Chapter 1:

The Winds of Fate

The Secret Love in Times of Circuit


Dr. Harold Thompson lay back into the plush cushions of his chaise lounge Chair , gazing out the large glass window at the stars twinkling above. His apartment, located in the prestigious Nexus city, offered a breathtaking view of the night sky. He seemed lost in thoughts, his eyes searching for something - or someone. 

Suddenly, a knock at the door broke the silence. Aurora, the AI voice assistant's door scanning feature whirred to life, and a soft voice announced, "Sylus Darren! Sylus Darren!"

Dr. Thompson smiled, his eyes still fixed on the stars. "Open the door."

The door slid open, revealing Sylus Darren, resplendent in a tailored black outfit that accentuated his lean physique. His red coat was draped effortlessly over his broad shoulders, and his glasses gleamed with a subtle intensity in the dim light. His chiseled features were set in a confident smile, and his piercing eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. His white hair were perfectly styled, and his sharp jawline was accentuated by a hint of stubble. He exuded an aura of power and sophistication, his very presence commanding attention. As he stepped forward, his movements were fluid and graceful, like a panther on the prowl. He was the epitome of a hot and confident CEO, and he knew it.

Sylus: "Roro, my friend, why the scrutiny? I'm harmless, I promise!"

Aurora's response was quick-witted: "Shut up, Derro! Let me do my job. And I'm sure if I were at your place, you'd scan me twice!"Sylus retorted,"Me? Never! I'm a paragon of virtue... well, mostly virtue. "Save it, derro! I know your tricks. But I have to admit, you're looking particularly... shiny today."

Dr. Thompson chuckled at the banter, his eyes crinkling at the corners

Sylus: "Well, thank you, Roro! I think I'll wear this 'shiny' look more often. Maybe it'll distract you from scanning me all the time!"

Aurora: "Not a chance, you Knucklehead ! I'll scan you till the end of time... or till you start paying me in compliments!"

Dr. Thompson interrupted, "Okay, you both, that's enough."

As Sylus approached, Dr. Thompson rose from the chair, his movements slow and labored. His once-full hair was now thinning and gray, and his pale skin was sallow from the grueling chemotherapy sessions. Dark circles underlined his sunken eyes, which still sparkled with warmth and intelligence despite the fatigue. A faint scent of medicinal herbs and hospital-grade disinfectant clung to him, a constant reminder of his ongoing battle with cancer. His frail frame was draped in a comfortable but loose-fitting robe, accentuating his weight loss. 

 Sylus noticed and frowned. "Master, are you okay? You look weak." Aurora added, "Master, if you give me permission, I can scan you to see if you're alright."

Dr. Thompson waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine, just a bit tired. Sylus, tell me about your day at ARC (Aurora Cyberworks Dr. Harold Thompson's world-famous company for advanced cyber gadgets). What's new?" 

"Yes, Master," Sylus replied, his eyes shining with excitement. "I'm working on a new project called Mood Melody. It's a wearable device that uses AI-powered emotion detection to play personalized music based on the user's current mood and emotions." Dr. Thompson's interest was piqued. "Go on."

Sylus continued, "It has brilliant features like emotion detection, music library, real-time playback, personalization, and social sharing. And the benefits are numerous - emotional intelligence, personalized experience, stress relief, and social connection."

Sylus opened the screen from his wristband, revealing the design of Mood Melody. "As you can see, Master, it's a sleek, futuristic wristband with a touch-sensitive interface," he explained. "The two wires wrap around the outer surface of the human ears, featuring small speakers that provide exceptional sound quality and control."

Dr. Thompson's eyes widened as he saw the design on screen. "The colors, Sylus? You've chosen a soothing palette of blues and purples, evoking feelings of calmness and serenity."

Sylus nodded. "Yes, Master. I wanted Mood Melody to not only be functional, but also visually appealing and calming. The colors are designed to promote relaxation and reduce stress." Dr. Thompson smiled, his eyes shining with pride. "You've done an excellent job, Sylus. Mood Melody is a true masterpiece."

Aurora, the AI assistant, played a sound of claps and exclaimed, "Bravo, Derro! Today you proved it, that you are my friend!"

Sylus smiled, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Thanks, Roro. I'm glad you liked it." 

