Nier: The Last Flower Blossoms

by Astorase

In a world devastated by war and machines, a young woman emerges alone from a cryopod, unknowingly becoming the last living human 9 millennium years later. How will she survive in this unfamiliar and desolate world?

Some parts of this story was taken from NIER Wiki for timeline purposes. I do not own any of Nier characters. Some of the timeline are slightly altered for this story.

Chapter 1: Fragments of Hope

Year 2003

"I see you are studying very well young lady."

Startled, the girl spun around to face the source of the voice, only to meet her mother's smirking face, her eyes twitching. Her face soon turned pale. If she looked any harder, she swore she could have seen fire in those eyes.

Gotta get a way out of this!

"Oh ehe...hey there mom, i-i was only checking my game." She stammered, racking her brains hard in order to come up with a new excuse, but its all blank in her head.

Without hesitation, her mother extended her hand out, to which her daughter grumbled. Wistoria sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. Reluctantly, she placed her Nokia phone onto her mother's palm.

She had been secretly gaming, playing SNAKES on her nokia phone. Wistoria have been repeating this secret act multiple times without her mom knowing. Even when her mother entered her room, Wistoria would cleverly hide her phone under her study notes which she had been studying on or behind a book. She was rarely caught.

But it appears that Lady Luck isn't favoring her today.

Her mother gaze softened slighty as she look at her daughter's downcast expression and sighed. "You have entrance exam next week. Couldn't you wait for it a little longer and endure until you finish? It's only a week after all."

"But mo-"

"No buts young lady! I cannot bear the thought of my daughter, who hasn't yet gained admission to university, lounging around the house. It's not the future I envisioned for you!"

Tsk. Annoying.

The high school girl rolled her eyes and pouted, feeling the familiar bubble of annoyance bubble up in her chest. Left with no choice, she nodded. But as she pick up her pen to return to her studies, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"How about you take a break for now? It's almost lunchtime, and I'll whip up something delicious for us," her mother suggested.

Oh food! At least i got to watch TV while i'm at it. Her mood immediately lifted at the thought of having a hot good meal and some time to relax in front of the TV.

Brightened at her words, Wistoria happily pushed herself away from her study table on her rolling chair. Sure her mother may have been nagging and annoying, but Wistoria understood because her mom was thinking for the best of her.

Morever, she could endure 1 week of no gaming. And its not like she only have her phone as her source of entertainment. On her shelves were dozens of comic books she had purchased from a bookstore, both to read and to add to her collection.

She's going to read a manga named BLEACH tonight before going to bed.

As she walked to the living room, she was surprised to see her mother staring intently at the television screen, her eyes locked onto the screen. She must have switched on the TV to let her daughter watch and wait while she cooked.

Curious what had took her attention, Wistoria looked at the screen.

What she saw took her breath away.

What was once the bustling city of Shinjuku was now a desolate landscape, had a huge large ruins of collapsed buildings and torn down roads at the middle of nowhere. There was a thick pile of white powder everywhere on the street and she noticed large white particles slowly drifting down from the sky.

But that wasn't what caught her attention.

"Everyone please take a look! There's a dragon impaled on top of the Tokyo tower! It seems like the JSDF has taken care of it. But this raises an important question. Dragons! Is it real? "

The camera pans in onto the dragon, seemingly from a helicopter as it slowly circles around the corpse of the creature

"Creatures that should only appears in mythology and fairy tales is right before our very eyes!"

Sure enough, there really is a dragon impaled on top of the tower. Flying around the dead body of the lifeless creature above were a pair of F-2 fighter jets, seemingly on patrol around the area on a lookout for anymore threats.

"Just hours ago, witnesses reported a massive portal that had opened above the city of Shinjuku and something big landed! There was a white giant that was believed to be primarily responsible for the devastation in that area!"

Stunned, she took a step closer to the screen, though the image was a bit blurry. Still, she could make out the scales that adorned the dragon's dead body. There were holes on it. Probably from the missiles strike launched by the F-2 Jets.

Being a fantasy RPG fan, she would have happily skipped around in her room. But this is different.

"Ah! The ambulance and the Tokyo Fire Department have arrived on the scene! Everyone let us hope the victims are saf- oh god! Is that..."

The camera panned and zoomed in on a gruesome scene of corpses sprawled across the ground, nearly filling the entire square.

"Oh my god..." Wistoria heard a gasp. She glanced at her mother, who stood frozen in disbelief, unable to utter a word.

To make the situation worst, there must have been some sort of cosplay event held there, judging from the tattered costumes and event banners on the ground. And they weren't able to evacuate on time.

What was apparent was the dead body of girl whose face had been caved in by the falling rumbles of the building. The other girl beside her whose torso has been split in half by the rumbles but was now covered in white "substances" falling down upon the city.

It was a horrifying scene.

"God...may you please have mercy on these unfortunate so-" "IDIOT STOP! CUT THE FEED!" She heard someone else shout in the background. Before she could make out who it was, the camera footage went dark.

ZIP!

The high school girl blinked as the television screen suddenly fade to black. Before she could come to her senses, she was enveloped in a hug.

"Wistoria, I want you to forget what you have seen." Stunned, she didn't think of it much but hug back and nodded.

Her mom hugged her even tighter. Deciding to calm her down, the girl pat her back.

"It's okay mom, I'm here."

As a few minutes passed, the atmosphere in the house gradually returned to its usual rhythm. Her mother busied herself in the kitchen preparing a meal. While Wistoria lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

"Your father will be home soon. Make sure to tell him that I have put the food on the table in the kitchen for him and tell him to eat it while it's still hot. I'm heading out to get groceries later."

Yet, the haunting images of the dead bodies lingered in her mind, refusing to fade. She tried to push the thoughts away, focusing instead on the comforting sounds of her mother cooking and the smell of the food getting ready. But the weight of the day's events loomed over her, a shadow that refused to disappear.

"Well... it's all over now."

Finishing her meal, she went back up to her room and went back to sleep. Slowly forgetting the event that had taken place earlier,

Several years later...

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20th December, 2007

Tension hung thick in the air as people walk cautiously along the streets. Conversation was hushed, and each stranger seemed to be carrying an invisible load of burden on their back.

Military troops walked past by as they patrolled the street. The once usual hum city life of Tokyo have been replaced by a dull, collective sense of dread. Dark clouds loomed overhead, dripping down raindrops that washed over the city road and dimmed the neon lights, casting an earily glowed at a nearby JSDF soldier with a gas mask on his face, holding an Howa Type 89 assault rifle.

News broadcast of a new mysterious disease that had swept throughout earth like a wave of darkness. Images of doctors and the people clad in biohazard suit slowly taking blood sample of the gravely-illed people lying in bed, their skin marked by patches of salt-like flakes.

The caused of all this is a rampaging deadly disease known as the WCS, white chlorination syndrome.

The high death doll has reached its peak, beginning to surpass that of the Spanish Flu since the 1918 of the 20th Century. Because of this, Masks and hand sanitizer were considered mandatory to wear when outside in public. But it wasn't enough. It has been 4 years since the first initial outbreak in Shinjuku. Despite the advancement in technology and the medical sector, there are still no vaccines for the WCS disease.

Thousands of people queue up on checkpoint in the city streets, letting the medical team on site to perform a checkup on their bodies. The soldiers were stationed nearby to control the situation in case something went wrong. The infected individuals were to be escorted to the quarantine camp by a bunch of guards whom, are also clad in a set biohazard suit and gas mask.

"NONO! LET GO! LET ME GO! I'M NOT INFECTED!"

"Hey you! Stop right there!"

A young teenage boy, after realizing he had been tested positive for the disease, quickly tried to flee the scene. If one looked any closer, they could see he looked very pale with deep sunken eyes. Dozens of people quickly distanced themselves from him. Seeing the reaction from them, the boy went mad and start screaming vulgar words out of his mouth.

PZZZTTTT!

He collapsed and roll on the ground as the tazer was shot on his back. Soon, the military guards and a medical team in hazmat suit on site walk up to the teen, roughly grabbed his arms and drag him off to the quarantine zone.

"no..nooo. MOM! MOM!"

Everyone shifted their gazed away from the boy, some had faces containing guilt. There was nothing they could have done.

A young woman teeth clenched in anger from what she had just witnessed. She had had stories of the infected not being able to have a visit from their family and friends. Their smartphone being confiscated right on the spot.

But she couldn't do anything, she is powerless. If she were to try help the boy, no doubt the will be consequences to her action.

