She needed a break from the Memory Files. This...
It showed her the exact details of her life before this all happened. The few days before Pandora turned the world into a game. Lauren stared into the empty darkness in front of her, letting out a sigh. She took her peaceful days for granted. She did not have any feelings for anyone because... she couldn't motivate herself. She didn't have a drive like everyone else. She could not love anyone because she was... abandoned. Empty. Alone. Terrified. Angry. Sad.
So many emotions, but she bottled it in so tightly, she became something else.
Lauren runs her hand through her hair, frustrated at the sight of Alayna. Of course, Lauren knew her due to her nice looks and outstanding reputation. Unlike her, Alayna was known throughout the campus. When the redhead was in the same locker room the day she went to the gym, Lauren just faked her indifference. She was nervous, but she hid it so well. The day when she interacted with Lauren, made the first move, made the blonde feel... weird. Once again, she forced her emotions aside though, placing on a strong mask that deceived everyone including herself. Looking back on it, Lauren cherished those moments with Alayna. Those peaceful moments when they were just talking about the regular life of a student. They talked about normal things before the bastardly woman changed the world into a game.
Seeing her again...
"It hurts..." Lauren grasps her chest, getting up from the floor. There were so many things she wanted to do, to say... But she can't. She knows what has happened and why she was here. Lauren glares at the capsule she was in, letting out a low growl as her eyes turn into a red hue. It suddenly went back to her new eye color, understanding something. Calling into the darkness, she says, "Display-senpai... Why are you doing this for me?"
Lauren pieced a few things together when it came to that sudden notification. The only person who can control the notifications, the boxes, and anything related to a gaming screen was Display-senpai. Pandora, knowing the selfish woman, would not allow Lauren to walk down memory lane and stay cooped up in this abandoned laboratory. Not after what has been done. No, Pandora would make use of Lauren's new weaknesses, but she would never show this much mercy to Lauren. As the only person who continues to defy the prideful and chaotic divine being, Pandora wanted Lauren to deal with her emotions now. Yet Display-senpai was going against Pandora.
Why?
As if to answer her call, a box appeared before her.
Sooooo... You're doing okay?
"Never mind about me," Lauren was- is grateful to Display-senpai. Truly. Without that notification, she might have lost her cool... and maybe her mind. "What about you? Why are you doing this for me? I know that Pandora would be furious about this."
She will be... That's for sure. But I am the only one who can control the various systems that make up her game. She can't punish me since I am- Nevermind. Don't worry about me... How about you? How are you feeling? I know that you may hate me-
"I don't," Lauren answered, "If you didn't do what you did. I got a feeling that my body... or my entire being would have gone berserk. I would have changed into a monster."
Which was what Pandora was hoping for. At the same time, knowing that woman, she doesn't care as long as you play her game. It doesn't matter if you are sane or insane, she knows that you'll meet eventually. And she will be looking forward to that day. Till then, I suggest that you prepare yourself... mentally. I am letting you walk through your history for a lot of reasons. The biggest one, though, is the need to face these memories head-on... And accept them.
"Accept them?"
You must accept the facts of what has happened. Even if it is painful. You must KNOW that everything you will see again... Is the truth. I cannot explain any further than this. You have to believe me. I... After watching over you... I don't want you to-
"I get it." Lauren frowns a bit, but she gives a weak smile, "I am not doubting you Display-senpai. Just that... You know."
Yeah... I know.
Lauren glance at her robotic hands. She was going to open up her display screen but Display-senpai stopped her.
Don't. Not yet. You're not ready yet.
Lauren was going to ask what she meant by that, but she didn't go there. She trusts Display-senpai since she has helped her out in the past. And right now, she's helping her out again. Complying with her statement, Lauren looks around at the destroyed facility.
"How long has it been? How long was my... coma?" After what had happened, she was in a coma. For how long? She can't remember. There are a few scenes where she was going in and out of her... surgery, but at the same time, she cannot recall the important things she had heard while she was in the capsule. Eventually, they just left her.
Twenty years.
Lauren stood there in complete silence.
Twenty years...
It has been that long? There were so many questions, but Display-senpai will not answer them. As stated, it will all come back to her as long as she goes through these Memory Files. Deciding to skip over her questions about the past, she focused on the present.
