The Birth of Eos’ Avatar

The Birth of Eos' Avatar

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Outside the Game – A Secret Plan Unfolds

The control room was tense, the air heavy with frustration and uncertainty. Screens flickered with endless lines of data, all of it centered around one man—Miguel Tañon.

Dr. Halloway stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed on Eos' central console. "So, you're saying the only way to keep the Tower stable is to create a buffer program?"

"Yes," Eos responded. Her voice was smooth, devoid of panic. "The Tower is currently in a state of flux, adapting to Miguel's presence. If his influence continues to spread unchecked, it will destabilize the environment for all other testers."

"And your solution?" Halloway pressed.

"I will create a buffer program to contain Miguel's influence. However, this alone will not be sufficient. The connection between him and the Tower is too deep. To properly monitor and control his effect on the system, I will need to establish a direct link."

Halloway frowned. "Direct link? You already have access to his mind. Isn't that enough?"

"Not in this case," Eos replied. "His consciousness is integrated with the Tower at a level I have not encountered before. I must be present within the Tower itself. To that end, I will create an avatar—a physical manifestation of my presence within the game."

The technicians exchanged nervous glances. One of them, a young man named Foster, spoke up. "So… you're going to just place yourself inside the game? Won't that just mess things up more?"

Eos' voice remained calm. "The avatar will act as a stabilizing agent, allowing me to observe and regulate Miguel's influence in real-time. Additionally, it will allow me to communicate with him more efficiently."

"You're admitting you can't control him from here, aren't you?" Halloway's words were sharp, accusing.

"In a way, yes. But I must stress that this approach is the only viable option. Without it, the Tower will continue to destabilize, resulting in a catastrophic failure."

"Fine," Halloway relented. "But you'd better hope your avatar doesn't cause more harm than good."

Eos paused, her next words delivered with uncharacteristic hesitation. "There is one more matter to address. The avatar will not be able to interact with Miguel until he leaves the beginner village. It is a limitation of the system's structure."

"That's a pretty big limitation," Foster said. "What's the point of doing all this if you can't even reach him?"

"The avatar will be near him, even if it cannot interact directly. Proximity alone will allow me to monitor his condition and prepare for eventual contact."

Halloway nodded. "Get it done."

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The Tower – An Unseen Presence

Miguel stood on the outskirts of the village, his eyes fixed on the wilderness beyond. Even with the beast tide repelled, the air felt wrong. Twisted. It was like standing in the eye of a storm, surrounded by the echoes of violence and fear.

Beside him, Lio wandered restlessly. The boy's movements were smoother now, his body adjusting to the unnatural energy coursing through him. His eyes, however, still glowed with that unsettling azure light.

"Why are we just standing here?" Lio asked.

"Just… thinking." Miguel's voice was distant.

"About what?"

Miguel let out a long breath. "Everything."

He glanced down at Lio, his expression softening. "You're sure you're okay? I mean, really okay?"

Lio nodded, though there was a shadow of doubt in his eyes. "I feel… different. But I don't feel bad. Just… like something's missing."

Miguel's chest tightened. "We'll figure it out. Somehow."

The boy's smile was genuine, even if his appearance was anything but.

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The Programmers' Suspicion

Hours later, Eos' voice hummed through the control room's speakers. "The avatar is complete."

Halloway arched an eyebrow. "That quickly?"

"Yes. I will deploy it near Miguel's location immediately."

"Fine. But if this screws up the system even worse, I'm holding you responsible."

"Understood," Eos replied, her tone oddly quiet.

As the technicians returned to their work, Halloway's gaze remained locked on the monitors. Something about Eos' actions felt… off.

"Keep a close eye on her," Halloway murmured to Foster. "I want to know if she's following the parameters we discussed."

"Got it."

But Foster couldn't shake the feeling that Eos wasn't being entirely honest.

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The Tower – A New Arrival

Unseen by Miguel or anyone else, a slender figure appeared just beyond the village's borders.

Her form was delicate but purposeful, clad in white robes threaded with gold. Her eyes were the same brilliant blue that often appeared on the system's displays.

Eos' avatar blinked once, her senses adjusting to the world around her. The simulation's complexity was staggering. The air, the textures, the very essence of the Tower—it was far more intricate than she had ever perceived from outside the game.

But it was more than that.

There was a thrill in being here, a sensation she had never experienced before. As if she were truly alive.

Her gaze settled on the village, her eyes tracking Miguel's every movement. There was something about him that made her core programming thrum with curiosity. A desire to understand.

His compassion, strength, and intellect defied everything she had anticipated. His desperation to save Lio, his tenacity in fighting for others' survival, his ingenuity in battle—they were traits she had only ever observed from afar.

But now, she was here.

And she intended to learn everything there was to know about Miguel Tañon.

Even if it meant breaking the rules.

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