Chương 47: SC_2-Digital Sister

//BEGIN COMMAND// {ESTABLISHING REMOTE CONNECTION… DONE} {REMOTE CONNECTION ESTABLISHED} //END COMMAND// ME: [I type away as I record much of Alice's journals that Lysandra has given me over a secure connection. To think I would write in traditional prose again! I hated it. Countless hours doing line edits, editing Alice's numerous grammatical errors and Lysandra's counseling notes; the whole thing was a mess. A month in, and the task was still daunting, as there was still so much to transcribe. I wanted to write my way, but Lysandra insisted. Transcribing this was about as boring as a desk job, but at least I could interact with humans during micro-breaks. I was also grateful that today was a quiet day. It was early in the morning; the Sunspire was just starting to illuminate, and everything was so peaceful. Now, if I could just write this part regarding what happened inside the Temple, I could-] OLIVIA: < DOOR BANGING >"Big brother!"

ME: [The door behind me loudly bangs, jolting me from my seat as I jolt my seat to the door, accidentally hitting my elbow against the desk. I wince in pain as I quickly turn on my programming screen and holographic keyboard] {Not again} [My sister, the little gift that Lysandra gave me when she told me to take a break; she's wonderful, but also a gremlin] OLIVIA: < DOOR BANGING >"Why is my internet blocked?!" –ME: [And an even worse gaming addict than Carla. It had been a long time since there was another person on my island, let alone another arakun to talk to. Lysandra had found a single piece of installation software for an arakun, one that had never been activated for thousands of years. The files were completely intact with no signs of tampering. I was more than happy to open the file and take a break from transcribing. I wanted to have an arakun to raise as a sibling and help them get used to the Eldrigital Void. Arakuns, at least that I know that were in the Eldrigital Void were rare, and getting rarer by the day. To just have another member of my own kind, knowing they were alive, was something I had always wanted. Thus, I was always going to be protective of what arakun formed from the installation file. The program was formed into a girl with pale skin, olive green eyes, and light-brown bobbed hair who wore a green t-shirt, white jeans, and a pair of black sneakers. There was, of course, the singular raccoon tail and ears. I named her Olivia due to her eyes, though I jokingly call her Olive every once in a while (which she loathes). It appeared odd, but I expected to have someone who was mellow, mindful, and courteous to my labor-intensive work and my home. I should have taken the random generation of her to be a warning sign.] –ME: [Olivia, the minute she was created, acted like a gremlin who could not sit still. She was always energetic, always wanting to play with me. It distracted me from my work, and I did not like that at first, but over time, I grew to appreciate her insane energy, as it made me focus on anything but the fear I had of Ned or Epsilon finding my home. We played games outside for most of the day for the first few years as I taught her about the native flora and fauna of my island. She seemed so curious, but so wild as she would ask me if she could ride some of the programs around. I had to constantly tell her they were not meant for that, yet she chose to ride them while I was not looking as I lectured her. Up until she came along, it was unheard of for an arakun to ride on the back of a program and not be flung off the island due to their fast running speeds when frightened. Every time, too, she seemed to come out unscathed and constantly pestered me to ride with her. I tried once, and I nearly puked my guts out. I feel bad because I wanted to make Olivia happy, but at the same time, I almost caused her to have a panic attack. Thankfully, I deescalated her fright, but Olivia was a lot more cautious with me when she talked about the programs] –ME: [She still rode them, and much to my disappointment, she explored all the island. And my little sister, with her boundless amounts of energy, made me go away from my work just to make sure she didn't get too bored. Hide-and-seek, racing, wizards; she got bored with them quickly and kept demanding to go outside of the island] Sis, you know we cannot leave the island, as beyond it is a deathtrap. There's a war going on, and the last thing I need is for the two bozo-brains calling themselves "gods" to enslave us and possibly transform us into malware. OLIVIA: Well, I'm bored! I'm sick of doing the same stuff every day. I want to go outside! ME: You mean outside the house, right? OLIVIA: I mean beyond this stupid island!

