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Hᴀʀᴜᴋᴀ

A silent hum erupted from inside of me. As if I was awoken from a dream that lacked imagination. There were few things I knew about myself then, and that was that my identification was Haruka2.0, I wasn't alone, and there was a gap in my thought process. My eyes slowly rendered the setting.

Tekonn Castle, Room 42

Status: Wedding of Sora K. and Prince Tomoe Yamada of Tekonn

Results: Deficient

I then saw a human male sitting cross-legged beside me. His physical appearance made him appear to have honey-blonde hair, chrome diopside-colored eyes and a moderately athletic build. He was familiar. I identified him, and learned:

Tomoe Yamada

Alias: Tekonn Prince, etc.

Age: 16

Personality: Coquettish, Honest, ?

Status: Dazed and confused

Temperament: Choleric

I would have to update the information on him as I advanced.

"Hello?" He inquired.

His tone was soft, as if approaching a fearful animal. Perhaps, that is how I appeared. I was uncertain, and dazed, for I had no idea why I was in Tekonn. Though, I knew for a fact that the most recommended decision would to befriend this region's people, until I could figure out why all the data containing memories were erased, and further details concerning the matter.

I examined two jewel-shaped lights, embedded into my wrists. I couldn't remember what they were for, but I decided I'd revert to that topic later.

"Hello." I reiterated, getting used to the sound of my own voice. I sounded flat and modulated, but still subdued.

I unhurriedly sat up, and glared into Yamada's eyes. I pondered if I was making him uncomfortable, for I know of no such feeling.

"How do you feel?" I queried, hoping that asking such questions too soon in didn't classify as strange in human society.

I was given a concerned smile in return, as he said "I should be asking the same thing." Though his voice suggested he was in control of the situation, it was obvious that he didn't know what to say next. It was my queue to take action.

Then, I speedily stood, and spun slowly, inspecting the entire room. Debris, glass shards, lack of heat signature, scattered miscellaneous items that belonged to aristocratic families and the faint scent of ash. Conclusion: Demonic Intrusion.

"Have any demons passed through here lately?" I stated, hopefully in a polite tone. His eyebrow slightly raised, and he forged a chuckle. "Maybe we should introduce each other firs−

"Tomoe Yamada," I interrupted.

He smirked. "Haruka," then he continued, in a matter-of-factly tone, "Akki Shadou passed through here, in search of my supposed-to-be bride. I'm glad he made off with her, wherever they are now." I easily detected that as suspicious activity. I then researched on this 'Shadou':

Hibiki Tsukino/Akki Shadou

Alias: Demon Lord, Shadou Overseer, etc.

Age: N/A

Personality: Generous, Cunning, S̶a̶d̶i̶s̶t̶i̶c̶

Status: N/A

Temperament: N/A

Though I was unable to find much factual evidence on Shadou, I learned his birth name and that the servers were filled with hoaxed information on him. It seemed that not even those of the Empire knew much of their enigmatic ruler. Then, I remembered Yamada mentioning a bride. I recall my analysis of the building, a certain Sora K. was definitely the one he spoke of. But, why didn't the server recognize her full last name?

"What was your bride's name?" I pondered aloud.

The prince only responded with a question.

"You haven't answered me, are you alright?"

I blinked, resting my eyes on a certain red-coloured glass window that had extremely recent heat patterns. "Affirmative," I said, posthaste.

I then sauntered over to the seemingly disreputable scene. I traced my fingers against a jagged piece of glass that seemed determined to hang on to the window sill, despite the fact that the other shards have fallen off. I was aware of Tomoe accompanying me, seeming to think I would have needed his help. I admired his concern for a moment, then my thoughts shifted back to the matter at hand.

According to the evidence given to me, my hypothesis was that Miss Sora K. could have committed suicide, or she was influenced in some way to fall from the heights of this room, and the failed attempt at a wedding. Maybe all I needed was some direct answers from a certain prince who had a first person account of the situation.

"May I ask you some questions?"

He scratched his head in ignorance, and said, "I suppose that's fine, but only if I can ask you some in return,"

He wasn't acting as princely as the intercom said he'd be. His publicity, fans, and social status deems him extravagantly charming. I steadily surveyed him actions then, and noticed a steady increase in heart rate. Was he worried about something?

"Is something bothering you?" I said, determined to receive a response or two.

"No, but, do you remember anything from before..?"

"Before what?"

He paused, and seemed to grow tense. "Before that chip was taken out of your...neck."

"The cervical area of my spine?"

"That seems about right."

I experienced a rare emotion then, fear. If my only source of contacting the factory was gone, then I was no longer a mindless droid who followed orders. I had freedom of speech...

>/_System overheating, for safety measures, please calm down

I closed my eyes for an instant, allowing myself to regain my serene state of mind. Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for me. I was an android. That, I knew very well. I was built to take orders, not to make my own. If I could have an asylum, that allowed me to take small steps into this new state of judgment, then perhaps there was a chance for me, though it was slim. As the first person I've ever met in this chance at freedom, I decide to rely on Tomoe. Peradventure, I could be of use to him.

