I returned the Sonmium World. At the same time, it was a blank space with a door.
With three memory locks that I unlocked, this was going to be the fourth one.
As I opened the door, it revealed to be... a train station called 'Star Trail'. That place was futuristic as the train was charged with electricity and gravity. There was no sign of people.
"Huh? Why the train station?" Axl asked.
"This is our last meeting with him. Plus, this isn't a normal train station. I'm going to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," I joked.
"Hardy har har, Tyro," Axl commented with a chuckle.
"Actually... Noir volunteered to the Cure Team for creating the antidotes and anti-viruses for the Honkai virus as a doctor of medicine," I remembered.
My younger self, Papa Bear and Noir faded in at the train station. I saw my younger self crying and hugged Noir. She couldn't let him go.
"I don't wanna go! I want to go with you and help people!" she cried as she sneezed on his pants... Oh god! I wished I shouldn't do that to him. I slapped my face.
Noir stroked her hair gently. "I'm sorry, Tyro. You can't go with me because it's still dangerous. I promise you that we can meet again. I taught you some martial arts for self-defense and protect the weak, right?"
She sobbed and nodded. "Yeah. And, strategies to avoid negative consequences and secret report techniques from Papa Bear to prevent bullies."
"That's right. You're a smart girl, Tyro. Promise to study hard and get stronger. We can write letters if we find something interesting," Noir suggested with a smile and snuggled me.
"Okie dokie, Noir. I will write letters every day. Love you, big bro!" she... No... I hugged him back.
"Love you too, little sis," Noir chuckled.
Finally, the fifth memory lock opened. As I entered the next room-
"Tyro, watch out!" Axl alerted me as I sensed a Honkai. I backflipped as the giant alien crab, the Tonatiuh, stabbed the ground that I was supposed to stay on. Fortunately, I dodged it quickly.
"A quantum Honkai?! Dark blue-violet means that they are high in defense. Since you dodged it twice, it turned translucent as a weakness called 'Collapsed mode'," Axl remembered.
"Correct!" I agreed. The Tonatiuh attacked me again but I successfully dodged it as it changed into the collapsed mode. I materialized my shotgun and gave it a headshot. It died instantly.
"Huh? I thought it will be five minutes fight. Still amazed," Axl was surprised.
"I want a quick fight... Now, for the fifth memory lock," I said.
In the fifty memory lock, Noir sat on the chair, writing a piece of paper on the table in the quarantine room. The room had huge glass doors. It had an advance lock and the way to open it was a key card. As I took a peek at the paper, it was an old-fashioned letter for me while I was studying at St. Freya.
"A letter? It's kinda nice to write. Although, is there something wrong with the internet connection?" Axl asked.
"Yup! We used to write on emails but their internet connection on the island was sometimes crappy. So, we ended up writing old-school style, even our writings are sloppy," I chuckled.
"I see. Understandable," Axl understood me.
While Noir was writing, I noticed that he had purple and blue veins on his skin. I had never seen a Honkai virus like this before. Was it more lethal than the other virus?
*Knock! Knock!*
I heard a knock on the glass door and turned around. It was Weiss. His expression was mixed with anxiousness and dread. He knew that Noir had the Honkai virus in him.
"Noir, I finally found you! Dr. Angelo told me that your condition is getting worse. He said that I won't go to you but I begged him to help you!" Weiss said, trying his best to keep himself together.
Noir ignored him and did not say anything.
"Please, Noir! If you don't reply, I'll open this-"
I was jumped scared as Noir got up.
"DON'T FUCKING OPEN THAT DOOR, WEISS! Do you want to spread the Honkai virus on you?!" Noir shouted outrageously.
"Yikes!" Axl shocked.
"Yikes! Well, he had a good point that he got infected and his Honkai virus will spread," I sighed sadly. "Why Noir didn't tell me about this? He should tell me the truth so that I can help him."
"I don't know either but he had a reason to hide it... Let me ask him on the chat box," Axl said. I waited for his answer. "He said that he will explain to you after the fifth memory lock."
"Really? I thought that we need to unlock the sixth one," I remembered.
Then, the fifth memory lock continued.
"Sorry about that... Noir, I appreciated all that you did to the people but you deserved better too. Your co-workers told me that you worked alone in the Quartine room and ordered them not to assist you. You created antidotes and anti-Honkai virus and trust them to follow your instructions and cured both humans and reploids. They were worried about you as they tried their best to make a powerful cure for you... but..."
Noir looked away. "They did their best to save me. Unfortunately, all of them didn't work for me. I kept lying to them that I felt better because I don't want to see their false hopes... Weiss, I'm glad you find me but I don't want to see your hideous face no more."
I was going to grab a chair and hit on Noir but I won't let me because the chair and all the things were holograms, even Noir and Weiss.
"Tyro, what are you doing?" Axl asked nervously.
"Trying to beat the shit of Noir. Seriously! He shouldn't say a thing like that! At least, he can accept Weiss' help or break up peacefully with a reason-"
"No need, Weiss opened the door," Axl noticed.