"Maam, please step in the scanning area."

Snapping out of her thoughts, Wistoria stepped inside the scanning pod and raise both her arms. The machine powered on to life as the pod spinned its mechanism in the glass around her, the operator performing a check on her health.

VRRRRMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

30 seconds later, the machine stop working. In front of her, she could see green light and the gate opened up.

"Alright clear. Move along!"

She put down her arms and walked out through the gate, sighing in relieve. She would be lying if she said she was not afraid of her health being infected by the WCS virus.

Suddenly...

"Attention. The President of the United States of America, Caldwell, would be making his official statement to the whole world. Please pay attention if you would. This is regarding the disease that have plague our nation."

The news announcement blared from the giant television screen on a retail building in the streets of Shinjuku, causing some people to perk up from their phone and watch the screen. Some brushed it off and continued their what they were doing. The newsreporter stood still on the screen, her face showing signs of professionallsm and skills in her work. Whatever she was reporting on earlier before the announcement, her demeanor shifted quickly from cheerful to serious, embodying the gravity of the situation.

Curious, Wistoria quickly walked to a nearby bench and take a seat. There were some people who stopped and took a look at the huge screen, curious of what the US president have to say.

Soon, the huge screen showed a blonde hair man in his fifties, dressed in a black suit with a tie on his collar, his expression be that of a tired old man. Cameras flashed in his direction, and reporters bombarded him with questions, their voices urgent and unrelenting.

---

"Please MR PRESIDENT! What do you have to say about the well-being of the infected citizens!"

"What are your thoughts on Project Gestalt?"

"Do you think this is a punishment from God himself?"

"Give us answers!" The crowd demanded, their frustration growing by every passing minute. Inside the White house, it wasn't any better for the the tired man who stood at the podium.

4 years after the incident in Shinjuku, there was an outbreak of a new disease which had emerged a few months later. It was first reported and dismissed as a minor outbreak. But it turned out to be a very deadly incurable disease that spread around the globe and claimed the life of a thousand people called the White Chlorination Syndrome. Not only that, it also gave birth to a rise of a new monstrousity called the Legion, who were once former humans and are attacking people everywhere on the streets.

Despite having the greatest minds of all countries combined together to combat the WCS disease, there have been no progress.

Humanity is in a state of peril, and are fighting for the survival of their race.

There was going to be an international announcement in which US president Caldwell is going to be addressing an important message to the whole world. Which is why he had decided to make an appearance today. Because of this, Reporters and citizens have all gathered together clamoring for answers in the wake of a growing crisis.

The world is slowly falling apart. It wouldn't be far fetch to say humanity is going to be driven to extinction.

"Citizens...I will say it again! I stand by the american people and I will do everything in my power to protect my own people, even if they are infected. And no. I believe this is a test God has given us to be strong in times of crisis."

"Then how do you explain the infected people turning into those monstrosity in the last stage of the infection and attacking others while claiming that God has given them their second chance?"

"That was a false God!" A pope slammed his fist down on the atrium, shutting up the reporter.

"I believe they must have mutated. Are you telling me some cthulu God out there revive them and sent them to attack all of humanity? please, even a kindergarten kid can make up a better story than that." A politician sneered.

"What have the US military been doing?!"

"Is it true the military is going to launch a nuclear strike on our own soil?! Are we going to face the same fate as the city of Shinjuku in Japan?" The reporter extend his arm and point his microphone closer to Caldwell, hoping to get a quick answer.

"I believe the Legions need a right God in their life. They are merely misguided and blind under a false god." Someone in the crowd spoke up, causing dozens of glare directed in his direction.

"You foo-"

"Enough!"

A loud furious shout reverberated throughout the room, immediately silencing every attendees. Once again, the attention shifted back to the president, whom now stood resolute and have an unreadable expression. He adjusted his ties, place his hand in the podium and slowly leaned forward, addressing the anxious faces and world watching the broadcast before him.

"I don't care what you believe in. gods, monsters, conspiracy theory. One thing is clear. We are at war against the WCS and the Legion, which brings me to the main topic."

He took a deep breathe.

"Let me be clear about Project Gestalt." He began, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "This initiative represents our only best chance of survival. It is a lifeline for all of humanity. Much details about it is classified, but I can assure you. We wouldn't need to worry about the plague should it arrive at our doorstep."

A murmur spread through the crowd, skepticism etched on many faces. The president pressed on, sensing their doubt. "I understand the fears surrounding this project. But I assure you, this is not some dystopian fantasy. We are at war, and in war, we must make difficult choices. Of the billions of humans on Earth, we sadly have a number of limited slots available, and not everyone can participate. This is a harsh reality in this cruel world, but we must prioritize those who can contribute most to our future. Parents, please give yourself up for your children."

The man paused, waiting to see if anyone had anything to ask him. Seeing no one, he continued.

"I urge each of you to please take this initiative to sign up. By signing up, you are not only choosing to protect yourself but also fight to reclaim the future for all of humanity. Reclaim back our decaying world!"

He raised his right fist up high.

"Every submission counts. We will try to save as many people as we can. This is the cruel reality this world had to faced."

A reporter interrupted, his voice cutting through the tension. "But what if the project fails? And what about the so called backup Cryopod project? I heard there has been many implication prior to the project and massively defunded."

The president expression hardened. "The project will never fail! I can assure you. We have the brightest minds working on the project and the success rate is high! Failure is not an option. I have nothing else to comment on the Cryopod project. It is true that the Cryopod project turns out to have less result compared to Gestalt, but that is up for you to decide. That is why we must act decisively! My American people, and people of the world, to join us. Visit your local medical center and sign up for project Gestalt. We will send you through your email address too. Together as one! We will face the darkness together and turn against the tide of calamity!"

The crowded soon roared as they stood up and cheered for the president. "This is a test of our spirit. We shall overcome this together and emerge from this crisis victorious, stronger and united to forge a new path ahead of us together. That concludes my speech."

He stepped back from the podium before being swarmed by dozens of photographer. His words had left quiteban impression on the world, letting them think of the choices that lay ahead of them.

This time, humanity all across the earth has joined hands together to overcome this crisis.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP! The sounds of clapping hands slowly faded into distance.

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A month and a half later...

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15th January, 2008

Japan

News report continue to blared from the giant television screen on a retail building in the city of Okayama, reporting the deaths that had occurred over the past few months behind and urging the population to attend their local medical center to enroll in project Gestalt, followed by a QR code which appeared for people to scan and sign up online.

After the address speech of US president Caldwell that day, hundreds if not thousands of people had flocked to the medical center to sign up for the project Gestalt.

Although there's an online application available to sign up for, participants still needed to undergo a physical examination and tests to determine their health status and check for any signs of the White Chlorination Syndrome virus.

Not only that, they also need to state if they have any useful skills, talent and their current occupation.

Fights also occurred as there are some people trying to cut the queue, causing the Japanese police force to step in and restore order in the area.

How did the world come to this?

It was just your normal usual day at first. Waking up in the morning, having breakfast, going to work, eating again, and then sleeping. Just your normal ordinary day.

But soon everything changed. Ever since that day. The deadly fate of Earth has already been sealed from the very beginning. We just weren't aware of it yet.

Regarding the incident from 6 years ago, a search and rescue party was formed to look for any survivors in the aftermath and the search went on for a few days. The Japanese government took custodies of the dragon's dead body.

For months, headlines were dominated by the unprecedented appearance of the two magical beast. The media speculated endlessly about its origin, the battle's destruction, and what it meant for humanity's future.

Regarding what the US president had spoken, it turned out to be a load of bull. Project Gestalt turned out to be even harder for an average people to get in. There were rumors of the rich, elites and superstars getting an easy pass into the project based in their high status.

Even if they are small in number, the government are mostly looking for people who have a set of skill set, talent and achievement. Which most average people lack right now.

She had been an unlucky one. Rejected.

"Wakey bakey Wistoria, back to Earth?"

Snapping back to reality, Wistoria's heart jumped when a man's face suddenly loomed before her, his expression a mixture of annoyance and concern. His eye twitched slightly, a telltale sign of his frustration at finding her once again lost in a daydream while on the job. However, he merely sighed.

"You need some time off you know? You have been taking overtime a lot." Takuya put his hands in his pocket and fished out a sweet candy, offering it to her.

Smiling faintly, The black haired woman slowly accepted the candy from his hand, tearing the wrapper open and popping the content in her mouth. Mmm...Sweet.

