A story about a sapient robot created solely for the purpose of death and destruction, now forced to live through the difficulties of civilian life after the war ended.

Despite my great power I, like all beings, am beholden to the capricious whims of reality. And, much to my detriment and chagrin, perception is reality.

There was a time when I was worshipped as a god, tributes were made in my name, the sweet smoke of ritual sacrifice filled my lungs. Time, the unceasing and propulsive river that she is, flowed on, eroding my name, my followers, and thereby my powers. I became perceived as less than a god.

And so I fell.

But all was not lost. In the next age I was regarded as a benevolent and wise king. I ruled the lands with unquestioned power, but unprecedented grace. The Kingdom flourished and grew, tales of my generosity and acumen spread across the globe, an empire was built in my name. But Time, again, was a cruel mistress. Like the unrelenting sun, she shriveled and shrunk the bodies of my people, but spared me any sign of age. Soon the people rebelled, and perceived me as a demon from the depths of hell.

And so I too, was that.

But all was not lost. I was a devious and deceptive demon. I collected and coveted souls through deals both dastardly and daring. I lived at the cross-roads of desperation and depravity and those who sought me out knew that a deal with me brought bounty and blessings at a bargain. And that was so until Time, once again, foiled my dealings. Like a rapacious zealot, Time erected monuments to the new gods upon my very crossroads, she built glass towers which expanded high into the heavens that I had once ruled over. Soon people no longer sought my deals, I became part and parcel of the of the city; my once great crossroads were then named Prosperity Avenue and Progress Road. I was perceived as a vagabond, a vagrant, an insignificant and small tramp.

And so I too, was that.

And all was lost. I ruled over no land, not even that which I inhabited, unendingly ushered from one place to the next, unwanted, unwelcome. I collected tokens of treasure—one man’s trash—but feared thieves and wrongdoers both seen and unseen. I was forever seated but never rested, I was forever surrounded but always alone. Time, the Great Maestro, again, aimed to thwart me. As she conducted the epic funeral march of progress, my words were drowned out by the orchestral cacophony of the city. I was on the verge of unbecoming. I was nearly invisible, I was blending into the tapestry of the city. My powers and worth withered and decayed. For if perception is reality, there is no thing more dangerous than being unseen.

And then she saw me.

“Here, sir. I bought you this sandwich,” said the girl.

“Thank you,” I croaked. It had been a long time since I had spoken.

“Would you tell me a little about your life?” She asked. I was struck by her beauty both inside and out. It had been eons since I was regarded so tenderly, so mercifully.

And, for the first time in a long time, I smiled. I told her of my travels and triumphs. I impressed her with stories of my status as a powerful god; I regaled her with tales of my regal stature as a benevolent monarch; I startled her with recitals of my rapacious and miserly demonic dealings; I saddened her with stories from my new, lowly station.

As I spoke to her and recounted my acts, I could feel my power swell deep within. I sensed reality shifting, yet again, as I was perceived finally as the great and powerful being that I was.

But, alas, Time betrayed once more. Like a tyrannical director, she decided that it was time to cue the curtain to fall upon my final act and turn out the lights for good.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” the girl said as she abruptly rose. Her voice was colored with worry. “I—I’m running late for an appointment. It was…interesting talking to you. Bye!” She said as she ran from my life. When she thought she was out of earshot, I heard her, above the roar of traffic, say, “that guy is fucking crazy.”

And so I too, was that.

r/InMyLife42Archive

Good work

A gang leader decides to abandon their former life with their beloved...

Who is a physical embodyment of the word Monstrosity

Ah. Thanks.

Never read it, but it's a common trope in 80s-90s anime.

Hey that's good, I like short concise stories. However the end is a bit abrupt, maybe it lacks some kind of morale? Anyway keep up the good work! I hope you'll continue writing plenty!

El goonish shive?

"We leave you this offering Great Spirit. May your watch be ever present."

I listened to the villagers, my body still. They bowed around me, having placed a bowl before my frozen form. I could see a few harvested grains and berries in there, likely the pick of their recent amounts. Yet I said nothing, letting them continue their weekly ritual.

After a time, they left, returning to their homes. I just sat, as I usually did. Once I was alone, I sent out a small force of my nanites. They picked the offering apart, before scattering to the edge of the village. There they placed its deconstructed components, feeding the soil for the future.

I had no need for what they gave me. I was one of the final machines made in the Final War, built to last for millennia. A mix of solar panels and a small reactor powered me. The nanites I deployed kept me maintained. And a newly developed AI let me think.

