Far East Headquarters - Lab Room
"Sakaki!"
"Bwah?!"
Soma shouted as he entered his laboratory, startling every researcher in the room. The doctor him nearly tumbled to the floor at his explosive entry into his laboratory. His appearance nearly burst the now fixed door, once again, off of its hinges. Didn't that man know how to open door properly? Stumbling to his feet, Paylor straightened his crooked glasses and cleared his throat slightly.
"How can I help you, Soma?"
"We need your help." Striding into the center of the room, he placed Neo on the table.
The moment she came into view every researcher backed quickly against the walls, clearly trying to create as much distance as possible between themselves and the New Type. Their reaction seemed a bit extreme to him but having borne witness to what had happened in this very room, he couldn't exactly blame them.
As the bravest… or perhaps the most reckless of them, Sakaki stepped forward. His worry vanished almost immediately upon noticing her incapacitated state. She lay, still bleeding profusely onto the table. Her breaths were slow and shallow. She didn't have much time.
"What happened?"
Soma paused, unsure of how to answer his question. What exactly what he supposed to say? 'Our Squad Leader snuck out in the middle of the night to murder our New Type who nearly murdered him in response before summoning a horde of ravenous Aragami which she promptly electrocuted' didn't exactly roll off the tongue. He had been so preoccupied with getting Neo to safety, that he hadn't taken the time to consider an explanation on how she had ended up in such a state in the first place. After a few moments of his floundering, Paylor shook his head. The reason was irrelevant at that point.
"Never mind it end. Come, we need to stop the bleeding."
He immediately set to work gathering bandages, instruments, and other items. The others in the room looked nervously at one another, uncertain of what to do. A couple of them had been present for her previous outburst and they remembered quite vividly what this woman was capable of. It hadn't been but so long ago that they had buried their colleague. Reasonably, those two were especially hesitant to approach her. Paylor however, was having none of it.
"She poses very little threat in this state. Please, set to work." His voice was jovial as it normally was, but the undertone beneath it left no room for argument. Slowly, the others in the room came to life, moving carefully about the room. They kept a very close eye on the unconscious woman as they gathered their supplies. One set to tearing open what remained of her shirt, exposing the gaping wound. Others gathered disinfectants and stitches. Soma watched his eyes filled with concern as her breaths became slower. He had just gotten her back only to lose her once more.
She was so still. So peaceful… until she wasn't.
The moment the antiseptic touched her wound, her body convulsed, sending everyone around her in a panic, scrambling to get away from the table. When she fell still, they looked to Paylor silently, seemingly waiting for a signal that it was safe to continue. When he nodded, they continued their work. As time passed, it became increasingly obvious that she was very much unconscious. Her body was likely reacting to the pain.
Soma frowned as he watched his friend, writhing painfully in her sleep. Even so close, she was so far away. Even as she lay before him, not 20 feet away, once again, he was powerless to help her… and so was her companion. At that thought, he quickly turned and made his way to the exit. He needed to inform the Director immediately.
. . .
City of Mercy - Cathedral
Sharp, ragged breaths escaped his lips as he lay tiredly against a rock wall. He was utterly exhausted. After Soma had escaped with Neo, he turned his attention to the threats that lay behind. As he had suspected, the Vajra arrived shortly after their departure. He managed to slay the beast, but it hadn't made his job easy. It's roar had attracted another pair of Vajra, one after the other, in its wake. After pushing back the first, a few well-timed stun grenades allowed him to make a tactical retreat.
His experimental mixture had surprisingly worked as intended, increasing his strength and resilience and accelerating is healing capabilities. But his condition had been far less than ideal even prior to the consecutive assaults. While the medication had given him the power he had needed, he had simply sustained other injuries during the process. His new wounds slowly painted the stone surface red as he leaned tiredly against the wall of the Cathedral.
He smiled softly as he gazed at the full moon through the broken window. It's light shining through the stained glass created a colorful effect similar to a kaleidoscope. It was a beautiful sight and one that he wouldn't mind being his last, although he would have preferred it to be something… or someone else. He doubted he had much time left. His escape had taken him from one battlefield into a different one.
