Chapter 10: Second Meeting

I awoke in the empty space and lighting it up the same light blue sigil on my left hand.

This is the third time I'm here... Where is she?

The voice I desired then answered.

"Ah, Zach you're here."

"Oh, right. I am sorry for what happened yesterday, but I am ready to answer your questions, however there are still some things I must conceal to you so bear please bear with it."

"Ah, n-no it's fine, but please provide proper answers this time."

"Of course."

I cleared my throat before I spoke my next words and cleared my mind to focus.

"Before we start. Can I call you by anything? Or are you still not ready to tell your name yet?"

It would be kind of awkward for me to speak or even trust someone if I didn't know their name, so I was hoping she would give me something to call her, but...

"I am afraid so."

She's still trying to hide it.

Why? I don't understand. I'll forget that for now, I have more pressing questions I want answered.

"Well, there is no use bothering it if you don't want to tell me. Next what are you?"

She paused for a second before giving her answer. I was expecting her to say something intelligent or sophisticated, because I'm actually curious how I'm speaking to her right now.

"Let's say I am your Guardian Angel. Kukuku..."

I felt annoyance tingling and was trying my best not to expose it fully, but I couldn't just let that slide.

"Hey! I thought we agreed proper answers! Your being really difficult don't you know that?"

"Sorry, please continue."

She said teasingly. Though I can't see her face, I can paint an image of how she is reacting. As of now she is not answering any of my questions...

Grr... This woman... whatever. If she won't tell me what she is, then this next question should be able to give me some clue.

"You said yesterday that you have watched me ever since, then you understand the circumstances of my situation, correct?"

This time she answered quickly with a more acceptable response.

"Yes, you are trapped in Astral world created by Arthur its creator and the only way to escape is if you win."

So she does know. There would be no chance of her being someone from the outside world, since I don't believe anyone else can get in here thanks to Astral's complicated and advanced security they placed on this system as well as being able to show me the images during the first time I came here. The only logical explanation is that she is apart of the system like everything else.

Then the most likely explanation would be that she is... I still have my doubts, but what can I get out of it if I don't ask?

"Would it be far fetched if you were an AI?"

"Kukuku... Smart as always. Yes, I am an AI, I was one of the key factors in world's creation. Now my assignment is to ensure your safety throughout your stay in this world."

What I found interesting about what she said was her "assignment". Why would anyone want to ensure my safety? Sure there are people in Astral who know me, but I don't know anyone well enough for them to care about me that much. Also she said she was here ever since this world existed, is she speaking since the start? Whatever I'll ask that another time.

"Who created you? Astral? And why were you assigned to protect me?"

The atmosphere changed when she didn't reply as quick.

Was there something wrong with what I asked or was it something else. She soon answered the question, but with a bleak tone as if disappointed in herself.

"I am sorry, I cannot comply to answer that question."

What?! Is she-! No, she can't be fooling around, again I can't see her, but I can imagine how she looks like from the tone of her voice and it doesn't sound so bright.

"Why?"

With the same depressing tone she answers me.

"There are gaps in my memory... it has been years since I was given this assignment... I cannot say for certain if I can give answers for those types of questions...but yes. I do remember that it was a person from Astral who created me, however I can't determine who it was… I'm sorry."

I can imagine a girl sitting on in front of a desk with a downcast expression with her hands holding on to her head as of now. That's how I at least see it in my imagination. Other than that, I guess there's no helping it. I mean she is still technically a program, who knows something might have damaged her code or maybe they neglected her making her turn out this way. I should find out as much as I can before she decides to let me out. Speaking of which.

"It's alright. Ok,so um our first meeting you were only able to talk to me for a few seconds, can't it be longer similar to how we are now?"

"Ah, yes regarding that. Ever since you entered this world, your mind as well as mine were synced making it possible for us to have this conversation. In recent years, my power has been slowly fading, and these conversations we are having right now are draining what little I have of it left. I will need to go into a hibernation phase for me to be able to restore it permanently as well as for our future event. I wish to have told you this sooner, but it wasn't enough to be able to last this long, once our conversation is over I will not be around to talk to you for a while."

That clears up the important questions I wanted to ask her. I don't understand everything yet or how this came to be, but guess I'll leave to save the others for our next meeting. Though she said she needed her strength for a future event, probably with me...

"I understand. But Future event?"

I was curious to know, but she wasn't willing to tell me yet.

"The time is not ripe yet for me to tell you. Also I am close to my limit of my power usage."

"Ah, okay. I'm satisfied with our meeting now. So I guess I'll see you next time then."

She then responded with a much more spirited tone to send of her goodbye's

"Agreed, I shall see you soon."

The empty space slowly disappeared around me and soon my eyes opened once more.

"I wonder how soon..."

I woke in my room. The sunlight from the slightly drawn drapes reflected of the swords blade towards me in the corner of my eye

I took a short glance at it before smiling. I got up, ate my breakfast and put on the backpack I bought and tightly grip my sword as I walked out of the inn.

I felt as though I was more determined with excitement for what else awaited for me in this world.

I wonder what I'll be doing today?

END OF UPDATE