[August 13, 4045]
I slowly woke up, the weight of the last few days hanging heavily on my eyelids. I opened my eyes to see I was back in Ethan's mansion, the now-familiar pale glow hanging over the room. My body was sore, but the bed was warm and the blankets soft.
Lynsithea lay at my side, her head propped up on her arm, and I could hear her soft breathing, a rhythm seemed in time with the hushed tone of the room. As I stirred, she woke with a jolt, and her eyes blinked open with surprise.
"Zane!" she exclaimed softly, the voice quaking a little with relief. "You're awake!"
I smiled weakly, my throat dry, my voice hoarse. "Lynsithea…I guess I made it through." My hand reached out to her, the pain in my body momentarily forgotten by seeing happiness in her eyes.
She sat up quickly as color lit up in her face, a real beaming smile. "I was so worried. You've been out for two days."
I winced as I tried to sit up, feeling just how sore I was. "How did....how did we get back here?"
The steady sound of Ethan's voice came from the doorway. [We brought you back. You were in pretty rough shape. Lynsithea's been keeping watch over you.]
Relief mixed with concern permanently on her face, from deep within Lynsithea's eyes.
"You had us all worried sick. But you're strong. I knew you'd pull through."
I tried to breathe deeply and level myself. "Thank you. Just glad you guys are here."
She held out her hand and clasped mine, a gentle but firm grip. "Now we're all here. That's what matters."
As I looked around the room the pain from the recent battle, it seemed to fade and was replaced by an overwhelming sense of how lucky I truly was, from those spirits who cared for me.
I glanced over at Lynsithea. Realization hit, and I frowned with concern overtaking my face. "Lynsithea, why are you hurt? Did the Inquisitors...."
She shook her head slightly, her face softening.
"No, it isn't like that. The scratches and the injuries you see. those are because of our bond. When you were fighting out there, during our fight, I was using my magic to aid you. My wounds. they match yours exactly because we were connected. My magic was channeled through you, to heal and support."
I stared at her, the full weight of the words she was saying sinking in.
"So, you got hurt because of me?" Her head bobbed, eyes both sad and resolute on mine.
"Yes! My magic had linked us together. While you were out there fighting, I was trying to keep you strong. I could feel your pain, and it was affecting me as well. We were connected, in more ways than one."
I felt that sharp jab of guilt and thankfulness. "I didn't know. I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."
Lynsithea gently squeezed my hand, but her voice was steady, reassuring. "Don't be. It was my choice to help you. We are in this together, and I would do it again if I had to. Until now, you're safe."
I took a deep breath, trying to process it all. "Thank you, Lynsithea. For everything. I really couldn't imagine what or where I'd be without you."
She smiled back, a mute touch of weariness in her eyes. "And you won't have to find out. We are friends, remember?"
It was the word left hanging, heavy, with a weight to it you couldn't seem to grasp.
"Friends?" I muttered softly under my breath, trying to fit my mind around it. The word felt foreign, almost alien, as if it were a piece to a puzzle that didn't quite fit.
Solitude, within the shattered remnants that was my world, along with the mechanical precision of the androids, was all I had ever known. Ethan, he had always been more of a mentor or a guide, was a friend. My dealings with him were practical, there was no question of companionship.
But Lynsithea, her voice carried something different; it was a genuine, warm, mechanical echo. It made me question even more what it was that I had been accepting of this entire time.
I stole a small glance at her; in her eyes, I could see a look mingled with worry and something mellower, an emotion I was not used to. I had never made a friend before; I had never gone through the effort and feeling of really having someone care, more than just for the sake of survival.
It was a bigger realization than the pain in my shoulder. It wasn't simply that I didn't understand the concept; I'd never had the chance to know it. I was the last of those left behind, the sole survivor of a world that had moved on without me.
"Do you really mean it?" I asked, the words whispering more to myself than to her. I wanted to believe it genuinely but fears of the ferocious reality of my aloneness, the stark reality of my loneliness, were now becoming a shield, keeping me distanced from the notion of true connection.
And in the moment, Lynsithea's eyes softened, and for once, the desolation around me seemed to abate. "Yes, Zane" she uttered softly, her voice a gentle balm against the harshness of my existence. "I really do mean it."
I looked at her, trying to read the sincerity in those eyes. It was something I never could do, but then, just maybe, I would be able to learn how.
---
[I was made for a certain purpose: protecting Iris Venyamin Vanya, the head of IRIS Corp, and investigating and eliminating those that stood against her. Along with Sentinel, I was one of the best Inquisitors. But in the Fifth Nuclear War, I was lost, and my memory storage had been destroyed severely.]
