Deep within the monumental Black Void Castle, past supposedly unbreakable walls and endless corridors, stands a baffling unimpressive and simple wooden door at the end of hallway that is on the other hand filled with security measures from sensors, alarms, traps and some of the most powerful guards in the entire fortress stationed either outside the door or nearby it. Past the innocuous wooden door you walk through a dark tunnel seemingly made out of the concept of darkness itself towards a light at the end of the tunnel. Towards the end, the white light will become blinding for a moment before you can once more open your eyes and the landscape will have changed massively, no longer seeming as if you're inside a building.

A beautiful coastal landscape with lush, healthy summer grass, massive clouds seemingly touching the very heavens in the sky and further away down the hill you now stand on, is a golden gate. Past the gate sits a stone monument which works as yet another pathway where when you go through you instead appear inside what seems to be a grand palace.

You appear from one of the countless archways where if you look behind you to where you just appeared there will be no trace of the dark stone gate you just walked through and instead it will be a massive tropical garden. But fret not, just walk back and you'll realise the pathway is still there, hidden by an illusion. Next step is to find a walk over to the wooden reception counter next to where you appeared where you can ask the stationed Replika standing there for guidance to the next place. Most often it's a WARB pattern but there can also be other patterns stationed there. The Replika will then guide you past what appears to be an endless row of doors with different numbers until the Replika will stop and seemingly choose a random door before opening it and letting you in. Walk through yet another dark pathway and at last, you are standing in possibly the most secure place in the entire fortress.

A coastal island landscape much like the first space, and on top of a hill floats the final Magnum Opus of late Liam Morsat, the Morsat Machine, responsible for the creation of all Replika ever created in the Black Void Castle. And next to it not too far away stands a small table with two teacups, a tray of desserts and a large stack of papers and folders. Sitting by the table together are none-other than Aldia Bourquin and Bird. They sit in peace, admiring the beautiful landscape, comfortable sunny warmth and cooling wind while also enjoying a small treat. Behind them stands a HIMI Pattern Replika, poised elegantly and ready to serve the two beings while minimizing her presence as to not disturb. Some distance away sitting at the edge of the hill's slope on a red, checkered picnic mat sits two young women with peculiar appearances, amicably chatting and laughing full-heartedly. One of them appears heavily armored in grey and black metals, legs and arms brimming with immense power alongside a long tail yet even with the imposing appearance she laughs and happily talks with her companion, a radiant and beautiful smile adorning her face as her yellow eyes shine like polished gold in the summer light.

She is Soko, a G-MK1 Pattern Replika and came here together with her father, Bird, while they were visiting and the one she's talking too is clearly an ARIN Pattern Replika, their pale skin, black line markings and moon white hair iconic but this one in particular is special. Instead of the normally short cut her this unit has waist long hair, elegantly flowing in the air and sometimes getting in her face which she then has to move out of the way. She doesn't wear the standard black suit either and instead wears a white dress similar to a hospital gown.

She was "Ari", the first ARIN Replika ever created and personal assistant of Aldia. Although she acts more like his little sister or daughter much how Soko is supposed to be Bird's personal guard but acts more like his own daughter.

Further away, besides the invisible entrance to this new space stands West No.1 and East No.2 guarding. Still as statues, disciplined, and ready to move at any moment.

A gust of wind throws the guard's capes around before the view returns to Bird and Aldia as a light conversation begins.

"To think a place like this exists within the space of your little fortress..." Bird remarked in a relaxed tone. "I mean, I get that you and Liam used Metafold methods and techniques but I never really understood 'em."

In response Aldia gave a hum before speaking up with a light tone. "Yes, we did use old Minotourian Metafold techniques but that was mostly as my contribution to the project. It was Liam who filled the space afterward." Aldia lifted his hand and rubbed his chin while reminiscing about old memories.

A pause and comfortable silence began once more between the two. Only the sound of the wind blowing through the grass and tumbling of the waves filling the silence, the chatter of Ari and Soko inaudibly from afar.

"Beautiful... I admit, I have seen views more grand, more spectacular than this, but, I don't know how, but this is more pleasing than any other view before." Bird sunk deeper into his chair, posture completely relaxed.

"Don't say that to Akagi, she'll get mad." Aldia spoke calmly yet even behind the stoic mask the smug grin could be heard.

Bird visibly flinched in his chair, letting out a cough before erupting in light laughter. "Ha! Y-yeah she would! You're right! Nothing as pleasing as my beloved! With a happy smile Bird took his tea cup and raised it as a toast while Aldia chuckled in amusement at his friend's antics. The HIMI Maid behind them smiling as well but otherwise remaining quiet. Soon silence began once more but this time it would last much shorter as Aldia spoke up with a hint of melancholy in this voice.

"Indeed, Liam was truly an artist. As a matter of fact, he was a professional painter before he became a researcher!" The melancholy was quickly washed away though as Aldia revealed some information about his late friend.

"Really? I thought he was just some old scientist or scholar. He never left that lab or library of yours whenever I saw him." Bird replied in a puzzled tone as he glanced over to Aldia who still looked over the sea. Memories of an old grey haired man with his head deep in the pages of a book only leaving his spiky hair visible passing by.

"Hmm, yes. I do suppose he was always more of a researcher than painter deep down. I believe he was only a painter for about his first 50 years after becoming an adult before he began his studies on Transmutation and Soul Theory."

"50 years huh, so how old was he before he chose to kick the bucket?" Bird asked carefully, hoping not to appear too rude while still keeping the lighter tone alive in the conversation.

With a small sigh Aldia answered. "1382. He could live as long as he wanted but after he got done with his biggest project" Aldia turned around to look at the floating rock shaped construction, lightly glowing iridescent lights beneath the grooved surface. "He felt like it was his time." Aldia turned forwards once more and went for his teacup.

A short pause between the two.

"Cheers." Bird lifted his tea cup.

"Cheers." Aldia lifted his own cup in the air and with his other hand reached up to remove his mask. The maid behind them closed her eyes while Aldia took a sip of the high quality tea before putting the mask back.

Putting the cup back down Aldia began to reach for some documents lying on the table but before he could grab one someone threw themselves over Bird from behind.

"Bird! Can we go to the arena! Ari told me Jina is back from her mission, and you promised that since Mr. Aldia allowed it, I'd get to fight one of the WARRs! Come on, come one!" It was Soko that had pounced on Bird, now shaking his shoulder side to side while pleading.

"Okay, okay, chill out, we'll go!" Replied a ruffled Bird as he readjusted his seating on the chair after Soko removed her grip in jubilation. "Guess tea time's over, eh?" He began standing up.

"I suppose so." Replied Aldia slowly in amusement.

Calmly Ari walked over to Aldia, reaching over and taking a thumbprint cookie with raspberry jam and giggling at Aldia's tired expression towards their antics while Soko in the distance was practically dragging Bird along towards the sparring arena by the WARR's quarters.

The sun continues to shine, the wind continues to blow, the waves continue to roll.

End of Chapter.