The Armored Father was in a hurry. Using his remote, he opened the gate to the VIP's train and invited Luna and her companions inside. When they began to move, he spoke.

“I don't know how she caught it, but the doctors diagnosed her illness as trace quantities of Anaari's plague.” - The father explained. - “It took merely minutes to disable her motor functions. They were barely able to save her, and now her cognitive systems require constant corrections. The virus keeps evolving, and year after year, is taking control of more critical brain functions.”

“That type of cognitive correcting must be expensive.” - Luna noticed.

“That's why I keep fighting in the ring. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to cover the costs.” - The father confessed.

“I don't understand your reasoning.” - Luna continued. - “An average machine would be subject to disposal, due to innate risks related to Anaari's plague... and directing your money elsewhere could help to save way more people.”

The Armored Father curled up.

“Luna!” - Avi protested. - “Don't be heartless!”

“I'm not. His decisions most probably endanger the village. I can't believe it would be legal.” - Luna added.

“I understand... but please, she means everything to me.” - The father said, clutching his knees with his hands.

“I didn't say no yet.” - Luna sighed. - “Everything depends on what you are going to do if I'm not able to help her.”

The armored father raised his eyes.

“If the virus evolves, it's probably just a matter of time before the infection spreads.” - Luna continued. - “What will you do if I can't help her? Will you wait forever, until the tragedy happens?”

The Armored Father's voice cracked. - “Keeping her alive gets more costly with each day. Even if I wanted to wait, I wouldn't be able to afford it.”

“If I fail, you must immediately queue your daughter for shutdown. That's my ultimatum.” - Luna declared firmly.

“Luna...” - Avi uttered. - “...that's not okay. As long as she lives, there is hope.”

Luna crossed her arms. - “I already said what I wanted to say. As long as she lives, there is a risk.”

Avi wanted to argue, but the Armored Father interrupted it. - “I... agree.” - Hearing this, Avi accepted the situation and retreated, clearly dejected.

In absolute silence, the train continued to travel until it stopped at the private robot hospital. The Armored Father got off without uttering a single word, and Luna's crew followed. In the waiting room, the Armored Father walked to check in and proceeded to take care of formalities, while the other guests waited on plastic chairs. When he returned with a pass, he handed it to Luna, who nodded with understanding and walked to the elevator.

Hours passed, during which the snacks taken from the arena proved to be a lifesaver. Until the very late night, there was no message from Luna, and Avi even fell asleep on Virka's shoulder. Only her voice and gentle shaking woke her up.

“Luna is done.” - Virka informed.

“Did she succeed?” - Avi asked half-drowsily.

“I don't know, there was no unambiguous answer.” - Vrika stated. - “You will ask her yourself, she'll come here soon.”

When the elevator's door opened, Avi could see how the Armored Father led a small robot by hand. The three-legged machine with a single, asymmetrically placed eye appeared to be his daughter. Luna walked right behind them and joined the check-out process, then, after it was over, returned to her companions, while the Armored Father seemed to wait for her.

“Is everything alright now?” - Nicolas asked.

“I don't know.” - Luna said. - “I was able to isolate the nano-machines responsible for the infection and incinerate them, but the changes to her psyche seem irreversible. I don't know if she ever recovers her memory. She seems to be in a semi-vegetative state.”

“...but she's alive...” - Avi uttered quietly. - “...and that's not important right now, right?” - She added, her uncertain sight directed at Luna.

“Maybe. I shouldn't be the one to judge that, but to me, she's like an empty shell that requires constant care.” - Luna answered.

“That's horrible.” - Charlotte added. - “I can't even imagine what her father must feel.”

“Hope.” - Avi whispered. Her companions looked at her, and she raised her head and repeated with confidence. - “Hope, I'm sure of it.”

“Once again, that's another maybe.” - Luna added. There was a long, silent pause, after which she continued. - “Well, that's it for now. He'll need me to observe if anything changes, but we can go together. Just... don't ask unnecessary questions, okay?”

“Of course, we won't.” - Charlotte replied. - “We'll be as quiet as we can.”