After graduating from university just a few months ago, she have managed to secure her employment in a nearby hospital and work as a medical engineer there.

Because of the amount of infected patients, she was forced to take up overtime and work until its past midnight. Keeping the medical equipment in maintenance and liaising with the vendors to arrange purchases of new medical equipment and acquire any replacement parts. Working with the medical team to research the deadly bacteria and produce a vaccine.

Her mom have been putting food in three bento boxes to make sure her daughter was well fed throughout the hour, even though she urged her to take leave from work and rest at home for a few more days.

"It's fine, I don't have much things to do at home anyways." She shrugged.

"Your eyebags say otherwise." The man mused, leaning against the door.

"Tsk caught on."

"What do you think of Project Gestalt? Did you sign up for it already? Or would you rather sign up for the Cryopod project."

Right now on Youtube, the cryopod project are facing so many backlash and criticisms from viewers, one could say many YouTubers are milking them for their content to earn some quick buck. Even the scientific community criticize the project, ridicule it, mocks it and calls it a "Cold suicidal coffin" for anyone who's crazy or suicidal enough to get in.

News of Celebrity like Taylor Swift, Katy perry, Arianda Grande and many other famous Hollywood figures dominated the news headline, managing to apply for the project and gained entry..

Money, influences, high status eh?

She mentally scoffed. She wouldn't lie if she said she envied the wealthy and elite people.

Speaking of the cryo project...

Since she was rejected from Gestalt, and humanity look like it ain't gonna last long and her family have been pressuring her to apply for Gestalt over and over again even if she fails.

Why not give cryo a shot?

"I-"

Before she could say anything further, an urgent knock was heard on the door before it was slide opened and a nurse walked in, her face worried with anxiety and fear.

"Doctor, the patient-" Before she could finish, a piercing scream erupted throughout the corridor from the nearby patients room.

"ARGGHHHH! JUST KILL ME ALREADY!" A frantic voice of a man screamed in agony in his hospital bed, clicking the "Call Staff" button rapidly.

Without hesitation, Wistoria immediately step outside, her heart racing as she headed for the observation room while her colleague quickly move in another direction, intent on equiping himself with the necessary safety suit following the health and safety protocol, before confronting for the source of the noise.

Upon reaching the observation room, she peered through the glass and her heart sank at the scene unfolding before her eyes. In the room, the man's once youthful and normal skin had slowly turned into a salt-flaked skin, a common sign of infection that occurred to many patients which baffled doctors and scientists alike.

He tried pulling out the IV tube attached to him that tethered him to life and scratched his own skin out of sheer pain. Medical staffs clad in hazmat suit stormed inside the white, sterilised room of the medical facilities. They quickly pinned down the screaming man back onto bed. One of the nurses carefully drew a syringe and slowly administered the sedative, injecting it into the man's skin. Hoping to quell the poor man's pain, even if it meant temporarily.

The minutes dragged on, each second feeling like an eternity as the sedative took effect. The bed shaking from the man trying to break free from their grasp. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the man's body went limp, his screams fading into a haunting silence. It took nearly ten minutes for him to collapse into unconsciousness, the tension in the room palpable as the staff released a collective sigh of relief.

One of the staffs sighed as he propped himself onto a nearby chair out of exhaustion, trying to shake off the adrenaline.

The weight of the situation hung in the air, a reminder of the grim reality they faced daily. Meanwhile Wisteria stood still in the observation room staring, before returning to her laptop and jotted down the recent report in her laptop. The screen illuminating her face as her fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard.

She had already gotten used to this routine and it had become already become common for her to experience the patients mental breakdown from earlier.

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Patient-65

Status: Alive

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Infection Onset: 72 hours prior to sedation

Symptoms: Initial signs included high fever and severe fatigue, followed by salt-like crystallization of the skin. Salty taste feeling on the lips. Subject exhibited increasing confusion and hallucinations in the final hours, consistent with previous cases.

Notes: Patient-65 has displayed rapid progression of the infection and a mental breakdown. Autopsy will proved impossible should his body turned to a pile of salt. Should the patient gone berserk during the final stage, it is recommended for armed guards to be on-standby to administer stronger doses of tranquilizers. Further analysis is needed to understand the potential for reversing the effects of the bacteria and study its bacterium structure, as well as the implications for ongoing research aimed at developing a vaccine for the WCS.

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The dark-haired woman could already see the grim, stressful looks on the hospital staff. Obviously, they do not want to be near a disease that is still unknown and the amount of deaths that occurred over the past few weeks, increasing their workshift.

Watching her colleague exit the room, they went for the disinfection chamber before removing their Hazmat suit. She watched as Takuya walked towards her and place his hands on her shoulder.

"Wistoria, go back home for today and get a few days of rest. I will handle everything from here."

"Hey...do you think we're going to survive in the future?" Before she know it, the words escaped from her lips.

Chuckling, the man answered. "Well I don't know. But personally, I would just continue my life as normal. Live life as long as I can."

"Then did you sign up for Gestalt?"

The doctor hesitated, before finally speaking up. "Yes I did, I got in alright. What about yours?''

"Mine is still pending." The black hair woman lied, not wanting to reveal her rejection and cause some worry for him. If she's being honest, Takuya was like a brotherly figure to her.

He has his own family to take care of, and she darn well hope their family makes it in this hard time.

"No worries, you should go back now. I can already see the eyebags under your eyes."

Knowing she could not argue, she finally relented and nodded. Satisfied after persuading his workaholic friend to go back home, he walked back to his main office.

After packing up her stuffs, she took her keycard and headed for the entrance out of the hospital. She grabbed her keycard and swiped it against the gate, watching as it slid open to reveal the stark hospital entrance. This wasn't a normal hospital of course.

It was a high end medical facility funded by the Japanese government to combat the WCS disease, the walls surrounding the facility were lined with reinforced steel material and armed guards standing on their posts for their shift. The facility was designed to prevent to prevent any patient from escaping outside and causing anymore outbreaks. The cool air hit her face as she stepped outside, a welcome contrast to the sterile atmosphere she had grown accustomed to.

Although Shinjuku was supposed to be the only quarantine zone, the government soon set up bases and facilities in other zones.

She is currently living in Okayama, so she wasn't really affected when the outwordly incident happened. She would sometimes be sent to the Shinjuku

As she walked down the bustling streets, her mind wandered to the newspaper she had read yesterday. She had read the news of a medical team in the US finally making some progress with the Disease, and for the first time in her life, a flicker of hope ignited within her. She hoped their findings would lead to a breakthrough and save countless lives, to prevent pain patient 65 had to go through.

"Right right! Don't think too much Wistoria! let's go grab some bite." She mentally slapped herself and head for the ramen shop.

2 hours later

Wistoria sat on her chair, staring at her laptop. The "CRYO" website is displayed on her screen, the front page stating the information of the experiment project. There are pros to these.

First off the successful applicant will be ensured that their family will receive appropriate financial package from the government.

Secondly, the team will make sure their bodies are kept safe and healthy.

Lastly, a weekly visit to the subject's pod from their family under supervision from the team.

This isn't bad of a deal.

Clicking on the sign up button at the bottom of the webpage, she was redirected to an application page where she would proceed to fill it all out.

Full name. Check

Home Address. Check.

Not married. Check.

ID card. Photo sent.

State your reason.

The woman paused. Hmm...I have no idea what to write. But...

"I just want to live."

And she clicked on the submission button.

Submitted! Please check your email for the confirmation email.

Wistoria went to her outlook and searched her inbox. Sure enough, there is a new email stating her confirmation in the Cryopod project and how they will let her know in a 5 business days.

Wistoria sighed in relief, she hope she would have this second chance to live a longer life.

"Wistoria, dinner's ready! Please come down."

Her mother called out to her from downstairs. About her parents, she had tried telling them to sign up for Gestalt. But upon seeing their daughter's rejection email, they merely smiled.

"It's okay. We will be with you. Together."

Remember those exact words caused her to nearly shed a tear. But she held it in. She cannot look like a sombering mess in their dinner table.

"Okay I'm coming!"

She took one last look at her outlook email.

And closed down her laptop screen.

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Wistoria Diary Report

Earlier in December 2008 after the outwordly incident, there had been a reported syndrome of an infection in the city of Shinjuku, a disease that turned people's skin started into salty flaked skin, and their lips would taste nothing but salt.

A lethal disease with a high fatality rate.

