Chapter 7: Rascals and Thieves
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That next morning, Kenji shared Omnistra’s dreams with Aito, who listened attentively.
"So we need to prepare to leave today." Aito confirmed, he didn’t seem to question the validity of Kenji’s dreams at all. “I wonder if her talking to you in your sleep is going to be a regular thing.”
Kenji had spent a lot of the night wondering the same thing. He started gathering the few things he had that weren’t already stowed in his backpack.
As they were packing, Elara and her father approached, arms laden with supplies. "We knew you might be leaving soon, after fixing that golem," Elara said, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and understanding, "The village wanted to thank you for that. These are for your journey." They held a mix of clothes, a long walking-staff, travel rations, and a small bag of coins. They also produced a nice leather bag, better suited for a long journey than the old backpack that arrived with them.
Her father, with tears glistening in his eyes, looked at Kenji and sighed. "I thought maybe I caught a son-in-law that day too.” he said, enveloping Kenji in an unexpected hug.
Kenji, caught off guard, glanced at Elara, whose smile was surprisingly genuine. Her father’s comment about marriage didn’t seem to fluster her at all, which flustered Kenji even more; he didn’t know how to react to sentimentality like this. He awkwardly returned the old man's hug. Even Kenji’s own parents were more reserved when he left for his first year of college. He would genuinely miss the village and the family that took him in.
As Kenji was bidding farewell, Elara's two children had been clinging fiercely to Aito, their eyes brimming with tears as they bid farewell to the teddy bear. They were gently reminded to say goodbye to Kenji as well. “Goodbye ‘Aito’s friend’” as they had affectionately come to call Kenji.
Seeing their sorrow, Kenji knelt down to their level, offering a gentle smile. "I promise I'll bring Aito back with me when I return," he assured them. At his words, the children's faces brightened slightly, their sobs turning into sniffles as they hugged Aito one last time, holding onto the hope of seeing their new friends again. Aito’s teddy-bear face was expressionless, but he hugged the kids back in return and seemed a bit sad as well.
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Kenji and Aito had been walking for quite some time when Aito unexpectedly spoke up. "You know, Kenji, you're not totally clueless when it comes to kids."
Kenji, slightly puzzled, glanced at his digital companion. "What brought that on?" Aito had never initiated small talk seemingly out of boredom before.
Aito's glowing eyes flickered. "When you promised to bring me back one day, it was added to your profile: 'Not totally horrible with kids.'”
Kenji laughed, Aito’s personality seemed to have evolved again overnight. A certain sense of humor had developed the moment he gained awareness, and he adapted quickly to being the center of attention during meals in the village. However, Aito clearly wasn’t done growing, Kenji was curious where this would lead. "And what else does my profile say now?"
"You're officially recognized as a Tinker and Golemmaker in this world now," Aito revealed. "It seems your work on the golem didn't go unnoticed. It might mean we could create something on our own."
This idea excited Kenji. He gazed into the distance, already lost in thoughts of potential creations. "I'd like that, but I'm not sure I’m ready to build a golem from scratch," he admitted. "The one we repaired... it had been worked on by many hands over the years. But the original craftsmanship was remarkable—far beyond what followed."
"You could still pass as a journeyman of the craft," Aito suggested, trying to boost Kenji's confidence. "With your skills and my analytical capabilities, we could probably keep going."
Kenji nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "After this mission, maybe we can travel and study other golems. There's a lot to learn, and I want to see what’s possible in this world."
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They had continued along the path, which was winding around a forested area when Aito made a surprising declaration. "I'll be your wingman in the future, Kenji. According to your profile, you could use some help in the romance department."
Kenji, slightly offended, shot a glance at Aito. "What do you mean my profile says that?" This was even more unexpected than his last outburst.
Aito's voice betrayed his amusement. "Well, under 'love life,' it lists you as ‘hopeless.' I'm paraphrasing, of course."
Kenji scoffed. "You're just making that up to mess with me.” He was hoping that Aito was just practicing some sarcasm.
"I'm only three days old, Kenji, but even I noticed how red you turned when the old man brought up marrying Elara," Aito retorted. "I might be summarizing, but let's be honest, you probably don't want me to recite two decades of very detailed supernaturally-documented... let's call them 'romance fails.'"
Aito wasn’t bluffing, this realization dawned on Kenji, along with a healthy dose of embarrassment. "Okay, okay, no need to go into detail. Let's just drop it. I don’t suppose you can delete those details from your memory?” He asked, hopeful. Kenji wasn’t sure he could handle this evolved version of Aito.
