"Hey, Trazyn." Noel slightly tips her toes in a shy way: " How are you getting along with Monika these days?"
"You don't hate me anymore?" Trazyn refers to the last time they fought, he almost killed her.
"I had plenty of time thinking about our relationship, but yea i have gotten over it." Noel winks: "I haven't seen Moni for a while now? How has she been?"
"She's great, kind, funny, and also beautiful as ever."
Noel scanned Trazyn from top to bottom with her eyes: "Huh, never thought you would describe her like that."
Trazyn frowns: "How else should I describe her?"
"Airhead, terrible taste for food, and of course narcissistic." Noel talked badly about Monika: " But it is great that you can see the good side of hers."
"Wait, hold on, how is she narcissistic?" Trazyn doesn't get it.
"Always thinking that it's up to her to save the others, always at the frontline of every battle." Noel's expression starts getting dire: " If there's one thing I am sure of is that you are capable of stopping her from continuing to do this kind of crap."
"I don't want to restrain her-"
"Who cares?!" Noel shouts at Trazyn: "If you truly love her then stop her before she's going to eventually kill herself! Even if it means that she will be upset, losing her will be more devastating than anything."
Trazyn glanced in Minka's direction, but she was just leaning on the wall and observing these things unfold. Trazyn suddenly realized something from what Noel said: "Noel… you are a great friend of Monika, she's lucky to have you in her life."
Noel didn't expect Trazyn would say something this nice: " Hey…." She punches softly on Trazyn's shoulder: "Minka saved my life, and I will be always grateful to it… now, forge your destiny with Monika." she winks and off to talk to Erin
"Minka…" Trazyn walks in front of her: " Just how far have you planned?"
"I have no idea what you meant." Minka looks away.
"Your appearance in this world is not just a simple case of parents sick, is it?" Trazyn fixes his eyes into Minka's: "You told me that you didn't abuse the time travel machine. But I didn't buy it. From your action I see the shadow of Monika, her every move and action are exactly like you. When I was traveling between timelines, I noticed something called the variation, but the similarity between you and Monika in this world is… uncanny."
"What you just said is very confusing, I don't like it when you are not being direct." Minka narrows her eyes.
"I felt like it was you who… caused all of this. Every major event somehow never was out of your expectation, it is just impossible for you to be able to know something, yet it has always been the case. You knew about the phyrexians, even your timeline did not get affected by it. You knew what path Monika would take based on the event that has occurred, and you kept pushing it to gain what you want…" Trazyn takes out the chip which stores Minka's digital memory: "I hate to do this… but please tell me what you are truly planning."
"Dad…." Minka sits on the floor: " I did all of this… for you."
"For me? Why? I didn't ask for any of this."
"But you did in my world!" Minka's eyes are full of rage: "You broke mom's heart in my world! We were supposed to be a happy family that will have a decent end, but you… you chose the path to pursue power! Don't tell me that you were not going to if any of this hasn't happened!"
"What's up with all the Terra's having family issues?"
Minka's stare is like a bullet that's going to trigger a bad sentence away: " I want to create a world where at least the next Minka wouldn't have to live through a life like mine." Instead of pressuring Trazyn, Minka thought another way: " Don't you want to see how you and mom are going to end?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Minka has a smirk on her face: " Why don't you find out?"
"..." Trazyn took a deep breath, when he was deeply annoyed, Noel approached him.
"Kids huh?" Noel's tone is experienced and very mature.
"You can see Minka?"
"You are not the first person who has an implant assistant." Noel crosses her arms: "I've known Terras for generations, I encounter a few every decade or so. Besides being soldiers, they do produce beautiful women."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I mean that they are women, I know that you are treating them with respect and decency. But from time to time, they will have their needs…." Noel is trying to hint at Trazyn.
"..." Trazyn is in thought: " Are you trying to push me to marry Monika and start a family?"
"I didn't say that. But from what I've seen, having a family does bond them as a whole." Noel slowly walks behind Trazyn and suddenly hugs his waist from the back: " This is how Miller Terra proposed to Maria, a sudden hug from the back. It was beautiful."
Trazyn glanced at Maria and replied with a burning gaze, he let out a sigh: " Why is Monika the only one in the Terra family that likes me?"
"I don't really know, but Monika is a bit hopeless when it comes to love anyways." Noel suddenly realized she said something she shouldn't have: " I mean, she likes to give in and not ask anything in return."
"So in another word… low standard?" This conversation is getting weirder and weirder: " Do you think I am a 'below average' person?"
"Yes. You are a bad person." Noel did not hesitate: " But as long as you are not harming the people around you, it's fine. Besides, Monika loves you, at least for a decent period of time you can enjoy that with her. She's a very soft and kind person."
"You don't have to remind me who Monika is…" Trazyn for once isn't having a lot of words for a comeback: " In many cases, I feel like Monika is too good to be true…"
Noel hits Trazyn on the arm: " Stop it. You just need to go to her and stay. I've known her for so long that she never tries to be intimate with anyone. Except you. So do everyone a favor, hold her tight and stop letting her leave you."
