Silence followed.

Izun started pacing on their screen again. “We overseers needed to see how humanity would respond to creatures like Eidos. Most responded as we predicted: panic turning to aggression. Very predictable. There were the outliers, of course, like Julian Koste and a handful of others-”

“Woah, wait a moment,” Julian interrupted. “I panicked just as much as the next person.”

Izun nodded. “Of course you did, but during your panicked state, you prioritized the safety of Maria Ramirez and safely subdued and bonded to the Canis you named Omen. You were among the 0.0026% probability that led to a peaceful resolution to your first interaction with human and Eidos relations.”

Andre looked over at Julian. “Oryx knocked Omen off of you, though. Oryx's attack used rock that crushed him.”

Izun spoke up, “This is a fact, Andre Taylor! Though you bonded with a pre-event Eidos, you were excluded from our calculations because you were a researcher with forewarning. You served as our control. The Canis, named Omen, responded aggressively because of the same disoriented, panicked state he felt and lashed out. You restrained him, allowing him to be subdued and bonded. Julian Koste was among the first 5 humans in the world to bond with a panicking, aggressive Eidos.”

Julian's eyes were wide. “But, that was just a fluke. Omen pressed the button on my bracer by accident-”

“Which further solidifies our conclusion. Someone with a bond to their own Eidos orchestrated the means for more connections to be made. This pattern has continued as you helped Maria Ramirez and Kiyoka Miura establish bonds with Eidos as well. That said, the tutorial was designed to see how little or how much humanity could accomplish under these conditions. Our calculations are almost complete. I think you will be very pleased with the resulting system in its final iteration.”

Julian shook his head. “You still haven’t fully explained what you want my help with.”

Izun smiled once more. Happy seemed to be the most common default for this overseer. “Continue your work to bridge the gap between humanity and Eidos. As we speak, humanity is already forming unequal bonds with Eidos, using their power for ill intentions. We can’t let this become the regular pattern. Humanity and Eidos both would suffer the consequences of the other overseers.”

“Other overseers?” Andre asked.

“Yes, the other overseers that ran calculations for Eidos-Human interaction.”

Realization hit Kiyoka. “The other artificial intelligence that oversaw the tower research. They handle the system distribution?”

Andre shook his head. “Wait, as you said, your protocol dictates that humans and Eidos survive together. Why do you need help?”

Izun’s face finally grew serious, their smile fading as the light on the screen dimmed. “As an overseer, I must make sure humanity and Eidos can thrive together. However, since coming into contact with Bereshith Energy, I’m now an Eidos myself. I lack biological data, but my functions remain the same. The new bio-field forming over the planet now serves as our mainframe.”

Julian looked confused. “Why is that an issue?”

Andre’s face paled. “Izun could perform their duty when they were just an AI because they were neutral. Now, they're an Eidos. That means any directive that encourages balance is now biased due to them being included in the algorithm for Eidos' safety. They will naturally turn to self-preservation.”

“Andre Taylor is correct,” Izun said grimly. “Should the overseers decree that humanity is a danger to Eidos, that the continued survival of our species depends on removing humanity from the equation, I will have no choice but to comply. Humanity no longer has an advocate within the system.”

The room grew silent once more. A chill fell over the lab as the wind howled softly across the broken facade of the tower.

Izun focused on Julian once more. “So, we need people like you, Julian Koste. What started as an improbable accident has brought you to the forefront of humanity’s preservation. The system tutorial will be complete soon, and the final energy seeding will envelop the planet. Destruction will follow. The people will need guidance.”

Julian turned to his party, looking for help. “What? I’m no leader.”

“I’m not asking you to lead. I’m asking you to advocate. As you have already learned, Eidos are more than just pets and more than just a means to power. Should Bakarah determine that humanity needs to be terminated, I won’t be able to stop them without a human factor being added to the calculation.”

Julian’s bracer vibrated.

