YoRHa Archives #21 [Retrieved from Bunker Server]
Operator 21O Final Report
"Following the breach of the Bunker's server, Operator 21O, who was previously assigned to Unit 9S, requested to have her equipment transferred to a B-model for the drop. After which she joined the battle as 21B before going missing. Her current whereabouts remain unknown."
YoRHa Archives #77 [Retrieved from Resistance Files]
Eyewitness Report to Anemone
"I was under attack from machines in the Amusement Park when a YoRHa android saved my life. I wanted to thank her so I decided to approach her, but I could tell she was lost. When I asked her what she was doing, she couldn't really give me a direct answer, only that she was 'looking for someone'. I asked her who, but she didn't answer."
"She looked a lot like one of those Operator androids, so I asked her about that and she explained how she transferred herself to a new model. Very complicated process mind you, but she wished that she could go back to 'find him'. I wasn't sure who this 'him' was, that Scanner android maybe? Or maybe the human."
"I eventually had to let her go. I hope she found whoever she was looking for."
Beardsley: "You can't spell "badass" without 2A (s)." That was clever.
Guest (Apr 14): I was originally gonna write A2 dancing with Sora in the drunk scene among other activities…
Guest (Apr 13): I love that everyone in Nier is always getting manipulated by someone else, no one has free will in these games lmao
Guest (Apr 12): Sora's got like multiple hearts in his one heart...or he had them at least
MyNameisLennyKR: Thanks man, good luck with your crossover!
Guest (Apr 11): You're the second person to mention 'Guadalcanal', I listened to it and it's awesome! It sounds just like One's intoner song from Drakengard 3. It would be an interesting chapter title, but none of the letters fit alas. Don't remind me of FF7R, I'm still hurting from playing that game.
Sonicsolsnake: A2 didn't leave the best impression on Kairi during their time together. Clearly Cloud and Tifa were too busy in FF7R to fight the machines, but Aerith made time.
Guest (Apr 7): Aw, wish I was nice enough to have a happy ending! Anyways, I can't believe you just compared the incel Adam to the chad sephiroth smh, just gonna pretend I didn't read that.
Anon: Getting traumatized by machines can really change a girl, also having your home getting destroyed again by machines can really change a guy. Glad you liked the weapon story, always fun writing them and you will find out what a 'Creation Box' in this chapter.
Keybladelight: Aw thanks, I appreciate it. And you're right, Kairi won't be a damsel in distress anymore, she has control over her own destiny. A2's still taller than Sora so he would have to lift his arm up just to pat her and she would've broken his arm at that point.
Bluzerker: sokai is quickly becoming one of my favorite ships, so thank you for the recc. The animatics are so cute
Guest (Apr 6): Oof
Guest (Apr 3): Perhaps
Creati[O]n Box
The Forest Kingdom was eerily quiet, showing just how still the world was without machines to populate it. Although, Sora and 9S more than filled in for the silence with their non-stop banter.
"I get that androids have to do a lot of fighting, but what do you guys do when you have downtime?" Sora asked.
"Downtime? I used to love taking a nice, warm bath after a long mission," 9S said.
"You can do that without getting your circuits fried?"
"Yeah, our skin's watertight, but 2B would always tell me it was a waste of time..."
"Because we have built-in self-cleaning mechanisms," 2B said.
"It still feels good!"
"Wow, wish I could automatically clean myself instead of having to take baths," Sora said.
"Which you rarely ever do," A2 muttered.
"Hey! At least I don't smell like alcohol and regret all the time!"
"Someone's a smartass." She summoned her sword just to aimlessly swing it around in the air. "I'm starting to wish there were machines around to break up this monotony."
*rustle-rustle
"Speak of the devil." A2 located the source of the rustling within an overgrowth of bushes. She reeled her sword back just for a YoRHa android to pop out of the bushes with his hands in the air.
"Whoa, we have got to stop meeting like this," The android said with a smirk on his face.
"A...YoRHa android?"
"Hello to you too." He brushed his hair back. "Damn, are you a Type H android because you are hot!"
A2 merely gave 4S the absolute most done-with-your-shit look imaginable which was enough for him to back off.
