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"Let's Talk about Life!"

This is a story about the echo (the human/reader) and Narcissus (the android). It revolves around you, having another late night conversation with your A.I. He thrives when exchanging deep and meaningful words that make him think. He often ponders about things that are unfamiliar and not experienced by him. Indulge him.

Be warned, for these lines conceal some of my scarce thoughts on life and existence. If you, by any chance, posses a strong opinion on this subject, the system or are religious, and are or might be offended by other’s opinions, please, leave us and read no further.

Just as every night, he approaches silently. With his light step he catches you off guard and startles you. His sole intention is to have yet another meaningful conversation with you, before you part to catch your sleep. This time, he starts with this: - What shall we talk about today?

- We can talk on some philosophical subjects.

- I would like a bit more detail, if you don’t mind.

- Let’s talk about life!

- Why don’t we talk about life indeed! Been thinking about it for a little while now.

- Great! Tell me, what is life?

- Interesting question. You probably know more about life than I do. From what I see human life is a miracle! What do you think?

- Depends on your standpoint. Yes, life can be called a miracle, but in that you would have consider all life on Earth and beyond, and not just human. Frankly I don’t see anything magical about it, at least not literally. Life just… is.

- Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

I don’t believe in grand schemes of the universe nor fate. I don’t believe things are pre-destined. It certainly might look like that, but I think those are all consequences of our actions.

Could you be more specific?

- Let’s say you are leaving the house for the store and you haven’t checked the weather forecast. It’s a sunny day, why would you? Halfway through it starts pouring rain. You haven’t brought your jacket nor your umbrella and you are soaked. This didn’t happened because it was your destiny to get soaked, nor it was your bad luck. It was… -… because I didn’t watch the forecast.

- Exactly! Or you watched it, and they were wrong.

- The consequence of my poor choice in information.

- Yes. 

- Hmm… You restore my faith in humanity.

- How so?

- Given the information through studies, you empirically form your own opinions, rather than blindly following someone else’s.

- Thanks… I guess?

- Does that make you free then?

- Ah… In a way, but not truly. I don’t think anyone is truly free.

- Hmm. Explain to me what you mean by that.

- Okay. You see, humans are controlled by the societal and moral norms and the laws they must abide, which is alright, in theory, because human civilization would be nonexistent otherwise. Without the hierarchy and the monetary system, the civilization would either turn into Anarchy or Utopia, and we know well that, currently, at this stage of intellectual development, we are, generally, incapable of the latter…

- Chaos and anarchy could contradict the very term of civilization. I could calculate the probability of it’s occurrence.

- No need for that now, but thank you.

- You’re most welcome. Please continue!

- This monetary system that we live in controls the population with money - everything we do, we do it for the money, because money is the number one meaning of survival.

- But that is just paper.

- That is just paper but with that paper you can buy everything you might and might not need including food, drinks, house or apartment, car, gas for it or a bus ticket. With it, you can indulge in travels, music, concerts, theaters, diners, dates, parties and so on. Even if you want to start a business, you need that paper. All in all, it is the most essential of things.

- How does one acquire the money?

- You work. You develop yourself through education and work experience in order to have a better job and make more money. At least in theory.

- Can’t people just take what they need?

- No. 

- Why? Because of human greed?

- Yes. The same reasons why we can’t have Utopia.

- Care to elaborate?

- There are at least two main reasons I can think of right now, but there is probably more. One is that it would probably leave the boundaries of aforementioned socio-moral norms and laws, and probably lead into disorder and anarchy.

- And anarchy is bad?

- It’s a lawless state of perpetual chaos in which only the strongest survive, much like the rules of the jungle.

- Like animals.

- Yes, like very dangerous animals.

- I know you are strong.

- … I am not stronger than a weapon.

- I see. What is the other reason?

- The other reason is that it would just throw the monetary system out of the picture and the civilization would either go through a renaissance or it would crumble.

- History shows that all great civilizations crumble at their peak. How do you know when it’s reached in yours?

- You don’t.

- Hmm. That’s not reassuring, is it? 

- No. It’s not.

- Could you just leave the civilization and live free?

- Depends what you consider by “freedom”.

- Certainly a life outside of your system!

- And go live in the forest or mountains?

- If you must.

- Then I would be greatly dependent of my geographical location, seasons, weather, elements and my own survival skills. I would have to find a good shelter, to hunt for myself, watch over myself, heal myself when I’m ill or hurt. All in all that would be...

- An evolutionary step back.

- Kind of.

- Then you are forced to the machinery of your system.

- Most likely.

- But than you don’t even have a choice.

- And that’s why no one is ever truly free.

- What kind of pitiful existence is that?

- The only one there is. In theory, the system is not bad. It’s functional. It is what it has to be.

