After exterminating the slimes and resting on the grass, I stood up, ready to continue my mission. I pulled the map from my pocket, confirmed the location of my second objective—the Abandoned Factory—and headed south. I looked back at the tower one last time; something deep inside told me that, perhaps, I would never see it again.
Time passed quickly. The animals retreated into their burrows as I advanced. I felt something was wrong; the closer I got to the factory, the more the environment remodeled itself, turning into a dead zone with no life around. Surely, something in that region emanated a fear that repelled any living being, but I didn't know what it was yet.
When I finally reached the site, the main door was wide open. The interior was an abyss of darkness, making it almost impossible to see what lay inside. I felt along the walls until I found a switch. When the lights flickered and finally hummed to life, I saw a massive cloth covering something gargantuan in the center of the warehouse, soaked in grease and grime. A bad premonition shivered down my spine.
Ignoring the object in the center, I went to the side machines. I used DECOMPOSITION to pry open the panels and began pulling out the cables and wires I needed. The instant I pulled them, a sharp, deafening buzz struck my brain. I dropped everything and covered my ears, screaming as I felt warm blood trickle from them. The noise ceased abruptly, but I felt I was being watched.
Before I could recover, massive hands grabbed me. I was hoisted up to the level of a metallic face: a giant, humanoid machine with large red eyes that glowed as a scanning beam analyzed me. It dropped me suddenly. The machine's head hissed open in a cloud of steam, and a figure leapt out, landing gracefully in front of me and kicking up dust.
She held out a small, delicate hand, though it was completely smeared with grease. — Well now, boy? Aren't you going to shake my hand? I thought men were supposed to be gentlemen...
My hand moved by pure reflex. Her grip was firm, yet the skin beneath the dirt was soft. — I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.
— Don't sweat it, I was just messing with your head. Anyway, what brings you to my house?
— Wait... you live in a factory? You sleep here? — I asked, incredulous.
— Did you see any other place around? Did you have a drink before finding me and I just didn't know about it?
— My bad... I just wanted some cables and wires from your machines.
— Oh, so you were going to steal without even talking to me? You didn't even think someone might be living here? You're just a half-baked little thief...
— I didn't know! I didn't want to steal without asking... — I tried to explain, but she cut me off.
— So you wanted to steal by asking?
— Let me finish! Look, I'm missing an arm. They told me I'd find what I needed here.
She paused for a second, and her eyes glinted dangerously. She pointed her left hand at my face—a mechanical hand with a cannon embedded in the center of the palm. My life was on the line. — Spit it out... who sent you?
— It was a dinosaur named Frockie! He wanted to help me with my arm!
— DON'T LIE TO ME! There are no dinosaurs in this dimension!
— OKAY, OKAY! It was a mushroom and his wife! They sent me to the observation tower and then here!
She let go of me and burst into laughter, wiping tears of mirth with her fingers. — Hahaha! You totally lost your cool! Frockie is such a goofball for sending such a scaredy-cat here. I'm Agata, a friend of Frockie and Bela. They sent you here for the arm because they don't know how to build a thing... but lucky for you, I DO! Hahaha!
Looking at that woman, I already knew. I was certain: I was getting involved with a girl who was very, very crazy. She smiled at me, and just to be polite, I smiled back with the distinct feeling that "I'm totally screwed."
— So, since you're making my arm... when will it be ready?
— Now, now... you really think I'm making your arm for nothing in return? I need materials, starting with metal...
I tossed the metal cube I found in the tower at her feet.
— Oh, you already have it. Okay. Then all that's left is the favor... Hehehe.
— What do you want in exchange?
— Humm... just stay here by my side until I finish forging the arm for you.
— That's it? Ah, I thought you wanted me to fight some megazord of yours or something. If it's just that, I can handle it easily.
She looked down and said, her voice suddenly soft: — Look... just so you know. I get lonely here. It's been a long time since I've had a friend to talk to. I wanted someone to talk to so badly, you have no idea.
