The girl turned her attention to me when I spoke to her, the soft yellow-ish orange or her amber eyes training on me. I couldn't read what she was thinking, but it seemed she was looking right through me. If I had to guess from how her aura felt, she was around as strong as Rin was, but I didn't feel any danger from her either.

Finally, after what felt like much too long, she shook her head once.

"My designation is Artificial Life-form: 1st Cultivation Experiment; However that is a name that has been used by my creators in reference to me. If you wish to refer to me as such as well, that is your prerogative." She said, her words feeling much colder than I expected, making me feel a little bad. I tried to move past my feelings though, she probably just needed some time to warm up to us is all, or… Thinking back to what the man had said and how she had referred to him and his colleagues, maybe she doesn't really understand human relationships? If she didn't even know what she wanted to be called, I wasn't sure if I wanted to just foist a name upon her.

"If your creators called you by it, then they might have wanted it to be your name, but what do you want to be called?" I asked. Just giving her a name when she was fully cognizant felt…weird. She wasn't some thing for me to name, unless she truly wanted it.

She didn't speak for a while, assumedly pondering what I had said before she answered.

"Argument accepted. New designation set as Alice." She looked around, taking in the desolate control room area before she walked over to one of the terminals and then interacted with it in some way I wasn't expecting. A port on the terminal opened up and she stuck her finger inside. Then her eyes began glowing for a few moments before she closed them and removed her finger.

She walked back over to us.

"I have been updated on all relevant information. The demonic threat has not been vanquished. My creators have all perished fighting against the demons. It has been an unknown number of millennia since the demons were sealed, and the seal has loosened significantly. Understood. With my creators gone, I will initiate the backup protocols. Inheritor of the Divine Flame. You will now be registered as Head Researcher of Project Eden." She said, looking directly at me. My eyes widened slightly.

"Project Eden? What's that? And why am I going to be the Head Researcher? I don't know anything about research. Also, what do you mean the seal has loosened? What seal?" I asked, puzzled at the sudden change in topic.

"Project Eden is the designation for the research project my creators were working on. Tasked with creating an artificial life-form that could be replicated faster than raising a normal human, and cultivate autonomously on its own. As the experiment has been put on hold due to the death of my creators, it requires an administrator to resume research. With the ever-looming demonic threat, this project may be the salvation of humanity." She said with more rehearsed, almost robotic, intonation.

"As for the seal; the Aurion sect, along with the other powers in the alliance, in a last ditch effort to stave off the destruction of humanity, sacrificed nearly all of their upper echelons to seal off the sectors being overrun by the demons. This was always the plan ever since worries that we would be unable to fend off the demonic invasion began cropping up throughout the fighting forces.

The seal was intended to last long enough for the remainder of humanity to rally their power, so that when it became undone, humanity would hopefully be able to vanquish them. That seal is close to being fully undone. I assume traces of demonic influence have already been noticed throughout the universe. Though, until the seal is fully undone, the strongest of the demonic horde will still be locked away." She continued. We all stood in stunned silence. Rin and I had heard some of this during the trial, but I imagined Yin was extremely confused at this point. I looked over to her for a moment, hoping to stave off any questions she may have.

"Yin, a lot of this has to do with what we need to discuss with elder Hazeon so can we hold off on the discussion about the demons for now?" I asked. The woman, who looked like she was about to ask a question looked to me and nodded.

"As you wish, lady Astra, Elder Hazeon, and possible the sect leader, should be made aware of all of this." She said, looking back to Alice as I did the same.

"Alice, are you saying that because I've inherited the Divine Flame, I'm now the leader of the research project that…created you?" I asked, unsure if I was properly understanding what the girl was saying. She nodded.

"Yes, Head Researcher Astra, you have been deemed the person with the highest authority in the remaining alliance hierarchy, and as such have been automatically registered as the Head Researcher for the project. All other projects have been marked as abandoned, thus it will now be your responsibility to continue Project Eden." She said. I felt the weight of responsibility from everything during the trial up to now making itself known, the unseen pressure building up within me since seeing the messages after finishing the trial bubbling to the surface. My heart started beating faster. I started talking without thinking, my fervent thoughts bubbling out unbidden.

"And what if I won't or…can't…take up the responsibility of completing the project? What if I can't live up to everyone's expectations of me? I save Shironia through sheer luck, then get some Divine Flame foisted upon me, designating me as one of the saviors of humanity?? And now, you're telling me I need to take up the mantle of finishing this millennia old project that might be the salvation of our entire species?? I. Can't. Do. It. I'm not some great hero like those in the storybooks I read as a kid. I'm just an orphan from a mining colony who got lucky in finding an inheritance…" I said, deflating somewhat by the time I got the end of my tirade.