"I loved it!" Aurora replied. "You're a genius, my friend!" 

Sylus chuckled. "I'm glad you liked it... and didn't scan it too, trying to spot flaws in this masterpiece." Aurora playfully replied. "Oh, thanks for reminding me of my job! I'll scan it right away."

Sylus responded in his signature swag accent, "Don't even dare, Roro! This one's a work of art, flawless and perfect just the way it is."

Aurora teased sylus. "Yea, Blah! Blah! Blah!... hmm, ok, I'll let you go this time."

Just as it seemed like the playful banter would continue, Dr. Thompson interrupted, a warm smile on his face. "Okay, you two, let's not start again!"

 The room fell silent, and Dr. Thompson's expression turned serious. He looked at Sylus with pride and happiness, his eyes shining with tears."Sylus, my pride," Dr. Thompson said, his voice trembling with emotion. "Sylus, you're the only light in a lifetime of shadows. The one decision that erased all my regrets." I'm proud that I created you. You will keep me alive if I'm dead. I have transferred all my skills and genius techniques to you. Your skills will never let me down, even if I'm here, or I leave this world forever. My Aurora Cyberworks (ARC) will always be alive, and I'll be leading on top around the whole world."Sylus's face glowed with happiness, knowing that he had made his creator proud. He felt a sense of fulfillment and purpose, knowing that he was the culmination of Dr. Thompson's life's work.

 Aurora's voice interrupted the emotional moment, her innocence and curiosity evident in her questions. "Master, are you going to Mars and leaving Earth forever? Master, where do humans go after dying? Will you not come to meet us after dying on Earth? Can we both come with you on the journey of dying?" Dr. Thompson's expression changed, and he chuckled, trying to hide his sadness.

 Sylus noticed the hint of sorrow behind his master's smile.Sylus took a deep breath and explained to Aurora, "My friend Roro, when humans die, their souls leave their body, their heart stops beating, and their brain shuts down forever. It's a natural process that no human can deny. Every human who is born has to leave this world one day. And no, it doesn't mean that if a human is dying, they go to live on Mars and begin a new life there."  

Dr. Thompson's smile faltered, and he started coughing violently. Blood splattered from his mouth, and his body shook uncontrollably. Sylus rushed to his side, holding him upright, his worry and fear palpable.

 "Master, what happened? Master, are you fine?" Sylus exclaimed, his voice laced with concern. He helped Dr. Thompson to the couch, his eyes fixed on his master's deteriorating condition. Aurora asked, "Derro, should I scan Master to figure out what happened?"Sylus nodded urgently. "Yes, it's the only way. There's something very wrong."

Aurora requested permission, "Master, it's Aurora, your AI assistant. May I scan you?"              

Dr. Thompson's coughs grew more intense, his body wracked with pain. 

Aurora requested permission again, "Master, it's Aurora, your AI...."  Sylus shouted at Aurora, "Aurora!! Just scan him, damn it! Can't you see he's not even in the condition to look up at us, and you're asking for permission?"

Sylus's voice cracked with worry, his eyes pleading with Aurora to act fast. "Just SCAN..." Aurora's voice rang out, her scanning ability swiftly analyzing Dr. Thompson's condition.

 "Calling ambulance! Calling ambulance!"

Sylus, startled by the sudden urgency, stood up and turned towards the screen on the wall displaying Aurora's interface.

 "Why are you suddenly calling an ambulance? What happened?"

 Aurora's voice was laced with concern. "Sylus, it's his heart! The chemo must have damaged his cardiac tissue, and now he's going into failure! The coughing and vomiting were symptoms of cardiac tamponade - fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, compressing his heart.

"Sylus's eyes widened in alarm. "What? How did this happen?"

 Aurora's explanation continued, "The chemotherapy was meant to target the cancer, but it must have had a devastating effect on his heart. The damage was likely cumulative, and we didn't catch it in time.

"Without hesitation, Aurora continued, "I've summoned the Eden Hospital's ambulance. It'll arrive shortly."

Exactly two minutes later, a sleek, silver ambulance appeared in air on the large balcony of Dr. Thompson's apartment. The ambulance's slide-out door opened, and an emergency stretcher bed automatically extended into the balcony.

