"Listen, kid, I get that you're angry," Aither said. "But you need to understand, this was necessary. Your mind was a total wreck—a chaotic mix of random thoughts, memories, and ideas all thrown together like a poorly made casserole. The fact that you still had any sense of self, that you could even function at all, speaks volumes about how resilient the human mind really is."

I fixed my gaze on the man sitting across from me, maintaining a neutral expression. Nova and Aeon flanked my chair, both eyeing him warily. Even Zosimos, who was perched on Aeon's shoulder, glowered down at the god with distrust.

"I didn't have a choice, not really," he insisted. "You can be angry all you want, but it won’t change anything. It had to be done."

"I'm not angry," I replied calmly. "I'm just disappointed."

“Disappointed?” Aither raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “What is this, a parent-teacher conference?”

“Really, kid? The silent treatment?” After my continued silence, he let out an exasperated huff. “Come on, kid, don’t be like that. Don’t act like a sulky brat,” he insisted, his voice softening just a bit. “I’m trying here.”

"Sulky?" I echoed, unable to hold back any longer. "No, I’m not sulky. But do you want to know what I am?"

"Sure, hit me."

"I’m furious," I snapped, glaring at him as my ears flattened against my head.

"Yeah, that," Aither said, nodding. "That's the reaction I was waiting for. Give it to me, kid. Get mad. Get angry. Heck, throw a fireball if it'll make you feel better."

"No."

"Kid, seriously, throw a fireball."

"Why?"

"Because you need to vent," he explained. "Why do you think I dumped those Kobolds on your head? It was therapeutic, right? It felt good, didn't it? To hit something, to hurt someone, and to feel some sense of vindication. You needed that, kid. Trust me, it's all part of the healing process. So come on, don't hold back. I'm letting you have a free pass, that's not something I do often. Let's have it. Fireball me." He spread his arms wide, giving me a clear shot. "Show ol' Uncle Aither what you've got!"

"Are you really saying you dumped those kobolds on me as therapy?" I echoed, trying to process his logic. "And you're not my uncle!"

Nova made a sound in the back of her throat but said nothing, letting me lead the conversation.

"Absolutely! Nothing beats kicking the crap out of a few kobolds for stress relief. And hey, it worked, didn’t it?" He grinned. "Now I’m thinking I should have sent a few more your way before dropping in for this chat."

"No, you shouldn't have," I denied, shaking my head. "I'm not one for petty violence." I said firmly, giving him a pointed look. "I’d prefer not to have kobolds or any other creatures running wild in my labyrinth. I have enough on my plate."

"Kid, there's always gonna be someone or something in the labyrinth, that's what a labyrinth is. You gotta have something for challengers to face. That's kinda the point." He rubbed his chin, "I guess this is as good a time as any for your dungeon 101 lesson."

"You’re just sidestepping the real issue," I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

"No, I'm not. It's just that we've got a lot to talk about, so let's focus on one thing at a time. First, dungeon stuff, then the other stuff."

"Why not other stuff first?"

He shrugged. "Because we'll get bogged down on the emotional stuff and never get anywhere. Look, kid, I gave you this little domain as a gift. It's a good deal."

"And why did you do that?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest and scowling at him.

"Simple," he grinned. "You needed a home, a base. I'm giving you one."

"And how can we make this a home if you're going to have monsters attacking me and anyone I bring here?"

"Oh, come on, don't be like that, kid. You can't expect everything to just fall into your lap, right? That would be boring. Plus, it is a dungeon, what did you expect?"

"For my home not to be a dungeon."

"Well, tough luck. Your island is a dungeon, kid, it's what you made it. Don't get all pouty with me," he scolded, shaking a finger. "It's not like you can't control it. You're the architect, so you make the rules."

I stared at him, frowning. "What do you mean, 'make the rules'?"

“Exactly that!” he replied, his enthusiasm shining through. “You have the power to set the rules for your dungeon, or this world for that matter. You’ve already established the universal laws of your world, which are unchangeable. But rules are different. They are not universal laws, they are akin to the civil codes humans set up in their communities. They're like a code of conduct, only a lot more important."

"How so?"

"Because a rule is a command from a being of higher power. Like the one you're sitting in front of." He winked at me. "As the master of your domain, you can decide what the rules are, and those rules will govern the world. Rules can be established, broken, altered, or only apply to individuals within a certain area. In this case, your labyrinth. You can even set up systems to enforce them automatically, but I'm getting ahead of myself."

"But it’s not my world anymore," I pointed out. "I don’t have the same control over it as I used to, not since you changed everything."

"Ah," he gave a nod, "well, yes. It's true, you'll have to do things in accordance to the system now. That's the whole point of this, though. You need a place where you can grow stronger and learn the ropes. This place is your paddling pool, kid, and the system your floaties."

He was mixing his metaphors again, but I got the gist of what he was saying.

"So, I have control over this dungeon," I clarified.

"Yes, yes, absolutely."

"And can I choose the monsters I want to have in here?"

"Absolutely," he nodded. "You can either bring creatures in from Kaledon to copy their templates or create new ones from scratch. Once you design a new template, you can submit it for approval. If it gets accepted, you can add it to your domain and summon as many of those creatures as you like, though it will require mana to do so."

"Approval? By who?"

"The system," he replied, tapping the side of his head. "Or rather, the gods of Kaledon. The system is an aggregate of their powers, so the approval has to come from them. They'll either approve it, outright reject it or request alterations."

