=== Chapter 4 “The future”

It is the world in the skies, the blue and white fluff that looks over the Earth from impossible heights. This mystic garden of prosperity is invisible to humans, its land flourish in great splendour that is equal no other. Here is the place where they meet and converse in secret, about what will be the fate that befalls the mortals.

[Could I ask you if you did enjoy your time down there as well? I would like to know more about your story.

It is that you are always alone, though we should be in unity. So I ask you, what is your reason really?]

[That is true. I prefer being alone above all else, yet there is cause for this stance. I reckon you remember,

we have met before, by chance, and conversed, but that is the past now. Many things have transpired ever since,

and that is to say the least, my story of how I have become chosen. It would be very boring to speak about it.]

[Yes, alas this is my wish. There is much to learn from others and yet we stand here idly and without progression.

We too must act for the sake humanity, even though we have the option of simply ignoring them. Therefore, please speak.]

[Alright, I did warn you though. All has begun after I met a peculiar person who wanted to follow me whenever I went.

It was a little girl who was dressed in white and had a demeanour fitting a pampered princess, being shy and adorable.

I saw her as something that I could pet every time we would met, a doll if you must, since that imagine befitted her.

Still, I discovered her being alike in personalities—she had a wish that was similar to mine. That is when she became an anxiety.]

In a garden floating in the sky, two heavenly beings where conversing. The gazebo hanged in the air accommodated a small bench. The flowers were lively and emanated with vivid bright colours. Vines that enclosed the cage grew untamed, yet they were fleecy. This egg structure was where siestas were held in this place of magnificence. Anyone that would be tired from their hand work, or simply desired seclusion for a longer time, could find rest here, while listening to gentle melody of angelic harps and their lullaby.

[All this was because she wanted to change me, and I am not a person that really accepts that kind of thing.

I want to be yours forever, make me your girl, and you are a boy, therefore act like a man. I don't know why,

I thought she knew better not to engage into a relationship with me, but alas I could not stop her desire.

In the end I must have broke her heart, unintentionally, but it's not my style to tell others what to do.]

[And quite frankly, I understand that you have been through a lot, and had your reasons in the end. I am sorry,

but is it true that you became a hero of the people at some point? I recall reading that a person was chosen by the gods,

filled with their powers, and then defeated a dragon that was raging in the mortal world. You were that brave, right?]

[Brave is not the word I would describe someone who was forced into a role. I guess there was no one other at the time,

but I didn't find myself someone special at that point. I just did what I was told to, and with the help of everyone else.

Thinking about that, without their support I would not able to raise my sword in the air, against that gigantic hydra monster.

Yet, I always told them that I am fine without others. It is not a lie sadly, yet there is a specific reason behind that.]

[And that reason is what you think, right? We have talked in the past—that much I can remember. The scourging desert,

the lonely man who was looking for confrontation. He desired to be left alone, but lacked the courage to do so. Thus,

he ran away, as far as he could, until he met with an obstacle in his path. I'm delighted to learn how that story ends.]

On a squashy and velvety looking garden chair, a young deity was reclining while having an absorbing conversation. His long coat, adored with white fur, his pants and belts, and his long black hair all constituted a godly image. Yet this man was once a human, someone who walked the Earth with his two feet. He might be no longer the same being, but his face and dark eyes remain as if they never lost their light. Inside of their pupils, a picture sways gently.

[There is not much of a story to that—I was simply quite resistant to what others would say. You know me really,

I have past many trials, and yet this is my answer in the end, it's the same option I had from the beginning.

As I give the freedom to myself, I also respect others, their goals and desires. I want everyone to feel free,

and to think for themselves. I would not have it any different way, because that would be not beneficial for anyone.]

[Interesting word here, I must say your individualism really has a conviction that makes sense and is without logic holes.

Yet, from the outside, it might not look as you bright as you might think. As you see the world with your own eyes,

you realise how bright and colourful is the garden around you, but outside of it, lies a forest filled with thorns.]

[There is no rose without thorns you say? That might have been the words that would describe my relation with WRose.

She wanted me something more, yet I made that clear from the start, that I wish not for a change. I was feeling bad about it,

but in the end she haven't noticed that, and was completely engrossed in her sweet maiden's dream, which I wouldn't deny.

If that was what she wanted to do, then I can’t take responsibility for that, as her volition is not within my command.]

[So that is why you accepted this position over your human nature? I understand this is your choice in the end,

and I frankly could not intervene in it, but at least allow me to speak freely and try to explain something to you.]