"That's where my concern was... " Trazyn looks worried: "We kept leaving each other due to various reasons… I started to think that..." Trazyn's arm was welcomed by another punch.
"Shut up!" Noel stomps her feet on the ground: " Stop overthinking! And just act! I will be with you when the time comes!" Noel is saying this is because she wants to see that surprised and yet joyful face from Monika: "Look, Monika is my best friend. I will always be supporting her choice and make sure that she will be happy. And you…. You are part of the family now."
"Thanks, Noel." Trazyn is kinda glad that now he has those people around him that would help him, instead of back then when he had to do everything alone.
Monika and Nova finally reach a stage where they've never been to, it is dark and yet somehow everyone is able to see the surroundings well. Monika activated her night vision, at that exact moment, she saw a black shadow approaching her rapidly. She reacted with her shield immediately, she didn't strike back because usually, Nova would be the one finishing the target off. But this time, after dozens of seconds, Nova still didn't shoot: "Nova?!" She shouts and yet there's no reply, Monika pushes the shadow away with full strength and falls back to where the door was. Nova was just standing there, looking forward.
"Nova?" Monika shakes Nova's shoulders and yet she's not responding. Nova is just looking forward; her pupils aren't responding for some reason. The shadow attacked again, this time Monika pushed Nova away and pulled out her sword. She hits the shadow, but it went through like hitting air, but yet it is able to manifest into physical form, at least this is how she blocked the attack.
This time Monika uses a sword and a shield, she charges towards the smoke with the shield and naturally, it disperses and starts rotating back to attack her, at this very moment, Monika activates the electric option of the sword, and seemingly something was shocked by the weapon.
The dark cloud starts to run back to a corner and starts manifesting into something else: " Come here you sentient fart!" It seems to understand what Monika said, and then proceed to regather and form into a beast that has razor-sharp claws and teeth. Monika raised her weapons again, and this time, she is ready to slay the beast.
But at this very moment, the beast starts losing its foothold and proceeds to explode in the air. After that, Nova woke up from staring into blankness. Monika runs in front of Nova and helps her up: " What happened to you?" she asks.
"When we entered the room, my vision turned black and then... Something attacked me mentally. I was fighting against it and eventually, I slew it." Nova then examines the dead body on the floor: " Seems like whatever this is, it is capable of attacking with both physical and psychic attacks. Lucky us that we are good at both."
Monika blinks blankly and puts her hand on Nova's forehead: " So you aren't sick…"
Nova frowns, she's not really sure what Monika means.
"I think the monster broke your brain or something, the Nova I know would never say such a nice thing to me." Monika jests. But it was replied to by a pull on the ears by Nova. After all, she's still the big sister, establishing authority is required.
"Let's head back, I am a bit tired." Nova undoes her ponytail, those golden hair is so beautiful that it could be sold for a high price.
Monika looks at Nova in a strange way, she was about to make another joke, but Nova looked at her in a menacing way: " If you dare to make a joke about this, I will pull those off!" Apparently, when Nova is exhausted, she loses all of her coolness and seriousness.
In the cantine, while Monika and Nova are eating. Elysia suddenly appears from nowhere and sits with both of them, she has quite an interest in both Nova and Monika. And yet, neither of them even remotely enjoys the company of Elysia. They didn't react when Elysia presented them with a huge plate of food.
"Hi~ how are you guys doing? Was the adventure fun?" Elysia crosses her finger under her chin, she looks straight into Monika's eyes, but Monika didn't even look up, the only thing she looked at was the huge plate of food that Elysia brought.
Elysia grins warmly and pushes the plate to Monika: " Go, ahead. Eden made it for me, she heard that I was going to eat with you guys, so she made extra~" Elysia's personality isn't borderline annoying, in fact, if Monika has to be honest, Elysia is quite charming. But there's just some weird feeling coming out from Elysia that makes Monika almost impossible to like. This goes the same for Nova as well.
"Aw…" Seeing them ignoring her. Elysia suddenly looks down and eventually seemingly almost bursts into tears. Elysia did nothing wrong, she just wanted to be friends with them. Thinking about this, Monika holds Elysia's hand and tries to calm her down.
"Thank you so much for the food… But it's a bit too much, why don't we all eat together?" Monika has a soft heart, but Nova just shakes her head and joins in. She's quite confident that Elysia can't really do too much to them anyways.
They exchanged on various topics regarding the realm, the monsters apparently were from all over the galaxy, all of them at some point existed and were defeated by the heroes of imperium. And the monster they just encountered killed hundreds of soldiers without them even knowing, then it took three heroes to take it down, as it will attack with both physical and psychic attacks.
When Nova asks Elysia about the identities of the heroes of the imperium, her usual smiling face pauses for a second: " The ten of us are all residue here yet not all the challengers could see them. The number of heroes you can meet here is directly proportional to your abilities."
"So… we've already met, Eden, Minka, you…. huh." Monika leans back on the seat and starts pouting: " Why are there only three? Are we that weak?" Monika starts getting annoyed.
