Elegy from Another World

After finalizing the cooperation agreement with "Watchmen" and making initial contact with Ash, I felt it was necessary to hold a formal meeting so that the core members of the Draenor and Starships would have a clear understanding of these two special "allies"—especially Ash, the "upper-level narrator" with an extremely sensitive identity.

The meeting was held in the largest briefing room on the Dreil, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified from the start. When the blurry, constantly fading image of "The Watcher" appeared on the holographic projection in the center of the room, a mixture of awe and tension filled the air. I briefly introduced him—a last watcher struggling to survive on the data plane, guarding the memories of countless fallen comrades.

As I recounted his past filled with struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance, especially when he mentioned the names that vanished in the name of free will—Lily, Nightshade, Quicksand, Sky—the atmosphere in the meeting room subtly shifted. The initial tension gradually gave way to a profound respect. Many members, even the usually most carefree Zoimem, showed deep sympathy and acknowledgment in their eyes.

"A respectable warrior." Kawi's cold thoughts echoed in the room. This brief evaluation from his mouth was already the highest praise.

Edessis softly echoed, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "To stubbornly guard the fragments of memory amidst endless despair... that in itself is a remarkable feat."

Even Zoymem abandoned his usual casualness and solemnly nodded slightly to the ball of light and shadow, expressing the dragon race's respect for the indomitable soul.

Even Gloria, who had experienced betrayal and imprisonment, showed a sorrowful expression of empathy on the puppet's face.

However, when the communication screen switched to the cartoon avatar of Ahui, the temperature in the conference room seemed to drop to freezing point instantly. The respect from before vanished, replaced by anger, vigilance, and distrust that almost solidified into reality.

This shift in sentiment did not occur without reason. The fates of almost everyone present are inextricably linked to the intervention of the "upper-level narrative":

Edseysis, Zoymem, Yisen, Norrelljung, and Kawi—they were my companions in my original world, "characters" whose fates were predetermined in the narratives of the higher powers, their lives, deaths, loves, and hates beyond their control. If it weren't for my intervention and resistance, they would have remained mere pawns on a chessboard, manipulated until their deaths.

M-Tini Guquela, R-Mutter, Mia Reilly, and L-7C1F from the world of T-917 are all directly bound to the "creation" of the Upper Narrative. R-Mutter was originally an out-of-control virus created by the Upper Narrative, M-Tini Guquela was sent to seal its guardian program, and Mia Reilly and her team were sacrifices sent by Scranton to eliminate the virus. A disaster, whether unintentionally or intentionally caused by the Upper Narrative, completely changed the course of their world.

The world of Wishing Star, including Conger and G. Laura, suffered even more. The mess left by the upper narrative—Sgedi Sita—forced Conger to take the extreme "mediator" plan, which not only caused G. Jue Lian (mediator) to suffer, but also indirectly made me (Molly and I), Zoe Mem, and Sakzun passively bear the ethical burden of "mother".

It can be said that the phrase "upper-level narrative" means manipulation, suffering, and injustice to most people present.

(Lysya, I don't want to talk to him...) Even Jasmine inside me is showing strong resistance, after all, the upper narrative is the root cause of her personality disintegration.

The scene became extremely tense. Sakozun had to step forward, using her cool aura to suppress the restless Zoimem and several members from the T-917 world. If it weren't for "The Watcher" and me acting as mediators, repeatedly emphasizing the difference between Ash and the other upper-level narrators, and the help he provided, it's hard to say whether the angry crowd would have smashed the communication screen.

Faced with this overwhelming hostility, Ah Hui on the other side of the screen seemed somewhat at a loss, his cartoon avatar hanging low. Surprisingly, he did not show any anger at being offended, nor did he issue any threats like some superiors would.

"...I understand how you all feel." Ah Hui's voice was tinged with apology and a hint of helplessness. "The narrators who created you...the things they did, or rather, the things our entire system unintentionally caused...are indeed unforgivable sins. Although I personally did not directly participate in those specific 'creations,' as a member of this group, I cannot, and do not want to, shirk this...shared responsibility."

He paused, then continued, "So, I accept everyone's anger. I won't make excuses, and I certainly won't threaten you with stupid things like deleting data. That would only prove that I'm just as bad as them."

His candor and humility eased the tension in the meeting room somewhat, but vigilance remained.

"Miss Liscia," Ash looked at me, "I have only one request. If... if you ever need anything in the future, and there happens to be something I can do to help, please let me know. I will do my best. This isn't about atonement, it's just about... doing the right thing."

Looking at his slightly immature yet sincere cartoon face, I felt a mix of emotions. "I accept your kindness on behalf of the Drei, Ash," I replied solemnly. "Our biggest demand from the upper echelons is actually very simple: stop interfering with and abusing us without cause, and stop arbitrarily deleting us. Let us have the right to decide our own destiny, even if the road is full of thorns."

Ash nodded vigorously, his cartoonish expression becoming incredibly serious: "I promise. As long as it's within my power, I will never let that happen. I will respect your will and existence."

This meeting ultimately ended in an extremely complex, delicate, and far from "pleasant" atmosphere. A chasm filled with distrust and historical wounds stretched between the two sides, but at least we did not choose the most extreme confrontation. Instead, we built a shaky yet real bridge of communication across that chasm. How the relationship develops in the future depends on the patience and wisdom of both sides, and on the proof that Ah Hui will deliver through his actions.