Unknown Date

Unknown Time

Unknown Place

One moment, there's nothing. No light, no noise, nothing. Only darkness. I'm lying in stasis, immobile like a statue gathering dust. I'm not even conscious yet.

And then, something happens and I'm suddenly awake. Who am I…?

For a moment, I don't even know who, what or where I am. I try to remember, and I recall some things about myself, but not everything. I…I remember that I ain't human.

I remember that I'm…some kinda robot? Yeah…yeah, that sounds about right. After all, no human could survive being sealed away for so long without food, air or water, right? Wait a minute…that's right, I remember! I remember being sealed away! I don't remember the exact details, but I know that I was trying to…to escape some kind of facility on an island? And people were chasing me? But I failed, I got caught, and…then what? What else was there? If I'm a robot, then were those people who were chasing me my creators? Was that facility where I was created? Why was I trying to escape? What happened back there?

Why am I having. so much trouble trying to remember anything? Is it because I just woke up? Speaking of which, how long has it been? Hours? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? Or maybe even decades? I swear, if I get outta…whatever this is and find out that I'm the last creature on Earth or some crap like that, heads are gonna roll.

I'm thankful that my memory hasn't been completely erased or anything like that and that I can still remember some things, but it's still really annoying that I can't recall everything. I don't think I got re-activated by accident. Someone or something must've woken me up, for whatever reason. But why?

I got way too many questions right now. And they just keep on piling up with no answers. Okay, let's focus on priorities here. I need to find a way outta this mess and then find out who or what turned me back on. Then, I'll try to get some answers. I know that I'm a robot and my name is…my name is…Unit #31? Designation "Labrys"? I…my memory is foggy. I ain't quite sure which is correct. But if I had to pick, I'd choose Labrys. It's apparently the name of a legendary weapon from Greek Mythology. Wait, why do I know that? I must have picked that from my knowledge database. Well, at least it ain't just a serial number. Plus, being named after a legendary weapon might be a bit cliché, but it still sounds awesome.

I try to move my body, but I can't. I can't even turn my neck to look down at my body. It's like I'm trapped inside myself. Did spending so much time sealed away mess up my body? That would be a real pain in the butt. Suddenly, I feel a strange sensation on the inside. A strange energy is pulsating inside of me. Is it coming from whatever is powering me?

I focus inwards and I can feel it…my "core". A strange, otherworldly energy source. It looks like a glowy, silver-blue crystal. Kinda like my hair color…My viewpoint ascends out of nowhere, and I float adrift, as if some mysterious force is kidnapping me and taking me somewhere. Normally, this would make me panic, but for some reason, I don't feel any fear or worry at all.

I fly weightlessly through a warped sky full of pretty colors, unfamiliar images, weird shapes and flashing lights. I know I should be a bit more freaked out by this, but honestly, compared to the darkness, this is an improvement. Plus, I'm apparently a robot, so I don't think I have to worry about seizures, right? This must be what the humans call "dreaming". Since I've got a mind and an ego, I guess it ain't impossible for something like me to dream, but still. Why now? I've spent who knows how long asleep and sealed away, yet I've never dreamt before. So why am I dreaming now?

Suddenly, the colors, images, lights and shapes come to a halt. I land in an unfamiliar white room. There is a bed there. Next to the bed, there is a flatscreen monitor. There are also white shelves surrounding the bed. On the other side of the bed opposite to the monitor, there is an intravenous drip. There's also a few other machines connected by cords, probably some kind of life signs monitor. Is this a hospital? The equipment somewhat reminds me of the facility…at least what I can remember of it, anyway. What is this place…? I've never been here before, yet for some reason, I feel like I've been here before? What's happening to me?

The room feels familiar and seeing it makes me feel really sad. But why? Why am I feeling like this? My memory is still fuzzy. This room must be connected to me, somehow. As I ponder these things, the scenery around me changes again. I first see a three-story concrete building. I don't know this building. Before I have time to examine the building, my surroundings change yet again. First, to a hallway filled with lockers. Then, to a small room filled with musical instruments. Then, to a courtyard with a soccer field. Then, to various other kinds of rooms with different things in them, only to finally stop at a room filled with desks and chairs facing a dark, green, rectangular board on the wall.

