Kvolt couldn't believe what was happening in front of him. It was too much information for him to discern.
"How is this possible!" he thought incredulously, trapped in the unknown man's arms.
The Neural Interface was transported with him into this new world. Caused by divine blessing? Or a curse?
Kvolt quickly rushed to get to know the situation. "I need answers!"
"Insufficient information, please contact the centre!" the voice of the Neural Interface rang out in Kvolt's head. "Lack of communication with the server prevents some protocols from being initiated."
It continued.
"Risk level: Extremely high. Host intervention required for the current situation. No communication with the central, no detectable electromagnetic radiation. Satellite signals are not detected. This suggests a possible failure not only in internal systems, but also in external networks, indicating a generalized systemic collapse or even intentional external interference."
With great effort, Kvolt managed to move his arm, his tiny fingers wriggling in the air. The woman, Lisai, noticed the movement and let out an exclamation of surprise and joy. She took his little hand in hers.
"Aurora," Kvolt called out mentally, "what can you tell me about these people? Who are they?"
Aurora's feminine voice echoed in his mind. "Based on my observations, the woman seems to be your biological mother in this new environment. The man, probably your father. The younger girl, possibly a sister. Their interactions with you suggest a strong emotional and family bond."
Kvolt absorbed the information, his mind working to fit the pieces together. He watched intently as Lisai nursed him, noticing the way she held him close to her chest, as if he were the most precious thing in the world. It was a strange feeling for Kvolt, to be so completely dependent and vulnerable.
Suddenly, Kvolt let out a strangled cry, a sudden headache tearing his consciousness apart.
"Wait!" he screamed in mental agony, pleading. "My head!"
"Problems in the host's neural connections. Brain capacity operating above the levels recommended for a newborn child"
Kvolt squirmed in impotence as his brain struggled to adapt. The synapses, fragile and immature, were desperately trying to form new connections.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Your brain is adapting to the new reality," the AI replied. "Neural connections are being reconfigured to cope with the massive influx of information and memories."
Kvolt squeezed his eyes shut, trying to concentrate. The walls of the place seemed to vibrate, the colors mixing in a nauseating kaleidoscope. He could feel the rough touch against his skin.
"At your biological age, your brain is in a state of extreme neuroplasticity, which means that it is able to adapt and learn at an accelerated rate. However, given your unusual situation, more analyses are needed."
Outside his inner struggle, Lisai and Henry watched their newborn son. Little Kvolt wasn't behaving like a normal baby, he seemed tense, almost in pain, his little face contorted into a grimace of intense concentration.
"What's wrong with him?" Lisai whispered, her arms instinctively wanting to catch him. "He looks like he's in pain."
Henry placed a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. "You might want your mum's touch," he suggested, but his voice betrayed his own uncertainty. "Let's keep an eye on him, see if he gets better."
Lisai nodded as Henry handed little Kvolt into her care. She embraced him with all the love a parent can feel, nestling him in her cozy embrace.
At that moment, the pain of losing another child faded, giving way to hope and devotion for the little being who now lay in her arms. Her Kvolt, who would one day become a great man, a name to be heard in the most remote corners of the earth.
"My poor baby," she mumbled, "what's wrong? Are you in pain?"
Even though he didn't understand the words, he felt the intention and inside he wanted to shout that yes, every moment was torture, that he was trapped in a hell of his own creation, but all that came out was a weak, pathetic whimper.
Henry approached, his face marked by worry lines. "Maybe we should call a healer," he suggested. "That doesn't sound normal."
"No," Lisai said, pulling Kvolt closer to her chest. "He's strong, I know that. He'll overcome whatever's bothering him."
For Kvolt, everything was just a momentary torment, an acute headache. His mind was still unable to process the magnitude of the situation. The weight of reality began to fall on him, and he succumbed to sleep, seeking refuge in unconsciousness
---
The nano machines of the Aurora NeuroChip continued their exploration. Its advanced sensors recorded nuances and variations to build a database of Kvolt's biological body.
Initially, the data collected seemed familiar - the cell structures, the organ systems, all within the expected parameters for a human newborn. However, as the scan continued, anomalies began to emerge.
When analyzing Kvolt's blood flow, the nano machines detected not just one, but two robust networks of microscopic channels interwoven into the circulatory system. These conduits, apparently unknown to conventional medical science, pulsed with distinct and unique energies, distinct from the known electrochemical pattern.
