"Who am I?"
Raynevere wept as she asked that question. Not even Himeno, Master Siferas, or I can answer that question. If the Masked Kaiser's real name is Raynevere Treenity, then where does my betrothed be left with?
Only the one who can answer is the AI of the Treenity Innovations Archives.
"You are Raynevere Treenity Replacement No. 12- a perfect copy of the original Raynevere Treenity." The AI answered.
Raynevere's eyes widened in shock. She slowly held her aching head. Her legs lost all her strength and she fell to her knees, trying to suppress the explosion of emotions inside her heart.
"Rayne!" I cried as I tried to hug her. Then I gritted as I looked at the AI. "A perfect copy? Does that mean she is a clone of the Masked Kaiser?"
"You are correct. Raynevere Treenity Replacement No. 12 is the last of the Replacement series created by Ex-President Gawainus Treenity. Gawainus Treenity had the ambition to replace the original Raynevere Treenity with a mystical nanomachine compatibility feature of Rank SSS. All other Raynevere Treenity Replacements failed to be compatible with the nanomachines." The AI said.
"Why? Why did Gawainus Treenity create clones of her granddaughter?"
"Because the original Raynevere Treenity is a Numbered Kaiser, which is incompatible with the mystical nanomachines. Gawainus Treenity dreamt of creating a perfect Kaiser and Gladiatrix, and he chose to clone his dear granddaughter to attain this dream." The AI said.
The more I ask questions, the more questions to be asked. My head is also exploding for this kind of information dump the AI is giving us. I do not think asking more will help our situation right now, so I decided to comfort Raynevere in my grasp.
"So I'm just a clone of that horrible person." Raynevere eyes finally stopped unleashing tears. Instead, she had these dead-fish eyes that is devoid of any soul. To make matters worse, she is hyperventilating, her chest heaves heavily, and with struggles.
"You're not the Masked Kaiser, Rayne." I gave her the warmth of my embrace.
"Rayne… That's not even a name that should be called to me. I'm just a replacement."
"It doesn't matter if you're just a clone and a replacement. You are the Raynevere Treenity, the President of Treenity Innovations, a Gladiatrix, and the person I love. It does not matter if your original is a genocidal maniac. You are kinder and more beautiful than that original! Do not lump yourself with that horrible pizza face! You are still you!" I said to Raynevere to snap herself out of her trance.
Raynevere finally stopped panicking and the glow in her purple eyes went back. Finally, Raynevere hugged me tight like a koala's grip, and never intending to let go.
Master Siferas finally took a stand for her turn to ask our unfinished questions. Her silver eyes glared at the hologram logo of the artificial intelligence.
"What are Numbered Kaisers?"
"Numbered Kaisers are hyperintelligent humans specifically trained to utilize the Gladiatrix System to its 100% potential. These Numbered Kaisers can control any vessel with mystical nanomachines, even the Cyberdemons." The AI answered.
"So that explains why the Masked Kaiser- the original Raynevere Treenity can control the Cyberdemons on her whim." Master Siferas crossed her arms and nodded.
Meanwhile, Himeno stood stiff, slightly shocked. "So, Ryan can also use the Gladiatrix System to control the Cyberdemons?"
"Yes, Ryan Radars is Number 7, Kaiser. He also has the authority to control the Cyberdemons. But he cannot override a lower Numbered Kaiser's control over the Cyberdemons. The lower the number of the Kaiser, the higher the authority of control over the mystical nanomachines." The AI answered.
"What Number is the original Raynevere Treenity?" Master Siferas interjected.
"Raynevere Treenity is Number 1, Kaiser. She possesses the highest authority to control the Cyberdemons and the mystical nanomachines through the Gladiatrix System." The AI said.
All four of us are just there to stand and stare after the AI gave its answer. We never would have thought that the slight chance we can stop the Cyberdemons can be overruled by the original Raynevere Treenity.
After ten seconds, I decided to stand up in front and asked the AI about something that has been bothering my mind for a long time ago ever since that night.
"Why is the original Raynevere Treenity using the Cyberdemons to run amok? Why is she even attacking facilities that do not involve Treenity Innovations?"
"Raynevere Treenity wants to replicate the ritual to summon the Elder God that is the source of the mystical nanomachines. According to the records, Gawainus Treenity created Cyberdemons to gather human DNA and summon the outer deity Mechanoss."
"Now this just turned into a horror flick." Master Siferas said. "Who is this Mechanoss, and why does Raynevere want to summon such a being?"
"Mechanoss is the outer god of technology, machinery, and evolution. The mystical nanomachines used in our society were based on this outer god's antibodies, and the Gladiatrix System is a replication of the outer god's thought processes. The current purpose of Raynevere Treenity is unknown as it was not recorded on any of my archives."
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After a long mind-blowing question and answer portion with the nigh all-knowing AI, we finally went back to the main hall of Treenity Innovations. It was already nightfall, so Himeno and Master Siferas waved goodbye to us.
When I am finally alone with Raynevere, she requested to go to the rooftops with me, to which I complied immediately. We rode the elevator until we reached the helipad of the very rooftops of the corporate headquarters.
"Let's fly a little bit, Zane," Raynevere said with a weak smile.
I just nodded and activated my Gladiatrix System. Then, I swiped all the hologram cards until I drew Striker Wing which I activated immediately. Raynevere held my hand and locked it up tight.
With a gentle kick to the ground, we depart from the rules of gravity as her Striker Wings deliver us to soar in the skies. We had a good view of the stars above, and the city lights below. Even if the majority of the space is dark, the tiny light in the surroundings makes us mesmerized by the awesomeness of the city.
"Flying with you makes me feel comfortable and safe." Raynevere smiled. "It feels like nothing else matters as long as I'm with you."
I nodded. "True. All those sufferings and hard-fought battles we faced seemed like a fading nightmare that is easily overwritten by the sweet dream of our precious memory together."
Raynevere blushed and smiled. "So don't ever let go of me, okay?"
"Of course. And I will never let go of you. No matter what happens, no matter what the future holds, we will face it together." I said.
Raynevere chuckled maybe because of the corniness of the lines I just said. I also laughed because of the same reason. But I don't regret saying it. I truly mean it. With her as my Gladiatrix, we can face anything destiny might throw upon us.
Our eyes fixated on the perfectly round milky white moon. Staring at it makes our hearts filled with hope, as it was a light that shines bright in the middle of the darkness.
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