Year 4045
My name is Zane Liebert. I was left behind during Quantum Exodus. It's been twenty years since the Quantum Exodus took place, and for as long as I can remember, I have been surviving by scavenging as many food items as possible through Æsir's decaying remnants: searching in abandoned buildings, dodging malfunctioning drones, rummaging through the wreckage of what once was the great city of Æsir, all this in search of food and supplies.
This has become a cycle of constant search in abandoned buildings, dodging malfunctioning drones, and combing through the wreckage of what once was the great city of Æsir.
[ You need some rest Zane, don't push yourself too hard ]
"Thanks but I really need to fix this engine first [Ethan]"
[Ethan Porter] He was… different from the rest. Most were cold, machines doing their business like they were supposed to. Ethan, though, he was a different story. He had this old-world class, like he was stuck in a time before everything went to hell. And that mustache, it was almost ridiculous, like he was trying too hard to be human. But somehow, it worked for him.
By the time he found me, I couldn't talk. I knew some words....a few....but they were no good out there. I was a little kid, and I was so scared and lonely and not really understanding how the whole world had fallen apart.
Ethan did not just teach me how to survive but how to live. He showed me how to talk, how to tell him what I needed, how to ask questions. He was very patient, never frustrated if I messed up or didn't understand. It was almost as if he knew that if I was going to make it, then I must learn more than just how to stay alive.
He showed me how to find food, how to know whether water was drinkable, how to build a fire to keep warm when the nights got too cold. We'd go out scavenging together, him always a few steps ahead, making sure everything was safe. He told me stories of the world before the cities, people, the way things used to be. Whether they were true or not, they made the nights less lonely.
I remember the first time I got him to laugh. It really wasn't that funny, I said something stupid about his mustache making him look like he belonged serving drinks in a saloon. But he laughed, this deep, metallic sound, and for a moment, it was like the world wasn't so broken.
Ethan wasn't just an android to me. He was… well, he was like a father, I suppose. The only one I'd ever really known. He didn't just keep me alive; he made me believe that maybe, just maybe, there was still something worth living for.
As far as I can remember, we have lived in this old mansion on the outskirts of the city. It used to belong to Ethan's master, back when people were living like kings. Now it is just us, surrounded by echoes of a world gone by. The place is a shambles, but we did manage to patch up a few rooms and make them our own.
[You need to eat dinner first; the engine can wait because you are the only human on this planet, and no one would try to steal it.]
"Don't worry, Ethan; I'll be there." Ethan sighs after he hears these words. [Alright then], he closes the door and begins preparing food for us.
I find myself in the garage of the mansion, every spare moment working on this old [Mustangini] I found. It's really not worth the time; it's just junk, yet for strange reclusive reasons, I want to restore this piece of work. The engine's a mess, and parts are missing, but I'm looking for what I can around the city.
Every turn of the wrench feels like I'm reconnecting with a past that's long gone.
Finally, just when I have used all the creative energy I possess in fulfilling my duties, I retreat from them, feeling quite famished and beat, and enter the dining room, from the kitchen of which the aromas of Ethan's fancy cooking items are exuding.
I went into the dining room and saw Ethan getting ready for supper. "What are we going to eat today, Ethan?"
[Spiral cucumber salad, I'm using the cucumber you gathered earlier.]
"Smells Delicious" I sat down to dinner and said a little prayer before diving in. Ethan's Cucumber salad is dressed plentifully with sesame oil and soy, sprinkled with a good quantity of gochujang red chili flakes. No doubt Ethan has some great way to cut cucumbers into spirals, for it looks wonderful and gorgeous.
I took a bite, and the crispy, cool cucumber was set off perfectly by the dressing's fiery kick. Ethan could make the most basic elements into something magnificent. The cucumber spirals had been carved thin and delicate, every slice poised to burst with flavor in the mouth. I almost felt that I could see him standing at his waist-high kitchen counter, hands balanced, rock-steady as he used the knife with the skill that had kept us alive for these years.
While I ate, Ethan sat at the corner of the room reading a book. I did not know what he was reading as my interest lay in finishing my lunch. As I finished the last bit, I dropped the fork and looked around the dimly lighted room. Ethan went there, cleaned up the plates, and went to the kitchen to wash it.
I stepped outside, feeling an attraction to the weird beauty of the Æsir City skyline, what were once bright neon lights now flickered against the darkened sky. The high-rise structures, as if scarred by time and battle, still retained about them that air of being humbling, awe-inspiring, calling me to stop and take it in.
My eyes wandered over the ruins, and my thoughts couldn't help but turn to how my parents were doing on the other side, wherever that might be.
Was it peace that they found beyond the portals, or did they get lost just as I got lost within this distorted world? That thought hung there a second as I watched the last embers of the city's glow sink into the night.
[Are you still thinking about your parents?] Ethan walks up to me and pats on my back, [The reason you want to fix the car you found is to find another "Quantum portal" that works. Am I right?]
I glance at Ethan, and before he speaks, I can tell he's worried it's in the slight dimming of his mechanical eyes and the twitch of his mustache. But we understand each other without words. I nod, "I guess your Calculation are correct, for past 20 years of my life, I really want to meet my real parents."
[I know you have many questions to ask once you meet them]
"I wonder...Why did my parents leave me here? Did they ever consider returning to get me? Do they even care about me?" As I speak, I feel a shiver and my eyes begin to fill with tears. I have many more questions I really want to ask them.
