16 Chapter 3.1: The Untold Truth

Sometime after the agreement between Maria, Xiao and Josua on the plan to deal with Luther in the future, a bit before the sabotage operation where Sarah got rescued by them...

"You should make an 'avatar' of you." Xiao suddenly said.

The lad was in Josua's PQ, spending most of the time there seemingly dazing around. No one could tell what he was actually thinking or doing, unless he himself said it. And without any warning, he suddenly said that to Josua. At this time, Maria was out, while only Josua and Xiao were there.

"Gimme a reason. Shoot." Josua replied as he sighed and stood up to go to where Xiao was.

"It would be counter-productive to simply rely on your actual body every time you come here, you know? Besides..." Xiao began to explain as Josua sat down in front of him, on the opposite sofa in the living room.

"It would allow you to be anonymous to both those hidden factions from Earth and Luther too. I'd say that's a Win-Win in my book." He succinctly summarized his explanation.

Josua was silent for a few moments. This was actually something he had neglected. True, diving with his actual body via the PSO2 game was advantageous since he could do things that would otherwise be limited when using a game avatar, but he forgot one thing: he could still dive in, but instead of bringing his whole body in, he would be doing it like how Hitsugi did in the early parts of Episode 4.

Given his aether ability that was already higher than her, along with Xion's gift, it should be a no-brainer when it comes to something like that. But somehow, he neglected it! And Xiao was the one that reminded him of this thought!

"Totally forgot about that. I'll do that maybe a bit after this." He smacked his head and said.

"That being said..."

"Yep. You should use a different name for your avatar." Xiao nodded.

Unlike PSO2 in the previous reality, in this one, the graphics are pretty much real, as in, it's beyond what a normal game engine can hope to generate unless it advances another twenty years or so.

For example, the closest thing in the previous reality of a hyper-realistic game engine was either the CryEngine or the Frostbite 3 Engine. In this reality, these two exists as well, but it's pretty much outdone by PSO2's as said before. And to completely outdone the games made by those two engines, PSO2 runs on cloud. So... Yeah. Not requiring a beefy computer to run, and being free-to-play, it's pretty much a given that it took over a lot of the player base from other games.

That being said, the features of the game were similar enough to the previous reality to not cause him trouble in adapting. The only issue would probably be some features that weren't in the previous reality, like the area map being pretty much open-world. This was observable from the scenes in PSO2: The Animation, and somewhat inferred from Episode 4. But being in this reality in person, it's pretty much true.

The only limiting factor would probably be the inability to traverse some areas due to the lack of control method for the avatar to do so. Though, with the introduction of Photon Dash and Photon Glide into ARKS by the time Episode 3.5 (or PSO2: The Animation) comes, the devs of PSO2 on Earth in this reality would probably implement it after they learn of it from the trickles of reports on observations made by the ESC-A operatives that monitors ARKS.

"Hmm... Well then, I'll go back for now. Dunno if I can access this place tho, since I would be a different person in the eyes of the supposed system." Josua then points it out.

"Indeed, that would be an issue. I'll try to see what I can do, and you should try if you can access this place or not later." Xiao said.

Josua then logged out, got back to Earth, and went into the Character Creation menu to play the game like one would normally do. As he sat down on his chair, in front of his computer, he was pondering.

"Should I just... Let's try it." He thought for a moment before he hits the randomize button.

He wanted to test if it was actually possible to make a character that looks pretty much like him by hitting the randomize button. Basically, he wanted to test his cosmic luck, or to some, the cosmic joke of being the 'protagonist'.

CLICK!

The character's appearance displayed on the screen made his jaws dropped.

"Welp. The cosmic joke is a real thing." He mumbled.

It was indeed his real appearance. What a cosmic joke this is. He couldn't care less at this point. It works for him, so he didn't mind much. The only other issue wasn't still solved however.

"Well then... Let's dive into with this guy." He mumbled as he logged into the game with the character.

He also dived into the game, but with the intent of using the avatar instead of transporting his real body as well. After a few moments, he arrived at the Gate Lobby. Inside this avatar, which was generated by aether and pretty much indistinguishable to normal ARKS personnel body, he felt a bit refreshed. A bit, since he wasn't here 'personally', and also his looks were barely any different to his actual appearance.

He checked his stats, and yes, it's at level 1. As to what class he chose during Character Creation, he choose Hunter. As to what he plans for this avatar for the subclass later on, he plans to get the Ranger as his subclass. Or rather, it would be like this: he would get his Hunter to level 75, and then make it into a subclass, while using the Ranger as the main class.

"Yep, this should be good." He nodded at the thought of the plan.

He then opened his inventory and the such to check on his items. To his surprise, he could access the inventory of his real body. And then he went on to check if he could access the Personal Quarters. He went to the elevator to the right of Prin's counter, the operator who's responsible for handing out Extreme Passes and Collection Folders.

Not long after, he got his answer as he got into his PQ. Xiao, who saw him coming into the PQ, nodded in satisfaction, though he frowned when he saw Josua's appearance.

