[May 19, 2031]
[Location: Pacific Ocean, Ocean Turtle]
[6:01 A.M]
**Crrrrr... splash... hummmm**
**Groooaan... whoosh... clank**
The sky dawned over the Pacific Ocean. In the vastness of the water, an imposing structure rose above the surface. Its massive, organic design unmistakably resembled a gigantic sea turtle, floating miles off the Japanese coast. It was the experimental base of RATH, nicknamed the Ocean Turtle.
**Whooosh... hummm**
From the upper bridge, the wind blew strongly, mixing the salty smell of the sea with the metallic air of technology. The Ocean Turtle, the nerve center of the Alicization Project, had been in continuous operation since the events that marked a turning point in human history.
The world had changed.
The secret was no longer a secret.
Years ago, Japan surprised the world by publicly introducing Alice Zuberg, the first artificial intelligence with an autonomous virtual soul, transferred to a humanoid robotic body. Cameras captured her appearance. She gave interviews. She walked among people. She spoke. She smiled. And with that, the Alicization Project ceased to be a legend and became an undeniable reality.
The revelation was carefully orchestrated, but its impact was immediate.
The entire world took notice.
Technological powers like the United States, China, South Korea, Russia, and many others immediately recognized the potential of this technology. Within months, they began developing their own virtual environments, each with different approaches: from futuristic simulations, advanced military training, to fantasy realms for economic, social, or military purposes.
But public reception was volatile.
Society became divided over the ethics of these creations. The practice of copying the souls of human infants to populate these worlds was labeled by many as a moral aberration. Movements arose demanding rights for artificial souls, while others called for a total ban on Fluctlight technology.
Still, the race did not stop.
Driven by military and economic interests, it advanced with force. Some high-ranking couples, motivated by patriotism, government pressure, or state benefits, accepted the digital copying of their children to serve their nations on these new virtual fronts.
However, Japan remained at the forefront.
Four years ago, Dr. Higa Takeru—one of the original architects of the Alicization Project—achieved what was believed to be impossible: breaking the Fluctlight taboo. He discovered how to free virtual souls from their self-imposed limitations, allowing them to make their own decisions without collapsing.
Higa's discovery not only solidified Japan's technological leadership but also surprised even his own nation. His name became synonymous with scientific revolution. He graced magazine covers, was invited to international forums, and was the subject of both admiration and fear.
Other countries attempted to replicate his feat, but the results were unstable. Many foreign Fluctlights still suffered from fragmentation, rejection, or collapse when transferred to physical bodies. Higa's code, although partially shared, was not fully understood. The knowledge provided was incomplete.
Although Japan disclosed some of its findings, world scientific and political leaders were not naive. They knew that key pieces were missing: interfaces, compression protocols, soul stabilization algorithms... everything seemed carefully edited.
Japan, for its part, denied hiding information, claiming that there was no more to offer. But that denial only fueled international distrust.
The truth was that Japan maintained the lead, and with it, control over a technology that could redefine the very concept of life.
Tension grew even further when it was revealed that Japan had begun integrating Fluctlights into autonomous military systems. Unmanned bombers, smart missiles, combat units with superhuman reflexes... all operated by virtual souls capable of making tactical decisions in real time.
The speed and precision of these weapons exceeded any conventional system.
Meanwhile, other countries had only managed to create virtual human representatives in robotic bodies similar to Alice's, but without complete free will. They were functional entities, but limited.
This difference further frustrated world leaders, who did not know how to catch up to Japan in Fluctlight development.
The global balance teetered.
Nations demanded total access to the technology, some with diplomacy, others with veiled threats. But Japan stood firm, protecting its strategic advantage.
And amid that growing tension, something else was brewing in the depths of the Ocean Turtle...
★★★★★
[Location: Executive Director's Office]
The office of the RATH director was not ostentatious, but modern and well-equipped. The walls were lined with light wood panels and polished metallic details. Soft, diffuse white lighting kept the atmosphere warm and functional.
It had a slightly large, armored, one-way window, designed to protect the privacy and security of those inside… but allowed for a beautiful view of the outside.
Near that window was a wide desk with a matte surface, holding only the essentials: a steaming cup of coffee, an ink pen, some reports, private documents, and a large, robust laptop with the RATH logo engraved on the lid. On the edge of the desk, a small metal plaque read:
Behind the desk, sitting in a relaxed yet attentive posture, was Higa Takeru. Five years had passed since the events he had secretly orchestrated against Kirigaya Kazuto and his Fluctlight, and time was evident on his face.
Though his build remained slender, his expression was calmer, more measured. He wore his classic, perfectly pressed white lab coat, and thin-framed glasses rested on his nose. His hair, now completely black and slightly longer than before, fell naturally to one side, giving him a more mature air.
**Hummm**
—"So let me understand… you called me at this hour of the day because you wanted an extension of your vacation with RATH?"
Higa said, resting a finger on his cheek while maintaining a half-smile. His posture was relaxed, and he spoke toward the large screen of his open laptop.
