Arknights: A promise of Madness and Loyalty

A change in order is never clean

"What constitutes the notion of becoming something you are not? When someone has a desire, they wish to fulfill it. They enact their will through action. When they desire to spread knowledge, they accomplish their resolution through words. However, what does someone need to do to multiply their madness? Do they give forbidden words? Or do they take what makes a person whole?" - A madman who had nothing to lose with his sanity.

____________________________________________________________

"Are you resolute with this decision? There is no turning back-"

"I have made myself explicitly clear," A familiar - yet, an unfamiliar voice interrupts the first speaker. "We shall go through with this, and there will be no hesitation; do I make myself clear?"

There was no response from the first voice, garnering a slight growl. "Do I make myself clear...?"

"...yes, sir, I...understand," The voice wearily replies, sighing in resignation. "I sometimes wish you acted your age."

"...and I sometimes wish my scars stopped burning whenever I recall the past-"

"Young master - [AIGIS]!"

The voice echoes, causing the strange voice to sigh.

However, the name [Aigis] continues its constant repetition until he/I snapped.

"WHAT?"

I roar, snapping at whoever spoke to me. However, I saw an unfamiliar face, making my features narrow. "Who are you?"

The Ursus and Lupo appear terrifying when they witness my reaction, confusing me further, wondering why they have traces of my arts on them. "Where am I?"

I demanded, getting hostile as I begin initiation for retracting my pow-

"Commander, Aigis, it's us, Aleandra and Vuk!" The Ursus frets, revealing who they are; unfortunately for them, I don't know anyone with those names, causing me to growl and point whatever I was holding at the-

sTAtiC "And...don't hate people too much..." StaTIc

The pain was sudden, powerful, yet effective. My memories of my comrades return and immediately swung my staff back in position, my lips moving to sing with a rush while I reconstruct what I nearly broke.

Immediately, the white ash that had risen to the sky began to rewind to the bodies of the infected, shielding them with my arts once more.

"Aigis...?"

"...I'm fine," I sigh, presently feeling normal despite my arm and eye screaming from the strain of supporting the entire infected population with my arts. "M-my memories ki-kinda kicked in at random - inform Talulah of that," I instruct anyone with me, doing my best to keep focus. "But she will need to hurry. I have a feeling another interference will arrive if we delay any longer."

"Sir...as you wish," Lyubuv obeyed. "Any other message I should give?"

"...if there is any Tylenol or medicine to help with headaches, ensure they are unopened and not crushed...I'll be needing a few after this."

I strain, refusing to face everyone as the orb glows bright and my veins boil from the immense power. My breath shudders when I realize how much time has passed. 'Oh boy, I will be getting a tongue lashing from Mephisto after this,' I thought, requiring three more hours to go. "This is...going to be...a long day...!"