-DATA RECOVERED-

-RESUMING RECORD 8-

Calai had an awkward way of talking about herself. When I examined the water, I noticed something rather odd about it. It was hard to describe but it appeared to be corrosive matter.

"Oh, look! It's coming finally!"

Looking upstream along the channel, a flat hovercraft approached us. It gradually decreased in velocity until it anchored by the pier. Immediately, I noticed how beaten it was. There were burn streaks, dents toward the sides of the craft, and penetration points all about the surface. Simply scanning the surface would immediately cause most to panic.

"Amazing!" Calai said as she felt its surface. I joined her on the hovercraft, which then disembarked after two minutes' wait. "This has got to be one of the crafts that De Rol Le terrorized! The rumors have got to be true. De Rol Le was said to have the ability to absorb either light or electricity and expel it as superheated photons from its long thorax or a concentrated beam from its oral cavity." She pouted as she folded her arms and shook her head. "Too bad, though. It's considered to be dead, though as we know, there is the artificial variant. Do you remember Barba Ray, Sis?"

How could I forget such a creature? It was the final creature we had to hunt to complete the virtual reality demonstration that Daddy borrowed from the archives. He initially wanted to test how competent Calai was, but due to odd circumstances, I happened to be involved as well. If I piece information together and assume the rest, Barba Ray is a family variant of De Rol Le, but due to being artificially grown in a laboratory, it was considered to be tame to an extent. At least, that was the tendency of creatures replicated in the laboratories. The disturbing fact is that I, alone, cannot slay the creature. Calai can eliminate it with some difficulty, but overall, she could eliminate it on her own. After all, it is expected of a combat-type. I am only a servant-type. I cannot exceed the limits of what I can do. It is pathetic, really. As much as I try, I could not eliminate Barba Ray.

While we have artificial cloning in laboratories in perspective, the odd part is D-Cellular lifeforms are considered to be as wild as they were in Ragol. All attempts to interact with them seemed to have no ordinary baseline. In other words, there were no friendly patterns to consider unless purposely being infected by D-Factor. Those infected by D-Factor appeared to be asymptomatic when setting aside the odd growth on the site of infection. However, there were no records of Organics surviving D-Factor after two weeks at most, though most have been completely consumed by the D-Factor and disappeared. By this, out came an unconfirmed rumor that everyone on Pioneer 1 was infected. When considering the disappearances, how come D-Cellular life forms can be brought into and replicated in the laboratories but D-Factor infected hosts disappear? However, there was only one person who was an exception...

Suddenly, the hovercraft jolted, making me tumble a little, but Calai caught me. We both then stayed low, bracing ourselves for another such jolt. However, after a while, we considered our worries as a false alarm. With the hovercraft speeding through the water tunnel, the lights suddenly flickered off. I stood close to Calai, our hands embracing as soon as we could.

"What...?"

I looked over to Calai in worry. Her hand started to shake. Was she... scared?

Before I could speak, she commanded, "Check your inventory. See if you got everything you need."

"Calai-?"

"Now!" she interrupted.

She was so different at that moment. As commanded, I checked that I had a Blaster, a purple-photon rifle; an Autogun; a Brand; a Core Shield; a General Frame; and a few leg-enhancing slots. If I recall correctly, Calai had Twin Gatlings, a red-photon machinegun pair; Twin Assault, a blue-photon machinegun pair; a Brave Barrier; a Dragon Frame; and power- and leg-enhancing slots. We carried ten Monomates and four Dimates to replenish our ether count. I let her also hold onto the Moon Atomizer, which is basically a more efficient one-time-use automated defibrillator. It can only save the dying, not the dead.

Then, the lights flickered on. Although we could see, our hands nor the fear did not part. I looked over to Calai, seeing her eyes distant. When she noticed me staring, she looked away in a sorrowful manner... but her eyes parted wide.

"Impact!"

I fell off my feet as another jolt shook the whole hovercraft. I just then realized I was operating with 41% of ether replaced by foreign contaminant in my body. It was no wonder I felt so weak lately. Then, a splash resounded from behind us. Hearing the sound made me exchange glances with Calai. Could it be?

