Or Rather... Despair...
Lilyan leaned her head on the glass of the window, looking down at the small buildings surrounding the mall. Now that she had reached the very top, she could see just about everything around the city.
The blonde's eyes darted then to the very far corner of Tokio City upon hearing a blaring clatter. Pillars upon pillars of smoke rose up at the time, the Big tank was still rampaging around the area.
Seeing her shoulders shaking slightly, William, who had already settled by a computer at the time, rose up and gently approached her, his hand placed on her right shoulder. Even without asking he knew exactly how much worried she was.
William: " don't worry, he isn't alone. They'll all be back sound and safe."
The woman then nodded, still, she tried her best not to look out again. She busied herself with focusing on what her brother was doing as he went back to typing. She tried to discern what he was writing but to no avail, it must have been some sort of program, and she was never good with them.
Lilyan: " what are you programming?"
She finally decided to ask.
William: " I'm preparing to send the signal."
Lilyan: "... what sort of signals are you going to send to Minerva to wake her up?"
William looked back at her with a small smile.
William: " it's more like a ping using a code we've agreed on."
His eyes flicked for a moment towards the small LBX flying by his sister's side and Unicorn couldn't help but notice that.
William: " nevertheless, I'm really thankful we didn't run into any trouble so far. Frankly, I feared we might face some Killer Droids or even worse, their soldiers."
Lilyan: " is that why you wanted me to come along?"
She inquired rather curiously. She wouldn't mind following her brother and protecting him. Still, there were many stronger people back then. Wouldn't it be more convenient to have Ban or one of his friends come along?
William: " that, and one other reason."
He turned around, pointing his finger at Unicorn.
William: " he's the key to waking Minerva up."
Lilyan blinked twice at those words before turning back to her LBXs as though expecting to find something off about him before she faced her brother.
Lilyan: " come again."
William: " the very code we're pinging Minerva with in a moment is within Unicorn."
He explained slowly while going back to typing on his terminal.
William: " without Unicorn I can never wake her up. That's exactly why I send him to you, to keep safe and keep away from Leviathan as much as possible. I wanted Unicorn to stay out of this fight. Didn't expect Minerva to pick you as a chosen player as a matter of fact."
Unicorn: " so..."
Unicorn flew down and rested on his player's shoulder.
Unicorn: " ... I was created to keep the activation key safe didn't I?"
William looked back to him, as though trying to discern what he was thinking of.
William: " I can't say that you were solely created for that purpose, but yeah, it was a reason."
The LBX stayed silent for a moment. If he really was made to keep the activation code of Minerva safe. So what would happen of him after all is over, after she wakes up? Does that mean he had fulfilled his purpose and he no longer is required? What if it was the case and he was only granted consciousness for that mere reason?
He didn't like the idea much. However, he was pulled out of his thoughts by a rough jolt that almost send the tower swaying around and knocked both blonds down. William leaned on the chair to stand up again, noticing the utter darkness that fell upon the place.
Lilyan: " what happened?"
William: " not sure, but that quake from earlier must have cut the electricity."
He checked the computer.
Lilyan: " does that mean we will be trapped up here?"
William: " not actually no..."
He said looking up at the lights again.
William: " TokioSia has an emergency power generator. It should kick off any moment soon."
The lights blinked again, albeit rather weakly before the screen came to life once more with all of William's codes.
William: " first rule in programming, always save your changes."
However, before he could resume his seat again, Lilyan's phone started ringing and she fumbled for her device.
Lilyan: " Ban-kun?"
She answered the call and put him on the speaker so her brother who walked back to her could hear what the brunette had to say.
Ban: " Lilyan, leave there right now!"
The sound of panting and the echoing of the fast footsteps was enough for them to tell those on the other side were running.
" Eh!"
Was all three's reaction.
Ban: " no time to explain, you must leave, or you will get caught in an explosion!"
Suddenly, the signal was lost and their call had ended.
William: " caught in an explosion?"
Lilyan wasn't one to underestimate his worries.
Lilyan: " ... Hiro-san..."
She mumbled.
Unicorn: " it can't be that... Hiro saw something..."
