Chapter 9

"Insanity. What is it? Many define it as crazed madness. But I see it as knowledge. It is a curse that shrouds the mind and consumes the heart. With that curse comes power. That is how I made you, dear little Ali. You are so much more than you realize. But power comes at a cost, I'm afraid."

Alia whispered to herself in the confines of her room, almost as if she were confessing to some imaginary judge. Clutching the purple light in her hands, she tried feebly to retain whatever wits she had left. But no amount of deep pondering would free her mind of its unease.

She then opened her eyes to a strange plain of darkness, its vast reaches having already replaced her room as reality shattered into pieces. Alia had been to the void many times before throughout her life, her soul trapped in the empty desert of life. But as a pale light suddenly swept over the black horizon, she began to tremble in fear.

"Hello there," a faint voice whispered to Alia as she tried her best to ignore it.

The poor girl was encased in the dark as her unusual skin made her nearly impossible to see. Here she would stay for what felt like millennia, lost and alone with nothing but the strange voice to occupy her time. The girl was trapped in a hell of her own making.

"Why don't you speak to me?"

Whenever Alia attempted to stand up and flee, the ground itself would lash out and restrain her in an instant. Even the slightest twitch of the leg would cause several black tendons to arise and grab her petite body with alarming force. There was no escape for the girl who had fallen so deep into the abyss.

"Fine then. Have it your way."

A dark hand then rose from the reflective surface and began to stare at Alia with a narrow multicolored eye inside of its palm. Alia growled at the hand as if she was accustomed to its presence. And sure enough, the black appendage gestured back towards her with a familiar sense of mockery.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" The hand asked in a faint whisper.

"More than you can imagine," Alia scoffed.

"Really now," the voice laughed as it flicked the girl in her small chest with its spindly fingers. "I find that hard to believe."

"Well, the view isn't so bad."

"I suppose that's true, your eyes are so much more delicate than mine. Everything is so new and fresh. But I intend to change that."

At the hand's command, a bright portal appeared before Alia. It was a theatre of sorts, an opening into the outside world that she would be forced to stare into. Within that horrid little screen, Alia would witness humans and machines alike become victims of their own foolish stupidity. Whether it was death, loss, or heartbreak, Alia could feel it as they did. And just as the flower had promised, she became gradually numb to it all.

"Isn't death such an amusing thing?"

"Whatever you say," Alia wheezed as the hand grabbed hold of her neck and forced her to look closer.

Alia's spirit may have been strong, but even she knew she could not endure the painful process of feeling one's demise forever. Her time was coming to an end. But even still, the girl refused to give in. She remembered the will of her mother and the call to resist the gods. Defiance was a concept buried in Alia's soul.

"Your mother was brilliant did I ever tell you that?" The hand quivered as it swam around the girl with its seemingly endless reach. "It's a shame that rotten old machine wouldn't let me have her. She was the best, so ambitious and daring."

"Arrogance is a funny thing isn't it," Alia whispered.

"Well then, you know what do, make my arrival an entertaining one," the hand blinked.

With a snap of its spindly fingers, the dark appendage commanded Alia to sink into the abyss. It knew what lay in wait for the girl, and what she would have to do upon reaching her destination. In other words, victory was all but inevitable for the strange creature.

Back in the real world, Alia found herself falling out of the sky. But just before she hit the ground, a pair of black wings sprouted out of her back and broke her fall with a gentle wave of energy. She hated using her mother's power. But the days of petty wants and comfort were long gone for the girl. And as she looked upon the horizon, Alia was filled with determination.

"Only the Tella would build a vista so ridiculous," Alia frowned as she raised her thumb towards the center of Lacuna. "I do hope I find you first Salem. Our meeting has waited long enough."

_____________________________________________________

A faint shadow fell upon Ali's face as she came to. The chill of Lacuna's night was unusually absent - the large open windows in her maker's room usually created a shivering breeze. After shuffling about feebly, the doll realized she was no longer lying near the large bookshelf in Alia's workshop. Instead, she had been tucked into her maker's much softer bed unknowingly while she slumbered. Ali would have thanked Alia for this kindness had the strange girl been there. But to Ali's dismay, she was alone in the dark room.

Looking out the nearby window, Ali was amazed to see the city of Lacuna beaming in the distance. It seemed much warmer and livelier than her maker's abode, which usually contained nothing but ancient and unsettling artifacts. Ali shuttered as her eyes wandered towards the room's ceiling, revealing a strange unlit chandelier with masked faces lining its rim. But still-the doll was comfortable in her warm bed. No matter what her maker did she remained awfully unpredictable. One moment she would ignore or abuse her doll, only to later exhibit signs of mercy and care. It seemed Alia was almost uncertain about how she should treat her creation.

