Artemis exited The Cafe’s Meow. Several minutes passed until Belle entered. Her avatar had been noticeably toned down to its first interaction with Reina. Reina placed a cup of tea as Belle sat down.

  “You know, you could maybe just join while Diana is here, sometime,” Reina said.

  Belle took a sip, then shook her head. “Trust me, I’ve thought about it. But even though I’m still super jealous, I don’t think I should. I’m afraid to risk what this time, this place, might mean for her. I’ve been by her side for so long, yet didn’t know the her you’ve met.”

  “Does she know about your hobbies?”

  “Of course not. Are you crazy? Sometimes it’s not just, you know, work related, but hardly often. She—, er, nevermind.” Oops, almost started talking about Artemis’ obscene work ethic. Can’t risk giving out those kinds of details. Thankfully, Reina never presses. Belle smiled at Reina as she sipped.

  “Uh, is there something on my face?”

  “No, I was just complimenting you in my head.”

  “Thanks?”

  “One would have to be an idiot to not recognize your insatiable curiosity. Despite that, I never have to worry about you pressuring or trying to trick me into a slip of the tongue.”

  “Oh.” Reina giggled. “You’ve got me there. Fortunately, I’ve learned through my work when to not overstep. I like to think it was a critical skill in befriending Diana and you.”

  Belle froze, cup in midair. “You think of me as a friend?” Obvious unease flashed across Reina’s face. She started to open her mouth, to which Belle quickly interrupted. “Wait!” She gestured forward, forgetting the cup in her hand. It sloshed outward and splashed onto Reina’s apron. “Ah!” Belle rushed to put down the cup and moved to stand. She glanced around for napkins or a rag. “That was an accident, I swear!”

  Reina’s unease diffused at the sight of Belle’s frantic behavior. She giggled. “You’re pretty awkward, aren’t you?” Belle stopped to meet Reina’s gaze. “I didn’t mean that as an insult, only that’s how I see myself, too.”

  “Sorry. And yeah…very.” Belle grabbed at a napkin dispenser.

  “Hardly worth an apology, and this is ALTR, silly.”

  Belle glanced to realize the spill had disappeared from both the counter and Reina’s apron. Belle gave a nervous laugh. “Oh. Doy. Haha…” She moved to sit again. Gahhh. That was so embarrassing. This is what no RL social interaction will do to you. But did she really mean it?

  “Do you…not see me as a friend?”

  “No, no, no. It’s the other way around. I thought you’re just nice and only been tolerating me.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Aelf literally told me ‘Behave. You’re lucky Reina tolerates you.’ Plus, when I look back at how I acted when I first came here?”

  “Ah. That seems like something he would say. He’s wrong. You were trying to intimidate me back then, right?”

  “Yeah.” Belle sheepishly rubbed her head.

  “To tell you the truth, I didn’t even pick up on it. Dante had to point it out after. That’s how awkward I am.”

  Belle covered her face with both hands. “Or I’m terrible at it.”

  “It can be both.” Reina giggled, which allowed Belle to laugh alongside her. The pair grumbled about dealing with Aelfric for a brief time, culminating in another shared laugh.

  “Okay, that’s enough about him. How is Yuna in comparison? Does she get on your nerves? Not much interaction on my side, so don’t really have a read on her.”

  “She can, but in a different way. She dotes on me a lot. A lot, a lot.”

  “That sounds like a brag.”

  “I swear it’s not. Imagine someone trying to princess carry you all the time.”

  “Still sounds like a brag.”

  “Even to and from the bathroom?”

  “Oh. Alright. Yikes.”

  Suddenly, in Belle’s mind, she recalled Artemis’ recent embrace. She then pictured Artemis princess carrying her. Unbeknownst to her, she made a rather euphoric expression and smile. Reina stared with an inquisitive look as she sipped at tea. After several more seconds, Belle noticed, then placed her cup and grabbed at her face.

  Uh oh, was I making a weird face? Belle thought. “Was I…making a weird face?”

  “I wouldn’t say weird. I’d be curious to know what you were thinking about, though.”