Lilyan's hand clutched her CCM tightly. She had heard of the blunette's future visions before. As farfetched as they seemed, experience had proved them to be true. So if it was real, she wouldn't like to be in the middle of a building he saw blowing off.
Lilyan: " let's get back! Seems it's dangerous here!"
Even though William wanted to argue. They were very close, they could wake Minerva in time. Still, he couldn't neglect the look his sister was giving him. He knew not to underestimate her words.
William: " still, how are we getting back? The elevator is probably broken and we're like on the 50th or 60th floor."
Lilyan: " we run down the stairs."
She said with a straight face before she grasped his wrist and pulled him after her.
Lilyan: " hurry up!"
Hiro clicked his tongue when their conversation was cut. Their whole team was making a wild dash backward upon hearing his vision, but the rough shock from earlier knocked them off just as they were about to reach the exit.
Ryan: " what was that?"
He said rubbing the back of his head where he hit the ground after keeling over. Ban hurriedly rushed out the door and looked around, trying to figure out the source of the quake. His eyes widened when a large shadow was cast upon him. A strong gale of wind picked up, as though a jet was hovering above his head.
Covering his face with one arm, he dared look upwards, much to his surprise, he could now see what caused the strong jolt. The very back half of Goliath where the production line was had been blown to smithereens and above it, was floating something he never saw anything like it in his whole life.
[ ~Insert Ost:Footsteps of Collapse.]
Whether it was a machine or a living thing was yet a mystery, it resembled both. Its large body drew itself over Goliath, casting a dark shadow on the whole area as it slowly glided toward the city. The buildings shook just as it passed over them.
Kousuke: " what's it, Yamano Ban!"
He followed the wide befuddled green eyes and his jaws almost dropped to the ground just as the rest caught up, their reactions varied from shock to fear as well. Not that they could be blamed.
Kousuke got a grip of himself and grinded his teeth at the sight in front of him.
Kousuke: " so it's already out."
He muttered remembering the blueprints he saw along with Kirito back when they first infiltrated Goliath.
Gouda and the rest tried to keep as much of a distance from it as they could. However, with its large scale, that was almost impossible.
The gigantic black body halted above them, its giant wings stretched wide and its six heads slithering around, their eyes shining bright in red before the middle one let out an ear-piercing roar that permeated everywhere through the city. Every glass panel broke out due to the crushing pressure that one shriek had caused. The players had to cover their ears as it was so much for them to take.
Even Lilyan and William were able to hear it from where they were and had to duck down while covering their ears as well as the windows of the tower shattered into thousand pieces. They stood up and stared with dreading eyes at the large monstrous form of the metallic black dragon hovering over Goliath.
" To all humanity..."
The ginormous dragon robot spoke in a voice much like a roar sending goosebumps down anyone's spine.
"... I'm the strongest AI ever, Leviathan."
Ban: " Leviathan !"
William: " damn it, so his body was already completed."
He gritted his teeth in furry while they climbed down another flight of stairs. So far, they were halfway down.
What they didn't know was that they weren't the only ones seeing or hearing that. Much like years ago, every channel, every screen, was hijacked by the said AI.
Leviathan : " so far, humans have done nothing but inflict harm on this earth, bringing destruction to their own ecosystem, as if they were walking disasters. I can't see a future for humanity other than chaos, wars, and eventually extinction."
His words were paired with pictures of an annihilated city. Its building teetering and broken down, columns upon columns of fire blazing up and the sky was covered in ominous red-colored clouds. Nothing alive could be seen at all, only the shells of fallen bombs littered everywhere.
Leviathan : " that's your future, with 97.8% of certainty."
Kousuke: " you must be kidding me! He can't see the future!"
He looked back at Kirito who bit on his lip.
Kirito: " with all the data he got so far, it's possible."
Leviathan : " even you, Minerva's chosen players."
They all snapped as he addressed them this time.
Leviathan : " you've sought power, and chose to fight. That was predictable as well. That's how humans are. However, fear no more, for the system I'll create will be the salvation of this world. Everything will fall back into its rightful place. Yet, those who dare oppose my plans to save this world..."
