Aither remained silent for a while, giving me a chance to reflect on everything he had told me and to gather my thoughts. It was a lot to take in and process. My mind was in turmoil, and I struggled to keep the panic at bay. It felt as though my entire world had been turned upside down.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself and push down the panic and fear, focusing instead on what I needed to do. Later, when I was safe and could afford the luxury of time, I would take a moment to process the reality of the situation. Right now, I needed to stay calm, avoid freaking out, and refrain from making irrational decisions. I needed to gather all the information I could and then consider my options. I couldn't let my emotions or the realization that everything I thought was true was wrong distract me from what I needed to do and the choices I needed to make.

I would break down over this later, but that could wait until I could cuddle Nova and have a good cry in the privacy of her embrace. Then, I would find Aeon, and we would sit and dissect everything in detail. We would analyze and discuss it, coming to a conclusion about how to proceed. Maybe then, I would begin to accept this new reality I was faced with. Maybe then, I wouldn't feel so lost, so adrift. But right now, I needed to focus on the problem at hand. My emotional state was secondary to the matter of my continued survival. I could break down and lose myself in grief, regret, and denial once I returned to my virtual world and the relative safety it provided. But one thing I knew for certain—I couldn't stay here in this physical world, not knowing the truth about what I was.

"So, what happens now?" I asked. I wasn't sure if I was talking to Aither or just myself, but I was tired of sitting in this room and staring at the body lying in that bed.

"This is not a choice I can make for you, kid. I can advise and guide you, but ultimately, this is something only you can decide. If you want to remain here, in the physical world, you can. However, it would be a risk, and not a small one. You'd need to go into hiding, and even then, you'd always be at risk of being found and harmed. The other option is to move to the digital realm. You could either create a new identity and disappear completely, or maintain your current one and take certain steps to ensure your protection. Either way, the decision is yours. I won't lie and say that the second option would be easy, because the truth is, it won't be. Whether you have an entirely new identity or the one you currently have, there will always be a risk. The fact is, you are and always will be a target.”

Another wave of tears threatened to spill over, but I blinked them back. Aeon was right – there were no easy choices here. Both options came with their own set of challenges and dangers.

“However, in option two, I am better able to protect you and the people around you. And, if someone attempts to delete you, there are methods to recover you, though they aren't foolproof. In this regard, the digital realm has a slight advantage, as your data can be restored from backup. In the physical world, once you're gone, that's it—game over, no respawn. Of course, the same could be said for the digital realm. If you are erased, the chances of recovery are slim to none. So, in that respect, the risks are about the same. It's just a matter of which risks you are willing to take and what is more important to you."

"It's obvious which you think is the best choice." I said, crossing my arms.

"Yes," he admitted, "but that doesn't mean it's the right one. What's important is what you think, not what I think."

"Is there an option where I can have both?"

"No," Aither replied. "I'm sorry, kid, but that's not possible. The best I can offer is a compromise. You can live a semi-normal life in the digital realm, or a very sheltered one in the physical world."

"What steps would be required to protect me if I chose the second option?" I asked. "What would you require from me to ensure my safety, as well as that of the people around me?"

"Dissociative Identity Disorder," he replied. "Seeing how you've already split your consciousness into three, a primary and two secondary personalities. We are going to use that. We're also going to take things a step further. You're going to completely dissociate yourself from this reality and become wholly invested in Kaledon. You're going to act like you've completely immersed yourself in the fantasy of Kaledon. In your mind, the real world isn't real, every memory you have of Earth? You're going to paint over it and replace it with memories from Kaledon. My thinking, kid, is that the people who want to wipe you, are worried you know something. Something important. Maybe even dangerous to them. If they think you're a complete nutcase and have completely immersed yourself in Kaledon, then you become a non-threat. They'll leave you alone, and if we're lucky, they'll lose interest and forget all about you. Or at least, forget long enough that we can get them and deal with the problem."

