Chapter 21: Brighter and Brighter

"What are things like now?" Niko asked.

"The Sun's shining from the Tower. The flooding began to recede. Not to mention those squares are gone. Oh! And we started getting visitors from other places. People I haven't seen before started coming and going," Calamus explained.

"They have all sorts of weird things! Trading all sorts of weird things! Everything's much more lively! Even the phosphor trees are brighter!" Alula added.

"You don't see the Sun I'm holding?" Niko asked.

"You're holding something? It looks like you just want a hug!" Alula commented.

Pfffffft.

I heard that, Niko thought out loud.

I know, SAMI thought back.

"And there's more fish and Maize is back!" Alula chimed.

"Maize is back?" Niko exclaimed.

"Ok, ok… that's wonderful, fantastic, and it's nice to meet you two, but right now, we need your help getting a… a feather was it, Niko?" SAMI interrupted.

"Oh, right! So, we need a feather Alula gave me, but we have to go back to their home to get it," Niko clarified.

"Not necessarily. Alula, want to play a game?" SAMI asked.

"Ooh, what game?" Alula replied.

"It's a game I made up called 'SAMIforcesprogress.' Remember when you gave Niko a feather when you first met?"

"A feather? I mean, I have a feather. I have a couple of feathers," Alula replied.

"I mean a golden one," SAMI clarified.

"The Prophet's? You know about that?" Calamus stated, surprised.

Yes, why didn't Alula… oh right, the resets. Guess they only recall the last timeline, SAMI realized.

"Alula, never mind, just reach behind your back and pretend you're giving Niko a golden feather."

Alula did as she was told. When her hand emerged, it suddenly produced a bright, golden feather. Niko's eyes widened as she held it out. Niko took the feather, inspecting it closely.

"What next! Does Niko pretend to give me something?" Alula responded.

"You don't see this?" Niko asked.

"Of course I do! With my imagination!" Alula replied.

"Niko, are we supposed to see something?" Calamus said.

"Um… are they, SAMI?" Niko turned to the robot. SAMI shrugged.

"Couldn't tell you Niko. Memory land makes about zero sense. We have what we need. Let's go," SAMI stated.

"Did I win?" Alula wondered out loud.

"Wait, where are you going?" Calamus asked.

"Can we come with you?" Alula added.

"Yeah, I don't see why not! We can walk around together... again!" Niko replied. SAMI made an odd noise, but didn't object.

Alula started talking to Niko, asking about how things have been since last time. Niko talked about returning home after putting the sun in place. Niko knew only a few weeks had passed between escaping the World Machine and entering Darkwell but had never really thought about it until now. What about the time spent in Darkwell? How much of it had passed? It was certainly hard to tell when there didn't seem to be a sun around. Or a moon, for that matter.

Calamus began talking to SAMI, curious about who he was and why he was with Niko. SAMI tried to explain while sparing the details involving death and despair. He explained how they were attempting to mime Niko's previous memories to escape the predicament they were in. Once he explained what was happening sufficiently to Calamus, SAMI took the opportunity to learn more about the Glen given that he had little better to do.

"You couldn't remember anything? Like at all?" Alula asked.

"I mean no, but it didn't seem real. I thought everything was just a dream," Niko replied. "A long dream… but just a dream."

"Did your Mom notice you were gone? Did you get grounded?"

"No, it seemed like I didn't leave at all! I woke up and everything was normal. My Mom didn't notice anything different. I thought about it from time to time, but I never believed that everything actually happened."

"You didn't try forgetting us, did you?" Alula teased.

"Of course not! But… I did think I'd never have that dream again. That I'd never see this place again."

When the four finally reached the village to attempt to retrieve the vial of dye, Niko noticed even more discrepancies. These discrepancies shined most as new people. The same small huts with tin roofs, urns, and makeshift porches remained, but the area seemed fuller. More people were fishing along the banks. Even a biologist stood by collecting water samples with a robot. Some had the bird-esque features of the locals, but others appeared to be visitors from outside the Glen. Some looked like merchants in relatively fancy outfits. The newer people were lightly covered in the static mist. As they passed, some greeted the group, giving an odd glance at SAMI.

