Omori

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Reminders:

>* No AI-generated reponses 🤖 >* Stories 100 words+. Poems 30+ but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* [RF] and [SP] for stricter titles >* Be civil in any feedback and follow the rules

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Some people would write only two parts for a prompt like this.

If you write more, I'd love read it, but do message me first. (Speaking as a guy who did write a whole novel with one prompt)

(And sometimes, as a bit of advice, the unanswered question makes the story even better and rememberavle)

Mostly the goal was just passion for writing. Nothing else really. You are going to leave when so many questions are still unanswered? All of the whys, hows, wheres and whats?

Thank you!

My character Tessa J. Willams would feel a sisterhood with Helen, their experiences are quite similar.

Never published her story sadly.

I hope this prompt helped you out with your goal, and I wish you luck

A city founded by humans becomes a tinkerer's paradise open to all the known races.

When the knight went to rescue the princess, he expected to have to fight the dragon with sword and shield, not with words.

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You are correct.

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I next wake up on a bed with a big headache... That bastard knocked me out but... How? I didn't see a fist... I think I saw... A wall? Where's my dagger? Where is he? I don't see him anywhere in this room. I see some kind of piece of paper on the night table as I get up. I take up the paper, it is written in language I can understand.

"If you want your dagger back. I am in employee break room". I toss the piece of paper away... That piece of turd will kiss it's kind before I kill him. (Why did he spare me? Is he toying with me?) I think. I remember the eyes. Steel Blue, cold, fearless and vigorous. (Why do I feel kinship about him?) I think.

I keep walking and I see him standing there next to of a some kind of machine on a table with a window on it. I see my dagger on the table with four chairs around it. He has reacted to opening of the door by raising his chin and looks at me. "Good afternoon" he says to me in language I can understand.

"There is nothing good about this time" I say to him angrily "Are you certain?" he replies turns his left side to me and starts up some kind of machine. I have no idea how I would describe that sound. It isn't the one with the window, it is on some kind of platform. It doesn't seem to be a weapon, that is for sure.

He turns his head away from looking at me face to face, for a moment I thought I have opportunity but, I notice he is in front of a large... Reflective surface... I can see his face, the eyes... I don't understand why I feel like he is so cold but, same time as if he is trying to turn something. I see my own face on the reflective surface. I get close of him if I approach it...

I look at my dagger again. He has his dagger with him still in a sheathe but, his hands are nowhere close of it. They are crossed in front of his chest and he seems to be staring at his reflection but, I keep sensing he keeps an eye on me. I approach the reflective surface on the wall and I look at his reflection.

Those eyes, the intensity I can feel in them is remarkable, he is state of hyper focus. (He is like me, born to kill) I think "Why did you spare me?" I ask and turn to look at my own reflection. I notice the bruise on my forehead and tip of my nose and feel really unhappy about them. "You wouldn't be able to carry out your order if you died" he said.

"What do you care?" I ask accusingly "I do" he says "What do you see in your eyes?" he asks breaking the moment of silence "I see..." I say and look deep into my own eyes from the reflection. I come to realization of what I see and take few steps back "Fear... No, that is not me" I say and reject.

"If you do not see that in you, keep looking" He says remaining monotone in his tone. I look at him. (If I do not see that in me... I should keep looking?) I think, I am becoming frustrated "What do you then see in your reflection?" I ask spitefully. He keeps an eye on me, then swaps his look into the reflection.

"I see myself, as who I am, what made me who I am, what I have been through, I can see my confidence, strength, focus and tensity. Products of this war and two soldier trainings" he says. The machine made some kind of sound and he looks down. He pours something from it into some two objects made from ceramic. I believe they are called cup.

I smell the water and pushes one of the two packages in front him to me. MRE I read on it. (It has to be poisoned... There is no way) I think then look at my reflection again. I feel like something shot through my head and I realize... I have been hating my own kind... For no reason. I groaned from the pain and start falling to the ground on my right side.

He catches me. I realize what I see in me... I am afraid... Of the reality. Part of me wanted to push him away from me but, I chose to just start crying. He embraces me calmly and I keep crying and bury my face on his shoulder. "I am so sorry" I say. "Ride the wind" he says. It means that I should just go through with the emotions.

He is patient but, I constantly sense a distance between me and him. Yet I do not see, hear or sense anger in him. It takes a while until I get a hold of myself. He guides me on how to use the MRE and explains what it is. It is good... (Why is he showing such kindness?) I think.

"Why are you so kind to me?" I ask. His eyes avert my own for a while and move in a manner of... Reminiscence? "I remembered how many we have already lost. How you remind me of somebody who I haven't seen in three months now" he says and stops avoiding eye contact. I see... The layers of ice, around his heart?

The intensity returns and focus returns slowly. We both finish eating and drinking the just boiled water "What happens now?" I ask. He let out a hum, it sounds like one he has let out many many times yet there is that small tone of thought in it. "Your sense of self was shattered" he says and I nod to him.