Infected individuals would exhibit alarming symptoms: the mutation of their cell structures caused a grotesque transformation, wherein their bodies started to transmute into sodium chloride. What had once been flesh and blood began to resemble something far more sinister—a salt-encrusted shell, white and lifeless, akin to the very appearance of The Giant that had appeared in Shinjuku in 2003.

At the final stage, most turned into a literal pile of salts. Because of this, the disease was given a name: White Chlorination Syndrome.

Doctors and scientist were baffled.

Soon, there were reports of patients going berserk during the middle of a surgery and started attacking anyone around them. And the disease started spreading rapidly amongst the civilian population.

To make matters worst, an important figure of the Japanese political figure was killed by a berserk patient, resulting in a spike in media coverage and concern during the month of September. Because of this, the Japanese Government declared a martial law onto the city of Shinjuku and made plans to seal it off from the rest of Japan.

After the construction of the Wall of Jericho in 2005, WCS infection rates temporarily slowed down. And the berserk patients were chained and quarantined inside the zone with armed guards stationed in the facilities.

The wall surrounding Shinjuku was suddenly torn down mysteriously in February 2008, causing a hordes of the berserk infected individuals known as the Legion to escape and start their attack on everyone outside, led by a mysterious figure who calls himself the Red eye.

The JSDF was once again called to address the crisis, but despite their technological advantages, the disease continued to spread, driving more people into a berserk state and increasing the ranks of the Legion. By October 2008, battles between Legion and the JSDF erupt all across mainland Japan.

Eventually, it became too much for the island military forces as they were soon outnumbered, leading to a retreat and evacuation of the civilians to Kyushu and Hokkaido as they flee. The war soon turned into a battle of attrition for both sides.

Many Japanese would also fled the island nation to escape to other countries, many of which would be turned down due to fear of the spread of WCS. Increased crime rate and anarchy boiled in the country as the Japanese government struggled to maintain order and control of the populace.

The Japanese government approves the relocation of the imperial residence to Kyushi to protect the imperial family.

Ultimately, the JSDF successfully evacuated most of the civilians to the city of Kyushu in southern Japan. Before the Legions could launch their final assault, the Japanese government formed an alliance with the US government, allowing more American troops to move inland to fight the hordes of mindless creatures.

Operation Freedom was initiated, but it faced significant challenges. The combined Japanese-American forces found themselves trapped in a pincer attack by the mass hordes of Legions in an urban environment.

Although both nations possessed superior technology compared to the monsters, the creatures' durability and regenerative abilities made them difficult to eliminate using standard firearms. Because of this, the American-Japanese forces retreated back to Kyushu and set up a defensive barrier along the bridge connecting to Honshu, along with the island's coast facing north.

Any legion captives was sent back to the United states for further test and study. The US employed carpet bombing from air against the infected hideouts and cities, though it proved to only be mildy effective.

In 2010, nuclear weapons were finally approved by the UN to take out the Legions which has been terrorising the Japanese people for over a year.

Thermonuclear weapons were unleashed in June 2010, large portions of Japan were bombed with nuclear weapons, turning most of the island's nation into scorched earth. But it finally ended the brutal Human-Legion war in Japan.

It was also an attempt to destroy the disease. Instead, this only caused the particles to spread outside of Japan and worldwide globe.

In 2010, research on the Dragon's remains led to the discovery of maso, providing definitive proof of the "Multiple-Origin Theory," which proposed the existence of a parallel universe. This same research also confirmed that maso from the Giant was the source of the White Chlorination Syndrome.

Research revealed that the Giant's queen maso particles had spread throughout Shinjuku, remnants of the devastation, carried with them the seeds of a new and horrifying disease that had plagued the Japanese people.

However, by early 2014, the disease had spread relentlessly across the globe, leading to alarming infection rates and a significant rise in mortality among the human population. The WCS wreaked havoc, slowly turning individuals to a pile of salt as they reached their final stage. Or turning people whom claimed to have made a pact with "God" from the other dimension to turn them into aggressive, mindless entities. Berserk people whom undergone physical transformation into a hideous monster they have become.

This caused a lot of riots.

As more people succumbed to the disease, panic ensued, further complicating containment efforts. Hospitals quickly became overwhelmed with patients exhibiting severe symptoms, and many healthcare workers fell victim to the infection themselves, exacerbating the crisis.

The combination of high transmission rates, aggressive symptoms, and the inability of medical systems to cope with the influx of cases resulted in a devastating death toll, leaving communities in disarray and pushing humanity to the brink of collapse.

Martial law was introduced to many countries such as the EU. But it only seemed to fuel up everyone's resentment.

Governments worldwide diverted their resources into researching a cure for the catastrophic outbreak, assembling the brightest minds from every corner of the globe to combat the deadly, unstoppable bacterial disease ravaging humanity.

However...no cure as been found. Many people are starting to lose hope. Only Luciferase was found to have slowed down the progression of the incurable bacteria, but it was only effective in young children.

In a last ditch attempt, all resources and fundings are poured into Project Gestalt as a last means of resort in an attempt to save humanity from the incurable White Chlorination Syndrome.

It was originally suppose to be a secret, but parts of the information on project gestalt was leaked out to the public.

It involves something with the use of maso or magical stuff and souls. Humanity is really using every means available to survive aren't they? Even if it involves a cult, witchcraft or magic. Are we gonna become extinct? The world is descending to madness.

My friends, my colleagues...they're all gone...

---

Shuts off Journal Book

Date: 16th October, 2016

9 year later...

The woman put her pen down and closed her book. Her black hair slowly showing signs of white hair from the stress accumulated over the past few months. Her tired brown eyes from the lack of sleep.

Her colleague, friends, anyone she knew had lost contact with her. She heard Takuya got caught up with the WCS disease and soon passed away a year or 2 later, leaving his family to fend for himself. She went to his funeral and cried so hard. She wouldn't even let go of the coffin if not for his parents and family comforting her.

She had been extremely lucky she wasn't in the medical facility the day the medical facility was overran and walls torned down. She sat in the waiting chair as she watched scientists, engineers and technicians doing one last adjustment checks on the cryo-machines.

The sterile room felt like a tomb, its cold, metallic surfaces reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights that buzzed overhead. The air was thick with a sense of impending doom, and the low hum of machinery served as a constant reminder of the situation they faced.

So how did she got here?

A few minutes earlier...

Wistoria was sitting at the sofa, slowly drinking tea and staring into space. The situation of the country had gotten her so depressed she refused to take any meals. The death of her brotherly figure Takuya, the lost contact of her friends and colleague's death had hit her hard ever since the medical facility was overran by the Legions that day. She wasn't there that day.

She and her parents had moved to a new house in Kyushu that day when the Legions broke out.

Her parents were worried, and had tried to comfort her as much as they could. But only time can heal her.

Knock knock!

Who's knocking? I'm too tired for this.

"Coming."

She heard her mother walked to the door, holding a bottle of anti-virus spray and mask adorned on her face. Typical precautions for her mom. It didn't surprise her.

Opening the door, revealed two man dressed in black suit, wearing dark sunglasses and discrete earpieces. They look like a government agents out of a movie.

"Are you Wistoria Dobberman?" One of the man asked, surprising them.

"Oh, that's my daughter. She's inside." her mother answered, confused.

"Maam. Please get your daughter here, she have to come with us." Came the sharp tone, raising her mother's eyebrow in suspicion.

"Why?"

"What's this all about?" Her dad soon appeared beside her frowning. Having just joined the conversation and seeing the suspicious two men whom appeared out of nowhere and suddenly demanding for their daughter doesn't sit right with him.

With the current situation in Japan, it was hard to trust anyone now. During the period of anarchy, their homes had been attacked by a bunch of thugs and gangsters. It was pure luck he had a fake replica gun to scare those scums away and firecrackers to drive them away from their house.

It was a matter of time before the military restored in their neighbourhood.

He clenched his fist.

"Mr. Dobberman, your daughter has been selected for the Cryopod Project." one of the men declared.

The words seemed to hang in the air, each one weighted and final. The news landed like a thunderclap. Wistoria's jaw dropped.

She was accepted?! The small message she had wrote? She had twist and toss in her bed that night after she wrote that.

Her parents stood frozen in shock, before they turned their heads to their daughter. Slowly, her dad walked up to her and she couldn't see his face expression, making her feel very nervous.

