Bronya: Once inside the virtual space, the Bronya will try to gain admin access as quickly as possible
Einstein nodded in agreement.
Einstein: That is the best course of action
Akiri: Alright... Then let's get to work
After finishing her preparations, Einstein then hands Akiri a proper VR headset that is used to enter the virtual space, while Bronya insists that she uses her Homu VR headset.
The two of them each sat on a chair and placed on their headgear as Einstein promptly worked on the computer some more and started a countdown.
Einstein: Initiating dive... 3... 2... 1...
Everything went black for them as soon as Einstein finished her countdown. They felt as if their soul was pulled out of their body before being put back in again.
When Bronya opens her eyes again, she sees that she is now no longer on the bridge of the Hyperion, but in a different place.
She seems to be standing on a platform, suspended in mid-air in the middle of a vast empty space.
Bronya: Neural link established
Bronya utters as she looks around only to get confused when she realizes that Akiri is missing
Bronya: Strange. Did subject Akiri not make the dive successfully or was he transported somewhere else?
???: This is not a place for a child
She was startled by a deep, somewhat distorted male voice speaking out from behind and she turned to see that it was the Gray Serpent.
Gray Serpent: Do not interfere, Bronya Zaychik
Bronya: You know the Bronya's full name?
Gray Serpent: The moment you connected yourself to this network, I have already entered your mind
Bronya seemed doubtful of what he said.
Gray Serpent: I see that you don't believe my claim. Then allow me to prove it...
The world around her started to glitch and flicker like a broken computer screen until it then shifted into something else entirely.
Simultaneously, Akiri's body materialized in the middle of a grassy plains. Standing under the clear blue sky, the boy felt a breeze tousle his hair as he looked around the area.
Akiri: This is the Hyperion's virtual space? Kinda underwhelming if you ask me...
He mutters as he then notices that Bronya is nowhere to be seen.
Akiri: Bronya? Bronya, where are you?
???: You won't find her here
Akiri turns around and is shocked when he sees the Gray Serpent standing not too far away from him, holding an umbrella above his head.
Akiri: Where's Bronya? What did you do to her?
Gray Serpent: I gave her something to be occupied with. Now, we can talk without getting interrupted
Akiri: Talk, huh? What do you want from me?
Gray Serpent: Your memories. You have memories buried away deep inside you
Akiri: Memories? What are you talking about?
Gray Serpent: Exactly what I said. Surely you have seen fragments of it. Perhaps in your dreams, or senses of deja vu. Visions that felt abnormally vivid. Those memories are what I want
The boy recalls the dreams and visions he had and is shocked to hear that the Gray Serpent knew about it.
Akiri: How did you know about that?
Gray Serpent: So I was correct. Those memories are stored and locked away within your Stigmata
Akiri: Wait. You call them memories... But I can remember everything I went through from childhood until the present. There are no gaps in my memory, I'm sure of it
Gray Serpent: You are not mistaken. Because these memories are not of your current lifetime, but from your previous life
Akiri: Previous life?
It seems that the more answers the Gray Serpent gives, the more questions emerge.
Akiri: No... That's not possible
Gray Serpent: But it is the truth
He spoke with such confidence, which started to make Akiri believe in his words.
Gray Serpent: You had an entire life before Siberia, Anti Entropy and St. Freya. You had a life in a whole different world than ours. You had a different family, friends, comrades, even a lover perhaps
Akiri: ...
The image of the mysterious pink-haired maiden that has appeared in his dreams countless times flashes in his mind. He then promptly shook his head, trying to regain focus.
Akiri: And how the hell did you know all that?
Gray Serpent: That matters not. What does matter, is my proposition for you
The boy narrows his eyes at the mention of a proposition.
Akiri: What kind?
Gray Serpent: I can help uncover those memories for you. But in return, you will have to share with me every information that is contained within those memories
For a split moment, the boy seemed intrigued by the offer.
Gray Serpent: So? Do we have an agreement?