Is this…a "school"? A real "classroom"? Why do I know what those things are? And why am I feeling so interested in my surroundings? For a moment, I forget that this is a dream and I focus my senses to the desks and chairs. I then realize that I can actually move. I feel relieved to be able to move again, after so long. Yet I'm also confused and I got lots of questions. Where am I? What is happening to me? Why am I seeing these things? It all feels familiar, but I don't understand why. Have I been here before? Or is the general concept of a "school" something I know about?

It's hard for me to think straight right now. This is a "school". This is where "classes" happen. I know that. But why do I know that? And why I am feeling sad when I look at all this? It feels like it's something I really want, but it also feels like something I can never have. I feel excited at all this, yet also frustrated. I look down at myself, and I see a lot of metal covering my body. Makes sense, since I'm a robot. I also feel something on my back. Are those…wings? Can I fly? That sounds awesome! Note to self: test out flight capabilities later.

My memories are foggy. I'm guessing that things will become a bit more clear after I remember everything, but still. Either having been sealed away for so long has messed with my head, or the people who captured me did something to my memory. Did they try to erase it? Wait, no, that can't be right. After all, if you wanna erase someone's memories, why would you erase only part of their memory and then leave some of it intact? Wouldn't that give them a chance to eventually put the pieces together to remember what they forgot? I'm guessing something else must be doing this to me, then. Still, at least I remember just enough to understand my situation. I can worry about the rest later. Although, for some reason, the idea of remembering what happened to me makes me feel…scared? Worried? Why? Whatever the case, I got a feeling that my backstory isn't a happy one.

Suddenly, I hear sounds and voices around me. Many voices are talking around me at once. It kinda reminds me of the sound of ocean waves, for some reason. It makes me feel…happy? The students are laughing and talking with each other. They all wear matching uniforms, with some differences. Specifically, three of 'em stand out. A boy with something around his neck, A girl with a green jacket and another girl with a red sweater. There's also a few other small groups of students talking to each other. I can't hear what they're saying, but their body language indicates that they're having fun. Wait, when did I become good at reading body language? I mean, I can read lips pretty well, so I guess that ain't a stretch, but still. Add that one to the list of skills I didn't know I've had.

They all look like they're having fun with each other. Then, the scene proceeds to show various points in a normal school day. Not just classes, but also activities, clubs, sports, the student council…maybe it's because I've never done any of those things before, but I get even more excited. I want to have fun and join in, but I can't. I wish I could have fun with other kids like me…wait, do I even count as a kid? I mean, I'm a robot, but I don't feel like an adult, so…what does that make me? And what do those kids even do when they don't have school? Do they just…hang out and have fun with each other? That sounds nice. For a moment, I lose myself in the atmosphere.

But then, I remember, This is only a dream. A crushing feeling washes over me. No matter how much I wish for it, I'll never be able to go to school, make friends or have fun. Those students I saw…I'll never be one of 'em. I can try to act human all I want, and I may even look humanoid, but I ain't human. How could I live a normal life when I ain't even normal? I don't even know what "normal" is! Even if my heart is close to being like a human's heart, I can never truly be human. It's futile for someone who doesn't even know what a normal human life is to hope for a normal human life, especially if they're not even human themselves. I feel empty inside.

Still, although I am a machine, I remember that I had others like me who loved me. Makes sense, since one of my names is a serial number, so of course I wouldn't be the only one of my "production line". And I know that there were others too who cared for me, even if I can't completely remember 'em right now. What if there are others like them who could understand me and still like me even if I'm not like them? Would I then be able to find a place for myself amongst the humans?

Suddenly, I feel my environment changing again. There's thick fog around me everywhere. Where did that fog even come from? The classroom and students disappear. I'm confused, but I also feel sad, 'cause I wanted it to last just a bit longer. Instead, I'm surrounded by thick, heavy fog. And I'm now standing on a strange path covered in red tiles. What is this place? It makes me feel…cold. The fog is so thick that I can barely see anything. Straight outta nowhere, I feel something inside me blaring and my systems are buzzing wildly, almost as if my body is constantly screaming "DANGER". It feels really intense.

[WARNING! Massive power signature detected. Threat level: extreme. Proceed with great caution.]

