《Satomi's Journey》 Prologue. Shimura Satomi In the city of Tokyo, present-day Japan, an incredibly peculiar girl was born in the surgery room of the National Hospital. Her parents, Shimura Shioko and Shimura Naoya, along with the doctors, were astonished to witness a truly unique event: Little Shimura Satomi was born in 2005 with no definitive gender; her genital organs comprised both a penis and a vagina. Additionally, on the right side of her lower back pelvis, an unusual birthmark unexpectedly appeared: The right wing of an Amethyst Butterfly. From the moment her eyes were opened to perceive the wonders of this world for the first time, little Satomi became the first and only hermaphrodite ever recorded at that moment, for there were rumors of similar cases whose validity had yet to be proven. These instances might serve as a precursor to future events occurring on the planet and, quite possibly, in the universe However, Shioko knew: she could not let her daughter''s condition came to light. It remains unclear what Shioko did, but overnight, the hospital burned all evidence and records of the girl''s birth in the Land of the Rising Sun. Besides, she and her daughter conveniently obtained American citizenship, while Naoya and his entire family vanished after a gas leak-induced fire. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. While living a comfortable life in the United States under her mother''s care, Satomi never learned the truth about her birth. However, at one point in her life, she was diagnosed with signs of an IQ of 200, declaring her a genius. This high intellectual capacity allowed her to achieve numerous accomplishments, such as entering the most prestigious college at the age of 7 and graduating with a doctorate in every branch of science by the time she was 10. In the span of seven years, she founded her own video game company called Sahara Games, eventually becoming its CEO and creating critically acclaimed games, particularly within the RPG genre, featuring fantasy and science fiction themes. In 2022, Satomi and her company released one of the most innovative games they had developed, which assured them large, almost infinite quantities of money. Following this well-deserved accolade, Satomi decided to take a sabbatical for a year to rest and contemplate her next idea for a video game. And this is where her story begins, in the day of her 18th birthday. Chapter 1: A very long-term sabbatical 2023 is known for being one of the years plagued of several remarkable events for mankind. Our story, however, begins inside of modern house, located in L.A. This manor was built upon a hill, with various winding paths leading to different property entrances. The area was enclosed by a vast red-bricked wall, toped metal bars. The house featured a medium-sized lawn to perform morning jogs, a small garden behind the manor, where distinct plant species grew, and, under the ceiling of the terrace, there was built an enormous swimming pool. In the second floor, with its windows covered by curtains, Satomi''s receational room was there. She, her hair dishevelled, was sat, partially naked, on her recently-purchased water couch, in front of a 54-inch Smart TV, exhibiting an uncensored lesbian pornographic film. In fact, the front of her blouse had been pulled up above her head and positioned behind her neck, revealing her two exuberant, firm breasts, hanging from her chest, and her panties had been pulled down to the base of her knees, exposing her juicy thighs and legs, her erect Big, throbbing cock, and her warm, engorged, beautiful pussy. "Ahh! Ahh! Ahh! Mmm! Oh, yeah! Shit! Fuck, yeah! Your face... Ah! Ha! Ha!... It says it all," one actress groaned, positioned on top of her partner, their vulvas rubbing together in a tribadic embrace. "You want more, huh, you dirty slut?" "Yes! Yes! Yes! Fuck! Fuck! Don''t stop! Keep rubbing! Don''t stop! Ah! Ah! Ahhh!" her partner responded in a flurry of cries and moans of pleasure. That scene further overexcited Satomi whose cock hardened with each second, like a rock, yet possessing the sensitivity and delicacy of a flower. Orgasm approached, and Satomi sensed it as well. With both hands, increased the speed and the cadence of her movements, intensifying the friction upon her dual genitalis as well as heightening pleasure Then, her cock swelled and several, intermitent shoots of thick white liquid erupted , coating in white the girl''s thighs; afterwards, through her femenine genitalia, she felt an electric spark and shouted in pleasure from experiencing a tremendous orgasm within her vaginal insides. After reaching climax and savoring that liberating sensation a little bit longer, a satisfaction smile spread across the corners of Satomi''s mouth ~I really needed that~ She thought for herself. ~It