Mondatta had explained to Genji who the Shambali were. He explained their history, how Mondatta and a group of his fellow omnics experienced a "spiritual awakening." How they abandoned their lives as simple service robots to establish a community within the Himalayan mountains. He described the long years of meditation within the sanctum of the monastery. Genji listened to Mondatta, as he and Zenyatta escorted the omnic guru down the mountain steps.
"A decade passed, as we meditated on the nature of existence. Month upon month flew by as we looked to decipher the secret of life." spoke Mondatta, as he slowly climbed. "Eventually, we came to a conclusion. We believe that omnic life and human life are no different. Though we may be artificial, we possess a soul. Have you ever heard of a man named Alan Turing?"
Genji shook his head.
"Roughly a century ago, at the dawn of omnic life, a human by the name of Alan Turing developed the world's first computer. Turing believed that man and machine were so similar, that hypothetically, a robot could be confused as human. The core ideology of the Shambali is established on Turing's thesis. We believe that the human soul and the soul of an omnic are not dissimilar."
"Tell me, Genji. Are we not, at this very moment, alive? And if all creatures that live have a mind and a spirit, does that not include omnic-kind? We are all the same creature under the Iris."
"The Iris?" asked Genji.
Mondatta smiled. "The eye, Genji. The oculus. It watches us. Discerns us. And to it, we are all the same. Humans and machines, both equal under it's watchful gaze. The Iris sees all, and we are but pupils to it." The monk chuckled at his own joke.
"When all of life passes into the Iris, only then, will we all live in harmony. Coexistence, as the highest existence." added Zenyatta solemnly.
"So true, brother. So, young Shimada. What do you believe?" Mondatta queried.
The monk's solemn gaze convinced Genji that his opinion on omnic rights would be better off kept to himself. Truth was, Genji did not feel a sense of attachment with omnics. In fact, he did not even particularly like omnics. Omnics were the cause of the first war between man and machine. As a child, he had seen footage on the news of soldiers being gunned down by huge, titan like monstrosities, bullets showering entire squadrons with lead.
He remembered covering his eyes as the sound of giant beasts of steel filled the television screen with blood. Infernal machines, rampaging through charred ruins of cities they had brought down, killing without mercy, without regard for human life. He remembered as he and his brother cowered as their father drunkenly cursed the omnics, spit flying, hands firmly gripped around a bottle of sake. He remembered as his father forced him to watch. "See this?! You see this boys? These are your enemies! Despicable agents of hell! They must be destroyed!" he yelled, as he held a sniffling Hanzo's head in place, forcing his eyes open. From that day on, no omnics were permitted anywhere near Shimada castle.
As far as Genji was concerned, omnics were bad news. The fact that he could even be considered one of them made him nauseated with loathing. However, the Shambali had been kind to him thus far. It was only honourable that he tried not to offend them.
"A compelling thought," he finally stated, quite coldly. He then realised Zenyatta had been examining him quite intensely. It felt odd. The omnic's gaze penetrated Genji's soul, if he even had one. He had a strange feeling that Zenyatta had seen everything Genji had just contemplated.
"What?" Genji asked.
"I sense a disquiet in your soul, Genji Shimada." stated Zenyatta curtly. "A storm of anxiety and fear."
"As do I, brother." added Mondatta. "Our new friend would do well to sit in on our teachings. Perhaps he could learn a thing or two."
Genji laughed. "You wish for me to join the Shambali? To participate in your cause?
"Nay, friend. I wish only for you to listen to what we have to say. To learn something."
"I'm afraid I'll have to pass. Besides, I don't think I'll look any good in a robe."
"You misunderstand my intentions."
"Oh, I think I understand very clearly. You want me to join, so you can parade me around as a symbol of omnic and human unity. You want me to be a stark example of your philosophy, to spread the message of love and harmony by flaunting my half-man, half-machine body to anyone who wishes to see. To that I say, no thank you. I respectfully, decline," Genji snapped.