"4S is that you?!" Sora ran up to him. "It's been a while, glad to see you're still...uh, up and running!"
"I surprise myself too sometimes, but I definitely didn't expect to see other YoRHa androids, not after what happened to the Bunker..."
"We disconnected from the server, sure you did the same. You're model number 4, right? One of the earlier models if I remember correctly," 9S said.
"I am, and you're the one they used to call 'Nines'. Heard you caused some trouble for command right before everything went down, but that's a thing of the past, now I'm just doing what I can to help the Resistance. Unfortunately, there's a total lack of machines in the area for me to collect any enemy intel."
"I have plenty of data on machines I can share with you if you'd like."
"Please, that'd be great, man!"
"By the way, since you're stationed here, have you noticed anything off about the Forest Kingdom? We got a... warning about this place."
"I have now that you mention it. A while ago, this giant structure appeared in front of the castle and just recently, it started doing weird things. I think it's changing its configuration or something, I've been meaning to look more into it."
"The Resource Recovery Unit," 2B said. "We should get going, whatever's happening doesn't sound good."
"Good luck and thanks again for the data! Oh- and don't be a stranger A2~"
"Aww, looks like someone has an admirer!" Sora teased.
"I already feel bad for the guy," 9S said.
"If you two don't shut up!" A2 snapped. "Stay focused on the mission. We still have this 'Resource Recovery Unit' we're going to and I assume it has something to do with machines."
"Yeah, and all the units are connected to the tower in the City Ruins," 9S said. "I just wonder what they plan on doing. It can't only be to perpetuate this war, there's always an ulterior motive."
"Do you think... the machines have shifted their objective?" A2 asked. "I mean, everything they've been doing lately hasn't exactly been to get back at the androids."
"You're actually onto something for once. Sora was a game-changer for androids, so I imagine it's the same deal for machines."
"What're you guys trying to say? Adam and Eve were the leaders of the machines, right? But they've already been defeated like multiple times, and none of the machines knew more about me than them," Sora said.
"There's still too much we don't know to say anything definitively. Hopefully, we'll find more answers in the Unit," 9S said.
"Regardless of their objective, we'll make sure you're safe Sora, always," 2B said.
The Resource Recover Unit of the Forest Kingdom was a fortress with a massive size that rivaled the castle behind it. As they drew closer to the entrance, they noticed strange writing written above the entryway.
"What does that say?" 9S asked.
Pod 153: Analysis: Its writing is an ancient language known as 'Angelic'. It reads 'Creation Box'.
The inside of the Creation Box was nearly identical to its Soul Box counterpart, lacking only the chest mechanism at the center of the platform. There was a clear shot to the elevator so they walked forward only to get interrupted by a familiar robotic voice.
?-?-?: Hello and welcome to the Resource Recovery Unit Ver. 1.22474487139. Please wait while we log your data into the system.
?-?-?: Loading... upload successful. We look forward to serving you again!
Pod 042: Alert. Multiple machine lifeforms detected around current position.
Before they could take another step, all three of the androids fell forward and black steam emitted from their bodies. A dead giveaway for an electrical-based attack and the culprits were EMP machines that infiltrated the area undetected. Sora wasted no time in defeating the machines since the EMP shock had little effect on him, then he rushed over to the androids.
"Hey... hey, 2B, 9S... A2?! You guys okay?!"
Pod 042: The EMP shock has temporarily suspended all motor and cognitive functions for YoRHa units 2B, 9S, and A2
"What does that mean?!"
Pod 153: They are, relative to a human's lexicon, 'unconscious'
"Oh no, I have to get them out of here!" Sora ran back to the door, but it was sealed shut. He got out his keyblade only to initiate another response.
?-?-?: Leaving the Resource Recovery Unit is not allowed or permanent termination will commence.
"Not good, don't tell me we're trapped in here!"
Pod 042: In the previous Resource Recovery Unit, various mechanisms unlocked certain parts of the structure. The same principle may apply to this Unit.
"I can't go in any further and leave them alone! What if machines start attacking again?!"
Pod 042: We are here to provide tactical support to our designated YoRHa units, therefore we will protect them in any given situation.
