After leaving the resistance camp, I walked cautiously through the unfamiliar terrain, constantly glancing around to ensure I wasn't being followed. My goal was to find a secluded spot where I could attend to my urgent needs without any interference. The world of Nier Automata was teeming with both beauty and danger, and I had to remain vigilant.
As I ventured deeper into the landscape, I finally found a suitable spot for my private business. I huddled behind some rocks, hoping for a moment of solitude. Just as I was about to relieve myself, a sudden rustling in the bushes nearby caught my attention. My heart raced as I instinctively froze, the reality sinking in that I might not be alone.
Out of the foliage emerged a small Stubby, its mechanical eyes fixated on me. It was a small, seemingly harmless machine, but its sudden appearance startled me. I tried to back away slowly, my heart pounding in my chest, but my movement seemed to trigger the Stubby's aggression. Its eyes changed from a pale yellow to a deep, angry red.
The machine lunged at me with surprising speed, its claw-like appendages reaching out. I barely managed to sidestep its attack, stumbling and losing my balance in the process. I hit the ground hard, feeling a searing pain in my leg as I scrambled to get back on my feet.
Grimacing, I realized that I had a scratch on my leg from the Stubby's attack. It wasn't a deep wound, but it was enough to slow me down. The Stubby hovered menacingly, ready to strike again. I cringed expecting an attack, but none came. The Stubby was just staring at me. More specifically it was staring at my bleeding leg, which was now drenched in blood. Perhaps it was a deeper cut than I thought. At some point its eyes had changed back to yellow. I backed up, and it allowed me to scramble away. It kept a bit of distance, but continued to follow me.
Not wanting to push my luck in not bleeding out, I sat down and grabbed the roll of cloth I had brought with me. I tore off a piece and quickly fashioned a makeshift bandage for my leg. The wound stung as I applied pressure, but I managed to stem the bleeding, I think. The Stubby continued to wait, its mechanical gaze unrelenting.
Not wanting to wait around until the stubby reacquired its lust for violence, I stood, turned and limped away as quickly as I could, putting distance between me and the Stubby. Every step sent a jolt of pain through my injured leg, but I grit my teeth and pushed forward. A glance back told me that the stubby had stopped following me, instead preferring to stare silently at the small stain of blood where I had been sitting.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally felt I had managed to escape the immediate threat of the Stubby. I found a rocky outcrop and collapsed onto the ground; my breath ragged. I took a moment to catch my breath and assess the damage. The scratch on my leg seemed to have mostly stopped bleeding, thanks to the makeshift bandage.
As I sat there, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Who would have thought that a routine bathroom break would turn into a life-and-death struggle with a Stubby? I couldn't deny that I had underestimated the dangers of this world.
I eventually managed to make my way back to the resistance camp, limping my way in. As I entered the camp, I was immediately met with worried expressions from Devola and Popola, who rushed over to me.
"What happened?" Devola asked, her voice filled with concern. "You're injured!"
"It's just a scratch," I replied, trying to downplay the situation. "I had a little run-in with a small Stubby, but I managed to get away." I said, trying to downplay the situation.
Both Devola and Popola didn't seem reassured by my explanation. They exchanged stern glances before turning their attention back to me.
"You should have taken one of us with you," Popola scolded, her voice tinged with frustration. "We could have protected you."
I lowered my gaze, feeling the weight of their words. It was true that I had been too overconfident in my understanding of the game's mechanics and had underestimated the dangers of the world. I had become complacent in my knowledge, forgetting that I was no longer just a player controlling a character from the safety of my screen.
"I know I messed up," I admitted, my voice tinged with regret. "I thought I could handle it, but I was wrong."
"We're glad you're safe," Devola began, her voice gentle. "But we can't have you taking such risks. You're not like us or the androids. You're human, and that makes you incredibly important."
Devola reached out and took my hand in hers. "You have no idea how much you mean to us. After the failure of the gestalt project and the loss of so many humans, having you here is a glimmer of hope."
Popola's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her voice soft but earnest. "We can't go through that again. Losing another human is something we can't bear."
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, I nodded in acknowledgment of Devola and Popola's concerns. Their words resonated deeply, reminding me of the profound impact my presence had on them and the weight of their past failures. I allowed them to guide me towards the medical area of the resistance camp, where they could properly tend to my wounded leg.
Without further delay, Devola extended her hand towards my injured leg, her palm emitting a soft, radiant glow. A bright yellow orb of light materialized in her hand, and as she aimed it towards my wound, a soothing warmth and light enveloped the area.
The light spread out from the injured area, creating a mesmerizing ring of golden luminescence that encircled both me and my injured leg. I could feel the energy of the Maso coursing through me, its healing properties working to mend the wound. The pain gradually subsided, replaced by a comforting sensation of rejuvenation.
I watched in awe as the scratch on my leg began to close itself, the skin knitting back together as if time were flowing in reverse. It felt unsettling, as if my flesh and muscles were worms moving through the injured area. The wound gradually transformed into a faint pink scar, and then disappeared altogether, a testament to the remarkable regenerative powers of Maso. It was a sight to behold, a manifestation of the incredible magic that the androids possessed in this world.
"Thank you," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "That was... incredible."
Devola smiled warmly, her gaze softening. "It's the least we can do. Being able to actually fix something is a nice change of pace."
Exhaustion began to wash over me as the adrenaline from earlier wore off, leaving me drained. The day's events had taken a toll, both physically and emotionally. Devola and Popola's healing had rejuvenated my body, but my mind craved rest.
"I think I need to rest now," I admitted, a yawn escaping my lips. "The adrenaline is wearing off, and I feel exhausted."
Devola and Popola exchanged another glance, this time one of understanding. Devola placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, her touch comforting. "Of course. We'll make sure you're safe."
With their reassurances echoing in my ears, I made my way to the corner of the camp where a comfortable mat awaited. The ground beneath me was surprisingly soft, and the weariness in my body felt almost like a comforting embrace. As I settled onto the mat, I could hear the faint sounds of the resistance camp around me—the distant chatter of androids, the rustling of leaves, and the soothing hum of machinery. My eyelids grew heavy, and with the day's adventures and challenges, I worried that I might not be up to whatever challenge may come next.
I still haven't pooped.