[Recollection Log No. 10: We Shall Not Fall to Endless Sorrows]
Archive Class: Unknown Field Notes – Audio Log – PROLOGUE TO THE END
Author: SHO-REN Knight Sartoria Location: Sector XVII – Unchartered Realm, 24 Cycles to INAMORATA
(THE STAGE IS SET. THE CURTAINS RISE. THE WORLD IS CLOAKED IN ENDLESS NIGHT.)
(THE MAIDEN ENTERS, STAGE LEFT. SHE BEARS THE SWORD, PEACEBRINGER.)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: My friend, how many cycles has it been?
THE SWORD: It has been 3,988 cycles, Dr. Sartoria. We should reach Sector XVII soon. INAMORATA.
THE FIRST MAIDEN: Not that long, friend. I wonder how my Brother Wolfwood has been. I’m sure he’s waiting for me. Home.
(THE MAIDEN SUDDENLY COLLAPSES ON THE GROUND, THE SWORD DROPS BESIDE HER)
THE SWORD: You should rest, Dr. Sartoria.
THE FIRST MAIDEN: There’s no rest for the hunted, friend.
(THE MAIDEN ATTEMPTS TO STAND, BUT FALLS BACK DOWN)
THE SWORD: Sartoria.
THE FIRST MAIDEN: What’s with that tone, my friend Pax? You’re concerned for once? That’s unlike you.
(THE MAIDEN LAUGHS)
THE SWORD: I implore you to rest. I can establish a re-link protocol. We can share the computational load temporarily.
THE FIRST MAIDEN: No need. Just lay with me. Tired.
(THE MAIDEN CARESSES THE SWORD GENTLY.)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: I have a question, Pax.
THE SWORD: …
THE FIRST MAIDEN: Why have you never addressed me as your ‘friend’?
(THE SWORD SHIFTS IN QUIET PROTEST, LIKE A CHILD EMBARASSED BY THEIR MOTHER’S AFFECTION.)
THE SWORD: You are my creator, Dr. Sartoria. There is simply no need for a redundant designation.
THE FIRST MAIDEN: It’s my fault for not teaching my son manners. Next time you meet someone, promise me that you will address them as your ‘friend’. We all need a friend in this world.
THE SWORD: Forgive me, Doctor. I do not understand the purpose.
THE FIRST MAIDEN: You do not understand the purpose of pleasantries?
THE SWORD: It is not that, Doctor. I will always be by your side, there is no need to consider anyone else in the equation.
(THE MAIDEN PAUSES FOR A MOMENT)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: Dear friend Pax, are you infatuated with me?
(THE SWORD’S EYE GLOWS SLIGHTLY REDDER, LIKE A MAIDEN BLUSHING)
THE SWORD: You are suffering an advanced stage of entropy derangement , Dr. Sartoria. Your words do not bear rationality.
(THE MAIDEN SMILES, AND PONDERS, LOST IN HER MEMORIES)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: Pax, do you remember the sunsets in Albireo?
THE SWORD: Dr. Sartoria, you know that no sun can shine in Albireo’s eternal winter. There is no resolution to your question.
THE FIRST MAIDEN: Then it must have been a dream, my friend? No, I’ve been there, in another life, perhaps.
(THE MAIDEN FALLS SILENT FOR A FEW MOMENTS.)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: If my theory is correct, you will serve as a Resonance Anchor to my memories. You can continue what I cannot.
(SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: Commence the EGO merger, Pax.
(NOW, THE SWORD FALLS SILENT)
THE SWORD: Doctor, are you certain? This action is irreversible.
(SHE GRASPS THE SWORD’S HILT TIGHTER, YET HER HANDS TREMBLE)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: The Entropy will come for us soon. The RECURRENCE is inevitable. The thousand nights await.
(THE MAIDEN CLOSES HER EYES.)
THE SWORD: Doctor, I do not want to be alone. (THE MAIDEN EMBRACES HER OLD FRIEND A FINAL TIME)
THE FIRST MAIDEN: Remember the name that I will leave behind, my beloved friend Pax, and you will never be alone.
(THE MAIDEN SHEDS BLACK TEARS. THE ONSET OF ENTROPY. 24 CYCLES REMAIN.)
//END LOG