Elysia giggles: " Oh, dear Moni. You literally just came here. Give it time." Elysia puts her face next to Monika's cheek: "You smell…. Amazing."
Monika immediately gets startled and pushes Elysia away: " Please… stop doing that."
"But, I'm a girl…" Elysia makes a sad face.
"Doesn't matter…" Monika stands up and starts heading back to her room. But what nobody saw was the small hint of redness on Monika's cheek.
But Nova isn't done with Elysia, since Monika is gone, she immediately grabs Elysia's hand and pins it on the table: " So… why don't you start telling me about the heroes of imperium?"
Elysia didn't get startled by Nova, instead, she's even more comfortable in this kind of environment. Her face is literally a few centimeters away from Nova's and yet neither refuses to back down. While they are seemingly about to touch their lips together, Minka, who's on the other side of the cantine is fed up with this scene.
"Elysia, I will handle this." Minka sits across Nova and looks her in the eyes: " The ten members of the heroes' true identity are confidential, but since you are a person who is invited… by me. I will tell you."
"We are led by Admiral Spire. Who is the leader of the gothic fleet, but our ranking isn't based on military rank, ability, or raw strength. We ranked each other because it is easier for decision-making. The second one is Elysia, originally she was the first, but she stepped down."
Nova frowns, but Minka continues: "She said that is because she's too lazy to be the first. But we don't really believe this is the case. The third one is Major. Or as you know… Nova Terra. An assassin that has never failed a mission, literally. She and Maverick are teammates of group 46. A squad that's specialized in… dealing with matters that no one wants to. Naturally Maverick is the fourth, he's rather…. uneasy to talk to, but for some reason, Major and he can get along. The fifth is me, I am the soldier of the golden throne. The first-ever non-modified human to ever become the guard of the throne of the Holy Terra. But I quit and joined the heroes of the imperium. Then it's my mother, Eden. She's a fighter but more importantly, she single-handedly funded the entire operations here. At some point, she's as respected as the admiral. The seventh is the archivist Trazyn …. My… father." Minka paused a bit while saying Trazyn's name: " Sorry… I shouldn't get involved but… he's very dangerous. The eighth is Noel, as for the ninth and the tenth, I am sorry but the last time for the memory backup, the ninth and tenth was dead in a war. I don't really know the current ones."
Nova is in thought, the list Minka told her isn't too far out from what she thought it is… but the description on Trazyn got her interested. But she's not going to ask Minka for it, in this case, it is better to investigate herself. She thanked Minka and returned to the room again. But when she sees her bed really starts getting on her nerves.
Monika and Elysia are playing cards on the bed, from their expression they are having a lot of fun. Nova's fist is cracking with noise. Monika notices the distressing emotion on Nova's face, she gets out of bed and whispers in Nova's ear: "Sis, we can get a lot of important information as long as we just entertain Elysia."
"No!" Nova is too prideful to resort to such a method: "We will do our own investigation; how do you know if she's telling you the truth? What happens if she lies to you and puts all of us in danger?"
Monika looks away while having a sad expression, Nova feels like she's a bit too harsh on her. Monika is just trying to help, besides… she can indeed use some activity to calm her nerves a bit, Nova clears her throat: "Ahem. well, we can still try tho, it is not like we are going to do the levels any time again." Monika's eyes spark with happiness.
"You know… we might have got on the wrong foot at first…" Trazyn is bowed a little to show respect: "May I officially introduce myself… I am Trazyn the infinite…. Grand-"
"You can stop now; I know exactly who you are." Maria isn't impressed: "A thief is what you are. A trickster is what you are made of, and a liar is what you are good at." As a high-ranking officer of the imperial guard, Trazyn's name is already known throughout the galaxy.
"I just have one question… Are all Terras people have some dysfunctionality on how to talk to people?" Trazyn isn't taking this anymore: "Monika and I are in love, why can't you just congratulate her? Instead, you are just saying hurtful words and hoping it would do anything."
Maria took a deep breath and changed her tone, this time she is more friendly than before: "I am thankful that during all of this time, you are taking care of her. I can also see that you two are inseparable now. However, ... We have a curse in the family… it has happened before me. All daughters' spouses will eventually result in tragedy."
"That sounds ridiculous."
"It happened to Miller, happened to my grandmother. So, in a way, I don't want Monika to get hurt because you die or something." Maria glanced up and down at Trazyn: "But, you've known for escaping death in all situations…"
"I actually almost died multiple times during the time with Monika…" Trazyn chuckles: "But it is always her that at some point 'saved' me. This is mainly the reason I will be with her until the end of time, no one has ever done that to me, and yet she has done it multiple times."
Maria is trying to understand what is the hidden meaning behind Trazyn's words but the sudden rapid knock on the door snapped her thread of thought. It is Noel who looks like she has been running for a great distance: "Something bad is happening…. A phyrexian crusader army is heading straight towards this hideout, I am not sure where they are exactly going but if they found out we will all be doomed."
"Don't tell me that a legendary soldier like you doesn't even have a backup plan for this," Trazyn said to Maria. And Maria replied with a roll of her eyes.
Maria opens the underground tunnels: "This will take us back to the old Terra mansion."
