Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2016 16:25:23 GMT
It had been a while since the young android had been here. It wasn't the best experience in his life, but when it came to the cave where his conception happened, it was quite an emotional experience; even for the android. The android never needed to sleep ever, his energy being mostly infinite, but his father still put him back in the pod where he was created that night. Griffon told him that he was to be performing minor alterations to make Sei more human which Sei of course obliged. He was turned off in the middle of the night and when he woke up in his pod, he assumed it was all corrected. Releasing the inner latch to the pod, the android stepped out when he realized he was turned back on but was still in the pod. Looking around, he realized quickly that the doctor was here. It was a pretty small space they were in, so he didn't have to look very hard. Walking over to the lab table, it was clear there was a note that was for the android on the table. Picking the note up, he read it nearly instantaneously, but he went over it a hundred times.
Sei, the android, was floating in the middle of the air above the cave where he was created. He had been mostly around the world and met a couple of different people, some a lot more interesting than others. Once he left the cave, it was never his intention to find the doctor that created him. In fact, he was much more driven to complete the goal that had been left for him. No where in the note did it ask for Sei's help, or even a location for him to be found at, so the android had taken that as a "leave me alone, let me do this" kind of thing. However, after going to West Capitol and meeting with one of Earth's strongest warriors, Reikiko, she had given him an interesting answer to the questions he posed to her. It was a matter of duty to her, like it was to all that had wanted to save the Earth. Most were not doing it for themselves, but for the sake of others. This answer had resonated with Sei in the most fascinating way. After their meetup, the android decided he would blast off back to his home cave, which is where he was now.
After floating for a while, the android decided to sit atop the cliff that hung over the now blocked entrance. There were many thoughts floating through his perplexed mind, the foremost being whether or not he should really do this. He had been rationalizing it in his mind through different ways.It was a small cave, only one totally room of a couple hundred square feet. There was a pod which Sei was mostly made in, a super computer hooked up to it, a lab desk, a small recreational area, and a fridge and restroom. The idea was that Texas would make his final project and then if he failed, he would blow up the place, effectively killing himself and what would be evil Sei. It never had to come to that, which the both of them were grateful for, and thus the room would stay here, only touched by time.
Looking around, Sei would open the desk and see a few journals as well as some notes. Flipping through, the android tried his hardest to not look at any sensitive information besides where his creator had lived before the cave. After a few minutes, Sei had found that it could possibly be North Capitol, as well as finding his fathers old address. Truly a success, he put back the journal and was careful to close the drawer in case his father would come back and find he had been snooping around. Moving towards the exit, Sei looked back to the cave. Memories came flooding back, mainly due to him remembering it all, but also due to the nostalgia. The next time he came back, it would be with his father or not at all. Giving a slight nod to the cave, the young android headed back outside and pushed the rock back in place. It was much more difficult to do with his increased weight, but he still managed with little struggle.
Sei gave a small sigh as he closed his eyes in the hallway, trying to see if he could catch a bit of sleep, even while he was technically at work. His entire body hurt from the endeavors of the last few days, and the talk with She Who Watches had not helped things in the slightest. Everything about that encounter had been incredibly surreal, and he had no idea what had even happened, then. That wasn't true- he did. He remembered every event with such a stunning visual clarity that he often had begun to wonder if his life up until that point had simply been the dream and he was then living in reality for the briefest of moments.
Every part of his mind seemed to be rather...broken, since that day. He found himself unable to sleep, unable to think, stoppered in most of his every day tasks simply because of the fact that every time his thoughts wandered, they went to that one experience. He hadn't ever felt anything like that and the worst part about the entire thing was, is that he had been so very resistant to her words and her charms while he had been speaking to her, but now that things were over with and she was gone, he found himself desperately craving that presence once more in his life.
On his way to the sacred forest of the Western Frontiers, Sei the android had wondered what fate would hold for him in the area. Of course, the metal man didn't believe in such a thing as fate, but he would subject himself to it regardless of whether it was there or not. Flying over the trees, he was wearing his usual attire of a black shirt and pants combo with a white sash coming down from his left shoulder to his right hip. It was his way of showing his personality on the outside so that people may gauge him as they wish. Truly, he was an android with little to no secrets.
Scanning through the trees, Sei figured a clearing would be a better place to land than any. He had records in his database that suggested that a ninja clan called this area home and that intruders were not well met. Fighting was not something that was high up on the androids list, especially when it came to the combatant being a human, assuming that they were. Sei had a soft spot for humans; his creator being the best human he had ever known.
Landing down softly on the grass, Sei did another scan for any power levels in the area that would total over his. A cluster of levels around 200-1000 were all grouped together much deeper in the forest, which Sei attributed to the ninja clan. He had no interest in them, but rather the secrets that may be held in the forest elsewhere. Looking around, his scanner would pick up another power level, but this one would be tremendous. Around 50,000 power lever, this number certainly intrigued the android.
Whomever has a power level like that would surely have some experience of the world. I must ask them a few questions...
Sei would rush over to the area that the power level signal was coming from. The trees swooshing their leaves as he flew by, he was sure not to hit anything along the way. Arriving at the signal, he looked around for any life forms but the only thing still visible to him were the trees. Perplexed, Sei performed another scan which still pointed to the same area. Tapping his head, he mumbled to himself.
"Am I in need for repairs...? Perhaps I was hit in the cerebellum for robots and now my scanner is acting on the fritz..."
Sei could see that the tree looked as though something had grown through it, maybe a pot or two, but he was focusing much more on the scanner seemingly malfunctioning than whatever was in front of him. Sei was still tinkering with a few things in his own head when the strange tree in front of him began to speak. It would have been a startling moment for most, but Sei didn't even react. His robotic body gave him the ability to stay calm in this situation, despite the fact that his processor was currently transmitting a million thoughts into his head. Blinking a few times to clear his eye transmitters, Sei would try to get close enough to touch the tree. He would only for a moment before he would pull back. If he wasn't permitted to touch, the android would apologize for overstepping his boundaries. Either way, he would speak up.
"Hello...Tree. I am the android known as Seikatsu, but you may refer to me as Sei. I have records and information in my data banks about a wide variety of things on this planet Earth, but none refer to sentient tree folk. Please, tell me about yourself and why you are here. Do you guard this forest?"
Sei would try to use as much tact as he could while talking to the tree. It was still a tree and thus he wasn't quite sure where to talk to, and because he hadn't heard where the initial noise came from directly, he decided to speak the entire thing to the roots of the tree, due to that being the life force. Despite all of this, Sei was actually just happy about one thing.
It's a good thing my scanner isn't needed for repair. I would need to gather parts I don't actually obtain right now.Sei had been so sure of himself that he'd be talking to the right portion of this sentient tree, but he was completely wrong. It was as anatomically correct as most species in universe. To be fair, Sei was correct that this person was in fact a tree, something he hoped most people would somehow be wrong about. The android would do what his father always did when a situation could be classified as "awkward".
"Ehm. Excuse me."
The tree's power was still at an overwhelming 50,000 but still had suspicions of the android. Sei had always had people regardless of specie question him and whatever motive they seemed to think he had. Perhaps the most peaceful android in existence, Sei thought himself to be some sort of blue moon among androids, considering he had never met another. Nobody that the android had met so far in his travels were able to even guess at this power.
Perhaps that is for the better, after all I am quite weak comparatively. It wouldn't be beneficial if I was terminated before I completed my mission.
The tree would explain that he isn't here to guard the forest, but rather something in it. He also went on to explain that he and all others like him had been created from a single tree that was brought to life due to magic. Despite being away, the tree before him looked as though he was still proud to be who he was.
Admirable indeed. I wish that everyone I would bump into would be so kind to their creator.
After a moment of silence, the tree would ask Sei of his origins and his intentions as the android originally though he would. Sei would take a literal moment to think about what he wanted to say and then would speak up, this time to the trees face which towered over him.
"A fine question. Your assumption is correct, I am an android, fully metal, no biological parts to me at all. I've heard many bad things about my kind so I'd like to clear that before we go any further. I am in no way a harm to you or anyone else. I possess an above power level for a person on the Earth, but it is not even comparable to yours. If you'd like the exact number, I can give that to you.
Sei would stop for a moment, editing exactly what he wanted to say in the next part of his speech.
"I am here because I felt I would find some sort of answers that I seek. I'll get to that in a while later, however. I'd like to know more about this being that created you, if you don't mind."
Sei was supremely interested in this being.
Perhaps it's creator would have some insight on life's true meaning and would pass it on to me. The tree had explained that there was in fact, an android that he and his creator had come to know and respect, someone that Sei even had knowledge in his data banks about. Well known android Vi-Poi, a man despite his looks that had gone rogue for some time before coming back to his senses. Sei was suspicious if a person could really do the terrible things he had done and then just "be okay" but the android had a curse of giving people the benefit of the doubt.
The tree went on about how low Sei's power level must be if it wasn't worth mentioning before chuckling at the possibility of how unsubstantial it must be. The android would only stare blankly back at the tree before speaking up.
"So you say that Vi-Poi is a person worth respect. Do I trust you remember his past?"
Sei decided to get more information about the leader of the BBA. The media always twisted things, and most of his data banks wouldn't have any personal connections with the robot, so he figured this would be the best way to find more out. The tree also brought up Sei's creator, which merited a long speech about in the young androids mind. He would hold off until the tree finished, bring up one topic of interest to the young android, which was a battle of millions of power levels worth of ki and strength.