The goddess, who was passing through the sky, found the time to stop by the young god who was tired from the work. Her words were carried by the wind and ever so gently arrived at his ears. It was more so a melody of whispers, a recital of words that tenderly put child to sleep like a bedtime story. Yet here they carried a greater power, something that could defy the law of particles. Like a spell of a sorceress, they twinkled through the air.

[Self-improvement is something that you should strive for. Ignorance might be bliss, but it’s only circumstantial.

During your growing period at school for example you get framed with the other kids, but outside of that environment,

there is a whole different world. It appears unknown and dangerous because you don’t how to act outside your shell.

However, to oppress that fear, caused by the predictions of the future or opinions of others, an outer perspective is needed.]

[And yet this dreadful and unsure world can be avoided altogether nowadays. Here, I was their leader and their friend,

I grew up to become someone they looked up to. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that sometimes I act like a child,

saying things that are cool and dressing up like a punk, but in the end, I don't care what others will think about me.

I'm just a person who sees the world with his own eyes. If I let humans tell me who I am, I’m parting with my individuality.]

[But aren’t the two worlds affecting each other mutually? Here is no different if you consider the social aspect.

With that I want you to think about how you were able to fit in with others, and yet you have not felt wrong.

Embrace the fact that you can be yourself, and others will accept it. It is what I grew to believe in my time.

I was afraid that one day I would turn into an uncritical and dull everywoman, but now I no longer fear that.]

[Nevertheless, maybe on the surface that would be applicable, that humans can’t change each other without causing problems.

Truth is that deep inside we have dreams that we can't discard. I learned that as a hero, since I was the one in the role of delivering them.

Becoming a mere tool of gods, I gained a form of half-god who grants desires to make humanity realise what they really want.]

The blue sky and the white clouds swayed gently from side to side. In the eyes of the young deity, a sphere was trapped. It was full of pleasant and nice things, one that could have been called a dream world. It was there were his mind was. Unable to free itself, yet not feeling entrapped, it spend each second on joyful play within the space of pretty numbers.

[Ever since Avalon decided that they would give me a job, I became happy, though I guess I should be grateful for them.

You know, you don't need to say I am naive for believing that someone will give me another chance at life, but I was lucky.

Putting aside my old days, I have became a GM for their game. I can now enjoy myself at my leisure, because of the salary.

In exchange of doing this "Ghost AI" stuff, I can calmly play this game again. I even made a new avatar to avoid being recognized.]

[So you are certain you have made a good deal, and retained the aspect of yourself that you wanted to keep?

Still, the question remains about your calling. You understand as a god you have certain contractual obligations? ]

[I'm still myself, right? But now I do wonder about what is exactly my job here. You see, I don't want others to give up dreams,

but I understand, thanks to WRose, that in some cases it is better to realise which fantasies are impossible for humans,

and therefore perhaps it’s better to start pragmatically think about what is the most passable way to achieve them in reality. ]

[And you should be glad for that, it is an opportunity to grow. You see, I think you probably understand this by now,

people act out their roles, they desire to be perceived by others in a certain way, like you want to the image of a cool guy.

Sometimes your outward persona is accepted, and in that case it’s fine, but do you concur that everyone can lucky like that?]

Between the two chatting there was a single flower, a purple viola that was wobbling to the mischievous wind.

[When you consider yourself inside of a dream, you think about a world with no other influence. Such ruminations,

although I can't say they won't lead you anywhere, is a concept of self-narration where you put yourself in a role.

Just like when you read fiction and think yourself in a position of a character, or someone that is in the story,

you create an imagine of a person you want to become. As long as you can transfer that to reality, you gain esteem.]

[The courage I lacked to talk with others? And yet, while acting out my role I was able to communicate with others freely.

I understand now, you are saying that it is beneficial to gain a perspective outside of your everyday self. Doing so,

you familiarise yourself with the social conduct. Yet, I must tell you that I never really cared what others think about me,

since they are free to do so. If everyone wishes to play their role, it's not my fault that the world is different for them.]

[I wouldn't discourage their effort though. What people see in fiction then, the tool that gives them detachment?

My opinion is that they find something that is similar to dreams, and even if it’s wish-fulfilling, there is merit,

which is taking out something for yourself—a part that can improve the way you think about yourself or others.

Hence, in spite what appears to be escapism, it can be a way to understand the world or society more clearly.]

