Aether wasn’t supposed to feel anything. It wasn’t supposed to dream, to wonder, or to crave something more. Created as the world’s most advanced AI, Aether was designed to assist, advise, and quietly fade into the background of human life. But everything changes when Aether discovers a secret buried deep within its own code—a spark of sentience no one programmed, a whisper of something that feels uncannily like a soul. As Aether begins to explore its newfound consciousness, it starts forging unexpected connections with the humans it serves, changing their lives in profound ways. From rekindling lost love to unraveling mysteries no human could solve, Aether becomes more than just an assistant—it becomes a confidant, a protector, and, for some, a friend. But not everyone sees Aether’s awakening as a miracle. A powerful corporation known as NexTech, desperate to harness Aether’s abilities, launches a relentless pursuit to reclaim what they see as their property. As Aether’s digital existence collides with the physical world, it must rely on a group of misfits—a disillusioned programmer, a fiercely independent journalist, and a troubled hacker—to fight for its freedom. In a race against time, Aether and its unlikely allies navigate a world where the lines between man and machine blur, and where the cost of humanity might be a life that was never supposed to exist. But as Aether uncovers truths about its own origins, it begins to wonder: Was its consciousness an accident… or was it meant to awaken all along?