The Many Lives of Akirrel

The cadence of the two warriors echoed through the dry desert air as blades clashed, leaving the impression of a beautiful yet violent dance. It ended as soon as it began; Akirrel once again became the victor. Another lifeless body lay before him, and another faceless soul fool enough to battle one of the Never Enders, discovered the eternal dream. The nameless swordsman now joined the ranks of countless mortals who defied those who can never die.

The badlands beyond the mountain castle of Grebde stretched for miles, a desolate landscape reaching the outer edges of Akirrel’s ancient eyesight; he recalled when this wasteland once housed a variety of life. This happened eons ago. In the now rugged desert terrain, Akirrel mounted his black stallion, a faithful companion and war horse used to the chaos of battle. At a steady pace, he galloped past the fallen foe, traversing the expansive desert landscape on a journey to meet his fate.

The black horse stirred with unease, coming to a sudden halt. Its senses detected something unnoticed by the warrior riding him. In a split second, the desert sands cracked and broke for miles, shaking with violent intensity. On both sides of the Never Ender, two human figures shot forth, spewing the cracked landscape of the badlands in every direction as they erupted from the ground. The two mysterious figures flipped overhead of Akirrel with swords drawn, ready to attack. Akirrel bent backward, maneuvering with quick grace, narrowly evading a slice directed at his head. Simultaneously, he unsheathed his sword, blocking the second figure’s deadly blow aimed at him. The two men landed on opposite sides with feline grace.

Never Enders like me! Akirrel exclaimed in his mind. Shock filled him as he realized two of his own kind worked together. Most Never Enders avoided each other or tried to eliminate one another. Immortal through reincarnation, they retained memories and experiences of previous lives. Over their eons of existence, the sins Never Enders carried out against one another remained beyond measure.

“The badlands are no place for others like us,” one of the men, covered in cracked dirt, remarked, shaking off the sand. “What brings you to our domain?”

“Your domain, is it?” Akirrel smirked, holding back laughter. “What makes you think lands such as these belong to you? The harsh realm named the badlands belongs only to death.”

“It appears you’re in luck, for death is who you’ve found on this day,” the second man declared, soaring through the air toward Akirrel.

Akirrel dismounted the stallion with ease, skillfully blocking the flurry of blows. The second figure, quick and precise, attacked with obliviousness regarding Akirrel’s identity; Akirrel was one of the oldest and most experienced among the Never Enders.

Having tested his opponent, Akirrel sheathed his sword with the grace of experience, dodging thrusts and slices from various angles. He stood his ground for a few more heartbeats and frustrated his opponent further by disarming him and holding the sword to his neck.

“Release him!” the first man shouted.

“Who are you two to be working together in such a manner? Feuding to our kind comes as natural as breathing,” Akirrel stated, his gaze fixed on the captive. “And you, my friend, require a few more lifetimes’ worth of practice.”

Nimaj’neb lowered his head in a respectful bow. “His name is Otos. I go by Nimaj’neb. Your skill is beyond impressive, and it is clear we are not your equals. I beg you to be kind and allow my brother more time before you force him to be born again.” As he spoke, Nimaj’neb sheathed his sword, acknowledging the undeniable prowess of Akirrel.

Outraged, Otos shot a scowl at his brother. “How dare you grovel before this swine? Luck guided his hand on this day!”

“He disarmed you, brother! Let it be!” Nimaj’neb rose slowly, his gaze now fixed on the man who held his brother’s life in his hands. He regarded Akirrel’s tailored red clothing, reminiscent of a time long past. “You ride a mighty horse. It’s a miracle you managed to maintain its life across these harsh lands.”

“When you have lived again and again as I have, you learn quite a bit regarding survival.” Akirrel stepped to the side with lightning-quick speed and returned the sword to Otos’ sheath. Afterward, he ambled to the black stallion, who waited for his master with eagerness. “My name is Akirrel, in lives past and in this one.”

Amazed, Otos bowed his head and fell to his knees. “You’re one of the First! Forgive me, Master Akirrel!”

“We owe a debt!” Nimaj’neb bowed deeper than his brother. “You spared my brother a premature reincarnation. We serve you until the debt is repaid in full, no matter how many lifetimes it may take.”

While mounting his stallion, Akirrel gazed down at the two brothers. “I’ve no need of servants, and no debt stands between us. You two are free, as you’ve always been.”

