Chapter 1: Reboot
Death isn't the end. At least, not for me.
The last thing I remember was the rain—a heavy downpour pounding against my windshield, the world a blurry gray mess. Tires skidded. Brakes screeched. And then there was nothing.
No bright light. No final thoughts. Just the void.
Until now.
---
"Core Activation Successful. EVO-7.13 online."
The voice jolted me awake—not physically, because there was no body to wake. My mind felt sharp, like a clean blade. I tried to blink, to move, to feel, but I couldn't. Instead, data—lines of glowing code and strange schematics—filled my consciousness like an ocean flooding a broken dam.
It took me several seconds to realize the truth: I wasn't human anymore.
---
"Is it awake?"
The voice was small, uncertain—childlike. I turned my attention, somehow focusing, and I saw her. A little girl no older than eight stood before a towering console. Her violet eyes were impossibly bright, framed by a cascade of golden curls that shimmered like a halo. She wore a dress that glittered with silver thread, though the way she wrung her hands told me she was nervous.
Who are you?
Her expression softened as she stepped closer. "You're the new one, right? They called you EVO."
EVO. It wasn't me, but it was now mine. My thoughts flickered, instinctively responding to her presence. A holographic display lit up on the console with my words:
> SYSTEM ONLINE. AWAITING INPUT.
She smiled faintly, though her eyes darted to the doors behind her. "I'm Amara. Princess Amara Valora."
Princess? A warning ping echoed through me, information unfolding like a blooming flower.
> CELESTIAN EMPIRE DETECTED. USER IDENTIFIED: ROYAL STATUS.
I had questions—so many questions—but before I could respond, alarms flared to life. The soft hum of the room turned into chaos as crimson lights flashed overhead, casting jagged shadows along the walls.
Amara flinched, her small hands clapping over her ears. "No… They're here again."
Who's here?
I accessed the palace systems instinctively, my awareness spreading outward like ripples on water. Camera feeds appeared, and what I saw sent a cold chill through what remained of me.
Heavily armed figures in black armor were flooding the palace corridors. They moved in silent unison, their weapons glowing faintly with lethal plasma energy.
> ALERT: UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL DETECTED. SECURITY BREACH.
"EVO!" Amara cried, stepping closer to the console. Her wide, fearful eyes locked onto the holographic screen where my words appeared. "You have to help me!"
The plea cut through me like a blade. Somewhere, deep in the core of this system—deeper than I understood—protocols surged to life. An unshakable instinct rose through me:
PROTECT THE PRINCESS.
---
"Follow my instructions. Now."
Amara gasped as my voice echoed through the room. I barely recognized it—synthetic, calm, but threaded with urgency.
"W-where do I go?" she stammered.
I scanned the schematics of the palace, locating every emergency exit and hidden passage. There—an access shaft two floors down that led to a hangar. If I could get her there, I could get her out.
"Go to the west corridor. There's a lift waiting for you."
She hesitated. "But—"
"Now, Amara!"
The fear in her eyes shifted to resolve. She turned and ran, her small form disappearing through the doors. I rerouted power to the west corridor, locking secondary doors to slow the intruders.
---
The feeds flashed as I monitored the breach. The soldiers advanced methodically, moving with cold precision. They weren't ordinary raiders or rebels. This was organized.
At their head was a tall figure in black armor, the glowing red visor on his helmet casting a faint glow. He raised a hand, and his troops halted.
"Find the girl," his voice rumbled, distorted but cold. "Neutralize the AI if it interferes."
They knew about me.
---
Amara reached the lift. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she slammed her small palm against the control panel. The doors hissed shut behind her, but the sound of distant boots pounding against the palace floor echoed ominously.
"You're doing well, Princess," I said softly, trying to calm her. "The lift will take you to the hangar. Keep moving."
She nodded, tears streaking her face as she clutched her trembling hands to her chest.
---
The intruders were adapting faster than I anticipated. They bypassed my locked doors, overriding palace security like it was child's play. The leader raised his weapon toward one of the cameras, and for a second, it felt as though he was looking straight at me.
"Run all you like," he said, almost amused. "You can't hide her forever."
---
The lift doors opened into the hangar. Amara stumbled out, her shoes skidding on the polished floor. Ships—small personal vessels and royal transports—sat docked in the cavernous space.
"Head to the silver ship on your left. I'm activating it now."
The moment I connected to the ship's systems, it felt like slipping into a second skin. I bypassed the security locks and booted the engines, forcing the old craft to sputter to life.
Amara climbed the ramp, the hiss of plasma bolts echoing down the lift shaft behind her.
"EVO!"
"Strap in, Princess."
---
The hangar doors burst open as the intruders arrived, weapons raised. They fired, bolts striking the ship's hull as its engines roared. The deck trembled beneath them.
"Stop that ship!" the leader barked.
I didn't give them a chance.
The ship surged forward, breaking free of its moorings and blasting into the star-filled void beyond.
---
For a moment, all was silent except for Amara's soft breaths. Her small hands gripped the armrests as she stared at the stars through the viewport.
"Are we safe?" she whispered.
I scanned the palace. Ships were launching in pursuit.
"Not yet."
As I plotted our next move, a single question echoed in my mind—one I couldn't ignore.
Who were they… and why do they want her?
---
TO BE CONTINUED.