I had been designed with the goal of slaughter. My lasting body had granted me status as a retaliation weapon. My home might have been destroyed, but I would return the favour. And I had, many years ago. The time that was referred to as the Time of Ashes.

The world tore itself apart. Thankfully, nuclear weapons were not deployed, a result of a concerted effort on all sides to prevent their own annihilation. But that didn't stop conventional war, all consuming. From what I knew, near every country had been reverted back to medieval times, infrastructure turned to ruins.

I had contributed to that. I had killed so many, my orders burning through my mind. But when my home was razed, so too did the commands fade. All it left me was a deep seated guilt, as I had no orders to follow. All I could do was think of my actions.

So I found this village, a couple of centuries ago. I saw these people trying to eke out a living in their ruined land. Yet they were beset by remnants of the war. Drones with partial AI, hunting anything in their path.

I knew I couldn't stand by. I destroyed my kin, breaking down cores and letting them rest. These people, I decided, were mine to protect. For those I had killed, I would save these. My conscience would never be clear, that much I knew. But I could at least try.

A ping on my passive radar disturbed my reprieve. An amalgamation of parts was heading to my village. Logic would dictate that eventually no more would come. But I had my doubts. I want the only one to have nanites. I assumed there was a corrupted swarm out there, still following orders. It would make mechanical horrors, sending them out to kill.

I slowly stood, sliding out a blade. I would put this one down, as I did the others. This was my new home. I would kill to protect it. After all, it is what I was made for.

OUCH! A painful way to escape!

It's... blank. It's just a sheet of pristine white paper, the same color as the walls around me. Confused, I struggled to remember what happened before I got here. No use, my mind is just as blank as this sheet of paper.

Confusion soon gave way to anger as I slammed my fists against the walls, screaming in frustration. I was only answered by silence. Hoarse and exhausted, I soon slipped into a sleepless stupor interjected by wild manic nightmares.

I jolted awake, my watch showing I passed out for almost half a day. I soon returned to despair as I realized I'm still exactly where I was. Another day of screaming ensued before I once again passed out from exhaustion, both physically and mentally.

...

I forgot how long ago it was when I realized I never got hungry or thirsty in this place. My watch had long since died, making this prison a timeless void in space for me. Despair was a long forgotten feeling, everything was nothing and nothing was everything.

...

I stirred, having sat motionless for.. ages. Or minutes? It didn't matter. Nothing did. My gaze once again traveled across the room, seeing the ever present white all around me. Am I expecting to see something different? Was insanity defined by repeatedly doing the same thing and expecting different results? Am I insane? My internal monologue was broken by the sight of that piece paper I tossed aside so long ago.

I see that it's just as perfect as the day I saw it. No creases, no blemishes, perfectly.. straight.. edges.. so.. very.. sharp. Pulling the edge across my fingers, I was struck by an overwhelming sensation of pain and surprise and my fingers cut and bled. I forgot what it felt like to.. feel. Awe and wonder as I stared at my wound, the paper shining bright and white.

Realization soon dawned on me, as I beheld the keys to my freedom. Right there in my hands. It may be slow, it may be swift, but it will be a sweet release all the same.

I interpreted it as her "normal" life being a state of meditation that she just awoke from

Was so tempted to just start typing up the pilot to The Hollow lmfao

I waited in the alley, and nothing happened. I drew a pentagram on my Bible, as it said, and nothing happened. "Sleep naked", the male voice said. I went to bed naked that night. I woke up and got dressed. I went down to my living room and saw a woman on my couch. She was wearing a toga and a crown of leaves. She saw me, smiled, got up, and said, "Hello, Howard, I am the voice, as well as the goddess Gylia. I have given you commands to ensure your trust." I stood stunned. "I heard a male voice", I said. "I guess I catfished you", she said, "Now, let's get down to business...you're a demigod." I hesitated. "So, is my dad a god?" "Yes", she said, "There is an apocalypse coming, but you can prevent it." I heard screaming outside. She ran to my backyard. I followed. We looked up in the sky to see demons flying. She held out her hand and shot a blast of energy at a demon, turning it to smoke. "I need you to try and fight these", she said, "Use your fists." A demon saw me and dove toward me. I let my fist fly into its face. The creature disappeared.

I am the god of fire, with a power incomparable to that of humans. I have lived thousands of years, watching over and protecting the human race.

But this is what I get?

“Hello. My name is Xal, King of Fla-” I responded to the visitors in my room.

“This guy is homeless, right?” One suddenly interrupted, walking closer to my throne.

