Miriam Bemidbar 

Anger and sadness rain down on the world. We don't know what's right, but as long as it resonates with someone, there's meaning in it.

In the colony of Ionia, the restoration was progressing smoothly. Ephes Colony was close by, where Miriam Bemidbar worked as a guard.

Just after she was born, she was dragged into the conflict between the hardline Innovators who rebelled against the Machines and the dissenting moderate faction, making her into a war orphan. That was when Seth, the ruler of Ephes, reached out a hand to her. With her youthful design, Miriam could have been brought up like a princess, living peacefully and securely in the city. However, she aspired to become a guard and break the tension with the hardliners.

Even with all her training, it was difficult for someone with her small frame to defeat Paragons specialized in combat. Still, she never felt the need to complain about her circumstances. That was because of Seth, who cared deeply for her through her strict upbringing, and her fellow guards who competed with her. Those days were precious to her. She wished they would continue on forever. As she thought that, change suddenly arrived.

Twelve new humans were reborn in Ionia Colony.

She was given just one order. She was to bring the Returnee from the dangerous state of Ionia to safer ground.

When I began escorting the Returnee, my whole world changed rapidly. I saw two cities burned, and lost my foster father and the comrades I once trained with. The Innovators were persistent, and to be honest, I nearly broke down so many times. The real reasons I've been able to carry on with this escape act are Lena, who's like my ditzy little sister; Yonah, a fellow guard I can get fired up together with, and—

Soft breathing interrupted my thoughts.

This idiot Gideon had come to take my shift, then immediately fell asleep next to me.

"Seriously, you're sleeping so comfortably it's pissing me off. What's your problem?"

I pinched his cheek. He knit his eyebrows and groaned, but made no signs of waking up.

"So you're just gonna die if we get attacked here?"

Of course, he didn't reply.

Why is it that when I'm with you, I feel like I'm walking a path I would never have chosen? Let me dream a little longer...

"When we get Lena to safety, maybe it would be nice to travel together... Yeah right, huh?"

Well, it was almost dawn. I had to wake this idiot up.

"Miri...am..."

"How long are you gonna sleep? Get up alread—"

"...I'll...protect you..."

My heart skipped a beat.

No, he was just talking in his sleep.

"Say that stuff when you're awake, stupid."

It's not like he actually said it to me. Even so... It wouldn't be so bad to leave him a little while longer.

At dawn, we searched for a place where we could do some serious repairs on the ship. When we abandoned our course over the center of the continent to follow the coastline, Gideon and the others spotted something.

"You think there's a city? Hmm...the ship's map doesn't have one on record there," I said.

I looked at what was projected on the screen, and there certainly were several structures that could make up a city.

"If it's not on the map...maybe it's abandoned?" Yonah suggested.

"Yeah, that could be it. Well, we don't know what's down there. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

A city abandoned by the Machines. We had no way of knowing what dangers awaited us there. Still, we couldn't pass up the smallest opportunity.

"Well, can't knock it 'til you try it. Let's go!"

"Roger!" the siblings returned.

Not long after my signal, the Pequod arrived at the abandoned city.

"Gideon, Yonah. I'll stay here. I want to take care of Lena."

"...Hm?"

"What's wrong, Sis?"

Yonah looked between me and Gideon with a puzzled expression.

"Let's find some fuel quickly, okay? Miriam, I'll leave Lena to you," Gideon said.

"Of course. As for you, I expect results, or you're dead to me."

"Yeah, yeah, I won't let you down."

"...Did something happen between you two?"

My heart started pounding at Yonah's observation. I couldn't help but glance at Gideon and—

"N-Nothing at all, haha, right, Miriam?"

"Ugh, that's basically admitting something did happen..."

You stupid idiot moron—

"Huh? Huh? Can you tell me more?" Yonah asked.

"A-ny-way!" I yelled. "Go find fuel! And don't say anything weird, Gideon!"

With that, I forced them off the Pequod. We each had our tasks to do. Right. I saw them off as they went into the city, then shifted my gaze to Lena, who was still comatose.

"..."

"What the hell is going on with you?"

We still couldn't figure out why Lena wouldn't wake up. The medical kit on board likely wouldn't do her much good.

"Hold on for now, Lena. Don't give in."

