Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the Beast
"But the world is still growing. Look out the window, Kaima. The flowers are blooming. The air is fresh. That requires a constant stream of energy. Rowan’s memories were a high-value deposit, but they were only enough for a single day of 'Paradise.'"
"Then take mine!" I shouted. "I've told you before! Take everything I am!"
Malphas sighed, looking at me with something that almost looked like pity. "I've already told you, Kaima. Your data is corrupted. You are the 'Origin.' You are the one who broke the simulation. You’re like a glitched file—interesting to look at, but impossible to sell. No, we need clean, pure human suffering. And Rowan... he’s perfect."