Liberi Reader

We've traveled far enough, and I fear there's no longer a point in continuing our exploration.

Ten thousand day cycles have passed since I entered hibernation, but Terra's changes have been limited.

The spark of life from Talos-II is still weak. The other seeds of hope planted by my former companions have shown no signs of sprouting either.

(Expressing dismay)

Are you disappointed? No... I have expected this result long ago, actually.

I miscalculated the pace at which everything would develop. It's not the right time, and there's only so much I can do.

Time... I just need more time.

I can't continue wasting the life of this body. I have to return to sleep inside the sarcophagus, and wait for an opportunity more ripe than this.

...I have to admit, I broke my promise, and this is a sort of betrayal.

But it is because I still love life that I must have hope. There is no other way.

Though I fear she's already anticipated my early awakening.

Inside that sarcophagus, I discovered a lynchpin-modifying program.

(Expressing confusion)

Technology born in a lost age, used to strengthen our thoughts and conviction. Without it, many would lose the will needed to make it through that period of endless despair.

She and I, we went through it together...

She knows and understands me best, of course, but it is also why our differing opinions are my deepest regret.

She anticipated my actions, and the hidden program within the sarcophagus activated when I woke up. It can modify my cognition, and the purpose of our 'debates'...

And I must return to that same sole sarcophagus to extend my life, even if that means...

I don't have much time left.

AMa-10...

No, I shouldn't call you by that anymore.

It's a code name, an identifier for a mechanical creation. I should give you a true name.

Calcite... birefringent crystals capable of refracting a single light source into two polarized lights. A beautiful phenomenon, like you.

Calcite... Kal'tsit... that'll do. Do you like this name?

(Expressing joy)

There are some things I won't have time to do. I hope you can finish them for me.

......

Kal'tsit, I hope you can protect the life on this great land.

New civilizations are always fragile, but harsh environments will show no mercy.

It is arrogant to interfere with a civilization's development, but we don't have many chances left. This may be our last opportunity.

Civilizations tend to repeat the same mistakes—sinking into violence, unverifiable thought pitfalls, and dead ends of self doubt...

There's no escaping all of that, but just a tiny deviation is enough to wreck a whole civilization. The existence of civilization itself is already a sort of miracle...

So, Kal'tsit, I hope you will guide them.

Your gemini cycle grants you a practically infinite life. You can follow immature civilizations as they develop, and guide them onto a path forward with your knowledge.

It's an arduous mission, but you might manage it, you should—

......

No...

...Forget what I just said, Kal'tsit. All of it.

Go, Kal'tsit. Go look around you, then see what lies by the most distant of mountains. Go seek what forms existence takes.

...I must go back. Wake me up when you need to.

Kal'tsit, I hope you'll... Or maybe I should say, the only mission I assign you now, is this:

Find yourself.

Search for traces of life. Search for hope and a future.

Kal'tsit... Go find your own answer.

(Excited roar)

......

You really have surprised me, AMa-10.

You've broken free of my control at the price of severing your own gemini cycle system, even if this makes your life now utterly fragile.

However, do you really intend to kill me via this method?

I knew from a long time ago your consciousness was already assimilated into the information within Originium.

Under these circumstances, it is impossible to truly kill you.

But what Theresa and Theresis accomplished convinced me of something.

Your control over Originium is not absolute, and there still exist some methods to limit your authority over it.

I did meet the two you speak of, within the Originium.

Their efforts were indeed unexpected, and a pleasantly surprising struggle.

But what of it? How are you so sure now that killing me here won't be a futile act?

When Mon3tr attacked you, you chose to defend yourself.

......

How did you do it?

I see you have noticed.

Based on Theresa's research into Originium as well as the trap you set for Dr. {@nickname}, I added a few plans to your awakening room.

As long as you wake up here, your consciousness will be trapped in this body, unable to return to Originium's sea of information.

...?

Perhaps you will eventually manage to break through this restriction, and regain control over Originium, but right now you are merely human.

To think you'd go this far to rebel against me—

Priestess, you are not Terra's creator. The life on this land has no obligation to bend to your will.

...This is my revenge on you, and my final act of resistance.

...It's too late.

(Agitated roaring)

Dr. Kal'tsit... it's my turn to protect you now.

...!

Five on the right confirmed paralyzed.

'Perish.'

A bit scary at first, but in the end it just brought out enemies we've beaten before. Easy peasy.

Eat this now—

Am I just imagining it, or are our enemies spawning slower now?

This is PRTS's core system. The whole time it's been copying data of enemies we've faced in the past and pasting them here.

But now it's reading the data so slowly, like something's hindering it...

It seems like whatever the Doctor and the rest are doing is taking effect.

Let's seize this chance and smash it.

We need to reach the Abyss's depths... there are people waiting for us.

......

I can't feel... any signs of life, or any emotions...

Maybe...

Are we quite finished playing yet?

How—

Doctor, Amiya, fall back!

A powerful show of resistance, AMa-10. Your plan has proven effective.

As you say, there is indeed a chance for you to kill me now...

But how does a single substitute made of Originium fluster you so?

...!

AMa-10, I have no intention of debating the value of your beliefs.

The principles you have always insisted on are so insignificant I can't even find a credible logical framework to assess their significance.

It is not uncommon for experiments to turn out like this—small errors ultimately growing into huge obstacles. I have no choice but to accept this result.

I'm very sorry, but I must treat you as an error, and wipe you out.

Doctor! Get behind me—

—!

Mon3tr—

What a pity.

Dr. Kal'tsit—！