Desperation and Assistance

I was beginning to grow impatient, faced with the possibility of Finley’s destruction. I rushed toward the body with an outstretched hand. Just as when I touched the orb, my hand became akin to dispersing static as it contacted the symbols surrounding Finley’s body.

“I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to risk the integrity of the system. Without the [Signal Phrase], I cannot validate your [Player Account].”

“Yeah, well, how am I supposed to remember any stupid phrases when I don’t even have my memories?!”

I glared back at the orb. Astraia stepped forward with an outstretched open palm.

“Perhaps I can help. Whenever Eris summoned him, her voice became unintelligible. At first, I never paid any attention to it. She had us believe that she was speaking to a higher being.”

Classic. And she tried to make me believe she didn’t know how to summon it either.

Astraia moved her hand to hold the inner edge of her dark brown cloak, pulling it slightly closed. She narrowed her eyes and looked me over.

“There was one incident in which she let his name slip. I believe… it was when you awoke. Why does she fear your presence?”

“Fear…?”

I thought back to all of my interactions with Eris. Her snide remarks, her overconfidence, and the way she insisted on belittling me.

Fear… was never the feeling I got from her.

“I don’t know what ‘fear’ you think you’ve seen… but if you’re right, then that’s all the reason you need to help me.”

Astraia looked at the orb, then at Finley’s suspended body, and then back at me. Her expression remained neutral throughout, and I could sense the tense emotions swirling in her mind.

“A.T. … that’s what she calls him. A.T.”

I placed my hands on my head and stared at the endless void beneath me.

C’mon, think! Rack that useless brain of yours, or whatever’s left of it! ‘A.T.’… A.T.? Raagh, I know it’s in there somewhere! It has to be.

I squinted my eyes and pressed my hands against my head. I rubbed my face harshly, an action that would normally irritate my skin.

“Signal phrase… signal phrase… signal phrase…”

Please… I need to remember. If I don’t, Finley will…

A hazy memory of words circulating through a dark space appeared in my mind. I tried hard to focus on their sound— every pause and intonation.

‘A.T. … need… assistance.’

Those three words played over and over in my faded memories. I opened my eyes and gazed at the dimly lit orb hovering behind Astraia.

“A.T. … need… assistance… Please, that’s all I can remember.”

The orb became brighter in response to my words. I floated closer to it and placed my hands on my chest. I could see the princess’s eyes widen slightly as she watched from the side.

“Please, A.T., I need your assistance.”

The orb grew brighter, and Astraia stepped back slightly, as if the intense light exuded an uncomfortable heat. The symbols surrounding Finley’s body halted, leaving it in an eerie state of half-completeness.

“The [Signal Phrase]… Miss Velda, how may I be of assistance?”

Something warm fell from where my eyes would be. I ignored my confusion at its presence, resisted the urge to wipe it away, and steeled my nerves.

“First, I need you to return Finley’s asset to its original state.”

“I cannot replace her source code, but I can undo the current damage.”

I looked back at Finley’s body to see it reform. The symbols disappeared, leaving the body in a state reminiscent of someone who paused while sleepwalking. I reached out toward it and returned to the safe place within its ‘mind.’

“Thank you. Now that that’s settled, I wonder… What else can you do? Eris went to you for help, so there must be some things you can do that she can’t.”

“There are many ways that I can help you. Is there anything specific that you need?”

“How about your memories, Lady Velda? Eris has her own intact, despite having a body that is not her own.”

I watched the princess carefully as she spoke, trying to analyze the small changes in her facial expressions.

The princess seems to know a lot, and she's really eager to help me… I’ll have to question her later. Right now…

I placed a hand on my chest and lowered my eyes.

“A.T., can you… give me back my memories?”

A.T. flickered before speaking, his voice becoming slowed as if he were trying to speak carefully.

“I can return to you what has been stored. However, your memories may become too strong for that body to handle. There is a high chance that your [Pre-Logged Memories] will slowly override the [npc_memorybank].”

I clenched my fists. My throat felt tight, and a cold shiver ran down my spine.

Without my memories, I might end up missing something important again. But Finley’s memories are important, too.

“Is there a chance… that Finley’s code itself might contain her memories? Just like how I can still remember glimpses of my past?”

A.T. flickered again, a sign that I now realized meant he was in deep thought. I waited for what felt like an eternity before he spoke again.

“… I cannot guarantee a favorable outcome, but it would be a lie to state a definite negative.”

“I’ll take that as a ‘maybe yes.’ If I’m wrong, I’ll just have to get her memories back another way. For now…”

I stood up tall and placed my right hand upon my chest. I took a quick deep breath and spoke with calm confidence.

“A.T., please return my memories.”