"A battle that powerful, I must have it in my data banks somewhere. I hope all was resolved in the end with that entire scenario, I would hate to hear that someone lost their life in the conflict that ensued. I will say, however, on the topic of my own creator: Please do not assume about the man who created me. He was the best human who ever existed, Dr. Texas Connaleer. A genius a century ahead of his time, he put his effort into changing the world of robotics as the universe knows it, and then went on to create me. Your father may be an important man, but my creator...father was and forever will be leagues beyond yours."
Sei would show no emotion past his face, but inside he was actually beginning to feel a ting of anger. This probably had no idea of the greatness of Sei's creator, and that was a problem that the young android didn't even know he had.
I will make sure this tree remembers my father's name...The tree explained that while Vi-Poi, the leader and commander of the Blue Banner Army had destroyed many things in the past, it was only due to some virus that had infected him. The virus, known as the ReAligner Red, had taken him over and controlled him to do the horrible things recorded in Sei's data banks. To Sei, that still didn't excuse his actions, or at least, clear him of suspicion. Anyone can claim to be controlled and go off and do as they want. This could just be a case of Sei overthinking everything he came into contact with, but after reading through some more files, he could confirm the second part of Vi-Poi's defense against the invasion on Earth.
The tree then decided that he would then slightly rescind the information he had point out before, stating that he meant no disrespect for Sei's father and creator. He only meant that his own father was unique in his own right. He did then go on to say that neither of them were perfect due to this "god" known as Kami, or Bing Gan. Bing was apparently a human that could fight equally with the legendary super saiyans of the past, and broke through some kind of strength barrier previously thought to be impossible. It was through his strength that the Earth was saved from the evil Saiyan Queen, Zucceta. The tree appeared to be broken up over the last part of this story, however. Bing had sacrificed himself to save Earth, and the tree had determined that this Bing was probably the best human ever. Sei didn't want to get caught back up in emotions, he he tried to see it from an objective stance. A person who has risen to the heights of literal godliness, through sheer strength of will alone would probably be worth a lot in this fictional standard that the android had in his mind.
Bing Gan...I'm going to have to meet this man one day. I'm sure he has some kind of answers as to what life is truly about, and what it's like. For a human to get to such a position...I wonder what he had to sacrifice.
Sei would always assume that a sacrifice was to be made from the person in question to obtain that kind of power.
Whatever it was...it still wasn't enough to beat this "Zucceta".
This tree truly believed that this Bing was the best man who ever existed. Sei would need to stay the calm, objective robot he always was.
"I see. That is fine, this "Bing Gan" sounds like an interesting human from what I'm hearing. A difference in opinion is going to arise sooner or later between two people. I'd rather get on to my main question for you, oh tree in the forest. The first would be, do you have some sort of call or name that I may refer to you as? I don't want to call you a tree if that is offensive to you. Second would be, if you had to describe life, how would you do it?"
Sei wanted to ask a slightly altered question of what he usually asks to see how it is answered. The curiosity he had for this was palpable. Sei the android would receive a name for the tree, dubbed Texas.
Texas..."a projecting part of a fortification built at an angle to the line of a wall, so as to allow defensive fire in several directions." He does look fortified...after all he is a tree. I wonder if that is why he was bestowed that name. I doubt he picked it himself. Even though this Texas has these ideals and they seem important to him, I appreciate that he remains respectful. I haven't had the pleasure of that happening all too often.
Texas went on to explain that while the term "tree" wasn't offensive, they were actually known as "Verdant" and that that was the technical term for it. Sei reflected on his question of being called a tree offensive, and realized that it was actually quite a mistake to ask that. Nothing about a tree is inherently bad, so being called one shouldn't be bad either. It was all perspective.
Once Sei asked his question, the Verdant known as Texas began to think long and hard about what his answer was. The android really appreciated this, although Texas may not be able to see it, just based on how important the question was, and how thought out the answer should be. It reminded him of the first time he asked a person the question at hand and he received a very unsatisfactory response. It wasn't so much a bad answer as more of a thoughtless one. Sei had decided then that he would only be asking those he deemed important enough to be asked, or those who had gained a lot of strength and were powerful. The powerful aspect was for in case they learned anything through their power, or maybe if they had to give anything up. That is why he prospect of asking this Kami, Bing Gan, intrigued him so much. Perhaps he would at least meet them, or the person who killed them.
The Verdant Texas spoke up, giving a meaning for life and how he thought it was presumably for him and everyone else. It was interesting, as he spoke as though everyone got dealt a bad hand at some point. It was a perfectly good answer, one that the android even liked in fact. He had to make sure of something before he could rightly document and file it in his own sort of memory data base.
"That is a fine answer indeed. However, it is only a response that I could hold onto for my mission if it was your own. Tell me, is this something you've come to learn and figure out for yourself, or did your father influence that answer from you? I only wish to know as that way if I ever meet your creator, I won't have to ask him as well."
Sei didn't mean to be so blunt, and he really hoped this was the answer of the Verdant in front of him and not one that could be somewhere else.
"If is of course fine to hold ideals of others, but for an question like this, everyone should form their own opinion. I'm sure you understand."Intrigued, Texas tilted his head slightly, taking the measure of the android as he considered the follow-up question. It was his own answer, but without being influenced by his father... now that was tough to truly say. On one hand,it was absolutely true that much of his knowledge and memories had come from his father's experiences. He had interpreted them in his own way, but they had formed the seed, so to speak. This was actually a bit distressing to consider, in a way.
"I did indeed come up with this answer on my own, and I doubt my father would answer the same way if you asked him. However, I would not say it wasn't influenced by him." That would be a lie, after all. Was being influenced by his father bad, though? Stretching slightly, Texas leaned to one side. "You were influenced by your father, yes? Otherwise you would not hold him in such high regard. I was influenced by mine, as he was influenced by those he saw and encountered, friends and enemies alike." Pausing for a moment, a thought occurred.
Raising one hand, the tree allowed tiny vines to grow. The vines began to intertwine, meeting and then separating again. Within a few seconds, he had a wild, chaotic tapestry of plant matter that rose from his hand, peaking and wilting away, constantly changing and altering from moment to moment. Each vine's trajectory was impacted, and impacted others in turn, causing a nearly hypnotic effect as things were constantly altered by each other. "All things are connected. Every experience, every moment of time, it all shapes us." Raising his hand a bit higher, he watched the vines, letting them dance their wild dance as they burned away at a certain point. As each vine peaked, it dissolved into powder, floating away on the breeze.
"Our actions and ideals inspire those around us, in agreement or opposition, or any shade in-between. We are all part of a great tapestry, striving for whatever it is we believe in. So, yes. My father influenced me. I won't deny that." He smiled, standing up fully now, towering over the android as he spread his hands. "If he hadn't, his answer would not have been worth hearing, would it? But it is his answer, all the same, and I know if I was to ask, he would answer differently than I myself have." Bowing to the Android, he chuckled slightly. "You know, I'm not sure I realized that until just now. Thank you for allowing me that revelation."
That may have been one of the more unusual moments in his relatively short life. He always thought he hadn't picked up any of his father's verbose leanings, but it seemed he was more complex than met the eye. Smiling beneath the mask, he stared up at the sun for a moment. He would have to share this thought with the others. Seeing how the idea spread... it would be interesting. Texas seemed to be thinking hard about his answer, perhaps struggling with the fact that his answer wasn't much different from what his father would give? The tree titled his head, thinking hard on his answer. It would make sense that he'd share an answer with a father that was much closer to just a creator than the former, but that could also be said of the android. Sei figured that having the same answer would the case until he was proven wrong with the next line of dialogue from his Verdant acquaintance. He explained that his answer was his own, and even so far as to say his father would answer totally different. Not that the android didn't believe him, but he would still probably be gunning to ask the maker of the Verdant race, whomever that was. Sei would ask after he was finished with this topic.
The Verdant continued to speak, even calling out Sei on the reasoning that he too would have been influenced by his father and that holding him in such high regard would essentially prove that. Sei was beginning to believe that an argument would occur, a larger difference in opinion that would create a rift farther from these two individuals than there already was, until Texas paused. It was clear he was forming some sort of thought as he began to make the vines grow around him. The vines grew in separate but consequential ways from each other. It was clear to Sei that each vine was influencing the other, and soon they would dissolve away. The android standing there may have been a cold machine, but he could understand exactly what this life in front of him was saying with his actions. In case Sei couldn't understand already, Texas would fill him in on it.
"All things are connected. Every experience, every moment of time, it all shapes us."
It was such a powerful sentence, Sei could actually feel himself much closer to his answer than before. This kind of knowledge he would receive, from a tree no less, would actually begin to shape the young android more than he could ever know. It was awe inspiring.
Everything is connected...we as sentient beings all influence another with our words and actions. Even a mention of an event or occurrence can be enough to change people at their core.
Texas began to thank Sei as if he had done something for the Verdant beside ask a question. The tree looked more enlightened, more sure of itself than even just five minutes ago. Sei could tell something was different about himself as well, although specifically he couldn't necessarily tell what. It was as though Sei could be happy with just this answer, like this was how Sei would be satisfied with himself and the justification that came from it.
Could he truly be done, however?
Something had to be driving this Verdant and his father to continue on. They were just having high power levels for no reason, they would only need that to be fighting something. Was there someone attempting to overthrow that kind of thought about life? Sei would have to ask.
"Your answer young Verdant, was amazing. To see that you could perfectly describe the relationship people have with another and that influences are what make people who they are, it makes me truly satisfied. I really think that could be all that I need from you or anyone else. I feel like my father would be happy with myself finding this answer, but I must ask because there just isn't enough here to connect all of the dots. You have a high power level, and you've stated your father is much stronger. Why do you require this kind of strength? What are you fighting? I can't imagine there would be a need to with this kind of enlightenment I'm feeling."
