Cyberpunk 2077 - The Ballad of Lost Souls

V begins to walk the streets of Nix, making his way through the fog and the people shuffling along the sidewalks, guided by the muffled neon lights of signs and advertisements. Finally he arrives in the old business district, filled with old skyscrapers, once quivered with employees. One towers over the others, connected by long cables to the rest of the buildings, like a large metal parasite sucking the life out of the rest of the city.

A large crowd fills the square of the old district, warmed by burning barrels, gathered around a man dressed in brown rags, standing on a small wooden podium. V, intrigued, makes his way through the crowd.

V: Oh for fuck's sake.

The tall man is screaming from the depths of his lungs to the rapt crowd watching him. Behind him, towers a painting of a dark man with two red marks for eyes and a giant red V on his chest. Johnny bursts into thunderous laughter, clogging V's head, already full of thoughts.

Johnny: AHAHAAHAHAAHAHA… Aahahaahaha…

Man: THE PROPHET HAS MANIFESTED! LOOK AROUND, BABEL HAS ALREADY FALLEN AND ITS ASHES IGNITE THE EARTH!

Crowd: HALLELUJAH!

V covers his face with both of his hands, lowering his head, bewildered.

Preacher: THE HEIR OF JOHNNY SILVERHAND WALKS AMONG US AND WILL FREE US ALL FROM THE TYRANNY OF CORPORATIONS!

Crowd: HALLELUJAH!

Johnny: Are you happy?! I mean, she has a poster, possibly with two dates on it. You, on the other hand, have a fuckin' cult that worships you like a god. You got it better than the rest of us.

V: Johnny, please... shut... your fucking...mouth.

The preacher clings to the podium, animated by irrepressible fervor, pointing his finger at V. Suddenly the crowd falls silent, as everyone stares at him.

Preacher: YOU!

V slowly looks up, and stares at the preacher on the podium.

V: Uhm… Yeah?!

Preacher: YOUR CHROME OOZES THE BLOOD OF THE OPPRESSED! YOUR GARMENTS ARE STITCHED WITH THE SKIN OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS! REPENT AND EMBRACE THE WORD OF V!

V stares defiantly at the preacher with a disgusted expression.

Johnny: V, no. We've wasted far too much time with this clown.

V turns and walks away as the crowd, in silence, splits open to let him pass.

Man: YOU CAN'T ESCAPE FROM YOUR SINS!

V suddenly stops.

Johnny: Fuck.

V looks around, petrifying the crowd full of people staring at him, then turns back to the man.

V: My sins… Yeah. Do you know 'em?!

The preacher stares blankly at V while he smiles.

V: No you don't. You know, I could talk endlessly about your prophet, but the one thing you should know is that six feet under. FUCKIN' DEAD! With maggots comin' out of his ass.

V turns toward the crowd with his eyes full of anger.

V: WANNA KNOW WHY?! Because he never gave a shit about anyone but himself. You think he did what he did to free all of you?! Poor idiots... 

V turns sharply toward the other group of people, casting hateful glances at everybody.

V: He would've crushed all of you. Like shit on the road if he needed to. Including you, you stupid fuck!

The preacher begins to tremble in uncontrolled anger, then clings with both hands on the podium, shouting at V.

Preacher: HERETIC!

V begins to look around, astonished, as the crowd begins to shout at him, throwing cans and rocks.

Crowd: HERETIC! HERETIC!

Johnny: Shit V, let's get the fuck out of here.

V quickly starts to walk away, covering his head, as he is targeted by the angry crowd. One of them hits him with a cane, causing him to fall on the ground.

V: Fuucckk…

A man covered in rags makes his way through the people, hitting V in the stomach with a violent kick. He immediately clutches it with his arms, in pain.

V: AAAAAHHHH!

V tries to grab the gun in his jacket, but it's quickly blocked by another one, who turns him around with his foot, placing him with his back on the tarnished asphalt. The man gets near V with a can of paint, drawing a huge red "V" on his coat while he remains helpless on the ground, petrified.

Man: Now go lick some corpo's asses, YOU ASSHOLE!

The man spits in V's face, throwing the canister at him as the rest of the crowd turns back to listen to the rantings of the man on the podium. V slowly gets up from the ground, limping to an alley not far from the square.

V wipes his face with his hand, then leans against a wall. Slowly his gaze falls to his jacket then he closes his eyes in shame.