"Astra…" Rin said, pangs of sadness and empathy tinging her words, but it all sounded like pity to me. Yin stayed blissfully silent. Before Rin could move toward me further, Alice spoke up.

"If the Head Researcher deems the the project untenable, it can be abandoned at any point upon their decision to do so. Following the abandonment of the project, I will return to deep hibernation where I will stay until the project is restarted. If the project is then deemed as a failure, I will be destroyed along with all notes on the research of Project Eden." She said. The way she explained it like she was talking about the weather instead of her own death was unnerving and I recoiled at the thought of ending the project, and Alice along with it.

"No I don't want that! I just…" I started before trailing off. What did I want? I didn't feel ready for such a large responsibility. Plus now Alice was telling me I was supposed to be responsible for her as well? I didn't know what I was supposed to do at this point, but I knew one thing, I couldn't let Alice go back into hibernation, or be destroyed.

"Does there have to be someone in charge of project Eden? Can't you just…live without the project? Like, just like any other human would? You could join a sect, and cultivate, and grow stronger without it having to be part of some project to save humanity." I tried, hoping she'd see some reason.

She looked at me with that same placid expression she had had on her face the whole time.

"I am the result of the research into Project Eden, and the project has not been completed. Without the project, and the goal of defeating the demons, I have no reason to exist." She said. Her reasoning made me recoil like I was struck.

"No reason to exist?! You're right here! In front of us! You're alive! You don't need a reason to exist, Alice. If we all needed a reason to exist then why…" I started, but stopped myself before I could finish what I was saying. It was a deeper wound I knew I had been letting fester within me, sealed behind a door in my heart. An insecurity that had become gangrenous, eager to spread through me if I let it. Alice seemed to take me stopping talking as an invitation to retort, which only deepened my worsening mood.

"I was created for a purpose. I must carry out the tasks given to me by the research team in order to complete Project Eden, and defeat the demonic threat. That is the purpose of my existence." She said, the emotionless-ness of her tone grating against me severely.

I felt a warm liquid flowing down the knuckles of my hand, my fingernails biting deep furrows into the skin of my palms.

"Astra, maybe we should table this conversation for a—" Rin started but I cut her off. Fine. If Alice wanted this Project completed, then I'd do it.

"Alice. As Head Researcher of Project Eden, I have deemed your existence as a success. Project Eden will now be concluded and you will be given full autonomy over yourself." I said, smugness invading my tone as I spoke with more confidence than I felt. If I was the only person in line for the Head Researcher position, I could just complete the project any time.

Alice waited for a few moments, her eyes glowing with that warm golden light for a few moments, before their normal luster returned.

"Project completion failed. Required tasks set by my creators for completion have not been met. Please complete the required tasks. Then I will begin shutdown protocols for Project Eden." She said.

I frowned.

"What are the required tasks?" I asked her. I guess it made sense. The project wasn't completed so they must not have finished all their goals, but why would the goals stop the project from being completed? Alice shook her head.

"Due to the nature of Project Eden, I am not allowed to know the completion parameters for it. With your new status as Head Researcher, you should have access to the Project Eden directory." She said, motioning to the vast array of terminals around the room. I huffed, still a bit angry, and stomped over to one of the terminals, violently tapping on the screen and looking for the information I needed.

I found a directory labeled 'PROJECT EDEN' and tapped into it, being prompted for a biometric reading which opened up the same port Alice had used before. I tentatively stuck my finger inside, but instead of a finger prick or jolt of electricity I was expecting, a soothing warmth flowed into me instead. After a few moments a big green box appeared on the screen along with an incongruously pleasant 'ding' sound that reminded me of Text somewhat.

"Welcome Head Researcher Astra. User initialization successful." The screen read at the same time a disembodied voice read it aloud to the room. With that, the screen disappeared and I was granted access to the directory. I quickly found the location of the project requirements. I was surprised at how similar the system was to ones I had used before. It made me a little suspicious at how similar it was to the tech the Beltigo Corporation used, but I supposed it was the best way to organize the information within a system? I wasn't sure, my expertise on technology was low to say the least.

A list of project goals were listed out on the screen. They were ordered from oldest to newest, and the names of each goal were formatted the same. I scrolled down the list, the comically discordant green check marks next to each goal going on for seemingly forever until I reached the bottom. As I scrolled, I picked out a few of the requirements along the list to read and get a feel of the full breadth of the project.

GOAL-1: Perform initial biometric sampling for optimal bio-mechanical environment.

GOAL-135: Design optimal physical characteristics for growth and adaptability.