"You had all of that and you didn't' visit your daughters?" Trazyn looked at Maria in a way of condescending. Sannet slightly pulled Trazyn's arm to tell him to stop talking, maybe at some point, Sannet understand basic human feelings better than Trazyn.
Maria just ignored Trazyn and headed towards the deep side of the tunnel. The tunnel is ancient and yet the light is still on, there must have been very efficient generators. Trazyn closely examines the walls, and he was a bit shocked that this tunnel existed a thousand years ago.
After around half an hour of walking, they finally arrived at the Terra mansion. The portal is still open and nothing strange has happened. Maria holds the photo of her family closely and gently puts it back on the shelf, there's nothing sadder than knowing that there's a home and yet she can't go back because it would endanger the people, she loves the most.
Trazyn appeared behind Maria again, this time he didn't say anything. But Maria immediately gave a slap on Trazyn's face: "I don't need sympathy from someone like you!" Maria's pure blue eyes gazed into Trazyn's soul. It is cold and yet… sad.
Now Trazyn understands the way Nova behaves, maybe deep inside Nova is also sensitive and kind but she needs to act tough, not for herself but for Monika. Sannet slowly approaches Trazyn and said in an apologetic tone: "I am sorry sire… I acted out of impulse."
"When was the last time that you acted based on impulse?" Trazyn didn't blame Sannet, instead, he's interested in the advancement of emotion from Sannet: "How was your little pet by the way?"
"You mean Minka? She's doing fine, every day she wakes up next to me and-" Sannet stopped because Trazyn's face is getting grim by the seconds: "I am sorry my lord…i-" Sannet doesn't know what she did wrong, but that intimidating face just isn't going away.
"Sannet, I will give you my last order for you…"
"Why?... the last order?" Sannet's tone is shaking: "Sire… I will do anything…"
"Be free." Trazyn gives Sannet a token that has the infinite empire's emblem: "Be free, you are now unbounded from my contract. Do not address me as a lord or anything that's above you ever again, from now on you are a free individual…."
Sannet bows down in front of Trazyn, she can't reject this offer because it is the last order of her lord: "Be free… but how?"
"You have to find it out yourself." Trazyn turns away and leaves Sannet to think alone for some time.
"You shouldn't do that." Minka suddenly appeared and leans on the wall: "Now you are leaving her vulnerable to the world."
"I know…. But Sannet can protect herself." A few moments where Trazyn actually showed that he cared about something.
"Oh? Because my real dad never mentioned to me about Sannet what's so ever." Minka's tone suddenly got aggressive: "If there's one reason that he never mentioned someone this special, is either this person is dead, or she never existed."
"What are you implying?"
"You know what I am implying, if he made the same choice as you then Sannet is not going to survive."
"Minka…" Trazyn sits on the sofa strengthless: "Can you please give me a bit of benefit of the doubt?"
What Trazyn said somehow triggered Minka, she chuckles sarcastically: "Benefit of the doubt? Allow me to recount the recent events, a monster is still somehow hosting inside mom's body and now she's in another dimension trying to get a weapon that might win us the fight against Glissa. Did I mention that Glissa also somehow knows about our location and might be watching us right now? All of these odds are against us, and yet you are still acting everything is fine?" Minka let out a sigh: " I am sorry that I am venting out everything that's in my mind to you... I know you also know about everything that's happening, but I am just not used to feeling helpless. If Sannet is so important for you, then you shouldn't let her go."
Trazyn remained silent, Minka's words got to him. But after staying in a human world, he wants Sannet to experience everything that the world has to offer, something that Sannet hasn't had the chance to do over millennia.
"Dad… I am sorry if I am being a bit harsh… but I think you are seriously making a mistake here." Just when Minka is still convincing Trazyn, Sannet rushed into the door the kneel in front of Trazyn.
"Lord, Trazyn… Please allow me to defy your order once in my life… keep me around you at least when the current crisis is over, I beg of you." Sannet's eyes is full of sincerity.
Trazyn rubs her forehead helplessly with his fingers and then he just replied with a nod, the loyalty of Sannet is somehow such a pain in the ass.
After today's fighting, Monika, Nova, and Elysia are playing a game of cards in their dorms: "I beg of you… Please let me win once…" Monika buries her head under the pillow. Nova and Elysia apparently are all fully clothed while Monika only has a bare minimum of clothing left: " Sis… you are the only family left for me…. I…"
"Alright, stop it." Nova can't bear the words like this from Monika: "I will give you half of the credit I've won alright?"
"You are the best, sis !"
Elysia didn't say anything while they were interacting, she was just enjoying the scene in that they are depending on each other, and also, she couldn't help but notice the amazing assets Monika has.
"So, Elysia… how do we get to Trazyn?" Nova asks.
"Well… normally, he will come to you, but it really depends on luck, if I were you, I would just keep advancing into the realm and see how it goes."
"But we have a world to save… and… Trazyn is also waiting for me." Monika's tone is unusually sorrowful: "Please, we need to have an audience with Trazyn. We need to get that weapon that would save the world."
