December 4th Year 2024
Her eyes slowly open after having dreamed of another world. Well-rested and ready for chaos, Alina stretches in her bed and begins the wake-up cycle. She is greeted by the same robotic voice on her day of birth. A motherly sound telling her to get out of bed and be productive. Alina struggling to move at all prompts Prisum to activate a robotic arm and pull the comforters off her.
“Today is a special day, Alina. Today I want to tell you of information you have wanted to know. Please move yourself to the breakfast table where I have prepared coffee.” The A.I. speaks in a demanding voice.
Alina manages to drag herself to the table and start sipping the lifesaving drink. The kitchen and living room are ones that smell of breakfast food and give a cozy wood cabin feel.
Inside their house, a lone wooden cabin not too far from the Town, Alina and Prisum prepare to do their daily lecture. The tv screen in front of Alina switches on and the expected reoccurring face of Prisum appears. Alina bluntly speaks.
“Alright. What’s today’s lecture?” Alina Asks.
A voice is perceived such that they are speaking as a teacher.
“Today will be probably the biggest lesson of them all. I’ve already taught you most of what you yourself need to know about life. How to live, how to fight, and so forth. Today I will be teaching you about her. Eldria Brightwater of course.”
“It's about dang time. I’ve only been able to piece together a few bits here and there. mostly from her tutorials.” An excited Alina responds.
“Right. We will start with the basics. 23 years ago, one of the Manaforms living on the sanctuary was named Eldria. She was extremely ambitious and extremely intelligent. Over the years she became familiar with everyone and stole the hearts of everyone else. She gave a new kind of purpose to these people---”
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“Okay, what exactly did she do for everyone that made them love her so much? It's like she was a god to them?” Alina interrupts.
“She was like that. She helped and lead so many people toward a common cause. And she solved problems, with technology and needed leadership. Allow me to tell a story about Kyle. He was afraid of being used as an infinite battery. Because of his ability to generate electricity Involt gave the idea of him being used as a battery to power the sanctuary. Kyle fearing this was his fate prompted Eldria to fix it. She went out of her way to invent a battery with virtually unlimited storage to combat his fear.” Prisum retold.
“Oh wow. The giant reactors that power the sanctuary. Are those the batteries?”
“They are in fact.”
For the Next thirty minutes, Alina clung to the stories Prisum told. How Eldria had created the official war practice division, how she saved the life of a Manaform, and the advanced technology she invented.
“So, all of that is great and all, but why am I here? Where is Eldria now? You have yet to tell me.”
“About one year ago Eldria disappeared. She told me she had an important mission to accomplish and may not return. She left behind many things including an objective for me. To raise her clone should she not return.” Prisum explained.
“So, I know that I am a clone. How… how similar am I to her?”
“You are just like her in every way. Except for your face. I believe you are more like her daughter than her clone. I know you’re wondering about your role on this island. She told me I can’t force you to help the Manaforms but that you would probably naturally have the desire to do so. People will look up to you, but should you choose you don’t have to kneel for them.”
Alina had to stand a take a quick break. Taking all of this in could only make her more curious. Alina partially sweating and passing the room decided to sit back on the couch.
“And what of Kyle, Jack, and Camillia? They have been with me since I got here.”
“Those first two were great friends of Eldria. I can only assume they would want to help raise their friend’s child. Camillia however was about as close to Eldria as anyone. Well, she and Claire. The day Eldria left sent Camillia into a panic for a few days. I recall that she loved her.”
Alina blushing a little bit looks out the nearby window pondering what to make of all this. On the one hand, she could use her footing with everyone to become a hero and legend of the Sanctuary. Yet on the other, she has a clean slate. She could be anything. Alina turns back toward Prisum whilst her hand is locked on her chin.
“If what you say about Eldria is true, I want to be like her. I want to be better than her. And I want to understand what it truly means to be a hero.”