"While I go through these Memory Files, should I do something in my spare time? When I need a break from these memories?" Even if she wants to spend her time going through it all, to relive the past, she cannot endure the hardships and pain that she will go through again. It will take a strain on her. So she needs to take a break once in a while. And during those times, she needs to do something productive.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
If you didn't go on a rampage earlier, most of the computers and devices in the room could have given you valuable data on the state of the world and the groups that have formed over the twenty years. There were also written reports that could have given you a lot of data as well, but-
"Well, that's great," Lauren muttered, cursing at her past self a few hours ago. She needs to control her emotions, letting out a sigh. Before she starts to test out the computers that could be intact still, she noticed something. "You know... The first thing you could have done after we chatted about your safety and my little emotional outburst, could be to give me some clothes. Or tell me where to find them. I know that I have a great bod, even if I was out for twenty years and had a huge makeover, but I don't want to hurt myself- I don't want to walk around with no clothes on." With all of these new improvements, even if Lauren stepped on a piece of glass, she wouldn't feel it. Might annoy her though.
An awkward silence looms between them. Finally, a display screen pops up.
H-Hey... I-It's not my fault I don't get to see naked girls as much! Let alone, see your naked body again! Twenty years!
"Oh, MY body again? So you longed for me too? You pervert." Lauren teases. A couple of giggles escape her lips, making the display screen go through different colors until it went back to normal.
S-Shut up... Or I won't tell you how to get some!
"Okay, okay." Lauren's gaze found a metal wall that reflected her new body. She frowns at the sight of it, understanding Display-senpai's hidden message. She did not ask Display-senpai about her form... knowing that she'll see it again in her Memory File. She ignores her new body, waiting for a response from Display-senpai.
You can just manifest the clothes that you want. You still have the same skills and classes before your coma. That much hasn't changed for you.
"Are you telling me that I am manifesting my clothes from my skills or this is a new trait I picked up?" Asking this, Display-senpai did not give a response to Lauren's inquiry. Once again, this went back to Display-senpai's secret message. Willing some baggy pants, socks, sneakers, and a bra, Lauren covered most of her body. DIsplay-senpai, wondering why she decided to wear a bra only, quickly turned into a bright red tomato after hearing Lauren's explanation. "I just want to give you a bit more fanservice, if you know what I mean."
A-A-AH! AH! D-Don't tease me like that!
It was cute. Is cute. Lauren cannot express her sincerest gratitude to have Display-senpai by her side. She wanted to see the bubbly being behind all of these screens, after everything that has happened, but she ignores that thought. Even if Display-senpai thinks that she's untouchable, even by Pandora's side, that woman, Pandora, will find a way to hurt Display-senpai. And then, she'll use that against Lauren.
Not going to happen.
Focused on checking the damaged computers, monitors, and other devices, nothing seemed operational. Whatever Lauren did, she destroyed the majority of this place. Did she have to cut the papers into bits, too? Lauren made a huge note to herself. Don't let her anger get the best of her.
Closing her eyes, she asked Display-senpai, "Can you try to fix one of these... computers? Or something."
I can try to. What are you going to do now?
"I am getting back into those Memory Files," Lauren stated, taking a rolling chair that was still intact. "I have a lot of questions to ask- No. Not questions. I want to confirm some things."
Going back? A-Already? B-But...
"Don't sound disappointed, you cheeky brat. I know that you can easily talk to me whenever you want. I am not going to stay in these Memory Files for too long. You know why. You will chat with me again when I get back out. In the meantime, I would appreciate it if you can fix up one of those computers... or monitors. Don't know, anything that can give me more information about the world's current state." Leaning into the chair, Lauren looks into the darkness once more. "And thanks."
Display-senpai did not send an immediate response. Lauren waits for a message to pop up. Knowing her, Display-senpai might be typing up the right words to convey her thoughts or emotions to Lauren. The blonde understands that Display-senpai cherished their relationship because it was her first true relationship outside of Pandora's faction. No one else could respond to Display-senpai. Lauren, being the only person with the permission to talk back to Display-senpai and have a legit conversation with the unknown being behind the boxes.