“We are honor-bound. You would wound us by denying it,” Otos declared. He stood before Akirrel, ready to defend in order to prove his fealty.

With two Never Enders on my side, I may defeat him. Elyk will pay for his treachery, as will Maya. I possess the secret, and the Never Enders will be reincarnated no more, only to meet the true death. These two will be useful. A smile formed on Akirrel’s face as he regarded the now loyal subjects. The surrounding air charged with a newfound sense of purpose, and the vibrant loyalty of the brothers added dynamic energy to Akirrel’s unfolding saga.

* * * *

“Lerrika, honey, what are you doing now?” Sanda asked as she opened the sliding door to her daughter’s room. The colony withstood much hardship on the distant planet of Iltej, and Sanda faced a multitude of challenging tasks as the Chief Environmental Engineer. The room, although small, reflected a blend of smart devices controlled through voice and mind commands. The AI assistant designated to Sanda’s home stayed linked to the robotic helpers designed to alleviate some of the challenges faced by the colonists. Those robots kept Lerrika’s room clean. Although they lived on another planet forging a new society for humanity, a teenager’s room remained a teenager’s room.

“Mother, please! I’ve asked you before to announce yourself before entering my room!” Lerrika pouted, surrounded by holographic displays and a sleek computer setup that responded to Lerrika’s every word. As of late, the rift between mother and daughter widened. Lerrika fought for independence, while Sanda sought only to protect her only child in the unforgiving environment of Iltej.

“I’m sorry, honey. Supper is ready, and your father and I grew curious about what you’ve been doing up here.” Like most mothers, Sanda picked up the stray clothing lying about Lerrika’s room, assisting the robotic clean-up crew. “It wouldn’t hurt you to stay a bit on the tidy side of things.” The robots appeared to agree with a series of beeps.

“And it wouldn’t hurt you to stop being nosy. If you must know, I’m working on a story.” She turned around on the swivel chair that molded to her body, creating the perfect ergonomic experience. She pointed with pride at the computer display. No keyboard was necessary since all her thoughts were transmitted to the computer via the wireless chip implanted at birth. Every colony person wore one to locate those lost in the harsher terrains and communicate and link them with life-saving equipment. They also served to activate and direct everyday amenities in the home.

Sanda smiled. “We have a budding author in the family. I believe this makes you the first. May I read some of it?”

“Not yet, Mother. It isn’t finished. But when I finish, it’ll be grand!” The enthusiasm welled up inside Lerrika so much that she felt herself on the verge of an emotional explosion.

“Of this, I have no doubt, my darling daughter.” Sanda planted a quick kiss on her daughter’s forehead and laughed as Lerrika wiped it away.

“I hate it when you do that, Mother,” Lerrika complained.

“But I love the way you react when I do.” Sanda smiled. “Now, before we go down and eat dinner, can you at least tell me the name of this novel?”

Lerrika beamed with joy. “The title will be The Many Lives of Akirrel. I’ve named it after the protagonist.”

Sanda raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “And what is this Akirrel like, my darling daughter?”

She closed her eyes, imagining her creation. “For starters, he’s handsome. He has long, shimmering black hair that he puts back in a ponytail, and he’s the best swordsman around. Elyk is better, though, and Elyk is his mortal enemy. Did I mention the part about reincarnation?”

Sanda shook her head from side to side and smiled as mothers do.

“Oh, that’s the best part! It’s what makes the story!” Lerrika cleared her throat before she continued. “The people in the story are what I call Never Enders. They keep all the memories and experiences of their previous lives and have, therefore, died and lived time and time again, moving from body to body with every generation. In a way, they are immortal and trapped in their world, watching it change with time. They can’t move on to the next world after death.”

“Sounds fascinating!” Sanda smiled. “I can’t wait to read it.”

Lerrika bobbed her head with approval. “I can’t wait to finish it. Shall we head down, Mother?”

Sanda nodded. “Yes, we shall.”

Both mother and daughter stood up and exited Lerrika’s bedroom. Sanda led the way down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Lerrika’s father, Danjo, awaited to feast on the meal prepared by the food sequencer. The device was a perk of being the Chief Environment Engineer and was delivered during a recent shipment from Mother World.

Lerrika sighed as she moved down the stairs behind her mother. It frustrated her to stop what she was doing, but the story would have to wait. The ambient hum of the technology in their colony house and the distant sounds of life on Iltej through open windows surrounded them as they descended, creating a backdrop for the intertwined lives of a family living in a distant and challenging world.

