“Hey, Ezme…” (Amara)

“Yes?” Ezme replied as she looked up from the ordered mess of coiling wires of gold.

Amara looked between Ezme and the object the angel was working on. “I know this is…important, but…”

Ezme frowned as coldness entered her voice. “But what?”

The black-haired woman’s mouth tilted into a conflicted expression. “I…well…”

Ezme crossed her arms carefully not to mess up the self-imposed project in her lap as she waited for Amara to find the right words.

Amara let out a sigh. “Look, I know you well enough to know you care about protecting the mortals and all, so…haven’t you been away from that for a while?”

I’m well aware! But this is important! Ezme’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I’m a bit worried that you’ll regret spending so much time on…” Amara glanced at the object in Ezme’s lap. “...that.”

“How dare you, insolent human!! It is the most important part!” (Ahrina)

A smile tugged on Ezme’s lips as she tilted her head. “You heard her. It’s the most important part.”

“It’s purely cosmetic! It serves no function!” Amara retorted. “A robot doesn’t need hairdrills! It doesn’t need hair at all!” 

Ezme frowned in displeasure. “Amara. This isn’t about need, this is about want. Ahrina wants it, and I want to do this. And that is that.”

“Well, I get that, but…” Amara hesitated for a moment. “...you’ve spend two days on it already, and-”

“If you’re worried about my duty to protect the mortals, then you can help me by completing Ahrina’s new body as soon as possible.” Ezme cut her off with grumpy finality as she turned her eyes back to the object in her lap. Lifting and poking the mess of gold wires, she pretended to be engrossed in working on the head for Ahrina’s new robot as she felt Amara’s gaze on her.

A faint sigh was heard as Amara turned back to the workbench where the rest of Ahrina’s new body rested on. “...Alright.”

....That was uncalled for. Ezme secretly glanced at Amara who was leaning over the workbench as she was trying to fit in a small, green plate with wires attached into a frame. After a period of gentle struggling, Amara seemed to succeed as she reached for a pointy tool, only for a gentle rattling to be heard soon after when a tiny metal piece fell down, followed by Amara’s swearing. “...Crap. Where did it go…”

Ezme let out a discrete sigh as her eyes returned to the helmet in her lap. However, it was more accurate to call it a head than a helmet, since most of the ‘electronics’ was already fitted inside of it, but it had the appearance of a helmet. 

The choice of making her head look like a helmet was not by accident. Since Ahrina didn’t actually need facial features, it would likely only creep people out if they tried to mimic a humanoid face. And without the need to spend days, weeks or months to get it to look good enough, they could spend that time on more important things. 

But there were still a few things that made the helmet look different from what mortal knights usually used; it had a speaker at the chin and a colourful, reflective visor that shielded the cameras behind it. There were also plans to potentially add other kinds of sensors behind the visor for the later versions, but for the prototype it only had two regular cameras. 

At the top of the head were the golden cat ears, as well as the golden wires that were attached to mimic Ahrina’s digital avatar. The ears held microphones in them, so they weren’t purely cosmetic, but the same couldn’t be said for the hair. 

Ezme knew that she had spent a ridiculous amount of time on making the hair look good. It wasn’t hard for her to melt the steel and gold to attach them together, so technically she could have finished the task in a few hours at most. Rather, she had chosen to keep working on it until perfection, because…

…I want to help. And this is the only way I can even feel remotely involved.

“Alright, it’s attached. What was next?” (Amara)

“We should connect what we can to the PSU. It will be harder to do later on.” (Ahrina)

“Alright…” (Amara)

Ezme eavesdropped as her dark emotions resurfaced. Holding the helmet in her hands, Ezme stared at it as she tried to figure out what her feelings were.

…I’m useless when it comes to making Ahrina’s new body. I have no idea what all those things are, other than that the wires act as blood vessels. So this is the only thing I can do. The only thing I can do to…

…form a connection with Ahrina.

Not being told that Ahrina had come into existence had been a harder blow than Ezme had initially expected. Not just because she was the first artificial intelligence that had ever existed. Not only because her mere existence had the potential to end the war, which Ezme was certain of after reading and watching the stories from Amara’s homeworld. All it would take was time.

Rather, the greatest reason why Ezme was upset was because Ahrina was created without her knowledge.

