A/N: Hello! For my art minor, I had to work on ceramics. However, as I have issues making things from scratch, my teacher allowed me to make figures based off of the stories I made for them, which helped me immensely. As stated, I was heavily influenced by the NieR games, though it's not set in the universe or anything. It is simply inspired by it! That's all. You also might consider watching the pieces I made on my Tumblr (more information below). If you haven't played the games, please consider picking them up. For sure the music will have you breathless.

Anyhow, here are the 5 (very) short stories :)

Desert

This was my home. It was nothing much, but it was my home. In fact, most wouldn't even consider this anything near a house. But that didn't matter, because the one living in it was me. Furthermore, there were few others around.

However, lately I've started to notice something. It was a gradual chance, nothing major. And even though it was there, I felt neither joy nor sadness for it.

The desert I lived in was slowly, ever so slowly, taken back by nature, the green tendrils of grass, bushes and trees closing in. The earth was ever so slowly taking back what the humans had stolen from it. That which had been used and abused was now flourishing, only decaying buildings left behind to show for an era which had long passed.

The sun stood high in the sky as I hobbled forward, towards the green grass moving silently in the wind. Stopping short of the first fragile sprouts, I bend forward, letting my fingertips brush against the vibrant green colour. Deciding it wasn't worth more of my attention, I turned around, looking up at the bright sun in the sky. Without shielding my eyes, I continued to look at the same thing I had seen time and time again. Cocking my head, I continued gazing at it for just a little bit longer.

Suddenly, the sun was blocked, dyeing the earth in eternal darkness. Knowing what was about to happen, I decided to go back to my home, as it would be quite a bother to stay outside.

Just as I reached the safety of my home, the sand rushed through every available nook and cranny. Seeing the powder drift inside, I wondered how much time would pass before it was over. Craning my head over to the hole in the wall functioning as a window, the wind continued to stir the sand, creating new dunes while others were lifted off and destroyed. Glancing to my right, the sun was still very much blocked by the fine dust.

Deciding there was nothing for it, I continued to gaze outside, watching the ever-changing landscape of yellows and oranges. Very slowly, the wind seemed slaked, settling into a pleasant afternoon breeze. Turning back around, I looked at the barren interior adorning my room.

The walls on the inside were flaking badly, in dire need of restoration. There was no electricity nor lighting to speak of. Rubbish and metal parts were strewn about, and anything passing for furniture was nowhere in sight. There were no other rooms. Viewing the outside, there were two holes for windows. A hole posing as a door let the elements of the earth inside, providing almost no shelter from the sandstorms that occasionally raged outside.

The shelter was bleached by the sun outside, dyeing it a light greyish colour, nearing white. As buildings, though rare, around were the same shape and material, one could get confused as to which house was who's. To make sure I, and others, would recognise it from all sides, I made sure the markings would provide information as to whose house it was. On the sides, there were carvings much like what they would call an "omega symbol" in the old world. Besides the carvings, there was one large addition to the house. It was on the back, a large character depicting 「家」 (house). As it was considered to be my house, as no one had been there since I started inhabiting it, I added it last. Apparently, humans had done it for many centuries.

Up until they died out due to adverse weather conditions, that is. Whether or not they survived in one way or another, whether here or elsewhere, eludes me.

So, then, the question remaining is: what am I…? Well, apparently I am what one had called an "android". I was designed to help humans in their daily life, assisting and aiding them where necessary. I wasn't the only one, though. Many other androids had been assigned a similar task, although many of them had ceased functioning. One day, such a fate would befall me as well, as the parts I was made out of would surely malfunction sooner rather than later. But no fear nor trepidation dominated my mind, as I had no feelings nor emotions. I was merely a functional being, created to help and aid those who created me. As there are none of those left anymore, I am left to wander, having no purpose, as it was taken away from me. And so, I quietly continue observing my surroundings.

As I mentioned before, I lived in the desert, which was currently on the way to become vegetated once more. Buildings had either fully collapsed or were reclaimed by nature, the green a stark contrast on the dull grey of concrete. Vegetation was left to its own device, as were the animals that roamed freely, not being culled or restrained by humans. Nature flowed unrestrained, its splendour and beauty seen by no-one but those left behind, with no emotions nor affection, to appreciate it. Humans would, in all likeliness, call the extinction of the human race "a tragedy" or "naught", but all I see was, if I had to put a human word to it, "opportunity". An opportunity for the earth to reset itself and cleanse itself from the infection which was the human race.

An opportunity for animals to roam freely. An opportunity for the vegetation which had cruelly been cut off, ruthlessly taken and consumed, to flourish once more. An opportunity for harmful chemicals and components to break down into nothingness. An opportunity for the weather to go back to its natural course.

Or so one could think. Maybe I would as well, if I were able to do so. However, I was only an observer in this wide, endless world.

Turning around, I sat down in a corner, letting my eyes fall shut. Androids didn't sleep. Yet, there was some kind of fulfilment in shutting ones eyes. And so, I spend another day in this home, in this world devoid of others.

A/N: You can find the post under my Tumblr name "PKlovesDWsArt" under the post "Art Minor (Utopia)".