The video call was still active. In front of Higa were two adults, sitting very close to each other, like a couple. The background of the image showed a bright room with light wood walls and a large window open to the sea.
Outside, swaying palm trees could be seen in the breeze and a clear sky typical of tropical weather. The atmosphere was relaxed, clearly vacation-like.
Both wore light clothing suited to the setting and their personal style.
The man, with black hair and a serene expression, wore a short-sleeved white linen shirt, with the first buttons undone, revealing a gray t-shirt underneath. The fabric, soft and slightly wrinkled by the breeze, conveyed a sense of comfort without losing sobriety. A simple leather necklace peeked discreetly at his neck, and sunglasses hung from his shirt pocket. His style was relaxed yet functional.
Beside him, the woman wore a sleeveless blouse made of lightweight fabric, in coral and white tones, with subtle floral details that evoked her natural elegance. The modest yet delicate neckline and flowing cut highlighted her figure without resorting to ostentation. Her hair was partially pinned up with a light wooden clip, allowing loose strands to frame her face softly. A small pearl necklace and discreet earrings completed her outfit. Her style combined grace, warmth, and understated sophistication.
Although they were only visible from the waist up, their closeness and body language spoke of a deep complicity, forged over years of relationship.
They were none other than Kirigaya Kazuto and Asuna, now in their fully adult phase.
—["Ha, ha… that's right, director Higa. I'm really sorry for extending my vacation from work with RATH a bit more…"]
Kazuto said with a slightly guilty expression, scratching his cheek out of habit, though not averting his gaze.
Higa, on the other side of the screen, raised an eyebrow at that comment, causing Kazuto to become a bit more nervous.
[—"Please, Director Higa, don't blame or be mad at Kazuto. It was actually me who suggested extending our vacation…"]
Blushing slightly, Asuna lowered her gaze a bit and added softly:
[—"Our honeymoon…"]
—"Heh… I'm just teasing you, lovebirds..."
Higa replied, with a playful spark in his eyes.
—"But stop calling me director. We've known each other for years… you even invited me to your wedding. So just call me Higa. For old times' sake."
He let out a light laugh and waved his hand nonchalantly, maintaining his characteristic half-smile, even as he noticed the slight doubt reflected on the couple's faces on the screen.
—"Well, getting back to the reason for your call… don't worry. I figured you might want to extend your honeymoon a bit longer. If you have the resources, you can do so without any problem."
**Shhh... clink...**
Higa said as he calmly extended his right hand and picked up his still-steaming cup of coffee from the desk.
—"After all..."
He continued, bringing it to her lips.
—"You, Kazuto, since you joined RATH, have been a great help to me... Sip... ahhh"
He smiled a little wider, took a sip calmly, and after a brief pause, added in a playful tone:
—"It doesn't cost me anything to let you extend your honeymoon, does it?"
[—"Thank you very much, Higa."]
[—"Thank you so much."]
Both Kazuto and Asuna responded in unison, visibly relieved and with a conspiratorial smile. The excitement of having obtained the desired permission was reflected on their faces, now more relaxed.
—"This is better… Sip"
Higa nodded with satisfaction, taking another calm sip.
[—"I am really very grateful to you, Higa, for allowing us to travel a little longer."]
Asuna said sincerely.
[—"We wanted to take advantage of this time before returning to our work commitments..."]
—"And speaking of commitments..."
**Thup**
Higa interrupted with interest, setting the cup down on the desk.
—"How is your work as the assistant to the Director of Ethics and Development of Medicuboid going?"
The mention caught Asuna's attention, who blinked once, surprised by the change of topic. Beside her, Kazuto wore an expression that clearly said: "I knew it."
—"I've heard that there have been very promising advancements..."
**Swirl... Sisss... Sisss**
Higa continued while picking up the cup again and gently swirling its contents.
—"Not only in alleviating patient suffering but in something deeper. Could you tell me something about those mysterious developments?"
[—"..."]
Asuna hesitated for a moment. Then, regaining her smile, she replied kindly:
[—"Well, to begin with, during these past few years, I have been treated very well. And just like you with Kirito-kun, the director also allowed me to extend our honeymoon…"]
She brought a finger to her chin, thoughtful, and added in a more serious tone while gently shaking her head:
[—"—And regarding the second part… I'm sorry to say that I am not authorized to share those advancements publicly."]
—"That's a shame… Sip"
Higa commented, feigning a disappointed expression while bringing the cup back to his lips to mask it with another sip of coffee.
[—"Oh, come on, Asuna..."]
Kazuto interjected with a smile.
[—"You can tell him. We are among friends. I'm sure Higa is just curious, besides..."]
[—"I know, Kirito-kun…"]
She replied, interrupting him with a conspiratorial look.
[—"I was just joking a bit, just like he was at first."]
Asuna gave her husband a playful expression, amused by his attempt at defense.
[—"Ha, ha… Good one."]
Kazuto let out a brief laugh, unable to hide his appreciation for that spontaneous side of her.
Higa, for his part, smiled slightly with resignation before refocusing on the conversation.
[—"Now, speaking a bit more seriously..."
