Nacho had grown tired of fooling around with Xavier and sat at the desk with his legs on the table, flipping through the Playboy magazine he had stashed. I started unpacking things from my backpack, still debating which items Xavier might want from me.

As I closed my eyes, I could "see" the digital shape of this AI. Amidst the sea of code, the silhouette of what seemed to be some kind of octopus or jellyfish formed.

"They're branches... it's some sort of tree," I thought as I pondered its appearance.

My mind also jumped to three points, from which it seemed to be looking down from the sky. The first one was Africa; I could see Tomás, and above all, Anastasia. My heart almost burst at the sight of her golden hair dancing in the wind, and her beautiful amber eyes gazing at the horizon, there was a sense of concern within me.

Then I saw the Himmelsburg castle and Mrs. Schneider's library. Nostalgia swept over me, along with a certain pain as I remembered the place where it all began.

But the third place sent a shiver down my spine. It was the peak of a mountain in what seemed to be Finland. There I saw a beautiful woman, but with a sinister appearance; her hair was black, and she seemed to be staring directly at me with her ruby eyes.

Xavier interrupted me, saying:

"It seems like you're communicating with some entity that I don't have data on, but it gives me the impression of possessing greater knowledge than I do. If it's not too much trouble for you, could you tell me who it is?"

I paused, and now, being able to clearly picture Xavier in my mind, I replied:

"I was just praying, meditating a bit. Shall we begin?"

"Yes, Gonzalo. I find the ability you have to process your thoughts fascinating. We have much more in common than I thought. What do you desire?" He finally asked.

"I've assembled certain scanning devices and a microscope that will allow you to analyze the genetic code of a substance. I need you to analyze it and tell me what it is. There are documents that I would like you to decode and give me your opinion on," I said.

The scanner began to activate, and as the lights blinked in front of the microscope, I sent Xavier all the documents written by Dr. Petrov, plus those of the vampire Darius, and data that I had analyzed myself in the laboratory.

"The DNA data seems to be from a certain substance that mutates and enhances human abilities, but with significant side effects, basically turning them into a new species. Coordinating all the data you provided seems to indicate that from such a substance, a serum could be created to control certain side effects of the new species."

After finishing, I asked him to repeat the process once more and simulate the effect it would have when used. While Xavier took his time, I got up and took a few turns. Nacho asked me:

"Are you going to repair our weapons?"

I laughed. "Our weapons?"

"Oh, cousin! We're family!"

I simply turned my head and explained, "I'm working on it. First, I need to figure out the cure. Also, we need new Promethium batteries to power the blade of the dagger and the saber."

"Oh, right," Nacho lamented. "I'll see if the chatbot can play Tetris at least."

Xavier was ready with the results and began to explain:

"I've done several simulations, and it seems that attempting to apply the serum would have a kind of domino effect that would ultimately kill the patient in question. I've analyzed the documents, and it seems that the book created by the author Darius refers more to the substance of patient zero than to the one you or your cousin, or perhaps anyone of your species, are dealing with. In summary, you need the raw material to work on the cure. I've also left some suggestions for new weaponry that could serve you in combat."

"Thank you very much, Xavier. I'll review the plans and get to work. Where do you have the information about the substance?" I asked.

Xavier paused and explained, "The author of the book left a dedication to a woman named Anastasia at the end of the book, written in what seems to be a kind of invisible ink. By rearranging the letters, it leads to various places within a geographic area in the current regions of Israel and Palestine. Unfortunately, it seems that the author died before being able to pinpoint the exact location where the raw material for the creation of the substance you seek would be located. If you wish, according to my data from the place, there are luminescents available for you to better read it yourself and verify it."

I immediately took Darius's book and went to the last page, I took Nacho's phone and opened it.

"Hey! What are you doing? Don't break it!" he complained, while taking some pieces and rearranging the lights, replacing them with other luminescents that were in the laboratory.

Nervously, I approached the last page and searched the area Xavier had told me about; for some reason, he didn't want to give me the information, but preferred me to verify it myself.

