2. A Prophecy
Shortly after, the man came again with a strange old man. The man who came was indeed like an old man in general on Earth. Alexa could recognize human features.
"I'll leave you here," said the man.
"No need, Dean. I need you here too," said the old man.
Alexa looked at both of them in turn. The man who had spoken to Alexa was named Dean and she followed the orders of the old man who was sitting on one of the chairs made of iron and technology.
"You, sit down, Alexa," said the old man.
The girl was surprised because the old man said her name.
"You don't need to be surprised like that. I've been waiting for your arrival all this time, Alexa," said the old man again. "My name is Harlan Elphias. I am also a human who has been trapped here for decades. The robots call me a fortune teller. I have something for you," explained Harlan as he took out a box.
Alexa hesitated but accepted the box but the girl's gaze was fixed on Dean. As if understanding the gaze, Harlan spoke again.
"You don't need to worry about Dean. He is the commander of the robot troops on the front lines. He is someone who will be your protector while you are here. So, I suggest you stay away from Dean," Harlan explained again.
Who knows what feelings suddenly crept into Alexa's heart that the girl was fixated on Dean?
"However, before I open this box, can you explain what happened here? Why did I appear on the robot battlefield?" asked Alexa who now directed her gaze at old Harlan.
Harlan was like an old man on Earth. White-haired because of grey, even his beard was also white and he walked a bit hunched. If not for the help of a cane, Harlan might have difficulty walking. Who knows how old Harlan is and why he is in the robot world?
"The robot world you entered is located on a dead star far from the sight of humans from Earth. Hundreds of years ago, about one hundred and eight years ago, a human named Azlan, a scientist who is a technology expert, made a robot. Azlan got lost on that dead star and couldn't return, there was no way out. For decades trying to find a way back to Earth, but all of that was in vain until he didn't realize he had created many robots with the equipment he had finally Bintang died and became a place for robots," said Harlan.
Alexa listened carefully to what the man said. Once again, for some reason Dean's presence made Alexa calm even though Dean just listened and watched silently like a robot.
"But, those robots... they are like humans," said Alexa.
"That's right. Azlan created them like humans so that they wouldn't feel lonely living alone in a foreign place. However, those robots have intelligence that exceeds humans. You must know smart computer programs, right? Making codes, and so on. However, no matter how smart they are, they can't provide a way home for Azlan until he finally dies here," continued Harlan.
That's why Dean's face looks so real even though his face is flat and expressionless.
"So, what's next?" asked Alexa again. The girl needed to hear more.
However, a loud knock on the door of the room stopped them from discussing it further.
Dean got up from his seat and approached the steel door.
"Open it, I wonder if you can read it?" Harlan said, getting Alexa's attention.
Following what Harlan said, Alexa opened the old iron box and took out a black-covered book with a name engraved underneath.
"Just read it, just the end," Harlan ordered.
Alexa obeyed again.
"A century, two centuries or even who knows how many years. Someone will come to stop the war that might happen. A beautiful human who has many big secrets inside her will come to do something. I don't know for sure, but this is like a dream. Hundreds of years from now I might not be here anymore, in the Stars, the robot world or on Earth, the human world, where I was born." Alexa read the contents of the book and was silent for a moment.
"Enough. Keep the book well," Harlan ordered.
"Can this be a way for me to go back?" Alexa asked.
This time Harlan was silent for quite a while, his expression was not so sure and it made Alexa worried.
"Until you find a way to stop the war here, you can go back," Harlan said then but Alexa felt that the words spoken by the old man were not convincing at all.
Both of them were silent.
"This house is quite big like a palace on Earth. I live downstairs. If you have any questions, you can find me anytime. However, I suggest you never be far from Dean," Harlan said emphasizing the last part.
Alexa digested what Harlan said.
"Wait. Does that mean, I will stay here for an indefinite period of time?" Alexa asked with her eyes perfectly round.
Harlan nodded, confirming the girl's suspicions that opened her mouth.
"And, I live here? In a man's room?" Alexa was surprised again.
"Why? I'm sure you've lived in the same room with your boyfriend on Earth, right?" Harlan said.
"But still, this..."
"What's the difference? Dean is a robot who doesn't even have arousal. You don't need to worry about that." Harlan glanced at Alexa mischievously.
“But, I –“
“Come on. You just got dumped by your boyfriend. You’re still single now.”
“What do you mean?” Alexa frowned, not understanding what Harlan was saying.
“You’ll find out later. I’ll go down and rest,” Harlan said as he got up from his seat with difficulty. “It’s been a long time since I used my human body to talk to humans again,” the man said as he turned around.
Alexa watched Harlan.
“Oh yeah. You’ll sleep in that container. Just so you know, there’s no human food here,” Harlan said as he walked away after pointing at a crate-shaped object in the corner of the room.
What would happen to Alexa now? The girl wouldn’t eat? Then, how would she survive in such a foreign world? How would Alexa find her way back?
The girl walked to the window to look out. It wasn’t the backyard that was overgrown with fresh green plants with blooming flowers spreading a fragrant aroma. Behind the window, there were only tons of metal floating in the air, iron, and so on which were included in the metal family to create something heavy but it seemed like the metal, iron, and so on had been programmed in such a way that they could float in the air in balance. In addition, in Bintang, there was no gravity but everything ran as if under control. There was also an artificial sun that seemed to be created by Azlan to look like life on Earth.
Alexa was pensive, remembering how she ended up in that foreign world in the middle of nowhere. Alexa's shoulders drooped as she remembered the insults thrown by Bram, Alexa's lover who turned out to be not as good as the girl thought.
"Can I go back?" Alexa asked when she heard footsteps approaching her.
There was no answer from Dean who was staring at Alexa from behind.
"I'm sorry, Dad," the girl said softly while lowering her head. "I didn't think it would end like this," Alexa continued as she remembered the accident she experienced before arriving in the world this afternoon.
Dean was still silent like a programmed robot. However, did Dean also have emotions?
Alexa stared at the book in her hand for a long time.
“I have to find a way out of here. I can do it,” Alexa thought, suddenly feeling motivated to do it.
But first, Alexa had to know what the inhabitants of the Star were like and know the things that might help her.
When she turned around, Alexa found Dean still there, standing straight like a commander that Alexa often saw on cellphone screens or even televisions and other technological devices. However, all of that was no longer in the girl's hands. Alexa came without bringing anything but her own body.
“Your name is Dean, right?” Alexa asked approaching Dean.
“Yes. You can call me that,” Dean answered flatly.
Alexa nodded.
“I'm Alexa Ivvona, you can call me Alexa,” Alexa said while holding out her hand.
Dean just stared at the hand.
“Ah, that's how people on Earth know each other. You just need to hold out your hand,” Alexa explained.
Dean followed the girl's orders and held out his hand, then Alexa linked their hands to shake hands.
“Nice to meet you,” Alexa said, immediately releasing his hand when she felt a soft electric shock on her palm. “Please help me, Dean,” the girl continued.
Dean remained silent in response, showing no expression at all.
“Grandpa Harlan has explained it to me. However, can I walk around this place?” Alexa asked.
But Dean seemed to consider it. Of course, Dean knew who Alexa was. If the sign of the prophecy was known to others, wouldn’t that be a problem? What could Dean possibly do to Alexa?
Their attention was diverted out the window when a loud noise was heard that surprised Alexa. The sound of the explosion was visible from where they were now. Alexa’s eyes widened when she saw something burning and destroyed in the ravine.
Would Alexa survive there?