What was that? Was that…my internal systems trying to warn me about some kinda danger? My instincts are screaming at me to fight or run, which scares me a lot. Obviously, my functions are trying to warn me about something. And there's probably something very powerful somewhere around here. What could be so dangerous that it could make my systems freak out so bad?

I try to speak and call out to…whatever is here with me, but I can't speak. Why can't I speak? Is whatever else there is here using it's power to prevent me from speaking? I keep my guard up, I muster my courage and I decide to go in the direction where my senses are telling me the danger is coming from. After all, there's nowhere else to go, right?

"You will never find a place to belong as you are now."

Suddenly, as I keep advancing, I hear a mysterious voice. I gasp in surprise and I look around me frantically. I can't see anything because of the fog. I can't even tell if the voice is male or female. It sounds heavily distorted. Whoever the owner of that voice is, they obviously don't want me to know who or what they are. I don't recognize that voice. Systems, do you have anything to say about this?

[Error. Analysis failed. Unable to identify. Data input required. Possibly a hyperdimensional life form. Power signature exceeds this unit's current power. Probability of victory: 0.00001%. Suggestion: Immediate retreat.]

So, basically, if this thing decides it wants to kill me, I'm screwed? For some reason, my mind becomes foggy. My systems and senses are having more and more trouble tracking the source of the voice through the fog. The path leads to…a giant red square? No, that can't be the end of the path, can it? I put my hand on the square and it opens up, revealing the rest of the path. I was right. It was a door. I continue on ahead, despite not knowing where it will lead me.

[Error. Unable to identify source of power signature. System interference detected. Threat level changed from extreme to FATAL.]

"There is no need for you to be alarmed. I only aim to grant you your wish and to help you live in the world you desire. Humans created you as a weapon, so they wouldn't think of you as anything more."

The voice is speaking my unspoken thoughts, which sends a chill down my spine and worries me even more. Can it read my mind? That's…disturbing.

"But it doesn't have to be like this. I can show you, if you want. Humans live by ignoring a part of themselves and by lying to themselves. They would all rather live and stagnate in empty, comfortable lies instead of facing the harsh truths of reality and use them to better themselves."

"Show me"? "Harsh truths"? What is the voice talking about? Again, the further I proceed down the red path, the harder it is to keep track of the voice. It sounds like it's coming from nowhere, yet somehow, it's also coming from everywhere at once. None of this is making any sense to me. Also, did they say that I was a weapon?

That's right, I was designed to be a weapon, wasn't I? And I remember that I ain't the only one of my kind. There are others like me…but I can't remember what happened to them. Did they get sealed away too? What was I even designed to fight against? I mean, you don't make a weapon unless you intend to use it to fight something, right? So, what was that "something"?

"Still, you are a bit different. You are like me, in that you are not human, so perhaps you'll be able to give me a more…unique perspective on mankind. Especially since your experience with humans hasn't exactly been positive."

Wait, they ain't human either? And how do they know about all that? What does it all mean? But…They're right. I don't remember everything, but I remember that the humans who made me treated me as nothing more than a tool. They didn't care about me or the others. Even after they gave me a "heart", they still saw me as nothing but an experiment.

"If that is the case, then why not leave it all behind? Why don't you decide to become like a human and live amongst them?"

Me…? Leave it all behind? Become like a human…?

The voice keeps talking and I feel my body become uneasily light, as if the world is spinning around me.

"All you have to do is to mask your true self from the world and live in blissful ignorance. Let the fog shroud your name, your past, and your true self, so that no one will ever suspect anything. Ignore anything contrary to your desires."

You want me to lie and ignore the truth? But…If…if I forget…

"What is wrong with letting go? You don't have to live in a reality of suffering. Live the life you want to live. After all, didn't the ones who cared for your well-being wished for you to be happy?"

An image then suddenly flashes in my mind, of another robot girl like me. Her appearance is shrouded, because I can't remember it well. But even thought I can't fully see her or remember her name (or serial number, because I assume she's got one too), I hear her voice speaking: "I wish from the depths of my heart for you to be happy". Is it a good idea for me to grant that wish? Do I deserve to be happy after what I did to her-wait, why am I thinking like that? What is wrong with me? My mind is getting even more foggy and I am missing several pieces in this puzzle. Still, would it be wrong to seize this opportunity to be happy, both for her sake as well as for the others who cared about me, whoever they may be?