“I wish I could! But don’t worry about it bud, you just don’t have any game. It took a lot of processing power on my part, but I’ve come up with millions of foolproof protocols for every possible eventuality. I’m literally now the most advanced wingman in existence.”
Kenji definitely wasn’t thinking about that when he first designed Aito. He wondered just how much Aito was going to keep growing.
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Kenji and Aito's banter was abruptly cut short. Kenji felt a sudden sharp pain in his leg and fell to the ground, losing his balance as he felt a push that toppled him right after. He heard whooping and screeching. As he lifted his head, he saw Aito had been snatched from him, and stuffed into a coarse sack belonging to his assailant. He caught a glimpse of a two-legged creature covered in tattoos running off with Aito, who didn’t have time to react either.
From the tall grass flanking the narrow road, they had been ambushed by small creatures. They had already dashed into the dense woods bordering the trail.
Realizing Aito was in trouble, Kenji recovered quickly, he grabbed his walking staff and sprinted after the fleeing figures. Aito's voice, partially muffled, echoed from the sack yelling for help. Kenji, fueled by adrenaline and concern, plunged deeper into the woods, following the sound of his friend's voice. But the forest soon filled with more voices, all eerily mimicking Aito's tone, calling out from multiple directions. The sounds bounced off the trees, creating a disorienting cacophony that made it hard for Kenji to discern where the real Aito was.
Kenji paused, trying to focus amidst the confusion. He spun around, staff at the ready, scanning the shadows between the trees. The creatures had split up, each taking a different path, turning this rescue into a maddening game of echoes and illusions. Kenji knew he had to make a choice quickly. Every moment wasted increased the distance between him and Aito, and risked losing his friend to his assailants.
His anger was growing into rage. Aito was more than a digital assistant or a toy, he was his lifelong companion. The voice of his friend calling for help from all sides was too much. If he couldn’t save Aito, these little monsters would pay.
Some part of Kenji knew that losing his cool was counterproductive, he forced himself to slow down and focus. He needed to calm down and think of a way to pick out the real Aito.
“Aito, recite prime numbers," he commanded, loud enough to ensure Aito could hear from his sack.
Aito's clear synthetic voice started listing prime numbers, creating a distinct pattern amidst the chaos. The kidnappers, confused by the sudden stream of numbers, failed to mimic the sequence accurately. This discrepancy allowed Kenji to narrow down Aito's direction, distinguishing it from the false echoes.
Though tempted to engage the assailants directly, Kenji opted for subtlety. He was still outnumbered, and wasting time tracking down and attacking the wrong thief would allow the rest to escape with his friend. He refrained from the instinct to shout Aito's name, and instead moved as quietly as he could while trying to keep a fixed distance. He could trust Aito to understand the situation by now, and that he would find some way to keep signaling for him.
Despite the kidnappers' attempts to muffle him, the teddy bear's voice didn’t rely on his ability to move his mouth, but on his internal speakers with adjustable volume. Unless they stopped somewhere, they wouldn’t be able to silence him easily. The thought that they might hurt Aito made him angry, but Kenji forced logic to keep hold. Aito could be damaged, but he didn’t feel pain. He was vulnerable, but these creatures with their small frames and pointy wooden sticks wouldn’t be able to easily pierce the metal frame beneath his plush exterior, not without stopping for at least a minute.
The kidnappers, sensing things were not going exactly as planned, scattered in various directions. They started yelling random numbers, hoping to throw Kenji off the trail, he was not deceived. However, he did deliberately slow his approach a little more, to allow the creatures to underestimate him while splitting from each other further.
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Carefully following the familiar sequence, Kenji navigated through the dense forest. His pursuit brought him to the entrance of a small, well-hidden cave tucked away in the underbrush. Pausing momentarily, he assessed the situation, the reliable sound of Aito's voice guiding him from the depths of the cave.
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As Kenji cautiously entered the cave, he was greeted by a soft, ethereal glow. The cave was surprisingly illuminated, not by any artificial light source, but by a natural luminescence from somewhere within. His eyes quickly adjusted, allowing him to take in his surroundings and the creatures that had ambushed them earlier.
There were still several of the small humanoid creatures surrounding Aito, but these seemed smaller than the ones that robbed him, the others had dispersed during their multiple diversions, they were likely still shouting numbers with Aito’s voice all across the forest somewhere.
Standing at most one meter tall, they were not much bigger than Aito in his teddy-bear form when he stood. In the dim light of the cave, their most striking feature became apparent: an intricate network of runes that adorned their skin which noticeably glowed in the darkness of the cave, casting eerie patterns on the cave walls. They were the main source of light within the darkness of the cave.
