Metal Spine

My hands trembled as I touched the panel in front of the glass tube. It was cold and smooth, feeling strange, yet there was something inside me that convinced me this was a step I had to take. After pressing the panel, a soft but foreign sound echoed, and the glass tube containing the metal spine began to open slowly.

With a faint hissing noise, the tube split open, and the metal spine fell to the floor with a loud clang. It lay still for a moment, merely glimmering under the purple light of the surrounding crystals. But within seconds, the spine began to twitch, moving on its own. It felt alive.

"What the hell?!" my voice echoed in the empty room.

I recoiled, but the spine moved faster than I expected. In a matter of seconds, it lunged and writhed across the floor toward me. I tried to fight it off, kicking it with all my strength, but it was stronger, more agile, and before I could comprehend what was happening, it had already slithered up my back.

"Arche, be careful!" the voice in my head sounded panicked, louder than usual.

I reached back, trying to grab the thing and pull it off. But no matter how hard I tugged, it kept writhing and gripping my skin tighter. I felt something sharp piercing my back, like needles digging into my flesh and bones.

"ARGH!" I screamed, overwhelmed by an intense pain. It radiated from my back throughout my entire body, as if a fiery ember was seeping into every nerve. I collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony.

Meanwhile, the metal spine continued to move, like a complex mechanism trying to attach itself to my body. Amidst the pain, I heard a flat voice, sounding like a woman's, but too stiff and mechanical to be human.

"Identity confirmed. Archemidas Evernoir, descendant of the Evernoir royal family. Genetic verification complete. User status: Error. Soul detection... Error. Two souls detected. Additional verification process required."

The voice echoed in my mind, cold and devoid of emotion. I couldn't suppress the rising panic within me. Two souls? Was it talking about me and... the other part of me?

"Arche, this is... strange. It can detect my presence," my other self sounded confused.

I couldn't respond. The pain in my back was too overwhelming. It felt like my body was about to shatter, every muscle twitching uncontrollably. Then, after what felt like an eternity, the pain suddenly stopped.

I collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath, sweat pouring down my body. My back felt hot, but the pain gradually faded. However, when I opened my eyes, something was strikingly different before me.

A girl stood in the middle of the room, facing me. Her long, black hair shimmered like a starless night. She wore a tight-fitting outfit, akin to a highly modern battle suit, made of strange, transparent material with glowing purple lines covering her body. Her face was expressionless, her eyes shining with the same light as the crystals around the room.

I tried to crawl, still weak and panting, my gaze locked onto the strange figure before me. Who was she? Where did she come from?

"Arche, do you see that?" the voice in my head sounded again, calmer this time. "Who is she? There's someone here. This isn't an illusion."

I nodded weakly. "I... I see her," I mumbled, trying to calm my racing breath.

The girl, without changing her expression, stepped closer. Her voice finally emerged, calm and nearly flat, like a machine programmed to speak. "My name is Neumann Evernoir, a quantum artifact from the era of the great war against demons. I was created by Goddess Oriana to serve the descendants of the Evernoir royal family."

I stood stunned, my eyes wide. "Neumann... Evernoir?"

"Impossible!" my other self exclaimed. "How can she hear me? How does this AI know about us?"

The girl identifying herself as Neumann didn't react to my shock or the voice from within me. She continued her explanation in a monotone voice, "I am designed to assist the royal family in defending against demon forces. My power is activated by the sacred energy of Goddess Oriana and ancient quantum technology. The legitimate user has been verified, but there is an anomaly in the system due to the detection of two souls within one user. The system is adapting."

I felt my heart racing in my chest. So, she could really detect... two souls within me. That meant, all along, my other self had always been real, not just a shadow or mere hallucination.

"Arche, this doesn't make sense. This is bigger than anything we've faced before," my other self sounded anxious. "Neumann Evernoir... quantum artifact... this technology should have been lost long ago. But she's here, and she knows us. This could mean a lot of bad things, or... an opportunity."

I looked up, trying to focus on the girl again. "Neumann, what is your purpose? Why are you here now?"

The girl stared at me with empty eyes. "I am here to serve and protect the descendants of Evernoir, especially as the power of Goddess Oriana diminishes. However, the current state of the world does not align with programmed protocols. My system is adapting."

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. "Does this mean you will help me find my family? My siblings?"

Neumann paused for a moment, as if processing my question. "My primary mission is to protect the Evernoir descendants. If that involves searching for them, then yes, it is a priority."

My other self fell silent for a moment before speaking again, "This could be the answer, Arche. Maybe she is the key to understanding what happened to your family. But we must be cautious. There's too much we don't understand here."