"Put on a mask, shroud yourself in fog, and be happy for yourself. Pursue the life you want, and leave your pain and sorrow behind you."

Before I can do anything, I feel my vision going dark. The sounds I hear fade away. I suddenly feel as if I'm falling. What's…what's happening to me?

[Error. Unknown force is tampering with systems. Immediate retreat recommended-BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZKTPPLJGA-]

"However, if you still wish to learn the truth, then by all means, try your best to find it. Try your best to find me, if you can. You can see a little, despite the fog. But do not assume you will automatically be able to find what you seek. Remember: The world is made up of deceit and deceivers. Everyone sees what they want to see and they all believe what they want to believe. I look forward to seeing how you perform. Good luck."

[BAKDHAIOWHFYCBSKWOW193749274050284874863]

My systems are freaking out and going haywire. Everything around me is swallowed by bewildering fog, and I lose consciousness.

"Enjoy the gift I have bestowed upon you."


Unknown Date

Unknown Time

Unknown Place

After a while of being unconscious, I hear a sound. Is that…singing? And piano music? I've never heard either of those up until now, but I'm sure that's what they are. I can also feel that I am sitting at…a desk? I open and reactivate my eyes and senses, then I get up. I'm inside some kind of strange blue room. It looks beautiful, yet unearthly. Strange…my sensors are unable to pinpoint my exact location, and my database doesn't have anything on this. It looks somewhat like the classroom that I saw in my dream. Am I in a classroom?

My eyes turn to the front of the "classroom". I see two people. They look human, but there's something strange about them. One of them is a tall, elegant woman dressed in blue. The other is a strange man in a suit, with a very long nose. They look a bit weird, but then again, who am I to judge? I look outside the classroom window for a moment, and I try to look outside, but all I see is fog like in my dream. Are these people connected to the voice I heard in my dream? I turn my head to look back at 'em. We spend a few moments looking at each other, and I don't even know what to say. This whole situation is very strange to me. The man speaks first.

"Welcome to the velvet room!"

"Velvet room"? More like "velvet classroom".

"My, it seems we have a most unusual guest, don't we? One with an intriguing destiny as well." The man then chuckles a bit. The woman decides to speak up too.

"Indeed. It has been a while since we've had a non-human guest, has it not?"

I immediately start panicking. These people know that I ain't human? What are they gonna do to me?

"Do not be alarmed", the woman says, seemingly being able to know what I was thinking just by looking at my face. "Just so you know, we are not quite human either. And your race does not matter to us. We treat our guests all the same."

Really? She…she seems to be sincere, which makes me feel a bit better, but…"guest"? What does that mean? And what did the old man mean by "intriguing destiny"?

"My name is Igor…I am delighted to make your acquaintance."

Igor? That's his name? Should I introduce myself too? How do I respond? This situation is so bizarre that I don't even know what to say.

"Yes, welcome.", greets the woman. "And I will be here to accompany you on your travels. You may call me Margaret."

Margaret? They both have foreign-sounding names, like me.

"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter…", continues Igor as he takes out a pair of cards and puts them on the big desk in front of him. "It is a room that only those who are bound by a "contract" may enter. Such a fate may await you in the future."

A "contract"? What contract? I don't recall signing anything. Igor then makes the cards move on the desk…without touching them? How is he doing that? It's like telekinesis…I guess they weren't kidding when they said they're not human, huh? Again, I got so many questions right now.

"Let's hope that your journey will be quite interesting at the least", says Margaret while smiling at me. "Now, then…Why don't you introduce yourself?"

I don't get everything that's going on right now, but if what that voice from my dream and these two are saying is true, then am I about to go on some kinda crazy adventure? Well, at any rate, Margaret is right. They've both introduced themselves to me and they don't seem hostile, so I guess there's no harm in introducing myself either, right. For the first time in a long time, I let my voice be heard.

"M…My…My name…My name is…My name is…Labrys."

My voice and my throat both feel a bit strange, but that's probably because I haven't tried to speak since before I was sealed away. I put a hand on my neck, and I immediately realize that something weird is going on. I look at my hand and to my shock, it looks and feels…fleshy?

"W-What? Wait, why does it look-", I stumble in shock and I look down at the rest of my body. I immediately see that…it ain't metal either. "HUH? WHAT?"

