Experiment
Anya gazed out the window curiously, her large brown eyes fixed upon the flickering stars. Beside her was a white robed priest, motioning for her to come to the large intricately carved doors. She winded a single strand of black hair around her finger, looking hopefully at the priest.
“Anya Lelun Caelum. The Master has requested to see you.” The priest said politely, bowing to the young girl.
“Then I shall see him.” A small grin played upon her face, “Do I have a choice but to accept?” she asked the priest, brushing her cloak away from her face, revealing a small, delicate face with short black hair messily arranged around her face. The priest stared at the girl briefly,
“If you would rather see the Master some other time, Caelum, I think I can arrange that.” The priest said his face stony and emotionless. Sighing softly, she let the priest escort her to the door carefully, and walked inside the familiar room.
“Master.” She murmured, bowing deeply.
“Rise, my dear Anya.” A loud, resonant voice said, echoing throughout the metal room. Anya looked up at the screen where the voice had come from. There on the screen, was the image of a large face. Most of it was hidden from an earth colored robe. The only thing completely visible was a single glowing red eye, shining through strands of silver hair. “ Sit down, if you like. I have much to say.” Anya nodded, and seated herself cross legged on the carpeted floor.
“Every once and awhile, there is someone in a certain race that is, well, special. You and I have previously been the only examples of that.” The voice said, sounding almost unsure. There was a slight pause as what the image had said ran through Anya’s brain.
“Previously been? What do you mean?”
“Well, I suppose I could say that we found another.” The voice said softly. Anya stared at the screen.
“Another? Of us?” she asked, not believing what she had just heard. “How?” she lay down, and looked at the metal ceiling. “When did you find out?” she asked, closing her eyes.
“Only yesterday. The priests told me you were resting and not to be disturbed. Your own orders, I recall. I decided I’d tell you today.” The image smiled at Anya. “I suppose you already have guessed what I wanted you to do.”
: It’s not that much. : He said silently.
: Yes, I know. I never thought the day would come. Yet here it is. I never realized how much a human life meant to me. : She sighed softly. The easiest way to communicate between them was mind-talking. There was no chance of someone eavesdropping on them, everything was silent, but it took longer and more energy. Most of the time, they’d start out aloud, but end up completely silent. Anya turned away from the screen, biting her lip. She knew exactly what was wanted of her. They, no, he wanted her to give up her human life and live the rest of her long life in a computer, the same way the Master was. She would travel the web of connections throughout the universe until she found this human. It was her destiny, yet hopefully there was some way to get out of it. Some escape.
: The human is untrained.. : The Master said, breaking her thoughts. : You knew it would happen.. : Anya turned to the screen.
“I knew it would happen, but not so suddenly. I’ve had only eight human years alive, well, since I got out of my computer form. I was hoping I’d be able to enjoy the rest of my human life before returning to that little box that constricted me for so long. I don’t even remember how to act like an adult. I am now a child with the slightest memories of my life in the box. Hardly any.” She said aloud, looking at the image directly. The image smiled warmly at the child,
“Fortunately for you, we think we’ve found a way to get you out of the computer once you get in.” he said proudly. “We thought once I die, it would be easier for you to rule if you were out of the box.” Anya combed her hair with her hands, acting as if she had heard nothing of what the image had said. Of course, she had and was thinking her situation over thoroughly in her mind.
“I suppose I don’t have a choice anymore.” She muttered, tracing the designs in the carpet.
“No, you don’t really.” The image said sadly. “At least you have the pride of knowing you’re doing something for the best of the people of the universe.” He said, looking sympathetically at the small girl. “The sooner you begin the better.” He added quickly.
“Then hook me up now. I’d rather do it now than later.” Anya said, biting her lip. The image whistled, and a priest came out with a small chair that looked liked it was molded for Anya’s body.
“Anya Lelun Caelum, would you like to sit down?” he asked, bowing. Anya nodded and sat herself down. The priest pulled a bar down over her knees, and one underneath her arms.
“Safety precautions.” The image said happily. : You’re getting what you want, I suppose.. : She said silently.
: Of course not, my dear Anya. I shall be perfectly miserable without you. : He said, shaking his head sadly.
“There, Caelum, you are ready. Tell me when you want to go.” The priest said, looking at the girl sympathetically.
“Anytime.” She murmured and sat back into the chair. Yet again, she was going to be stuffed back into the computer network, to climb the threads of the network and to search through the endless voids of nothing.
: Good bye. It might be awhile before I see you again. : She said, closing her eyes, waiting for the transportation.
: Yes. I’m sure you’ll do well. Remember. Find the human and bring him back. And yourself, if possible.. : He said, and with a friendly wave, he left the screen.
Slowly, the air around Anya began to contort and disintegrate, and as her body finally died, she was sent through the wires that had been hooked onto her and into her old home. The computer. She looked through the screen to see her old body. It was merely a shell, though she had been rather attached to it. It was laying limp in the chair, hands clasped together at her chest, and her eyes closed peacefully. She saw the priests walk in with roses and crown the body with a small wreath of roses and sprinkle rose petals on her. After a good amount of roses lay upon the body, they took it out of the chair, and put it on a small platform. Each priest took a torch and helped light the fire.
Anya watched her old body slowly burn until all that was left was a small stone that almost looked like it had a fire of its own in it, burning brightly. The last priest took the stone, and put it carefully in a small pouch lined with rabbit fur. Anya turned off the screen; it was time she got going..