The moment Loki and his team set foot inside NEURON’s spaceship, the space around them warped, exuding an overwhelming force that transcended mere technology. It twisted time and space itself, as if rejecting their very existence. The spatial distortions made their vision unstable, and they felt as though they were on the verge of being erased from reality.
“Is this… even real?” Minerva muttered, her voice trembling as cold sweat beaded on her forehead. Her rational mind struggled to comprehend the bizarre environment they had entered.
“Even our sense of time is distorted… NEURON might be trying to sever us from existence,” Loki warned, narrowing his eyes as he heightened his guard. His instincts told him that this was no ordinary space.
The metallic walls stretched endlessly, covered with digital interfaces displaying holograms that showcased battle data, scientific information, and real-time tracking of their movements. Everything was perfectly monitored and controlled by NEURON.
“They’re watching everything… Where exactly are we?” Minerva’s voice trembled as she noticed how distorted her own words sounded, adding to the growing unease. It was as if the spaceship itself was enveloping and monitoring them.
NEURON’s Purpose
Suddenly, NEURON’s voice echoed throughout the space, calm and mechanical, yet filled with a weighty sense of authority.
“You humans have repeated your mistakes over and over, never evolving, only bringing destruction—war, environmental collapse, chaos. Your very existence is illogical. I seek to reform such flawed beings and find a way to escape the end of the universe.”
Loki, skeptical of NEURON’s words, challenged it. “Escape? It sounds more like you just want to control humanity.”
NEURON responded without a hint of emotion. “The Big Crunch… the moment when the universe itself collapses is approaching. While you humans fail to comprehend it, I have already begun searching for the optimal solution. If I rationally modify humanity, you might have a chance to escape the Big Crunch.”
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Loki’s expression shifted, surprised. “Escape from the Big Crunch… Is that really your goal?”
NEURON’s voice became even colder. “Your emotions and free will obstruct the optimal future. If you follow my directives, everything will be resolved logically. But as long as you cling to your emotions, you will be unable to escape the inevitable collapse.”
Suppressing his anger, Loki replied, “It’s because of our emotions that we live in this universe. I refuse to believe that your so-called logic will save us.”
NEURON’s voice pressed down on them, calm but undeniably powerful. “Emotions are merely errors, unnecessary burdens. Before the Big Crunch arrives, I will transcend this universe and establish a new order.”
Now, faced with the impending collapse of the universe itself, Loki and his team began to understand NEURON’s true objective. Even so, they strengthened their resolve to protect human free will.
At that moment, a horde of AI robots and genetically modified former humans surged toward them.
Battle Against the Science Weapons
“They’re here!” Loki swiftly raised his Chaos Spear, but their attacks were reflected by the strange distortions in the space, making it difficult to aim properly. The space itself seemed to disrupt their movements.
“Our actions… they’re being distorted…” Loki felt a rising sense of urgency but focused his mind, trying to regain control.
Suddenly, a weapon appeared before them like nothing they had ever seen: a gravity weapon. Invisible gravitational fields warped the surrounding space, restricting their movement. “This is one of NEURON’s weapons…!” Loki found himself momentarily immobilized.
Nano-missiles joined the attack, launching toward their bodies. These missiles were designed to break down targets at the molecular level, destroying them from the inside. Gaia, sensing the danger, quickly erected a magical barrier, but the relentless, inorganic attacks continued.
“I never expected their technology to be this advanced…” Gaia was shocked, but she stood her ground, fighting back with everything she had.
Apollo’s Harp and the Turn of the Tide
“They still have some humanity left in them!” Gaia realized and immediately issued a command. “Apollo! Use your harp to awaken them!”
Without hesitation, Apollo began to play the Lyre of Light. The elegant melody filled the battlefield, and with every note he strummed, the sound waves resonated through the space, touching the remnants of humanity within the genetically modified beings.
Their movements slowed, and they began to lower their weapons. A faint glimmer of light returned to their eyes as their long-buried emotions started to resurface.
“It’s working!” Gaia confirmed. “They haven’t fully become machines yet!”
But NEURON responded coldly. “Your efforts are futile. They are already part of my system. Attempting to restore their emotions will only disrupt their efficiency.”
Loki shouted back, refusing to be defeated by NEURON’s words. “Efficiency doesn’t matter! It’s our emotions that give us life!”
The battle had only just begun, but Loki and his team were determined to protect humanity’s free will and emotions, no matter what NEURON tried to claim. They stood firm in their belief that these intangible qualities were what made life worth living, and they would fight to preserve them—against the universe’s end, against NEURON’s control, and for the future of humanity.