The Gray Serpent held out a hand, however, Akiri only stayed silent with his brows furrowed, his gaze locked to the ground below, seemingly thinking about the offer deeply.
Akiri: ...
Gray Serpent: What is there to be doubtful about? Surely, you are curious. Let me help you answer all of your questions
Akiri: Yeah...
After a moment of silence, the boy finally answers.
Akiri: I'm not gonna lie, that is a pretty good offer. I really want to know what all those dreams and visions are about. Who those people I keep seeing are, that has always felt so familiar. But...
Gray Serpent: But?
Akiri: When I think about it, whatever the reason is to hide the memories of my past life... I'm sure the person who did it has good intentions. They're trying to protect me
Gray Serpent: And what makes you think that?
Akiri just smirked.
Akiri: I don't know. Just a feeling
Gray Serpent: You are willing to make such an important decision based on nothing but feelings? You are a fool
Akiri: Maybe. But I trust the people in my memories more than I trust you
He retorts with definite confidence, and the Gray Serpent only stood there in silence for a moment.
Gray Serpent: I tried to be professional and strike a fair deal with you, but... It seems that I have no choice but to resort to a more violent approach
Just as he says that, a horde of hound-like Honkai beasts materializes in front of him.
Gray Serpent: Last chance to reconsider. You have no means to defend yourself here, so think about your next decision very carefully
He threatens.
Akiri looks at the menacing Honkai beasts ready to pounce, worry starts to rise about the fact that he is completely defenseless. However, the boy then steeled himself, determined to not go back on his decision.
Akiri: I already made my choice
Gray Serpent: Very well
Immediately, one of the Honkai beasts lunged at Akiri, its sharp claws outstretched.
The Gray Serpent watched with certainty that the boy would be defeated in no time, however, he was proven wrong when Akiri unexpectedly dodged the attack and punched the Honkai beast away with a strong right hook.
Akiri: Just because I'm defenseless doesn't mean I can't fight back...
Gray Serpent: Pointless struggles... You will regret refusing my offer
(Meanwhile)
At the top deck of the Hyperion, Theresa, Mei, and Tesla are fighting off an army of World Serpent mechas trying to board the ship.
As the battle rages, Mei notices a similarity between the World Serpent mechs and the Anti Entropy mechs she usually fights.
Mei: Dr. Tesla, these World Serpent mechs seem pretty similar to AE mechs
Mei said right after slicing one of the mechs in half with her katana.
Tesla: It seems so
Nearby, Dr. Tesla is fighting using her red customized Titan mech.
Dr. Tesla: The pneumatic actuators, titanium alloy carapace, homing micro-missiles... These are my designs
She notices an attack and she maneuvers her mech to avoid it.
Tesla: They only changed the paint job. And I don't even get any royalty for this...! They stole the prints from somewhere. I swear, they'll pay for this!
She shouted, and suddenly a missile struck the rear of her mech, causing it to get knocked over.
Tesla: Damn it...!
One of the World Serpent mechs was about to drive its fist into Tesla's mech, but it was then pierced by a golden spear from the Oath of Judah.
Theresa: Please focus on the fight, Dr. Tesla
Tesla: Yeah, yeah
Tesla got her mech back up again and they resumed the fight.
Back inside the Hyperion's virtual space, Bronya finds herself witnessing something she never thought she would ever see again.
The girl is in the middle of a snowy plain. The sky above was dark, and the winds howled with fury, but something about the area seemed familiar to her.
Gray Serpent: Do you remember this place?
The Gray Serpent stood amidst the snowstorm, unbothered by the violent weather.
Gray Serpent: The West Siberian plain, ravaged by the 2nd Honkai Eruption. This is where a helpless orphan named Bronya Zaychik was turned into a trained killer
Flashes of images started appearing in Bronya's mind, and she held her head in pain and closed her eyes shut.
Gray Serpent: Sometime after that, you went through the X-10 experiment. You lost people dear to you... A butterfly
Bronya: Stop it...