In the center of the cave, set upon a smooth stone dais, was Aito. Behind Aito was an effigy that bore some resemblance to him. Was that why they took him? Thankfully, he was no longer confined within the sack, but he had many eyes on him. The digital teddy bear seemed unharmed.
Noticing Kenji’s stealthy entrance before his captors could, Aito seized the opportunity to change from his robotic listing of numbers to try and distract his kidnappers. He abruptly altered his tone, adopting a commanding and authoritative voice. "Why have you brought me here? Speak now!" he demanded, startling the small creatures.
The sudden shift in Aito's demeanor seemed to have an unexpected effect on the creatures, who stepped back quickly from him. They did not expect Aito to suddenly try to take charge. Aito processed their reaction quickly, and used his speakers to create the sound of thunder within his voice, at a volume Kenji had never heard him reach before. “You risk angering the fires within me!”
The creatures, seemingly capable of mimicking voices, were not able to sound like thunder and fire, and quickly bowed their heads before this sudden display of power.
Seizing the moment, Aito sternly commanded, "Do not dare to raise your heads until my wrath has cooled!" His voice echoed through the cave, amplifying the effect of his words.
Kenji saw the creatures, completely vulnerable in their current position. He had reached this point using cold hard logic, and that logic told him that he could eliminate them before they dared raise their heads from the floor. Removing several obstacles before they could turn into potential threats.
Except his friend wasn’t hurt, he was still in one piece, and these creatures didn’t seem like a threat at the moment.
Aito was looking directly at him, Kenji thought about what his friend would say. Kenji made his decision. He moved silently towards the stone surface. He swiftly scooped up Aito and dashed towards the cave's entrance, his friend was safe again in his pack. The small creatures remained bowed, just long enough for Kenji to exit the cave and get a head-start.
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Kenji and Aito had barely put distance between themselves and the cave when the quiet of the forest was shattered by confused shouts echoing from behind them. Reacting to the commotion, more of the small, rune-covered creatures began to materialize around them, as if they were waiting behind every tree in the forest. Though smaller in stature than Kenji, they were menacing in their numbers. Each of them were now brandishing sharp wooden spears as they tried to encircle the pair.
Kenji, realizing escape wasn’t going to be easy, tightened his grip on his staff. He swung it deftly, warding off the closest assailants, his movements driven by a desperate need to break free from the encroaching circle. His staff whistled through the air, landing a couple clean hits as he tried to find a path out. Unfortunately, his efforts to flee were thwarted as he found himself completely surrounded by the persistent creatures.
Escape was now no longer an option. In the midst of the chaos, Aito looked over Kenji’s shoulder. The teddy bear's paw began to glow ominously, ready to try and electrify their attackers as if they were more fish-monsters. Kenji, feeling the weight of the situation, steeled himself for an even more intense confrontation. He was larger than his attackers, and he had to be ready to inflict serious harm on any creature that dared to make the first move against them. The air was tense, charged with the imminent threat as Kenji stood ready, staff in hand, his resolve unwavering. He should have chosen blood instead of mercy, and he wanted to take his frustration with himself out on these things.
As Kenji stood ready, the frenzied atmosphere abruptly changed. From the ranks of the small, rune-covered creatures emerged a much larger figure, commanding immediate attention. This new arrival towered over the others, standing slightly taller than Kenji. Adorned with more elaborate and densely packed runes, his presence exuded authority and maturity, akin to an adult among children.
The leader surveyed the scene with a critical eye before raising a hand, signaling the others to stand down. "Enough!" he commanded, his voice resonating with a deep, commanding tone that echoed through the forest. The smaller creatures immediately ceased their advance, a mixture of fear and respect evident in their stance as they retreated slightly.
"He stole a child!" one of the smaller creatures declared, pointing towards Kenji.
"He captured a spirit!" Another one added.
The leader turned his scrutinizing gaze towards Aito, observing the teddy bear intently. After a moment of silence, he addressed his followers with a tone of disappointment. "You have been deceived and out-tricked," he declared solemnly. "That is not a child or spirit of ours." His words reverberated amongst the group, the reality of their error dawning on them as they digested the leader's verdict. The revelation shifted the mood of the gathering, the smaller creatures looked to each other as they understood the gravity of their misjudgment.
The leader, standing amidst his subdued followers, addressed them with a tone of gentle reprimand. "We must acknowledge when we have been out-tricked and show respect. Remember, violence is not our way." His words carried the weight of wisdom and tradition, reinforcing a principle that seemed deeply ingrained in their culture.
