Chapter 7: Nightmare
Histoire's Journal Entries
Month 1, Day 16
Uzume has fallen into a coma. The Basilicom is unable to find the cause.
Her room is currently quarantined due to the red mist swirling around her.
Guards have been stationed near Uzume's room in case the need arise.
Uzume, I pray that you'll be okay.
Month 1, Day 17
Umio came to visit Uzume. I had to turn him away.
I feel sorry for him. He was very worried about Uzume.
We are currently investigating Uzume's Illusion.
Hopefully we can figure out something.
Month 1, Day 18
The first problem has happened. A monster formed from Uzume's Illusion. The guards quickly dispatched of the beast.
I was able to catch a glimpse of Uzume. She… she is suffering. I can tell from her face.
Uzume… Please, hang on!
Month 1, Day 20
Uzume woke up. She… She's scared.
I want to help her. If I just could do something…
I feel so powerless…
"His...toire..." Uzume called weakly.
"I'm here, Uzume. I'm here." She replied, holding her hand.
"I'm.. scared… Uzume is… Scared." She managed to say, "It feels… Like I'm in a whirlpool… a whirlpool … I can't escape from..."
"Uzume… I'll find a way to save you." Histoire said, "I'll… I'll do it."
"His… to… ire..." Uzume said, before falling asleep again.
"I'll find a way. No matter how long it takes."
Month 1, Day 22
The citizens are restless. They are wondering where Uzume went.
The Basilicom is dealing with the questions.
I'm afraid I'll soon have to answer some.
Month 1, Day 24
The Illusion created something again. A small thunderstorm started in Uzume's room.
I had to clear that away. Her Illusion appears to be growing stronger each day.
When will the results come back?
Month 1, Day 26
El and At came to visit. I've told them to go home and be with their parents. I don't want them to be involved in this…
At least, they'll be able to live without worrying about this.
Month 1, Day 28
The Illusion is growing. It is already flowing out of NepTower.
We'll have to explain to the citizens.
Uzume. Hang on!
Month 1, Day 29
The results came back. There's no way to neutralise the Illusion, but we can contain it.
But I'm afraid it's too late.
Month 1, Day 31
It's over, Uzume's Illusion is too powerful...
Neither I nor the city can manage it.
Month 2, Day 2
The Illusion is growing stronger. I am afraid what will soon happen.
The Basilicom have decided to block access to and from Planeptune. Along with the containment for the Illusion.
We hope to stop the Illusion's spread.
Month 2, Day 3
Umio has volunteered to help the border guards. He insisted, I couldn't say no to him.
I could tell he was worried about Uzume.
Umio was wearing the Basilicom purple clothes now. He was shaking his head at a middle-aged man and his family that were trying to cross into Planeptune.
"I can't move into Planeptune anymore? No, please, let me live in Planeptune!" The man pleaded to Umio.
"I'm sorry, everyone." Umio apologised, "We can't allow anyone in."
"Guess it can't be helped." Another man put his hand on the man's shoulders, shaking his head, "Let's go back to Lastation."
Month 2, Day 4
Uzume… She woke up. But… She's not herself.
I believe the Illusion has taken control of her.
Our attempts to prevent Uzume from getting out from the Basilicom failed.
Something was wrong with her eyes… They were red.
Month 2, Day 5
Uzume… appears to be able to control the Illusion.
She just caused monsters to form. Guards have been entrusted with exterminating the Illusion Monsters.
Uzume… Please, calm down.
Month 2, Day 6
Uzume came back. She fell asleep again.
More mist is coming out of her than before.
At this rate… Planeptune will be covered…
Month 2, Day 7
In order to compete against Illusion, we'll be releasing Planeptune.
But the release is too late.
We can't change the course of event.
Someone, Please save us.
Month 2, Day 10
Illusion has been released from Planeptune.
Even though we were first, it's not looking good.
Illusion has already started affecting Gamindustri…
Month 2, Day 11
The first city has fallen.
The Illusion has managed to create catastrophes.
Umio came to visit. This time, I managed to let him in.
Uzume… Please, wake up.
"I'll allow you." Histoire told Umio, "It'll be brief. Make the best use of your time."
Umio nodded, "Thank you, Histoire."
Histoire pushed open Uzume door, letting Umio in. He approached Uzume and knelt down next to her bed. Umio held her hand between his.
"Uzume… I know you can hear me." Umio said, "I'm not sure what you're going through… I wish I could help…"
Umio shook his head, "Even if you end up in a nightmare, Uzume." Umio tried to smile, looking at Uzume's sleeping face, "People do eventually wake from nightmares, so, please… Let's wake up, together…"
Month 2, Day 13
The Illusion is much worse now.