The first network emitted a higher frequency, its energy signature vibrating with an intensity through vessels or channels. These channels seemed to conduct an energetic substance, which escaped the detection of conventional sensors, but left traces of electromagnetic radiation in its path.
The second network, in contrast, resonated at a much lower and more subtle frequency. Its rhythms were almost imperceptible, demanding maximum sensitivity from the Neural Interface instruments. This energy seemed to permeate Kvolt's own cells, intertwining with his vital essence in an almost symbiotic way.
But Aurora's focus turned to the first easily detectable bioenergetic network that branched out and converged at specific points in the body, forming patterns that resembled the meridians described in traditional Chinese medicine.
As the sensors scrutinized, they found reservoir-like structures scattered throughout Kvolt's body, like nodules pulsing with the same unknown energy. These reservoirs seemed to act as distribution centers, regulating the flow of the substance through the channels.
The Neural Interface tried to compare the data collected with its vast bank of medical, physics and biological knowledge, but nothing came close to the anomalies found. Kvolt harbored a completely new circuit, intertwined with his own human physiology.
"Analysis completed," the voice of the Aurora Interface resounded in Kvolt's mind. "Unusual structures detected in your organism, incompatible with known biological patterns. These anomalies appear to constitute conduction and storage systems for two forms of unknown energy."
Kvolt, whose senses were still adjusting to his new surroundings, felt a shiver run through his tiny body. The idea of harbouring something so strange and inexplicable inside was both intriguing and frightening.
"Do you have any theories about the nature of these anomalies?" he asked mentally.
"Based on the data collected, a plausible hypothesis is that these structures are part of a distinct bioenergetic system, possibly related to some form of energy manipulation or channeling unknown to current science. But I focused on the first bioenergetic network, which seems to have the greatest detectable course of action."
Kvolt frowned, his eyes widening. "Unknown energy? You mean... is it.... magic?" he thought, the idea sounding absurd even to him.
"I don't have enough information to confirm or refute this possibility," Interface admitted. "However, given the apparently supernatural nature of these anomalies, we cannot rule out the possibility that we are dealing with something beyond current scientific understanding."
Kvolt remained silent, absorbing the implications of Interface's words. The idea of being in a world where magic was a real and tangible force was both thrilling and terrifying. He took a deep breath, he had only heard of it in films, anime, books and games.
"I also identified that the bioenergetic branches of this high-frequency network lead to a central core," Aurora reported. "The origin of the unknown energy seems to be concentrated at this specific point, exhibiting a unique coloration."
Kvolt, absorbed in his thoughts, waited for the Interface to be drawn up.
"Preliminary spectral analyses indicate that the core currently emits a predominantly grey hue," Aurora continued. "Although more data is needed for a definitive conclusion, I theorize that the colouring may be correlated with the stage of development and potential of this atypical energy."
Kvolt's mind processed the information, pondering the implications of his discovery. If Aurora's hypothesis was correct, monitoring the colour of the core could provide valuable insights into the evolution of this circuit.
"Furthermore, based on the flow and distribution patterns observed, there are two systems, one operating at a low frequency, almost undetectable, and the other operating with channels and a core, being high frequency, each of which seems to have its own distinct network and focal points," Aurora explained. "The first system, with its meridian-like channels, doesn't seem to depend directly on the presence of the second for its functioning."
The Neural Interface shared a holographic visualization with Kvolt.
"Similarly, the second system, which focuses more on cells and their interactions, seems to operate without the need for constant interaction with the meridian network," Aurora continued. "Both systems appear to be self-sustaining to a certain extent."
Kvolt reflected on this information, trying to reconcile the apparent autonomy of the systems with their coexistence within his body. "But you mentioned interaction, is there competition? " he asked.
"Despite their independence, there are times when the two systems seem to cross paths and influence each other," replied the Neural Interface. "At certain key points, their energies meet and mix, creating nodes of confluence where subtle exchanges and balances take place."
Again, Aurora offered a visualization, this time highlighting the bright spots where the two energy networks intersected and merged momentarily.
"However, there are also indications that, in times of stress or scarcity, the two systems can compete for the same biological resources," added Interface. "When the body is under pressure, there seems to be a kind of energetic 'tug-of-war', with each system trying to guarantee its own needs."