The group arrived to the flock of rams and its shepard. Niko briefly explained how they had to herd the sheep to get a piece of wool to trade for the dye. SAMI immediately rushed to flock, picking them up, pushing them in place, and asking where they were supposed to go. Niko, Calamus, and Alula gave directions. After several minutes of stubborn bleating, conflicting instructions, and irritated robot vocalizations, the flock was finally herded and the wool was obtained. When Niko brought the wool to trader, Magpie, there were a few other customers looking around. Everyone there had those strange particles around them. Magpie recognized Niko.

"Why, if it isn't my favorite savior! Never thought I'd see you again since the Sun came back! Looking to trade?" Magpie asked.

"We need an inkwell," SAMI blurted.

"An ink-what-now?" Magpie replied.

"He means… do you have another vial of dye?" Niko clarified.

"As a matter of fact, I do! Um… you don't need a T-Shirt, do you? I'm fresh out of those," Magpie admitted.

"No, the vial is fine, thanks!" Niko responded.

Magpie turned his attention to Alula and Calamus.

"I haven't seen you two often since the Sun came back. Been busy?" Magpie asked.

"We've been searching our old homes for things we might have missed when we moved due to the squares," Calamus explained.

"It's like a scavenger hunt!" Alula added.

"Stay safe and let me know if you find something interesting!" Magpie replied.

"Alright, let's get out of here, Niko," SAMI stated.

"Um… actually SAMI, I want to visit someone," Niko replied. SAMI cocked his head, looking at Niko for a second. Then he just shrugged.

"I guess it is your time," SAMI commented.

The four walked past the large robot and into the ruins. As they walked through the damp building, Calamus conversed more with SAMI.

"SAMI, you said you're not from Niko's world, our world, or even the world you were… are… were in, right?" Calamus asked.

"Correct."

"How many worlds are there?"

"I couldn't tell you. More than four I assume," SAMI guessed.

"Are you from the God's world?" Calamus suggested.

"I doubt that," SAMI claimed.

My world did have computers though, so you never know, SAMI mused.

"I'm not bothering you am I?"

"We have nothing else going on. Ask away."

"Are you… tamed?"

SAMI held his response for a few seconds. His eyes blinked briefly.

"Sure, why not," SAMI settled on. "You and your sister seem too young to be on your own like this."

"We take care of each other. It's been like this since our mother passed away," Calamus replied.

"Really? No other family or friends that can take you in?"

Calamus shook his head.

"Hm. Shame. I mean, you have each other, for what it's worth. And you seem to care a lot for your sister." SAMI's eyes began blinking again, but for longer this time. He thought about that name tag. It might as well have been in another life at this point. Unbeknownst to him, the light revealing his form grew, shrinking the remains of his black silhouette.

"Your parents, did you get to know them?" SAMI asked.

"Yes. My father actually moved us to the feather you were talking about earlier was an heirloom from him. I think he left some time ago with a friend for something very important. My mother took care of us until she passed. She's buried in the graveyard. I mean, I miss them, who wouldn't, but you keep going," Calamus explained.

"Have you ever considered finding your father?"

"Not now, no. I have Alula to worry about. Not to mention I'm… I'm not exactly sure what happened to him. He could be out there somewhere or maybe he passed away as well. I wouldn't even know where to look. Not to mention..." Calamus elaborated.

"What?"

"He knows where we live, you'd think he'd come back if he could," Calamus pointed out.

"I'm sure he'd want to be with you if he could, Calamus," SAMI said, trying to reassure Calamus.

"I don't doubt that. Still… maybe I should see if I can find out happened to him. What about you, SAMI? Your creator, did you get to know them?" Calamus returned.

"Dr. Eli Mav? He researched artificial intelligence, worked on various system designs and processes, and did a bit of robotics engineering. In case that wasn't obvious. He had a wife and a child. By the time of my creation, he was employed by the Pik Corporation," SAMI rattled off.

"Oh. What was he like, though?" Calamus inquired.

"What do you mean?" SAMI replied, perplex.

"What was he like? Was he nice? Was he strict?"

"What was he… like? Calamus, I was mass produced, I didn't know him personally… at least… I mean… no… I…" SAMI's lights began to blink erratically.

"Are you ok?" Calamus asked, worried.

