Chapter 63: Becoming Legend, II

[This might take a while, Ned.]

It's fine... I can't move yet, so we all have the time. Is there anything else?

[Yes. But this one might surprise you. Do you want to proceed?]

Ned paused. An AI that can simulate emotion. This was the first time Ned learned about this, even with Raid Queen—Ned's main system when he was 179. The system indeed cared about him. Proceed. Ned ordered. In his thoughts, Ned tried to be calm.

After Ned allowed his system. A chime of notification resounded in his head, followed by a red dot at the upper right of his HUD. An icon resembling an E-mail from Earth appeared.

[Ned, you have an encrypted message. You wish to open it?]

Open it.

The notification wiggled and flew to fit within Ned's display. Inside the smooth edges of the rectangular monitor was a room Ned was familiar with.

A harmonious slab of alabaster accommodated the room. Along the edges were advanced automation aligned systemically. Across was cylindrical glass crammed with mutation. At the center-edge of the room was a door that appeared to be made with steel with its sleek surface. The door hissed, and a man entered, carrying a steaming hot bowl.

Ned's heart raced when the figure of a man appeared close to the screen. "Calahir," Ned gripped his hands and remained focus.

["So you finally did it!" Calahir cried. Spooning the steaming hot bowl, Calahir sipped leisurely the ziti. He added with a fully stuff pasta in his mouth. "You really died! I hate it when... I'm always right!"

"You must be perplexed, Ned! But it's fine, perfectly normal. I really liked it when the wrinkles of your face revealed themselves. Wait, let me finish this," said Calahir in a hurried tone. "Got this recipe from Kamma," Calahir lifted high the bowl vertically aligned to the display. Seconds passed, the bowl of noodles was completely sucked clean. Placing the bowl to his side, Calahir continued.

"Anyway, here I am, still a High-elf, if your wondering. Tomorrow you will leave, I'm actually envious, but it's fine. It's Kamma's wish. And for the life of me, I do not have any idea of your travel, Ned. I do not know how many stars you've missed. Galaxies and planets you've encountered. But, let me ask you this, how was Earth? How's the modified food there? Do they have elves? Ahh! I'm so rare! I can't find my match!" Calahir paused. Leaned his slender arms across the table. And looked at the screen, intimidating.

"On a serious note, Ned. You died. Earth might be a chaotic planet for you to die. Or maybe you've never been to earth. If that's the case, much better. If you're not on earth, then you can use Magic. But the Nanites. They're prototype, so the effects and result might not be the one you wanted," he paused, closed his thin eyes, opened, and continue. "I'll make this short, I know! I missed you too! But listen carefully. After this, this message will destroy itself, I don't want to leave galactic prints. I'm dead if"—Calahir leaned closer to the display. Put his hand near to his mouth and whispered—"Pontus finds out I'm doing things behind his back."

"Now, I'm sure you know that the Emperor's hobby is to conquer planets. But did you know that before they created clones? There was a system created solely to kill. Yes! I'm right! I know! That's the one you had right now. The Legend Protocol. But at first, that protocol wasn't suitable for any species. Engineers from the high circle tested it to different species, but all the test subjects died. Later, they theorized that the test subjects needed to die for the protocol to take effect. But of course. Killing thousands wasn't to the liking of the Emperor. And guess what? Yes! I guess it right! Engineers extracted genes from different species and combine them to one. And that's how you were created. Clones. Expendable and emotionless test subjects." Calahir paused once more. Took a deep breath and said in a low tone.

"Don't worry, you're partly 95% Terran, the rest 5%, well, might be a dragon, ape, galactic leech, maybe worm. I'm not sure how you were mixed. But, anyway, clones are expendable. Killing thousands of you will not hurt the economy of Sskat. And engineers tested thousands of you. But the result is still the same. After the subject died, engineers could not resurrect them - with all the advanced technology, yet once dead. Will remain dead. And that's where nanites came into play. Now with a complete recipe; the Protocol, the subject, the catalyst. Everything is prepared. Engineers created the perfect clone. Able to withstand the effect of the Protocol. The first prototype of the Second Generation Clone. You," Calahir said. Lifted a finger and pointed towards the screen. Indicating Ned.

