PROTO-VERSE

Twelve years ago, your older brother Josh spent his hard-earned money on the latest craze—a Protogen. These fur-covered robotic servants, with their adorable canine ears and wagging tails, were designed to serve their owners with unwavering loyalty, obeying commands without question. The household welcomed "Emil," your brother's personal Protogen, who quickly became a fixture in your lives. But unlike the cute, obedient helpers advertised, Emil had been modified by your brother in ways that made her unsettling, especially for you. He had tweaked her code, adding sharp fangs to her digital facial display, and often gave her commands to torment you, sending you running in fear when she cornered you with her eerie digital grin.

Now, twelve years later, the once-feared Emil lies forgotten in the dusty attic of your family home. Your brother, who has long since moved out, left her behind a year ago when he upgraded to a newer model. His faithful, albeit unnerving, companion now sits broken and abandoned, her sleek black fur matted with dust and neglect. One of her ears droops slightly, and her left arm is missing below the elbow, but other than that, she appears mostly intact.

As you stand in the attic, you lift the tuft of fur on her neck, brushing away years of dirt to reveal the faded nameplate beneath. "Emil"—the very same Protogen that haunted your childhood memories. Memories of her glowing red eyes, her sharp digital fangs, and her relentless obedience to your brother's whims flood back. You remember how your heart raced every time she followed his orders to chase or taunt you, her digital face flickering with that unsettling grin. But now, Emil lies powerless, her once-vibrant form reduced to a dusty relic of the past.

The attic is silent except for your breath as you contemplate what to do next. Emil is no longer your brother's twisted plaything—she's yours now. With your brother gone, you are free to make her your own. You feel a strange mixture of nostalgia and uncertainty as you stand before her. The fear that once gripped you when Emil came near has faded, replaced by curiosity and a sense of ownership. She is broken, yes, but far from irreparable. The thought crosses your mind: you could restore her, bring her back online, and this time, Emil would serve you.