Crimson Overlord

The city of Embercrest was built atop gentle hills and is truly an evergrowing metropolis. Its allure is matched by the backdrop of a smoldering volcano which have helped shape the city to what it is today.

The resources these volcanoes brought were of great importance, but they were also influential when it came to architectural designs as the vast majority of buildings have been built with volcanic rocks and similar looking materials.

The skyline is sprinkled with tall skyscrapers and their history seemed to shine more now than ever. Science and development is flourishing in Embercrest and it has attracted a lot of attention. Many new cultures have left their mark not just on education, but also upon the city's identity. What historically was a city of plain, ordinary people has grown into a multicultural hub and it's this that unites the 7 million people to this day.

It's this multicultural identity that has truly left its mark. Hundreds of food carts, diners and clubs offer a plethora of culinary choices and those who feel hungry for something else can enjoy city exploring, arcades, clubs or one of the many other recreational venues.

Like every city, Embercrest has its darkness, a scientist organization that kidnap young promising child to experiment on, they use terms like 'genetic android' 'software' and so on. Their goal is to create the perfect human capable of being multitask. In order to achieve this they wouldn't mind sacrificing million of life. She was one of those sacrifices.

°°°°

'Dear Molly, my dearest Molly,

It's been so long, too long since they have taken you away from me. My arms feel empty, cold, shriveled up since they have kept you away. You were there to protect me from the scary monsters in the dark corners, to keep a smile on my face, to keep me alive. The softness of your fur would bring me great warmth. But they have pulled you out of my reach. I told them that I would never speak again unless you were here with me, in my arms. They refuse to give you back. After I threatened to harm them, they had me in restraints. The restraints hurt, they dug into me like needles, I couldn't escape them. I felt lonely and trapped, like a little birdy cornered by a cat. I have always wanted to see little birdies, can you see them wherever you are? After time had passed, the restraints were released. The lady in the white coat talked to me, begging me to say something. She said to me, "I love you, but you must do this for me." Then she jammed something into my glowing red eye, then turned something on my temple, it made a funny clicking sound. I was fascinated by that word "love", I have heard it once before, but I can't remember where.

After I refused to say anything, they locked me inside of the scary dark room again. Remember our first time there? In the scary dark room? I didn't like it when they threw me in there once more, you weren't there to protect me. I hope they will bring you back soon so I can hold you and never let go.

From your friend.'

"We'll give Molly back once you've answered some of our questions." Said the woman in the white coat, staring down at the squirming young girl.

"But she's mine! Mine! Give her to me!" Opal kicked her little legs and thrashed in the guard's grip, in hope to escape and embrace her precious stuffed rabbit.

"O-807's software is unstable, Lilith, it won't obey its commands." Said a man holding a small screen, also clad in a white coat.

"Her name is Opal," Lilith demanded, her jaw clenched, "and I'll get her software back to where it was after the tests. She'll obey me, she knows me."

"But apparently it doesn't, after that malfunction all that it can think about is that stuffed rabbit you gave it. If you can't get to its original software then I will have to take matters into my own hands. This is the world's first invention with this sort of intelligence, we must be cautious."

"This was my fault, I taught her– it how to love and this was the result. You're right, I should have been cautious with the amount of care that I have put into it. I cared for it like it was my own child." Lilith stared at the android with dread.

A resounding cry from Opal echoed throughout the area, making it vibrate and causing people to cover their ears. As she was dragged off into the other direction, her little arm reached out to her precious Molly, her one and only friend that she loved dearly.

All that she focused on was the miniscule black beady eyes of the rabbit, staring back at her. Just for a moment, Opal managed to shove her arm out of the guard's grip and race off to Molly, but the attempt was in vain. After just nearly a few steps she took she was lifted up by her waist and carried off, kicking and screaming.

"Give her back! I need her! Molly!"

In her state of internal turmoil, Lilith stood amongst the wreckage she had caused. She created this situation, and if she didn't take action, it would be almost impossible to reverse. Her eyes focused on the screen in her hands, trying to come up with a solution to the situation. The screech of the android was drowned out and had passed on. Lilith took a deep breath in, "Jacob, you will give that back to her at some point."

"After this catastrophe?" He snickered.

"Never."

Afterward, they continued experiment on for the sake of their big brother. She suffered so much, experiment after experiment, so much she wondered if she had done something wrong in her last life to deserve all these sufferings, if there is another life she wished to reincarnate and experience a normal life this time, of course with Molly, her sole friend and comfort.

Happiness she will eventually find even if it would take thousand of years, she secretly vowed.