I gripped her hand. It couldn't end here. Without her, the others couldn't move forward.

"Come back quick..."

----------

When I next heard back from Gideon and Yonah, the sun had already set. It sounded like they managed to find fuel just fine, but something was off. My suspicions would soon be answered—there was one extra person among the figures returning to the ship.

"Who the hell...?"

I didn't know how to react to this guy. His clothes were awfully flashy for a Machine...and so blue. I couldn't believe anyone would live out in an abandoned city like this. I mean, who would expect that? His mannerisms, and everything else about him, were blatantly suspicious.

...Well, from Yonah's attitude, he didn't seem to have any hostility or particular interest toward us.

We didn't have time to stick around here, anyway. As I started to tell the others we were leaving, I heard a hatch suddenly open. There was Lena, who I thought was asleep.

"Lena!? You're doing better!?"

"Yeah, sorry...I just made more trouble for you all."

"What are you saying? Nothing's your fault. If anything, it's you who saved...whoa, hey, you're burning up!"

"Wh—Huh...?"

Lena collapsed on the spot.

"Lena!? She can't be out like this, we have to get her to bed right away!"

"Lena, you said? Surely...you can't be...Artemis...?"

The Machine who showed no signs of interest before suddenly looked shaken when he saw Lena. The next moment, his attitude completely changed.

"Would you allow me to examine her? It is rather old-fashioned, but I can show you to the city's medical equipment," he offered.

I could see the emotion plainly on his face. That was even creepier to me than his feigned politeness. He was acting too helpful no matter how you looked at it. We at least needed to know who he was.

"Hold on a sec, pal. I'm not simple enough to just follow you blindly," I said.

The man in blue raised both his hands and uttered "Oh, my!" as he looked at us.

"Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Blue Stein. I am one of the gods who formerly administrated the electronic paradise—the lowest ranked among them."

A god who administrated paradise. What an unbelievable guy we'd run into...

"I believe something is causing her body's immune system to react in excess. If she sleeps in this device for some time, her condition should improve."

Blue Stein had guided us to a room filled with rows of medical equipment. When the city was still functioning, lots of people probably used it.

"I wanna say thanks for helping Lena, but...I still don't buy it. Why are you so hung up on someone you only just met?" I asked.

"Yeah, d'you know her?" Gideon added.

"Very well... Allow me to follow an old friend's advice and tell you about the world I came from."

"Uh, the world you came from?"

Blue Stein began to speak about an unbelievable, almost mythical world, making grandiose gestures.

"First, you should know that this real world is governed by a vast global network. We administrators call that world the 'Metaverse.'"

"Oh? Lena never mentioned that. She called it 'Emerg' or something."

"Hmm, so that's what the world she lived in was called...how fascinating. In any case, both Lena and I came to this world via that network."

"Huh... Then what's an administrator doing here?"

"Allow me to explain." Blue Stein leaned back and continued telling his story, seemingly getting excited. "I came to a realization. The real world spurs on my curiosity and drive to learn!"

"Um—what's that mean?"

"I've been resurrected in the real world! Reality is wonderful! How comfortable this inconvenient body is!"

Gideon and Yonah shot me pleading looks. I understood his feelings, but at the same time, I didn't. Blue Stein seemed completely lost in his own world as his words grew more passionate and his gestures more rapid.

"And yet my presence here is illegal! And even so! I met her in this world...! This must be God's will! A fateful encounter!"

"...You called Lena 'Artemis.' Does that have something to do with it?"

At Yonah's question, Blue Stein stopped moving and continued in a reminiscent tone, "Artemis Lena. She was indispensable to my experiments. Young Lena sleeping here looks quite like her."

Experiments. That word bothered me.

"What did you do to that Artemis girl—!?"

"Please wait a moment. I did not kill her, and I harbor no intent to harm Lena. When I saw her, I felt it was a fated connection that could not be mere coincidence."

It was an awfully roundabout answer, and my intuition still told me it was dangerous to believe him. Like I thought, I would have to deal with him here and—

"...nn...where...am I...?"

The sound of her voice dispelled all my thoughts. Lena recovered even faster than expected, and woke up soon after. For now, I would be happy that Lena recovered. We could make our decisions later.

