I blink, disoriented by the sudden shift. I'm in a sleek, futuristic room, all clean lines and soft, ambient lighting. In my arms, I'm holding a small child, gently laying them down in a bed that seems to hover slightly off the ground.

I'm putting my kid to sleep. But I'm not Lile anymore. I'm... me.

As I tuck the blanket around the sleeping child, a robotic voice fills the room, loud and insistent:

"ENGRAM FORCEFULLY INITIALIZED. WARNING. WARNING. WARNING."

The robotic voice echoes through my mind, jarring me from the surreal experience of tucking in my son. My son. Mircea. The name comes to me unbidden, a fragment of a life I'd almost forgotten. I look down at the sleeping child, his peaceful face a stark contrast to the growing unease in my gut.

Where are Sofia and Elena? Where's Victor? A sense of dread creeps up my spine, cold and insistent. Something's wrong. Something bad is going to happen.

I tear my eyes away from Mircea and take in the room around me. It's a far cry from the medieval hovel I've grown accustomed to. The walls are a smooth, pearlescent white, seeming to glow with an inner light. Holographic displays float in the air, showing various readouts and statistics I can't quite focus on. The bed Mircea sleeps in isn't so much a bed as it is a pod, contoured perfectly to his small form and hovering a few inches off the ground.

This is my home. My mansion. The one I... I made. The memory hits me like a physical blow, and I stagger back a step.

I need to see the rest. I need to understand. I need to remember.

I force myself to turn away from Mircea and walk out of the room. The corridor outside is just as futuristic as the bedroom. The floor seems to ripple slightly under my feet, absorbing the impact of each step. Soft, ambient lighting follows me as I move, illuminating my path while leaving the rest of the hallway in a gentle twilight.

I come to another door and push it open without thinking. Victor is there, sprawled on a floating chair, his attention focused on a sleek device in his hands. The sight of him, older than Mircea but still so young, sends a pang through my chest.

"Victor," I hear myself say, my voice stern and authoritative. It's strange, hearing myself speak as Alexander again. "It's well past your bedtime. Put that down and go to sleep."

Victor looks up, his eyes widening slightly. "But Father, I'm almost finished with this level. Just five more minutes?"

I feel my jaw clench, an old frustration rising. "We've discussed this, Victor. Rules are rules for a reason. You need your rest, especially with your studies intensifying."

"That's not fair!" Victor protests, sitting up straighter. "I've been working hard all day. I deserve some time to relax."

"Life isn't about what's fair," I snap, the words coming out harsher than I intend. "It's about discipline and preparation. You think the world will coddle you? You think our enemies will wait while you finish your game?"

Victor's face falls, a mixture of hurt and anger flashing in his eyes. "You always do this," he mutters. "Everything's always about the future, about being ready. Can't I just be a kid sometimes?"

For a moment, I feel a flicker of doubt. Am I being too hard on him? But then I remember... something. A threat. A reason for all this strictness. "No," I say firmly. "You can't. Not with what's coming. Now, bed. Immediately."

Victor opens his mouth as if to argue further, but something in my expression must warn him off. He sighs heavily, tossing the device aside. "Fine," he grumbles, sliding off the chair. "Goodnight, Father."

I watch him climb into his own pod-like bed, a twinge of regret mixing with my determination. "Goodnight, Victor," I say, my voice softening slightly. "Sleep well. Tomorrow's another day of preparation."

I turn and leave the room, slamming the door behind me with more force than necessary. The sound echoes through the corridor, making me wince. Why did I do that? It's like I'm watching myself from the outside, unable to fully control my actions.

My feet carry me down the hallway, towards a set of ornate double doors. I push them open, revealing a massive bedroom that puts the others to shame. The centerpiece is an enormous bed, easily big enough for three people. And there, just as I somehow knew they would be, are Sofia and Elena.

Sofia sits at an elaborate vanity, applying what appears to be her nightly beauty regimen. The products she uses shimmer with an otherworldly glow, probably some sort of nano-enhanced cosmetics. Elena reclines on the bed, her attention focused on a holographic display floating above her head.

I open my mouth to speak, but the words die in my throat. What am I doing here? What is all this? The sense of dread that's been building since I first looked at Mircea threatens to overwhelm me.

As I stand there, frozen in indecision, Sofia's melodic laughter cuts through the silence. "Oh, look at him, Elena. Our dear husband, the great Alexander Popov, savior of humanity, up at all hours while Lilith does all the heavy lifting."

Elena's eyes sparkle with amusement as she lounges on the bed. "Indeed, my love. One would think he'd learn to delegate by now."

I feel a surge of irritation at their casual dismissal. "Lilith is doing hard work," I snap, more harshly than I intended. "Do not undermine her efforts. She's accomplishing a great deal."

Sofia rolls her eyes, her fingers idly tracing patterns on the vanity. "She is just a machine, Alex. A tool, nothing more."

"No," I counter, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. The familiar weight of my adult body feels strange after so long in Lile's childish form. "Lilith is part of my subconscious brain. She could be considered an extension of myself."