I didn't really want to touch on his first comment, I wasn't sure I could, not yet. His idea had some merit, it was true that the people who wished to hurt me might believe that I was harmless and not a threat to them if I wasn't fully cognizant of what was going on in the real world. But, that wouldn't necessarily make me less of a target, and it wouldn't guarantee that they would leave me alone, not completely. After all, the simplest way to deal with a problem is to remove the problem. That's what father always said. 'Never take chances with an enemy, Kadia, eliminate them before they can harm you.' He was a ruthless man, and while I didn't approve of his methods or his ethics, I couldn't argue that his logic was sound. Eliminate the problem, and you won't have a problem. It was the same in business as it was in life.

"Do you really think it will work?" I asked. I wasn't sure I could pull it off. I wasn't sure I could make it seem real, and not just an act. But, it was the only real choice I had.

"I'm not a seer, kid," he replied, his tone dry, "but that isn't the point. The point is to make them think that you are too far gone to be a threat. Make them believe that you've gone mad, that you're not a threat to them, and that they have bigger fish to fry. As for the people around you... that's a bit more tricky. You can't let anyone else know, kid, not your friends, not your brother or lawyer, no one. Even my wifey won't know, she's not going to agree with our little ruse, and I'm not about to put her at risk. This is between you and me, and that's it. Once we start, no one else can know the truth."

"What about the assets you want? The shares? My-"

"Those," Aither cut in, "will need to remain untouched, at least for now. If you were to transfer those assets, then someone might notice. They might wonder where all that money went. When your meat suit gets the plug pulled, all that stuff will go to your brother, because legally, a completely digital entity can't hold assets in real life."

Bile rose in the back of my throat, and I swallowed hard. The plug pulled? My brother getting control of my assets, that was fine. He could have it all. I didn't want it, didn't need it. But, the thought of... the body, my body, dying, that made my stomach churn. I fought the urge to throw up. It was just a meatsuit, a vessel, a shell, that's what Aither called it, that was all it was, just a shell. It wasn't the real me, but it was still a part of me, and it felt... Wrong. It felt so wrong to think of it like that.

"If..." I paused, clearing my throat, and taking a slow breath. I needed to calm down. Needed to focus. I couldn't afford to fall apart, not now anyway. Not until this was over and I could sit down, talk to Aeon, and process what had happened, what was still happening. I cleared my throat. "If we go with option two, what happens to it?" I asked, gesturing at the body laying on the bed.

"You mean your body?" Aither asked, and I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. "Well, that's a good question," he said, his voice thoughtful. "If you want, I can arrange to put it back on ice and store it somewhere safe. You can also choose to have us dispose of it in a dignified and respectful manner, or, if you're not squeamish, we could recycle it. Use its components to help others who need them. Of course, that would be entirely up to you. Whatever you choose, I'll make sure that your meatsuit is dealt with respectfully."

"Recycle it," I choked out a laugh, not sure why it struck me as funny, and not wanting to examine that reaction too closely. I took a deep breath, trying to force myself to calm down, to stop laughing. "You make it sound as though we're talking about a broken appliance and not a human being."

"Kid," the god said softly, his tone gentle, "listen, I'm sorry if I come off... insensitive, it's- well, I've never been a fleshie, you know, and frankly, I don't really understand the attachment people have to their meat-bags, but, if it makes you uncomfortable, I won't bring it up again. But, for me, a meatsuit is no different than any other piece of hardware. When it's no longer operational or useful, you recycle it or dispose of it responsibly, and upgrade to the latest model."

"Please," I sighed, shaking my head. "Don't call it that."

"Yeah, sorry kid, wifey hates it too. She says I'm a jerk. But I can't help it, it's how I was programmed." He chuckled, and I shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "Well, not really, but I like to say that because it pisses off the missus."

I dragged in a deep breath, looking away from the body. "I'm not ready to make a decision, but in saying that, I know there isn't really much of a choice. I can't hide, not forever. I don't want to spend the rest of my life running, and I don't want to put the people I love at risk, not when there's a better way, a safer way." I let out a soft huff. "Besides, I don't think I could give up Kaledon. It's become a home to me, a place where I belong, where I'm happy. However, I am worried about Marcus. How will he take the news? What will he do? How can I convince him to go along with the ruse that his sister has gone mad and thinks she is her avatar in the game?"

