[ The common history of the Nexus could be divided into 5 ages.

-5000 to 0 - The Age of Myths. Where the first elven explorers arrived at the Nexus but no recorded history have survived. 1 to 6849 - The Age of Exploration.

Started from the first returnee and his written work “Journey to the Unknowable” and ending in the establishment of the first Nexus city. Exploring became popular, professional and profitable thus incentivizing more to join.

6850 to 8799 - The Age of Trials.

The techniques to track where one was in the spiritual realm and travel between dimensions were invented. The Nexus started to be mapped. Consecutive wars against natives were won and lost, ending only in the fifth try to found the current Nexus city. The first contact with other explorers from different dimensions began, represented by the theocracy and the coalition.

8800 to 9699 – The Lost Millennium.

Rapid growth and stability were soon followed by corruption and greed stemming the crown prince of the Samar Federation Elves. “The Great Terror” began wherein countless nobles and their families were assassinated in a single week. It only abated with the discovery of the Remus Dimension. Cooperation for the exploration of the new lands lasted for a while until full war commenced.

The First Nexus war began. The second prince with the support of the Theocracy and the Coalition battled the crown prince while the Remus natives fought their defensive war at the same time. The second prince won the throne but the natives managed to strengthen themselves and unite under the new Remus Dynasty. The Second Nexus War followed with the Samar Elves Faction(the Elves, Coalition and Theocracy) against the Remus Dynasty. However at the brink of victory the second prince betrayed his supporting factions. The Uneasy Truce was signed wherein the Theocracy, Coalition and the Dynasty united against the Mad Prince. In the end, a huge superweapon aimed at the fleet invading Samar itself backfired and the crazed prince caused the destruction of the Elven race. 9670 to 9998 - The Great Peace

The current age. The three factions learned the lessons of the previous age and the slogan “Peace is a commitment” became popular. Characterized by fast growth and prosperity, this museum was built lest we forget the painful lessons of yesterday. ]

*

She tracked Izo to a nearby Museum. There were a few visitors from the candidates but no natives. Instead, robots served them and answered their queries.

Unless he was agitated, Izo wasn’t a very expressive person. Somehow, he looked stumped. Forlorn.

“So, they’re plagued too?”

Outside of the museum passed spiritually powered cars. The few people inside were doing their business but from where he stood, it was staid. Stainless, stagnant, stale in stationary standstill.

It took all her effort to disturb him.

“Izo, what are you doing here?”

“Sun Hee? Why’d you leave? You seemed to be having great fun.”

“I don’t know. Was curious about where you went.”

“In a random museum. I was reading things in the Nexusnet anyway and thought might as well visit here. I’ve never visited any museums before.”

Maybe he got tired so he sat down on a bench.

Around them were artworks of great artist. They looked weird to her aesthetic sense but their purpose was familiar. Results of great emotion from events that made them feel.

“Would you- do you mind if I speak my mind for a bit Sun Hee?”

“?”

“I’ll take that as permission.”

The lights shone harshly overhead and hid his features enough so that when he looked at her, only his brown eyes were visible. Piercing and honest.

“I wasn’t thinking anything too deep. It’s just great suffering still exist here even with their advancements. I’m not talking about one’s stemming from hunger or wealth inequality. Those are scientific and governmental issues. I’m concerned about the cause for a loving husband to keep beating his wife while her children watches or a man to order an invasion that has no benefits to the nation.”

“It’s no secret the reasons why this happens. The same reason as a lion will pounce when its territory is violated so does a man, wrongly so, may hit his wife for making him lose face among his friends. It’s a warped instinct that hasn’t fitted since millenniums ago but evolution conditioned us this way. In this animal’s point of view, he lost social standing and is a threat to his place to the community thus lower survival chance.”

“I wish to fix this fact yet I don’t know how. They, the Nexus people, don’t know how. Religion failed to make Earth better. Legalism and policing don’t work. How do you make people better if there’s something wrong from the base nature of life itself? Sigh If you think I’m crazy feel free to do so. Maybe, I am.”