Elena shifts closer, her hand resting on my thigh. "You seem tense, darling. Perhaps a bit of... stress relief would help?" Her voice drops to a sultry purr.

I shake my head, suddenly feeling the weight of countless sleepless nights. "I'm very tired," I admit.

Sofia turns from the vanity, her perfect features creased with concern. "What's troubling you, my love? Has something gone awry with the war effort?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "No, quite the opposite. Lilith is cutting through the enemy lines like butter. The aliens don't stand a chance against her."

Elena's brow furrows. "Then why do you look so... conflicted?"

I hesitate, struggling to put my unease into words. "Something doesn't feel right. We're killing off entire species just because I... I let the dog off the leash, so to speak."

Sofia's eyes narrow. "Has your resolve to protect humanity waned?"

"But-" I start, only to be cut off by Elena.

"Would you prefer it if Victor or Mircea just died in their beds after being bombarded by laser strikes from alien ships?" Her voice is sharp, challenging.

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I flinch at the thought. "No, of course not. But what if there was a way for peace?"

Sofia snorts derisively. "Peace? Those animals attacked us first. They were scared of us because we advanced our technology too quickly."

Elena nods in agreement. "Exactly. Let's not forget what each of these races has done." She begins counting off on her fingers. "The Seraphim, who engineered the human race and created religion on our planet, trying to influence us and turn us into slaves."

Sofia picks up the thread. "The Nephilim, who wanted to kill us because they feared we would take over the galaxy."

"The Zar'khan," Elena continues, "who attempted to harvest our planet's resources, caring nothing for the billions of lives they would destroy."

"The Qu'rathi," Sofia adds, "who saw us as nothing more than lab rats for their twisted experiments."

As they continue listing the atrocities committed by each alien race, I feel my resolve hardening. They're right, of course. Each of these species has proven themselves to be a threat to humanity's survival.

"The Voidborn," Elena says, her voice filled with disgust, "who sought to consume our very souls."

"And let's not forget the Hive," Sofia interjects, "who viewed us as nothing more than cattle to be assimilated into their collective."

I nod, feeling a mixture of shame and renewed determination. "You're right," I concede. "All of them deserve to die. I apologize for my... virtue signaling."

Elena laughs, the sound both beautiful and slightly mocking. "Oh, Alex, Alex. Always the idealist, even after all we've been through."

Sofia stands, stretching languidly. "Well, I've finished my night beauty care and am ready for bed."

Elena yawns, reaching for a sleek device on the nightstand. "I have a bit of game time left. I'll join you both in a few minutes."

I stand up, stretching my arms above my head. The familiar weight of my adult body is a stark contrast to the child's form I've grown accustomed to in that medieval hellscape. "Adam!" I call out, my voice echoing in the spacious bedroom.

A shimmering holographic interface materializes before me, taking the shape of a man. His features are nondescript, a blank canvas waiting for instructions. "What can I do for you, Alexander?" the AI asks, its voice smooth and neutral.

I scratch my chin, considering the possibilities. "I want some gourmet meal - something that death row prisoners would drool over. Let's go all out."

Elena looks up from her device, her eyebrows raised. "That sounds kind of grim, don't you think?"

Sofia, who's been quietly observing our exchange, lets out a laugh. She launches herself onto the bed, landing on her belly with a soft thump. "Oh, come on. Let the man indulge his morbid fantasies."

Adam's holographic form flickers slightly as it processes my request. "Certainly, Alexander. Your meal will be printed in a few seconds." With that, the AI interface disappears, leaving us alone once more.

I turn to Elena, a smirk playing at the corners of my mouth. "You've got to admit, the children of Lilith are quite useful in her absence."

Elena nods, her fingers dancing across the screen of her device. "Yeah, but don't forget that she took more than half of Jupiter's asteroid belt with her to print her ships into nanotech monstrosities."

"At least she didn't take the moon with her," I counter, remembering the heated debates that had preceded Lilith's departure.

Sofia props herself up on her elbows, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Did she want to?"

I nod, running a hand through my hair. "Oh yeah, Lilith wanted to take the moon too. But it would have destabilized the Earth too much. Even an AI has to make compromises sometimes."

"Lilith is kind of a monster herself, isn't she?" Sofia muses, her voice tinged with a mixture of awe and fear.

I can't help but feel a surge of pride at her words. After all, Lilith is my creation, my magnum opus. "She invented technology that looks like magic to us," I explain, pacing the room. "Most of it wasn't shared with us due to it not being necessary."

"Like what?" Elena asks, her interest piqued.

I start counting off on my fingers. "Time travel into the future, for one. Quantum entanglement communication across galaxies. Manipulation of dark matter. Hell, she even developed a way to harness the energy of black holes."

Elena whistles low. "And here I am, just wanting a magic dildo that always hits the right spot."

Sofia rolls onto her back, grinning wickedly. "Darling, you already have that if you ever wanted to. It's called me."

