Cyberpunk 2077 - The Ballad of Lost Souls

V parks Jackie's bike in the crowded streets of Corpo Plaza. The City lights dazzle him, as he steps off the bike, staggering. After walking for a while, V arrives at the entrance of a restaurant, where two men in jackets and sunglasses stop him. He does the same, staring at the sign that says "Embers" set in a large black circle on top of an elevator.

Arasaka Bodyguard: どこへ行くつもりだ,このバカ!」![ Where do you think you're going, you idiot?!]

The second guard puts two fingers on his ear, as if he were talking to someone.

Arasaka Bodyguard 2: ロジャー,彼を入れるよ.[Understood. I'll let him in.]

Both guards step aside, letting V into the elevator. He leans against a wall, weakly pressing the button for the thirteenth floor. Suddenly his interface begins to be disrupted by interference, as an error message reminds him that his time is running out.

Johnny manifests in a pile of pixels near V, as he rests his head on the elevator.

Johnny: God I feel sick. Don't like this at all. This porcelain bitch is the worst kind of news…

V: I know… I'll be careful.

Johnny's digital ghost stares at V, mocking.

Johnny: Not exactly one of your strong suits…Listen first sign of troubles we delta.

The elevator opens, revealing a very luxurious restaurant, suspended above the city. Rain bangs violently on the glass windows, as V sways among the empty tables. Only five guards, dressed in white attend the room, one of whom speaks to V.

Arasaka Bodyguard: 花子さんがお待ちです[ Miss. Hanako is waiting for you.]

V keeps walking, called by an old song played on a piano. Sitting at which, he finds Hanako, juggling her golden fingers over it.

Johnny: She emptied the place? Shit…

Hanako: Excellent. You have come.

Hanako gets up from the piano, interrupting the melody and crossing her hands in a posed manner.

V: Thanks for meeting me.

Hanako: Of course, V. And I thank you. Before we discuss details, I feel I owe you an explanation. I must tell you why I changed my mind and I wish to help.

V stares at her, suspicious.

V: You weren't sure about anything… If you could trust me… If Yorinobu killed your father. Now…?

Hanako suddenly interrupts V.

Hanako: I knew it. From the start.

V: You… knew?!

Hanako: All the board members knew. Not one soul even slightly interested in the matter believed in the poisoning. Details were disparate… inconsistent.

After a moment of bewilderment, V smiles, disgusted.

V: You are no better than your brother…

Hanako: My father had flaws… I harbor no illusion about it. When a foe needed to be removed, my father ordered with no hesitation.

Hanako sighs.

Hanako: A way that Yorinobu could not abide. But to my father… ends ever justified means. Saburo Arasaka has always valued just one thing… Do you know what it is?

V: Ties that binds.

Hanako nods.

Hanako: Yes. Family. I was to be it's heart… to uphold life, to ensure continuity, stability, never to oppose it.

V smiles, jokingly.

V: Uh. I think Yorinobu instructions were a little different…

Hanako: He is family. I do not expect you to understand. I wish you merely know I do not oppose my brother willingly. That it is difficult.

V: Let's say I get that… What changed your mind?

Hanako: That night… In your hideout. when my brother's assault group arrived, not to rescue, but to kill.

V: Yorinobu was just plain' willing to sacrifice you.

Hanako: My father was right about my brother. He never cared for us. I was brought up to be the heart of the family. It's time for Arasaka to listen to their heart… It will bring justice.

Hanako stares at V.

Hanako: Did you bring the Soulkiller, as we agreed you would?

Johnny materializes on a chair behind Hanako. V looks away for a moment, staring at him, then quickly looks back at Hanako.

Johnny: Finger on the trigger. Don't say a word.

V: Seem on edge… Something wrong?

Hanako: I don't know… Three times now that AV has flown by.

V: Think someone might have tailed you?

Hanako: Let's not get distracted. Did you bring Soulkiller?

V: Take me for a fool, think I'd fall for that?! Got plans to walk outta here alive.

Hanako raises her head, looking at V with superiority.

Hanako: Had I any ill intentions, I would have chosen a site far more discreet than this.

