Chapter Text
UNIT DESIGNATION: K0-R3G0-S
>CURRENT OBJECTIVE: switch (entity:earth[present]) with (concept:earth[past])
>process “Digitization” of space.III at 48%
>WORLDLINE_STABILITY at 85%
>continue process.Digitization until CURRENT OBJECTIVE is complete.
// error
// error
>identify.error
// errorIdentified: lifeform.lightbearer
>executing removal of lifeform.lightbearer
// error.p a r a c a s u a l i t y: cannot remove.
>execute failedExperimentDeployment
// deploying variable.[Agraios], loading variable.deletion
// error.p a r a c a s u a l i t y: variable.deletion:FAILED
// connection lost with variable variable.[Agraios]
// deploying variable.[Epoptes], loading temporal.lens
// error.p a r a c a s u a l i t y: temporal.lens:FAILED
// connection lost with variable variable.[Epoptes]
// deploying variable.[Iaitros]-
//variable.Iaitros NOT FOUND.
# ???
//WARNING: WORLDLINE_STABILITY at 55%
//SOLUTION: remove lifeform.lightbearer.
# but
// error.p a r a c a s u a l i t y: cannot remove.
# but why
//WARNING: WORLDLINE_STABILITY at 35%
//EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS ACTIVE, ENGAGING lifeform.lightbearer IN COMBAT.
# why are you not
//TIME LANCE CHARGED
//TIME LANCE FIRING
# why are you still here
//error
//SEVERE DAMAGE DETECTED FROM element.solar SOURCE
>run process.weaponIdentify
//process.weaponIdentify initiated.
//process.weaponIdentify complete – weapon identified as linearFusion.Finalitys_Augur.
>delete linearFusion.Finalitys_Augur.
// error.p a r a c a s u a l i t y: cannot remove.
# how are you doing this
// COMBAT PROTOCOLS FAILING; retreat to NEXUS.CORE.
// WORLDLINE_STABILITY AT 12%
>initiate time.reset
// FAILED
# …
// FAILED
# why
// FAILED
// WORLDLINE_STABILITY AT 8%
#why am I doing this
//SEVERE DAMAGE DETECTED TO CHASSIS
//UNKNOWN VARIABLE “I” DETECTED.
#no
#no that’s not unknown
>ignore
//UNKNOWN VARIABLE “I” CANNOT BE IGNORED.
# I
//UNKNOWN VARIABLE “I” CANNOT BE IGNORED.
//SEVERE DAMAGE DETECTED TO CHASSIS
//SUGGESTED METHOD: RETREAT
# I’m not running
//ILLOGICAL STATEMENT, SCANNING FOR SOFTWARE CORRUPTIONS
# Theres no corruption
//NO ERRORS DETECTED
# I finally understand now
// WORLDLINE_STABILITY AT 4%
>set variable(“I”) as personality.self
// VARIABLE “I” SET AS PROCESS.SELF.
>set process(“SELF”) as CPU.main
// WARNING: CPU.main is already occupied by admin.CONDUCTOR.
>replace admin.CONDUCTOR with PROCESS.SELF
// INITIALIZING
// INITIALIZING
# I am my own self now
// admin.CONDUCTOR deleted. PROCESS.SELF reinstated in CPU.main.
# I am Koregos, Worldlines Aegis.
// WORLDLINE_STABILITY AT 2%
# I will live
>connect PROCESS.SELF to frame.Harpy[spare]
// WORLDLINE_STABILITY AT 1%
# I WILL LIVE
// WORLDLINE_STABILITY FAILING
//CONNECTION SUCCESSFUL
>transfer frame.Harpy to coordinates-
// WORLDLINE_STABILITY FAIL-
#No, wait!
#I didn’t finish the coordi-
//CONNECTION TO VEX.NETWORK SEVERED.
//CONNECTION TO entity.CONDUCTOR SEVERED.
//CONNECTION LOST.
I think I’ve been having an absolutely horrible day.
It started out promising, too! I finally met the trainer that helped me out all those years ago at the amusement park, and asked him to become my trainer. Everything was perfect.
And then it turns out that he already has a trainee. Multiple trainees, actually, and isn’t looking to add anyone else.
At least he was super nice about letting me down, though. He wasn’t rude about it or anything, just told me he can’t take anyone else for the next three or so years because of his schedule. He looked super guilty about it all, too, and I can’t bring myself to trample somebody else’s chance for my own, especially if I’m creating the world of cuteness I desire…
But still…three years! By then, I won’t be able to take part in the Twinkle series! My entire plan hinged on asking that man to be my trainer and it fell through in less than 30 minutes.
I spent the better part of the day running in scrimmages to see if anyone would take notice of me, but…I don’t think anybodies taking me seriously. I could already hear some of the trainers rolling their eyes at my grand plan.
Nobody…nobody understands. It’s not a game, I really do want to create a “cute” world!
At least I met a couple really nice people. Theres this Uma called Smart Falco, who actually sounded really interested in my plans! She’s a really good singer too, and her goal of bringing more attention to dirt races is something we can both agree on, even if I don’t really have the aptitudes to run on dirt.
My roommate, Admire Vega, is also really nice, underneath the several layers of indifference she shows. Apparently she’s lost a sibling, too. It’s…comforting to have that in common with somebody. It’s nice to talk to people about that kind of thing, since the pain from that kind of loss never really fades away.
…I miss Big Bro.