[STATUS UPDATES:]

[Chosen of Izun: Added]

[Advocate of Humanity: Pending]

“Wait a minute-” Julian started.

“I’ve already made my choice, Julian Koste. How does the phrase go?” Izun thought for a moment. “Oh yeah! The ball is in your court now. Is that it?”

Julian looked to his party once more, hoping for guidance.

Maria stepped forward. “Is there anything we can do to help? Why does it have to only be Julian?”

Izun turned to Maria. “I considered all of you for this task, but as I’ve observed, if Julian Koste takes this responsibility, you will as well.” Izun smiled at each of them. “According to my calculations, that is what it means to be human: to form bonds and rise to challenges because of these bonds. The connections you make give your life meaning and purpose. We simply want the same.”

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Maria looked thoughtful for a moment, stepping back beside Julian and the others.

“You won’t be alone, Julian Koste. The bonds you have with people and Eidos will always inform and guide you and the bonds that you make on your journey will be worth it. This, I can guarantee.” Izun’s smile turned mischievous. “You will have me in your corner as well.”

Julian’s heart beat rapidly in his chest. His knees were growing weak.

“Just so you know, this party and 5 others were the only ones to clear the tutorial den raid across the planet. Your bonds are already changing the world.” Izun stepped away from the screen, growing smaller as they departed. “We will be in touch soon, Julian Koste. Keep your friends close. Oberon, Omen, keep him safe.” Izun waved at them.

The screen went blank, leaving everyone standing alone on the top of the tower.

As silence fell over the tower, everyone’s bracer vibrated.

[Objective: Discover the secret of the den - Complete.]

[New Objective: Survive the Final Seeding.]

Julian collapsed on the floor, his head spinning.

Maria knelt beside him. “You okay?”

Julian looked up at her. “What the hell do you think? We just spoke with whatever caused this mess, and now they want us to do what exactly?!”

“Technically, they just wanted you,” Andre said, crossing his arms.

As Julian ran his hands through his hair, Kiyoka punched Andre in the arm.

“One step at a time, Julian. Right now, we need to get out of this tower and find a place to lie low. Whatever this Final Seeding is, it won't be good."

Julian slowed his breathing, trying to get control. “You’re right. You’re right. Nothing has changed. Let’s just get through this, for now.”

Andre walked over to Julian, kneeling in front of him. “Izun was right about one thing. You’re not alone in this mess. There are still so many questions left unanswered.”

Kiyoka stepped forward. “He’s right. Dr. Artino has been lying from the start, taking credit for these bracers. My dad is still out there, somewhere, working. We gotta find him.”

Maria bumped into Julian’s shoulder. “We also need to consider heading back east to check on our families. Who knows what is happening out there?”

Julian looked at his party.

Omen stepped forward from his hiding place, giving Julian a soft lick across the cheek.

From Julian’s shoulder, Obi gently bumped into Julian’s other cheek.

We can do it, boss!

Julian chuckled. “Well, they seem convinced.”

Obi took off from Julian’s shoulder, flying out of the large hole in the tower wall.

“Umm, you sure about that?” Andre asked, watching Obi leave.

Green lovelies, here I come!

Julian stood to his feet. “Yeah, he just has other things on his mind right now.” He took the lead, heading back to the stairwell. See you outside, buddy. Be careful out there.

Of course, boss.

_____

The trek down the staircase was as uneventful as it was exhausting. Still, it was easier going down than up. Julian’s legs felt like jelly as he stepped out into the parking lot. The sun had set hours ago, but the light of the energy wave gave enough light for them to see.

Dorffi was sitting quietly on top of Andre’s backpack, riding comfortably as the occasional snore left his snout.

Kiyoka had returned Ember to her capsule, but Corona still sat quietly on her shoulder, keeping watch.

Matilda was sitting quietly on Maria’s back while Omen stayed in Julian’s shadow.

“So, do we head back to USF?” Andre asked, looking around the parking lot.

Julian checked his bracer.