"How strange," Ali whispered to herself in a soft voice.

Ali rubbed her eyes with an innocent yawn and took in more of her surroundings. She wasn't used to feeling so safe and free. Perhaps Alia had changed for the better. Feeling a sense of freedom sweep over her, Ali looked eagerly for her mistress.

"She must be busy," Ali whispered to herself, making sure to preserve her good relations with Alia.

Turning to her right, Ali noticed a small collection of children's books on a dark wooden nightstand. At first, she felt it improper to observe the items. But soon enough the doll could not resist herself as she turned the cover on the first novel.

"She must be an avid reader."

To her surprise, Ali could read quite well. She still did not understand the reach of her intelligence, yet somehow she could describe every word that her eyes came across. The doll smiled as she began to turn page after page in a hurried frenzy to absorb as much information as possible.

"Watch out for the enchanting witch," Ali read. "Why would anyone want to watch out for something enchanting?"

It didn't take long for Ali to become immersed in the strange story about witches and angels. She was less intrigued with the book itself, and more so its connections with Alia. Several questions arose as she delved deeper into the story.

"Why does the witch fight angels? Does Alia dislike angels?" Ali pondered.

"It's not that the angels are bad, it is just in their nature to fight the witch," Alia chuckled, her presence hidden from the doll as she stood sneakily in the nearby doorway. "I must say that's a good read, Ali. You might learn something from it."

Upon being discovered, Ali jumped in fear and covered her face with the book. The poor doll was easily embarrassed by all manner of things. In an instant, she regretted ever opening the novel.

"I-I'm so sorry! You can have it back! I only read four chapters!"

Alia laughed with great amusement, "There's nothing to be ashamed of Ali. I made you to be inquisitive, it suits you."

"But it's wrong to look at other people's personal items," Ali frowned.

"Is it? How would you even know that?" Alia scoffed as she taunted the doll's naivety. "Those angels in the book weren't wrong for attacking the witch. It's just what they do. You are a curious girl, it is in your nature to seek knowledge."

Ali quickly jumped out of bed and drew closer to her maker. She thought deeply about Alia's words. She had grown familiar with the strange girl by then - how she loved to sprinkle in little hints with every word.

"Are you a curious girl Alia?" The doll asked.

"Of course I am. It is in our family's blood to seek out the truth." Alia laughed as she drew closer.

"Our family? Is a doll part of a family?"

Alia grabbed the doll's hand and pulled her close with a smile. There was no doubt in her mind that Ali was family. After she had already lost so much, it felt good to treat another with such warmth. But unbeknownst to Ali, this unusual behavior came not from a feeling of redemption, but a place of desperation.

"Come, Ali, I have something to show you," Alia smiled.

After leading her doll back through the vast workshop, Alia smiled as she came upon a small wooden crate.

"What is it?" Ali tilted her head as she barely avoided bumping into the horde of mechanical creatures who stood perfectly still.

"This is important Ali," Alia sighed as she opened the box. "Though it may not seem that way."

Within the box lay a small stuffed bear. Usually, the sight of a child's toy would invoke little emotion in an intelligent creature. But Ali was delighted to see the plush, and instantly fell in love as her cheeks began to change to a warm purple tint.

"It's so soft!" Ali blushed as the bear was placed into her arms.

"Take very good care of her, you hear me?" Alia frowned as she struggled to fully let go of the bear. "She's like family to me."

"What's her name?" Ali paused as she cradled the bear.

"Well, I never really gave her one. But let's not think about that now, ok?" Alia frowned, clearly trying to shift the conversation.

"WelI I still love her."

Alia seemed relieved for only a moment before returning to the task at hand. She had much to do before time ran out. And unfortunately, Ali was not making things any easier for her.

Every time Alia pulled her doll around the old vacant home, she would pause and take in the scenery. She had never seen Lacuna, nor the beautiful reaches of Alia's cliffside home. There was just too much to see all at once for Ali, who struggled to contain her disappointment as Alia pushed her along with great force.

"Are we below everything?" Ali asked with a slight frown.

"Not a bad assumption, but it's quite the opposite. This place floats above the sky, sealed in a dark chamber built by strange alien creatures."

"Oh...so we don't want to be found?"