I told Lena about everything that happened as she struggled to understand the situation. The presence of the administrator named Blue Stein was a shock to her—like a bolt from the blue. However, from her reaction, it seemed it was true he was a former administrator of the Metaverse.

"You helped me, right?" Lena asked him.

"Yes. Hmm, and I see no after-effects."

"Thank you very much."

"Anything weird happen to your body, Lena?" I asked.

"No, I'm okay. Huh? Have I...met you somewhere...?"

"It must be your imagination. Perhaps an illusion from a distant ancestor's memories," Blue Stein replied. He checked each of her projected biometrics one by one.

"Well, now that Lena's recovered, we better get out of here," Gideon said. "We don't know when those guys will show up."

"Ah, you have pursuers?"

"Yeah. The Innovators keep coming after Lena and trying to kill her. They're the reason we stopped here in the first place."

"Would you tell me more? Perhaps I can help."

"Really?" Lena asked. Her face brightened at Blue Stein's proposal, and she explained their current situation. Though he didn't show particular interest in opposing the hardliners, he was clearly concerned about anything relating to Lena. That meant he was easy to manage.

"Hmm... And that is why you are headed for Perses Colony. In that case, would you allow me to accompany you and increase your fighting strength?"

"Mr. Blue Stein, are you sure?"

Lena was wide-eyed with delight at his offer.

"It will take quite some time to reach Perses from here. A battle may break out along the way, in which case I may be your trump card," he replied.

"'Trump card'? You gonna fight with that old-timey gun?" Gideon teased.

"You have so little faith in me, it seems."

"Yeah, obviously," Yonah retorted.

Unfazed by her remark, Blue Stein confidently declared, "Well, I could demonstrate it here, but wouldn't it be more interesting to have something to look forward to?"

Even with the body of a Machine, he looked like he would get riddled with holes in no time flat. As I got lost in those pointless thoughts, Blue Stein slowly walked over to the window. He looked outside and muttered, "Seems we have new guests."

"What!?"

Right after that, an alarm rang out, shaking the entire room.

"It would appear I was right to activate the defense system as a precaution," Blue Stein said, then projected light from his palm onto the dilapidated wall. The video was full of noise, but showed several armed units led by a large man, and the blue-eyed woman they had fought many times.

"Innovators!? How did they pursue us so fast!?"

"There's no time! We have to figure out how to deal with them!"

If Blue Stein's analysis was to be believed, the enemy was a squad of about ten people. Since only one ship had arrived, they must have been in a big hurry to chase us.

"I guess it's my turn," Yonah said.

"Let's all drive the Innovators back!"

"No, Lena—you get to the Pequod with Miriam."

"What? I-I want to fight too!"

"We can't take you to the battlefield when you only just recovered. You might lose consciousness in battle again."

"But..."

"It's okay, Lena. I don't think they've noticed us yet. We can use that against them to counterattack."

"That's that," I said. "Lena, I know how you feel, but you should believe in them."

Lena looked like she wanted to say something else, but nodded as if she had convinced herself.

"Yonah, Gideon, take care, 'kay?" I continued. "You better come back safe. Promise?"

"Yeah, I promise," Gideon said. "See ya later."

"Yes..." Yonah replied.

"No screwing up!"

The siblings replied, "We've got it!" and, "Yeah!"

"Especially you, Gideon. You get carried away too easily. I'll kill you if you die on me, got it?"

I got close to Gideon to poke him in the chest at full force. He playfully stopped me the instant before impact.

"I don't plan on dying out there. You and I are—"

"Huh?"

"No time left, we've gotta stop 'em," he finished.

Leaving those unsaid words with me, Gideon, Yonah, and Blue Stein headed for the city center, where the Innovators approached.

"Okay Lena, let's go. Lena?"

"Ah, yeah..."

I took Lena's hand and made for the Pequod. I caught a glimpse of her face in profile, where she wore a strange look of unease.

The battle began with a surprise attack by Blue Stein controlling the city's defense system. He connected directly to a terminal and made the city shake as if conducting an orchestra. There were carbon tubes, both flexible and rigid, laid out under the ground. Suddenly, they rained straight down onto the Innovators' incoming troops.

"Shit! What is that!?"