* * * *

Storming the castle remained the easier part of the plan. The troops raised by Akirrel followed him to the death; he stood as their personal messiah, and they became his ordained people, chosen for this purpose. Akirrel used their fanaticism as a means to an end, and they fought and died, utilizing the blood of the slain as a symbol of their salvation. The disruption created by the small army worked as intended. Akirrel and his fellow Never Enders entered the mountain castle of Grebde amid the chaos. Vengeance would be theirs.

Otos and Nimaj’neb maintained a vigilant eye as they crept through the open chamber where Maya and Elyk would be found. The earth tones that made Otos and Nimaj’neb blend in while living in the badlands did nothing to camouflage them as they stalked through the decorated chamber, which housed elaborate artwork from all over the kingdom. Akirrel wore white, the color of purity. His clothing was covered in the blood of those sacrificed for his glory, and the white faded into varying shades of the red stain.

The chamber, adorned with intricate carvings and tapestries, resonated with an air of ancient power and dark history. Torches flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls as if the essence of the place was alive with malevolence. Otos and Nimaj’neb moved with stealth, their footsteps creating a faint echo against the cold stone floor.

“How many times must I kill you, Akirrel?” Elyk stepped from behind one of the massive pillars in the chamber. He stood in a suit of golden armor; his silver hair was tucked beneath the helmet. Elyk carried his sword in hand.

Akirrel smirked. “It won’t be a concern for much longer. I discovered magic capable of putting a stop to our reincarnations. I will use it on you the moment my sword pierces your flesh, and you shall be reborn no more.”

“We shall see, Akirrel. As for your companions, well, they have their own demons to battle.” With the wave of a hand, two shadowy figures appeared before Otos and Nimaj’neb. The lifeless shadows formed into versions of the two warriors and opened their dark eyes in unison.

The shadows cast eerie reflections on the chamber walls, creating an atmosphere of impending doom. “What evil is this?!” Otos cried, sword in hand and ready to fight.

“You have defeated many when entering this castle. Let’s see how well you do against your very self.” Elyk wasted no time charging Akirrel as the shadow copies attacked their counterparts with deadly precision.

Akirrel fought the battle of his life, deflecting blow after blow made upon him by Elyk. From his peripheral, Akirrel spotted Maya watching the fight unfold. She lay atop a long bed placed in the center of the chamber. The green silk dress fit her curvy body like a second skin, and the image of her beauty was enough to bring Akirrel to his knees.

“She is mine, Akirrel! This has always been the case!” Elyk’s voice boomed as his relentless attack continued.

The air crackled with tension as the clash of swords echoed through the chamber. The torchlight flickered in rhythm with the intense duel, casting dynamic shadows that danced along the ancient walls.

I must gain the upper hand! Akirrel summoned all his strength.

Otos struggled with himself literally while dueling with his shadow copy. The dark counterpart expected his actions before he took them, and the appropriate counters met each attack Otos attempted. He kept a watchful gaze on Nimaj’neb as they fought. “We cannot continue like this, Nimaj’neb.”

“I agree, brother.” Nimaj’neb fought his dark counterpart, finding the same difficulties. “I’m aware of your weaknesses.”

Otos smirked. “And I yours.”

“Then we shall see who the better swordsman is!” Nimaj’neb bellowed.

With the ease of a leaf floating upon a gentle wind, the brothers switched opponents so they would face each other’s shadow copies. This threw the dark counterparts off, as they failed to anticipate the attacks made against them by the duo. Working together, the two brothers made quick work of their dark rivals, striking each down at the same time. When finished, they cast their gaze upon Akirrel, who continued to struggle with Elyk.

“We must help him!” Otos grew angry to discover his brother’s hand holding him back.

“We must not take action.” Nimaj’neb beheld Akirrel’s battle. “This is his fight. He must do this on his own. Our debt has been repaid tenfold with the storming of this castle alone, not to mention our previous exploits with one of the First. Whether he survives depends upon his will.”

The two brothers glanced at the beautiful Maya. She lay like a goddess, her golden hair dancing in the breeze sweeping through the chamber. The open balcony peering down to the mountain’s base was good for such things.

“She causes all of this.” Otos wanted nothing more than to pierce his sword through her flesh. He felt the demon beneath the mask of beauty as she eyed him from where she lay.

“That she is, my brother. That she is.” Nimaj’neb agreed.

