Part 70: Cloche's Soulspace, Level 8

How can this place possibly even exist still, much less be approaching a resolution?

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This part is set in the depths of the Infel Pira itself now.



I see... It's continuing onto the other I.P.D. Reyvateils...
Anyway, seems like we have all been separated...
I'm worried about Alice too... I need to hurry and find them.

Wasn't worried about me. Which sucks for him, because that was who he found first. And man is he a jerk.





Don't ask me.
Then... Today, as a special treat, I guess I'll tell you one thing about me. Ask me something I'll enjoy answering.
That's a weirdly complicated request... Well then, I'll take the offer, and I'll ask the on thing I was curious about.
What do you think of Lady Cloche?
...Huh!? Wh-what's that about out of nowhere?
Well... You scolded me on the last level and after all, you still support me, so I thought you might actually like-...
Don't you think you're being a little too big headed there? Why would I like you at all!
Huh? I didn't say anything like that.
...!!
Y-you! No leading questions!!
Leading questions...!? I didn't mean to say that kind of stuff though...
It's because you were conceited enough to say stuff like "you actually like..." and so I stopped you there!
I mean, on an overall level, it's most convincing to think that the rest of that line is, "You actually like me."
You knew I like researching stuff like this, so you knew I would take and answer from the general consensus, didn't you!
H-how would I know that!

Damn him!



And from a general view, you're in the kind personality group, and you tend to be seen as handsome, I admit!
But that has nothing to do with my feelings and this is a topic that has nothing to do with me anyway!
U-uh... Well, it's gone a completely different direction from my question.

Let's move on to Cloche's trauma instead of mine.





The scary part is that she actually dresses like this in real life, it's not just in crazy brain land.



Lady Cloche! What in the hell is going on!?
I'm... I'm being used for an experiment... They're going to test on me, and kill me in the end...
That... that's not good... I'll help right now!
Dammit... it won't move at all...
H, hurry up...! The researchers are coming...!
What are you doing there!
No... they found you!
...Laude!
Yes, that's correct. I'm Dr. Laude.
What are you trying to do to Lady Cloche!
Hmph, I'm not going to share my research with a stranger like you.
I will not let you hurt Lady Cloche!
Yaah!
Woaahhhh!

What is it with her and angels? It's strange.



Why... the magic...
It's a magic acquired by our master.
There, Cloche. Come to the lab.
No... no! Don't take me...!
Here! Come!
Noooooo! Croix!
...Gah... Dammit...
Quasarical: Looks like you won't be able to move for a while...
Gh...!
...! Lady Cloche!?
She's gone... She got taken to the lab...
I need to hurry!

If he's going to rush into this he's in deep trouble.



Yeah, I have to hurry... Lady Cloche will be used as a guinea pig...
I see... Well, good luck with that. I can't help you.
By the way, you're starting to look like a real knight.
...R, really...?
Yup. "Fly by Knight"... Just kidding!
...
What!?
Anyway, I better get going.
H, hey! At least give me some reaction to what I said!
I don't have any time for that!
I thought it was pretty good! You better watch out, next time I'm going to make you laugh!
Just be quiet and try harder next time...

NO FUN AT ALL. It seems he decided not to just charge in spear-guns blazing for once.





No, I'm here to save Lady Cloche.
Lady Cloche...? Who...?
Oh... umm, Miss Leyka...
Leyka? You know her!? Please! Help her! She's in the lab right now and...
I know. I'm... here to help Miss Leyka...
Please, help her out...
She contracted I.P.D. when she was so little as 3 years old.
That abnormal trait has attracted this attention... and...
...
Why... why did it have to be Leyka...
Don't worry, Miss Reisha. I will save Miss Leyka.
...Thank you. Please, I'm counting on you...

It was probably a good thing too.





Who indeed? Who indeed Croix?



Whoa! You scared me!
Hehe! Let's play big man!
...You are... Luca?
Hmm? How do you know my name?
That's because... I heard it from Lady Cloche...
Lady Cloche? Who's that? I don't know her!
Okay... Well, would you know... Leyka...?
Leyka!? You know little Leyka! Hey, where is she!?
...
Tell me! Our memories are cut up in pieces!
We have forgotten about each other, so tell me big man.
...
Miss Leyka is in... the hospital. She's about to be experimented on for a horrible research.
No... Little Leyka...
...
Hey, big man, go help little Leyka!
...What?
I want to go help her, but I can't see her now.
Little Leyka can't see me either...