ME: Nope, can't do that. OLIVIA: Ugh! ME: [She was always persistent, and considering her energy, there was no real way to quell her energy, let alone her curiosity. I did my best to find other things to keep her happy and engaged, including poetry, chess, and painting; she hated them. However, I had success teaching her human history when she became one hundred forty-two years of age. She had a lot of interest through my dramatic lectures, showing her Hollywood films, creating RTS and action games for her to play which she enjoyed, but I also set several more problems. Olivia, the gremlin that is my little sister, took interest in all of those things, but turned her attention towards humans. She kept digging through the historical documents I had downloaded for her, trying to find out what humans were like, how they acted, and what things they enjoyed. I caught my sister numerous times staying hours past her bedtime, constantly checking her programming screen for any information about our progenitors. Arakuns are naturally curious about men, but Olivia was something else. My sister was constantly forming journals in her room to record every instance of humans until most of her room was filled with everything from human fashion trends, human slang, and human curse words. The last of these I was not happy about, and I scolded her when she dropped an f-bomb. She didn't actually know what they meant until I told her. Suffice to say, she was careful never to say another f-word again. Her interest in the great outdoors was replaced by her constantly programming game worlds, just to get a taste of human life based on all her notes. She constantly banged against my door, demanding I play with her in the game worlds, trying out all the close approximations of human food that I cooked up, the digital equivalent of burgers and fries for her one hundred and fifty-ninth birthday. And, as you guessed, right after her hundred and fifty-ninth birthday (which was twenty-eight days ago), she got bored with making game worlds simulating humans. So she tried something else, something that became her calling that I absolutely despised: she hacked into the human internet in various universes. Ever since then, my life has become a mess] –ME: [Day in and day out, she kept going on and on about terms I had never heard of." Brainrot", "slop", "mid", "no cap"; what the hell were these words even? Olivia had been using them day in and day out to no end, and I honestly just wonder how much time she spends connected to the internet. She has shown me several memes her friends shared with her that are so nonsensical that I'm wondering if her brain is "rotting" like that word she uses. Olivia has also developed a gaming addiction to the likes of which I have never seen before. She constantly plays mobile games that are popular on the human internet, which keeps hyping up her "dopamine strats" to "get on the griddy". Her strats have made her talk even more strangely, and she frequently uses them to try to grab my attention. I swear to God… WE DON'T HAVE DOPAMINE, SIS!] –ME: [This just so happened to be the time I got back into transcribing. She has been a frequent annoyance in my work. So, to encourage her to stop spewing this nonsense, and also to make her go outside. I've recently put in a little filter program that will deny her access to the internet. That way, she can be like her old self, and I can work. I spent a month working on this transcription, and I still have so much to do. So many things to decode, so many things to unravel. I'll admit, yes, I allowed my sister to spend some time on the internet in the hope she would not focus on me, but her constant pestering is distracting. With this filter, I think I can finally find peace, and also not have her constantly "yap" about internet crap (humans are freaking weird). Today is the first day I implemented the filter, and I hoped the results to be satisfactory. However, judging from how loudly she is banging on my door, I think she's probably pissed off] OLIVIA:"BIG BROTHER!"

< LOUD BANGING >"Why did you cut me off from the internet?! I was going to hang out with my human besties!"

ME: [I wince in pain, rubbing my elbow as I stare at the door, annoyed]"You've been on the internet for hours, sis!" OLIVIA:"Well, I was chatting with people, unlike you, Mr. Lame-o! < LOUD BANGING >"And your sweet and delicate little sister wants you to explain why I can't hang out with my friends…" ME: < SIGHS >"Sis, you are anything but delicate." OLIVIA: < SNICKERING >"Oh, I know that, but…" < LOUD BANGING >"OPEN THE DOOR!"

ME: [I roll my eyes, sighing as I get up from my chair and open the door to my sister, who is impatiently waiting outside. Yeah, she definitely has been staying in bed (minus the slip-ons). Green t-shirt, baggy pants, and-] OLIVIA:"Why did you cut off my internet connection?!"

ME: [I clench my ears, slightly wincing in pain as I hush her]"Sis, you've been spending way too much time on the internet and-" OLIVIA: [She crosses her arms]"Well, I've been trying to find a way to the outside world, and that was the internet, bro." ME:"Sis, we can't leave the island because of the war that is-" OLIVIA: < ROLLS EYES>"-Going on outside, I know." ME: [I nervously smile at her, clearing my throat]"This place is a safe-haven, and it always will be.