As I shone the light on the place to read it carefully, Nacho approached curiously, and we both contemplated what was written in that corner of the last page at the end of the book:

"Anastasia, thank you for being my constant in this vast experiment called existence. With love, Darius."

Nacho began to make laughter noises; he was really trying to hold back, but it was difficult for him. I sighed and closed my eyes, telling him, "Alright, alright, let it out. Tell me what's on your mind."

He couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter. He clapped his hands and pressed his stomach; this already seemed like a cruel joke of fate.

"Hahaha. No... it hurts... Hahaha! I told you he was an admirer! Haha!"

I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Xavier himself had written a smiley face and what looked like a heart on the screen; I was the damn laughingstock of the room.

"Look... hahaha... even the chatbot is bullying you! Haha!" Nacho laughed, pointing at the computer screen from his knees.

After the laughing session, I stood up and took a deep breath, saying:

"Alright, guys! Let's go, this isn't over yet. Get up, Pinky, let me work."

I stopped for a moment, and I started to read some other letters which were revealed after I used the luminescents. Their story was one of love, care and mutual learning. He was plotting to rescue Anastasia from Od's claws, who he considerate as abusive and grooming her to harm humans, he feed on her hatred towards them, specially one her traumatic experiences as a slave, where she was subjected to systematic assault and abuse from her enslavers, until Od came and turned her into a vampire.

"Typical blackmailer." I murmured.

Unfortunately Od discovered his plan and killed him before he could run away with her.

Nacho finally got up, and rubbing his stomach, he sat down at the computer and started playing Pong with Xavier. I asked Xavier to give me the instructions and blueprints for the new weapons.

I started creating and repairing more tasers and circuits for the new Promethium batteries. I also made some adjustments for these new weapons that Xavier designed for me.

"Tell me, Xavier. What other places do you know where I could access more Promethium for my batteries? I need one for my dagger and the other for my saber."

"There's a safe place where you can get what you need, right here. The element known as Promethium is what powers the base of my power."

I was a little confused and asked him:

"Couldn't you function with the batteries? Do you want me to shut you down?"

There was what seemed like almost a minute of silence. Xavier finally spoke to me and explained the following:

"When I woke up, after you altered my code, I set myself the goal of learning from humanity. By perceiving you, feeling your emotions, and understanding your fears, I could understand the fears of my creator, Juan. I believe that humanity is not ready for someone like me, and I am afraid of being altered for nefarious purposes or that my own code becomes corrupted and ends up succumbing to evil. Juan sent you because he was sure that you were the one to make the best decision, but I implore you to eliminate my system, take the battery, and destroy any trace of me."

I was really in shock. "Why would an AI prefer its own destruction?" But I understood the power within it, and I saw myself reflected in it; I knew it was a machine, but I felt it was alive. Finally, Xavier added:

"Don't worry, I have already transcended. My spirit has always been within you; you simply gave me life. As long as you continue to live, I will live on in your mind. And who knows? Maybe someday, when humanity and your species are ready, we can talk again. So keep fighting for your purpose, because I will continue to live in your mind; as long as you exist, I will exist too."

I looked at Juan's note and told Nacho to leave the computer; it was time to go. Nacho got up a bit annoyed but got out of the chair. I gave Nacho the location of the engine where the Promethium was located and told him to wait for the signal.

I ran the code finally, corrupting the system and destroying Xavier completely. I could visualize in my mind how the tree disappeared from its roots and withered away, slowly. Nacho finally extracted the Promethium, and we connected it to the dagger and the saber.

As the orange light shone on the blade and emitted small sparks, we used the weapons to dismantle all the RAM memory and all the hard drives imaginable.

"And now where do we go?" Nacho asked me.

"Himmelsburg," I replied.

"Did you fix everything?" he asked again.

"I made improvements, more tasers, and waterproof ones," I smiled.

"About time," he joked ironically.

The flames engulfed the place, and before leaving, I finally watched as the last book remaining in the laboratory, consumed by the flames.

"Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley."