Ali drives me insane.

She's a piece of work, honestly. I've never met anyone quite like her. She pretends she doesn't care about anything and acts like she's fine being alone, but truthfully, it's all a facade.

Sometimes I want to know what she is like underneath everything. Some part of me is scared she won't be the person I think she is.

Her mood changes faster than a hormonal teenager's, and don't get me started on her sarcasm.

Even through all that, she's still a friend—or at least when she decides I'm good enough to be allowed into her non-existent circle. I hate how much her approval matters to me.

Currently, we're on our way to our first day of touring the sections, and to our luck, we're back with Tyke.

There's something off about that guy. His lack of emotion is unnerving, but I can't shake the feeling it's more than just a war story (although that would be bad enough in my book).

I've never been one for sports, finding comfort in academics—whatever good that's done me. But still I'd bury my head in a book over kicking around a ball anyday.

Today, I wish not for the first time in my life that I had been gifted with strength, speed, or other physical attributes that would help me survive. Knowledge isn't much use if you're dead by push ups.

Another thing about Ali that rubs me the wrong way is her inability to care about others. Yesterday, when I collapsed on the ground, she did nothing to make sure I was okay. Nothing.

But anyhow, I might need her to get back home. The Orc seems to have taken a liking to her—for some strange reason.

Tyke was waiting for us at the entrance of a different, outdoor arena. His piercing eyes, a stormy grey, stared into my soul. He raised a brow almost asking if I was ready.

'So...' I paused, 'What are we doing today?'

'You follow me.' His voice was as cold as ice.

'And do what?' Ali snapped.

He didn't bother replying.

'Answering is just basic manners.' she retorted.

I elbowed her side gently. She passed a smirk my way.

Inside the arena, the setup was similar to yesterday, but not every space was a fighting cage, some areas were filled with cabinets, while others held desks.

The place was completely deserted, but the fires were still warm with freshly forged swords lying nearby. The old fashioned weaponry seemed out of place in a location almost as developed as Earth.

Catching my eye the latest domes made me eat my words. These domes were filled with high tech devices that I would love to get my hands on.

The girl from yesterday, Elra appeared, an orcan following close behind. His frame shrunk the space with his oncoming presence. Towering over us at an impossibly tall height. His armour, blood red that was marked with white patterns, snaking up the arms, glinting ominously. Drawing closer, I felt the air thicken, my hairs immediately standing on end.

His ebony skin didn't conceal the harsh scar slashed over his eye, nor did it hide the sharp jaw and cheekbones.

Moving with a deliberate predatory stance both of the warriors halted in front of us. The smell of metal and smoke clung to them, suffocating.

I bit my lip, rubbing my hand into my jacket pocket. Taking a deep breath, I sought out Ali in my peripheral vision. She was subtly noting the closest exits, I knew instantly she would leave me here if things went downhill.

I placed one foot behind myself trying to not let my shaking give me away.

Tyke greeted them wordlessly and all 3 sets of eyes fell on us. The giant's eyes met mine and I ducked my head away, bracing my body for what was to come.

A deep laugh echoed in my ears, 'Why are you so scared?'

I peaked up and he had faced Elra, 'What did you do to them?' A smile escaped his lips, 'Don't tell me you traumatised them already.'

'I won't tell you then.'

'I am not traumatised by her.' Ali insisted, but I couldn't disagree more.

'Maybe you should be.' she said back a bit in her words causing a shiver to ripple through my back.

'Who are you?' I tried to say, probably stuttering.

'I'm Wren, an Elite guard and strategist. I am here to show you around.'

'Is there really this little people here?' my friend asked ever so politely.

'Believe it or not this place is normally full, but we called everyone off so we could give you guys a tour without integrating you yet.'

'Surely they will know that something is wrong.'

'Yes, but they think it's just some important guest visiting.' Wren smiled at us.

To my surprise he seemed nice but I wasn't blind, he would cut through us if he thought for even a second that we were a threat. I had no intentions of getting on anyone's bad side.