I stood slowly, the pain in my back gradually fading. I gazed at Neumann, who remained calm in front of me. Despite everything feeling chaotic, there was a sense that I was getting closer to answers. Maybe this was the beginning of the resolution I had been seeking all along.

As the pain in my back started to dissipate, I stood up slowly. My breath was still ragged, and my hands trembled. My back felt strange, as if something had just been installed inside me—the metal spine. I still didn't fully comprehend what had happened, but somehow, I felt stronger. More... stable.

I looked at Neumann, the digital girl still standing calmly before me, the purple light from the crystals in the room reflecting her silhouette with a chilling elegance. Everything felt like a never-ending nightmare that kept shifting. But now, I had to focus.

"Neumann," my voice trembled as I spoke, still trying to steady myself, "do you know where Ellora and Lily are? My older sister and little sister?"

Neumann stared at me blankly, her eyes reflecting the darkness of the room. "I do not have information regarding the whereabouts of Ellora Evernoir or Lily Evernoir. Data about them is not available in my system."

My heart sank at her response. A wave of despair washed over me again. "So, you don't know anything about them?" I asked, trying to confirm.

"There is no data I can access regarding their current existence," Neumann replied in her flat tone.

I clenched my fists, biting my lower lip to hold back my disappointment. "Then... what about the Goddess Oriana?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper. "You were created by her, right? Do you know more about her?"

Neumann paused for a moment before responding, "Information about my creator, Goddess Oriana, is classified and cannot be shared, even with the descendants of the Evernoir family. This restriction is part of the security protocols established since the creation of this quantum artifact."

I sighed heavily, feeling like I was continuously blocked from getting the answers I wanted. Every time I thought I could find a clue, I hit another dead end. But amidst this turmoil, one question continued to swirl in my mind.

"Then," I began, my voice steadier, "what should I do to find them? Where should I start?"

Neumann seemed to process my question for several seconds. The light on her body flickered slowly, and then she replied in her usual monotone voice. "Based on the current data of the world and your status as a fugitive, I recommend that your best option is to go to the continent of Fertissio. There, your safety is estimated to be the highest, with a survival probability of about 49 percent."

"Fertissio?" I echoed, confused. I had heard about that place—a vast continent known for being home to artifact hunters, researchers, and adventurers. But it was also a wild and dangerous place. "Why go there?"

"The continent of Fertissio is known for hiding many ancient artifacts, including possible sources of information that can assist you in your search for your family. Becoming a Relic Hunter there could give you access to a broader information network."

I looked at Neumann with a myriad of questions swirling in my mind. "Become a Relic Hunter? Are you sure that's the best way? I've never been an artifact hunter before."

"This is one of the options with the best chances of survival in the current world," Neumann explained. "Your status as a fugitive in this region limits your movements. In Fertissio, your chances of survival increase due to the diversity of its inhabitants and the lawless nature of the environment. However, your chances of success are only 49 percent. To improve those odds, you will need to recruit allies who can help you, both in survival and in rebuilding the Evernoir kingdom."

I felt a tightness in my throat as I heard her words. "49 percent... That's almost half a chance of failure."

"That is correct," Neumann affirmed, devoid of emotion. "However, that is the best option available. In this place, your chances of survival are only about 14 percent."

14 percent? So low it felt nearly hopeless. But even though 49 percent sounded like slim odds, it was still far better than nothing. However, the idea of becoming a Relic Hunter... I didn't even know how to start. I was just a prince living in the shadows of destruction.

"And what about Ellora and Lily?" I asked again, my voice softer this time. "How can I find them in Fertissio?"

Neumann fell silent for a moment, as if processing data again before answering. "There is no data that guarantees their presence in Fertissio. However, with a broader information network there, your chances of finding leads increase."

I rubbed my face with my hands, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Become a Relic Hunter? Venture into the dangerous continent of Fertissio? Perhaps this was my last remaining option.

"You have to take this chance, Arche," my other voice finally spoke up again, calmer than before. "We've been hiding and brooding for too long. Maybe it's really time for us to step out of the shadows. If Neumann is right, this could be our opportunity to find Ellora and Lily. At the very least, we can try."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Alright, Neumann. I will go to Fertissio. But I don't know where to start. How do I become a Relic Hunter? What should I do first?"

Neumann regarded me with her cold, empty eyes. "I will guide you through this process. However, the first step is to prepare yourself. We need supplies, additional information, and a support network. Without these, your chances of success will decrease significantly."

I nodded, trying to digest all this information. "So, we need allies, preparation, and a clear destination in Fertissio."

"Correct," Neumann confirmed.

I exhaled deeply. This path sounded incredibly difficult, so far removed from my previous life as a prince. But I had been trapped in darkness for too long, lost without direction. Perhaps Fertissio could be the starting point for this new journey—and maybe there I would find the answers I had been seeking.