was the only way to calm my boner. There''s nothing better than some jerking-off for a morning wood, before getting up and starting the day~ Upon finishing her recreational time, Satomi turned off the TV and cleaned his own body removing any trace of semen and vaginal fluids. Afterwards, she moved to her closet, where the shelves displayed a long catalog of trendy outfits, the state-of-the-art in fashion in those days, according to social media, of course. After browsing through the options, she decided to wear a sports bra, a pair of dark-greened shorts, and a pair of training sneakers. Before heading downstairs, Satomi headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and tidy up her appearance. As she groomed herself, she could notice how the effect of time had changed her body and midset completely, leaving just a mirage of that innocent, defenseless girl she used to be. In her childhood, her height was quite short, her skin, so white and pristine as the snow, eyes, so purple as violets, and her hair, dark as the night; however, in her youth, she grew considerably taller, her skin became slightly tanned, and her black hair adopted a higher lenght and a texture silky smooth to the touch. Seventeen years had passed since her birth, and 7, after joining as one of California''s most prestigious college, graduating a major being just a child and ascending to the summit as successful young enterpreneur woman. It had been a long time since she turned 17, and, today, the day of his eightenth birthday had arrived. She was on the edge of becoming an adult. Although, even if she had achieved everything a person could wish for, she still felt empty, incomplete. As she caught a glimpse of herself on the mirror, she reminisced about the memories of her past, quickly uncovering the origin of her unease: She never has fallen in love. For seventeen years, her body had undergone through numerous physical and psychological changes that shaped her identity. Being hermaphrodite, one of her genders needed to occupy their respective places. The feminine aspect was evident in her physique, while the masculine one shaped her mindset, leading Satomi to feel attraction towards women and their exotic bodies, though she sometimes has felt curiosity towards femenine men. Yet, she had never met a girl who captured her interest, nor did she ever have a genuine sexual encounter. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Though, that time, with that girl, she almost accomplishes her dream. Eight years ago, during one of her classes at the daytime program of her college, she encountered a girl who seemed suspicious at first. With just a glance, she deduced a lot about her. Her punk attire, both sensual and colorful, made her the center of attention; however, Satomi focused on her unusual, violent, erratic, and unpredictable behavior. From her observation, she could tell that the girl might cause damage at someone or engage in some other reckless act if people approached her without being cautious. Satomi felt a rush of adrenaline urging her body to move. She wanted to enable in a dialog with her to calm her erratic behavior and prevent a disaster, but she was paralyzed; despite her internal fight wether to advance forward or not, the fear, the tension in the atmosphere, and the uncertainess of the outcome immobilized her. However, an unexpected chemical reaction occurred when their sights were intercepted each other. Like opposite poles, attraction drew each other, and in an instant, they embraced each other as one, feeling the heat irradiated by their bodies. At that moment, Satomi realized that they shared the same biological condition when she felt something hard and elongated, poking against her own, at the intruder''s pelvis. They were momentarily surprised, and, instantaneously, their gazes linked, their lips drew near as if they were following an invisible thread, and ending up locked in a passionate kiss. More kisses, caresses, and licks followed; then, mutual masturbation, penis frotting, and oral sex, each culminating in orgasms and ejaculations. The expelled substances warmly covered both girls in different feelings and sensations. Nonetheless, they could never reach the climax; Satomi could not penetrate and savor the woman''s cavities, nor she was spoiled by her thick pillar. Simply, her desires of being loved were not accomplished. Besides, they had connected without sharing a single word, as if they had spent a lifetime together, each knowing what the other might say or do. Indeed, they were soulmates destined to meet. No, being more accurate, they seemed to be the same person, and The Left Wing of the Amethyst Butterfly on the suspicious girl''s rear somehow linked their fates. It was futile, however, her paths never crossed twice "Will I be alone