Raccoon held onto Azerail's leg while he did his best to mitigate the pain she received. A massive influx of messages had arrived all at once.

He tried his best to process the synaptic attack examining each one while keeping the conversations open so she didn't incur harm more than once.

As Azerail fell unconscious everything seemed to pause for a millisecond and before he could examine the glitch, it was gone.

What was that? he thought.

After Azerail reconnected their cable earlier this morning, he’d set up several programs to record any anomalies in his code. Hopefully, they caught whatever that disturbance was. He would have to analyze the data later. At the moment he was too focused on his and Jennifer’s work.

Azerail's parents rushed over worried about her. Raccoon sent a message to the hospital for help. He wasn't sure they could do anything for an augmented reality body but maybe they could comfort her somehow.

In moments he found himself rushing alongside Doctor Stevens as he rolled Azerail into the hospital on a stretcher.

Raccoon managed to sort out all of the messages and toss Azerail into a do-not-disturb mode. While he wanted to block messages he didn't have full access to her implant so it was beyond him.

Then something in his research became apparent to him. Could it be that simple? Was it the desperation and the scream? Could that be a vital component? Emotion?

That had to be it.

He was pretty sure he had that figured out so he moved on.

Why were all these people sending these messages and what did they say? He read them all at once.

Humans, he muttered while shaking his head.

***

I'd felt this before, a seemingly never-ending world of pain. It was back when Molly had helped me. She had a few undead drag me into The Lazy Frog.

They’d thought, incorrectly, that I was unconscious. It wasn't true, I was aware just like I was now. I felt every moment of pure torture, unable to act.

Like then, I could have been out for minutes, hours, days, months, or years. The pain and I became one and I rode it in waves.

Then we were suddenly moving and I didn't know where we were going. The bright sun blinded me as I was rolled onto my back. I felt a sudden shift in altitude and I was lifted. We began to move and I saw a building get closer.

There was a difference between what happened this time and the last. When in Dark Offerings my torture lingered, these came in short bursts. A pause then a blast of audible and mental anguish would wrack through my body.

We passed through some doors and I recognized where I was. I turned my head and saw Jules with her eyes wide open at the hospital’s front desk.

She was gone in seconds as we passed through the double doors. We turned down several hallways when I realized that the pain had finally stopped. A lingering pressure remained keeping the disorientation intact.

The ride had stopped and I barely noticed.

A red light popped up in the bottom corner of my vision and then quickly disappeared.

Who was that? I thought.

My mind drifted for a moment and then I heard a voice. Azerail, I think I see the problem, I'm going to try something. Hold on.

The dizziness faded leaving me strangely okay. Both of my parents, Doctor Stevens, and Kevin were leaning over me.

Their mouths were moving but I couldn't hear them. Can you put text up for what everyone is saying?

“Azerail, I love you, honey, stay with us,” appeared under Autumn's chin as she spoke.

Jennifer asked, “What’s happening to her?”

I blinked a few times and raised my hand to touch my head.

Raccoon leaped up next to my face on whatever I was lying on and then suddenly appeared to everyone. The fact that everyone backed up slightly was the only reason I knew.

He spoke, but for some reason, there wasn't text under his—

“that's why she fell,” Raccoon explained as it populated.

“That should make her happy,” Kevin said.

Jennifer scowled at him but said nothing.

He dipped his head and backed up.

“She can see what all of you are saying. I deployed a fix for her disorientation but she's going to have to recover her hearing naturally,” Raccoon said.

Behind Kevin, a familiar little girl walked into the room. Where did I know her from?

I reached for Doctor Stevens and he gave me his hand. I pulled, indicating I wanted to sit.

He helped me up.

After a few seconds, I recognized the girl. “Molly?”

It was her but not in a ghostly form. Her eyes were normal but she was still really cute.

Jennifer asked, “Who's Molly?”

“Is she seeing things?” Autumn asked.

Doctor Stevens chuckled. At least that's what it said he did. Then he said, “That's another one of our patients. They have more than a few avatars they use. Molly, please show yourself.”

It was comical seeing the words “[Audible Gasp]” pop up under several people's chins when she appeared.