While he had escaped the Aragami's assault, he had now found his way into the center of their den. The City of Mercy was Vajra territory and he couldn't stay hidden in the Cathedral forever. His cellular device had been shattered during the battle and his armlet damaged, so it was unlikely that his tracking device was functional. He was injured, alone, and stranded.
…But Neo was safe.
And that was all that he had ever wanted to begin with. Even in his lapse of judgment, he had never once wanted anything else. He wondered if they had made it back. Neo had summoned nearly every Aragami within a mile radius to the subway, so their path should have been relatively clear. Even better, Soma was with her. Ichiro couldn't think of a single person more capable than him… not even himself. Sometimes he wondered if he were even human…
Wait…
Blinking, he reached into his coat pocket, reminded as he thought of the pair. He hadn't gotten a chance to examine the disk that Soma had given to him. Pulling out the recording, he looked it over. It didn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary, minus the splotches of blood along the edges.
What the hell?
Turning it, he was surprised to find his own name written in Kanji on the label.
His interest piqued, he quickly pulled Reaper's recorder from his coat pocket. In their alarm, he had forgotten to pass it along to Soma. Hopefully he wouldn't need it. Shrugging, he carefully switched out the tapes, placing Fida's recording in his pocket and the new one inside of the audio player. Since it was already in his possession, he may as well use it.
Curiously, he hit the Play button and listened to the recording.
As the audio began to flow from the player, he could what sounded like an outdoor setting. Wind billowed against the speaker, distorting the sound and the sound of chattering teeth was barely audible over the surroundings. He almost thought that he could hear footsteps. Listening carefully, he strained his ears to hear past the noisy landscape.
Yes. Definitely footsteps, crunching across uneven terrain. From the sound underfoot, it was possibly gravel or snow and ice. He could hear two pairs of feet, one clearly much heavier than the other. One of the two must have been larger… possibly a male and female? Then he could hear shuddering breaths as the holder lifted the speakers to his lips. He felt his heart skip as he heard his father's voice drifting from the device.
"Day 1"
"It has been approximately 35 minutes since our escape from the aircraft. Thanks to Neo's quick thinking, we were able to descend safely to the ground below… unfortunately, our new location doesn't appear to be much more habitable. I am not certain exactly where we are, but I will assume based off of our environment and flight path that we are somewhere to the north of the continent. Possibly Canada. The temperatures are below freezing and falling quickly. I do not know how much time we have left, but I will document our journey for as long as I am able… in case we are ever found."
"Day 2"
"It has been approximately 48 hours since our arrival. Over the past two nights, we have taken shelter in a small abandoned building to shield ourselves from the elements. Based off of the architectural layout, I assume that this building is some form of motel or inn. There are a few rooms upstairs and a kitchen towards the back, stocked with some perishables. The freezing temperatures have preserved some of them, so that should sustain us for at least a little while. There is some firewood in the upstairs floors which we have been burning to keep warm. If we use all of the fuel and kindling from the rooms and the downstairs area, we should be able to manage for at least a few days. Unfortunately, the pipes have long frozen over so there is no running water. What a great time to be surrounded by snow!"
Ichiro chuckled quietly at his father's jovial tone of voice. Always the eternal optimist, of course he would manage to find humor in their dire situation.
"Day 7"
"It has been roughly one week since our arrival and we live to see another day. Neo has been patrolling the area around us, keeping any wandering Aragami at bay. I have asked her many times not to travel unnecessarily outdoors, but alas, she rarely listens. Teens will be teens, as they say. She is determined to keep me safe, which I greatly appreciate. But I wish that she would show more concern for her own well-being. In the meantime, I have been making myself useful as well. Can't let Neo do all of the work, now can I? It looks like there are some communication tools inside of the inn. If I can find a way to power them, perhaps we can use them to call for help."