The world around us seemed to stop; it was as if I were inside a vacuum where time didn't pass. I thought to myself: I was only thinking about myself. My focus on leaving was so intense that I ignored her feelings. She is a person just like me, but perhaps she needed help even more than I did.
— Right then, Agata. I'll spend time with you until my arm is ready. And we're going to do everything two people can do together! Hehe.
Her head snapped up. Seeing her smile and her eyes sparkling brought me genuine joy. Maybe it wasn't so bad to pause the adventures and have a little fun.
Days passed as Arata and Agata planned their time. The sound of the forge began to echo, but it wasn't the only noise filling the factory. What followed was a succession of days that seemed to float outside the dark calendar of that world.
The two sat atop the cold metal of the giant robot. Between them was an improvised chessboard with pieces carved from scrap metal. Agata tapped her chin, pensive, while Arata watched the ceiling, spinning a screw between the fingers of his only remaining hand. The focus shifted to the board: a checkmate delivered with a rusty nut, followed by her laughter illuminating the dark warehouse.
By the riverbank in the forest, they worked in harmony. With joint effort, they carried metal plates and used Arata's DECOMPOSITION to mold a deep basin in the earth. Agata connected patched hoses to an old hydraulic pump that brought in crystal-clear river water. Moments later, the "pool" was full. The image was one of pure lightness: the two diving, water splashing under the light filtered by the giant trees, forgetting, for a moment, the scars and the lost limbs.
They were at the workbench. Agata taught Arata how to weld with one hand, guiding his movements with the patience of someone who had found a purpose in solitude. Sparks flew, reflecting in both their eyes. Later, they ran through the factory in a silly chase, using transport carts like racing cars, swerving around gears and piles of cables until they collapsed exhausted onto bales of old cloth, staring at the ceiling and imagining stars together.
There was also the moment when Arata used his RECREATION to create small metal cubes, only for Agata to blow them up with small charges of gunpowder, celebrating as if they were fireworks at a summer festival. The last image was the calmest: the two sitting side by side at the factory entrance, watching the cave's artificial sunset. Agata leaned her head on Arata's shoulder. He didn't feel the urge to run. They were there. They were simply there. Time didn't pass; it just existed around them.
[Some time later]
— Thank you so much for spending time with me, Arata. Here is your arm.
She helped me attach the arm to my left side. I felt bad about leaving, but I knew I had to go. The metal was cold, but the fit was perfect—a masterpiece of engineering crafted with care and haste. I opened and closed the mechanical hand, hearing the subtle hiss of the hydraulic pistons working.
I looked at Agata. She stood with her grease-stained hands hidden behind her back, swaying slightly on her heels. Her smile was there, but it didn't reach her eyes.
— It's perfect, Agata. Thank you. — I said, feeling a knot form in my throat. — I... I have to go now.
The silence that followed was heavy. The factory, which had once felt full of life with our games, suddenly turned back into a cold, empty warehouse.
— I know — she replied, her voice a bit higher than usual. — You have your mission. "Heroes" don't stay still in scrap factories, do they?
I took my first step toward the exit but stopped under the iron portal. The cave's artificial sky was overcast; the mineral lights on the ceiling seemed dimmer today. I felt a warm drop roll down my face, followed by another.
— That's strange... — I muttered, without turning around. — It's raining.
Agata stepped forward, her voice trembling but trying to maintain the firm tone she'd used since we met. — What are you talking about, Arata? We're inside a cave. The ceiling is solid stone... It's impossible for it to rain in here.
I brought my right hand to my face, wiping the damp trail that insisted on falling, but my eyes were already blurred. — No... it really is raining — I insisted, my voice failing.
There was a long pause. I heard her soft sniffle right behind me. — Yeah... — Agata whispered, her first tear hitting the metal floor with a metallic clink. — You're right. It really is raining.
I didn't look back. I knew if I did, I wouldn't have the strength to walk through that door. I simply raised my new mechanical hand in a final farewell and walked toward the forest, while the "rain" washed the faces of two friends whom destiny decided to separate too soon.
Time began to run again. And this time, it was running against me.