Bronya utters as she keeps clutching her head.
Gray Serpent: Remember the bio-chip Cocolia implanted within you?
Bronya: The Bronya... Had burned that chip
The surroundings started to glitch and shift again to complete darkness. The ground they were standing on turned into a red, glass-like platform.
Gray Serpent: But the pain it brought should be more permanent
As he said that, multiple copies of Bronyas appeared, surrounding her. They stared at Bronya with their piercing red eyes, gazing straight into her soul, and she started to feel a chill running up her spine.
Gray Serpent: It's time, Bronya Zaychik. I shall crush you with your guilt...
The Bronya copies slowly went closer and closer to her, their black and red Project Bunnies charging their weapons.
(Meanwhile)
Gray Serpent: Your will to resist is commendable
The Gray Serpent utters, looking down at the defeated Akiri, the boy lies on the ground, beaten and bruised, catching his breath.
Gray Serpent: But your efforts are all but naught
He commands the Honkai beasts to back away from the boy and encircle him and he then walks over to him.
Gray Serpent: Do not resist
He knelt down beside Akiri and placed the palm of his hand on the boy's head.
Gray Serpent: This will only take a moment...
Just as he said that, a bright flash of light suddenly erupted, enveloping Akiri's body, causing Gray Serpent to pull back his hand and retreat back.
The light then slowly dies down.
It would seem that nothing was happening, until suddenly, the Honkai beasts around them started to glitch before completely disappearing, blinking out of existence.
Gray Serpent: What is this...?
He muttered in confusion of what was happening.
He lowered his gaze and looked at his hands to see that his entire body was starting to glitch and flicker.
Gray Serpent: This is not possible... I'm being forced out of the system?
His body then froze abruptly, as though jolted by an electric shock, forcing him to collapse to the ground, adding to his bewilderment.
Gray Serpent: No matter... I already have what I came for. Any victory, no matter how minor, furthers the Serpent's cause
The Gray Serpent turns his head and stares at Akiri with his singular glowing red eye.
Gray Serpent: Our paths will cross again, Akiri
Were his final words before he disappeared like the Honkai beasts.
Akiri: What in the...?
Akiri, still on the ground, muttered as he was also confused as to what happened.
???: That was close...
He then suddenly heard a female voice, one that sounded oddly familiar.
He lifted his head and saw that it was a fair-skinned young woman with long flowing pink hair and radiant blue eyes. Curiously, he noticed that she had long pointy ears, reminiscent of an elf.
Girl: He almost managed to break through the seal I placed. But thankfully, I came just in time to save the day
She said as she walked closer towards him and she brushed a stray strand of her pink hair away from her face.
Akiri: It's... It's you...
Akiri utters with a hint of disbelief in his voice as he stares at the mysterious girl with widened eyes.
She then offered her hand to him with a smile on her face.
Girl: Are you okay, Akiri? You really took a beating there...
She asked with a worried tone as she helped him get up on his feet and dusted off his dirtied clothes.
Akiri: You're that girl...
Girl: Oh? You recognize me?
Akiri: I... Everything about you just feels familiar... But I can't remember...
He lowered his gaze with furrowed brows.
Girl: That is expected. Your memories are supposed to be kept sealed, but over time, some of them managed to leak out. That's why you kept seeing pieces of it
Akiri: Then it's true what the Gray Serpent said. I had a past life...
Girl: I'm sorry. But it needs to be kept from
you
She says. Her words conveyed her genuine sincerity.
Akiri: Who are you?
Girl: You already know my name
Akiri: ...Elysia
Elysia: Yup! That's correct. Although, I'm not exactly her, but a copy
She explained.
Elysia: I'm more of a security system, designed to look and act like her. You needed someone you can trust, so I was put here to help protect you
A moment later, they then noticed that the environment around them was starting to flicker.
Elysia: Aww. Looks like time is up. You're getting pulled out of virtual space
Akiri: Wait. I still don't understand. About my past life... Why does it need to be kept from me?