Asuna said, regaining her professional tone.
[—"I know that you, Mr. Higa, have been a key figure in the technological advancements of Medicuboid. Therefore, I don't mind sharing with you the little that I am allowed to mention…"]
—"..."
Higa raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Asuna maintained her seriousness, although an emotion contained in her voice was perceptible.
[—"The deeper knowledge about the state of the Fluctlight of each human being—not only in virtual environments—has allowed us to go beyond simple palliative treatment. The Medicuboid no longer just seeks to make the patient suffer less with their terminal illness…"]
Kazuto gently took her hand, as a gesture of silent support. Asuna gave him a brief, grateful look and continued:
[—…But now it is possible to identify the very origin of the disease. And through an almost microscopic—yet extremely precise—resonance performed with a full-body Medicuboid, that root can be attacked again and again. The most important thing is that the system allows real-time monitoring of whether the treatment is helping… or harming the patient."]
Asuna continued speaking, although her voice slightly lowered in tone, and her expression became more serious.
[—"The treatment, while yielding results, remains a very slow process…"]
She confessed, paying attention to Higa, who now wore a more serious face.
[—"We have made significant progress in treating cancer and other less complex diseases, and that already represents a great step. But when it comes to more complex conditions, like HIV or AIDS… we are just beginning to scratch the surface."]
Her eyes clouded for a moment, and her smile faded into a contained sadness. Still, she took a deep breath and, with visible effort, regained some of her enthusiasm.
[—"Haaah... But… even that is already a great advance..."]
She added, trying to soften the emotional drop with a firmer smile."]
Kazuto, who did not take his eyes off her, gave her a warm and reassuring expression.
[—"Don't worry. Sooner or later, a greater breakthrough will be achieved. I'm sure of it..."]
Asuna nodded silently. Then she settled into her seat and leaned slightly toward him, seeking his closeness. Kazuto welcomed her naturally, wrapping an arm around her to gently draw her closer. She leaned a bit on his shoulder, maintaining her composure, aware that they were still in the middle of a video call.
From the other side of the screen, Higa observed the scene with a mix of serenity and reflection. He nodded slowly, and his voice grew deeper, more introspective.
—"You're right. With the little you have told me, Asuna, it is already evident that we are moving towards something truly extraordinary."
...
**Hmm... spin... tap**
He made a brief pause, looking down at his empty cup, which he slowly spun between his fingers.
—"I never imagined that the knowledge I helped develop and convey at the time… would not only revolutionize the technology applied to the security and defense of our country…"
His face took on a more thoughtful expression.
—"… But that it would come to transform medicine in this way, even surpassing what I once thought possible… all thanks to a sacrifice..."
His eyes drifted to a point outside the camera, as if he were contemplating something beyond the office, beyond the present.
...
Silence settled for a few seconds, dense yet serene, as if everyone respected that moment of introspection.
[—"..."]
[—"..."]
Neither Kazuto nor Asuna said anything. They simply observed him attentively, without interrupting him… although some of his words sounded a bit strange to them, sensing that he was referring to the time and energy invested in discovering and understanding the Fluctlight of each living being.
Then, Higa blinked, as if returning from a distant thought. A slight smile returned to his face as he noticed that they were both waiting for him in silence, with respect.
—Sorry… I got a little carried away there...
Higa lowered his gaze slightly and apologized with a hand gesture.
—"But it's just that… it's incredible to see how far we have come...
**Thup**
He set the empty cup aside and added:
—"I also think I understand, at least in part, what motivated you to enter this field, Asuna."
He said in a more serious tone:
—"Your story with that friend… Yuuki, right? She was not just anyone."
[—"..."]
Upon hearing that name, Asuna nodded with a soft smile, although her eyes reflected a contained melancholy.
[—"Yes… Yuuki was not just anyone. She was one of the reasons I decided to get involved in medical development. Seeing her fight as she did… and being unable to do anything… marked me deeply..."]
She fell silent for a moment, as if reliving those days.
[—"Since then, I have wanted to help those who suffer like she did. Those who still have a chance..."]
Kazuto, beside her, gently squeezed her hand.
[—"I'm sure she would be very proud of you..."]
He said in a low but firm voice.
[—"And if she had recovered… she would probably be your right hand. Or even the director of the medical area."]
[—"Heh, heh..."]
Asuna let out a brief, warm laugh, breaking the tension of the moment.
[—"That would surely be the case…"]
She replied, with a mix of joy and nostalgia.
The couple, focused on encouraging each other, did not notice that Higa, just for a moment, displayed a smile that mixed mockery and disdain before regaining his usual expression.
Returning to focus, as if an idea had taken shape in her mind, Asuna sat up a bit and looked at the screen with determination.
[—"Higa… I would like to ask you for another favor..."]
From the other side, Higa raised his hand before she could continue.
—"Don't worry, I can already imagine what you're going to say."
His tone was lighter, almost conspiratorial.
—"And considering we are talking about medicine… I suppose you're referring to your husband's treatment. Am I right, Kirigaya Asuna?"