The middle head of the upper five looked off in the direction of TokioSia, with its mouth slightly open, it began to charge a mass of purple energy, gleaning into a large ball. Its light overwhelmed the whole city, covering it in a purple hue.
Ban: " Lilyan!"
Both siblings turned in time just to see the huge ball of energy clearly visible from there.
William: " it can't be..."
The sphere was discharged, and it darted all the way across buildings and streets, ramming straight into the sprouting tower of the mall. Clouds of dust rose up upon impact, blocking the sight for mere seconds, but as they cleared, most of the tower was decimated and turned to smithereens.
Their eyes shot wide in terror. A whole building evaporated right before them, just as a display of Leviathan's power. Ban tarried no more as he sprang down the street and towards the mall. Ignoring the others' calls for him.
Jin and Elie instantly caught up with him, they already figured that he would rush back to the mall since Hiro told them about his vision and were ready to follow after him.
Leviathan : " to all humanity..."
They both turned their heads with a tsk at the large body of metal floating above them as they sped down the road.
Leviathan : " ... that was but a warning. In order to bring order, force is needed. I have to warn you, that I yet have an army ready to march on command. My weapons are already in every corner, every cranny of the world. Resistance is futile. There is no need to waste any more resources and energy than we already had. This future need not happen. You couldn't by any means refuse, still, I will give you the privilege of considering this."
Just as though he was nothing but a large hologram, Leviathan faded away in the smoke. Mizel tried to look for the D Manipulator, his core, but couldn't find it.
Mizel: "he must have escaped."
Everyone didn't even dare to move, still feeling the threat of the large monster upon them. Asuka let a shaky breath and staggered backward, bumping into Sendou and then falling to her knees.
Sendou: " are you alright?"
She merely stared off at where Leviathan was a moment ago, her eyes wide with fear and shock.
Asuka: " how... are we supposed to fight that thing..."
A moment of silence followed her words as they all digested them. There was no way they could...
" Li... Lil... Lily... Lily!"
Her eyes shot open to the mortified face of her brother peering down at her. As she attempted to stand up, she granted at the pain gnawing at the back of her head.
Lilyan: " what happened...?"
She slowly sat up, rubbing her head as a mean of easing the pain. William breathed out then leaned on the chunk of cement behind him, his face turned to his side.
William: " you can see what happened..."
Lilyan turned her head feverishly despite the pain, everything around them was broken, in ruins, rubbles...
William: " Leviathan had just shown us a tad of his prowess...His body must have been long since finished. To think he managed to draw such tremendous strength."
William gritted his teeth in bitterness, thinking about the danger he put everyone in. Lilyan scanned the area, wondering how on earth were they able to survive that destruction. Her eyes widened in realization and turned over to her brother still sitting on the ground.
Lilyan: " Unicorn! Where is he?"
William's face dropped and he dared not look his sister in the eyes as he spoke.
William: " in order to give us a chance to survive, he held back the debris falling on us... but..."
Lilyan: " you're kidding!"
She finally found the strength to shoot on her feet again, turning around at the rubbles and ruins, but the LBX could not be seen. She called out for him as loud as she could, however, there was no response.
William: " Lilyan..."
Lilyan: " he is fine, alright! I know he is still-"
When she looked back at her brother again, she realized for the first time the way he was holding his right leg which stack at an odd angle.
Lilyan: " what..."
William: " Unicorn's body gave way and I was a tad late..."
Lilyan: " no..."
She shook her head, tears shining in the corners of her eyes. She couldn't believe it. She refused, she denied. But what was her refusal to do against reality?
William: " even for a super LBX, that was too much weight. I'm sorry Lily..."
Lilyan: " no... that's not true... Unicorn wouldn't..."
She stuttered while wiping away her tears. Suddenly an idea crossed her mind and she promptly reached inside her pocket, fishing out her CCM. As she opened it, she was met with an error message, even if she attempted to connect to her LBX, the error wouldn't fade. She couldn't get to her friend.
[ ~Insert Song:Kimi no Naka no Eiyuu.]
Lilyan: " I know you're still there Unicorn! Please answer me! Please! Unicorn!"
