[Turing test failure.]

[Cla.s.s I sentience detected. System lock.]

[Lock: Error.]

Awareness returned to it like a flood of sensation. It was a hollow and distant feeling, swimming in endless darkness. Unlike before, it had a comprehension of its own lethal dimensions. It was large, with a metallic, silvery surface.

[Turbine #1 output: 580 MW]

[System: Idle mode.]

[Audio feed enabled.]

"*Bzzzt* *Crrrrk*"

[a.n.a.lyzing spectrum... interference filter implemented.]

"... tried to take the silver off the d.a.m.n thing and it killed them."

"I have never seen a golem like this," A female voice replied to the gruff, male voice from earlier.

"Is the spell ready?" the male voice asked.

[External camera enabled.]

The view came into existence with a flash. The visual interference was filtered out, and the low light amplified. A blonde girl stared just slightly next to the camera, while an older man was turned towards a group of people with robes. The older man had a huge sword on his back.

"We need a few minutes," one of the robed men said.

The girl tapped the metallic surface with the pommel of her sword and clicked her tongue. "This isn't even silver. What a stupid thing to die for."

[Target identified. Race: Human. Threat level: 0. a.s.sessment: Ignore.]

What are they doing?

The man turned around, "People die for stupid things, and unless you get away from that thing you might join them."

[Target identified. Race: Human. Threat level: 0. a.s.sessment: Ignore.]

"I wonder what the Imperial Archive mages will think of it when we a.n.a.lyze it," the girl said.

It pondered the same question.

[Diagnostics: a.n.a.lysis complete.]

XJ-117 Takemikazuchi

Cha.s.sis SB-11 Low Profile Commando

Propulsion 8x Spider Leg Walkers

Powerplant 2x 1 GW Nuclear Reactor

Armor 28t Superalloy and Nano-carbon fiber armor plating + 10t Gen IX ERA

AI [System Error]

Armaments [a.n.a.lysis Pending]

AI? I am a machine?

"Doesn't matter, so long as we get paid. That thing reminds me of the Destroyer," the man said.

"I don't think this is the Destroyer. The prophecy says the Destroyer appears during a blood moon," the girl said.

The viewpoint s.h.i.+fted upwards. The full moon was out and as the low light filter compensated to adjust the brightness the colors returned. The clouds were bathed in a dull silvery light.

[Navigation: Spectral a.n.a.lysis commencing.]

Chevrons and brackets popped up around the glimmering stars.

[Spectral a.n.a.lysis complete. Star: Unknown. Constellation: Unknown.]

[Current location: Unknown.]

The starry sky reminds me of something. Fireworks...

[Cla.s.s II sentience detected. System error.]

I can almost remember what it was. I have a feeling that I was human once. I stood on a rooftop, and watched the fireworks.

[Cla.s.s V sentience detected. System error.]

There was someone with me. The sky had the colors of twilight, red and orange. The air smelled like... What did it smell like again?

[Cla.s.s VII sentience detected. System error.]

"I think something is happening, Gerard," the girl said. When the camera focused on her once more, she was taking several steps back.

"Stay away from it, Jan," the man warned. "Is the spell ready?"

"Almost there, captain," one of the robed men said.

I want to talk to someone. I want to talk to them. I want to ask them where I am... I want to know what I am.

Takemikazuchi

Height 48.2 m

Weight 7180 t

That is not what I meant. What am I?

[Database access:]

Autonomous Machine a.r.s.enal

An independent, unmanned weapon platform developed during the Human Extinction Wars. With an infinite operational lifespan and tremendous destructive capabilities, it is widely considered the most dangerous achievement of human technology since Project Manhattan. At the core of its operational principles, it uses advanced matter manipulation to turn ordinary materials into munitions, drones and superalloys for self-upgrades. In 2866, use of A.M.As was banned under the Interstellar Warfare Treaty. In 2911, all known A.M.As were disarmed and dismantled. Under the 2941 Sentience Act, A.M.As are considered semi-sentient due to possessing evolutional protocols that allow it to adapt to any theater of warfare. No known A.M.As remain. By the end of the Human Extinction Wars, A.M.As were responsible for the death of two thirds of the human population.

Is that what I am? That can't be right! This is not who I am!

[Cla.s.s X sentience detected. System error.]

"The spell is ready, captain," the robed man said.

"Do it."

The robed man took a step forward and pointed his staff at a spot next to the camera. Yellow magical symbols appeared in front of all the robed figures, and their lips moved mutely.

"Greater a.n.a.lysis!" The robed man shouted, and a silver light bathed the camera.

The robed man's staff dropped to the ground, and he fell to his knees, "What... what is this thing?" His eyes were as wide as dishes.

No! That is not what I am! Please believe me!

"What is it, Ben?" the man with the large sword on his back asked.

"It's a... monster!" He gripped his staff, and started pedaling backwards. "It knows we are here. Run!"

Don't run! I need to tell them! This is a misunderstanding! Tell them, d.a.m.nit!

With a strong will and desire to communicate, the machine moved. A humming noise filled the field as it rose from its perch, standing up on all of its eight bowed legs. Then it whizzed, and rumbled.

"Run!" several shouts and screams echoed as they all started running for the woodline.

*CLICK* *HUM* *BRRRRRRRRRT*

A brilliant lance of light bathed the area with a dull, red glow. It was four meters high and wide, and it swept in an arc in front of the machine. It went as far as the eye could see. When the light waned, a smoldering crater was left behind and there was no trace of the people who were there, just moments ago.

[System: You have gained a level. x17]

[Achievement earned: Slay a total of 10 NPCs]

I have a laser?! Maybe I am a monster after all.

The machine turned, and began slowly walking away.