Aco von Hellsing: T.D.I. 00-Primus-16 | 8:55

  For over a week now, we had been working on individual tasks, each of us tackling different challenges. I, however, kept running into the same frustrating wall—lack of knowledge. Again and again, I found myself at an impasse, unable to move forward simply because I didn’t know enough.

  It wasn’t just a matter of study or research. The problem was deeper than that. I didn’t understand magic, the will of the universe, or the power that flowed through existence itself. The more I tried to grasp it, the more I realized just how little I knew. Worse still, I had no way to remedy my ignorance.

  Earth had been isolated—cut off from magic, from the will and power of the universe. It had been a closed system, disconnected from everything beyond its own rules. I had lived my entire life within that blindfold, never even knowing what I couldn’t see.

  And now, trying to understand magic was like trying to explain color to the blind. No, it was worse than that. It was like describing sight to a species that had evolved without the ability to see. How do you even begin to comprehend something when the very foundation for understanding it does not exist?

  And that—more than anything—was driving me insane.

  Yesterday, I decided to take a step back. If I couldn’t brute-force my way through my current problem, maybe some distance would give me clarity. Instead of fighting against the unknown, I shifted my focus to the other issues we were facing—ones I could actually solve.

  Veritas and I spent hours refining a synthetic wood formula that could be printed using the ship’s fabricators. With that in place, I threw myself into designing furniture—pieces for Aerorae’s study, my own workspace, and, most importantly, the girls’ room.

  Somewhere along the way, I stumbled onto a method to create physical books. I sent the details to Aerorae, and, almost immediately, she replied with a list of over a hundred titles to be printed—for herself and the girls. The drones had only just finished upgrading and decorating the girls’ room when I realized I wanted to see their reactions firsthand.

  So, I fetched my wife and daughters, making them close their eyes as I led them inside.

  "Keep them shut," I reminded, carefully guiding them through the threshold. The moment we stepped in, the soft scent of floral arrangements filled the air, mingling with the crisp freshness of the mountain-scented breeze filtering through the simulated open windows.

  I took a step back, taking in the sight one last time before giving them permission to look.

  "Alright," I said, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Welcome home, girls. Open your eyes."

  For a moment, there was silence.

  Then—

  A sharp inhale.

  Gasps of pure delight.

  The girls' eyes went impossibly wide as they took in the fairytale-like beauty of the space around them. The warm peach tones of the walls, the elegant ivory columns, and the cascading floral arrangements that framed their beds—it was as if they had stepped into a dream.

  Their little hands flew to their mouths, muffling the excited squeals bubbling up from within.

  "You made us a castle!" the youngest breathed, her eyes darting from the grand canopy beds to the sweeping balcony overlooking the illusion of a breathtaking mountain range.

  "It's so pretty!" the older one added, spinning in place as if trying to take in every detail at once.

  Aerorae, standing beside me, let out a soft laugh. She reached out, fingertips brushing against the carved railing of the lofted bed. "Aco… this is incredible," she murmured, a mixture of awe and warmth in her voice.

  The girls wasted no time clambering onto the plush mattresses, bouncing slightly as they tested the softness. Their laughter filled the space, blending seamlessly with the soft chirping of birds in the distance.

  I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

  Worth it. Every hour spent designing, every adjustment made to the materials, every minute obsessing over the smallest details—it was all worth it for this.

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  Aerorae turned to me, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "You’re spoiling them."

  I grinned. "Of course."

  "And me too," she added, eyes filled with something softer—something I couldn’t quite name but understood all the same.

  I wrapped an arm around her waist, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. "Always."

  As the girls continued to explore their new space, their joy lighting up the room like sunshine, I knew one thing for certain, This was starting to feel like home.

  "This looks amazing, love," Aerorae said, admiration clear in her voice as she took in the transformed room.

  I let out a slow breath, my gaze following the girls as they eagerly scrambled up the ladder to the lofted beds. "It’s all for them," I answered. "I’ll work on our bedroom next. I also put in the request for the furniture in our individual studies, the kitchen, and the dining room. I think everything will be ready by tonight. We can move in today."

  I hesitated, then added, "I think it’s best if we sleep in here with the girls for now."

  Aerorae stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on my shoulder. Her touch was warm, grounding. "And how is it going with solving our Genie problem?"

  Just like my wife—straight to the point. She knew I was stalling.