"Day 12"
"It has been nearly a fortnight and we are surviving well enough. The firewood is beginning to run low, and Neo has been unsuccessful in her search for more fuel. I fear that if we find no solution soon, we may succumb to the cold. I have also been unsuccessful in my quest, as all equipment within the building remains unusable. If I could just find a functional power source…"
"Day 21"
"Marvelous! Simply marvelous! Neo never ceases to amaze. We have located an underground cellar within the building. It contains a large supply of nonperishables and canned goods, so this should sustain us for even more time. We have also discovered that the building has an electric backup generator… and Neo can successfully power it! Her electrical currents allow her to feed power to the generator and we can now use it to run the heating system. I am not sure how long this strategy will hold, but for now let us count our blessings."
"Day 24"
"Hm… a note to document regarding Neo. It seems that she requires Oracle cell consumption to power her Aragami capabilities. Or perhaps not. At the very least, it greatly increases their capacity. She has taken to weekly hunts in order to continue powering our base of operations. I am worried for her…"
"Day 32"
"It has been over a month since we became stranded, but our hideout is still serving us well. I am concerned that our food supplies may grow scarce within a few weeks. I am not sure what we will do once that happens… Worse, the equipment in the building is no good. While powered, there are no functioning lines and we haven't any devices to send or receive a signal. If I can find the correct components, I can possibly build a makeshift device. But that would require us to venture further outside these walls. I will discuss the matter with Neo when she returns. Her voice has returned to her, you know. She seems happier for it."
"Day 46"
"We have begun our expeditions outside of the base. So far, we haven't had much luck. I fear we may have to travel even farther to locate functional machinery, but travel is proving difficult. The Aragami population is relatively high, and the temperatures remain below freezing, even during the day. Neo has offered to carry me around so that we can traverse our distances faster. Silly girl. I couldn't possible allow her to do that. I have to say, I have never actually seen Neo in battle… she's very impressive! I have never seen such accuracy in all of my years… although I detest their chosen methods. There must have been a better way… if only I had known…"
"Day 61"
"Yesterday marked our second month in the wilderness. Staying out here for so long has given me plenty of time to think. While I am old enough to remember the olden days… I have spent the past 20 years within Fenrir-controlled facilities. I have lived my live ignorant to the savagery outside of the protective walls. I have now even more sympathy for those whom Fenrir rejects… and admiration as well! Without Neo, I have no doubt that I'd have perished long ago. Come to think of it… where did that girl run off to now?"
"Day 73"
"Success! We have located vehicles in some of the wreckage of the inner city. Their components are possibly salvageable and the cellular devices we have located may serve us as well. I will set to work immediately. So long as we have power, it seems we may yet escape this barren wasteland… Unfortunately, I am not so sure how long that will last. The strain is beginning to wear on Neo, I just know it. She refuses to admit it, but I can see the exhaustion in her eyes. She hunts multiple days per week now, insisting that we need warmth. I will search for more kindling on our next outing. She is pushing herself too hard."
"Day 97"
"The components we found weeks ago have proved somewhat useful, but only a handful were salvageable. I have managed to create a crude S.O.S. signal from what we have found. It seems that two-way communication at this time is not possible. I will continue to search for a solution. In the meantime, our food supply is getting low. Even with minimum caloric intake, we can only stretch our resources for a few more weeks. Neo has since started refusing consumption of any human food. It seems that she is capable of surviving primarily on a diet of other Aragami. Such a strange phenomenon. Is this a result of our current environment, or has this capability always existed within her I wonder?"
"As a matter of fact, I'm not certain what she ever did with that Vajra core I gave her years ago. Hm…"
"Day 115"
"It has been one week since the distress signal was activated. So far, there's been no indication that we have been heard. Is no one searching for us…? Or perhaps the signal simply isn't strong enough. I will continue our search. We must find a way to strengthen the signal. Food is growing scarce and I fear how much time we have remaining… or perhaps I should say how much time I have remaining. I am beginning to suspect that Neo will be capable of surviving in this wilderness even long after I'm gone. She is… changing. I'm not sure how to describe it. She is hunting more and consuming larger quantities of food. She also seems to be developing a resistance to the temperatures. She is able to remain outside for longer stretches of time. The change is gradual, but certain. I will continue to record my observations."
