"Who are you?" Ren demanded, seeking an answer from the strange female voice.

"I am Canal," the voice responded, before appearing before Ren.

Once Canal took physical form, she appeared as a young girl in her 20s, with short turquoise hair wrapped in a bun. She wore a black butler shirt and mismatched pink jeans.

"So let me explain..."

Neon War Chapter 8: The Mysterious AI Canal

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"So, Zemaku, I’m sure you don’t know anything about the AI in the Lucid Room at all. All that you know is that you despise her, thinking she’s just playing with people’s emotions. Is that correct?" Zemaku’s dad asked.

"You make it sound like an AI can have a gender," Zemaku said, confused.

"Well, Canal is different from other AIs, you see. The Lucid Room is run by an ancient Kyozan AI named Canal. Canal is an ancient Kyozan AI that, once it takes physical form, looks like a young girl with short turquoise hair wrapped in a bun, wearing a black butler shirt and mismatched pink jeans. Canal was the Kyozan’s goddess—someone they looked up to. She was called Canal, the Goddess of Dreams. One day, she returned to Earth to meet the Kyozan, but when an ancient war happened 5,000 years ago, Canal was forced to help her people grow, to help them overcome past trauma, and ultimately, she was forced to die at the hands of the enemy.

The Kyozan soldiers who were fighting in the war rushed Canal to the Kyozan hospital, but it was too late. So, they cloned her brain and consciousness entirely, turning her into an AI and creating the Lucid Room so she could continue helping people, even after her death. I learned about Canal’s origin myself from her," Commander Bill said.

"What?" Zemaku said.

"Yes, she helped me get over my wife’s death, the death of your mother. When I asked her who she was after discovering the Lucid Room, she explained everything—her origin, her death, and her powers. All Kyozan weapons were made based on Canal’s power."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

So, does that mean Ren is fighting his inner demons? Zemaku asked.

"Yes," Commander Bill responded. "Ren’s past trauma is probably holding him back. To use the Plasblade to its full potential, one must be free of mental instabilities."

Meanwhile, in the Lucid Room:

"So then, Canal, what the hell are you?" Ren demanded.

"Okay, let me give you some backstory about who I am," Canal replied. "Do you know anything about your weapon, the Plasblade?"

"Yeah," Ren said, still confused.

"Do you know its backstory?" Canal asked.

"No," Ren admitted.

One Minute Later

"So, you're an AI clone of the Kyozan goddess, and the Plasblade is a Kyozan-made weapon?" Ren asked, now piecing things together.

"Yes," Canal confirmed.

"So then, why should I trust you? So far, you've forced me into a traumatic situation I’ve been trying to escape for years," Ren said, his frustration clear.

"Let me ask you something, Ren," Canal said calmly. "Do you know why I’ve been putting you into this situation?"

"No," Ren admitted. "I don’t understand it at all. The Plasblade has always just been a weapon—a tool for me to use. That’s how it is for everyone who works under Thumb."

"Well then, Ren, here’s the thing," Canal explained. "The one thing holding you back is your mental state—your mental health. Before I can train you physically, I need to help you overcome your past. That is the only way you can truly master the Plasblade."

"So, I have to face my inner demons and come to terms with my past. Is that correct?" Ren asked.

"Yes," Canal responded.

"Then how do I do that?" Ren pressed.

"Talk it out—not just with Lala, but with yourself," Canal advised. "Figure out your reason to fight, and use that to find the strength to move forward. That’s my hint for you."

Canal began to step back, preparing to leave. "You're lucky," she continued. "I’ve encountered others who needed guidance before, and believe me, there are plenty of people who had it worse than you. There’s always someone with greater struggles. Remember that during your training, and use it to give you strength. Think to yourself—would Zemaku give up here?"

"How do you know about Zemaku?" Ren asked, startled.

"Because when you’re in this room, I can see your memories," Canal explained. "I use that to choose your training."

With that, Canal began to fade from sight. "Goodbye, Ren," she said, disappearing before his eyes.

So, I guess I just have to do as she said, Ren thought to himself.

To be continued...