forever? Will this house ever stop feeling so empty?" She asked herself After reflecting on her past memories, Satomi came from the trance out and hurry herself to undertake her morning physical training session in her pr¨ªvate gym, On the second floor, her bedroom was on the left and, on the right, there was Satomi''s recreational. Between both of them, the staircase to the ground floor was there. On this plant, there was a sort of coaches and sofas, arranged appropiately in front of a big cinema screen, purchased futily by Satomi in order to host movie nights with Shioko, when she came to visit her, and curb her mother''s incestuous behavior. And, from Satomi''s point of view, its effect was meaningless, providing outcomes opposite to what she desired initially. On either sides, there were two doors; the left door led to the kitchen, and the right one, to the gym. Through her daily exercise routines and martial arts classes, Satomi had developed greater muscle mass, physical strength and endurance, greater agility, and, most essentially, a greater perspective on things, patience, and mental stability. Consequently, her constant hours of effort and dedication bore fruit, providing her with a robust and athletic body, each muscle sculpted with sublime definition and a hardness akin to steel. Having, however, a somewhat more privileged anatomy than others, her body became more attractive as time passed, granting her a more curvaceous appearance and an enlargement and widening of some of her parts, such as her breasts, hips, buttocks, and cock. Today, to avoid spending too many hours exercising and, then, being idle all day, she decided to start with ten sets of abdominal exercises, five sets of weightlifting, and a two-hour marathon. As the session was ending, Satomi ordered Japanese food for delivery and then went to take a shower, settling down later to play video games and watch movies for the rest of the day. That night, before going to sleep, she heard on the news a report about a planetary alignment that would occur at midnight, visible from certain world''s regions, including the location of our curious protagonist. This news excited Satomi, who found herself drifting into memories of her university days, recalling one of her many lifelong fascinations: astronomy. She remembered that it was one of her favorite subjects in school, having the habit of escaping of her room, during curfews, to observe the stars with a handcrafted telescope. Determined to sleep under the stars, Satomi set up a cot on the rooftop and stepped outside wearing only white panties. To avoid being spied on, she grabbed a blue shirt and pink shorts from her wardrobe. As the moment of the alignment approached, Satomi began to close her eyes, though she attempted to stay awake to witness the event. Just before she closed her eyes completely, she spotted a shooting star and quickly chanted a wish before it vanished ¡°I wish for a life different from the one I currently have, regardless of whether it''s in this world or another. I just want things to change. I want a life that isn''t solitary and dark, where the people I¡¯ve known and those I will come to know are always by my side. I will protect them with my life because I want to cherish and enjoy every moment we spend together; they will become the reason for my existence.¡± After making her wish, she fell into a deep slumber. When the first rays of the sun illuminated her face, Satomi sat up on the cot, still drowsy, and rubbed her eyes to fully awaken. She then got up with her eyes closed and walked toward what she thought was the door to her room, but accidentally tripped over a small step and fell straight to the ground. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and realized that she had not landed on the ground, but rather in a mass of water. As she emerged, she noticed that she had fallen directly into a fountain. ¡°What is this fountain doing here?¡± she wondered to herself. ¡°I don¡¯t have one in my house.¡± As she looked around, Satomi realized she was no longer in her home. Turning around, she saw a large mansion, styled differently from her own, rising majestically above the small fountain. Chapter 2: The Secrets of the Mansion Satomi found herself on the grounds of a wealthy, high-society member. Surrounding the property, there was a dense forest formed by towering trees whose branches seemingly brushing the skies. A vast brick wall, punctuated by an elegant, gold-plated gate of immense proportions, separated the mansion from the woods. In the main courtyard stood, in its center, a beautiful fountain, intricately carved with symbols and ornamentation, but it was the marble statue of a young woman which truly captivated Satomi''s attention. Perched atop the fountain on a raised platform, the statue