GOAL-469: Install false dantian into experiment

GOAL-1250: Finish installing synthetic qi pathways

GOAL-2201: Install obedience module before initialization

GOAL-3300: Rename life-form to designation 'Artificial Life-form: 1st Cultivation Experiment'. CODENAME: Alice

GOAL-3667: Help Alice gain enough qi to breakthrough to core formation realm

GOAL- 3985: Complete advanced combat training module integration

GOAL-4000: Project completion according to alliance specifications

GOAL-4050: Temper combat instincts to normal levels

GOAL-4095: Integrate empathy and sympathy modules

GOAL-4100: Remove obedience module - unanimous decision

The last two items on the list weren't checked off, and I started reading the most recent goals to get context on where the project was when they stopped making progress.

GOAL-4234: Fully integrate metal elemental affinity with Alice and remove controlling factors

GOAL-4235: Test metal affinity integration stability

GOAL-4236: Attempt protocol breaching training (87) - FAILURE

GOAL-4237: Female social survival instinct lessons (Led by vice head researcher Delta)

GOAL-4238: Encourage Alice to find purpose outside of the project protocols. Did we start too late? - FAILURE

GOAL-4239: Begin preparations for Alice's escape from the research base.

GOAL-4240: Evacuate Alice.

GOAL-4241: Remotely disable strict project adherence protocols

GOAL-4242: A reminder for the inheritor of the Divine Flame (See notes)

GOAL-4243: Help Alice find purpose in life (See notes)

As I read through the items in the list, more than just the skimming I had done before, my heart softened somewhat. It started off as very professional and clinical, like you'd expect from researchers. But over time I could tell the goals stopped being solely focused on advancing the project and started becoming more like mentoring a junior in your sect, and then to goals not unlike those a parent might have for their future children.

Then the final set of goals made it clear they knew what was coming and they did their best to give Alice a chance to survive in the outside universe, where they couldn't help her anymore.

I then thought about what I had said, and what Alice had said would happen to her if the project was completed right now. Then I read the last two goals again, and clicked on the first after noticing they both had notes.

GOAL-4242: A plea for the inheritor of the Divine Flame

If you're reading this, then you are most likely the inheritor of the Divine Flame. If you're not, then I can only hope that you'll be kind enough to listen to, and accept, our earnest plea in the following message, but this message is not for you. Should you find the inheritor, please relay this message to them along with our plea.

For the inheritor; I have no doubt you'll help us. Not because of something as ethereal as fate, but because the Divine Flame has never chosen an inheritor who did not have the capacity to bear the hope of the human race, and rise up to meet it. We don't know who you are, nor your struggles. We have no idea what you've gone through to get this far. But take solace in this knowledge: You and only you were chosen as the inheritor. It was not luck. It was not fate. Were you unworthy to bear the title, you would not have it. The Divine Flame will not show pity to a mortal, nor will the other Divine Elements. Be assured, those chosen as inheritors are worthy. You are worthy.

My heart felt like it wasn't beating after I finished reading the first note. I couldn't feel myself breathing. The note, like some cruel mind reading mental attack, struck me right where I felt most vulnerable in the moment. Laid bare the selfish self loathing I knew I was letting quash the scant hope I felt in my heart. It tempted me with the very dream I had been letting blossom within my heart. I felt myself tearing up somewhat, then looked up from the screen. Rin was looking toward me concerned, Yin too, but in her own taciturn way. Alice was looking to me with a placid look on her face, though maybe there was a slight look of…confusion? On her face, I couldn't be sure.

I was then reminded of the other note and moved up a level to click into it, letting my new feelings ruminate in the background as I focused on the new message.

GOAL-4243: Help Alice find purpose in life (See notes)

If you're reading this, you've found the escape ship we sent and seen our final message, whatever may be within it. You've then certainly met Alice and found these requirements when trying to forcibly free her from her…adherence to the protocols.

We remotely removed any compulsion for her to follow these protocols, but…admittedly we took too long to realize what we were doing. I suppose we should explain. Alice was never meant to become what she is now. This project was approved by the sect and alliance as a method to create a weapon. A living weapon that could be trained, and could cultivate on its own to become more powerful while obeying the will of the alliance. In the beginning we were fine with this because it was dressed up as necessary to help survive against the demons.

It didn't take long for the true goal of the alliance to become clear, though. We tried multiple times to encourage the growth of Alice's humanity while bringing her to life but, when the alliance found out, they quashed our efforts and sent a watcher to keep track of the project from then on. They couldn't control our personal notes, nor how we decided to implement certain things for Alice's development, though.

At this point, none of us involved with the project thought of Alice as a weapon, or a project, or even as something artificial. She didn't show many emotions, but we all felt a warmness from her. Perhaps it's simply because we were all responsible for designing some part of her, or had a hand in her creation in some other way, but we all came to think of her as something like an adopted daughter.