Elysia's usual happy face faded away, instead, it is more like helplessness. She gave Monika a small token: "This token will take you to the deeper floors. He's a good person but the things he's done are not usually acceptable for most people."
"I know." Monika's expression however is looking confident: "Believe it or not, I've always known what Trazyn has done, whether this is the Trazyn in my world or not. I will save him just like what I've done to my Trazyn."
While they are descending into the deeper floors, Nova couldn't help but curiously asks: "Saving Trazyn huh? Is that how you see yourself?"
"He was just… sad even when he didn't possess a human body, that loneliness, and solitude… I could feel it… I wanted to help him not because I want anything from him, but it feels like this is something that I should do, or more or less if no one does this then who will?" Monika carefully examines her sword and pulls it back to her dimension pocket: "And when he got a human body… well I just really couldn't contain myself… "
Nova didn't judge Monika's choice this time, she's somewhat jealous about the love between Monika and Trazyn, maybe the biggest enemy doesn't love but herself for Nova. Nova's personality deemed her to be more of a lonely type.
When they walked past the floors they've beaten, it all felt like ages ago but in reality, the outside world probably only passed for a few days, they arrived at the door where Elysia said Trazyn is. The camera outside of the door turned towards Monika and Nova. Monika takes out the token that was given by Elysia and shows it to the camera. The door slowly opened, and a familiar face came out of it.
Sannet came out with a rifle in her arms: "Challenge."
Monika's face is blank, she has no idea what this means but Nova step forward and replied: "Büroklammer"
"Misses…?"
"Terra. I am activating the project paperclip archive and I am meeting the archivist Trazyn." Nova talks as if she's done this a thousand times.
"Access granted." Sannet opened the door fully and escorted both of them into the archive.
"Sannet?" Monika is confused but thinking about this is basically an alternative reality for her own world, she just lets the confusion slide and tries to talk to Nova.
"Nova, how did you know the code?"
"Because I was the one that came up with it, it was for a special operation code that allows us to surveillance the entire planet."
"Sis…" Monika wanted to talk to Nova but then Nova puts a finger on her lips to sign Monika to talk later. They soon arrived at the 'throne' where Trazyn sits.
"Archivist, your guests are here." Sannet bows and then proceed to leave the room.
The Trazyn on the throne looks exactly like the Trazyn they know, it is somewhat strange that they have the same human figure. He looked down on Nova and then fixed his eyes on Monika: "You two must be the new challenger that has been wreaking havoc in this place, tell me, what is the thing you seek for that you need to pay a visit to the grand archivist."
"We seek the weapon that can with us the fight against the interdimensional invasion. A weapon that is designed to kill any being that relies on the magic power." Monika steps forward and puts her right hand on her chest.
"And how did you know if we even have this weapon? Young lady." Trazyn has a small smirk on his face.
"Minka told us. She showed us the gate to this pristine realm and then the duty to retrieve the weapon that could save the world. Please, we will give it right back after we are done." Monika's tone is calm, but Nova could sense that Monika is in minor distress.
Trazyn gets up from the throne and slowly walks down from the stairs, he closely examines Monika's face in a creepy and yet familiar way: "Minka, so she finally did it. Incredible, she figured out the way to travel between different worlds. I left her a time machine blueprint but yet she made it to be able to travel between worlds." He wanted to touch Monika's face with his hand, but Nova held his hand in midair.
"Alright, give us the weapon and we will leave." Nova is sensing this Trazyn is up to no good.
"Sure, but you see… this is a trade, I can give you the thing you need but you also need to leave one thing behind." Trazyn looks at Monika as if she's a beautiful art piece.
"What a fantastic waste of time then." Nova immediately understood what Trazyn wanted and she's not trading it: "Let's go, Monika."
Monika didn't move, seems like she's already made up her mind, Monika holds Trazyn's hand and looks at him like how she looks at her Trazyn: "Please, I will stay but let my sister leave and return with the weapon."
Trazyn snapped his finger and a blazing sword pinned on the ground: "The flaming sword of Akush, forged in the flame of a dying star, powerful enough to slay worlds." He then puts his hand on Monika's cheek: "You are as perfect as the day I lost you."
"Monika… listen to me, he's not the Trazyn you know. You can't save him, please come with me, we will find another way to save the world." Nova's voice is cracking.
"Sannet, send out the guest," Trazyn called.
Sannet appeared from the shadow with a semi-circle blade in her hand, she's ready to strike which depends on whether Nova complies or not. Seeing this, Nova's eye is shining with blue lightning, she will not leave without Monika.
Sannet strikes with unimaginable speed a human can achieve, at some point there's even no shadow left on the ground. This time Nova isn't playing around, she concentrates her power and is creating a plasma field that would destroy anything within the radius, but suddenly she felt like something hard hit her on the back of her head. And then she sees some random images relating to Monika retrieving her sword and pushing Nova out of the realm before she completely fell asleep.