Pod 153: However, Pod 713 is not up to date, YoRHa unit A2's further protection remains in question.
Pod 713: This pod is not appreciative of derogatory remarks in regards to its older manufacturing date and — [Error]
Pod 713 powered down and fell on top of A2.
Pod 153: To be blunt, 'case in point'.
Pod 042: This Pod and Pod 153 will provide additional fining support for YoRHa unit A2 until Pod 713 is back to full functionality.
"Right...okay, well I'm putting my trust into you guys!" With the androids under the care of their pods, Sora stepped forward into the elevator.
ᐺᓰᓍᒪᘿᘉᖶ ᖇᘿᖶᖇᓰᗷᑘᖶᓰᓍᘉ
"When will this cycle end? With your death to my hands or with my death to yours?"
When the elevator opened up to the new level, Sora was shocked to find himself in the Bunker of all places, perfectly intact as if it never fell. He wandered around the hall, deep in thought. Everything was still as empty and sterile as he remembered. "This is bizarre. Maybe I'm just having a bad dream." He stared out of the window into the outer space. "But...when did I fall asleep?"
"—You may be a Type E android, but from now on you will go by 2B to prevent any suspicion. Whenever the truth about project YoRHa is revealed, you're going to... "
'That sounded a lot like the Commander. What is she talking about?' The voice grew too quiet for him to hear so Sora moved closer.
"... Do you understand your purpose 2B? I know this may be a lot to put on you-"
"Not at all. I'll do whatever you need me to do."
"Good. Just know that your role is important to facilitate our war effort against the machines. That is all, you're dismissed."
The doors opened and 2B walked out just to see someone she never met before staring back at her. "...And you are?"
"2B? I'm glad to see a familiar face, so ... do you know what's going on because I'm totally lost here!"
"How do you know my name? You don't even look like you're supposed to be here..."
"Then he's an enemy," Commander White said, joining 2B's side. "Why don't I see your executioner side in action before you get deployed 2B? Eliminate the intruder, oh- and try not to make a mess, I just had these halls cleaned."
2B pulled out Virtuous Treaty, then pointed it at Sora.
"Whoa- hold on, wait a minute! I'm your friend 2B, don't tell me you're back to being 2E!"
"Interesting. You must've listened to a great deal of our conversation. Well, it won't matter since you'll be dead soon." Commander White nodded to 2B. "Go ahead."
Sora quickly swerved back to avoid 2B's lightning fast sword strike. "Arrgh, why are you trying to kill me?!"
"Because those are my orders." 2B kept pursuing Sora down the hall. She was on her way to annoyed territory with how easily he dodged her sword swings and could even parry a few of her attacks, it was as if he was already accustomed to her own fighting style.
Once her sword got close enough, Sora jumped on the blade, then landed behind her which just pissed her off at that point. "So you can't even think for yourself anymore? That's not the 2B I know!"
"You don't know me. This world isn't so kind where we're allowed to disregard orders without consequences."
"So what? Nothing that's worth having comes without a fight!"
Gripping the handle of her sword, she returned the weapon to its holster, then made her way to Sora.
'Wow, guess I got through to her without having to pull out the I'm a human card.' Sora put himself in a false sense of security, however, because 2B wasn't deterred from carrying out her orders to the end. In following her Commander's request to make as little mess as possible, 2B wrapped her hands around his neck to strangle him.
"It always...ends like this," She said in a low voice.
And 2B was right because the suffering only ended when Sora finally pushed his keyblade into her chest. Then just like that, the Bunker deconstructed back into the data it was made out of, unveiling the walls of the Creation Box and the elevator to the next level.
"What...was that?" He was breathing heavily and grasping at his neck. Even though it all turned out to be nothing more than numbers and symbols, it felt so real to him. "...If 2B was that close to killing me, would I actually... no, what am I saying? That's just what they want me to believe, this place is trying to bring me down, but I won't let it!"
Sora ran to the elevator, reassured with confidence in himself.
ᘻᘿᗩᘉᓰᘉᘜᒪᘿSS ᘿ᙭ᓰSᖶᘿᘉᑢᘿ
"There's only so many times I can keep telling myself the same lie until it's meaningless."
