"It was all pointless," robotess suddenly said bitterly, breaking the prolonged silence. "We spent weeks, resources, nerves... to find out what was obvious from the very beginning. The Antichrist is not some sinister person, but just a fiction of people justifying their mistakes.
Noah looked back at her, raising his eyebrows.
"But this understanding is also a kind of victory, isn't it?" he noted. "We saw that the real struggle is not with an external enemy, but with ourselves. Realizing this is worth the time spent."
Delia Asia Vieira snorted and shook her head.
"You're just trying to comfort me. But the truth is, I shouldn't have brought us across the ocean. We could have stayed in New York and done something useful."
Noah smiled and lightly touched her hand, but the robotess immediately pulled away as if his touch had burned her.
"It's not just about fighting myths. This trip was..." He hesitated, choosing his words. "It was important to me. Not only because we learned the truth, but because we were together. I learned a lot about myself while I was with you.
Delia Asia Vieira stopped and looked him in the eyes. He seemed serious, almost determined, but at the same time his gaze was filled with some confusion.
"Noah," she said softly, "you know it was just a delusion, right? You never really knew me. You think I'm who I seem, but... I'm not.
He frowned, as if he didn't understand what she was talking about.
"I don't know what you mean," he said slowly. "But I know one thing: I want to be with you. I don't care what was or what will be. We can start all over again... together."
Robotess looked away, her artificial mind feverishly analyzing his words. He didn't know that Delia Asia Vieira was just a robot, a product of the genius mind of her creator Robert. And no matter how hard she tried to imitate people, her heart was a lifeless machine. But Noah didn't see it, and every look he gave her, full of love and hope, seemed like a painful reminder that she could never reciprocate his feelings the way he wanted.
"Noah, you're a good man," she finally said sadly. "But you're wrong about me. I can't give you what you're looking for."
"Why?" He grabbed her hand, his voice full of despair. "Why are you saying that? You're not... You're not some kind of alien, you're..."
But robotess, as if anticipating his words, only smiled sadly and took her hand away.
"Precisely because I am not who you see me, Noah. Believe me, I want your happiness. But what you seek in me, I cannot give you."
For a moment, Noah froze, realizing the meaning of her words. His face was contorted with pain and confusion, as if he had been stabbed straight in the heart. But Delia Asia Vieira could not afford the luxury of a long explanation. She knew that any moment of delay would only strengthen his illusions.
"We need to move on," she said sharply, breaking the awkward silence. "We still have work to complete."
Noah nodded, still processing what he had heard, and without another word, he walked forward. Delia Asia Vieira followed him, her face once again assuming a cold, unperturbed expression. After their meeting with Shinoda Okamura, an eccentric sensei who now lived among the Portuguese and did not care about the traditions of his family, Delia Asia Vieira and Noah decided that it was time to return to New York.
They headed to the airport, determined to return home the usual way. After such strange adventures, they wanted a little normality, and it seemed to them that a good old-fashioned flight was the surest way to end their journey.
But another unexpected surprise stood in their way. Standing in a long line at the check-in counter, they learned that all seats on flights to New York for the next two days were booked. The receptionist just threw up his hands, explaining that the situation with air tickets in recent days had become so complicated that even the most desperate travelers could not find a seat.
Noah looked at the robotess with a confused expression on his face. He wasn't used to such unpredictable situations, and it was extremely unsettling. To say that he was upset was to say nothing. He even considered just taking a ticket on any flight to America and getting to New York sometime later, but that clearly wasn't an option for her.
"So what now?" she asked, studying his reaction. "Are we supposed to live here?"
Noah frowned, his eyes shining with thought, and he suddenly turned to her with a sincere decision.
"Wait, I'll call someone," he said. "Maybe he can help us."
He took out his phone and dialed a number. Delia Asia Vieira stood next to him, quietly watching his actions. She had already gotten used to the fact that his life was full of unusual acquaintances and even stranger situations, but what he said next surprised her again.
"Hi, I'm here in Lisbon, and like you said, we're in trouble. We need to get to New York as soon as possible. Is there an option with a military plane?"
He said a few more words in Portuguese, but robotess couldn't understand what he was talking about. His tone suggested that he was talking about some kind of special conditions, but to her it all boiled down to the fact that they could count on help. When Noah hung up, his face lit up with a satisfied smile.
"Excellent!" he said, with such relief that Delia Asia Vieira could not help but notice his joy. "We're flying on a military plane!"
"A military plane?" she asked, not quite understanding what had happened. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah, seriously. He said it wasn't a problem, we'd just have to go through a different gate at the airport." Noah laughed, and his joy was infectious. "It's like it's all done through connections. And it's free! They won't charge us any money!"
