Turrim in Astris_

Log 1: Goal_

The whirring of an engine, sparks flying off broken wires. As lenses that imitate eyes switched open, cold metal fingers cracked from the dirt and rust, attempting to move. The vines wrap tightly, a body lost to time, a corpse come to life, and with all the strength and control this faulty mechanical body could muster, an arm reaches out to pull away the roots. Grabbing onto a wire, they rise. Lain upon a throne of garbage- the rusting cadavers of their own kind. A foot rotted away by the waters, a skull inhabited by sprouts, yet a gear-operated heart had begun throbbing, just as it did who knows how long ago.

Artificial eyes scan the surroundings, a deserted lab, reclaimed by vegetation. With the best they could do, they break away from the leaves that hold them. They fall, unable to balance with a missing foot, yet they prevail. A childlike curiosity within their spirit as they begin exploring every crevice, registering every sound and shape into a data bank. A light glows in the distance, what could it be? With an unused voice bank and an outdated language module, words are emitted for the first time in years,

"Hel-lo-o?"

The light, it comes closer at high speeds accompanied by the sound of a pumping engine growing louder.

[HOSTILE ENTITY DETECTED.]

A response an android shouldn't be able to register, an emotion unfamiliar within the code- fear. Coursing through their wires, a feeling like adrenaline stemming from the energy gifted by The Scholar, they ran- or rather, crawled as quick as their corroded body could take them. However, it wasn't enough. As they were flung into the air by a machine boar, a spark was re-ignited. Like it was a reflex, an instinct, though arms were damaged, filled with scratches and cracks, glowing sabers unsheathed.

[COMBAT MODE ENABLED.]

Running on what felt like autopilot, they grabbed onto a tusk, placing the remaining foot on the other, piercing a saber through plates of metal. As wires are ripped out, so is a glowing core. The machine falls, "dying," and the android returns to their senses. Cameras immediately went to scanning the core, it was a familiar item, as they possessed one themselves.

[ANIMA - Organ of essence, the soul.]

It glowed a soothing purple, just like the android's sabers. They sit down, leaning against the unmoving remains of the slain machine. Ball-like joints crack and pop, creaking with every movement. Large eyes stare in interest, looking at the ball from every angle as it shone like a fallen star. Wrinkles form on the silicone stretched over their face that mocked skin, a smile forming as amused laughter rings out from the android's choppy voice, like a child gawking over a kaleidoscope. Making their way back to one of the broken remains of a fellow drone, they snatch off a leg, forging it to their own, welding wires and metal together with electricity. Ripping off the ecosystem that attempted to grow inside them, they cover up the hole in their head with a stolen skull cap, ridding of the old one, as well as putting on new hair. Peering into the waters, they glanced at their new appearance- short white hair, streaked with lavender, fluffy yet spiky. They smile once more, taking in the new look.

With a makeshift pouch from torn up curtains, they store the ANIMA, making their way out of that downtrodden old lab, finding themselves by the riverside. The lush green grass contrasted the damp moss in the ruins, the running waters of the river looked like crystals in comparison to the murky waters from where they emerged. The wind blew, caressing their "skin" softly, the trees stood towering above them like giants as animals scurried around. It was all so unfamiliar, yet so... wonderful. Chasing animals, watching the birds pass overhead, listening to the rushing of water- it was so new and curious. Whilst following a stray chicken, our little android finds themselves in the presence of another entity, bumping into their back. The atmosphere grows tense, a crossbow cocked and loaded, finger ready to pull the trigger. "You filthy machi-" The man begins, and with their best attempt, the android puts their hands up in front of them, pleading, "Wait!"