Sei was genuinely curious to find out whatever could be the issue. Sei was perfectly content to believe that he was finished with his goal; that he mission for the reason he was spawned and created was now complete with the very answer that the Verdant Texas had given him. Almost immediately, however, Texas let him in on some information. The tree looked almost regretful as he explained that people would get in the androids way, that people would fight him and his ideal because it may clash with their own, or just simply because they thought they could. In fact, if the android were to even hold onto his own ideal, he would need to become stronger, and more than likely have to fight for his belief. All of this surprised Sei, but only for a moment. If he was going to know the meaning of life and how sacred it really was, some people out there were planning to take away life from others simply because they could. It was a terrible reality, and Sei was certainly now on the opposite side of that stance. There was no longer this middle lane that Sei thought he could always take on this issue. Now that he was on a certain side, it was really weird for Sei to think of it like that. Of all the things that Sei wanted, one was to remain neutral and bring perspective to everything that he could. In this case, it was simply not a matter of that.
Texas at this point, seemed to be talking to himself as much as he was to Sei. He pounded his tree hand into the ground, stating that just being good wasn't enough. It made sense to the android. This Bing Gan was about as good as they come apparently, and he still lost to the forces of evil. So strength was certainly necessary. The android would remember this, but he also would take it with a grain of sand. To be strong is one thing, but to be too strong is another. What would happen if Sei reached the top of the universe in terms of strength? Would his robot mind be able to deal with being at the very top? Hopefully he wouldn't go on a killing spree and just reinforce anti android stereotypes. It was specifically because he was an android that he was constantly being watch by people and told that he was just suspicious by nature of race. If it were 5 years early before Vi-poi went on his rampage, things might've actually been better for the young android. It was due to a single android that a lot of the innocent machines were scrutinized. That and the large amount of actually evil androids, but that was besides the point.
Texas finished up their conversation by explaining that seeking power didn't make you bad, nor did using it, but thinking that with that power you were better than those weaker than you, that was indeed a bad thing to do. Sei listened to every word, making sure not to miss anything. He essentially recapped it by saying a single sentence, however. Texas wanted the young android to feel free to obtain power, but for the forces of good, those on his side. This only made logical sense, and even at first the young android though again that perhaps it was a bad idea to take a city, but when he remember the atrocities, he came back to the light side. It was probably where Sei was always supposed to be.
"Thanks Texas. I really needed this kind of talk. I feel a lot closer to reaching the answer than I did before, and the gap of the two extremes are exactly that; extreme. I feel like I really have some insight on this issue now, and for that you have my sincerest thanks. I have to be going now, I really need to reflect on this conversation. It was an absolute pleasure to talk with you Texas, son of Walker. I may see you again some time. When that comes, I really hope we are on the same side of conflict. I'd be fine to serve with you."
And with that, the android would do the human custom waving when it was time for him to go. It was kind of sad for Se, but he felt very confident now. He had the best answer to what is the meaning of life again!
The android gave a small shake of his head. “Of course not. I don't have any need to retreat from you. But I'm also not going to fight you out here,” he spoke, watching the other as he continued. “If you want to fight, we'll do so where it's safe for the school.” He didn't really have to announce where. The gravity chamber was the one place where it was safe to fight all out. Its walls were ki-resistant, and it was built solidly enough to resist attacks from just about everyone. Alexander hadn't been able to damage the walls in the slightest, in all the time he'd been there.
The other gave a small grunt, before he eventually let the energy dissipate into the air. “All right. I'll see you there,” he said simply, before turning smartly on his heel and moving back through the school, finding his own way to the gravity chamber. Sei let out a small sigh of frustration as he shook his head. He just wanted to get some rest today but that didn't seem to be on the agenda for him, not that he minded. He would just do what he could do to put that other one down on the ground and then after he was done, finish off whatever other training he felt that he needed before heading home. Hopefully at that point, he'd be able to finally sleep.
His eyes closed for another moment, finally relishing the chance to get a little bit of rest before the day's end. Of course, that's when the bell began to sound, echoing throughout the school, and the android gave a small sound of irritation. Of course. He stood up to his full height, cracking his neck once to try and send a sensation of something through his body to force himself to stay awake for at least a little bit longer. It was difficult for him to say for certain if the entire day was planned around just screwing with him for its entirety, or if he was just having some supremely poor luck. It was probably the latter, but he had no idea just how much influence She Who Watches had in his life.
He rolled his shoulders then as he watched the students pass before him, most of them ignoring him, but he got the occasional sidelong glance from some of them as they passed by. His eyes closed again, merely feeling their presence as he tried to let them all pass unmolested as he didn't want to have to deal with anything else before his own battle that was supposedly about to happen. He felt a flash of movement with his void sense, and opened his eye to see a fist heading toward him. There was no mental reaction from him, simply just his muscles responding to what he saw.
His hand snapped up and caught the transgressor's fist, holding it in place before he clenched his hand, causing audible dry cracking noises to echo throughout the hallway. “Go to the infirmary,” Sei demanded as he watched the boy stumble backward, giving a muted cry, holding his hand from where Sei had broken it. “Your hand is broken.” His tone was even, but to those around him, it seemed to instill a slight sense of fear and he noted that many of them were beginning to move a little more quickly away from him, now. Good. That'd let his day end faster once they were all out of his way. He gave a small sound as he watched the rest of them depart, and soon, the hallways were empty.
“All right. Time to go see about a fight,” the man spoke as he pushed himself off of the wall. The weighted coat he wore still accompanied him, and he made his way through the hallways, heading directly for the gravity chamber. The sooner he was there and the sooner this fight was over, then he could really start to focus on pushing himself too hard. It was a strange line of thought for him, as he'd never been excited about pushing his body too hard. Normally he attempted to stay relatively light so he wouldn't cause any serious harm to his body.
His eyes flickered to the side as he saw some of the other students still leaving, but his zone was cleared. He wondered how some of the other monitors handled things, and if they had any real attachment to their wards. The young android had when he'd first started, but this thing that had begun to happen with him...all thanks to Ayumu...had really started to change the way he looked at a lot of things. He had initially been poised to see if he could take the school over just to see if he could, but now he was rapidly losing interest in doing such. Even still, it had been a goal he'd set, and he recalled that talk he'd had with about such things. Goals were to be set, and to be achieved. Even if your interests and views change, your goals should always remain constant...and he supposed that going up against the guy would be a good test of his power, eventually.
Pausing at the door, he hesitated for only a moment before lifting a hand to open it, pushing the door open as he passed through. On the other side waited the fighter that had been in the hallway, who looked more than a little surprised that Alex had actually shown up. “Sooner than I'd expected you to show up,” the boy spoke, and Sei merely gave a shrug as he set his bag down in the corner, before turning to face him again. “Before we get to it, there's something that I do have to ask you, and it's relatively important.”
The words were quite serious, and Sei gave a small sound, confused. “All right,” he responded evenly, his emerald-eyed gaze on the other. This was not something that he had expected. In honesty, he had expected to get blasted with energy as soon as he'd opened the door, but it appeared that the other wasn't going to resort to such methods in order to win a fight. Sei wasn't certain that others wouldn't stoop to that level, but he was rather glad that this one wasn't, at least. It would make things far easier in the future if the android beat his face in. He wouldn't have to worry about getting jumped from behind later, if he was displaying this level of honor now.
“Well I suppose it's two questions, though one is less important than the other. The less important one is just a curiosity, but leads to the second. Do you even know my name?” he asked, and the Void-user had to give a small sound. He did not, and while he could hazard a guess, he felt that it was much more honest to simply admit the truth. He shook his head slowly, and an amused, though irritated, smirk, appeared on the other's face. “I see. I should have expected that. Zeke. Zeke Waltz. It is good to meet you, Sei, the android.”
The robed android gave a small sound. “I suppose it is good to meet you as well, Zeke Waltz,” he responded, using the full name as he had been addressed. “You are number nine on the list of the strongest in the school, am I right?” he returned, curious. He hoped that he was thinking of the right person, at least. If he wasn't, then it would make it even more obvious that he really had no idea who the person standing before him even was. However, the fellow shook his head, and Alex felt a strange sense of sadness mixed with irritation.
“Not quite, though that does make the second question less in need of an answer, as that answers it fairly well already. I was curious as to how much you put stock into this school, and its hierarchy. Everyone else climbs up the ranks, struggling to get even one step closer, but you've cleared several in almost no time at all. You're not the same as the rest of us. And that's why I think that I should step in and put an end to you. I'm the fifth strongest, Alexander. The top five are on a whole different playing field than the rest. This will let the others know just what you're capable of.”
Sei's eyes widened a little, not realizing that this one was someone who was going to be able to actually pose a threat to him, or so he surmised. He supposed that made sense as to how hew as able to build that ki attack as quickly as he had. He didn't bother to comment on that incident in the hallway, but instead moved to refocus his conversation on the situation they were in right now. "I see. Well then, I suppose I will have to do my very best to give you my all. I wouldn't want you to give back a false report to your superiors," he spoke, the tone taking on a slightly darker edge than he normally held. His right arm extended outward as the ethereal energy of the Void began to surround it.
Zeke did not seem to be impressed at all in the slightest as he watched, curious as to what Alexander was doing. "I had heard that you used something other than ki...but I did not think that I would get to see it so early. I had assumed this was your trump card, not something that you relied on in every fight," he spoke, and took a stance of his own. Sei's stance was virtually nonexistent. The more he used the Void, the less he realized he was relying on actual style and technique over raw power. It was a strange sense for him, but he wasn't about to stop the focus on it, at least not yet. It hadn't served him wrong so far, and so he planned to carry it as far as he needed to.
