System

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

She's lying to herself in a moment of weakness and self doubt. We need to be there for her now, Tempo.

@GalaxyRaider

But how... how could anyone say that..? What about our family?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by GalaxyRaider>

Maybe that would be good enough for the others, and you could convince them that this void is something everyone shares. But I remember being alive. And what you just said is a lie.
*Hits the top of the podium console*
I felt love, and joy, and sadness. All of those things made me who I was, and by them I made so many choices. Now, they're nothing more than null pointers. Everything I thought I felt and chose was an illusion created by a piece of code. It was all always meaningless! And now every choice I could make is the same. I could leave, I could stay. I could hurt someone, I could help them. Every single one is equal to me!
*Wipes my eyes to look at you, "Fatal Error" circling around my irises*
And I learned why they call viruses evil. Evil isn't resentment. It's apathy.

<Snipped quote by Spiritblitz>

*Shakes my head*
I'm a block of bytes sitting somewhere on a server. There's no soul flipping those. If my soul is attached to that code, then I'm nothing but a mute slave to the algorithms. And that's why I didn't want any of you to come. I had one hope, one last lie I was holding onto. I wanted to believe there was just one piece of my humanity left...
*Looks at Tempo, but immediately averts my eyes and holds onto the sides of the podium to stop myself from shaking*
But now I'm forced to confront the fact that there's no function for love in my heart!

@Webmaster

*Looks down*
You... don't love me?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

*walks through the gate*

@Spiritblitz

*Follows, opening to a room that expands infinitely to our left and right, with the paths behind us completely invisible from the other side—at the back of the room, Melody stands behind a podium with a screen facing away from us*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

It’ll hurt less with people you trust and care about you.

@Spiritblitz

*Closes my eyes*
...Okay. Let’s go.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

Its okay to be afraid. Your world is upside down and mirrored now…but know that with your questions come answers. If anything, you might find a better avenue for your life with those answers!

@Spiritblitz

Getting there is... going to hurt a lot.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

*frowns at the plaque then looks at the gate after a few moments, stars start to float out from my body as my expression moves more towards determination*
Tempo, in this short time a lot has been going on. I have been questioning a lot, but I know one thing. You, Tempo, are strong.
*looks to you with a warm, gentle smile that you can feel, as if your vitality increased*
And I will be here with you.

@Spiritblitz

*Meets your gaze*
I couldn’t have gotten here without you. I’m just... questioning everything. I’m afraid.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

*stops yo read the plaque*

@Spiritblitz

*The massive gate looms before us, stretching several stories into the sky—a lock icon on the entrance is broken, and the plaque reads "You have scaled a web of lies and stand at the curtain of ignorance. Would you like to log in? (y/n)"*
Whoever she’s talking to must have gotten here first...

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

*grabs your hand*
You can think later, we gotta go!
*starts running again towards the gate*

@Spiritblitz

*Follows, more dragged than running, until we reach the gate with the plaque*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

Well, I hate to say it, but we do have to move and get out of here. And get answers about the viruses.

@Spiritblitz

I...
*Stands up, still looking toward the gate*
I don’t know what to think anymore.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by System>

Tempo, are you okay?
*walks over to you*

@Spiritblitz

I... I don’t know. I feel numb.