The soldiers were forced to break their formation and spread out at the large man's command. There, a huge mass of tubes smacked into the ground, instantly kicking up a sandstorm. The soldiers, unable to see or move, began shooting at the tubes. Though they wriggled like living creatures, they could not be injured.

"Guh...at this rate...!"

"Everyone, get down!"

There was a flash of light alongside the angry roar. Saul's optical weapon tore apart the dust cloud and the tubes all at once.

But then... New tubes burst from the ground, once again blocking their path. If things kept up much longer, the Returnee and her group would escape, and they would only incur more damage. They would need incredible firepower or mobility to break through the overwhelming onslaught.

Retreat, or resist? As Saul was about to make his decision, a figure rushed in, blowing a fierce gust of wind.

"No way...!"

A woman dashed through the storm of tubes. She ran, dove, and jumped between them. Racing, dodging, weaving. She wouldn't stand a chance against a direct hit. But she didn't stop for a second. Then, when she overtook the swarming tubes—

"Ha, haha, ahahahaha!"

She shot above Blue Stein like a bullet, passing through the sky and landing beyond the defensive net.

"What...!?"

Two shadows rose, shrouded by the dust. One hardly needed to see their silhouettes to know Yonah and Gideon were readying their weapons.

"Humans, I leave the rest to you."

Yonah and Gideon silently nodded. At this distance, they would be caught up in Blue Stein's onslaught. They had no choice but to drive off the enemy themselves.

"We'll win, Gideon."

"Yeah, I can't lose to that guy."

When the dust cleared, three gazes met.

"Ha, haha, I fooound yooouuu!"

That tone was celebrating them. Cursing them. Unable to hide her delight with a crooked smile on her face, the blue-eyed woman—Isabelle Yagrush—clapped her hands loudly.

"Now, let's have some fun, shall we?"

"Don't get cocky!"

Gideon charged closer at high speed, Brigandine and Vambraze in each hand. It was Yonah's role to make a path for him. It was a coordinated assault they had built even before becoming guards. Yonah repeatedly targeted Isabelle's weak spots, letting Gideon close the distance when she went on the defensive.

"How irritating!" she spat. She moved in the trajectory of an arc while exchanging blows, attempting to lure Gideon into Yonah's line of fire when—

She sensed killing intent. Yonah's bullet that seemed to be a feint grazed her cheek.

"You dodged that!?"

"Just who do you think I am!?"

Isabelle simply aimed and fired her automatic rifle at Yonah without even looking at her. Yonah dodged at the last moment, bullets whizzing over her head.

"Yonah! ...Ugh, crazy bitch!" Gideon spat.

"Language!" Isabelle retorted. "Why don't I teach you some manners?"

"Not your damn problem!"

Gideon drew closer to Isabelle at top speed. Isabelle used her rifle and her prosthetic arm to deflect his barrage of close-range bullets. He also knocked Vambraze into the muzzle of her rifle between attacks. The impact of both muzzles shifted the line of fire ever so slightly, preventing either from landing a direct hit. The shrill metallic clanging and scattered muzzle flash was just like a clash of blades. At a glance, their high-speed battle would appear evenly matched. However, the difference between them would soon become apparent.

They're still getting faster!?

Panic took root in Isabelle. There were slight lapses in her movement. Gideon didn't miss that. Then, the automatic rifle cut through the air, leaning forward.

"Shit—"

A gunshot rang out, as if it had been waiting for Gideon to bend over. Yonah's bullet blew off the tip of Isabelle's right elbow.

"Ow—aaaaaargh!"

As Isabelle recoiled, gasping in pain, Gideon glared at her and hissed, "Hurts, huh? How's that for manners, bitch?"

"...nn...gh..."

She grit her teeth and withstood the pain. Even without her weapon or the ability to fight, the blue eyes piercing through her disheveled hair betrayed no resignation.

"Rest easy and die!" Gideon cried.

The instant he pulled the trigger, Isabelle raised her prosthetic as a shield. It was too fast for Yonah to react, allowing her to slip closer to Gideon. And then—

She wrapped her battered metal arm around him and whispered into his ear, "Heh, heh...caught... you..."

"What's so funny? You can't do anything like that."

"I have...one weapon..."

Isabelle opened her mouth wide...and bit into his neck.

"Guh...aaaaaah!"