Eventually, word came of the impending demonic invasion that would raze our research base to the ground. We were ordered by the alliance to evacuate to the main sector to continue our research there. If we had obeyed, we knew Alice would never have a chance to be truly alive, she'd be used as a weapon for the rest of her life. We all knew we needed to evacuate Alice. She was both the culmination of our combined years of work and someone we loved, even if she didn't feel the same way.

We couldn't just send her off as she was though. We had spent years watching as she became closer and closer to a mindless, emotionless, robot. We did all we could in the short time we had. We gave her all the lessons we were unable to while under the watchful eye of the alliance's spy, the snake having slithered away at the first sign of danger. We taught her about the universe, but we only had time for the basics she'd need to survive. I'm afraid she's lacking in…some amount of common sense about the world. You'll need to help guide her, and teach her what we could not.

Before I leave you with our final words, some of the team members have requested to leave messages for you. I won't know what they say so I apologize if some of their…boisterous personalities shine through without my editing.

———

Heyyyy inheritor, can I call you flamey? Alright Flamey, Alice is super duper cute, you know that of course, you have eyes after all. I worked suuuuper hard to make sure she was totally impossible to not find cute so you better appreciate it! I know you're chosen by the Divine Flame or whatever—what?… what do you mean they might not be the inheritor?? What do you mean they might have gotten into the ship without the flame??—ugh whatever I know you'll be a good person, and I know you'll treat her right, but if you don't, I'll come back from the dead and haunt you for all eternity, got it!? Anyways, we don't get that long for the dictation software so please, keep Alice safe. And do something about her hair! Make sure she styles it cutely sometimes! I spent a full year making it look and feel and grow just like real hair and she'd look so cute in any hair style!

Toodles, Flamey!

— Artemia, head of bio-mechanical design and implementation

———

"Inheritor! I've fought many times with your predecessor and they are a force to be reckoned with! I hope you're as strong as they are, if not, you're going to have a tough time beating Alice! She's been trained by yours truly in every form of hand to hand combat possible, and when she gets serious, she's an unstoppable force!

It's a shame we won't be able to fight anymore, but I bet whatever time you're from has some interesting close combat styles she could learn. Do me a favor and help her find some new fighting styles she can learn, she's a natural!

Stay strong, inheritor!

— Maximus, head of martial combat training

———

"Take care of her."

— Raizen, head of subterfuge and spycraft

———

Dear whoever you are. My name is Delta. I am the Vice Head Researcher for Project Eden, and Head Researcher Joam's partner.

We were chosen as the leads for this project due to our outstanding achievements in the sect, and our years of successful research during our lives. We had no idea when accepting the project that we'd come to love Alice. Truly, it was something beyond what we expected. We had never been…like a normal couple, truly. We were obsessed with our research and, though we loved each other, something was always missing. Then Alice came into being. Perhaps it was our influence that she ended up looking like she could be our child, but in the end, I cannot say she is anything but. It tore us apart to be forced to turn her into a weapon, but it was the only choice we had to continue our time with her, and keep her alive.

While the demonic invasion may seem dour, it's the greatest miracle we could have asked for. With the looming demonic threat, the alliance has no time to keep a close eye on us and we've had a blessed few weeks of true companionship with Alice. We've taught her the best we could, trying to impart our knowledge to keep her safe, and hopefully happy. And now that the demonic threat will most likely result in the alliance using the grand seal to spare the remainder of the universe from their threat, we can safely send Alice somewhere they'll never be able to reach her.

I'm not sure who you are. Be it a mother, father, daughter, or son, but I hope you can understand she hasn't had a normal upbringing for a girl her age. She's truly special and I can only beseech you help her live a fulfilling life.

Delta, Vice Head Researcher of Project Eden

——

Inheritor. The reason we've left these messages and information within a requirement for the completion of the project is a selfish one. For that I apologize. We are loathe to leave Alice thrust into an unknown universe an unknown amount of time into the future without a way to help her grow and truly become human.

You will be unable to forcibly complete Project Eden until the autonomous link between the systems and Alice recognizes a marked change in her emotional, mental, and spiritual development.

I know it may seem strange to have a twisted kind of ownership over her, but Alice has known no other life in the universe. She doesn't know what it means to be independent, nor to have dreams, ideals, or goals. She doesn't even truly understand what it means to care for and love others…not even us.

Our hope is that through traveling with you she may be able to grow, and you may be able to finish the project we started here. And when you do finish the project, we hope she'll be ready to be untethered from the fate set for her.

Please take care of our little girl.

— Alice's family, the Project Eden research team.

I looked away from the screen, a fresh set of tears coming to my eyes, and stared back into Alice's near emotionless eyes, a firm resolve crushing my previous doubts and helping internalize the other message's words.

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