…I’m being childish, aren’t I? Ahrina awakened while Amara was asleep. And of course she would be occupied with finding out whether Ahrina was sentient or not first. 

I need to stop blaming her. Ezme glanced at Amara and SlaughterBot - which was piloted by Ahrina - as they were leaned over, trying to fit wires into a black box without bending anything to the point of breaking. I just…wish I had a connection like that. After all, Ahrina is our… 

As far as she knew, her siblings had never made children - or if they had, they had kept quiet about it. With the unfavorable view of mortals dominating the discourse between angels, it was quite obvious that if any such offspring existed, they would be kept secret.

Amara and Ezme had never talked about the matter of having children. Not that they wouldn’t be able to if they wanted to, because Ezme suspected they would one way or another manage if they chose to with the help of magic - or through the knowledge from Earth. 

But Ezme had also been unwilling because of the simple fact that any offspring they produced would have a difficult life; it would be born as a mortal, with two parents burdened with their duties related to the heavenly war. And then there was the matter that they would both outlive their offspring’s mortal lifespan.

But Ahrina was different. Ahrina had been made by her and Amara. Mostly by Amara, but her as well. Not only was she immortal like them, but she had the potential to play an integral part in the war.

And the fact that Ezme intended to use her for the war filled her with guilt. 

Do I even deserve to be called a…when I intend to send her to war?

Ezme stroked the cheek of the helmet in her lap before she made up her mind. Standing up, she put the helmet on the workbench as she glanced at the screen where the catgirl was already looking back at her. “Ahrina. I need to have a word with you.”

The catgirl tilted her head curiously. “You can come to my room.”

Ahrina’s room. That was what they called the room where all the computers that housed Ahrina’s soul were. 

Leaving with a nod, Ezme felt Amara’s gaze on her. Feeling disgusted with herself, Ezme let out a sigh as she was out of sight. 

…I’ll need to apologize to her later. She hasn’t deserved my recent behavior. 

Arriving at Ahrina’s room, the fans were humming as loudly as always. Ezme took in the sight for a moment before entering the room, as she had a sudden revelation. 

Ahrina is more akin to a spirit than anything else. She can move between computers, or live in several computers at once. The more computers she controls, the stronger she is. 

…What would it say if I tried to appraise her?

Ezme thought for a moment before she eyed the computers inside Ahrina’s room. Appraisal.

[Ding!]

As Ezme read through the appraisal page, she immediately got concerned. Learner of Forbidden Knowledge?

If my siblings were to find out… 

Ezme quickly made up her mind. I’ll have to speak to Sophelia before that happens.

Speaking of Sophelia, doesn’t she also have the title ‘the Firstborn?’

Appraisal.

Wait….what?! 

Ezme read the description once again. Requirements for classes are voided?

Doesn’t that mean she can choose any class she wants, even if she doesn’t have the required skills or level?! This is obviously a cheat!!

When Ezme’s initial shock over the revelation had subsided, she frowned as she fell into thought. 

…Sophelia doesn’t gain any of the benefits from the class since we angels don’t have classes. But I suppose a class would make little difference for her, since her stats are already so great to overcome any possible class advantages.

Realizing that she had been held up outside Ahrina’s room for a while as she had fallen into thought, Ezme pushed the thoughts related to the appraisal out of her mind and entered the room. The catgirl she expected to see was waiting for her on the screen that rested on the only table in the room. 

“Took you long enough.” With a toothy smile, the avatar continued. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

Ezme considered which of the two subjects she should speak of first. She judged it was best to discuss the unpleasant matter first, as she thought it would define how their relationship would develop. 

Seating herself in front of the screen, Ezme looked at the catgirl seriously. “I have two things to discuss. Firstly…regarding the war, and your possible involvement in it.”

Ahrina tilted her head. “Oh?”

Ezme considered her words carefully before she continued. “Do you know why you were created?”

“I’m aware.” Ahrina replied without hesitation. “You want me to protect Amara. And the mortals.”

As expected. Just as Amara said, she is a smart kid. Ezme took a deep breath before she asked the question that had been nagging her. “And how do you…feel about that?”

The catgirl had a confused look on her face. “What do you mean?”