[I was found by a scavenger, a girl fascinated with robotic parts. To her, I was the best find she had ever come across. She rebuilt me and taught me ways of surviving and hunting, staying safe. As I learned from her, I developed emotions, despite being built for killing.]
[But that's when everything went wrong: Her village was attacked by mercs in search of parts and weapons. I had tried to protect her, but she got a shot during the raid. Then, the memories took me back in time. In the fury of vengeful anger, I killed the whole mercenary force and left one survivor. On interrogation, the survivor disclosed that it was IRIS Corp. which had planned the raid. I could not believe it, but the truth was an irrefutable fact. I killed the last mercenary as I felt my goal came closer to failing.]
[I've tried over the years several times, bouncing my tanks off the armor-like front door of IRIS Corp, trying to get in, trying to end Iris Venyamin Vanya. But my attempts have been hampered by a lack of maintenance, eventually leading me to shut down.]
Ethan's voice was even, but beneath the stillness stirred waves of emotion, [And then someone found me, an old man, sort of like an inventor. He brought me back here, to this mansion and fixed me.]
[His name was Ivan Liebert. He was a nice man, always helping others despite the wars taking so much from him.]
The mentioning of the name stirred something in him as I listened intently.
Ethan continued with a softening tone, [I became his butler, caring for him until his last breath. Before he passed on, he said something to me that I will never forget. He said, 'To die without regret is to have lived a life true to yourself, where every moment-even the painful ones-were embraced as part of the journey.']
A tsunami of pity swept over me after hearing Ethan's story. My strong sense of sorrow ran all over him. I could see waterworks in Lynsithea's eyes too; she was moved.
"I am. so sorry," I murmured painfully, trying to find the right words. "I didn't have an idea about what you'd gone through, Ethan. I am so sorry."
Lynsithea nodded fitfully, her voice soft and filled with compassion. "We had no idea. You have been through so much. It's heartbreaking."
Ethan's steady gaze softened, and there was a trace of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks. That really means a lot."
Despite the aches of the past, it was clear that Ethan's journey through life had conditioned him to be some kind of very caring person, though this profile was hidden behind the layers of programming and harsh experiences he was made to go through.
---
A tense quiet filled the dimly lit room as the red and grey androids manning the remote outpost received an incoming communication from IRIS Corp. The display flickered into life, showing the imposing figure of Iris Venyamin Vanya.
[Report.] Iris's voice cut through the silence, cold and commanding.
The red android, as if now recovered from that recent turmoil, spoke out. [Mistress Iris, we have an important update on the situation in Æsir City. Sentinel engaged Zane Liebert, and the.]
Her eyes narrowed, her expression one of impatience and curiosity. [The outcome was unexpected?]
The android in grey took over and the voice was cold, clear, mechanical, [Sentinel confronted Zane. But from great injury, Zane was able to fight back with great resilience. The confrontation resulted in extensive damage, I'll add, both to Sentinel and the environment.]
Iris leant in slightly, interested. [And what of Sentinel?]
The red android paused for a moment before continuing on. [Sentinel was defeated. Zane used the collapsing building to his advantage and ultimately overpowered him. But there's more.]
Iris raised an eyebrow, indicating for him to continue. [Continue.]
[There has been a development with Ethan Porter] the grey android informed her. [He was reactivated, so he's back online. It seems he has survived said reactivation and was functional in some capacity the entire time since his reactivation]
Her attention shifted from interested to one of cold, calculating intent. [Ethan Porter lives? After all these years? That's. unexpected.]
[Yes, Mistress] the red android said. [He has been staying in a mansion, being tended from a scavenger named Ivan Liebert; deceased for 30 years. Ethan has been reactivated and his recent activities have been interfering with our operations.]
Iris's lips curled into a faint, sinister smile. [That changes everything. We must align ourselves with the nature of Ethan's ability and present intentions. We must continue to observe Zane and Ethan with an eagle's eye. I want every move tracked and each threat that could potentially come identified.]
[Understood, Mistress Iris] both said in perfect unison, lending their mechanical harmony to synchronized voices.
The screen flickered off and the androids were plunged into oppressive stillness at their outpost; their minds had already started working, contemplating the next steps in the whole intricate web of the mission.
The red and gray androids, electrified by their previous interfacing with Iris Venyamin Vanya, gathered in the parlor and around the holographic map of Ethan's mansion. The room took on a distinctly dimly lit glow through the screens and illuminated controls, if machinery faces could look slightly comical, their internal workings slung heavily on their faces.
[Alright, so we need to figure out how to spy on Ethan's mansion] the red android said, tapping a metal finger on the map. [We can't just waltz in there. It's a high-security zone now.]