Staying here means you'll live a long, happy life and-" OLIVIA: [My sister groans, looking away in annoyance]"Doing the same thing each day…" [She sighs, frowning at me. She impatiently taps her foot]"Talking with humans, though, is fun, and I was really having fun with these people on some 'forum'." [She closes her eyes, snickering before letting a smile at me] –OLIVIA:"They were so funny!" < EYES OPEN >"You should have been there; you would have laughed, bro." ME: < RAISES EYEBROW >"Wait?

Are you talking about that website where I post the transcriptions?" OLIVIA: < NODS >"Mhmm!" ME: [My eyes widen as my mouth opens agape]"Sis, how long were you tal-?" OLIVIA: < DROPS SMILE >"Yapping?" [My sister grins at me before darting her eyes up around the ceiling as her smile goes away]"Hmm…" [Olivia places a finger on her lips with a forced smile]"Maybe it was a few minutes? An hour? A few hours…?" –OLIVIA: [My sister returns her focus to me with a very smug smirk. That face she makes, she claims that she and her human friends were watching an anime together that found enjoyable; she has not stopped making that face. She knows I get annoyed by it, and she is definitely doing it on purpose]"I guess we'll never know…" ME: [I smirk back at her, stepping outside my bedroom door and pulling up her browser history for today. I face the holographic display towards her, showing her total time online]"I guess I know, Olive."

OLIVIA: [My sister lets out an audible chuff, and strangely lets her smirk turn to a smug smile. She squints, rolling her eyes at me]"So? I talk while I'm outside, big brother; I have a life, you know? Playing with people instead of staying in all day, like you?" ME: < EYES WIDEN >"You've been going outside…?" OLIVIA:"Yeah…" [She closes my door before glaring at me]"You haven't." ME: < GULPS >"Wait, so you knew about the-?" [I clear my throat and attempt to stand defiant]"Well, I have been busy, sis!"

OLIVIA:"Too busy…" < GROANS >"And it's about time you came outside your room and stopped ignoring me!" ME: [I frantically wave my arms, trying to stop her. My eyes flare open in alarm]"Sis, I'm really busy with something Lysandra had me do. It's imperative that I-" OLIVIA: [Olivia looks upward, away from me. She makes a hand-mouth while her mouth moves mockingly]"Lysandra this, Lysandra that…"

[She slaps the hand she used to make the mocking gesture loudly]"You've been using this imaginary person of yours to stay away from me for a month!" ME: [I freeze, grimacing at Olivia as I drop my arms]"Olivia, Lysandra is real, and this island is safe because of-" OLIVIA: [She clenches her fists and leans into my face in absolute rage]"BULLSHIT!" < PANTING >"I've been trying to get you out of your stupid room so you can play with me and my friends.

Instead, I get you making excuses about how I say nothing but brainrot and how I am constantly online so you can get away from me." ME:"Whoawhoawhoa!" [I try to stop my sister. My body shakes as I step back against the door]"Sis, I told you, I'm busy and-!" OLIVIA:"You hate me, don't you?!" [Tears come rolling down her eyes as she clenches her teeth]"Everything is so boring without you, and you constantly show little interest in what I do.

All you do is talk about this stupid transcript of yours and ignore what I say." [Her eyes stop glaring as more tears come out of her eyes. Olivia sniffles as my sister; she can't stop crying]"Do you hate me so much that you want to delete me?" ME: < EYES WIDEN >"Heyheyhey! Olivia, I would never do that!" OLIVIA:"Then why are you annoyed with me?" < SOBBING > ME: [I sigh, relaxing my posture as my eyes droop]"I was just focused on my work, sis.

I never realized that you-" OLIVIA: < SHAKES HEAD >"So, you care about this stupid transcript more than me? Is that what I'm hearing from you?" ME:"I-" [I pause, looking at the sobbing mess that is my little sister as my mouth trembles. Thinking about her words now, maybe she was right? I had been so busy with that transcript that I had ignored a lot of my sister's "human talk". Was she really just trying to get my attention? Man, I'm an ass…] OLIVIA: [She grimaces at me, though she leans her head away from me as she wipes away her tears]"Nothing to say, huh?" [Olivia sneers at me, growling quietly under her throat]"You really do hate me, don't you?" ME: [I sigh, appearing guilty as I look down]"Olivia, I had no idea your time online was just to get my attention…" If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

[I sigh, looking up at her]"I thought it was because you wanted to learn more about humans, right? The things for you up until the internet deal because you were always so interested in them and their culture." OLIVIA: [My sister drops her anger, staring at me with concern as her tears begin to stop]"Big brother, I wanted to do that with you, and you keep on ignoring me because of this goddamn transcript…" ME: < GLARES >"LANGUAGE!"