"Dad I-"

"THANK GOD. THANK GOD YOU'RE FINALLY CHOSEN." Her father cried, giving her a big hug which surprises her.

"Wistoria! Pack up your things quick."

"But Mom! Dad! I don't want to leave you!" Wistoria's voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes. Her heart felt as if it had been doused in ice-cold water. Not able to hold in, she collapsed and cried on the ground.

She had lost her Takuya. She's not gonna leave her parents next!

A hand was gently placed on her shoulder. Looking up, she could see her mother and father's sad, but happy smile.

"It's okay. We will see each other again. I promise. I love you so...so much. You are the greatest pride and joy in my life, my sweetheart. There hasn't been any moment where I bragged to other people about you Wistoria." Her Dad spoke, tears flowing out of his eyes as he beamed.

"Wistoria my dear." Her mother continued, her voice trembling but filled with love. "You are the greatest gift I have ever received in this world. You are the light of our family..."

Her mother sobbed and hugged her.

"I have watched my daughter grown from a baby to a young fine woman, the day you were just crawling on all four as a baby to the day you walked up the stage to receive your certificate at the graduation ceremony in university. Even though it pains me to say goodbye, you must go. This is a sign from God for you to have your second chance."

She brushed a stray lock of hair from her daughter's face.

"No matter where you are, no matter how far apart we are, we will always be in your heart. Remember, you are never alone. Our love for you will always be with you."

Her dad knelt beside them and bring both mother and daughter's head to his chest. "No matter the weight of the world, always know we are with you, Wistoria. We love you Wistoria."

He could feel his shirt becoming wet from the waterfall of tears from his daughter. He slowly patted her head before turning to the agents, whom was waiting for them.

With a steady breath, he stood tall, wiping his tears and looked straight at the agent. "Please take care of her."

"We will. She doesn't need to bring anything. Just a phone will do."

"Wistoria, it's time to go." Slowly standing up, Wistoria walked out with the agents, stopped and looked back one last time. Her eyes watched the house she had been raised in for many years, and her eyes met with her parents for the last time in her life. Doing a "I Love you" hand gesture, she turned and walked with the agents to the black car waiting for them outside their gate.

End of flashback.

Wistoria sat still, feeling nervous. Looking around, she hardly find anyone interacting with one another. Everyone here must also be feeling the desperate need to survive.

Forty selected individuals sat down in a tense formation, their expressions a jumbled mix of anxiety, fear, and a flicker of hope. Outside, the chaos of a world gripped by White Chlorination Syndrome (WCS) continued to unfold, a relentless tide of despair creeping ever closer.

The candidates around her were visibly stressed, their eyes darting from the gleaming cryopods to each other. Some exchanged hushed whispers, while others stood in silence, their thoughts swirling in a storm of uncertainty. A few were trembling, their breaths shallow and rapid, the fear of the unknown weighing heavily on them all.

Nearly 60% of humanity has been infected by the disease, leading to a surge in deaths and increase number of Legions outbreak. The Black Plague pales in comparison.

Wistoria's heart pound in anxiety as she absorbed the gravity of the situation. During the earlier year in her work with the medical team, she had spent years researching the deadly bacteria's prokaryotes cell structure and conducting test on the petri dish, believing that she could uncover a solution to the very disease that now threatened to extinguish humanity.

She failed.

Despite the comforting words from her parents earlier before she left, Wistoria still felt small and powerless against the enormity of the crisis. While riding in the car with the agents earlier, she had opened up her outlook to check the result of the Cryopod-project despite having already experience the result via the agent's visitation to her home.

When she remembered the third condition that families of the Cryo-subject are allowed to schedule a visit to the subject. She happily sighed in relief.

In her outlook email, she had received an invitation to become part of the Cryopod Project. A mini-backup plan to preserve the remnants of humanity in a small pod in case Project Gestalt were to fail.

The haunting images of their decline plagued her mind, a grim reminder of what awaited anyone who fell victim to the disease. She had attended several therapist sessions and still it did not soothe her mind.

Honestly, she was lucky the agents visited her. She was the type of person who wouldn't open up her outlook until the last minute.

Hm? She saw a YouTube notification popped about Project Gestalt. Clicking on it, a live video pop up and showed a famous influencer showing the place around, a canteen with so much delicious food and people waving by smiling. The man eagerly talked about the Project and his theories on how the experiment might be carried out.

A wave of guilt and anger washed over her. Despite her qualifications, she was painfully aware that she was not among the elites who had secured their places in Project Gestalt, the primary initiative to save humanity. The wealthy and influential had easily paid their way to the front of the line, while many common people were left to grapple with their fate in the shadows. The reality was stark. Project Gestalt had a significantly higher success rate than the cryopod backup plan she had now entrusted herself to.

Even though Project Gestalt was open to everyone, not everyone has the money and the slots are limited.

Not to mention, the cryopod project faced limited government funding, drawing widespread criticism and mockery online. Many ridiculed its poor survival rate, turning it into a symbol of failed investment and lost hope.

People who weren't given the chance to be either part of the projects were milking the hell out of it for their content channels, fueled with jealousy as they weren't given a slot in neither of the project. The lack of proper resources also fueled public skepticism, as doubts grew about its ability to safeguard humanity's future.

Despite the rumours and criticism, Wistoria signed up for it anyways from the start. She wanted to survive.

It doesn't matter how low the survival rate of the project is. First come, first served.

Wisteria glanced at the others around her who had receive the same email attachment, ordinary people with families and dreams, all united by a shared instinct to survive. They were just as deserving as those who had bought their way into the more prestigious project. The stark contrast between their situations weighed heavily on her conscience. She could only imagine the anguish of those left behind, the families torn apart by disease and inequality.

She spotted a few famous celebrities or influencers in the same room, but she couldn't care less.

I guess they weren't fast enough to secure their spot in Project Gestalt huh?

People of different nationalities were gathered on the spot, to preserve the origins and heritage of each country if the subjects were to ever wake up one day in the new world after the disease has been eradicated Earth.

She glanced around her, a man of european descent can be seen playing games on his mobile phone while waiting. An african woman dressed in a catholic robe holding a bible and praying to God.

Clearly she's a priest. Wistoria thought.

The woman noticed and smiled. "Shall i pray for you too dear?" Taken aback by her kindness, she couldn't help but nod. Wisteria may be a free thinker, a firm believer in science, but at times like this, when not even science can stopped the incurable disease that has killed thousands of people. She decided to take a chance.

"Yes thank you." The woman swore she saw her eyes tinkered with happiness in her eyes before she went back to praying. Wistoria couldn't help but smile, she reminds her so much of her mother who used to pray for her every night before going to bed.

The woman grabbed her hand, much to her surprise and fervently prayed, much to her surprise. Not wanting to be disrespectful towards the foreigner, she waited it out until the lady was done, smiled and went back praying.

"Oh Evelyn. Mama's coming home soon." She heard the priest muttered.

Evelyn?

"Don't mind her. The old fool's gone crazy ever since her daughter contracted the disease. She died but she still believes her daughter is still alive." The man beside sitting next to Wistoria muttered in pity, reading a newspaper. She suddenly felt a pang of pity. Ignoring the man, she continued using her phone and opened up the newschannel app.

Every news had been talking about Project Gestalt. The project dominated the headlines, with every news outlet buzzing about its implications.

Reports dissected its objectives, controversies, and potential impact on the future of humanity. How there have already been a first successful experiment in the Project Gestalt but further information was classified. Analysts, scientists, and even conspiracy theorists weighed in, while debates flared across social media and talk shows. The public's curiosity grew with each new revelation, making Project Gestalt the most talked-about and scrutinized topic of the era.

Sadly, most of the information relating to Project Gestalt remains a secret.

The only news channel she found she came across that wasn't covering Project Gestalt was the technological breakthrough in robotics by using the power of Maso particles to harness energy and improvised motor functions, and the upcoming creation of "Androids".

Wistoria swiped to the next page, uninterested.

"All subjects, please stand up and report to Dr Yamamoto in that room over there. You may place your phones and personal belongings in this bag."

One of the staff stood in front of them as she give out an announcement to the people in the waiting area, piles of bags can be seen hanging on the entrance outside the room for people to put their stuff inside before heading to the cryo-room.

Everyone stood up and start heading for the room, Wisteria send one last message to her parents, the only ones dear to her in this world, they had known of the Cryo-pod project and encouraged her to take part in it to ensure of their daughter's survival despite her protests. Eventually, she gave in.