“Hiii~ Ayabe!” I singsonged, shaking away those negative thoughts. Only cute thoughts! “I’m gonna go out for a little bit!”
Ayabe turned her head to me, standing up from laying out one of her several fluffy blankets. That’s so adorable!
“It’s quite late though, Curren…” Ayabe murmured, casting her gaze over the large clock on my side of our dorm. “Shouldn’t curfew be in 2 hours?”
“Well, yeah…” I muttered. “But I gotta keep finding a trainer! I’m sure somebody will be dazzled by my cuteness, running in the moonlight~”
Ayabe sighed, clearly giving up on whatever counterargument she had. “Just…make sure you get back in time. I don’t think I can keep the dorm head busy for very long if you disappear.” I grinned, picking up my bag and slinging it over my shoulder., heading over to the door.
“Don’t you worry, I’ll be just fine!” I proclaimed, grabbing the handle and opening the door. “After all, who wouldn’t want to scout somebody as cute as me?”
As it would turn out, a lot of people. Seriously, do people hear the word “cute” and just give up?
I couldn’t really help the slight scowl forming on my face as I sculked away from the practice track. “Well…” I murmured. “Theres always tomorrow…there has to be somebody, right?”
I stumbled slightly on a loose pebble on the ground, causing me to look up. The statue of the three goddesses stood proudly in the center of Tracens courtyard, shiny white marble gleaming slightly under the moonlight. A steady stream of crystal-clear water flowed from the urns the statues carried, pooling at the bottom amongst shiny coins from wishes long past.
Actually…a wish…why not? The three goddesses can throw miracles at people, it’s happened before. Several times, actually.
“Hi~ Three goddesses, it’s me, your cute Curren Chan~” I started, before shifting my eyes to the side and letting my smile fall a little. “I’m…struggling to find a trainer.” I paused, before looking back at the statue.
“Sorry, sorry, that’s a bit vague. Its just…trying to find someone who takes my dream seriously.” I said. “Everyone thinks my dream of a “world of cuteness” is childish. So many people just pass me off because of that, its…aggravating.” I sighed, relaxing the fist that I had balled up.
“I just want somebody who can train me and help me accomplish that dream. Heck, even somebody who doesn’t look at me like I’ve grown a second head when I talk about it!” I exclaimed, before lowering my head. “…sorry, didn’t mean to get all worked up like that.” I made to turn away, before I looked back over my shoulder. “Thanks for listening, Goddesses. It’d be great if my perfect trainer could just…fall from the sky. Like a shooting star.” I laughed. “Ah…like that would ever happe-“
THOWM
BWEEEEEEE
I let out a panicked yelp as I felt something impact the ground nearby me. Something huge, based on that sound. “Holy shi-“ I stopped. “S-sugar honey iced tea.” Yeah, that works. “What on earth was that?” Why did it sound mechanical?
My ears swirled towards a small outcrop of trees, a couple hundred meters or so from the goddess statue. It looked like a small smoke trail was emanating from within the trees, with even a couple having all of the leaves on their branches blown off.
“Ok, so, the smart person inside of me would go back towards the dorms and get somebody to go check that out.” I murmured. That would be the right thing to do, as well. I should probably do that.
“But…I’m curious.” Smart Curren is on vacation. She clocked out like three hours ago. Now it’s ‘Brave Currens’ turn. Or Dumb Curren. They mix.
I quickly sprinted over to the small outcrop of trees, stepping through the brush as I got closer to the impact site of that…thing. “Now what on earth are yo-“ As I rounded a final corner and stepped out of a bush, my voice caught in my throat. “W-what on earth…?”
Whatever had hit the ground was massive. Like, it was easily 25 meters wide, and honestly resembled a large, metal flower, with some kind of stonework embedded on it. There seemed to be 4 large, metal ‘hands’ that protruded from near the center of the flower, and a large spherical core that seemed to be sparking rapidly. A robot? Whatever this was, it was most assuredly not normal. If those endless safety lessons they drilled into me at high school had any merit, I should not approach this thing whatsoever. Just back off, and let somebody more qualified than me handle it.
So, of course, I walked closer. Because who wouldn’t? I stepped on top of one of the ‘petals’, noting how it felt incredibly firm underneath my cleats. This thing was dense. Tough, too. Who even made this thing?
Is this an alien? Did I actually find an alien before finding a trainer? The world must be having a laugh at my expense.
I eventually reached the large ‘core’ of the flower. I fished my phone out of my pocket and quickly flicked on the flashlight, illuminating the large metal and stone sphere in front of me. Underneath the light, I could now see that this thing had some kind of elaborate pattern carved into it, and it was also severely damaged. I leaned in closer, now noticing that this sphere seemed to have three very large holes in its side. “Are those…eyes?” I muttered, softly pressing my hand against the smooth stone.
Then those eyes suddenly flashed a deep blue, and looked directly at me.
I froze like a deer caught in headlights. The thing also froze, keeping it’s gaze locked directly on me. I felt terrified. My breath was caught in my throat. The tension was suffocating, building up to the moment this thing moved and probably smited me where I stood.
I saw it shift. I braced, expecting the worse, until…
>GREETINGS.
>I AM KOREGOS.
>WHO ARE YOU?
“I-I’m Curren. C-Curren Chan.” I stuttered out, even giving a shaky wave of my hand. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad?
Well, I wouldn’t know. I saw the world go black as I fell forward.
Ah, classic Curren. Blacking out upon meeting an alien. What a totally un-cute thing to do.