Chapter 3: CHAPTER VIII – Chance Encounter, Fated Crossing

They were ‘there.’ They didn’t know exactly where, ‘there’ was; but it was the first and only sign of civilization that wasn’t stone age they had laid eyes upon in a couple days, and they couldn’t pass up the chance to discover… anything. 

They didn’t know what they were walking into. They knew better than to draw conclusions from their expectations by this point. They did all they could to keep hope from extinguishing, and that hope had led them to this place.

They had entered this building with bated breath, not knowing what would be waiting on the inside. They arrived knowing what Sphaere had watched numerous giant murderous bugs walk into here. They didn’t know what was lurking around every corner. The weight of all these unknowns, sandwiched between the what if’s and could be’s was wearing on them. 

The tension was palpable. They got to the first corner and waited in silence, staring at each other silently. Cekell finally let out a confused chirp, and both girls panicked and dog-piled on top of him in an attempt to silence him. This was a mistake as it only prompted an excited squeal out of him.

Finally gaining control of the situation, and turning to discover that the empty dark corner was still an empty dark corner, they waited a protracted moment before deciding that if Cekell didn’t call anything down upon them, they could whisper - which helped relieve much tension.

“You’ve got Cekell, you go first!” Rhystea insisted.

“Yea, I’ve had ‘im awhile now, it’s yer turn.” Sphaere retorted.

Rhystea sighed quietly before offering, “Together then?”

Sphaere nodded. There was a pause before she held out a hand with three fingers on it, and proceeded to count down in silence. When no fingers were left, they simultaneously turned and marched around the corner.

The dark corner opened up into a straight hallway leading to a doorway that was wide open. The void itself could have stood on the other side, and they wouldn’t have been able to see it through the darkness. 

“Together.” Sphaere repeated, and slowly pressed forward. It took them a while to make it down the hallway. Each step they took was just a little smaller than the previous as the unknown chipped away at their resolve. Making it to the doorway, they halted and faced each other. “Together.” They whispered in unison.

They went to take a step, and Cekell let out a curious chirp. Not the kind of chirp signaling that Cekell was curious, but rather a chirp that neither Rhystea nor Sphaere had any idea what he was trying to convey, and they were curious as to what he was getting at. He wiggled hard before almost knocking Sphaere down as he launched himself out of her arms.

Sphaere was quick to catch her balance, but had no opportunity to latch back onto Cekell. She clicked her tongue in aggravation as he hit the ground in front of her and darted off before she could react. 

Cekell’s probe went dim just after he hit the floor. The darkness caused Sphaere to hesitate before forcing herself to take a step forward. She found her path blocked as a barrier shot up around them. They both froze. They couldn’t see past the pale glow that obstructed them.

Rhystea started to panic, but Sphaere sharply silenced her. Scuffling could be heard, and it was close; but little could be garnered from it. Rhystea’s panic again spurred her into trying to say something, but she was again cut off by Sphaere, who was desperately trying to listen. Listening was all she could do, so she at least attempted to make the most out of that.

The scuffling ceased, and after a moment there was a familiar chirp, which seemed to instigate more scuffling. Before either girl could say anything, Cekell shed light on their answers as he radiated angry bolts of lightning. 

They only got to see for an instant before the light overwhelmed their sense of sight and forced them to shut their eyes. In that instant, it was revealed to them that they were in a large room, and they were not alone. They were in the den of their enemy, and they were vastly outnumbered.

Slamming their eyes shut, Sphaere and Rhystea both reeled from sensory overload. The hairs on the back of their necks raised up and urged them to flee. Instinct kicked in and they both turned and faced the exit, but the thought of abandoning Cekell kept their feet anchored firmly to the floor.

“What do we do?” Rhystea asked meekly. Sphaere grit her teeth and turned to face the stuff of nightmares. As if to oblige her, Cekell lit up like a bug zapper and revealed the problem as he erased it. One after another, he swathed through them; and ignorant of fear, they fed themselves to his fulgurating fury. 

“We wait fer ‘im ta come back ta us.” Sphaere said solemnly as she clenched her fist, frustrated at her inability to do anything but cower. Watching Cekell light up like a welding rod as he burned through insect after insect, they caught a slight glimpse of the depth with which they were in over their heads. 

“Makes you wonder who is taking care of whom.” Rhystea thought out loud as she turned and resolutely watched on as burnt corpses piled up, only to be trodden over as the insects just kept coming. 

It was almost like a game to Cekell, and with the cruel innocence of an ignorant child curiously tearing the wings off of a butterfly, he chattered with egregious excitement as he cut down life after life.

“What’s ‘e gonna be like when ‘e grows up?” Sphaere half mumbled in astonishment.

“That depends on how his family raises him.” Rhystea answered thoughtfully.

“What family?” Sphaere sneered. “The father that tried cuttin’ ‘is li’l heart out? Maybe that Verakry person thing that treats ‘im even more like a tool than we do.”

“That…” Rhystea hesitated. Much and more was on her mind, and at first she felt as though ethics were not of paramount importance. “Doesn’t leave a lot of options.”

“Is lettin’ ‘im turn inta a bigger, angrier one o’ those an option?” Sphaere retorted as she stabbed her finger in the direction of the almost maniacal warborn who was smiling as he focused on the few remaining stragglers. 

“Do we have a say in that?” Rhystea asked weakly.

“Who brought ‘im here?” Sphaere countered.

“We did.” Rhystea answered sheepishly.

“An’ who’s ‘e protecting right now?” Sphaere continued, tensions rising.

