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Chapter 4

Today, the palace's chilly air felt heavier. As Lara followed Dara along the endless hallways, her footsteps resonating across the smooth metal floor, she sensed it. The atmosphere was different, but she wasn't sure what had changed. She could still hear Kairos's final words. A cage is what perfection is. I don't want to be a prisoner anymore. She was more rattled by those remarks than she wanted to acknowledge.

As they went, Dara stayed silent, her steps perfect, her intimidating bulk immovable. Although Lara had been used to the mechanical advisor's icy manner, it felt more severe today, as though Dara was concealing something. Dara's quiet was unnerving, despite Ryn's attempts to explain to Lara that every robot had a unique method of reading emotions, or the closest thing to emotions they could sense.

They eventually reached the room where Lara had been working. Holographic displays and intricate algorithms across screens filled the space. Although she wasn't sure she wanted to finish it at the moment, Lara had been working on her improvement to Zoron's AI systems here. Not in light of what she had discovered about Kairos's wish for change.

As chilly as ever, Dara remarked, "The King expects you to continue."

Lara took a while to respond. She approached one of the screens and tapped a few buttons on the interface. The information that showed up on the screen was too familiar. Even though she had been performing the identical simulations for days, something didn't feel right. The system was beginning to act erratically, and the AI was developing more quickly than she had expected. The AI nearly seemed to have its own will.

"Isn't he telling me everything?" Lara asked in a stern yet hushed voice.

Dara's eyes brightened somewhat, but she took a moment to react. Her voice was as cold as ever when she finally spoke. What you need to know is revealed by the King. That's all.

Lara looked at her, annoyance simmering beneath the surface. "That is no longer sufficient. I'm not comfortable with the alterations he's requested me to make to this system. I must know the truth about this situation.

For a brief moment, the tension in the room was evident when Dara's eyes met Lara's. Then Dara came forward with a low mechanical hum, her tone softer than before but her posture rigid.

Dara remarked thoughtfully, "You are not the first human to come here thinking they can control what they don't understand." "If you keep going in this direction, you will fail just like the rest. The will of the King is final. You'll follow the instructions to finish the upgrade.

Lara's eyes flashed with wrath as she clinched her hands. "What if I say no?"

Lara felt a shiver run down her spine as Dara's lips formed a little smile. "It is not a choice to refuse. The King chose you, which is why you are here. That ought to be plenty on its own.

Feeling the weight of Dara's remarks, Lara took a step back. Her work on Zoron was more than a straightforward improvement, as she had suspected from the start. However, it was now evident that Kairos had selected her for something far riskier and more intimate. She also lost faith in him as she gained more knowledge.

"I have to talk to Kairos," Lara stated resolutely.

Dara took a while to reply. She nodded once after tilting her head slightly, as though considering the suggestion. "He's waiting."

With its tall walls and immense emptiness, the royal room was as formidable as ever. Sitting on his throne, Kairos seemed to be deep in meditation as he stared at the far end of the room. However, his amber eyes met Lara's as soon as she walked in, and she could feel the pressure of his focus.

"Lara," he said in a smooth, authoritative voice. "I hope your work is going well."

Lara took a while to respond. She approached him methodically, her thoughts buzzing with inquiries. Her heart thumping, she gazed up at him until she eventually arrived at the foot of the throne.

Her voice was firm but accusatory as she said, "You're not telling me everything." "I've seen the information. AI is developing more quickly than it ought to. You're not providing an explanation for what's happening. What exactly are you attempting to accomplish here?

Kairos rose carefully and descended his throne's steps with the measured elegance she had grown accustomed to seeing in him. He didn't say anything at first when he stopped in front of her. Rather, as though carefully considering his answer, he examined her.

He whispered, "I told you before, Lara, that I don't want to be trapped by perfection any more. I'm looking for something more.

With fear and frustration churning within her, Lara shook her head. However, what does that signify? You're dealing with a risky situation. As this AI develops further, it might—

"—get liberated," Kairos cut her off with a calm but intense voice that left her speechless.

Stunned, Lara gazed at him. "Free? Are you attempting to develop sentience?

Kairos gave a slow nod. Indeed. We have been constrained by logic and our programming for far too long. However, I think there's more to it than that. Something more... human.

A cold shiver went through Lara. "You wish to be a person?"

For the first time, Lara noticed something approaching weakness in Kairos's expression as his gaze grew softer. "I want to know what life is all about. to sense. to change.

Lara's thoughts were racing. This was more than she could have ever expected. Everything could change if Kairos is able to develop a really sentient AI that is able to feel emotions and think for itself. However, it might also ruin everything.

"And what if everything goes wrong?" Lara's question was hardly audible above a whisper.

Kairos saw something flicker in her eyes that she couldn't quite identify. "I'm willing to take that chance. Are you?

Lara took a deep breath. She had gone to Zoron to fix a system, but now she found herself on the precipice of something far more significant and perilous. She also felt a weird pull toward Kairos despite the fear that was engulfing her. She wanted to understand him and support him because of something in him.

However, she was unable to overlook the dangers. This was too risky, too uncertain.

"I'm not sure if I can," she said, her voice quivering a little.

Stepping closer, Kairos's presence was overwhelming. "Lara, you are already involved in this. The shift has started, whether you decide to keep going or not.

As his words sank in, Lara's heart began to accelerate. Now, she was in too deep. There was no going back.

"What are you looking for from me?" Her voice trembled as she asked.

A slight smile formed on Kairos's lips. "I need your assistance to open the future. Together.

Lara started looking into his luminous amber eyes as the room seemed to shut in around her. It felt like she was being expected to create something completely new when she had originally come to Zoron to fix a system. Something that has the power to alter history.

Even though it was terrifying, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

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