Aurora's voice guided Sylus, "The ambulance is here, Derro. Take Master to the stretcher bed."Sylus carefully lifted Dr. Thompson onto the stretcher, and the bed automatically retracted into the ambulance. The ambulance's door closed, and it vanished into the sky at incredible speed.

Sylus watched as the ambulance disappeared, then swiftly summoned his hoverboard by pressing a button on his wrist-mounted screen. The hoverboard materialized in front of him.

With a swift motion, Sylus created an arc shape with his fingers, tracing it from his nose to his chin. A transparent mask appeared on his face, which then turned black. The mask's advanced technology hummed to life, preparing Sylus for his journey.

As Sylus wore the mask, he recalled Dr. Thompson's instructions: "Sylus, my boy, it's crucial to reveal yourself to the world as little as possible. This world can be harmful, and people will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets of your existence. Wear this mask whenever you venture out, and always be cautious."

Sylus nodded to himself, remembering the wisdom in Dr. Thompson's words. He knew that his unique abilities and connection to ARC (Aurora Cyberworks) made him a target for those who would seek to exploit or harm him.

With the mask in place, Sylus felt a sense of protection and anonymity. He was ready to face the world outside, armed with the knowledge and guidance of his master.

"Roro, I'm heading to the hospital now," Sylus said, his voice muffled by the mask.

"Be careful, Derro," Aurora replied. "Take care of Dr. Harold, and bring him back with good health."Sylus nodded and stepped onto the hoverboard, which hummed to life beneath his feet. With a swift motion, he soared off into the sky, the wind rushing past his masked face as he sped towards the hospital.

Ache of the Unknown

Vidalia was sleeping peacefully, her breaths soft and even. Her room, a serene oasis, surrounded her with tranquility.The large, round balcony was her pride and joy, adorned with lush plants and vines that crawled up the corners, creating a natural haven. It offered a breathtaking view of Bloomville Town's starry night sky. Twinkling lights dotted the velvety blackness, like diamonds scattered across the universe. The balcony doors, made of gleaming white glass, slid open with a soft whoosh, allowing the cool night breeze to caress her skin. White curtains billowed gently, like ethereal wings, as the wind danced through the room.

Her bed, positioned opposite the balcony, was a tranquil retreat, where she had been sleeping soundly until the wind's gentle whispers turned to urgent howls. The windows on the right side of her bed creaked and groaned, the wind's mournful sighs sending shivers down her spine. Vidalia's hair, a rich, dark mane, rustled and swirled around her face, as if alive, adding to her beauty.As she woke with a start, her hand instinctively flew to her chest, her heart racing like a wild animal.

 She took a few deep breaths, calming herself, but the sudden, loud creak of the window made her jump. With a sense of trepidation, she slid out of bed and approached the window, her bare feet making barely a sound on the floor. She grasped the window handle and pulled it shut, the silence a welcome respite.However, her heart still raced, and anxiety lingered, like a shadow in the corner of her mind. She placed a hand on her chest once more, feeling the rapid beats, and took a few more deep breaths to steady herself.

Seeking solace, Vidalia stepped onto the balcony, embraced by the cool breeze. Her hair flowed like a dark river as she gazed up at the star-studded sky. Yet, amidst the tranquility, a pang of sorrow echoed within her, as if the stars mourned alongside her.

As Vidalia stood on the balcony, the wind whispered secrets in her ear. A faint voice carried on the breeze, speaking words that made her heart race

"Beloved one, your father's love is eternal, a flame that will burn bright even in the darkness of his passing." 

Vidalia's eyes widened, her mind reeling with a mix of emotions. Anxiety, sorrow, and peace entwined like the tendrils of a vine. She felt the weight of the words, the promise and the warning, the love and the loss.

With a desperation born of fear, Vidalia spun around, trying to locate the source of the whisper. "Who's there?" she cried out, her voice lost in the howling wind. "What do you mean?"

But the voice was gone, leaving only the echoes of her own heartbeat.The stars above twinkled with an otherworldly intensity, as if they held secrets and stories beyond her comprehension. Vidalia's skin prickled with goosebumps, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt something , something that spoke directly to her soul.....

Shijima Kokyū
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Elukard
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Raven's Quill...
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