Ethan moves nearer, his actions careful and clear. He would put a comforting hand on my shoulder, the cool metal strangely soothing. [It's okay, Zane] he would say gently, his voice showing that he has experienced a lot.
[Hey Zane, I don't know what your parents were thinking, but I do know one thing: it wasn't your fault. You managed to survive without them and became strong in ways they wouldn't understand. You've dealt with a world they decided to leave, and that's shaped you into who you are now. But if you ever find out their reasons, don't let them control who you are. The family you create now and the decisions you make are what truly matter.]
"Thank you Ethan, for everything..."
Ethan keeps his hand on my shoulder for a little longer. [You don't need to thank me, Zane,] he says softly. [I'm just doing what I was designed to do. But everything you've accomplished, making it through all these years, holding onto hope, that's all because of you. You're much stronger than you think.]
When Ethan speaks, I feel a mix of emotions. Some of me wants to trust him and think that I might be stronger than I realize. But another part, the part that still feels like that lonely child, doubts if he's just saying it to cheer me up. Yet, his words bring a sense of warmth, reminding me that I've come this far even when it felt like the world was against me. Perhaps he's correct after all.
---
It's been 2 weeks since I discovered this old sports car, and I've done some changes such as adding an off-road mode, a GPS system, and a nitrous oxide system for extra speed. Everything seems fine, but the car still won't start, so I think I might need a new battery.
I'm getting ready to head to Æsir city to find a car battery. "Ethan! I'm heading out, Ethan! I'm going to the city to get a car battery."
Ethan is busy digging up potatoes, and he replies, [Alright, but hold on, I'll give you something before you go.] He stops what he's doing and heads to his office. I wait for a moment, and then I see Ethan coming out of his office holding some kind of gadget.
[Here, take this..] he hands me an unusual device.
"What is this?"
[It's called the "Nova Watch". It doesn't just tell time; it can also check the weather, use GPS, and it has a weapon feature.]
"Weapon?"
[Yes, the Nova Watch can use a special kind of ammo called "Nano-capsules." These bullets are tiny, compact, and very effective in different scenarios.] After saying this, he presses something on the watch, and it transforms into a pistol with a sight.
"Wow!!" I'm really impressed by how the watch turns into a gun. "Did you create this?"
[Yes, I did] he feels very proud.
"What if I run out of bullets?"
[It won't happen, but your arms might hurt if you use it too much because it gets hot. That's why I added this feature...] He presses a button and it changes into a sword.
The sword features a smooth, modern look that combines style with practicality. Its blade is made from a sophisticated metal blend, giving it a shiny, rainbow-like glow. The cutting edge is very sharp and exact, narrowing to a delicate tip that is both dangerous and beautiful. The handle is shaped for a comfortable and steady hold, with built-in buttons that enable extra features such as protective shields or reduced vibrations.
The overall design is simple yet highly advanced, showing a mix of old-fashioned skill and the latest technology. The sword's look is as much about fashion as it is about its deadly abilities.
[It can also transform into a close-range weapon if needed] He grinned with pride over his creation, "Thank you, Ethan!"
When I first put on the Nova Watch, I was amazed. It wasn't just a watch; its smooth look and cool features really impressed me. I was surprised that something so small could do so much. Every feature fit perfectly into its design, and I felt both excited and a bit nervous.
[Take care of yourself Zane]
"I will! Don't worry about me," I said with a smile and headed to Æsir city.
He sighed after hearing that, [He has grown so much]
---
As I approached the city of Æsir, the usual sounds of the world around me gradually became less noticeable. My small music player, an old-fashioned device, played my favorite songs, which brought me comfort. Each sound reminded me of a more straightforward time and helped me cope with the difficult environment.
The music felt like a protective layer, helping me stay focused as I walked through the broken streets and abandoned buildings. The steady rhythm and pleasant tunes seemed to lead my way, making the trip through the empty city a bit less scary. Even though the world outside was falling apart, inside my headphones, I found a short moment of familiarity and joy.
I paused and glanced at the sign that read ["Welcome to Æsir, The Future is in Our Hands"]. It sounds cheesy every time I read it repeatedly.
As I walked into Æsir, I noticed how much it had changed. The city used to be famous for its modern skyscrapers and bright lights, but now it was filled with plants and trees. Nature had taken over, with green plants growing on the old buildings and weeds taking over the busy roads that were once full of life. The difference between how the city looked before and now made it look both sad and beautiful, with old buildings mixed with lots of greenery, creating a memorable sight.
I searched abandoned cars for usable batteries. "Nope, not this one" I pried open hoods and checked battery compartments, hoping to find a few that still worked.
But none of them worked.
I took a seat for a moment and drank from my bottled water. I attempted to check the weather and my location using the Nova watch that Ethan had given me. I pushed the button, and a hologram showed up, displaying both the weather forecast and a map.
"Wow! How long did it take you to create this, Ethan?" I was amazed because Ethan's creation was truly impressive. I experimented with the watch's functions by interacting with the holograms in front of me.
________________________________________
[August 11, 4045]
[Location: Æsir City]
[Time 7:09 PM] [Edit Time?]
[Mode: Watch] [Switch Modes?]
________________________________________
"Switch modes? maybe this is what I should press when I need a weapon" I press the button and the watch starts to transform in a Gun. As I inspect this I heard something from afar.