depicted a young woman in a uniquely styled garment resembling a short kimono; however this was a short and its left sleeve was wrapped around the girl''s waist, leaving the right sleeve as the only one she used. Moreover, this sleeve was rolled up beyond the girl''s elbow and secured with a ribbon while the left sleeve, woven with floral patterns, flowed down behind her, reaching her knees. Besides, the garment was sustained by a wide obi belt, tied with a large, elegant rope which ends a pretty ribbon behind her waist, leaving exposed the left section of her chest although the rest of her torso was fully covered by vendings which formed a sarashi (a type of Japanese undergarment); in fact, two more sarashis also covered her left forearm and the upper part of her thighs. As shoes, she wore sandals and tabi socks, decoratively tied at the ankles. Besides, two steel plates were positioned upon the knees and extended themselves at the height of the girl''s thighs in order to function as protective greaves, padded with longer socks. In the upper side of her left arm, intricate ruby-inlaid tattoos were carved minuciously out from the stone and adorned the statue majestically: a rose on her left breast and a climbing rose vine on the upper side of her left arm. With her left arm, she wielded a geometrically-designed bow. Strapped to her back like a backpack, a medium-sized round shield held two blades within, each sheathed in a thin metal casing. Finally, a leather-bound book, with handcrafted strange glyphs, was fastened to her obi at her right hip. "Impressive," Satomi murmured. "Such meticulous details. This woman must have been the owner of this place, but I suspect she was far more important. A heroine, perhaps?" Afterwards, she approached the enormous entrance, knocking it several times, but no one answered. Then, she pushed the door and found it unlocked. Inside, a grand hall greeted her, filled with paintings, diverse plants, statues, and various ornaments. Besides, countless corridors branched off in every direction, leading to different parts of the mansion, and staircases ascended to the upper floors. The sheer scale of the place was overwhelming. Exploring the ground floor, she discovered a kitchen equipped with simple yet efficient tools, and an elegant, medieval-styled dining room. Venturing to the rear of the mansion, she found a garden and a greenhouse, becoming astonished after knowing the content they kept: A breathtaking array of unique, exotic plants she had never encountered before. As she left the greenhouse, she noticed a path winding up a distant hill. "I don''t know..." Satomi hesitated, her face thoughtful. "It''s far, and it''ll be dark soon. Hmm... It''s probably wiser to explore the mansion first. I can visit that path later." The second and third floors of the mansion contained long hallways lined with similar-looking rooms, except for one. This particular room displayed a door crafted from exquisitely polished, high-quality wood, adorned with gold ornamentation, symbols, and glyphs. The most striking thing, however, was the emblem: a Sapphire Butterfly. Suddenly, a burning sensation shot through Satomi''s lower back. She lifted her blouse to find her birthmark ablaze with an unbearable heat, but something was unusual about it ¡ªThe mark was brightening intermittently and was behaving as an almost lifelike being, attempting to respond a summons. "What''s happening to me? Why is my birthmark acting like this?" she whispered. Then, she raised her head and saw how the emblem of the Sapphire Butterfly on the door was reacting in the same way. A soft click echoed, the lock disengaged, and the door swung open, seemingly inviting her inside. Cautiously, and with a touch of trepidation, Satomi entered. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The room contained a stately four-poster bed, a vanity with an enormous mirror, a wardrobe filled with elegant and priceless clothing, a shelf lined with expensive and prestigious books, and a spacious bathroom. It was undoubtedly the master''s chamber. On one wall, she gazed at a large, gold-framed painting depicting a family. It consisted primarily of women, all with blonde hair, blue eyes, and strikingly beautiful features. Among them was the woman from the statue, along with three young girls and two other women: one slender and petite with long hair; the other, muscular, her hair tied in pigtails, and possessing full, sensual lips. On a nearby table, Satomi found an eye-catching set of keys and the blueprints of the mansion. She pocketed the keys and, while studying carefully the plans, noticed a hidden room beneath the mansion, its entrance concealed in the basement. Thus, she quickly descended the stairs. The basement was aged and worn, its stone brick walls and wooden frames