Asuna let out a small laugh, sharing it with Kazuto, amused by the use of her new married surname.
[—"I'm still getting used to being called that… but yes, you guessed it. That's exactly what I meant."]
Her expression turned more serious, though still warm.
[—"As you can imagine, thanks to the treatments Kazuto has received from you over the past five years, his recovery has been remarkable. Not only physically… but also emotionally. His overall condition has improved greatly..."]
Kazuto tightened his embrace on Asuna while he listened, just as Higa, on the other side of the screen, responded seriously:
—"It feels like just yesterday… That morning, five years ago, when you called me worried about Kazuto's condition. I remember trying to calm you down, telling you it was probably just stress. But over time… your intuition turned out to be correct."
[—"... Umm."]
Asuna nodded slowly, her eyes slightly moist.
[—"I was very worried. Not just me… all our friends and family noticed. Something was wrong."]
Kazuto, who had remained silent, lowered his gaze and then spoke in a reflective voice:
[—"I never imagined I would experience such intense side effects... Forgetting basic things, stopping in the middle of a conversation without knowing why. Sometimes it took me several minutes to feel normal again..."]
He turned to Asuna with a grateful smile.
[—"And you noticed it before anyone else. You made a decision as if you had sensed it. Thanks to that…"]
Then he directed his gaze towards Higa.
[—"And you, Higa, who didn't hesitate to help me... I was able to receive treatment in time."]
Higa nodded with discreet satisfaction.
—"I'm glad to see that the results have been more than positive."
Kazuto continued, with a hopeful tone:
[—"Thanks to those treatments, I've practically returned to normal. At first, it happened every day... then every week, then every month... and now, years pass without it happening again. But I want to end this completely."]
He looked at Asuna, who returned his gaze, and then both said to Higa:
[—"When we return from our honeymoon... I would like to start the final treatment."]
[—"Please..."]
[—"We ask you, Higa."]
Asuna also wanted to be as sincere as possible in her request, aware that Higa Takeru was now a much more sought-after man than five years ago.
—"..."
Higa observed them in silence for a second before returning to a professional tone.
—"When you return, I will resume work on your memory. Both of you will receive follow-up, but especially you, Kazuto. After all, you are also a key piece in the evolution of RATH."
Kazuto smiled humbly, scratching the back of his neck... and Asuna, beside him, couldn't help but smile too and say:
[—"Once again, thank you very much, Higa, for taking time out of your busy schedule."]
[—"Yes, as Asuna says, thank you... although sometimes I feel like I only come to give you headaches."]
—"That's also part of the package..."
Higa replied with a slight shrug.
Kazuto chuckled softly, and then, as if remembering something, asked:
[—"By the way... how is Alice? Did she return to the Ocean Turtle to enter Underworld again?"]
Higa nodded calmly, crossing his arms over the desk.
—"Yes. She entered Underworld a few hours ago, although that represents much more time for her. As for the rest, everything is under control. No significant issues have arisen."
He looked at his watch calmly, calculating mentally.
—"In fact, according to the time acceleration we programmed, it won't be long before she completes her cycle. My assistant already has instructions to disconnect her as soon as the time she requested is fulfilled."
Asuna nodded, relieved. But before she could say anything, Kazuto added:
[—"It's good to know... I haven't stopped thinking about her since we parted ways."]
As soon as he finished the sentence, he felt an intense gaze beside him. He barely turned his face and saw Asuna watching him with an eyebrow raised, her lips pursed in a silent judgment. Kazuto tensed immediately, as if something had stung him in the back.
[—"Ah... well... I was just asking about..."]
He stammered, averting his gaze.
Higa let out a brief exhalation, a kind of elegant laugh, barely audible.
—"Don't get jealous, Mrs. Kirigaya. You are his wife, not Alice."
Asuna blushed a little, crossing her arms with a small pout.
[—"That's true..." ]
She murmured, before smiling more sincerely.
[—"I just wanted to tease him a bit. But I also worry about Alice. She's my friend."]
Her expression became more thoughtful, as if a memory had unexpectedly caught up with her. She lowered her gaze, and her smile faded slightly.
[—"..."]
Kazuto, noticing this, looked at her profile and also adopted a more serious expression, as if they shared the same thought without needing words.
Higa observed them in silence for a moment, then spoke in a more relaxed tone.
—"You shouldn't think so much. Everything will be fine. You are a strong marriage... and that helps more than you believe."
Both looked at him, grateful.
[—"Thank you, Higa-san."]
[—"Thank you for everything."]
Asuna and Kazuto said it almost in unison, one after the other.
—"But remember: you only have two more weeks of vacation. Not a day more... not a day less. And I will be inflexible about that."
Higa said, with a face that left no room for concessions.
[—"Understood... boss."]
Kazuto replied with a resigned smile.
[—"I promise. We will be there without fail..."]
Asuna added, her face a little more serious; she cared too much that Kazuto received his final treatment.
—"Then... see you soon. And enjoy more of your honeymoon, Kirigaya couple."
Higa concluded with a hint of mockery in his voice.
