Chapter Text
As a scientist, Aria knew it was important to recognize coincidences. No matter how astronomically small such happenings are or how sensical it seems for events to be linked, coincidences always happen. The only way to truly link any events would be through creating a hypothesis and testing it over and over again. Only with consistent, repeatable results would one be able to start considering two events linked. And even then, there can never be 100% certainty.
However, the illogical part of Aria knew this couldn’t be a coincidence. No, there were too many things that lined up for her to just write this off as some cruel cosmic joke. Her jaw tightened staring at that familiar face on the monitor, arms crossed as she tried to keep up some semblance of composure.
Ein had been her partner for years. They chose to stick by Aria’s side even after her time as the Harbinger. More than that, they were willing to share their life with her and do what they could to support her work to save the Cains. And Aria would have it no other way. She loved Ein. And while they weren’t much help with the Cains due to their set of knowledge, their support was all she needed.
But that all came to an end not even a week ago. Aria still remembered how she returned to Bird’s Eye Brae only to find Ein passed out in the field. She’d seen them work themselves to exhaustion before, but never to the point of collapsing. The faeries made a fuss over how suddenly it had happened, but Aria blocked them out as she ran for Cres’s help.
There was nothing the doctor could do though, as she found nothing physically wrong with Ein. Dread clawed at Aria as time passed, and it became apparent they wouldn’t wake. So she brought Ein to the Seth. They had better equipment to try and understand what was wrong. But, again, they found Ein was almost completely fine. The only difference being a lack of brain activity.
They were clinically dead. Just as had been the case for Aria in her 2000-year slumber. A sudden loss of their consciousness with no signs as to what happened. Only, their body would soon follow their mind.
The Ein she knew was dead and buried. And yet, here Aria was, looking at a Cain name Ein. They carried that unmistakable face she’d grown to love, donning that nervous grin they’d wear in less than ideal situations. But the coincidences didn’t stop there. No, if they did, then surely this person would’ve gone under her radar.
As they began the process of waking the Cains from their slumber, this Ein had to be pulled aside from the rest. Issues had been noted with their data, specifically related to brain waves. Activity was far too low for someone in their slumber. But just as it was with Aria, despite supposedly being clinically dead, brain activity suddenly started up again. Even stranger was how it stopped and started back up mid-hibernation. Obviously, the Seth had to separate them from the others to do proper testing on. And as the leader of the Seth, Aria had to be notified. Especially when it meant dealing with a human life.
“That has to be Ein.”
It was a nonsensical sentence that would’ve easily been misconstrued. Of course someone named Ein was Ein. Any Seth would readily point that out. But the one accompanying Aria was not a normal Seth. No, Dianthus learned to be far too human from her time around Ein and the others. And that experience alone was enough to let her understand the true meaning of Aria’s words.
Dianthus shook her head. Aria knew that if the AI could sigh, she would. “You are still grieving. Do not let that cloud your judgement.”
Grief. Aria let herself be controlled by it before. But this was different. It had to be different. “I’m not trying to deny that they’re gone. You’ve seen the data too, you know what I’m talking about. It’s improbable for a Cain just like Ein to have been clinically dead only during the period our Ein was known to be awake. Not to mention the lack of any records before their amnesia.”
“Improbable, but not impossible.”
Some part of Aria wanted to scream, but she stood there, silent. Coincidences, coincidences. Always a possibility. Always putting a wrench in perceived truths. She glanced over at Dianthus, noting how the Seth was watching her. Perhaps trying to read her features.
“Say you are correct and this is Ein. There would be no guarantee they remember their time on ReGaia. And given our questioning so far, it seems to be the case. What would you do, knowing they are no longer the person you knew?”
“I…” Aria sighed, whatever protest she could come up with lost on her lips. Because she didn’t know. But, “I need to talk to them. I need to see for myself what’s going on.”
There was no further argument from Dianthus as Aria approached the door. Perhaps she understood that there was no stopping the woman once she reached a conclusion. Aria stepped into the brightly lit room, the area feeling both empty and claustrophobic at once.
On one side various equipment was stored, some carted in and out of the room as needed for examination. And on the other, was a table with a chair and a simple bed where a lone Cain sat. They perked at the sound of the door sliding shut behind Aria, eyes casting their gaze towards her.
This Ein’s face lit up for a moment, perhaps at seeing another human for once. Though that quickly faded, replaced with confusion. Aria could see how their nose scrunched up the way it always did when they were processing something they didn’t quite understand. Any greeting she tried to muster got stuck in her throat. Seeing such a familiar face in person was more difficult than looking at it on a screen.
Her lack of an introduction didn’t seem to bother Ein, though. Their brow furrowed as a question fell from their lips. “Sorry, do I know you?” They blinked, stopping a beat before seeming to think better of their words. “I don’t wanna be rude. You just look familiar.”
