Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 61

I got to the base in the middle of the night. I headed inside to see Beta was still up waiting for me.

"Come on," I said and we headed into where GAIA was together.

"What's the matter GAIA?" I asked.

"This was Y/N's plan," she said and a hologram popped up.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"Yes, of course."

She exlpained to GAIA her plan on what she was going to do with the Zenith base. GAIA seemed a bit skeptical about it, but continued to listen.

"So you are willing to give up your own life to save the lives of millions of others to come?"

"Yes. But I know Aloy will miss me."

"She will."

"That's why I need your help. Your subordinate function ELEUTHIA made Aloy, right?"

"Yes."

"Is there anyway that ELEUTHIA could make another me?"

"Why?"

"When I die, I want that clone to be born. I want that clone to have everything that makes me, well, me."

"So you want to keep all the personality traits and physical traits?"

"Yes. Is that possible?"

"It is, but it will take time to create such a definitive 100% clone. It's almost as if you're asking to make a machine."

"I know, but it won't be considered a machine if it has emotions and a free will."

"And you want this clone to harbor the same feelings you have towards Aloy?"

"Without a doubt."

The hologram disappeared and I looked up at GAIA.

"She wanted to clone herself?"

"Yes. Since I thought I would have more time to create the clone, I wasn't going to tell you until that day came. But since she died right after that, I had to take the necessary time to ensure that the clone had everything correct. Not to mention be the same age she was."

"Where is this clone?" I asked.

Coming out from behind GAIA was the clone of Y/N. She looked exactly like her. She had the same E/C eyes, same H/L H/C hair, and the same height. Everything was exactly the same as it was. But was her personality the same?

"Is her personality the same?"

"Yes," the clone said. "I have everything Y/N wanted me to have. Even the same feelings towards you."

I walked over to her, getting a closer look. I placed my hand on her cheek and she placed hers on mine. She still gave me that warmth she always had. I smiled and placed my forehead against hers.

"I'm here," she said.

"You are here," I said and leaned towards her, pressing a light kiss against her lips, in which she happily kissed back.

"She has the exact same memories, feelings, and personality as Y/N did," GAIA said.

I pulled away and looked up at GAIA, "Thank you for making this possible."

"Don't thank me," GAIA said. "Thank Y/N."

I looked at her and smiled once more, "Thank you, Y/N."

"I wanted to find a way to come back to you. I know this might seem unethical, but--"

"I don't care. You're just here with me."

"Y/N also left something behind," GAIA said.

"That's right," she said and walked over to a table nearby. She walked back over with it to reveal it was the Thunderjaw tooth necklace.

"She didn't take it with her?" I asked GAIA.

"She wanted to leave it behind for her clone to wear."

"I see," I said, helping her put it around her neck. "Well, we shouldn't be calling you the clone. We should be calling you Y/N."

"Whatever is fine," she chuckled. "It'll be getting some used to."

"It might for others, but not for me," I smiled. "I'm just glad to have you back here, Y/N."

"I'm glad to be back."

"Love truly does win, doesn't it?" Beta asked.

"It certainly does. I need to get into contact with your mother," I said.

"My mother," she said. "What will she think of me doing this? Making a plan such as elaborate as that one? She had to witness her daughter die and now she has to see her clone walk along this Earth."

"You never know what she might say."

"I want to go see her, but I am worried about her reaction."

"Would you like me to tell it to her slowly?"

"I want to tell her. I know there is no perfect time, so might as well do it now. No time like the present."

"Want to give her a call?"

"Yes."

"Let's give you another Focus and back up your data once more."

"Thank you," she said.

We walked into the main part of the base and I got another Focus for her. I put the data on the Focus and handed it to her. She placed it on her forehead.

"I think you should call her. She might not recognize who is calling her."

I tapped my Focus, "Hello?"

"Aloy?"

"Hey, how are you?"

"I'm alright."

"I'm surprised you're still up," I said.

"Same here. What's the matter?"

"You know how I had to leave in a rush?"

"Yes."

"I know why now."

"What's the matter?"

"Hey, mom."

"I-Is that Y/N?"

"Yes it is," she said.

"How can it be?"

"Before I made the sacrifice to get rid of Nemesis, I came up with a plan. I planned to give my DNA to ELEUTHIA, one of GAIA's subordinate functions to make another me. I knew Aloy and you were going to be lonely and take the longest to get over my death. So I gave her my DNA and headed off to fulfill my plan to the fullest. It finally came true and when I died, ELEUTHIA was immediately tasked with making the clone to be entirely me. The same personality, same physical traits, everything. Everything except for the scars and machine eye. Which I don't mind. I like having my eye and my body unscathed, but it was a sign of my strength. But that will always be there. Just like how I will always be here now.

"I-I know this might be a lot, but I wanted this. I made sure everything was going to go according to plan. I knew there was a risk to be taken and I took it. I wanted to ensure you were going to be alright."

There was silence.

"You made a clone of yourself just to get hurt more? Just to die again?"

She looked over at me and smiled, "This time. I don't plan on dying anytime soon."