But as he kept on walking forward as he tried to explore it, he realized that it was just an image or a video of CCTV footage. He wasn't able to go further than that. Aikari then kept looking at it and suddenly he saw a reflection of Hikari through that glass. With that, Aikari then quickly called for Hikari and somehow Hikari was able to see him. With that, Hikari then went to him and he then asked Aikari if he had any idea about where they are now.
Aikari then told Hikari that he might know where they are right now. But he was trying to understand why they are here and how to get out of there.
To know that Aikari would say that, Hikari then remembered all the things he just saw back then. He wanted to ask Aikari something about that. But he just let that be and they then continued forward.
Hikari and Aikari could see a bright light appeared and they both then went to that light to see what is that light was.
When they're walking to that light, Hikari asks Aikari.
"If the world were the way you wanted it to be. What kind of ending do you expect to happen? Sorry for asking this, but I wanted to understand something about you too."
Aikari then who just heard that paused for a while. But he then just smiled and replied.
"Usually I would say that I want to die or return to the place where I could reunite with everyone once again. But I know that was not enough for you. So my answer to you is, I wanted to fight. I want to die in a battle or war so that I could save everyone's life for a good sake."
When Hikari heard that, he then finally understood why did he had seen all of that before. It might be a weird thing to say. But maybe that was Aikari's past. He doesn't understand why did he saw all of that. Nor the encounter on why did he met with Aikari.
But there must be a reason for everything. Because it has always been. Nothing will happen without a reason. But he must search for that reason. So that he could understand everything properly. Not just him, but everyone did.
Both of them keep walking forward and they then begin to see that both spaces are merging. It feels weird but a lot of things begin to form in a color of black and white. Like a building, humans, and other living things. They looked around and began to wonder if it was just their imagination or if it really existed there.
"Tub Tub"
They both continue to walk and suddenly the light ahead of them begins to form a color of purple and red. Looking at that, it just reminds Aikari of Hana and he then quickly dashed towards that light. Hikari was shock to see Aikari do so. They didn't know what was ahead of them so he didn't think that any of them should rush out. But Hikari was too late to stop Aikari now.
But looking at that, he then just realized how stubborn Aikari used to be. Is that how much he struggled to save the world? It might be good that he has that kind of spirit. But it was kind of risky because they didn't know what the risk was there. Hikari then quickly followed Aikari.
But out of both of their imaginations, they both saw a woman figure. Hikari and Aikari look towards that figure and they then become curious. Hikari asked Aikari if they should approach that woman. Even though Aikari didn't think that they should go, he then tried to convince himself to go. Because of he was thinking that there must be a reason on why that woman was there.
Aikari walked ahead and asked.
"Hey, who are you?"
As from Aikari and Hikari's perspective, almost all of that girl's bodies are somehow hidden. They couldn't even see her face or hair. It's not because of her clothes or outfit. But it is because she seems to be buggy. So they couldn't guess her from her looks unless they asked her who she was.
A few seconds after Aikari asked that, the girl then replied.
"Whoever I am, it doesn't matter. This space and your world are currently being attacked by an unknown force. Even I, I couldn't find the way to eliminate it."
Aikari somehow was able to recognize the voice. But that was none of his matters now. Aikari then tried to investigate further so they could find a way to get out of there.
Aikari asked the girl if she ever knew what is this place was and why did they were here, and the girl then replied that she never knew what was happening there. But she thinks that both of them maybe could find it out, but she wasn't sure how.
The girl then continued to look at the both of them; she could see that Aikari wasn't even actually weird about that place. It looks like he was familiar with that place. Meanwhile Hikari was shocked as he discovered that place and it seemed like he just found something.
Looking at the both of their situation, the girl then told both of them that the situation inside of that place is currently unstable as there was a problem that going on; the person who is supposed to be the host of that place is not there. She tried on stabilizing it but she can't do it. Plus, she just found out that there was something that is connected to that space. She wasn't sure what it was as it was beyond her limitation.
Aikari and Hikari understand that. But since she was the one who controlled the space, she can't control it. Then both of them who just arrived at there maybe can't do anything about it too. But Aikari looked at the girl and asked her.
"Does this place even mean anything to you? Why do you want to protect it?"
The girl looked at Aikari and Aikari could feel that she was smiling at him. Suddenly both of Hikari and Aikari saw that they were covering the girl's body, and they then could see the girl's appearance, which left them in a shock.
The girl smiled at Aikari and she then said "You're here." As Aikari saw who that girl was, he then just smiled back and nodded his head for that question. He already knows that the girl must already know who he is and Aikari then asks the girl.