Johnny: V, Why didn't you use the gun?!

V: There were more than thirty. Don't even know if I brought enough bullets.

Johnny: Bullshit V, once this would've never stopped you.

V closes his eyes again, then shakes his head, grieving.

Johnny: Well V, don't blame 'em. People tend to see in their heroes what they want, not what they are… Believe me, I know better than anybody else.

V: Yeah.

V stretches his hand toward a small waterfall of rainwater cascading down from the roofs of a tall buildings, trying to wipe the paint off his jacket.

V: At least the paint goes away.

Johnny: Sure, the rain here is so toxic it could melt your skin.

V leans with both hands on the wall, letting the water run over his head, then lowers it, saying nothing.

Johnny: Well, I have to admit that I almost miss the penthouse in Corpo Plaza.

V smiles melancholically, then becomes serious again, moving away from the wall.

V: It's all gone to shit, Johnny.

Johnny: No V, worse… We all got what we wanted.

Stranger: Sir!

V turns sharply and sees behind him a little well-dressed kid, holding some worn-out flyers.

V: Yeah?!

Kid: I saw what happened in the square, I'm very sorry. They are just fanatics, you know?!

V smiles at the little boy, touched.

V: Don't worry, I'm all right.

The kid stares at V with eyes full of curiosity.

Kid: What a pair of beautiful eyes you have! Can I draw a portrait ?

V: I would love to, really. But I don't have a ennie to give you.

Kid: Don't worry, I don't want anything!

The kid starts scribbling something on the back of the flyers, while V notices that they are Panam's face sign posters. Curious, V stares back at the kid, who is pleasingly and carefully drawing on the paper.

Kid: Here, done!

V takes the paper, without looking at it.

V: Thanks. Listen, I'm looking for the old Syscon building. Do you know where it is?

Kid: Sure, mom used to work there. You have to go back to the square. It's the huge one with the wires connected to the other buildings. I will warn you though... It's full of bad people.

V begins to look at the piece of paper, smiling.

V: Thanks a lot and what's your nam…

V grabs the piece of paper with both hands, deeply disturbed. On the paper there is a perfect portrait of his old face, smiling. 

V: The fuck…

V looks around, alarmed, but all he can hear are quick footsteps in puddles and childlike laughter. He looks one last time at the piece of paper, but it is blank. Petrified, he drops it on the ground.

V: Johnny... You saw it too…Didn't you?!

Johnny: Shit. All we needed were ghosts in this fuckin' story.

V walks towards the big Softsys building, the place is in ruins, from the old company logo just an "S" remains, with a violet "EX" neon sign added on top.

Johnny: What a shitty place.

V walks inside the building through the old glass doors. And quickly the smell of piss, vomit and alcohol fills his nose. A small crowd of people is filling the hall, chatting, drinking and dancing while some naked girls are sliding on poles at the center of the hall. There is a big bar at the end of the room, where a guy is serving drinks to some clients.

Johnny: I take that back, this is exactly my kind of place.

V walks calmly through the crowd and sits at the bar.

Barman: What can I give you?

V: Not thirsty.

Barman: So?! You need something more…strong?

V: Feelin' lonely tonight.

Barman: Ah I see… Talk to the guy next to the stairs.

V stands up and walks slowly towards the big stairs in the hall, pushing away some people. There is a skinny guy leaning on the wall near the stairs, dressed with white t-shirt and blue jeans, smoking a cigarette.

V: Heard you can provide good company.

Loco's Goon: You heard wrong.

V: I can pay… big eddies. Only if the quality is high, though.

Loco's Goon: Fuckin' boludo! Who do you think you're talking to, uh?! We have the best girls in town! A new batch just arrived. 

V: Let's see then.

Loco's goon: Keep your cock in your trouser extranjero, half the people in here are waiting to give' em a try. Wait you turn and fuck off!

V puts his left hand near the Malorian in his pocket.

Johnny: V, calm down…stay focused.

V: I think you are full of shit. I want a sample or I'm not wasting any more time in this dump.

Loco's goon: Your pants are explodin', aren't they?! Fuckin' asshole… Here, pick your poison.

The man gets out a tablet and hands it to V who starts tapping it frantically.

V: Damn, she's not here!

Johnny: Not surprised. They wouldn't sell somebody like Pan to these losers for a couple of eddies.

