I knew that something awful had happened.
when the pendant Fei gave to me began to act strange
before it fell on the floor.
Perhaps it was more than a bad omen.
I had no second thoughts when I took the decision
to leave Nisan behind in order to ride El-Regrs.
I don't know why I chose the Omnigear
over my standard Gear, Vierge.
I thought I would never use it
after Shevat granted its ownership to me.
Maybe the fear of losing Fei and the others
has outweighed my previous fear of relying
too much on my Gear's power.
The fear of witnessing my own existence
being diminished within these walls
in which I put myself...
It's not irrational, I've seen it before.
By merging pilot and machine, Solaris sought to
perfect their weapons and eliminate the human error
that naturally occurs when organic matter
interfaces with a Gear, thus creating
an abomination of life.
To overcome their imperfections...
To become one with their Gears...
They used many people for that purpose,
including one of my friends.
Was it our fault that Hammer felt insignificant?
Did he really deserve to end
as one of Solaris' test subjects?
None of us could do anything but watch his slow descent
into the abyss as he shed a smile for the last time.
What did Hammer mean by that?
That he was free from the agony of the flesh?
Happy with the chance of experiencing the power he had been given?
I'll never know. A part of me doesn't want to know.
As soon as I ascended to Shevat, which was stationed
above the skies of Nisan, I was informed of my friend's conditions
through a transmission done by no one other than
the leader of Solaris, Krelian...
...
— What is it that you want? What!? – I said, but my lips didn't move. My fear spoke for me against my will.
— Isn't it obvious? – Krelian didn't react when he showed his bargain. It was as if Citan, Fei, Bart and everyone else being crucified did not matter. – As you can see, Elhaym, your friends, your allies, they are but helpless beings. Broken, defeated, trapped inside the Gears that once gave them power. They're out of fuel, stamina and as we speak, time is running out. I won't do anything with them unless you give yourself up. That is my only demand. Just you, and nobody else.
— And how will I know you're not lying? – I asked, knowing that Krelian was anything but friendly.
— You're not in the position for arguing. – He said, with a seemingly lack of emotion in his voice. – Besides, I have more to lose if I fully commit to follow through a path of deception. It's why I'm giving you a choice.
— A choice? How very kind of you.
— "Kindness" isn't the accurate term to describe my attitude. In fact, I would refer to it as a sudden change in my molecular structure that allows me to, even if for a brief moment, be worthy of your attention, your acceptance and, above all, your collaboration. It's a theory, one that really fascinates me, but you and neither I are here to discuss about human nature and its components.
— I agree, so let's focus on your demands. Where do you want me to go?
— Here are the coordinates which you can insert in your Gear to reach our location. – Krelian said as he displayed some data on the screen that stood before me. – Meet us at Golgoda. Come alone, and please, do not waste our time any further, Elhaym.
— Promise you won't hurt my friends any longer.
— I... I promise. This will benefit us both. – It lasted for a second, but I saw Krelian struggling to find any correct words to say before he ended the transmission. Back in Solaris, when I was kept captive in his laboratory, he said I was "beautiful", that when he looked at me, he couldn't help but feel the importance of the artistic aspect of the human form, that I haven't changed "since then".
It's as if we have met before in a past life, and if that's so... How much he has changed.
...
Despite being given a choice, I don't have any.
On my way to the land of Golgoda,
I was intercepted by old allies.
Renk, Stratski, Vance, Broyer and Helmholz,
former soldiers who were part of my squad
When I was a member of Solaris' Gebler.
They tried to convince me not to go
because Krelian isn't a man of his word.
At times, He is more of a sentient machine with logical thinking
than a man who listens to his basic human needs.
He would certainly not hesitate to kill
my friends if, in the end, all that
he really wanted… Was me.
Maybe I should've listened, but now
there is no turning back.
In case it's a trap, I have El-Regrs by my side.
It'll offer me enough protection to stand on my own.
Could it be that I was unconsciously aware
of the danger that will soon occur?
Or was it the spirit of the Omnigear's previous owner...
Mother Sophia, that is guiding me?
Is that even possible? If so, I'm still myself.
Despite all of the changes I've been through,
I'm still the same Elly that Fei met months ago.
The same Elly who cares for her friends...
The same woman who, no matter the time or place,
will always love the man who makes her feel
as a complete being, like two one-winged angels
who help each other in flight.