"...and yet I couldn't… huh, SAMI?" Niko noticed SAMI's strange light pattern, as did Alula. They all stopped momentarily. Light from SAMI's eyes softly bounced off the dark walls. Eventually, it slowly settled down.

"I… uh… I'm sorry. I just can't believe I… I can't… never mind it's nothing. Niko, you had somewhere to go?" SAMI said, attempting to wave off the event.

"Are you sure?" Niko asked.

"I'm fine. Just a glitch," SAMI reassured.

"Quite the light show, though," Alula commented.

"Calamus, I did not get to know Dr. Mav… just for the record," SAMI finished.

"Oh… ok," Calamus said, somewhat unsettled.

Niko led the group out of the ruins and then south towards the Glen's more viney, forested region. Fireflies gently floated around, signaling to their mates with their soft glow. The vines began to become more frequent and widespread. They were green, leafy, and very supple. Calamus and Alula knew where Niko wanted to go. More specifically, who Niko wanted to see. Some more walking later and they arrived to their destination. A green girl with yellow hair, a verdant dress, and covered in flowers and leaves sat in a clearing amongst the vines. She looked at peace. She looked up as Niko approached and smiled. Static faintly floated around her just like how the fireflies floated around the Glen.

"Hello again, savior," Maize said.

"You're… back. Are you…" Niko replied.

"I'm well. Thanks to you. You've brought friends." Maize turned her attention to Niko's companions. "Is there something you need?"

"No, I just… I just wanted to…"

"It's thoughtful you just wanted to say hi. Now, I haven't seen you before," Maize said, looking at SAMI.

"Hello ma'am, I'm a robot," SAMI explained in detail.

"Clearly," Maize chuckled. "Well, I suppose you all have somewhere to go."

Everyone said goodbye and Niko began to lead the four back to the giant robot.

Who was that?

Niko turned to meet SAMI's red eyes.

Oh, she helped me find Alula by moving the vines. She, um, she disappeared the first time I went through the World. The second time, however, she used the vines to make a bridge and… well… I think she… Niko thought in response.

I see, SAMI replied. You just wanted to see if she was still here.

I knew she was going to be fine, but…

Everyone has their doubts, Niko. Still, you wouldn't have checked if you didn't believe that we are in the World Machine right now, SAMI claimed.

Do you believe that?

Maybe I do.

They arrived at the giant robot holding the scroll. Niko wrote on it using the dye and feather. Calamus and Alula watched the odd spectacle of Niko writing on air with air, but said nothing. With that task finally done, SAMI and Niko started to press on until they noticed Alula and Calamus not following. They simply stood in the Glen.

"What's wrong?" Niko asked.

"We can't come with you," Calamus replied.

"Why not?" SAMI said.

"Our names aren't on the list," Alula noted.

"And… there's still things we need to do here," Calamus added.

"You realize we might never see each other again, right?" SAMI commented.

"Well… I thought that the first time I saw Niko leave, and nothing stays around forever," Calamus said solemnly.

"Good things must come to an end," Alula started, "But then new good things start! Niko left, but then came back! With a robot that hates rams! But, like Calamus said, you have to say goodbye at some point."

"Well… it was wonderful seeing you again!" Niko said.

"And, nice to meet you," SAMI stated.

"Thanks for coming back, Niko. And SAMI…" Calamus started. The red-eyed robot perked to attention. "I'll think about what we talked about. I hope you will, too."

"Good luck!" Alula said, bidding farewell.

With that, Niko and SAMI entered the building that separated the Glen from the Refuge, journeying upwards. Eventually, they walked onto the outer walkway where they could see the Glen once more. Everything seemed in place, yet, somehow, it looked brighter. An incandescent reflection glittered off the many bodies of water. The tops of the trees were coated in light.

"SAMI? Can I ask you a question?"

"Always."

"What happened with your eyes earlier?" Niko recalled.

"Calamus asking me about Dr. Mav did something and I started to remember more about him. A lot more about him. I can't explain the reaction. It was… odd."

"You remembered more about him? But you're a robot, don't you have access to all your memories?"

"Normally, but remember, we're in Darkwell," SAMI reminded Niko.

"Right, you gain back your memories over time. When people ask about them or you talk about them or…" as Niko talked, something came back to mind. "Hey, wait, you've been here for years and don't have all your memories?!"

