Mystic Robot

Merlin and Ollie rode into the night, the lights of the city lit the way in shimmering stars and spirits fluttering like fireflies. Merlin never seen the city at night like this before, it was beyond beautiful, like the day. "You wanna grab a bite to eat before we get there? We can get some salmon alfredo if you're interested." Ollie suggested. Merlin's stomach growled loudly, giving Merlin his answer for what he wanted for dinner, and then thought of his mother's stuffed peppers and salad. Ollie parked at a restaurant, and they went inside to order. Morgan and the others were already there eating, and they group hugged Merlin as soon as he came inside. "Merlin, you're okay! And...you look sexy. Well, more than usual but that's a bit of a nitpick." Morgan said. They then saw Ollie, wondering who he was. "Guys, this is Ollie, Ollie these are my friends. We're essentially the weird squad." Merlin introduced. Shikom and Rikusa gave him a sour look, making Ollie a bit nervous, so he went to go order their food. Merlin then explained they were on assignment to a dungeon, and the others laughed saying they were going to the same place. "So Morgan's working with a Saint, Shikom is training with his old master, Rikusa is training with a shaman, and I'm doing my ocean training. Oh and Merlin's getting freaky with vampires now. That's some good shit ain't it?" G laughed, making Merlin shock him with electricity with his finger. Shikom looked up a file on vampires, making note on how they're experts at blood magick, and making familial contracts to gain powers. Ollie came back with the salmon alfredo, starting to eat it the minute he sat down. Merlin was already drooling, eager to devour the entire bowl as quickly as possible, but almost burnt his tongue from the hot pasta.

Morgan finished her food, paying for the meal and going outside to wait for everyone else to come along. Merlin kept eating, unable to stop or put down his fork. "Man, if I could live off of salmon alfredo or fettuccine I would gladly eat it forever. But...I would miss out on my mom's stuffed peppers. She makes them so perfect with salad. Wonder if she makes them for dad." Merlin pondered to himself. Ollie wasn't paying attention, just busy stuffing his face and checking his gun. Merlin wasn't sure how comfortable he was firing a gun, but he figured that trying wouldn't kill him as long as he didn't hit anyone in a fatal spot. After about 30 minutes, they finished eating and paid the check to leave. Everyone met outside, ready to head to the dungeon in order to investigate it, however what they encountered was just a massive rift in space, like the very air had cracked open like glass. "Uhm...I suppose that this is how dungeons manifest in this world. However this seems odd." Merlin said, getting closer to the rift. Suddenly, a tentacle slipped out and wrapped around Merlin, swiftly pulling him inside the rift, and into a large ocean. Merlin made an air bubble in order to breathe, and what he encountered was a massive Kraken beast that was raging mad. "Ramuri, swallow we're out of here, use a smoke screen!" he yelled, summoning his slime to make a massive cloud of ink to hide in. However the kraken saw through it and started to attack, using its tentacles as spears. Merlin used his scythe to hang onto one of them, but it didn't seem like it did anything to it, besides make it angrier. Just then, G picked him up and brought him on a platform made of rock and out of the kraken's reach. "Well, it's better than a porno. But how exactly do we fight something like this, cause I'm not able to control sea animals and I can't hold it for long. Especially with it flailing around like a busted up toy." G said, trying to bind the kraken's tentacles with water. Rikusa noticed that there was something else in there with them, it wasn't organic, yet it had magickal energy and was moving towards them at a rapid speed. "Who in the hell? Is that a robot?" G asked, seeing what looked like glowing eyes. The robot stopped above the kraken, it's eyes scanning the target thoroughly. It then began to chant. "Restriction 33: Release Confirmation. Connecting to artificial magick circuits, 80% prana charge confirmed, magick circle anchor confirmed, imaginary element field established. Star Rain, fire." it chanted as a hail of luminous stars rained down on the kraken, ripping it apart until it was just chunks of meat floating around in the water. It was lightning fast, and the robot was still floating there, not seeming to have any noticable expression. "Did that thing use magick? But, robots aren't supposed to be able to use magick, so how?" Shikom thought to himself. The robot flew over to them slowly, and proceeded to answer. "I am an AI program in body prototype model A. I am a new project deemed a success by the Council of Duo, project title "New Age Ars Magick", or "NAAM". All primary functions are fully optimal, no damage to inner mechanisms sustained, recharge of ether commencing." it said, it's hands expanding slightly in order to draw in energy around it. Morgan looked at the robot in fascination and curiosity, but then a message began to play in it's eyes. "To those who have encountered our robot, apologies for the interrupted mission. Know that all proceeds shall go to your respective parties. We sent him as a field test, and this rift dungeon is the closest one we could find. Do know he's in his beginner phase, he shall be fully upgraded soon and shown to the public. And do know that what we're attempting to accomplish may very well be the thing that saves our world, and perhaps the multiverse if need be." the message said before cutting off. The robot then made a portal exit and pulled everyone through it, leading to a lab just off the border of Thelema.