"And Kamma came into play, thanks to her, Galactic Empire of Sskat went a thousand back devolution. I bet half of my territory, Pontus is really pissed now! Well, anyway, you've achieved all necessary conditions to activate the Protocol, and since your viewing, this means the Protocol is a success. Ela! For hundreds of years, the protocol worked! and you're alive! You're alive and that's all that matters, Ned. But everything has to end, Ned. And this is it for me. Anin gell nîn! please! Take good care of ICE. she's my joy, my pride. Have a prolific journey, Ned. Novaer, my friend. Novaer."

Calahir moved closer to the display. He stuck his chest out, showed a face that was almost beaming with light. "I and Kamma are so proud of you, Ned. We always are and always be your friend."

Calahir stood, walked towards the door but paused. Before he leaves, Calahir turned around and moved back to the screen and said. "By the way, focus your thoughts in the ring Kamma gave you, you'll be surprised." Calahir smiled and briefly closed his eyes.

"ICE, store the recording, and protect it with encryption." ]

With the sound of the monitor closing, the message ended.

Goodbye, my friend, goodbye. I bid you well.

[Notice: Message will be deleted permanently.]

[Are you okay, Ned? Your heart rate is elevated.]

I'm fine, Ned replied mentally. Calahir mentioned about the Ring. He said to focus.

With a thought, Ned focused his consciousness on the ring. Conscientiously thinking about the edges of the ring, bronze plated surface. Smooth and shiny edges came into Ned's thoughts. A chime of notification echoed in his thoughts.

[Notice: Kamma's Ring would like to link. Allow?]

Yes. replied Ned.

[Notice: Link complete.]

[Notice: Item Kamma's Ring successfully linked and bound to the user.]

With the notification. Ned's thoughts went inside the ring. The ring was deep and felt an endless bound. "Spatial Ring," Ned muttered.

Inside the ring, Ned felt objects floating around his thoughts but seemed unable to get a hold of them. Seconds passed, an item bumped his thought. Ned was diverted when his notification alerted him.

[Notice: Would you like to receive the item 'Starter Package'?]

Receive. With a command. The box revealed itself inside his spatial ring. Slowly revealing itself was a box. Dark, plain, and normal looking box wanting to be opened.

[Notice: Would you like to open the item 'Starter Package'?]

Yes.

The box popped and broke into pieces. While the debris vanished, the items contained inside the box revealed themselves instead.

[Notice: User received the following consumable items: Ramen, Phadthai, Ham and Cheese, Rocky Road Ice Cream, and Cassoulet.]

What in the Maker's tongue have you done, Calahir? Ned tried to persuade himself that the items he was seeing were not real. To his failure, it wasn't. Ramen, Phadthai, Ham and Cheese, Rocky Road Ice Cream, and Cassoulet were in his inventory.

[Notice: Platinum Armor and Holy Hand Grenade x 1 received.]

Ned's Spatial Inventory was filled with delicacies he and Kamma liked back on Earth. Added was the item he used when he was fighting for the Empire of Sskat.

I can't say more, Thank you Kamma. With his thought, Ned visualized his system. ICE, Ned commanded.

All these, and I'm here, lying on this ground. I don't even know where I am. Tell me, ICE. Did I deserve all this? Ned shrugged mentally, making him feel poignant.

[Calahir gave the system to you. Kamma gifted you her Ring. Those two alone proved that you deserved all these, Ned.]

[So stop acting and tell me. How would you like to proceed? Your old usual self, or your new facade?]

Moments passed, and Ned's senses were fully calibrated to his body. The moment he regained all his senses, Ned heard a shriek and screaming. His senses were up to the top, he felt warm breathing beside him along with a thumping of a heart almost dying.

"I would like to proceed as myself."

[Welcome back, Ned.]