As I dip beneath the waves, I reminisce,
About all the faces that I’ve missed.
It’s far too prevalent, to dismiss,
How many people vanished into mist.
Floating free, I can’t deny,
The way your eyes pierced into mine.
A brand new world, an azure sky,
A way for me to endure the brine.
* Prism, Untitled Poem (Christmas 2056).
***
I nervously take a step back from the window, my heart beating wildly in my chest. The petite little mermaid out in the ocean anxiously ponders the name I just gave her, absentmindedly playing with her large ploofy fin. Her beautiful silver tail is damn long, stretching probably the length of her torso and then some. She looks up at me again, deeply observing me with her vibrant emerald eyes.
I’m so gay it hurts.
As far as I can tell, Prism is either related to, or simply is the person I almost ran into while leaving the Montero estate, which is definitely a funny little coincidence. Her brunette hair floats in little waves around her head, just as fluffy as it was before, if not a bit more even. Her outfit is sickeningly adorable, the pastel yellow top and white pleated skirt something that I wouldn’t mind wearing myself.
[“O-Oh!”] Prism’s cute androgynous voice knocks me out of my little trance, the little grin she gives me makes the butterflies flutter. [“I-I get it! Like the theater thing!”]
I nod, a little giddy feeling doing a diddy in my chest. “You got it! Now, take this! Er, Achys, if you’d please.”
The little bird on my shoulder sighs.
I can’t believe you’re already this hopeless, Emme. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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There is a flash of light outside the window, a huge folded lotus flower appearing out of nowhere. It starts to slowly unfurl, revealing a little glowing… Whale? The honeysweet southern voice of Nyvi comes from Achys’ beak.
[“The universe cries, the Antithesis devouring it whole.”]
Prism watches in awe as the tiny aquatic animal begins to float up, unrestricted by the woes of gravity.
[“YET! THERE IS HOPE!”]
A singly glowy orb floats down, splashing onto the surface of the glow surrounding the whale.
[“The protectors-”]
The bird’s voice suddenly shifts back to Achys, who clears their throat. “Sorry sis, I need to cut it off there, I already did that gag.”
[“What?!”] Devastated, Nyvi stops glowing, revealing her white and black coloration, then floats down towards Prism, who immediately pulls the orca into her arms. [“But you wrote that for me!”]
Achys snickers, covering her beak. “Yeah, but it was the perfect opportunity earlier! I’ll make it up to you later.”
[“U-Uhm…”] Prism mutters, squeezing the Orca to her chest in a way that makes me want to scream, then slowly says, [“Are you two… actually sisters?”]
“Eehh…” Achys raises her wing like a hand, shaking up and down a bit. “We’re about as close as it comes, but I’m technically a few thousand years older.”
“A few thou-?!” I sigh, shaking my head. “I probably should have seen that coming.”
Achys pats me on the head as she says, “Maybe, but that’s kinda beyond the point. We should probably get started on a strategy here.”
[“Wait! G-Gimme a second.”]
Prism closes her eyes as she hugs the drone, going into deep thought.
Ugh, how is she so freakin’ cute?! She looks so comfy sitting there in the water with that silly little whale in her arms! Interacting with her is gonna be bad for my heart…
[“Ha!”] Prism suddenly brightens, a humongous grin spreading across her face, her emerald iris sparkling as she looks right into my eyes. [“Limelight.”]
I blink, stare at her blankly for a few seconds, then flush a little when I see Achys looking at me with her stupid smug bird face. “S-Sorry, what what that?”
[“I’m Ghost-Light, so you can be Limelight!”]
After a moment of us looking at each other, the girl blushes to her shoulders, diving back down to hide her face into the little whale.
[“YoudidsayouwerenewrightsorryI’mjustaaaaaaah.”]
I immediately am unable to stop smiling, and I drop my face into my hands for a few seconds. After shaking my way out of the sheer cocktail of feelings in my chest, I manage to say, “I love it, Prism!”
She looks up at me, and before I know it I immediately move, pointing my hammer to the sky. “Samurai Emmelyn ‘Limelight’ Seras is here to save the day!”