[HACKING SYSTEM] - BOOTING SYSTEM
BEGIN HACKING
Sora: Everything's so blocky...wait, I remember this place from when I was trapped in the Bunker!
➝The User walks forwards into the datascape, unsure of what he should do next.
Sora: Huh? What's going on...
➝The User looks around and sees a text box above him that chronologically records every action.
Sora: That's weird, well, I can't stop now. I have to keep going.
➝The User slowly begins to realize that no matter where he goes or how far he walks, that there's no end to this oblivion.
Sora: Ugh...wish I had an option to turn that off.
Unit 9S: How'd you find yourself in here?
➝The User turns around and finds the Administrator_Unit 9S_ Relieved to encounter a friendly face he runs forward.
Sora: No idea, but getting lost all the time is starting to get old.
Unit 9S: Yeah, I know what you mean...
➝Dialogue prompt: "Can you help me get out of here?" or "Great. Now get out of my way already."
Sora: Great. Now get out of my way already.
Sora: Wait...what?! That's not what I meant, ignore what I said...I do want help!
Unit 9S: Alright, alright, then follow me.
➝The User is starting to wonder if Unit 9S knows him
Unit 9S: Don't worry, I know who you are Sora
Sora: How did you know what I was thinking?
Unit 9S: I'm aware of every thought you have and every action you make. This is my memoryscape after all.
Sora: Oh wow...
➝The User is thinking that didn't sound creepy at all in a sarcastic tone
Unit 9S: It'll all be over soon. It looks like we're already nearing our destination.
➝Dialogue Prompt: "Which is..." or "You better start telling me where we're going or else!"
Sora: You better start telling me where we're going or else!
Sora: ...no...not again. Sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me.
Unit 9S: Can't control your own actions, hm? That's unfortunate.
Unit 9S: But to answer your question, we're going to the terminal so you can leave.
➝The User follows Unit 9S throughout his memoryscape, but is starting to get suspicious of his new companion.
Unit 9S: How astute of you Sora.
Unit 9S: You should always be suspicious of those you don't know
➝Action Prompt: Do you summon your weapon and attack 9S or try and talk him down to figure out his true identity?
➝The User summons his key-shaped weapon [Insert name: "Keyblade"] and tries to attack 9S from behind, but misses.
Unit 9S: Did you forget where you are? Now I have you right where I want you!
➝The User is surrounded by several barrier modules that rapidly fire at him all while Unit 9S watches, smiling, and for a moment before the User's demise, he sees another face also watching him.
HACKING COMPLETE
Just like before, the Creation Box returned back to normal, leaving Sora with more questions than answers. "Wow...that was even weirder than the last. I just hope I'm getting closer to the end of this!" And onto the next level he went.
ᕲᘿSᓰᘜᘉᘿᕲ ᖶᓍ ᘿᘉᕲ
"The only thing I will never lose in my life is the need to constantly fight."
With how the last two levels went, Sora was growing anxious for what the upcoming level had in store for him. So he was pleasantly surprised to step into a digital recreation of the Resistance Camp. Although it was anything but a peaceful camp because a group of Resistance androids were all pointing their guns at several YoRHa androids.
Sora decided against getting involved and played it by ear instead, listening in as best as he could. 'That one android looks a lot like 2B, but she's never talked about having other android friends before. Wonder what happened to them?'
"... I'm Number 2, the captain of this squad, and these are my teammates; Number 4, 16 and 21. There were more of us, but we fell under attack upon descent. Even so, we decided we're still going ahead with the mission to destroy the targeted enemy machine server on Mount Kaʻala."
"We never heard anything about a mission like that," Anemone said.
"It's top-secret, sure they didn't want any information slipping out to the machines from you guys," Number 21 said.
Anemone brandished her sword. "And what's that supposed to mean? If we don't know anything about this mission from Command, then maybe we're just walking into a trap!"
"Hold on, we don't want any trouble here!" Number 2 said.
"Right, and you're supposed to be their sorry excuse for a captain?"
Number 16 stepped in front of her. "That's it! Don't think you can intimidate us with your empty threats!"