"You said you planned to bring back a report to your superiors. If I show you my full power at the outset then they'll know already that they're outmatched," Sei spoke, letting his gaze rest for a moment on Zeke. There was no arrogance in his words, just a cold certainty. He watched the other then, his arm tightening as he let the power flow through it. His entire form felt lighter as soon as he let in the power of the Void. It was something that he was starting to become rather fond of, as much as he didn't really want to admit it. His body began to thrum with energy as he continued. "What are you waiting for?" he asked, baiting the other onward.
The young man gave a small sound. "Fine then," Zeke spoke, before he whipped his arm forward, firing off a blast of raw ki, aimed at Sei's chest. The android merely moved his right arm as the blast approached, catching it with his void-covered arm. The blast slammed into his palm as he caught it, and he felt the power radiating outward from it. It was definitely a powerful attack, and he was a little amazed at the might behind it...but it did not bypass Sei's guard. No, instead, the attack, much like others, simply began to wither away as the darkness from his arm wrapped around it, consuming the ki like a voracious predator. It covered the attacking blast, reducing it to that strange, grey liquid that splashed against the ground, sending up small tendrils of smoke. It couldn't quite eat through the ground, which simply showed just how powerful the gravity chamber was.
Sei's gaze flickered from the devoured ground up to Zeke's face, watching in cold amusement at the look of shock that was on his face. "Well then. I suppose that shows you exactly what my gifts can do," Alex spoke, before he clenched his hand, causing the rest of the ki to simply burst into energy, evaporating around them as his hand continued to be wreathed in the Void. "Though I suppose it's my turn to attack, isn't it?" he asked, watching as Zeke began to guard himself, waiting for something to come. The android would extended out his hand, his five fingers separated as he held them out, all pointing toward his target. With a sudden rush of void, the energy burst forth from his fingertips, lancing forward.
Zeke moved then, his body being pierced through by the attack, before his image faded, and Sei's vision was drawn a short distance away, to where Zeke stood. The man looked fine, and so whatever he'd used to dodge must have been something that let him move nearly faster than the eye could follow. An impressive trick. "Not bad," The young android spoke as he turned his head to look at him. "But I wonder how often you can keep that up," he spoke, firing another blast of raw void from his hand at the man. Once more, an after-image remained behind as the other flickered away. Sei frowned as he watched, curious to see if Zeke actually could keep that up time and time again.
He moved, firing yet another bolt of void energy at him, but whatever physical form he thought he'd seen did not last, simply fading away as the others hand. "You're slow." The words came from behind him then, as Sei suddenly felt a crushing blow on his back, sending him stumbling forward. He felt the attack continue as his legs were suddenly swept out from under him. Still, Sei didn't let that end him as he turned in the air, catching the ground with his fingertips before he pushed off the ground, landing a short distance away, staring at Zeke. "That's an interesting thing to note. I wonder if the have any idea just how slow you are. Perhaps you should try to react a little more quickly?"
Sei gave a frown as he gathered that energy in his arm again. "I see. So you avoid combat by moving around and criticize those that don't follow the same style that you do." His gaze moved down to his arm as he felt more and more void being pulled out of himself then. He wasn't anywhere near enough to awaken She Who Watches, but he was tempted to. Instead, he rolled his shoulder. "If the volley wasn't enough to take you down...then perhaps a salvo will be," he growled as he thrust his arm outward again.However, rather than there being just one blast as there had been before, the attack was split into dozens of smaller blasts that all forked outward, like lightning as they struck against the wall.
Zeke gave a small grunt of pain as one of them lanced through his arm, and then another his leg. He had moved, but not quickly enough to avoid the full barrage. His arms began to glow with ki as he forced both of his hands forward, unleashing a barrage of energy at Sei, aiming to cut through the Void Salvo and deal just as much damage in return. The young man gave a bit of a holler as he did so, firing off blast after blast within the room. This was definitely one of the strongest attacks that the young android had fought against before, and even as he let the void cover him, he could feel the attacks piercing through his guard, leaving him just as winded and damaged as his opponent.
"Interesting," Sei spoke as the barrage finally came down. He watched as Zeke panted, struggling for breath now as he tried to get wind back into his lungs after that assault. "You do have to put out a great deal more...effort than I do to achieve a similar result. I wonder if you'd be able to dodge in your condition," he spoke. HIs body was wracked with pain, but he wasn't going to let on to that fact. The moment that he showed his foe that hew as also in pain was the moment he gave Zeke hope. And he couldn't do such if he was going to show him just who was superior, and why. "Let's test this little...theory," he responded, extending his hand outward as the void began to gather there once more. He fired a raw blast of the void directly at Zeke, curious to see if he could even avoid in the condition he was in.
Amazingly, the blast did miss, and Sei gave a small tut in response, not exactly amused by this fact. "Interesting," he repeated, his eyes narrowing a bit. "I suppose it will take more than that to shut you down, won't it?" he asked. Before waiting for a response, he darted forward, pulling back the void-covered arm before he brought it forward, aiming to slam his fist into the other's jaw. There was a slight pause as his fist nearly connected, but once more, that damned after-image technique caused the attack to go wide. He followed, using his void sense to track the man's location as he followed him, now hot on his trail. As soon as Zeke finished moving, Sei was there, leading to him having to dart away again, leaving behind a series of after-images.
However, as the young android watched, he began to see the pattern in the movements, subtle though it was. A slight variation here and there, but as he chased the other down, and he could sense that he was getting more and more exhausted by the moment while Sei, not relying on his own power, stayed just fine. He moved to where he knew Zeke would go next, and threw his knee forward, just as Zeke would land. As he had suspected, the blow struck the other right in the chest, causing him to cry out in pain as he flew backward, slamming into the far wall. Sei watched, amused as blood seemed to trickle from the corner of his mouth. "Playtime is over," he announced.
Zeke panted, struggling to get up to his feet after that attack he'd just taken, moving to brace his ribs with one hand. "What are you going to do?" he asked, wheezing slightly as he watched. "Kill me?" he asked, curious. He didn't know if that was the plan at all, but something told him that Sei might, without realizing what he was doing. He hoped to perhaps bring it to light by announcing it aloud, rather than leaving it in the depths of their minds. "That would fit the path that you're on, after all..." the man spoke, coughing again as a bit of blood seeped out from between his teeth. The android had broken something internally. Not that he particularly cared...but it was still an amusing thought.
The young android shook his head then. "How could you go back to your superiors and tell them anything if I killed you?" he asked, watching with the same cold expression he'd worn the entire time. His hand still thrummed with that energy as the void continued to roll off of him in waves. The dark energy was something that he was beginning to just...utilize more and more, and while before it was something that caused him nothing but harm, the more he did it, the stronger he seemed to feel, until at this point, he almost felt like this was normal. That he should have this power to lord over those weaker than he was. The pain that he normally felt when pulling on the Void was all but gone. He wondered when that change had happened...but he didn't particularly care. He liked this. "You've seen what I can do. Go and tell them. I want to know what their reaction is."
The words fell, and for several moments there was no response. The only sound in the air was Zeke's wheezing as he struggled to breathe. Eventually, the other stood, sliding up against the wall as he watched Sei. "I see," he panted out, leaning against the wall for support. "You don't know how strong you actually are...and you're just using our school to find out. What the hell is wrong with you?" he snarled, even though the motion made him cough a moment later, spitting up more blood from his innards. "You're a monster," he continued, his eyes closed as he tried to get the air to his lungs, even though each breath seemed like it was taking more away.
At his words, Sei gave a small shrug. "Perhaps. I don't really know what waits for me at the end of this path I walk. But I will walk it, as I have no other path to go," he spoke, his tone just as icy and cold as it had been the rest of the time. Speaking it aloud gave him some interesting insight into things, and what he planned to do. He had no idea that this was the path that he'd chosen, but saying it aloud, he realized this is exactly what he was going to do. This was the path that he'd chosen to walk, and he would follow the spiral to its ending- he would go where no one had been before. Ayumu hadn't seemed to have given himself completely over to this power but...he felt like he should.
Of course, it was entirely due to the visitation of She Who Watches, he knew. He knew that down to the deepest core of his being that no matter how much he tried to put her out of his mind, she was there, and it was entirely likely that she was still watching him too, even now. She was waiting for him to make that decision, and she would be the one to lead him along the path. But he wanted to follow her, to learn from her, to draw upon her powre to use in his battles. She was the only one that had given him that insight into what path he should walk and he did not want to turn that away.
Zeke gave another grunt as he took a stumbling step toward the door. "You are a monster," he repeated, making his way toward the door as he did so. He pressed the button to open the door, not bothering to shut off the gravity. "Whatever we have to do to stop you, we will," he muttered, limping as he made his way out.
The young android watched him go, realizing that he now had laid claim to the fifth spot. "I look forward to it."
With that, the young android would walk out of the chamber and into the world. The sun shone brightly on the mechanical man's face, making him need to squint slightly. With a sigh, he would help back to the cave of creation, where he was born. Taking his time to climb into the air through flight, it was a wonder how he would ever be able to move on. Would this experience change him? Would be become a different person because of it? He sincerely hoped that would not be in the case in any sort of way.
Flying back over to the cave where he was created, he would move the rock out of the way that would block his entrance. Flipping the switch in the tunnel, the lights would come on in the building and the machines that powered the place would begin to whir. It was almost a rut that Sei had been in, recently. He could never seem to fully accomplish anything he set out to do, and he could never fully change the things he tried for. Maybe this was some sort of sign? Perhaps the mechanical nature set him apart from everything else, making an immovable barrier that he couldn't even see passed, leading into human emotion and logic. It was easy for Sei to just say that it was pointless and just give up trying; to return to the cave this last time and shut everything down. If he did that, however, who would carry the legacy? His creator had been an amazing man, and in his short overlapping life with Sei, the android had come to know that. He would need to push on, push on for the legacy of Griffon Connaleer, the best life form- anything that Sei had come to know. Giving a brief smile, Sei would look at the super computer.