After like three seconds of me holding that pose, I can’t hold it anymore, letting my weapon fall down as I begin to giggle. Prism takes a moment to stare at me, then joins me, the mermaid’s joyous laugh tossing a match into my heart.
Thankfully, before I can think about that too much, Nyvi clears her throat. [“I hate to interrupt the moment with bad news, you two, but we really don’t have very much time to dawdle.”]
Taking a deep breath to recover, I squint with one of my eyes at the orca. “Why did you even clear your throat? You’re a AI, you have no throat to-”
[“ANYWAYS, Achys, do you have info on what’s going on inside?”] Nyvi uses her fin to give Prism a few pats on the back, the girl having a bit of difficulty catching her breath after laughing so hard.
I bite my lower lip, doing my best to prevent my desire from disrupting the conversation. Achys responds to the inquiry as she flutters into the air above me. “There was a maliciously set up laboratory on the twelfth floor that dumped a bunch of Model Sevens into the entire city's water supply. It’s only a matter of time until the entire place is overrun.”
I can see Prism visibly pale even through the window, after which Nyvi floats up and pats the girl on the head. [“We had picked up bits and pieces, but that confirms that issue. To be honest, I think there is a bigger issue at the moment.”]
I raise an eyebrow, placing a hand on my hip. “What could possibly be worse than a widespread zombie outbreak?”
Prism takes a deep breath, then slowly says, [“There are stockpiled Model Seven pills at the central administration buildings throughout New Houston, so beyond the first victims people are probably safe on that aspect, at least until the sevens start melding their hosts together. Unfortunately, there is a gigantic horde gathering from a potential mega–hive below, as well as a Model Twenty-Seven producing a secondary threat at sea level. The entire city is being pinched as we speak.”]
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“Oh…” I utter as my mind goes to my parents on the fourth floor, “Fuck.”
[“Aptly put, Miss Emmelyn,”] Nyvi states, now squishing herself against the top of Prism’s head, [“It would likely be most effective to split up again, one doing their best to stem the tide from below while the other ascends with the fleeing citizens to keep them safe from any stray models.”]
I grimace as I glance at the small girl floating outside. “The roles you’re suggesting are obviously catered to each of us, but I’d really prefer to stay and fight.”
Achys shakes her head, looking down into my eyes. “While you both may seem supremely stronger than before, directly fighting against the coming tide would likely be fruitless, only ending in your own death. Prism is far better suited to the task as she can just navigate away and hide if she gets too much attention.”
I open my mouth to argue, but then stop when I see the mermaid look up at me with a smile.
[“It might not seem like it, but I was trained for this.”]
The girl floats up to the window, putting her hand on the glass once again.
[Trust me, Samurai Limelight, if not as a peer, then as a, a-as a friend.]
I freeze, then huff a laugh as I step forward to return the gesture. “I can agree to that, Samurai Ghost-Light. I have you know little missy, if you die I’ll kill you again myself.”
For a few moments, she floats there, looking at me with her wide doe eyes, then turns a bit red as she nods vigorously.
[“Y-yeah! Same to you.”]
She hesitantly pulls back her hand, putting it against her chest for a moment. She stares down at it for a second, then gives me a timid wave before diving downwards out of sight.
I wait a moment, then take a few steps and slide down a wall to process that entire exchange. Mom and Dad were truly in danger, the entire reef slowly being suffocated by aliens. I was going to have to climb as fast as possible to get there before everything goes to hell.
Achys flutters down, landing in front of me, glaring.
Okay, so if we’re going to talk privately now, you’re going to need to subvocalize.
‘Uh,’ I awkwardly mime, ‘Like this? Wow, I definitely prefer just talking out loud, this is weird.’
You’re doing fine. Should we talk about everything before you set off?
I snort, shaking my head. ‘You just wanna tell me off for using so many points on her. Totally worth it, she’s adorable.’
Are you not worried about her hiding her identity?
‘Nah, I already know who she is, I think.’ I smile, then use my hammer to help myself stand. ‘The fact that she obviously seems to dislike it as much as she does is more than enough for me right now.’