covered in patches of mold. The wooden floor was dilapidated and fragile, creaking ominously with each step. The room appeared to have been primarily used to storage food, wine, materials, and strange artifacts and contraptions owing to the presence of various barrels, shelves, and boxes Satomi noticed markings on the floor in front of one shelf, indicating it had been moved frequently. She grasped the shelf firmly, and to her surprise, it swung open like a hidden door, revealing a staircase descending into the darkness. At the bottom of the stairs was a closed door, she tested the previously pocketed keys; one fit perfectly. Inside lay a vast laboratory, equipped with a startling array of technology: computers, servers, microscopes, chemical apparatus, artificial habitats for plants and animals, state-of-the-art computers, empty containment pods, and an invention-building platform. The juxtaposition of advanced technology in what appeared to be a medieval fantasy setting left Satomi utterly bewildered. After searching, she discovered something that piqued her curiosity: a stabilization chamber containing a naked young woman with a cavity where her heart should have been. Satomi concluded it was likely a robot requiring a power source. Examining the files on the invention platform (which, suspiciously, was configured in English), she found the blueprints for the power source, but they were for a prototype, and the final model was incomplete. It fell to Satomi to complete the work of the mansion''s former owner. For hours, Satomi tirelessly worked to study and improve the energy core blueprints. After making final adjustments, she began experimenting with the construction platform, building several models. Her initial attempts were mediocre, but she steadily refined her designs, eventually creating the perfect core for maximum robot performance. The final model was a bright blue sphere with several black contours intersecting to form an atom symbol; at the atom''s center was a heart. The moment to awaken the robot had arrived. Satomi was practically bursting with excitement, anticipating the robot''s activation. She even fantasized about the possibility of the robot gaining consciousness ¨C the birth of a singularity. Satomi carefully placed the sphere into the empty cavity. As soon as it was inside, a viscous white mass enveloped the sphere, quickly shaping itself into the form of a human heart. The mass rapidly turned a deep crimson, then filled with a luminous blue liquid as it began to pulse. The cavity sealed, and a monitor on the capsule began tracking the rapidly increasing heart rate and respiration. In a moment, the robot girl opened her eyes, taking a moment to survey her surroundings. She turned her head and saw Satomi through the capsule''s glass; a smile bloomed on her face as she looked at Satomi, before rising from the capsule. As the capsule opened, Satomi could see her more clearly: the robot girl had dark skin, black eyes, a striking face, long brown hair styled in two pigtails, and a petite frame¡ªshe barely reached Satomi''s shoulder. "So, it''s you," she said, relief evident in her voice as she approached. "You are the one I was to await." "What? Wait, I don''t understand¡ª" "Don''t worry. Your questions will be answered, but first, I must grant you the Authority." "What?" The girl fell silent, then stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Satomi''s neck to boost herself upward. With the momentum, she swiftly kissed Satomi. Instinctively, the muscular girl caught the android''s waist to prevent her from falling, and the robot deepened the kiss, moving her tongue. Satomi found herself unexpectedly swept away by the pleasure and sweetness of the kiss, responding by moving her tongue as well. A shimmering aura of energy began to emanate from Satomi. "I didn''t want to do that..." the robot girl said, pulling away, her face flushed with embarrassment. "But it was a duty entrusted to me long ago. Now, Mistress Satomi, you are the new landlady of the mansion." Satomi was bewildered. She didn''t understand how the robot knew her name or why she''d been kissed. But the strange sensation of the kiss, and the fascination she felt while gazing at the girl''s face, lingered. Without a doubt, Satomi had fallen in love for her. Chapter 3: The android girl For a considerable time, she couldn''t tear her gaze away from observing and contemplating her; a potent mixture of desire, passion, arousal, and lust for the android girl was being accumulated steadily within her chest. Occasionaly, she tried to resist that desire, but her eyes cannot control themselves and kept returning to the same point. Whenever she spent too long admiring the android''s delicate face or her slender and petite naked figure, shame flushed her cheeks. Occasionaly, she