"That's what you want, right? Griffon...dad...I'll continue for you. But you owe me one."
Sei, the android, was floating in the middle of the air above the cave where he was created. He had been mostly around the world and met a couple of different people, some a lot more interesting than others. Once he left the cave, it was never his intention to find the doctor that created him. In fact, he was much more driven to complete the goal that had been left for him. No where in the note did it ask for Sei's help, or even a location for him to be found at, so the android had taken that as a "leave me alone, let me do this" kind of thing. However, after going to West Capitol and meeting with one of Earth's strongest warriors, Reikiko, she had given him an interesting answer to the questions he posed to her. It was a matter of duty to her, like it was to all that had wanted to save the Earth. Most were not doing it for themselves, but for the sake of others. This answer had resonated with Sei in the most fascinating way. After their meetup, the android decided he would blast off back to his home cave, which is where he was now.
After floating for a while, the android decided to sit atop the cliff that hung over the now blocked entrance. There were many thoughts floating through his perplexed mind, the foremost being whether or not he should really do this. He had been rationalizing it in his mind through different ways.It was a small cave, only one totally room of a couple hundred square feet. There was a pod which Sei was mostly made in, a super computer hooked up to it, a lab desk, a small recreational area, and a fridge and restroom. The idea was that Texas would make his final project and then if he failed, he would blow up the place, effectively killing himself and what would be evil Sei. It never had to come to that, which the both of them were grateful for, and thus the room would stay here, only touched by time.
Looking around, Sei would open the desk and see a few journals as well as some notes. Flipping through, the android tried his hardest to not look at any sensitive information besides where his creator had lived before the cave. After a few minutes, Sei had found that it could possibly be North Capitol, as well as finding his fathers old address. Truly a success, he put back the journal and was careful to close the drawer in case his father would come back and find he had been snooping around. Moving towards the exit, Sei looked back to the cave. Memories came flooding back, mainly due to him remembering it all, but also due to the nostalgia. The next time he came back, it would be with his father or not at all. Giving a slight nod to the cave, the young android headed back outside and pushed the rock back in place. It was much more difficult to do with his increased weight, but he still managed with little struggle.
Sei gave a small sigh as he closed his eyes in the hallway, trying to see if he could catch a bit of sleep, even while he was technically at work. His entire body hurt from the endeavors of the last few days, and the talk with She Who Watches had not helped things in the slightest. Everything about that encounter had been incredibly surreal, and he had no idea what had even happened, then. That wasn't true- he did. He remembered every event with such a stunning visual clarity that he often had begun to wonder if his life up until that point had simply been the dream and he was then living in reality for the briefest of moments.
Every part of his mind seemed to be rather...broken, since that day. He found himself unable to sleep, unable to think, stoppered in most of his every day tasks simply because of the fact that every time his thoughts wandered, they went to that one experience. He hadn't ever felt anything like that and the worst part about the entire thing was, is that he had been so very resistant to her words and her charms while he had been speaking to her, but now that things were over with and she was gone, he found himself desperately craving that presence once more in his life.
On his way to the sacred forest of the Western Frontiers, Sei the android had wondered what fate would hold for him in the area. Of course, the metal man didn't believe in such a thing as fate, but he would subject himself to it regardless of whether it was there or not. Flying over the trees, he was wearing his usual attire of a black shirt and pants combo with a white sash coming down from his left shoulder to his right hip. It was his way of showing his personality on the outside so that people may gauge him as they wish. Truly, he was an android with little to no secrets.
Scanning through the trees, Sei figured a clearing would be a better place to land than any. He had records in his database that suggested that a ninja clan called this area home and that intruders were not well met. Fighting was not something that was high up on the androids list, especially when it came to the combatant being a human, assuming that they were. Sei had a soft spot for humans; his creator being the best human he had ever known.
Landing down softly on the grass, Sei did another scan for any power levels in the area that would total over his. A cluster of levels around 200-1000 were all grouped together much deeper in the forest, which Sei attributed to the ninja clan. He had no interest in them, but rather the secrets that may be held in the forest elsewhere. Looking around, his scanner would pick up another power level, but this one would be tremendous. Around 50,000 power lever, this number certainly intrigued the android.
Whomever has a power level like that would surely have some experience of the world. I must ask them a few questions...
Sei would rush over to the area that the power level signal was coming from. The trees swooshing their leaves as he flew by, he was sure not to hit anything along the way. Arriving at the signal, he looked around for any life forms but the only thing still visible to him were the trees. Perplexed, Sei performed another scan which still pointed to the same area. Tapping his head, he mumbled to himself.
"Am I in need for repairs...? Perhaps I was hit in the cerebellum for robots and now my scanner is acting on the fritz..."
Sei could see that the tree looked as though something had grown through it, maybe a pot or two, but he was focusing much more on the scanner seemingly malfunctioning than whatever was in front of him. Sei was still tinkering with a few things in his own head when the strange tree in front of him began to speak. It would have been a startling moment for most, but Sei didn't even react. His robotic body gave him the ability to stay calm in this situation, despite the fact that his processor was currently transmitting a million thoughts into his head. Blinking a few times to clear his eye transmitters, Sei would try to get close enough to touch the tree. He would only for a moment before he would pull back. If he wasn't permitted to touch, the android would apologize for overstepping his boundaries. Either way, he would speak up.
"Hello...Tree. I am the android known as Seikatsu, but you may refer to me as Sei. I have records and information in my data banks about a wide variety of things on this planet Earth, but none refer to sentient tree folk. Please, tell me about yourself and why you are here. Do you guard this forest?"
Sei would try to use as much tact as he could while talking to the tree. It was still a tree and thus he wasn't quite sure where to talk to, and because he hadn't heard where the initial noise came from directly, he decided to speak the entire thing to the roots of the tree, due to that being the life force. Despite all of this, Sei was actually just happy about one thing.
It's a good thing my scanner isn't needed for repair. I would need to gather parts I don't actually obtain right now.Sei had been so sure of himself that he'd be talking to the right portion of this sentient tree, but he was completely wrong. It was as anatomically correct as most species in universe. To be fair, Sei was correct that this person was in fact a tree, something he hoped most people would somehow be wrong about. The android would do what his father always did when a situation could be classified as "awkward".
"Ehm. Excuse me."
The tree's power was still at an overwhelming 50,000 but still had suspicions of the android. Sei had always had people regardless of specie question him and whatever motive they seemed to think he had. Perhaps the most peaceful android in existence, Sei thought himself to be some sort of blue moon among androids, considering he had never met another. Nobody that the android had met so far in his travels were able to even guess at this power.
Perhaps that is for the better, after all I am quite weak comparatively. It wouldn't be beneficial if I was terminated before I completed my mission.
The tree would explain that he isn't here to guard the forest, but rather something in it. He also went on to explain that he and all others like him had been created from a single tree that was brought to life due to magic. Despite being away, the tree before him looked as though he was still proud to be who he was.
Admirable indeed. I wish that everyone I would bump into would be so kind to their creator.
After a moment of silence, the tree would ask Sei of his origins and his intentions as the android originally though he would. Sei would take a literal moment to think about what he wanted to say and then would speak up, this time to the trees face which towered over him.
"A fine question. Your assumption is correct, I am an android, fully metal, no biological parts to me at all. I've heard many bad things about my kind so I'd like to clear that before we go any further. I am in no way a harm to you or anyone else. I possess an above power level for a person on the Earth, but it is not even comparable to yours. If you'd like the exact number, I can give that to you.
Sei would stop for a moment, editing exactly what he wanted to say in the next part of his speech.
"I am here because I felt I would find some sort of answers that I seek. I'll get to that in a while later, however. I'd like to know more about this being that created you, if you don't mind."
Sei was supremely interested in this being.
Perhaps it's creator would have some insight on life's true meaning and would pass it on to me. The tree had explained that there was in fact, an android that he and his creator had come to know and respect, someone that Sei even had knowledge in his data banks about. Well known android Vi-Poi, a man despite his looks that had gone rogue for some time before coming back to his senses. Sei was suspicious if a person could really do the terrible things he had done and then just "be okay" but the android had a curse of giving people the benefit of the doubt.
The tree went on about how low Sei's power level must be if it wasn't worth mentioning before chuckling at the possibility of how unsubstantial it must be. The android would only stare blankly back at the tree before speaking up.
"So you say that Vi-Poi is a person worth respect. Do I trust you remember his past?"
Sei decided to get more information about the leader of the BBA. The media always twisted things, and most of his data banks wouldn't have any personal connections with the robot, so he figured this would be the best way to find more out. The tree also brought up Sei's creator, which merited a long speech about in the young androids mind. He would hold off until the tree finished, bring up one topic of interest to the young android, which was a battle of millions of power levels worth of ki and strength.
"A battle that powerful, I must have it in my data banks somewhere. I hope all was resolved in the end with that entire scenario, I would hate to hear that someone lost their life in the conflict that ensued. I will say, however, on the topic of my own creator: Please do not assume about the man who created me. He was the best human who ever existed, Dr. Texas Connaleer. A genius a century ahead of his time, he put his effort into changing the world of robotics as the universe knows it, and then went on to create me. Your father may be an important man, but my creator...father was and forever will be leagues beyond yours."
Sei would show no emotion past his face, but inside he was actually beginning to feel a ting of anger. This probably had no idea of the greatness of Sei's creator, and that was a problem that the young android didn't even know he had.