“Us.” Rhystea said as she away uncomfortably.

“Who’s ‘e gonna curl up with tonight; an’ who’s ‘e gonna wake up next ta tomorrow?” Sphaere went on. Rhystea winced at her questions, but otherwise didn’t reply. “Who else can set ‘im on the straight an’ narrow, if not us?” Sphaere finished.

“You think they’ll just let us keep him?” Rhystea scoffed at the notion of raising Cekell.

“Ya think ‘e’ll jus’ allow ‘imself ta be taken away from us?” Sphaere questioned with a sarcastic laugh.

There was a pause as Rhystea removed and wiped down her glasses as she thought. She replaced them before answering with, “Look, for now let's just focus on one thing at a time. We’re here, and that’s where our minds should be. Let’s save the rest for later.”

Sphaere sighed, and the barrier blocking their way collapsed. With his probe set back to glow, Cekell returned and, with a chirp, lunged at Sphaere.

Sphaere caught him and gasp as he touched the tender skin of her neck as he hugged her tightly. “Woah!” She cried out sharply in surprise, “Yer freezin’ cold!” Without arguing, Cekell clung tightly to her warmth.

“Wait, all that and he’s cold?” Rhystea asked curiously.

“Yea!” Sphaere gasped out as though she couldn’t breath. “It’s like huggin’ an icicle!” She forced out of her tense lungs.

Curious, Rhystea stepped forward to place a hand on his head, just behind his tendril. “Woah!” She reciprocated as Cekell snaked his cold tendril around her arm. As if to sigh from comfort, Cekell let out a long low chirp.

“Oi! How the hell does that work?” Sphaere cried out in discomfort as she forced herself to tolerate it.

“Maybe it correlates to how much energy he uses. That would explain why he likes heat so much.” Rhystea theorized, still tethered to Cekell.

“No more o’ that lightnin’ business fer you, then! No sir!” Sphaere demanded before turning her focus to Rhystea, “Yer gonna hafta make ‘im a gun or somethin’! This cold, Nuh-uh! Ain’t doin’ it!”

“What, you’d rather have the insects instead?” Rhystea inquired with a laugh.

“Cold can kill ya dead just like those bastards!” Sphaere insisted.

“That’s why we’re sharing it. You wouldn’t push little Cekell away just because he’s cold! Why, that would make you even colder!” Rhystea retorted with another laugh. She hadn’t seen this side of Sphaere before and she was taking the opportunity to give Sphaere some of her own medicine.

“It’ll take more than a li’l cold.” Sphaere said softly as she wrapped tightly around Cekell. If he was any bigger, he would have made Sphaere shiver just trying to warm him up. Her tone was sharp when she followed up with, “A lot cold, an’ yer on yer own!”

“You’re looking at it wrong.” Rhystea alerted her with a smile.

“How so?” Sphaere shot back.

“All that and his first reaction is to run to us to warm up. He can snuggle up with a burning log, and shoot lightning from his fingertips. I don’t think he even needs oxygen, nor do I have any clue what he uses for sustenance. He probably doesn’t even need to be warm, yet the human heart within him still yearns for a perfect 98.6 degrees. Anything less, and he’d rather lay down on a hot skillet!” Rhystea explained.

Sphaere didn’t know what to say. She was someone who could argue just for argument’s sake, but she was at a complete loss. Thinking about it wasn’t getting her anywhere, so she responded with action by squeezing tightly on the little warborn in her arms. “We’ll make a shield outta ya yet! See if we don’t!” She concluded.

Sphaere took a long, deep breath, and held it for a moment. After a pause, she slowly exhaled; and by first putting one foot in front of the other, started wading through the wake wrought from Cekell’s one sided onslaught.

 

It was mortifying, the way he turned tail and fled upon losing sight of the girl as she vanished from his field of vision after waving her hand; signaling that everything was ok, that he could quit that place and retreat to someplace safe. A212 felt like a coward as he turned, shifted his weight, and put everything he had into his legs as he threw one in front of the other. He had goosebumps in a way that few people can truly understand. Each of his feathers stood on end. He had just left them there and fled as fear spurred him onwards.

His heartbeat was pounding in his ears as he ran, but he couldn’t hear it over the thoughts as what-if’s flooded his mind. He didn’t even notice what tripped him as he curled into a fluid somersault and locked right back into full stride, making sure not to spill any momentum.

It took immediately tripping again to pry him from his thoughts enough to get him to notice what tripped him. His eyes went wide at the sight of a liquid silver tot bowed up at his feet, tendril erect in the air looking down on him from peripheral as though it didn’t fully acknowledge him. On his back, he was greeted with a warborn full salute.

“Cekell?” A212 said questioningly after a pause as he peered curiously up at the warborn.

“Afraid not.” the warborn answered back.

“You can talk!” A212 replied with surprise.

“Prefer speaking with this.” The warborn explained as a black bead materialized in his hand, then stretched out into a long and thin curved object. Leaping back to put distance between them, the warborn brandished his weapon before locking it in place where it pointed at A212’s chest. “Have you nothing to… argue with?”

Without hesitating, A212 bounced to his feet and hit the ground sprinting. He found yet another reason to run for his life and used it accordingly. 

 

In silence Sphaere and Rhystea had searched the room. It was large and they were extra cautious, so it did take time, especially in light of the fact that Cekell’s probe was more of a soft glow. At the back of the room, there was a doorway in the middle of the wall, as well as doorways at the end of the perpendicular walls on both sides. They were all locked.