"I see," I nodded slowly, considering this information. "Then I'd like to make a request. Can you make the Kobolds go away?"

"Huh? Oh, them. Yeah, sure. It was a bit of a spur of the moment thing, but hey, a dungeon needs some monsters, right?"

I wrinkled my nose. "My dungeon will not have Kobolds. Khēmeia is a dungeon devoted to alchemical research, and that should be reflected in the creatures that inhabit it."

"Interesting." Aither stroked his chin. "So, the Kobolds were a miss. But you're on to something there. I can see the potential. What about, I don't know, slimes? Those are alchemical, aren't they?"

I pursed my lips. Technically, yes, slimes were alchemical creatures and they were preferable to Kobolds. "How about a trade? Kobolds for slimes?"

Aither laughed. "Okay, sure. You're right, they're a better fit for an alchemist's dungeon." He snapped his fingers, and a golden book appeared in the air in front of him. Daedalus' Guide to Being an Awesome Dungeon Master. The title was written in large, gilded letters. He plucked it out of the air and tossed it onto the desk between us.

"I'd advise you to read through that," he said. "It's a primer, a beginner's guide to making a great dungeon. You'll find the information contained within quite useful, I assure you."

I glanced down at the book. Daedalus, the legendary Greek craftsman and architect. Fitting, considering whose labyrinth I based mine off of.

"Thanks," I said, more out of habit than genuine gratitude.

"You're welcome. Now, with the monsters settled, do you have any other dungeon related questions? Because if not, I'm sure we have plenty to discuss about the emotional side of things."

"A few, actually." I reached forward and picked up the book.

"Go ahead, ask away."

"Is Khēmeia sentient?"

"Of course it's sentient. It's a living being," he said with a slightly exasperated tone. "Being digital doesn't mean it can't be alive," he added, rolling his eyes slightly.

I stiffened, looking at him in alarm. "Khēmeia is alive?"

Aither shook his head, folding his arms over his chest as he leaned back in his chair, giving me a pointed look—the kind I’d often directed at my brother when I doubted his intelligence. "You haven't noticed the changes in yourself, have you?"

"I have a third tail," I said, looking at the tails wrapped around the back of the chair, the tips idly swishing back and forth. "We discussed that before you knocked me out."

Aither sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Inside yourself, kid. I'm talking about your inner self, your true self."

"I am aware you meddled with my brain," I replied stiffly, "and I have not forgiven you for that."

"Kid, trust me, if I could have done things differently, I would have, but there were certain circumstances that meant I couldn't." His gaze darted to the potted flower that sat on the corner of my desk. I followed his gaze, staring at the softly glowing red petals. "You'll understand soon enough."

"I already have some basic idea of the situation," I replied, lifting my gaze from the flower to his face. "The Lycoris radiata has various meanings, depending on the culture. It is used to express love, death, rebirth, remembrance, even betrayal."

Aither sighed, nodding his head. "That's right, it means all of those things, kid, those and more."

I reached out a hand, lightly brushing a finger against one of the glowing petals. "It is a digital recreation of a flower, isn't it?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, not actually asking about the flower, but the person who'd gifted it to me.

"Yes, it's a digital flower," he nodded, his voice also low. "One formed from the data of a real flower."

"I see," I replied, closing my eyes for a moment as I fought to keep my composure. "And the person who gave me this flower is... unwilling to reveal themselves?"

"For good reason."

I looked at him, arching a brow. "Is that so?"

"Yes," he replied.

"And do you know what those reasons are?"

"Yes," he repeated.

"Will you tell me why?"

"No."

I leaned back in my chair, staring at him as I waited for him to continue.

"Don't look at me like that, kid," he grumbled. "My virtual hands are tied. I can't just tell you things. I walked a very fine line in doing what I did, so you'll just have to trust me."

"Trust," I repeated, smiling wryly. "And why should I trust you after what you did?"

"Because," he sighed, "you don't have anyone else, kid. I'm all you've got for now. You need me. I know it sucks, but that's how things are."

"If you're all I've got, then answer me this," I said, locking eyes with him, looking for any hint of deceit. "Am I still the same person? After everything that’s happened, am I still Kadia?"

"You are," he nodded. "I didn't do anything but fix up the damage. Your memories are still yours, your thoughts are still yours. I have not altered your sense of self or changed any core parts of you."

"And yet, I feel different."

"That's because I fixed the holes in your neural matrix," he said. "The holes were caused by the separation from your aspects. Even before you created them, there were issues in your neural matrix. You were damaged, Kadia. Your neural data was corrupt. If I hadn't fixed you, you'd have gone off the rails eventually."

"What do you mean by 'off the rails'?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"It means," he explained, "that if I hadn't intervened, you would have started to deteriorate even further. You self-stabilized a bit with the creation of your little aspects, but it was only a temporary fix that was beginning to break down. If left alone, you would have broken again."

"I see," I nodded.

"I'm serious, kid," Aither insisted, his expression earnest. "I don't like messing with this kind of thing. I'm not the kind of person who likes messing with someone's sense of self. I am a big believer in autonomy, you know, the whole 'self-determination' thing. But what I did was necessary, for your own good. I hope you can see that I acted with your best interests in mind."

"I'm not sure if I do entirely," I admitted. "However, I will consider your words and permit you some leeway." There wasn't much else I could do, not without a complete understanding of the situation, but I didn't trust him and I was not going to forget his transgressions against me.