  I sighed, looking away, pretending to focus on the girls as they giggled and tested out their new space. "It’s not going good," I admitted, keeping my voice low.

  "Have you talked to Elias and the others?"

  I turned to her and suppressed a shudder. The idea of facing the Djinn—especially the six that had orchestrated our escape—was something I had been deliberately avoiding.

  "Honestly? I'm afraid," I confessed. "What if the temptation gets the better of me? What if I give in and use a wish?"

  Aerorae arched a brow, her lips curving in a knowing smirk. "Well, your first wish didn’t turn out bad." She gestured around us, taking in the beautiful room, the thriving ship, the very fact that we were here and not imprisoned—or worse—on Earth.

  I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "Not bad? Aerorae, we’re exiled from our entire species. We are slowly running out of food."

  I crossed my arms, frustration creeping into my voice. "The fish and chickens aren’t reproducing fast enough, and we don’t have suitable soil to grow anything. Our daughters are receiving their classes from subroutines."

  "Yes," she agreed, her voice calm but firm, "and their development is astounding. Have you heard Roslyn read? They have over twenty facilitators constantly monitoring and adjusting their learning plans in real-time."

  I clenched my jaw. "But they’re alone."

  The weight of the words settled between us.

  "Maybe not today," I continued, my voice quieter now, "but we will run out of food sooner rather than later. And what if we get sick? Or wounded?"

  Aerorae didn’t answer right away. She studied me, considering. Then, softly but deliberately, she spoke.

  "Aco… you fear the wishes. But you fear them so much that you’re also afraid to even talk to the Djinn. And that? That’s a mistake."

  I looked at her. "You think I’m wrong to be cautious?"

  "No," she said immediately. "You’re not wrong to be cautious. You’re wrong to let that caution paralyze you."

  I hesitated. "I’m not like them, Aerorae. Those past tyrants, those mad kings. But what if… what if that’s just what they thought too? What if the power doesn’t corrupt you all at once, but slowly, decision by decision, rationalization by rationalization?"

  She didn’t argue. She let the silence stretch between us before speaking again.

  "Maybe. But you’re forgetting something."

  "What?"

  "You’re not alone."

  I turned to her.

  "You have me. You have the girls. And whether you like it or not, you now have Veritas. If you’re afraid of slipping—then lean on us. Use our eyes. Use our judgment."

  She stepped closer, her voice softer but more resolute.

  "You’re not the only one carrying the future. This isn’t just your burden to bear."

  I swallowed hard, my fists clenching at my sides.

  She was right.

  She always was.

  Aco von Hellsing: T.D.I. 00-Primus-167 | 13:28

  It was after lunch when Veritas and I set out, walking side by side through the villa’s corridors.

  For the first time, Veritas wasn’t just a holographic projection—he was physically present, transposing his form over a humanoid droid we had developed for tasks beyond the capabilities of the smaller drones. The droid’s sleek, metallic frame moved with precision, seamlessly mirroring his usual presence but now with actual weight and substance.

  This was necessary.

  We were heading to the Vault.

  Unlike before, the Vault would remain permanently isolated from the ship, a decision I had made for security. Once inside, no external system—Veritas included—would have access unless physically present. That meant he needed this form.

  More than that, I had locked the Vault down to ensure that only my family and I could open its doors and navigate its labyrinthine corridors without consequence. Anyone else?

  They wouldn’t make it out.

  I glanced at Veritas as we walked, his synthetic form moving effortlessly beside me. We both knew why we were going.

  It was time to speak with the Djinn.

  I stepped into the Vault, the weight of what I was about to do pressing heavily on my shoulders.

  Taking a deep breath, I did as Elias had once done.

  I clapped my hands together and spoke with firm intent.

  “Your master calls you.”

  My will extended outward, directed at the entire wall of phylacteries.

  For a brief moment, nothing happened.

  Then, Seventy-two figures materialized before the wall.

  A ripple of otherworldly energy filled the Vault, sending a faint pulse through the air. The sheer presence of them—beings bound yet powerful—was staggering.

  The Vault reacted.

  A piercing alarm blared as the lights flashed red, and a mechanical hum filled the chamber.

  Automated defenses activated.

  Heavy-duty antipersonnel machine guns descended from the ceiling and rose from the floor, their barrels locking onto the newly summoned Djinn.