Nier Automata: [Alt]ternative Novel (NOW UNDERGOING REVISIONS!)

Prelude: [A]waken

"So then....what became of the Replicants? Surely not all of them died?"

"All of the other administrators failed, Popola. Out of all the replicants, only he remains. We're the only ones who still have a living human on our hands. We should be careful, and do this correctly to ensure he survives. "

"R-right..!"

His eyes fluttered slightly, and the warm dapple light from the sun that had been shining through the ceiling of where he had been for millennia caressed his face warmly......

"It's the only option, Popola-"

"What if it all goes horribly wrong? What if he passes away in his sleep-?"

"It's is the only way!"

Bird chirps and ambient noise from his resting place gradually filled his ears, a silent orchestra to wake him from his slumber.

"We cannot afford to fail the project. We can't let our Masters down!"

"And we will not, Popola! If he survives until the end, it won't be for nought."

As he moved his limbs for the first time, the machinery that kept him alive until now shuddered as it died down. He shifted, his limbs flailing slightly as if waking up from his unending phantasmagoric slumber.

"I pray we live long enough to see him awake..."

"As do I, sister. Let's go seal the room, the others await our arrival."

"Aster, sleep well. 

May the nightmares you dream of so often plague you no longer."

Two familiar faces vanished in his consciousness as he sat up slowly, gripping his head and shaking the sleep from his eyes.

"Uuuuuuh," he murmured, his hand covering his face to block out the bright rays of sunlight.

"Uuuuuuh," he murmured, his hand covering his face to block out the bright rays of sunlight. 

"Devola..." he muttered softly. His throat felt indescribably dry, and his body hurt like he was sleeping on a pile of rocks.

Aster stepped out of the sleeping capsule, which had ceased working the instant he removed the thin tubes in his arms and the oxygen mask on his lips. 

An eerily calm world met him again in place of people's voices, clad in a white-grey shirt and leggings that ruffled as he peered around.

He was in a safe room, which the twins swore would keep him safe from the rampaging shades invading the village. 

All he remembered were sleepless nights and the comfort of the village's two leaders as they assured him his nightmares were nothing.