[Voice]

[undyingcrow]

[In the middle of a restless night, Akechi addresses the radio.]

One thing has become abundantly clear since my arrival: the vast majority of us hail from different times, if not different worlds.

[He pauses, letting that sink in.]

For instance, I'm from Japan in the year 2017. However, it is specifically the same version of Japan shared by Akihiko Sanada and Naoto Shirogane... in the future. That places the three of us in a shared reality, but not the same point in time.

However, our version of Japan has endured a number of odd, even supernatural occurrences, such as a "Dark Hour" and, more recently, the vigilante work of a group of "Phantom Thieves" who quite literally changed the hearts of wicked adults through the use of a parallel, cognitive world.

[His voice remains calm, if tinged with a subtle weariness.]

But that is far from universal. In my time here, I have encountered a talking turtle from a world where yokai and mutants are real. I've spoken with someone who had been sent into a digital world, like an isekai protagonist. I even had to explain the concept of religion to Serph-san, as well what a horse is.

[...]

All this to say, it may be worthwhile to cross reference the worlds and time periods we hail from. If nothing else, it may help us discern patterns that could in turn heighten our understanding of our present circumstances.

Comments

[undyingcrow]

The summoning circles alone gave that impression, but the vehicles also stood out as an obvious clue.

[How to put this...]

The fact that we felt drawn to them was already alarming on its own, but my designated motorcycle had crow decals. Only someone deeply familiar with me would know of my connection to crows.

[It was, after all, his codename in the Metaverse. A codename meant to conceal his identity.]

You are right, though. The events preceding our arrival may be just as telling.

[solitarysoul]

If its true it'll probably be obvious later. I'm not really sure what we're supposed to do here other than drive and survive.

[bufudine]

[Akechi thought he died? How does someone make a mistake like that?]

In my original world, we knew what happened after we died.

[Oblivion after death seems like such a strange idea. But with the Junkyard gone... ]

We rise to the clouds and are reborn with the rain.

Audio

[wereperrito]

Oh, I'm from Earth, too. A different one from all of you I think. We've had three alien invasions and some superheroes and also some monsters. Also half the universe got erased from existence and then brought back five years later.

[Yes, it was in fact as messy as it sounds.]

Oh, and I'm from the year 2025. And I wasn't involved in any of those other things except some of the bits with the monsters.

[thetatters]

Combatants? [ He sounds worried. ] Of what sort? I would rather run from these creatures than try to fight them.

[ To John's mind, Arthur's fragile human body can't take much abuse. ]

[flowersnjunk]

That's about the why and the how of it, yeah.

Hold on, you're telling me it happened to you, too!? Cor, whoever had the bright idea to drag us all here has got a whopping lot to answer for!

[airskate]

And the person on the radio.

[ The one that spoke to them that first night, and that sent them the message telling them to go north. ]

I don't like that we haven't seen anyone else thus far, either.

:')

[constantvrunning]

[Well, that does mitigate the distress factor somewhat... without making it any less terrifying, granted.]

I suppose it is similarly unlikely that factors specific to the 'exotic forces' of my Earth will show up here, then.

[Though that doesn't mean V won't think about them.]

[guidemyway]

Maybe, maybe not. Maybe the mirrors on your self image just need a little cleaning.

[Okay. She's not laughing at him, but she can join in on that laugh.]

Boy howdy, can I relate to that. That like what I have to look forward to when I get back home, huuuuuuge pain in the butt.

[faceguy]

Well, they actually live under New York. And probably other places too? I think they're kinda everywhere.

[So the answer is, pretty separate.]

[serialmurderbot]

[Now see, that just gives Murderbot even more reason for stubborn denial, because it immediately retorts.]

Or maybe you felt drawn to it because you noticed the crow decals. There were plenty of vehicles. That doesn't mean there were specific targets.

[undyingcrow]

Normally, I'd be inclined to agree, but this was more than a passing interest. It was as if something had tampered with my mind, making me feel much too drawn to it than I normally would.

[How to put this...]

I've experienced status inflictions that tamper with the mind. Supernatural states of rage, despair, and the like. This was a similar feeling. A sort of tug, a belief that it was mine that only intensified after I obtained the keys.

[undyingcrow]

So, more of a secret society, in that case.

[That's easy enough to grasp, at least.]

If they're anything like the yokai of legend, then I'm sure at least some are shapeshifters as well. That would grant them more flexibility, if they wished to interact with humanity.

[undyingcrow]

[That's... actually somewhat poetic. Evocative, certainly.]

When you're reborn, do memories persist, or is it a fresh slate?

[undyingcrow]

Many of us possess combat experience and abilities that make fending off enemies far more manageable, even disregarding our transformations.

[There's an unshakeable confidence in his voice. Seems he's not as worried about the implications, despite his young age.]

[undyingcrow]

I don't disagree, though our circumstances are likely rather different.

[Hmm... How should he explain this?]

I was not in the midst of an active conflict so much as dealing with the aftermath.

[flowersnjunk]

Couldn't even wait for you to finish before kidnapping you? That's sparkin' rude!

[undyingcrow]

Well, I intend to unearth clues. There's clearly more at play, and I fully intend to uncover the truth.

[solitarysoul]

I'm not sure how much I could help, but let me know if you want anything.

[undyingcrow]

Unlikely, but we can't entirely rule it out.

I recognized one of the monster types during the first attack, though they were certainly more tangibly flesh and blood than the Shadows in the Metaverse.

[undyingcrow]

Well, at least you know. I wasn't so fortunate the first time around.

[No, he only got to find out in hindsight. How lovely.]

The second time, the one with the power was a crackpot therapist so idealistic he bordered on idiotic.

[undyingcrow]

Yes, the old recordings are troubling to say the least.

[A heavy sigh escapes him.]

I've a feeling that this is hardly the Convoy's first voyage toward "Nirvana."

[undyingcrow]

That's... quite an eventful chain of events.

[Like a series of comic books or an action series, perhaps. Not that he's in any position to judge.]

Then again, the world almost ended because the collective desire of humanity to surrender control to a higher authority conjured up a "holy grail" that acted as a false god, pitting two unwitting teenagers in a rigged game to decide the world's fate.

And then a therapist obtained that god-like power, trying to create a picturesque reality at the cost of everyone's individual agency.

[undyingcrow]

I suppose if I can give one thing to this place, it's that it's certainly more eventful than speaking to government officials and law enforcement.

[There's a dryness to his words, a strange mix of emotions. Relief clashes with irritation...

But it is what it is.]

[constantvrunning]

[Well, not only is that concerning in its own right, it's also more concretely relevant.]

We do appear to have some data storage within the Convoy itself at our disposal. Would you be willing to document what you know of those 'shadow' creatures there?

[No telling how many Drifters actually paid attention to this Network, after all - or if new arrivals would be able to see or hear past entries.]