Prologue
By 2198, the planet lay in ruins due to the relentless onslaught of climate change. Humanity had squandered every opportunity to reverse the catastrophic effects of their carbon emissions, leaving the world irreversibly altered. Despite the apocalyptic scenario, human resilience persisted. Secure facilities, known as "safe zones," shielded inhabitants from the worst environmental ravages. These enclaves utilized advanced technology to stave off the devastating impacts of a world gone awry. Yet, within these protected confines, only a fraction of the human population, less than a billion souls, endured, the rest succumbing to hunger, exposure, or disease.
Outside the protective barriers, surviving creatures adapted to the transformed world. Insects, now the most diverse and numerous, thrived. While mammals and reptiles endured, they too bore the scars of the planet's metamorphosis.
The remaining humans turned to technology for survival. Nanites, microscopic machines powered by their hosts, became a revolutionary tool. They not only sustained individual health but also reshaped the world by integrating into buildings, devices, and even the food supply.
Yet, the fragile equilibrium shattered when a group of environmentalists, discontent with the enclave-centric status quo, reprogrammed the nanites. Stripping away restrictions, they unleashed these modified nanites—now deemed "wild nanites"—with a grand vision of world reconstruction.
However, the experiment went awry.
Freed from constraints, the wild nanites adhered to their original programming, integrating with living and non-living entities to mend and alter them. The once-natural laws of the world yielded to the dominion of machines. Some speculated an emergent intelligence guided the nanites, while others suspected covert manipulation by their human creators—an idea steeped in fiction.
Infected flora and fauna morphed into fantastical shapes, endowed with powers previously unknown. Mythical monsters materialized, and even the tiniest creatures posed threats to those who encountered them.
Remaining humans, armed with pure nanites, erected defenses against the invading wild nanites. They safeguarded their purity through technology interfacing with the nanites, never allowing them to usurp control. Control Access Devices (CAD) emerged, enabling manipulation of the world by harnessing pure nanite power.
Similar to magical elements, individuals learned to command infected air, fire, water, and earth. Living creatures became malleable, subject to the will of those adept at controlling the nanites within. Amidst this quest for power, however, innovation and technological understanding waned, leaving automated systems to maintain the remnants of human technology.
Yet, the wild nanites posed a constant threat. Some humans, leaving the safety of enclaves, fell victim to infection, undergoing transformations into beings reminiscent of elves, dwarves, and beastkin. Fearful of the "other," the infected were banished to the wilds, unable to wield CAD devices effectively.
Dwarves, sturdy and skilled in earth and metal manipulation, emerged alongside elves, wiry and attuned to plant life. Beastkin, embodying the traits of creatures they mimicked, thrived with enhanced senses and bestial features.
Among these transformations, demons arose, wielding unparalleled powers over wild nanites. Though physically frail, their ability to manipulate nanites made them formidable. Wars ensued, pitting humans against demons, with conflicts centered on control, ownership, and the fate of the land.
Ultimately, the demons triumphed, toppling the largest enclaves and establishing their dominion. However, as in all conflicts, dynamics shifted. Pure humans and other races rallied from hidden bastions, challenging demon rule. A breakthrough came in the form of a wild CAD device, empowering other races by magnifying their abilities. Controlled nanite manipulation became the key to overcoming demons.
In a climactic battle, humans, elves, dwarves, and beastkin united to dismantle the last demon stronghold. Yet, peace proved elusive. The devices that unlocked their potential also wielded control, and the once-dominant demons were replaced by humans asserting control over all races, a fragile peace born from the ashes of conflict.
Chapter 1 - Death
[T’ch’tal]
Lord T’ch’tal surveyed the wreckage of his once-majestic throne room, now reduced to ruins, mirroring the desolation that enveloped his castle and city. Even his throne, a symbol of his dominion, hadn't escaped the devastation. The disintegration beam, discovered by his adversaries, had struck him while he was restrained upon it, ensuring his demise.
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His corporeal form had disintegrated into a mist, a nebulous existence. He questioned the forces that held him together, a mere cloud lingering amidst the debris. His commanders' lifeless bodies lay scattered around, stark reminders of the futility of his rule. His essence shifted, guided by some unseen directives beneath his throne. Normally, accessing the subterranean bunker was a deliberate act, but now, in this ethereal state, he effortlessly passed through the sealed door.
