| Generated by Google Flow text-to-video AI software, powered by Omni Flash |
It’s over. Well, the first part of Isavet’s plan is anyway. She has learned
what she needed to, and she had a plausible reason to learn it. She was born
under the Nordome Network, or whatever it is. It was her home. She was just
following what the gamemakers set up for her. Had she left, started a life
on the outside, and then tried to commit to this training, it would
have looked suspicious. Or rather, it could have. She doesn’t
actually know that, because she doesn’t know what life is like away from the
Nordic nations. She is going to leave soon, but she has to find her family
first.
Caleb takes her back, but she doesn’t let him follow her this time. Helping
with her revenge efforts was noble and very nice of him. She appreciated it.
But she is in no physical danger here. It is deeply personal. He respects
her decision to end the simulation here. He gave her his contact
information, so they can reconnect on the outside. He and his men are going
to go back down south, and continue on with their ancient Norse ways. He
doesn’t know when he’s going to leave, but it probably won’t be too long.
You’re evidently supposed to stay for a lifetime, but you don’t have to, and
it kind of feels like he’s grown bored of it. And he probably wants to
connect with Isavet, though in other ways, and he can’t do that unless he’s
on the outside too.
“Father,” Isavet says. She has finally found them. She has found Ronan at
last. She doesn’t see anyone else here. “Where are mother, Vith, and Leif?”
“They’ve gone, my child,” her father says. He takes her into a big hug.
“This is no place for a boy like Leif. I am here to invite you to come with
us. Now, I’m sure you’re nervous, and you have every right to see this world
as—”
“I want to leave,” she interrupts. “I completed my work, and I want to see
what else is out there. I may be okay with the violence here, in a way that
Leif never was, but it’s still not real. It was only catharsis. I needed to
see it through, because that is how you raised me. But now I’m ready to see
how you live. Take me out of here, father.”
He smiles proudly. “Okay,” Ronan says. “Let us head for the nearest exit.”
Isavet nods, and follows him as he walks off, not bothering to break down
camp. “How did you know that I was back? Can you watch me on your cameras?”
“No, I’ve been here. That is why I told you where we would be.”
“What?” Isavet questions. He shouldn’t have stayed here, all this time. He
had no idea how long she was going to take. It could have been years. That
might not mean much to immortals like him, but she would have felt really,
really bad about it, instead of just really bad. “I can’t believe you did
that. Do you not miss your son?”
“I do, but you’re important to me too. What you said, needing to see this
through? I respect that immensely. I do not have access to security cameras.
I had to stay.”
Isavet frowns. Her guilt will remain at least another several months, she’s
sure.
Ronan stops and bends down over a patch of grass. “I wish to officially
declare my intention to leave the simulation. Please raise the lift for
egress.” The ground parts for him. A block of it ascends from the ground. A
door opens leading to a small room. “It’s okay, Isavet. This will take us to
our new home. Our family awaits.”
She trusts him. Isavet steps in first, followed by Ronan. The doors close on
their own. The chirpings of a bird she is not familiar with soothe her as
the walls and floor shake. She’s not scared, though. This is what is meant
to happen. After a few minutes, this lift object stops. The doors reopen.
The first thing she sees is a computer.
No comments :
Post a Comment