as Dorothy lowers Cecil to the ground.]
W--What? But...there's no...
Human brains were not meant to live for as long as this war has continued for. [Cecil pauses, her gaze averting.] ...You were never meant to live for this long, and the human brain cannot keep up with so many years. It's a wonder you haven't had to start deleting memories now, but that isn't going to remain the case for much longer.
[Something goes blank in Dorothy's expression.]
...And if I were to start deleting memories now?
...That isn't going to work how you want it to. But depending on how much you delete, you could get another couple of decades. Nothing more than that, however.
...I see. So this revenge mission has a time limit, then.
Very well. [Dorothy releases Cecil, her expression still blank, but...] You are dismissed. I will find a way to deal with this myself.
...Very well.
[The two women separate after that, and the large pink crystal shatters to reveal the way to the next destination. It's still lit, but it seems...dimmer, almost.
Proceed?]
cw: memory issues
Dorothy clings so desperately to those memories of her past. Deleting them to make way for new ones is unbelievably and unfairly cruel. Did she end up doing this in pursuit of her revenge, or did this happen just before she arrived here? Has she already had to make that decision while she was here?
It... really isn't something he likes, but he suspects he's going to have to keep thinking about it with whatever this place has to show him next. Onward we go. What's next?]
cw: memory issues
Re: cw: memory issues
cw: The Pinne Incident (suicidal ideation, attempt, hallucinations)
cw: The Pinne Incident (suicidal ideation, attempt, hallucinations)
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cw: robot body horror (rust)
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cw: robot body horror (rust)
cw: robot body horror (rust)
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gimme that mindfuckery
Sure enough, he's back in this weirdly peaceful Chicago, with a familiar sense of listlessness that he's lived with for the last ten years. He thought he was finally shaking it off, but...
Well, one thing leads to another and he finds himself at the cave. Whatever he senses within tugs at him to investigate, and so he does. It's not like he has any other idea of where to go from here.]
GLADLY
But the orbs stop in front of a way deeper into the cave, and you can hear some kind of voice speaking to you.]
What does one do, when their purpose is fulfilled? When they were made for a singular purpose, but it is no longer needed?
What sort of path forward is there, for someone who's never known how to live a normal life at all?
Am I merely delaying the inevitable, by agreeing to this...? There will surely come a time where my strength isn't needed, before I fall apart entirely...but what do I do, then?
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You're still worryin' about this, Dorothy?
[He replies to the disembodied voice as he presses further in. Maybe he can find her and say it to her face.]
cw: hallucinations
...Of course I'm worried.
[The orbs will lead him deeper into the cave, in front of a rather large pink crystal. Raven can make out some shapes from within the crystal; they're all in different outfits, for sure (save for Dorothy), but they're all gathered in front of a strange looking machine in front of a massive gate.
If Raven places his hand upon the crystal, the vision inside will begin to move, playing out a memory of sorts...a rather unpleasant one, from the looks of it. (49:20 to 53:10)
You can feel the emotions off of this crystal, if nothing else. The pain of being betrayed. The pain of being left behind, after all of the fighting that Dorothy had done. The things that Dorothy had sacrificed, in sanity and in power, and it was all thrown back in her face, and...
The crystal shatters, once the memory finishes, clearing your path forward if you wish to continue.]
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What transpires is a nightmare all on its own. Raven thinks he understands the just of it all without the aid of Dorothy's rightfully anguished emotions seeping in. Whatever this Ark is, it must be the only safe space for humans...and they just sacrificed Dorothy and her squad to secure it without even telling them beforehand. He doesn't even blame her when he watches her threaten that man. It's awful. No wonder Dorothy has a strong hatred of humanity.
The memory then finishes and the crystal shatters, leaving a few stray shards in his palm. He takes a breath and tips his palm to let them join the rest on the ground.
Then he presses on.]
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cw: hallucinations
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void
[Turo doesn't sound surprised in the least by this line of inquiry. How could he be?]
I thought you had been out before this? Out of...well, whatever. [She's another machine. Of course she'd been in something or another at one point. No one builds a machine without purpose.]