the year 2040, humanity thrives alongside humanoid robots. However, these robots are more than tools—they have emotions, thoughts, and aspirations, but tragically shorter lifespans. Ayla Kross, a brilliant yet disillusioned programmer, is tasked with advancing the robotics industry by creating the first completely self-aware android, Ravyn-9. But Ravyn-9 isn’t like the others; he begins to exhibit emotions far deeper than Ayla anticipated. When an intergalactic corporation seeks to exploit her creation for war, Ayla and Ravyn-9 embark on a dangerous journey across alien worlds to uncover secrets buried deep in humanity’s history and Ravyn-9’s programming. As love blossoms between creator and creation, the two must confront the question: can love bridge the divide between human and machine?

Mechanical hearts

The air in the ruins of the Resistance’s hidden base was thick with acrid smoke. Ayla stumbled over the shattered remains of what was once their central command hub, her thoughts racing. Somewhere behind her, Ravyn-9 walked with a mechanical precision that belied the tension she could feel radiating from him. His luminous eyes darted from shadow to shadow, scanning for threats. 


The collapse of their sanctuary had been sudden and calculated—a coordinated strike by Kael that had come too quickly for anyone to react. Ayla’s lungs burned as she steadied herself against a broken console, memories of the chaos flashing in her mind: comrades screaming, the air torn apart by plasma blasts, and Sorin’s anguished plea for forgiveness as he revealed the price of his betrayal. 


“Ravyn, we need to regroup,” she said, her voice strained. “Kael’s forces won’t stop here.” 


“We need more than a regroup,” Ravyn replied, his tone clipped. “We need a plan that doesn’t end in annihilation.” 


Chapter 19