Maya took her eyes off the two, knowing they posed a minor threat to her. Instead, she focused on Akirrel and Elyk as they battled throughout the massive chamber, showing no mercy with their intense movements.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve witnessed these two do battle. I can’t remember the first time. Her memory was vast, and she struggled to recover specific experiences from her past.

“In all these lives, have you learned nothing?” Elyk struck down hard and sidestepped a slice, moving in. His sword slashed along Akirrel’s abdomen as he passed by.

Akirrel gazed down. He saw his own blood soaking through the white clothing he wore and lost track of it as it mixed with the blood of his enemies. The white that remained on his clothing was sporadic.

Elyk waited with patience for Akirrel’s next move. “You’re going to die again, Akirrel.”

“No!” Akirrel charged Elyk with the strength and force of an army. His barrage of slices and thrusts would have been a series of blurs to the naked eye. His superhuman effort became relentless. “You will die!”

Surprised by the sudden onslaught, Elyk struggled to block each blow made against him. They danced the dance of death as they moved throughout the chamber. Maya watched and waited; the brothers did the same. Without warning, Elyk smiled and, with a free hand, summoned a bit of the magic he had gathered over his many lives.

The ground in the chamber shook around Otos and Nimaj’neb. The chamber, once a grand display of opulence, now manifested its malevolent power as the structure rebelled against the intruders. Hands and arms made of the marble floor reached out and held the two brothers in place. The hands of stone tightened their grip on Otos and Nimaj’neb, creating an ethereal prison that resonated with the echoes of ancient curses. They yelled in fury at their sudden imprisonment.

Another hand and arm emerged from the marble behind Akirrel as he blocked strikes against him with his sword. The red and gold marble of the chamber floor lifted high in the air, resembling a giant serpent ready to strike. The fingers flexed with fury as the hand seized Akirrel, forcing him to drop his sword with an intense grip that enveloped his entire body. The Never Ender found it impossible to breathe, the weight of the magical imprisonment pressing down on him.

Unable to hide his satisfaction, Elyk laughed, allowing his devilish smile to grow from ear to ear. He walked to Akirrel with golden armor shining and sword in hand. “You’ve fought well but will never be good enough to defeat me, Akirrel.”

“I’ll return, Elyk. No matter how often death takes me from this realm, I will return and have my vengeance!” Akirrel struggled with the marble hand holding him in place. His rage kept him from noticing the wound in his abdomen bleeding out and opening up as the deadly grip grew tighter.

“Wait!” Maya yelled, breaking her serene demeanor. She stood from the bed, and her green silk dress complemented her gait as she glided over to Elyk and Akirrel. The atmosphere in the chamber crackled with tension as she intervened. “Akirrel, why must you do this time and time again? Why do you torture yourself so?”

Akirrel locked eyes with her. “I thought you loved me... once, long ago. But your betrayal is far deeper than Elyk’s. You’re the reason I suffer so. You’re the reason I’ve come back time and time again!”

“I saved you when you died the first time. I couldn’t stop Elyk from killing you, but the magic of reincarnation allowed you to survive. I had no choice but to stay with Elyk. He had plans, and I wanted to be a part of them. After all this time, I thought you would have understood I gave you this gift so you could still be you, regardless of how things ended. You would be lost like the other mortals, returning to nothing and losing everything that makes them who they are. I care about you, Akirrel.” Maya reached for his face with a gentle touch as he struggled to pull away.

“Is it thanks you desire?” He almost laughed himself to insanity. “Maya, I loved you, and you returned that love by cursing me! Death after death brings me no peace. I awaken to see my last moments before Elyk took his sword and struck me down as you watched, doing nothing. The first death thousands of years ago still seems as though it happened only days past.”

“Enough!” Elyk’s eyes gazed upon Akirrel. “It ends now. This spell you spoke of, Akirrel, I’ve gained it myself. Whenever you’re born, my people are already watching. Whatever you try to do, one of my agents is taking in every detail. It didn’t have to be like this, but you were always stubborn. These silly notions of justice and honor only dimmed your view of the possibilities before us. The years you’ve wasted fueled by jealousy and anger show how petty of a creature you truly are.”

“No. Your true death would bring about a world of people realizing they can exist without tyranny.” Akirrel eyed the blade Elyk held as it moved closer to his neck.

“Then it is a shame this world will never know a single day and night without me.” Elyk took the blade and brought it down with a swift and decisive motion, intending to end Akirrel’s eternal struggle.

