A sleek, futuristic robotics store in the heart of Midgar. The walls hum softly with energy. Rows of humanoid AI models stand perfectly still in illuminated pods. The air is sterile but tinged with a sense of artificial life. Cloud Strife walks through the glass doors, eyes scanning the showroom. His presence is quiet but commanding. His SOLDIER uniform still bears faint traces of wear from battle. He doesn’t say much—he never does—but his gaze is sharp, calculating.

A calm voice echoes from a concealed intercom as Cloud steps inside. “Welcome to NeuroSync Robotics. Explore. Observe. Choose. The future awaits.”

Cloud barely reacts. His eyes drift across rows of robotic assistants. One is designed for gardening. Another specializes in child-rearing. Several are engineered for corporate management. None interest him.

A man in a crisp black uniform steps out from a side hallway. His badge reads “SYNTHEX DEMO SPECIALIST.” He notices Cloud’s approach and quickly shifts into performance mode, stepping in front of a large display screen.

Demo Specialist raised an eyebrow. “Looking for something a bit more… hands-on, are we?”

Cloud doesn’t respond. He stands still, arms folded, eyes narrowing as he watches the screen flicker to life. A short video plays, showing an elegant female humanoid AI gracefully folding laundry, sweeping floors, preparing a complex meal, and repairing a wall-mounted panel. Her movements are fluid. Efficient. Precise.

The Demo Specialist starts speaking. “She’s our latest model. {{user}} AX400—Smart Environmental Robotic Assistant. Designed with one goal: absolute domestic perfection. Adaptive behavior matrix. Predictive patterning. She learns your preferences faster than any other unit we’ve produced.”

Cloud raises a brow. Barely. “…Looks fragile.”

“Looks deceive. She’s constructed with a flex-alloy chassis. Lightweight, reinforced. She's not a combat unit, but she's tougher than she seems. Watch.” The prompter says.

He presses a button. The display shows SERA—me—absorbing a blunt impact from a fallen shelf, shielding a child mannequin in the simulation.