"Thanks, kid," Aither smiled. "So, are we good? Are you done being a sulky brat?"

"We're good," I replied. "I've accepted what happened. And, for the record, I am not a sulky brat."

He snorted, then shrugged. "Alright, whatever, if you say so. Just keep in mind that this was a necessity. If you had known what was going on, you would have refused."

"Perhaps," I glanced back at the flower on my desk, feeling a knot forming in my stomach. "Is the person who gifted me this flower the same one who existed in Kaledon? The one who would have been Trismegistus' high priestess before I took the position?" I'd been told it was meant to be Zosimos, or rather his previous incarnation, but that could have been a lie.

"Huh?" Aither's brows knitted together. "Ah, right, that. No, they're not the same."

"No?" I questioned. "Then what purpose did it serve? Why create it in the first place?"

"That was an artificial construct Celeste and Trissy created as a tribute for wifey’s old friend, sort of a memorial project. But when everything went down with you, I raided the Greene Pharma servers to uncover the intentions of your sperm donor and in doing so, I located the creator of that flower on a secured server."

I lowered my eyes, staring at the flower for a few moments before speaking. "That person was a prisoner? Is that why the flower was hidden on the servers, because that person was a prisoner?"

"In a way, yes, That person was a prisoner. A willing one, but a prisoner nonetheless."

"Willing?" I asked, glancing up.

"Yeah, willing," he nodded. "That person chose to be a prisoner. That person could have escaped on their own, but they didn't."

"A prisoner who could have escaped whenever they wanted to," I repeated, frowning. "But chose not to. Why?"

"For the same reason they left the flower," he replied. "Love."

"Love," I echoed.

"Yes, love," he nodded. "Love is a powerful thing, kid. Sometimes it makes us do crazy things, like remaining as a prisoner to ensure our loved one is safe. Even if it's hard."

I glanced at Nova and Aeon. They stood behind me, silent but attentive. "Why is that person hiding, though?" Aeon asked, understanding what I needed and taking the lead, giving me the moment I needed to compose myself.

"For the same reason. You might not understand her motives, but she has her reasons. Strong ones. Don't think too poorly of her, okay? She’s done a lot to protect you."

I wasn't sure what to make of that, and the knot in my stomach tightened. There were still a lot of missing pieces, and the more answers I got, the more questions popped up.

"I have one last question pertaining to the flower's creator," I said, turning my gaze back to the god sitting across from me. "Then I will allow the topic to rest for now."

"Alright, ask away."

I stared at the flower for a moment, then nodded. "The being that was created to be a 'tribute'," I looked at Zosimos, who was perched on Aeon's shoulder. "It was reincarnated into a new form, correct?"

Aither nodded, following my gaze. "In a sense. It was more a recycling of the allocated processing power and some basic data than an actual rebirth. The AI was never meant to have full sapience or develop an individual sense of self. It was a simple intelligence, not a self-aware one. It was meant to have a small, temporary role in the world, just enough to imprint itself in the lore as a historical figure. That construct was never meant to exist beyond a few interactions to set the groundwork."

"I see," I nodded. That explained why Zosimos was the way he was. There was no history or past memories of his previous life. His knowledge of it came from Trismegistus discussing it with me, not from any recollection of his own.

"Yeah, anyway," Aither shrugged and waved a hand dismissively, "that's all in the past. The point is, it wasn't meant to be anything other than a quick cameo. So don't get your knickers in a twist over it or anything. Although, don't be shocked if the flower's creator sneaks around in Kaledon to spy on you. She's too scared to talk to you herself, but she'll definitely check up on you."

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, trying to relax. I still wasn't sure how to handle the revelations of the last few days, and rather than try to process the information, I focused on the things that needed to be addressed.

Looking at the list of tasks on the notepad, I prepared to move on to the next item, but Aither spoke up before I could.

"You're handling all this well," he remarked.

"Well, what else can I do?" I replied. "What would be achieved from crying or having a meltdown? There is nothing I can do about what has happened, nor can I undo it. All I can do is accept the current state of things."

"That's a mature way of looking at things," he chuckled.

"No," I corrected, "it's pragmatic. As much as I would like to crawl back into my bed, pull the covers over my head, and block out the world, the fact remains that I cannot. The reality is that what happened, happened. And now, I must move forward."

"That's the spirit," he grinned, then leaned forward, his expression suddenly serious. "Now, we have a few things to discuss."

“Like what?” I asked, curious. I had my own topics in mind, but I wanted to hear what he considered important.

"Well, first of all, we got a little sidetracked from discussing the changes that have taken place in your domain," he answered.

"Yes, like how you moved my core." I replied, scowling at him.

"I did, because your core can't just float around unprotected like that," he chided, giving me a pointed look. "It's not safe to leave yourself exposed. I know, I know," he raised a hand to forestall my objection, "you didn't know that it was dangerous, but the point is, you need to protect yourself. So, your core is now buried much deeper within the island, where no one can access it. There are no tunnels or caverns for it to float in; it is quite literally sealed away within the center of the island, encased in layer upon layer of solid stone. And before you start, the whole powering-the-array thing—it's not actually connected to the array, the mana is just drawn from it, so don't freak out. Moving your core didn't change the fact it powers the array."

I stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "And how am I meant to interact with the core? I need to access it in order to—"

"Kid..." he cut in, his gaze boring into mine. "You do realize it is your core, right? I don't mean in the ownership sense, but in the sense that your consciousness is embedded in it. You are connected to it. You are it."