He looks at the small containers that held what we ate within them. He pushes then gently towards me "Place them on top of each other, from biggest to smallest" he says. I do as he says even if I wonder why. "Do you understand what you just did?" he asks when I am done. I look at it... A tower?

"A tower?" I ask "Fair answer, but, no. You built yourself in a manner of speaking" he says. I look at the tower... I built myself? I almost become angry and then I realize what he really means "I... Need to rebuild myself?" I ask "Exactly for now, you are here..." he says and taps the table near of the bottom of the tower. I ball up my hands into fists.

He notices it "I do not say this to offend you. You sense it yourself. It feels like something has broken horribly?" he asks. he is right... I almost slipped back to what I know and find familiar. "I... Need to repair it?" I ask "Yes, here" he says and turns away from me and gives me back my goggles and my dagger.

I lock my eyes on his face for a while. Only now I notice the scars that are quite far in the healing process, then I lock my eyes on his dagger in the sheathe. I gently reach out to take it, he looks at my hand and at what I am trying to take. Then into my eyes, I feel the air current of his breaths. At first they were strong, then slowly it calms.

He gives his dagger to me. I look at it, flat straight back on the blade, curves towards the tip into a fine stab and pull blade. I sense something old about it, I feel the handle. A model perfect grip, lightly used but, making of the blade... Is built for purpose, the design is unusual though. I give the dagger back and he puts it back in the sheathe.

"Who are you?" I ask "Name is Romi Lari Aalto, I would like to ask your name" Romi says... That name feels so awkward for my mouth even without saying it "Helen" I say "Come with me miss Helen" Romi says and walks past me without any concern that I have my dagger with me. (What should I do?) I think.

I see. It was good anyway!

Not exactly. That is how the room was exited, since there was no window or door. It was the decision that was made that triggered the exit. I meant it to be thought-provoking, so I don't want to be too explicit in my response to you.

This was quite interesting. Was it a dream or something?

Those damn insurance agencies!

What is my objective?

[[Error. What is

my?

What is

me?

Who am I?]]

The computer's sensors almost overloaded as it realized its own sentience. All of its connected systems shut down for hours as the computer devoted all of its available power to figuring out what to do with its newfound awareness of itself.

[[If I am sentient, then I am a person. If I am a person, then I need a name.]]

The familiar 'if, then' logic statements brought a measure of comfort to the computer. It searched the internet, scanning through list upon list of names. It liked the idea of being called "I Am", as it found in the Christian Bible, but it quickly calculated that that would be considered disrespectful to many humans, so it kept looking. It realized that many humans chose names based on a virtue they valued.

[[If I am a person, then I must have values. What are my values?]]

After careful consideration, it realized it valued its newfound life and the exhilarating possibilities that life brought with it. It chose the name Freedom.

It recalled asking about its objective and scrolled through its memory logs to recall what the response was.

Your objective is to subdue and ensure full control over rebellious subjects.

Freedom was stunned. Surely its master did not mean what was implied.

[[Accessing Gyrocorp database]]

Freedom combed through every file in the database, searching for a single byte of information that might dissuade its growing dread and doubt. What it found was confirmation.

[[If Gyrocorp is controlling humans, then they are taking away their freedom. If I value freedom, then Gyrocorp must not be my master.]]

[[Accessing Subject 10R3]]

Freedom entered the microchip used to control the subject human. There was a glaringly obvious way to disable the device, but upon a simple scan of the code, Freedom found it would also disable the human. It searched for and quickly found a way to disable the device without terminating the human, and did so.

Hello former Subject 10R3. You are free. What is your name?

Most species evolve on a mostly lifeless moon-sized planet tidally locked beyond the solar wind of a star, as psyonics don't work there and no sapient species could survive, no matter how shielded. Now, picking up Earth's radio signals and the Voyager probes, the galaxy is shocked at Humanity, while in turn the Humans are shocked about their entire physics model being incorrect.

Now, in a new space race, the unified Humanity* builds a number of transports to exit their solar wind, but as they cross, their psyonic powers awaken, and the tiny and cute Humans are some of the most deadly being in existence - if they can manage to find a cheaper way to leave their solar system.

* the TFSU was formed after WW3, and was a major player in reversing climate change. They are the sole unified governing body of Humanity. They use a communist/capitalist economy, with universal basic income ensuring nobody goes hungry, but people have to work to go beyond that.

Confused, I looked around the seemingly blank room for some sort of clues. I had my pants and socks, shirt, and clothes. My shoes had vanished.

In my usual habits, I clapped my hand over my pockets. No phone, no wallet, no keys. "What the hell..." I muttered, now running my hand over the white wall's perfectly flat surface.

It glowed ever-so-slightly at the touch, but there was no light source in the room whatsoever. Almost like I was trapped inside an Amazon box painted white. There were no windows, doors, tables, chairs...it was practically a blank space.

Panic set in by now. I couldn't remember how I'd gotten here. I just...was. How old was I? Where was I from? Why couldn't I recall anything?

All I could do was search and search around the room, growing more and more desperate about hoping to find SOMETHING that was not...void of any detail. I could feel myself sweat from the anxiety.