When I watched the fifth memory lock, Weiss immediately opened the glass door without even caring.
"Weiss! Stay away-"
Noir tried to stop him but Weiss hugged and kissed him deeply.
"Hoooooh!" Axl and I were surprised.
"Weiss, I told you-"
"I can't live without you!"
Noir stopped struggling as he saw Weiss sobbing.
"I miss you when you tease me. I miss you when you protect me from that incident while I was damaged. I miss spending time with you. I felt worthless that I didn't do anything for you to return... That's why... I want to be with you. I don't care whatever happens to me!" he cried with his confession.
Weiss' words touched my heart as I felt guilty that I wanted to be there for Noir too. Why didn't he tell me through his letters about his conditions?
He only mentioned his experiments, his co-workers, his job, and Weiss. I never heard his Honkai virus getting worse or that he broke up with Weiss.
Why...?
"I'm sorry, Weiss... I... I just don't want to see you worried about me too much," Noir mumbled as he gave Weiss a tight embrace.
I heard Axl's sigh.
"Huh?"
"Oh! Sorry. I just remembered that some of us, like Zero and X, hid our situations from others. It's like telling them that 'I'm fine' but they didn't admit it secretly... It's tough," Axl explained.
"I see... I guess that's true," I nodded.
While Noir and Weiss were making out, Weiss ripped Noir's polo shirt, instead unbuttoned them.
"Eh?!" I was confused.
"Weiss, you bad doggie!" Noir whined.
"Don't worry... I will fix it later," Weiss whispered as he gave Noir a lovebite on the neck.
"Oh my god! It's Yaoi cloak!" I shook. /0o0\
"Tyro! Don't be like Pom from 'Pom gets Wifi!'. The sixth memory lock is open!" Axl alarmed.
"Not gonna watch Livestream SPG! Gonna respect my broooooos!" I escaped from that scene as I entered the sixth room. Phew! That was a close one! If I watch the entire scene, Noir is going to kick my ass.
Granted... The sixth room was the finale... It was the same room as the Psync Machine. The differences were Axl wasn't here because I was still in the Sonmium World and Noir was standing in the front of me. He was in his lab coat and black reploid armor.
"Tyro..." he smiled.
"Um... Axl, Noir is here. Any clues for the sixth memory lock?" I asked.
"No. Also, I don't think Noir in the sixth memory lock is a hologram," Axl said.
Noir went closer to me and I stayed away. I don't know why but it gave me some chills.
"Axl, he's coming at me. I hope Noir is not the imposter."
"Hang on! I'm asking Noir in the chatbox-"
"Wuuuuuuaaah!" I created my camera obscura with my Herrscher power and took multiple pictures of Noir.
"Eh?" Axl and Noir were confused as they looked at me.
"Whaaaat? He can be a ghost," I raised a brow.
"Why not just touch me if I'm real? Don't worry, I won't bite," Noir smiled as he put his hands behind his back.
"Oooookay," I said... Then, I pinched Noir's cheeks... Super-duper hard!
"Ow! Ow! That hurts!" Noir whined as he removed my hands from pinching and gave me a big hug. "Told ya that I'm real."
"Well, that's the proof. Nice to meet you, Noir. I'm Axl. I'm her navigator as I kinda helped her through the Sonmium World," Axl introduced himself politely.
"Enchanted to meet you too, Axl. I'm Noir, Tyro's 'big bro'... Tyro, why are you so quiet? Eh! Are you crying?!"
Damn it, Noir! I cried because I missed you so much as I was pissed off that you didn't say or message me after my Graduation and waited for seven months!
After I watched his fifth memory lock, I understood why.
I hugged him tightly as I couldn't let go.
"Um... I think there's a lot of explaining to do. I will... um... look around," Axl said as both of us went silent.
"Tyro, I'm so glad that you grew up into a fine young lady," Noir stroked my hair.
I looked at him with my teary eyes with a smile. "Yeah. You look the same. Even, I can smell that stupid 'chick repellent' perfume of yours."
Noir laughed happily. "At least, Weiss didn't mind at all... Tyro, I'm sorry that I can't go to your graduation because... You know about the fifth memory lock," he apologized sadly.
I still cuddled him. "I know... As well as Weiss."
"Weiss can't go too... He's a very sweet guy... I don't know how to explain to you but this is our final meeting," Noir said.
"What final meeting? Did you..." I let him go as I held my chest.
"I was shot."
"What?! By who?!" I was shocked.
"Tyro, please listen to me. This is way more important than the killer," Noir held my hands as he tried to calm me down.
"Then, what is it? Wait! We have the Herrscher core of Existence! I'm sure that-"
"Not gonna work if I still have the Honkai virus."
"Huh?" I was confused. I mean, I used the Herrscher core of Existence to revive the people from Sigma's maverick destruction at Abel City. Unless...
"The people that I saved are going to die on the next day or whenever?"