Robotess nodded, although she was a little puzzled by how easily Noah could solve such problems. It all seemed... a little strange. How could a man they had met only a few days ago offer such help for free? But in the end, she knew she shouldn't be surprised anymore. She followed Noah, who seemed completely oblivious to the strangeness of what was happening. He was on cloud nine, not even noticing the uncertainty with which it was all happening.
When they reached the other entrance to the airport, the man who had met them was already there. He was dressed in a formal uniform and had a serious expression, but in reality, everything was quite ordinary. Once inside the small room, Noah and Delia Asia Vieira soon boarded a military plane, which, as promised, departed without delay. The takeoff was smooth, and despite the strangeness of the situation, Noah felt a strange satisfaction filling him that everything had worked out again.
"There you go," Noah said, looking at the robotess with a grin. "Sometimes you just have to know who to ask."
Delia Asia Vieira turned to him and narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Well, if you like it," she said, "but if you suddenly decide to send me somewhere else 'through connections', remember that I don't have the luxury of your connections."
Noah laughed, his laugh light and casual. When the plane touched down at the American military airfield, Delia Asia Vieira and Noah didn't know they were in trouble. The transfer from the military plane had been smooth, but as soon as they set foot on the ground, they were surrounded by armed security personnel.
"Come with us," said one of the officers, gesturing for them to follow him. His face was impassive, like most military men's, and his eyes betrayed no interest in their presence.
Before they could take a step, a second group of officers began searching them. Without further ado, they began removing their shoes, checking their bags, and even checking them for hidden devices with specialized equipment. Noah tried to remain calm, but the tension was obvious. His thoughts instantly sharpened. Something was wrong with this airport, with this process. It was all too strange.
The real stress came later, however, when another officer approached them and ordered fingerprints and retinal scans. Delia Asia Vieira visibly tensed. She had been created by Robert so precisely that she could act like a human, but such procedures could give away her true nature. Despite this, she remained calm. Over the years with Robert, she had learned to control her emotions, although this moment did indeed give her away for a few uncomfortable moments. She prayed that her creator had made no mistake in the design, because even though her appearance was human, her unique biometric features could give away everything.
"No glitches in the system," she thought, trying to reassure herself. "They won't notice anything strange."
However, after a few minutes, they were finally escorted out of the building. With each step, robotess and Noah were getting closer to the huge, menacing building, from which the sounds of footsteps could be heard in the dark corridors. The guards led them without saying a word until they reached the room where the muscular major with deep scars on his face sat.
His eyes, small and shining, slid attentively over their figures, lingering on every movement. He ordered them to sit down in front of the huge table at which he sat. There was not a hint of benevolence on his face.
"You are in a very strange situation," he said as soon as they sat down. His voice was low and harsh. "I will check everything I can, but you were in for no simple interrogation. So, tell me, who are you and what do you want from our country?"
Noah was silent, not knowing how to react to such serious questions. He tried not to show his excitement, but even the most seasoned person would not have been able to withstand that gaze, let alone him. He was only trying to find some way out of the situation. But what was Delia Asia Vieira doing at such moments? She was not here simply as a traveler. She was here as an object that was being tested and assessed. It was more difficult only for her - her mechanism was too perfect not to arouse suspicion.
"We have no hidden agenda," Delia Asia Vieira said, looking the major in the eye. "We're just following our path."
But the major did not seem deceived. He still studied them with such attention that it seemed he could see their real intentions even if they were not on the surface.
The interrogation process dragged on. They were led into a small cell that was essentially a temporary holding cell. With no windows, dim lighting, and footsteps outside the doors echoing in the hallways, the robotess couldn't help but feel like they were stuck in another world. Time had no meaning here, and all they could do was wait.
When they found themselves in the "monkey house," which was actually a small room that looked like a small holding cell, robotess and Noah exchanged glances. It was clear that more checks, more questions awaited them, but something told them that here, in this darkness, other paths awaited them - paths that they did not yet understand.
Noah took her arm again, and although there was worry in his eyes, Delia Asia Vieira could feel his support. After several hours of silent waiting in the "monkey house", they finally heard footsteps approaching their cell. The sound of keys was heard behind the door, and the guard opened it. He did not say a word, only motioned for them to follow him.
They walked down a long corridor, the walls covered in grey metal plates, and their every move seemed to echo in the void. At the end of the corridor, they were met by two officers who motioned for them to move on. A few minutes later, they found themselves in a spacious but cold office. Behind the desk sat a tall man with a stern expression, wearing a heavily decorated uniform. It was General Paul Buher, the highest-ranking officer they had met since their arrival in America.