The two omnics looked at each other wearily. Mondatta sighed. "If that is what you have decided."
The group finally reached the last step of their icy path down the mountain. Genji peered down the valley. Shortly ahead of them, nestled within the snow, was a charming little hamlet. The buzz of children playing, animals baying, and men labouring the day away chimed throughout the valley.
"This is the village of Sahajart. It is home to many of our followers, most of them locals of this region. You are permitted to stay here as long as you need to. A room is being prepared for you as we speak," stated Mondatta. "When you first arrived here, we noticed that your body was in bad need of maintenance. Find Angyo, the village doctor. He will take care of you."
The monk bowed deeply. "Till we meet again, young Shimada."
"Hold on." cut in Genji, holding up his hand in assertion. "I am still without my swords. I was told they would be returned to me."
Zenyatta spoke. "Your weapons are within your lodgings. They were taken away to assure that you were not a threat to our people. You have been deemed otherwise. Goodbye, Genji." And the monks turned and began their long journey back up the mountain, before Genji could even protest.
As he entered the village of Sahajart, he noticed that it was, along with the monastery, mixed-species. Omnic and humans co-existed, working together, sharing meals, untouched by any political differences. Genji rolled his eyes. He imagined Mondatta's voice. "A perfect example of harmony. They all live under the watch of the Iris."
He watched as a human child ran lovingly into the arms of an omnic female. The child kissed her mechanical mother on her face.
The nausea returned to Genji's stomach. He felt like ripping the girl from the mother's arms, and returning her to her real mother. The female robot spotted Genji, and quickly took her child inside.
"Strange…"
—
"Agh!"
Genji cringed as another loose wire was affixed into place.
"Hold still, please. Squirming will only make this more unpleasant."
The engineering required to upkeep Genji's bionic body running was thankfully, quite lenient. When Dr. Ziegler had rebuilt him years ago, she did a good job of making sure that Genji's maintenance was always running in peak condition. She had designed him so that his body could withstand long periods of stress without need of repairs. However, ever since he abandoned Overwatch, lax attention to his well-being had caused certain parts of his body to become decrepit. Luckily, the village was home to a very reliable technician/doctor, Angyo.
Angyo was an omnic, originally built for medical care, who had learned how to treat both omnic, and human damage. A beneficial asset to have in a mixed-kind village. However, Genji could have appreciated more gentle hands to fix him, he thought, as he lay face down on the operating table. Angyo did not possess the caring touch that Angela had. Sparks flew over his head as the omnic went to work on his body.
"Ow!"
"Did I not tell you to hold still?" the doctor asked firmly.
"You are not exactly being very delicate," Genji grumbled. Angyo shook his head. "I am an omnic and human doctor. You are neither. I'm still trying to decipher your...unique physiology."
Genji felt a slight pang of shame. Of course, his aberration of a body inconvenienced every doctor that had taken care of him. His recesses were a vile blend of organic matter and artificial circuitry. How disgusting. How unnatural. How could anyone be prepared to fix him?
"Your...fourth lumbar has appeared to have shifted. It will need to be aligned."
Genji swallowed. "You are unable to fix it?"
The omnic sighed. "I'm afraid I can fix it. Just not in any pleasurable manner," he answered regrettably. Angyo then produced a blowtorch from his arm. "I'll have to weld it back into place. Just try not to move. Or scream."
"…Weld?" Genji repeated weakly.
A sudden glare of explosive light followed by rapid blue sparks filled the room, as Genji gripped onto the edge of the table, gritting his teeth.
He hated himself.
—
Regardless of the pain during, the surgery had been a complete success. Genji felt renewed as he paced around the room. He felt faster. More streamlined. He no longer felt the same pressing sensation on his lower back that had pestered him so much. He stretched his legs. He could feel his mobility systems working their magic, as lactic acid pumped through his veins. As he limbered up, Angyo sat in his chair, washing the blood and oil from his tools.
"I suggest you sit down for a while. Let yourself acclimate to your new body." said Angyo.
