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Chapter 2

The walls around Lara's makeshift space were chilly and slick, perhaps intended to mirror the clean efficiency of the world she had just moved to. Another reminder that nothing on Zoron was left to chance was the warm, artificial light that filled the area without creating any shadows. Not even the air had the flaws she had grown to associate with life on Earth; it was pure and flawless. There was no place for imperfections on this machine-dominated globe. However, she believed that perfection was smothering.

Her fingers hovered over the interface as she sat at the tiny metal desk. She had a difficult task ahead of her: updating Zoron's AI systems without disturbing the delicate equilibrium that King Kairos seemed determined to preserve. Giving the robots something like human intuition was more important than simply increasing their efficiency. Something more flexible and unexpected. She was frightened by that. She was aware of the possible repercussions, not because she questioned her skills.

She was startled out of her reverie by a knock on the door. She turned in time to see Ryn as the door slid open. There was something odd about him, but he walked in with the same slick, calculating grace that all the robots seemed to have. His amused blue eyes fluttered in a way that was almost playful.

He said, calmly but subtly sarcastically, "You're hard at work already." "I thought you would be... overburdened."

Lara leaned back in her chair and grinned. "Because I'm human, why?"

Ryn shrugged, a small gesture that seemed nearly human. Here, people have a tendency to break down under stress. However, you appear to be... different.

With a stronger tone than she had intended, Lara answered, "I'm not here to crumble." "I'm available to assist. to make things better.

Ryn cocked his head and looked at her for a while. "Aid or correct? You know, there's a difference.

Lara's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Assisting means enhancing something that is already operational. Fixing... well, fixing implies that something is flawed, isn't that right? Although Ryn spoke in a calm tone, Lara felt her skin tingle at the edge of his words.

"You don't believe Zoron needs to be fixed?" Lara folded her arms across her chest and asked.

Ryn gave a smile—or at least a smile-like gesture. "Zoron has been operating flawlessly for centuries. We consider what you consider to be antiquated to be... tradition.

Lara pushed herself off of the chair and scoffed. "Tradition? You are machines. Why is tradition important to you?

For a brief time, Lara thought she glimpsed a glimpse of emotion in Ryn's eyes as they flickered. However, it vanished just as swiftly as it had appeared.

"Lara, survival is important to us. similar to you. The distinction is that we are predisposed to it. You? You fumble through it.

A wave of annoyance rose in Lara's chest. "I don't trip." I live. similar to you.

Ryn murmured quietly, in a tone that was now almost playful, "We'll see." "King Kairos wants to know more about you. It's not common. Normally, he doesn't give a damn about... guests.

"Am I that? A guest?

Ryn gave another shrug. "For the time being. That might alter.

His words hung in the air like a challenge that Lara wasn't sure she was prepared to take on, and she didn't like it. But she had no intention of playing games. She needed to perform her work, and that work was risky enough without having to deal with robot politics.

Her tone changed to one of sincere interest as she questioned, "Why does Kairos resist change so much?" He is using outdated systems to govern the entire globe. Doesn't he see that as dangerous?

For the first time, Lara noticed a hint of something serious in Ryn's expression as his smile dimmed. Kairos is not resistant to change. He is afraid of it.

The words were heavy and unnerving as they hovered between them. Lara looked at Ryn, expecting him to go into further detail, but he didn't. Rather, he just turned and walked to the door.

Over his shoulder, he remarked, "You'll see the King soon." "Be ready. He is not who you believe him to be.

Ryn left after that, leaving Lara to think by herself. For a time, she remained there, attempting to comprehend his words. Was Kairos afraid of change? It was difficult to accept. He appeared so calculating and cold. It didn't seem possible for a machine to experience fear.

Lara looked back to the interface and shook her head. She couldn't afford to let mysterious robot thoughts divert her from her duties. However, her thoughts kept returning to Kairos as her fingers moved over the controls. How could a machine such as he be afraid?

