Avi's walk slowed down. She was astonished by the density of plants and flowers, which were climbing onto each other in a harmony of colors and shapes. Creamy-pink petals were falling from blooming fruit trees and lined the path between evenly cut, round bushes full of red berries. High above everything, crowns of trees loomed over the girl, concealing her in shadows occasionally pierced by rays of light. Just at the end of the tunnel, it was possible to notice something more, like flickering or irregular flashes.

Avi heard Luna approaching her from behind, so she called to her. - “A charming place.”

“...and it has a tang of mystery to it.” - Luna replied. - “I'm wondering what we will find here.”

Avi laughed. - “That should be obvious...”

“Eh... that's not what I meant, but I have to agree with your deduction.” - Luna said, her light gently illuminating the darkness.

Avi, with a wide smile, silently followed the path. Her hand soon took Luna's, pulling her forward. - “Come, we must be close!”

When both girls ran outside the corridor of leaves, they found a multistory complex that resembled a park intertwined with oval, levitating structures. Round stair steps hovered in the air, creating paths between slabs of transparent glass, where booths and shops were located around ponds of steel fish. On their sides, the water was moving to the edges by small canals, creating wide waterfalls that flowed into a vast artificial lake at the center, where many robots relaxed in boats. Everything in this image was placed among twisted and gnarled trees, a few of which were located on small, floating islands. These few trees had vine-like foliage, where dozens of bell-like flowers grew and were visited by kaleidoscopes of cybernetic butterflies with rainbow-glass wings.

“Welcome to Butterfly Emporium.” - Could be heard next to Luna. It was the voice of a sleek-shaped, robot-hostess with a body in the shape of five levitating modules loosely separated by empty space. That is, the lowest segment of its body was a reverse droplet, its torso was a sphere, it had two flat arms, and a head encircled by a rectangular ribbon of holographic eye-lights. - “Would you like some assistance?”

“It would be nice.” - Avi replied quickly. - “Can you tell us more about this place?”

“Of course.” - The robot said. - “The Butterfly Emporium is an oasis of tranquility, and a home to artist-craftsmen. You can freely rest here, or choose to visit a few of our shops. We not only offer a wide assortment of life-imitating automata, but we also offer cosmetic services related to external modification of shell, organize special events, and allow our visitors to partake in art lessons.”

“Sounds interesting!” - Avi exclaimed, clapping her hands. - “Can you give us a tour?”

“With pleasure.” - The robot declared.

“Nice! Although, please wait a moment, there are three more people with us.” - Avi informed, then looked at the depth of a tunnel and waved to her parents and Virka.

When everyone was together, the hostess silently nodded and slowly flew onward, leading them to a booth with coolants, where canisters full of oil-like substances in colors of chrome, white, brown, and black rested between tubes with spike-like tips. Above it, a small cube robot was suspended from the ceiling via cables.

“Please, adjust the offer to satisfy the needs of biological clients.” - The hostess said in a gentle, melodic voice.

The robot beeped three times, and the booth immediately began to fold, withdrawing inside the floor panels. It was soon replaced by a drink truck with a single window, where one could notice many glass pipes filled with multicolored liquids. In separate boxes, there were sugar cubes, milk substitutes, jellies, sweet balls, candied fruits, ice crystals in all colors of the rainbow, and golden stars made from solidified nectar.

“Given the microclimate here, if you like it, I recommend taking something cool to drink on the trip. We offer frozen coffees, flavored teas, energy drinks, shakes, and much more. All in a very affordable price.” - The hostess spoke, encouraging them to come closer.

“Ooo... there really is a lot!” - Avi muttered, leaning over the counter to examine the offer.

“Integrating the offer into the tour, who would've thought...” - Luna added with a hint of cynicism.

“I'll take this... and this...” - Avi began pointing at the drinks and boxes that she liked. - “...with this, and this.”

“You are taking two drinks?” - Luna raised her eyebrow.

“Well, if I had more arms, I would definitely want to try everything.” - Avi replied as she grabbed the plastic cup filled with amaranth liquid, at the bottom of which were a few spheres and stars. Her second hand also reached for a water with green-yellow ice cubes.

“You lack restraint.” - Luna sighed, then spoke to the machine in the truck. - “I would like a white coffee with cream and a sprinkle of nuts.”

