More than one #5
After the chaotic encounter with the corrupted spiders, Micro and Zara retreated to a small, secluded cabin nestled deep within a forest of data fragments. The towering trees around them were made of flickering code, their bark constantly shifting between colors, reflecting the constant flow of information that defined their world. The air, though not quite real, hummed with a strange energy, calming the wearied minds of both the travelers.
As they entered the cabin, it was surprisingly quaint. The interior had a vintage feel to it, with wooden beams and an old-fashioned fireplace, despite being surrounded by nothing but pure data. Micro took a seat in one of the chairs by the fire, his body exhausted from the mental strain of using his new powers. The battle against the corrupted code had left him breathless, but the relief of a temporary respite allowed him to finally relax.
Zara, on the other hand, stood by the window, gazing out at the flickering forest. He seemed unbothered, as though the constant threats around him were nothing more than passing distractions. Zara had seen it all before, from the corrupted spiders to the relentless battles with Xaruma. Still, his mind was heavy, weighed down by the knowledge that his creations had been stolen, his life's work now wielded by someone who had no appreciation for it.
Micro
Why did you take us here, and why didn’t you tell me more about this sooner? About the V_Server... about Xaruma? I could’ve prepared myself better."
Zara
All the destruction he has done. This is where we... rest our minds.
Zara
"I didn’t want to burden you with it. But now you know. You’ve seen the threat, and you’ve felt it firsthand. Xaruma’s not just some enemy to defeat. He’s a force that can reshape files, devouring. And he’s already begun.
Micro
Then what am I supposed to do about it? I just learned how to use X_Server. I’m barely scratching the surface, and now you’re telling me there’s more to it, more threats.
Zara
You’re stronger than you think, Micro. You’ve barely tapped into your potential. The X_Server... it’s just the starter. You can heal the code, you can do what you have naming your skills. But what you need to understand is the bigger picture. It’s not just about surviving—it’s about understanding the environment, knowing how to learn and growing with it. I’ve seen it before. The true power of a Cyber Device is not in its strength, but in its ability to change the surrounding files.
Micro
But how do I even begin to do that? What if I’m not ready?"
Zara let out a soft sigh, leaning back in his chair
Zara
No one is ever truly ready, Micro. We all just... step forward, one piece of code at a time. We learn as we face the challenges. You don’t need to have all the answers now. Just keep pushing forward. And remember, I’m here to guide you.
Micro nodded slowly, feeling the weight of Zara’s words sink in. He wasn’t alone in this battle. He had Zara, a mentor who understood the stakes, even if his past weighed heavily on him. And with the X_Server, he had the tools to shape his future. But that didn’t make it any less terrifying.
The fire's code crackled, the only sound filling the quiet cabin as both of them sat in contemplative silence. Outside, the wind howled through the data-trees, the storm of code continuing to rage. But inside, there was a sense of calm. For now, they were safe.
As Zara took a nap in his chair, Micro goes outside
Micro
I'll just let him take a break.
"Micro stood before a desolate city, buried beneath layers of snow, where the cold wind whispered through empty streets"
"Micro approached the abandoned city, its skyline swallowed by a blanket of snow and silence. As he crossed into the frozen streets, the eerie stillness pressed in around him, each step echoing through the lifeless ruins. Without a clear path, he wandered deeper, drawn by an unseen force lurking within the frostbitten shadows"
"Suddenly, the ceiling lights flickered to life, casting a pale glow over the snow-dusted interior. Nearby, an old electronic device crackled and whirred, breaking the heavy silence. Micro's gaze shifted to a computer terminal in the corner, its screen distorted and glitching with erratic, corrupted data—an unsettling reminder that something was very wrong"
Micro
"Looks like it could use a little fixing."
Micro began reprogramming the corrupted computer, carefully navigating through lines of code riddled with the deadliest viruses. Moments later, the system stabilized, the viruses purged. Suddenly, a message flashed on the screen. Without hesitation, Micro clicked it, triggering a video—an old, flickering feed of the Digital Universe.
The video played with faint static crackling in the background. It showed a vibrant, endless expanse of neon grids and towering structures, data streams flowing like rivers through the skies
Micro’s eyes widened as he saw unfamiliar beings—some resembling Cyber Devices, others entirely different. Worlds overlapped, files merged, and entire cities seemed to float freely across the void.
[Video starts, bright and colorful with upbeat, bouncy music: “doot-doot-doot-da-da!”]
Auditor
(Cheerful and playful)
Auditor
"Hello there, friend! Welcome to the most magical place you’ve ever seen!"
[Boing! As characters bounce on fluffy clouds, giggling fills the air]
Auditor
"Here, we splash in sparkling rivers—"
[splAsh splash splash! as kids jump in shimmering water]
Auditor
"—bounce on clouds—"
[boing-boing! sound effect with each hop]
Auditor
"—and chase shooting stars!"
[whooosh! as stars zoom by and giggle sounds echo]
Auditor
"You can build castles made of light—"
[shiny chime sound as light bricks stack up]
[wooooo! As a breeze carries them up]
Auditor
"—and make new best friends every day!"
[pop! sound as a balloon lifts a character, with “Wheee!”]
Auditor
"Up here, anything is possible… if you can dream it, you can do it!"
[twinkle sound with sparkling stars in the sky]
Auditor
"Come and play with us! There’s magic around every corner!"
[ta-da! fanfare sounds like fireworks pop pop pop! in the sky]
[The video ends with everyone waving and “Yaaay!” sounds before fading out.]
Micro
(Blinking in disbelief)
Micro
"... What... did I just watch?"
He sat there, staring at the screen as the video replayed itself
Micro
"Was that... a kids' show or a corrupted file pretending to be one?"
Micro scratched the back of his head, clearly confused but also a little amused
Micro
"I fix a deadly virus... and I get this as a reward? Fantastic."
Then, despite himself, he chuckled quietly
Micro
"... Actually, it's kinda catchy."
Micro stood frozen, staring at the looping video on the flickering screen, his grin fading
Zara
(Softly, right behind him)
He quickly spun around, his strings twitching slightly in reflex.
Micro
"Z-Zara?! How long have you been there?!"
Zara
"Long enough to see you mesmerized by a kids’ cartoon."
He crossed her arms, clearly amused.
Micro
"I-I wasn’t mesmerized! Just… surprised to see something this innocent in a place like this."
Zara
"Yeah, this city’s full of old ghosts like that. Harmless... most of the time."
His tone dropped just a little, adding a bit of unease
Micro glanced back at the screen, noticing how cheerful the video was against the dark, broken-down surroundings
Micro
"This place keeps getting weirder…"
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