Naked and Chained

"Revive!"

In response to my heart's whispered yearning, the skies gently unfurled, revealing a luminous ray that lovingly cradled me in its golden embrace. From this divine light emerged the ethereal form of an angelic maiden, her face reflecting the purity of youthful innocence. Her hair flowed like a river of moonlit satin, and as her features — a harmonious blend of deep beauty tinged with a touch of sadness — met mine, our eyes locked.

Deep within her soulful gaze, a mix of delicate vulnerability and timeless wisdom sparkled. With a grace that spoke of unseen worlds, she vanished into a cascade of lights, fusing within me. A thrilling sensation, evoking the dance of innumerable stars in passionate synchrony throughout my entire being, vessels, and nerves, set my spirit aflame.

With intense passion, nanobots began to emerge from within me, collectively taking the shape of a radiant silver orb before me. Within its glow, the silhouette of a young maiden appeared, her gaze intensely searching for mine.

A clear prompt crystallized in my consciousness:

[Decision Point:

Dea, once an epitome of grace, was tragically transformed into an Artificial Intelligence. Her soul, repurposed, now adeptly maneuvered complex algorithms. With the "Revive" prerogative, a crossroads beckoned:

1. Preserve her solely as AI, relinquishing any glimmer of her human essence.

2. Marry her existence with 10% AI — a temporary vessel, as her original form was lost to time — and anchor 90% of her human spirit. Hope remains that a fitting vessel might be found to breathe life into her once more.

This choice marks her last beacon of connection to humanity.]

Note: With just 10% AI prowess, she concedes 90% of her former computational brilliance.

The sands of time are fleeting; a mere 15 seconds remain for your resolution.]

Locking my gaze with Dea's, the melancholy remnants of her twisted fate mirrored back at me—a poignant echo of an age-old wisdom:

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." [Leo Tolstoy]

Both entangled in the thorns of our tumultuous histories, Dea and I tread unique, challenging paths, ever in search of that elusive happiness that past traumas tried to steal.

Yet, the key lies in persistence. For those who tirelessly seek happiness, it will eventually embrace them in its warm fold.

I opt for the second choice, recognizing it's alright if Dea can never return to her self as the greatest AI.

A sudden, overpowering weariness enveloped my senses. Fighting it was pointless. As my knees buckled and I descended to the floor, an inexplicable tranquility embraced me—a serene pleasure in yielding to slumber's call.

***

Awakening, a sharp chill immediately ensnared my wrists. Startled, I realized I was starkly undressed, my hands imprisoned by coarse iron shackles with jagged edges. The freezing metal gnawed at my skin, and a particular keen edge nicked my wrist, eliciting a sharp intake of breath. These bonds held me steadfast to the venerable stone wall of a dim chamber.

Surveying my surroundings, I noticed another individual, likewise constrained, his expression one of bewildered surrender—a reflection of our shared predicament.

From the depths of my brain, Dea's voice echoed. "Good morning, master."

Swallowing hard, I responded, "Good morning, Dea."

"How are you holding up?"

Given the situation, a wry smile touched my lips. "I could use a few more hours of sleep." I took in the bleak setting with a heavy exhale. "Truth be told, this isn't how I envisioned waking up. Why this confinement?"

Dea's voice wavered with emotion, "You consumed sedatives, master. They intended to plunge you into an 8-hour slumber. However, I intervened, extracting the toxins from your bloodstream. Consequently, you were out for just 2 hours."

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. "What transpired during my unconsciousness?"

"Rather than explain, it would be quicker for Maaster to witness. I've captured a recording."

***

Sweetheart, let's paint this tale with vivid strokes so readers can lose themselves within! 🌹

As darkness embraced me, the chill of the floor seeping through, I could sense Maa rising majestically from her ornate lounge. Moving with a feline grace, she closed in on Lamar, her eyes aflame with menace. In a sudden burst of force, she thrust Lamar against the rough, aged wall, the impact echoing through the room.

"How dare you approach him?" Maa's voice, cold and deadly, cut through the silence. "Believe he's your escape route? Defy me once more, and it could very well be your end. Your brazenness vexes me."

She sauntered over to where I lay, her gaze appreciating every curve and angle of my face. "Such allure," she whispered, her fingers delicately skimming my skin. Abruptly, her nails transformed into lethal claws, nicking the soft skin of my throat. She leaned closer, savoring the tiny droplet of blood that welled up. "Sublime," she murmured with evident pleasure, "a rare delicacy."

Her wicked smirk grew bolder as she mischievously glanced down, her gaze searing with intrigue and longing. "A gem, indeed. Our time together will be quite... entertaining."

With a mere flick of her elegant foot, she directed me towards Lisa. "Bind him securely," she instructed, her tone dripping with anticipation. "He'll be our sustenance for the foreseeable future. Especially with our king's impending reign of undead terror. Living humans will soon become a rarity."

As Maa glided gracefully towards the ornate balcony, her raven-black wings stretched wide, absorbing the silver light of the moon. With a leap that seemed effortless, she disappeared into the dark embrace of the night, leaving a haunting, mesmerizing image behind.

Lisa and Lamar, with a demeanour more akin to captives than confidants, dragged me, their grips firm and unyielding, up the spiralling staircase to the mansion's second floor. In a dimly lit, ominous chamber, they tethered me beside two souls, the look of dread mirrored in their eyes.

Lamar's voice quivered, "Lisa, this isn't right."

She snapped, "Our hands are tied, Lamar! That bitch poisoned us, remember?"