"Not by the Tella no. They are unstable abominations incapable of creating anything. Once they run out of empty ideas they always turn violent. Best to stay away."

"They wouldn't like us?"

"Well they would probably adore you," Alia grimaced, realizing Ali's pure body would likely be defiled by the more curious Tella. "But as for me, well I don't really get along with anyone."

"Why is that?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Just know you do not share my failure in that regard. You never will."

Soon the two girls came upon a sleek aircraft docked in Alia's cave. Its design was only vaguely similar to that of the Valekry, with shiny red and black alloy. In fact, most of the vessel's structure seemed more reminiscent of classic human transportation, typically referred to as cars.

Alia needed only to snap her fingers for the floating craft to open its rotating doors and spring to life. She was then quick to place the disgruntled Ali in one of the back seats before sitting herself near the front. With a loud sigh, she placed her blackened finger against the front panel of the craft, ordering the vessel to steer itself deeper into the station.

"Sorry, this is the best transport I could steal. It's the only damn thing that didn't look too much like a wet noodle, gods know the Tella love that design."

"Why can't I sit next to you?" Ali frowned as she squeezed her toy with a loving embrace.

Alia couldn't even explain her reasons before the doll climbed through the seat's gap, placing herself next to her maker. Ali smiled while hugging the bear. It was clear the two had already bonded, despite the maker's best efforts.

"What name should we give it?" Ali asked while poking the bear's nose.

"Give what?" Alia groaned, still trying to evade the topic.

"The bear!"

"Why should we give it a name."

"Well...you gave me a name."

"That's because I made you."

"Did you give all your other creations a name?"

"No, I supposed I didn't," Alia growled upon realizing she was being outsmarted.

"Then why me?"

"I…"

"Because I'm your doll?"

"Yes."

"Then why can't the bear have a name? He's a pet."

"It's not a living being."

"Neither am I." Ali stared, clearly remembering her previous scars.

In the past, whenever Alia aimed to abuse her creation, she would insist it was just a machine and not in fact her own living daughter. The doll made sure to record the information appropriately as if it were an important command. From those days onward Ali was sure to never refer to herself as living.

"Ali...you're special."

"How?"

"You just are. I care about you enough to give you a name."

"Alright then. I care about the bear enough to give it a name!"

"Fine then...give her a name."

"Well is it a girl?"

"That's really your only option. This station isn't known for its large selection of men."

"Hmmmmm."

"You can think about it as long as you want."

"Can I name it after you?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Just...no."

Realizing her mistress was not in a good mood, Ali became quite intent on improving her spoiled state of mind. No matter what happened to her, the doll's will was immovable. She would always seek to make her creator smile and laugh no matter how dangerous the endeavor really was.

"Are you okay Alia?" The doll asked in an angelic voice.

The vessel then began moving at an incredible pace, its slender form streaking across the sky and towards the direction of Lacuna's city.

"No," Alia frowned as she watched her home disappear into the distance.

"Can I help?"

"Why would you want to."

"You think I don't care about you?"

"Why would you."

Placing her teddy bear on the empty seat behind her, Ali embraced her mistress in the same manner as the toy.

"What are you doing?!" Alia coughed.

"Showing you I care."

"Why!?" Alia winced.

It became clear Alia was not used to any form of physical affection. For so long, her darker skin had kept many away from her. But now things had changed whether she liked it or not. Her surprise was so genuine, she became limp and helpless. Her mind and body were completely incapable of registering any form of gentle care. She had become so indifferent to pain and abuse, her infinite knowledge had been reduced to that of a child's. Ali was more than eager to cradle her fallen owner, her soft smile still shining as she stared into Alia's soul.

Before long, Alia lay peacefully in the doll's lap.

"It's okay, I have you," Ali whispered. "I do not understand your pain, but I have you."

"I'm so sorry," Alia sobbed as she began to break. "I'm sorry."

"Shh," Ali whispered. "It's alright."

"You understand that I will never stop bringing you pain, right?" Alia confessed.

"Yes, and I'll still be here."

"And if I'm not there for you?"

"I'll be waiting," Ali whispered while softly grooming her owner's hair.

The wholesome scene continued for the entirety of the trip. Alia found herself for the first time completely at peace. And all the while, Ali happily served as a soft reminder that joy had a place in the world. But deep in the creator's mind, she knew an unavoidable truth. A plan had been set in motion. Everything about her reality would change that night. Her fate was now in the hands of the pale woman known as Salem.