Upon discovering the last door they checked was also locked, Rhystea sighed and offered the idea, “We could go back and check the other direction from our entrance.”

“Or, we could smash down these doors and see where they go.” Sphaere retorted.

“I can’t tell if you’re being serious.” Rhystea admitted with a shrug as she threw her hands up and shook her head side to side.

“Well I’m shore Cekell could, an’ I’m bettin’ ya know a lock pickin’ spell ya could scribble on the door." Sphaere suggested. “Giant bugs lived an’ died here, Rhystea, lots o’ the creepy bastards. Are ya worried ‘bout makin’ a mess?”

“I’d like to retain the ability to shut that door if I don’t like what’s on the other side.” Rhystea insisted before tending to her glasses.

“Fair point.” Sphaere conceded. “So’re ya gonna open the door, ‘r do I need ta coax Cekell into… removin’ it?”

“Well I don’t have a method that won’t equally destroy the door.” Rhystea started, then sharply added, “And it’ll take me a moment to scratch it on there, may as well just have Cekell shield right through it!” With a more than a hint hint of sarcasm.

Without arguing, Sphaere latched onto the door handle, invoked the name of the warborn, “Cekell.” And rattled the handle hard. Cekell leaned forward to inspect the door handle, then looked back up to Sphaere with a curious chirp, this time signalling his confusion on the matter.

Not giving up, Sphaere reached up and punched the door hard enough to make a point, but not so hard that it hurt her hand. Repeating Cekell’s name, then again hit the door. Cekell looked up at her blankly.

“I have mixed feelin’s ‘bout teachin’ ‘im ta smash.” Sphaere announced with her best attempt at sounding high and mighty.

“Oh, get out of the way!” Rhystea asserted herself as she pulled out her etching fork and set to work on removing the door that bar their path. Sphaere leaned up against the wall next to her and waited patiently. Wanting a better vantage point from which to observe her efforts, Cekell started to climb onto Rhystea’s shoulder, who stopped what she was doing to turn and glare at him. Cekell chirped as if giving permission for her to continue, and with a light laugh, Rhystea did just that.

Before she could complete her etching, both girls almost jumped out of their skin when a voice right next to them posed the question, “Is someone there?”

To avoid being thrown, Cekell quickly latched onto Rhystea, as both she and Sphaere jumped hard and squealed in terror. Sphaere propelled herself away from the wall where the voice was coming from. “Hello?” Rhystea asked after taking a moment to swallow her heart back down from her throat, voice heavy with concern.

There was a pause before the lock on the door audibly clicked open, and the voice returned from an intercom on the wall, “Last door on the left.”

Rhystea and Sphaere eyed each other suspiciously. After a sigh, Sphaere threw open the door, light switching on and flooding out of the hallway she marched through to their instructed destination.

They entered a short hallway and passed by a door on each side, then at the end of the hall, the door on the left revealed a stairwell that headed down. Sphaere sighed nervously before making her descent, Rhystea trailing right behind her. At the bottom of the stairwell there was a single door that opened up into a room filled with work stations, each complete with numerous monitors. For all these workstations, there was only a single person who welcomed them excitedly.

“Ha! All that, and to think, you would just show up on my doorstep!” The man clad in a lab coat stated, concealing his guilt at sending for Sphaere’s brother. He changed his gaze to Rhystea, which didn’t ease his conscience any, not when he thought about her parents.

“Where are we?” Rhystea inquired.

“Observatory.” The man responded. There was a slight pause, “Apologies, apologies. I’m certain you have many questions; but first, where are my manners. I am Doctor Kyle Tellamar. We are in a government facility, my team was to explore potential routes for evolving the human genome. I believe you’ve already met some of our test subjects! Fascinating aren’t they?”

“I don’t even know where to start.” Rhystea admitted.

“How do we get outta here?” Sphaere knew exactly where to begin.

“Ah, yes. I can get you out of here. Getting you out of the barrier though, that will require the aid of another I’m afraid. I can put you in contact with him, but most facilities are on lockdown due to an ongoing operation; and even then, he’s not your typical… being.” Dr. Tellamar answered.

“Verakry?” Rhystea blurted out in exasperation. 

“Ah, yes, Verakry indeed.” Dr. Tellamar confirmed before continuing on with, “He is assisting us, although his pet project recently kicked off and; for the moment, that takes precedence over all else.”

“Wait a minute… All this is about him?” Sphaere said, turning to Cekell who was currently contained by Rhystea.

“How astute. Yes, Verakry is using our terrain and wildlife experiments as a testing ground for his pets. How did you like the Arachnophage drones? They were specially designed just for this on his orders.” Dr. Tellamar divulged.

“I really hate that bastard.” Sphaere denounced.

“Only because you don’t know him.” Dr. Tellamar said with a smile.

“Know ‘im well enough!” Sphaere countered.

“Come now, you’re both of enough age. You’ve gone to school, right? You know how pollution has decimated our Earth and humanity is down to a fraction of what it was, don’t you?” Dr. Tellamar argued.

“Well, yea; but as verdant as it is out there, it seems like you’ve come a long way to restoring the Earth.” Rhystea responded.

“Exactly. None of that was possible without Verakry. Judging by your speech, I’m guessing you're the daughter of the Cromwell’s. You’re familiar with mana and sigils both, correct? It was Verakry who introduced these tools to humanity.” Dr. Tellamar explained.

“You know my parents?” Rhystea asked, confused.

Before Dr. Tellamar could respond, Sphaere cut him off with, “How do you know who she is?”

