((A/N: Chapter three! Thanks for all the reviews so far!))
Opinion.
After a long wait, I finally hear the cathedral doors behind me open. The one who enters freezes in his tracks. The door slams shut again, a booming sound echoing off the walls. Slowly, I turn to face the one who entered.
Lord Yuan. One of the four Seraphim who serves under lord Yggdrasill. The expression of shock on his face is quickly replaced by a scowl. Even from such a distance, he manages to peer deeply into my eyes.
"It's you." He says dismissively, crossing his arms.
"Affirmative." I bow my head respectfully.
"From behind, you look just like her." He speaks, approaching the altar. He stops in front of the painting, looking up at it with a sad stare. It's almost as though he is lost in memories. "But your eyes… They lack something." He turns to glance at me again.
"I apologize, my lord." I reply automatically.
"Hmmm…" His gaze returns to the painting. He looks almost like he disapproves of it. The very image of his goddess.
"Is something bothering you, my lord?" I ask for the second time today. It is almost like every being here who still has a free will paid for it with positive feelings.
A long silence follows, in which he doesn't respond. Perhaps he's contemplating how to best word his thoughts. Or maybe he doesn't feel the need to respond to someone like me at all. Then again, that would be illogical, as he is the one who started the conversation.
"You are programmed to form an opinion based only on logic, correct?" he asks.
His question strikes me as odd. If I use only logic and information provided to form an opinion, is it really an opinion? Does it reflect what I think about the matter? Then again, aren't all opinions based on logic in a way?
"Affirmative."
"Do you think that reviving Martel is the right thing to do?" He is still staring at the painting unblinkingly.
A small silence follows as the related data passes through my mind, my processors balancing out the pros and cons as reasons and motives are formed. A delicate procedure, as opinions are a very strong part of your essence. Finally, I have finished my analysis.
"Error. I am unable to form an opinion on this matter, due to lack of information." I speak simply.
"Lack of information?" he repeats, raising an eyebrow.
"There is no certainty what the consequences of Martel's revival will be, therefore I cannot tell if it is the right thing to do." I explain, watching his face take on a dark look.
"One consequence would be that Yggdrasill will have his sister back." He speaks through a forced smile.
"One man's happiness is irrelevant in matters regarding life or death."
The way his face is half hidden in the shadows, one might call his posture frightening. His eyes are filled with a coldness that almost seems to freeze everything around him. Still, he stares blankly ahead.
"Then let me ask you something else." He says, an almost sad tone in his voice. "Is it alright for us, the Seraphim of Cruxis, to still be alive after such a long time?"
Once again, data streams through my processors. An extremely debatable issue. Ethical subroutines, knowledge of nature, conjecture of the consequences… All this is involved.
"Negative." I finally say, taking note that the corners of his mouth twitch slightly, though the rest of his face remained vacant. "Living for an extended amount of time is against the law of nature and exspheres were not meant to be used in this way. There is a chance that the process of slowed aging will cause physical or mental side effects."
"That's all I needed to know." Yuan turns back to the aisle behind him, starting to walk towards the exit as his cloak swishes behind him.
Soon, the large wooden doors slam shut again, leaving me alone in the cathedral. I move my attention back to the painting, taking in the girl's smile. The impression that this artwork leaves on me is different than the impression it leaves on someone like lord Yuan. He knew Martel while she was still alive and memories of long ago probably haunt his mind whenever he thinks of her. The same goes for lord Kratos and lord Yggdrasill.
Five minutes after lord Yuan left, the door opens again. I turn expectantly, assuming my master has returned. Just like before, I am mistaken.
Lord Kratos enters, glancing around as though looking for something. Ignoring my presence, he starts walking up the aisle, peering in-between benches as he passes them. Finally, he reaches the altar and has no choice but to address me.
"You. Automated girl. Have you seen lord Yuan?" he demands immediately.
"Affirmative. Lord Yuan entered this cathedral approximately eight minutes and nineteen seconds ago." I respond, not fazed by his rudeness. Why bother being polite to an 'automated girl'?
Kratos casts a quick glance at the door, before turning back to me. "When did he leave?"
"Five minutes and thirty-three seconds ago. He seemed to be in a hurry." I add, causing his eyes to widen slightly.
"Did he talk to you?" He asks swiftly.
"Affirmative. We briefly discussed Martel's revival and extended lifespans." I give a curt nod.
An expression of dread washes over Kratos' face, before it's changed into determination. "Follow me." He says, running down the aisle again.
I am rooted to the spot for a moment, my master's command to wait in the cathedral forbidding me from moving. Then, the command to follow overwrites it. Lord Kratos is my master's superior, after all. If he says follow, I follow.
Not knowing where we are going, I chase lord Kratos through the halls of Welgaia. This action prompts many inner questions. Why must I follow him? Does it have to do with lord Yuan? What will my master think when he notices I am no longer at the cathedral?
Kratos storms up a flight of stairs, leading up to a tall building. I follow, matching his speed. The door is roughly opened with a shove and he leads the way into the plain white hall. Without hesitation, he strides towards a pair of elevator doors, jabbing the button impatiently. I move to stand next to him, watching his anxious expression.
The doors open with a ding and Kratos enters the elevator, grabbing my arm to pull me inside too before choosing the topmost button. Soon, we're moving towards the highest level of the building at a steady speed.
"My lord, where are we going?" I ask, noticing the way his fists are clenching and unclenching with an irregular rhythm.
"Yuan's living quarters." He responds with a grunt.
I am slightly surprised, with several reasons. One of them is that lord Kratos had not referred to his companion as 'lord Yuan', as he'd done earlier. Another reason is that I'd figured commoners were not allowed in the superior's quarters.
Finally, the elevator arrive at its destination and the doors zoom open. Kratos hurries into a long corridor, passing unnamed doors along the way as he is focussed solely on the larger one at the end of the hall. I follow. Instead of knocking, the man immediately enters a clearance code into the control panel next to it. Accompanied by a pleasant little tune, a light turns from red to green and the door opens. My heightened hearing picks up a sharp gasp from next to me.
((This story is so predictable...))