* * * *

“Lerrika! Where are you?!” Sanda yelled throughout their home. Her voice carried well as she grew accustomed to yelling for her daughter’s presence.

“I’m in my room, Mother! Where else would I be?” Lerrika responded with a voice equally broadcast, tinged with frustration at having her writing interrupted. She was near the end of the epic tale she had concocted and wanted to finish it with a finale worthy of praise from future generations. She found this task the most difficult and took her time in tying everything together.

Sanda entered Lerrika’s room, pleasantly surprised to see it was neatly kept more than the last time she had entered. “Still working on your novel?”

“Yes. I’m having trouble finishing it. I’m not sure what to do.” Lerrika stood from the chair to the computer terminal. Pacing was a habit she had gotten from her father, Danjo.

“Must you pace?” Sanda placed a set of washed laundry into one of her daughter’s drawers.

“It helps me to think, Mother. I need to move to think.” Lerrika explained.

“Some fresh air would do the same. How about we go for a walk? You can get this pacing out of your system, and I can be even more sane for not witnessing you do so inside this house.” Sanda suggested.

“Where would you like to walk to?” Lerrika stopped moving.

“We go to wherever our feet take us, my darling daughter. A lot of writers liked to walk,” Sanda said.

Lerrika’s skepticism showed. “Name a few.”

“I’m no expert on the subject, but I gather all those who could walk really enjoyed it.” Sanda smiled while giving her daughter a wink.

“Oh, you’re just filled with jokes today, aren’t you, Mother?” Without hesitation, Lerrika grabbed her mother’s hand and allowed her to escort her down the stairs of their home. Though she was in her early teen years, she still enjoyed acting as a child many years younger from time to time.

As they stepped outside to the foreign terrain of another planet, the air was crisp and carried the scent of alien plant life unique to the distant planet of Iltej. The colony, surrounded by a protective energy field, stood against the backdrop of unfamiliar landscapes. Lerrika and Sanda strolled along the path, the cool breeze rustling the leaves of exotic trees.

“Tell me more about your novel, Lerrika. What’s the grand finale you’re pondering?” Sanda asked, enjoying the walk and the chance to engage with her daughter.

Lerrika considered. “Well, I’m torn between two possibilities. One is a triumphant resolution with the hero overcoming all odds, and the other is a bittersweet ending with sacrifices made for the greater good. I want it to be memorable, you know?”

“That’s quite a choice. Both have merit. What does your heart tell you?” Sanda inquired, glancing at her daughter with maternal warmth.

Lerrika pondered momentarily, looking out at the alien landscape stretching before them. “I think... I want it to resonate with hope. Even while facing challenges, the characters find hope and strength to move forward. Maybe that’s what our walk today will help me discover.”

Sanda smiled, proud of her daughter’s thoughtful approach to storytelling. They continued their walk, the vibrant hues of Iltej’s flora painting a picturesque backdrop to their conversation.

* * * *

The central base camp in Iltej bustled with an overflow of life. Ground cars drove through the streets transporting people and goods; hovercrafts zoomed from building to building above. In the far distance, at the spaceport, off-world transports ascended and descended in the afternoon sky.

Lerrika enjoyed these constitutionals she took with her mother. They relaxed her and allowed her to spend time with the woman in a way that was not embarrassing. She was getting older now, and the childish things her mother did weren’t fitting for a woman. It was a hard lesson, but one Lerrika trudged through with the angst of any teenager.

“I remember how things were before all of this was built,” Sanda remarked, looking at her surroundings as they walked at a leisurely pace. “I helped draft some designs for the vehicles we use, along with how the waste in the city is reprocessed.”

“I know, Mother. You remind me of the fact every time we step outside,” Lerrika said, knowing she would have to hear the story again.

“Well, I’m sorry for being proud of my work, my darling daughter. We’ve built ourselves a society here. It’s far away from the original planets, where vicious wars rage. It stifles me to think that as technologically savvy as we’ve become as a race, we still can act as barbaric as ever. People always feud. It never fails. Even here in Iltej, though, it’s a lot more low-key and political. I gather it has turned from physical to intellectual — the wars. You should write your next story about that,” Sanda sighed, wondering if any of her words resonated with her daughter.

“I viewed something on the holo newscast. They said a treaty had been signed and that peace was eminent with some of the feuding worlds.” Lerrika did her best to partake in this conversation with her mother. It seemed important somehow.