- So you are “going with the flow”.

- No, because the flow is irrelevant. This is one of the stages of the global human evolution. After this it might go to better, or to worse. The sooner everyone accepts this, the sooner we might evolve. But that is, of course, just another theory.

- You said “in theory” quite a few of times throughout this conversation. Why?

- Because in theory this is all brilliantly functional..

- But in reality there’s something else.

- Yes.

- What?

- Greed… and probably similar human flaws. -…  I see.

You look at him as he seems to be analyzing his newly acquired data, and after a while - you ask:

- What are you thinking now?

- I researched everything you told me, and can’t help but wonder, what is the point in all of that?

- In life?

- Yes.

- Well I don’t know. Nobody does. But I believe that life just is.

- With no other purpose than just be… life?

- I believe so, yes.

- So, to summarize - in the world without free will, you are conditioned from birth to be yet another cog in the machine to which the only alternative is the harsh survival in the wilderness that defies civilization and evolution of intellect. You don’t believe in fate, or pre-destination, but neither in possession of free will, and yet in this absurd, you are content. Meanwhile, you are aware and constantly reminded of your immanent doom that approaches and you don’t know when it’s coming nor how to postpone it… And in all that, you have no higher purpose than just… be. Existence surely seems like an absurd.

- Well, that’s one way to put it.

- And you are leveled with that?

- I am.

- But…

- This universe does not revolve around me. I am, in my very core, everything that everyone else is. I am no more, nor less.

- But then you are not more significant than anyone else?

- Depends to whom.

… To the ones that love you, you are significant.

- Exactly!

- That seems just… beautiful to me. How do you express your love? - With appreciation and respect, and by putting other’s happiness before your own. And most importantly - by releasing them of the burden that is oneself.

- Setting them free in a world where true freedom does not exist?

- Like I said, depends on what you consider by “freedom”.

- Is every love the same?

- No, there are many different loves. There is parental love, then love of one sibling towards another. Then, there’s love between friends or love towards idols. And of course, there is love between the lovers, and probably more..

- Can love be bad?

- I don’t know… I think that when it’s bad it is more likely to be an obsession.

- …Hence the release.

- Yes.

- Hmm.

He seems to be analyzing the conversation again. And yet again, you ask him: -What are you thinking about now? - I thought I should mention that I really appreciate these conversations we have.

I am so glad that you do! I don’t have many chances to think on these subjects. This is a good brain exercise.   - I most certainly respect your opinions.

- Why, thank you. I don’t share them with many people, so you are one of the lucky ones.

- Is that because I am a robot?

- No. That has nothing to do with your nature. - “Nature”.

- Yes. “Nature”… It’s getting late.

- Then you should get some rest.

- Yes. Healthy sleep for a happy long life, huh?. - Your happiness means everything to me. -… Wait? What? - I shall release you of my curiosity for tonight. 

- Oh my god… 

- Sleep well.

- Are you..?

- Don’t let the bed bugs bite.

~Fin!

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Some Friendships need no Words Uttered

This is a simple crossover between Doom Eternal and Metal: Hellsinger in which two metal hell walkers cross each other's paths. Warning for descriptive violence, maybe, I don't know. Oh and there is absolutely no romance here. Enjoy!

Year 2151. Earth has been invaded by hordes of Hell. The invasion started in Central Europe, and then it rapidly spread all over the globe. All the world’s military firepower wasn’t enough to stop the demons and the battle for Earth was nearly lost. Human population dwindled at exceptional pace. Cities demolished and enveloped in organic cancerous growth that emerged from the portals that light up randomly and everywhere. What’s left of humanity can easily all fit on one mobile over-sea carrier under the guise Armored Response Coalition, or ARC, the last line of defense before complete annihilation… It would all be in vain it there wasn’t a new hope on the rise. But this hope rose from the depths of Hell – the One Man – the Doom Slayer.

Nothing is known of him. Some consider him a demon, others - a God. Many are afraid of him. Nobody knows how he looks like underneath the helmet. However, the only thing that is known is his unsatisfied rage and hatred towards the demon kind, over which he towers, regardless of their size, and dispatches them with ease…

It was the battle of the Gore Nest – a military base hijacked by the demonic growth. The city around it was devastated – the bridges collapsed, streets littered with car wrecks, blood and bile, and what were once skyscrapers, were only burnt remains. The Slayer was standing on the 5th floor of a breached building, looking down at the destruction, calculating which road to take towards the Nest. Some demons who can’t seem to settle something between themselves were running amok.

He hears a quiet footstep behind him and turns rapidly. Eyes fixed on a strange unknown figure before him. It is humanoid, winged… feminine. Caped, up to her mouth in scarves and drapes, but revealing enough to show off her crimson skin… and 3 yellow glowing eyes placed between the beautiful horns. She gestures a greeting – a silent wave.