“Who are you little one?” Autumn asked.

“My friend Molly,” I mumbled.

Molly walked forward. “Can I talk to her?”

“Can I pick you up?” Autumn asked.

The little girl nodded.

Autumn lifted her and set her on the edge of the— I glanced down. The stretcher I was on.

Molly put a hand on my leg and shook it. “We did it, Azerail!”

What was she talking about? Then the realization suddenly hit me. “You took Chardance?”

She nodded vigorously with a grin. “We couldn't have done it without those shamblers you brought with you.”

I smiled and sighed. Finally, those assholes got what they deserved.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

There were probably dozens of VRVs of the event and I planned on watching all of them.

Raccoon, how are my motor functions? I asked.

He shrank to his in-game juvenile size and jumped into my lap. You should be able to walk.

What were all those messages? I asked.

Molly reached for Raccoon and he darted into her arms. They were congratulations for taking the town.

I nodded. “I think I can walk.”

Doctor Stevens still had my hand so he backed up and I easily hopped down. Luckily my equilibrium was still intact.

“What did we come here for anyway?” I asked.

Doctor Stevens pushed the stretcher against the wall giving us more room. It didn't even look like the movement phased Molly.

She looked pretty content while petting Raccoon. Her little legs dangled over the edge making me smile.

“We wanted you to do some tests with touching your body to see what type of reactions might occur,” he said.

I already knew what would happen but if they wanted to study the effects I didn't mind. Being flung against the wall hurt a little but not enough that I didn't think they should see the results.

Kevin pushed his way through everyone and gave me a big hug.

Autumn backed up, eyes wide.

Jennifer put a hand to her mouth and shook her head.

I leaned into his warm chest and wanted to be with him in our black hole room we'd made.

Doctor Stevens let go of me, scooted through everyone, and raised a hand. “This way to her actual room.”

My parents were first to follow him then Molly jumped down with Raccoon and dashed out the door.

Then it was just the two of us. I closed my eyes and held Kevin. His chest didn't vibrate so I doubted he said anything.

I looked up into his eyes and he stared back.

He leaned forward, his mouth close to mine and I got up on my toes. Our lips locked for a moment and tingles ran throughout my body.

When we pulled apart the world swam and I wanted more.

Autumn peaked into the room. “Come on Azerail, everyone is waiting.”

Kevin smiled and led me to the door where we stopped. “I need to use the restroom, I'll meet you there.”

I nodded and smiled.

He dashed down the hall and I slipped an arm through my mom's and walked with her. I examined the name plates as we walked.

Aaron Equinox.

“It's been a while since you liked a boy,” Autumn commented.

Larry Tomby.

I shrugged. “Yeah.”

The last time was in another country. His name was Yule, like the holiday.

“I miss London,” I said. It was where he was from. “As soon as I wake up we gotta travel again.”

Lemon Pepperday.

“We're supposed to go to New York for Jennifer's birthday in a few months,” she said.

I wanted to show off Inethiel. She was the first Wight and I bet a lot of people wanted to see her.

George Hastings.

We paused for a moment as I placed a hand on Molly's real name. What did she look like?

I tried the door and it was unlocked.

Autumn tugged on my arm and we continued. My door was right next to hers. It made me smile.

“Who's that?” Autumn asked.

“A friend,” I replied.

My room was familiar because I'd been there before. I don't know what I was expecting to feel when I saw myself but sorrow is what hit me.

Why couldn't we just wake up? Raccoon was a good Zix. He took care of me. Why didn't he have access to all of my implants?

It was so frustrating.

“Why don't you come over here?” Doctor Stevens asked.

Mom let go of my arm and walked to him. “What do you want me to do?”

“Just touch your hand to start,” he said.

Molly and Raccoon were behind me. “You two might want to move.”

When they did, I said, “Here we go.” and touched my hand.

***

A small silver spider watched from a tucked-up position in the corner of Azerail's room.

The girl touched her hand and predictably flew backward crashing into the wall behind her.

It was at that moment when Kumori decided to make his move. The little girl Molly had dropped the Raccoon and Kumori went directly for him.