"Is something the matter?", Margaret asks me with a confused look.

I'm completely speechless. What is happening to me? Did I get turned into a human? How is that even possible? I don't understand! Did something happen to me? I don't even-

"Ah. I think I see the problem. Margaret, could you please help her?"

I turn towards Igor as he speaks to Margaret

"I understand. It seems she has fooled herself with her own abilities."

Wait, what? My own abilities? I don't-

"Do not worry, dear guest. I will help you understand", she declares while snapping her fingers. A strange light envelops my body, I feel a bit strange, and…suddenly, I'm in my true form again! Metal limbs and all. I just stand there, completely speechless.

"It seems you have a power that allows you to cast illusions to fool all senses", Margaret explains. "You were using that power to disguise yourself as a human. Judging by your reaction, I'm guessing that until now, you were unaware that you had this power, correct?"

I nod at her silently. I can do that? I can control people's senses and make them see what I want them to see? That's…actually kinda neat. And it could prove useful in the future. Still, how did I not know about this up until now? If I knew I could do that, I could've used that to escape my creators back then, on the island…I wish I knew how to control it. I feel a bit less worried now, but I'm still somewhat anxious. Igor chuckles at my shenanigans.

"My, it seems our new guest is full of surprises, even to herself!"

I take a look at Margaret, who shrugs and goes back to Igor's side. I take a seat at one of the desks and I try to calm myself down. The cards on Igor's desk start to glow as he holds a hand over them. What is he doing?

"Now, let's take a look into your future, shall we?"

My future? He can predict the future? Wow, he must be powerful if he can do something like that. The cards start mixing and shifting on the table.

"Do you believe in fortune telling?", Igor asks me. I shrug at him, because I don't know much about that. "Each reading is done with the same cards, yet the result is always different…*chuckle* Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it?"

Well, I haven't been alive that long and I don't know that much about the outside world, so you'd know more about it than I would.

Two cards stand out from the desk. The first one draws itself up in the air. It depicts a tower struck by lightning. It looks somewhat ominous.

"Hm…The tower in the upright position. Great change and a terrible catastrophe are imminent in your future."

I'm not surprised by that statement as I would normally be, since I've already been warned that my life is about to take a major turn, which describes that statement pretty well. Igor draws the second card in the air. It depicts a crescent moon.

"The moon, in the upright position.", continues Igor. "This card represents "hesitation" and "mystery"…Very interesting indeed. It seems you will encounter a misfortune at your destination, and a great mystery will be imposed upon you." Again, not surprised. Already been told. "The coming year is a turning point in your destiny…if the mystery goes unsolved, your future may be forever lost. Our duty is to assist our guests and guide them to make sure that doesn't happen."

Well, I don't know these two very well, but I'm to glad to hear that at least someone is looking out for me. It makes me feel a little better.

"We shall attend to the details when you return here in the future. Until then, farewell…"

Wait, what? "Huh? Hold on!", I yell at them. "I still got so many questions for you guys! When will we see each other again? Where am I going? What's this mystery and calamity you both keep talkin' about? What-"


4/11 MON

Afternoon

Train to the Unknown

And then I wake up. In a different place. Again. Okay, now this is just getting ridiculous. I'm getting sick of being jerked around like this and not knowing what's going on. Where am I? What I am doing? I feel and hear a rumbling of some kind. I've never heard this noise before, but according to my database, This is the sound of…a train? I'm on a train? I open my eyes and I'm sitting on a passenger seat, next to a window.

How did I get here? What is happening? Where am I going? I look down at myself again, and I see that I'm back in my human disguise. I take a moment to touch and pat my arms and legs for a bit. Wow, they feel so real. Not to brag, but I'm impressed with myself. I decide that examining myself would be a lot easier if I had a mirror of some kind, I look around and I see some humans on the train, sitting in their own seats. I decide to talk to one of them. I try not to appear nervous to avoid raising suspicion. I hope my disguise works.

"Um, excuse me?", I ask.

The human looks at me. "Yeah? What's up?"

I'm a bit nervous about interacting with a human, but my illusion disguise seems to be working well, so I think I'm good. "Could ya please tell me where I can find a mirror?"

