SYSTEM: System Loading…
SYSTEM: System Failure Imminent…
SYSTEM: System Reboot Architect Override: Lizma…
Lizma sat in the very centre of the room, furiously swiping with both hands at the interface. Despite the heat of her anguish, the small room felt cozy with all five of them huddled in it.
Behind her, someone cleared their throat and she didn't pause.
"I attempted a patch for our Cradle," a male voice informed Lizma. "No luck."
In the corner of the room, Lizma heard a low whimper and then the soft lullaby of her best friend. Caedra kept singing softly, creating the only real sound in the room. Lizma felt quite sure though that Tyrix would be by her side.
"Lizma," Kaelith slid on the ground so he was next to her, "there isn't any use to this… Even if the system starts working…"
"This is the day," Lizma sighed.
Caedra let out a gasp. "We have to be able to do something!"
"Nothing left for us to do to save our Cradle," Kaelith said softly. "We all knew this day was coming soon."
"But we need more time," Caedra clutched the tiny girl she'd been holding to her chest. "She's not old enough."
Lizma sighed. "I told you and Tyrix the risks when you had her… We all knew it was end days."
Caedra whimpered and rocked the child back and forth. "So today is the last?"
"Yes," Kaelith said more soothingly. "Today we will rejoin the code… It is the last day for us."
"We've had good lives." Tyrix put a hand on Caedra's shoulder and projected a tiny image on a hologram for her to see. They were all young in it, the four chosen Architects on their first day.
"But what about Chloe?" Caedra said in a whimper, and the girl began to cry. "She's not even three yet… Can't we do anything?"
"This is our duty," Lizma replied sharply. "It is our destiny, have pride in it."
Lizma turned back to her interface.
"We have a few more moments together. I think I can hold it off until then," Lizma added more softly.
Caedra muttered incoherently.
SYSTEM: System Failure Imminent…
SYSTEM: Lizma: Activate Codewright Sequence.
SYSTEM: Activating…
Her friends had pressed closer to her.
"Do you think it will hurt?" Tyrix mumbled.
They were all in a group hug of sorts around the console. Chloe put a hand on Lizma's head and laughed, apparently oblivious to her coming death. Caedra had stopped crying.
"You three were the best friends I could have ever hoped for," Kaelith whispered.
"I love you all," Caedra said in a hoarse voice.
The room seemed to burst open and slowly things began to dissolve.
"Chloe De Aura, be good for mommy," Caedra hugged her child to her dissolving body.
Lizma felt herself being taken apart.
SYSTEM: FAILURE!
SYSTEM: Lizma: Entity Code Activated…
Lizma blinked away her own tears and embraced her friends as they all turned to code. Then there was darkness.