"I did tell you to make an avatar to make yourself more anonymous, no?" He asked.

"Well, I hit randomize and this is what I got." Josua shrugged.

"Oh well, at least we know you can access this place." Xiao sighed.

"And I get to access my inventory as well." Josua added.

"Well... How will you disguise yourself then?" Xiao then asked.

"You can pretty much change the appearance in my data files here with my disguise appearance before I joined ARKS, remember?" Josua suggested.

"I suppose. But that'll be later then." Xiao nodded in resignation.

.....

Meanwhile, at the same time on Naverius...

Sarah was working alongside Maria, whose task was to look after the hidden seal located on the north pole of the planet which, surrounded by the Ruins region that's located at the center of the Tundra region.

For those who got to this point somehow still not knowing anything, the Tundra region on Naverius is NOT natural. It's the result of the battle between ARKS and Dark Falz [Elder] in A.P 198, around forty years prior to the Oracle storyline (or the present time, A.P 238). Meanwhile, the Ruins region was the actual battlefield between ARKS and [Elder] at that time.

"Why are there more of these guys here?" She wondered as she puts down the operative she was shouldering inside a cave, alongside another four who were already laying on the ground.

Sarah, who's patrolling the outer perimeter of the Ruins region, bordering the Tundra region, was frowning. It's been some time since the start of her patrol, and she already found at least five ARKS operatives somehow wandering near the region. And they all have something in common: they were walking in a seeming daze.

She shook her head as she left them in the cave that was warmed with a bonfire. You'd think with her attire that's more like a lingerie (somehow) [1] would make her feel the cold.

"Oi, Stupid Maria. Found another straggler just now." She said after lifting her arms to her right ear and opened comms with Maria.

"Fifth one already? Odd..." The voice on the other end, Maria, mused.

"This is no joke, you know? Isn't this region supposed to be restricted?!" Sarah pouted.

The place was supposed to be restricted, yet she's encountering more and more ARKS operative for some time now.

"You tell me. Though I have an inkling of a feeling that this might be Luther's work, somehow..." Maria hypothesized.

"I don't think so." Sarah shook her head.

"Oh? Do tell." Maria's interest was piqued.

"When I found these guys, they seemed like they were... In a trance of some sorts." Sarah explained.

"Trance? Hmm..." Maria frowned when she heard that.

"So, you got any idea why they were like that?" Sarah then asked.

"I'm not sure, but I do have an idea." Maria sighed, basically declining to explain herself.

She felt that it might have something to do with the hidden area of the Ruins. But as to why those people were seemingly walking towards the place in a trance, she didn't know. No, perhaps she does, but she doesn't want to entertain THAT idea on why.

"Seems like you're not gonna say anything further." Sarah said, not probing further.

"Bingo! So don't ask!" Maria smirked.

"Fine. I'll radio you back later when I'm done. Gotta continue on with the patrol." Sarah sighed in resignation.

She could imagine Maria smirking over on the other end of the call. The thought of that irritates her.

"Okay. Don't trip, shorty brat." Maria chuckled before ending the call.

"I'M NOT A SHORTY!" Sarah shouted before she noticed that the call had already ended.

Her height had indeed increased since she was found by Maria and Josua, but compared to those two, she's still short. Currently, she's a bit taller than Xiao, who's still in his child avatar/projection.

She was fuming for a few moments, stomping the snowy ground a few times while her grey ponytail hair swishing through the air, before she lowered her hand and went on with her patrol.

.....

Maria, after ending the call, frowns as she gazes upon the monument within the hidden area.

"Is it possible..." She muttered.

Lying under the monument is Dark Falz [Elder]. That's right. Unlike what ARKS has been proclaiming all these forty years, in that they've defeated Dark Falz [Elder], they actually only managed to repel the Dark Falz long enough for him to be sealed.

You see, Dark Falz(s) in general are simply F-Factors (or rather dark-based photons) that were given form. They are practically immortal in a sense, unless their photons are purified. However, your typical ARKS operative would not be able to purify such a massive amount of F-Factors. That's why the ones that engaged Dark Falz(s) in battle are usually those with very powerful photon abilities.

And when it comes to the appearance of the Dark Falz(s)... Well... That's entirely dependent on the host they're possessing. Yep, they don't have an actual body per say. And typically, the host would be suppressed. Only a few rumors and rare hearsay states that the host would sometime come out and try to hold back the Dark Falz. However, even if the host is suppressed, the nature of the host would almost indefinitely influence the Dark Falz.

Why would I talk of this, you ask, when it's about Maria thinking of a certain idea? Well, I'm getting to that.

As part of the Council of Six, Maria would of course receive some reports about field operations from time to time, though most of them would go to Regius (and Luther as well). Every now and then, she comes across some reports stating that some operatives would be found dazing in the field for a while, or that they were somehow hostile to other operatives, or even worse, dying without knowing who was responsible.

"Is this also the work of the Death Squad...?" She pondered further.