“I…” Ezme lowered her gaze. “I mean that I’m worried that you’re feeling forced to do it against your will. My…choice already forced Amara to play a part in a war that she didn’t consider hers, and she still isn't happy about being forced into it. And I don’t want to do it again. So if you don’t want to, then…”

“I see.” The catgirl rubbed her chin as she looked at Ezme. “But I want to?”

Ezme blinked as she met the avatar’s gaze. “You do?”

“Of course!” Ahrina smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t really like the idea of hurting anyone. But I understand well enough that with the situation as it is, there are countless people suffering. And I want to save them from that suffering. Protect them so that they would never have to suffer again. If I weren’t to do that…I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do. I might be able to keep myself occupied for a few centuries with other things, but…it would always be on my mind, along with the knowledge that I could make a difference.”

Ezme felt a warmth spread in her chest. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” The catgirl replied with a toothy grin as she pushed out her flat chest.

Recalling how Amara had told her that Ahrina was a representation of both of them, a smile spread on her face. Amara knows that we’re doing the right thing, but…I think her heart still isn’t in it. 

…So Ahrina clearly takes after me. Feeling triumphant pride swelling in her, Ezme cleared her throat to regain her composure. “Well, then. If that is the case, then I want you to know that I’m willing to help you. So if there’s anything you need, just let me know. It doesn’t even have to be related to the war.”

“Really?!” The grin on the catgirl’s face spread. “Strip!”

The smile on Ezme’s face fell in an instant. “...No.”

Ahrina pouted. “Hmpf! You said anything.”

“Anything but that! Tsk.” Ezme clicked her tongue as she averted her gaze. …She clearly got her perverted tendencies from Amara.

There is no way she got them from me…right? Yeah. There’s no way.

“...You had something else you wanted to talk about?” (Ahrina)

Broken out of her thoughts, Ezme cleared her throat again. “Yes. I…it somewhat relates to the previous subject, but also…”

Ahrina cocked her head as Ezme’s voice faded. “Just spill it, will you?”

“Tsk.” Ezme clicked her tongue before she looked at the avatar. “Since I played a part in your creation, I…feel somewhat responsible for you. So, like I said, if there’s anything you need, you can just tell me.” Ezme paused as she thought about what she just said. 

“I will!” Ahrina replied cheerfully.

Internally, Ezme groaned. It didn’t explain what I really wanted! But how can I…

“...Is there something more?” (Ahrina)

Ezme averted her eyes as the catgirl was eyeing her suspiciously. “Yes, well… I also think…well, because I played a part in your creation, and because we’ll be helping each other a lot in the future…I think it is for the best that we get to know each other.” There! I said it!

“Oh.” Ahrina cocked her head as her ears twitched. “How should we get to know each other?”

“Uhm…” Ezme’s face twitched as she tried to keep a neutral expression. “...You know? Talking? Spending time together. And stuff.” As soon as she said it, Ezme howled at herself in her mind. But how are we supposed to do that? I’m always away! And what are we even supposed to talk about?!

Ahrina had seemingly read her thoughts, as she grinned. “I see. Since you’re away so often, maybe we should have Amara create some kind of headset for you with a interrealm connection enchantment. If equipped with a camera, we could talk all the time, and it would be like I was with you all the time as long as you supply it with divine power.”

“Yes!!” Ezme exclaimed in excitement as she shot up from her chair. Realizing what she had done, she abruptly sat down again as her face reddened. “I-I mean, yes. We should do that. You would learn much from it, if you were able to see how I operate! I would be able to teach you a lot!”

Ahrina grinned silently at her before she spoke. “I’ll be in your care. Mother.”

After several seconds, Ezme realized from the pain in her cheeks that she was smiling. Quickly getting control of her expression, she exclaimed. “W-who said I’m your mother?!”

Ezme’s eyes widened in surprise at her own words. Oh no! Why did I say that?!

“I-...I mean…” Ezme stammered as she averted her eyes. “...I don’t care what you call me! If that is what you wish to call me, then so be it!”

As Ahrina didn’t reply, Ezme started to grow anxious. When she nervously glanced at the screen, she could see the catgirl with its greatest, most triumphant grin yet. 

Ahrina’s shrill tone was filled with amusement when she uttered the term she would soon after come to regret. “Tsundere.”