“Well…” Dr. Tellamar hesitated. “That’s because I am the one that brought you here. Both of you.” 

Dr. Tellamar’s answer was met with suspicious glares, prompting him to continue on with, “ Now, now; it was never meant to be an adventurous ordeal. Honestly, I’m just trying to save my daughter. She can’t leave this place, though; and I’m rather desperate on time. I know it’s rude of me to ask, and that’s not even considering what you’ve had to endure since being brought here. If not for Verakry, you would already have been back home.”

“Ok, I get how Rhystea could help with that, but why wouldja need me?” Sphaere asked sharply.

“Your mother and my wife were cousins. It’s a long shot, but the two of you might share enough genetic markers. At this point, I’d take any shot I had.” Dr. Tellamar answered honestly. 

“What’s wrong with her?” Rhystea questioned.

“She has juvenile Huntington's Disease.” Dr. Tellamar answered. “One bad gene and she’s hardwired to fail. Young. Mana and it’s applications to medicine have opened up many doors, but… she just doesn’t have time.”

“What can we do?” Sphaere replied earnestly.

Tellamar smiled and laughed, before looking down sheepishly. “I can’t begin to thank you or beg your forgiveness. I’ll never forget this.” 

“What I do is more like weaving the flesh back together. I don’t know if I can alter DNA.” Rhystea explained with a hint of sadness in her voice.

“But you don’t know that you can’t. I’m more interested in researching how mana lets you do what you do, with the intent of trying to find a way of bending mana into helping me achieve my goals.” Dr. Tellamar advised before turning to Sphaere and saying, “And I just need a DNA sample from you.”

“So what, ya just need a lock o’ hair or somethin’?” Sphaere replied, almost aggravated.

“While yes, that would more than suffice; if I may make a request, most of my equipment is configured to work with blood. A small vial would save me literal weeks worth of work. As you can see, I don’t have the most hands here; and even then, I’m rather on my own with this. It’s not a company project, no company assistance.” Dr. Tellamar further described his predicament.

“Ugh, I hate needles.” Sphaere whined before softening her tone and finishing with, “But it’s fer a good cause, how can I say no?”

Dr. Tellamar smiled and again offered his gratitude, “Truly, I wish I could properly thank you. You’ve been out there for a few days now, perhaps a shower and a hot meal? I’m fully stocked!”

Both of their eyes welled up, never before had so little sounded like so much. “Ya had me at shower, sir! I’d give my left arm fer one right now.” Sphaere insisted.

“After sleeping on rocks, you sir offer a five star service by comparison. Let us know when and what you need from us, and we’ll provide what assistance we may.” Rhystea added.

“Plenty of spare rooms that no one is using. I’ll set you each up with one if you’d like.” Dr. Tellamar started, then turned his attention to the warborn. “There won’t be much I can do for a bit, as literally every department is holding it’s breath while Verakry runs rampant through our garden. Which brings me to the specifics of this operation.”

There was a pause and Dr. Tellamar shifted his gaze up to Rhystea, then over to Sphaere. “I never expected you to come to me, and Verakry is after something specific. That… thing, has waited an incredibly long time for this, and won’t rush it. That little guy is going to meet his brother. I’m afraid you can count on that.” He stated somberly.

“Whatcha mean?” Sphaere inquired.

“I mean he saw something with that one, something about how Legatus was pulled from the Point for a moment. I don’t know what he meant exactly, but he’s been after something similar with the other one; and despite near constant testing, he still hasn’t gotten what he’s wanting. He’s hoping that their meeting might trigger something.”

“No, why are you ‘afraid you can count on’ them meeting?” Rhystea specified.

“I fear the consequences of them meeting up here.” Dr. Tellamar stated, his confidence in his words only giving them heft.

“Why would their meeting be something fearsome?” Rhystea pressed him.

“Look I don’t claim to know everything. What I do know is that the other one can control a super dense substance on a molecular level, as well as the forces of gravity. He can turn this super dense substance into full body armor that would make a tank jealous. If he were to hit you with it… well, lets just say that tank armor would offer just as much resistance as butter to a red hot knife.” Dr. Tellamar detailed the Umbral warborn.

“Well do they hafta fight?” Sphaere asked.

Dr. Tellamar focused on Rhystea, something sorrowful in his eyes. “Do you know about his parents?”

“We were told that there were complications with his birth and that they attempted to draw his blood, but he…” Rhystea paused and swallowed hard before continuing, “I guess he retaliated when they stuck him with a needle. We were told his mother did not make it, and that his father then attempted to cut the Astral Point from his chest.”

Dr. Tellamar broke eye contact and looked away from Rhystea, something heavy about his eyes. “And the other one has since been put through hell. Testing, they called it, as they tried to pry something out of the Umbral Point. That man doesn’t even try to hide his malice towards them, and he’s hell bent on seeing that one dead.”

There was a pause as they all contemplated the hatred carried by the father of the warborn. After a moment, Dr. Tellamar added, “You saw what he could do to those monstrous insects. If they meet, the landscape will change.”

There was another moment of silence before Dr. Tellamar finished with, “Ok, enough doom and gloom. Let's see you to your rooms!”

“Is it ok that we’re here any longer than necessary?” Sphaere asked. “Doesn’ sound like ya can take yer daughter an’ run away.”

