Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Thomas and Aramais sat beside each other in the city garden. It was incredibly silent. Even the ambient sound of crickets and other creatures seemed to be muted. They hadn't said a word as they walked there. Thomas was lost, deep in thought. They sat for a good hour or so before Aramais finally spoke.

"You don't have to be afraid. You have me you know."

Thomas turned to him with a weak smile. Aramais continued.

"I promise you that I will guarantee our victory in the final match. So, you don't have to take their deal."

The human sighed. "That doesn't matter. They have dreams too. I can't just take that away from them."

"Thomas. You have a good heart, you always have. But if you don't start putting yourself first then you are never going to be happy."

"$250 thousand is plenty of money Aramais. We can find a nice place for us with that much."

"Maybe. But that's not all you want, is it?"

Thomas placed his hands on his knees. More silence. His Ai was right of course. There was something else he was fighting for. Tears fell onto the boy's lap, plinking off the armor. He kept his cheery expression, but now it looked more like a mask to cover his true feelings.

"The real reason we entered the tournament. I know it. You can be honest when it's just us."

"It's selfish." Thomas sobbed.

"There are people that can help you get your legs back. I don't see what's selfish about wanting to walk again."

It was true. Thomas had become resolved to win ever since he learned of a new treatment for people like him. It was more than just expensive but when Aramais urged him to join the tournament, He felt like maybe, just maybe, this would be his opportunity. Now though, he was second guessing himself. Seiko was so ready and willing to help him, to split the winnings even if he won. It felt stupid to refuse that kind of offer.

"Listen to me Thomas. You don't have to rely on others! Just trust in me. I swear I will protect you no matter what. Even if everyone turns against you, I'll still be on your side."

Thomas wiped his face. "I appreciate it. You've always looked out for me." The Ai beamed, feeling truly proud of himself, basking in his user's praise.

"But I didn't think I can risk it. I'm gonna take Seiko's deal."

Almost as quickly, a cloud of confusion and sadness blocked out the warmth Aramais had felt.

"What? No, you cant. We are so close. Just one more fight!" He pleaded. Thomas, however, didn't seem moved.

The Ai grasped Thomas' shoulder. "Let's just talk about this. You would be giving up your chance to ever walk again! If they were real friends, then they'd understand!"

"It's ok. I just want everyone to be happy."

It was as if something snapped in Aramais. The thin membrane holding back his anger tore away. "THEY DON'T MATTER!"

Thomas Jumped back, startled.

"They aren't even your friends! I'm the only one who truly cares about you! Forget about them and trust in me!" The Ai pounded his fist into his chest. "Me! Me! Me! I'm the one by your side! I've always been here!"

Thomas was scared. Aramais never got angry with him, never shouted. "Please just calm down. I know you want what's best for me but- "

"You think I can't do it?! That's it isn't it?" Aramais expression twisted into a dark rage filled glare. He moved closer to his user as he spoke, voice getting more hysterical. "After everything we have been through, how can you still not trust me!?"

The Ai clutched his head in pain. He screamed with all his might. Images of Thomas' broken body flooded his mind. Every death he'd witnessed of the little boy he was sworn to protect. The boy he could never let anything bad happen to. The same boy he had let go hide in his father's car that day. Aramais was pushed to his knees by the weight of his emotions.

His face in the dirt now, he lay prostrate in front of Thomas. He mumbled something that the human couldn't hear. Thomas, uneasy, knelt down beside the Ai. He could hear him but just barely.

"Forgive me. Please. Forgive me." He repeated that for a while. Thomas tried to console him. He put his hand on his back.

"I think there's something wrong bud. We need to get you checked out before the tournament. We can see if one of dad's old friends can take a look."

Aramais was stricken with terror. "No! I am ok. I don't need that! Look see? See?!" He shouted. A very forced smile contorted the Ai's face in a very unnatural way. They couldn't look into his memories. They would never understand why he did the things he did.

The sight made Thomas recoil instinctively. His friend looked wicked, distorted and definitely not himself.

"What the hell?" he exclaimed as he quickly pulled up his interface.

"W-Where are you going?" The Ai's voice was quivered with fear and malice. "I t-told you I-I'm fine."

He pulled himself up to his feet, lumbering towards a scared Thomas.

"We can beat S-Seiko and that little rat." He spat out the words through gritted teeth. "I have a secret technique that will end the fight in a flash, but if they reboot me, I'll lose my gift, ok?"

Thomas just wanted to get out of there. He needed to log out and shut Aramais down. He opened the screen to systems, taking a step back from the Ai. His finger hovered over the logout button. He didn't know what was going on with him, but he looked dangerous.

"It's going to be ok Aram. Just wait- "Just as he tapped the button, The Ai lunged forward with his immense speed.

"NO! I TOLD YOU I'M FINE!!" He bellowed as he grasped Thomas' head in his hands. The boy's face went slack. His eyes began to glow purple, and his mouth hung open. Aramais clasped tighter and tighter, trying to keep his user's consciousness from leaving the game. He manipulated the data, forcing Thomas down into his body. He held him there, preventing him from logging out. It hurt Thomas, the forceful pressure of having his mind pulled in two directions. Suddenly, the purple light began to grow brighter. Thomas let out a blood curdling scream. It made Aramais let go out of concern for his user. The boy's cries echoed through the night as he writhed in pain.

Flashes of violet light began to ripple through Thomas' body, threatening to tear it apart. The Ai could see what was happening. Thomas' mind had been split. The force of being tugged in two different directions by the game and Aramais, had damaged the connection. Realizing what he'd done, Aramais rushed to aid him.

I can fix this! He thought.

He slammed his fingers into Thomas' chest, penetrating the skin. In a matter of moments, the Ai poured his own code into the wound, his body turning into wispy smoke. He vanished into Thomas, fusing with him. He could help him from the inside! He looked for a sign of his user's mind, his essence, the part of him that connected back to his real body. He just needed to re-orient him back into his body to stop what was happening, he was sure he could do it. Aramais searched fervently as the body began to swell with violet light. Thomas had since stopped screaming. Aramais searched and searched. He was desperate to find something that felt like his dear friend. He swam through the abstract space of light and dark, through the very being of the human. The Ai stopped with a shudder. He had achieved what he was looking for, Thomas' consciousness. It was then that he realized the true extent of the damage he'd done. He went completely numb as he grasped the reality of what had happened. The light swelled, obscuring the cleric's body. Then, it died out and Thomas was no more.