The Death Squad was basically a secret ARKS operative squad that is not known much to the public. But to those in power, they're basically the lapdogs of Luther, or rather, anyone who pays them to take care of problems involving ARKS operatives. Though officially, they're more known for their work on dangerous operations.

"No. Perhaps..." She sighed when she reached a particular conclusion.

ARKS were supposedly immune to F-Factor infections, thanks to their photon abilities. However...

Is this true? Perhaps for those with stronger powers, but what of the average ones? Or those who continuously fight without taking time to flush out the accumulated F-Factors inside them? The reports that she came across, however, states that these operatives had been in numerous activities involving combat with Falspawns. And sometimes, reports of some of these operatives wounding up dead would come up to her desk.

And as to why these operatives that Sarah found during her patrol, based on her words just now, were gathering around the area...

She continues to gaze upon the monument after she reached the conclusion. She scrutinize the monument for some time before she shook her head. Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that they're all gathering near here.

Is it perhaps... A sign? That the sealed, slumbering [Elder] is awakening once more?

The last time ARKS had battled against [Elder], it was forty years ago, and it caused them MASSIVE amounts of casualties to even repel [Elder] and eventually seal him. ARKS was in such a bad state that someone like Luther could use it as a chance to grasp them within his hands and basically seize control of ARKS under the guise of rebuilding the organization, and eventually controlling them from the shadows.

Then what will happen if [Elder] was unleashed once more? The thought of it made Maria sigh in depression. Alma, the First Klariskrays, was already deceased. The same goes for the first Casra, AKA the original Casra. Only Regius and her that remains of the original Six. Even the current seat of the Fourth was still empty, and the Sixth had only just been filled a few years ago.

Would ARKS be able to face this crisis once more? That's the million dollar question.

With that in mind...

"Yep, seems like I gotta train Sarah harder. Sorry, Josua, but seems like I gotta take more of your share of time for her to train under me." Maria chuckled.

.....

Somewhere in the Tundra, Sarah who was patrolling, sneezed.

"Hachoo! Geh, probably the cold's getting to me." She sneezed.

She wiped off some snot from her nose. After that, she was beset by some inexplicable ominous feeling.

"What is this feeling? I'm not liking this one bit..." She shivered.

She continued on with her patrol across the Tundra, completely unaware of the hellish training that Maria will subject her to after they're finished for the day.

.....

AD 2025

Just a bit before the start of the events of Episode 1...

It has been a few years since the mall incident that took Hitsugi's parents from her, leaving her with only her brother. The girl was pretty much broken on the inside, and she was basically there just because she was there.

None of her friends noticed that, except for her brother, Enga. Her friends in school only thought of her as trying to be strong, but in reality she's just living just because she's alive. She was able to stay in school and basically have a 'normal' life thanks to her brother, whom unbeknownst to her, had already joined Earth Guide and received quite the salary to support the small family.

But even with that, her brother was still not paying attention to her due to his work that kept him busy, and coupled with the fact that he's also still in school, he's not exactly always available for her. She felt very lonely because of that.

When things seems to just won't change...

A notification popped up on her phone. This happened while she was at her home.

"What is this?" She pondered as she opened it.

The notification immediately connected her to an unknown number.

"Hello?" Hitsugi asked as she puts the phone on her ear.

"Hello, Yasaka Hitsugi." The voice on the other end greeted her, even mentioning her full name.

She was initially alarmed because of that. However...

"You need not be alarmed. I mean you no harm." That voice, that sweet, caring and loving voice, calmed the girl.

"Who... Are you?" She asked.

"I am known... As Mother." The voice, AKA Mother, finally introduced herself.

"Mother..." Hitsugi was silent for a moment.

"I know what had befallen you. When you're young, your parents perished in an incident, leaving you and your brother behind." Mother, who was sitting on her throne on the Moon, said.

"..." Hitsugi was tearing up on remembering that moment.

"No need to fret, young Hitsugi. I cannot replace your parents, but I can help you find meaning in your life again." Mother spoke with a soft voice.

"I... I..." Hitsugi was stuttering in her tears.

"Shush now. It's going to be alright." Mother was consoling her.

"UWAAAAHAHAHAHAHHHH!!!" Hitsugi cried, bawling her heart out.

She cried literally for several minutes, while Mother, on the other end of the call, softly sighed. Despite her ultimate goal, she does feel Hitsugi's pain. The pain of loneliness was something that no one should suffer, in her opinion.

"I shall give you a new purpose. Come and join me." Mother said, several minutes after Hitsugi finished her crying.

Not long after, the notification came in. It was an invite to an SNS (Social Network Service) group. The name of the group is Mother Corps.

This was the moment where Mother "rescued" Hitsugi and invited her to join Mother Corps. No existing records ever spoke on how this transpired, but from what had been told by Hitsugi herself and later Mother, this was the basic summary of what happened during that time.

And thus, Hitsugi accepted the invitation and joined Mother Corps, with a renewed purpose in life, given by Mother to her.

Note:

1. Image of Sarah's appearance for reference: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/phantasystar/images/f/f4/Pso2_sarah_ep1_bust.png/revision/latest?cb=20200716113300