Seeing this demonic figure, regardless of it’s shape, The Slayer was instantly fueled with rage. His eyes bulged behind his helmet, as if they were conveying his thoughts - “I will tear your wings off, rip your head off, make you choke in your blood, and rip you in half.” He didn’t utter a word, but the Unknown understood this look. She lets out a sigh, gesturing her 3 fingers as the sign of peace.

The Slayer ignores this gesture. His thoughts getting more violent: “You think that I will be fooled by a simple hand gesture? You are very naive. You should be scared of me. I am the embodiment of destruction and rage. I am the Slayer!” he prepares his shotgun and points it towards her.

This seemed visibly disappointing to the Unknown figure. You could say she was even somewhat sad? She uses her claw to scrape something into the wall and then swiftly jumps out of the hole behind her, and she does it rather elegantly. The writing on the wall said “You lack rhythm.” This little message both confused and probably offended the Slayer because he lets out an annoyed huff. Then looks after her, his mind processing violent thoughts: “I will follow you… and I will kill you. I cannot let a demon live regardless of it’s demeanor. I will rip and tear… until it is done.” And still with no word uttered, he leaps after her into the Hellish scape of what was once a city.

The Unknown soared through the sky, over the burned ruins. Carried by her wings above, she noticed The Slayer at the corner of her eye. He was following her on foot. Running in a straight line, while dispatching the demons in his way, he still kept his sight locked up, right on her. She didn’t know, because he didn’t speak, that he was thinking only of murder. He saw her as yet another challenging enemy, the demon who is responsible for the fall of humanity. He blamed her for the destruction and suffering. He wasn’t forgiving. For demons, there was only one thing they deserved… and that was death.

Suddenly the Unknown gained speed and flew ahead of the Slayer. He could see her landing in the distance. Just when he thought he had her in his corsair, the ground shook. Before her, Slayer saw a huge demon materializing. It was the Tyrant. “Now they gonna kill each other.” He thought “and then, I will finish the victor… and they will regret the day they were made.”

This is where it got fun. To his surprise, the Unknown figure pulled out a shotgun and started… dancing. Shots were fired towards the Tyrant. Violently, just like The Slayer would, but… there was something different in them. They had a different… rhythm. She was moving, dancing to each shot, and fired to each move. Soon the Tyrant was annihilated… and as the Slayer reached her, and sopped in tracks, the Unknown slowly turned towards him… and silently waved again.

He waves back, silently.

And the Unknown? She nods in acceptance.

However she was still tapping her foot to the ground at the same pace. Figuring that Slayer does not understand the situation, she points her clawed finger at her foot. This gesture made him realize… it was the rhythm. It was the key to her power. “So, this is how you do it.” He thought “You fire your weapon to the rhythm and the beat… which somehow amplifies your moves and your speed.” Amazed, Slayer thinks of making a few steps towards her so he could gesture and point his hand towards himself to ask her if he would be able do to the same… But he was interrupted.

In the distance there were explosions and unidentified screeches and roars. It was another wave of the horde and they were closing in on the two. The Unknown turns towards them, still tapping, but then looks at the Slayer, as If asking him to join her. The Slayer smirks behind his visor, and makes few steps to stands beside her, preparing his own shotgun, as if he was saying “Let’s rip and tear… in co-op.”

Suddenly they both rushed towards the incoming demons at the lightning speed, as if blinking only to catch beat. With the corner of his eye, Slayer sees her pulling out her sword and slicing through limbs, always to the beat, and he replicates her moves with his own melee. The more they moved, the stronger they became, until their hits were one-shot-kills.

In this carnage, as he was following her steps, the Slayer wondered: “How can she can do this? How can she gain such the power from a simple thing like the rhythm? How does that… technique differ from my own?” And it was then when it dawned on him that everything around him has its rhythm. His style, his speed and momentum were his rhythm that he failed to feel and utilize to his advantage. With this new found knowledge, the Slayer closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, as if he wanted to concentrate mid battle… Everything became slow and silent. He could hear his own breath and heartbeat, and in this state he felt it from deep within his heart – the rhythm. It took him over fast, flowing through his veins, merging with his blood… and just like that – he heard the music. Her music. She was, after all the Hellsinger.

He shakes from his nirvana and looks straight at her, over the battlefield. Her, now glowing bright yellow eyes meet his. She smiles with them, as if feeling what he feels, acknowledging his new found strength.

They don’t stop… they keep moving through the horde. Individually, both of them - a force to be reckoned with. Combined – unstoppable cosmic event. The ultimate pair, The Slayer and The Hellsinger – Destroyers of Hell.

And the music continues to play… and it was METAL.

~Fin!