Isn't this so cute? I could almost vomit. You know, if I wasn't a disembodied angry ghost person.



Okay... I'll do what I can. Just forgive me if I can't... I'll do my best to help you.
Hehe, thank you! I'm glad you're going to help me.
...Oh yeah! You can have this!
What...? An "Eset Button"...?
System Message: Magic [Zero Switch: Lv 2] "Eset Button" acquired!
I'm not supposed to tell you this... but apparently, you need a "Reset Button" to see little Leyka.
I looked for it everywhere, but I couldn't find it...
So, I made one up! What do you think? Pretty good, huh?
Well... It says... "Eset Button" here...
What? Eset...?
Ahhhh! The letter "R" fell off! Where did it go...
...I guess she's already clumsy then...
Well, sorry, but it should be fine! It's missing a letter, but it should work just the same!
...I guess she's already careless then too...
Hm? Did you say something?
Oh, no, thank you. I'm sure I can save Miss Leyka with this.
Yep! I'm looking forward to it!

Armed with seemingly useless misspelled junk our hero braves the mysterious lab and the wrath of its mysterious master whose identity is a total mystery. Or something.





Quasarical: You are Mr. Croix...
...You won't let me interrupt the lab, huh?
Quasarical: I came to get you. Come with me to our master.
...Master...?



Alright, I'll come.
This place is...?
Welcome to our laboratory!
Laude...! What did you do with Lady Cloche!
Croix!
Lady Cloche!
Croix! Help...! Croix!
Laude! Let her go!
I'm not going to let her go just because you told me to.
Quasarical: Master is here.
...!
...Croix.
Alice! So it was you!
Let Lady Cloche go! Why is this happening!?
Croix is... Cloche's friend...?
...What!?
You're Alice's friend... right...?
...

This is getting pretty dangerous, kid. Not that I care, this is about to get GOOD.



Or... are you a liar?
N, no... I'm your friend.
Good. I have a favor to ask.
...What...
I want you to give me back that "Reset Button" that I gave to you...
I remembered why I needed it... I need it back... It's really important to me.
W, what...
Please, give me the Reset Button.

Think Croix, think.



...Oh... I can give her the "Eset Button" instead...
...Give it to me...
Oh, yeah, sorry. Here...
System Message: Handed over the "Eset Button".
...Thank you. I got my "Reset Button"...
N, no... Go away...
I finally got it... back. We can be one... again...
No... no, no... Noooooooo...
It's not fair... You gave all the bad memories to Alice... Alice lived all her life with only bad memories.
I... I'm sorry... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'm... sorry...
I didn't want to remember it... I wanted to keep forgetting it...
...You can't, because... it's our own memory... You can't erase it completely...
That's why you threw me away, right...?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'm sorry...
You don't need to apologize... We're just going back to one. We're just going back to how we were.
This "Reset Button" will let us be as one. I'm so glad...
Nooooo! Help! Croix, help me! I don't want to do this!
Alice... Tell me one thing. What was that "Reset Button" for?
...Um...

Yes, do tell!



To what she... really is...
Alice is Cloche's childhood memory that Cloche threw away.
The memory from when she was being tested in the I.P.D. Labs... A wound that will never heal...
She purposely cut off that memory and completely let it go...
That's me... Alice...
...How...
A memory that she wanted to erase... but it's not easy to erase something that she's experienced...
That's why I was created.
I've lived all my life being rejected by Cloche and this world itself.
I've lived all my life in this cold, hurtful, lonely world...
The only way for me to return to Cloche is to use this button to reboot her personality.
...I see...
Alice was always alone, and that hurt me more... Cloche kept hurting me...
Now... everything will be fine... Everything including that pain will all be Cloche's...
...

This is bad, she's likely to collapse...



...Agh... Ahh...ah ...Gah...!
All the forgotten wounds, and the brand new wound...
Cloche... let's become one...
...
......
...What...?
...
I can't...
Now! Haaahhh!
Gaaahhh!
Lady Cloche! Let's run!
Oh... ok!
You! I won't let you!
Quasarical: I will begin the attack.
No you're not!
Gahhahhh!
Lady Cloche, hurry!
Y, you!
...

Man, he really laid one on that Laude guy.



Yes... but...
We will get caught anytime as long as we're in this world...
...