Hanako slowly walks to the bar behind them and then sits gently on a stool.

Hanako: I called you because I know how to save your life. I can lead you to Mikoshi.

V: Mikoshi don't exist in real space. 

Hanako sips from a glass, handing one to V. He slowly walks to the bar, looking at the guards around him and then sits down.

Hanako: Yet their access points do. And one is very near… Beneath Arasaka Tower.

Johnny appears behind the counter, looking at Hanako displeased.

Johnny: We gotta leave, now.

V: And you'll help me in exchange for…

Hanako begins to wiggle her golden fingers on the counter, unnerving V.

Hanako: My brother… He must be made to take responsibility for his deeds.

V drinks the whole drink, in one breath.

V: Sounds like you want to avenge your dad…

Hanako: My brother… He must be made to take responsibility for his deeds. He will soon call a meeting of the board. Rappresentative of all factions are expected to attend. The perfect moment for them to learn the circumstances of my father's death.

Hanako gets closer to V.

Hanako: I will get you into this meeting and you will testify against my brother. 

V stares at her, in a mixture of shock and anger.

V: "Testify…", Listen mind if I'm straight with you?

Hanako: Help me get rid of Yorinobu. I will help you get rid of the construct.

V: Don't like this at all. Sounds like you want to use me.

V's sight begins to blur, as his interface begins to get disturbed, while his words echoes in his ears.

Hanako: I simply offer you an opportunity.

V gets up from the stool.

Hanako: You are not the first one to try.

Johnny: Let's fly the fuck out of here.

Hanako: V, do you feel alright?

V stops, touching his nose with two fingers, to stop the bleeding.

V: Fuck.

Hanako: It seems you are running out of time…

V: We'll see.

V begins to drag himself around the restaurant, leaning over a railing and then on the tables, trying to get back to the elevator. Johnny appears near him, smoking a cigarette.

Johnny: You could use some air. Right now.

V begins coughing up blood, as he manages to get inside the elevator, leaning against the wall.

Johnny: I warned you.

Johnny uses V's body to stop the elevator, then he collapses to the ground.

Johnny: V, It will happen in hours. You can't even stand on your own two feet. While I'm good to go, body listens to me.

Johnny sits in front of V.

Johnny: See what I'm gettin' at?

V: I get it.. And I don't like it one bit.

Johnny: C'mon face the facts. Pop some pseudoendotrizine, scooch and let me get behind the wheel.

Johnny stands up and stares at V. 

Johnny: I'll get us to fuckin' Mikoshi.

V: Yeah? How?

Johnny: Without that porcelain bitch that for sure. I'll bring Rogue. She is not rusted through just yet. Plus, she owns me.

V: What about Panam? She offered help.

Johnny kneels in front of V, looking into his eyes.

Johnny: Listen, I know you and Panam got a thing goin'. I get it. I do.

Johnny gets closer to V.

Johnny: But that's what makes it such a shitty idea. You don't wanna rope her into this…Made the same mistake myself, once. Our one hope is sittin' in the Afterlife right now and her name is Rogue.

V tries to stand up, leaning against the elevator wall.

V: Gotta stop you, dickhead. What's your scheme? This is my body. I'll make the calls…

V's interface begins to turn red as he falls to the ground.

V: Johnny…

Johnny: Great, now you are checkin' out again?!

V eventually faints, hitting the ground violently.

Some time passes, V begins to blink slowly, hearing a sound of a bell in the distance.

V: What… Am I?

Johnny: Nah, it's not what you think. Not yet, anyway.

Viktor: Easy there. Don't move, just yet.

A friendly face greets him, as V slowly manages to piece together where he is. He opens his eyes and sees the surgeon's tools on top of a metal cart.

V: Vik?!

Viktor: You're in pain, I know. Delirious when you arrived so I had to dosed you with betahaloperidol.

V recognizes that he is lying on Vik's chair. Awkwardly, he begins to move his hand on the metal cart, trying to hold on to it, to pull himself up.

Viktor: But oversensitivity is a good sign. Means your optic nerves aren't damaged.