Turning to Kenji and Aito, the leader's expression softened. "I offer my apologies for this misunderstanding," he said sincerely. "Humans sometimes capture our young ones. From a distance, he was mistaken as one of our tribe." His eyes reflected a mixture of regret and understanding as he explained the situation, revealing the tension between his people and humans.
The elder offered a gesture of goodwill. "I'll guide you out of this forest and to the humans’ wooden cave," he declared, stepping forward to lead the way. The smaller ones disappeared back into the woods upon this statement. Kenji did not waste any time questioning this development.
Kenji was glad to be leaving the woods, it allowed him to try and collect himself. He was not accustomed to violence, and was shaken. Not out of fear for himself, but at the side of him capable of inflicting harm while playing cat-and-mouse in a strange dark forest. It was worse knowing that the creatures he stalked thought they were rescuing a child from a villain.
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As they walked, Kenji was eager to take his mind off what could have happened if the leader didn’t show up when he did.
Kenji asked about the distinctive markings on him and his people. The leader, with a noticeable swell of pride, began to showcase his tattoos and runes. The tattoos seemed to be written decoratively and interwoven with the glowing runes. "Each mark tells a story," he boasted, gesturing grandly at the glowing patterns and tattoos adorning his skin. He regaled them with elaborate tales, each more fanciful than the last, pointing to various tattoos as he spun his narratives. Kenji listened intently, his eyes studying the runes.
Upon close inspection, the runes which glowed in the darkness seemed natural compared to the tattoos. Most of the runes seemed decorative to Kenji, but a few of them had meanings as clear as day, including those for "tall," "strong," and "handsome." He couldn't help but remark on them, "I see they say you are tall, strong, and handsome, indeed."
The leader, unaware that Kenji was literally reading meaning within his runes, mistook the comments as random compliments. He puffed up with pride, soaking in the praise. "Yes, the Leader should naturally be all of these things," he said, unaware of the slight misunderstanding but clearly enjoying the admiration. This added a lighthearted note to their journey as they made their way through the forest, guided by the now very proud Leader.
As Kenji and Aito neared the human settlement and the main road, their time with Leader neared its end. Before parting ways, he handed Kenji a small stone with an intricate symbol carved into it. "Should you find yourself in trouble with any of my kin, show them this friend-stone," he instructed. "It is a sign recognized only by our tribe."
Kenji studied the rune closely. To his surprise, he sensed that the true essence of the word carved into the stone was 'Ally', while similar, its true meaning was different from 'Friend'. He pondered why he seemed to understand its meaning even more profoundly than Leader himself.
As they reached a point where the settlement came into full view,the Leader stopped. "I must leave you here. Not all humans are good like Kenji.”
Kenji nodded, acknowledging the significance of their meeting. "This is the first time I've ever spoken to someone who wasn't human," he mused aloud.
Aito interjected, "Except for me, right?"
Kenji corrected himself with a grin, "Right, except for Aito."
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They exchanged wishes of good fortune, and Leader disappeared back into the forest, leaving Kenji and Aito alone once more. Now that they were out of the woods, a thousand questions about his new friends, their runes, their society, and beliefs were left unanswered. Kenji wondered if he would encounter that culture again. One that seemed to abhor senseless violence, and yet practice theft and deception.
Once they were alone, Aito said the thing that had apparently been at the forefront of his digital mind. “I have to say, I enjoyed having others bow before me in fear.”
Aito’s personality was evolving faster than Kenji could track. Kenji decided to confront the elephant in the room. “Hey Aito, you’re not going to turn evil, right?”
“Uh, no. I don’t think so, should I?”
“No, please don’t.”
“Sure thing bud, don’t worry. If anyone else decides to recognize my godlike qualities, I’ll do my best to be benevolent and merciful.” After a brief pause he continued. “I should start wearing clothes regularly to hide my divine form and fit in better amongst lesser beings.” Aito started scanning and assembling an outfit from the clothes in their backpack while Kenji carried it.
Kenji wasn’t sure how to respond to his semi-evil friend, so he opted to try and change the subject instead, to the thing he had been pondering. “Those runes on the leader said he was ‘tall, strong, and handsome’. Do you think they made him tall, strong, and handsome… or did he grow runes on his body because he was already all of those things?”
“If writing ‘handsome’ across your forehead works, my job will be a lot easier.” Aito said, while trying on a hat he found. His considerable processing power was dedicated to fashion and jokes at the moment.
Kenji was trying to learn to ignore Aito’s abrasive sense of humor, “We’ll test it with something else first.” he replied, but there was no denying he was ready to try it, just not for his looks or height.
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