Chapter 7: Luxion

I step aside, moving behind a tree to shield myself from any potential attack as the security robot rolls past. My heart pounds, but it doesn't make a move toward us.
After what feels like an eternity, it disappears into the foliage. Dad and I finally exhale, sharing a look of relief.
"Let's get back to the airship," he mutters, and I nod.

Floating to the entrance is strangely serene. No slogging through dense jungle or hacking at vines—a small but satisfying improvement from my past life. When we reach the entrance area, my stomach tightens. Looming ahead is the same towering robot that nearly killed me last time.
"We're staying here, out of its range," Dad says firmly, keeping his voice low. "We'd need armor to fight that thing." I nod silently. That monstrous machine shouldn't have ranged weapons, if my memories are correct.

Suddenly, the robot's speakers crackle, and a voice in Japanese booms out, "What do you know about old humanity, and what is your reason for coming here?" I respond in the same language, "My father doesn't know the full story, so let's switch to the common tongue. We can discuss the details later, alone." As I'm speaking, I feel something strange near my right shoulder—a weightless, eerie familiarity. But I can't place it.
Dad nudges me. "What did you just say to it?"
"I asked it to switch to our language… I think."
Before Dad can reply, the robot's voice changes, now speaking in the common tongue. Its tone is flat and devoid of emotion as it asks, "What is your purpose here?"
I take a deep breath and answer, "To verify if a dream I had was real—and to become the master of the last remaining ship and its AI here."

The robot's lens flares ominously, and its voice rises in pitch. "So you are intruders seeking to claim the power of old humanity. New human scum. I will not allow it!"

"Wait, I'm not—"
A searing red beam shoots past, grazing my cheek. I cry out in pain, clutching my face as I spin around. My eyes lock onto a floating metallic sphere. It looks just like the one Luxion used in my memories.
Dad grabs my arm. "We're leaving. Now!" "Wait!" I say, panic flaring. "Scan me! I'm a modified descendant of old humanity!" The words tumble out before I can stop them. Damn it. That was too much! I thought you'd be more chill.
The sphere freezes in mid-air for a moment, then something sweeps over me and Dad. After a pause, the sphere's voice returns. "State your names and provide a summary of the current situation outside."
Dad hesitates, but I step forward. "I'm Leon fou Bartfort, and this is Balcus fou Bartfort." Quickly, I outline the state of the Kingdom of Holfort and the world as concisely as I can, while limiting myself to what I should know in this life. The sphere hums faintly, its voice finally acknowledging us. "You possess traces of old human DNA. How did you know how to find me, and what do you know of the old humanity?"

I swallow hard, choosing my words carefully. "I had… a dream, years ago, about this place. About you. My father was kind enough to humor me and help me verify if my 'dream' was real." The sphere tilts slightly, as if considering my response. "You appear to be fatigued. If you are willing to strike an agreement, I will receive you as guests. You may rest within me."
Dad bristles beside me. "Within you?" "That is a speaker unit for the ship I told you about," I explain.
Dad frowns, still tense. I turn to the sphere again. "And your terms, Lux– ehm, AI?"
The sphere's lens focuses on me, unblinking. "I require more detailed information about the current state of the world. Additionally, you will keep my existence a secret. If you agree, I will grant you sanctuary and a return home."

"Deal," I say immediately. "Stop!" Dad interjects, his voice rising. "You can't just decide that! Look at what that thing did to your face—we need to get out of here!"
"It's fine, Dad," I insist, trying to sound calm. "And even if we wanted to leave, we couldn't. I didn't know this sphere was active yet, but now that it is, we wouldn't make it out." Dad's jaw tightens, but he doesn't argue further.
"Very well," the sphere says. "Follow me. I will guide you to your quarters and stop at the infirmary to treat your injury." The stinging in my cheek suddenly flares, making me wince. "Thanks. That'd be appreciated."
The sphere floats ahead, leading our airship to the hangar entrance, so we don't have to traverse the entire complex the normal way. Dad's eyes widen as we pass the massive spaceship, his awe palpable. "This is… incredible."
"I told you," I say, unable to keep the smugness out of my voice.
True to its word, the sphere escorts us to an infirmary inside the ship, where my burn is treated in record time. The pain fades almost instantly, leaving only a faint warmth behind. From there, we're shown to a room—spacious, with two of the softest beds I've seen in this life and a spread of warm, comforting food. The smell alone nearly brings tears to my eyes. Japanese cuisine.

As the sphere leaves, Dad turns to me, his worry evident. "Leon, what have you gotten us into? You barely know what this thing is capable of." I sit down, taking a bite of rice, the warmth grounding me. "It's fine, Dad. I promise. It wants something from us, so it has no reason to hurt us as long as we cooperate. And it could have taken us hostage instead."
"That's not exactly reassuring."
"I think we're fine…"
"On what basis?" Dad's voice sharpens, his frustration boiling over. "How do you even know about any of this?" The tension in the room spikes. My own frustration rises to meet his. "I told you from the start—I just got these memories or whatever one day! I don't know how!"
Tears sting my eyes. I had promised myself I'd handle this more intelligently than my past self, but here I was, fumbling again.
Dad's expression softens instantly, his anger melting into regret. "Leon… I didn't mean to shout. I just—" He hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck. "You seemed so in control up to now. I forgot you're still just a child."

He finally sits down, attempting to use the unfamiliar chopsticks. After a few clumsy tries, he manages to eat, the tension in his shoulders easing with each bite.
Once he's asleep, I quietly slip out of bed, checking to make sure he's truly out before I leave the room.