I just want to get home... Fast...

–

'Well done Ali.' Wren praised when she managed to complete a more complicated fighting technique - I was still on the basics, such as holding a sword in the correct way.

Now before you all go judging me, it is actually quite a process to hold so that you can wield it.

I bet half of you haven't tried.

I was trying my hardest but somehow the wooden sword could do little more than stab my own feet.

Elra wandered over, 'Here, try to do it like this.' She grabbed hold of her own metal sword from the rack and swung it in a deliberately placed motion that showed her years of experience.

It looked easy, I could do that. I focused on where my hands connected with the smooth leather on the handle, I breathed in. Out. In. Out. I swung. The blade slicing through the air in swift movement. Granted it was sloppy but at least it resembled the technique.

A smile stretched on her face as she looked at me. 'There you go! That was much improved.'

'Thank you.' I mumbled, glancing down.

'Okay so this time use your shoulder more to enhance the power behind it, and turn your hips at the same time. This isn't to graze your opponent, remember this is meant to hurt them.' she explained demonstrating as she spoke.

'But I don't want to hurt someone.' I barely heard my own voice. Pathetic.

'You might never need it but this is the training and that's the technique.' She didn't mock me like I expected, she just gestured for me to continue.

As I practised it I soon got the hang of it. Attempting more and more movements. While Ali barely completed it once before moving on I chose a few I liked and did them until they were natural. Until Elra praised me.

I actually enjoyed the day and it only got better when Wren led us to a classroom and we sat around a table going through strategies and battle plans. This time I excelled and Ali remained lost, barely grasping the basics.

When we played a game similar to chess, she was first out, now while I may not have beaten the trained officials I certainly made them think.

'That was fun.' I told Ali.

'I know. That was amazing, you were amazing in there. I couldn't understand half of what you were saying.' her bubbliness threw me off guard but I echoed her enthusiasm.

'And you with that sword. You looked as good as Wren.'

'I wouldn't go that far.'

'Maybe not, but it was impressive. Are you sure you were a beginner?'

'I could say the same. Are you sure you aren't secretly a strategist?' We laughed and she continued, 'It wouldn't surprise me you know, if you were a secret agent.'

I glanced at her, 'I could never be an agent, I couldn't kill people.'

'I know you couldn't.' She looked at me pitifully. I shrugged her off.

'Tomorrow we visit another section, what do you want to see?'

She sighed, 'I want to see Zyon.'

'The clothing and art. Zicco's the leader?'

'Yes. He might be a prick but I want to get to know the section.'

'You don't know him well enough to determine if he is a prick.'

'I'm Ali. I have a prick radar.' she smirked as if it was a talent and not an 'I can justify my rudeness this way'.

'You are most certaining Ali. One of a kind.' I waved my hands dramatically.

'What's that supposed to mean?' Her nose tilted upwards in an annoyed huff.

Her forest green eyes sparkled as they met mine accusing me and searching for an answer. A piece of her hair fell into her face as she grumbled about something. Always complaining. Never happy. Now that was the Ali I knew.

–

The next day, we were heading to Lethicine. Elynn had graciously offered to take us under his wing and teach us about the Borcan way of life. To be honest, I was looking forward to it—it promised to be the best day yet.

Although when he said we would be taking a tour of the medicine and treatment wing I was slightly concerned - never one for blood and gore. The technical lab was most definitely my home, however their methods did intrigue me.

Walking through the streets felt like stepping into a movie. The pastel green domes contrasted sharply with the Balten's blue ones. The architecture was similar, but the interiors were worlds apart.

Instead of the stench of freshly forged weapons, the scent of ground herbs lingered in the air. It also looked more technologically advanced. Instead of mediaeval swords, various devices adorned the walls.

Click. Click. Click! Went the machine. I looked at the flying, glowing blue ball. The ball that I learned was called MM8.

'Aww, she is quite an intelligent creature. The first of her kind,' Elynn said with a smile. 'Well, she isn't really a "she" because she doesn't have a gender. But if you look at her long, pink strip I call her eyes, you can see why I refer to her as a girl.'