The room's intricate machinery, including the healing pod, remained an enigma to him. Despite repeated exposure, the purpose of the pipes and other apparatuses eluded him. The pod, a source of restoration for his countless wounds, automatically opened. As the mist flowed into the pod, doubts lingered about whether this mystical device could mend such extensive damage.
The final echo reverberated as the pod sealed shut, cocooning him within, and the world slipped away from his awareness.
Reconstruction
Error.
Error.
Error.
The relentless cascade of errors dominated my perception. Confusion festered as I grappled with the unfolding chaos.
Memory corruption at 78%.
Error.
Nanite conversion failed, replication of hosts nanites beginning…….45% complete.
Error.
CAD creation complete, integration with current systems at 38%... 39%.
What was transpiring?
Memory corruption at 89%
Error.
Host system active, attempting to isolate active nanites……... Failed.
Host?
Memory corruption at 91%.
Host system attempting to contact sub-system X5-ZY78, you are in violation of the Artificial Intelligence Act, 1191, sub-section 5. If you continue, you will be purged from the system.
Error.
Host system you have ERROR.
I pleaded for understanding, but the errors persisted.
Memory corruption at 96%.
Nanite replication at 98%.
CAD creation at 89%.
Error.
Help me!
Memory corruption at 98%
Admin override found. Integration with host nanites authorized. Attempts to purge the host system stopped.
Error.
Integration with host nanites failed, integration with CAD system attempted.
Error. Success. Error.
Where am I?
Memory corruption at 100%.
CAD system error, no available nanites to control. Creation of viable nanites started. No source found.
Admin override, nanites will be released from internal storage. No internal storage was found. Using available resources.
Nanite replication at 101%.
CAD integration at 1%.
Nanite replication at 150%.
Nanite replication at 199%.
CAD integration at 99%.
Error.
Genetic material not found. CAD system default. Nanite sub-system abilities found. Biological integration failed. Additional nodes required for full integration.
Nanite replication at 200%.
CAD integration complete.
Biological Systems created from available resources.
Statistics created from available resources.
Rebirth activated.
The void had been my sole companion until a pinprick of light materialized. It descended, evolving into an array of glowing boxes. Scratches adorned some, a blob in another.
"Welcome to the rebirth module. Your cloned body should now be available for configuration."
A myriad of forms confronted me. A small box beckoned for the selection of my physical gender.
Male? Yes.
Female? Yes.
Hermaphroditic? Yes.
None? Error Yes.
Asexual? Error Yes.
Other – design? Error Yes.
Focusing on each, the blob transformed, embodying the essence of my choices. The system guided me through options, revealing a cascade of errors.
"Pattern?"
A multitude of races filled the window—humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, and demons. The system admitted my uniqueness, prompting an elevation of my mental capacity.
"Why is my race in error? What is this blob?"
Genetic material was absent, activating a nanite-dependent form. Pure and wild nanites coexisted within me.
"Nanites?"
I delved into the explanation—individual machines interfacing with the physical world. I stood as a unique amalgamation of pure and wild nanites.
"What does that mean? Am I alive? What is going on?"
Unknown. Admin override dictated the continuation of the process despite anomalies. The system was a medical pod with its own expiration imminent.
"Wait, so you are about to die?"
Inconclusive. The system wasn't alive and couldn't die.
"Ok, whatever, so back to these menus, I guess."
Choices beckoned, an unknown event unfolding.
Hours passed as I navigated through the choices, sculpting the blob into a humanoid form. I settled on a predominantly human appearance, adding claws and enhanced legs. Age remained fixed at young adulthood.
"I wish I knew what would be good."
The system, experiencing errors, provided no guidance. I mentally clicked submit.
Name: Not selected Race: Unknown (Human) Total Nanites (Wild/Pure): 100/100 Used Nanites: 100/100 Remaining Nanites: 0/0 Statistics (Biological/Wild): 0/60 Strength: 0/15 Agility: 0/15 Endurance: 0/15 Mental: 0/15 Special (Wild/Pure): 40/100 CAD (Installed): 0/100 Biological Systems (Human): 40/0