Chapter Text
Prologue: Hello World
The day started like all the others, except for the pain. The suffocating feeling that crushed my lungs, and flooded my head. Everything was normal. It had to be. This was my everything.
I rolled over in my bed and caught a glimpse of the clock illuminating the dimly lit room behind me. “Oh, shoot! It’s already 6:30?! I’m gonna be late!” The white marble floors felt warm for once. Of course, it was the adrenaline, but it got me from my jail cell of a room to the monochromatic hallways in ten minutes flat. Tablet in hand, I hardly escaped the chastising lecture Professor Crowley was known to give by a second. “Yuu, welcome! For a second, I thought you had gotten lost in the halls,” he joked. “Sir, that was months ago,” I embarrassedly mumbled back.
The Professor was a well-known face around the facility. Known for his kind demeanor and infinite patience. He was also known for the giant onyx wings extruding from his back, but that could be considered normal, considering other researchers were laden with bushy tails or twitching ears.
“Now, you do remember why you're here, don’t you?”
“Of course, Professor! It’s an honor to work on the Re:Birth project for you!”
“Splendid! Now, hand over your tablet. I’ll connect you to the database.”
The Project AI E.G.O. Re:Birth Program, or rather Re:Birth for short, was something I had only heard in whispers. There are tons of different things it’s described to be. A companion app, a study for human emotions, even an interactive video game! But the details were always heavily guarded no matter who asked. Fortunately, ever since I had woken up at the Raven Research Institute, the professor had taken a liking to me as his protégé. And, of course, I’m grateful for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
“Alright. You should have access to everything you need under the project. Follow me. I’ll show you what you’ll be working with.”
Rhythmic clacking of tiled floors led me to my first location. Professor Crowley stopped in front of a door. Its intricate gray design complemented the gray hallways. “Yuu. This is where you’ll be working. Your tablet will allow you access in and out of this room.” He turned to me, piercing yellow eyes sunken behind his raven mask. “You must only talk to me and other Re:Birth researchers about the things behind this door, alright? Nothing leaves this room.” I swallowed at his words. “…Yes sir.”
“Good. Please review all available specimens and report back to me once you’re done. I expect something interesting~” he cooed. His hand waved over a keypad, and the door opened to reveal a set of monitors over a desk. Next to it, a long panel, currently powered off. He waved me inside after him and started up the machine. The screens sprung to life, most displaying little figures on each monitor, others showing static.
“These are our Electronically Generated Organisms, or our Egos. You may interact and talk to them, though I doubt some will interact back at their base stage.Ahem, anyway. Your job is to train them. Monitor them during classes and help them form their sense of self.” He motioned to the long panel next to the desk that resembled a long mirror. “This is for physical stimulation. All sensations are simulated through the technology, thanks to our lovely teams upstairs. Anything you can do, they can feel, and vice versa. Sound interesting yet?”
I was at a loss for words. “Of—Of course, Professor! Ego work sounds fun so far.” Professor Crowley rose from his seat and tapped on my tablet. “Wonderful! You can start with the first one. Try not to get attached. Don’t let me down like the others.” A warm smile dressed his face as he strode out of the room. His words lingered in my mind as I turned back toward the giant screen. My tablet almost slipped from my hand.
“What the—“