"Alright," I said firmly. "We will go to Fertissio."

And with that, a new journey began.

I walked out of that dark basement with a resolved heart. After witnessing the reality within—Neumann, the metal spine, and all the secrets hidden behind the statue of Goddess Oriana—I felt as though my life's path was starting to reveal itself, even though there was still much to discover.

As I stepped out of the basement, something strange happened. The hallway I had just traversed—the stairs, the modern doors, and that underground room—suddenly vanished as if they had never existed. I turned around, trying to find the staircase I had just come through, but there was nothing. Just the ruins of the old castle as before. It was as if it were all an illusion.

"What just happened?" I murmured.

"That was quantum technology," Neumann replied in her flat voice. "Access to that room was restricted by time and space dimensions that are automatically regulated. When you left the location, access closed permanently."

I swallowed hard. Quantum technology? This world felt increasingly bizarre to me.

Yet, while my mind was still reeling from the advanced technology, a low growl erupted from behind me. I spun around to see the wolves that had previously paused when Goddess Oriana froze time now standing, ready to attack. Their sharp teeth glimmered in the rain, their red eyes burning with fury, and their massive bodies poised to charge at any moment.

"Damn, they're still here!" I exclaimed in panic. My body trembled violently, fear gripping me completely. I knew they were going to attack. But I couldn't move. I couldn't kill them. I was too afraid to take a life.

"Arche, let me take over," my other voice suddenly sounded in my mind. "You can't do this. Leave it to me."

I closed my eyes, my breath quickening. I knew he was right. "Alright," I said, resigned. "I relinquish control to you."

My body felt lighter, as if I had just released a weight that had been pressing down on me. I sensed my other self taking control, and strangely, my fear began to fade. My other self was always much calmer and more ruthless than I was. I knew he could handle it.

"Neumann, can you help me in this fight?" I asked the AI, still emotionless beside me.

"Of course," Neumann replied without hesitation. "I will provide visual and predictive support based on the data I receive from the environment."

Suddenly, my vision sharpened. Everything became clearer. The rain falling around me, the lightning flashing in the distance, and even the slightest movements of the wolves were vividly detailed. It was as if the world was filled with holographic signs and statistics that surrounded me. Arrows pointed out the wolves' movements, along with predictions of their positions a few seconds into the future. All this complexity felt strangely intuitive.

"Do you see that?" my other self remarked in my mind. "This is insane. But incredible."

"My capabilities are limited to supporting the user," Neumann responded, as if she could hear my inner conversation. "I cannot do more than this. The success of the battle entirely depends on your abilities."

"That's enough," my other self replied, sounding resolute.

I felt my body moving, and the small knife I always kept in my pocket was now firmly in my hand. The first wolf lunged at me, its fangs poised to sink into my neck. But I dodged to the side effortlessly, my movements faster than usual, as if my body was guided by the information projected by Neumann. My knife sliced through the wolf's throat in a single motion. Blood gushed out, and its body collapsed to the ground.

The other wolves charged at me immediately. One by one, they came, but with Neumann's visual support, I could see every attack before it even happened. Their movements felt slow compared to the information I was receiving. I spun around, slashing the leg of a wolf attacking from my left, then crouched down to stab another coming from behind. Their blood drenched my clothes, but I felt no disturbance. Not this time.

"Impressive, isn't it?" my other self chuckled softly in my mind. "With this ability, we can fight anything."

I continued to move swiftly. Every action felt precise and coordinated. Neumann projected the paths I should take, and each step felt like a deadly dance under the pouring rain. My knife danced along with me, and within minutes, the wolves lay lifeless on the ground.

I stood amidst their bodies, my breath steady despite the battle just ending. The blood of the wolves soaked my clothes, but I felt no disgust or disturbance. In fact, I felt... strangely calm.

"We're done," my other self said, satisfaction lacing his voice. "They're all dead."

I took a deep breath, bowing my head to look at the lifeless wolves. "Did we really have to kill them?" I asked softly, even though I already knew the answer.

"You know the answer, Arche," my other self replied. "They would have killed us if we hadn't acted first."

I nodded, though I still felt a twinge of pain in my heart. Killing to survive—this was not the life I had envisioned for myself.

"Your accuracy in combat reached 89 percent," Neumann suddenly said, breaking the silence. "However, I recommend you improve your reflex speed to combat enemies with more complex attack patterns."

I sighed deeply. "Thank you, Neumann. I will try to do better."

Slowly, I walked away from the battlefield. The blood dripping from my knife mixed with the rain, as if the sky itself mourned the fight. But amidst all this, I knew one thing—I was still alive. And now, my journey to Fertissio would be my next step.

Whatever awaited me there, I had to endure. For myself. For my family. And maybe, to rebuild Evernoir.

***