V hands the terminal back to the man.

V: Not impressed. Is that all you've got?!

Loco's Goon: Knew it! You're just wasting my time… try El Bandolero. Maybe you'll find some handsome cowboy to ride.

V grabs the Malorian in his pocket.

V: Not done, yet. I've got a message for your boss too.

The man gets away from the wall, approaching V with his right hand on his gun.

Loco's Goon: Really?! What is it?!

V draws his gun out and shoots the man right in the face. Blood spills everywhere, even on V's face. All the people in the hall start shouting and running to the exit, the music suddenly stops.

Johnny: WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST DO?!

V: FUCK 'EM! I'm gonna kill each and everyone of these bastards! 

V starts running upon the big stairs when, suddenly, a crowd of twenty or more armed men appear in front of him.

Johnny: Here it is, the welcome party. Happy, V?!

V looks at the crowd, silently, exposing his teeth like a rabid dog. Suddenly he hears a footstep, then another. From behind the crowd appeared a middle aged latino man wearing a white suit, and leather boots. V looks at him baffled, the man's pupils are solid gold, as are his teeth.

Santiago: Why are you interrupting this lovely night with all of this violence?!

V: The fuck are you?!

Santiago: You wanted to talk to me, so here I am.

V aims the gun straight at Santiago.

V: You've something that belongs to me.

Santiago: I have many things. You have to be more specific.

V: A girl. I want her BACK!

Santiago starts walking down the stairs straight to the bar and pours himself a shot of tequila in a glass, then turns back to V who is still standing on the stairs in front of Santiago's men.

Santiago: What's your name?

V: Who the fuck cares?! Did you hear me?! I WANT HER BACK!

Santiago sips from his drink and comes closer to V.

Santiago: I want to know what to write on your grave. Don't you want your mama to visit you?

V: I've died so many times I've lost count. The name is V.

Santiago: V?! PUTA MADRE! We have a celebrity in our home!

One of the men rushes to Santiago to whisper something in his ear.

Santiago: AAHH! I know who you're talking about! That crazy puta! She came here a week ago, she was looking for Eric Maxwell.

V: SHE'S BETTER STILL BE ALIVE!

Santiago: Who do you think I am?! I'm a real Caballero! I just told her the truth. I don't know where he is and then I've invited her for a looong stay. She went fuckin' crazy and start shooting everybody!

V: Yeah you are lucky she didn't get you, you piece of SHIT!

Santiago: Come V, sit on the sofa. Let's talk.

Santiago grabs the Tequila bottle and the glass, then walks slowly near a sofa and sits. V does the same and sits near him, still holding him at gunpoint. Santiago's goons get closer to them.

Santiago:Are you sure you don't want anything to drink? I could be the last of your life.

V: Fuck you! Enough of your bullshit. WHERE IS SHE?!

Santiago: Ok, here is my offer. You bring Maxwell to me and I'll let you see the girl. After all you are V, the best mercenary ever lived. Deal?

V: I have a better offer. You give the girl back to me and I spare your life. What about that?!

Johnny: V, you are really pulling the rope here.

V: Do I have to remind who she is?! Arasaka is looking for us. Do you want them here?! Once the Aldecaldos know where she is, they will break this place into fuckin' pieces.

Santiago leans on the sofa, smiling, then sips from his drink.

Santiago: You know why they call me "el Loco"? I grew up in the streets, I had nothing…fucking nothing. But I told everybody that one day I would have made it, be the boss. Everybody called me crazy for that. How did I do that? Do you know?! It's because I always have a backup plan.

Santiago takes V's left hand and put on his chest

Santiago: Can you hear it ?! I have a device…attached to my heart. If I die the security systems will destroy this place along with its residents. This is my backup plan. What's yours?

Santiago quickly swings the tequila bottle on V's face, slamming him to the ground. All of his goons start laughing.

V: AAAHHH!

Santiago: YOU STUPID SON OF A BITCH! You think you can come to my home, to my town and lay down the rules? You're maybe a king in Night City… But here you're nobody.

Santiago stands up, then kneels near V, grabbing him by the hair. V sees himself reflected in Santiago's golden optics, covered in blood.