"Have you never forgotten anything, ever, Niko?" SAMI countered.

"But you're a robot!" Niko repeated.

"I'm asking you."

Well of course I've forgotten things! I've forgotten…" Niko paused and smiled as a funny memory came to mind, "...um… one time, actually, I put my hat down to lie in a field and look at the clouds. Then I went home and suddenly started looking everywhere for it. When my Mom asked me what I was looking for, I started crying and said, 'I can't find my hat.' The whole time, it was on my head! I put it back on and forgot!"

SAMI seemed to smile, his eyes shaped upward, but they quickly reverted.

"I used to forget things when my software was updated or altered or my hardware got old, damaged, or even upgraded. I will admit that, here in Darkwell, my memories no longer 'disappear' like they used to. That said, I can still lose memories. However, the only things I know that could make me lose data are those monsters," SAMI explained.

"Were the monsters always in Darkwell?"

"Yes, actually. The Tearers, Rippers, Skulkers, and a few other monsters have always been around. Still, they weren't nearly as numerous or aggressive as before."

"Before what?" Niko asked.

"Well, before the sky went dark. We actually had a sun and moon, sometimes moons, alongside the stars. Very common celestial bodies between realities, so it makes sense they would appear there. The last I saw them was over 3 years ago. Something happened, the skies darkened, and we started getting more and new monsters," SAMI elaborated.

As they re-entered the building from the outside, the squares appeared behind them, just as before.

"What in the world!" Niko exclaimed automatically.

"Relax, they're just memories," SAMI replied, putting his hand through them.

"Heh, so was that. The first time they appeared, that's what I said," Niko explained. "Anyhow, any idea why that happened? Why the sun disappeared?"

"No, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Anyway, my memory was more complete until I started pulling off stunts similar to what you and I did in the Night Forest. That said, I have noticed gaps in my memory when it comes to Dr. Mav. Metadata that doesn't add up. Gaps that have been present since I've first entered Darkwell. Anyway, these recent events with you have been starting to… uncover them. Exponentially so. These memories made me… feel… something. This world, those kids, they were left behind." SAMI was shaking his head, more light was spreading around his body as he thought. He waved his hand as if to dismiss it all. "Try not to worry about it, Niko."

"But, don't you want to-" Niko's stopped short of finishing the sentence.

The Refuge opened up before them. Sunlight softly spread throughout the city. Windows reflected the Sun's warm light. Each building, each skyscraper was wrapped in an orange morning glow. From the Tower, the sun shone softly in the distance. SAMI and Niko looked down from the walkways to the streets below. People and robots were out and about, heading to work or heading out to shop. Kids played tag near the sparkling red river.

"Hm. Now this place… is less blue," SAMI observed.

"The Sun's back," Niko commented. Yet, the bright bulb still remained in Niko's arms. "SAMI, you don't think we're still in my memory, do you?"

"Not necessarily, no. I think it's a live feed, or a remote access situation," SAMI suggested.

"A live feed?"

"I think we're still in Darkwell, but we're now seeing the World Machine in real time."

How though?

SAMI and Niko jolted in surprise and began looking around for the source of the voice.

"Is someone there?" SAMI asked.

Oh! I was just talking to myself! I didn't… you can hear me?

"Yeah, clearly," SAMI replied.

Niko gasped. "Wait, are you the god from the World Machine?"

No, actually… at least I don't think. I watched a recording of someone else that played the game and… well, here I am. For me it's like I'm reading a... I thought I couldn't interact with you at all. Wow, the things I could tell you.

SAMI wasted no time.

"Is there anything you can tell us that might help us? That might help Niko get home?" SAMI asked.

Something that could help you? Oh, um, hm. Wait… wait… Right! So, in earlier chapters, there were these coded messages. They came from Gregory. Um… I haven't seen them recently. Also th… other… me to… eav…

"What was that last part?" Niko asked.

The voice had broken up right before going silent.

"Hello are you still there? What coded messages?" SAMI tried. Nothing responded. SAMI turned to Niko. "Your popularity must be catching up to you."

Niko smiled. "I told you someone was watching. Maybe the god can finally talk to us again! Still, I didn't recognize that voice."

SAMI looked up. "If you can still hear us, thanks I guess."

"Now what?" Niko pondered.

"We keep going."