Chapter 19: Instruction

The place changed again as if someone had pressed a button somewhere else. Alexa was in a dark place with nothing but darkness. However, in front of her were thousands of shining lights. Alexa knew it was a star.

"From your non-surprised reaction, it seems like you know who I am?" said another figure sitting casually beside Alexa.

"Mr. Azlan," Alexa answered briefly.

After many things happened, strange things, and made Alexa amazed, Alexa was no longer surprised.

Azlan, was a scientist. The first human to arrive at the Dead Star far from Earth. Azlan got lost and couldn't return until finally the human created a completely different world that now trapped Alexa in the robot world.

"So you already know me, huh?" Azlan seemed to laugh.

Alexa didn't respond again this time and decided to just pay attention to her surroundings. There were so many strange dark things.

"It seems like you will soon guess this place," said Azlan.

"Star, the robot world," Alexa answered which made Azlan laugh again.

"You are indeed great. I did predict you to stop the war," said Azlan.

This time Alexa looked at the man and observed him for a while.

"So, that's me?" asked Alexa curiously.

There was no answer from Azlan who stared ahead, deep in the darkness.

Azlan then nodded his head.

"This is the dream room, right?" asked Alexa.

"Memory room," answered Azlan briefly.

Alexa's brow furrowed in confusion.

"The memory room that I have prepared so that one day I can talk to you even though it will happen years later, I arranged it because I knew you would get here," explained Azlan.

Alexa said nothing. But realized that they were sitting on a rock floating around a place that was now very different.

"This place is Bintang, the place I first came here. There is nothing here but darkness and horror. I was trapped in despair, almost dying from lack of oxygen until something crossed my mind. In this place, underneath there is electricity that comes from who knows where. I took advantage of it and created a robot world with the program I had. "I am an advanced technology scientist," said Azlan.

Pausing for a moment, Azaln didn't look at Alexa.

“One day, I went into space to research somewhere, and suddenly the spacecraft I was using experienced technical problems and landed on one of the dead stars that were far from the view of humans on Earth. I and three of my colleagues were trapped. We tried to find a way out but it didn't work at all until one by one my colleagues died. I buried them there," said Azlan, pointing to one of the empty spaces in front.

Alexa couldn't see anything, just watched silently.

“One day I got an idea and started building a robot. I worked on it with my colleagues but they couldn't last any longer until finally I was the only one who finished the robot. More and more I developed the robot, becoming greedy because I found a way to survive by implanting the chip I created. "That way I can survive hunger or defecation and so on," continued Azlan, retelling his story.

Alexa didn't protest, she just listened silently because maybe it was a clue that Alexa wouldn't find later.

"Every day, I keep creating robots and turning this place into a robot settlement and then into a world inhabited only by robots. With the help of Morgan and Mathew, I succeeded in developing more, and more, existing and sophisticated systems. However, it kind of backfired. Morgan and Mathew started to struggle with each other. Morgan didn't want to obey the rules, and chose his path.”

Alexa remembers the information that was successfully accessed on the battlefield and displays data about Morgan and Mathew as the robots who started the war.

“I thought I had stopped both of them, but I was so wrong that I couldn't do much anymore. Then I dreamed and didn't wake up for days because I was tired. In that dream, I seemed to see the future, about a girl who would be trapped here and stop the war and reconcile the robot world that I created."

This time Azlan looked at Alexa.

“Yeah, I saw your face appear there, and it was like I was watching a movie in the cinema until finally I knew that it might happen. Because the war is getting worse, and absolutely nothing can stop it. I decided to write down the dream I saw in human language that only you and Harlan would understand. Of course, I also know Harlan in the dream. It's just that Harlan will be someone who helps you."

"Why don't you explain it in detail ?” Alexa asked.

“That’s because I don’t want anyone to know. That’s why I set up this memory space so that one day I can explain it to you even though I’m just a memory,” Azlan said.

Alexa understood.

“So, do you know how to stop the war? ” Alexa asked hopefully.

“Unfortunately not,” Azlan replied. “Because that is just what you should be looking for. However, I can give you a hint,” Azlan said, stopping Alexa’s disappointed sigh.

The girl looked back at him.

“You will find something where you arrive. If you arrive in one of the rooms, then you will find it there,” said Azlan.

Alexa’s brow furrowed.

“That’s all I’m saying,” said Azlan.

“What about my blood and tears?” asked Alexa.

“It’s a power that I didn’t create. I don’t know either, but from what I see, it’s like a poison and its antidote. You have to be aware of that, especially your blood,” Azlan advised.

Alexa nodded then looked at her hand and moved her fingers. “So, I have to do a lot of things and everything to find a way to stop the war and go back?” Alexa asked again.

“Yeah, maybe. Because I, too, have no idea. But …,” Azlan paused and looked at Alexa. “What?” The girl asked a little annoyed.

“Your blood and tears will also save you, and bring you on the way home,” said Azlan who this time looked serious telling Alexa.

Digesting and storing it as best as possible, Alexa will try to find what she must find and stop the war.

“One more thing,” Alexa said, knowing they didn’t have much time. “Whose Guardian will I be bonded to, on Star or Earth?” the girl asked.

Unfortunately, Azlan did not answer and only smiled.

"You will know soon, maybe even when you open your eyes. You will know soon," said Azlan.

Alexa snorted a little.

"My time is up. Alexa, take care of yourself, and make peace with the robot world," said Azlan.

Alexa just nodded reluctantly.

“Give my regards to Harlan, and maybe his dream will come true,” Azlan continued.

The girl didn’t care just listening to what Azlan said as the man’s body became transparent.

“You have something that is the greatest power inside your heart. That's what makes you come back and bond. You just have to believe, that's all. See you.”

Slowly Azlan's figure was no longer visible, disappeared and the room changed quickly again but this time Alexa opened her eyes wide, surprised.