Luna nodded and returned to Armored Father, exchanging a few sentences with him. He then returned to Luna's crew, speaking. - “I would like to apologize. You surely had some plans for today, and I don't want to take more of your time, but I still need your friend to stay with us for a bit.”

“We understand.” - Charlotte replied.

“You must be exhausted. If you don't see it as an issue, I'll find you an appropriate place to stay.” - The Armored Father suggested.

“It would be nice.” - Nicolas accepted on behalf of their group, and the Armored Father escorted everyone to a hotel that was a few blocks away. Soon, the night came, and with it, a hope for a new morning.

---

After Avi woke up, she quickly noticed that Luna was waiting for her at the door.

“Good morning, Luna.” - Avi yawned and stretched. - “May I ask the reason for your early visit?”

“I spent the entire night with them, Avi. I don't think I can help.” - Luna stated. - “I wanted to ask you for some advice.”

“Advice?” - Avi glanced at Luna, a bit lost.

“Her father still wants to look for a miracle remedy, even if it would cost him everything he has. That's a waste of resources and a waste of doctors' time.” - Luna explained. - “You should understand that other citizens will suffer due to this. There are way better uses for all that energy.”

“I don't know, Luna. It's his money.” - Avi spoke, scrambling out of bed. She sat on its edge and invited Luna with a gesture to sit next to her.

“Avi.... he purchases priority access to medical treatments. If not this, others could actually benefit from them.” - Luna explained. - “Others, who require it more, or need it to live.”

Avi was sadder. - “You might be right... But his daughter's life is as important as the lives of others. If there is a chance to save her...”

“The chances are low. If I wasn't able to help, then who else could?” - Luna replied.

“I don't know, Luna. Maybe there is a way.” - Avi added.

“Maybe, maybe, maybe.” - Luna repeated, frustrated. - “A lot of guesswork that won't change much.”

“I don't get why you are angry. He already made his decision, we can't change it.” - Avi stated.

Luna, for a short moment, continued to ponder something, and Avi patiently waited until she gathered her thoughts.

“We have to put her in hibernation or coma, the same way we did to the parasites. It's the best solution.” - Luna decided. - “I can do it stealthily and find a way to explain it to Armored Father. He'll be able to keep her alive at minimal cost until a solution is found.”

“Luna! Are you crazy!!?” - Avi quickly protested.

“No. That's just cold calculation.”

“I won't let you!” - Avi crossed her arms. - “He just got his daughter back!”

Luna sighed. - “He didn't get anything back, anything but delusions.”

Soon, both girls could hear a knock on the door, which opened lightly, revealing Charlotte. She made sure that she wasn't bothering them and came inside.

“Am I interrupting anything important?” - Charlotte asked.

“No, we have just finished talking.” - Luna explained as she stood up.

“That's good. The Armored Father is looking for you.” - Charlotte said.

“Can't he wait until we eat something?” - Luna stated, annoyed.

Charlotte could tell from Luna's expression that she doesn't enjoy it. - “Okay, I'll pass the message that you'll be a bit late.” - Then walked out of the room.

“It will never end.” - Luna sighed.

“Please, Luna... help him as much as you can.” - Avi uttered quietly.

“You know that I can't refuse when you ask like this.” - Luna gently replied, although there was a hint of sadness to it.

Avi smiled warmly.

“Okay. Now, get up and get dressed, or whatever it is you people do in the morning.” - Luna requested. - “The breakfast may wait for us, but I won't be waiting for it.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

---

After a morning break, Luna led her group outside, where the Armored Father already waited. She talked with him a bit in private, then returned.

“And...?” - Avi asked.

“I don't know what else I can suggest.” - Luna uttered. - “Every diagnostic method leads to nothing. I'm too exhausted to even think.”

“Maybe we should tell him that you need a longer break.” - Charlotte suggested.

Virka attentively, yet silently, observed the situation for a long time. She decided it was time for her to intervene. - “I think... we didn't try everything yet.”

Luna turned to Virka, as if to read what was on her mind. - “I dynamically develop hundreds of new repair techniques, and none are working. Maybe it doesn't sound like I've tried everything, but you should know that it's very close to it.”