The next time Nova woke up, Elysia is staying right next to her. Nova ignored Elysia and went straight out to every corner she and Monika went to in the realm, but Monika is nowhere to be found. For once, Nova dropped her knee on the floor and started screaming in pain. Some of the heroes of imperium heard the scream but they already know what had happened. This is not the first time this type of thing has happened in this place.
Minka came over and put her jacket on Nova's shoulder, she was just sitting with Nova. Sharing her pain, no matter in which world Monika is always her mother, and this Monika apparently has a great relationship with the future of her. Minka gazes at the sword that's on Nova's back, she knows what kind of weapon this is and what it can do. But it still doesn't necessarily mean Monika has to sacrifice herself for this. Thinking about this, Minka said to Nova: "Nova, let's fight this."
Nova didn't reply, she slowly stood up and walked towards the gate, this is Nova a soldier that would complete every mission. Even in the great pain of losing her sister, Nova's head is still prioritizing finishing the mission. Which is to retrieve the weapon and save the world. The entire time Nova's hand is shaking.
"You can't leave like this!" Minka shouts at Nova: "If you walk away now, there's no coming back!"
Elysia was behind them the whole time, but instead of just saying encouraging words, she actually went to find Trazyn. As a rank two of the heroes, Elysia naturally has a top clearance of every single place in this realm, thus the archive.
"Hey, Trazyn~" As usual Elysia opens with a soft and warming welcome: " I heard that you gave the flaming sword to the newest challengers."
"Yea, how are you doing?" Trazyn seems to be in a good mood, he's reading some nice food recipes.
"Oh, are you cooking? Can I please join you for the food? Please please please!" Elysia is begging like a little girl.
"Elysia, don't you have better things to do other than bother me here?" Trazyn's tone is suddenly as sharp as a dagger: "I know what you are doing, Monika voluntarily stays here so Nova can bring the weapon to save her world."
"Are you going to give back Monika after the work?"
"No." A clear answer yet it is the most devastating: "She's a payment, the weapon that powerful is not worth even a thousand lives and yet… this crown jewel is worth far more than that."
"Oh? Why is this Monika so special? What's her difference with Eden?"
"She has a light in her, it is so mythical and yet when you are close to her, the golden light within her is so beautiful. It is a shame that it is hidden but this also shows how beautiful nature can be to create such a beautiful specimen. But you are here to know the real reason huh? Well, we all have our little secret, don't we?" Trazyn describes Monika as if she's an item than a person.
"Where is she now?"
"Somewhere, in the archive, I would not let her go again in my life." Trazyn's life is consumed with regret and yet he does not stop with whatever he's doing.
Suddenly, someone else entered the room, it was Minka: "Hello, dad." Minka pulls out a baton.
"Minky, what are you doing here?" Trazyn is a bit surprised, he has always known that Minka always refuses to talk to him in any way: "Are you here to visit me?"
"Yes…" Minka lowers her head: "Dad… Give it up. You can't bring back mom. She's gone."
"Minka…don't you understand? I am trying to make us whole again. And we are so close to the end of our suffering."
"Dad... I am not repeating again." Minka's eye is glowing slightly in yellow, and she holds her baton tighter.
"Oh, my dear." A blast of energy shoots towards Minka from his wrist and more drones spawned out from small portals.
Minka clings her fist and the noise sounds like someone shot a gun in a pillow came down from all of the drones then smashed them on the ground. She charges forwards and a small pistol manifested from her hand. She shot a few green bullets that blaze with destruction power, but it was all blocked by the reactive shield Trazyn has.
While those two are fighting, Elysia noticed a small unnoticeable distorting of background is heading towards the deeper end of the archive. She just let it slide and make sure that the fight between Minka and Trazyn isn't going to break the realm.
Nova runs as fast as she can, but this place seems to have no end, Nova apparently made her choice, this time she will save her sister instead of doing the right thing. Every step Nova takes is significantly heavier than usual, her body is telling her to stop as if her current action breaks every single habit that she had over her lifetimes. The entire place is like a mix between a museum and library, there are countless shelves of documents and items in every direction. Nova noticed that the label for classification near her is N.
Out of curiosity, Nova ventured in and saw files that are listed in numbers then alphabetical order: " N1C1..." Nova knows about this serial number, it was a series of 69 assassinations towards the top of the political opponents. But this happened even before Nova was born. She feels like something is not right here. she runs to the file called: N.O.V.A. She skims through it quickly, but it is about the Non-Organic Vision Augmentation project. Seemingly it is about some experiment to test eye implant, which kind of explains the one Minka had was far more advanced than the ones anyone could access in Nova's world.
Nova noticed a small personal file on the side, it was so thought that she thought it was just scrap paper. But it is written, Nova Vokria Terra. She is a bit surprised that in this world her file is only one single page. Nova slowly read through the origin and family composition. Those parts are the same as the ones she's familiar with but under psychological evaluation, it is written: Intelligent, vicious, and independent. However, subject Nova would show signs of rebellion when it comes to operating missions that are morally questionable.