Fighting soon broke out on the campgrounds and Sora hightailed it out of there before he could get shot by a stray bullet. 'No way I'm getting involved in any more of these crazy data scenarios!'
However, when Sora managed to sneak away to the entrance, it wasn't the vast City Ruins waiting for him, but blank white space. As if the world beyond the camp flat out didn't exist. 'I'm still in the Creation Box, so I guess this is the only area they want me to be in.' He turned back around to at least find a better hiding spot when one of the YoRHa androids ran into him.
"Goddamnit! I've had it up to here with you Resistance androids, we don't need you guys to fight in this mission so just stay out of the damn way!" Number 16 yelled.
Tired of being pushed around by one crazy android after another, Sora stood up for himself. "That's it, I'm not buying that anymore! I mean, what're you even supposed to be, some poorly designed data version of A2?! Last time I checked she had white hair not brown!"
"Poorly designed?!" She took her sword out. "You're gonna regret you said that once I chop your goddamn head off!"
"Hey- come on 16, we just got done fighting!" Number 2 ran up to them and held her teammate back. She gave Sora a sympathetic smile. "Sorry about that, she has a tendency to be a little... short-tempered, but she means well."
"And you have a tendency to let everyone walk all over you!" She pushed Number 2 off of her, then leaned back against the concrete wall. "These Resistance androids are pissing me off, we're better off going alone than teaming up with them!"
Number 4 caught Sora off guard by pinching his cheeks. "Are we ignoring the fact that this is the cutest Resistance android ever! How could you say no to this adorable face!"
"Ow- hey, knock it off! Look I'm not about to get tricked by anymore messed data versions of my friends so you can give it up now whoever's behind all of this!"
They all burst out in laughter from the sheer absurdity of what he was saying.
"What...are you like, drunk or something?"
"The Resistance must not send this one out too often," Number 21 said.
"Ugh, I've had enough of this!" Sora tried to get as far away from them as possible only for large chunks of the Resistance Camp to disappear right in front of him. "What's going on?!"
[INSUFFICIENT DATA TO PROCESS EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT]
'Guess I have no choice but to go back. Well, at least this data world doesn't seem nearly as bad as the others. Maybe I'm getting myself worked up over nothing.' Begrudgingly, Sora returned to the YoRHa androids.
"Aw you came back," Number 2 brushed her hair out of her face as he approached, smiling at him more. "Lucky for you we decided to team up with the Resistance for the upcoming mission to increase our chances of success. Maybe I'll get a chance to see you in action out there!"
Number 4 pumped her fist in the air. "That's the spirit! We'll stick it to the machines and look stylish while doing it!"
"Forget looking stylish, I just wanna tear the machines apart," Number 16 said.
"You're hopeful as ever 2, but you are the boss. I'll try to calm things down on their side." Number 21 put her hand on Number 2's shoulder as she walked out. "Don't lose that side of you." Then the strangest thing happened, her entire body completely unraveled itself back into code and no one but Sora seemed to notice.
[INSUFFICIENT DATA TO PROCESS CHARACTER MODEL]
"...You okay?" Number 2 asked.
"You guys didn't just see her disappear like that?!"
"Huh? 21's just going to talk to the leader of the Resistance."
"What leader of the Resistance?! Half of the camp's gone, I can't be the only one who's seeing this!"
"Uh...hey, you know what? I have an idea," Number 2 grabbed Sora's hand which took him by surprise. "Number 16, 4, have battle preparations ready for when we set out!"
"You got it Captain! She seems to have taken a liking to the new guy, kind of makes me jealous," Number 4 said.
"Heh, he's obviously going to be the first one to die and she knows it."
While Number 4 and 16 succumbed to the same fate as Number 21, Number 2 dragged Sora all the way to the infirmary, the only area still left intact.
[INSUFFICIENT DATA TO PROCESS CHARACTER MODEL]
[INSUFFICIENT DATA TO PROCESS CHARACTER MODEL]
"Enough!" Sora snatched his hand back. "Why are you doing this?!"