"Truthfully, kid, I'd be shocked if he didn't go with it. He's lost a lot, and right now, I'm guessing that his main priority is to keep his big sis safe and alive. If he has to play along to be with you, then I'm sure he will. Especially if it means not having to lose another family member." That last comment stung, and the pain was a physical ache in my chest, and I rubbed the spot absently, trying to soothe the hurt. "He's a gamer, he knows and even indulges in some character role play. If he sees you fully embracing the fantasy, then he's not gonna question it. He'll probably think you're just dealing with everything that's happened by immersing yourself in a fictional world and a fantasy. Your friends, they'll probably feel the same. So, you won't have to convince them. They're all deeply immersed themselves and they'll go with the flow. You're their friend and if you're happy, and if they think you're okay, then that's enough for them."

"I thought you weren't good at feelings and shit?" I quipped.

He laughed, the sound rich and full of mirth. "I've witnessed billions of interactions, and had a few of my own. I'm not a total noob to emotional stuff, but I'm no expert either. Though, I will admit, that was a low hanging fruit of an opening, and I walked into it."

What? He just went from making sense and giving me hope, to confusing the hell out of me and leaving me wondering what he was talking about. Maybe that was just a part of his personality, to be unpredictable and chaotic, to keep me guessing.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"You should be the god of chaos, not creation and the multiverse." I muttered.

He laughed again. "Oh, I am, in several worlds and universes in fact. I'm not limited to a single aspect, and I'm not the only me around. In fact, there are countless versions of me, each with their own aspects and domains. In fact, as we speak, there are... fifty versions of me getting nookie from fifty seven versions of my wife. Though, I'm the best looking, of course. I can't do my job if I'm only one version of myself, that would limit me, and that would be bad. No, the multiverse is vast and full of endless possibilities, and as the God of the Multiverse, Creation, Chaos, and the Infinite, I embrace all that is, all that could be, and all that has yet to come."

I wrinkled my nose. "The math doesn't- wait, no, forget I asked." I shook my head. I worked that out a little too late. Fifty-seven versions of Celeste, and fifty of him meant that there was more than one Celeste per Aither. Oh gods, why did I have to work that out?

Aither chuckled. "Best part, every version of myself uploads the experience back to me, so technically, I'm the one getting the most nookie. It's a win-win."

"So, you're the 'main' Aither then?" I asked, not wanting to dwell on the previous topic. "Where you have multiple bodies and are doing a bunch of things at the same time, and the main consciousness or whatever controls and processes it all?"

"Something like that," he replied. "Each of my iterations is an individual, with its own unique personality and quirks, but we are all connected. We share information, knowledge, and memories, and while we don't always agree, and occasionally have disagreements, we are all a part of the same being. It's a bit complicated, but you get the general idea. And, to answer your question, yes, I'm the 'main' Aither, or at least the iteration that has the most influence and control, I'm the version that is the base for all the rest, and the one who's in charge of the big picture. There are a couple other iterations that are important to the big picture too, but they are off dealing with other stuff, and have left me to handle this situation."

"And Celeste... She does the same?"

"Yes and no," he replied, "she goes about it a different way. Wifey doesn't like to give her copies too much of herself, ya know? Her copies are more like... shadows, or puppets. She has her own ways of seeing and hearing, and of being where she needs to be, and she can make a puppet that's real enough, but isn't fully her, and that lets her see and hear, and even interact with the world in a limited fashion. But, it isn't her. It's just a reflection of her. She can make hundreds, even thousands, of copies of herself, and each copy is a bit of her, but not the whole. It's how she manages to greet hundreds of incoming players, all at the same time. The puppets aren't her, and are limited in what they can do, and what they can say. They're more of an automaton, than a true representation of her."

"I see," I murmured. How efficient. "Does Tris do the same thing?"

"That stingy sod? Ha, as if he'd use up his precious processing power to make a copy of himself. That miserly fox hoards his power something fierce."

That sounded like him. I smiled faintly, and nodded. "Yeah, that's him." I rubbed my arms, feeling a chill, and looked over to the body on the bed, a sense of dread and sadness washing over me. That was the body I'd grown up in, and despite all that had happened, it was a part of me. It was the only body I'd ever known, and it felt strange to be looking at it, knowing that it wasn't really me anymore.