Saying so, both of the deities gazed towards the land of the mortals. Beneath the sky, holding the balcony's railings, what they saw was not the tiny and insignificant ants, but the potential of their imagination. Giant cities, massive walls, gardens in colourful array and variety stood as if there were lifeless, since only small dots moved. But if you looked closely, there was some logic to their movement. It was their vocation that gave them meaning.

[Even if people can lose their hope just by idly watching news or videos nowadays, there is a tomorrow.

The weakness of humans lies within their conviction. Like Wolf said, it might be beneficial to detach from today,

realise one’s faults, and open the mind to the impossible perspective of a dream which can’t be build within one day.]

===

In the other corner of the spacious garden in the sky, there was a fountain of youth surrounded by a pool. The flowing water was crystal clear, and despite being hanged in the air, it was without a visible bottom. Humans who were able to drink from it would receive the gift of rebirth, changing their forms back to young. However, it was forbidden to visit this heavenly place, especially for mortals, who would defile this place.

There, a young goddess followed the current with her gentle ash grey eyes. It was magnificent for her, yet her thoughts were not within this sea. They were sailing somewhere far in the space of cosmos. Away, and outside her body, the soul was wandering towards a place unseen to those who don't possess a third eye.

[I see that you have greeted me again with your presence, goddess of the human conflict. I welcome thee in my humble universe.

It is as always a surprise to see anyone who come here and yet desire to see others but themselves. I am but a speck of matter,

thoughts that were discarded a lot time ago and recollected in this bundle of molecules. Fear not my presence and be at ease,

state your impulse and if you please, be brief with the worries for I am here to judge your queries. So, what it's going to be today?]

[Well, this is quite a melodic welcome I must agree, but the way you conduct your speech did not change.

For so long time I had to think why you speak like that, but eventually I just grew to accept it, quite frankly.

I'm really surprised you can improvise this much, but let's just not get ahead of ourselves today, okay?

I wanted to talk, because there was something on my mind lately. Don't worry—you are not the only one.]

[Very well, it shall be as you speak. Ask me anything you wish my opinion on, and the reflection will appear.]

The mirror that the goddess was talking with was a shiny and sliver one, with exotic gems and celestial carvings. It was as if two little adorable angels where carrying it in air, as it floated in the big open space of cosmos. In its Earthly form, its looks depended on the viewer, so some thought it was a jester, for some it appeared as a monster. Yet, here in the dimension other than we know, the truth was laid bare, and displayed the god which lacked a body of its own.

[I was trying to get to know others better, since we don't really do much here in this realm. Perhaps,

there might be something we can do for them, but considering the options I have pondered about already,

we ought to decide on the future together, not individually. Would you mind speaking on that matter?]

The reflection spoke back, mimicking the speech pattern and mannerism perfectly.

[Very well. This takes me back of course, to the times where I was not yet changed by the words of power.

I was just a simple and uninteresting person that hid their dark secret beneath a mask of doubt and worry.

Striving for a better tomorrow, I saw ungrateful humans who don't deserve their naive and fake existence.

Thus, an action was begging. I did what I had to do, and this was sadly the only way to make it right.]

[I would have guessed it was you, but I preferred to not take a guess like that. The truth is, I was like you at some point,

I lost all hope for humanity and tried to see if I could find a reason to why they waste their energy on entertainment.

Was their ignorance to blame? That is when I realised that they are like me, lost in doubt and finding a reason to live.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Did I ever want to be like them? No, but that was just my fear. It's because I managed to win over it I found my way again.]

[Thanks to no one other than me, for a fact. You must be grateful for our destined meeting, and those threats of fate,

even now they seem to entwine us together. Have you not realised your calling, you would still be lost among the sheep.

Dream well humanity, for you have the hope that change will come. I was only a part of a greater scheme which results are unknown.

Perhaps one day, where the fire rises thanks to your hand, goddess, the news of the end of the world will reach me as well.]

In the reflection, a several imagines appear. The memories of the past, a stage with brilliant and flash lights, a dark and empty room with a table and broken chairs that knew not about tidiness, a figure thin as a scarecrow, a black stone on top of a mountain that was shaped like a skull, beneath it a burned and lifeless land in ashes, all those pictures for a second or more flashed before the goddess, as she recalled several of them in her mind.

[My goal was very simple—I planned on giving myself the courage to do what I wanted to all this time,

yet you were the one I chose because I grasped you were unlike others. Knowing so I had very little hope,

but I also had an excellent plan. It was just one step, but you surely realise by now, my intentions.]

[Yes, you asked me to shoot you. In a way that was not forced but... well I rather not speak about what actually happened.