Croix decided to live up to his promise earlier.





Lady Cloche... You didn't know about this?
No...
...Little...Leyka...?
...What!?
Little Leyka! You're back!
N, no... My name is not Leyka...
Yaay! Yaay! Thank you big man! You really did save her!
Yeah, that "Eset Button" you gave to me helped us out, thank you.
Hehe... good!
Um, uh...
What's wrong?
What is it, little Leyka?
Who... is this girl?
...What?
...Little Leyka...? What... what do you mean? I'm Luca! Your big sister!
My...!? Big sister...?

This is the big problem with throwing away your childhood memories.



Leyka! You're alright! ...I'm so glad... I'm so glad...
...Y, yes...
I'm so sorry... I couldn't do anything as your mother to help you. When you were being taken away... and even after.
Please, forgive me... *sob *
I, I'm sorry... but I...
I don't know... who are you...
...What?
I'm sorry... I can't remember who you, or that girl are...
...
...Little... Leyka...
...
That's...
...That's alright, Leyka! You just forgot everything they put you through.
I'm sure you will remember some day! So don't look so sad!
...
That's right! Do you want to have dinner with us? I made some hot soup.

This is getting kind of sad.



Thank you...
It's been so long since last time we ate together!
You're right! Anyway, where is he... He's late tonight.
Well, let's eat before it gets cold. We're having Leyka's favorite Kururuku ball soup.
Little Leyka! Little Leyka! Look how many Kururuku balls are in the soup!
...Kururuku ball...
Look, it's your favorite, so eat up before it gets cold.
Okay... thank you...
Eat as much as you can. I put more Kururuku seeds than usual. ...How is it? Is it good?
...This is really good...! I've never had a soup like this...
Hehehe! You're acting like you've never had it before. I wonder if you've forgotten about the soup too.
I'm so happy. Watching Leyka eat... is making me cry...
Little Leyka! You can have some of mine! It's a present for you!
Luca! Just because you don't like it, you can't give it to her! You need to eat it too!
Hmmm... I like it...!
Don't you lie. Kururuku is full of nutrition. You can't grow up if you don't eat it.
Leyka might out grow you someday!



...Hehe...
What is it, Leyka?
This is so heart warming...
And happy... and... *sob *
...Little Leyka?



You're back! Honey, honey! Leyka is... Leyka is back!
What did you say!?
*sob *
Leyka... you're alright...
...Y... yes...
You're... you're alright...! Great!
Th... thank you... and you are...
Hm? What's wrong, Leyka!? I'm your father, did you forget!? Hahaha!
Leyka's gone through so much that it seems she's forgotten about us.
I'm sure she will remember us if she keeps living here.
That's right! However she is, Leyka is Leyka. You haven't been home in a while, get some rest alright!
Okay... *sob *

Seriously, this is kind of depressing.



...Lady Cloche...
Why... why... can't I remember all this...
My memory of my family... it's so heartwarming and happy...
...
I... never had any memories of my family... I couldn't remember them... and I still can't.
Still, my family... they're so nice to me...
Is this just my wish!? My imagination...? Tell me...
Miss Leyka... As much as I know... this is the truth.
...What?
You were taken by the Grand Bell when you were 3 years old as an I.P.D.
Your name was Leyka and you had a family... Mrs. Reisha, Luca... and Mr. Batz.
They are not wealthy, but they get along and care about each other.
...
So... why did I forget about all this...?
Why did I forget about such a happy memory...
...

Come on, it's obvious.



...!?
She was saying that she is your childhood memory.
My childhood... memory...
The memory of your family could be part of the childhood memory that you cut off...
...
...Alice...
...
Do you think I could... accept Alice?
...What!?
The memories that I tried to forget... the ones I kept rejecting...
It saved me a lot of grief, but...
I lost a lot from it too...
...
...
Croix...
Let's go back to... the hospital...
...Lady Cloche!?

Hmm, will this turn out different if she chooses to do this?



The memories I cut off... it could be harder than I expect...
But denying that could mean that I'm denying myself...
...What? What do you mean...?
...I'm not sure. I don't know how to explain it either.
I just have a feeling that I will be missing out on something really important if I kept doing this.
...
Anyway, let's just head back.
Okay...

Is she really ready to do this?