I will make sure this tree remembers my father's name...The tree explained that while Vi-Poi, the leader and commander of the Blue Banner Army had destroyed many things in the past, it was only due to some virus that had infected him. The virus, known as the ReAligner Red, had taken him over and controlled him to do the horrible things recorded in Sei's data banks. To Sei, that still didn't excuse his actions, or at least, clear him of suspicion. Anyone can claim to be controlled and go off and do as they want. This could just be a case of Sei overthinking everything he came into contact with, but after reading through some more files, he could confirm the second part of Vi-Poi's defense against the invasion on Earth.
The tree then decided that he would then slightly rescind the information he had point out before, stating that he meant no disrespect for Sei's father and creator. He only meant that his own father was unique in his own right. He did then go on to say that neither of them were perfect due to this "god" known as Kami, or Bing Gan. Bing was apparently a human that could fight equally with the legendary super saiyans of the past, and broke through some kind of strength barrier previously thought to be impossible. It was through his strength that the Earth was saved from the evil Saiyan Queen, Zucceta. The tree appeared to be broken up over the last part of this story, however. Bing had sacrificed himself to save Earth, and the tree had determined that this Bing was probably the best human ever. Sei didn't want to get caught back up in emotions, he he tried to see it from an objective stance. A person who has risen to the heights of literal godliness, through sheer strength of will alone would probably be worth a lot in this fictional standard that the android had in his mind.
Bing Gan...I'm going to have to meet this man one day. I'm sure he has some kind of answers as to what life is truly about, and what it's like. For a human to get to such a position...I wonder what he had to sacrifice.
Sei would always assume that a sacrifice was to be made from the person in question to obtain that kind of power.
Whatever it was...it still wasn't enough to beat this "Zucceta".
This tree truly believed that this Bing was the best man who ever existed. Sei would need to stay the calm, objective robot he always was.
"I see. That is fine, this "Bing Gan" sounds like an interesting human from what I'm hearing. A difference in opinion is going to arise sooner or later between two people. I'd rather get on to my main question for you, oh tree in the forest. The first would be, do you have some sort of call or name that I may refer to you as? I don't want to call you a tree if that is offensive to you. Second would be, if you had to describe life, how would you do it?"
Sei wanted to ask a slightly altered question of what he usually asks to see how it is answered. The curiosity he had for this was palpable. Sei the android would receive a name for the tree, dubbed Texas.
Texas..."a projecting part of a fortification built at an angle to the line of a wall, so as to allow defensive fire in several directions." He does look fortified...after all he is a tree. I wonder if that is why he was bestowed that name. I doubt he picked it himself. Even though this Texas has these ideals and they seem important to him, I appreciate that he remains respectful. I haven't had the pleasure of that happening all too often.
Texas went on to explain that while the term "tree" wasn't offensive, they were actually known as "Verdant" and that that was the technical term for it. Sei reflected on his question of being called a tree offensive, and realized that it was actually quite a mistake to ask that. Nothing about a tree is inherently bad, so being called one shouldn't be bad either. It was all perspective.
Once Sei asked his question, the Verdant known as Texas began to think long and hard about what his answer was. The android really appreciated this, although Texas may not be able to see it, just based on how important the question was, and how thought out the answer should be. It reminded him of the first time he asked a person the question at hand and he received a very unsatisfactory response. It wasn't so much a bad answer as more of a thoughtless one. Sei had decided then that he would only be asking those he deemed important enough to be asked, or those who had gained a lot of strength and were powerful. The powerful aspect was for in case they learned anything through their power, or maybe if they had to give anything up. That is why he prospect of asking this Kami, Bing Gan, intrigued him so much. Perhaps he would at least meet them, or the person who killed them.
The Verdant Texas spoke up, giving a meaning for life and how he thought it was presumably for him and everyone else. It was interesting, as he spoke as though everyone got dealt a bad hand at some point. It was a perfectly good answer, one that the android even liked in fact. He had to make sure of something before he could rightly document and file it in his own sort of memory data base.
"That is a fine answer indeed. However, it is only a response that I could hold onto for my mission if it was your own. Tell me, is this something you've come to learn and figure out for yourself, or did your father influence that answer from you? I only wish to know as that way if I ever meet your creator, I won't have to ask him as well."
Sei didn't mean to be so blunt, and he really hoped this was the answer of the Verdant in front of him and not one that could be somewhere else.
"If is of course fine to hold ideals of others, but for an question like this, everyone should form their own opinion. I'm sure you understand."Intrigued, Texas tilted his head slightly, taking the measure of the android as he considered the follow-up question. It was his own answer, but without being influenced by his father... now that was tough to truly say. On one hand,it was absolutely true that much of his knowledge and memories had come from his father's experiences. He had interpreted them in his own way, but they had formed the seed, so to speak. This was actually a bit distressing to consider, in a way.
"I did indeed come up with this answer on my own, and I doubt my father would answer the same way if you asked him. However, I would not say it wasn't influenced by him." That would be a lie, after all. Was being influenced by his father bad, though? Stretching slightly, Texas leaned to one side. "You were influenced by your father, yes? Otherwise you would not hold him in such high regard. I was influenced by mine, as he was influenced by those he saw and encountered, friends and enemies alike." Pausing for a moment, a thought occurred.
Raising one hand, the tree allowed tiny vines to grow. The vines began to intertwine, meeting and then separating again. Within a few seconds, he had a wild, chaotic tapestry of plant matter that rose from his hand, peaking and wilting away, constantly changing and altering from moment to moment. Each vine's trajectory was impacted, and impacted others in turn, causing a nearly hypnotic effect as things were constantly altered by each other. "All things are connected. Every experience, every moment of time, it all shapes us." Raising his hand a bit higher, he watched the vines, letting them dance their wild dance as they burned away at a certain point. As each vine peaked, it dissolved into powder, floating away on the breeze.
"Our actions and ideals inspire those around us, in agreement or opposition, or any shade in-between. We are all part of a great tapestry, striving for whatever it is we believe in. So, yes. My father influenced me. I won't deny that." He smiled, standing up fully now, towering over the android as he spread his hands. "If he hadn't, his answer would not have been worth hearing, would it? But it is his answer, all the same, and I know if I was to ask, he would answer differently than I myself have." Bowing to the Android, he chuckled slightly. "You know, I'm not sure I realized that until just now. Thank you for allowing me that revelation."
That may have been one of the more unusual moments in his relatively short life. He always thought he hadn't picked up any of his father's verbose leanings, but it seemed he was more complex than met the eye. Smiling beneath the mask, he stared up at the sun for a moment. He would have to share this thought with the others. Seeing how the idea spread... it would be interesting. Texas seemed to be thinking hard about his answer, perhaps struggling with the fact that his answer wasn't much different from what his father would give? The tree titled his head, thinking hard on his answer. It would make sense that he'd share an answer with a father that was much closer to just a creator than the former, but that could also be said of the android. Sei figured that having the same answer would the case until he was proven wrong with the next line of dialogue from his Verdant acquaintance. He explained that his answer was his own, and even so far as to say his father would answer totally different. Not that the android didn't believe him, but he would still probably be gunning to ask the maker of the Verdant race, whomever that was. Sei would ask after he was finished with this topic.
The Verdant continued to speak, even calling out Sei on the reasoning that he too would have been influenced by his father and that holding him in such high regard would essentially prove that. Sei was beginning to believe that an argument would occur, a larger difference in opinion that would create a rift farther from these two individuals than there already was, until Texas paused. It was clear he was forming some sort of thought as he began to make the vines grow around him. The vines grew in separate but consequential ways from each other. It was clear to Sei that each vine was influencing the other, and soon they would dissolve away. The android standing there may have been a cold machine, but he could understand exactly what this life in front of him was saying with his actions. In case Sei couldn't understand already, Texas would fill him in on it.
"All things are connected. Every experience, every moment of time, it all shapes us."
It was such a powerful sentence, Sei could actually feel himself much closer to his answer than before. This kind of knowledge he would receive, from a tree no less, would actually begin to shape the young android more than he could ever know. It was awe inspiring.
Everything is connected...we as sentient beings all influence another with our words and actions. Even a mention of an event or occurrence can be enough to change people at their core.
Texas began to thank Sei as if he had done something for the Verdant beside ask a question. The tree looked more enlightened, more sure of itself than even just five minutes ago. Sei could tell something was different about himself as well, although specifically he couldn't necessarily tell what. It was as though Sei could be happy with just this answer, like this was how Sei would be satisfied with himself and the justification that came from it.
Could he truly be done, however?
Something had to be driving this Verdant and his father to continue on. They were just having high power levels for no reason, they would only need that to be fighting something. Was there someone attempting to overthrow that kind of thought about life? Sei would have to ask.
"Your answer young Verdant, was amazing. To see that you could perfectly describe the relationship people have with another and that influences are what make people who they are, it makes me truly satisfied. I really think that could be all that I need from you or anyone else. I feel like my father would be happy with myself finding this answer, but I must ask because there just isn't enough here to connect all of the dots. You have a high power level, and you've stated your father is much stronger. Why do you require this kind of strength? What are you fighting? I can't imagine there would be a need to with this kind of enlightenment I'm feeling."