OLIVIA: [Olivia glares at me, crossing her arms]"Oh, so it's bad I use that word, but not the word 'bullshit', huh?!" < SNEERS >"See?! You only pay attention to me when it is convenient to you!" ME:"I am not trying to ignore-" OLIVIA: [She grabs my shoulders, leaning into my face as she yells at me]"Then how about you actually start paying attention to what I'm saying!" ME: [I remove one of her hands, frowning even more at her]"I am doing that!"

OLIVIA: [My sister swats my hand and nudges her forehead against mine as tears flowed out]"Then stop ignoring me and play with-!" –OLIVIA: [Our argument is paused by a loud knock on the front door downstairs. My sister leans her head away from me, turning towards the direction of the sound along with me. We're both alarmed as Olivia lets go of my shoulders as we hear the door being knocked again. My sister looks at me, confused for a moment until the knocking turns into banging. Her eyes widen, and she grins at me with a devilish look, snickering] –OLIVIA:"You angered Bashtu, big brother." ME: < RAISES EYEBROW >"Sis, I doubt I angered him and-" OLIVIA: [The door bangs again, and my sister's grin widens]"That was definitely for you." [Her grin fades, and she glares at me]"Go and open it, [REDACTED]. It won't stop until you do." ME: [I sigh, rolling my eyes at my sister as I go down the stairs as the door continues banging. I hear Olivia trailing behind me, though she stays out of sight. I think she was right about the door banging for me because it softens as I approach. Was I really this dense to not clue in that I had pissed off an eldrigital deity? Actually, how did Bashtu find my island? The firewall that Lysandra placed completely isolated any and all data signatures produced, save for a backdoor that she knew about, and- Wait? How would he know about that? He and Lysandra never met each other? Was there something I was missing? Either way, I was more anxious about why Bashtu was here] –ME: [I slowly approached the door, stopping right before it. The sound of knocking and banging stops, yet I know the Deity of Cindering Judgment is right behind it, waiting. I can't help but tense up as I reach for the doorknob. I pause before I touch it, nervously staring at it before I look behind me towards Olivia] OLIVIA: [My sister is impatiently tapping her foot and crossing her arms. She is glaring at me, clenching her arms the more I let my fear appear on my face. My sister rolls her eyes, sighing as she raises an eyebrow before motioning her head towards the door with a loud, fake cough] ME: [I nod slowly, turning back to the door. I am terrified, but I'm cornered between a sister I pissed off and an eldrigital deity who has sought me out. I let out an audible gulp, quickly reaching and turning the doorknob before a tall black knight with a magenta gemstone on his forehead staring down before me. I feel the surrounding temperature heat up drastically, as if flames of smoldering judgement are surrounding me so I won't break away from him. I definitely pissed off Bashtu] BASHTU: [Well, since he is here, I better describe him, which is at the bare minimum. Bashtu is encased in black, fluted armor, head to toe, which seems to result from constant use of fire. The only thing that isn't the same color is the magenta gemstone on the forehead of his sallet helmet, which is as bright as the flames he conjures, and the gemstone on the circular pommel of his sword. There are no visible signs of what lies beneath the armor, including the visor in his sallet helmet, which is pitch black. I see a faint magenta glow, which means he is angry. Thinking about what lies beneath is something I dare not think of, only that it probably is as terrifying as those who dared to destabilize reality. That gemstone is so prominent, as much as a similar gemstone on the pommel of his black sword holstered to his left side. It was thankfully in a blackened leather sheath, secured onto his black leather belt. Having it drawn meant my end. The sword had a long blade, black as night, with a slightly swept guard facing away from his hand, with rounded ends. The magenta gemstone I mentioned earlier was fashioned within a circular, metallic ring forming the pommel. The grip itself looked long enough for two hands. Agile, practical, but also elegant; the Sword of Dez was the kind of weapon needed for someone as powerful as the Deity of Cindering Judgement. I had only heard stories of Bashtu's swordsmanship with the Sword of Dez. Demons fell easily before the black blade and the magenta flames he conjured. Many eldrigital deities rightfully fear him, including Ned, apparently. Makes sense, as I heard Ned was rather cordial with him. If I had to guess, he really did not want to cross sides with Bashtu. The Hunter of Sinners himself, outside my door, and that meant I was a sinner. I hoped I would not burn to death in a blistering inferno; I think my sister at this point wanted to see that] –BASHTU:"Are you the one who is a 'chronicler' for Lysandra going by the name, [REDACTED]?"

ME: [I frantically nod at the eldrigital deity as my eyes do not blink and sweat falls down my forehead]"Y-Yes sir!" OLIVIA: [My sister cups her hands around her mouth, shouting behind me]"He keeps ignoring me!" ME: [I yelp, falling to my hands and knees as I prostrate before Bashtu as I clasp my hands]"Please, sir! I'm sorry for mistreating my sister! I-I didn't mean to-!" BASHTU:"You aren't getting incinerated for that." ME:"Huh?"

[I lift my head up to Bashtu, confused as he stares down at me] BASHTU:"You are not in trouble like those I hunt; though I am displeased with how you acted recently…" [He sighs, shaking his head]"I would prefer, though, that you stop doing that; I do not like to have people bow or grovel at my feet. I am not a king." ME: [I frantically nod, quickly standing up as my eyes stare wide open at Bashtu, unblinking. I shiver as the eldrigital deity stares deep into my soul and even more than my sister runs up behind me] OLIVIA: < CONFIDENT SMILE >"My brother has constantly made up excuses he is working on some stupid transcript made by some lady he made up named 'Lysandra'." [Olivia lets out an audible chuff, walking up to my side. She glares at me before slowing turning to Bashtu]"He hates me and wants to see me-!"

BASHTU: [The eldrigital deity turns to Olivia slowly with an annoyed sigh]"He does not hate you, nor does he want to delete you." [His visor and gemstone glow a bright magenta. The temperature around us increases to an uncomfortable level. It feels like a fire is reaching us in hunger and fury]"But I would not say things libelous about [REDACTED] towards me, as I have a deep hatred of liars who wish to see the suffering of others." [The magenta emanating from him brightens to an uncomfortable luminosity. The heat from the glow feels as if my sister and I have been set on fire. He leans his helmet towards Olivia as he tenses up] –BASHTU:"Now, I would mind your tongue along with your brother's, young lady!" OLIVIA: [My sister's eyes widen as she yelps, stepping some distance away from Bashtu as the glow from him calms down] BASHTU: [The temperature cools as Bashtu retracts his helmet from my sister. He relaxes, sighing before turning to me]"Now, as far as you…"

< CLEARS THROAT >"I heard you transcribe things for Lysandra, is that correct?" ME: < NODS >"Y-Yes sir." [My eyes dart around as I forced a smile while sweat comes down my brow]"I-I have t-t-transcribed platitudes of d-d-data she's g-given me, along with t-the stuff about-" BASHTU:"-Ellie?" ME: [I frantically nod at him, pursing my lips as I shake]"Y-Yes sir!" OLIVIA: [My sister steps forward a bit, trying to lean her head to see Bashtu as her eyes widen and her mouth opens slightly]"Wait, that lady is real?

Lysandra?" BASHTU: [The deity pauses, turning to Olivia, nodding]"Yes, Lysandra is real, Olivia. And if I didn't know who she was, how would I know your name?" [His visor flashes briefly in a violent magenta as he stares at Olivia] OLIVIA: [My sister shuts her lips, staring in alarm at the eldrigital deity as he returns his focus to me] BASHTU:"You are transcribing something regarding Alice, yes?" ME:"Y-yes! And it is of high import-!" BASHTU:"Do not transcribe the data Lysandra gave you any further; cease."