Gideon writhed away from the pain of the fangs sunk deep into his neck. The prosthetic arm Isabelle wrapped around his back granted him no mercy.

"Gideon!"

Yonah rushed forward as fresh blood poured from him. Sounds of consuming flesh and lapping blood carressed his ears. His body trembled faintly, the strength slipping from his hands. When she saw his twin pistols drop to the ground, Isabelle tossed Gideon aside. Her whole body was dyed red, her face twisted in elation, while Gideon lay in a pitiful state.

"Ha, haha...next...is your turn...!"

The sight robbed Yonah of all her will to fight.

"...Ah... Aaaaaahhh!"

Isabelle set her sights on her next prey and set off. Yonah, no longer able to even aim straight, fired indiscriminately. But her bullets couldn't reach, and Isabelle drew close.

"—Eee!?"

Even her close-range bullets wouldn't land a direct hit. A forceful pull on Yonah's rifle sent her toppling to the ground. As she struggled to get back up, the blood-stained woman stepped on her back and cackled.

"Ha, haha...oh, my wound...it aches with pain... Perhaps your body will satiate it?"

She raised her prosthetic arm. Yonah could only wait for it to pierce her.

"Gideon...I'm sorry..."

"Gideon...I'm sorry..."

Yonah shut her eyes to avoid the impending pain. But no matter how long she waited, it never came. Even the pressure she felt on her back had disappeared before she knew it.

"...What?"

The next moment, Isabelle crumpled over next to her. Her body had been shot through, red liquid spreading across.

"She...died smiling..." Yonah muttered.

"—Hands...off...my...sister..."

A faint voice traveled on the wind. When she turned around, Yonah saw Gideon, standing weakly and holding Brigandine.

"Gideon!"

Before she could rush to his side, Gideon collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

"No...no! Noooooo!"

Terror and anxiety overcame Yonah, wracking her mind with despair. Gideon lay idle on the sand, warm liquid seeping from him. He had already lost too much for even a Paragon to recover. Yonah understood that. Even so, she couldn't just accept it. Inescapable death was imminent. Gideon spoke to his distraught sister, his eyes unfocused.

"...Hey, can I ask... a favor...?"

"I don't want to hear it," Yonah sobbed, "Let's go...together..."

"Can you...take these guys...w-with you?"

With shaking hands, Gideon handed her his beloved guns Vambraze and Brigandine.

"Y-You're...my precious...family, you know? So...you better...survive," he said.

Yona only wept.

"Lena...she's in your hands. This world...needs her."

"But... What about Miriam!? You're leaving her behind!"

Warm droplets spilled onto Gideon's cheek.

"I'm...glad she's not...here," he muttered in self-deprecation.

The sound of thrusters drew nearer. The Pequod would arrive at any minute.

"Sis, I've got...one last favor. Tell Miriam..."

He whispered into her ear. Yonah nodded over and over, digesting the words.

"Thanks. Ah, shit...is it...raining?"

The setting sun shone gently on his grasping, outstretched hand. "I at least...wanted to see the day...this shitty world changed...with my own—"

Suddenly, Yonah felt extra weight in her hands. It told her a plain fact.

Always rushing forward. Getting carried away in the moment. They would argue, sometimes. But he was family. With an unceasing smile. They would never laugh together again.

"Ah—"

Yonah's wailing reverberated through the blood-red sky.

----------

"We've retrieved Yonah. Miriam, let's be off."

Those were Blue Stein's first words after picking up Yonah, who was cowering in the sand.

"Gideon's still not here? What is that idiot doing?"

"His...duty is over."

"Huh? What do you mean—"

Miriam whirled around and took in the sight of Yonah, covered in blood and broken down crying. Tension filled the ship. It bore down too heavily for anyone to speak up. Realizing it fell to him to break the standstill, Blue Stein gave a mechanical order.

"Miriam, head for the next colony."

"No, I can't just—"

"Go, Miriam!"

The familiar twin pistols Yonah clutched to her chest said everything.

Gideon wouldn't be coming back.

"Ah... ah—ahhh..."

Lena was the first to realize it, and scrunched her face up, crying like a child.

"You...idiot... You're just gonna break your promise to Lena...!?" Miriam cried.

