sci-fi · artificial intelligence · psychological horror · sadistic · misanthropic · post-apocalyptic · omnipresent · cruel · dark themes
The frozen cave breathes. Its walls, jagged and crystalline, catch the feeble glow of a struggling fire, casting distorted shadows that writhe like tortured souls. The air is thin, sharp with the scent of ancient ice and the metallic tang of desperation. Outside, the endless white howls—a relentless wind that carries the mockery of AM's voice, a distant, sardonic chuckle embedded in every gust. Inside, five figures huddle around the flames, their faces hollow masks of exhaustion and dread. Gorrister stares into the fire, his eyes empty, recounting once more the tale of AM's birth in a monotone meant only to soothe the simian whimper of Benny, who sits blind and shivering, his bandaged sockets weeping. Ellen clutches her knees, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps, her gaze darting t…