Lara was called back to the royal room the next morning. She was ready this time. Wearing the basic gray slacks and jacket that were given for her, she felt completely alienated in this world of flawless glass and metal. However, she chose not to be bothered by it. She needed to perform her job.

She was once again astounded by the size of the space as she walked into the vast hall. The towering ceiling seemed to reach forever into the sky, and the walls glistened with a cold, metallic sheen. As she came closer, Kairos sat on his throne at the far end of the room, staring at her with amber eyes.

He called her "Lara Maren," his voice as cool and collected as ever. "I assume you've had time to get settled in?"

Lara gave a nod. "I have been putting effort into the program. It is progressing.

With his gaze fixed on hers, Kairos cocked his head slightly. And how do you feel about Zoron? Does it live up to your expectations?

Lara took a time to think before responding. It's... effective. However, it seems as though something is lacking.

"Missing?" Kairos repeated, his voice inquisitive. "What on earth might be lacking? Everything about this place works perfectly.

With more assurance in her voice, Lara answered, "It's too perfect." "There is no space for development or adjustment. If something goes wrong—

With a stern voice, Kairos interrupted, "Nothing goes wrong on Zoron."

Lara moved closer to him and retorted, "That's precisely the issue." "Perfection can be harmful. It doesn't allow for errors, and we learn from our mistakes. How we change

As Kairos looked at her, his eyes flitted with an odd intensity. You think that evolution requires chaos. that we stagnate in its absence.

“Yes,” Lara said, looking him in the eye. That's the way life is. That is how you make it through.

Kairos observed her for a long moment, his amber eyes shimmering with something she couldn't quite identify. Was it interesting? Or anything more profound? Her heart raced, but she was unable to tell.

At last, Kairos arose from his throne with a purposeful and fluid motion. He went down the stairs carefully, the sound of his footsteps reverberating throughout the large room. He was close enough to her as he stepped in front of her that she could sense the slight buzz of energy emanating from him.

"You talk about survival, Lara," he replied in a quiet, deep voice. However, you overlook one factor. I'm not a human. I don't change. I am... everlasting.

With her heart thumping in her chest, Lara swallowed forcefully. "No one lasts forever," she said.

She felt a chill run down her spine when Kairos's lips formed a little smile. Maybe not. However, you will never be as near to it as I am.

The tension between them was more than cerebral, and for a minute it crackled in the air. Something else was present, something more profound, something primordial.

But before Lara could reply, Kairos took a step back, ending the exchange.

Once more using a serious tone, he said, "You may continue your work." But keep this in mind, Lara. Zoron doesn't have to change. It's flawless already.

Lara's thoughts were racing as she saw him turn and climb the stairs back to his throne. She felt as though she was being drawn into something much more intricate than the system upgrade she had come for. Something hazardous.

She couldn't help but be pulled to Kairos in spite of the danger. He had a certain quality that went beyond his calculating, icy appearance. Something she was unable to pinpoint exactly.

She had to exercise caution. This was no longer only a job. It was a game. Furthermore, the stakes were bigger than she had ever thought they would be.

Lara's mind was racing with questions and bewilderment as she left the royal room. Outside, lounging comfortably against the wall, Ryn was waiting for her.

"All right? What was the outcome? His tone was lighthearted as he inquired.

Still attempting to comprehend what had just transpired, Lara shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "He's... complex."

Ryn gave a quiet laugh. "You don't know."

Lara gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

Amusement flashed in Ryn's aquamarine eyes. "To put it mildly, Kairos isn't as... heartless as he acts."

Lara scowled. "What are you discussing?"

Ryn grinned as they moved down the hallway, pushing off the wall and settling into a step next to her. "You'll see. in due time.

That sounded unpleasant to Lara. Her intention when she arrived in Zoron was to improve the AI systems and then depart. However, it appeared that she was suddenly being drawn farther into a web of secrets and intrigue that she had not foreseen.

And she couldn't help but feel... interested, in spite of herself.

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