"I come to the stark realization of my exhaustion, akin to the grip of death. However, amidst the fatigue, I catch fragments of a conversation. 'Enough, he's already dead,' uttered Punk 1. 'Yeah, he's like a lifeless robot tossed in the dumpster,' retorted Punk 2. Perplexed, I inquire, 'What transpired? What has become of me?'
As I gaze into the mirror, a cascade of self-doubt floods my mind. 'Why is my visage marred, and what inexplicable transformation has befallen me?' I question aloud, seeking answers from my reflection.
Yet, the looking glass reveals more than disarray; it unravels an enigma. A peculiar sight unfolds before my eyes—a status bar etched on the reflective surface. A surreal twist in this bewildering tale, as if my life is now governed by an unknown set of rules, depicted in a digital code on the very mirror that reflects my altered self."
The air thickens with an otherworldly aura, and the mirror transforms into a canvas of arcane messages. Bewildered, I grapple with the revelation that my existence is entangled in a web of enchantments, each line of text a key to a reality shaped by mystical forces. The quest for understanding intensifies as I embark on a journey to decipher the cryptic script etched on the mirror of my transformed self."
Discomfort courses through me as I decipher the unsettling status, boldly proclaiming 'reincarnation.' Intrigued and apprehensive, I delve into other inscriptions scattered around, each unraveling a cryptic tale. Words weave spells of time, illusions, and the ominous directive 'make a code.'
"Ouro Zeit," the cryptic label on the age-indicating status bar, hinted at my eight-year existence in this mystifying realm. As the weight of this revelation settled in, I found myself surrounded by an otherworldly blend of magic and technology. A battered robot lay sprawled next to me, a testament to the curious amalgamation of these two contrasting forces.
Driven by a thirst for understanding, I approached the broken automaton. Its dilapidated form piqued my interest, and I couldn't resist the urge to explore the boundaries of magic in this unfamiliar world. With a mix of curiosity and determination, I uttered the incantation, "Recovery time, Recovery Rewind."
As the words resonated in the air, a surge of energy rippled through the air, enveloping the damaged machine. To my amazement, the lifeless robot stirred. Gears creaked back into motion, and dormant circuits sparked to life. In that moment, the boundaries between enchantment and machinery blurred, revealing a tapestry of possibilities that stretched beyond the limits of my understanding.
In the midst of this mystical convergence of technology and magic, I took a moment to attend to my physical state. "Alright, my bod's looking a bit grimy. I'll give that 'repair time' spell another whirl. Well, look at that, spick and span now. By the way, Android, got a moniker, do ya?" The android replied in its emotionless tone, "I'm not sure, and it seems there's no data linked to any name."
Determined to unravel the enigma surrounding my android companion, I continued, "If it's not a name, there's gotta be some sort of serial number or somethin', right?" The android diligently scanned its database and unearthed a set of alphanumeric characters. "Found somethin'. Serial number reads A611F."
"Hmm, a bit too technical for my taste. I'll dub you Alpha Synchrona, considering you're the first entity directly tied to me in this peculiar realm," I mused, bestowing a name upon the enigmatic android.
However, the mysteries extended beyond my personal identity. "Hmm, I need some information about myself, but directly asking Alpha might raise public system suspicions, especially since it's been discarded. Hold on, let me see if there's any wireless network around here. Seems like this is the internet; indeed, a sophisticated world entwined with magic."
"Alpha, I'll guide you to scout for information here. Illusion spell, misty wall illusion; illusion spell, virtual private network showcase." Alpha's synthetic voice cut through the air, "It's functional, sir. What specifics are you after?" Zeit contemplated, "Details about myself, including my home and current whereabouts."
"Right away, sir. I'll commence the search. Initiating a scan of the current location and beyond," Alpha affirmed. Moments later, Alpha's voice returned, "Located, sir. Your abode sits approximately 5 km from our present coordinates. What shall we do with this newfound knowledge?" Zeit pondered, "I'll make my way home. However, the evening shadows are growing; we should seek shelter."
Alpha proposed, "Certainly, master. The nearest hotel seems a viable option." "Hmm, a hotel, though it feels improbable," Zeit mused. My attention shifted to an ATM-like machine, distinct with its fingerprint scanner, void of any card slot. "Alpha, fetch the current currency exchange rates here, considering gold and food items," Zeit instructed. "Of course, master," Alpha replied
"Before heading to the hotel, I'll disguise myself at a place that doesn't require authorization. I'll cast a time magic spell on myself: 'Chronoshift advance.' "My body enlarges, and I stand at 180cm or 5 feet 10.87 inches, surpassing Alpha's height of 175cm or 5 feet 8.90 inches. The future version of myself looks rather impressive.
I approach the hotel reception, and the receptionist inquires about room reservations and the connection with Alpha. I enter the hotel, placing a reservation under the names Ouro Chronos and Alpha Chronos, using illusion magic on Alpha to make him appear as my brother, ensuring we don't arouse suspicion. Afterwards, I fill out the reservation form and pay around 350 RP.
In the room, I checked for any surveillance devices using Alpha's scanning capabilities. Satisfied that our conversation wouldn't be overheard, I cast a time magic spell: "TimeShield Sphere," creating a protective sphere with a thickness of only 5mm. This ensured no eavesdropping, appearing as a small, inconspicuous orb.
To further secure our privacy, I implemented a room access code: "Only I and Alpha are permitted. Anyone else attempting entry will be repelled."
Following these precautions, I ordered food from the hotel, amounting to a total of 150 RP, leaving us with 250 RP in physical currency. We returned to the room. Although Alpha didn't experience hunger or require sleep, I ordered two meals to avoid raising suspicion.
As I drifted into sleep, I found myself in a dream. A childhood friend, just 12 like me, faced a tragic accident. Desperate to save them, I witnessed the event repeat 5,226,000 times, but I couldn't change the outcome. Oddly, I'm only 8 now. Is this just a dream, a glimpse into the future, or a haunting that refuses to let go?
I grimaced upon waking from a peculiar dream, with Alpha, the ever-watchful robot by my side. Unsure if he could even sleep, I directed Alpha to assess the situation outside. Once assured of safety, I left the room, wore a discontented expression, checked out from the hotel, and made my way back home.