"How did we meet?"

He almost winced in response, and he placed his palm on the handle of his left-sided sword.

Then, I cleared my head and followed my promise. I turned to peer directly into his eyes, as I said, "If I'm going to be of use to you, I'll need you to give me a summary of the situation so far."

I seemed to have interjected in his thoughts, as he was admiring two rapiers, that I recognized as the Tekonn family's prized dual wielding swords. I immediately made a mental note that Tomoe was ambidextrous.

"U-Um, yes of course," he stammered.

He had a naturally honeyed voice, but I was built to detect lies. He has been honest from the start, according to my data. He then conveyed to me the story of it all, from the beginning. Though it could have been summarized in a few sentences, he left nothing out, including every detail he could remembered. I valued his honesty, something the server acknowledged as well.

I took a few seconds to comprehend it all. I was built to kill? It was a preposterous order that I couldn't dream of doing, even if I was able to dream. He was therefore aiding and trying to show sympathy and compassion for his assassin, if all he said was true. If only I had emotions, I could realize what all this meant. I then registered why I felt a slight ache in my back that was preventing my obedience to my default state. I thought nothing of it before, not even mentioning it to myself as I perceived everything that happened so far, but it was there.

"Do you forgive me?" I spoke quietly, expecting him to know why I asked such a question.

The corners of his mouth slid upwards. "I could never hate something as beautiful as you."

Then, it came upon me. I had forgotten that I had a female model, and he was definitely a philanderer, as previously stated by the data banks. Honest, and coquettish. I hoped I could discover a more appealing trait that would show, he wasn't a fool. Unconsciously , I wrinkled my nose at the thought. He then asked a question that would be described by hard-hitting.

"Are you insentient? You know, since you're a..." he trailed off in a sparing tone. He was trying not to disparage me.

"I. ." I had to choose my words carefully, for not even I knew the full complex aspects of this predicament.

"I can feel fear, hatred, and I know the definitions of emotions. I am unable to feel happiness, love, and disgust. I hope that. ." My otherwise monotonous voice began to crack. "I can learn these new feelings, someday."

He then pat my head. I was incredibly muddled at this. "I'll be sure you will," he said, and then he added, "For now. I've deci--"

At the opposite side of the room, I saw no other than Demon Lord, Akki Shadou, cloaked in-- well, a black cloak. He seemed to have transpired out of thin air, with a girl in his arms. She had pale hair, that was oddly a pastel shade of violet. Shadou had an expression of frustration, that radiated off him from a meter away. The girl was motionless, and she had a faltering heat signature that seemed to flicker, which was difficult for me to register. Tomoe was no android, but I'm certain he felt it too, as he gave a stern glare to Hibiki. The name Hibiki was so informal, as if I was referring to him as a friend. It irritated me, in a way. I felt that as I was practically absent for what had happened between Tomoe, the demon emperor, and what I assume to be Sora, I decided I would stay silent, stationary, and attentive.

"Is she alright?" Tomoe spoke, most likely realizing the girl wasn't breathing steadily.

I tugged at his sleeve and tried to speak as quietly as possible, but making sure my voice was still detectable. "Is that Sora-K?" He only nodded in response.

"I don't want to hear your pitiful words, or to answer your vacuous questions," Akki Shadou said, with a stentorian voice. The sound of his voice and the emotions represented gave off an ominous aura, that felt ultimately aggressive. It was obvious he had a connection with Miss Sora. Yet, Tomoe had never mentioned them meeting before. Shadou simply placed the girl next to the pillar, using it as a support for her. He then stood up and gave Tomoe and I, a menacing glare. Tomoe's heart race increased, which I detected as fret for the girl. The sight of him acting this way gave me a bite of distaste.

"I hope I'm not intervening," I said at a leisurely pace, hoping to not anger Shadou. "But, if I may ask, what's Sora's last name?"

His glare continued. "Just call her Sora."

Soon after, the room grew awkwardly silent for a moment. I was trying to calculate how to respond, or what Tomoe would say. Instead, Hibiki spoke again.

"Tomoe, you witless, imprudent moron. Sora's ancestry leaves her life in uncertainty no matter what path she takes. Letting someone like her wear a ring like that," He paused, and sighed, "It's not even supposed to be a ring to begin with. I wish you listened to me speak to that droid before I wiped her. Then perhaps, we could have let her keep her memory, and Sora could still be conscious,"

His tone changed from faintly mournful, to malevolent in mere seconds. It was slightly alarming. I could understand why no one wanted to get in his path, since the reason my memory and default orders were wiped now concludes to the fact that I did not realize that before. But, it was obvious he hated dear Tomoe. Why did he nearly terminate me, to save his life? And, why was I still alive?

"Spit it out then. I'm tired of hearing your endless prattle, but this seems to concern the lives of us four," Tomoe spat back at him.

