Stepping on to the sand, it felt weird, giving little way to my metal feet, my receptors could feel it but it wasn't what I had imagined, I chuckle. Father said I needed to do this daily. He said I had forgotten my memories, and I needed to remember. I knew he wasn't my father, and he told me what I once was. He took me under his wing and taught me the deep ways of his people....my people. Sighing, I take steps out into the garden. The humans called it a Zen garden, I had read that in an old book. Rocks and boulders were placed serenely throughout the garden. The sand combed beautifully, only marred by my footsteps as I reached the middle of the garden to the main boulder. Jumping up with ease, my feet make a clanging sound as they meet the rock. Looking around, it was a beautiful day in the City, blue skies, wisps of cloud here and there. The sun beaming brightly.....and the Traveler, ominous and silent, watching over us from somewhere deep inside that orb. Returning to what I was doing, I recall fathers voice. "Zo'ruuk, our people are timeless. Like the stone beneath our feet we are strong, unmoving. You must learn what this means. When you find yourself as a stone, dig deep within yourself. Search the darkness for who you were." His raspy voice echoed in his head. Rolling my shoulders and shaking loose I close my eyes and focus.....deep breath. The cool air filling my artificial lungs, refreshing. Relaxing, I kneel, knee to stone, opposite fist to stone. I focus. The sand stirring in the light breeze, the gray garments I wear fluttering slightly, brushing my metal body. The sand rubbing the rocks like a lovers caress. I feel the stone beneath me. Part of the Earth. Darkness. Deep within my sub-conscious, I float, eyes gazing upon a great vastness, a abyss. Going through the motions I had done everyday for months, I stretch out, reaching for the edges of the abyss. A Flash. My hands are at a Fallen dregs throat, a vice, squeezing the life out of it, I push and push, screaming at it to die....Snap, it breaks, the life leaves it eyes, its soul screeches out of its mouth, out, and past my head. A Flash. My hand is at her cheek, fleshy....human, love aching in my heart, touching her in this dark room. She smiles and leans for a kiss... A Flash Blood on her cheek, her eyes are dull, unseeing, kneeling next to her in a bed of leaves. Crying and shaking in pain and anger. I scream at the night sky, and turn, through the moonlight creeping through the canopy of the forest, I see the Fallen Captain standing there, grinning. I stand. A Flash. I am upon the Captain, its face a bloody pulp, I punch down upon it over and over, hands being cut on bone fragment and teeth. I rage as I continue. "Why her?!" I yell, "WHY!!!" A Flash. I am back on the boulder. Breathing heavy. Mind dull. The boulder is cracked down the middle as I stare. I stand, taking control. I look at my hands. What have these done? I look up and to the Traveler, still ominous and silent in its vigil, hanging above our city, the strange guardian. Who am I? Who was she? Did I love her? Why wont you answer me? I hop off the broken boulder onto the sand, metal meeting the ground. That strange sensation of what sand was again. I sigh and walk to my quarters to change. Mind flustered. More and more questions, sitting on my cot i put my face in my hands and ponder. Maybe father will have more answers.... To Be Continued...... -I hope you all enjoy this read, let me know what you think and if you want more!-