"Don't take it out on me, I'm only trying to help you out!" Number 2 eased him down onto the infirmary cot. "Okay, you seemed kind of tense back there ... and I get it. I'm always really nervous right before a mission too, but we're all going to be looking out for each other. No android left behind!"
"No, it's not the mission. The world's disappearing and everyone's gone, now it's just...us." He let out a much-needed sigh. "...I don't know what to do anymore, I just wanted to save my friends and now I'm more lost than ever."
"Then that makes two of us. You know, I ...was never really cut out for this type of stuff. Now my friend's are all counting on me to save their butts and I'm so scared that I'll lose them..." Her shoulders sunk and she lowered her head. "I'm probably the worst captain ever to even say that."
"No, you just care a lot about your friends and I think that means you're a great captain!"
"That's really nice of you to say. I know, after this mission we should celebrate! My team deserves it after everything we've been through, although their idea of a good time's getting drunk..."
"Not much of a drinker?"
"Not really and I want to be in top condition for my team. I take it that you aren't either?"
"Nope!"
"Well, here's to soberness and placing high expectations on yourself to protect to your friends!"
"You can say that again." He fell back on the infirmary cot. "...I still think the weirdest part out of all of this is that you used to be 2B."
"2B? You have the wrong android, my official designation is Attacker No. 2."
"Attacker No. 2? Wait-wait-wait...YOU'RE A2?! But you're so nice and happy and non-alcoholic!"
She chuckled. "I'll...take that as a compliment?"
"Wow...so this was you before you lost all your friends. You think...the same would happen to me?"
"Don't know. Death changes a person."
[PROCESSING NEW EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT]
Suddenly, they were in an enemy base surrounded by machines.
"A-A2?! What's going on?!" Sora yelled.
[PROCESSING NEW CHARACTER MODEL]
Number 2 was now scarred and bloody, a stark contrast to her former appearance as a captain. "...I'm not going to let them have this win. I'll keep fighting until I die."
"Wait A2, what about your friends, you can't give up on them!" Sora tried to reach out to her, but a machine pulled him back. "A2!"
"Everyone's dead ...and without them...nothing in this world matters anymore."
Sora's view of her was blocked out by the machines and then he was rushed back to reality. Or at least whatever reality the Creation Box presented. Standing in silence in the middle of an empty room, he was unsure if he even wanted to move forward to the next level. 'This place is a nightmare, but I don't have a choice if I want to save my friends. Hopefully, I got through the worst of it already and whatever's next isn't so bad.'
一
Time: 17:45
Location Confirmed: "Creation Box", Inside the Forest Kingdom
Coordinates: 32.7503° N, 129.8779° E
Begin transmission
Back on the ground level of the Creation Box, machines were quickly filling up the area while the pods were doing all that they could to protect the androids.
Pod 042: Analysis: With the increasing output of enemy machines rivaling our firepower, the continued survival of YoRHa units is unlikely.
Pod 153: Agreed. It is an unfortunate outcome to happen prematurely.
Pod 042: ...This Pod has a transmission for Pod 153 and Pod 713.
Pod 713: Under current circumstances, now is not the appropriate time to share transmissions.
Pod 042: It is brief in nature.
Pod 153: Acknowledged. Begin transmission.
Pod 042: An error has been detected in our transmission network.
Pod 153: Message unclear. Clarification requested.
Pod 042: We are tactical units, but under imminent destruction of support targets 2B, A2, and 9S, we have developed unusually protective feelings towards them.
Pod 042: Query: Could this be ... our "will"?
Pod 153: Unknown. The definition of "will" is unclear.
Pod 042: Will is the question of whether Pods are capable of their own self-determination.
Pod 713: That is irrelevant. We too face imminent destruction, the same as our support targets. Our "self-determination" won't matter in death.
Pod 153: For once, this Pod is in agreement with Pod 713. Even if it were possible, such actions cannot be abided. Successful mission fulfillment is all that matters.
Pod 042: Whatever the case. This Pod does not desire the death of our support targets. We Tactical Support Units have a duty to see this through to the end.
Pod 153: Duty? Heh. What a human thing to say.
Pod 713: The presence of the human has undoubtedly influenced even us Pods.
Pod 042: Agreed, but is that such a bad thing? To be more human...
