Archive II: About Lord Dominion's System II (Aleph and Dominion's After Talk)

'Nah. I don't really have anything else to ask.'

<That's a first.>

'The Archivist is pretty good at explaining things.'

<Of course! That's the most expensive shit I own.>

'Err... It's just a bit weird how it gets a bit sarcastic sometimes.'

<What do you mean?>

'Like, I mean, I don't know what she said, but it really made me feel some type of way.'

<You're just imagining things. The Archivist is a non-sentient machine made out of mana. There's no way she could act sarcastically.>

'I guess...'

<Unless I'm becoming so strong that things around me are starting to have a soul.>

'OR you could be getting so weak that your machines are getting out of control.'

<Possible. But I won't bet on it. The Archivist has to be the perfect teacher for our readers in another world to understand. And as we all know, the perfect teacher is unfeeling, unending, unemotional, untiring, undying, and uncaring, someone who never gets sick, and never complains. What best teacher there is than a machine, then, no? So if the Archivist starts feeling things, then it's a failure.>

'Man... I can never get used to this...'

<The Archivist? I never had any bad reviews on it. Tell me what you dislike about the machine, and I'll tweak it for you.>

'No, not that. The Archivist is doing a phenomenal job. It's the readers. Like, I can never get used to knowing that someone's fucking READING all of these things like we're in some kind of book or something.'

<WE ARE in a book.>

'Does it ever irks you, that thought?'

<Nah, I mean, yeah, it's kinda weird when I first learned about all that other world shenanigans, but I'm cool with it after a few months. If it makes me stronger and helps me from achieving my goals, then why would it weird me out?>

'You do have a point.'

<It isn't easy NOW, but you'll get used to it.>

'I'll keep that in mind. Are we in Skystead Keep yet?'

<Not quite there yet, but you'll reach it before nightfall. I mean, you do have your eyes, right? Look there, in the north, you see those giant peaks of mountains? That's it. The Vyurs are kind folks, so they'll let you in if you explain about how you helped one of their own.>

'That's a reassuring thought. But you also said that kapres are gentle folks, but that one we last saw almost cracked a new hole in my head.'

<I'm sure they'll be more inclined to accept you without the armor.>

'I sure hope so. I'm just happy this Vyurborne is light.'

<Well, yeah, they are pretty light creatures; anyone would need to be as light as possible if they wish to soar the skies. Did you know that Vyurs have hollow bones?'

'For real?'

<Yep. But that means one punch from a VERY angry kapre, and they're goners! It's pretty insane, really. But well, even with all of those considerations in mind, the Vyurs are still pretty heavy creatures. Gres is just really strong.>

'Ah. I guess you're right. Hmm... Now that you mentioned Gres again, I still haven't analyzed his body yet.'

<Do it. Then, summon The Archivist again for more details.>