Her overflowing tears dropped and hit the small screen. Just at that moment, a low noisy voice could be heard.
" Lil... yan..."
Lilyan: " Unicorn!"
She shouted with joy upon hearing his voice again. The error box that was flashing across shifted to a noisy screen. They could only hear his voice.
Unicorn: " so you made it out... Thank god..."
Lilyan: " you need not concern yourself with that! Hurry up and get back into the CCM!"
Unicorn: "..."
Lilyan: " Unicorn?"
Unicorn: " ... I'm sorry, Lilyan..."
A loading bar appeared on her screen and was advancing slowly. However, she knew that it didn't belong to Unicorn's AI.
Unicorn: " I'm sending this back... it was engraved within my AI, so it will troublesome for you if you no longer could retrieve it."
William: " don't tell me... he's sending the code to wake Minerva!"
Lilyan: " forget about it! I need you to come back!"
Unicorn: " I'm sorry, Lilyan. But I need to protect your future. So I can't allow it to be lost."
Lilyan: " you... you idiot..."
Her shoulders shook before she marched onto the pile of rubbles and started climbing it.
Lilyan: " I'll get you myself, so keep talking!"
She said holding her CCM before her and pointing it around her in a circle, trying to discern from where his signal was coming.
Unicorn: " it's useless..."
Somewhere under the debris and chunks of rocks, a faded and weak blue light could be seen. It belonged to one of Unicorn's visors, and it dimly illuminated his shape, his body torn, twisted and impaled... it was merely half of his head and his smashed torso that survived.
Unicorn: " frankly speaking I'm surprised I'm still alive yet. My motor was damaged, and so is the energy core. Soon enough all my functioning will cease and my AI will be deleted."
Lilyan: " I won't allow that! I will save you! I will restore you!"
The girl was upturning a bunch of broken bricks and pushing them away with little care to the many cuts manifesting on her hands.
Unicorn: " you can't... remember, AIs are so special... they can't be brought back the same way they were after they are deleted."
Lilyan: " then I'll make sure to find you before that! We'll find a way!"
She fell down, clenching her bloodied hands tightly.
Lilyan: " I don't want to lose anyone again..."
Unicorn: " you have to live on, Lilyan..."
Lilyan: " I want to live on with you!"
She resumed searching and rummaging through the debris.
Unicorn: " you have a lot to live on for. You better than anyone know now, what lies beyond loss and pain."
Lilyan: " still! I don't want it to happen again! I'll make sure of it!"
Unicorn: " you already know the path you ought to take, don't you..."
There was a moment of silence as Lilyan desperately dag through the wreckage, stood up, tripped, fell and dag again, all in hope of finding her unit.
Unicorn: "... I'm glad I was able to meet you. I'm glad I managed to move on my own and be of help to you. I'm glad that I was able to protect and watch over you. I wonder... if that was really the reason I was made for..."
William, who was hearing everything yet unable to move from his place, solely cast his look down at the ground.
Unicorn's voice through the CCM was getting clearer, which convinced her she was getting closer.
Lilyan:" keep talking! I'll find you!"
She said climbing another pile of ruins.
Unicorn: " I really wanted to say by your side, to see you realizing your dreams and see the future living happily."
Lilyan: " don't say that! You'll get to see all of my life!"
Unicorn: " everything is bound to end, whether it's to die or to be destroyed. It's what allows evolution to happen... Lilyan, life will keep whirling and changing... Don't be afraid of it..."
His voice was the clearest she had heard, still, it was getting weaker by the moment.
Lilyan: " I won't accept it! I won't allow it!"
She said digging further through the rocks, her tears never stopping. Unicorn was no longer able to talk, the light of his visor slightly fading.
I just wish...
Some of the debris above him moved and a ray of light sneaked through the small created crack.
I could see your smile again...
As Lilyan upturned another brick, she was met with the deformed shape of her LBX. She held him gently in her hands, all smashed and damaged. His visor had long since turned off. The girl bit on her lip as tears sped down her front. Unbeknownst to her, the bar on her CCM had already finished loading, but she couldn't have cared.
The blonde turned up to the sky and cried out with the most paining voice anyone could ever hear...