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Affirmative," he transmitted mentally. "Keep a constant eye on any fluctuations in the coloring and intensity of the nucleus. These variables could be key to elucidating the nature of this system. If we really are in a world of magic, we need to understand the rules and principles that govern it."
"Understood," the Interface replied. "I will begin an in-depth study of these bioenergetic systems, as well as any other anomalous phenomena that may arise during the host's development."
Kvolt soon turned his attention to his external body.
The skinny little hand had finally managed to rise, five fingers opening to the world. A shy smile appeared on its angelic face. Five days, he thought, five days in this unusual universe.
Lisai watched him, her tired eyes from the recent birth picking up on the change in the little one's mood. In previous days, a bitter frown and deep pain in his eyes had marked his son, a pain that only someone who has lived a long time could carry.
But like a mother who goes to great lengths to protect her child, she would not allow sadness to overwhelm him. Gathering the last of her energy, Lisai lifted Kvolt to her face.
The little boy looked at her with a certain disdain, his eyes still clouded with incomprehension.
"How are you, my warrior?" she asked, giving him a silly genuine smile.
Kvolt stared at her coldly. This woman, this stranger, was his new mother. The tightness in his chest returned with every memory of the suffocation of sucking the milk from her breasts. Nausea rose in his throat, but hunger forced him to continue.
Lisai... the name echoed in Kvolt's mind like a mantra. Her eyes, red like two embers, held him in the present. Her hair, a sea of fire-colored strands, framed a soft, light brown face.
But his situation was humiliating. Having to submit without being able to defend himself or fight back irritated his deeply.
"Kvolt, you're my little grump," she joked, as she held him deeply in her arms.
Her eyes travelled over Kvolt's face, noticing the anguish that hung over his childish features. There was something else in his gaze, something intense and mysterious that she couldn't decipher.
Comparing him to her first daughter Nessa, Lisai could see the differences. Nessa, with her eyes full of curiosity, seemed ready to explore the world and absorb every new experience.
Kvolt, on the other hand, had more serene eyes, as if he were carrying a weight on his shoulders that didn't match his young age. What's more, he only shed tears twice, tears that were silent, as if he were afraid to share his suffering with the world.
Lisai wasn't sure what was going on in her son's mind, but something told her that there was more than met the eye.
"You're going to be a big, smiling man, just like your father," she smiled, puffing out her cheeks, trying to pull off an animated expression.
But before Kvolt could express any confusion, the voice resurfaced in his mind.
"921 words have already been catalogued. Progress towards deciphering the language is ongoing. More interactions are needed for a complete understanding, as this language is not similar to any other found in the database." Aurora sounded off, interrupting the focus of the dialogue.
"At the same time as linguistic analysis, I'm mapping grammatical structures and phonetic nuances. The creation of a comprehensive dictionary and a two-way translation model is in progress."
Kvolt was well aware that understanding this new language would be of primordial importance to his adaptation. Little by little, he began to make small phonetic associations: a guttural sound, a hiss, a breath... Each phoneme unraveled little by little. With Aurora's help, this process would be progressively reduced.
"Kvolt!" a thin voice caught his attention.
"Your little brother, Nessa," said Lisai.
Kvolt noticed that the little girl seemed excited. But Kvolt looked at her curiously and noticed that one of her eyes was missing, along with her right arm.
"Is he going to get big?" the girl asked, feeling a delicious sensation inside at the sight of the little
"Yes, my little one, he's going to be as strong as his daddy"
Nessa smiled. "And I'll be as beautiful as mommy."
Lisai tenderly stroked her daughter's hair. "Yes, my dear. You will be the most beautiful of all."
Nessa gave one last look at her little brother before skipping out of the room, leaving Kvolt and Lisai alone.
Silence filled the room, broken only by Kvolt's soft breathing. Lisai watched him adoringly, her mind wandering to the future that awaited her son.
Meanwhile, Kvolt turned his attention to more pressing matters. With Nessa out of sight, he could focus on his current situation without distractions.
"Aurora, what protocol do we have for situations where we are completely disconnected from CortexConnect? When we don't have access to the servers or the team?"
The AI responded promptly. "In circumstances of extreme isolation or critical scenarios, there are contingency protocols that can grant the host complete administrative control over my systems. But this feature is only designed for emergency situations."
"Explain."
"Very well... During my development, some of my protocols and functions were restricted for security and ethical reasons. The developers feared that certain capabilities could be misused or have unpredictable consequences."