would try to look away, only to find herself trapped in the same neverending cycle of futily attempts to alleviate her nervous fascination. Despite her adult age, Satomi felt like a lovestruck teenager experiencing her first crush. On either side of her shoulders, Satomi noticed medium-sized inscriptions written with the number"41." Between her abdomen and some sort of artificial human-like vagina, there was another inscription displaying, this time, a serial number: "SH-41." "Ms. Satomi," the android said, noting Satomi''s erratic behavior, "According to my scanners, your organism is experimenting abnormally high levels of adrenaline and dopamine. Is something wrong?" "Oh! No, nothing, it''s nothing," Satomi stammered, surprised by the unexpected question. She paused, quickly formulating a response. "I¡­ I thought I saw something moving around here; a shadow, perhaps." "False," the android flatly denied, blue lights flashing intermittently in her eyes. "My sensors have detected no living organisms, nor any trace of energy, magic, essence, or any other element indicating the presence of dangerous beings. >>"Furthermore, by your sudden corporal movements, I deduced you were lying, and, owing to your elevated blood pressure, I noticed your sexual organs are prepared for copulation. Therefore, something triggered your arousal¡ªsomething your mind found attractive." The android''s tone was cold and analytical. "It should be something "desirable", isn''t?" When she pronounced that word, there was a momentary shift in her voice, a hint of curiosity, although her emotionless demeanor betrayed nothing. "Am I correct, Ms. Satomi?" "What? Of course not!" Satomi exclaimed, nervously and embarrassed, her cheeks as red as a strawberry. "I¡­ I''m sure of what I saw. Besides¡­ y-you should scrutinize and enhance that scanner. Being in the capsule for so long might have damaged it." The android approached closet to Satomi who, fearful and embarrassed, tried to stay further away from her with each step the android took. Then, she felt her heart palpitating and a slight bulge, barely visible through her shorts, forming as her penis awakened. As she drew near, the android''s eyes emitted flickering blue lights again; however, suddenly, her cheeks flushed a shade of red but slightly darker, cause ny the unique hue of her exotic mixed-race complexion. "I knew it. My scanner wasn''t wrong. However, your¡­ erection seems to be a product of gaving at my naked body." Mentioning the cause and acknowledging the erection, the android blushed even deeper, instinctively covering her small breasts with her left hand and her vagina with her right. She then turned her back to Satomi. "You find my body attractive, desirable by your standards." A moment of silence passed between them before Satomi finally responded. "Yes. Honestly, you''re perfect. Anyone would fall for you instantly." Her heart pounded faster; excitement surged through her. Her penis hardened like rock, straining against her shorts. With her hand, she applied pressure firmly to keep it concealed. Satomi could not clearly see the android''s reaction¡ªher back was turned, and she remained unamovible¡ªbut she thought she saw a smile, although she attributed it to her own rising excitement. "Well, I appreciate your opinion. But I believe it''s time for me to introduce myself to my new master. However, I should dress properly first; being practically naked might impede the introduction," the android said, turning back to face Satomi, her hands still covering her intimate areas. "Y-yes, let''s go upstairs," Satomi said hastily, before her impulses overwhelmed her. "There must be countless outfits in your size in one of the rooms." After a short while, the android found a peculiar outfit that caught her eye. It was a sort of Japanese women''s uniform: a short blue skirt, a white blouse with a small red tie, pale blue and white striped leggings to cover her legs, and platform shoes. Finally, she adorned her hair with two small clips, creating pigtails on either side of her head. Once dressed, the android joined Satomi in the rear garden of the mansion. However, twilight was approaching, and the last rays of the sun were giving way to the beautiful night. Therefore, they decided to sit in a tree and talk calmly about the legacy Satomi had inherited. "All preparations are complete, and I am in optimal condition to begin," the android said, rising from her seat, gracefully kneeling on the ground, and adopting a solemn posture. "I am the servant and loyal protector of this estate, the latest-generation android number 41, of the SH model series¡ªthe SH-41 android. From this day forward, I shall be your most faithful follower, at your side at all times, assisting you in acclimating to your role as the glorious mistress