"I love you mom. Love you dad." Sent. ping. Read

"Love you too sweetie! I promise we will meet again." Read

"Please mom, dad. Do whatever it takes to get into Project Gestalt." Sent. ping. Read

Wisteria waited for 30 seconds before a message was sent.

"This is your dad, We'll be fine cupcake. We promise you. Now go. Just know what we always love you. You're our joy in our world."

Tears began to spill from the young woman's eyes, trickling down onto her phone screen below, her vision blurring from the overwhelming emotions.

"When you wake up, conquer the unknown world and make everyone bow at your feet my little angel HAHAHAHAHA!"

"Don't mind your barbaric dad sweetie. Just know that we both love you. We will meet again sweetheart."

Typical dad. She deadpanned, but she smiled. He always love watching ancients kingdom at war on TV. He even purchased a traditional military armor worn by samurais during the Edo period and tried to convince her to wear it.

She did, except it was too big on her. She will always miss her mom's cooking.

"Wisteria Dobberman," a voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. It was Dr. Yamamoto, the lead scientist, stood at the entrance to the pod room, his expression a mixture of concern and encouragement. "Are you ready?"

She quickly typed one last message to her parents.

"I got to go now, see you later. Love you both!"

She swallowed hard, took one last look of her family photo on her phone before powering it off and putting it in the black bags, steeling herself against the turmoil inside. "As ready as I can be."

"Good, follow me."

He gestured toward the row of gleaming cryopods, each one a cold promise of preservation. The cryo-pod look like your average sci-fi pods. Its shaped like a sleek capsule-like chamber and Its exterior is made from a polished, metallic alloy, giving it a futuristic yet sterile appearance. Soft blue lights trace along the edges, indicating its active status. The pod's interior is lined with thermal cushioning to maintain an optimal temperature for suspended animation. Transparent panels allow a glimpse of the occupant within, surrounded by delicate wiring and advanced cryogenic technology that controls the freezing and monitoring process

"Remember, you lot are doing this for all of humanity. You'll carry their legacy forward. As some of you heard, this is merely a backup plan of Project Gestalt and the success rate isn't 100%. But i assure you, We will do our best to provide power to your pods and make sure you lived as long as possible."

Yamamoto nodded to the man on the operating machine, the operator nodded before his finger moved on to work on it.

PSSSSH!

The Pod glass opens up.

"Some of you may wake up in a different time period, either earlier or later than others. We have prepared food designed to last as long as possible, just in case any of you wake up."

The scientist pointed to the food in a sealed tight container box, the box look like a medkit, if not for its food logo in the center that glowed green from the LED light inside. Raising an eyebrow, she thought. What if she were to wake up more than a hundred years later? Surely that's only in the movies right?

She did read the mail about the cryopod having the capability to slow down aging significantly and prevent the aging of the skin and body organs.

Her doubt would be answered.

"Wait I have a question." An african man raised his hands up.

"Okay shoot!"

"What if we were to wake up a millinium later?" His question elicited a mixture of stunned silence and raised eyebrows from the others in the room. The scientist raised an eyebrow, obviously not expecting such a silly question.

A woman in the far back scoffed as she crossed her arms. "A thousand years? Now that's just ridiculous! How can such a question cross your head? Can you imagine how the world would be like?"

"Yeah bet you been watching too much sci-fi movies dude."

Another man laughed. " Then we'd probably wake up to a bunch of robots or something. It'd be like a sci-fi fiction lol."

"That...is like a 1% chance of it happening. So don't worry about it. If anything, the staff and I will be monitoring you all. And there will be more staff to take over place should a hundred year pass by."

"Still," the woman said, crossing her arms, "it's a chilling thought. Imagine waking up and everything we knew is gone."

Wistoria watched as the occupants grew restless at these thoughts and exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the possibilities hanging in the air. Honestly speaking, that would be terrifying if she woke up in a completely different world.

There were murmurs in the room.

Dr Yamamoto sighed, smacking himself in the forehead. "I understand your concerns, but let us focus on the present. Speculating about the future won't help anyone now."

A burly man who appears to be of European descent in a business suit leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "I will place my trust in you Doc. Are you sure everything's ready?"

"Yes, we have already run simulations that prepared for numerous scenarios." The scientist paused, before he continued. "And our team have already stabilize the cryopods and run diagnostics. You will be fine."

The eased some tensions in the room. Wistoria suddenly have a question and took a step forward to ask the scientist.

However, before she could ask. The man rolled his eyes and shook his hands, seemingly annoyed with another question.

"Okay, please proceed to your designated pod according to the correct serial number, we are falling behind schedule." Yamamoto instructed, extending his arm toward the rows of pods in the center of the room.

The occupants exchanged glances with one another one last time before making their way to their assigned pods. One by one, they checked the serial numbers, then climbed in and settled down slowly within the confines of the pods.

Crap! Will i meet my parents again? How could I be so stupid to not ask this? Wistoria mentally scolded herself. She needed the answer right now! She needed it.

"Wait doc just one last question!" Dr Yamamoto sighed before turning to her.

"What is it?"

"Will we see our fa-"

"Wistoria Dooberman. Please enter the Cryo-Pod. We are about to initiate the cryogenic process."

Wistoria froze, her heart racing as the person with the microphone in the observation room interrupted her. She glanced back at the group, whom have already settled in their pods. Uncertainty etched on her face.

"Wistoria, please you have to go," Dr. Yamamoto urged gently. "It's time. We cannot delay the procedure."

No. She needs to hear his answer. Right now.

The determined woman took a deep breathe. "But what if-"

"Just trust the process," the scientist replied, his tone firm yet reassuring. "We will do everything we can to ensure you wake up safe and sound."

That wasn't what she wanted to hear.

After a few seconds of staring at the scientist and giving him the looks of begging for answers, she finally relented.

"Fine, I put my trust in you."

"Thank you, now go." The man urged her.

Reluctantly, Wistoria stepped forward and take off her shoes, her heart heavy with the weight of those words. As she approached the pod, the chill of the metal beckoned her like a siren's call. She could hear the soft whir of the machinery and the gentle hiss as the pod opened, a gateway into the unknown.

With one last look at the staffs doing their task in the room, Wistoria climbed into the pod.

Climbing inside, she felt a mix of fear and resolve. The cold surface pressed against her back as the door sealed with a soft click, isolating her from the world outside. She could hear the subdued murmurs of her fellow candidates, their faces a tapestry of hope and despair, all united in their shared fate.

The glass door sealed with a soft click.

"Engaging cryogenic sequence." the voice announced, and an icy wave enveloped her. As the darkness began to close in, Wistoria clung to a flicker of hope amidst the fear. Perhaps they would awaken to a future free from WCS, a world where every life, rich or poor, could find a place.

It's freezing in here! she thought, her eyes slowly drooping as exhaustion began to overwhelm her.

"Good luck people, May humanity flourish into the future!"

Was the last thing she heard from Dr Yamamoto's voice before everything turned black.

With that thought lingering in her mind, she surrendered to the void, her consciousness slipping away as the echoes of humanity faded into silence, leaving behind the stark reality of what had once been.

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BEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPP!

Protocal Initiated.

UNLOCKED SEQUENCE.

NAME: WISTORIA DOOBERMAN

AGE: 21

GENDER: FEMALE

SUBJECT STATUS: ALIVE

OPENING

Wistoria consciousness flickered into awareness, a slow and disorienting transition from the cold embrace of stasis. The first sensation that registered was a low, rhythmic hum, a sound that resonated deep within her bones. Slowly, she became aware of a faint light filtering through the haze, illuminating the interior of the cryopod.

As the systems booted up, the pod released a series of soft mechanical whirs and clicks. The glass canopy above her began to fog before clearing, revealing a room that felt both familiar and alien. The sterile, clinical environment she remembered had changed; dust coated every surface, clinging to the walls and the gleaming metal fixtures like a shroud of neglect. There were even signs of plantation in the room. If not for pod's light, she wouldn't have been able to see anything.

"Cryopod sequence complete," a calm, synthetic voice echoed, stark against the eerie silence. "Welcome back, Subject E-047."

Wisteria sat up slowly, her muscles feeling heavy and stiff from disuse. She rubbed her eyes and shivered.

Its so cold..

She looked around the room and noticed everything in this room is dark. Exception for the flickering LED light on her pod. Cobwebs clung to the corners of the room, and broken computers lay scattered, exposing their internal components.

"What happened?"

Then memories can rushing back to her head.