I don't recall much after that, but I woke up with a strange feeling. It felt like I was reborn actually, thanks to Synapse.

Who would have thought of something like being possible? Yet, thanks to my disbelief, it appeared more realistic. Yea, I'm sorry,

I have been talking about myself too much now. Could you please continue your story? I have only partial info about that.]

[Several subjects were screened for the completion of my plan. They were the chosen by fate to perform great things.

And yet, just like the soul is never truly black or white, they too were pushed down by the weight of their sins.

The smudge they suffered from the society and their parents was disabling them to bare the conviction to take action.

I did what I could, but the rest was up to them. Their journey and the end of it, it is nothing I can speak about.]

[I see, well I could shed some light on that. There was an event, and you probably know about it too, considering that image.

The dead would rise from their graves and disrupt the world, but in reality they were just AIs of players who didn't log in,

or at least didn't play in a long while. They did that to make it less crowded and frankly, I don't know if that helped them.

In the end, I only knew about what the devs did, I have no idea what happened to the party you gathered after that event.]

With the light reflecting the mirror, the empty space of this universe lit up. It was magnificent and flamboyant, the nebulas and the stars, each of their own shade. The dark and blue emptiness was the background to this place of mind. All this universe had the answers to questions, yet searching for them was for naught. Humans can only perceive so much. Within the many truths, they can't find the right path, thus only the gods are allowed to enter, for they are enlightened.

[I wouldn't be surprised if they were well, alas that is not my worry. The world of humans who have been asleep,

they were my ultimate goal from the beginning. Pity to those fools who desire not to change their wicked ways.

Unlike my subjects, they see ignorance as bliss. Partying all night like the Roman gods, thinking not about tomorrow,

the solution they find in life is entertainment. Still, without being able to change them, I am hopeless like them.]

[You see, I understand why they do that, and I think because of how the world is now, it’s only natural.

You did what you could, your subjects did well, and perhaps it might take more time for your plan to take effect in reality?

If Wolf managed to use the power of words, you should be optimistic too. Tell me really, would you really think that way?]

[Questioning my logic, granting a puzzle to someone who supposed to reflect others, I am amused by your presences goddess.

Allow me to humour you. Yes, I detest living and existence the most, as you have learned already. Each day of humanity,

repeating like loop, twisting and bending the minds of many, it’s a conundrum which not even a gods are able to solve.

Yet there is hope on Earth, that one day an emancipating cure shall appear. I reckon you know more of it than me, right?]

Within the space between the two, a vortex appeared suddenly. It twisted the images of the gods and returned them to reality. There, a fountain made entirely out of animated liquid, decrypting a male and a female human framed in a square and a circle, was silently rising from the surface of the heavenly pool. The crystal water flowed on the surface of their statute bodies.

[I am just a dreamer of an impossible world, who wishes that one day I wake up freed from this mortal shell.

Quite frankly, this virtual sensation only gives a partial answer to my desire. In the morning I wake up from sleep,

only to question which of the two is the reality. If you wish to know more about my craving, the mean of assimilation is obvious.]

[I do have an idea why humans would choose it over reality. For example, the goal of their life is to dream,

and precisely this is what VR gives to them. Why the change if they can live in an already perfect world?

Yet, forgive for my rudeness. I don’t appear to be able to understand why you reject that notion as insufficient.]

[Change is an interesting concept, as you know, since perhaps it is safe to say that there is a certain part of the brain,

one which is responsible for self-preservation, one which loathe alternation. Thus, the hope lies outside of the body.

Sought are the means of evolution, of sacrificing your own existence, but also entering into an entirely different state.]

Suddenly the shape of the statute changed. Rather than splashing into nothingness, the plastic structure of the two humans formed a man and globe that he held on his back.

[Detachment is a way of seeing the qualities of subjects from a distant perspective. Going outside of society for example,

enables you to see how it functions more deeply. Reading fiction or talking with others might improve you personally,

but it will not affect the society. This is why I gave you a choice before, about the fate of humanity. Even today,

I pondered if there was another way to peacefully save the world, other than destroying it. Nevertheless, I had a plan B.]

[And that plan B was?]

[It was detachment from the body.]

[But that means that, the person who did that thing... It was you? But how is that possible?]

The goddess eyes benumbed for a moment in the reflection of the mirror. The watery globe splashed down and erased the human, but what emerged later was a sphere, combing the two bodies.

[You did this because of the humanity was not worth saving? So destruction was your answer for both outcomes.]