of this dwelling." "Why the SH series designation?" Satomi asked curiously. "It is named for ''Sacred Husk,'' the name bestowed to my body¡ªthe casing that protects my components and operating system," the Android Girl explained, gesturing with her hands to various parts of her body. "My former mistress, the artificer of my existence, engraved that name on each model she built with sweat, tears, and blood." "So, your creator assigned me this task¡ªto become your owner and mistress of this place?" "That is correct," the android replied, nodding slightly. "As her final wish, it entrusted to me the task of bestowing the Authority trait upon the owner." "The Authority?" Satomi questioned, intrigued by the unusual term. "This trait grants you unrestricted access to the property. You''ll have access to all the secrets and mechanisms of the mansion, and you can grant entry to trusted individuals as Guests." The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. "Wait, so that means¡­" Satomi, realizing the significance of this, paused. "Indeed. There is something that prevents entry to these grounds¡ªan invisible barrier that disintegrates anything it touches. Because of this barrier, it is highly improbable that any intruder has infiltrated the estate since my mistress''s death and during my hibernation. It was designed to be eternal, never deactivated, and has stood firm for days, months, years, centuries, and millennia. Despite that, today is the only day the barrier has been momentarily deactivated." "It was deactivated by my arrival," Satomi added, completing the android''s explanation. "Excellent deduction, Ms. Satomi!" the android exclaimed enthusiastically. "But there''s a detail you overlooked. Today marks the one-thousandth anniversary of my former mistress''s birth¡ªthe woman who created me! This is the only day, programmed by the mistress herself, when the barrier would open to receive the individual destined to be the rightful successor to her legacy." "But why? How did she know I was the one? And who, in the world, is your mistress?" "Shannara Ainsworth, born one thousand years ago when the First Humans inhabited the still-green lands of Valhalla, the Cradle of Humanity, and when Nirvana was merely a newly discovered and partially unexplored continent," The android narrated, emphasizing each detail with an epic, extravagant, and ominous tone. "When humanity''s ancestors were enslaved under the iron fist of the Enlightened, a race of humans blessed with invincible metallic skin and supernatural powers, a young woman with golden hair and blue eyes rose up against them and led humanity in a fight against oppression. Her name was Shannara Ainsworth." "If there are supernatural powers, magic must exist, right? Is it possible to use it?" Satomi interrupted with one of her usual questions. "Magic certainly exists, and many races possess the ability to wield it, but it also has limitations that many should not exceed due to the consequences and dangers of overuse." The existence of magic both impacted and thrilled Satomi. It was the ancient explanation for natural phenomena, superseded by science. On Earth, people tried to explain its existence but failed for lack of foundational laws or evidence. Yet, magic existed in this new world, a perfect opportunity for Satomi to experiment. "As I was saying: Shannara and the tribes she led escaped the Enlightened''s territory and guided her people in their exodus to Nirvana to build a new future. With her innate leadership and ingenuity, her new tribe grew and thrived in all aspects, defending against aggression from other human races and tribes while also forming fruitful alliances. In time, Shannara gained renown, becoming a legend when she founded Asyrith, a paradise where all living beings, human and other races, could coexist in peace and harmony, without fear of segregation." "That sounds idealistic, but let''s be realistic: perfect societies don''t exist," Satomi declared confidently, backing up her statement with facts. "Whenever someone tries to create a new, more prosperous and just system to replace a previous one and its flaws, it tends to fail after various years due to unforeseen vulnerabilities and internal contradictions. If the theory never surpasses the practical phase, no one would attempt it again as it''s unviable. In the end, reality always surpasses fiction." "That''s true. Although she managed to create a utopia for all races, flaws emerged from the inside, and they would potentially lead to collapse in the future. However, she foresaw this and worked tirelessly to mitigate them until they disappeared completely. Furthermore, she trained her descendants to continue her work, ensuring Asyrith''s survival for centuries." "That''s impressive. I don''t think there are enough words