Dr. Tellamar smiled before answering, “If the other one knew he was here, I don’t imagine he’d shy away. Here might just be the best place to hide.” He led them to a door that opened up into a corridor lined with doorways. Taking them to the end of the hallway, he pointed to the door at the end of the corridor and let them know that, “The dining area is through here. Feel free to use whatever you want, we have about everything but coffee and fresh produce, though I would advise you check dates on any dairy. Your rooms will be these end two on your right.”

Rhystea and Sphaere looked at each other wondering the same thing when he mentioned being out of coffee. They each then opened a door to reveal a neatly kept room. “They each have their own bed and bathroom. I’m afraid you won’t have access to the workstations though, and I don’t have the admin rights to change that.” Dr. Tellamar stated.

“No, no, believe me when I say this is more than enough!” Rhystea said, full of gratitude.

“Toilet paper…” Sphaere whispered, almost fervently.

“I’ll be back in the main observation room setting up some equipment. It will take me at least a couple hours to prepare, feel free to make yourselves comfortable in the meantime. If something happens, all of these intercoms are linked to my main terminal.” Dr. Tellamar thanked them one more time before heading back to his work.

“What’ll we do with ‘im while we shower?” Sphaere asked.

Rhystea responded with a smile, “You go on ahead, I’ll watch him and take my turn when you’re finished.”

“No take backs!” Sphaere cried out as she darted off.

 

A212 was approaching his limit. He had been running for all he was worth for a while now, but the warborn behind him was giving chase as if this were a mere game. It was, at least to the warborn. He wasn’t used to his prey running away from him, and he was enjoying the pursuit.

This warborn, Devose, wasn’t a speed type. With the ability to control gravity, he would produce something akin to dark matter at will. He could wear it as armor, but it slowed him down immensely. He could concentrate it into a devastating weapon that would cut through trees as though they were blades of grass. He could disperse it into an almost invisible cloud of dark mist, though this offered little in the way of defense, and it wasn’t as devastating as it was in sword form, it was however the easiest way to transport it. It wasn’t as powerful, but it was quick; and he could reposition before deciding if he wanted to focus defense or offense.

Devose knew that when changing the forms of his dark matter is when he was most vulnerable. He wasn’t chasing the Aves with any other intent than to practice the speed with which he shifted forms. He’d lunge in, weapon readied; instead of aiming for a kill, he’d thrash about to spur his prey onward before swapping to armor for a moment before dispersing it and catching back up. He was quite content to give chase and work on his control speed.

This hadn’t gone unnoticed to A212. After a couple near misses, it became evident that the warborn was only trying to get close. Clenching an etched rock, he waited for an opening. He hoped he could catch the warborn off guard.

Growing bored with his quarry merely fleeing, Devose got sloppy. He devised the idea to focus his dark matter into a small bead, and lob it at the Aves. He would use this after changing to armor, as that let the Aves put some distance between them.

Having narrowly avoided being shot with this new projectile attack, A212 decided that he would wait for the moment it was launched. He had noticed the warborn’s attack pattern and decided that this phase was when he was most vulnerable. 

Dashing into a clearing, A212 prepared. He had just dodged the projectile attack. The warborn would land next to his projectile and recall it to a weapon with which to lunge at him. He had gotten the feeling that the warborn wasn’t actually trying to kill him with his attacks, so he tried to time it.

Devose reacquired the dark bead he had just shot, swapped it to a weapon and lunged. He started to get the feeling that the Aves wasn’t fearfully evading his attacks anymore. He was growing tired of his own charade as he quickly rotated to armor, then concentrated it down to a bead. 

Deciding he would end it here, Devose aimed just a bit ahead of the Aves, not intending to miss any more. He was surprised when, as he shot, instead of continuing on and meeting the projectile; the Aves stopped on a dime, turned, and launched his own attack.

Caught completely off guard, Devose caught a pair of blades with his chest. The tree that caught it exploded on impact, as the warborn’s attack missed its intended mark where the Aves was expected to continue on rather than stop to counter.

A212 froze. A cloud of dust blocked his vision for a moment, but his questions were answered when, from a distance, the projectile was altered into a weapon that floated off the ground and returned to the warborn.

The cloud of dust dissipated, revealing a satisfied looking warborn. A212 froze up. He was still gasping for breath; but if that didn’t work, and the warborn decided to take this seriously… well A212 couldn’t bring himself to hope he could win. He started thinking that maybe it was better for him not to bring this monster back to his home. His thoughts shifted from protecting himself to protecting his Series.

The warborn’s weapon evaporated into thin air. With a smile, he closed his eyes, slightly bowed his head, and uttered the words, “Thank you.”

A212 was at a loss. Before he could respond, the warborn turned and disappeared back in the direction they had come from. He stood there for a moment, catching his breath, debating as to whether or not the warborn was really gone.

A silent moment turned into a silent minute before A212 turned and trotted off, thankful to be in one piece. 

You are reading story Candle in the Rain, Inferno in the Wind at novel35.com

 

Rhystea was beaming as she exited the bathroom after taking her turn in the shower. “We’re only on day three, but it feels like it’s been ages! Never appreciated the simple things until they were taken away.”

“Betcha’ve never went ta bed hungry, neither.” Sphaere muttered under her breath. She was laying on the bed in her room with Cekell curled up on top of her, contently listening to her heartbeat.

“What was that?” Rhystea asked, still massaging her damp hair with her towel.

“I said I liked the hot spring better.” Sphaere declared loudly as she snatched up Cekell’s probe and started using it as a stress ball. Cekell offered no resistance.

“That was rather nice, but having soap really makes a difference!” Rhystea insisted as she came and sat on the corner of Sphaere’s bed and continued drying her hair.