Quasarical, I came to see your master. I need to see Alice.
Quasarical: Yes, my pleasure...
...
This place is so creepy...
Shush! You're breaking my concentration!
I'm sorry...
Quasarical: The master is here.
...!
Cloche...
*gasp *
Lady Cloche...!
Cloche... Alice is... sad. I'm in pain... I'm so cold and lonely... and I want to go back...
Go... go... go... away...
Alice want to... go back to... Cloche... I want to... go home...
No... no... no...



...Alice... want to... go home...
Luca...
*gasp * What...?
Reisha... Mommy...
...! You...
Batz... Daddy...
Alice... you're talking about your family...
I want to... eat with them... I want to hear Mommy's lullaby... I want to ride on Daddy's shoulders...
I want to go to bed... with my big sister...
......
...Ah...
......
...Ali...ce...
...?
Come here...
Come... over here...
Cloche...?

It seems she's ready to accept this burden. Or is she!? (bum bum bum)



...
...Cloche...
Cloche!
No!
...Cloche...
I can't... I can't do this... I'm so scared...!
The memories at the lab... Testing and getting drugged everyday... I didn't have any friends...
The other kids around me were taken and never came back...
I feared it was going to be my turn... I was afraid everyday...
I want to forget that... I want to pretend like it never happened!
......
...Little Leyka.
Luca...!?
Little Lekya! You can do it! Let's play again...
I miss you little Leyka. I want you to come home soon.
...Luca... I'm sorry... I cut you off too... I'm sorry...
Leyka... I'm right here with you... You can do it...!

Can she move forward?



You got it! If you got the spirit, everything will go fine.
Father...!
We will always be with you, so don't worry...
Go for it, Leyka!
Leyka is a very strong girl... You can do it... You're my daughter...
...Yes... I... I can accept this...
I will... accept Alice...
...Cloche...?
Alice... come... My memories... my other half...
...
Here... come...
Cloche...
Cloche!
Ugh... ...!

Looks like a good resolution.



I was... so lonely... I was all alone... I was so scared...
I'm so sorry, Alice... I'm sorry... my other half...
I'm sorry I put you through this...
...Good...
Cloche... I want to go back to you...
I want to go home...
Yes... of course... Come on back here...
...Really...? Are you sure!?
Yes, you are... you are me...
You and I are... one in two. Not accepting you means not accepting myself.
...
I'm here because of you. I was able to become the Maiden because of your work in the lab.
Thank you... Alice...
And... welcome home...
Waaaaaaaaah... *sob *
Alice is not unwanted... I wasn't unwanted by Cloche... I'm so happy...
Of course not...

Just one thing left to deal with...



...Yes.
...
...Please.
...I understand.
...
Lady Cloche...?
... ...
...... ...
...
...Little Leyka!
Leyka...
Leyka!
Luca... Father... Mother... I... remember now...
Little Leyka...
My childhood memories... The happy memories...
Thank you... father...
Thank you... mother...



...Leyka...
...
Hey... Croix...
Yes?
I...
I'm finally... back to who I am...
...
It was so long... I had been carrying the lost memories and the loneliness...
Thank you... Croix... for taking me here...
...I love you...

How the hell does he do these things?



Damn... you're... not normal, you know...!?
I can't believe you cleared this collapsing world that I couldn't even figure out...
I can't either...
I just... wish for Lady Cloche to be happy... that's it.
...
There, hurry and complete the Paradigm Shift.
Yeah.
System Message: Magic [Cute Drive: Lv 3A] "Quasarical" acquired!

Not that I'm complaining about getting to see this come to the end.





It's because you worked hard, Lady Cloche.
No, I was just going out of control.
I didn't know how to deal with or accept people. I didn't even know how to accept myself...
I can't believe that version of "me" is here... And talking with you.
...Honestly, I couldn't see it happening in the beginning either.
Hehehe! I'm sure...
...I didn't think I was going to let you see myself like this.
...Yes...
...
But now... I don't know why... but I'm happy to...
Show you this... you know?
H, hah... me too...
I'm happy too.
...Hehe.
Anyway, I'm going now. I'll see you in the next level.
Okay.



...?
Um...
You... will come back, right...?
Of course I will!
...Good.
...
......
...? What?
N, nothing!
...Yeah?
...How dare you flirt around like that in front of someone... ugh...
You were... watching!?
Sh, shut up! I just happened to pass by!
Ugh! Hurry and go to the next level already!



Time to see how this all ends.

Simulation Projection: Whiteris