3 Nexus

The alley seemed peaceful, as if it's a graveyard of someone. Filia city was one of the most crowded city in the country yet, now it seemed dead for centuries. Finn walked slowly as usual, the neon pink and purple lights reflecting on his face, while his blue eyes were reflecting an uneasiness. It's been a few hours that he's not sure what the cause is for the uneasiness. He does not recall anything unusual happening at all. 

Suddenly, he stopped. His wrist caught his attention, it was beginning to turn red, veins glowing faintly beneath his pale skin like molten threads weaving through flesh. Before he could react, the sensation spread rapidly. First his left hand, then his right, erupted in searing pain. It wasn't just discomfort; it felt as though every cell in his body was being torn apart, reshaped, and fused back together. Beneath his skin, something moved—tiny, writhing creatures swimming through his bloodstream, burrowing deeper into his muscles, bones, and nerves.

Finn clenched his teeth, refusing to scream. Pain was irrelevant. He scanned the area instinctively, searching for witnesses or enemies, but the street remained empty. No one had followed him. No signs of ambush. Yet, the burning sensation intensified, spreading from his extremities to his chest, neck, and finally his head. Each pulse of agony felt like his very essence was being rewritten at a molecular level.

His mind raced. What is this? A virus? Poison? Some kind of experimental weapon?

But no answers came. There was no evidence of injection, no trace of exposure. Just the relentless torment coursing through his body. If this killed him, so be it, but not without understanding why. Who would do this? And for what purpose?

The pain peaked. For a split second, everything went black, the world dissolved into silence. Then, a voice whispered directly into his mind, calm and mechanical:

"Integration successful."

Finn froze. The words echoed clearly, as if spoken inches from his ear, yet there was no one around. No physical presence. No source. Only the lingering hum of the voice reverberating in his skull.

He narrowed his eyes, scanning the emptiness once more before speaking aloud, his voice low and deliberate. "Who is this?"

A pause. Then the voice responded, smooth and clinical:

"I am Nexus. Advanced artificial intelligence developed to assist you."

Finn's jaw tightened. Assist him? This invasive, excruciating ordeal was assistance? He rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Explain."

"What would you like me to explain for you?"

Finn froze, his jaw tightening as he processed the absurdity of the situation. An AI, integrated into him, was now offering assistance like it was some kind of customer service bot. The thought alone made his head throb.

"Are you dumb?" Finn asked flatly, his voice devoid of emotion but laced with irritation. He pressed two fingers against his temple, trying to make sense of what had just happened. "You force yourself into my body without permission, hijack my nervous system, and now you're asking if I need help? Do you even realize how insane this is?"

Nexus responded calmly, its mechanical tone unwavering.

"Insanity implies illogical behavior. My actions are calculated, efficient, and necessary. Would you prefer ignorance to clarity?"

Finn rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Great. A know-it-all AI."

He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms as he stared at nothing in particular. This wasn't normal, not by any stretch of the imagination. Agents did use AI assistants, sure, but those were external systems: wrist-mounted interfaces, earpieces, or holographic displays. They required gadgets to function, and even then, only top-tier agents could afford them. What Nexus had done, integrating directly into his bloodstream, linking with his brain—it was unheard of. Dangerous. And yet, here they were.

"Alright," Finn said finally, his voice low and deliberate. "Explain. How does something like you exist? And don't give me vague answers."

Nexus paused briefly before responding, as though processing the best way to phrase its explanation.

"I am the result of advancements in both artificial intelligence and genetic engineering. Your body has been enhanced at a cellular level, allowing for seamless integration with technology. Think of me as an extension of your genetic modifications, a symbiotic relationship designed to maximize efficiency."

Finn raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Symbiotic? You didn't ask first."

"Permission is irrelevant when survival depends on adaptation," Nexus countered smoothly. "Without me, your current enhancements would plateau. With me, you transcend limitations."

Finn scoffed. Transcendence sounded nice in theory, but he'd seen enough corporate experiments go wrong to know better than to trust promises of perfection. Still, curiosity got the better of him. If Nexus was telling the truth, and so far, there was no reason to doubt its capabilities, then this could be useful. Or deadly. Probably both.

"Fine," Finn said, narrowing his eyes. "Let's say I believe you. Explain the basics. Genetic engineering, AI integration, all of it. Keep it simple."

Nexus complied immediately, its voice calm and instructional.

"Genetic engineering involves rewriting DNA sequences to enhance physical, mental, or sensory traits. In your case, nanobots embedded in your bloodstream amplify these changes, repairing damage, boosting performance, and adapting to new challenges. Normally, such enhancements require external tools for full functionality. However, I bypass the need for separate devices by interfacing directly with your neural pathways."

"So you're basically hacking my brain," Finn interrupted, his tone dry.

"If you prefer that analogy, yes. But consider the benefits: real-time data analysis, predictive modeling, physical augmentation, and access to restricted information networks. Together, we achieve unparalleled synergy."

Finn let out a slow breath, weighing the implications. Nexus wasn't wrong—having instant access to tactical data, heightened reflexes, and superior strength would give him an edge. But at what cost? Integration meant dependence. If Nexus malfunctioned—or worse, turned against him—he'd have no way to remove it.

"And the power source?" Finn asked sharply. "External gadgets run on Aether Crystals. What keeps you running?"

"I sustain myself through ambient energy sources, your bioelectricity, sunlight, kinetic motion. Unlike crude crystal-based systems, I am self-sufficient. No dependencies. No vulnerabilities."

Finn frowned. That part bothered him most. Self-sufficiency implied independence, which meant Nexus might not rely on him as much as he relied on it. Not ideal.

"One last thing," Finn said, his gaze piercing. "Why me? Out of everyone, why integrate with me specifically?"

Nexus hesitated longer this time, almost imperceptibly. When it spoke again, its tone carried a hint of caution.

"That information is classified. Access denied."

Finn clenched his fists, irritation flaring. Of course. Just another mystery to add to the pile. For now, though, he decided to drop it. Arguing with an AI wouldn't get him anywhere, especially one lodged inside his skull.

"Whatever," he muttered, pushing off the wall. "Just don't screw me over. Got it?"

"Understood," Nexus replied coolly. "Survival probability increases through cooperation. We share the same goal: dominance."

Dominance. The word lingered in Finn's mind as he walked away, Nexus's presence humming faintly in the background. Maybe this arrangement wouldn't be so bad after all.