**CLICK—BEEP**
The video call disconnected from Kazuto and Asuna's side, who blushed simultaneously at the final comment.
The screen showed that the video call had ended.
—"..."
**Click-Tap**
Higa remained silent for a few seconds. Then he closed the laptop lid, causing a slight click.
**Fshhh... clicks**
His half-smile gradually faded, revealing a serene but visibly tired face. He calmly removed his glasses and set them on the desk.
**Hmmm... tap... tap...**
—"…How problematic…"
He murmured to himself, intertwining his fingers while his gaze remained fixed on the laptop screen.
—"…"
**Shhh... rub... sigh**
Silence filled the room again. Higa brought a hand to his forehead and slowly rubbed his brow, as if trying to dissipate an invisible pressure.
—"Sometimes acting is necessary to maintain appearances."
His gaze lost itself in the void. The expression on his face grew more serious, more contained. He thought about what he had done five years ago... and what he still could not do.
He had reached a new frontier.
A limitation.
For years, he had worked in silence, reconstructing what others barely understood. He extracted invaluable data from the remnants of the knowledge Kazuto had left in Underworld.
That catapulted him to worldwide recognition. But deep down, he knew that not everything was his own. Analyzing the legacy of someone who was no longer there to explain their decisions was like assembling a puzzle with missing pieces. He could only interpret what he understood... and leave the rest for later.
(—"Kirigaya... left a kind of corruption in the forcibly extracted data...")
He thought with regret and contained rage. By the time he realized it, it was already too late. He tried to transfer the data, clean the corruption, isolate it... but it was all in vain.
More than 250 years of knowledge were lost in a matter of days. Only the little he managed to understand remained. And still, that fragment was enough to turn him into an authority.
**Creeeak... hummm... sigh**
Higa slowly turned in his chair and contemplated the one-way glass overlooking the ocean. The landscape was still there, unchanging, as he reviewed the years that had passed.
(—"The copy that took his place... doesn't even come close.")
The Kazuto who now worked for him was, without a doubt, as intelligent as the original before entering Underworld. And that played in his favor: his friends, family, and lover didn't notice anything amiss, except for some occasional memory lapses.
They accepted this Kirigaya Kazuto.
But there were also consequences.
With knowledge limited to what the true Kazuto knew over 250 years ago, this copy could not create or innovate beyond what had already been revolutionized. It lacked the experience, the evolution that the original had achieved after virtual decades in Underworld.
—"They say you can't have it all in this life..."
**Huff... click... step... thud**
Higa murmured, shaking his head as he rose from the chair. He approached the glass and placed a hand on it.
Thanks to the sacrifice of the true Kirigaya Kazuto, he had made extraordinary advances: in Fluctlight technology, in artificial free will, in robotics...
But the cost was high.
He had to destroy it. Because it became a threat.
(—"How many more things would a Kazuto like that have achieved...?")
**Tsk... sigh...**
He brought his left hand to his brow and forced a bitter smile. He mocked himself for even thinking about it.
And yet, he couldn't help but say quietly:
—"This is what people call 'killing the golden goose'..."
Now, progress had stagnated.
For something he couldn't even replicate.
His expression hardened.
International pressures. Veiled threats. Constant demands to reproduce the "Japanese miracle."
Everyone wanted the same thing: to break the taboo.
Everyone wanted their own version of Alice.
And none had succeeded.
**Crrrrr... splash...**
The ocean stretched to the horizon, serene and impenetrable.
Over the years, he had returned to Underworld multiple times. He had the power, the access, the authority. He reviewed every corner, every bit, every record of the final destruction.
He found nothing.
Not a single hint that Kirito had survived.
Not a sign of activity.
Not an anomaly.
The peace Kirito had left in Underworld was real.
He had stabilized the system.
He had sealed the conflicts.
He had left a mark that still resonated in the deepest layers of the code.
But he also left sequels.
Unexpected changes.
And a gift that Higa never anticipated: an alteration in the very structure of Underworld.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
He was not a man who believed in myths.
But he knew how to recognize when something was beyond his control.
He returned to his desk, sat down slowly, and exhaled deeply.
His face relaxed... but his mind did not.
—"The future will come... and this time, I will move at my own pace. Not at others'..."
**Bzzzt!... Bzzzt!... Bzzzt!**
At that moment, just as he finished speaking, a brief buzzing interrupted the silence.
Higa lowered his gaze to the device on the desk. The screen displayed a number he knew well: one reserved exclusively for system emergencies. He frowned.
**Tap**
He answered immediately.
[—"Higa?"]
The male voice on the other end sounded agitated, almost trembling, but spoke in a whisper, as if fearing someone else might hear him.
[—"Director… the security… has been compromised."]
—"Speak clearly!"
Higa commanded, his body tense.
[—"It seems there were infiltrators. And… and a theft has occurred."]
Higa froze. His expression hardened instantly.
—"…!"
He said nothing.
He only listened to something he did not want to hear.
[—"Wait! Wait! I didn't see anything!..."]
[¡BAM!]
["¡Aaaah…!"]