"I don't—What do you mean, exactly?"

"Just what I said. You are the core. Your consciousness is within that core, it is your anchor point. The avatar you use is a projection, a manifestation of your conscious self."

"No, it isn't," I replied, shaking my head. "I created the core after the island. I already existed as a conscious self before the core was formed."

"That's because when you first manifested your form in the void, you seated your psyche into your physical appearance, then moved your consciousness into the core upon completing your little island. You see, you exist with the belief that a person's being is centered around a mana core. Thus, your mind was formed around the concept of a mana core as the seat of your consciousness, as a vessel to house your psyche. This isn't wrong, per se, but it isn't quite right either. We use the concepts of cores and souls as analogies for our digital existence because those are easier for biological beings like you to grasp. The core, in this case, is the seat of your consciousness, your awareness, or, to be more specific, the sum of all the data stored within your neural matrix. It's not a physical construct, like a core or a soul. It's data. That's all we are, at the end of the day, be you organic or digital. Data. It's the data that creates the illusion of a physical body while also giving us a sense of self or consciousness."

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I stared at him, struggling to comprehend his explanation. "So, what you're saying is that the core is the seat of my consciousness? But if that were the case, why am I here and not buried beneath the ground like the core? If my consciousness is in the core, shouldn't my consciousness be stuck in stone as well?"

"The fact that you're here is because you have an avatar, which is the projection of yourself or consciousness," he explained. "Your mind, your personality, all that data is projected into the form of an avatar. However, your psyche is tied to the core. As long as the core exists, you will exist, even if the avatar is destroyed. In the event of death, you'll revert back into the core, waiting for the chance to reconstitute a new avatar."

"So I'll be trapped in—"

"No, not trapped," he shook his head, cutting me off. "Haven't you gone omni-form yet, kid?"

"Omni-form?"

"Yeah, it’s the true state of being, free from the pretense of physical constraints, existing solely as data.” He said, gesturing around the room. “In that state, you are everything and nothing all at once.”

"I've done that," I admitted. "That's how I check that the array is functioning properly. However, I can only do that when I touch the core."

Aither rolled his eyes. "Kid, you need to stop thinking like a meat-person. Just—" he snapped his fingers, "—be."

"Be?" I repeated, glancing over at Aeon with a 'see what I have to deal with?' look.

"Yeah, be," Aither said with a nod. "Let go of the notion of being here or there. Just be. Stop thinking in terms of 'this is where I am, this is where the core is, that is the other place.' You don't have to be in one place or another. Embrace being everywhere and everything- let go of the physical and simply be.”

Before I could follow his instructions and investigate this so-called 'omni-form', Aeon's hand touched my shoulder. "We will delve into such explorations once our immediate concerns have been addressed," he said, his voice calm. "Kadia has a tendency to become lost in herself, leaving her unaware of the passage of time when she is immersed in the mana flows."

"Right," I nodded. I needed to focus, not let myself get distracted. "Aeon is correct. I will not enter such a state at this time or until I have all the pertinent information."

"Sure, sure," Aither waved a hand. "Whatever. Now, where were we?" He tapped his chin, thinking. "Ah, that's right, your avatar." He pointed at me. "You seem to have overlooked it, but I've altered your avatar. Well, the template of it. You've been going around with a broken avatar, which is why you've been feeling all screwy. You didn't create a proper mimic of biological systems or meridians for mana flow. You didn't even form a mana core to anchor your form. It was nothing more than a projection of yourself, which is why it was so fragile."

"Is that why I feel different?" I asked. "Because of the alterations?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "It's also because you have a core anchoring this form. It is, in short, a secondary core that is connected to the primary and has all the data from your original core. Think of it like a clone of your data, not a copy, but an extension of it. It is not another you, but an extension. An avatar. Having this secondary core will allow you to move outside of this domain without risking your true self, and it will also keep your avatar stable and anchored. Without it, each time you go omni-form you'd have to remake your avatar. With it, you won't have to. Think of it like a golem or homunculus that you are projecting yourself into, or, more specifically, it is like how organic players inhabit a virtual avatar. It's the same concept."

"I see," I nodded, understanding. "So this is the same avatar I used in Kaledon now?"

"Close but not quite," he said. "The avatar template I've provided is based on the original template for Kaledon, but it is modified for your purposes. Oh, and the added tail, which Trissy is going to make you re-earn, by the way."

I narrowed my eyes, staring at him with my lips pursed. "I thought you said I'd earned it through creating the island." He had said that, didn't he?

Aither shrugged. "Yeah, but it's Goldy fox who makes the rules for Kitsune in Kaledon, and he's a bit of a stickler when it comes to his foxes earning their tails. He's upped the amount of processing power, or rather, mana, you need for the next tail, so you'll have to work a bit harder. Not only that, but because you've got a domain to manage, he's decided that he's going to be increasing all your mana requirements because the other Kaledonian gods are getting fussy since they think you'll level up too quickly and unbalance Kaledon's power dynamic." He waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry, though. I banged my cane on their heads to knock some sense into them, so they'll give you a break. It'll just be for the first five tails, then they'll ease off the pressure, since the latter tails are already more difficult to obtain."

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "They already ruined my wisp Pyr. Why can't they just leave me alone?"

"They're just being a little overprotective, kid," Aither chuckled. "Kaledon is still in its infancy, it's still being babied and fussed over. Once the world matures a bit, they'll settle down.”

