>>20495924"I did the things I've done because I wanted to, not because someone made me!"
"Think what your pre-programmed idealistic hero traits want you to believe, but it doesn't change the real truth. All of your actions, everything you've done, has been decided by someone else, all of it. If this wasn't the case, you would have never made it this far in the first place, you're far too incompetent to do anything on your own, as the lore has foretold. All of the things you've accomplished on this journey can be credited only to the nerve chip located on the nape of your neck."
"Nerve...chip..?" your rage momentarily subsides for confusion, both regarding the chip and who you really are without it. Your hand immediately starts racking your nape for it, and you do feel a tiny something-something, but it's irremovable.
"What the... How long has this been here!?"
Lysandre reiterates himself for the final time.
"Day. One. You can credit the girl for it, it's unfortunate that she was nothing but a pawn in the end."
After staying quiet for quite some time, Malva steps in, "I think it's better if he heard this part from me. Stay there and start drafting for that next big speech of yours."
Lysandre stays quiet while Malva approaches you, he isn't aware of her true intentions so he keeps his trust in her. Gullible indeed but evil all the same, he keeps a firm hold on Serena, who continues to imitate a mindless husk.
Malva's fingers grasp your chin, she gently tilts your head up so that you face her, "I don't want to admit this, you're still a kid, still so dumb..and innocent..but he's not lying. People in this very lab get paid shit squat an hour just to sit down, insert thoughts into your brain and tell you what to do. The chip you felt is what allows them to do that. Sometimes they play games, see how bad of a person you can be in the span of a single day. It's awful. How do you feel about it?"
>What do you say?