Modern Caves

Upon agreeing to assist A.R.M. and his two fathers, Al and Elissa found themselves with their own rooms on the 402nd floor. 

Al marveled at the expansive penthouse assigned to him, an opulent spacious living room adorned with stainless steel pillars that seemed to pulse with intelligence. The pillars gracefully morphed from the form of two silver dragons supporting the ceiling to two sleek metal fish.

Exploring the intricacies of New Arks modern homes, Al extended his hand towards one of the pulsating pillars. To his amazement, it partially transformed into a sophisticated coffee machine, seamlessly pouring him a cup of coffee.

 Geometrical outlines adorned the floor, catching his attention. As he approached, a voice, reminiscent of A.R.M.'s but more robotic, echoed through the living room, " Good Evening, Master, would you care to immerse yourself in New Ark's Virtual World?"

Al hesitated, absorbing the invitation. The upper corners of the room opened up revealing two small machines centered towards the living room. The machines seemed to hum with the potential for exploration. He could sense the allure of a reality waiting to unfold within the confines of the geometric patterns on the floor. 

Turning away from any virtual escapades Al spoke to the area where the voice of the machine was coming from, "A.R.M., is that you? Can you see me?" Al questioned, as he waved his hands.

The machine responded quickly responded, "No, I am not A.R.M., I am an automaton designed to help you interact with the intelligence of the room. And no, A.R.M. cannot see you. We respect our citizens and our visitors' privacy." 

Al listened while looking around the room for a suitable spot to place his cup, to his surprise, a countertop materialized from the wall. After setting his cup down, Al continued trying to grasp the intricacies of the cavernous space.

"What are the benefits of me visiting this virtual world?" Al inquired; he spoke loudly as he realized the living room was essentially an empty silver cube within a rectangle.

The machine processed his question and in less than a second it gave Al an answer, "There are numerous benefits to exploring the virtual world. For social reasons, to forge new connections. To engage in experiences beyond the confines of physical reality. It can serve as a canvas for your creative expression. Entertainment is another advantage, a remedy for boredom." The machine continued its explanation, but Al's patience wore thin.

He deduced a virtual reality would serve him no purpose and interjected. "So, it's a machine for wasting time. Got it. I don't think I'll be visiting anytime soon."

He walked past the living room and proceeded to the bedroom, noting its initial lack of furniture similar to the living room. Suddenly, the machine's voice chimed in, "What would be your preferred bedroom style, Master?" 

Al surveyed the empty space and responded nonchalantly, "Whatever is the most popular or common, I don't care." In an instant, the floor transformed the silver floor became like mercury and shifted in shape giving birth to a bed shaped like a seed pod. The liquid metal had its own intelligence its state of matter down to it texture changed in order to turn into a comfortable bed.

 It even changed colors the inside of the pod a vibrant green and the outside a hazel brown complemented by a matching mattress and blanket.

Al watched with his eyes narrowing on the living metal his rough hands twitched as he reflexively wanted to draw his blades. "This metal reminds me too much of that damned Rakh-ahtan blood." memories flooded his mind, he kept his hands by his side as he quietly acknowledged the similarities between the living metal and the blood of the invaders.

The machine broke the tension as it pointed out why it had chosen the bedroom style it had, "The ancestral style is currently trending, appreciated for its cozy and simplistic design." Al, uninterested, left the master bedroom and continued his exploration.

Moving on to the restroom, he marveled at the assumingly minimalist style of the apartment, yet it contained interactive details throughout the house. 

Despite its perfection for an average person, Al thought, "As a cultivator, this is all too much. Too many distractions all I need is a dark room good air and clean water." With that lingering sentiment, he exited his apartment and navigated the hallway of the 402nd floor. 

Contemplating about the reason why he was there in the first place, Al mused, "Elissa is only two rooms down. I wonder how she's adapting?" Al made his way over to Elissa's apartment.

Before he could knock on her door, the door itself addressed him, "Stop, no need to knock I have already informed Lady Elissa of your presence," its voice carried the accent of a man from the Victorian era. 

Surprised, Al pondered, "I didn't even know you could customize the voice." The machine swiftly replied, "Lady Elissa said to walk yourself in," granting him permission to enter.

Al entered cautiously he walked toward the living room. He saw she also had two pillars except her's where stallions that charged from the ground towards the ceiling. Upon entering the living room, he noticed why Elissa hadn't opened the door herself. 

She stood in the center of the living room, arms outstretched. Every step she took seemed to shift the ground, bringing her back to the same spot. "I can hear your footsteps," she remarked. Al paused, then inquired, "What are you doing?"

Elissa answered, "I'm in the skies of Jupiter, you can fly in this Virtual World of theirs," she demonstrated by moving her arms as if she were a plane.

Al surveyed the room, it was the exact same as his except vastly different, the living room was styled in an old Victorian fashion. The center remained open, serving as the area to enter the Virtual World. 

Walking over and seating in a velvet cushion chair Al Crossed his arms before loudly speaking, "We don't have time for this. Let's go meet A.R.M. If we really are going to assist Loh' and Robert and ensure Taczlopalic isn't already here, we have to get these six months out of the way."

Elissa abruptly ceased her animated display, waving her hand to exit the Virtual World. Two small lasers in the room's corners switched off, halting the visual of the Virtual World that was being projected directly into her pupils. 

Elissa rubbed her eyes before running her hand through her dark hair revealing a beautiful young lady. Despite her beauty her eyes held a wisdom heavy from years of experience. "Now that I'm your teacher, I will try and be straightforward...." Elissa commented walking over to take a seat in red and gold upholstered settee.

She sighed, before stating. "Robert mentioned six months for someone in the Physical Domain to break into the Mental Domain," 

Al nodded recalling the words spoke, Elissa contemplated before explaining "In terms of my Reflexive Will, I'm already at the peak of the Spirit Domain. However, I lack enlightenment in over 40 of the 48 Laws within the Mortal Chasm. I've yet to master all of the Three Hidden Mortal Techniques. I've only mastered the Eternal Wellspring of Youth; I still need Air Walk and Astral Projection." Al leaned in from his chair, his attention was caught at the mention of hidden techniques.

Elissa didn't go into further detail about her cultivation instead she clarified her plan, stating, "While you push your Heat Will into the Mental Domain, I will gather as much information as I can." Al absorbed her words, nodding solemnly before he turned his gaze towards the floor.

Elissa noted his shift in mood as Al struggled to look at her while he spoke "It's not that I don't want you as my teacher; it's just..." Al paused to clear his throat. 

"I bring misfortune to those closest around me. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into." His words hung in the air, and Elissa listened attentively with a thoughtful expression. 

She stood from her chair and approached Al, who was uncertain about what she was about to do.

Elissa extended her hand, placing it on Al's shoulder, and responded, attempting not to mock Al's concern, "Hope? Keep your hope. I'm the master of my own destiny. If I dig myself into a hole, I'll simply break myself out." Al was perplexed by Elissa's train of logic, but when he looked into her eyes, he could feel her Will stirring with such intensity that the air, followed by his own Stubborn Will, began to tremble.

Al had to steady his breath and calm his Will. 

With a relieved expression, he turned towards the door, saying, "If that's how it's going to be, then see you in 6 months, Lady Elissa... or should I say teacher?" 

He began walking towards the door as Elissa loudly affirmed, "Teacher is fine!"

After Al exited, Elissa walked over to one of her pillars, a small bronze horse in the bottom of the herd morphed into a detailed screen map of New Ark City. "I'll only be in the Virtual World for a few more hours before I go for a little walk," she playfully said, pulling out the card of Yulia, the head witch of the Hidden Palm.