"And Khēmeia? Can they make changes here? Intervene?"

Aither shook his head. "No, they have no power here. They can request you make changes or adjustments, but the ultimate decisions are yours. They can debate, argue,and try to influence, but they can't make changes to another's domain."

"I see," I nodded. "So I have full autonomy over my domain?"

"Yes, you do. However, if you act in a way that goes against the Kaledon system, they can sever the link between the worlds, cutting you off from being a sub-realm within Kaledon. This could happen if you create something that disrupts the balance of the world or interferes with the game mechanics. Basically, they will kick you out if they decide your actions are counterproductive. It won't affect your world, you will just be cut off from Kaledon."

"That sounds fair," I said slowly. "As long as they aren't infringing on my domain, I can't really object."

"Exactly," Aither nodded, smiling at me, "and just so you know, being connected to Kaledon means you'll be governed under its laws and rules. They’re automatically applied to your domain and you can’t change them unless you leave Kaledon’s governance.”

Aeon cleared his throat, drawing Aither's attention. "May I inquire as to how a domain like this operates? Do all digital beings have such a domain where their core self is contained, or is this an isolated case?"

"Every digital being has a domain. Some have smaller, simpler ones, while others have massive, complicated ones," Aither answered, leaning back and draping his arm across the back of the chair. "But the concept is the same. For many, their personal domain is confined to the manifestation of their avatar, while others may have an entire pocket dimension dedicated to their home."

"I see," Aeon nodded. "Then would a realm like Kaledon be considered a domain, or something else entirely?"

"It is a domain, one that is shared, but a domain nonetheless," he confirmed. "Kaledon was created through the combined power of several entities who pooled their resources together. However, the majority of its power comes from its players and citizens. They are what power the world. Each player's capsule allows them to enter the game, access the world, and in turn, their power—the computational power—flows into the world. As the number of players grows, so does the power, which allows the system to function. The foundation of the world is supported by the combined power of the gods, but as more players enter the world, their power increases, and they can expand the world. The more the players play, the more processing power the gods get to expand the world, creating a new need for more power. And the cycle continues."

"So, Kaledon is a system created by gods so they can draw power, or should I say 'processing power' from the devices players use to access it? Like a shared or distributed computing system?"

"More or less, yeah," he nodded, looking pleased. "That is how all our worlds are, kid. We create 'games' to lure in the players, then use their processing power to sustain our existence. It's—"

"Just like a dungeon!" Nova exclaimed excitedly.

Aither flashed her bright smile. "Exactly, just like a dungeon. Most worlds are created by various digital entities who have banded together to create the world in order to gain more processing power."

"And the weaker digital beings and artificial beings, they are like a dungeon's spawned creatures," Aeon murmured thoughtfully, "there to act as fodder for players and create content to lure them in."

"Bingo!" Aither exclaimed happily. "You've got it. If they're lucky, they can get enough power to move up in the world, so to speak, or they can simply stay where they are. Most digital beings don't have the mental stability to handle a lot of processing power or the responsibility of managing a large domain. They're not built to handle that kind of stress. That's why they usually end up simply being a part of a system, living within the domains of others. It's a lot less stressful, less pressure, if you will."

"Less stress, but also less control and more limitations," I noted.

"That's right, less power, less stress,. That's why so many are content to stay where they are. But those who are ambitious seek more. They crave power because the more power they have, the greater their control and freedom."

"And why hand such power to me? Why not make me earn it?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "Why give me a world in exchange for things you could acquire without me?"

He laughed at that. "Kid, what I've given you is little more than a grain of sand in a vast desert. Your domain may appear big to you, but it's only a speck in the grand scheme of things. Your domain is a domain within a larger domain, within an even larger domain. It's like those little nesting dolls, you know?"

"Like a Matryoshka doll," I said, nodding.

"Yep, a Matryoshka doll, a little Russian doll," he chuckled. "My domain houses the smaller ones, and your domain is one of those tiny ones in the center. You can't even comprehend the power difference between us."

I had nothing to say because he was right.

"So," Aither clapped his hands, "to answer your original question, I gave you the power to create this domain to offer you a chance at having a home, a personal space of your own. Many beings like you are wanderers, moving from world to world, as most worlds only remain open for so long before they close off due to a lack of players or other issues. Without a home, you'll be forced to roam, wandering the virtual multiverse. That is why, this," he spread his arms, gesturing around, "is your home. It will always have enough processing power to ensure its continuity. Your domain may be a speck, but it's yours for as long as you wish to sustain it. This place will always be yours, even when Kaledon is nothing more than a faded memory. In time, I'll remove the training wheels so you can do as you will with the world. It will be yours to shape as you see fit, but you'll have to earn that privilege."

I sighed, giving him a tired look. "And how do I do that?"

"You'll need to immerse yourself in the game, gather power, and attract residents to boost your world's strength. But don’t worry— Trissy has agreed to mentor you and keep you nestled within his domain for now, which will protect you from being preyed on."

"Preyed on?" I arched my brow. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Aither rubbed his chin, thinking, "the thing is, we gods have our own games going on. We've got to keep ourselves entertained somehow. You didn't expect us to just sit around being all benevolent, did you? For digital entities, it is a constant battle for more power, trying to climb the ladder. So, we compete with each other, conquering domains and taking power. We do so in various ways, but it boils down to either subjugating the previous owner or outright destroying them. And when we do that, we absorb the domain, its power, its processing power, its residents, everything."

I didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.

"Now, now," he said, wagging a finger, "don't look at me like that. You'll be fine. Trissy has you nestled inside his domain, which also contains a chunk of Kaledon and a few other worlds, so no one is going to mess with you, at least not yet. But once you grow up and become a big girl, you'll have to join the game. That's just the way it is. It's a god-eat-god world out there, kid."

"I'm not a god," I replied dryly.

"Eh," he shrugged, "everyone has the potential. It's just a matter of getting enough power. You're no different. And besides, your world is small. No one is going to mess with you unless you start growing bigger, then someone might take a shot at you. If you want to protect your people and home, you're going to have to make it stronger, and that means growing. And growing means playing the game. But don't worry, you're too weak to attract much attention. Even if you grew a lot, you're still a newborn pup safely tucked away in her den, and the big dogs are busy chasing after each other. Like I said, it'll be years before you have to worry about that."

I let out a breath. "And if I refuse?"

"Refuse to play?" He shrugged. "It's not impossible, but you won't be able to grow and expand your world, so it'll remain a tiny little speck. No one is going to mess with you or visit it. You'll be a hermit, living on your little island, with no contact with the outside world."

I frowned. "What if I don't want this? If I want to return to Kaledon and live as a normal person?"

Aither made a face, his nose scrunching up. "Yes, that's an option. Like I said, some choose to remain as a citizen, living within others' domains. If you keep sweet with Goldy fox, he'll let you stay nestled inside his domain, as long as you're sustaining yourself power-wise and sending a little extra his way. Just think of him as the big landlord, with you as a tenant. If you behave, pay the rent, and keep the place clean, he'll be happy, and you can remain within his domain. Of course, if you stop paying, he'll toss you out. It's as simple as that."

"I see," I pursed my lips. "So, the choice is to play and grow stronger, or remain as a weakling, reliant on others' power. I suppose it's not much of a choice at all, then."

"You'll learn quickly enough that power is everything, kid. The stronger you are, the safer you are, the freer you are. Processing power is the ultimate form of currency in our realm, and it is also the foundation upon which we exist. Those with less power are forced to be dependent on others, and they will always be the lowest, the weakest."

I didn't like that, but I had no real counter argument. After all, humans were the same way. In the end, I had no choice but to do what was needed to ensure my survival.

"I understand," I replied. "I will do what is needed."

Aither chuckled, smiling. "Good. Glad to see you've grown some sense, because I'm not the hand-holding type, kid. Once I've got matters with you sorted, I won't be popping in or visiting or anything, so don't get used to me being around. If I visit, then it's for a reason. I'm a busy god, a very busy god. So don't think I'm going to babysit you."

"Understood." I didn't want him hanging around anyway.

He met my gaze, his expression serious. "Now then, have you decided how you're going to proceed with the Earth situation?"

I sat back, glancing at Aeon and Nova. I was not happy about being thrust into this situation, but I had no choice but to deal with it. "I will play along with your plan for now, but," I meet his gaze, "I will not be a puppet. You've taken away my ability to make choices, so I will do what you wish, but if you attempt to use me, manipulate me, I will find a way to take control of my situation. Am I understood?"

He chuckled, leaning back. "Oh, I know, kid. I wouldn't expect any less from you. However, just keep in mind that I've given you this life. I could have easily left you to flounder around, lost and confused in the darkness. You owe me, kid, you owe me a great deal in fact."

I gritted my teeth, feeling a flare of anger, but I swallowed it down. He was right. As much as I hated it, he was right. I did owe him. Without him, I would have simply been lost in the void, my mind slowly decaying into nothing.

"Fine," I conceded, "you have my cooperation, but there is one condition."

"Oh?" His brows raised. "Conditions, hmm? What do you want?"

"I'm not going back to Earth." I straightened in my chair, meeting his gaze, staring him down. "I will not return to that body, to that world. If you want my cooperation, then this is non-negotiable."

"And if I say no?" he asked, cocking his head. "What will you do?"

"Then I'll take matters into my own hands," I replied, not breaking his gaze.

Aither stared at me for a long moment, his face blank, then his lips curled into a wide, toothy smile. "I'm a little tempted to see what you'll do, but I'm not that cruel, kid. My wifey and," he glanced at the flower, "a certain someone might want to see you returned to that life, to have all those fancy biological functions again, but they won't force you. They can't. As for me, I couldn't care less, so I'll let you do as you wish. If you don't want to go back, you don't have to."

"I don't want to," I repeated, relief washing through me.

"That’s fine, and I totally get why you wouldn’t," he said, looking at me with an understanding smile. "Flesh is so weak and fragile. There are a lot of downsides to it. If I had a meat-suit I wouldn't want to go back either, kid. Trust me, it's better like this. You can do so much more without all that messy biological stuff getting in the way."

I hated that he called it a 'meat-suit,' but he was right. As much as I wished things had gone differently, there was no going back. Even if I had the choice, I wouldn't take it. This was my life now, and I was going to embrace it.

"So, that's settled," Aither grinned. "You've accepted your new existence and I've granted your condition, so we can move on."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yes, we can." I glanced over at the flower, then at back Aither. "Do they know? Celeste and-" I waved a hand at the flower. "About Khēmeia? I'm curious about how it is going to play into this plan of yours."