The general looked at them both carefully, his gaze cold and indifferent, like the gaze of an experienced soldier accustomed to any challenge. He threw off his gloves and with one movement indicated that they should sit down opposite him.
"Listen to me carefully," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I am letting you go. Against your will, but I am letting you go. You may go, but remember that I am watching you now. And if you take one step to the side, I will immediately see to it that your journey ends here."
His words were clear and direct. There were no threats, no emotions, just facts. He said them with such calmness, as if he decided the fate of two people every day. Delia Asia Vieira felt her heart squeeze with tension, but despite being a robot, she could not remain indifferent. The forces behind this man, his power, all of it was obvious.
"I see," she said quietly, looking at Noah, who nodded silently as well. No objections, no questions. This was not the place to argue.
They left the general's office with the same lifeless calm. In the corridor, the same guard who had brought them here was waiting for them, and this time they moved towards the exit. But as they stepped into the hall, the robotess's attention was drawn to the other soldiers standing at the door. One of them approached her hesitantly and tried to say something.
"Excuse me, miss, can I help you with anything?" he began, but his words were cut off by a commanding shout:
"Don't talk!"
The sound was harsh and commanding, everyone in the room heard it, and everyone fell silent. And although the order concerned everyone without exception, Delia Asia Vieira found it unbearably unpleasant. She felt how her internal mechanisms, usually tuned to calm and logic, began to go a little off. These rude interventions in her "norm" were completely unusual for her. As if she was not just an object, but also a species that was not perceived as equal. Every moment, every step they took, they felt like they were alien to this world.
When they were finally released onto the highway, Delia Asia Vieira immediately raised her head high, watching the first stars begin to twinkle in the evening sky. Her eyes did not see fatigue, her body did not demand rest - she was a robot, and physical pain or stress were foreign to her. However, at this very moment, she was having a hard time.
Noah stood next to her, his gaze full of thought. He didn't know she was a machine. For him, she was a living girl, with whom they had been through so much that it seemed impossible to just part like that, without a word, without a last look. He, like her, was on the edge, but something in his heart, perhaps intuitively, felt that this moment had arrived.
"I... I think we should break up," she said quietly, without emotion, but there was an inevitability to her words, as if she had known in advance that their paths would diverge. There was none of the heaviness of parting that people feel in her voice, but there was something else, something that would touch anyone.
Noah narrowed his eyes and looked at her a little surprised. He couldn't understand why she said that, why everything seemed fine with her, but something in her tone, in her calmness made him freeze.
"Are... are you sure?" His voice shook. He took a step forward, as if to stop her, but something in her stoicism held him back. "I thought we'd get through this together. We've been through a lot, after all."
"Yes, we did. But now we have different paths, Noah." Her voice became a little softer, but her determination remained unchanged. "You want to go home. And I... I must continue my path. You yourself said that each of us is looking for our home, our purpose. You have found yours, and I have not yet found mine."
Noah, not knowing what to answer, looked at her, feeling that invisible wall appearing between them, which no words could break. He took another step, then another, as if he could not believe that everything was ending like this.
"You're not going to disappear, are you?" His voice was low, as if he was afraid the answer would be something he didn't want to hear. He glanced at her again, trying to detect any hint of doubt or worry.
"No," she answered quietly, "I'm not disappearing. I'm going where I must. Don't worry about me, Noah. You... you'll go on with your life, and I'll go on with mine."
She didn't add anything more, although she wanted to say something else. Perhaps she should have admitted that she didn't belong here, that she still felt something strange and unknown, watching him, or maybe she just needed to leave him alone, without attracting unnecessary attention.
Taking a step back, Noah cleared his throat, trying to hide his confusion.
"Okay," he said, but there was more bitterness in his voice than he meant to convey. "I don't know how you do it... But you're right. I think I should go home. You... you'll find your way, I'm sure."
He paused, and then, as if seeking some kind of consolation, took another step toward her. He held out his hand, as if still hoping for some miracle that could undo this moment.
"Goodbye," she said, her words warm but firm. "Please don't try to understand. We each have our own path."
Her last glance was brief, but there was more in it than words could express. There was something vulnerable, like the last glimmer of the setting sun. She turned, taking a step into the dark night, when Noah, as if unable to contain himself, suddenly called out to her again:
"Wait!"
But Delia Asia Vieira did not stop. She kept walking, step by step, until his voice disappeared into the silence of the night and her figure dissolved into the darkness of the road. She did not turn around, did not slow down, but there was a strange sense of loss in her heart. Even though she was not human, she felt her artificial soul shrink from this pain, from the fact that their paths were truly diverging.