Panic surged within her as she glanced around the vast chamber. Rows of cryopods lined the walls, some still sealed, others gaping open and empty. The absence of her fellow candidates sent a chill down her spine. Had they all awakened before her? Had something gone wrong?

The realization struck her—she was alone.

The air felt stale and cool, carrying with it a faint metallic odor that mingled with the dust. She stepped onto the cold floor, her feet bare and vulnerable against the chill. As she moved away from the pod, the sound of her footsteps echoed in the silence, a reminder of the desolation that surrounded her.

The room look so dusty and smelly.

Wistoria ran her fingers along the surfaces of the pod, tracing the layers of dust that had accumulated over what felt like an eternity. It was as if time had forgotten this place, as if the world outside had crumbled while she remained trapped in stasis. What had happened while she slept?

Silence fill the room.

"Hello? Anybody here? Dr Yamamoto?"

Still no response.

Getting out of her pod, she approached the nearest pod, peering into its darkened interior. "Hello?" she called out, her voice trembling in the stillness. The only response was the distant hum of machinery, a haunting reminder of the life that had once thrived here.

It's so dusty. She thought. She swiped the dust off the Pod glass before a sight caused a jump in her heartbeat and made her fall backwards.

A skeletal remains can be seen inside the Pod. What stood out was the handprints on the Pod glass capsule. There were scratches and cracks. Whoever was inside this POD must have woken up first but failed to get out of it.

He or she must have died a slow painful death. Wait what about the priest?

The woman remembered the POD she was laid in. Walking over, she slowly took a deep breathe and swipe the dust from the glass.

A skeletal remains in priesty robes laid inside, her hands clamp tightly around the cross necklace that she had worn around her neck. Wistoria slowly collapsed on one knee and felt a surge of emotions happening within her.

She's...dead.

Still, it didn't stop her from shedding a tear. Taking one last look on the POD which had turned into a grave, she muttered.

"Thank you."

At least she died peacefully...Judging from the condition of the skeletal corpse, she must have passed a long time ago.

As she turned, her heart raced with uncertainty. The room felt vast and empty, a tomb for memories lost to time. She remembered the camaraderie among her fellow candidates, the shared fears and hopes as they prepared to face the unknown together. But now, she was utterly alone.

She looked back at her pod and notice a couple of dead dried roses laying against her pod.

Then realization struck her. Her parents!

She grabbed the rose and quickly release them due to the bad odor smell.

They must have visited me while I'm sleeping! I must get to them. Are they alright?

I gotta check the others.

She went to look at the other pods. It was the same. Skeletons or missing corpse from the opened pods. Behind the observation room, nobody appeared to be operating there anymore.

What's eerily are the scratches in the wall. And the tint of blood.

Wistoria took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising tide of anxiety. She had to find out what had happened. Had anything changed while she was in a deep sleep of hibernation? Gathering her resolve, she stepped further into the room, her senses heightened, every sound amplified in the thick silence.

I gotta get out of here. It's so dark here, I can barely see anything if not for the light from my POD.

As she moved deeper into the space, she noticed how the dust motes danced in the shafts of light, a reminder of the time that had passed. The world outside had definitely changed, and she needed to know how long have she been out. The fight for humanity's legacy was far from over, and Wistoria was ready to face whatever awaited her, even in the shadow of abandonment.

They were located on an underground bunker. She touch the walls of the room and tried to feel her way out for an exit. She could make out a mental map of an exit located in her head.

Her hand soon rested on a cold metallic handle of a heavy metal door at the far end of the cryo chamber room.

"Finally...!"

She pushed. LOCKED.

"Huh?"

The door won't bulge.

Dr...Yamamato, i hope to fucking God you didn't make this door automated with a passlock. She could imagine his nerdy face yapping out the rules and regulation.

She pushed again. LOCKED.

"GODDAMNIT!" She kicked and kicked. Nothing happened. Frustrated, she grab a nearby rusty hatchet she surprisingly found on the floor, probably from the deceased members of the technical staffs whom worked on the pod machines.

Lifting it up above her head, she slam down the iron tool onto the door.

"I AM"

CLANG! CLANG!

"NOT GOING.."

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

The metal door groaned in protest from the constant beating of the hatchet.

"GOING TO BECOME PART OF THIS TOMB!"

SNAP!

The hatched suddenly snapped apart, but that didn't matter anymore. Slowly walking backwards a few step, the woman bent down and make a pose akin to starting a race before she sprint forward, jump and raise her right leg with the momentum.

BANGGGGGGGG! GHRR!

The metal door finally gave in and collapsed. Although not outside yet, there is still a set of stairs to go up. Annoyed, she trudged up the stairs as she continued on.

It took about a minute before she finally reached the top, this time there's another door in front of her.

Oh Please. Not another one.

She reached for the handle and pushed it, only to be taken aback when the door suddenly fell to the ground. A bright stream of light poured through the opening, forcing her to cover her eyes as she took a cautious step outside.

W-What? Eyes widened as she took in the surroundings before her.

As Wistoria stepped outside, the blinding light enveloped her, momentarily disorienting her. Once her eyes adjusted, she found herself in a breathtaking scene that felt almost otherworldly.

As she emerged, the first thing that struck her was the overwhelming scent of earth and foliage. Sunlight filtered through a dense canopy of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. She stood at the edge of what appeared to be a forest, a vibrant tapestry of greens and browns that had reclaimed the remnants of civilization.

The air was fresh, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong. It was a stark contrast to the sterile environment she had just left behind. Wisteria took a cautious step forward, her senses awakening to the beauty around her. Vines draped over crumbling structures, and trees grew through the remnants of concrete, nature's tenacity evident in every inch of the landscape.

She felt a mix of awe and apprehension. How long had she been asleep? What had happened to the world while she was in stasis? The memories of her fellow candidates flooded her mind, their faces, their voices, all gone—lost to time.

There was even a wild moose standing near the small waterfall, quenching its thirst from the source of water. Wisteria suddenly felt thirsty.

It was also a little cold around here.

But that isn't the problem here.

"What had happened?! I swore it was a huge bustling city around here!"

Sure the bunker she was in was classified and kept from public eyes, but it was still a small base outpost in the middle of the city.

Now everything's different.

It shouldn't have been THAT long while she slept right?

She shook her head. Whatever the case, I have to move. Maybe there are still people out there.

Thirsty, she walked over to the small river source where the Moose had gathered for a drink. It lifts its head up, take a look at the human before it before it went back to drinking. The woman made sure she's a few meters away from the animal before cupping her hand under the water and lifting up for a drink.

Sure. There are rules of needing to boil water to get rid of any micro-organism in the water.

Fuck it.

She's thirsty as hell now and got no matches to light a fire or kettle. She's a woman of science who once worked in a medical facility, so she had 0 experience outdoor activities in the wild.

Gulping down the water, she sighed in relieved as her thirst had been quenched. Looking up, she made a mental note of the area in case she needed to come back later, and venture back into the forest.

As she walked along the path, her eyes widened in surprise.

Is that a vending machine?

A vending machine stood against the stone wall. And it didn't look dilapidated compared to the room she was in. In fact, it look like it's quite in a good condition.

That lifted her spirits a bit. Perhaps there are people out there! Even though she couldn't understand why a vending machine was placed in the forest, it was enough to bring a smile to her face. As she approached it and examined it closely, she soon discovered that it had no power.

"Well...at least it still looks new." She sighed before turning around and went back trudging along the path she was on.

Then she stopped. Maybe I should call out.

"Helloo?! Can anybody hear me?!" Her voice echoed throughout the woods. Nothing.

There was a rustle in the nearby bushes. She took a step back and pick up a branch lying on the ground. Who could it be? She was in an unknown place after all.

I hope its not a bear. She thought.

"Hello?" she called out again, her voice echoing weakly in the vastness of the woods. The sound seemed to vanish into the foliage, swallowed by nature's embrace. The silence that followed was deafening, intensifying her sense of isolation.

Taking a step forward, she peered into the thicket. "Is anyone there?" Her arms raise up high with the branch in her hand, ready to strike down whatever's hiding in there.

A normal human would have walked out and introduce themselves by now.

To her surprise, a small figure darted out the bush, causing the woman to jump back in surprise. It was a rabbit, its fur a soft brown, darting away into the underbrush. She exhaled in relief, chuckling softly at her own jumpiness. The forest was indeed alive, but it was the absence of people that echoed loudly in her mind.

