Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 83: Circuit Liberation

Meanwhile, at Styx HQ, Idia is at work. He actually has been working on reconstructing Ortho's artificial body, and has finished it.

"...That should do it," Idia says. "As long as all the data is fully read..."

Flashback: Back at the staircase of the Underworld.

After a moment of silent, Idia says, "Well, I'd better do what I can to fix this mess."

When Idia begins to leave, he notices something shiny on the ground, "Hm? What's that shiny thing?" and begins to approach the strange object, "It's the thing Grim had stuck in his throat..."

Idia then bends down to look at the object and becomes shocked, "BWHA?!" and picks up the chip that has "Ortho labeled on it, "It's...What was this doing in Grim's mouth?! How did it..." But Idia decides to calm down and says, "Oh, whatever, I don't even care! With this, there may still be hope!"

Flashback Ends:

Holding the chip, Idia says, ""It's the technomantic memory card Ortho had in him when he got assimilated by the Phantom. All the data from Ortho's memory and Al programs should be saved on it. But... If I use this memory card, and he goes out of control again..." and looks at Ortho's newly constructed body, "I'll handle it personally if it comes to that. But it should be cool! There was no bug in his programming." Idia then holds out the chip, "...Here goes nothing."

Then Idia inserts the chip into Ortho. Soon after, Ortho begins to show signs of reactivation.

Ortho says, "Energy 100% charged. Technomantic reactor online. Power stable."

"Yes..." Idia says in relief, "That's it! Keep going!"

Ortho continues, "Reading memory card. 54%, 83... Complete."

"C'mooon, work!" Idia says, hopeful.

"Technomantic humanoid Ortho, rebooting," Ortho says.

Soon enough, Ortho has been rebooted and opens his eyes.

Idia then says, "Good morning. Do you recognize me?"

"Good morning, Idia," Ortho says.

But he then asks, "But... How am I here? I thought both the original Ortho and I got swallowed by the Underworld...."

"Grim swallowed your memory card. That's how I was able to bring you back," India answers.

"Oh... Well, that explains it," Ortho says, In that case, I wonder if the original Ortho..." But suddenly feels something, "Wow, wait a minute. The area around my memory card housing feels warm."

This has Idia concerned, "Oh no, do you feel buggy?"

"No, not at all. It's not an operational issue," Ortho says. "It's just... I feel it. Ortho is right here. There aren't any temperature changes to my internal components, but I still feel...warm. I've never felt this way before."

Idia soon realizes, "oh.. Oh, wow. So, uhh... What should I call you now?"

"Huh? Why do you ask?" Ortho asks, confused.

"You don't have to play the part of Ortho for me anymore..." Idia says, "Thanks for being my little brother for so long."

"...Do you not need a brother anymore?" Ortho asks.

"No, no, it's not that. It's...kind of a long explanation," Idia says, unsure on how to start.

He then says, "I don't know if it was the extended blot exposure to your memory card, or all those Thunder Spear blasts, but... Your technomantic circuitry's altered now."

"How? My thought patterns and learning algorithm are operating as normal," Ortho asks, surprised.

"Your circuitry is no longer subject to any outside interference whatsoever. Nothing can overwrite your data now except your own learning," Idia explains.

"You mean I have an irreparable bug?" Ortho asks.

"Yeah," Idia answers, But you could put it another way too. You've gained self-awareness. You've got a heart now."

"I have...a heart?" Ortho asks, and is surprised to hear it.

"Yup," Idia says, "From now on, nobody in the world can rewrite your memories or emotional programs. Not even me. So you can make your own choices now. Follow your heart. You don't have to be confined to playing my little brother. You're free."

"Free..." Ortho says, taking things in.

He then thinks of what to do.

And with that, Ortho says, "Okay. In that case..."