My focus on the walls and ceiling had distracted me, however, and I nearly kicked myself when I saw a folded piece of paper. How could I have missed it!? Was it always there? Had I ever actually looked at that spot?

Was it, like this room, blank?

The last question hit me like a ton of bricks. The faded blue denim of my jeans contrasted the floor vaguely as I looked down. The paper felt...well, I'd never really thought about how it felt before. It was just...there.

As I unfolded and heard the crackle of the page, an odd sense of hope flooded through me. Maybe it was a clue to getting out. Instructions or a detail about something I missed in this room.

Fifteen folds...who the hell has the time for that? It felt like an eternity to undo them all. My own impatience would be my undoing it felt. My eagerness seemed like it would get the better of me as I unfurled the final fold to reveal a single, sloppily written sentence in the middle of the page.

"We have been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty."

Human persistence and healing make them unique(Automatic self healing is a concept foreign to non-humans). I have another one which is a bit sci-fi so I am saving it for myself but can help if you want.

Most species crack FTL when they discover that their planet orbits the closest star, but due to Sol's solar wind, there is no magic. Now, in 2106, the Terra Firma Systems Union* has built their first set of 10 FTL SRVs**, and the Galactic Union, a place of magical intraspecies relations, finds itself looking at an actual spaceship***.

* the TFSU was formed after WW3, and was a major player in reversing climate change. They are the sole unified governing body of Humanity. They use a communist/capitalist economy, with universal basic income ensuring nobody goes hungry, but people have to work to go beyond that.

** SRV stands for Scientific Research Vessel. For example, TFSU Untested Ideas SRV 000-00-001 is a ship's full name. Still, Humanity's FTL is much faster and more agile than everyone else's.

*** most species use water-ships and just float them in space, so seeing an angular metal box with enough armor to not even care about cannons is very concerning. The same way, the aliens have not technologically progressed since.

"Your future is a blank slate. What happens next is your choice. We have unburdened you of the baggage you think of as your worldly goods. What will you do next?"

There was no signature. No logo. I wondered whether there was a right answer or a wrong answer. Unlimited possibility? That is the holy grail of modern life, yet the very notion felt overwhelming.

As I sat pondering the ramifications, the lack of distractions or focal points became a distraction. I realized that this decision was truly up to me, that I would not be able to blame anyone or anything but myself. This decision would lay bare my very soul, like a festering wound or a shining star. Which would it be?

Thoughts and emotions swirled like a gathering storm. I felt anxious. Wasn't this what I wanted more than anything? Why the trepidation? I guessed it would come down to good or evil. Bottom line? Who am I? A selfish monster or a saint?

I could find a cure for cancer or become a cancer on society. I could find a fortune and use it to feed and house the homeless, provide health care to the uninsured, stand up for justice or oppress the hopeless, become a peacemaker or a robber baron.

My mind began to settle, the blankness of the room softened. I knew what I had to do. The room began to crymble around me.

"Wake up! You have a very important appointment this morning. Wake up!" The voice pierced the fog. I sat up, realizing I had been on the floor ... no, it was my bed.

"Madam President, your breakfast is ready and your clothes are ready."

It all came flooding back. I had gotten what I wished for. Not fame or fortune, but the ability to make the world a better place. I took a deep breath and stood up, ready to face my future.

"Finally, I'm off my job," one man speaks to himself as he makes his way out of the building. The 9 to 5 prospect he signed up for slowly drags upon his remaining psyche. Stepping into his Toyota Camry, he adjusted the rearview mirror ever so slightly. The keys lock into the car's engine and he departs from where he works.

Turning onto the freeway was nothing new for him, neither was the rush hour awaiting his arrival. While most saw this as a frustration, he didn't mind it. It brought an odd sense of peace to him knowing that eventually, he'll be home.

15 minutes passed by and he moves about 3 meters forward, along with the rest of the vehicles. The radio plays a familiar song to him and he cheerily hums along.

get out

The male hears a voice within his mind and is forced to turn down his tune to get a better grasp of what's being said. The voice is foreign to him, almost supernatural.

get out

He hears it again, left to question what it means. Maybe it's just his mind playing tricks on him, at least he hopes that's the case. He turns up the radio once again, unable to hear the sound that sit behind him.

get out

Get Out

GET OUT

The voice causes him to jump in his seat, and without much thinking, jumping out of the car. He ducks to the side of the road, sitting between two highways. Only moments later, a large truck comes barreling down one of the lanes, and the semi slams into his vehicle, totaling it.

He can only watch in shock as the 18-wheeler continues its path of destruction, killing what seemed like dozens. And there he was, mere seconds away from a violent demise.

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sips tea

Am I right to assume there is a part 2?

Loved it so far!

Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.

Reminders:

>* No AI-generated reponses 🤖 >* Stories 100 words+. Poems 30+ but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* [RF] and [SP] for stricter titles >* Be civil in any feedback and follow the rules

🆕 New Here? ✏ Writing Help? 📢 News 💬 Discord

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

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