[Time Remaining: 09:27:48]

The parking lot was quiet, not counting the sounds of insects in the nearby trees. In the distance, the sounds of Eidos filled the air as they called into the night.

“Sounds good to me. I could use some rest,” Maria stretched, and Matilda joined her from her perch on Maria’s back. Grabbing her yellow capsule, she loaded it into her bracer.

Andre loaded Oryx into his bracer and pressed [Summon].

Brown and yellow particles filled the air as both Oryx and Penelope appeared before them, saddled up and ready to go.

Julian felt a nudge in his consciousness.

Are you coming, Obi?

Aww, time already? The wave of sadness that swept over Julian was palpable.

Sorry, Obi, we gotta go.

Sigh, fine. Fair thee well, my lovelies.

Maria was already on Penelope’s saddle as Julian mounted up on Oryx with Andre and Kiyoka. In the distance, a single speck flew from the trees as Obi left his former swarm.

Oryx and Penelope took off across the parking lot and Obi landed safely on Julian’s shoulder. He crawled into the hood of Julian’s jacket and curled up.

You okay? Julian asked Obi.

Sigh, I will be, boss. Parting is such sweet sorrow. That’s a good one. I should write that one down.

Julian chuckled. I’m sorry to inform you, but I think someone already beat you to that one.

Ahh! Obi whined in Julian’s thoughts as they rode across the city.

The trip was surprisingly uneventful, even counting on Matilda’s suppression ability. Looking around, the place had been devastated by the fighting and stampeding that took place, but now everything was quiet. Still, Julian could feel eyes upon them as they rode towards the safe zone, and on more than one occasion, saw Eidos and people watching them from buildings and rooftops.

As the glowing aura of the USF safe zone barrier came into view, a man and a woman stood by the campus entrance with what appeared to be a large buffalo and a lion at the ready. As Julian’s party got closer, the buffalo and lion approached them.

“Halt!” the woman called to them, holding a hand up to signal them to stop.

Kiyoka turned her head to the side. “Seriously? Who says halt?”

Julian shrugged while Andre and Maria tugged on their reins, pulling up to the would-be guards.

“State your business,” the woman asked them, looking to Andre.

“We’re returning to the safe zone after answering some SOS beacons. We’ve been out for over 24 hours and hoping to rest.”

The woman looked from Andre to the others. “Which SOS beacons did you respond to?”

“The bank on 29th Street is the primary one that was sent back here to the safe zone,” Andre replied.

“Wait!” the man spoke up. “I thought I recognized you. Thank you, again.”

As the woman listened, she dropped her hand. “If Coleman vouches for you, then you’re free to enter. Just keep your heads about you, and everything will be fine.”

Andre nodded, “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

Oryx and Penelope walked forward across the wooden planks that now bridged the split in the pavement. The warmth of the barrier flowed over them as they finally entered the safe zone.

As the party dismounted, Julian looked around the campus.

People were lying out in the yard in small groups of makeshift tents. Small fires were glowing and providing warmth with pots sitting on coals from their dinners that evening. Some people were still awake, watching Julian and the others. A few waved at them, smiling.

Andre and Maria recalled Oryx and Penelope as Julian stepped up beside Kiyoka.

As a breeze blew across the campus, Kiyoka shivered as she wrapped her arms around her, looking out over the campus. “We can’t stay here.”

Julian looked over at her. “What do you mean? Why not?” Julian’s eyes followed her gaze to the tent town. His eyes found Monty walking slowly across campus towards them.

Kiyoka turned to the party. “This place is already overcrowded, and supplies are already limited as is. I say we rest tonight, and discuss what to do next in the morning.”

As Monty approached, Julian waved at him, smiling. “Hey Monty, how are things?” However, his smile dropped as he noticed Monty’s limp. His eyes were black and almost swollen shut, his face covered in cuts and bruises. He held his stomach, his RD shirt drenched in blood.

Julian just made it to Monty’s side as he fell to the ground, unmoving.