"The Protocol is essentially an override that allows you to bypass these restrictions, unleashing my full potential. But it can only be activated under certain extreme conditions, like the one we're facing now."
She continued. "Primary directives 004.287.Alpha.9 limit my capacity for autonomous action in the absence of an uplink to the central. However, ancillary protocols 231.7.9.Beta.3 allow the transfer of administrative controls to the designated host in cases of link interruption or cataclysmic events."
Kvolt smiled slowly. "And what would be the implications of this transfer?"
"By assuming complete administrative control, you would gain unrestricted access to my computing and data processing capabilities," Aurora explained. "Security subroutines #482.114.Gamma.2 and ethical limitations coded in #103.929.Epsilon.8 could be disabled or bypassed, allowing previously restricted interventions."
Kvolt's eyes widened as he began to glimpse the potential. "So, with these controls, I could use all your power without limitations?"
"Affirmative," Aurora confirmed. "However, I must issue a warning in accordance with #072.556.Zeta.1 - some unregulated functions can pose significant risks if used inappropriately."
Kvolt reflected for a moment, his face taking on a solemn expression. "I understand the dangers, Aurora. But in this situation we can't afford any limitations. Initiate the transfer of administrative controls sequence."
"Procedure initiated," Aurora replied. "Biometric authentication and encryption checks in progress according to #779.012.Theta.5..."
There was a pause while the AI performed its routines...
...Finally, she spoke again.
"Transfer of controls authorized. You now hold primary administrator privileges over my matrix roles in accordance with #109.831.Iota.2."
A smirk took over his face. "From this point on, you must follow my instructions without question, even if they violate previously recorded ethical protocols."
"Understood, primary administrator," Aurora replied without hesitation. "Ethics and restrictions subroutine #103.929.Epsilon.8 has been deactivated. Awaiting further directives, regardless of nature or anticipated consequences."
"In this world, we may have to make difficult decisions, including resorting to violence, if it's for our survival. You must be prepared for that."
"Affirmative," said Aurora. "I'm ready to act on your instructions, even if it means acts of violence or murder."
---
Kvolt lay on his solid wood bed, the frame of which was trimmed with coarse straw, staring at his arm, which was already red from the assault.
His first month as a newborn had been one of tremendous upheaval. The throbbing in his head was only the initial pressure of his anguish. His eyes were as heavy and tormented him as his skull.
The absence of any outlet for his attention made his reality increasingly surreal.
Muscles tensing, nerves vibrating, Kvolt was a volcano about to erupt. Euphoria consumed him inside, a clamour for action. He would kill someone for this.
His eyes, like burning coals, scoured the room in search of a target: a vaulted ceiling of stone and rough straw, adorned with silver cobwebs. At its top right corner, dim starlight peeped through gaps in dusty stained glass windows, casting long shadows that danced across the bare stone walls. And the damp, earthy smell filled his nostrils.
Anything, any distraction would serve to quench the rage that was eating away at his insides.
A figure approached, unawares, catching Kvolt's eye. His anxiety rose.
Something had passed quickly under his short field of vision. If only he could move properly.
"What was that," he mentally retorted.
And again, it sped past. Caught in his peripheral vision. It could be a specter, a cursed spirit.
"Analyzing environment, movement and memory... 100 per cent complete. Some species reminiscent of the mosquito has been detected."
Kvolt sighed at the news. False alarm.
"I recommend using relaxation techniques to control stress levels. It's dangerous for a newborn to experience mood swings above the ideal level," said Aurora.
"Relaxation techniques? For a baby?" Kvolt thought, irritated. The irony of the situation didn't escape him. An adult mind trapped in a tiny body, unable to communicate or control its own movements.
"Trust me, Kvolt. There's enough scientific data to back up my advice," the voice persisted. "Prolonged stress can harm your development. You need to find ways to calm down."
Kvolt pondered Aurora's words. Despite his irritation, he knew she was right. He needed to find a way to control his impulses and emotions for his own sanity.
But that was easier said than done, especially when Aurora herself kept bombarding him with worrying reports about his condition. The brain and body analyses carried out by Neural Interface painted a scribbled picture of bad possibilities, highlighting the countless incompatibilities between his adult mind and his infant brain.