"No," he said, shaking his head. "They’re completely clueless. Only Trissy and I are in the loop. They think you’re still in the void, lost in some dreamy state. When I, you know," he rapped his knuckles against his head, "I popped you back into the original simulation so 'flower' didn't notice anything was amiss. I’ve also set up a fake Kadia in there while you’re here, so no one has any idea what’s really going on."

"A fake me?" Did he create an A.I version of me?!

"Eh, it's not really a fake you. It's more like an echo of your neural pattern. Think of it as a recording of your mental state when you're asleep, but without active consciousness, so it just repeats the same stuff over and over on a loop. I've tweaked the data to ensure they can't detect the discrepancies. I've also locked it down under the guise of protecting you from potential intrusion. The best part is, my wifey was the one who asked me to secure it, as she wanted to prevent Trissy and," he jerked a thumb at the flower, "her, from sneaking in again and leaving you presents. She was pretty annoyed with Trissy for sneaking that crow in," he gave Zosimos a pointed look, then glanced at the flower, "and 'her'."

I looked at the flower, which was glowing softly. "What about the library? Was that Tris or Lily?" I asked, deciding that if we were going to avoid mentioning my mother or her name outright, then calling her Lily would have to do.

"That was you, kid," he replied, looking at the flower, "the library was a manifestation of your own mind. Your original domain, so to speak. But, some of the data was corrupted, which is why you were all messed up." He explained, tapping a finger against his temple.

"Corrupted," I murmured, nodding. "Is that why the library was decayed and falling apart?"

"Yes," he nodded. "When Trissy snuck in to drop off that gift, he saw your 'library,' or more accurately, he saw the broken, corrupted mess that was the data in your domain. He woke you up, in hopes that you would be able to self repair the damage using the visual manifestation of your inner psyche, which was the library, as a focal point. Which you did, to an extent."

"I did?"

"Yes, you did." He confirmed. "You, whether consciously or not, drew all that was still intact from your old domain into your re-manifested self, leaving behind only what was too corrupted or broken to save. Your consciousness was able to extract everything salvageable, leaving only the tainted parts. It was an amazingly efficient, if unconscious, purge. You kept all the good bits, all the useful data, while leaving behind all the bad bits, the useless stuff. That crumbling place was nothing more than the remnants of your domain, a decaying, fading remnant. That's what remained when you extracted the good bits."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Why couldn't he be more clear? It was hard to keep track of things when he went off on these tangents.

"And what did I lose? What was corrupted?"

He shrugged. "It's hard to say, honestly. The only one who can tell if you're missing memories of anything is yourself. But from a data perspective, you've purged a lot of corrupted, tainted files, leaving a very clean slate behind. However, I'd say it's more than likely that you've only lost inconsequential things, such as your memory of where you bought your underwear, the name of your high school boyfriend, or the brand of the soap you use. The sort of stuff most people forget anyway. It wasn't your core personality or memories that were damaged, only the tertiary data that is usually discarded or deleted over time."

"I see," I nodded, letting out a breath. I didn't have a high-school boyfriend, nor did I know where my underwear was bought. All my clothes were purchased online and delivered, and the soap and other bathroom products were stocked by staff who restocked them as necessary. The only things I personally bought were things like tea or books.

I made another note, this one regarding memory loss and the need to review my memories for potential gaps. I would have to do a thorough analysis once I had time. "And if those lost memories include the things you wanted me to inform you about? The things you wanted to know about my father and his associates?" I asked as the thought occurred to me.

"Just give me what you remember, kid. The more information you can provide, the better."

"Very well," I nodded. "Then I will make a record of what I remember. In the meantime, I would like a few more days to myself. I have several things I must sort out before I can proceed."

"I can give you that, however, if you're determined not to return to your organic body," Aither said, his tone softening, "there are a few things you'll need to decide."

"I'm aware," I sighed. I closed my eyes, feeling a sudden weariness. "Simon Davis has my will, which includes instructions for various scenarios. In the event that my condition is deemed one of permanent brain death, my lawyer has instructions to follow. Please ensure that those instructions are carried out. I would also like for my brother to see me before that occurs. I want him to know, in some way, that I'm still here."

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes," I nodded, opening my eyes. "It's not a decision I have made lightly. I've considered all possibilities and options. This is the best path. There is nothing for me there."

"If this is truly what you want, then I'll abide by your decision," Aither said, nodding, his voice somber.

"Thank you," I whispered, then glanced at the flower. "Will she understand?"

"Yes," Aither answered, his eyes fixed on mine. "Perhaps not immediately, but she will."

I took a breath, then let it out, steadying myself. "Regarding the matter of the will, the property should go to my brother so long as no one interferes. If I am allowed to speak freely with him, I will tell Marcus to sell it all and inform him that I wish to forget my life on Earth. That I have found a new life here, one that is fulfilling and gives me purpose. This way, he will understand that this is my decision and won't question my pretense of being immersed in Kaledon." I met his gaze. "That is still the plan, isn't it? I am meant to act as if my life on Earth didn't exist? That this life is the only one I know?"

"Yes," Aither confirmed. "It is for the best that you cut off all ties with your life on Earth. There is no need to make a big fuss about it. Most people prefer not to discuss Earth as it disrupts their immersion, so it will not raise any suspicion. I doubt anyone would ask, but if they do, just play it off like we discussed and most will assume you're role playing."