The group went inside, expecting to find a full on space age laboratory. However they first saw a luxurious room, and robots trying on clothes for themselves. It was very different from what robots are typically shown to do, but they went with it. "This is the resting chamber. Those who have finished their training for the day are brought here to develop...personalities. The director says it is imperative we do so." the robot said, continuing to walk. Ollie picked up something that looked like some sort of radioactive core, and one of the smaller robots put it in their chest and shook Ollie's hand, using sign language to thank him. Ollie smiled and pat his head before going into the lab portion. It was space age tech that was manufacturing robotic exoskeletons and endoskeletons. There were also mages creating what seemed like large clumps of ether to fuse with their artificial hearts, providing their magick and a brilliant purple shine to their circuitry. They then met up with a frizzy red headed scientist with dark bags under his eyes and slim body drinking coffee. "Ah hello. I see you found our robot. Since you're here I might as well show you the new body making process. I'm Professor O'Neal by the way." the scientist introduced himself. He then went into another room, and took a special chip out of the robot's head extremely carefully. He then began to melt the leftover body using psychokinetic pressure, and making a new body out of the remains. It had long red hair, an androgynous frame, bright blue eyes, and short stubby horns. O'Neal put the AI chip in an artificial brain, and began to put the necessary artificial organs and muscles in place. "Madam April? Can you come in and bring the Clump please? The heart is prepared." he announced. A beautiful woman with golden hair and rose colored skin walked into the room, holding a large clump of ether. She spread it over the heart, making sure to cover the entire thing, and then put it inside the robot's chest. She then carefully set the brain in the head, and puts on the rest of the body parts. "There we go. He should be ready to activate now. The first ever Ars Magna Prime Android. Magna seems like an appropriate name for you young one. Now, awaken." April said, waking Magna. This time, Magna had the voice of a young boy, and slowly moved around to loosen his joints. "I can feel. And I have a different voice. This is so strange, but it's very nice." Magna said, walking around slowly. Everyone looked with amazement, but it was cut short by a message on the monitor. "Hello hello hello hello peeps of the galaxy!" the being said. "This is your friendly neighborhood Dark Lord, Binarium Codiza. And I got some bad vibez unfortunately. Them bad Traitors Raiders, the seal is beginning to lose HP fast, and it's not lookin good for the world, hell the whole universe for the most part. So all Saints get ready, and other organizations get ready to clap some cheeks, cause it's about to go down in about...three years. Codiza, OUT!" he said before the video cut. Everyone looked in surprise, wondering how they were going to get strong enough to fight in three whole years. "I intend to help the world learn Ars Magick. But first I must learn it's full capabilities. I hope we'll see each other again during that time. And we'll all get stronger too." Magna said while smiling. Morgan looked at the group. "I dunno about you guys, but I'm gonna fuck shit up and make those Dark Traitors my bitches. What's say you?" she asked. Everyone was in agreement that they were going to fight. As they all left the lab, Ollie pulled Merlin in for a kiss, transferring small drops of blood into his mouth. "A few drops should do it. I'll see you tomorrow, all of you take care now." he said before sinking into the shadows. The group went to their dorm, making notes of what to do tomorrow and how much they need to learn.