Suddenly, something jumped over the hovercraft. Immediately, we assumed combat mode. I armed my Blaster as Calai with her Twin Assault. Then, that something rammed the hovercraft from the right. We expected the impact this time. I thought it was dead! Indeed, it was a crustacean. It had a worm-like structure. It appeared to have a tough carapace with a kind of fur in between each carapace opening. It also had two antannae that extended from each side of its head. The only difference was its head... I assumed it would have a more dragon-like appearance than a beetle.

"Sis! Watch out!"

I realized I was standing stupid as the body of De Rol Le glowed slightly. It submarined for a little while and leaped out of the water, unleashing numerous light photon readings everywhere! I took my time to analyze all of the movements of the photon bolts. Dive to the left in... No! It shot another barrage! Readjust...!

I executed a sloppy tumble to the left but the first barrage went by me. Then, I turned sixty-five degrees-No! My left foot slipped on the surface of the craft. My other leg whipped out to compensate, but really, I soon realized I should have taken the fall. My leg took damage. Leg functionality decreased to 46%. My ankle shattered in nineteen points and two pullies in my knee snapped. Repairs underway.

I could hear Calai's machinguns firing unceasingly. I used a Monomate, which appears to be a kind of suppressed supplement. It helped increase damage repair almost instantly. When leg functionality increased to 68%, I heard a loud crashing noise. I looked up to find De Rol Le clinging onto the side of the craft by the large tusks. I was well enough to move without causing harm to my leg but walking with it was impossible. I raised myself to a crouching position to start firing at its head. Calai was also doing the same. After a few shots, I noticed something odd about that yellow-orange eye. Was it looking at me? The way it was waving its antannae... Barba Ray...?

It then took aim and thrusted at my direction! I managed to dive out of the way but landed on my bad leg. Bracing the inflammation response, I noticed it was taking aim again. I kicked off in time to narrowly dodge the next antannae. However, I was on the corner of the craft. I saw it was aiming again with another antanna but I was in no position to dodge. If I attempt a dodge, my momentum was leading me off the craft. I had 87% to fall off the craft.

It launched its attack. I cannot move... Calai. Help me... I'm... I'm scared!

"Sis!"

I looked over to Calai, seeing her running to me. No. Do not try to save me. Calai. I've always-

-SEVERE DAMAGE-

-ENERGY DECREASING-

-USING ENERGY RESERVES-

I could see the ceiling rapidly racing by with that antanna... I cannot comprehend where it struck me. My neck did not have enough energy to operate.

-DANGER-

Daddy, I know you wanted to see me again.

-DANGER-

Calai...

-HIBERNATION MODE ACTIVATING-

Calai, was I a good sister?

-ERROR-

... I...

-CANNOT...-

"Fortuna, open your eyes."

A blinding white scene appeared. Although numb at first, I was able to sit upright. A field of flowers? Since when was I transported here?

"Fortuna, stand and turn around."

I did as commanded. I then realized I was on a stone monument with something that looked like an altar before me. There was a pillar that was sky high. I surveyed everywhere else to see who was talking but found no one. The voice was new but it was familiar, if that made any sense.

"You are about to die, but I can save you."

Sounded tempting, but... "What is your motive for helping me?"

"Quite honestly, I am bored. Allow me to follow you around."

That was an odd response. But how would this person save me? I honestly did not know what would happen to me, but if this thing can save me, I can always turn my back when the situation allows me to do so.

"I will let you follow me," I said, "but under a few conditions."

"What will they be?"

"First, I need a direction to go. Second, you will help Calai as well as me. Third..." I grew hesitant in saying the next provision.

"... The third?"

I felt along my arm. "Help me become a better sister." There came something that felt uncomfortable. "F-fourth, you will not harm anyone if we do part. Failure to respond to any of these three will make me break away away from you or me terminating you personally. Do you understand?"

"Do you mean 'these four'?"

I did make four, but even so... "You know what I mean. What are your conditions?"

"Simply entertain me and allow me to help you."

As much as I wanted to not involve this person watching over me, I did not want to leave Calai alone in that world. She deserves better. As much as I want to deny it, I am not good enough as a sister.

"What do I need to do?" I asked, feeling as if my soul is being sold to the devil himself.

"Place your hands on the altar. Just expect a punch to the gut."

The altar... I assumed he meant the box before the pillar. I approached it as informed and kept a steady stare at my hands. Something around me was happening, but to be honest, I was too scared to look. I could hear voices whispering. What was happening? Calai... Calai, help me. I want to see your face again.