If you’re sure.
“Yup!” I spin my hammer, then rest it on my shoulder as I walk. “Hey Prism, can you hear me?”
[“Y-Yup, loud and clear.”]
“Great, keep safe and be just as cute!” I hum, then giggle as the mermaid's flustered sputtering comes through the link. Walking back the way I came, I turn around a sharp corner only to whack my head against a low ceiling. Rubbing my head, I grumble quietly to myself as I duck underneath. ‘Achys, navigation please.’
I probably should have put it up earlier.
My glasses flash, revealing a small minimap and navigation arrow upon the ground in front of me. I follow the navigation fruitfully, at least until I reach the gate to the central section. A large crowd surrounds the airlock door, cursing at the thing for not opening.
I take a deep breath, then clench my jaw and approach. “Are we really doing this again?”
The older woman from before, who I had learned was named Trist during our shared climb up the stairlock, grumpily nods. “Yup, they let a few people through, but those supposed to be working at the moment are being held back.”
I sigh, tapping my hammer against my shoulder. ‘Achys, what exactly would happen if I just smashed my way through.’
As far as I know, nothing. It should just be there as a way to separate the central area from the outer one.
‘Fantastic.’
I walk up to the side of the airlock then swing my hammer at the wall, which to my surprise just creates a huge dent rather than breaking it fully. A few voices behind me call out to get me to stop, but I ignore them as I stab the top of my weapon forward, fully breaking through this time and creating a rather large hole. I step through, then wave for everyone to follow me.
Trist runs up to me, a mix of anxiety and relief on her face. “Thanks, but they’re not gonna like that. Are you gonna be okay?”
I shrug, then intone, ‘Achys, lead me to the control center please.’
Without a response, my guide reappears, leading me to a similar tower as the one on the twelfth. This time however, two large turrets fold out of the wall as soon as I appear. I scoff as I pause, raising an eyebrow as a slightly flustered masculine voice loudly declares:
[“Samurai, you are not to get any closer. There is a crisis situation on the reef, and the entire city is locked down.”]
I sigh, then glance at the guns pointed at me. ‘Achys, can you-’
On it.
The bird on my shoulder vanishes, then reappears in the air between the turrets. Achys whips their wings outwards, sending two thin spikes of viral flesh outwards, stabbing directly into the base of the weapons. They spark before they explode, and before I can blink, Achys is back on my shoulder.
[“Oh shit.”]
I snort, once again walking forward. “Oh shit indeed.”
I destroy the entrance to the tower, casually walking up the stairs with the twelfths workers behind me. I slam a second door open to find a control room full of goons nervously pointing guns at me. Trist yelps and ducks back, but I take a step forward instead.
“Are you guys really going to try this?” I glance into the closest guard’s eyes, seeing the way he recoils from my glare. “It’s not going to go well for you.”
One man, dressed in an annoying vintage looking white uniform cocks his fancy looking pistol before pointing it at me. “We aren’t afraid of you, Samurai. The central administration has equipped us with weapons more than suitable to defend everyone on this floor, whether that be Antithesis, riots, or upstart rogue Samurai.”
He pulls the trigger, a miniature rocket flying out of the barrel of his gun, slamming into the wall beside me. The workers behind me gasp, but I don’t even flinch. After all, breaking character isn’t something I do.
“That was a warning shot,” The uniformed man says with a smug grin, “I am authorized to use deadly force if needed. Get out of my building and wait patiently for all of this to be over, little girl.”
I inhale, taking a moment to comprehend what I’m about to do. It was probably inevitable, but it still doesn’t feel good. I sort of wish I didn’t have the power to dictate things like this, but that ship sailed a few hours ago.
I exhale, then let my voice resound.
“Hello kind sir, I’m so glad you never met me.” I step forward, a sad smile on my face. “You’re my first one, so forgive me if it’s messy.”
The man pulls the trigger, one of the rockets flying out and slamming directly into my chest. I wince, but the virus absorbs the blow.
“Just to be fair, I admit that I’m scared.” He fires another rocket, but the impact is not nearly as bad as the first one was. “And sorry for what I must do.”