It took all of Aria’s strength not to break down into tears. She didn’t know what to think or feel at that moment. This was the Ein she knew—they had to be the Ein she knew. It couldn’t add up any other way. But they didn’t know her. She couldn’t see a single ounce of recognition in their eyes. Maybe she should be furious at such a cruel joke the universe chose to play.
She had to stay calm though. None of these thoughts would get her anywhere. Deep, steady breaths. Aria focused on her breathing for a moment, trying her best to calm her racing mind. Before long, she gave the only response she could grasp onto. “I’m not sure.”
What else could she say? If they were a complete stranger who looked nothing like anyone she knew, then Aria could say no. And if she knew for certain that this was the Abel she knew as Ein, then she could say yes. But in such peculiar circumstances, what could she say for certain about the Cain sitting before her? Maybe in the past she’d consider them someone else, but after her own strange experiences that went beyond logic, anything was possible.
“Oh, okay.” Ein’s face fell for a moment before plastering on one of their stupid grins. It was clearly forced, but it didn’t look like it was meant to protect themself. If they were anything like the person Aria knew, it was more to protect her feelings than theirs. “Are you here to ask more questions? I think I’ve shared everything I know.”
Right. Ever since being awoken, all they’ve experienced has been questions and examinations from the Seth. From what they’d found, Ein seemed physically fit and their mental faculties were properly functioning. And there seemed to be no damage to their memory, seeing as they could recall their past on Lost Gaia.
Knowing how thorough the Seth were, Aria almost felt stupid for walking in like this. What did she even hope to accomplish? Perhaps it would be better if she just left and forgot about all of this. Before she could follow through on that thought, something on the table caught her eye. A book.
It was an unremarkable thing. Something clearly placed there without a thought, left untouched. What interested Aria though was how new it looked. It couldn’t have something of Ein’s preserved for 2000 years like Aria’s diary, not with how fresh the pages and binding seemed. But it also couldn’t belong to the Seth. As AI, they had no need for physical media, much less such an old form of record-keeping.
“What’s that?”
Ein shifted their attention towards the object Aria spoke of. They shrugged, also unsure what to make of the book. “I don’t know. An Omen put it there, saying it was mine. But I don’t remember bringing anything to keep from home.”
Aria blinked. An Omen? But only Abels call them that. And why was Ein’s claim on this book disputed? “Can I read it?”
“I don’t mind. I did say it’s not mine.”
With their consent, Aria made her way towards the table, picking up the small book. Opening it to a random page, she froze. Everything in this book was written by hand and she knew this handwriting. It’s the very same as what was in Ein’s letters. And based on what was written, it seemed to be a diary of their time on ReGaia. Of course this wouldn’t belong to a Cain. But then how did it get here?
Aria frantically flipped through the pages. More entries—more information on Ein’s life. Her Ein. When did they write this? She never remembered them having any sort of diary. Ein wasn’t the sort of person to care about their past or any need to remember it. So why does this exist?
Her thoughts came to halt upon finding something stuck between the pages. Aria tugged on it, pulling it from its snug dwelling within the diary. It was a letter. Addressed to Aria. She sucked in a breath, unsure what to expect.
“Aria, if you’re reading this, then you probably met me. Or I guess the original me? ReGaia had taken me to see my pod and told me we’re the same person. I don’t really get it, but maybe it’s like one of your old theories about yourself. Something about transferring a person between bodies?
“The real point of this letter is to tell you that’s me if I can’t do that myself. I never really meant to keep this a secret from you, but I didn’t tell you because I don’t know what’ll happen. I didn’t want you to worry over whether something will happen to me when the other me wakes up. The only one who does know is Dianthus. I’m leaving this letter and a diary with her so she can give them to the other me.
“The diary is nothing you need to worry about. Just something I made for the other me in case they’re like me and have hazy memories of my life. It’s their choice if they read it or not. I’d give it a 50/50 chance knowing they’re me.
“But I wanted you to know that if I can’t be there, I really enjoyed my time with you on ReGaia. Maybe you can see this as a chance to befriend me again. But try to respect if they don’t remember our time together and have no plans to. It’s probably as confusing for them as it is for me.”
“Hey, are you okay?”
Aria blinked, realizing just how watery her vision had become. She tried to wipe away the tears with her wrist, though it wasn’t much help. She met Ein’s concerned gaze, giving a small nod. “Uh, yeah. This book is yours. Someone wrote it for you.”
Ein furrowed their brow, unconvinced at Aria’s claim. But they said nothing, taking a moment to consider the book she held out to them. Just as she was ready to give up and put it back on the table, they reached out and took it from her. They didn’t open it, just held it, staring at the item in their hands.
Seeing them look so lost, Aria considered the farm for a moment. It was a comforting place that Ein had taken a shine to rather quickly. Maybe this Ein would be comfortable there, too. Though Aria couldn’t impose on them. She’d probably have to move back into her pod. It’s not like she worked the farm anyways. She might as well offer.
“Once we’re certain you’re fine, I can take you somewhere you might like.”