Genji nodded. "Thank you again, Angyo. I am in your debt." He bowed.
The old omnic's lights lit up. "Think nothing of it. I'm just glad I could help."
Genji sat down on a worn silk mat. He flexed his wrist. His shuriken stars popped out, without delay. The doctor had done a good job of repairing his broken defence systems. He wondered how much further he could launch these. Angyo eyed Genji carefully.
As the doctor polished the last bit of blood from his surgical equipment, he decided to strike up a conversation with the ninja. "So I must ask, sāhab. What brings you to Sahajart, if not to join the Shambali?"
Genji sighed. "Is that the only reason people ever come up here?" he asked.
"No, not quite. Merchants come in on a regular basis for trade, which keeps our village afloat. Sometimes, however, we are visited by…less desirable folk." The omnic grumbled.
"What do you mean?"
"We've had a fair share of assassins visit the temple. Non-believers. Those unsympathetic to the Shambali, who wish to silence our preachings. The monks make quick work of them." Angyo turned to him.
"You haven't come here to kill us, have you?" he asked, half jokingly, half serious.
"Uh…No."
"Good. It would be a shame to waste all that time fixing you just to kill you later," the omnic stated, turning back to his tools.
"Are you part of the Shambali, Angyo?" Genji asked.
The doctor laughed, amused at that notion. "No, I'm just a believer. Truthfully, I would be a monk if they had let me marry, but alas…" Angyo shrugged. "The heart is stronger than the mind, yes? If I had either."
"It does seem that Sahajart is solely populated by… believers." Genji stated.
"Every single one. Every other day, one of the Shambali will come down from the monastery to share with us their knowledge. The whole village attends. Quite an experience. You should come."
Genji stayed silent. Angyo decided to change the subject. "Anyway, you didn't answer my first question. Why have you come here?"
Genji didn't know how to answer that question. Why was he here, in the desolate mountains of the Himalayas, when he could be anywhere else in the world? When he deserted Overwatch, and began his life as a nomad, he didn't really have an idea of what he was searching for. Sanctuary? A place he could call home? He knew that was impossible, as no right-minded society would accept him as one of their own. Genji contemplated his long journey around the world. Searching. For some sort of meaning.
He had crossed into the Nepali borders a month ago. He had heard surviving Shimada clan members had took refuge there, and he sought to destroy them. After long weeks of searching, the information had proven to be false, and Genji was trapped in Nepal, without purpose. A month of frantic hunting had led him to collapse of exhaustion outside the village of Sahajart, and that's where he was today. Still unsure of how to answer the omnic's question, Genji relented.
"I do not know. But I don't plan to stay here long."
Angyo stared at him curiously. "You're very loud, you realise?"
Genji frowned. "What?" he asked.
The doctor sighed. "Oh my poor friend. You really don't know, do you?" Angyo couldn't refrain from laughing.
Genji did not enjoy Angyo's secrecy. "What? What do you mean?" he demanded.
"Never you mind, my friend. There is still a lot I do not know about you. This could be useful. Worry not, you will be told in time." Angyo replied, smiling knowingly.
Annoyed and mystified, Genji chose not to let Angyo indulge in his confusion, saying nothing. The doctor chuckled, holding his hands up in assurance.
"Don't mind me, sāhab. I'm just an old medical droid with a twisted sense of humor." he laughed. "Nevertheless, you are welcome to stay longer. My wife, Sacha, can make you some warm chai."
Genji stood up. "You are too kind, old man. But I was told that a room was prepared for me. I'd like to see it."
"Well if you must." Angyo dusted off his hands. "You are welcome to come back any time, whether it be for repairs, or what-not."
"You've done a fantastic job. I wish you a good day." replied Genji.
"And to you as well. Walk in harmony, and may the Iris watch over you."
Genji decided to ignore the last remark, and bowed once more, and left Angyo's study. As he made his way to the front door, he was greeted by Angyo's wife. A human.
"Of course." Genji rolled his eyes as he left the home of the good doctor.
—