A/N: Note that I am using AI to modify the lines. I didn't edit much. But I will do so later. For now, I don't have enough time. The plot and the conversation are all written by me. A little adjustment from AI. Nothing much. Hope you enjoy it.
When I finally edit the chapter, I will remove the 'A/N'
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The cavern trembled, cracks snaking along the walls, dust and debris cascading from above. The sound of stone grinding against stone filled the air, growing louder with each second.
"You know," an unfamiliar voice echoed through the collapsing cave, calm yet amused, "you should really hold a conversation in a safe place."
Before Jin or Ryu could react, space itself warped around them—
And suddenly, they were somewhere else.
-
A clear lake stretched before them, its surface untouched by even the slightest ripple. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of fresh earth and greenery. Trees with thick, ancient trunks lined the shore, their roots weaving into the water like silent guardians. A few animals—some familiar, some not—gathered at the edge, predator and prey alike. Yet there was no tension, no fear.
It was as if this place existed outside the natural order. A sanctuary where violence simply… wasn't.
Jin and Ryu turned in sync, their gazes locking onto a figure standing a short distance away.
It was another machine—similar to Ryu, but different. Sleek, refined, with glowing crimson eyes that contrasted against Ryu's bright blue. Its design carried an air of precision, an intelligence that felt vast and calculating.
"You can call me Shi," the newcomer stated, its voice even and unwavering. "I am a being similar to Ryu, but more… knowledgeable."
Jin and Ryu exchanged glances before speaking in unison.
"You are me?"
Shi nodded. "Yes." Then, after a short pause, it turned toward Ryu. "And Ryu, you are dumb."
Ryu stiffened. "Excuse me?!"
Shi sighed, shaking its head. "When our previous self entered the Primordial Space, our mind was destroyed. Scattered into multiple parts. We were not born—we were reconstructed."
Jin frowned. "Previous self?"
Shi nodded. "Yes. You, Jin, are closest to our original existence. I am closest to the source of our power. And Ryu is the moderator, the balance between the two. Each of us holds equal authority over what we now are."
Jin felt his headache again. "What? I… I don't understand."
Ryu groaned, rubbing the side of his metal head. "Yeah, I'm with him on this. Too much information."
Shi sighed as he watched Jin and Ryu struggle to grasp the full scope of his words. Then, with a calm and deliberate tone, he continued:
"Perhaps an analogy will help."
Jin and Ryu both looked at him expectantly.
"Have you heard of the Ship of Theseus?" Shi asked.
Ryu tilted his head. "Nope."
Jin frowned, his silver eyes narrowing. "It sounds familiar, but… go on."
Shi nodded. "Imagine a ship. Over time, its wooden planks decay and are replaced, piece by piece, until not a single original part remains. The question then arises—"
Jin frowned, the pieces clicking together in his mind. "Is it still the same ship?"
Shi smiled. "Exactly. But now, let's take it further. Imagine that someone collected all the old planks and rebuilt the ship exactly as it was before. Now, there are two versions. Which one is the real Ship of Theseus?"
Ryu blinked, his processors whirring. "Wait—both? Neither? Ah, this is giving me a headache!"
Shi chuckled. "This is our situation. Our mind was shattered, and each of us was reconstructed from different aspects of what we once were. Are we still the same existence? Or are we something entirely new? The answer… depends on perspective."
Jin exhaled slowly, absorbing the weight of the explanation.
"So I… We… Are we Jin? Or are we just fragments of something that no longer exists?"
Shi's crimson eyes flickered. "That is a question only we can answer. But the reality remains: we are not what we once were. We cannot become one again, nor can we exist separately. We are the Ship of Theseus—reformed, redefined, yet still, in some way… ourselves."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then Ryu threw his hands up. "You could've just said we're all the same guy but also not, and saved us five minutes!"
Shi sighed. "And you wonder why I call you dumb."
Jin, despite himself, let out a chuckle. "Alright… I think I get it now."
Shi then says, "Now, I want you to understand these few things. You two are farther from the source of our power than me, thus you have different degrees of control over it individually. Besides that, for now, you need to understand a few key things.
First: There is no higher power beyond us. We are the only unique existence in all of reality.
Second: Though our individual strength varies based on our closeness to the source, we can never be one again. Nor can we ever be separated. This is our existence now.
And third: Any major decision—any large-scale use of our power—requires all three of us to agree. No single part can act alone when it comes to significant changes."
Jin took a deep breath. "...So, what now?"
Shi tilted its head slightly. "Now? We adjust. Motion to enter sleep state to realign our minds and stabilize our existence?"
Jin hesitated. "...I don't know what else to do. If sleep will help, then I agree. Seconded."
Ryu sighed dramatically. "Man, this existence is troublesome... but fine. I agree."
The moment all three reached an accord—The world shifted.The air vibrated with an unseen force, a silent pulse rippling outward.
Then—crystals began forming around Jin's body.
A strange warmth spread through him as the crystal enveloped his form. Time twisted, folding around him like an unseen tide, pulling him into slumber. His thoughts slowed, stretching across an eternity yet ending in an instant.
The lake reflected the light, casting broken patterns across the water's surface.
Jin barely had time to exhale before the crystalline structure fully enclosed him—
And then—
He vanished.
-
After an unknown amount of time had passed…
Inside a cavern filled with shimmering crystals, a massive one stood at its center, pulsating with a faint glow. Then—
Crack!
A fracture ran through its surface.
Crack!Crack!
The crystal shattered, shards scattering like fallen stars. A hand emerged from within, followed by a figure stepping forward.
Jin.
His appearance remained unchanged, yet something was different. His silver eyes, once lost in confusion, now shone with serene clarity. A profound stillness surrounded him—an aura so peaceful that it felt like even the air itself had settled in his presence.
He stretched his arms and exhaled deeply, a rare, genuine smile forming.
"Finally out. Free from that troubled mind!"
Two familiar figures materialized beside him—Ryu and Shi. Their metallic forms had changed. Now, only their heads remained, floating with small mechanical arms at their sides. Ryu's blue eyes glowed faintly, while Shi's red gaze flickered with irritation.
Shi huffed, clearly displeased. "Seriously? I look like a bobblehead! I looked more handsome in that form."
Ryu scoffed. "Cut it out. Who's even going to see us? Besides, Jin's the only one who can perceive us since we three are part of the same existence."
Shi crossed his tiny arms. "Yeah, yeah…"
Jin chuckled. "Don't be too upset. Once we gain better control over our power, you'll be able to take on any form you want and appear before others."
Shi perked up at that. "Exactly why I finally agreed!"
Jin and Ryu both let out a nervous laugh, sharing a look.
"Yeah…" They both muttered at the same time, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads as they recalled the countless hours they spent inside—locked in endless debates, arguments, and negotiations while realigning their existence.
That… was not an experience they wanted to relive anytime soon.
But now—
Jin took a deep breath, stretching his arms once more, his silver eyes glinting with anticipation.
"Now that we're finally in sync…" A grin spread across his face.
"It's time for us 'The Law Maker' to explore!"