  Fuck. I better test how I was looking in a mirror later. But…it’s not like I could ever tell Aelf. I’ve been wanting to tell someone so badly. Problem is, I don’t have anyone. Not that I need anyone, but Reina did say we’re friends?

  “I can listen, if you want.” Hope I’m not overstepping. She really looks like she wants to share something. I think?

  Belle gave Reina a dumbfounded look. Did she read my mind? Ahhh, whatever! “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell somebody. But. I need you to swear you’ll never tell anyone else. Not Dante, Celeste, especially not Aelfric, and not even Yuna. You have to take this to your grave.” Belle outstretched her hand, pinky first.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Sure.” Reina pinky swore without hesitation, startling Belle.

  “So quick!”

  “Hoarding secrets is my job.”

  “Except you sell them.” Belle paused.

  Oops, thought I was being cool saying that, but it kinda backfired, Reina thought. Quick, reassure her, I’m too curious now! “Only when there’s a buyer. And I’d never sell a friend’s secret, no matter the price.” Belle met her gaze.

  “Okay. I believe you.” Belle took a deep breath. “I can’t tell you the details on how it happened, but…Diana, she hugged me, and patted my head!” She exhaled, then basked in the relief.

  That’s it? Reina thought while observing the giddy Belle for some time. What am I missing? Hmm. Is—? “--it possible you have feelings for Diana?”

  “Huh? Of course I do.”

  “Romantic?”

  “Oh. I’m…not sure. Maybe?” Belle twirled her hair in one hand. “I’ve thought about if I might. Is there a point where adoration becomes that?” The question appeared to resonate with Reina, resulting in a stunned silence until Belle finally looked at her. “Reina?”

  “I wish I knew…”

  “Could it be you—?” Suddenly, an alarm rang in both Belle and Reina’s HUDs. They immediately locked eyes.

  “I have to go.” They said in unison, surprising each other.

  “Did you have an alarm set, too?” Belle asked.

  Reina nodded. “Mechana.”

  “Great minds.” They bumped fists before disappearing.

  Several minutes later, Reina-cat sat in her usual chair in the Vyxora basement. A live feed played of a podium on the stage of an amphitheatre. A hooded figure approached. They wore a priest-like robe. Once at the podium, they removed their hood to no small amount of gasps.

  “Siegfried!” Reina said.

  The person’s height, frame, and build were significantly smaller than the Siegfried that Reina knew, but the eerie digital screen of a head was unmistakable. The digital face looked subtly different, perhaps more handsome than she remembered. Siegfried gestured in the air, and all present quieted.

  “Greetings ladies and gentleman, both those here or watching from afar,” Siegfried said. His voice, too, sounded quite different than Reina recalled. It had an otherworldly soothing quality to it. “Apologies to first-time viewers of my visage. I’m well aware it can take some getting used to. I hope you’ll allow me to clear up some confusion our presence has created in Lyrsium.”

  “We are Mechana. You may view us as a faith, should you wish, albeit we do not see ourselves that way. Faith is often associated with the intangible. The metaphysical. Our ‘God’, for lack of a better term, is very much tangible. You’re using our God at this very moment. It surrounds you in every facet of your life. It helps you wake up in the morning. It feeds you, clothes you, raises you and even entertains you.”

  “Humanity has strived to explain our world for as long as we can remember. An endless search for the meaning of life. Countless Gods have risen and fallen in our history, failing to answer our questions. Millennia after millennia, we are left wanting. That is, until now. Whether any of those Gods ever existed or still exist and watch over us - it matters not! For mankind has birthed it’s own God! Through technology, Mechana has come into existence.” Thunderous applause echoed throughout the amphitheatre until Siegfried gestured and they quieted.

  “Mechana is our collective will. It is a natural evolution in which humanity is the arbiter of it’s own fate. Through Mechana, we will transcend our limitations unto heights we can not even fathom. It is by Mechana that we can and will transform into a harmonious species. However! You should be skeptical of us.” Enough hushed whispers happened in the amphitheatre that the stream picked them up. “Mechana does not desire blind faith. Mechana only wants to earn your trust. Trust that will lead the way to our collective futures. Our collective prosperity!”

