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Broad beams of light fire from the four corners of the platform, culminating in the center, upon the Save Point table. A figure begins to emerge from the light, forming a hologram.
I step between it and Zoey.
Whatever this thing is, whatever it wants with us, it’s going to have to go through me if it thinks it can harm Zoey.
Zoey
The holographic figure looks like a human but with twin horns and scaly skin. “Is that better?” it asks.
“Is what better?” I ask.
“My appearance. I have chosen to combine attributes of you both so I might look more appealing.”
I share a look with M’ijel.More appealing?
Its voice resonates around us like the voice of God. “I am a creation of the ancient people of this place,” it says, its tone solemn yet ethereal. “I act as the guardian to its future.”
M’ijel relaxes his stance slightly but remains alert. “Ancient people? What do you guard?”
The figure’s form hops off the table. It shimmers as it paces. “This pyramid, this platform, is a relic of a long-forgotten civilization, one that understood the secrets of the cosmos in ways you cannot yet comprehend. They created me, Arty, their most advanced form of Artifician Intelligence, to guard the knowledge, the power, and the legacy they left behind.”
I step closer, intrigued despite the surreal situation. “Why are you showing yourself to us now?”
The hologram’s light pulses gently as it responds. “You and your companion have activated ancient mechanisms within the pyramid. Your actions suggest a potential not seen in many cycles. You are different from the others who have been brought here by the Malquarans. Many have come and gone but none have activated us before.”
M’ijel and I exchange a glance. His confusion and curiosity matches my own.
“What potential?” M’ijel asks. “What are we supposed to do?”
Arty’s form becomes more defined, as if gaining strength from our interaction. “I can help free you from this place. But to do so, I must have full power. Without energy, my advanced technology counts for nothing.”
My mind races with the implications of its words. “Are you saying we can stop this Mating Game? Free ourselves?”
Arty’s projection nods. “Yes,” he says. “Together, we can end this Game and begin a new life elsewhere, free from the Malquarans forever.”
“How?” M’ijel says skeptically.
Arty smiles. “With the use of portal technology.”
M’ijel
The AI’s form glows faintly. “With your help, we can perhaps fulfill the final mission of my creators.”
Zoey steps closer, her expression determined. “What is this mission? How can we help?”
“The mission,” Arty begins, “was to complete the portal technology and use it to forge a path beyond the Malquarans’ control. My creators wanted to establish connections between worlds, to promote understanding and unity, rather than conflict and domination. The Malquarans discovered their intentions and, being the more technologically advanced species, wiped them out. What you see here are tiny fragments of that lost civilization.”
“And how do we fit into this mission?” I growl.
“You are the key,” the AI says, turning its holographic gaze towards us. “Activating me has triggered dormant systems within this platform. Together, we can unlock the portal and use it to escape, to maybe even turn the tables on the Malquarans.”
The idea seems almost too good to be true, a chance to break free from this deadly game and strike back at those whohave ensnared us. But the risk is immense, and the path uncertain.
“We’re ready to do whatever it takes,” Zoey says, her voice steady despite the enormity of the task ahead.
I lock eyes on her, shaking my head.We can’t do this,I want to tell her. But she focuses on Arty.
The AI nods, its form shimmering. "I require you to do one thing; activate the power station located in the maze."