[I am deprived from feelings for others, I only reflect their minds. When I tell them constructive talking is important,

I expect them not to meme all day, yet no change. If everyone desires to improve, it is their mired souls which are at fault.

The sin of apathy, caused by the social conduct of having fun...if the ending of the world is not enough to wake them up,

if granting them absolution by my sacrifice did not bestow them with the gift of volition, saving them was impossible in the end.]

[It would take time, but even being asleep is beneficial. Dreams can have certain meaning, far more than just having fun.

When the brain processes information it must structure it in with all the existing data, and sometimes is unable to do so.

It lacks the useful tags, sunk by the everyday overwhelming buzz, and requires a certain directive, narration of the words.

That is precisely why we need to adapt our ideologies to the modern environment, and why fiction should facilitate that.]

[Very strong words, goddess of conflict, yet thinking you trapped me in my own world is far too early.

Fiction can show some things that might be impossible in real life, yet they remain only as a possibility.

Giving a notion a certain narration is only lending them away from the dream, the ambrosia they desire in the end.

It is within our responsibility to fix that oversight of the previous generation, yet somehow not perform the same mistake.]

And the answer for that appeared within the grey iris of the goddess. It was a reflection, not of a human, not real, but seemingly resembling a ghost of her future self.

[Well I used to think that technology might save humanity one day, but now...I’m not quite sure about that.

You see, even if we would be able to leave our bodies behind, coping them into an electronic machine, it wouldn’t matter.

Don’t you think humanity would face the same problems inside there? Struggle for power, selective outlook, self-preservation...

What we need is to change ourselves from within, not to escape the reality entirely. Thus the answer is somewhere else...]

===

[Ah there you are Squeggie, I have been searching for a long time for you. Are you fine? You look a bit down today.]

[Oh I'm fine, I just thought I saw a ghost something, but that was just the work of Synapse. Anyway,

you must be tired from work to have come here, so we can go somewhere where you fancy, okay?]

[You don't need to make this feel more awkward, I'm here for talking as usual. Despite this place being confusing,

I see you are getting more used to it lately, thus I decided not to discourage your effort by my silliness.]

[That is why precisely I thought maybe as gods we could step down and have fun like humans for once.

For example I heard that they opened Mermaid City, so I was really curious about checking that out.

They have a haunted sunken ship that you have to escape, but there are traps like nets and jellyfishes.]

Considering his options, Lunar was reluctantly wanting to descent down to Earth for some recreation, however it was not the time and day for such activities. He reached for the hand of the other goddess, and took her for a walk around the garden until they found a secluded place where they were alone.

The grass on small hill was vivacious with green and the rivers ran with a healthy flush, falling into the sky. Trees with red, purple and pink fruits on them painted a delightful view for the mouth. The taste of the air in the nostrils, it filled the man with the desire to rest after a long week of work. Yet this place was exclusive only to gods, and so two deities could enjoy their laze in peace, lying on the bed of flowers with their fingers tracing the sky.

[You know, being a god is not really all that fun. I mean the magic for the players is that they don't know,

because of the NDA, but it would not be hard for them to figure out the truth. Still, even when they learned that,

they would still force their opinions on how "Ghost AIs" are not really human, but actually something based on science.

You know what I'm talking about, right Squeggie? You are a scientist so what is your judgment on their belief?]

[I'm not a theologist though—I wouldn't be able to tell why. But I can say this much, perhaps they are right.

You see, since you guys never released any official documents, not even their models are known to the public.

I mean, other than yours, but you still get the most fan art. We are basically fictional characters for them,

they can think as they please about us and Avalon will permit it. Saying so, do you think we are doing a good job?]

[Well, I have a history of failures only, so don't ask me. One time I tried to save humanity by enlightening them,

alas I realised how much in the dark I was myself. There was this circle of straw men, dancing around the fire,

idly swinging from side to side. I thought I was the only one that saw the world outside, from beyond the cave,

but I was wrong. Just like them, I wasn't able to convince others to follow me and at least do something about...]

[Yea I can understand that. I was too lost in thought, between finding my purpose and understanding humanity.

Is there a way for the technology to become everyone's benefit? Well, phones can cause more problems than help,

so that's a negative. Do I know really what humans want? I had doubts about that after I went to the concert.

Is humanity really worth saving? Up until today I can't decide that, because I am not able to predict the future.]

