Drake felt heartbroken, he still couldn't believe the System didn't remembered anything… he quickly tried to ask her again, hoping that something might emerge within her data… within her mind.
"You really don't remember… when you said you loved me?" he asked.
"Processing… There is no such data of anything occurring, host. I am a System, a program based in your Unique Skill. The capabilities you have. I am a power. I do not require nor need any emotions such as "love"…" She said. Her words were cold and harsh, robotic, even. They didn't carried the warmth the previous System had slowly formed over all the time she spent with Drake.
"T-That's… Then… You don't remember this?" Asked Drake, showing the System the little and glistening orb, their child. The System carefully inspected it, finding it a strange entity.
"Processing… Analyzing…" He words were robotic, she carried no emotions, no memories of the little orb, nothing at all. "There are no such memory data of this entity. However, it has been detected that this entity carries a large quantity of Divine Power and the host's soul fragments mixed together into a new ethereal substance of spiritual essence origins. It has been detected as a "System-Attribute Divine Spirit", perhaps the first of its kind. Host, do you desire to absorb it and attain a substantial quantity of Divine Power?"
"What?!" Asked Drake. Although he felt grateful he learned what his child was, he felt instantly taken aback by the question the System asked. "No! Never dare do such a thing!"
"Understood." The System answer was cold, precise, and quick, like a program. "The System recommends the host to wake up from its self-inflicted comatose. The System will notify the user of the new changes after waking up. The Host has been sleeping for five days and a few hours. Those related to the host might be feeling unrestful and your body might slowly begin to weaken if the host doesn't ingest a sizable quantity of calories to maintain the full capabilities of [Immortal Body]. Recommendation: Host must wake up."
"Okay… I get it…" Sighed Drake. "Can I bring it with me to the outside?" Drake pointed the little orb to the System.
"It is possible, this entity, although originally belonging to the System, has become an independent being." Said the System. "Does the Host wishes to bind the entity through a Spirit Contract? The entity seems willing."
"A Spirit Contract…" Said Drake. He looked at his "child" as he asked her if she really wanted this. "Do you… really want this?"
"Wawah!" The little orb seemed to agree happily.
Drake knew that binding her to him might be for the best, but it also would cut off her independence a lot… What if she wanted to become someone of her own later on? being bind to him by a contract would be detrimental to her. She's a child, so she doesn't know better after all. What if she wants to explore the world outside one day? What if she wants to live by her own?
"Can the contract be undone if I want afterwards?" Asked Drake.
"It is impossible, host." Answered the System.
"I see… then no." Said Drake. The little orb felt confused and a bit saddened that Drake neglected her, but he caressed her gently.
"I am sorry, little one… But binding you to me would be something you would ultimately regret…" Said Drake. "I would prefer that you're free to do as you please, not bound by anything, nor anybody like… your mother was. I am sure she… created you for a purpose. So you could explore and see the world in her place."
"Waahh…" The little orb gave a little baby-like sound, as she floated towards Drake's head and rested over it.
"Then… let's go outside…" Said Drake, before stopping from waking up. He looked at the bright sphere of the System. The System quickly calculated that he might have something in mind he wanted to ask.
"Host, is there something you require?"
"System… I also love you."
"…"
The System remained in silence, without understanding what "love" was.
"Cannot process. The concept of love or other emotions cannot be comprehended, host."
"I know…" Sighed Drake. "I'll… find a way to bring you back. I promise you."
"…"
The System once more was left without words. This was the second time already. She was a computer-like entity, but slowly, she felt weird. She quickly suppressed that weird feeling and remained untainted by Drake's words.
"Host, is there something you require?"
"No… Take care and rest well."
"…I do not require resting; I am a program-"
"No, after restructuring yourself you must be tired, I can tell. Make sure to rest, okay?"
"…Understood."
The System answered rapidly and emotionlessly, as Drake nodded, and then, he decided to wake up. When he opened his eyes once more, he found the icy ceiling of Fuyu. It seems he had been ultimately carried back to the ice castle instead of the Inn. It was obvious, it was a way safer place than a random Inn, and in here he could be watched over by Fuyu and everybody else. It was a better place to stay and rest for the many days he had been in comatose.
He felt dry, however. He felt… sad. Drake felt hollow. As if he was slightly empty. Something inside of him was missing now, something so, so precious to him… It was so terribly sad he had only realized how precious she was to him when he finally lost her.
…However, he had a family here. He couldn't drown in sorrow all his life. After all, he was no longer alone. Although the System lost her memories, it wasn't as if she had died. She was still alive… as long as she was alive, there would always be a second chance to make her somehow find her memories one day. He had to look up into the skies and move forward, he had a family to take care now.
"Waahh…!"
And unexpectedly, a new child to love and raise as well.
