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Theocratic-Monarchy: SunSide
23rd Day of Month 6, Year 1628 DG
The night is spent in mourning, and the morning is spent in the exchange of information.
Kruga and Symin recount the courage and sacrifice that Gina, Ray-Mi, and Zakia embodied in their final hours. Ovida comforts Zalona while briefing them on the events of the previous two nights, and the plan for the assault on the Castrum.
The Librarians contribute their own intelligence: Unisa’s initial discovery and the subsequent journey.
“Zynima was taken from us in an effort to forge this changeling,” Symin discerns.
“They want us for the same reason,” Naina adds.
Symin’s lips press into a hard line. “They can’t have you.”
“Did the TreeKeeper tell you anything about Red-Lo’s weaknesses?” Kruga asks the Librarians. “Something that can be used against him.”
Kyoko shakes her head. “The exact opposite, actually. She told us that with each passing generation, with each transfer of Red-Lo’s essence into a new body, the Sprites imbue him with a bit of their own power.”
Kruga looks down at the table and falls silent for a few long moments, before his thoughts make it to his tongue. “I think our grief may be inciting short-sightedness.”
Symin frowns. “Explain.”
“There are centuries of crimes for which Red-Lo has to answer. We all deserve justice. But what then? Red-Lo isn’t the greatest threat here. He’s a cog in a far larger mechanism. We should refocus on challenging the true threat.”
“How would we do that?” Ovida questions. “He may be under the Sprites’ influence, but Red-Lo is our most direct connection to them. I agree, we have to prepare for what’s next, but there’s no way of getting to the yolk without cracking the shell first.”
“I understand,” Kruga assures her. “Red-Lo is our first priority, but he isn’t our last. Has anyone considered what will happen when the Ore Monger is deposed and the Sprites are denied their sacrifice? Are we so preoccupied with the serpent’s tail that we haven’t prepared for the fury of its fangs?”
A wave of silence washes over the Bunker. Kyoko realizes she hasn’t yet considered the ancient ones; though, without knowledge of the scope of their abilities, it’s nearly impossible to prepare.
“The Three Deaths come next,” she says, gathering the group’s attention. “You want to prepare for what comes after Red-Lo? It isn’t the Sprites. They’re going to send a beast of the soil, a beast of the sky, and a beast of the sea.”
“We don’t know when they’ll come. How they’ll come,” Salessa contributes.
“Red-Lo will tell us,” Rafael responds. “All answers lead back to him. Whether we want to prepare for the Sprites or their pets. It doesn’t matter. We need Red-Lo in custody first.”
Kruga nods, seemingly acknowledging the path ahead. “In that case, Symin and I have some information that will help in the battle to come. We believe there’s a way for us to restore connection to the Radiance in Larso.”
Symin’s eyes sharply meet Kyoko’s. “What we’re about to tell you may be difficult to hear.”
She nods, encouraging them to continue, though a daunting uneasiness radiates from them, expanding exponentially when they recount a tale of genocide against the igni on Lily Beach.
Ore is igni corpses.
Kyoko’s fingers clench the edge of the table, her body’s attempt to stave off the growing nausea. Her parents have moved to the settlements. Friends live there.
Kruga’s tone breaks through her fog. “The high temperatures in the ore production polarize the igni cells, counteracting the Radiant energy in Mega.”
“Low temperatures have the opposite effect,” Symin adds, “amplifying Radiant energy. If we can place a fragment of supercooled ore or exoskeleton into the hands of every Revolution fighter, the assault will feel like crossing a road.”
“No,” Kyoko blurts out definitively. “I want justice, but we will not use dead igni.”
Kruga’s tone hardens. “We won’t get another chance, Kyoko. Larso is ready to tear itself apart. If we don’t do this now, they win.”
“If we use their evil to beat them, they win.”
Kruga turns to Rafael. “Surely you understand how important this is?”
“I understand that Kyoko has made her decision. We aren’t going to sacrifice our morality.”
Kruga opens his mouth to offer a rebuttal, but Symin interjects. “Can you synthesize it?”
The crimson Mega takes a step back, eyes wide, as if Symin has physically pushed him.
The pink nymph continues. “You know the biochemistry of the ore better than anyone. Can you synthesize the igni exoskeleton?”
Kruga chuckles incredulously. “Is that a joke? Of course not. It’s organic matter, I can’t create life.”
“The Facilitator believes he can forge a changeling,” Rafael points out. “It isn’t out of the realm of possibility.”
“It is for us. I could write an entire thesis on the reasons why it’s possible for him, but not us.”
“What reasons?” Rafael challenges. “Indulge me.”
Kruga scoffs. “He has a lab full of leading biotechnology. Teams of chemists and geneticists at his fingertips. A kingdom full of loyalists ready and willing to donate what tissue samples he may need. But the biggest reason of all: he’s a Mega trying to synthesize Mega life.”
He gestures to Kyoko’s exoskeleton. “Humans have proteins, DNA, lipids, and all manner of molecular structures I’m wildly unfamiliar with. The Radiance can theoretically help me replicate what already exists, but I can’t pull molecules and cells out of air.”
“Please, Kruga,” Salessa pleads. “Take a second and think about it. What can be done to avoid using the existing ore?”
His expression softens and he stares intently at Kyoko’s exoskeleton. “I need to start with the most basic components and work from there. High concentrations of magnesium and iron.”
“Where do we find that?” Zalona asks.
Kruga sighs. “The best source would be a volcano, but we aren’t near one, so a mid-ocean ridge. Divergent plate boundaries on the ocean floor—”
“Done,” Rafael interrupts. “Anything you need from the ocean floor, I can get it.”
“With your wounds?” Kruga’s eyes narrow. “How much stone and mineral can you drag to the surface with those bandages?”
“Ovida and I can do it,” Zalona volunteers instead.
Ovida nods. “What else do you need?”
Kruga’s shoulders tense as he turns to the twins. “I’ll need the kind of Radiant energy the Facilitator does.”
Salessa turns to her sister, lines appearing on her forehead. “He’ll have to drain us.”
Naina recoils, then closes her eyes and nods.
“No, he won’t,” Rafael interjects. “I may be able to help.”
Kruga raises an eyebrow. “With Radiant energy?”
Rafael nods. “I can access the Radiance. It’s involuntary, but I’ve done it three times now. I can try to provide you with the energy you need.”
Genuine gratitude and relief washes over the twins’ expressions, while the Mega all look on with skepticism.
Kruga hesitantly agrees. “All I need beyond the stones and energy are live igni cells to copy.” He faces Kyoko. “You wanted to do this ethically, right? Then I need a consensual donor of igni exoskeleton, blood, and tissue.”
Kyoko’s chest tightens as the request grasps her. She withdraws the tanto from its sheath and places her hand down on the table, hesitantly preparing to remove a finger and offer it to Kruga.
Rafael places his hand on the hilt of the tanto to stop her. “Can this be done painlessly?”
“Possibly,” Symin chimes in, scratching his chin. “I’m a Siphon; I can pull Radiant energy from others who can access it. If you truly are able to, even amongst the ore, I can feed on your energy and sedate Kyoko while Kruga extracts what he needs.”
Kruga shakes his head. “Symin, our plan cannot rest on an alleged connection to the Radiance.”
Symin secures his gaze to Naina’s and they smile softly while exchanging a knowing expression. “If Rafael can access the Radiance, it appears the world is opening up to new possibilities. Everything is changing.”
He turns to the group. “And strength thrives in change.”