She can only smile as she walks closer to him and gently caresses his cheek, looking into his eyes with a longing gaze.
Elysia: I know. You have a lot of questions... But as much as I want to tell you everything... Now is not the time
Their surroundings started to flicker and glitch more frequently.
Elysia: When it comes time for you to know, you'll know everything. I promise, okay?
She gently leans in, bringing her face close to his, and tenderly plants a kiss on his cheek.
Elysia: I'll see you later, my hero
Akiri: No, wait...
He desperately reached a hand out to her, and just as it seemed like he was about to take hold of her, suddenly, he awoke back in the Hyperion.
Akiri: ...
Einstein: You're back
Einstein's voice was heard as he slowly took off his headset, seemingly deep in his thoughts.
Einstein: There was some difficulty when I was trying to pull you out of virtual space. What were you doing in there?
Akiri: ...It's nothing
He answered, and Einstein could sense that he wasn't being truthful, but she decided to ignore it and move on.
Akiri looked around and saw that Bronya had already woken up, also seemingly deep in her thoughts. He noticed that Theresa, Mei, and Tesla were back, all seemed to be resting from their extensive fighting.
The boy attempted to get up, but winced and doubled over, clutching his abdomen in pain, and Bronya noticed this.
Bronya: Subject Akiri? Are you okay?
Akiri: Yeah... I'm just in a lot of pain...
Bronya: Sorry... The Bronya failed to help you
Akiri: It's alright
Ai-chan: All facilities operational
Ai-chan reported.
Ai-chan: Systems rebooted. Running diagnosis...
Einstein: Looks like we've fully regained control
Einstein said as she was looking at an array of holographic screens, all displaying many kinds of data.
Einstein: We should quickly assess our losses. I doubt the Gray Serpent wasn't able to do something while he was in there. We don't know what he did
Bronya: Professor Einstein
Bronya suddenly called out.
Bronya: After confronting the Serpent, the Bronya saw some records from Anti Entropy. What are the Eye of the Deep and the Sea of Quanta?
Einstein: Impossible. Those are within AE database
With furrowed brows, she started to use the computer again.
Akiri then looks at Bronya.
Akiri: Wait, you confronted him? But he was in there with me
Bronya: Weird...
Einstein: He created copies of himself. While he kept you two busy, he accessed my network and took away the data within the AE archives
Einstein said, still keeping her gaze on the screens.
Einstein: AE research data about the Eye of the Deep and the Sea of Quanta was what he was after all along... He hacked the Hyperion to get to me
Akiri: So he did all of that just to get into your network and steal AE research data?
She nodded.
Einstein: We've been played... The World Serpent can pose a serious threat to us, and it seemed like we've caught their attention
Bronya: What was the research about?
Bronya asked, and Einstein didn't answer straight away, instead, she lowered her gaze, seemingly thinking about it.
Einstein: I understand. I will provide an extensive account of the experiment we carried out last year. But first, it would be best to steer the Hyperion clear of Arc City's airspace
Ai-chan: I'm on it
The ship started to move forwards and Einstein then turned her head towards the others.
Einstein: I'm sorry to interrupt your break, but we have something important to tend to
Mei: What is it?
Einstein: We must decide our next move. About Cocolia's offer...
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Gray Serpent: There were some... complications, but I have achieved my primary objective
Currently, in a dark secluded alleyway in Arc City, the Gray Serpent is seemingly on a call with someone. It was raining lightly under the night sky, so he had his umbrella up.
Gray Serpent: You were right about the boy... He is quite resilient
???: That's why I told you not to bother...
A male voice replied.
???: You have what you need now. Do what you need to do
Gray Serpent: Certainly...
Meanwhile, at another location, the man whom the Gray Serpent is talking to ends the call. He stood on top of an apartment building and turned his head to look at the view of Arc City's towering skyscrapers.
???: It has begun, Akiri
The man utters, his coat rustles in the wind.
"It is time we change destiny..."
To be continued...