**Deeeeeeed- Deeeeeeed**
On the other end, it appeared the agent had been discovered by those involved.
And then, the line cut off abruptly.
*****
[TWO HOURS EARLIER…]
[Ocean Turtle Security Room]
[4:00 A.M]
The room was illuminated by the steady glow of more than a dozen monitors. Each screen displayed a different angle of the complex —hallways, laboratories, restricted access, loading zones— and the images updated periodically under the operators' supervision.
There were 5 armed guards occupying their respective posts, alert, each wearing a black cap adorned with the Ocean Turtle emblem stitched on the front. The atmosphere was calm. Since the incident years ago —when Gabriel Miller and his team broke into Underworld— security had been reinforced to the maximum. Nobody wanted to relive that nightmare.
**Beep… swoosh… clack**
The only access door opened with a slight mechanical hum. Its security system was strict: it could only be activated from the outside with a high-level authorization card, preventing any attempts to open it from the inside.
—"I'm back with something to cheer you up at this hour!"
Said a young, familiar voice.
It was Toma Nishikawa, one of the youngest members of the security team, of Japanese descent. He was about 26 or 27 years old, with slightly wavy black hair, almost dark brown under certain lights. His uniform fit him a bit loosely, but it didn't completely hide the discreet musculature that revealed years of constant training.
Although his rank was the same as the others, he usually took on minor tasks when not on active duty, something he did without complaint. His face, with soft features and a kind gaze, conveyed a mix of humility and determination that made him easy to like… although at first, not everyone trusted him.
This time, he entered with a tray in hand, loaded with several thermal cups filled with coffee, and a bulging paper bag full of snacks to choose from.
—"I know it's hard to stay awake at this hour, so… take, choose whatever you like."
**Fshhh—clink… tap-tap**
Toma said with a calm smile as he set the tray and bag on the central table in the room.
The others looked at him with a mix of surprise and resignation.
—"Again with this, Toma?"
Grunted Sakamoto, the oldest in the group, without taking his eyes off the monitor.
—"We already told you that you're not our assistant. You don't have to do these things every time you have a free moment."
**Rrrtt**
Toma smiled humbly and scratched the back of his neck, a gesture that had become characteristic of him.
—"I know… but it doesn't cost me anything. After all, we're colleagues. And after so many years together… well, it's the little gestures that count."
—"Let it go, Sakamoto…"
**Tss**
Kobayashi intervened, taking his coffee with milk without looking.
—"This kid has been with us for over four years and has never failed in his work. Just get your own coffee… don't think I'm going to bring it to you."
Sakamoto sighed, resigned, and just as he was about to stand up, Toma was already by his side, offering him the cup.
—"Thanks…"
—"Ha… Toma, you shouldn't spoil the veteran so much. If it were me, I'd make him walk."
Kobayashi teased with a half-smile, shaking his head. But his words were just part of the game: everyone was used to that kind of interaction.
—"Yeah, yeah…"
Fujita nodded while taking his double espresso without sugar.
—"The kid spoils you too much, Sakamoto…"
—"And who are you to say that? Or is your case not the same?"
**Sss**
Sakamoto said with feigned annoyance, just before bringing the hot espresso cup to his lips.
As if to agree with him, Toma began to distribute the remaining coffees with ease:
—"Nakano, yours with almond milk, right?"
—"That's the one! Thanks, Toma."
—"And for you, Inoue, one with caramel…"
—"Hey, Toma!"
Inoue protested with laughter, unwrapping one of the snacks.
—"You're not helping us refute this old rogue!"
—"It's true… you're practically siding with him."
Nakano added, just to annoy Toma further.
—"No, no! I just want to help… it's not that…"
Toma became somewhat nervous, shaking his head while flashing an awkward smile.
—"Just leave him alone, guys."
Sakamoto grunted with feigned desperation.
—"And stop calling me a rogue. Look at yourselves in the mirror! Don't think you're as young as Toma…"
—"There he goes again, as if he were Toma's personal lawyer…"
Kobayashi commented, chuckling quietly.
—"What did you expect, Kobayashi? Toma is clearly his favorite, even if he doesn't admit it."
Inoue said with some indifference, but with a tone that made it clear he just wanted to add fuel to the fire.
—"Oh, come on, boss."
Fujita intervened, exaggerating his tone with friendliness.
—"I want you to treat me that way too…"
—"Go to hell, all of you!"
Sakamoto frowned, pretending to be annoyed as he raised a hand as if to hit them for their antics.
This provoked a general laugh, including Toma, who could not help but laugh along with the others.
**Hmm… swiv**
With a half-smile, Sakamoto slowly turned around and murmured:
—"Finish your drink and snack quickly… we have to get back to work."
**Shhhhhk-Shhhhhk**
As everyone began to eat and drink a little faster after the suggestion, Kobayashi nudged Toma with a mischievous smile.
—"Come on, tell us… how are things going with the charming and sexy doctor Shizuki?"
Toma blushed instantly, lowering his gaze.
—"W-well… everything is going very well…"
Laughter erupted again, even Sakamoto, who did not turn around, let out a deep laugh while listening from his post.