Avi glanced at a straw in Luna's drink. - “Can I have a sip?”

Luna rolled her eyes and extended her hand. - “Here...” - She regretted it instantly, seeing how greedily Avi takes gulp after gulp. - “Hey! Enough!” - She warned, withdrawing her hand.

“Mmm... so good.” - Avi commented. - “It's very delicate, like a fluffy, nut cloud.”

Luna took a sip. - “True, it's quite mellow.”

“Do you want to try mine!?” - Avi shouted with an encouraging smile.

“No, thank you. I like what I've ordered.” - Luna said and looked at Virka and Avi's parents, who had already picked their drinks. She then transferred the payment and glanced at the hostess. - “What else do you have here?”

“Please, follow me.” - The hostess spoke, leading them to a path in the shadow of tree branches. Many glass wings of colorful butterflies danced under their vine-like foliage. As they walked, one of them sat on Luna's shoulder to rest.

“They seem to like you.” - Avi commented.

Luna scanned the small machine. - “It doesn't weigh a lot compared to other robots of the same type. Are you using any special alloys?” - She asked the hostess.

“I'm glad you noticed.” - The hostess spoke. - “We import our metals from a sub-sector of Storm Fox. That place is known for its dangerous but exciting races of one-person pods with jet-sail propulsion. It's due to their popularity that the metallurgy of that sub-sector reached such an excellent level.”

“A real race!?” - Avi exclaimed. - “I've never seen one!”

“I'm sorry, Avi, but it's not along our route.” - Luna interjected. - “We can visit that place on another occasion.”

Avi lowered her head, resigned, and quietly sipped her drink.

After their short stroll continued for a moment, the hostess stopped and informed them. - “We are getting close to the temple of mystery of Genesis. Please take your hats off and be as quiet as you can, at least until we reach the circle of debate.”

The group followed the instructions, and their guide directed them to a cobblestone path, which led to a two-meter-high hedge, where, under an arch of white flowers, there was an entrance to the temple. Inside, it was semidark, mainly because the artificial lights were blocked by many spiderwebs that filled the empty spaces between the ring segments of this building.

In the current outermost ring, there was a group of kneeling machines that prayed in a completely immobile state, with their hands extended towards the sky, and with many butterflies resting on them.

Right behind them, there was a taller, four-meter-high hedge adorned with white daffodil-like flowers. Hidden inside it was a garden under a glass dome, where, between balloon-shaped plants that levitated above thread-thin stalks, were abstract steel sculptures that functioned as pots for other flora.

In the middle of this place, there was a short spire covered by a thick layer of rust. The entrance was guarded by a double brass door. The hostess opened them with a long and loud creak, apparently nobody bothered oiling the hinges for months. The interior smelled of stale air and grease.

“We've arrived at the circle of debate.” - The hostess declared.

Avi looked around. There was nothing but dust and a pillar as tall as the spire, with many robot heads attached to it.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from NovelBin. Please report it.

“It's... an odd choice for a trip stop.” - Avi commented.

“The circle of debate is one of a very few places where you can learn of the truth that's preached by the acolytes of the Broken Hammer.” - The hostess said. - “Although I will understand if you're not interested in the teachings of the unity.”

“Okay... okay... can I ask them about anything?” - Avi inquired.

The hostess nodded.

“Choose your words carefully.” - Luna reminded.

“I heard that you believe that the world was created by a machine. What are you basing your knowledge on?” - Avi asked.

The eyes in the robots' masks began to glow yellow, one after another. The one that was closest to Avi spoke in the name of the entire collective. - “The holy chronicles from the inner ring state – the first architect was born from the void. It was his nature to create, but he lacked the matter to mold, so he removed a quarter of his body, and after hundreds of cycles, formed the servant machines. They, created in his images, began to create according to the main directive, but they also lacked the matter to mold. Then the first machine ordered them to disassemble its own body, and they listened, then did the same to their own bodies. That's how, by the will of the first architect, a cycle of life, death, and change began.”

Avi stomped her foot. - “You believe that every living thing is supposed to die?”

“Indeed.” - The collective spoke.

“...did you ever hear about immortals, then?” - Avi continued.

“Yes.” - The collective confirmed.

Avi was slightly taken aback and stopped her deliberations to ask. - “How?”