"I thought that you're gone as your data combined with Hirumi. So it appears that you're still here. Do you, Ardia?"
(If you follow up from Hikari Origin: Hitaku Quest series you maybe already know who Ardia is. But don't worry, I will do a little introduction)
Ardia was the girl that Aikari met when he was little. Even though they have an age gap, they're really close to each other. Back then when Aikari didn't really understand why did people loved each other and understood each other, he met with Ardia and Ardia did told him about love, friends, and dreams.
There are a lot of things that he learned from Ardia. He even explored more about the world that he hated with Ardia and it thanks to her. He finally found a reason for everything and even to love someone. For him, Ardia was everything to him, until she had been taken from him forever.
Ardia was a refugee from a country that had been having a war for a long time. Ardia has lost her family, friends and everything. That she has been taken by the people to live in the country on where did Aikari lived. So with that she began to explore more things and recreate her life.
While she was doing so, she then met with Aikari. A person who does not really socialize and doesn't even care about the other people. With that, they develop a feeling and relationship with each other.
But after Ardia was killed by the American-related agent, there was no news about her or anything. Until the Quantum Memory was created 3 years later.
Aikari and Ardia's bonds are too strong that she exists inside of the Quantum Memory as the queen of that program. As Aikari becomes something like a protector of Quantum Memory.
Aikari does not choose that to happen. But it was the system inside of Quantum Memory that decided it. It was a system that is connected to Aikari's mind who decided it.
*Flashback Ends*
Ardia smiled at Aikari. She could see that the people inside of Quantum World keep calling him 'Aikari', so she then looked at Aikari and said.
"It may seem like it. But our memories, they still stay inside of your mind, right? Then I won't get erased by it. As I will be here eternally. Inside of your memory."
Aikari was so happy with that. Even though he knew that Ardia did continue to exist inside there. But what he doesn't understand now is the situation there. Why is he inside of Quantum Memory and why did Hikari be there with him?
Ardia could hear Aikari's thoughts, and she then told Aikari that there was something that she had no idea how that was happening. But it feels like it's coming from an insider program. It feels like there was an error within the program itself that caused this to happen.
Aikari understands that, and he then begins to think of the possibility. But thinking of the possibility, can he call out for Hiroto's help? Maybe he knows the way to fix that.
But he didn't think that he could. So he then asked Ardia if she knew the way. Ardia then walked ahead and she told Aikari and Hikari that something was approaching them.
Both Hikari and Aikari then turned around and began to search for any potential threat. Then they both saw something like a shadow are moving around them. It was as fast as lightning.
Both Hikari and Aikari are aware of that. They then try to cover Ardia and get ready for whatever will happen. Then suddenly the shadow dashed towards Aikari, which is open.
Hikari saw that and he was thinking of serious damage from it since Aikari was unarmed.
But Aikari then opened his arm and braced that attack. The shadow did miss its attack as Aikari holds his hand up. But he fought back and that was when Aikari saw that he was faceless. There is no face of that thing. But it's more like a mask. Without an eye, mouth, or even nose. Aikari then began to think if it was a living thing or not.
But he then kicked it away after that.
Aikari wanted to ask something, but before he could do it, it then charged towards him again. Before it could even reach Aikari, Aikari then got into his ready stance and countered the attack.
It seems like the person wasn't expecting that, but it then with a quick move moved away and tried to strike Aikari again and that attack did leave a scratch on Aikari's arm. That scratch makes Aikari feel a hurt, but he just keeps on fighting.
Hikari, who was watching from afar, saw that, and he extended his left arm forward to charge towards the shadow. But then Ardia stopped him. Hikari was so shocked by that. But then Ardia says "Let him handle this alone. He might not like it if you interrupt him." Hikari didn't say anything other than that and he then just watched Aikari fighting with that shadow barehanded.
As they're watching the fight of Aikari with that shadow, Ardia then asks Hikari "Hey, what is your goal in making this kind of world? I mean for what you have done for your world." Upon hearing that, Hikari then just smiled, but that smile slowly faded away as he tried to say something.
"My goal is to continue this journey until it all ends. But to do that, I am not sure where or when will it all ends. Because this world, or even my world. It all keeps on moving and we will never achieve a true peace. Even under me."
When Ardia heard that, she then thought for a while and then looked at Aikari, then said with a relaxed face.
"That was what the world meant. Everything will just keep on going. Either it was something new or it was a repeat of the history once again. No matter if it was something good or bad, it will always be like that. Until the end of this world."