V turns to Viktor, who is fiddling with a monitor attached to the chair. The dim basement light penetrates his pupils, like knives.

V: How… How did I get here?

Viktor turns to V, looking at him worriedly.

Viktor: Dragged yourself here, beat to hell and back. Gave Misty a helluva fright… Then you shoved my patience at the time off the table and demanded to be treated immediately. 

Johnny whispers something to V.

Johnny: Tell him it was your guardian angel…

V: Just give it to me straight, Vik.

Viktor lowers his gaze and then turns to V.

Viktor: You've come to a critical juncture… Try sitting up. Carefully.

V starts moving his legs again, in pain.

Viktor: Slowly…

V: Argh… Another victory… for the history books.

Viktor crosses his arms and looks at V, all serious.

Viktor: How much long is this going to go on?

V: You tell me.

Viktor: Next attack you won't be able to crawl back here. You'll flatline in some back alley… This is your last chance to make matters in your own hands. Understand?

V slowly gets up from the chair.

V: "Take matters in my own hands"? The fuck you think I've been doing?!

Viktor: Whatever it is, you keep landing on my table.

Viktor moves away, showing V another small table on which are two boxes of pills and a gun.

Viktor: See that setup over there?

V: Yeah?! What about it?

Viktor: You'll find the last dose of pseudoendotrizine there. A gift from Misty… Wanna give into the voices in your head? Go ahead. Take a puff, go silent, get out. Or… find another way. End things on your terms. Got a little present for me over there too, blockers.

V slowly gets up from the chair, as Viktor walks to a long table on the other side of the room, sitting in front of on old television set, broadcasting a boxing match. Johnny suddenly appears near V, annoying him.

Johnny: You heard him. We got one last chance. I'm takin' the wheel. Endotrizine. Rogue. 'Saka Tower.

V passes right through the digital ghost of Johnny, almost angry.

V: Give it a fuckin' rest Johnny. It's my decision.

Viktor suddenly stands up from the stool near the table.

Viktor: Christ, V! Your talkin' out loud.

V slowly walks toward the metal cart next to Viktor, grabbing the gun and pills, looking into the void. After a while he drags himself to the stairs leading out of the clinic, he finds Misty waiting for him, sad.

Viktor: I'm sorry. I wish I could do more. Good luck kid.

V turns back to Viktor, resigned.

V: You did everything you could. Bye, Vik.

Misty: Hey V. I heard everything… Your thoughts?

V: You shouldn't have. Sorry about that.

Misty: No need to be. I know what's goin' on and I know it won't be easy. For either of you… If you don't want to decide here, I know a much better place.

Misty escorts V up the stairs, arriving at a small elevator in the back of her store, just beyond the stairs outside Viktor's clinic.

Misty: I took Jackie here once.

V: Jackie?! What does he have to do with any of this?

Misty: You have the same glum face… "This is it chica. I'm done".

V: Doesn't sound the Jackie I know…

Misty: It was a long time ago, his mom had found out he'd signed up for the Valentinos… No choice can ever seem right.

The elevator continues to rise, bringing the two to a balcony with two chairs, one red and one blue. In front of them stands the illuminated neighborhood, with its skyscrapers, covered in all kinds of advertisements. One depicting Relic, catches V's eyes, who smiles, struck by the irony.

Misty: I come here when I need to be alone with my thoughts.

Misty sits on the blue plastic chair, V sits on the red one, holding the gun.

V: Be alone with my thoughts… Nearly unachievable these days…

Johnny sits in front of V, watching the view below him, as the wind blows hard.

Misty: Well, I'm gonna leave you alone, now… Take your time.

Misty gets up and walks toward the door leading back to the elevator, leaving V alone.

Johnny: Fuckin' scared me, you know that?! Thought you were on your way out.

V relaxes on the chair, holding the gun, looking into the void.

V: No, still here.

Johnny: For now. You know, should call anyone you wanna say goodbye to.

V lowers his gaze, then opens the interface of his holo.

V: Mhm. Well…We both know who I'm going to call.

Johnny looks at him, then turns back to the city skyline, as if he understood everything.