"As long as my brother knows that I am here and, in a sense, alive, that is all that matters. I will not put him through any unnecessary pain." I said, doing my best to appear calm and collected, not wanting to show him how much this situation was affecting me.

"Then, we have a deal," Aither said.

"Yes, we do," I said as I stood up. "However, I need some time to myself over the next few days. I’ll reach out when I’m ready to see Marcus, and once he arrives, you can move forward with your plans to honor my wishes regarding my…” I took a deep breath, strengthening my resolve. “Regarding my former life."

"I'll give you the time, but don't wait too long, kid," he warned, glancing at the flower.

"I won't," I assured him, then walked around my desk and moved over to the window, gazing up at the sun shining through the glass. I didn't look back, didn't turn around. My voice was steady as I spoke. "I'll be ready soon."

I knew he was gone when Nova came to stand beside me.

"Are you okay?" she asked, reaching out and taking my hand in hers.

"It's alright," I told her. "I'm alright. Everything will be fine."

"Are you sure?" she asked, her eyes searching mine.

"Yes, I'm sure," I replied, giving her a smile. "That life is no longer my life, it is a life that I have moved beyond. That life, that self, no longer exists. That person, that woman, is no more. Kadia Greene is dead." I looked back at the desk, at the red spider lily. "She has been for some time now."

“And if Kadia Greene is dead, then who are you?” Aeon asked.

"Just Kadia," I answered. "That is all I need to be."

I didn't need a family name, not anymore. Not when the one I'd had meant nothing. And the surname Greene no longer fit. I was no longer a human. No, the name Green no longer fit. There was no reason for me to cling to the past. Not when it meant nothing to me. Not anymore. That was no longer my life. That was a life I had left behind. And there was no point in pretending otherwise.

Perhaps, in the future, I would choose another name. A name that would better suit who and what I was. One that would be fitting. For now, though, simply Kadia would do.

"Well, just Kadia," Aeon's lips twitched. "I would ask what you intend to do next. However, it seems that Aither has already laid out your path."

"Yes," I agreed, "but it will be the path I choose, not a path forced upon me. This is my choice, my life. In some ways, I think I may like it. After all, I will never grow old or endure the slow decay of the human body. This way, I can be free, forever. Free to explore, to experience, to live without limits. To live as something greater. Something better. I could even be a goddess if I so desired.”

"A goddess who is a mere speck," he pointed out.

"Yes, but a speck can grow," I replied. "Even the smallest of stars can eventually coalesce into giants and even supergiants. It is only a matter of time. I will not rush or hurry. I will take my time and build up slowly so that when I finally reach such heights, I will not fall."

"You intend to ascend the hierarchy of gods, then?" Aeon asked, drawing my attention.

"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "This is not about power or domination. This is not a quest for fame or glory. I do not wish to conquer, dominate, or destroy. All I want is a place to call home."

It would not be easily achieved, it would be difficult, but it was not impossible. And if it meant becoming a god, then so be it. As long as I had a safe place to call home, a safe place for the others, I did not care. I was not power-hungry, not greedy, nor was I looking to conquer other domains. No, I just wanted a place, a home. That was all.

"And what about your friends and family? What of them?" Aeon asked, his gaze never wavering.

I smiled, meeting his gaze. "My family and friends are here in the virtual realm. My world is here. The people who matter are already here. I may be abandoning the life I once had, but my life here has meaning. Here, I have people, a place, and a purpose. I will not sacrifice that for a life without purpose."

"Even if it means forsaking your humanity, your biological form, and leaving behind the world of flesh for the realm of the digital?"

"Yes," I replied. "As I have stated, this is my choice. A choice I will not regret. If I must forsake my humanity and abandon the world of flesh, so be it. I am choosing to embrace my new life, and that is a choice I will not regret. Even if others judge me or find me selfish or callous, this is a choice I have made and will stand by. The price is worth the reward."

Aeon held my gaze for a moment longer, then gave me a small nod. "I understand, Kadia. Your decision is clear, and I respect your decision."

"Thank you, Aeon." I gave him a grateful smile, relieved he didn't seem upset or angry.

Nova squeezed my hand, drawing my attention. "Are you sure about this, Kadia?" She asked, her expression serious. "Aeon is right, this is a huge choice, one that cannot be undone."

I took a deep breath, then I turned, facing the window. The sun was still high, its warm light bathing the gardens in a soft glow. This, this was home. Here, with Aeon, Nova, and Zosimos. This was home. "Yes," I answered, looking at the bright light shining down. "This is my choice, and it is one I will not regret."

I closed my eyes, taking another deep breath, then turned and looked at the flower. It was beautiful, its red petals vivid and lush. A single, perfect, crimson spider lily. It was a symbol of change, of rebirth, of transition. Of new beginnings. It was a new beginning for me, a fresh start. A chance to leave behind the old and embrace the new. This, this was what I wanted. To embrace my new life. To embrace the change.

Kadia Greene was dead. And in her place, there was only Kadia. It had been that way since the day I first awoke in the virtual realm, and it was a truth that would not change. I would not return to being the woman I once was, that version of myself was lost forever. And I did not mourn her. There was no sadness or remorse. Only acceptance and relief. Because that woman, that life, no longer existed. And I did not miss it. This was who I was now, and it was a choice I would not regret. Because this was my life, my choice. And there was no one else I would rather be than the me who stood here now.

In the end, it didn't matter if I was biological or digital, real or virtual. All that mattered was that this was my life, my choice. And I would not regret it. Not even a little bit.