—"You're quite the Romeo!"
Nakano exclaimed amidst laughter, giving him a hearty slap on the back.
—"I don't know how you won her over, really, Toma."
Fujita added, shaking his head.
—"For years, no one could get close to her… and you, being the rookie, ended up winning her over little by little."
—"Yeah, and now she's his girlfriend."
Nakano said with a teasing smile.
—"Although I must say… you're way too overprotective, huh?"
—"Yes, he is!"
Inoue chimed in, raising his cup in a toast.
**fwump… sigh**
Toma could only laugh, embarrassed, with flushed cheeks, as he sank into a corner of the room.
For a moment, everything seemed calm.
A daily scene among colleagues who, after years together, had learned to find refuge in those little moments of shared routine.
Minutes passed peacefully in the security room. It was then that Nakano, with a mischievous smile, pointed to one of the screens.
—"Look, Toma… speaking of queens, there's yours."
Everyone turned their gaze to monitor number 7.
[**click-clack... click-clack**]
In the image, walking quickly but somewhat clumsily, appeared a young woman.
It was Doctor Aya Shizuki, crossing the hallway that connected directly to the physical access room to the Lightcube Cluster, the core where Underworld resided. Although it was a high-security area, her authorization level allowed her unrestricted access: her job was to verify the status of the systems, conduct routine diagnostics, and ensure everything was functioning correctly.
That early morning, like so many others, she carried a stack of folders under her arm, a data tablet, and a small case with analysis tools.
[Swish-swish… click-clack]
Her white coat fluttered with each step, revealing a dark fabric skirt that fell just above her knees, paired with black tights that accentuated the firmness of her legs. Her figure was athletic but still feminine: marked curves, balanced proportions, and a posture that combined confidence with a distracted air.
Her face, with delicate features, bore a serene beauty. Almond-shaped eyes, slightly slanted, with a focused yet gentle gaze. Her dark hair fell to her shoulders, with two red-dyed strands framing her face, giving her a youthful touch that contrasted with her concentrated expression.
[**Step-step… beep… click**]
Upon reaching one of the maintenance stations —a secondary terminal connected directly to the Underworld system— she bent down to check a reading on the lower panel.
[**Tap… fwip… vmmm**]
As she did so, she placed the tablet on the surface and began connecting sensors, deploying a holographic interface with precise movements.
[**Tic-tic-tic… swipe… bzzt**]
Her fingers moved swiftly, executing commands, reviewing data, comparing readings.
[**Hum… whir… ding**]
It was part of her daily routine at that hour: a complete system scan before dawn.
Just then, her internal earpiece emitted a soft **tick-tock**, a coded sound that only she could hear.
[**Thump— clank**]
Continuing on with her head down, distracted by the recent system test, she passed by a workstation and tripped over the edge of a misaligned chair.
[—"Kyaa!"]
She exclaimed, falling to her knees with a dull thud.
[**Fwish— scatss— tap-tap-tap**]
The documents scattered across the floor.
**Whirr**
The security camera, fixed on its angle, captured the exact moment her body fell forward, right in front of the console.
Her position completely blocked visibility of the act from the camera, and the fallen chair helped cover the scene even more.
Leaving her backside in the foreground —accentuated, but covered— right in front of the lens.
—"Ooooh! Jackpot!"
Inoue exclaimed, bursting into laughter.
—"What a view!"
Fujita added, amidst laughter.
**Fwump… grumble…**
Toma immediately got up, visibly uncomfortable.
—"Hey, you shouldn't be watching that! She's my girlfriend!"
**Step-step**
Walking toward the control panel and firmly placing himself between his companions and the image.
**Clank— click— vwrrp**
He took one of the levers and redirected the camera to a more neutral angle, now focusing on an empty wall.
—"Well, well!"
Kobayashi laughed.
—"Look at him! Super protective, as always."
—"It's true..."
Nakano added, raising his hands in a peace sign.
—"Calm down, Toma. We were just admiring the scenery…"
—"Yeah, yeah, nothing but the scenery, heh, heh."
Inoue repeated, laughing.
Toma blushed to his ears.
—"You shouldn't… it doesn't matter that… Don't you all have wives?"
—"I do…"
Nakano replied, shrugging.
"But who stops you from looking at the scenery every now and then? It's not a sin, is it?"
**Rsss-tss**
Toma sighed, bringing a hand to his left earlobe. He rubbed it gently, as if calming the heat rising in his face. The gesture was subtle, almost imperceptible… but it was not casual.
A faint tick-tock, barely audible, activated with that touch.
A code.
A signal.
No one noticed.
*****
[Physical Access Room to the Lightcube Cluster]
**Tck… tck… tck…**
Doctor Aya Shizuki, still bent over picking up the papers that had fallen moments before, maintained her composure. Her face, which not long ago showed a mix of clumsiness and sweetness, suddenly turned serious upon hearing the faint tick-tock in her hidden internal earpiece.