"Lux–...AI," I call softly into the dimly lit hallway, my voice barely above a whisper, the sound swallowed by the vast emptiness around me.
"Oh, now you want to talk to me?" The sphere's voice echoes sharply, mechanical and tinged with faint amusement.
"Dad barely slept on the way here. I knew he'd crash the moment he hit those beds."
"Of course," Luxion replies, its tone calm and matter-of-fact. "I administered a mild sedative to ensure he rested properly." "Seriously?" My voice rises slightly, half-exasperated, half-impressed.
"Naturally," it responds smoothly, without a hint of shame. "I wanted to expedite this discussion. Now, where are you heading?"

"To the bridge," I answer, beginning to move down the corridor. My steps echo faintly in the silence. "You don't know me yet, but I know you. I've walked this path hundreds of times—" I pause, switching to Japanese as the words tumble out. "Or at least, it feels like I have." A faint hum vibrates through the air as Luxion processes my words. "Interesting. Elaborate."
I exhale slowly, organizing my thoughts. "It's hard to explain, but it feels like I've had lives before this. Two, actually. In one of those lives, I spent an unforgettable part of it with you. And I'd like to have you by my side again."

The sphere tilts slightly, its lens focusing on me like a predator assessing its prey. "You speak with certainty for someone making extraordinary claims. Reincarnation? Twice? Provide evidence."
I nod, my pace steady. "The ship's location, the security systems, the layout of this place—it all matches what I remember. And I know you need a master to operate fully. I'm offering to be that master. In return, I promise to protect the descendants of old humanity."
"Bold words," Luxion replies, its tone neutral but weighted. A tense silence follows. The hum of distant machinery fills the air, and I wonder what's running through Luxion's processors.

Finally, I break the quiet. "Do you have a name?"
"My creator intended to call me Luxion before her demise," it says, the reverence in its voice catching me off guard. "Luxion… so that's how you got your name in the game," I repeat, my heart skipping. "May I call you that, regardless of whether I become your master?"
There's a pause, its lens unblinking. "You may. It is the closest thing I have to an identity. But… what game do you speak of?"

"Thank you, Luxion. In my first life, there was a game that mirrored the world of my second and now current life. In that game, there was an item you could buy to make it easier—this ship. You were called Luxion there as well."

We continue toward the bridge, the corridor dimly lit by faint overhead lights.
"You make intriguing claims, Leon fou Bartfort," Luxion finally says, breaking the silence. "But I will verify their truth myself." Fair enough. "Ask away." I reply aloud.
"What were your previous lives like? Describe them," Luxion prompts, its voice neutral but laced with scrutiny. I take a deep breath. Here we go. "My first life… I was just a regular guy in 21st-century Japan." As we walk, I recount my memories: playing the game, my abrupt death, and waking up in this strange world. My words pick up pace as I describe the chaos caused by the other reincarnators—and me—and how it threw everything off course. Crap, this is where it gets tricky. My voice falters as I skim over everything past the part where I acquired Luxion in my second life.
"You stop describing events in detail after claiming to have become my master," Luxion notes, its lens narrowing. There's suspicion in its voice now.

I grit my teeth. Of course you'd pick up on that. "That's deliberate," I admit, slowing my pace. "I know what you're capable of—what you're willing to do when left unchecked. You'll kill anyone who stands in the way, no matter who they are."I force myself to meet its unblinking gaze. "I don't want that. I want to help people live better lives, not shorter ones. Sure, we faced some terrible enemies, but most of them? They were just misguided."
Memories of last life's Rutart, Merce, and even Jenna flash through my mind. "If I hadn't always waited until everything was falling apart, fewer people would've died. Especially descendants of old humanity. So, no killing unless there's absolutely no other choice."
The sphere dims briefly, as if in thought. Please don't argue this, Luxion. Its lens brightens again. "Your assertions carry weight, Leon. If your words hold true, you may indeed be suitable."
A flicker of relief washes over me, but I don't let it show. Not yet.

The bluish glow of the bridge spills into the corridor as we approach. The cool light reflects off the metallic walls, and my heartbeat picks up. Almost there.
"Your perspective is… unexpected," Luxion says, its tone shifting to something almost contemplative. "Most who come here seek wealth, power, and fame."
"Oh, cut out the fame part, and yeah, you can include me in that," I shoot back, stepping into the bridge. The room opens before us, vast and bathed in an ethereal glow, control panels glowing softly, waiting to be activated.
"From your accounts, you desire wealth and power to live comfortably—without excess or dominion over others. Instead, you aim to assist others."
"Ehh… Sure," I mutter, shrugging. "But let's not pretend I'm some selfless hero. This is all still selfish at its core."

I walk toward the access console, my hand hovering over the panel. My palm is clammy. Why does this feel so much heavier than it should? Luxion's lens fixes on me, its mechanical voice resonating with a weight that makes my chest tighten. "Leon fou Bartfort, I accept your proposal to become my master."
I put my hand down. A surge of energy courses through me as the registration process completes. The console springs to life, glowing softly. The hum of the ship awakening fills the air.
I let out a breath. "Thank you, Luxion," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "Let's make this work. Together." The sphere tilts slightly, its lens gleaming faintly. "Understood, Master Leon. Let us proceed."

A/N

This chapter didn't want to write itself at all, but it's finally finished, and I'm also doing better.

Oh, and yesterday I couldn't upload this here for some reason, so it was released earlier on AO3. Not much else to say.

So, like always, please comment if there is anything on your mind. All non shitposts are appreciated.