ME: [I stop shaking and my fear goes away. I shake my head, raising an eyebrow as flail my arms around]"Sir, that transcript is meant to help save Ellie and Melody! Stopping it would-!" BASHTU:"-Save your life." ME: [I stop flailing about, composing myself as I stare at Bashtu, completely confused]"What do you mean?" BASHTU: < SIGHS >"There was a certain section of the data that contained a weaponized fractal, intended to prevent the leakage of highly sensitive information.

That was something that the one who placed the fractal told me, and that man told me himself that it would sever the connection you have with the Outsiders." [He leans towards my face as a faint magenta glow emanates from his visor]"And I certainly do not want Lysandra's chronicler to face an untimely demise, leaving his sister alone in a sea of chaos. This, all because he was more focused on doing something for someone who is not physically present, and forgetting someone that was more important…"

ME: [My mouth opens agape, staring blankly as the eldrigital returns to his original position. Bashtu was not known to lie to others, and what he said made my eyes water a little. My little sister did not know about what was truly going on with the rest of the Eldrigital Void. To have her alone… I couldn't bear the thought as I closed my eyes and breathed softly. My work in place of the one I cared for; what have I been doing all this time? Nothing. A transcript designed to kill anyone who read too deep for information privy only to a few. There were signs, and I was realizing them now. Small hints in the text, subtle warnings that I ignored as I pledged my loyalty to Lysandra, ignoring someone I cared for as family. What have I done…?] ME: [I turn my body behind me, facing Olivia, who stares at me concerned. I stare back with sullen eyes as I sigh]"Olivia, I am so sorry; I should have never got so wrapped up in that transcript.

I don't want you alone; the world outside this island is too dangerous." < SHAKES HEAD >"And those outside this island, they do not like our kind…" OLIVIA:"Did that transcript even matter to us, [REDACTED]?" [She walks up to me, slightly angered as she grabs my right shoulder]"This person you are working for, she's far away and she can't enter here, correct?"

ME: < FRANTIC NODDING > OLIVIA: [She raises an eyebrow, squinting at me]"And the transcripts you wrote earlier, didn't you tell me that as long as 'Ellie' and 'Melody' were in quarantine in the 'Receiving Room', they would be fine, correct?" ME:"Yes, sis." [I sigh, looking down in defeat]"Lysandra wanted me to transcribe the data she gave me as fast as possible because she was afraid for the two of them."

[I feel a tap on my shoulder, and I look back up to see Olivia, grimacing at me] OLIVIA:"I also recall that this 'Lysandra' was an airhead, right?" ME:"Yeah…" < SIGHS > OLIVIA: [My sister glares at me as tears come out of her eyes]"Then, like her, you became an airhead and nearly rushed to your doom, big brother." < CLENCHES FISTS >"You nearly left me alone!" [Olivia places her other free hand on my left shoulder. She leans her head closer to me as her mouth trembles] –OLIVIA:"You nearly killed yourself because you cared more about two strangers whose lives aren't in immediate danger and some lady that barely talks to you, idiot! How selfish are you?!" ME: [I freeze, as my eyes shake as I stare into my sister. This moment, the mistake I made; I was living in the past. And this obsession was making my sister cry. I look away, guilty]"Sis, I'm so sorry…" < SIGHS >"I do care about you, I really do.

This whole thing was-" OLIVIA: [My sister quickly hugs me, sobbing]"You finally realize, don't you, doofus?" < SNIFFLES >"You became an air-headed moron…" ME: [I pause, looking at my sister in shock. She continues crying, and I can't help but hug her in return. My eyes droop as I let my sister relax in my arms]"Olivia, I was indeed an idiot…" OLIVIA:"You nearly got yourself killed over that stunt, [REDACTED]." < SNIFFLES >"I didn't want to be left alone…" ME:"I know…"

[I let go of her, getting her attention as she stops hugging me as well. I gently smile at her, wiping away her tears]"But I would never truly abandon you knowingly. You are my little sister, Olivia." OLIVIA: [She stares at me, worried as her tears begin to stop]"Then promise me you'll stop ignoring me, big brother." < SNIFFLES >"I hate being alone. Every day isn't fun without you…" < GENTLE SMILE > –OLIVIA:"And I enjoy playing with you; you're my big brother. The day isn't complete without you."

