Ena stepped out of the Simulated Universe.
Her step faltered. She took hold of the wall, her hand pressing to her forehead.
"Ena!"
Ena began massaging her forehead.
The Herta puppet was already in front of her.
"Come clean"
"What is your relationship with the Aeon of Abundance!"
"Ahhh..." Ena stopped, her hand still at her forehead, then slowly looked up at Herta.
"...No... relationship" Ena said quietly.
"So did you have an explanation for why Yaoshi spoke first?"
Ena's gaze focused on Herta. "It's her personality she's-"
"Yaoshi does not speak first" Herta frowned.
"I have spent years attempting to produce meaningful AEON interaction in this simulated universe. Every method. Every variable. Every theoretical framework for drawing attention."
"Nothing produced a response. Not until the-"
"Stelle... Stelle disguised herself as Akivili"
"And then you walked in on your first test"
"And Yaoshi showed you her face. Her attention!"
"Granted you every blessing in the Simulated Universe. Then carried you through the next area personally"
Her eyes widened.
"...and she said your name..."
Ena studied Herta, then looked back at the simulated universe.
"...She has a gentle personality... I think she simply-"
"She does not do that..." Herta said quietly.
"Never for anyone..."
Herta quickly turned and sprinted to the console.
Pulling data faster than her hands were visibly moving.
Yaoshi behavior records. Every documented Aeon interaction. Simulated Universe and real universe. Spanning many Amber Eras.
Herta looked at all of it carefully, then slowly back at Ena.
Herta opened her mouth.
"No relationship at all" Ena said quickly.
Herta observed her for a long moment.
"...Fine" She turned away.
"I'll proceed on the assumption that your memory on this is incomplete"
She refocused on the document.
"Come and test again. Frequently"
"...I will" Ena turned toward the door.
...
...
The corridor outside was quiet.
Ena walked without hurrying, then stopped to look at the surroundings.
Researchers moving between sections, construction crews finishing the polishing again.
Ena walked to a corner and sat. Then closed her eyes.
'Chibi Circuit'
(Present)
'The child I adopted in the simulation...'
'...Could she become... an Aeon?'
(That possibility cannot be ruled out)
'...and don't give me the same answer you gave at the Space Station'
(The answer at the Space Station was also accurate)
'...'
'Is the simulation unrelated to reality?'
(The simulation and reality operate as separate constructs)
'...that is a very careful way of saying something'
(This system is always careful)
'...then I'll... accept'
'...One... more time'
(Noted)
Ena slowly opened her eyes and took a deep breath.
She looked at the busy Space Station for a moment.
Then she got up.
She walked.
'...One door'
Her gaze slid along the surface.
'A plant. About shoulder height'
'Two'
'Fresh paint. Slightly off from the wall beside it'
Her steps evened out.
The next door stood ahead.
A faint reflection stared back at her.
'Three. Me'
Her eyes held it for a second.
The doors slid open.
'...'
She stepped through.
'...'
'...Yao-Yao...'
Her steps slowed.
'...the child I adopted in my simulation...'
'From what I remember she doesn't pursue power or immortality...'
Ena stopped walking.
'If... Yao-Yao is... Yaoshi...'
Ena raised her hand and looked at it.
'Am I... Emanator?'
She clenched her fist. 'Abundance Emanator... Xianzhou'
She looked at the blue planet outside.
"Hah! Who would even believe it anyway"
'Who do you think you are Ena...'
Her lips pressed.
'don't fly too close to the sky'
She took a deep breath.
Then walked again.
After a while, Ena saw the exit ahead. Past it, a straight path back to the Astral Express.
She smiled. "Stelle probably doing something March had invented and Dan Heng quietly tolerating both of them"
"Hehe... and uncle yang and Himeko-"
White clothing.
Ena's eyes widened and her mouth opened.
Ahead of her was a person similar to Yaoshi.
The same structure. The same proportions.
But she had two arms, not six.
And a face that matched but did not match.
Ena stood still.
"Hah-"
TBC
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Hey Hey. Reader Nilvan here.
Honestly, this chapter didn't give me as much trouble as I thought it would.
Which is surprising considering everything happening inside it.
I'm curious what you felt while reading this Chapter.
This kind of story is… harder to pin down than it looks.
Anyway. Have a good day, muach.
(๑>•̀๑)