Talking To The Moon

Finn approached the incapacitated Iterator, struggling to lift her from her ungraceful face-down position on the floor. The steel arm attached to her back, nicknamed the "umbilical cord," obstructed his efforts, but Finn managed to eventually place her in a sitting position.

Having positioned the Iterator into a sitting posture, Finn had nowhere else to be and a host of unanswered questions. He settled in front of her, staring into her once softly glowing, now inky-black eyes, and waited patiently for her to come back online.

Luckily after 2 minutes the red lights of the room flipped back to their previous lovely glow as the body of moon began to show signs of life as she raised from the floor with the light in her eye's returning as she did.

{It seems these outages are becoming more and more common} Moon's thoughts seemed to permeate the room, echoing as if she had spoken them aloud, creating an eerie atmosphere.

{Huh you are still here? what about your friend?} Finally noticing Finn, Moon's voice carried a hint of confusion and perhaps a touch of joy as she acknowledged his presence.

{We split up} Finn responded with simplicity, withholding further explanation as he remained fixated on Moon, who moved about the room, summoning multiple screens that initially blinked red. After a brief period of adjustment, the red blinking ceased, suggesting some progress or change in the situation.

{Oh how sad, but your welcome to stay!} Moon spoke and after seeming to resolve whatever crisis had been unfolding, finally settled in front of Finn.

{Its not that bad but can I ask you something?} finn said as he looked at his hand which still had the same hole in it sense the day he came to this world.

{Of course, as long as it has nothing to do with death then I can answer anything} With a soothing voice, Moon sat before Finn, patiently waiting for him to pose his question.

{What am I?} Finn asked his question, which prompted Moon to let out a sigh, a curious response given her nature of being bio mechanical. Nevertheless, Finn's anticipation grew as he eagerly awaited her response.

{You are in no better terms a codex} Moons words stunned finn as he waited for her to finish.

{Your genetic makeup encompasses the potential for every conceivable mutation relevant to your species. For instance, as evident from your earlier experience, you can manifest the ability to create shields. However, another genetic mutation might grant you the capability to conjure bows or perhaps fashion knives. The spectrum of mutations is not limited to weaponry alone; it extends to various other adaptations as well. These genetic variations can grant you gills for underwater survival, augment your physical strength, or even facilitate the growth of wings, enabling flight.} 

A moment of silence lingered after Moon's words, leaving Finn to contemplate the significance of the knowledge he had gained. However, his interest soon waned, and he emerged from his thoughts, deciding to engage in further conversation with Moon.

{Is there anything I can do with this knowledge} Upon hearing Finn's question, Moon promptly displayed a multitude of images. They all depicted slugcats, resembling Finn with their grey skin and holes in their hands. However, the similarities ended there, as some had longer arms, while others had webbed feet. Furthermore, some slugcats wielded weapons such as polearms, axes, and swords, showcasing a diverse array of forms and abilities.

{Theirs nothing you can do with this knowledge but me or any of my peers can make many diverse sand stable clones of you} As Moon spoke, numerous more images flooded the room, creating a visual deluge around him. Just as he began to feel overwhelmed, the influx of images abruptly ceased, much to his relief. Among the images, he noticed some depicting grotesque monsters resembling overgrown cancerous cells, adding a disturbing element to the visual display.

{Sadly if i were if i were to start now i would still not have enough time to decode 10% of your DNA and at best I would be able to decode 5% before my eventual collapse} moon said her voice slightly sad and trembling showing that she did not want to accept this.

{How long would you say you have?} Finn posed his question, recognizing its sensitivity, yet feeling compelled to inquire. He wanted to gather information that might help him stay away from this place when it inevitably collapsed like in the game.

{I would say about 40 cycles 70 if i slow my research on the great problem} Moon said voices laced with fear of her limited time.

'That's about 400 days at the earliest' Finn's thoughts weighed heavily on him as he approached Moon and offered her a comforting hug. He understood the nightmarish fate that awaited any Iterator whose structure fell, for in this world, true death eluded them, leaving them trapped in an unending cycle of reincarnations. The Ancients had constructed Iterators to seek a solution to this predicament, which they referred to as "true death" or "ascension." The notion made the fall of an Iterator even more terrifying, as they remained immobilized, unable to move or die, imprisoned within their puppet-like bodies for all eternity.

A fate that was soon to be moons.

{Don't worry i'm fine} After a bit Moon's spoke as she gently rubbed Finn's head, which helped soothe tense atmosphere. Finn, although initially uncomfortable After a while, Moon seemed to regain her composure, gently stroking Finn's head as he gradually released her. Finn himself felt a sense of unease, realizing that this was the first time in both of his lives that he had initiated such an intimate action as a hug of his own free will.

{Thanks I needed that} Moon said as she floated up above finn the halo  once again appearing around her head as she spoke once more.

{I want to stave off that fate and thats why I must ask.... can i clone you}