Shoulders slumped. Wisteria paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. This was not the world she had expected to awaken to. She had envisioned a future where humanity was beginning to heal, where they could rebuild and reclaim their place. Instead, she found herself in a wild, untamed landscape, a haunting reminder of what had been lost.

Maybe the others have woken up before me and are already ahead of me. There was a few pods opened after all.

But then again, that wouldn't explain the doors locked in the pod room.

Nonono. There has to be somebody out there! I believe!

Mom! Dad! I'm coming for you!

Slapped herself, she sharpened her gaze at the horizon, where the trees thinned and a glimmer of sunlight beckoned through the foliage. She will not give up now. She has been the survivor of the Project cryo-pod. And she will make sure to live through it.

She will make it back home and find her parents!

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.

.

.

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1 hour later

Wistoria pants in exhaustion as she slowed down, obviously tired from the walk. Deciding to take a rest, she walked to a nearby cobblestone remains of the area and sat down at the middle of the place. She had trek throughout the forest, her senses heightened as she tried to navigate the uneven terrain. The vibrant greenery enveloped her, but she remained vigilant, and watch for any signs of human life.

Her stomach growl. She hasn't ate anything ever since she woke up in the new world. She had forgotten to look for the emergency food pack back in the cryo-pod room which Yamamato had mentioned before.

"I guess I'll hunt for fish later." She chuckled. She have never fished in her life before, but hey! There were Youtube tutorials she had watched to make a rod.

Easier said than done. She internally rolled her eyes.

Just as she was beginning to feel a sense of calm amidst the wilderness and about to lie down for a quick nap, something unexpected caught her eye.

"Wait...HUH?"

Shocked, she immediately stood up and stare.

A short distance ahead of her position, partially obscured by thick ferns and wildflowers, she spotted a peculiar machine. It was a stubby, squat figure with a rounded body and a pair of yellow blinking eyes that seemed to scan the surroundings. Its metallic surface was dulled with dust, yet it hummed softly, as if still functioning after all this time.

It walked around back and forth, holding a flower in its hand.

W...WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT? A ROBOT? Her eyes nearly bulged out from her eyes socket. She stared at it for a few seconds. It was just walking back and forth.

If she remembered correctly, the latest "Sentient" like robot was Sophia? It was still in development phase and she couldn't even walk.

But this one was designed as a simple plain rounded robot, yet it seems to be aware of its own surroundings.

Maybe humanity may have achieved their technology breakthrough in robotics! Maybe its a surveilliance robot sent by the Government to look for any signs of survivors from the Project! Yes that must be it!

Also, the robot's cute. She blushed.

She propped herself up and walk towards the stubby figure, shouting and waving her hands at the robot. "HEY! OVER HERE!"

The stubby robot turned and locked gaze with her. As soon as it locked eyes with her, its demeanor shifted, and an alarmed screech erupted from its metallic frame. "ANDROID!"

Wistoria's heart raced at the sudden outburst. Before she could process what was happening, the machine's eye turned a hostile red, and it lunged at her, its movements jerky yet determined. Its arm spinning a wide 360 degree rotation as it start jumping its way towards her.

H-huh?

Instinct kicked in, and she turned on her heel, sprinting away from the machine. The sounds of its whirring mechanisms filled the air behind her. "ANDROID! MUST ELIMINATE!" it screeched, the voice echoing through the trees.

"WAIT STOP!" The woman screamed back, trying to stop and communicate with the machine. But it fell to deaf ears.

"ANDROID! DIE!"

The black haired woman pushed herself to run faster, adrenaline surging through her veins. The forest blurred around her as she weaved between trees, branches snagging at her clothes. She could hear the machine clattering behind her, its relentless pursuit a sharp reminder of the danger that lurked in this unforgiving landscape.

Looking back, she realized the robot machine is...slow?

Suddenly, in a blink of an eye, the stubby machine managed to appeared almost right in front of her and swing its arm, to which the woman duck under and jumped a step back. She quickly ran again.

How did it get in front of her so fast?

"Why is it attacking me?" she thought frantically, glancing over her shoulder. The machine was gaining ground, its small frame surprisingly agile. She needed to find a way to escape.

PROPPED!

The human was pushed back, her rear landing on the ground with a thud. Pain filled her vision as her head must have collided with something hard while she was looking back.

Looking up, her face paled and nearly shat bricks.

A stubby figure sat on a robotic horse, its red eyes seemed to glare holes into her skull. Its right arm wielding a giant spear as its main weapon. The figure donned what appeared to be a samurai helmet along with armor. To make the situation worst, behind the machine knight, was a group of the rounded head machine lifeform she was running away earlier, this time armed with spear and armor.

"ANDROID!" The knight bellowed, raising its spear and does a 360 degree spin before launching it down at the poor woman.

She barely dodged it at the last minute as the spear tip slightly graze her shoulder. She hissed in pain. The knight pulled back the spear and swiped the shaft at the human, causing her to nearly puke as it made contact with her body from the force and she skid along the cobblestone floors.

The knight didn't stop there as it threw the metal spear, the tip landing just right beside her petite figure. The cobblestone that made contact with the spear tip cracked from the force thrown.

"Ah...AHHHHHH !"

Wistoria cried in pain as she rolled over and clutched her stomach. "Please stop! IT HURTS!" She could feel the vomit slowly rising up her throat but quickly forced it back down.

"FOR THE FOREST KING! GIVE UP YOUR LIFE FOR THE KING!" The knight shouted, causing a cry of charge from the unit behind him.

"FOR THE KING!"

"DIE ANDROID!"

Immediately getting up, her andreline course through her veins as she started running again. It doesn't matter where. She had to get away from these Machine freaks.

"WHY ARE YOU RUNNING? COWARD. YOU HAVE SLAUGHERED MANY OF OUR BRETHENS. FACE ME IN A DUEL!"

Running in a random direction, she spotted a huge castle in the distance not far from her location, what was once a bridge connected to it had clearly broken off.

She ain't gonna make the jump.

Glancing over her shoulder, her blood ran cold. More numerous hordes of machine lifeforms had shown up behind her, but that wasn't what scared her.

More imposing figures of the machine knights mounted on robotic horses, their armor gleaming and menacing were chasing after her, and they are closing distance. Their eyes glowing with a fierce red light, an intent to kill. The sight sent waves of panic coursing through her.

"FIRST TO GET HER HEAD SHALL BE REWARDED!"

NO NO NO! Wistoria mentally screamed, her instincts telling her to push faster. Her adrenaline making her run faster than ever before and ignored the pain from earlier inflicted by the machine knight on horseback.

Her breathed quickened and she found herself clutching her belly in pain. She veered sharply for any escape routes or any places to hide in. She could hear the machine robots closing in quick, their voices a harsh blend of static and urgency.

She's getting tired and her belly throbbed with pain. Did she drank too much water from earlier?

"CAPTURE THE ANDROID!"

"KILL THE ANDROID!"

"PRESENT HER HEAD TO THE FOREST KING!"

I'M NOT AN ANDROID. The woman screamed mentally.

Ahead, she reached a ground slope and quickly, slide down the dirt, leaving her pants to slowly become brown stained from the earth.

Glancing up to her right, she found a hole under a tree with a huge pile of leaves inside. Without any second thoughts, she jumped and dived into the pile.

Just as she managed to dived into the pile of leaves, the machine knights tumbled up down the ground slope, followed by their ground troops. They skidded to a halt, their mechanical whirs echoing ominously near her position.

"WHERE IS THE ANDROID?" one of the knights demanded, scanning the area with its glowing eye. Wistoria held her breath, pressing herself against the cool earth, praying they wouldn't notice her hiding place.

The knights conferred in their metallic tones, frustration building in their voices. "SHE CANNOT HAVE GONE FAR. GROUND TROOPS! SEARCH THE AREA!"

"YES MILORD!"

Her heart raced as she heard their footsteps combing the area, tension thick in the air. She remained motionless, her mind racing with fear and confusion. She had stumbled into a world far more dangerous than she had anticipated, and now, she was at the mercy of these relentless machines.

What if the machine have motion sensors? She thought, but quickly dismissed it. Not wanting any negative thoughts at any moment.

As the machines fanned out to search for her, she knew she had to stay quiet and hidden. The forest, once a sanctuary, had turned into a treacherous labyrinth, and she needed to outsmart her pursuers if she hoped to survive.

One thought lingers in her mind.

And what the hell is an android?