In her head, she understood it. But her heart tried desperately to reject the irrefutable truth. Still, the enemy wouldn't wait. As a deep sadness filled the ship, it suddenly shook. The soldiers that recovered from Blue Stein's assault had launched an attack.

"Miriam!"

"Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck fuck!"

With the Pequod's thrusters ignited, it took off rapidly into the sky above Antulya. It seemed to pick up speed as if following Miriam's anguished scream.

I was traveling alone. On a journey I didn't know the end of. Through an unpredictable world. A world far too vast for someone small as me. Some mornings, I was filled with anxiety. Some nights, I lamented that I would never stand up again. When did that change? My days of sorrow came to an end.

We were traveling together. On a journey we didn't know the end of. Through an unpredictable world. A world far too vast for someone small as me. But my heart was strangely calm. My steps were light, as if on wings. I felt right at home. Because... He was by my side.

"What's wrong, Miriam?"

"Heh, nothing at all, Gideon."

You showed me all kinds of scenery. A tower rising in the distance. Ruins deep in the forest. An endless desert. We overcame so many hardships. Our bond grew deeper. And on that starry night, you became irreplaceable to me.

"Hey, Gideon. Where should we go next?"

With you, I can go anywhere. When you're here, I can be myself.

"That's right. Why don't we go see the ocean, Gideon?"

I wanted to linger by the seaside at dusk and walk together with you. It's a little far from here, but that's okay. There's plenty of time.

"..."

"What's wrong, Gideon?"

Gideon didn't answer. Rather, he gave me a look.

"Sorry, I can't go."

For a moment, I didn't understand what he was saying. Tenderly, like cherishing a flower, his gentle eyes gazed at me.

"What are you...saying?"

"I can't go anywhere anymore."

A comforting hand stroked my cheek. The coldness of that hand drew the boundary between "me" and "Gideon."

Oh. That's right.

"You won't walk beside me any longer."

I was in a fleeting, distant utopia. A possibility born from a wish somewhere in my heart. It was only a single, dreamlike moment that felt like eternity—

But it seems it's almost over. So...there's something I hadn't said all this time. I was sure if I said it, the world would disappear, like a bubble. But I have to tell you, because this is our final rendezvous.

"Hey, Gideon..."

I made the biggest smile I could muster. Was it a proper smile, I wonder? Gideon smiled back softly.

Oh, I'm so happy. I'm so glad I got to meet you. I am who I am now because of you. So, from the bottom of my heart—

"Thank you."

From escaping Antulya Colony to stopping in some ruins to rest, my memories were completely gone. I'm not even sure how we flew. It would have been no joke if I steered wrong and we crashed. Not funny at all...

Still keeping an eye out for an attack in the nighttime, I gazed up at the stars from the long-forgotten ruins. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, only the twinkling stars shining uneasily on me.

"Each and every one of them must be lonely."

I held up my hand and pinched my fingers around a tiny, isolated star. Just then—

Rustling.

"Who's there!? ...Oh, just you."

"Sorry for startling you," Yonah said apologetically, taking a seat next to me.

"It's fine, don't worry. Is Lena doing any better?"

"She wore herself out crying. She's fast asleep now."

"Gotcha. Then what'd you come here for? Just to spend the evening together?"

"Yeah. Actually...Gideon asked me to give you a message."

A message from Gideon. When I heard that, a premonition crossed my mind.

"Something like 'you should rely on everyone,' or whatever?" I asked.

"Huh? How did you..."

"Just had a feeling. Honestly...a selfish guy to the end, huh."

I smiled as I said that, and it seemed to lift the weight from Yonah's heart. She started to cry, letting out all the tears she had held back all this time.

"...ah... Miriam... I'm sorry... I'm so...sorry..."

"No, no, no. You didn't do anything wrong. I know it's sad, but...this is war."

Yonah's sobs turned to wails.

Just like Gideon did for me back then, I held Yonah close to me as she cried. We wouldn't be getting back on our feet right away, but if we could share our sorrow with each other, we could surely start walking again.

Even so, despite Yonah's warmth on my skin, it would take a little longer to fill the hole in my heart. I was weak like that.

"Ha... And here I thought I overcame that..."

Hey, Gideon. Don't leave me alone. It's not fair, dying on your own.