Monoliths: Part-16 (Heavy Heart)
Eve climbed the stairs of the towers, heading back to the Soul Drifter.
Without her exo-suit, the entire Maze had been oxygenated.
The Primethian had revealed a truth about her existence she couldn't have anticipated. Her heart was heavy with sadness and grief. She just wanted to get back to her friends.
On the stairs, Carlista appeared.
Eve looked at her and smiled, "Hey, sweety, I didn't know you could come out here?"
"Neither did I. My master allowed me to come say goodbye to you. Will we meet again?"
Eve's heart sank. What could she tell her own childish reflection?
"We will. I promise. I will break you out. I will." Eve said with determination. The image of the virtuality's demon, Vestos, came to her mind, and her fury to destroy him was reawakened.
"Eve, you already did." Carlista smiled, not knowing the story that Eve now knew.
Eve hugged Carlista and they parted. She waved at her as the hologram vanished.
Eve thought about Carlista as she climbed the stairs. All that wrath, trapped in eternalness. All that screaming and rage, where would it go?
Eve was ageless, but at least universal cycles would wash away the memories of her past self. Carlista, a projection of the Monobeacon itself, its creation, who would wash her memories away, all that burden?
She reached the top and could already see her ship a few blocks away.
***
"Guys, she's here!" Zara said as everyone scrambled.
Vayne and Jax ran to the pilot's cabin. "My God, she made it!"
Jax: "She's not wearing her exo. Did she evolve again?"
Kinze: "She doesn't seem to have a comm. Hannah!"
Hannah: "Cesnas! Escort the Commander. Don't wait for me."
Hannah headed towards the side door.
Cesnas jetted their way to her and carried her back to the ship. At the ramp, they all waited for her.
Axel: "Oxygen at 30%, carbon 0.003%."
They took off their helms.
Elara and Anya sensed Eve was emotionally elevated, but she was smiling at everyone.
Anya: "Alright guys, let her rest. We'll talk later." She took Eve to the sleeping quarters, helping her lie down on the bed.
Eve: "I just need to rest."
Zara: "Rest, queeny, we are all doing just fine."
Eve closed her eyes.