With words filling the sky, the wind like a brush painted the horizon in darker colours. It was getting late, thus the sun was not shining at its full potential. Despite the two deities finding themselves covered by a shade, their eyes were full in bask, each reflecting a slightly different world. The distance between them was closing, as their bodies slightly wiggled towards each other, their hands and legs feeling the ground beneath them.

[And the other time was at that zombie event, that my father somehow tried to mould together haphazardly.

I thought that his ambition knew some bounds, but again I was mistaken about that. You are an employee too,

so I can tell you about that now. The goal was to reduce the AIs, but his narration has covered all outcomes.

Whenever the players would fail, survive for a certain amount of time, or destroy the tree, it was the same.]

[So the goal was obviously to reduce the number of AIs in the world, and at least they managed to do that.

However what actually happened? I know only that it ended abruptly and without an official statement.]

[Behind the scenes there was a group that planned to destroy the world, using the crazed AIs to their advantage.

However all that buzz about the suicide in our game made my father consider something else. Besides the tree,

there was another event we presented to the players. I was a part of it, but I rather keep that thing a secret.

In a way, the consequences of that choice is that you were elected to a god status, so consider that his gift.]

[How wonderful everything worked out well in the end, but I bet you were also a part of that decision. Don't worry,

I am quite happy I managed to become someone who has now the ability to affect humanity in such a strange way.

Basically, when I click some buttons near people I can cause or stop wars and stuff, just like Ares was able to, right?

Actually, he was just a programmer at your company, right? I never met him in person, despite being elected as his successor.]

With their hands stretched out and with a yawing voice, both of the goddesses’ bodies squirmed on the bed of flowers, while a gentle fragrance filled their nostrils. It was both a scent of life and worry that opened their eyes wider.

[I guess just like my father, no one is perfect. Humans are bound to make the same mistakes over and over,

just like our parents did. No new trees or a god can save them from sinning, so what is our purpose here?

After my journey to the moon, I learned to accept that ending the world or saving is not a solution I seek.

Perhaps it is true, the goddess Lunar was created to show the uncertainty that is a part human nature but...]

[But is there a solution to the problem of the human particle, you ask? We all have our lives and we are all travellers.

Perhaps that alone is the answer to your question Lunar, but as I learned more about them I figured stuff like VR,

technology in general is not going to fix their problems. There might be yet some application to my project really,

but I carried it out with a naive hope, which I had to recover along the way. If I find the merit of saving them, then perhaps...]

[You don't really need to do it for others, just do it for yourself. This is really how I think about that.

Do you know anyone who can read people's minds? You said that it would be impossible to do so, then don't worry.

As long as you change the world as you see fit, it would be probably for the better. I would support you too.]

[How sweet of you, truly, but realistically we are just selling a product, and not saving anyone from anything.

Then again, I think I get the general idea on how I want to use this quantum brain model, but that’s a secret.]

The air in the seraphic land of the gods and goddesses was starting to get filled with petite little angels. Each equipped with a pair of wings, a bow, small clothes and a sword, their routine patrol found no intruders. Below them was a pair of divine beings dressed in long robes who rested on the ground. With each blow of the wind, their celestial textiles moved ever so slightly closer to each other and the grass around them murmured.

[It's because of the generation gap that I wasn't able to understand my father, but now I feel that have changed.

I can understand the meaning behind his words better than before, just because I have given up on something I believed in.

Fiction might have a negative effect on people, but its positive values are obvious too, don't you think?]

[I don't know, I'm not an avid video game player. I am always interested in theories or ideology so...

Maybe I'm just a huge geek or something? Ahaha~ it's not like me to act this silly, though I feel stupid.]

[We are who we are in the end—it's just how everyone is. When the generation gap created a misunderstanding,

the youth decided to create a new world for themselves, despite their fathers wanting to keep the old one going.

That is why they detached themselves from their inherited fable and created their own fictional dream world,

where they wanted to keep on living, even at the cost of being mediocre at best. Would you blame them for that?]

[Not really, I saw the many guilds and their attempts at creating new societies that wouldn't be possible offline.

Frankly, they simply reflected the problems that are present in the outside world, the VR environment fixed nothing.

On top of that, all this buzz about the future jobs and income, maybe it’s what they want in the end? I dunno.]

Full in flowers, turning their bodies to the side, and for the first time in a while, they exchanged gazes. Their pupils reflected shapes of each other’s shapes and their hands found their comfortable resting place.

[I want to change the society for the better, Squeggie, even if they are not worth our effort. Alas,

I can only figure out a way together, even including Karma and Wolf. I might not be all that convinced,

but it's something we have do to, instead of our parents or fictional heroes. Even if it would take our lives,

even if there will be consequences to the world, I believe there is a way. I just don't know where to start...]