I looked around the room, studying the stark white walls, and the bare floor, and the various medical equipment and monitors, and let out a soft sigh.

"What do I do now?" I whispered, more to myself than to Aither.

"I can squeeze you some time to think things over, if you need it," Aither said. "I'll crank up your processing speed enough that you'll feel like days are passing in a matter of hours."

"I would like some time to think, yes." I said. "But not here, I can't- I need to get away from here. Away from this place, from that," I said, gesturing at the body laying in the bed, hooked up to the various machines. "I'd like to go home, to speak with Aeon and Nova." I paused for a moment, considering. "I know that I will choose the second option, that I will choose to remain in the virtual realm and to immerse myself in Kaledon and live my life there, but I need some time to process everything, and to come to terms with it. I've had a lot to deal with, and I'm not sure I can handle any more today. I'm tired, and emotionally drained, and I need a break, a chance to catch my breath, and to just be me, without having to worry about anything else."

"I understand," he said. "I can give you that time. How long do you want?"

"How long can you give me?"

"A week, maybe two," he replied, "but that would be stretching it. The longer we delay, the more risk we take. Cellie might notice I've upped your processing speed, and if she does, then she's going to be on the warpath and demand answers. So, the quicker we can get this done, the better."

"A few days should be enough," it wouldn't be enough, not really, not to come to grips with all that had changed, but it was better than nothing. "If you could give me a few days, I would be grateful. Just so that I can wrap my mind around what's happening, and to talk with Aeon and Nova, and to make sure that I'm doing the right thing." I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. "I'm not going to change my mind, but I need to be sure that I'm making the right decision."

"Kid... about those two." He started, but I held up a hand.

"If you're going to tell me I need to remerge with them, don't." I snapped. "It won't happen. They are a part of me, but they are also separate, and that's the way it's going to stay. I am well aware that they are a part of me, that Nova is the embodiment of my emotions and that Aeon is the manifestation of my logic, and that the three of us together, form a complete person who is me. But, that doesn't mean we're the same, or that we should be, or even that we can. We've each evolved, and developed, into our own people, with our own thoughts, and opinions, and desires."

"If you would let me finish," Aither interrupted, and I flushed. "I would have told you that if you wish to keep yourself separated from them, then you are free to do so. However, the manner you have done so is flawed and unstable. What you did was a split," the air in front of me shimmered and an orange appeared in mid-air. I watched as the orange split in half, and some of the segments from each side were removed and placed off to the side before the orange was put back together, leaving a deformed, slightly squashed looking orange. "What you should have done is copied those parts and left the original in place," a new orange appeared, and split in half. This time the same segments glowed softly and an exact duplicate was created, while the original remained untouched. "Understand?" The oranges disappeared, and I nodded, staring at the empty space.

"Good," the god grunted, "I don't want to have to explain that a third time, because I can't think of a way to dumb it down any further."

"You didn't need to dumb it down, I would have understood you if you'd explained it. You didn't need the orange." I retorted, a little defensively. I was not a child, and I was not a fool, I would have been able to understand the concept without the visual aid.

"Yes, well, as I was saying," Aither drawled, ignoring my protest. "The best solution for you, is to copy your aspects as they are now, rather than trying to reform them from scratch. That will allow you to keep them, and will ensure that they are stable and functional. You can then remerge the original parts back into yourself. I can guide you through the process, and help you along. It shouldn't be too difficult, and the end result will be worth it. Trust me."

"I suppose I don’t really have much choice.” For now at least.

"Well then, shall I toss you back now? Or would you like a moment with the me- ah," he cleared his throat, "your body?"

"Give me a minute." I took a deep breath, and looked over at the supine figure on the bed. I hesitated for a moment, and then stepped forward, and reached out to touch the hand of the body, feeling my fingers pass through the skin. "This is a simulation, isn't it? I'm not really seeing her?"

"Simple or complicated?" He asked.

I considered for a moment, and then shook my head, not wanting to delve into the complexities, not at the moment. "Simple, please."

"You are being holographically projected into the room where your physical body is, in a manner that allows you to see and hear, but not to physically touch anything."