In a moment, the grey android blinked, deeply lost in thought. [We could easily deploy a reconnaissance drone. Small, discreet. It could give us a real-time feed of their activities.]
The head of the red android tipped aside, an approximation of a shrug. [And how do we explain to Mistress Iris why we send a drone into what basically makes for a giant death trap trivially easy to toss a drone into? Yeah, she's not known for patience.]
[Fair] the grey android relented. [But just, you know, what if it was something else. Stealth cloaking]
The red android's digital eyes brightened. [Stealth cloaking! That sounds fancy. Do we even have that tech? I thought it was still in prototype.]
[Prototype or not, it's worth a shot] the grey one said. [I mean, how hard can it be to sneak around a mansion? It's not like Ethan has a guard of feral raccoons or anything.]
[Well, that's a great idea! But if Ethan does have raccoons, we better have a Plan B. We don't wanna end up being someone's midnight snack.]
The grey android's sensors flickered with the physical manifestation of amusement. [How about we use the old 'disguise as a delivery bot' trick? Everyone loves deliveries, right?]
The red android considered this, nodding slowly. [Not bad, all things considered.
We can always toss one of the kids with a bot and some item stamped 'Urgent' or 'Confidential'. What could possibly go wrong?] The grey android smirks.
[Famous last words. Alright, let's get our disguises ready, and remember: if there's a problem, keep it together and flip to emergency escape protocol if raccoons trip us up.]
[Right. And if we do get caught] the red android added, winking, [at least we'll be the first androids in the universe to experience a raccoon party.]
This lightened the mood considerably, and the two androids set about preparing their elaborate, if ever so slightly ridiculous, plan for the massive mission awaiting them.
---
I stared at the sword in my hands, whose appearance was changing, moving as if alive. The blade was smooth, mechanical, with some sort of cyan running over the dark finish. I tried to understand why it looked so different from before.
Ethan, who had been silent all this while, spoke up. [That's some transformation. I have never seen a weapon change into another form like that. Any idea what could have probably triggered it?]
I shook my head. "No idea. It is not like I did it on purpose. The changes just… happened. It's as if the sword reacts to something."
Ethan nodded slowly. [Weapons usually work according to the wielder's mind or emotional state. Maybe the sword is responsive to your feelings: anger, determination, or… maybe something else.]
I creased my brows, trying to put the sense all together. "Emotionally affecting the sword's design? That's quite a stretch, really..."
[That wouldn't be all too surprising] he said, still letting his words flow evenly. [There are a lot of weapons that have somehow adapted through time because of the emotions or intentions of their masters. Perhaps it's just your present situation that's made it take on this form.]
Looking at the sword once more, the glistening design shone from the light. "So, the sword is somehow just in tune with what's happening to me?"
[Right] Ethan replied. [It's a part of you. If you're feeling huge emotions, like, it could shift the sword to match your feel. Might be some message it's trying to convey with you; that you need help, or need protection.]
I tightened my grip on the sword. The new form now felt both different and natural. "That makes sense. After everything that's happened, it's like the sword is adapting to help me in the fight."
Ethan gave me an encouraging nod. [The good side of it, that shows you're tuned in with the weapon, ready to be helped with whatever comes next.]
I held my breath and strongly renewed my resolution again. "Alright, then. If the sword is reacting to my feelings, I'll concentrate them on the main thing."
Ethan smiled a bit more broadly. [That's the idea. Now let's see it in action. If it truly is an extension of yourself, it'll come through for you nicely.]
I stepped closer to the lamp post, my new sword ready in hand. With a firm swipe, I cut through the metal. The blade slid through like a knife through butter. The lamp post crashed to the ground noisily.
Ethan's eyes widened slightly at the clean cut. [Interesting] he said, genuine curiosity laced in his tone. [This new form of the sword definitely boosts its cutting power many times over.]
I nodded, peering down the blade with a sense of satisfaction. "Yeah, it's like it has a mind of its own, making slicing through things almost too easy."
Ethan drew closer, thinking. [A sword so powerful deserves a fitting name.] I held the sword tip before me and considered the elegant, efficient design.
After a moment, I said, "Aether..."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. [Aether? Why that name?]
With the sword held up, I admired its sleek, slick appearance. "It symbolizes a graceful, almost ethereal form of destruction. It feels like it's not just a simple weapon but a force that transcends the ordinary."
Ethan looked understanding. [Aether. It's a name that's almost unassuming, and yet the power it exudes....no, I think it's fitting for a sword.]
I smiled, finally feeling the finality of naming ensue. "So... Aether it is."
Ethan had nodded approvingly. [That is a fitting name for a weapon that seems so attuned to what you need.]