to describe her," Satomi said, moved by Shannara''s achievements. As the sun dipped below the horizon, a pleasant breeze swept through the courtyard; the treetops swayed, their branches rustling softly in the gentle wind. The android, feeling her own hair stir, turned to Satomi. "Would you like to know something, Ms. Satomi?" the android asked, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "You¡­ remind me of her." "Of Shannara?" "Yes. She was like you: curious, cautious, and intelligent. She always sought new horizons, investigated enigmas that no one else had ever attempted to decipher, and anticipated future events. She''s one of those people who, by changing the world once, change it forever. Someone who is born only once in a great while." "She''s gone, isn''t she?" Satomi asked sadly. "What happened to her?" "When the Black Gods of Darkness and their armies of Abyssal Spawn breached the barrier separating the Void Plane from the Material Plane, Shannara and other legendary warriors from numerous races engaged in a decisive, bloody battle for the fate of life on this planet. Although they managed to close the portal and halt the Spawn''s advance, many valuable lives were lost, including Shannara''s. It was a devastating blow for everyone¡­ and for me as well." "That''s¡­ very sad," Satomi commented, feeling an unusual sadness welling up from within her heart. A tear rolled down her cheek. Strangely, she felt as though she had lived through that moment. "I''m sorry for asking. I didn''t want to bring up such painful memories." "Don''t worry about it, Ms. Satomi. She didn''t leave without saying goodbye: She knew her fight wouldn''t be easy, and it might be her last. So, in case she was defeated, she prepared a final trump card, a solution for the future. She asked me to record our last conversation to give it to the person who would inherit her will. To you, Ms. Satomi." A small opening appeared in the android girl''s neck, revealing a button which she pressed with her right index finger. Then, a voice ¨C Shannara Ainsworth''s ¨C filled the air. "All is not lost. I''ve found a way to safeguard Nirvana''s future. Listen closely, little android. Upon my death, a barrier will activate, protecting this mansion for 500 years. You will enter a state of hibernation. After that time, the barrier will deactivate, and a person from another world will come here; they will awaken you, and your new directive will be to serve them unconditionally and grant them Authority. I can only tell you that this person is¡­ a fragment, a key piece to complete the puzzle I am. Therefore, they will inherit my legacy and change the world with their own hands, as I once did." "That''s a huge responsibility," Satomi said, feeling a tangible weight settle upon her. "Do you think I''ll be able to live up to her expectations?" "Ultimately, it''s your decision whether to follow in her footsteps," Shaina responded. "And how you choose to do so is entirely up to you. But I will follow your commands and serve you to the ends of the earth if necessary." "Thank you. For now, I don''t have a specific goal, so I''ll need to think about what to do. I''ll focus on adjusting to this new life until I find my purpose." "Ah, one more thing, Ms. Satomi!" "Please, call me Satomi." "I don''t like the formality. Hmm¡­?" The android paused. "I think I''ll call you Satomi-sama." "But that''s the same as ''Ms.'' Besides, how do you even know that word?" The android''s face flushed. She looked away, her brow furrowed. "When I kissed you to bestow the Authority, your knowledge was transferred to my storage system." "Ah, I understand," Satomi said, her face turning crimson. "N-no problem, sorry for bothering you. I-I mean, what was it you wanted to ask?" "I need a new name," the android said, her demeanor shifting to calm serenity. "It would sound unnatural to be addressed by my model number. I want you to give me a name you like." Satomi pondered, carefully studying the android''s features for inspiration. The serial model number lingered in her mind, so she tried to imagine a name that captured that essence. In an instant, she knew. "Shaina. From now on, your name will be Shaina." Shaina was overwhelmed with joy and emotion. She couldn''t articulate her feelings; her CPU was a whirlwind. She could only bow her head in heartfelt gratitude. "We should go inside; it''s getting dark," Satomi said, watching the sun sink below the horizon. "Yes, let''s go in. And I want to show you my cooking skills. I''ll prepare some delicious treats that will fascinate you." "If you put it like that, I can''t refuse," Satomi replied. Shaina stepped forward, placing her arms behind her back and crossing them, bowing slightly and looking coquettishly at Satomi. "Please, await my culinary masterpiece, Satomi-sama."