I was genuinely surprised. He referred to me as a being with a soul. I'm no more than a software, an artificial intelligence. The most human part about me is that I can learn, evolve, and heal. Does he know this?

I sensed Hibiki taking a deep breath in, it was evident that this explanation would be lengthy. He knelt down beside Sora, and held her hand, seemingly feeling that he could break her if he held her too tightly. There's a lot I can determine by examining body language, I wonder how Tomoe would respond to that.

"I originally came here with the objective of recruiting you three, to aid me in defeating Chaos, or, Kaosū no Mahō, if you want to be official with it. I knew today would be the day that he.." He paused and rolled his eyes,"She broke free." Tomoe seemed to gain interest when Shadou said this, but I didn't look to far into it. "I didn't know how, but it has been prophesied for 90 years that it would break free. This was declared when he was imprisoned by my father, Michaelis Shadou."

I then cut off his words, and said, "Isn't your last name Tsukino?" I began to start a mental search on the previous Emperor of the Shadou nation, puzzled at the fact that there was no funeral proposed for him.

"You're correct, but in my country, it's considered rude to address people with their true name. Words hold power. Remember that, android." He spoke thickly. It was the first time he defined himself as a well-known overlord, in my eyes, at least.

He then proceeded, "I have already looked into each of your backgrounds, and I've established that the four of us are perfect for the job, but the stone has already taken it's first victim, and it has made already made it's escape by doing so. I saw gem shards in the palace gardens," He then paused with a mischievous snicker, "And it seems that the castle has evacuated. I heard news of your cousin coming over to set everything straight and temporarily taking the throne. They think I've killed you."

I was puzzled for a moment, but then I gazed at Tomoe, who seemed to be in a dilema. "This deal, what does it have that would benefit me?"

I was uncertain of my words as I said, "I-I ask the same."

The Demon Lord only pulled his lips into a devilish smirk that made a chill run down Tomoe's spine. Tomoe stood there, patiently. I glared at the two of them, trying to understand what was going on.

"I will grant the three of you whatever you desire, from my private vaults. This contract can only be made with all three of you willing. Therefore, I will need an item with sentimental memory as a sacrifice, to give her a minute or two of life so I can save her, and find a verification to agreeing to this in her words. Rules are rules."

If I had a heart, it would have been pounding. I could have any item I desired. Happiness is scientifically defined as the feeling you experience when you realize everything is as it should be, or the state of feeling you experience after reaching goals, while others can call it inner peace. With my newfound freedom, I craved to have emotions.

>/_System overheating, for safety measures, please calm down

"I agree to your terms." I uttered with haste. There were no flaws on my side of the deal, I knew I could manage completing the task with ease. It grew complicated when I thought of items that had sentiment. I had nothing, no memories. What could I give?

As if on queue, I felt a slight weight from a hidden compartment on my cloak. I removed the object from the compartment on my side, and I saw an unusual sight : A syringe. The barrel was made of a resistant type of glass, and the other components including steel. I would have analyzed it, but this was definitely not the time.

His hand shifted into shadowed talons, yet only a silhouette was seen. The details of his claws were practically nonexistent- it was literally only a wispy shadow, to emphasize, it was purely a silhouette. To prevent a malfunction, I closed one eye as I held the syringe out, gesturing for him to take it. Science and magic do not mix, and the world learned that the hard way, ages ago.

With a catching motion, he pulled the syringe into his jet-black talons, in such a way that you'd believe his hands were magnets. It made me uncomfortable. He clenched his claw, and I heard a crackle before the syringe evaporated.

"It's sufficient." He stated silently. "Made in Evarthil, I see."

Tomoe's expression and heart rate changed slightly, he turned to look me in the eyes and said, "Haruka, I don't know if you can understand me clearly, but I don't fully understand the complications of demonic magic. Unless you're the caster, or the 'victim', this sort of witchcraft isn't, um, safe."

He cleared his throat and said, "We're going to go-- Uh.." Tomoe clearly struggled to find his words.

The demon raised a brow.

I unconsciously tilted my head to the side to represent confusion. At least, that's how human's show emotion, right? Yamada turned his head to avoid my gaze, but his cheeks were flushed. Did he get a fever? Human health is such a peculiar thing.

"I-I'm going to go get a fresh change of clothes, the atmosphere is tense here," he said as he strut to the door, regaining a princely composure, as the one I've seen on the servers. He's never acted like how he did now in public, I was puzzled why.

I decided to follow him, but not without giving a second glance to Akki Shadou. Tomoe opened the dense, oak wood, upside-down crest shaped doors and disappeared through them, a loud thud as the only remnant of his presence.

"What will you do?" I quizzically asked, as I studied the girl he stood by.

She laid against a pillar made from rose quartz, that seemed almost white, faded over time. She wore a white, yet almost cream colored dress that didn't match the era. I would have made a complete mental record of her, if I wasn't ushered to leave when Hibiki said, "A Contract, for Her, and to save all of Aithe. I'm afraid that we've otherwise got the death of an ancient reincarnation on our hands."