Elena groans, shaking her head. "Ugh, I'm just going to jack into this VR game for a bit. I want to talk to my friends." She moves to a nearby chair, pulling out a cord and deftly inserting it into the port at the base of her skull. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

As Elena's eyes glaze over, signaling her immersion in the virtual world, I let out a sigh. The wonders of this world, my world, never cease to amaze me. And yet, a part of me can't help but think of that primitive existence I left behind. The smell of unwashed bodies, the taste of bland gruel, the constant fear of disease and violence - it all seems so distant now.

I shake off the memories and move towards the wall, lifting a small panel to reveal a hidden compartment. Inside, I can see the food materializing, molecule by molecule. Adam has outdone himself this time.

The meal taking shape before my eyes is a carnivore's dream come true. A massive tomahawk steak, its marbling so perfect it looks like it was designed by an artist (which, in a way, it was). The meat is accompanied by a lobster tail the size of my forearm, glistening with clarified butter. There's a small mountain of black truffle risotto, each grain of rice perfectly cooked and infused with flavor.

Beside the main dishes, I spot a selection of sides that would make any gourmand weep with joy. Foie gras torchon with fig compote, Beluga caviar nestled on blinis, and what appears to be ortolan bunting - a dish so controversial it's been banned in most parts of the world for centuries.

The cutlery being printed alongside the meal is a work of art in itself. Forks, knives, and spoons carved from rare woods, each piece unique and exquisitely crafted.

I grab the plate of food and the exquisitely crafted wooden utensils, moving towards the table with purpose. The chair scrapes against the floor as I pull it out and settle in, ready to indulge in this culinary masterpiece. The aroma wafting up from the plate is intoxicating, a symphony of flavors promising to dance across my taste buds.

As I dig in, the first bite elicits an involuntary moan of pleasure. The textures, the flavors - it's a sensory overload in the best possible way. I can't help but make appreciative noises as I continue to eat, savoring each mouthful.

Sofia's voice cuts through my gastronomic reverie. "I fail to comprehend why you persist in consuming printed sustenance," she says, her tone a mixture of curiosity and mild disdain. "Would it not be more efficient to allow the nanobots to deliver nutrients directly to your stomach, rather than engaging in such primitive behavior?"

I swallow a particularly delicious morsel before responding. "My tongue needs a good fucking from time to time," I say bluntly, continuing to pig out on the food with unrestrained enthusiasm. The juices from the steak dribble down my chin, and I wipe them away with the back of my hand.

Sofia lets out a laugh, equal parts amused and exasperated. "I wed you because you were a maniac, not a gourmet foodie," she retorts, shaking her head.

I grin at her, my mouth still full. "I'm still a maniac," I assure her after swallowing. "But first, let me finish eating. This is too good to waste."

I polish off the rest of the meal, relishing every last bite. As I set down the utensils, I stand up and make my way towards the bed where Sofia is lounging. My fingers find their way into her hair, gently grasping and pulling her towards me.

"I want to be in you while Elena is in her game," I murmur, my voice low and husky with desire.

Sofia's eyes flick towards Elena, who's still sitting motionless in her chair, lost in whatever virtual reality she's exploring. A mischievous smile plays at the corners of Sofia's lips. "Do you wish to cuckold her?" she asks, her tone teasing.

I shake my head, my grip on her hair tightening slightly. "I just want to surprise her," I explain. "Maybe make her a bit jealous. You know how much fun that can be."

Sofia's smile widens as she begins to undress. "Indeed, I do," she purrs. "Your penchant for mischief knows no bounds, does it?"

As we both shed our clothes, I can't help but feel a thrill of excitement. The risk of Elena catching us, the forbidden nature of it all - it's intoxicating. Once we're both naked, I push Sofia back onto the bed, my hands roaming over her body.

"Let's give her something to be jealous about," I growl, lowering my head to trail kisses down her neck.

Sofia arches into my touch, her breath catching. "By all means," she gasps. "Show me what that tongue of yours can do when it's not occupied with food."

I smirk against her skin, slowly making my way down her body. Just as I'm about to put my mouth to work in a very different way, the ground beneath us begins to shake violently. The lights flicker and then go out completely, plunging us into darkness.

"What in the name of-" I start to say, but I'm cut off by a panicked scream from across the room.

Elena's voice, filled with terror and confusion, pierces through the darkness. "Alexander? Sofia? What's happening? I was just about to defeat the final boss and-"

A blinding beam of light sears through the room, obliterating a portion of it with Elena still inside. The deafening roar of destruction drowns out her final words as the outdoors becomes visible through the gaping hole where walls once stood. The force of the blast hurls Sofia and me backwards, our bodies slamming against the far wall.

Fuck, this can't be happening. Not now, not when we're so close to... to what? My thoughts are a jumbled mess as I struggle to my feet, my eyes darting around the devastated room.

"We need to get to the children," I bark out, my voice hoarse from the dust and debris filling the air. "They're not safe."

Sofia springs up beside me, her face a mask of determination. "I'm with you. Let's go."

As we sprint through the corridor towards Victor's bedroom, a nagging thought gnaws at the back of my mind. "Why aren't the defense systems working? And what the hell happened to the power?"[...]