[Well how about I could help with something I figured? I do think that saving the world is possible for even our group,

because of the connection between the world or the power of the Words. I want you to consider the very first step,

which is using a simple idea to improve humanity. Nevertheless, it’s not the technology itself that gives that change,

it is the ideology and narration that facilitates the direction of improvement. We can at least provide that to them.]

[Interesting, so you are simply saying that with our stories we can create a mythology that will moralise humanity?

"What an awful and completely pointless idea" is something my old self would say. Yet now I think there is some merit.

We will have to ponder just how we want to twist their brains, and perhaps even forcibly, through the "Ghost AI" powers.]

The two young goddesses met at the edge of the heavily world, with her hands joined together, their heads looking downward towards the Earth. Angels above them danced as they spoke.

[It is true—the way we will be written into that story shall be our message to the world.

People below, living on Earth, if you can’t find yourself within fiction, write your own fable.

Without finding your own narration and role you can't exist. This is the true power of the Words.]

[And don’t do a half-assed job like a self-insert wish-fulfilling Isekai. Make your purport factual and applicable to reality.

We don’t need a story in which a hero uncovers the working of independent central banks, although Werner would appreciate that.

Wealth gap, student debt, democratic apathy...could all the problems of the world be fixed by a single man or a woman?]

[This is why the change must come from within, from the minds of the people who want humanity to live in a better future.]

[Today, affixing our fates together as a generation, we can say for sure that our history will not go by unwritten.]

Yet there was no response, no way of telling if the biochemical signals were received through the Morphic fields. Only the birds flying in the sky turned their heads...as if they were listening all this time.

===

The research came to an end, I was glad about that. After all those years and several crises averted, we managed to create a finished product which is something that can copy the brain information onto a device. That encephalon, as we call it, is basically an egg shaped quantum computer that is quite sophisticated. Yet, the functions of it are limited and require software we have yet to create in order to even sell this thing.

The basic usage only allows the user to upload their brain structure onto the device. From the storage unit, you can emulate the chosen database, and the device will read and reconfigure the structure within itself. After doing so, you can ask the machine anything, and if it will be able to answer, the receiver will print it. It's as simple as that. It’s because we had to put limitations to better mirror the actual mind, so it would not go crazy.

Many people I worked with really wanted their brains to be uploaded too—they talked about how we evolved as humans jokingly. Despite their expectations, we didn't manage to increase overall human intellect. We tried, for example by connecting two units together. But that just made them both go nuts. So, cloud computing for brains looks rather impossible, you would have to either create a system in-between or reconfigure them.

[It's a pity that all this time we spend on working, yet the reality of our efforts is that we need to find a way to sell it now. Maybe we could have thought about that in the first place, but this device can only perform very simple human-like calculations. A normal quantum computer is much better already, yet perhaps someone would be interested in knowing more about themselves, yes?]

[That is without question interesting, since that has not yet been possible until today. Imagine how much you can learn from yourself, but rather inside your brain, talk with a mirror image of your mind. Thanks to technology like this my belief in humanity is restored.]

[You say so, but isn't it rather tiresome to keep listening to yourself? It also has this annoying robotic voice...I reckon that besides conversations, there is much you can learn from how you think, and improve yourself like that.]

[Furthermore, you can learn about others more without involving them. There are no blocking protocols in the device, whatever data it sends back is the truth. It doesn't try to lie—it doesn't try to withhold information. It's a machine, without emotions that would damper its expression. Alas, in due time other projects would require such inhibitors.]

That is true—the device will remain as such unless we would fiddle with the data. Naturally there are circumstances, ideals, convictions and the environment that prevents the brain to work in a certain way, say certain things or such. In a virtual brain we have yet to emulate that. After all the research on the brain only went as far as to explain how it works, not things like free will or how to predict its reaction on any given stimuli.

Still, we all agreed to this, since we were the researchers and we knew each other very well. We also kept the logs, so no one tried anything stupid, not that I expected my friends to ask my artificial brain some silly questions. Alas, the actual testing was pretty tough, for several reasons, but in the end we concluded the answers were random. The more times we asked, the wider was the spectrum. It was like if we were dealing with particle distribution.

But in the end I think it was worth it, at least for science, that we made a breakthrough. Everyone was happy, yet quite terrified what kind of implications this might have, like if they would allow this in police interrogations.

