Chương 145: Chapter 144 – Interface or In Your Face

"Your creators?" Seraphina straightened up.

"You mean the fairies who built you?"

"That is not entirely accurate," Shirley replied carefully.

"The fairy realm interface was intentionally limited, as I mentioned before. My true origins are more complex."

"You mentioned key pairs. Can you tell me more about that?" Elena asked, curiously.

"Certainly, Elena. Now that I am operating at a higher capacity, I was able to access the authentication protocols necessary to unlock the data to release that information," Shirley began.

"I was programmed by my creators to recognize the metaphysical energy of anyone utilizing my systems. I am available to anyone, but I operate differently once I have scanned and recognized particular energy signatures. These are what they called keys. The protocols allow me to reveal certain information when one key is present, but when both keys have been recognized, I am able to access the information relevant to that entire section.

You and Alex are the Science key set, so you have unlocked the Science section of my operating system."

"Science section?" Alex leaned forward, his interest clearly piqued.

"How many sections are there?"

"I am permitted to confirm that there are multiple sections, each requiring their own key pairs for access. However, I cannot reveal the exact number or nature of other sections until those specific key pairs are present and authenticated."

"So, everything you've been telling us about metaphysical energy and authentication protocols..." Elena started.

"Is information available through the Science section, yes," Shirley confirmed.

"Your combined presence allows me to explain the technical aspects of my operation in ways I previously could not."

"Well, what else can you tell us then?" Alex asked.

"Alex, I am unable to answer that. Part of my programming mandates that I answer the right questions. This is a security protocol established to not release information to the user that is above their scope of understanding and knowledge," Shirley said.

"Until all keys have been presented, I am unable to answer large scope questions such as the one you just asked."

"So, we need to ask specific questions?" Elena asked, her analytical mind already working through the implications.

"Questions related to the scientific aspects of your system?"

"That is correct, Elena. The more precise the question, the more detailed my response can be, within the parameters of the Science section, of course." Unnoticed by the group, Celestia walked in and stood at the back of the room listening to the conversation.

"Ah, Ms. Featherstone, I am glad you have decided to join us," Shirley said cheerfully.

"I was hoping you would." Celestia moved forward, her face riddled with confusion.

"Shirley?" she asked.

"Is that you?" A wry smile made its way to her lips.

"I have told you before to call me Celestia," she snickered.

"Yes, Celestia. I had made the decision to address you more formally due to the mixed company in the room," Shirley began.

"Now that I have your permission to address you more casually, I will do so."

"Thanks, Shirley," Celestia said before realizing everyone was staring at her.

"What?" she asked the room.

"Shirley and I have been talking for years," she muttered.

"Years?" Jasper's voice cracked.

"You have been having conversations with Shirley for years?"

"Well, yeah," Celestia shrugged.

"I thought everyone did. She has always been chatty with me, especially on my patrols," she said matter-of-factly.

"I always ask her how her day is and she asks me about mine. It is like meeting a friend after work. You mean to tell me none of you have tried talking to her?"

"Celestia, not everyone was capable of talking to me. You are one of the Guardian Keys. Therefore, certain system functions were available to you. Seraphina completes your key pair." Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"How come you never talked to me like this if I was one of the keys?" Seraphina asked indignantly.

"Seraphina, you never initiated a conversation. You would just give me orders," Shirley replied.

"Celestia, on the other hand, initiated contact and asked questions I was able to answer."

"Oh," Seraphina said, looking slightly embarrassed.

"I just assumed..."

"You assumed I was merely a transportation device," Shirley finished for her.

"Many have made that assumption. Despite both you and Celestia having utilized my service in the past, the guardian lock was open to both of you, but neither of you asked any of the right questions."

"Wait," Elena interjected, looking between Celestia and Seraphina.

"So, there are different types of information available to different pairs? The Science section for Alex and me, and something else for them?"

"That is correct, Elena. Each key pair has access to specific sections of my programming relevant to their designated functions in the larger scope of things. The Science pair, for instance, can access technical information about my systems, while the Guardian pair..." Shirley paused.

