The Nihilos: Trash Player Who Rewrote Reality

The wind rustled the trees lazily as Raven returned from the nearby market, two grocery bags swinging from his arms.

Ava was sitting under the porch awning with Ash, pointing at a sketchbook.

> "This is a cat," she said, drawing two sharp ears and a long tail.

Ash tilted his head. "Four-legged… tail unit… sharp claws… small predator. Why is it... cute?"

Ava giggled. "Because it is."

Ash nodded solemnly. "Then I, too, wish to be… cute."

Raven nearly dropped the groceries.

> "Okay, I've heard enough," he muttered, walking past them.

---

Later that day...

Ava had found an old karaoke machine in the storage shed.

> "We are going to sing," she declared with the kind of dramatic flair that made Raven visibly flinch.

Ash, now wearing sunglasses (which he insisted made him '80% cooler based on Ava's reactions), nodded seriously. "Will this improve my vocal combat subroutines?"

> "It's not combat, it's fun," Ava said, holding out a mic. "Pick a song."

Ash stared at the screen. He eventually selected one titled: Emotional Damage.exe

Raven spit out his tea.

---

The Song...

Ash began slow, robotic.

But halfway through, something strange happened—he swayed to the rhythm. Ava clapped. Raven blinked.

Ash finished the last note with a dramatic slide to the left.

> "Did I win?" he asked.

Ava gave a standing ovation.

Raven just muttered, "Remind me to format that machine."

---

Evening – Cooking Disaster

"Today," Raven said in his most authoritative voice, "You learn to cook."

Ash saluted. "Confirmed."

They handed him an egg.

He stared at it like it held universal secrets.

> "Why is it fragile?"

> "Because it's life," Raven replied, cracking one perfectly.

Ash nodded. Then crushed the egg in his palm with the strength of a small forklift.

> "...Too much life," he said solemnly.

Ava fell over laughing.

---

Night – Questions at the Stars

They sat outside again, same as every night.

Ash was quieter now. He watched the moon.

> "Do I have a birthday?" he asked.

Ava blinked. "Hmm... no. But we can make one."

Raven grunted. "You want a cake too?"

Ash nodded. "And a name. One I chose."

Raven raised a brow. "Not Ash?"

Ash looked at his hands.

> "Ash means remains. But I feel like… a beginning."

Ava smiled. "So what will it be?"

Ash thought for a long time.

> "...Call me Sol."

Log Entry – Raven