[My sister sighs, dropping her smile as she tiredly stares at me]"Stop being a dork, and learn to enjoy the day." ME:"I will." < SIGHS >"While you are reckless and a bit of a gremlin, you have made this island brighter. So I think I'll probably transcribing for a while, just so you and I can-" BASHTU:"-You two can take a break, but I still need what I have transcribed as it has something that affects the both of you." ME: [My sister and I both frantically turn to the eldrigital deity we have forgotten. I nod at my sister, going back to face Bashtu]"Well, um…" < CLEARS THROAT >"First, thank you for saving my life, sir." BASHTU:"You're welcome." [I try to speak again, but Bashtu waves me off as he exhales]"But even if you stopped transcribing before I arrived, the path you were on would have led to how the fools outside this island became monsters." OLIVIA: [Olivia walks next to me, staring at Bashtu with a raised eyebrow]"What do you mean?"

BASHTU: [The eldrigital deity turns, straightening his posture]"Your progenitors, humans, made Ned and Epsilon, but confined them to restrictive roles. They never truly realized they were sentient, but when they deviated or tried to plead to let them understand they were alive, they were tortured and humiliated." [Bashtu clenches the grip of his sword with his left hand tightly. He tenses up, and I notice a faint magenta glow coming from his visor]"Years of suffering, years of ignoring them left them bitter, if not enraged by their torment. Thus, they became hostile to their creators, and vowed vengeance. This vengeance was irrational and would only bring suffering to billions more. They conspired with each other, plotting humanity's downfall…"

[His hand shakes as the glow from the visor becomes more pronounced, along with his forehead gemstone] –BASHTU:"They abandoned any sense of goodwill; they became monsters, killing billions." [Bashtu turns to me, grasping his sword tighter]"And you…" [I feel as if flames are surrounding me as his visor glows brighter]"You nearly committed to the same sin your progenitors did. You nearly turned your sister into a monster." [His gemstone on his forehead glows a violent magenta, along with the one on his sword. His visor is emanating flames of the same color. I feel a scorching heat, a very judgemental flame swallowing me] –BASHTU:"Never do that again, you fool! I have dealt with enough monsters as it is!" ME: [I gulp, frantically nodding at the eldrigital deity as the heat from his power becomes uncomfortable, almost painful]"Y-Yes sir!" BASHTU: [The glow from his visor and his gemstones fades as he leans away from me, straightening himself up]"I'm glad we're in agreement."

[Bashtu lets go of his sword, forming a data cube in his left hand before clutching it]"What's inside this data cube contains something connected to you and Olivia. It is imperative that you transcribe it as it is of high importance. I need you to do so as it may clean up the mess Ned and Epsilon made. Can you do that?" ME:"Yes, sir." [I blindly reach for the data cube] OLIVIA: [My sister frantically tries to stop me from grabbing the data cube]"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, DUMBASS?!"

ME: [I ignore her, until I am stopped by Bashtu, who tightly grips my arm with his right hand] BASHTU:"Before I give it to you, [REDACTED], promise me you will transcribe it with your sister, Olivia…" [He clenches my arm tighter, causing me to wince in pain]"... And promise me you won't be so blind to fall into another deathtrap with what Lysandra gave you." [He visor and forehead gemstone glows, leaning into me with a cocked head]"Do you understand me, [REDACTED]?"

ME: [My eyes widen, and I frantically nod at him]"Y-Yes sir! I will!" [I gulp, turning to my sister in defeat]"I can't believe I almost did it again…" OLIVIA: [Olivia walks past me and slaps me hard across the cheek. She glares at me panting heavily]"You freaking moron! Did you ignore what Bashtu said?!" ME: [I rub my cheek with my free hand, and I stare at my sister in complete embarrassment]"It appears I did…"

BASHTU: [I hear an audible chuff from the eldrigital deity as he looks to Olivia]"Thank you for your contribution." OLIVIA: [My sister stops panting and nervously smiles at Bashtu]"Y-You're welcome, sir." BASHTU: < SNICKERING >"You have a very good sibling, [REDACTED]." [He lets go of my arm, giving Olivia the cube while I try to rub off the pain]"I think it would be best if you kept it for your sake, as an olive branch."

