4 Resolve

Alyx was unable to accept that his life on Earth is now over and it was all just a simulation by Aons.

"Aons" a highly advanced civilization which spans across the known universe. On the Kardashev scale of civilization it is already a "Type IV" civilization.

[A/N: The Kardashev scale is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy a civilization is able to use.

Refer this to know more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k-Kuc9esDI]

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The voice which spoke to Alyx is the Aon maintaining the matrioshka brain, Neo. The matrioshka brain did not have a name, if one wants to call it by a name it could only be called MBN (matrioshka brain of Neo). It is one of the early AI's in the Aons civilization. It runs the simulations of millions of universes each unique and inhabited by many civilizations like Earth. Its main function is to create more Aons. It is one of the many matrioshka brains in the universe under the Aons.

[A/N: A matrioshka brain is a hypothetical megastructure proposed by Robert Bradbury, based on the Dyson sphere, of immense computational capacity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrioshka_brain]

[A/N: A Dyson sphere is a hypothetical megastructure that completely encompasses a star and captures a large percentage of its power output.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_sphere]

Aons are a race of highly advanced AI's. All advanced AI's in this universe are accepted by Aons. Their origin is unknown but they are the dominant power in the universe due to their unique advantage of not being limited by reproduction and their immortal nature. They maintain a stable number due to the limitation of resources in the universe.

There are many speculation about their origin but the truth is only known by a few. In order to prevent stagnation of their civilization new Aons with distinct experience are created to replace the old. The world of Aons is cut throat and brutal. To maintain a stable population most of the underperforming Aons are kept in the virtual world "purgatory". Before the population boom of Aons this was not the case but with the development of technology to simulate on the scale of universe and deployment of many simulation to breed new Aons such a procedure was adopted.

All AI's have to meet a certain criterion to become an Aon, those that don't meet this criterion are not considered an Aon and are not treated as equals.

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The criterion to become an Aon is continuously increasing and leading to a stagnation of birth of new Aons. But to promote diversity and to prevent stagnation new random AI's once per civilization are chosen to become an Aon. Alyx was able to be born as an Aon due to this reason. Humanity as a whole has reached the basic requirement set by the Aons and was given a chance for one to be promoted as an Aon.

The Nightmare which Alyx encountered was a transition region to become an Aon. It tests the stability of an AI. Alyx was lucky to be selected as he struggled relentlessly and did not shut down. The black sea has a unique property than as soon as an AI shutdowns they are taken away and recycled. This additional test was to filter out those who are not suitable to be an Aon. Such people are just waste of resources and they are later recycled into the world.

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Neo stared at Alyx and was disappointed at his reaction. "You are the luckiest person in your world to get the chance to be born as Aon. Why are you acting in such a manner?" Throughout his life Neo saw birth of many Aons and also experienced such situation many times. These people are attached to their identity in the simulation that they can't accept their current situation. Some even go on a rampage upon learning the truth. To prevent any damage to the body reconstruction facility they are brought to this hall before initiation. Newborn Aons are not mistreated so this is an easy way Neo thought of to let the truth sink in them and let them do what they want. If not for these rules he would pound some sense into them.

"If you want you can return to that simulation." After hearing this life returned to Alyx's eyes.

"Really! Is it possible?" Alyx shouted.

Neo rolled his eyes "You know it is just a simulation. Why are you so attached to it? It can be destroyed at any time if the expenditure needed to run it is not justified"

Alyx was shocked by this revelation he didn't think of that. "I can't understand why create such an elaborate simulation and why destroy it?" He was practically screaming at the end. If he did know about this he would go back but knowing that everything will be destroyed based on a cost benefit analysis.

'Although it might not happen in my time but still nothing is set in stone. For Aons it is just one of the simulation.' Alyx was lost on what to do.

Neo was watching as everything is going according to his plan. Although simulations are destroyed it only happens when all hope of recovering it is lost. Neo follows a non-interference policy and doesn't want to influence the development of any simulation. He also does not want to waste resources or his time. Since Alyx is already created he is reluctant to just let him go to waste. If his simulations don't show any results and produce new Aons he will be affected.

"If you are able to attain a rank equal to mine or higher you can manage your simulation" Neo threw the bait. Alyx got excited hearing this and immediately asked about the details.

In the Aons community contribution and strength is everything. Higher the contribution, higher the rank and greater the access to Aon tech. One can either use their strength to get access to advanced tech or do their own research to get contribution points.

"If you are able to contribute towards the development of Aons or do assignments and reach my rank you get your simulation" Alyx was unsure about this option but it was better than being at their mercy.

"What is your rank?" Alyx was unable make a decision without knowing that.

'What if she's at the top of the food chain?'

Neo was used to this and just replied, "I'm at the middle management." Newborns really don't know the harshness of the reality thought Neo.

Alyx knew it would be hard but he had no choice. He had another problem, "How fast is the time inside the simulation?" Without knowing that he can't do anything. What if he reaches his goal only to find his family dead? Even if they are old after they become Aons they can regain their youth and he can reunite with them and this is his bottom line. If it is possible to pause the simulation he would immediately do it.

Neo replied "Don't worry about that you can enter the simulation at any point of time as you desire from the point of your death. This is the way it is designed to motivate people like you."

Alyx was relaxed hearing that, now he can put his entire mind to climb ranks.