Paling, the man takes a step back and stutters, “W-What are-”
I interrupt him, putting a finger against my lips. “Best not to talk ‘cause you’ll kill the mood around you.”
Grasping the handle of my hammer with both hands, I bring the head of my weapon close to the ground. “Just close your eyes and be lucky that I found you.”
Now visibly panicked, the man frantically points at me and yells, “What are you dolts doing! SHOOT HER!”
“No one will ever know.” Shots begin to ring out from the several guards, the hurricane of bullets slamming into my body to no avail, covering me nearly entirely in an off white layer of viral flesh.
“Okay, here goes!” I take the final step forward, the man trembling as I stare up into his eyes. “It’s as easy as one… two…”
“Wait, I have money I can-”
“Three.”
I swing the hammer, and the man’s head is gone, a fountain of blood where it once was. I raise my right hand, and the virus stretches out to drink the liquid life. A woman a few feet away screams, firing a bullet once again. I turn to her as the tendril retracts, returning my weapon to the low position.
“Good afternoon, Miss, you are my second victim.” I tilt my head with a smile as I take a step forward. “First one was trouble, not to worry ‘cause I fixed him!”
“P-Please!” She stumbles backwards, falling down as she does. “I was just following-”
“Shhh, not a word,” I say, taking another step, “‘Cause you won’t be heard, when I have your life in my hands.”
“Just know what I’m doing is part of a plan!” I pause, raising a hand into the air. “I will connect with as many souls as I can!”
I sigh, putting a hand on my chest. “And the soul that controls me, the one that I should know, must see my work here.”
I smile.
“Which means you have to go.”
I raise my hammer, and she is no more. I turn to the rest of the guards, who are trembling where they stand, unable to look away. I frown, then raise my hammer up.
“Surely you could understand, haven’t you been in love on the edge where there’s no turning back?” I growl, a fire rising in my chest. “Just the thought of her can take you to a new dimension, so you do whatever you can just to get her attention.”
The guards fire again as I start moving forward, but to no avail.
“Monster!” One yells, drawing a knife and running at me.
“It drives you to boil, right up til’ you spill. It can drive you to bliss.” I drop the hammer, and the man crumples. “It can drive you to kill.”
One man fires more shots until his gun is empty, frantically fumbling to reload.
“Sometimes, I feel like I’m living in a circus.” I sigh, beginning to approach the reloading guard. “Clown with a tear in a tent that isn’t working.”
Dropping his weapon, the man heaves a breath then starts running.
“All work, no play. Day after day.” I point at his back, and Achys takes flight. “‘Til I have a life in my hands.”
One second he almost seems home free, until a thin spike suddenly stabs through his head. He crumples as I turn to the remaining group.
“Good evening, gents.” I drop into a small curtsy as a tendril drinks some blood from the body next to me. “Step right up into my circus, I’m the ringmaster and this is where the work is.”
The men drop their guns, but it’s far too late.
“Goodbye, you’re done.” I point to the man who had begun this whole fiasco as I start to rush forward. “Do as he does.”
I leap forward, and in one fatal twirl, it’s over.
“To lead her right into my heart.”
I breathe in, then out.
“If she could see me now, she’d know she’s not alone.” I walk over, scowling as I pick up the samurai grade weapon the man had tried to kill me with. “The trail of breadcrumbs I’m making, leading her right to my home.”
I shake my head, then start leaving the tower. I toss the weapon at a petrified Trist, then leap down the stairs till I am outside, away from the massacre. I walk till I am out of sight, then press my back against the wall and hug myself as I whisper:
“If she were with me now, then love could be the twist.”
I sniffle, leaning my head back.
“We could be together, in a world where we exist,” I hold back tears as I repeat, “We could be together, in a world where we exist.”
I inhale, doing my best to calm myself down. The fire in my heart refuses to be quenched, but that’s okay. I can deal with that.
I force myself to my feet, then exhale.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a circus.” I begin to walk towards the area’s stair lock, taking one glance around the corner at the tower before I do, bittersweet dread in my chest.
“Sometimes, I’m in control.”