Reports have come in from outside Planeptune.
It's not looking good.
Month 2, Day 15
We can't stop Uzume's rampaging Illusion.
At this rate, the world will fall to ruins.
I decided to search for a way to stop her rampage.
Month 2, Day 17
I feel like I'm seeing a nightmare.
Yet another city has perished.
How can I possibly stop it?
Month 2, Day 18
Uzume woke up again.
She attacked yet another city.
I must hurry with my research.
Month 2, Day 20
Uzume has returned to normal.
She remembered what she had done.
Uzume asked me to kill her.
"Histoire..." Uzume sobbed, "I… I..."
"It's not your fault, Uzume." Histoire tried reassuring her.
"But it is!" Uzume said, "I… I attacked those city. I cause pain on the people… I'm a terrible CPU..."
"Uzume..." Histoire tried to speak.
"Histoire. Please." Uzume looked at Histoire, tears streaming down her face.
"Kill me"
Month 2, Day 21
Uzume wished for death.
If that is her wish, I will grant it for her.
Month 2, Day 22
I tried. I can't do it.
I can't.
I can't kill Uzume…
I'm sorry.
Month 2, Day 25
I caught wind of some info that the organisation is planning the assassination of Uzume.
Maybe they'll be able to accomplish what I could not…
Month 2, Day 26
Can all we do is rely on the assassination?
The Basilicom has decided to turn a blind eye.
Even if it's our only hope, I pray that Uzume will live.
Month 2, Day 27
Is there no way to prevent the assassination?
I'm mortified at my own powerlessness.
Month 2, Day 28
The citizens have started burning and trashing Uzume's console.
I'm surprised it took this long.
Most of the people have started to hate Uzume.
Month 3, Day 2
The people have started to ask for the death of Uzume.
Uzume is still in her room. She refuses to leave.
Her morale must be low after this…
A riot had formed in the entrance of the Basilicom. The rioters demanding access to the Basilicom, which was denied by the guards.
"Kill her! Kill Uzume!" A man yelled, "Kill her before we are all destroyed!"
"She's not a CPU," A woman agreed, "She's a demon!"
"And we had such high hopes 'cause she was a new CPU!"
"I always new such kindness was all fake!"
Month 3, Day 6
Uzume's assassination failed. I feel relieved knowing that she remains safe.
A man covered in black clothes sneaked through Uzume's room. A dagger in hand. He pushed through the red mist until reaching Uzume's bed. He lifted the dagger to stab… He was unable to. A red monster formed from the mist and attacked the man.
The commotion woke up Uzume, who quickly grabbed her Megaphone and attacked both the monster and the assassin. The monster disintegrated into data while the assassin fled.
Uzume fainted soon after.
Month 3, Day 7
Umio came to check on Uzume.
He must've heard about the assassination attempt.
He wants to save Uzume…
… I'm sorry.
"Don't worry, Umio." Histoire said, "Uzume is safe."
"...Thank goodness." Umio sighed in relief.
"She was such a good girl too, why did it end up like this?" An elderly woman said.
Umio noticed the company. An elderly woman with her grandchild. They both stared at the Basilicom's entrance with pity.
"Grandma, can't we save Uzume?" The young girl asked.
"I'm afraid not." The grandmother said, "Let's go. I'll start crying."
Umio turned to Histoire, "Histoire. Is there..."
Histoire shook her head, "I'm afraid not. Not yet."
"I see..." Umio turned, "I'll come back another day."
As Histoire pushed open the door, she could hear Umio screaming in frustration, "Is there no way to save Uzume?!"
Month 3, Day 8
I managed to hear that the same organisation is planning another assassination.
Month 3, Day 10
I found another solution.
I talked to Uzume over it.
I hope she considers it.
"Uzume," Histoire sat on Uzume's bed, "I found another option."
Uzume remained silent, staring at her bed covers.
"I can seal you. You won't age and it'll contain your powers and keep you safe at the same time." Histoire said, "When I find a way to contain your Illusion, I can unseal you and allow you to live a normal life."
Uzume nodded slowly.
"It's a last resort." Histoire added, "Unless you're sure you want to be sealed, I will not do it."
Month 3, Day 12
Umio is taking Uzume out tomorrow. He wants to try to lift her morale and distract her from what's going on.
I managed to grant them permission, but the Basilicom can't guarantee their safety.
The citizens have been getting more violent.
I hope they'll be okay…