“I can show ya how to make it some time, though it will take acquirin’ a few things. Now that’s somethin’ we should teach them scale heads!” Sphaere announced with an excited laugh.

“Wow, you can make your own soap? I think I was fourteen when I learned to make my own toast!” Rhystea said, still tending to her hair.

“Girl’s gotta get by!” Sphaere retorted.

Rhystea set her towel in her lap as she turned and locked eyes with her recently acquired friend, stating “You’re an impressive person, Sphaere. I have my mana and sigils, and a lifetime of schooling; but you have the grit of a trooper! Even if something gets you down, it doesn’t keep you there. I was afraid, putting everything into defense. We wouldn’t be here right now if not for your courage, quick thinking and quicker actions - and I mean that on numerous accounts.”

Sphaere wasn’t good at taking compliments, and this one was both direct as well as from someone she had only recently met and already come to both respect and trust - and trust did not come easily to Sphaere. “Oh please, ya can heal grievous wounds in an instant an’ turn rocks inta bombs. This li’l guy did the rest” She stated, deflecting the credit to Cekell.

“He hasn’t let us down, either, has he? Odds be darned, he’d just buck up and push through.” Rhystea analyzed.

“‘E’s always come through! Just thinkin’ ‘bout it makes me wanna fly through the treetops with ‘im! That was jus’ wild!” Sphaere stated, squeezing down tightly on her stress toy. Without a chirp, Cekell started emitting a faint ringing sound, almost like a tuning fork. This caused the girls to pause their conversation and peer down curiously at him.

“Is he…” Rhystea started.

“Purrin’ like a kitten?” Sphaere finished. They both burst out laughing, surprising Cekell and causing him to jump up on all fours, prompting more laughter. “Aww, I’m sorry, did I wake ya up?” Sphaere asked, calming her laughter and tying him down with her arms. Relaxing, Cekell let out a happy chirp, and curled back into a ball over her heart. A quiet moment passed by before Sphaere’s visage hardened, “I cain’t get comfortable here.”

“Why in the world not? It’s been days out in the sticks and bam, modern comfort!” Rhystea stated.

“I’d rather be back out in the sticks.” Sphaere insisted.

“Why?” Rhystea was taken by surprise, almost as if she had been insulted.

“I keep lettin’ my guard down here.” Sphaere admitted.

There was a long pause before Rhystea replied, “Is that a bad thing?”

“Well… If that Verakry wants ‘em ta meet… I don’ think there’s any hidin’ from it.” Sphaere explained. “If we’re gonna help this Tellamar guy, we need ta get outta here as soon as ‘e’s finished with us. ‘Sides, I dunno if I completely trust that guy… ‘E seems good an’ all, like ‘e’s clearly desperate ta save ‘is daughter… Butcha jus’ cain’t trust someone desperate.” She emphasized that last part, a flash of anger in her eyes.

“I…” Rhystea stopped and removed her glasses. She gingerly cleaned the lenses with the towel in her lap as she contemplated. Returning her glasses, she offered her thoughts, “You make a good point. Helping him doesn’t sound like a bad idea. He’s not asking for a lot, and he could help get us out of here. What do we do about his brother?”

“We cain’t go back ta Demihome. They’ll try an’ get involved, an’ that could be bad.” Sphaere stated with a sigh.

“So… wander around aimlessly?” Rhystea inquired.

“Let’s go ta the barrier. Who’s ta say Ceke here cain’t get us out?” Sphaere proposed

Rhystea drew in a deep breath and exhaled it all at once. “I can’t say I much like it, but it’s hard to argue with sound logic. We’ve nowhere better to go, and we won’t learn anything if we don’t at least make an attempt.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Sphaere exclaimed with modest excitement. Rhystea crawled over and laid down next to her. “Dontcha got yer own room?” Sphaere put bluntly.

“I’m taking him with me! You were whining earlier; it’s supposed to be my turn, you just had him while I showered!” Rhystea countered with a barrage.

“Hmpf!” Sphaere insisted as she released his probe before rolling sharply over on her side and faced away from Rhystea as she curled up into a ball around Cekell, who let out more of a happy squeal than a chirp. “She’s tryin’ to take you away from me, Cek!” Cekell let out a shrill chirp-gasp. “Fear not my love, I’ll never let ‘er have ya!” Sphaere insisted. Cekell chirp-sighed in relief.

“But it’s my turn!” Rhystea whined.

“I need ‘im more than you do!” Sphaere argued.

“How do you figure?” Rhystea retorted.

“You have yer mana an’ scribbles, an’ ya already said I make better use of ‘im!” Sphaere shot back.

There was a pause before Rhystea countered with a matter-of-factual, “You are rather helpless without him!”

“Oi!” Sphaere was struck by her words. Cekell consoled her by snaking his tendril around her neck and chirping softly. “Shhh! She hasn’t realized that I won.” Sphaere whispered loudly.

“Tch!” Rhystea clicked her tongue.

There was a pause before Sphaere rolled over to face Rhystea and asked, “So, where’dja learn that song, the caged bird?”

“My mom taught it to me, there’s actually a story behind it. Way back when my parents were students, a massive storm had hit the city and they took refuge at a public shelter. There were quite a few children there, and a young woman had them round up and taught it to them. It touched my mom, and she wrote it down in one of her notebooks, she’s sang it to me ever since I was little.” Rhystea explained.

