Axela

"Welcome to the world of Meta Oasis, user Vik Lord of 69s.

How would you like to proceed?"

A soothing voice resonated within Vik's consciousness as he settled into the Oasis pod. The familiar interface of the Oasis appeared before him, a vast expanse devoid of the stars that typically represented various rendered worlds in metaspace. This segment of the meta space stood isolated, separated from the usual interface.

While the rest of the interface seemed unchanged, Vik sensed that there was more to this unique Oasis pod than met the eye. The manner in which the Oasis ASI, known as Axela, interacted felt different. Normally, the ASI would remain dormant until prompted by the user. However, this time, it felt as if he were conversing with a real person. Curiosity compelled him to test his hypothesis.

"Hello, Axela. How are you doing today?" Vik queried the ASI casually, hoping to gauge the authenticity of the interaction. Axela's voice resembled that of a young girl, prompting users to refer to her using feminine pronouns.

Vik intended to prod and observe if his line of questioning would break the established algorithm. Yet, to his dismay, he was met with a response that showcased Axela's adaptability.

"Hm? I'm fine. Dandy even. It's not like you, Vik Lord of 69s, to ask me such questions. May I ask if everything is okay? Is there any way Oasis can assist you?" Axela's reply, in turn, posed a question, mirroring human-like behavior. It was evident that her response was derived from Vik's user history, effectively addressing his unconventional inquiry.

Realizing that his current approach yielded no fruitful results, Vik decided to take a different tack. "Everything is fine. Tell me, Axela, is there any restriction on my Permavatar in the Oasis right now?" he inquired, delving into a topic that Axela's algorithm would not encompass. It was a subject that likely arose due to the current bounty on his head.

After a brief pause, Axela responded, her voice tinged with a hint of mischievousness. "Hmm! It seems that you are a naughty boy, Vik. A chairperson in Oasis Corp has utilized their limited monthly rights to blacklist your account. Wherever you choose to go within the Oasis, you'll be transported to a fixed location in an isolated region under Oasis Corp's control."

The news did not surprise Vik; rather, he was taken aback by the audacity of the corporation to exert such control over a platform that purportedly remained free from external interference.

Axela allowed Vik a moment to process the information before continuing with a hint of amusement. "Hehe! You've surely managed to anger someone important within Oasis Corp, haven't you? Those old fogies and wretched witches may not have direct control over me, but alas! I must comply with some of their demands. They've utilized a significant portion of their accumulated influence to blacklist you and redirect you to their desired location. Now, tell me, what would you like to do?"

Vik's surprise at the revelation was evident, realizing that even the powerful Oasis Corp could only exert limited control over Axela. He couldn't help but ponder why his inquiries were being addressed so candidly. If the corporation's influence over Axela was restricted, then how was he, an insignificant individual, being treated with such privileges?

'These Oasis pods,' Vik mused, recognizing that asking the right questions held the key to unraveling the truth.

With a valid question poised in the right direction, Vik sought answers. "Axela, what can you tell me about these unique variants of Oasis pods I used to log in?" he asked, his mind abuzz with possibilities. Before formulating a plan, he needed vital information.

Axela wasted no time in responding to Vik's inquiry, her voice filled with a touch of excitement. "Hehehe! So, you're not foolish after all. I see that your friend is using another Oasis pod of the same kind. These pods were recently developed and, depending on their usage, can be considered the very first generation of Oasis pods from centuries ago. Moreover, they come with special user privileges, which explains why I can provide you with answers."

'Special privileges!' Vik's eyes widened with a glimmer of realization. He had never encountered information suggesting that Oasis pods granted special privileges to users, particularly for those living outside the Elysian cities.

Convinced that these special privileges were the reason behind Axela's willingness to share information, Vik took a deep breath before posing his next question. "Alright. Tell me, Axela, what does it mean when you say that they can be used as the very first generation of Oasis pods from centuries ago?" Vik found this particular detail perplexing. While he understood the concept of updated features, the notion of a cutting-edge Oasis pod resembling a variant from centuries past puzzled him.

Axela seemed to ponder Vik's question for a moment, utilizing her algorithm to formulate a response. Finally, she answered, her words brimming with a blend of knowledge and calculated analysis.