Becoming Fuli once again, 'Cyrene' distinctly sensed that something was different.
What exactly had changed, she couldn't quite say, but something foundational had become utterly different.
'Cyrene' instinctively halted at the end of the world.
She tried to perceive, but only grew more confused.
She didn't know how to describe it.
Because of the sedimented Memoria—though it was all unverified, apocryphal history—this profound sense of weight felt strikingly similar to what she perceived in the real world.
And the moment she logged into Fuli's account, she was struck by the dazed sensation that she wasn't merely 'acting' as Fuli to advance a programmed sequence.
It felt more like she was truly manipulating Fuli's authority to rewrite the genesis of the universe.
But because 'Cyrene' was operating through an intermediary body—a layer of separation—this ambiguous feeling lacked solid tangibility.
It was as if your core self-awareness remained your own, yet in occasional dazed moments, you'd feel as though this current body had become some other entity entirely.
But when you snapped out of that trance, the impression from that instant didn't just scatter to the wind.
Instead, it seemed to have genuinely transmitted something through the body's connection, leaving a mark within your consciousness.
Bizarre. Uncanny. Yet not severe enough, it seemed, to warrant hitting the emergency shutdown.
'Cyrene' didn't know what was happening.
Perhaps it was a side effect—"Simulation Sickness"—from the ultra-high fidelity?
"What's wrong with you?"
It wasn't until the little duck avatar representing Herta appeared before 'Cyrene' that she was pulled from her thoughts.
"I feel like something's not right."
"Not right how? Is the temporal reversal still stuck? Another new bug?"
Herta's little duck orbited 'Cyrene' in a circle.
Honestly.
Compared to the Simulated Universe in Divine Herta's memory, the realism of this current scene was undeniably a whole level higher.
At the very least, this Fuli looked convincingly real.
As Herta admired her handiwork up close, 'Cyrene' tried to articulate her feelings:
"No, it's proceeding smoothly. If I wished, I could look back to the very start of the Simulated Universe instantly. The Simulated Universe itself has no issues... What I mean is, it feels too flawless."
"..."
Herta fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.
What in the world was she babbling about?
Just then, Screwllum's voice suddenly joined the channel:
"I believe I may comprehend Lady Bai Ming's meaning. I prepared one thousand three hundred and twenty-five contingency protocols for potential errors in the Simulated Universe. Yet following Fuli's manifestation, all those protocols have lost their relevance."
"?"
A question mark first materialized above Herta's head.
But immediately, Divine Herta's voice sharply cut through:
"Something's off! Bai Ming, log out! Now!"
Though baffled, both Herta and 'Cyrene' complied, aborting the experiment.
They halted the Simulated Universe's process right at the precipice—the moment of gazing back upon cosmic genesis, of causality preparing to reweave itself.
Back in reality.
'Cyrene' lifted her hand somewhat dazedly, clenching and unclenching her fist before her eyes, then pinching her own cheek.
That illusion of 'becoming Fuli' gradually receded.
Yet 'Cyrene' had a subtle sense that her connection to Remembrance itself felt… closer.
At that moment.
Herta, as if struck by a sudden thought, walked over with a tense expression and grabbed 'Cyrene's wrist.
Utterly disregarding personal space, her beautiful face wore a trace of self-blame as she leaned in close.
So close their noses nearly touched.
"Are you alright? My apologies, I was too impatient. Let's get you examined. I'll have Ruan Mei come over as well."
Without waiting for a reply, she began pulling 'Cyrene' towards an adjacent medical suite.
This left Divine Herta, who had been about to discuss the situation directly, to lower her hand in resignation.
She turned and exchanged a look with Screwllum.
Giving a slight shake of her head.
"Screwllum. Your assessment."
"Hypothesis: The Simulated Universe may have been constructed with excessive success."
"That was my thought as well. Memoria is the substrate of reality. We then incorporated the Pure Child of Anāsrava to complete its logical framework."
"It is possible this construct has genuinely achieved a logical closure loop in the material sense."
Divine Herta's gaze turned inscrutable as she observed the massive physical form of the Simulated Universe before them.
Screwllum also regarded the entity:
"Fortunately, it remains within our control. And... it is reasonable to assume it will not exhibit unbounded growth."
At this juncture, there was little cause to fear it might achieve autonomous operation beyond their governance, thereby replicating Zandar's folly.
After all, the stakes were far too high. Not just any entity could be permitted to exist, as Noa had been.
Divine Herta nodded, concurring with Screwllum's perspective.
"True. Yet we cannot neglect to prepare countermeasures. Let us reconvene once Herta returns. It would be the height of absurdity if this Simulated Universe were to suddenly stand up and begin pirouetting."
--+--
Elsewhere.
Before 'Cyrene' could fully recover from the close-quarters critical hit of Herta's beauty, she found herself pressed onto an examination table by the very same.
Not long after, Ruan Mei did indeed manifest within a swirl of flames, her true form arriving at the scene.
Ruan Mei approached the bedside, extending a finger to gently press against 'Cyrene's' forehead.
As she conducted her examination, she spoke softly:
"Exercise more caution in the future. You see, you've made Herta quite anxious."
"Ahem. The fault lies with me for urging such a hasty immersion. I, Herta, do not shirk accountability."
Ruan Mei glanced down. Meeting 'Cyrene's' gaze, she offered a slight, pursed-lipped smile.
"There appears to be no physiological anomaly. Your psyche is stable, and your somatic form shows no signs of aberrant mutation. Your discomfort is most likely attributable to the Simulated Universe's extraordinarily high realism."
As she spoke, Ruan Mei cast a sidelong glance toward Herta.
Herta, who bore full responsibility for this particular parameter, had no retort.
'Cyrene' rubbed her temples, curiosity piqued:
"The Simulated Universe we built can achieve this degree of realism?"
Ruan Mei placed her fingertips upon 'Cyrene's temples, beginning a gentle massage:
"By Divine Herta's design, the original Simulated Universe already possessed remarkable verisimilitude. The current iteration, enhanced upon that foundation, capturing a semblance of a true Aeon's essence… perhaps it is not so impossible."
"After all, for the vast accumulation of the world's Memoria, the imprints of the Aeons would naturally reside within. It is possible you happened to retrieve one."
Ruan Mei's explanation sat more comfortably with 'Cyrene'.
The memories of the world were fathomless.
Even with this body capable of freely retrieving many memories, countless depths remained where she dared not venture.
Standing nearby, Herta observed the scene: 'Cyrene' leaning against Ruan Mei, receiving the gentle massage.
A subtle expression surfaced on her face.
She wasn't overly fond of this tableau.
With a flick of her hair, she interjected:
"You should rest here for a while. Screwllum and I will recalibrate the linking apparatus. Prolonged exposure in its current state might lead to complications."
It was manageable this time, with it being Fuli's Remembrance.
But what if it were Nanook's Destruction, or Aha's Elation, or IX's Nihility?
The consequences of influence from those could be severe.
Having said her piece, Herta stared at 'Cyrene' for a lingering moment before turning to exit the room.
Watching the cabin door seal shut once more, Ruan Mei allowed a soft smile to grace her lips:
"Despite appearances, Herta is likely feeling quite remorseful right now."
"Really? I sensed her concern, but remorseful? Is Herta even capable of such an emotion?"
To 'Cyrene's query, Ruan Mei merely responded with that same pursed-lipped smile, offering no further explanation.
--+--