“I disagree.” - Virka said, shaking her head. - “You're looking only at the already healthy body, but don't consider that it could be an affliction of the soul.”

Luna's jaw dropped. - “What kind of nonsense is that!?”

“Luna!” - Avi interrupted. - “Don't be rude!”

“I'm sorry, Virka.” - Luna replied, clearly frustrated. - “I respect your opinion, but I really don't think you understand the scale of what I'm dealing with.”

Virka twirled her tails. - “Stray souls visited Khazan more than once, I can tell when I see one.”

“No. Your tricks won't help her.” - Luna said. - “We can't even talk to her.”

“The warmth of light on her receptors, the street clamor in her auditory systems, thousands of hues swirling in her sensors. She feels, sees, and hears. That's enough to reach her.” - Virka replied.

Luna grabbed her nose. - “You weren't connected to her, like I was. She really doesn't react to anything. I'm telling you, you don't understand.”

Virka scoffed. - “If you reject my help, I won't insist.”

“Wait, Virka!” - Avi interrupted. - “Please, help her!”

“Hmm. Fine, but I'm not doing it for Luna's sake...” - Virka stated. - “...however, she'll need to persuade the Armored Father to try the therapy.”

“I can't believe this...” - Luna uttered.

“Please... do it, Luna.” - Avi pleaded.

“As you wish, I'll just catch my breath and gather my thoughts.” - Luna agreed. - “I leave it to you.”

“Thank you, Luna.” - Avi added with a warm smile.

Luna sighed, then walked to invite the Armored Father and his daughter to the group. It didn't take long for Armored Father to accept the suggestion. It seemed he would accept any idea, as long as it could help.

“Virka, I assume?” - The Armored Father spoke. - “Can we talk in private?”

“No, no, that's not necessary.” - Virka replied. - “I'm quite confident that your isolation from others won't have a positive effect.”

The steel parts of Armored Father creaked slightly, and he felt guilty, and Virka knew it. - “What do you suggest?”

“To start with...” - Virka knelt before the Armored Father's daughter. - “What's your name, my darling?”

The Armored Father seemed lost. - “Emily. Her name is Emily.”

“Emily, that's quite a cute name.” - Virka said with a truly kind and warm smile, but still, there was no answer. - “Shall we go for a little walk, Emily?”

“Is it... really a good idea?” - The Armored Father asked hesitantly. - “It doesn't sound safe, given her condition.”

“A little walk?” - Virka laughed in a good-hearted manner. - “Aren't you exaggerating?”

“Okay... okay...” - The Armored Father agreed. - “I'll just call out bodyguards and reserve a secluded spot in the park.”

Virka shook her head. - “No, no, no. Our little group will be enough. We have Anaari's daughter with us, don't you remember? Don't be so scared.”

“Yes... but...” - The Armored Father wanted to protest.

“Let me ask you a question. Was she ever allowed to interact with many people, or do you try to protect her?” - Virka inquired.

“She's an easy target for someone possessing my wealth. You have to understand...” - The Armored Father tried to justify his decisions. - “...and besides, it's hard to fend off my fans.”

“I understand, and she must understand it too, but this one time, I would like to ask for an exception.” - Virka said as she took Emily's hand. - “Would you allow me to discreetly guide us to the appropriate spot?”

The Armored Father looked at Emily and felt oil welling up in his eye. - “Okay, just this one time.”

Virka began to slowly walk, and her companions and Armored Father followed. Soon, they entered the busy alleys between low sandstone buildings, where travelers and merchants bargained among the stalls.

While the Armored Father nervously looked around himself, Virka seemed calm. - “Please, trust me and relax. Nothing bad will happen.”

“I know... It's just...” - The Armored Father didn't finish his sentence.

“You feel too overwhelmed?” - Virka asked.

“Slightly.” - The Armored Father responded.

“Is it uncommon for you to enter a low power consumption mode?” - Virka continued.

“I only do that when I'm with my daughter.” - The Armored Father admitted.