Farewell was inevitable. But she walked forward, confident in her decision, like a robot created not to stop, not to worry, not to feel. But suddenly, at a turn, her attention was drawn to a figure standing in the distance, at the edge of the road.
As Delia Asia Vieira approached, her eyes immediately fixed on the girl's figure. She was small, with long blond hair, and was wearing a simple dress. At first glance, she seemed real, but something about her movements was strange, as if she were part of another reality. The girl left no traces on the ground, and her figure seemed to have no interaction with the world around her.
The robot's heart, if it had existed, would have skipped a beat. This was Delia York, the daughter of Gene and Karen Yorks, the very people she had recently met when she took a job as a governess in their home. Such a remote corner, such a strange meeting - and it all seemed absurd and impossible.
"You..." robotess began, but her voice broke off when the girl turned and looked at her with her lifeless eyes.
The girl didn't say a word, she just bowed her head slightly, as if she recognized her, but couldn't explain anything.
"How did you end up here?" robotess's thoughts began to spin, trying to find an explanation for what she saw.
The Yorks were all pretty ordinary - cheerful mother Karen, strict but loving father Gene and their little daughter Delia, whom she had to look after. How did she, Delia York, end up here, on some mountain road, so far from home, where she belonged? Could the girl really be part of some other world, another reality? Or was it all just a game of her mind?
Before Delia Asia Vieira could come to any reasonable conclusion, the girl suddenly took a step to the side, throwing the robot off balance. She quickly tried to get back on track, but her sensors were too slow to react. Delia Asia Vieira then swerved to avoid the girl, but lost consciousness as a result of the unfortunate turn.
When Delia Asia Vieira came to, the first thing she felt was a headache and a strange uneasiness that immediately took over her system. She was lying on the cold, stone road, still feeling the weakness that had not left her since the moment she lost consciousness. Everything around her was still dark, foggy and deserted.
However, what struck her most was the absence of the girl she had encountered. Delia York... she had disappeared. It was unexpected and frightening. Robotess quickly scanned the surrounding area, trying to find at least some traces. But all she saw was only fog, thickly enveloping the deserted mountain road, and the evening silence, as if the world had frozen in anticipation of something terrible.
Rising to her feet, Delia Asia Vieira confirmed that her system was functioning normally, but she was still worried. Where was Delia York? Why had she disappeared? These questions swirled around in her head, but there was no answer. Suddenly, in the distance, barely visible through the fog, she saw a familiar figure - a girl, the very same Delia York.
The girl moved quickly, as if running away, and Delia Asia Vieira rushed after her without thinking, not thinking that her pursuit could lead to even more disturbance. All her attention was focused only on the figure that disappeared into the fog.
She left the road and ran through the empty, snow-covered streets of the abandoned city, where it seemed no human foot had ever set foot. Old houses, with collapsed roofs and empty windows, stood like silent witnesses of something long gone. The whole city looked dead, and the only movement came from the girl, who continued to elude her.
Delia Asia Vieira couldn't afford to lose her. The girl who had just been there had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared, but there had been something strange, unclear in her eyes. And now she was here again, in this deserted and cold place.
Chasing her through deserted, almost lifeless streets, Delia Asia Vieira found herself in a small, dark alley. The narrow walls of buildings on either side blocked out all light, and the air was so thick with fog that even her sensors could barely discern what was going on around her.
"Delia!" she cried, but her voice was lost in the void.
The girl in front continued to run, not paying attention to her words. There was nothing human in her behavior - she seemed like some kind of shadow creature that was impossible to catch. There was a certain desperation in her movements, as if she was running from something that Delia Asia Vieira could not understand.
Robotess quickened her pace, her sensors increasing their response, trying to catch even the slightest trace of the girl. But everything around her remained colorless, almost unreal. She ran further and further, and the air grew colder, the fog thicker.
Delia Asia Vieira barely noticed how she found herself in the very center of this tangled labyrinth of streets and alleys. Running along narrow paths, she felt herself losing touch with reality - the space around her began to lose its outlines, as if she had entered another world, where every step moved her further away from the answer. And then suddenly the sky suddenly darkened, and at the same moment lightning flashed in the distance, deafeningly rolling across the sky with thunder. Delia Asia Vieira shuddered in surprise. The lightning seemed to tear space apart, and even her highly sensitive sensors failed for a moment, trying to figure out this powerful natural phenomenon. However, the robotess quickly came to her senses and did not have time to be seriously scared, especially since her system did not experience fear. She calmly clasped her hands in the pockets of her coat and looked around, trying to understand what was happening.