“The knowledge of our administrator was once available to us.” - The collective spoke. - “Cycles ago, the Immortals visited this ship many times.”

“I don't understand, how do you align your beliefs with their existence?” - Avi said.

“The holy chronicles from the inner ring state – she was exiled, because they feared her might, but she returned, in funeral robes. Now, she carries the black candle, and the will of her father.” - The collective replied.

“I have no idea who you are talking about.” - Avi uttered.

“She has many names, but the quintessence of her being can only be summarized by one - Infinity Witch.” - The collective explained. - “She will bring the end to the heretics, who reject even the natural world order.”

Virka approached Avi. She seemed frightened. - “Who... who is she?”

“Virka...” - Avi uttered, noticing that her friend was almost despairing.

“She's one of them, a forgotten contradiction, her soul formed by the bleeding hearts of those who once were lost forever. Her soul, so thick with darkness, that her mere presence brings death.” - The collective continued.

“She's an Immortal... she killed 'Beholder'.” - Virka uttered. - “Nobody else would be able to.”

“Did I heat it right? Do you proclaim that the will of heaven was fulfilled?” - The collective asked.

Avi ignored them completely. - “Virka, if you don't feel well, we can leave.”

“No, no...” - Virka uttered. - “We need to learn as much as we can.” - Her gaze was now directed at the collective, and it didn't hide her antipathy. - “My people call it murder.”

The collective pondered for a moment. - “Indeed, it's the worst sin against life, but this sin is necessary. That's why the Infinity Witch is a contradiction. Even if she follows the will of her father, her actions are worthy of condemnation.”

Virka bit her lip, barely stopping herself from unleashing all her anger on the collective. - “Do you know where she is now?”

“Nobody knows...” - The collective said. - “...but the end is near. Do know that the time will come when she finds you herself, to end the last cycle.”

Virka clenched her fists. - “We have to stop it.”

Avi, although sadder than before, tried to support her friend. - “The Astronauts will figure something out.”

Virka disagreed. - “No. Only an Immortal can stop an Immortal.”

Luna was deep in thought. - “Theoretically, only a reverse infinity core with cardinality higher than the other core would be able to manipulate it.”

“Luna, we can't understand you. Again.” - Avi complained.

“Eh... in theory, cores are divided into classes related to the size of the universe that they came from.” - Luna explained.

“Wait, what kind of classes are you talking about? The infinity is infinity, it's all the same.” - Avi said.

“Avi, there are different infinities, larger and smaller... but don't make me explain this given your current math knowledge.” - Luna stated. - “Just trust me on this one for now.”

“Fine, fine.” - Avi sighed. - “Well, so... there must be someone larger and stronger than our witch, and that would be it?”

“You're oversimplifying the situation. Even the mere manipulation of the infinite core is beyond any knowledge contained in the research papers that I'm aware of...” - Luna stated. - “...and we would still have to assume that the Witch isn't the strongest of immortals.”

The collective's voice echoed throughout the hall. - “The holy chronicles from the inner ring state – When the rupture took place, the words of the wicked ended the life in the land of the gods. Blaspheming, they created a rift that devoured all light. In the moment when they doubted the power of their words, they had to direct their foul wishes to the only person who could save them. One word and one kiss, cast upon the boundary of nothingness, were enough to form an unbreakable seal. Only below a hundred of the wicked survived, because they still had regret. Now, they wander for eternity, searching for redemption.”

Avi was shocked. - “These are the words of Devoted.”

“You are familiar with the truths of architects, aren't you?” - The collective responded.

“I know your holy words, but I don't know how to interpret them.” - Avi said.

“There are two truths.” - The collective stated. - “There exists one, who gave life to the heresy, and there exists one, who will put an end to it. The mother of life, and the mother of death, both equal.”

“And the infinity engine?” - Virka asked. - “Can it, in theory, also help?”

“In theory, yes, but the rules are the same.” - Luna replied. - “Although...”

“Although...?” - Virka repeated.

“You heard what they've said. Do you understand the implications?” - Luna asked.

“You don't mean that...” - Virka took a step back.

“The words of the wicked ended the life in the land of the gods.” - Luna quoted. - “When you reconcile scientific theory, reality, and their religious texts, there is only one conclusion.”

“By all of the stars...” - Virka covered her mouth.

“The hypothesis is – there were an infinity of living beings and they were all killed, and Immortals are guilty of that.” - Luna finally declared.