“Mama always sung it ta me an’ my bro. She learned it from her mama, who had in turn learned it from ‘er’s. Never heard it nowhere else, though. Interestingly enough, I ‘member my papa hated bad weather. Mama would always tease ‘im ’bout it. She told me that, one time, when ‘er an’ papa first got together, they got caught in a bad storm. Mama never minded the weather, but daddy insisted they take shelter. I ‘member ‘er telling me that was the first time she sang fer papa, ‘e was almost frantic with worry; an’ that she did it ta calm ‘is nerves, along with a bunch o’ children in the shelter.” Sphaere detailed with a smile.

“What a small world! I’ll have to ask my mom about it!” Rhystea exclaimed with excitement.

“Almost makes me wanna sing.” Sphaere stated.

“Almost?” Rhystea asked.

In tandem, they cleared their throats and sang out ‘Why the Caged Bird Sings.’

 

Dr. Tellamar smiled, and his eyes instantly lit up. He quickly pounded a few keys on his terminal, and quickly stood up and walked to a door opposite from where he had taken Cekell and company. Entering the room, the intercom was pouring out Sphaere and Rhystea’s singing.

The song happened to be a favorite of his wife’s, who was a cousin of Sphaere’s mother. It’s one she used to sing to their daughter, who now lay sleeping in a stasis chamber in front of Dr. Tellamar. “I’ll burn for this.” He admitted mournfully. “But that’s ok, if it keeps you warm.”

He peered down at his daughter, listening to the song to it’s conclusion. “There’s still hope, baby. I swear I won’t give up if you won’t.” Dr. Tellamar begrudgingly returned to his station. He still had to reach that hope.

 

Some time had passed. Rhystea had fallen asleep a while ago while Sphaere was in the shower, and was breathing softly as she lay on her side facing Sphaere. Try as she might, Sphaere couldn’t, or rather, wouldn’t allow herself to get comfortable. She’d feel her guard slipping, and it gave her the sensation that - for an instant - she herself was falling. She wasn’t fighting sleep, she would be on the cusp of unconsciousness but when she realized that, her mind would jar her awake. She fought a few more rounds, never going down, before her eyes were spurred open.

A soft voice came over the intercom, “Are you awake?”

Sphaere lifted her head, which roused Cekell who lifted just his tendril as his probe looked up at her for a moment before laying back down. He was curled up between two girls quite contently.

Sphaere slowly crawled out of bed, careful not to disturb Rhystea’s slumber. Cekell’s probe was up periscope and fixed on her as she made her way to the intercom and pushed the button. There was a brief pause before a voice came across, “I have made my preparations. I’ll be ready when you are.”

Sphaere responded with, “We’ll be there in a few minutes.” And turned to make her way back to Rhystea.

“Thank you. So much. I…” The intercom expressed its gratitude in earnest, and repeated, “Thank you.”

Sphaere made her way over to the side of the bed Rhystea was on. Grabbing her shoulder and gently shaking, Sphaere repeated her name a couple times.

“Ugh… Five more minutes....” Rhystea pleaded as she put up a light resistance.

“It’s time, sleepy head. We got blood ta give an’ tracks ta make.” Sphaere informed her, giving her shoulder another nudge. 

“I’m up, I’m up.” Rhystea insisted groggily, lifting her head.

Sphaere turned her attention to Cekell. Without a word, but looking into his probe, she faced him and poised herself before clapping at him. Cekell responded as though he had been waiting by bounding up and lunging at her. With a happy chirp, he curled up in her arms.

Rhystea slowly dragged herself out of bed. Sitting up and on the edge of that bed, she started putting her shoes on. “Ugh, should have asked if he had a washing machine or some spare clothes. Mine are simply repugnant!”

“Yea, ya was pretty pungent. I could smell ya from all the way on the other side o’ the bed!” Sphaere said with a laugh. Rhystea gasped. “I guess it coulda been Ceke I was smellin’.” Sphaere redirected the blame.

Gathering their things, they took stock and headed to the observation room, where Dr. Tellamar awaited them at a work table replete with medical equipment, including a syringe, vial, and tourniquet. Sphaere’s gaze narrowed upon seeing them laying out. “I hate needles!” She said as a chill made its way down her spine.

Sphaere handed Cekell off to Rhystea before sitting down in the chair provided for her and offered out her arm as Dr. Tellamar picked up the tourniquet. Tying it tightly around her upper arm, he tapped at her inner elbow to coax a vein. It wasn’t hard, as her heart rate was elevated, she really did not like needles.

Cekell watched intently. Dr. Tellamar picked up the syringe and stated, “Here’s the sting.” before pointing it down to her arm.

Sphaere winced her eyes shut as Dr. Tellamar gently thrust at her tender flesh. There was a pause and an audible, “Hmm.” as he lifted the syringe up with a bent needle. 

“Did you just put up a tiny barrier?” Rhystea asked Cekell quizzically. Cekell ignored her and glared at Dr. Tellamar. 

“I don’t know that I should try that again.” Dr. Tellamar stated questioningly before adding, “Ah. Come with me, I can introduce you to the life you are helping to save.” 

Sphaere happily obliged, yanking off the tourniquet, hopping to her feet and following as instructed with Rhystea and Cekell right behind her.

The group was led to the side of a glass chamber with a sleeping girl inside. “This is Leacy, my daughter. She was ten when her mother could no longer hide her symptoms. Unable to bear the thought of wasting away like that in front of her daughter, she took her own life. This stasis chamber was her twelfth birthday present. That was a little over 2 years ago, when her symptoms started. It usually sets in later in life. For some reason, it started incredibly early for Leacy.”