Nova let out a sigh, apparent she in this world is someone that she never was. In fact, Nova was so obedient that she was promoted so quickly at a young age. Nova puts back to the file and around the corner is section M. The very first file which is a huge binder, at first it didn't catch Nova's attention but the name: M.1.N.K.A, let her stop searching for a bit and start browsing in detail.
|Protocol: M.1.N.K.A
Initiation condition: When the Terra family bloodline faces an unchangeable outcome, project M1NKA will be initiated with a third-party authority.
Description: The Terra family has been the founding stone of the imperium and within the agreement with the founders, the Terras will never cease to exist. By combining the best gene that has passed down throughout the bloodline, the subject: M1NKA (Mark 1 neutralizer K-A) will be awakened from sleep and delivered to the closest Terra relatives or the party that has initiated the protocol. The neutralizer unit processes the combined force of all Terra elite in the past. To ensure the continuation of the bloodline, under no circumstances should the M1NKA unit be released unless inevitable destruction of Terra. Three copies span over the infant, adolescent, and adult are originally made.
Recent access data:
Accessor: Trazyn Infinite
Result: M1NKA-1 has been released
Current inventory: 1
Location:...
Just when Nova was trying to access the location, a dagger pierces through her stomach.
"Well,well,well..." archivist's voice is cold and full of taunt: "You know... I never liked a single Nova in any world. Honestly, do you really think I wouldn't have noticed you?"
Blood came out of Nova's mouth; she can't move because if she does the wound will just get expanded and cause her to die even faster. Nova is trying her hardest to overcome the pain while trying to find the painkiller injector in her pocket.
"You know..." Trazyn whispers: "It feels good to stab you in the back..."
This sentence as if triggered something inside of Nova, unknown rage overcome every bit of her rationality. Nova stabs the painkiller in her thigh and knocks Trazyn away with a psychic blast. She immediately injects a blood inhibitor to stop the bleeding for the moment and pulls out the knife in her stomach. She then pulled out her pistol and shot Trazyn a few times in the chest, but it was all bounced off due to the body armor he was wearing.
But this has bought Nova sometimes to run away. She activates her cloak, but it stopped working a moment later because the suit was damaged by Trazyn's dagger. She kept running until she was out of breath. With this limited amount of time, Nova bandages her wound and deployed some scanners nearby. Nova is pretty sure Trazyn could see her now but for some reason, he isn't chasing. Maybe he likes to play with his prey for a bit.
Nova suddenly feels a surge of pain from the wound, the painkillers start running off and the bandage starts getting redder by seconds. Nova tries to get up, but her legs aren't responding to her, the effect of adrenaline is wearing off as well. She suddenly hears a series of footsteps slowly approaching her. She pulls out her pistol strengthless, but she forgot to reload, the footstep is getting closer, but Nova also realized that the footsteps aren't heavy. Instead, it is light and from someone that isn't wearing heavy armor.
"Drop the gun, soldier." Nova's voice came out from where the steps were: "You are in no condition to do anything."
Nova presses her wound harder because the bleeding isn't stopping, and her consciousness starts getting blurry: "Go...away." She mutters. Finally, she lost the strength of holding her gun and the person came around and crouches in front of Nova.
It is a blond woman with piercing blue eyes who's wearing a strict imperium uniform. Unlike Eden and Monika, there are small differences between those two. Between Nova can this person they look exactly alike, from both expression and physical features. Nova tries to cover up her wound, but the woman just removed her hand and placed a small film on the bandage, it dissolved in the blood and seemingly starts fixing the wounds. But at this phase, Nova has already passed out.
The blond woman let out a sigh and starts carrying Nova away deeper into the archives.
Monika was brought into a room while Trazyn was out hunting Nova. Of course, Monika doesn't know any of this. She thought Nova had already gone out to save the world. Monika thought that she just needs to either stall long enough or change the archivist like how she changed Trazyn. She strolls around the place just like the first time she strolled around in Trazyn's gallery. Unlike the museum-like theme for Trazyn, the archivist's archive is literally a storage facility, shelves of strange items glowing in colorful light, but Monika could sense the danger behind them.
Monika suddenly arrived at a section called: E. She went deeper in and eventually found the files regarding Eden. She couldn't help but want to know more about the elegant version of herself and think about how to become one. She's thinking of maybe settling things down a bit. How bad will things be if she learns about herself in another dimension? and she's quite confident that she will change the Trazyn in this realm. If she can deal with one Trazyn easily then a second one shouldn't be a problem.
|Subject: Monika Terra (AKA: Eden)
Occupation: Artist, charity leader, business investor, colonel, writer, in-field investigator.
Literally, on the second line, Monika's eyes are wide open, besides the parts that are related to the army, there's nothing she's in common with Eden. If Monika is right, Eden's age should be around 40 and if she has to start now, she needs at least two decades to develop all of those skills. Instead of fixating on this, she continued reading.
Psychological profile: Dignified, kind, empathetic, and caring. Eden has shown not only to be a good applicant to the team but also a great asset due to her wealth. However, the distant personality has provided a sense of arrogance to her surroundings.
Current status: K.I.A
"Killed in action?" Monika frowns a bit: "Minka and Emilia did say that their mother died, and this is why they came to this world." She tries to find the reason, but it is nowhere to be found.