Sei was genuinely curious to find out whatever could be the issue. Sei was perfectly content to believe that he was finished with his goal; that he mission for the reason he was spawned and created was now complete with the very answer that the Verdant Texas had given him. Almost immediately, however, Texas let him in on some information. The tree looked almost regretful as he explained that people would get in the androids way, that people would fight him and his ideal because it may clash with their own, or just simply because they thought they could. In fact, if the android were to even hold onto his own ideal, he would need to become stronger, and more than likely have to fight for his belief. All of this surprised Sei, but only for a moment. If he was going to know the meaning of life and how sacred it really was, some people out there were planning to take away life from others simply because they could. It was a terrible reality, and Sei was certainly now on the opposite side of that stance. There was no longer this middle lane that Sei thought he could always take on this issue. Now that he was on a certain side, it was really weird for Sei to think of it like that. Of all the things that Sei wanted, one was to remain neutral and bring perspective to everything that he could. In this case, it was simply not a matter of that.
Texas at this point, seemed to be talking to himself as much as he was to Sei. He pounded his tree hand into the ground, stating that just being good wasn't enough. It made sense to the android. This Bing Gan was about as good as they come apparently, and he still lost to the forces of evil. So strength was certainly necessary. The android would remember this, but he also would take it with a grain of sand. To be strong is one thing, but to be too strong is another. What would happen if Sei reached the top of the universe in terms of strength? Would his robot mind be able to deal with being at the very top? Hopefully he wouldn't go on a killing spree and just reinforce anti android stereotypes. It was specifically because he was an android that he was constantly being watch by people and told that he was just suspicious by nature of race. If it were 5 years early before Vi-poi went on his rampage, things might've actually been better for the young android. It was due to a single android that a lot of the innocent machines were scrutinized. That and the large amount of actually evil androids, but that was besides the point.
Texas finished up their conversation by explaining that seeking power didn't make you bad, nor did using it, but thinking that with that power you were better than those weaker than you, that was indeed a bad thing to do. Sei listened to every word, making sure not to miss anything. He essentially recapped it by saying a single sentence, however. Texas wanted the young android to feel free to obtain power, but for the forces of good, those on his side. This only made logical sense, and even at first the young android though again that perhaps it was a bad idea to take a city, but when he remember the atrocities, he came back to the light side. It was probably where Sei was always supposed to be.
"Thanks Texas. I really needed this kind of talk. I feel a lot closer to reaching the answer than I did before, and the gap of the two extremes are exactly that; extreme. I feel like I really have some insight on this issue now, and for that you have my sincerest thanks. I have to be going now, I really need to reflect on this conversation. It was an absolute pleasure to talk with you Texas, son of Walker. I may see you again some time. When that comes, I really hope we are on the same side of conflict. I'd be fine to serve with you."
And with that, the android would do the human custom waving when it was time for him to go. It was kind of sad for Se, but he felt very confident now. He had the best answer to what is the meaning of life again!
The android gave a small shake of his head. “Of course not. I don't have any need to retreat from you. But I'm also not going to fight you out here,” he spoke, watching the other as he continued. “If you want to fight, we'll do so where it's safe for the school.” He didn't really have to announce where. The gravity chamber was the one place where it was safe to fight all out. Its walls were ki-resistant, and it was built solidly enough to resist attacks from just about everyone. Alexander hadn't been able to damage the walls in the slightest, in all the time he'd been there.
The other gave a small grunt, before he eventually let the energy dissipate into the air. “All right. I'll see you there,” he said simply, before turning smartly on his heel and moving back through the school, finding his own way to the gravity chamber. Sei let out a small sigh of frustration as he shook his head. He just wanted to get some rest today but that didn't seem to be on the agenda for him, not that he minded. He would just do what he could do to put that other one down on the ground and then after he was done, finish off whatever other training he felt that he needed before heading home. Hopefully at that point, he'd be able to finally sleep.
His eyes closed for another moment, finally relishing the chance to get a little bit of rest before the day's end. Of course, that's when the bell began to sound, echoing throughout the school, and the android gave a small sound of irritation. Of course. He stood up to his full height, cracking his neck once to try and send a sensation of something through his body to force himself to stay awake for at least a little bit longer. It was difficult for him to say for certain if the entire day was planned around just screwing with him for its entirety, or if he was just having some supremely poor luck. It was probably the latter, but he had no idea just how much influence She Who Watches had in his life.
He rolled his shoulders then as he watched the students pass before him, most of them ignoring him, but he got the occasional sidelong glance from some of them as they passed by. His eyes closed again, merely feeling their presence as he tried to let them all pass unmolested as he didn't want to have to deal with anything else before his own battle that was supposedly about to happen. He felt a flash of movement with his void sense, and opened his eye to see a fist heading toward him. There was no mental reaction from him, simply just his muscles responding to what he saw.
His hand snapped up and caught the transgressor's fist, holding it in place before he clenched his hand, causing audible dry cracking noises to echo throughout the hallway. “Go to the infirmary,” Sei demanded as he watched the boy stumble backward, giving a muted cry, holding his hand from where Sei had broken it. “Your hand is broken.” His tone was even, but to those around him, it seemed to instill a slight sense of fear and he noted that many of them were beginning to move a little more quickly away from him, now. Good. That'd let his day end faster once they were all out of his way. He gave a small sound as he watched the rest of them depart, and soon, the hallways were empty.
“All right. Time to go see about a fight,” the man spoke as he pushed himself off of the wall. The weighted coat he wore still accompanied him, and he made his way through the hallways, heading directly for the gravity chamber. The sooner he was there and the sooner this fight was over, then he could really start to focus on pushing himself too hard. It was a strange line of thought for him, as he'd never been excited about pushing his body too hard. Normally he attempted to stay relatively light so he wouldn't cause any serious harm to his body.
His eyes flickered to the side as he saw some of the other students still leaving, but his zone was cleared. He wondered how some of the other monitors handled things, and if they had any real attachment to their wards. The young android had when he'd first started, but this thing that had begun to happen with him...all thanks to Ayumu...had really started to change the way he looked at a lot of things. He had initially been poised to see if he could take the school over just to see if he could, but now he was rapidly losing interest in doing such. Even still, it had been a goal he'd set, and he recalled that talk he'd had with about such things. Goals were to be set, and to be achieved. Even if your interests and views change, your goals should always remain constant...and he supposed that going up against the guy would be a good test of his power, eventually.
Pausing at the door, he hesitated for only a moment before lifting a hand to open it, pushing the door open as he passed through. On the other side waited the fighter that had been in the hallway, who looked more than a little surprised that Alex had actually shown up. “Sooner than I'd expected you to show up,” the boy spoke, and Sei merely gave a shrug as he set his bag down in the corner, before turning to face him again. “Before we get to it, there's something that I do have to ask you, and it's relatively important.”
The words were quite serious, and Sei gave a small sound, confused. “All right,” he responded evenly, his emerald-eyed gaze on the other. This was not something that he had expected. In honesty, he had expected to get blasted with energy as soon as he'd opened the door, but it appeared that the other wasn't going to resort to such methods in order to win a fight. Sei wasn't certain that others wouldn't stoop to that level, but he was rather glad that this one wasn't, at least. It would make things far easier in the future if the android beat his face in. He wouldn't have to worry about getting jumped from behind later, if he was displaying this level of honor now.
“Well I suppose it's two questions, though one is less important than the other. The less important one is just a curiosity, but leads to the second. Do you even know my name?” he asked, and the Void-user had to give a small sound. He did not, and while he could hazard a guess, he felt that it was much more honest to simply admit the truth. He shook his head slowly, and an amused, though irritated, smirk, appeared on the other's face. “I see. I should have expected that. Zeke. Zeke Waltz. It is good to meet you, Sei, the android.”
The robed android gave a small sound. “I suppose it is good to meet you as well, Zeke Waltz,” he responded, using the full name as he had been addressed. “You are number nine on the list of the strongest in the school, am I right?” he returned, curious. He hoped that he was thinking of the right person, at least. If he wasn't, then it would make it even more obvious that he really had no idea who the person standing before him even was. However, the fellow shook his head, and Alex felt a strange sense of sadness mixed with irritation.
“Not quite, though that does make the second question less in need of an answer, as that answers it fairly well already. I was curious as to how much you put stock into this school, and its hierarchy. Everyone else climbs up the ranks, struggling to get even one step closer, but you've cleared several in almost no time at all. You're not the same as the rest of us. And that's why I think that I should step in and put an end to you. I'm the fifth strongest, Alexander. The top five are on a whole different playing field than the rest. This will let the others know just what you're capable of.”
Sei's eyes widened a little, not realizing that this one was someone who was going to be able to actually pose a threat to him, or so he surmised. He supposed that made sense as to how hew as able to build that ki attack as quickly as he had. He didn't bother to comment on that incident in the hallway, but instead moved to refocus his conversation on the situation they were in right now. "I see. Well then, I suppose I will have to do my very best to give you my all. I wouldn't want you to give back a false report to your superiors," he spoke, the tone taking on a slightly darker edge than he normally held. His right arm extended outward as the ethereal energy of the Void began to surround it.
Zeke did not seem to be impressed at all in the slightest as he watched, curious as to what Alexander was doing. "I had heard that you used something other than ki...but I did not think that I would get to see it so early. I had assumed this was your trump card, not something that you relied on in every fight," he spoke, and took a stance of his own. Sei's stance was virtually nonexistent. The more he used the Void, the less he realized he was relying on actual style and technique over raw power. It was a strange sense for him, but he wasn't about to stop the focus on it, at least not yet. It hadn't served him wrong so far, and so he planned to carry it as far as he needed to.
"You said you planned to bring back a report to your superiors. If I show you my full power at the outset then they'll know already that they're outmatched," Sei spoke, letting his gaze rest for a moment on Zeke. There was no arrogance in his words, just a cold certainty. He watched the other then, his arm tightening as he let the power flow through it. His entire form felt lighter as soon as he let in the power of the Void. It was something that he was starting to become rather fond of, as much as he didn't really want to admit it. His body began to thrum with energy as he continued. "What are you waiting for?" he asked, baiting the other onward.