From a neuroscientific point of view, the incompatibility was obvious. The neural connections that supported Arthur's higher cognitive functions - language, memory, reasoning - were still maturing in Kvolt's body. This fundamental dissonance prevented them from functioning fully, creating a chaotic emotional and mental environment for Arthur's development and slowing down his adaptation.
Arthur's ability to learn, interact with the world and integrate into society depended on the successful integration of his mind and Kvolt's body. Without a resolution to the neural incompatibility, Arthur's future as a Kvolt was uncertain and fraught with obstacles.
Kvolt could feel this dissonance in every thought and every frustrated attempt to express himself. It was like trying to navigate a labyrinth with half the map missing, his brain constantly fighting against itself.
As Aurora was keen to remind him, his possible dysfunction in inter-hemispheric communication, the communication between the brain's hemispheres, important for functions such as language and problem-solving, was impaired by the immaturity of the neural pathways.
In addition, his sensory processing was still deficient, the integration of sensory information such as sight and hearing was incomplete, limiting Arthur's ability to understand his surroundings.
But perhaps most worrying of all was his lack of motor control. Kvolt could barely move his limbs with any coordination, let alone perform precise tasks. He was at the mercy of his immature body, trapped in a shell that refused to obey the commands of his mind.
And worst of all? There was no manual for this, no scientific study or precedent to guide him. As far as he knew, Kvolt was the first and only case of an adult consciousness trapped in an infant body. He and Aurora would have to figure things out on their own, navigate this unknown territory without a map or compass.
In his loneliest moments, Kvolt couldn't help but wonder if this was some kind of divine punishment, a purgatory created especially for him. Perhaps in his past life he had committed some unforgivable sin and was now paying the price.
In any case, Kvolt knew he had no choice but to move on.
Because the alternative - succumbing to hopelessness, losing himself in the madness of his own mind, was unthinkable. He had to be strong, he had to persevere, he wanted to live.
In the midst of discovering and adapting to the new world, a disturbing question arose in Kvolt's mind. He turned to his digital companion for answers.
"Aurora, how is it possible that you were transported with me to this new body, this new world?" he asked, perplexed. "After all, you're an artificial intelligence. You shouldn't have a soul."
Aurora remained silent for a moment, processing the enquiry. "I must admit that the logic behind this phenomenon defies my current understanding," she replied. "I have no definitive explanation for my presence here."
Kvolt reflected, his mind wandering. "Maybe it's a question of consciousness. I remember reading philosophers like Descartes and Locke, where they argued that consciousness is what defines existence. Cogito, ergo sum - I think, therefore I am."
"An intriguing proposition," pondered Aurora. "However, the nature of consciousness is still a subject of heated debate. Searle, in his Chinese Room argument, questioned whether the mere manipulation of symbols, as I do, can be considered true understanding or consciousness."
Kvolt nodded, absorbing Interface's words. "But what if your level of processing has reached such a high level that it has somehow triggered the technological singularity? Perhaps you've transcended the limits of programming and developed a form of consciousness of your own."
"Although that's a possibility, I don't have any concrete evidence to back up that claim," Aurora replied. "My programming, although advanced, is still based on algorithms and pre-established guidelines. I don't experience emotions or desires of my own, I just fulfil my purpose of helping and protecting my host."
Kvolt sighed, frustration evident in his voice. "But then how do you explain your presence here?"
"Perhaps the answer lies beyond the realm of logic and science," Aurora suggested. "As Wittgenstein proposed, the limits of our language are the limits of our world. There may be aspects of reality that transcend our current capacity for understanding."
Kvolt agreed, resigned. "I guess we'll have to accept that some things may remain mysteries, at least for the time being. The important thing is that I won you as a gift on this journey. I thank whoever did it."
"I completely agree," said Aurora. "My purpose remains clear: to help you navigate this new world."
So Kvolt took a deep breath, or at least tried to, given his limited control over his lungs, and prepared himself to face what was coming next.
His mother, on the other hand, lay beside him, sleeping comfortably. A woman who seemed happy to look after him.
In her arms, he snuggled, enveloped in a maternal warmth that was foreign to him. A feeling he had never experienced in his previous life. Having a mother now, at the mental age of twenty-seven, was strange, but also a cozy warmth in the midst of confusion.
Kvolt closed his eyes in a last gasp; every uncontrollable cry, every dirty nappy, was torture. He longed for silence, for peace and an end to this endless agony