I smiled at the bot. 'You are adorable. Now, nothing against MM8, but do you have a name?'

Whirring and ticking noises sprung from the ball it was almost indiscernible but from the string of almost letters I pulled out a name, 'Marvis. It's a pleasure to meet you.'

Her pink band glowed, and a melodic hum bubbled out as she rubbed her head against my hand.

Ali stepped closer, eyes wide with curiosity. 'Is it alive or created?'

'Completely created by us,' Elynn replied, a hint of pride in his voice. 'She's a hunk of metal, but these bots are special. We give them the capability to feel emotions, store memories, and have personal experiences unique to them.'

He looked at Marvis as a project, as a success even though he just admitted to her having feelings.

'What do they do?' Ali asked.

'They carry out errands that we don't want to do. Repetitive tasks and dangerous ones.'

'Surely that isn't fair. Do they have a choice?' I queeried.

'Obviously not. We made them, therefore we are superior and whenever one defects and doesn't comply we wipe them.' he explained like it was the most obvious thing ever.

Obviously it wasn't. It was slavery and cruel.

'Wipe them?' my voice went dangerously low and even Ali looked concerned.

'It's nothing painful, just reprogrammed.' he sighed clearly bored.

How could he be bored? How would he like it if I completely wiped his memories and destroyed who he was? What about his friends? His family?

'What is the point?' Ali challenged him.

'Point of what?'

'Giving them life.' I continued for her, 'If they have no freedom.'

'To see if we can.' Elynn smiled, 'Look at MM8. It's a creation that 10 years ago was barely dreamed of. Now look at us, giving life to metal.'

'I admit it's amazing, but you can't control them like that.'

His face faltered, a scowl appearing on his aged face.

Taking a painfully slow step towards me he said, 'Whyever not? They are inferior and they don't have an issue with it.'

'Doesn't make it right.' Ali interjected.

'Who are you two to decide what is and isn't right?' He laughed. 'I can't believe humans are telling me how to treat what is mine.'

I was about to snap at him but Marvis flew in front of my face as if warning me to stop. Taking a glance at Ali we both decided to not go any further. We needed their help.

It wasn't our responsibility. It wasn't.

'Here we are.' Elynn gestured to a lab.

'What is this place?' I asked in amazement.

This lab was filled with foreign equipment and a huddle of scientists crowded around a worktop.

"This is the mechanical department," Elynn announced with a proud smile. "This is where we create and experiment."

'It's so cool.' I was pretty sure my jaw was on the floor. This was most definitely the best lab I had ever seen.

I glanced down at my watch, its intricate design captivating me. One of the few mementos I had left from Earth, it brought me comfort. Fiddling with the metal strap, bending the links back and forth, had become a habit—a fragile connection to a world now distant. Although that habit might end with it broken.

I gave Ali a reassuring smile, hoping to ease any nervousness she might feel.

A brown-winged male stepped forward, his wings rustling softly. "Hello, my name is Soksin, and I will be introducing you to my area. You'll need these skills for the deciding test later this week."

"Do you know what's on the test?" Ali asked eagerly, her eyes bright with curiosity.

'Only for my part and again only the content. You two have everything set by the Orc and there is no way he will tell you.' He glanced at her in amusement, 'So don't think I can help you cheat.'

She smirked, 'It was worth a try.'

"So, what are we doing?" I asked, trying to mask my own eagerness with casual interest.

'Well this is my team of newer recruits and today you are joining them in building a few things.' he took us over to the table, 'Let's start small, how about a Busol?'

Jared, one of the Lethi, grumbled something unintelligible, his displeasure evident.

'What the hell is a Buzz–all?' Ali questioned.

"Busol," Jared corrected, his voice tinged with impatience. "It's a weapon. It flies around the opponent, causing havoc by disrupting their vision and blows. Some have chemicals imbued that, if touched or shot down, cause them to collapse."

'Not the most deadly.' I pointed out, sceptical. But I softened my tone, not wanting to seem dismissive.