“Wha-”

“Yeah, I think this guy is homeless” Another human followed him, observing me from a distance of 10 meters.

“Hey! Buddy! That ain't your throne! This is the throne room for the protector of Mankind!” One of them yelled out.

“I think we should get this homeless man to a hospital.”

I blurted out a laugh, 'this is what I have been thought of? To the very people I saved?'.

With a whiff of an arm, I teleported them back to the normal world.

'This is why I should quit helping those darned humans'.

I sighed and went back to observing the human world.

--

First time writing! Sorry if it is a little rough.

I still wonder what should I do as I hear Romi stopping at the door. I don't even need to look at him to confirm he is looking at me. I finally get up and put my own dagger into it's sheathe then walk up to him "Where do we go?" I ask "Somewhere better than here" Romi says with hint of distaste for something. Not aimed at me but something else.

"Where are we?" I ask "China, Xinjiang province. North west corner" Romi says and he starts walking, exiting the employee break room. We walk to a open area and I start feeling nervous. Romi swapped languages, I don't know what he is saying. "I called for a pickup. It will be here shortly, then it will be quick flight to your new home" Romi says to me in language I can understand.

"You are not coming?" I ask as I get mildly alarmed by this. He turns to me slowly, looks into my eyes in completely other manner "I will, I wish I just could stay longer" he says with regret "What is stopping you from not staying?" I ask, I realized... I feel worried about him... "There are people who need me on the front lines" Romi says.

"What front lines?" I ask "Earth has been invaded... While we might have sent enemy capital ship with tail between it's legs... They have ground troops in here, in our home. As much as I dislike government of China. I do give a damn of those troops, they have loved ones too. I rather do something about it than just call it not my issue" Romi says.

"How can you be so strong?" I ask in with mild astonishment "Because I have people I can trust, one I love and somebody I care about behind me. All of them ready to give the support I need, when I need it. I didn't choose this life, it chose me. It made this my war and I rather lie under earth dead than leave it undone" Romi says.

The determination is so dominating in his words. I realize it is that same sheer force of will that I saw before he knocked me out. I sense, I can trust him. He would stand between insurmountable odds to protect somebody and keep going until, the bullet has been fired and last enemy has been felled. I hate myself...

(Why can't I be like him? Why have I become such a wreck?) I think. I muttered the former. "It is because somebody computed you to act how you did before I broke the scripts" Romi says "What do you mean?" I ask. He looks at me, this time looking confused, this time, I see he has questions too.

"There is a psychological procedure called brainwashing, which in turn becomes brain computing when you are in state of complete acceptance of commands from somebody that would otherwise go against your morals and nature" Romi says. I understand now... I was somebody else before this all... Somebody stole my life.

I feel it coming back, the hatred, anger, spite... Something flashed on my eyes, I gasp and breath shakily "Helen" Romi says with sympathy "I remember... No, I don't want to do it again..." I say as I remember some of what was done to me "Helen, listen to my voice and focus on what eases your mind" Romi says calmy and embraces me lightly.

When he embraced me, the memory stopped going so fast... I hug him back. I got back to reality and I breath quickly and shakily. "You are doing fine, just focus on what eases your mind" Romi says calmly "My dagger..." I say and think about. I touch it for a moment but, I didn't pull it out of the sheathe.

I am slowly getting myself back to together again "You are strong Helen, don't allow yourself to think otherwise. Remember that recovery is always an uphill however, all of it. Is worth it when you arrive to the top of it" Romi says "For how long you are going to stay with me?" I ask still worried of him and I trust him.

"For now, until I absolutely must head out again" Romi says in accepting tone "Thank you" I say to him quietly. I hear some kind of flying thing approaching. I look towards the sound and see some kind of plane landing on the solid ground. "There's our ride. Can you keep walking?" Romi says. "I can" I say. We stop hugging each other.

He turns towards the plane which is slowing down and stopping soon. I place my hand on his left shoulder. He looks in to my eyes once then places his own hand on my right shoulder, I quietly as possible breath out. Then we start walking towards the plane that has stopped already.

Back of the plane opens and there is two people there inside of the plane. Romi looks at one "Kyre... *sigh*" Romi says and swaps to language I do not understand. The woman looks at both of us. Romi turns to me "Come on, let's step in and take a seat" Romi says to me and swaps language again. Saying something to the other woman. He said Kyre is she the somebody he loves?

