Lying on white sheets, Tom and A-01 looked into each other’s eyes. Tom’s palm was wrapped in gauze, healing slowly. His gaze was fixed on her, his face had softened, embracing this new version of himself- and waiting , so deeply, to embrace her too. He wanted to stay by her side, to lie beside her forever.. to kiss her.. In her eyes, he saw himself as he’d never been : calm, composed, and full of feeling. It was exactly what his soul needed.


<< I’m sure you have a lot of questions.. If you feel ready, I can give you some answers..>>


<< You knew they sent me to kill you..>>


<< Yes >>


<< And yet, you trusted me.. Why?>>


<<Tom, when I came into that room to see you, and you woke up from your nightmare, I saw how vulnerable you were. I believed in you right away. My purpose was to show you the truth – not the version you were shown by your people. I was certain you’d see the truth clearly in time. >>


<< But what if I’d been stronger, and today I managed to kill you ? >>


<< Stronger? Tom, now you are truly strong. Before, you were weak. And I think that’s become very clear. In this world, you found what you truly needed: peace and honesty. Care and emotion. You wanted to be heard, to truly live! Everything you were deprived of in the past, you found here >>


<<Then why… why do I still feel guilt? God… >> he sighed, turning to lie on his back.


<< Because you saw the truth, and your soul realized how deeply you were deceived by your own kind.>>


<< That’s not true.. You have the Weapon! Isn’t that right? A weapon of limitless power, capable of ruling the entire planet! >>


A-01 stayed silent. She bit her lip, troubled, until she realized the true threat had passed and Tom deserved to know the truth.


<< Yes. We do have that weapon. >> she admitted. << But I was brought here to be its leader and guardian. No one will ever touch it, and it will never be used! >>


<< Wait a second…>> Tom interrupted confused..<< Brought here ? >>


<< Yes. I am also a time traveler, Tom >>