Johnny: Panam.

V: Just wanna hear her voice…

Johnny: Sure as hell Is that and only that…

V dials Panam's number on his holo. She answers after a few rings, in a half-asleep voice.

Panam(Holo): Mhmm… Hey.

V(Holo): Panam, hey.

Panam(Holo): Do you know what time it is…?

V(Holo): Won't keep you long. Just…wanted to hear you.

Panam(Holo): You picked an interesting hour for it.

V remains silent for a seemingly never-ending wait, Panam suddenly becomes alarmed.

Panam(Holo): V?! Ok, what's goin' on?

V(Holo): Dunno if we'll see each other again.

Panam changes her tone, bewildered.

Panam(Holo): What?! You know… fine. Fuck off.

V(Holo): No, no, not like that…

Panam(Holo): Make up your mind.

V(Holo): Something I gotta do today, gonna be high risk, big time…but I have to. It's not for coms, really.

Panam(Holo): Then shut up and tell me where you are. In the city? Plant your ass somewhere and wait.

V(Holo): You don't get it. I can't wait anymore… I…

Panam(Holo): Well I'll say one thing…There is always a way out. Here is what you need to do…You need to take a few deep breaths. Then rethink all of this, hard. And then you can call me back. Do you know why?! Because I am here for you… Now do it.

Panam hangs up, while V covers his mouth with his hand, desperate.

Johnny: Was good you called. I wish I had the chance to.

Johnny turns back to V.

Johnny: Come a long way to get here, haven't we?! Just think: It all started in a fuckin' landfill.

V: Mmh. Then you tried to kill me.

Johnny smiles.

Johnny: See, exactly what I mean. Tryna save your sorry ass now. Or you can try Panam and her tarmac rats, but their lives will weigh heavy on your soul… Or you can take 'Saka "deal" but then…You'll have your own soul on the conscience…

V's eyes begin to open wide, wider and wider, as his pupils move left and right as he desperately tries to speak. Suddenly all of V's emotions shut down, his fear, grief, and anger stop tormenting him as he appears far away, as he stares at himself, sitting on the blue chair, as if he were a stranger. 

Johnny sits down on the chair near V's body, as he aims the black gun that Viktor gave him to his head. Johnny looks at him, sad but resigned, as V pulls the trigger, spreading blood everywhere.

V watches in terror, as his body slumps to one side, while Johnny's digital ghost slowly fades away in a pile of pixels, sobbing, trying to caress his friend one last time.

Panam: V!

Johnny: V?!

V comes to its senses. Dropping the gun on the floor and swallowing the red pill in his right hand. Gasping and terrified, V stares at Johnny.

V: I'm sorry. Gonna try this with Panam.

Johnny lowers his eyes, displeased.

Johnny: Got a feeling you're goin' to regret this decision.

Johnny gets up from the ledge, beginning to dissolve into a disturbed pile of pixels, eventually he manages to get to V, touching his shoulder with one hand.

Johnny: And the moment that downs, I won't be there to help.

V: Johnny?! 'Kay just me, now.

V calls Panam on his holo.

Panam(Holo): Ready to talk?

V(Holo): Ready.

Panam(Holo): So tell me.

V(Holo): Need a way into Arasaka tower. Now.

Panam(Holo): What…Why Arasaka tower?

V(Holo): Underneath that tower they got an access point to, well, odd as it sounds, a prison of souls.

Panam(Holo): A prison of souls?!

V(Holo): Ugh… Knew this might not fly over the holo. Mikoshi, that's the name. The only place where Johnny and I could disentangle for good. It's my last chance.

Panam(Holo): So again, just to be clear… You call me at high moon to help you break into Arasaka tower… o you'll die?

V(Holo): About the gist of it, yeah.

Panam(Holo): OK.

V(Holo): WHA?! OK?!

Panam(Holo): Where are you?

V(Holo): Vik's clinic.

Panam(Holo): The ripper? I know where it is. Can you hold off on dying for a bit?

V(Holo): I'll give it a shot.

Panam(Holo): Good. Coming to get you.