"Day 136"
"I have found some components that I believe may strengthen the signal… but I am running out of time. Food is nearly exhausted and Neo has taken to traveling into the city to search for more resources. She has returned with cans and other non-perishables, but I don't like the idea of her wandering around out there for so long. What if something happens to her? What if she gets hurt? I have no power to stop her… not figuratively nor physically. I appreciate her concern, but I wish she would listen to me…"
"Day 142"
"We found a new habitable location on our most recent search… but we were ambushed at the location. Viable food and equipment were destroyed in the attack. Neo was able to destroy the creature using her God Arc and her natural weaponry, and despite my protests insisted on consuming the new core. What type of creature was that? It resembled a Vajra, but it's face… I must study this further. But first, we must continue our search for more components."
"Day 158"
"We have nearly exhausted our food supply. Neo is having increasingly more difficulty collecting resources. I am not sure if the Aragami threat is increasing or if the food is simply scarce… that being said, something is definitely wrong with Neo. Her changes are becoming more and more evident. I can confirm without a doubt that she is adapting to our environment. With every passing day, she grows stronger and more resistant to the temperatures. We nearly froze to death upon our arrival and that was from barely an hour of exposure. Today, she is capable of remaining outside for up to nearly eight hours before she starts to feel the effects of the cold. I'm not sure what's going on with her… "
"Day 161"
"I have found the components we need! I will set to work immediately in strengthening the device. Food supplies won't last more than a few more days. I have to find a way to contact Headquarters. Something has only just recently come to my attention. I am sorry to say that it is unlikely Fenrir will find us without intervention. The 'pilot' altered our flight signal when he hijacked our transit. As far as HQ is concerned, we were on our way to Russia. Even if they have been searching for us all this time, they have been searching in the wrong place. If I cannot find a way to send a signal… Neo may be trapped out here for the remainder of her days. I doubt that I will survive this journey, but perhaps I can still save her."
"Day 165"
"Food supplies have been exhausted. Neo has been tirelessly traveling farther and farther, but to no avail. She seems to be growing desperate. I need to finish this device. I do not want to continue being a burden to her… which brings me to another thought. It seems that her adaptation is accelerating somehow. I am noticing that her resistance is increasing at a faster rate… or perhaps she is simply ignoring the damage to her body. I cannot say. I have noticed however that it is beginning to affect her physiology as well. I have noticed at the root her hair grows brighter each day. In her eye, I see the iris beginning to change. Incredibly, only the right eye seems to be affected. The left remains golden, no matter how many changes occur in the other. I wish I could explore this further… but there isn't time for that."
"Day 170"
"I have returned us to our primitive heat source. I cannot allow Neo to push herself any farther. We are now keeping warm primarily using the fire… but Neo doesn't seem very happy about it. I have noticed that the longer she stays out here, the more averse she is becoming to flame. She hissed at me yesterday when I added more fuel. Could this be related to her adaptation somehow?"
"Day 173"
"Time continues to pass and I am growing weaker by the day. I fear I do not have much time left… and Neo, I think, feels the same. She is growing increasingly more agitated, traveling farther, and staying out for longer periods of time. I had to stop her last night from running out into the dark! It brings joy to my heart to see how protective she is of me, but I sincerely wish that she would be more careful… To be honest I am not certain how much longer she can go on like this. Her God Arc… it is starting to resist her. Whatever changes are occurring, they are affecting her compatibility. At this rate, I worry that her God Arc may one day become unusable."
"Day 175"
"I can barely stand… in fact, I can barely even record this. My time will be coming soon, I know it… I have completed the device and it is fully functional. I don't believe that I can strengthen the signal any farther. With any luck, maybe… just maybe… Neo will be found."
"Day 177"
"…I… have little time. I can no longer move on my own. I am sorry to say that I must burden Neo with the task of transportation. I am currently inside of the aircraft. I asked Neo to patrol the area outside. I couldn't bear for her to hear what I am about to say… This will be my final documentation. I will place all that I have recorded into her research container in the cockpit of this transport. My final request to her is to remain near the base. The device should send a signal for the next 3 years, assuming that she continues to power it. It is out of my hands now. My journey ends here. As such… I wish to leave a message to both of you.