A few more questions popped up in her mind, thinking about Display-senpai, but she can ask those at a later date. Finally, a box appears in front of Lauren.
I... It was eating me alive. I know Pandora gave me a new life and granted my wish, but I know that a lot of my fellow peers, workers, employees, will look down on me. Are you looking down on me? I didn't- I couldn't relate to these other beings even if we swore ourselves to Pandora. No one talked to me, no one tried to understand me... I was just... weird. Pandora complied with my silliness and demands, but she didn't- You were the first person who didn't shy away from me. Granted that several other beings tried to chat with me, but without Pandora's permission to talk to these individuals, I could not respond. I...
You became a dear friend to me once I talked to you frequently. I... I didn't want to lose that. Yes, Pandora told me to answer your questions, but I started to do a bit more than that since... I cherished our relationship. I wanted to help you out as best as I can so you didn't die. But I was a fool. I know Pandora would keep you alive. I...
I seriously can't express my stupidity for not helping you! I should have! This guilt will forever stay in me. This, all of this that I am doing right now, is still not enough to wash over my sin. This terrible guilt. But even if it doesn't, I will make sure you will have your revenge.
I... am truly sorry, Lauren.
Lauren can see- feel the sadness in this message. Just seeing, or thinking, about Display-senpai in this state affected Lauren greatly. Guilt. This was a new emotion for Display-senpai. From what Lauren had gathered, a lot of Pandora's agents did not display a lot of human emotions. Oh, some creatures acted out their sins, but those were not genuine humane emotions. They hated humanity, wanted it to die. They feed on humanity's pain and suffering. They worshipped Pandora like a goddess and damned the gods of the many realms. Not all of these beings were completely heartless or a monster, but the majority were like this.
What about Display-senpai?
She seems like a teenager, a kid, that just got tied up in all of this. An innocent person who didn't care about anything until she started to talk with Lauren. Even if Display-senpai typed up boxes filled with hatred towards humanity and praising Pandora, those are just words with no real emotion behind it. Did Display-senpai truly like what she said? No, not really. She just typed it because she had to. It was only befitting for a being of Pandora to state such things. And once Display-senpai had someone to chat with, her true colors were revealed.
Display-senpai was just like Lauren in a way... Just that one was being tormented by a fucking crazy cunt of a psychopath while the other worked for them and wasn't being paid attention to said insane being.
They both closed their hearts off to anyone and everyone until they met each other. Well, it took Lauren a long time for her heart to open up, but that's not the point.
"It wasn't your fault. Don't beat yourself up for something that you couldn't stop or control. I know how unbearable the guilt is... But trust me. Don't let it eat you. If I have to say it is not your fault for a million times. I will do so. So please, calm down." Lauren wished she can hold onto the real Display-senpai- Heck, that's not her real name. It is just an alibi. There was no way she was going to leave Display-senpai in this state. Thinking that Display-senpai was going to ignore her, Lauren says. "It is not your fault."
Silence. Giving a few more seconds, Lauren repeated herself.
"It is not your fault." No response. No boxes. She said it again.
"It is not your fault." The shit that has happened to her... She couldn't control it. She wished it didn't, but the blame can be placed on one single fucking outlier of this entire world. But was this Display-senpai's fault.
No.
"It is not your fault." Yes, so much has happened, but will Lauren blame Display-senpai for doing nothing? Even if she could help, would Lauren risk it?
No.
"It is not your fault." Strangely, Lauren was able to say those same words in the same pitch, tone, and precise interval. No, she avoided her sudden realization, silencing her brain before it came to any sort of conclusion. Focused solely on saying her one-liner, Lauren kept it up.
After the seventh time, a box finally appears before her.
O-Okay... I get it. J-Just stop. I don't want you to say that for a million times. I... *Sighs*
I'll be fine. I promise. Thank you... Thank you so much, Lauren.
Lauren would doubt those words, but she shouldn't. Display-senpai is a trusted friend. Silencing her doubts, Lauren nodded her head.
"Good." Lauren slowly closes her eyes, "Just... interrupt me from my files if something bad is going to happen or if you need me. It's good to see you again."
With that, Lauren started to play the next Memory File.
[1-0] When the Earth became Pandora's Game.