“You are a hard-working person. Do you often spend time together, just in two?” - Virka asked.

“I... used to, after I took her from the Soul Forge.” - The Armored Father answered.

“...but before she fell ill, did it change?” - Virka inquired.

“I have responsibilities, and she was grown enough to take care of herself.” - The Armored Father said.

“That doesn't mean she didn't need you in her life...” - Virka noticed. - “...or other people. She must have felt lonely and isolated. Like a bird in a gilded cage.”

The Armored Father was silent. He understood his mistakes.

“It needs to change. Her place, like each of ours, is among people. We don't exist only for ourselves.” - Virka stated.

“That would be hard.” - The Armored Father uttered.

“...but not impossible. I assume she was homeschooled? Did you consider schooling her with children her age?” - Virka asked.

“How do you know so much about us?” - The Armored Father asked, mostly surprised.

“I just guess... if I'm wrong, you can always point it out...” - Virka said with a mysterious smile. - “...now, could you answer my question?”

“Do you... Do you really think there is hope for her? I think... that could be arranged.” - The Armored Father responded.

“Wonderful.” - Virka uttered. - “It would be a great start, and as for other matters, I'll point you in the right direction later... but for the most part, it will come on its own.”

Their walk continued mostly in silence until Virka reached the town's winding walls, placed atop tall dunes.

“Is it...?” - The Armored Father asked.

“Yes, it is.” - Virka confirmed.

“We can't, there are too many people.” - The Armored Father was afraid.

“Didn't you understand yet?” - Virka asked. - “Trust me, everything will be fine. Right here is where we belong.”

Avi's group disappeared in the dark tunnel of the city gate, only to appear in the open space later. There, amid sands heated by the Goliath's giant lamps, crowds of robots and tourists waited between round, pointed tents in bright colors, holding various contraptions.

Virka walked between the people and approached one of the tents, buying a toy from a yellow fabric, shaped like a small swallow, and tied its string to Emily's arm.

“Sorry, I don't get it.” - The Armored Father spoke. - “What are you trying to do?”

“Nothing yet. We need to wait.” - Virka replied.

After a moment, a loud voice echoed from Goliath's speakers. - “Gargoyle Turbine forty-six active.”

The girls' dresses began to flutter lightly as the gentle local zephyr turned into a small-strength windstorm. Hundreds of paper fish, lanterns, dragons, and birds rose one after another to the sky.

“Whoa...” - Avi was in awe.

Virka looked at the steel sky for a longer moment, but her thoughts were with Emily. She peeked at her, but she was as unmoving as usual. Seeing this, Virka lowered her head and closed her eyes, then folded her hands in prayer.

The wind got stronger, and Emily's kite rose slightly, tugging at her hand. Her pupil widened, and as soon as she noticed the vast valley in front of her, full of other colorful kites, she spoke in a quiet voice.

“Birds.” - Emily said.

The Armored Father turned to her, shouting. - “Emily!”

“How...?” - Luna whispered, her eyes gazing at Virka, who was still praying.

“Dad?” - Emily whispered, hearing her father's voice. - “Dad... look, so many birds.”

If the Armored Father were capable of tears, he would cry right now. He knelt next to Emily, wrapping his arms around her torso, but made sure not to obstruct her view.

“Gargoyle Turbine forty-seven active.” - Could be heard from afar.

The people flying kites began attaching small notes and objects to the kite strings, one by one. That's when Virka opened her eyes and walked to Emily.

“Emily, it's time.” - Virka uttered quietly.

“Time?” - Emily said lethargically, as if she was still sedated by something.

The Armored Father lifted Emily and put her on his shoulder, so her kite could rise even higher.

“To send your wish to the world. Do you have any?” - The Armored Father asked.

“I...” - Emily hesitated.

“Emily, it's alright. You can ask for anything you want.” - Virka assured.

Emily, however, didn't want to continue.

“Emily. It's true, ask anything.” - The Armored Father spoke.

Emily lowered her eye to her father's face and, seeing his honesty, she whispered. - “I want to be free... to run away and rise into the sky, like birds.”