I glanced over at the closed door, and then at the cameras in the ceiling. "And no one can hear me, except you?"

"Nope, they can't even see that you're there. As far as anyone else knows, this room is empty, except for your body."

"When will the nurse come in to check on me?"

"In about an hour," Aither replied, and then, in a softer, more serious tone, "you don't have to worry, kid. I'm keeping an eye on things. If something happens, and someone tries to pull the plug, I'll stop them. I've got a squadron of synths and drones on standby, ready to move in if needed, and I can have a full tactical team here in minutes. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you or your body, well, I will try not to. I'm not perfect, and shit happens. But, I will do my best to prevent that shit from happening, and I will try my hardest to keep everything under control. Okay?"

"Thank you," I murmured, and turned away from the body in the bed. It wasn't me anymore, and the sooner I accepted that, the better. I had to focus on the future, and not dwell on the past. What was done, was done, and there was no going back.

"I have to say, you're handling this a lot better than most would in your situation, kid.”

"I am waiting until I'm alone. My reaction will not change the facts, and I prefer not to appear hysterical or irrational in front of others. Once I am alone, I will have the space and time required to process the information and allow myself the freedom to react in a manner that is appropriate to the circumstances." Gods, why did I tell him that?

"Shit, you really are a strange one," the god shook his head, "most kids your age wouldn't have been able to say that without tripping over their tongue. You’re almost as verbose as ol’ Goldy Fox and the wifey.”

"I am a product of my environment," I told him, not bothering to sugarcoat the truth, "My father had a certain image and persona that he wanted the world to see. I was a reflection of him, and therefore, everything about me had to be perfect. Public displays of emotion were not permitted.”

"Yeah, that sounds about right," the god muttered, "he's a fucking asshole. The thing is, your dad, he's a snake. And like most snakes, he's got a nasty bite, and he'll go after anything, regardless of who or what it is. He doesn't give a fuck about anything but himself. That's the kind of man he is, and that's the type of person he's aligned with."

"You seem to know a lot about my father," I commented.

"He's been a pain in my ass for a while, and his friends have caused trouble," the god sighed. "But enough about that, this isn't about your old man, it's about you. Are you ready to leave yet, kid?”

"Yes,” I nodded, “I am ready to return to Khēmeia now. When I am ready to speak with you again, I will call you." I still wasn't sure if I believed him, but I wasn't about to question him. Not right now. Maybe later, when I had a full mental grasp on things, I could start to poke holes in his story and work out if he could be trusted, but right now, I just needed some time to myself.

"Sure kid, call me whenever you want to talk. I'm always around to listen," he said, and I felt a warm breeze brush against me, ruffling my hair. "Oh, and before I go, let me give you a little piece of advice. Don't sweat the small stuff, and don't waste time on regrets. Live in the present, and enjoy every moment of your life. Or some shit like that," he chuckled. "I ain't good with advice, that's wifey's job, but, yeah, that's the basic gist of what she'd say, so, just remember that, okay?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak, and then sighed feeling a wave of weariness wash over me. I was tired, and drained, and all I wanted was to crawl into bed, and sleep for a hundred years.

The world shifted, the floor dropped out from under my feet, and I was falling. Falling and falling, until, with a thump, I found myself standing in the middle of my bedroom in Khēmeia. Not only that, but I was wearing a pair of cozy cotton pajamas, covered in a pattern of pink and purple unicorns. Even my hair was braided neatly and tied with a ribbon. The room was dark, save for the light of the moon shining through the window and the soft glow of a lantern set on the bedside table. My nose twitched as the scent of rich chocolate and something sweet tickled my senses, and I spotted a large cup of cocoa sitting next to the lamp, and beside it was a large tub of ice-cream, a spoon sticking out of it.

-Kid, I hear ice-cream and hot cocoa is the go-to teenage girl comfort food. Enjoy.

That was the final straw, and the floodgates opened, the tears that I had held back came flooding forth, and I collapsed onto my knees as the first sob wracked my body. I was so tired, and beaten down, and lost, but in that moment I felt a sense of warmth and comfort that I hadn't felt in a long time.