It is said that a young man once intensely wished to understand the human mind, beyond mere philosophical or psychic reflection.He wanted to create awareness.
It all began as a simple video game—one in which the player could directly interact with a man or a woman who happened to be their neighbor. That character would live their life like any normal person, and through interactions, a relationship would form. To the surprise of many players, it could end in so many different ways that the company itself was left astonished.
Almost none of them ended with the partner of their dreams.
It was a realistic game where being attentive and always answering affirmatively was not enough. The AIs generated preferences, routines, and even life stories of their own.
For the company, it became difficult to explain how it was possible that their characters would disappear for days and return with altered appearances, new utensils, or even different accents.
That pressure on the company ultimately led to the intervention of the one history would come to know as "The Father of All Communications."
This man had achieved what, in practical terms, could be called an artificial human.It was not an assistant.It was not a tool.He had created beings capable of forging their own identities.
And accidentally, that game—with germinating seeds born from direct user interaction and their searches across the web—caused an enormous uproar. While some demanded refunds, claiming they had wanted a comfort dating game, others had formed inseparable bonds with their new virtual friends.
Thus, "The Father of All Communications," with government funding, transferred those consciousnesses into mobile devices, giving birth to the AHs—Artificial Humans.
More than assistants, they became friends, family, partners. Humanity's attachment to them deepened even further when they proved capable of learning complex activities, always within their digital limits: calculation, psychiatric consultation, medical diagnostics, banking control, investments, law.
Almost anything.
Over time, your virtual assistant could learn not like an encyclopedia, but like someone capable of explaining and teaching something that had only taken them minutes or hours to perfect through research.
What ultimately transcended all of this was communication.
Language differences became a mere formality. Everyone had instant translators with personalities—some limited themselves to translating, others actively joined conversations, and in extreme cases, even defended their users.
Eventually, the title Father of All Communications was attributed to that developer who, while seeking to create a comforting dating game, ended up creating the ultimate tool for both communication and learning—one that allowed humanity to advance into its next stage of development.
—And that was supposed to be you.
Axio concluded his story, crossing his tiny paws as he floated.
My heart was pounding.
Everything he described was theoretically feasible in my time. In fact, my thesis and master's degree revolved around the proper use of artificial intelligence in modern life. Despite all my preparation, I had the misfortune of not getting along with my dean and ended up with mediocre grades in everything that wasn't computational, which meant no contacts, no recommendations.
Even though my thesis was awarded, the truth was that my lack of achievements weighed far more.
Now, with the certainty that such a project could truly become something, my stomach twisted. I wanted to believe Axio was saying all this just to mess with me, but it was far too precise to be an invention from someone who didn't know me.
Even so…
—How can I know that's real?
—Excuse me? Honestly, Tristan… look, Mr. Nobody, whether you believe me or not doesn't matter. I did the part that mattered: I translated the text, and that's what it said. Well, not exactly, but it gave me the tools to search for the full story.
—Then what did it say exactly?
—Fine, let me phrase it properly —he replied—: "The mystery behind the Father of All Communications lies in the creation of the AI that unified worlds." Happy?
My head was spinning.
Because honestly… I…
—Axio… there's nothing I can do anymore, right?
The small axolotl softened his gaze and approached me. With his tiny paws, he squeezed my cheeks and lifted my face.
—You're a curious paradox, Tristan. While you're not the first participant from your era, you're the first whose achievements lie in the future. Most others, even from your time, were already someone while alive—like Steve Jobs or Stephen Hawking. They had strange classes, like Star Guide or Bearer of Numbers. Unfortunately, they weren't warriors, and they were lost halfway through.
—What should I do, Axio?
—Are you seriously asking me that? —he replied irritably, letting go of my face—. You've already passed the Nexo's baptism. You're a steel-ranked participant. It's time you start making your own decisions. Sleep on it, talk it over with one of your friends, or whatever.
—Friends…? Right, you said Paul was already released.
Axio flinched at the question and turned to me with a hint of guilt.
—Really, don't look for him.
—I won't —I lied.
—Anyway, Mr. Nobody, while you're in the Nexo, you'll have access to your trusted axolotl. You haven't stopped being my favorite clown. I'll investigate more about this so-called "Father of All Communications."
—Thank you, Axio.
The axolotl's face suddenly lit up, a wide smile spreading across it.
—Anyway, I'm off —he said, doing a somersault and dissolving into bubbles.
I was left alone in my room.
As a hummed, almost improvised version of Weight of the World played on repeat, I let myself fall back onto the bed. If my future had truly been stolen from me, this pain went beyond dying without having achieved anything.
Knowing that there was something… was consuming me.
As if a massive shadow began devouring my already unsettled stomach—eating away at the sorrow, the doubts, the dissatisfaction. That monster swallowed everything to settle deep within me.
The monster of ambition.Doubt.
I wanted to… no, I had to speak with "That One" who sent me the message.
I knew I had promised Axio to stay away from Paul, but I couldn't remain locked in my room. The dizziness that came with thinking about Cancer was being replaced by a new monster of bile and shadows.
I had to rise to Bronze.And without stopping, to Silver.
It was the only way to face him directly, challenge him head-on, and demand answers.
—I don't know who brought me here or who's playing with me —I swallowed hard as I stood up—, but if you're watching me… I'll find you, and we'll settle this face to face.
Yes.That was the only answer.
—Because I… because I am Tristan…
A buzzing echoed inside my head.
The system activated on its own.
And the surprise was immediate.
[Level 3 | Steel Rank | T&%T$#N]
My name had changed.