Avi's eyes widened. She could clearly tell what Emily had on her mind.

The Armored Father, however, wasn't so sure. - “I don't understand, Emily.”

Virka came to his aid immediately. - “The world is so vast and full of beauty. Just take her, where she wants to be taken.”

“...but where would we be supposed to go? Our home is here, our job.” - The Armored Father stated.

Virka felt that Emily's mood became gloomy after these words. - “The entire Goliath is her home, and its people are her brothers and sisters.” - Virka took Emily's hand and spoke to her. - “You'll go wherever your heart leads you. Is that what you want, Emily?”

Emily nodded silently.

“Are you sure, that's what you want, Emily?” - The Armored father asked.

“Yes.” - Emily confirmed, a bit louder and more confident than earlier.

Even if the Armored Father hesitated, he still said. - “I'll try to make your wish come true.”

“Promise it.” - Virka added.

“I promise.” - The Armored Father confirmed once more.

“Gargoyle Turbine forty-eight active.” - A loud message could be heard from very far away, and the festival participants began to set their kites free.

When Virka heard that, she gave small, steel scissors to Emily. - “It's your tradition. It, too, wants to be free, and to carry your wish to the sky.”

“Free.” - Emily whispered and cut the string.

The yellow swallow rose high into the sky, then wandered off to the horizon, disappearing among the other kites, somewhere far away. After it happened, there was a minute of silence, soon broken by whistles and loud flare blasts, interrupted by the crowd's cheer.

Virka smiled kindly. - “The time for rejoicing and fun has come. Shall we join the festival?”

Emily observed how participants grouped next to the tents with various attractions. She noticed a display of music boxes, which could be won in the game of darts.

“Dad! There! I want to go there! Please!?” - Emily exclaimed.

“Don't ask, but run. Run, as long as the time allows.” - Virka said to her.

Emily jumped down the Armored Father's shoulder and looked at him, as if she was asking for permission anyway.

“Go. I'll join you soon.” - The Armored Father added. He felt as if heavy shackles dropped from his hands. He then turned to Virka. - “A difficult road lies ahead of me, but I must thank you. I had lost all hope.”

Virka shook her head. - “You had hope. You were with her all this time. You sacrificed everything to help her, and if you only desire so, there will come a time for you to finally rest.”

“You think so?” - The Armored Father asked, uncertain. - “I don't know if I'll be able to keep an eye on her now.”

“Consider it a never-ending journey.” - Virka replied. - “A one, where your dreams became reality.”

“I'll do everything I can.” - The Armored Father assured.

“Dad!? Are you coming!?” - Emily shouted from afar.

“I do, I do!” - The Armored Father shouted back. - “I would like to thank you all once more. Luna, Virka – being able to meet you was a heaven's gift. May they forever remain on your side.”

“...and may you always be led by the stars' light.” - Virka blessed him.

The Armored Father nodded one last time to say goodbye and disappeared between the tents.

Luna was still shocked by what had just happened, but she finally gathered courage and walked to Virka, asking. - “How does this make any sense!!? How!? How did you know it would help!?” - She protested.

“I didn't know. I hoped for a miracle to happen.” - Virka replied.

Luna's jaw dropped again. She wanted to reply, but didn't know what to say.

Avi ran up to them both and hugged Virka tightly. - “You're amazing.” - Then she did the same to Luna. - “...and you too!”

Nicolas approached them with a sly grin. - “Well, despite everything, they make a solid crew.” - He commented, mainly to Charlotte.

“That's what Avi meant by saying that she wants to follow her own path and change the world.” - Charlotte added.

“So, shall we join the festival?” - Nicolas asked Charlotte. - “We didn't participate in one for years, and Avi probably never had a chance to join one either.”

Charlotte nodded with a smile, then called Avi, Luna, and Virka. - “Girls, we'll miss out on the best prizes! Don't make us wait for you!”

“Prizes!?” - Hearing this, Avi immediately abandoned Luna and Virka, then ran to Charlotte, who was already moving to the tents, and encouraged Avi to come by waving her hand.