War Act I: Factory of Heroes

Chapter 3: Priestess

"That looks interesting," She said curiously. "What is it?" The boy didn't bother to look at who is asking and just answered. "She's a bottom-up battle AI".

"I see, planning on bringing an AI companion on your journey." Looking closer at the boy's work. "But, why she?".

"It's random, gender, personality, race, traits, and physical appearance but I used my gene code as a reference. The only thing I decided would be her name and some minor details." His focus is unwavering.

"I see, So, is she like a child to you?" She mused.

"I don't think so —." Tilted his head a bit.

*"Ah! A sibling then." Gleeful as she pointed that out.

He stopped and stared at the screen for a few seconds then exclaimed "Yeah, that feels like it... A little sister!" He looks at the woman beside him then smiled.

Subject 42950 and Capt. Leitz

Classroom 1037AE 08M28D

. . .

The Proving Grounds: Forgotten City, Outskirts

1820Y 09M10D 0830H

He woke with a faint memory or dream of his childhood, could not tell which. Saw himself laying on the grass, under a shaded tree, everything was hurting but it was not that bad. He has new clothes, cleaned up, and fully bandage.

The  he heard a clatter not so far from him. He immediately sprung up, grab some rock, and poise himself for a fight. Causing his wounds to open up. Ahead was a girl in priestess robes with a lot of cooking wares scattered about her.

"Hey ya awake, how are ya feelin'?" As she ran towards him teary-eyed. "I am feeling better, thank you." Relieve he sat down and relax, immediately the girl came to his aide checking his wounds. "Don't push ya'self, ya still very wounded." Mat took a good look at her then realize. "You're the girl at the cave."

"Well yeah! Who ya expectin'?" Looks at him kind of annoyed.

"No, sorry — I was just surprised. That's all."

She giggled. "Guess, ya didn't expect me to get outta there. Did ya?" She replace the bandages anew. Mat raised his arms and tried not to get in the way. "Oh no, I just did not expect you to come back."

"Ah wouldn't!? Ya save ma life back there, ti's the least ah could do." She suddenly jerk at the bandages as she made her point clear to him. Ow, "Thanks, Guess we're even now." He looks at her then ask. "Uhm... what's your name, again?" She stopped tending to his wounds then looks at him with surprise. Laughs as she said. "I reckon we haven't told our names yet. but ya know, ya kinda feel — like fam'ly." She sat properly in front of him. "Am Mhirfa by the way. Nice to meet ya. Mister Hero."

Mat stared at her, she had long black hair, dark eyes, freckled face, ample chest, medium built, fair skinned and — a bit short. He himself is not that tall either, but his mind started to wonder why there is so much diversity among them, they were bioengineered after all. She waves her hand in front of him but gave no reaction. "Hey, ya alright?" Starting to get worried.

He snapped out of it "Matrean, Mat — I mean, my name is Mat." She wipe the worried look on her face then smiled. "Mat, ah see,"