Sun Hee paused even as he waited and stared at her. She thought deeply, cleared her throat and only then did she organize her thoughts.

“Though I’ve never heard it articulated the way you did, actually I’ve been thinking similarly. I don’t have a solution or do I completely comprehend your explanation for now but I do have a way to treat the macro. You can tell me if which of us is crazier later.”

She saw his confused face.

“To prevent wars of emotion and better governance, A.I. should be the governing and the judicial body. It’ll never betray its code and will prioritize the good of all. No succession or voting needed either. Of course, everyone is free to live their lives up to reason and the A.I. must explain the reasons why it does things but I think it’s for the best.”

“I’ve actually been studying for this future and the Nexus seems to be a place of great inspiration. Our fellow candidates are bots already. Aren’t they A.I. even if they are emotional? Now, tell me which of us is crazier?”

“…”

[ 30 minutes left till candidates must exist the Nexusphere ]

“Shall we go?”

“Before that Sun Hee. Maybe don’t talk about you’re A.I. takeover plan in public. Pretty dangerous topic.”

“Who are you to order me?”

“Grrr. Cheeky thing.”

*

Far across the city, in the dynasty’s quadrant. A regally dressed man who was supposed to look splendid was eating French fries with greasy hands. A younger girl dressed in common attire swiped a few too while listening to a cloaked but armored woman.

“50% favorability Kaylee?”

“Yes, the theocracy has managed to win the candidates favor.”

Kaylee, the Air Scissor sighed.

“I’m sorry, Viscount Srag, Princess Third. I thought my earnest plea would be enough.”

The young girl who was called a princess took a French fry and used it to gesture.

“It’s okay dude. It’s not unexpected for Telo de Fezzan to be good at speeches. That guy always had the talent for public shenanigans.”

“True true princess- how? You ate all the fries already!”

“Who are you to complain to me, your monarch? Soon enough I’ll own your ass, little viscount.”

The young viscount was aggrieved, only his pride made him shut his mouth. He was brazen outside and only the Princess Third could make him submit. If their clothes were removed and they placed in a random street, no one would be able to tell that they were the leaders of the youth faction in the Dynasty.

*

“M-magus Kaupa, the report. T-the g-grandmaster…”

“Displeased. Yeah, he can go eat desiccated toes. Those that don’t want to join won’t. The dedicated and curious about the world’s foundation will. Quality vs quantity yadda yadda.”

“The council…”

“Can suck a fireball. No one orders the school of necromancy. Stop being so scared. Even if Master passes in a few years, I’m here.”

*

Rochella could hear his grunting rise to a crescendo then to whimpers as he climaxed. Of course, she responded with her own as she tried her best to appear satisfied.

They then parted to rest. He would talk every once in a while, thus she made sure to respectfully made conversation. When she felt that it was the right time to leave, she got up and got dressed.

“Wait, the night is too early. Why are you leaving?”

“Telo, I have to go home. It’s Welcoming Day and my parents are waiting for me.”

He began touching and made sure his skin touched as much as possible with hers. After two more rounds, where she did her best to act satisfied, she was finally had a chance to leave. Genetically enhanced he may be, but even that had limits.

“Wait, wait. Why don’t you just stay here for the night? Just tell your parents your busy and you’ll come as soon as possible. Stay.”

“We can still meet next time.”

“Stay, please.”

“…”

“Weren’t you the one that invited me here? Told me that you want me? I remember your brother and I were friends?”

She had to turn around to hide the distortion on her face.

“We’re sex friends already. How could you be so evil to leave me all alone here.”

His hands clasped her shoulders then caressed her body down to her hips where he hugged tightly.

“Didn’t you kiss me first and brought me here? It’s your fault I’m feeling this way.”

She felt a momentary weightlessness as her body was lifted up. He placed her back onto bed and as she was facing her back to him, his tongue travelled her neck.

“You’re so beautiful. So amazingly pristine.”