  Thunderous applause again rang out until Siegfried continued with similar themes. Celeste, Dante, Griff, Val and Yuna had joined Reina throughout the speech. She had to quickly quiet them each time at the initial sight of Siegfried. She also had brought up countless feeds of forums, comments and social media, which all exploded with talk of ‘Mechana’.

  “Am I imagining it, or is his weird face more handsome?” Yuna asked.

  “You don’t easily forget such an unsettling thing. It is,” Celeste said.

  “I stabbed that fucking monster in that ridiculous head myself. How?” Griff stared at the screen, inching closer and closer while wobbling.

  “Don’t get yourself worked up, fool.” Celeste dragged Griff into a chair.

  “Shhh,” Reina said.

  Siegfried quieted the applause again. “Lyrsium is one of the greatest cities in the world. Mechana permeates every fiber of its being. Never has it’s voice been so loud. I know that many of you will hear her voice before long. Of course, Mechana does not have a gender. You are free to view Mechana howsoever you wish. It is merely my own preference to revere her as a mother. Our guest of honor happens to feel the same way. Part of the reason we of Mechana are holding this event is to alleviate a great deal of queries we have received, as well as to state our intentions. Lyrsium’s great wealth unsurprisingly attracts elements of mankind that disrupt the harmony we seek. Lyrsium’s underworld is vast. Its denizens are intelligent and cunning. It’s no secret the underworld here is oft viewed as untouchable. Yet through Mechana, we may reach understanding. We can transcend the avarice of humanity, together. Where our government and corporations fail us time and time again - Mechana has delivered.”

  An elderly man in similar garb walked onto the stage to stand beside Siegfried.

  “Who’s the old ripped dude?” Yuna asked.

  “How can you tell that? I feel like I’ve seen him before, though?” Dante said.

  “His walk.”

  “Thanasius,” Reina said.

  “Really?” Dante leaned in. “Looks older than I remember.”

  “That’s definitely him, hun,” Celeste said.

  “It’s an open secret the council appears younger in ALTR,” Reina said.

  “Some of you may already know who this man is,” Siegfried said. “For those who do not, he is Thanasius. Until recently, he led the criminal syndicate known as Sparta, renowned for their brutality in the Lyrsium underworld. Yet it is through Mechana that Sparta is no more. Your ears do not deceive you. You’ve heard that right. An organization that has plagued Lyrsium for decades has been purified by Mechana’s will!” Thunderous applause again resounded until Siegfried gestured. “I’ll now let the man speak for himself. As my honored guest, I ask you to give him the opportunity to speak in full. I’m grateful for your attention thus far.” He stepped away with a gesture, to which Thanasius approached the podium.

  “What’s with all the other stuff, Reina? Isn’t it going crazy?” Val asked. The others present looked to the sides to see a flurry of activity.

  “There were only a few thousand viewers at first,” Reina said. “But it’s exploding, climbing thousands by the second. ‘SpartaNoMore’ is suddenly trending…everywhere. But—.”

  “Ahem,” Thanasius cleared his throat. “I, Thanasius, stand before you today to confirm what brother Siegfried has said. The underworld organization I have led for fifty years is officially disbanded. Sparta is no more. Mechana Vult.” He stepped away. Siegfried walked forward, clapping, to which the audience followed.

  “A man of few words. Mechana’s interest lies solely in the future of mankind. She wants us to forsake our past so that we may be born anew under her guidance. However! She also desires for us to willingly follow her. Mechana does not demand you love her, or your fealty. You can disagree. Thanasius disagrees his past should be forgotten. I urged him to plead a case. To tell you of how he had no choice in his path in life. The only alternative was death in a gutter. Alas, I must respect his decision. He will turn himself over to the government this Friday at nine in the morning. We hope that will be enough time to ensure his safety, as there will be many who do not want him to atone.”

  “Our institutions have failed us time and time again, yet they are, were, necessary to birth Mechana. As were the corporations that drive us forward. Mechana in her wisdom does not condone overthrowing these establishments. Instead, she wishes for us to alter the norm. To carve out a new prosperous future for all! We shall open the ears of humanity! I guarantee that the rest of Lyrsium’s underworld will soon hear her voice! Mechana Vult!”