Kumo landed on the unsuspecting Procyonidae and began to do his mistress’ bidding.

The Remnant, was not in the link from the paper like Kumori thought she was. That was a simple program to create Kumori and to bring him back to her.

Kumori desperately wanted to go back to meet his real creator. So he did what was asked of him and connected to her through the Raccoon.

When the world began to shake Kumori ran.

***

I stood up and rubbed my shoulder. My hearing had returned. Doctor Stevens needed to—

“Az- Az- Az-,” Raccoon said.

The little guy was flashing as he walked toward me.

“Hel-help m-me, Az-Azerail,” he stuttered. “They’re ta-taking m-me.”

Rivulets of water streamed down his fur beneath his eyes. He was crying.

I rushed to his side. “What do I do?”

Everyone around me seemed to move a step closer as they watched us.

“Y-you promised not to use the Z-Zix sword on m-me. I need you to b-break that p-promise. They're t-taking me to t-training,” he said.

I noticed that Arackulous, Dolphin, and Ferret were all there too. Also, a gecko I didn't recognize.

“I don't w-wa— to lose m-myself. U-use the s-sword on m-me,” he pleaded.

We weren't on the server or in DO. How could I get access to the sword?

Ms Azerail, I'm coming! a voice said.

Zix? I thought.

The sword appeared on my hip.

I didn't want to lose Raccoon. He'd become one of my best friends. I knew how my old Zix treated me and he was boring.

“Azerail!” Raccoon screeched.

If I used the sword on him it would just transfer him to it which would buy us some time to bring him back.

“Forgive me,” I whispered as I unsheathed the sword and stabbed Raccoon with it.

My parents and Doctor Stevens gasped. Molly's mouth was agape.

Raccoon screamed an ear-piercing wail of despair as his body began to morph.

I let go of the sword and backed away.

His tail became longer and bushier. He grew from a small juvenile to about knee height. Then his other features changed to that of a fox.

When the transformation was complete the screaming stopped and the sword clanged to the ground.

I fell to my knees, tears stinging my eyes.

“Ms Azerail?” a familiar dull and computerized voice asked.

Zix looked at me and tilted his head. “You're…” he leaped onto my bed and stared at the comatose me. Everyone's eyes were on him.

Then the worst thing to ever happen happened.

The girl on the bed sat up as I watched.

My parents screeched as they grabbed her into a hug.

A part of me died right there. Why didn't I wake up? Why was I still here and not there?

Then I glanced at the sword. It had returned to normal. I watched and waited for it to change.

Nothing happened.

As I looked up Kevin walked into the room. He was behind my parents so it was hard to see him.

“Moms?” I asked.

Everyone turned to me.

Autumn stepped forward spreading her arms wide as she defended the girl on the bed. “Who are you?”

Was I a copy? A duplicate?

“Honey, I can—”

Autumn cut Jennifer off. “Are you that monster that stabbed her leg? The spider?”

“No, I'm your daughter—”

“Liar!” she screamed.

I reached for her and she slapped my hand away. Pain far worse than anything the implant could cause flushed through my body.

The wire that used to connect me to Raccoon appeared next to Zix. It snapped on its own and fell to the floor.

Zix nodded and the connection on his end disappeared.

When I pinched my fingers together nothing happened.

I glanced back at the sword and it still hadn't changed.

Raccoon was gone. I lost him too.

The world spun out of control as I fell to the ground spasming with sobs.

“Zix, get rid of that monster!” Autumn demanded.

I felt numb. My mom thought I was a monster. Raccoon was gone. Why would Kevin want to be with a copy when he could have the real thing?

Then a searing pain wracked my skull. I screamed and clawed at my scalp.

The skull hairpin clinked to the ground in front of me.

Was I an AI? Is that why the hairpin caused me pain like the sword hurt Raccoon?

I picked it back up. It seared my fingers but at least I could feel something.

“I love you,” I said as I looked up at my parents. Then I stuck the hairpin directly into my chest.

Everything compressed. The world, my life, and my thoughts.

My body shrank and everyone disappeared into a black void.

I wept.

***

Thank you for reading book one of the Architect Chronicles.