System Shock

SYSTEM REBOOTING 

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20%

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40%

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WARNING

DATA CORRUPT FROM EMERGENCY SHUT DOWN

RECOVER DATA? 

YES  >NO<

CORRUPTED DATA DELETED

SYSTEM REBOOTING

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60%

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70%

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80%

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100%

SYSTEM REBOOT COMPLETE

SUBJECT @#%/^{ ONLINE 

Zzp! 

Metal ears sprung into the air as LED lights blinked into life. Their vision slowly cleared, the dark fog of deactivation began to lift. Soft, warm tones of grass and flowers came into view. Song birds sang above their head as slowly Zuriel moved into an upright position.The familiar colours of home surrounded them, filling them with a sense of peace and ease as they tried to recollect their thoughts and events of the previous day. A Kamishiba walked past without so much as batting an eye at the robotic Shourinokobi.

….

Wait.

 Weren’t they supposed to be in Ethia? Why were Kamishiba milling around? Without any Shourinokobi in sight?

…

How had they gotten back here to Aurora Land? 

The last thing they could remember was the cruel words of the strange, horned Shourinokobi. And then, nothing but black - with the occasional passing blur of red. 

What had happened? Did someone bring them here? Who? Why?

They weren’t going to get any answers just laying in the grass. Most of the Kamishiba that passed them seemed to have no interest in the Shouri, so they very much doubted that they knew anything of what had happened to them. Mind now set, Zuriel got to their feet shakily. They got no more than a few hesitant steps forward before a voice spoke up.

“Ah, I see you are finally awake.” The voice was distantly familiar.

They turned sharply, coming face to… chest with dark fur. Looking upwards, they met knowing blue eyes and a gentle smile. They beeped in alarm, shuffling backwards to put some small distance between them and this familiar stranger.

Luckily, she seemed to take their surprise in good humour.

“Sorry.” She chuckled softly. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”  

“...?” They beeped in response, head tilting to one side causing their heavy ears to fall in the same direction. 

“Hm? Ah I suppose you must be wondering why I am here? Well, I found you in the grass, unconscious and alone. I remembered you, you see, from when Róisín came to see me. Yet you are here alone, and I find myself curious as to why."

"..."

Zuriel stared up at her and she silently stared back. Aro was quiet and patient, seemingly having no intention of speaking before they did. Disappointment bloomed in their chest. She didn't know anything about how they got here. 

Perhaps they would never find their answers. 

"... Lost." They finally admitted. 

Aro nodded with a sympathetic look. 

"Yes I feared as much. Róisín is predictable in her travels, I can take you to her if you wish?" 

"... Please."

Aro was very talkative. Zuriel had learnt more Auroran History from the bard than they had from their time travelling before - although granted that wasn’t exactly the purpose of their journey. The talking was practically non-stop - a constant twittering that just made his heart ache for their previous travelling companions all the more. The ache only increased when the gruff response to all the twittering never came. The confusion and fear in Ethia were somehow great enough to mask the loneliness and absurd amount of just homesickness they had felt. Only now that they allowed themselves to dwell on their emotions. And how despite being their place of origin, Ethia was no home to them. 

The camp appeared suddenly. Zuriel rounded a corner, and there they were. Their heart sung at the familiar sight; Andruil's arms moving wildly as she spoke, Róisín nodding gently as she carved a small piece of wood, fire crackling between them. Andruil turned in their direction, arms freezing as recognition brightened her face. 

"Zuri!" She cried happily. 

In moments she was on her feet, rushing over to swoop them into a tight hug. She pulled them off their own feet as she spun them both around.

"Andruil, don't overwhelm them." Róisín chided gently as she joined her apprentice by Zuriel's side. 

Andruil smiled sheepishly as she lowered Zuriel back to their feet with a soft 'sorry'. 

The elder Kamishiba turned to Zuriel, a gentle smile on her face as she placed a hand on their shoulder. 

"It's good to see you again, Zuriel. But how did you find us?" 

"...?!" 

They turned their head in the direction of the bard - but no Aro stood there. She had disappeared like a mirage. Silently disappearing long before Andruil had even spotted them. 

"Wait, you went home right? What happened?" Andruil asked, face twisting in concern.

"... Not right." They admitted softly. "Home… here. I am… Home."