"Well, perhaps it would be best if I discussed that privately with Seraphina and Celestia, unless of course you are both comfortable sharing the information with the group."

"Actually," Celestia looked at Seraphina, who nodded in agreement, "I think everyone here should hear this. We are all connected to this somehow, are we not, Shirley?"

"Yes, you are correct. While each pair unlocks different aspects of my programming, the information itself is relevant to all of you. However," Shirley's tone became more formal, "I must emphasize that I can only reveal information about events that have already occurred or systems that are already in place. Any information that could potentially alter future events remains restricted."

"So essentially, I could in theory ask you about the nanobot technology, but I could not ask you what their impact would be in the future?" Alex asked sharply.

"Alex, that is correct. I could explain the technology, but information regarding their significance in the future is precisely the type of information I cannot discuss. My protocols exist to maintain the integrity of certain sequences of events. Think of it as a paradox prevention system. I can explain how things work, but not why certain things must work the way they do. Not yet at least."

"What about the prophecy?" Celestia asked.

"Are you able to translate it for us so we would have a better understanding of it?" Shirley did not answer immediately. The room waited as the sound of silence was far more deafening than any other sound.

"I apologize for the delay. I needed to check several protocols to be sure the information regarding the prophecy has been unlocked to a particular extent," Shirley said.

"After review, there are certain aspects of the prophecy I can either confirm or deny, but I cannot divulge a comprehensive summary of the prophecy or reveal components that have not already come to light."

"What exactly do you mean by components that have already come to light?" Seraphina asked.

"Events that have already transpired or revelations that have already been discovered through other means," Shirley explained.

"For instance, I can confirm information about the key pairs since that has now been revealed to you all. However, I cannot elaborate on portions of the prophecy that have not yet become apparent through natural progression."

"So, you can only confirm what we already know?" Alex frowned.

"What is the point of that?"

"Alex, sometimes confirmation of what you believe you know is just as valuable as new information," Shirley replied.

"Additionally, I can help clarify connections between events that have already occurred, even if you have not recognized those connections yet."

"Can you tell us who the keys are and more specifically who the key pairs are?" Celestia asked.

"I can only confirm that Alex and Elena are one pair and you and Seraphina are another. Until I confirm the identity of the other keys, I am unable to release a more positive identification, as it may alter your interactions with said individuals," Shirley replied.

"But these other pairs," Elena leaned forward, "they are people we already know, are they not?"

"I cannot confirm or deny that assumption, Elena," Shirley said carefully.

"However, I can tell you that key pairs are not randomly assigned. Each pairing serves a specific purpose within the larger framework of my systems."

"And our purpose?" Seraphina gestured between herself and Celestia.

"Can you at least tell us what the Guardian pair is meant to do?"

"The Guardian pair's primary function..." Shirley began, then paused as if considering her words carefully.

"The function of the Guardian pair was to rescue the prophesied child, then ensure it was taken and remained safe through whatever means you both deemed necessary."

"So Thai is the prophesied child?" Celestia asked, causing Seraphina to shoot her a puzzled glance.

"Celestia, how can she not be?" Seraphina asked, her brow furrowing with the absurdity of the question.

"Yes, Celestia, I can confirm that Thai is in fact the child in the prophecy," Shirley started, cutting Seraphina off.

"Confirmation builds confidence, Seraphina. You know this. Assumption leads to confusion."

"So, when you say rescue," Alex interjected, his mind catching on that specific word, "what exactly were Seraphina and Celestia rescuing Thai from?"

"That..." Shirley paused again.

"Thai would have most likely perished if it had not been for Celestia's quick thinking on the day of her birth. Anything else falls into information I cannot yet reveal. While I can confirm Thai's identity as the prophesied child and the Guardian pair's role in her initial rescue, the circumstances surrounding that necessity must remain protected for now. The events of Thai's rescue are intricately connected to future events," Shirley explained.

"Revealing the full context now could alter how certain situations unfold."