As Ampelius faded in and out of consciousness, he began to hear the sharp buzz of something, like a mechanical fly. Then a faint glow pulsed somewhere above him.

  His vision was blurry, but he could make out a small, metallic like object drifting into view. It looked like a floating cube, its lights flickering like it was struggling to stay powered.

  It flew in a shaky arc, clattered to the floor, then sprang back to life in a burst of shifting colors. Before he could react, it shot upward and hovered over him again.

  A thin beam washed down his body from head to toe. The device chirped, clicked, then let out a synthesized sigh.

  “Apologies for the reboot chosen one. My scan indicates you speak English, not Latin?”

  Ampelius stared, still trying to understand whether he was awake, alive, or trapped in another hallucination. The cube’s words washed over him in a mess of noise until it suddenly switched languages.

  Latin. Speaking many words in a rapid but formal tone, all unintelligible to him.

  He flinched.

  “En… English,” he croaked, his throat raw and dry.

  The cube rotated once, lights adjusting. “English it is.”

  It hovered above him for several seconds, lights shifting like it was waiting for him to say something.

  “You must have many questions,” it finally said, its tone almost cheerful. “Such as why you’re strapped to this table, or why your vital signs indicate elevated panic.” The cube rotated, as if clearing its nonexistent throat. “Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am A.A.I. Unit 001—but you may call me Casper.”

  After another rotation, Ampelius noticed a blink of soft blue light.

  “I have been assigned to you as a personal translator and attendant. A complimentary gift from the Asventi to their chosen subject.”

  It paused.

  “Congratulations, by the way.”

  "Chosen one? What the hell are you talking about? What are you?" Ampelius demanded, still trying to piece together the disjointed images in his mind.

  Casper spun slowly in mid-air, lights shifting colors.

  "I am an artificially intelligent machine," Casper replied. "I was created and programmed by the Asventi over a millennium ago. In fact, I am the first A.A.I. unit ever designed. I was a prototype, but most units built after me have a single purpose. Most are either a translator, diplomat, servant, police, military, and so on. I however, am a multi-purpose unit. I also have the unique ability to shapeshift, which is why I presented myself as this cube."

  Before Ampelius could respond, Casper morphed into a pigeon and flapped around the room.

  "I can also poop like a real pigeon. Want to see?"

  "Uh, no."

  "Oh, you don't like pigeons? How about a miniature giraffe?" Casper leaped off the table, transforming into a small giraffe that leaned down to lick Ampelius's face with its long neck.

  Ampelius, exhausted, snapped. "Why are you licking me? Okay, you know what? I get it. You can shapeshift. What do the Asventi want with me?"

  "It's pronounced As-ven-ti," Casper corrected, transforming back into its cube form. "And they have chosen you for a special purpose."

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  "What special purpose!" Ampelius screamed, struggling against his restraints. His hands ached from the tightness of the bonds.

  The earplugs he had were removed, and the echo of his own breathing filled the room. Casper hovered closer, glowing faintly.

  "They have designated you as the chosen one due to your qualities, physique, intelligence, and personal history. The Asventi wish to uplift your species into their sphere of influence and to do that; they want to conduct an experimental test. If successful, you will lead the way to integrate your civilization into their galactic society."

  "And if I don't want to be a test subject?" Ampelius's voice cracked, trying to understand how his life had spiraled so far out of control.

  "Unfortunately, Protocol Zen is already in effect," Casper replied, his tone shifting to something almost apologetic.

  "What's Protocol Zen?"

  A brief flash of a holographic image emerged from Casper, showing a galaxy torn asunder and worlds being devoured.

  "The Asventi are engaged in a brutal and devastating war against an enemy from another galaxy. This enemy is relentless, known for annihilating entire galaxies, and will stop at nothing until this galaxy is purged of all life. With Protocol Zen, the Asventi is uplifting all known civilizations across this galaxy and indoctrinating select individuals as part of their recruitment effort."

  Ampelius’s mind spun. The weight of intergalactic warfare and humanity’s fragile position hit him with sudden clarity.

  "And why are you destroying our cities and killing our people?" Ampelius asked, trying to suppress his growing anger.

  Casper dimmed slightly as if in response to the question.

  "Under Protocol Zen, certain civilizations were chosen for experimental testing, primarily military. This planet was selected because of its large population and another factor—the Zavons."

  Ampelius stared at the AI. "Zavons? Are they from this planet?" His shock grew as he tried to piece together everything he had been told about the invading creatures.

  "Yes," Casper confirmed. "The Zavons were once Neanderthals, nearly wiped out by your species tens of thousands of years ago. The Asventi saw potential in them and decided to extract and experiment on them. The experiments created a hybrid species, but they could not reproduce, dooming them to extinction. To preserve them, the Asventi placed them in cryopreservation within volcanoes on Earth, waiting for the right moment to reawaken them."

  "So, they've been hiding in volcanoes all this time?"

  Casper floated back slightly, casting a flickering light on the ceiling.

  "Correct. The Zavons were meant to be weaponized super-soldiers, expendable in battle, but the experiment failed. However, the Asventi decided to test them in combat against your species to determine their effectiveness."

  "And what is my role in this experiment?" Ampelius asked, dread creeping into his voice as a pit formed in his stomach.

  The cube dimmed further, almost as if Casper was hesitating.

  "Tests will be conducted to verify your compatibility with the Asventi's plans. If successful, you'll be indoctrinated and return to Earth as their agent. Your tasks will include assassinating key leaders, sabotaging technologies and infrastructure, and dismantling the Roman Empire to pave the way for Asventi control."

  "I don't have a choice, do I?" Ampelius whispered. "What happens to me afterward?"

  Casper hovered close.

  "No. You will complete your tasks, but you'll have my assistance. If successful, you will retire in luxury, being one of the richest and most powerful individuals of your species. You may even rule the world, albeit as a puppet of the Asventi."

  Ampelius felt a lump in his throat. This was worse than anything he could have imagined.

  "What about Bella and my cousin Emmett? Are they safe?"

  Casper took a moment to search known files. "It appears from my database that Bella is alive and receiving treatment, but I cannot disclose her location. She is being held by an organization not Roman. As for your cousin Emmett's status, that is currently unknown."

  "Unknown? What do you mean, unknown? What happened to him?" Ampelius's voice grew louder with panic.

  A sharp buzz filled the room, and Casper’s lights flickered.

  "I have no more time to explain. The procedure must begin now. Relax, and I’ll see you on the other side."

  Two Zavons stepped forward, their massive forms looming over Ampelius as they pinned him to the table. He screamed, thrashing against the restraints, but their grip was too strong.

  A third Zavon entered the room, holding a needle. It jabbed the needle into his arm, and Ampelius felt a sudden, overwhelming wave of relief, followed by crushing fatigue. He fought to stay awake, but the drug was too powerful. His vision blurred, and his thoughts slowed until he finally succumbed to the darkness.

  The last thing he heard was Casper’s voice, eerily soothing, echoing in his fading consciousness.

  "Welcome to your new life, chosen one."

  Ampelius’s body was wheeled out of the dimly lit room and into a bright, sterile chamber. As his eyes fluttered open one last time, he caught a glimpse of the ceiling lights reflecting off a mirror-like surface. A glowing yellow ring formed around his pupils as the transformation began.

  In the distance, Casper's voice echoed softly, "The future of your world now rests in your hands."

  As the light faded from his eyes, the last remnants of Ampelius's former life slipped away, replaced by the cold, calculated purpose the Asventi had chosen for him.