The young man gave a small sound. "Fine then," Zeke spoke, before he whipped his arm forward, firing off a blast of raw ki, aimed at Sei's chest. The android merely moved his right arm as the blast approached, catching it with his void-covered arm. The blast slammed into his palm as he caught it, and he felt the power radiating outward from it. It was definitely a powerful attack, and he was a little amazed at the might behind it...but it did not bypass Sei's guard. No, instead, the attack, much like others, simply began to wither away as the darkness from his arm wrapped around it, consuming the ki like a voracious predator. It covered the attacking blast, reducing it to that strange, grey liquid that splashed against the ground, sending up small tendrils of smoke. It couldn't quite eat through the ground, which simply showed just how powerful the gravity chamber was.
Sei's gaze flickered from the devoured ground up to Zeke's face, watching in cold amusement at the look of shock that was on his face. "Well then. I suppose that shows you exactly what my gifts can do," Alex spoke, before he clenched his hand, causing the rest of the ki to simply burst into energy, evaporating around them as his hand continued to be wreathed in the Void. "Though I suppose it's my turn to attack, isn't it?" he asked, watching as Zeke began to guard himself, waiting for something to come. The android would extended out his hand, his five fingers separated as he held them out, all pointing toward his target. With a sudden rush of void, the energy burst forth from his fingertips, lancing forward.
Zeke moved then, his body being pierced through by the attack, before his image faded, and Sei's vision was drawn a short distance away, to where Zeke stood. The man looked fine, and so whatever he'd used to dodge must have been something that let him move nearly faster than the eye could follow. An impressive trick. "Not bad," The young android spoke as he turned his head to look at him. "But I wonder how often you can keep that up," he spoke, firing another blast of raw void from his hand at the man. Once more, an after-image remained behind as the other flickered away. Sei frowned as he watched, curious to see if Zeke actually could keep that up time and time again.
He moved, firing yet another bolt of void energy at him, but whatever physical form he thought he'd seen did not last, simply fading away as the others hand. "You're slow." The words came from behind him then, as Sei suddenly felt a crushing blow on his back, sending him stumbling forward. He felt the attack continue as his legs were suddenly swept out from under him. Still, Sei didn't let that end him as he turned in the air, catching the ground with his fingertips before he pushed off the ground, landing a short distance away, staring at Zeke. "That's an interesting thing to note. I wonder if the have any idea just how slow you are. Perhaps you should try to react a little more quickly?"
Sei gave a frown as he gathered that energy in his arm again. "I see. So you avoid combat by moving around and criticize those that don't follow the same style that you do." His gaze moved down to his arm as he felt more and more void being pulled out of himself then. He wasn't anywhere near enough to awaken She Who Watches, but he was tempted to. Instead, he rolled his shoulder. "If the volley wasn't enough to take you down...then perhaps a salvo will be," he growled as he thrust his arm outward again.However, rather than there being just one blast as there had been before, the attack was split into dozens of smaller blasts that all forked outward, like lightning as they struck against the wall.
Zeke gave a small grunt of pain as one of them lanced through his arm, and then another his leg. He had moved, but not quickly enough to avoid the full barrage. His arms began to glow with ki as he forced both of his hands forward, unleashing a barrage of energy at Sei, aiming to cut through the Void Salvo and deal just as much damage in return. The young man gave a bit of a holler as he did so, firing off blast after blast within the room. This was definitely one of the strongest attacks that the young android had fought against before, and even as he let the void cover him, he could feel the attacks piercing through his guard, leaving him just as winded and damaged as his opponent.
"Interesting," Sei spoke as the barrage finally came down. He watched as Zeke panted, struggling for breath now as he tried to get wind back into his lungs after that assault. "You do have to put out a great deal more...effort than I do to achieve a similar result. I wonder if you'd be able to dodge in your condition," he spoke. HIs body was wracked with pain, but he wasn't going to let on to that fact. The moment that he showed his foe that hew as also in pain was the moment he gave Zeke hope. And he couldn't do such if he was going to show him just who was superior, and why. "Let's test this little...theory," he responded, extending his hand outward as the void began to gather there once more. He fired a raw blast of the void directly at Zeke, curious to see if he could even avoid in the condition he was in.
Amazingly, the blast did miss, and Sei gave a small tut in response, not exactly amused by this fact. "Interesting," he repeated, his eyes narrowing a bit. "I suppose it will take more than that to shut you down, won't it?" he asked. Before waiting for a response, he darted forward, pulling back the void-covered arm before he brought it forward, aiming to slam his fist into the other's jaw. There was a slight pause as his fist nearly connected, but once more, that damned after-image technique caused the attack to go wide. He followed, using his void sense to track the man's location as he followed him, now hot on his trail. As soon as Zeke finished moving, Sei was there, leading to him having to dart away again, leaving behind a series of after-images.
However, as the young android watched, he began to see the pattern in the movements, subtle though it was. A slight variation here and there, but as he chased the other down, and he could sense that he was getting more and more exhausted by the moment while Sei, not relying on his own power, stayed just fine. He moved to where he knew Zeke would go next, and threw his knee forward, just as Zeke would land. As he had suspected, the blow struck the other right in the chest, causing him to cry out in pain as he flew backward, slamming into the far wall. Sei watched, amused as blood seemed to trickle from the corner of his mouth. "Playtime is over," he announced.
Zeke panted, struggling to get up to his feet after that attack he'd just taken, moving to brace his ribs with one hand. "What are you going to do?" he asked, wheezing slightly as he watched. "Kill me?" he asked, curious. He didn't know if that was the plan at all, but something told him that Sei might, without realizing what he was doing. He hoped to perhaps bring it to light by announcing it aloud, rather than leaving it in the depths of their minds. "That would fit the path that you're on, after all..." the man spoke, coughing again as a bit of blood seeped out from between his teeth. The android had broken something internally. Not that he particularly cared...but it was still an amusing thought.
The young android shook his head then. "How could you go back to your superiors and tell them anything if I killed you?" he asked, watching with the same cold expression he'd worn the entire time. His hand still thrummed with that energy as the void continued to roll off of him in waves. The dark energy was something that he was beginning to just...utilize more and more, and while before it was something that caused him nothing but harm, the more he did it, the stronger he seemed to feel, until at this point, he almost felt like this was normal. That he should have this power to lord over those weaker than he was. The pain that he normally felt when pulling on the Void was all but gone. He wondered when that change had happened...but he didn't particularly care. He liked this. "You've seen what I can do. Go and tell them. I want to know what their reaction is."
The words fell, and for several moments there was no response. The only sound in the air was Zeke's wheezing as he struggled to breathe. Eventually, the other stood, sliding up against the wall as he watched Sei. "I see," he panted out, leaning against the wall for support. "You don't know how strong you actually are...and you're just using our school to find out. What the hell is wrong with you?" he snarled, even though the motion made him cough a moment later, spitting up more blood from his innards. "You're a monster," he continued, his eyes closed as he tried to get the air to his lungs, even though each breath seemed like it was taking more away.
At his words, Sei gave a small shrug. "Perhaps. I don't really know what waits for me at the end of this path I walk. But I will walk it, as I have no other path to go," he spoke, his tone just as icy and cold as it had been the rest of the time. Speaking it aloud gave him some interesting insight into things, and what he planned to do. He had no idea that this was the path that he'd chosen, but saying it aloud, he realized this is exactly what he was going to do. This was the path that he'd chosen to walk, and he would follow the spiral to its ending- he would go where no one had been before. Ayumu hadn't seemed to have given himself completely over to this power but...he felt like he should.
Of course, it was entirely due to the visitation of She Who Watches, he knew. He knew that down to the deepest core of his being that no matter how much he tried to put her out of his mind, she was there, and it was entirely likely that she was still watching him too, even now. She was waiting for him to make that decision, and she would be the one to lead him along the path. But he wanted to follow her, to learn from her, to draw upon her powre to use in his battles. She was the only one that had given him that insight into what path he should walk and he did not want to turn that away.
Zeke gave another grunt as he took a stumbling step toward the door. "You are a monster," he repeated, making his way toward the door as he did so. He pressed the button to open the door, not bothering to shut off the gravity. "Whatever we have to do to stop you, we will," he muttered, limping as he made his way out.
The young android watched him go, realizing that he now had laid claim to the fifth spot. "I look forward to it."
With that, the young android would walk out of the chamber and into the world. The sun shone brightly on the mechanical man's face, making him need to squint slightly. With a sigh, he would help back to the cave of creation, where he was born. Taking his time to climb into the air through flight, it was a wonder how he would ever be able to move on. Would this experience change him? Would be become a different person because of it? He sincerely hoped that would not be in the case in any sort of way.
Flying back over to the cave where he was created, he would move the rock out of the way that would block his entrance. Flipping the switch in the tunnel, the lights would come on in the building and the machines that powered the place would begin to whir. It was almost a rut that Sei had been in, recently. He could never seem to fully accomplish anything he set out to do, and he could never fully change the things he tried for. Maybe this was some sort of sign? Perhaps the mechanical nature set him apart from everything else, making an immovable barrier that he couldn't even see passed, leading into human emotion and logic. It was easy for Sei to just say that it was pointless and just give up trying; to return to the cave this last time and shut everything down. If he did that, however, who would carry the legacy? His creator had been an amazing man, and in his short overlapping life with Sei, the android had come to know that. He would need to push on, push on for the legacy of Griffon Connaleer, the best life form- anything that Sei had come to know. Giving a brief smile, Sei would look at the super computer.
"That's what you want, right? Griffon...dad...I'll continue for you. But you owe me one."