"Sis! What're you doing!? Get up!"

I gasped for my breath. It indeed felt like something punched my abdomin. I lifted myself... Wait, my leg. I could stand. My sensors also indicate 100% functionality. I felt my body, expecting a puncture wound. All that existed was... Wait. No such thing existed. Am I okay, really?

"Sis! Incoming!"

I raised my head to see something that looked like spikes land onto the hovercraft. Although they missed me, it gave clicking noises. Upon a quick examine, I noticed there being a photon instability happening inside each of them. An explosion! We both started firing upon one after the other, successfully penetrating openings for the unstable photons to escape. Then, De Rol Le fired another barrage of light photons again like the one that damaged my leg earlier. I saw Calai dash forward and jumped into an opening. Little did I know, I did the same. It was well executed. The energy flowing through me felt so good! Calai noticed I did the same and grinned as we both open fire upon the crustacean. Not so tough now, huh? After some damage, the mask on its head broke off. Prepare for pain! We both kept firing upon the head. Every photon bolt striking it made it bleed a little more than the last, but every time we struck it, the wound sealed. Persistant, are you not?

It submarined a little and leaped out of the water, landing on the other side. It then fired another light barrage. Pathetic! I can read its movements! We fired upon it a little more until it slowed out of sight. Just when I assumed it retreated, it came back toward us but on the ceiling. It was breaking off loose gravel from the ceiling. Amphibious... Right. This had to be the amphibious part of it. Calai and I parted from each other and dodged large pieces of gravel, electrical wires, signs-everything-one after the other.

Then, because of electrical shortages, the lights turned off. The only bits of light we could see were the lights on the hovercraft and the glow of the photons in our weapons. We listened closely for movement. To the left! It shot another barrage of light photons, illuminating the scene all around us. We parted from each other once again. Calai slid through a narrow opening whereas I dove through a small opening. It barely tapped my accessory parts on my armor. Basically, that warned me not to become overconfident in myself.

Then, we heard it toward the rear of the hovercraft. It was upright in a towering form as it was absorbing something... Its body glowed magnificently. Then, it shot at the hovercraft a concentrated beam! Calai and I parted again to dodge, but I rolled too much that the momentum I used made me roll across the surface. The concentrated beam swept across the surface. I stopped pronated and facing toward De Rol Le. It was charging for another shot. I decided to do the same. I maximized the rifle output. Daddy informed me that the weapon can self-destruct if I am not lucky, but this is worth everything! Survival is luck, and at this moment, I needed to make risks! De Rol Le was already firing its concentrated beam toward Calai. That was my chance. I aimed at its exposed point and fired! The photon bolt fired out a fast, massive light that I could see it tearing through the air. The shot was so powerful that it pierced through its head! It gave an ear-piercing screech and came crashing down in that instant. Lights started operating again, exposing where its green blood splattered on the hovercraft. I kept staring in that direction, waiting for something to happen... but nothing did.

I stood victoriously with my Blaster... ruined. In the end, I am my sister's sister. We share similar habits, right?

"Ugh... S-Sis...!"

I looked over to find Calai... Calai!? I dashed toward her. How could she be so careless as to fall off the craft? I reached over and had a steady grip onto something as I pulled her up. Her armor had sewage on her and sensors indicated that she stank. She scanned herself with a disgusted face. She flicked her arms to let excess water off her.

I asked, "Are you-?"

"Sis!" She did a tackling hug onto me. I fell to the ground, energy at an all-time low and her on top of me, but it was fine. "I can't believe it! You just took out Dal Ra Lie!"

Dal Ra Lie? "Huh?"

She held onto my hands with an enormous smile on her face. "Dal Ra Lie! Dal Ra Lie! It's considered to be an adult variant of De Rol Le, and I can't believe...!" She hugged me again and jumped. "I can't wait to kill you someday!"

"K-kill me?"

She then pressed her oral cavity against my face and backed away. She then turned away with her hands behind her. "You're so serious. Can't you take it easy for a while?"

Due to all that was happening, my processor finally released combat mode. I was almost terminated. Calai almost lost me. Something had me come to her and...

"Sis?"

"S-shut up. Forget what I'm doing."

... hold her in my arms.

-END RECORDING-
LOCATION: RAGOL
SCENE: UNDERGROUND WATER CHANNEL