To Neo… I am sorry. I am so very, very sorry. No words can possibly repent for the pain I have brought to you. I should never have left you alone. I had thought that you would be safe… I never imagined such a fate would befall you in my absence. I have spent nearly every day of our time here questioning. Wondering why you remained silent. Why you never tried to tell me what they were doing. Before I finally realized… that you did. Absorbed in my research, I neglected your warnings. I told you that you needed to go to your appointments. To behave yourself… to be a good girl and be brave. I had no idea.
… and while I am on the topic… I have one more thing to confess. It was at my suggestion that Fida undergo the procedure. I had a theory that it may have been successful, but I never expected you to be… well… you. I never could have imagined the marvel that you would become. Not as a successful experiment, but as a person. While we share no blood, I have always thought of you as my own. You are a wonderful child who deserved nothing of what she received. We were so blinded by our ambitions… and both you and your mother paid the price. I deserve my fate. It is a small penance, but I can offer nothing more but apologies. I love you, my child. And can only beg your forgiveness and hope that you one day you may find peace.
And to my son, Ichiro… I owe you an apology as well. I wasn't always there for you the way that I should have been. I spent far too much time studying and guiding Neo when I should have been guiding my only son. I allowed my goals and my research to overshadow what should have always been the most important… you. I cannot fathom the pain and loneliness you must have felt in my ever growing absence. I am an embarrassment both as a scientist and as a father.
I know that there is no amount of begging or remorse that can ever be worthy forgiveness… but if I may, I must ask you only one thing: Please. Don't blame Neo. It isn't her fault. Both her existence and my absence are the result of my foolishness. The fault is mine and mine alone. Therefore, I am the one that deserves your scorn. I do not blame you if you resent me. I do not blame you if you hate me… and should this message somehow ever reach you, I want you to know how truly, truly sorry I am. I love you, my son. And I always will."
"…Heh… Ha ha ha ha!"
As the recording came to an end, Ichiro found himself smiling. He let out a bitter laugh, the irony of the situation never lost on him. He had never once resented his father, nor had he ever blamed Neo for all that had happened. In fact… he was grateful to her. While his relationship with his father wasn't all that it could have been, he was far from lonely. He found a wonderful companion through her, and such a bond would have never been possible had she not existed. He didn't want to imagine a world without Neo in it… and that was exactly how he had ended up in this situation.
He had agreed to become her 'handler' and her guardian to protect. His duty was to remain at her side, protecting her from the world and vice versa. He knew that without his protection, they would murder her and so he had undergone his training to keep her safe. But it had all gone terribly wrong. In the end, he had allowed himself to be manipulated into ending her life himself, blinded by his own sadness and grief. He had been fooled into carrying out their mission to eliminate the problem child…
… and he had failed.
He was to watch over and control Specimen 13. He was to destroy her should she ever lose control or attack another human being, then bury all of her available evidence with her. But he couldn't. He couldn't control her, nor could he destroy her… because he didn't want to. He was meant to keep his distance and observe their volatile creation. Instead, he had fallen in love with her.
He never saw her as the inhuman creature that others did. He saw only a bright, compassionate, and curious girl. Of course, she had more than few quirks, including frightening strength, terrifying speed, and a mischievous streak a mile long… but he loved every bit of it. Her strange habits and traits had only served to make him love her even more.
Neo had found her way into his heart long before he even realized it.
Oguruma's words echoed in his mind as he smiled. He had warned him time and again of what she was, but he didn't care. He had warned him not to see her as human, but he did. He had warned him that that woman would be the death of him. And now, it seemed he was right. He truly was his father's son… and he wouldn't have it any other way.
He leaned his head against the wall and sighed. He could do nothing now but wait for the Reaper… the real one. As he smirked, he could hear the echo of a clattering stone from the entrance of the building. Something was coming. It seemed he wouldn't have long to wait after all. Smiling, he closed his eyes for what would likely be the final time.