Santiago: You think I'm scared of the 'Caldos?! I fucked up their boss and all they can do is to send is a clown with a gun... I look at you and I see the same thing that I saw in that slut's eyes... desperation. I can do whatever the fuck I want. I can call the Arasaka and sell you both… 

Santiago clenches V's hair harder, almost tearing a strand. He gasps.

Santiago: Or I can cut that puta's face so badly, you won't event recognize her and then sell her ass for a couple of ennies for the rest of her life and you can't do SHIT about it.

Santiago finally leaves V's head who collapses on the ground.

Santiago: Eric Maxwell. Two days, then she dies. Now get the fuck out of my club.

Santiago walks away with his men. V slowly gets up and starts walking out of the building, into the night, defeated. It's raining.

Johnny: V?

V: Yeah?

Johnny: We are bleeding…

V: Don't care.

V suddenly put his arm around his head, in pain and starts limping around

V:AAAAAAHHHHH!

Johnny: C'mon V, lean on the wall.

A man in rags, visibly drunk, approaches V, laughing.

Stranger: What's wrong amigo?! Too much tequila?!

V draws his gun and aims it at him, looking angrily.

V: GET THE FUCK AWAY!

The stranger runs away into the night, scared. V slowly slides on the wall and eventually sits on the ground.

V: How much time do you think we got left?

Johnny: Don't know, V.

V slowly lifts his head and starts staring into the sky.

V: You can't see the stars, the sky is cloudy. Pan would be upset.

Johnny: Yeah.

V bows his head.

V: It's over Johnny, I've lost her forever. I want you to do me a favor. Pull the plug…put me to sleep.

Johnny: So you want me to put an end to this?

V closes his eyes, a tear comes down his left cheek and mixes with the blood and rain.

V: I…Can't do this anymore… Santiago is right. I have…no more cards to play.

Johnny: …

V: Johnny?!

V suddenly opens his eyes, he quickly stands up and starts walking.

V: Where are you bringing me Johnny?!

Johnny: You'll see.

V walks into a barely lighted alley behind the building. A lamp working intermittently lights a man and a half naked woman having sex on a pile of metal boxes.

Johnny: Look at her. LOOK!

V: What are we doing here?!

Johnny: I want to look at her eyes. Do you see'em?! Look how lifeless and empty they are.

A tear starts coming down V's eye, hurt he tries to close them.

V: Why… Why are you showing me this?

Johnny: DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES YOU FUCKIN' COWARD! I trust you saving all the souls trapped inside the Mikoshi and you can't even save Pan?! You want her to end up like that? What kind of miserable piece of shit are you?!

V: Johnny… Please…

Johnny: She has the same lifeless eyes you had, I saw in your memories. Did Pan give up?! FUCK NO! Do you think I came all the way here to see you fail?! To surrender?! You want me to sit here and let you disappoint everybody like I did?! 

The girl starts looking in V's direction, smiling at him.

Girl: Hey honey! You shouldn't just stare you know?! I can be yours too.

The man suddenly turns around.

Stranger: Hey! What the fuck are you lookin' at ?! Go the fuck away, you maniac!

V turns around and walks outside the alley.

Johnny: You said you were back. Tell me… Is it true?

V: What do you propose?

Johnny: What do you do when you need to find somebody in Night City?

V: Probably…ask somebody at the Afterlife…

Johnny: That loser you killed talked about a bar… the Bandolero. Go there. I hope you'll grow a pair of balls by the time we arrive.

Suddenly V's holo starts ringing.

V(Holo): … yeah?

Mitch(Holo): … uhm…V?!

V(Holo): It's me.

Mitch(Holo): I… I just want to thank you. You were right about the whole Arasaka's thing. We managed to escape just in time, two minutes more and It could have been a blood bath.

V(Holo): Happy to hear that, Mitch.

Johnny: As usual. I do all the work and you get all the credit!

Mitch(Holo): Did you find Pan?

V(Holo): Santiago got her. I hope she's still alive.

Mitch(Holo): We camped in the desert just outside Nix, I have the tank ready and fired up. We're going to blow that motherfucker ass in the air.

V(Holo): Can't do that. It's too risky, but I have a plan. I will reach back soon.

Mitch(Holo): But… damn! I really hope you know what you are doing… Take care, V.

V(Holo): I swear to you, I'll find her. I have to go now.

Mitch(Holo): V!

V(Holo): What?

Mitch(Holo): Watch out. Arasaka…I think they are getting closer.