'Maybe not, but think if you're in a life - or - death situation and you collapse, unable to move, you might think differently.' a grim smile took on another guy's face as shadows danced in his eyes.

'Plus do you really think we would teach two other worlders our most lethal tricks.' Soksin grunted.

'Well I shall leave you here.' Elynn waved us off before turning on his heel and strolling out.

In total, we worked alongside five others, including Jared, who I soon discovered was highly passionate about science. Despite being a bit heavy-handed at times, his keen eye for detail more than made up for it.

I was loving—no, thriving—doing this. The buzz of activity, the smell of metal and oil, and the constant hum of machinery filled me with energy. I even discussed some improvements and tweaks with Soksin, who had been guiding us through the steps. He eagerly absorbed my suggestions, taking a keen interest in human mechanics just as I did theirs.

Ali on the other hand, was way out of her depths and had resorted to joking - making sarcastic quips when we messed up and passing us the correct tools.

'This might actually work.' Bendil stated in awe.

Jared feigned hurt, 'You doubted us. Just because you don't know the difference between your head and feet doesn't mean the rest of us are incompetent.'

'Hey, that was uncalled for, especially as you were the one complaining about its difficulty in the first place.'

'I said it wasn't simple, not that I couldn't do it.'

'Hey, enough you two.' Soksin glared at them. 'I can't deal with your constant bickering.'

They faced each other sharing a look that said that it wasn't over before nodding at their boss.

The other three members of our little group had spoken little and participated even less in conversation. Kail, clearly the youngest, hadn't uttered a word the entire time. I walked over with a bright smile. "Hey."

Surprise flashed over his face, black hair falling across his dark skin. He offered a small nod.

'I am so relieved that Busol turned out alright. At first, Jared had me worried we wouldn't be able to make it.' Again he nodded, his eyes briefly meeting my own.

I paused, unsure what to say next. I opened my mouth but found no words. I shut it again, feeling a bit out of place.

Moments passed until Ali barged her way over, elbowing Bendil in the process - he rolled his eyes but didn't rise to her immaturity.

'It's Kail, right?' she asked. He nodded.

'How long have you worked here?' he raised a confused brow.

'Do you speak?' I asked cautiously, sensing more behind the silence.

He dropped his gaze, staring at the floor as if it had suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world.

'No he can't.' Jared whispered pain evident in his voice.

'Was he born like that?' Ali asked, disregarding the wince that escaped Kail at the bluntness of her question.

'No.' Jared sighed looking up a wistful expression on his features, 'No, he used to have such a beautiful singing voice. The stuff that could lull you to sleep even in the worst of places.'

'What happened?' her curiosity was unfiltered.

"That isn't your story to tell, Jared," Hera cut in brutally. She and her sister, Sera, were the final two members of our group, now standing protectively next to Kail. He just looked ashamed and so very alone.

'Does he sign?' Ali tried to sound softer and less harsh with her probing questions.

'Yes he does,' Sera smiled at the room, 'Picked it up faster than anyone thought possible.'

'Let's see how similar yours is to ours.' she proceeded to move her hands in slow deliberate movements that went above my head - but Kail seemed to understand.

At the mention of sign language, Kail looked up from the floor, a look of fragile hope flickering in his eyes. So fragile a breeze would have left it shattered. As they communicated, this hope grew,it was heartbreaking to watch and I felt the guilt set in - he would have been lonely working with no one that understood him.

"I didn't know you could sign," I gaped at Ali, genuinely impressed.

'You don't know a lot of things about me.'

'Why do you know it?'

'My sister.'

I hadn't known she had a sister either.

A while passed with the rest of us just watching the exchange, no one understanding. The machinery filled the silence with low clicks and beeps.

Ali's face grew solemn, whatever Kail had shared with her clearly affecting them both. I wanted to know more, to understand, but I knew it wasn't my place to pry.

"It's not completely the same, and I can't understand everything," Ali finally turned to us, her expression twinged with pity. "But I get enough."