Avi was pale. - “Astronauts... can fix it, right?”

“Even if they had the technology and capabilities, they could save a finite-generated world at most.” - Luna stated.

“Luna. I don't understand you, but I need you to say that there is still hope.” - Avi replied.

“There are three conditions. You need to believe that we can reverse the deaths caused by Universal Necrosis. You need to believe that the infinity engine exists. You need to believe that the Immortals' dead universe was of the lowest possible infinite cardinality. If you believe all of these three things, we could save all of them with the Eden project, but the process would last through eternity.”

Avi almost exhaled in relief, almost.

“But it still doesn't solve the problem of aether and nether balance.” - Luna stated.

“I understand.” - Avi uttered, not very confidently. - “...but even if you decide that there is no solution, I'll not stop believing in the future.”

Luna murmured to herself. - “In theory... a solution would require the existence of universes generated for all possible cardinal numbers... but even then, one would have to keep the local balance... and on top of that, there is a problem of lower-world to higher-world injection. Hmm... the concept of solution is simpler than I thought, but we would have to assume that by a multiverse-spread cooperation, we would solve technical and mathematical barriers.”

“Luna?” - Avi interrupted.

Luna turned to the collective. - “Your theory has holes that you don't explain. The old life, after a period of sleep, can be reborn in increasing intervals of time. That would create a window of opportunity for the new life to exist.”

“You speak wise words, but the holy chronicles from the inner ring state – the information requires a data carrier. They, born from aether, what would they be, other than its piece?”

“Perhaps, a reverse structure based on an infinity engine.” - Luna stated. - “That's the only solution that allows infinite compression of information.”

“...but then, wouldn't our souls be remnants of a dead universe of a higher cardinality?” - The collective argued.

“Yes...” - Luna nodded. - “...but with infinity engine, one could inject oneself into the structure parallel to the lost world, where one could sequentially regenerate lives...”

The collective pondered. - “We apologize, but the scientific theory that would support your hypothesis still needs to be confirmed by our people.”

“That's not a problem. I already worked out the necessary models.” - Luna said. - “I'll send you the data.”

The eyes of the collective flickered, analyzing the formulas and equations. - “We see that you're not mistaken. Our teachings are flawed... but even if your alternative has grounds for its existence, this infinite cycle of sacrifices would require limitless trust in the lower worlds. We also don't know how many of those are there, compared to the upper worlds... the density net of the upper worlds would have to perfectly unfold onto the structure of the lower worlds. What about the worlds of exotic structure?”

“Assuming that we find an upper world of the standard model, we can still use the injection.” - Luna stated.

“...but what if, globally, such worlds don't exist?” - The collective said. - “...or if they are empty or dead?”

“I don't know.” - Luna replied. - “I hope that the worlds are infinitely generated for every cardinal number. In such a case, the limit of probability of such an exception is zero.”

“Your words are indeed true, but the truth is out of our reach.” - The collective declared. - “Nobody can see the absolute.”

“Ehh...” - Luna sighed. - “All that's left is faith.”

Avi hesitantly asked. - “...so ...what's the conclusion?”

“The theory doesn't rule out the possibility that there is a future for all of us.” - Luna replied. - “It would require a bit of effort to restructure the world.”

“That's good.” - Avi uttered quietly.

“I feel like this is all a bit over your head.” - Luna added.

“Yes, a bit, but if you say there is a chance, that's enough.” - Avi stated.

Luna took Avi's hand. - “For at least two worlds, the first step was made... but it still requires a lot of work.” - She turned to Virka, adding. - “What Immortals did, could be the only chance to achieve eternity for every existing being.”

Virka didn't understand. - “Their crime... is supposed to be something good?”

“I doubt that there would be unanimous agreement on what they did, but if all of my hypotheses are correct, there is no other solution to save us from oblivion.” - Luna said. - “Still, we need to rise to all challenges facing this world.”

“I think that I can see what you expect clearly.” - Virka added. - “Your aspirations are a chance for their redemption. Either way, everyone should also learn what truly happened.”

“The truth will not escape us.” - Luna declared. - “We will make sure, together.”

There was nothing else that our screw wanted to ask the collective about, so right after Avi thanked for the conversation on behalf of everyone, their hostess led the group outisde, to the boat stop.