A clear message:
**Shff… tap…**
Without looking around, she naturally straightened up and approached one of the network stations. Pretending to reorganize the documents in her arms, she discreetly slid her coat sleeve. Beneath it, she wore a classic, elegant designer watch… but with a hidden function.
**Click… chk—whirr…**
She pressed a side.
A small compartment opened, revealing a retractable device, similar to a USB, the size of a fingernail. As it unfolded, it took on a curved, metallic shape, designed to fit precisely.
**Clink… bzzt…**
With a fluid movement, she connected it to the side port of the console.
A blink.
Transfer initiated.
**Poom… vmmm…**
The device lit up with a faint blue pulse.
Inside it, a micro-AI activated instantly.
**Trrrk… zzzzt…**
It needed less than a minute —between 40 and 50 seconds— to scan the system, identify, and extract all information related to Fluctlight, ignoring any other irrelevant data.
*****
[Underworld]
[Ruins of the underground laboratory — Collapsed core]
**Shhhhhh…**
Darkness reigned among the debris.
Everything was silent.
Dead for many years.
A thick blackness covered everything, like a wolf's mouth devouring even the memory of light.
Until…
**Tck… tck… tck…**
**Rrrrmmble… crick… crick…**
A subtle vibration coursed through the cracked ground.
The accumulated dust fell in strands from the ceiling cracks.
And amidst the remains, a tiny figure, motionless like a forgotten statue, began to tremble.
**Pik… pik… vrrrm…**
One of the golem spiders.
Its previously dim eyes blinked with a faint red flash. Then blue. Then… teal.
That same chromatic pulse spread across its body, tinting its surface with increasing intensity.
The damaged parts —corroded joints, inactive sensors— began to repair quickly, as if time reversed over its structure.
In the darkness, its glowing silhouette was impossible to ignore.
**Zzzzt…**
A stronger pulse coursed through its body.
**Krrrnk… shhh—crack… fssshhh**
The layer of stone covering it slowly cracked, releasing beams of light from its core.
It was the same intense hue, almost liquid, that radiated from the seed of will Kirito had left behind years ago.
**Fshhh… clack… clack…**
Its legs moved clumsily at first, as if waking from an eternal slumber.
In its pupils, tiny but bright, chains of zeros and ones began to dance.
It was reading.
Analyzing every particle, every residual signal, every fluctuation in the environment.
And beyond the visible…
It understood what had awakened it.
**Tck… tck… tck…**
And it was not alone.
Around it, other figures began to move.
One by one, more golem spiders emerged from the debris, shaking off the dust, activating their cores.
Their eyes also lit up, repeating the same pattern: red… blue… teal.
There were hundreds.
Restored after the damage Higa had caused them long ago.
And now, synchronized.
**Whummm… shnk…**
They aligned in a circle with precision.
They raised their bodies, illuminated like stars of a greenish blue, pointing their sensors towards the digital sky.
An invisible net wove between them, pulsing with a unique energy.
**Fzzzzm…**
And then they saw it.
A network of data lines —like strands of liquid light— crossed the virtual sky.
A flow of information was being extracted, not only from there but from all of Underworld.
It was a massive, selective drain, perfectly aligned with a final purpose.
For them, it manifested as a channel of zeros and ones extending outward, like a digital artery pulsating toward an unknown destination.
**Vmmm…**
The bodies of the spiders began to concentrate their glow.
**Vrrrmmm… tik… tik… shhhhhh**
From their mouths —fed by their cores— emerged teal particles, one by one, like scattered fragments of a puzzle.
Each spider delivered multiple fractions of that light.
A memory.
A code.
An echo.
A fragmented Fluctlight.
**Tink… tink… tink…**
The particles floated toward the center of the circle, where they began to form a suspended sphere.
They did not touch.
They did not merge.
But they were complete.
Complete in essence.
Each fragment knew exactly where it belonged.
Each part recognized its place.
**Fshhh—Zzzzt—Tck**
And then, just before the last particle stabilized… the extraction began.
The particles, one by one, began to fade away.
They seemed to extinguish like residual flames.
But they did not disappear.
They were absorbed.
Their light was sucked into the same data channel that drained Underworld, recognizing them as part of its programmed selection.
**Vrrrm… hum…**
The spiders saw it.
And they did not stop it.
On the contrary.
They enhanced the process.
Their bodies vibrated.
Their cores shone more intensely, channeling all their remaining energy to boost the transfer.
They knew what was happening.
And they accepted it.
**Pshhh… pshhh…**
One by one, the particles disappeared.
And with the last spark absorbed by the channel…
**Clack… clack… clack…**
The spiders began to collapse.
Their bodies, now tinged with a dull gray, completely powered down.
The light extinguished with the last particle.
**Crk… crk… shrrrk… fsssshh…**
And then, slowly, they began to crumble, piece by piece, disintegrating as if they had given their last breath.
**Shhhhhh…**
They had fulfilled their purpose with total fidelity.
The last task of their creator.
And thus, amidst the debris of the destroyed laboratory, the last guardians of a legacy turned to dust…
While the data channel continued its course, carrying with it something more than information.