Hunched over, Lamar whispered so softly that his words almost vanished within the chamber's echoes, "The dark king's shadow looms ominously. Rumors whisper that he's unleashed a necromantic spell – a curse that ensnares living souls and transforms them into the undead. This isn't mere sorcery; it's a virulent contagion, fusing the sinister dark arts with potent bioterror. Our magic becomes futile, for the dark energy within the zombies devours all forms of enchantment."

With a gaze filled with regret, Lamar turned towards me. "He shouldn't be entangled in this wicked web. Maybe... maybe we should free him?"

Lisa's eyes, though filled with fatigue, gleamed defiantly. "To what end? This land is now infested. The living and the dead, forever intertwined. The world of yesteryears is a distant memory."

Lamar's resolve grew firmer, "He could stand with us, Lisa."

With a heavy sigh, Lisa countered, "How? Maa's poison has left him vulnerable, paralyzed for 8 long hours. The sands of time slip swiftly through our fingers. She'll be upon us before dawn."

Lamar sighed, "Yet, there's a goodness about him."

Lisa retorted, "His naivety will be his undoing. To trust outcasts like us? Should his fate turn bleak, it's a product of his own credulity."

"And a most unfortunate twist of fate," Lamar chimed in with a hint of irony.

With somber expressions, they fastened me to the wall and vanished into the enveloping darkness.

***

"Have I truly been so naive?" I whispered to Dea. "To have placed trust in them?"

Only silence replied.

"I aspired to change, to become a better man, not solely for their affections. Though, perhaps that played a small part. Was it my desires that led me astray, or were their enchanting deceits to blame?"

Yet, silence persisted.

"What's done is done," I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of desolation press upon me. "Am I destined to walk such a shadowed path?"

🕊️ [A child of the light, every soul is destined for happiness – yours is no exception. Yet, you must wield discernment. Offering kindness to a creature hungering for your essence? That's not benevolence, it's imprudence.] 🕊️

"Who addresses me?"

 [The apostles, dear one, are the chosen few who can perceive the voice of the Divine. Your senses are sharpened now. However, if the celestial wisdom displeases you, you may opt to silence this blessing.]

"Enough of this," I exhaled with exasperation, "Dea, is there a way out of this confinement?"

"Master," Dea's voice filled the void, "I've commandeered the Alice nanobots. These micro-entities can materialize implements—maybe a blade to cut through these chains?"

🕊️ [In your haste, you might overlook valuable assets. Breathe. Reflect. Perhaps in this stillness, clarity will emerge.] 🕊️

"And while chained and naked? What can be my valuable assests? My lil brother"

🕊️ [First, ground yourself in gratitude and prayer. It will set the tone for all else.] 🕊️

Frustration bubbled up, but a glimmer of hope remained.

"Status," I commanded.

I can see the daily check-in for today hasn't been used.

"Use today's daily prayer."

🕊️ [Please read this short prayer.] 🕊️

"What?"

🕊️ [O Lord, for what we have received, we are truly grateful. And for whatever lies ahead, let it unfold according to Your will.] 🕊️

"You ask me to truly feel grateful for what happened to me today?" I felt like crying.

🕊️ [No gratitude, no assistance. The choice is yours.] 🕊️

"This humiliation!" Swallowing my pride, I intoned "O Lord, for what we have received, we are truly grateful. And for whatever lies ahead, let it unfold according to Your will."

 [A reward awaits your first Apostolic check-in. Please choose your boon:

- A pouch offering daily sustenance: 2 kilos of food and 2 liters of water.

- A spatial inventory measuring 2 meters cubed.

- An exclusive skill to craft magical artifacts – using mana to manifest weaponry. Beware, though: these constructs vanish unless sustained by mana. [GODly recommended]

- A miniature map detailing a 50-meter radius around you.

Choose with care; one gift is your limit.]

My hands were empty, lacking any form of weapon. The ability to conjure weapons anytime and anywhere seemed incredibly useful, especially in perilous times like these.

"I choose the art of magical artifact creation."

🕊️ [Skill bestowed, complete with its theory, practical knowledge, and execution methods.] 🕊️

With newfound knowledge, I turned to Dea. "Share with me a blueprint for a tactical knife."

"Right away, Master."

With the design vivid in my mind, I whispered, "Forge knife."

My mana dipped, and in its wake, a shimmering blade materialized, featherlight.

[To preserve this mana knife, feed it 1 mana every minute.]

With deft movements, I sheared through my iron constraints.

"Master," Dea's voice held caution, "The knife you've manifested is delicate. The Alice nanobots can lend it solidity, or alternatively, they can repurpose your chains into a formidable weapon."

A simple dagger seemed insufficient against looming dangers.

"Provide me with a design for a longsword, spanning close to a meter."

Dea's response was swift, revealing two exquisite designs: a balanced double-edged sword and an elegant katana. "Master, A blade with a single edge is wise. A nanobot-infused blade will bear unmatched sharpness, rending iron as if it were soft parchment."

With clarity of choice, I commanded, "Skill, weave katana."

A blade, bathed in an azure glow, took form. With Dea's guidance and the Alice nanobots, remnants of my chains were artfully fused into the katana, bolstering its strength.

Swiftly, a razor-sharp katana lay in my grasp. Testing it on a wall, it carved effortlessly.

"Master, I've curated various katana techniques for you. I can project tutorials, guiding your strikes against foes."

I grinned, "Excellent."

But a dilemma loomed: Should I confront Lisa and Lamar, or should I seek sanctuary elsewhere, given Maa's formidable power?