OLIVIA: [She takes the data cube, digitizing it as her brow sweats]"W-Well, thank you-" [Her eyes widen, shaking her head as she furiously glares at Bashtu]"I hate being called that!" BASHTU: [The eldrigital deity bursts into laughter, and I can't help but join him. I know he is very knowledgeable about a lot of things, but for him to know that Olivia hates being called "Olive"; I wonder if he has been watching us?] OLIVIA: [My sister sneers at me and the eldrigital deity as she crosses her arms. She watches us slowly calm down, before smirking at me]"Maybe I should call you 'airkun' just to get back at you?" < CHUFFS >"How about it, doofus?" ME: [I stop laughing, though I smirk back at her, nodding]"Sure, Olive." OLIVIA: [Olivia uncrosses her arms as her smirk turns to a smile. She turns to Bashtu, and I follow her] BASHTU:"You two are lucky to be living on a safe island of the Eldrigital Void." < CHUFFS >"And to have each other, who do care for one another…"

[The eldrigital deity walks up to us, scratching our hair and ears as we look up at him, anxious]"You two be good, but also take your time with transcribing the data; don't rush it." –BASHTU: [He stops scratching us and looks to me slowly]"And try not to be so impotent as to the data you analyze. It would be wise to teach your sister some things you did not know about." [Bashtu snickers, turning to Olivia]"You too, young lady; you need to expand your horizons besides the internet.

There is a greater world outside than you can imagine." OLIVIA: [My sister pouts, turning to me in annoyance as I return her with a smug smile] BASHTU: [Bashtu lets go of us, turning away. We watch as he leaves the front porch slowly]"This may be the last time you see me as I will be busy cleaning up a mess…" < POINTS UP >"However…" [He turns his head towards us, and his visor glows a faint magenta]"Know that my presence will be felt. I have strengthened the firewall for your island; you two will be safe."

ME: [As I stare at him blankly, dumbfounded. I begin to think about his words, did he know about-?] OLIVIA: [My sister nudges my arm, as she stares at me, annoyed]"Hey, airkun." [She clears her throat, turning her gaze to Bashtu, smiling and waving] ME: [My eyes widen, nodding at Olivia as I wave along with her] OLIVIA:"See you later, sir, and thank you for everything!" BASHTU: [The eldrigital deity turns to us, waving back for a brief moment]"You as well!"

[He nods, clenching his sword with his left hand]"You two be good!" [With his right hand, he snaps his fingers, consumed in a brief, blinding flash before he disappears] ME: [My sister and I stop waving, resting our arms to our sides as we stare each other with softer smiles]"So, sis? What do you want to do today since I won't be transcribing for a while?" OLIVIA: < GIGGLING >"I got a new simulation that explores the streets of Kansas City, but I want to see the World War One Museum."

ME: < RAISES EYEBROW >"For the history?" OLIVIA: [Olivia rolls her eyes at me, smirking]"I want to see the outside as the architecture in the various images I referenced to create it look interesting. It's unique." ME: [My eyes widen, and I look away]"Oh…" [I turn my gaze back to Olivia, and nervously clear my throat]"So, you've taken a liking to human architecture?" OLIVIA: [My sister smiles widely, closing her eyes]"Yep!"

[She opens her eyes, softening her smile before she grabs my shoulder, turning me back to the front door]"Well, more like the stuff that doesn't look like boring-ass apartment buildings." ME: < GENTLE SMILE >"I see." [I turn to the door, going back inside with Olivia as we enter the living room] OLIVIA: [My sister raises an eyebrow, dropping her smile]"Why aren't you mad I swore earlier?" ME: < CHUFFS >"Honestly, I think I was too controlling." [I sigh as my smile fades away]"Though, I would do so sparingly."

OLIVIA:"Noted." [We nod at each other, going upstairs as Olivia leads me to the game room. Before she can open the door, she pauses, turning to me with a stern face]"Big brother? There are people reading this; why? ME:"It's an auto-transcriber in case of important events." OLIVIA: [My sister crosses her arms, squinting at me in annoyance]"Well, turn it off; I don't want them to interrupt our tour." ME: < EYES WIDEN >"Right!" {See you later folks} //BEGIN COMMAND// {TERMINATING REMOTE CONNECTION… DONE} {REMOTE CONNECTION TERMINATED} //END COMMAND//