The human shrugs and reaches into their bag. She pulls a small mirror out of it and hand it over to me. "Here, you can borrow my compact for a bit."

I feel grateful towards them. "Thank you very much", I say as I grab this "compact" from her hands and use it to look at my own face. On my head, my metal parts are gone, and my hair is mostly the same, if a little bit shorter than it's usual length and darker than it's usual shade of blue-ish silver. And to my surprise, my eyes aren't red anymore. They're the same color as my hair. This must be part of the illusion too.

Now that I've taken a good look at my disguise, I give the compact back to the woman and I return to my seat. As the saying goes, I killed two birds with one stone: I saw what my disguise looks like on my face, and I've successfully tested out my new appearance. Come to think of it, if I learned how to control my powers, could I change my appearance to look like other people too? Food for thought. Suddenly, I hear a loud voice buzzing outta nowhere.

"Thank you for riding with us today. In just a few moments, we will reach our final stop of Yasoinaba Station. Please prepare to exit."

"Final stop"? "Yasoinaba"? This must be where this train is going. I don't know why I'm going there, and I don't know what I will find over there, but something is definitely waiting for me there. I still have no clue what is happening to me, but let's focus on the positives: At least I'm no longer sealed away. And by some miracle, I even managed to escape the island.

True, I have no control over any of this and there's obviously something bigger at play here behind the scenes, but hey, at least I think I'm okay for now. Come to think of it, do my creators even realize that I'm gone? Are they looking for me right now? They probably wouldn't recognize me if they saw me now, but still.

And what about my "sisters", the other weapons? What happened to them? Did they get sealed away too? Did they manage to escape and are out there somewhere? Whatever the case, I hope they're okay. If only I could get my missing memories back. It would make things so much easier. Come to think of it, how much time has passed since I got sealed away?

Judging by the level of technology I'm seeing around me in the phones that the humans are using, the little devices that their kids are playing on to distract themselves, as well as the train itself, I'm assuming that at least a few years have passed, enough for technology to be noticeably more advanced than before I got sealed away. But that doesn't tell me much, though.

Speaking of which…I notice that I've got some luggage with me. Where did it even come from…? It must be mine, since there's no one else sitting besides me on any side. I open it and I search the inside until I find…Ah! A phone and a wallet. I turn on the phone, I look at the time and I put it in my pocket. It's currently 3:45 PM.

I look out the window and I see that we've stopped at the train station. The other passengers are all grabbing their luggage and preparing to exit the train to the station. I decide to follow their example. I grab my luggage, I get in file with the other passengers who are preparing to get off the train. The loud voice buzzes again to announce that we've reached our destination and that we need to get out.

"Final stop, Yasoinaba! Final stop, Yasoinaba Station!"

This is it. The train stops, the doors open, and the passengers all get out of the train. I'm the last one to get out. I close my eyes, I take a step outside, then another, and another, and another. I open my eyes, and…I'm blinded by the sun. Can you blame me? I haven't been outside in a long time. But I don't mind. I take a good look at my surroundings. So, this is what the outside world looks like after so long.

It's so…beautiful. There are so many colors, I hear a bird sing, the sky looks beautiful, and even though my senses aren't quite like that of a human's, I can feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. And I feel something running down my cheek. Is…is that a tear? I didn't even know I could cry. Am I really crying? Or am I just unconsciously using my powers to fool myself and everyone else around me into thinking that I'm crying? Aw, who cares? I'm so happy. I've never felt so happy in my life. It's finally hitting me: No more research lab. No more island. No more darkness. I'm free. I can finally put it all behind me. It's time for a fresh start. I can finally be happy.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my phone buzzing. I pick it out of my bag. Even though I'm not good at using it yet because it's technology I've never used before, I can read a message that says: "Meet us outside Yasoinaba Station at 4:00 PM". This confuses me, because I didn't think that someone was actually waiting for me there. Who could they be? Igor and Margaret? Or maybe someone else? Only one way to find out. I decide to go meet them. Time for a new adventure. I look at my phone, and I notice a name tag attached to it. I notice that it doesn't say "Unit #31" or "Labrys". It's a new name. A new name for a new me. And a new me for a new life.

Since I'm not the old me, I guess it makes sense, since having a new name would help me blend in better with humans too. I read the name on the tag out loud to myself.

"Yura Narukami".