I looked at the new sword in awe, very proud of the detail in its design. The hilt was still pulsating with this cyan glow, and I felt a weird, unexplainable affinity for it. The weight of the blade was heavy in my hands, not just in the feel of its physical mass, but almost in emotional weight.
The feel of the edge made me run my fingers along it, notice the sword starting to change, folding the blade in on itself as gears clicked into place, shrinking down into the familiar form of a Nova watch. I clipped it back onto my wrist, still unsure what to make of it, but there was no time to dwell on that now.
I turned back to Lynsithea, standing a few paces away, her gaze scanning the horizon where the darkness was quickly setting in. Her usually luminous face was pale, her eyes glassy. I quickened my pace to her side, feeling a surge of concern well within me.
"Are you all right?" I asked, my voice laced with apprehension.
She looked into my eyes, glazing over.
"Zane, I don't feel well." Her voice was barely above a whisper, when her legs buckled and she fell.
I caught her, yet barely, as she fell, a dead weight in my arms. A wave of panic suddenly rushed through me. Lynsithea, the one showing such strength a while ago, lay unconscious in my arms, shallow breaths escaping her lips. I tightened my clutches, a coldness seeping through that was more than just the night air.
"Lynsithea. hold on," I whispered, hoping she could somehow hear me.
"Lynsithea, please, stay with me," I stuttered, my voice shaking as I held her in my arms. I knew one thing for sure as everything seemed to spiral out of control-I needed help.
Rummaging through the small communicator I did have, I called Ethan. The line crackled, and his calm, familiar voice came on.
"Ethan, it's Zane. Lynsithea, she's collapsed!" I don't know what's wrong with her," I said, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.
[Bring her to her room] Ethan said, all efficiency. [I'll meet you there.]
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me, and carefully swept Lynsithea into my arms. She felt so fragile, like a flower wilting before my eyes. The trip to her room felt like an eternity as every second dragged while I pushed through the fear gnawing at me.
By the time I finally laid her on the bed, Ethan was already beside her, his movements fast as he set to work on examining her. His mustache shook with concentration, his face a mask of seriousness I'd never seen on him before. I just stood helpless as he first examined her pulse, then her breathing, and finally laid his hand on her forehead.
After what felt like an eternity, he turned to me and his face was grave. [Zane, she's used too much of her energy. Whatever powers she employed must have taken its greater toll on her than she anticipated.]
"Drained?" I echoed, just trying to process what he was trying to tell me. "What can we do to help her?"
Ethan's eyes met mine, and I saw something flicker in them-something that I didn't like. [Her energy is not of a kind that can be restored here. She needs to return to her homeland, to a place in which her powers are most strong. That way, she is able to recover fully.]
I felt my heart go down at his words. I didn't know much about Lynsithea's homeland, but I knew it was far away and wouldn't be pleasant to travel, especially with her in this condition. But there was no other option.
"Then we'll take her there," I said- determination set in my chest. "No matter it would take."
Ethan's head moved from side to side, his expression inscrutable. [Impossible, Zane] he said, the regret a rare quality in his tone.
"What do you mean 'impossible'?" I asked, my heart skittering in my chest. "We have to get her back to her homeland. If that's what it takes to save her, then we'll do it."
Ethan sighed, the mechanical hand falling delicately onto Lynsithea's shoulder. [The only way to reach her homeland is through a Quantum portal, and the closest one is in the IRIS Corp building.]
My stomach fell at his words. The IRIS Corp building, of course. That place had become a fortress since the Quantum Exodus.
[They're probably guarding it heavy] Ethan said, composed but resolute, [The Inquisitors, they will make sure no one gets close, certainly not us.]
My fists bunched and I felt a tide of frustration boil inside me. "So what? We just give up? Let her. let her die?"
Ethan faced me then, his eyes softening. [No, Zane. But we have to be realistic. Charging in there is going to get us all killed. We have to think this through, find another way.]
I glanced down at Lynsithea, her pale face and shallow breathing tugging at my heart. She had saved me more times than I could count, and now she needed me. The thought of losing her was unbearable.
"There's got to be something we can do," I muttered more to myself than to Ethan.
Ethan was silent for a few moments as he was deep in thought. [There might be a way] he finally said, [but it will require patience and cunning. Where we can't go through the front door, we'll have to find some other entry point where IRIS Corp isn't expecting.]
His words gave me a thread of hope, while the reality of this whole situation was absolutely overwhelming: we were to face one of the world's most powerful organizations, and the odds were against us.
But looking down at Lynsithea, lying so still and vulnerable, I knew I had no choice. We would get her home. I would do whatever it took.