After explaining about the Spiral Gate and its first world, Lyria stopped Fitran's steps before he could enter Chainsaw World. "Wait a moment," she said, her voice firm yet gentle, full of concern. "There's one important thing you need to see first," she said, looking at Fitran seriously, her eyes full of hope. They crossed a tall glass bridge, heading towards the highest tower of Nexus—the Deus Tower.
[East Corridor — Deus Tower]
The glass floor gleamed softly beneath each of Fitran's steps, emitting a light that seemed to pulse with the rhythm of his feet. Each time he stepped on it, he felt a sweet chime awakening his curiosity, as if a soft voice was singing beneath him. "This... feels like the dream I've always envisioned," he murmured softly, his eyes shining with wonder.
Under the soles of his shoes, streams of data flowed like a neon river—bits of text, snippets of sound, and shadows of mysterious faces that were unfamiliar to him. He leaned slightly, trying to capture an image that flashed past quickly. "What is all of this?" he asked, his voice trembling, filled with disbelief and curiosity.
The circular door at the end of the corridor opened automatically with a soft sound, allowing them to enter the silent dome, as if the entire space was inhaling in peace. Hundreds of floating crystal capsules drifted slowly, each one radiating a different color—brilliant crimson, shimmering electric blue, and deep mysterious purple. "Lyria, this… is truly astonishing," Fitran commented with a tone full of wonder, his eyes wide as he gazed at the space, feeling it captivate his soul deeply.
In the center of the grand dome, softly glowing, a spiral console table was surrounded by glyphs that emitted a gentle and rhythmic light. "This place feels so mysterious," he said with a tone full of curiosity as he approached, his hand almost touching the glyphs, as if invited by an unseen force.
Lyria was already there, exuding a calming confidence. "Welcome to the Echo Archives," she said with a clear and firm voice, as if opening a door leading to a new world for Fitran.
Fitran inched closer to the nearest capsule, curiosity swirling within him. A vision of a red-haired girl emerged inside it—her image not entirely human; she looked as if broadcast in a dream projected on the surface of water. "Is this… them?" he asked, confused yet entranced, his voice trembling with wonder.
"They are not the 'them' that is whole," Lyria replied, her voice calm yet reflecting firmness. "Echo is an existential resonance—fragments of memories, patterns of choices, and emotional traces of someone who exists in another reality. This is not a replacement but rather a bridge to lost experiences." As she glanced at the other capsules, her expression seemed to recall deep and meaningful memories.
"So, a copy that can speak?" Fitran frowned, confusion crossing his face.
"That's right. In fact, they can even refuse interaction with you," Lyria replied, her voice remaining calm yet firm. "However, they will always feel drawn back to their origin line." She tucked her hair behind her ear, her eyes gazing deeply into the dimness of the room, as if trying to recall something that stirred her heart.
***
Repository: NEXUS_ECHO_CORE
Total Echo Signatures: 108
Access Level: Progenitor (Full Read / Conditional Write)
Echo Classes:
- Class A: Canon Echo (strong narrative power)
- Class B: Divergent Echo (flexible alignment)
- Class C: Adaptive Echo (high learning rate)
Risks:
- Overwrite Drift: Low–Medium
- Emotional Contagion: Medium
- Paradox Spike: Low (Active Gödel Limits)
***
Fitran glanced at the screen, a mix of curiosity and concern adorning his expression. "Emotional Contagion?" he asked, his tone serious, his neck slightly bending as if trying to dive deeper into the meaning.
Lyria gazed at him with intense attention, her eyes radiating deep understanding. "Some Echoes carry traces of trauma stored from their original worlds. If we rush to form connections, it can cause that trauma to resurface, right? There's a story about a Progenitor who lost focus during the inter-Gate wars because of this. It may be cliché, but it's a reality that cannot be ignored."
"I understand," he replied firmly, carefully touching the glowing prism icon. "Show me an example."
With a tremulous and mechanical voice, the nearest capsule opened its petals, creating a tense atmosphere in the room. A hologram of a woman with black hair appeared before them, her sharp gaze focused directly on Lyria. She seemed to analyze the situation intently, as if searching for a flaw behind the facade.
"Is… is this an interview?" Her voice was calm, but the doubt was evident, as she tried to weigh the potential risks lurking behind this situation.
"No," Fitran replied assertively, his voice echoing clearly in this tense room. "This is an introduction. I am Fitran, and we are all standing on the cusp of a defining threshold."
"I am Echo-12B, the successor of Divergent Persona from a world where contracts and blood intertwine," they declared, their enthusiasm seemingly uncontainable. "Have you ever felt the sting of failing to keep a promise?"
Fitran furrowed his brow, allowing bitter memories to seep into his mind. "Too often," he replied, his tone softer, filled with an air of nostalgia. "However, I always strive to make amends, in whatever way I can."
The hologram smirked slightly, as if recognizing the depth of the message hidden behind its words. "That is a safe response. Perhaps it's a form of your resilience."
***
Compatibility Factors:
- Narrative Resonance (NR)
- Moral Vector Alignment (MVA)
- Trust Formation Level (TFR)
- Affinity Growth Elasticity (AGE)
Minimum for Manifestation:
NR ≥ 60 | MVA ≥ 50 | TFR ≥ 40 | AGE ≥ 50
***
"Forcing a Spiral Bond at Class A may trigger a Resistant Event," the warning from the holographic interface echoed, its voice as if narrating the dangers that needed to be heeded.
