2022-09-24: Dwindling Hope

• Cutscene: Dwindling Hope
• Cast: Xenia, ???
• Where: ???
• Date: September 24, 2022
• Summary: Xenia receives a harsh reminder of her position.

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BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNS-8qGQlqI

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"You LOST it?"

An electronic warble reverberates through an endless, empty expanse. The stark wide void is broken up only by a single square-shaped tear filled with static, and a woman in military combat gear standing before it.

"What did you expect me to do, I was up against the Demon of Elru!"

The blue-haired woman's defense against the voice coming from the static-filled window is impassioned and desperate both. As much an utterance of frustration as it is a plea for lenience. To her, the brief pause that follows lasts for an eternity.

"And where exactly does this leave your brilliant plan?"

The woman with Xantia's face and voice, Xenia, barely restrains a sigh of relief, considering this line of questioning as a positive sign.

"...No need to worry about that. Everything has already been set into motion. All we have to do now is sit back and see how things pan out. It's abundantly clear that she won't be dissuaded from her course, and they will assist her in every way they can. I suspect even the Demon himself will act in accordance to her wishes. Does the data not support this?"

A warped sound which may be a scoff echoes forth from the other side of the window.

"Perhaps. But the data I have access to is not what concerns me. The data you have failed to supply does."

Xenia's failure to answer immediately is all the other party requires as a prompt to continue.

"Of course I am aware. Far too much time is unaccounted for, and there were several incidents which led to unmonitored periods. Exactly what have you been scheming?"

Xenia waves a hand. "Nothing! Nothing of import, anyway. Preparations take time, why bother you with the details? You'll see the results when I have them."

The reaction is calm, but immediate. "The only thing I see here is the need to remind you of your position."

---

Xenia stands atop a mountain plateau, gazing out over the ocean. She is completely still, silent and motionless. Until she abruptly drops to the ground with a grunt. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes show surprise, then fear, then anger, as she regards the reason for her sudden fall.

BGM SHIFT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_tBrZpUcXQ

Her right leg... is cut off at the knee. There is no blood, no wound. It's as if part of her leg simply... ceased to exist.

Xenia grits her teeth, her fingers digging deep grooves into the earth.

"Rrrrgh...! Damn you!"

---

In the void of white, Xenia is still standing upright, in the same condition as before, except for looking far more distressed. She can only manage one astonished word.

"How...?"

The voice remains as calm as before.

"Did the quality of our transmissions fool you into thinking you were beyond the reach of repercussions? A one-way signal is much less complicated than a two-way connection. As you can see, my influence reaches ever further. Not in small part thanks to you, I might add. For that, I commend you."

Xenia balls her fists, taking great pains to restrain herself, calm down enough to continue the conversation. It takes her a moment, but she manages, tone more subdued than before.

"...Alright. You've made your point. Even so, I wasn't lying. Nothing of consequence has happened that you haven't been made aware of. ...Absolutely nothing."

"Not for lack of trying, by the sound of it."

Xenia's unamused chuckle all but confirms that statement, prompting the garbled voice to continue.

"Very well. We shall see how things 'pan out', in that regard. Continue to monitor the situation, but do not interfere. Instead, return your focus to the main project. We have yet to procure a suitable catalyst to proceed to phase 2."

Xenia nods. "I may have a way... but it's risky. I'm still looking into alternatives. We don't want to tip our hand to Solaris."

"Be that as it may, our timeframe is not infinite, as you are well aware. Do not delay for too long."

"And what of our 'friends', the Watchful Eye? Surely we're not going to let them get away with this?"

The voice hidden in static lets out a garbled chuckle.

"I will leave that matter up to your discretion."

The gap in the void closes, and the white world fades.

---

Xenia mutters to herself as she rises back to her feet - now once again plural - and dusts herself off. She stares at her right leg, only some slight discoloration remaining as proof that something happened to it moments ago. With a deep sigh, she casts her gaze skyward.

"...'We are born into this world with only one wing. We must never seek our second wing, because that one wing is a blessing. In our imperfection, we need others to fly to the heavens.'"

She lets out a short laugh.

"...A trite metaphor, Id."

With that, she shakes her head, and blue light gathers around her, rapidly obscuring her form as she prepares to depart at high speed.

"There are no wings left for me. She's already claimed them all for herself."