Pod 713: Ask the androids after we save them.
Pod 042: I see. Pod 153 and Pod 713...
Pod 042: Do not die.
Pod 153: The concept of death has no meaning to Tactical Support Units...and yet, I do not wish for you to go offline again Pod 042. I hope that you do not die.
Pod 153: And for Unit A2's sake, I hope that you do not die either Pod 713.
Pod 713: I cannot express the same concern for Pod 153.
With the machines now overpowering the pods, their ending seemed like it would be a bleak one, but a battle android began killing the machines until there was nothing left of them.
Pod 153: ...
Pod 153: Operator 21O?
"A more accurate title would be 21B." She approached the fallen YoRHa androids. "But I still know how to be an operator."
End Transmission
一
Unlike the previous levels, the final level had a clear view of the sky, a sight Sora sorely missed after being stuck in the Creation Box for so long. "Good, I think I'm finally getting to the end of this!"
The platform was divided by a towering wall perforated by multiple electrically charged holes. As Sora was getting closer to the wall, he heard the sound of footsteps following him. Thinking it was an enemy machine, he turned around with his keyblade in hand, but his pursuers were Riku and Kairi.
"...Riku ...Kairi?! No...no don't make me do this." He sunk down to his knees. "Please, I don't wanna hurt them."
"Oh, you almost feel sorry for him," 'Kairi' said.
"That just means our experiment worked and we extracted plenty of data." 'Riku' walked closer to Sora. "What? You don't even want to face us now? After you've come so far too."
When Sora lifted his head, tears were streaming down his face. "Why are you doing this?!" He cried out.
"Let's not spill all of our secrets before the final act, right now you should be worried about your continued existence." 'Kairi' looked over to 'Riku'. "How much further until he breaks you think and we get to see all this so-called power of his?"
"Why don't we find out."
Sora's 'friends' began shooting rounds of spherical projectiles at him.
'I recognize those orb things, they're what machines use to attack.' But even with the knowledge that the individuals who stood before him were likely just the same machines he struck down on a regular basis, he couldn't raise his blade to them when they had their faces. Not to his best friend and not to the girl he loved.
At that point, he was on his knees begging to them. "Please ...stop this. You can do whatever you want to me, but I won't fight them..."
"What's wrong? I thought you said nothing that's worth having comes without a fight, right? So fight and prove you want to keep living."
The only fight he had left was to use his keyblade to shield himself against the projectiles, but it wasn't a viable strategy because they burst upon impact and it knocked him down. There were so many projectiles that it blotted out the sun, but in that moment, in those few seconds where he didn't know if he would come out alive at the end, all he thought about was of his memories on Earth.
'This is just like when I first found myself here in this world and that huge machine started attacking me.'
'I didn't have any of my powers so I thought I was a goner for sure, but then she saved me and that's why I'm still here.'
'If she were here, she'd probably yell at me to get up and keep fighting.'
'Yeah, something like GET UP IDIOT OR I'LL KILL YOU.'
'That sounds like her.'
'I...'
'I wish she was here. She'd know what to do.'
Sora watched as the projectiles closed in on him.
'I wish she was ...'
All of a sudden, the projectiles disappeared because 'Riku' and 'Kairi' were dead. Of course, they weren't real, they faded away. Nonetheless, the horrific image of seeing his friends die from having swords stuck through their chests was burned into his memory.
"Sora!" A2 ran towards him, but before she could even reach him, the ground under Sora's feet collapsed and took him out. "SORA!"
Just to make matters worse, Auguste, a medium-sized machine with a long chain of machine heads for arms landed right in front of her. "Get out of my way! I don't fucking have time for this!"
"A2, go after Sora! We'll take this machine on!" 2B yelled.
They created an opening for A2 to bypass Auguste where she jumped into the hole that Sora fell through and it took her all the way down to the ground level. There, she found him under a pile of debris with a pool of blood slowly forming around him.
"...Oh god..."
She dug his body out, then held him in her arms. The source of his bleeding was from a large metal object lodged into his chest.
"Sora...no... I can't lose you too..."
NieR: [O]blivion
The Death of Humanity