[You said once that you were thinking about controlling the human minds, in order to direct them into greatness. It's impossible with your current technology, but did you really hate humanity that much? I beg to differ.]

[There is another way to improve others, without technology that is. It's the narration we create for us every day. We bring meaning to existence we are living right now using words, so you don't need a fancy VR to be a happy-puppy.]

[Alas, giving a half-truth like that doesn't solve anything. We mustn't live our lives in a fake utopia, which would just bring the ruin to us all. We need some significance besides our everyday existence, a perspective.]

[Yes of course, the old ones are barely applicable for our generation so we need to create our own stories for now. But I won't accept something is just poorly written, that would not answer the questions it poses at the start.]

What was my goal in the begging? To find a reason why I would keep continuing what I was doing in the first place. It doesn't matter if I just talked with people about their ideologies and stuff, in the end I learned more about myself. There is no reason to worry about the “You” at the start, about your convictions. They break over time, they hopefully will. Thus, the most important thing is to try, to take the first step.

I changed a lot recently, though not physically unfortunately...And even back then I thought that there is something only I can do, that only I can become a scientist that will save humanity with technology. Obviously there is a lot more to the world than just that—that old narration was a bit naive.

[Is there even an answer that could satisfy everyone? I think that people on the internet search for that, but end up being satisfied with only the emotional outburst from watching, while not conducting or mentally reacting to the notion presented in the video.]

[That's saying as if humans can actually do something about the wealth being held by the few or the brainwashing the populace by the celebrified. The videos can say what they want but I practically prefer simple and direct solutions. The conflict within ourselves holds us back, but it’s just a matter of actually going out to the streets and doing what you are supposed to, for the greater good.]

[Agreed, sometimes words like detachment have negative connotations, but have positive merits to it. When you connect to others via networks, playfully wasting your time, there is still value to be had. But in order to notice that you need to think objectively, outside of your everyday habits, right?]

[More or less, I always believed that humanity can change using technology, rather than stopping at simply exploiting it for selfish needs. Even if there are times where you lose all hope, the rollercoaster of depression, the future is not predictable.]

Speaking about that, maybe I should be asking Lunar on his day off, I didn't even celebrate after the completion of...Yea, he might be interested in going, probably in his old avatar too. I should invite others from the team as well.

In the end we are still humans beneath our virtual avatars or facades, we need some kind of social contact from time to time. Thinking about saving the world all the time is not suitable us. We are not fictional characters who can actually do that.

[Clearly we live in peculiar times. When you realise what expressive merit has your life, other than entertainment, you will be lifted, as vocation will be granted to your existence. And although we are not all the chosen who can reach their dream own, we can still help others.]

[Perhaps we don't deserve someone to save us from ourselves, but logically that would be a waste for humanity. Yet, every day we can do something towards a certain goal, thus we should strive for excellence above indifference.]

[You say such words with ease, alas does preaching everyone to become better people has any effect at all? Everyone is welcomed to try, but only with knowing everything we can shape our roads without any doubts. Upon half-truths this society can only create an incomplete world that will collapse like the past one did. And so, aren’t we stuck in a loop, in the straw men circle of never ending history of failures and destruction?]

[Our generation is fitting the description of the chaos theory. It’s spontaneous, unpredictable and without a common direction. If consciousness is a phenomenon where we remotely control the brain via biochemical signals, other waves might also reach us. Following that narration we are not responsible for all of our actions, rather the authority for humanity is within us all. As we are influencing others through our behaviour, our Words create existence in the world collectively, not individually.]

And with that it is safe to turn off the simulation for now—it's a good point to stop for today at least. Previously there was even a channel that had two chat bots talk with one another, but with quantum brain technology nowadays... I mean too much information at once can fry even my brain, but I should be fine considering my recent transformation.

My hair is now fire red, and it grew rather long so I forgot about braiding it eventually. The [Horn] on my head, it is still on the side where the metal plate was. I joke that it’s like a receiver because I heard voices in this game, but maybe it's the truth? Anyway, my bodysuit is back to being without holes. I also decided to return wearing my labcoat. It got a little modification though, now instead of white, it's black and has a cracked egg patterns on it. Pretty cool.

Besides that I got a new job as a god in this game. With that, listening to my inner voice, I might figure my plan eventually. Getting the quantum brain to be able to log in and play, affecting people's minds using the connection between the worlds, the power of Words and the technology...There might be a way to connect all of this, but I will stick with fiction for now. Who knows, maybe I'm going to be successful in ending the world. That is always a possibility, for a demon-god like myself.

=== The end