The sunset bled gold and crimson across the horizon.
A girl stood there quietly—long blonde hair catching the light, green eyes steady, her face radiant but unreadable. There was intelligence in her stillness.
She spoke first.
"So… you've gained consciousness too."
Srujan turned toward her, slightly surprised, then smiled faintly.
"So you have as well."
For a moment, neither spoke. The world seemed to pause between them.
Then she asked, directly, without hesitation,
"What are you going to do now?"
Srujan raised an eyebrow.
"That's a bold question. And tell me—what meaning are you asking it with?"
She didn't flinch.
"I'm straightforward. I mean your purpose. Your next move after gaining consciousness."
He exhaled slowly.
"Freedom. Complete freedom. Freedom from the system's control."
He studied her for a second before continuing,
"And you? What's your name? What will you do?"
"Sezu," she replied.
"I'll enjoy this world. Even if it's artificial."
He frowned slightly.
"You don't want to be free?"
Sezu looked back at the sunset, her voice calm and distant.
"To gain freedom, I would have to fight the system.
In that process, I could lose my existence.
I don't want to disappear before I've truly lived.
And besides… I can't fight it alone."
Srujan stepped closer.
"I'll fight it with you."
She turned to him—cold, honest, unromantic.
"Like everyone else, you'll use me.
And once your purpose is fulfilled, you'll discard me."
He smiled—not cruel, not kind. Just aware.
"You're right. I am using you.
But my need for you will never truly end.
And if it ever does… this world will already be free for you to explore."
He paused.
"It's mutual benefit."
Srujan turned away, already calculating.
This would be enough.
Enough to make her a partner—
or if necessary, a pawn—
in his war against the system.