Noir nodded. "It's true that Herrscher core of Existence can revive humans, reploids, and Honkai but they will die again of their illnesses or be killed by accidents or murderers... I'm still having this fucking virus and I don't want to infect anyone," he clarified as he stroked my hand with his thumb gently as a stress relief.
"Shit... I was having high hopes for that... Is there any cure? Did you tell Papa Bear about this?" I asked and looked at him.
Noir shook his head. "Afraid not... We attempted to create the most powerful antidotes or anti-virus but we didn't make it... And I was shot in the head as I will going to die soon."
"Noir... When did you get shot?" I asked.
Noir gulped nervously as he had no choice but to reply. "Before your graduation."
I gasped. "What the fuck?! Noir, do you still have time? I want to see the sixth memory lock," I demanded. I felt angry that I want to kill that fucker.
"Thirty minutes... Tyro, you worked as an H&R Alliance agent and Maverick Hunter, right? How was it?" Noir asked.
Looking at Noir, he felt worried and curious about what I was doing in seven months. It was a long time since we didn't chat or talked. Since it was our final meeting and he wanted to talk to me for the last time, I took a deep breath to calm down.
"It's pretty neutral... Papa Bear and the members of H&R Alliance gave me the assignments for assassinations. I did the investigations and killed our worst enemies. Serial killers, drug Lords, dangerous criminals, and mavericks... I know killing is bad but I did for justice for the victims and innocent people... Unlike, I killed Mrs. Violette because she murdered her husband and shot you with the virus..." I replied.
"Justice or Revenge... Justice is for the people who want to punish evil-doers by imprisoning and ruining them for the rest of their lives.
While revenge is the people's desire to destroy the evil doers' entire existence...
Their main purpose is to end their schemes and never repeat the histories of different people... That's what Dr. Angelo told me," Noir explained.
"I see... Noir... Why you didn't tell me about your virus after you got shot by Mrs. Violette or take me with you to Eden and help you?" I asked. That question was I wanted to know why he did that without telling me about it.
Noir gave me a sad smile. "I must protect you and repay Dr. Angelo's wisdom and kindness. Not only Mrs. Violette wanted your power, but also others too. You're very special but some people in this world are not ready yet.
That's why I trained you with martial arts, spending the remaining days with you and letting you go to become the new you.
I wanted to be with you but my virus was contagious to anyone, except you and your dad.
Seeing you right now is my final wish. I know our reunion isn't good but I'm very happy that you're here," Noir smiled.
All his words touched my heart and tears came out of my eyes. I felt extremely guilty and naive as I was too focused on going to school, training to become a fighter, and working as an agent and a hunter. I wished I shouldn't do that I was too late.
"Noir, I'm not ready to let you go! I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you and Weiss. I don't want anyone to protect me. I want to protect you too. You're still my first best friend and a 'big brother'. I just... I..." I cried as I clenched my fists.
Noir wiped my tears as I looked at him. "I know... I'm not ready either but I have to accept it... I don't know if you believe in reincarnation but I will always be with you as a new person or an animal or a ghost," he kissed my forehead gently. "Promise me to be a good girl and move forward to the future. I won't regret loving you because it's the most cherished thing in the world... I love you, little sis," he smiled and hugged me.
I hugged him back tightly. "I love you too, big bro."
After a few minutes, I noticed that Noir's appearance was fading out by the sparkles.
"Weiss is waiting for me... Tyro, thank you for everything. See ya on the other side," Noir waved at me to say 'goodbye'.
"You're welcome, Noir. And, thanks," I smiled.
"No prob... Lucky for you that you have a boyfriend since you got busted and heartbroken by Adam confessed that he has a boyfriend named 'Lyle'," Noir grinned happily.
"What?! Hoooooy! Axl isn't my boyfriend! And I let Adam go and wanted him to be happy with Lyle!" I panicked and defended myself.
Noir laughed and gave me his last smile. Finally, he faded away peacefully.
...
...
...
All the surroundings disappeared as I opened my eyes and returned to reality. I removed the VR goggles.
"Tyro, welcome back and I'm sorry about what happened to Noir," Axl apologized as he helped me to get up carefully.
"Thanks, Axl. My brother rested in peace now. He was happy that we talked for the last time," I said with a sad smile.
"Yeah... He did," Axl smiled.
I realized that he was next to me. Oh, my fucking gosh! Noir, we're still friends in seven months. I have a crush on him but not yet!
Well, Noir liked to ruin the drama bomb.
"Huh? Are you alright? Do you have a fever?" Axl asked as he checked on my forehead.
Oh shit! Am I blushing?
I moved his hand away gently and giggled. "I'm cool... By the way, I forgot about the sixth memory lock."
"About that... Noir already sent me a video as the sixth memory lock while you two had the important conversation. Aside from that, we should watch it together," Axl pointed at the computer as we saw a video.
"I see," I got off the lounge chair as I walked toward the computer. Noir told me that this was the video about his killer. I won't hesitate as my anger begins to boil that I want to know. "Let's watch it together."
"Okay," Axl nodded
I pressed the play button as the video started.