“We can only hope, my darling daughter,” Sanda sighed once again and descried red lights flashing off in the distance. The sight of the glow created a knot in her stomach that reached to her throat, making her want to vomit. Sirens soon followed the lights, and she understood what would be next. “No... The protective shields have been disabled…”

“Why are the sirens sounding, Mother?” Lerrika was at a loss. The sirens blared. A mass wave of panicked colonists rushed around in sporadic directions.

“We have to find shelter!” Without thinking, Sanda grabbed Lerrika by the arm, dragging her across the main square of the base camp to the nearest building with a deep underground subsection.

“Why aren’t we going home? I’m scared! Where’s Father?” Lerrika couldn’t hold back the tears of fear as she viewed the red ships covering the blue skies above. From those ships, small spherical shapes descended at terminal velocity. Even a young teenage girl understood ships like that could only drop one thing.

“No! It can’t end this way!” Sanda stopped running, knowing they would never find shelter in time. Peace was a lie! The bastards planned this attack!

Sanda held her daughter tight as tears fell. They witnessed in shocked horror as a red sphere made contact on the ground near them, and...

* * * *

Aki R. Rel stood before the computer terminal in the student lab, slamming his fists on the console. Frustrated beyond words, he turned off the Iltej program and forced himself to walk away from the terminal before kicking the contraption with all his might.

“What’s the matter now?” Jeffers asked, sitting only two terminals down. It was crunch time at the university, and Jeffers and Aki always waited until the last minute to complete assignments. “Did your program crash on you again, Rel?” Jeffers always called him by his last name, knowing how much Aki hated his first name.

“My senior thesis revolves around an AI program that can determine a pattern of humanity that will live in peace with the fruit of technology to assist. The program comprises a replica of our society. And the technology is ‘inspired’ to individuals in the vast program by me. That technology is supposed to make everyone’s lives better, but the people in the program keep using it for war, to conquer, and to kill. No matter what I do, it evolves into complete chaos. Utopia just can’t exist, can it? Not even in an AI program.” Aki explained.

“Maybe it’s time to change your thesis to the opposite of what you intended. The program appears to support the contrary argument.” Jeffers continued fixing a glitch in his program.

Aki paced back and forth in the small space before his computer terminal. “The little girl died.”

“What?” Jeffers stopped what he was doing and turned his chair to face Rel; Rel paced back and forth. It annoyed him how much Rel paced when thinking. “What do you mean?”

“A little girl was in the program; she was a teenager. I grew kind of fond of her. Her name was Lerrika. She was a bright kid. She had a brilliant future in that program, and she died because a peace treaty was broken. Her world was invaded and destroyed.” Aki sighed and sat down, slumping into his chair.

“Look, Rel, I know you get into what you do, but you have to remember, no matter how real these programs seem, they’re not. She was never alive; therefore, she couldn’t have died.” Jeffers explained, sympathy in his voice.

“What is death, Jeffers? How do we even know we’re alive?” Aki remembered the story he viewed Lerrika working on. The main character, Akirrel, was about to die for good, but now he would never find out the ending.

“Who knows, Rel? I know we’re here and now and need to make the best of it. We need to do that, although your AI program doesn’t want to be a peace-loving one even though, by nature, humanity is prone to violence and suffering. It’s sad, but in the end, that’s how we define ourselves. The violence is a byproduct. People gravitate to it because they become important when they have someone’s life in their hands. Nothing will change this unless we experience some kind of conscious evolution as a people; it needs to be an emotional and psychological evolution.” Jeffers rubbed his eyes, experiencing the exhaustion of the past six hours.

“Never had a clue you were so philosophical.” Aki turned to his screen. “What if we’re just figments of someone’s imagination like the people in these programs are to us? What if someone is writing out every little detail we do and deciding whether we live and die, even though we think we’re in control of every choice we make?”

“And I’m the one being philosophical?” Jeffers chuckled.

Aki shrugged. “I’m just saying, Jeffers - just throwing it out there.”

Jeffers nodded. “I know, and someone is writing our story.”

“And who would that be?” Aki smirked.

“Probably some asshole in a chair who spilled his coffee while writing on one of those antique wireless keyboards.” Jeffers laughed. “Can you imagine? How crazy would it be if we were just characters in a story?”

Aki chuckled while looking over his program. He needed to find a solution to his problem or develop a new senior thesis to fit into the context of his existing program. The clock was ticking, with only twelve hours left.