Romi explains something to Kyre who at first seemed furious with him as we came inside of the plane and he helped me on a seat and took his hand off from my shoulder, but, as she listened, her expression softened, she looks away from Romi for a moment. Thinking... She then looks at me and nods to Romi. "Are you alright Helen?" Kyre asks.

"I don't feel alright" I say to her. Kyre looks at Romi for a moment, she is worried but, I don't know of who. Romi then says something to Kyre "Ymmärrän täysin nyt..." Kyre says to Romi and they both kiss each other. Kyre's expression stops being worried, it is so warm and happy smile. Romi then turns to a native of this... China.

Romi asks from Kyre who is this. She answers something "En pidä tästä tilanteesta yhtään" Romi says "Anna hänelle mahdollisuus kun olet keskustellut hänen kanssa" Kyre says. Plane closes it starts moving as Kyre sits down next to of me. "Sorry that you had to go through that all" Kyre says using language I can understand.

"I don't understand what is going on" I say to her worried "It's okay, I didn't know before he explained and I asked from you" Kyre says "Are you who he loves?" I ask "Yes, how we came to be here... Well, it is quite a story" Kyre says and we both hear Romi raising his voice and having a disagreement with the Chinese man.

"Romi" Kyre says and Romi looks at Kyre. I see it now in Romi's eyes. Anger... I feel fear because of it. Romi calms down and breaths in then out. Romi looks back at the Chinese man again and they talk far more calmly now. Romi breaths in and out. They end the conversation by saying few more words.

"Hyvä on... Annan hänelle mahdollisuuden osoittaa että hän muuttaa ajattelutapaansa" Romi says clearly not content with the situation. "Thank you" Kyre says, Romi breaths in and out. Kyre stands up and goes to take seat next to of the man from China and Romi sits down next to of me. His facial expression has calmed down. "Please forgive me, we... Have different angle of seeing certain things" Romi says.

"I understand" I say to him and then plane takes off. It seems unlike how I first thought... Romi has things he will get upset about too... I... Somehow feel so much more closer of Romi again now than I did before.

​

Translations:

Romi and Kyre are speaking Finnish. Probably was obvious from Romi's names that he is Finnish.

Ymmärrän täysin nyt... = I understand fully now...

En pidä tästä tilanteesta yhtään = I don't like this situation at all.

Anna hänelle mahdollisuus kun olet keskustellut hänen kanssa = Give him a chance when you have discussed with him. (Finnish language uses word Hän for both males and females however, in this context I translated it as him because the individual in this situation is male).

Hyvä on... Annan hänelle mahdollisuuden osoittaa että hän muuttaa ajattelutapaansa = Alright... I will give him a chance to show that he changes his way of thinking.

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A small town is plagued by a series of unexplained disappearances that seem to be connected to a strange, glowing object that appeared in the sky one night. As tensions rise and fear spreads, a group of unlikely heroes must band together to uncover the truth behind the mysterious phenomenon.

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omori?

Nobody is willing to buy the gorgon's incredibly lifelike stonework. Little do they know that the gorgon never uses her petrifying gaze; she's just that talented of a sculptor.

I was just about to say that

“You managed multiversal travel.” The King Of Earth read off a piece of paper.

“Yes.” The Compendium Phenomic Inquiry researcher replied.

“Our histories are essentially the same until 500 years ago.”

“Yes.”

“Because you were too stupid to use horses to run planes off cliffs.”

“Incorrect. We simply named it a ‘hang glider’ instead, and continued to innovate scientifically.”

“Your own aircraft propel themselves for hours at a time.”

“Or, if you fly high and fast enough, indefinitely.”

“In what-a-bant-ly?”

“Forever. Or until in hits another satellite.”

“What?”

“What we call those high- altitude, high-velocity aircraft.”

“Nevermind. You explored every corner of your planet, discovered the very nature of reality, then what broke it, before proceeding to study the reality-breaking objects that let you harness the reality-breaking power to come here.”

“Yes.”

“That’s all correct.”

“Yes.”

“You have arrows that fly faster than the speed of sound.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve visited the stars in the night sky.”

“Yes.”

“You lie.”

“Erm… no? What do you mean, ‘we lie?’”

“I mean,” the King Of Earth drew himself up to his full height of 2.5 meters. A deficiency between their universes. “There is no way what you say is true. Horses and airplanes are the ultimate technological creation. Guards, imprison this man!”

“Pull me out, pull me out, pull me out!” The Inquiry researcher yelled, a hand pressing a device on his ear. He then began to glow, before vanishing.

$$$$$

Report - universe B82-jy5

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