"Hey, honey." Trazyn's voice suddenly whispers next to her ear.
Monika was startled and dropped the files on the floor, she calms her pounding heart and took a deep breath: "Please, don't approach me from behind like this."
"My apologies, I don't really get visitors here." Trazyn picks up the files on the floor: "You are interested in Eden."
"Why is everyone calling her Eden?"
"Eden is a name that symbolized the highest achievement in the Terra family. Everyone is just calling her this out of respect." When he describes Eden, it is as if she's a perfect specimen than a person she works with: "But I liked calling her Monika. It made her blush every time I did that."
Monika's eyes are as if glittering with stars: "So... is this why you and she are married?"
"Were married." Trazyn corrects Monika: "She didn't like what I was doing. But you wouldn't mind would you." He approaches Monika in a slightly menacing way.
Monika stepped back a little, she never felt something like this towards Trazyn because he's always been gentle and sometimes remains a comfortable distance. But this version of Trazyn somehow made her feel creeped out. Thinking about how Minka described her father, Monika is thinking maybe it is not a good idea to remain here. But for the moment, Monika has to play nicely until she figures out a way to leave: "It depends on what you did... My Trazyn did some bad things, but he never really harms people intentionally. Or at least doing so intentionally in front of me."
"This selective ignorance... why? What are the differences between him killing thousands in front of you or behind you?"
Monika puts one of her hands on her chest and speaks passionately: "Because it shows that he cares!" Monika gulps: "We all do things that are not controllable by us, I also killed a lot of people, but this is my way of making the world a better place. I only care about what Trazyn does to me and me only, if you cannot change the world then isn't it better to keep close to the people you care about?"
"Sounds hypocritical."
"Hey! This is my choice! You know what? I've had enough of this." Monika is walking towards the main door but it's not opening.
"Do you think leaving was ever an option?" The archivist slowly approaches and grabs Monika by her chin: "You are a host I have been looking for for ages, a specimen that can host consciousness.
Monika tries to struggle off but suddenly one of her eyes is turning yellow.
"And what do we have here?" The archivist's hand is having an electric spark then he starts pulling someone out of Monika's body.
Monika drops on the floor breathing heavily but she has never felt so light on her body. As if there was a stone in her heart the entire time.
In his hand there's a half spiritual being trying to struggle off: "Interesting, an abyss being." archivist pulls out a jar made of unknown materials and seals the abyss queen in it. He then slowly turns to Monika.
This time Monika steps back and starts running deeper into the archive, she was wrong, this is not the Trazyn she knows. And from the looks of it, she can tell that he is going to put something or someone's consciousness inside of her. After everything that has happened, she's not going to let it happen, never again.
Monika started running away, the archivist didn't chase because there was no way she was ever going to escape like this. Instead, he transferred his consciousness back to the battlefield with Minka.
"You are holding back, my daughter." The archivist has a devilish grin on his face.
"I do not want to fight you more, father. All I want is for you to accept what has happened." Minka holds her lance in her hand, she's ready to strike at any moment.
"This is exactly why you M1NKA units are all just useless, your sense of nobleness will eventually lead to your downfall." Trazyn starts summoning a singularity to pull Minka out of the archive but suddenly Elysia shot an arrow next to the Archivist's shoulder.
"Alright, boys and girls. Let's wrap this up and talk about tomorrow~" As usual her upbeat attitude has not changed even in a situation like this.
"Elysia, stay out of this." Archivist does not seem to be stopping.
But Minka suddenly pulls back her lance and puts it away inside her dimensional pocket: "I don't see why we are even bothering to fight; we are all just simulation of the real selves. She then headed out towards the main gate. Her goal is complete, now Nova is in, and this is the best Minka can do. As long Elysia is here she cannot unleash her full strength because the principle of respecting the ranking among the heroes is still most vital.
Seeing Minka and Elysia have left the realm, the archivist returned to the archive to find Monika.
Monika kept going deeper in, but this place doesn't seem to have an end at all. Suddenly she stopped moving because she thought she heard something like landing on the floor. Monika pulls out her power fist and is ready to strike.
"Put it down." Sannet's voice came out from the other end: "I am here to help you."
Monika didn't reply, she's thinking Sannet is just saying this to lure her out, but the next second, Sannet already appeared in front of Monika and disabled her power fist.
Monika tried to hit her with her fist, but the punch was so weak that it didn't even sound like a punch.
"You done?" Sannet tilted her head sideways, she thought Monika was supposed to be stronger.
"What do you want?" Monika is terrified, she tries to step back but then she hits the shelves.
"I want to get you out of here, lord Trazyn is not in his right mind these days." Sannet gives Monika an injector: "This is the super-soldier serum that was kept mostly hidden in this place, lady Minka handed it to me before she left for time travel."
"Minka...?" Monika carefully examines this serum: "Why would Minka do this?"
"Because lord Trazyn is deep in grief, lady Minka foresaw this moment a while ago. Therefore, we decided to make sure that there will not be another victim again."
Monika frowns, she felt something deeply wrong had happened before in this place: "What happened?" She asks.