Lyria leaned slightly forward, a gleam of determination reflected in her eyes. "We need to build a trust scaffold—start with the Conversation Node, then move to the Personal Test, and finally, the Joint Choice. If we skip these phases, they will shut us down." She exhaled, contemplating the weight of her words. "Trust isn't given easily."
Fitran watched Lyria intently, the silence enveloping them for a moment acting as a backdrop to his thoughts about the mission they faced. "But if all the power submits to us, what is left for you?" Fitran's voice was filled with doubt, and his brow furrowed, revealing a flicker of uncertainty battling within his mind.
The voice of Echo-12B interrupted with a melancholic tone, as if reflecting the emotional burden stored within. "The right to not forgive myself. It may be a heavy burden, but it's mine. I... I can't let it go." Its holographic form trembled slightly, showcasing the waves of inner conflict faced due to its difficult choices.
***
NR: +6 (62)
TFR: +8 (48)
AGE: +4 (51)
MVA: (54)
Status: Eligible (Conditional)
***
"What if I choose to manifest it?" he asked, Fitran's voice trembling with uncertainty. He glanced at the screen, as if trying to find an answer among the flashing lines of information.
"Its body is perfect. They eat, sleep... even can become pregnant," Lyria responded, her tone calm yet layered with deep meaning. She held her gaze, lost in thought for a moment before continuing, "The pregnancy lasts nine months, as Nexus is bound by biological laws that transcend reality."
***
Pregnancy Status
Partner: Echo-12B
Duration: Month 0/9
Health: —
Mood: —
Potential Unique Skills: [Locked]
***
Fitran asserted his stance firmly, "I choose Trial B—protecting the witness from Nullborn. We will not use lethal means against humans." He looked at Lyria, seeking the support he desperately needed, as if hoping for a strength to bolster him.
"And what if you don't succeed?" Echo-12B's voice was filled with worry and determination, reflecting the uncertainty gnawing at his heart. "We cannot risk losing."
"Happiness is not a reward for achieving success," Fitran replied, his voice strong and confident. "Happiness is the fuel that drives us to try again." He was acutely aware that the effort to manifest Echo-12B was a courageous step, where every second was filled with risk and hope.
***
[System Notice]
Manifestation Request: Echo-12B
Safeguards: Gödel Boundary Active | Emotional Contagion: Medium
Proceed? [YES]
***
Fitran pressed the YES button, and a burst of light began to solidify, forming a figure of a woman that appeared alive and breathing. He watched the process with a mix of hope and anxiety, his heart racing within his chest.
***
Mission Ping — Debt of Blood
Location: Underlevel 7, Void Plaza
Threat: Nullborn cell (3–5)
Constraints: Non-lethal to human assailant
Allies: Echo-12B, Lyria Support Drone
***
Lyria spoke firmly, "Remember, Echo is not an alternative for controlling real people. Nexus will record all your orientations. If you exploit too much, this family's politics could explode at any moment."
Fitran nodded, absorbing every word Lyria spoke, committing it to memory. "My note: Build a home, not just create a harem list," he said, his voice affirming his commitment amid the uncertainty surrounding them.
The spiral lift carried them downward, with the machine humming softly. Neon light reflected off puddles, creating an inviting yet challenging aura in the dark corridor stretching ahead. They knew that every step they took was a step deeper into increasing risk.
Lyria continued with a voice full of conviction, "Remember, Echo is not an alternative to controlling the living. Nexus will record all your orientations. If you exploit too much, the politics of this family could explode at any moment." Her gaze was sharp, trying to ensure her message was fully understood, while worry glimmered in her eyes.
Fitran responded with a firm tone, "My notes: Building a home is not just about creating a harem list." His voice was steady, reflecting unshakable principles even as the surrounding circumstances grew more complicated.
The Spiral Gate took them down into the darkness, the sound of the machine whirring softly in the background. The neon light reflecting off the metal puddles created a grim yet truly captivating atmosphere. "We need to maintain focus," Fitran thought, his eyes scanning the area carefully, alert for any potential threats that might emerge from the end of the corridor.
At the end of the corridor, Nullborn awaited, a heavily armed man firmly gripping the shoulder of a witness. "Welcome," shouted a gunman, his voice echoing in the oppressive silence. Fitran raised his hand, the Void rune appearing momentarily, then fading in the dim light. "Non-lethal for humans," he muttered softly, emphasizing the importance of the decision just made.
"They have to stay alive," Lyria added, fear and seriousness evident on her face. "We can't sacrifice them, at least not here."
Echo-12B spoke up, "This witness is mine." There was a firmness in his tone, even though a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes as he gazed at Fitran. "I hope this doesn't become a problem for all of us."
Fitran replied with confidence, "This Nullborn is mine." His voice was firm, his determined eyes shining in the darkness. "We must act, but stay cautious."
In unison, they moved forward. Their steps were synchronized as the darkness slowly enveloped the corridor. Courage and fear mingled in the tense atmosphere as they drew closer to the enemy waiting in the shadows.