There was a moment of silence before Rhystea said, “I can’t imagine. That’s far too much for anyone to bear, let alone a child.”

Dr. Tellamar’s voice softened, “I’d do anything, give anything to make it better.” The young girls remained silent. If anything would get them to forgive the man responsible for sticking them in this fine mess, it was a desperate and tragic tale such as this. 

“To that end,” Dr. Tellamar broke the silence and turned to Rhystea, “Why don’t you take him to the dining area and see if we have anything to your liking. I won’t be taking much blood, but the traditional treatment is orange juice to spike blood sugar, and carbs to sustain its elevation. I hear ice cream helps too.”

“See if they have any tea!” Sphaere demanded.

“Nothing fancy, but we’ve both black and green tea, along with boiling water on tap.” Dr. Tellamar said to their excitement. 

“On it!” Rhystea cried back as she hurried out of the room.

 

The shadow garm pup looked up at his feline featured caretaker and whined. “Got to go?” F120 asked as she sat him down on the ground. She had barely let go of the pup since Sphaere had given him to her. The shadow garm quickly scurried off to take care of some business.

F120 pawed at the ground and watched as the Reptilia Series scurried about building something of a ramshackled pen, not that she was aware of it’s purpose. She waited a minute before the pup had finished and returned to her with another whimper.

“I know, I know, I miss them too. Brother should be back soon, hopefully they’ll come back too.” F120 stated as she reeled the pup in, which licked her face in an attempt to console her.

She pulled away laughing, “Well, everyone says we’re not supposed to leave. Everyone is also busy, and I’m bored. Want to take a walk?” F120 looked down at the pup, which yapped up at her with excitement. 

“Let’s go!” F120 declared as she set the pup back down and dashed off towards the gate, her new pet trailing behind seemed to think they were going to hunt, and howled like an excited scale train as it chased after her. 

Not wanting to go far, they went to the tree line just past the gate. F120 searched until she found a small, suitable stick. Sphaere had mentioned playing fetch with the pup, and F120 was excited to try it. 

She kneeled down and introduced the pup to the stick. Disinterested, the pup didn’t seem to know what to do with it. F120 stood up and held the stick out to the pup, who simply sniffed at the end before returning it’s attention back to F120.

Rearing back, F120 threw the stick as hard as she could, and they both watched as it sailed through the air to land with a bounce. It hit the ground again, this time landing straight up and down, and for a moment stood in place before succumbing to gravity.

They both stared at it for a moment before the pup returned it’s attention to F120, and barked at her curiously. “You’re supposed to go get it and bring it back!” F120 explained in vain.

Intending on trying again, she turned back to the tree line to find another suitable stick for fetch. Her eyes went wide as the approaching group made it’s presence known.

 

Pushing open the door to the dining area, Rhystea was excited to find an both an industrial refrigerator and freezer, along with numerous shelves of dried and canned foods ranging from cake mix to ketchup.

Making her way to the large coffee station, she spied tea and quickly filled a cup with hot water before tossing in two bags of green tea. She filled another cup with water, but this time placed a pair of black tea bags, then began to scour the cabinets and draws for both a spoon and sugar. Setting them to the side, she made her way to the refrigerator.

She had seen some powdered creamer, but what she really wanted was whole milk. That was a luxury in this day and age, and Dr. Tellamar had already warned them about the dates. Rhystea inhaled deeply and exhaled sharply before pulling on the odd latch keeping a large metal door shut.

It opened to reveal a massive freezer lined and filled with shelves of frozen foods, from meat to produce, but not her intended target. Before she could shut the door, Cekell came alive with a shrieking chirp and whipped around to Rhystea’s back. “Good-ness!” Rhystea exclaimed in surprise when Cekell took cover. “Aww, I’m sorry, I’ll be quick when I get the milk. I’d tell you to wait here and that I’d be right back, but if I try to put you down, we both know you won’t like it!”

She walked over to the other large metal door, and as she stopped in front of it, Cekell let out a concerned chirp. “I’ll be fast!” Rhystea insisted as she grabbed the latch. Not only opening this door, but immediately stepping inside, Cekell let out a sad wail of a chirp as if to alarm and prod her on. “I’m going fast, I see the milk, I got the milk, let's go!” Rhystea stated each action as she performed it and hurried out the door with a full half gallon of milk.

It had a red label, signifying whole milk. She sighed when she saw the expiration date, which she approximated to be the day before they would have been brought to this place and met Cekell. With a sigh, she sat it down on the counter next to her steeping tea. In her displeasure, she didn’t even notice Cekell’s heated chatter that he was angrily berating her with. She had dragged him into that cold place in vain, not that success would have deterred him.

Cekell was still chewing on Rhystea as she stared down at her tea in silence when Sphaere threw open the doors sporting a bandage wrapped around her elbow. “I hate needles!” She yelled.

“Got your green tea over here steeping.” Rhystea said, melancholy permeating her voice.

“What’s wrong?” Sphaere asked with a confused look.

“The milk was a few days out of date.” Rhystea replied with a frown.

“Well, if no one drinks outta the carton ‘r otherwise innerduces germs, it’ll generally last a week past expiration, with the quality stuff lastin’ even longer than that.” Sphaere answered confidently.

“Really?” Rhystea responded, revived by Sphaere’s words she snatched up the carton of milk, completely ignoring her pronunciation.

“Yea, open it, smell it, an’ if it don’ smell bad, try it. ‘R give it ta me if yer chicken.” Sphaere added.

Cracking open the plastic cap, Rhystea twist a few more times before pulling her hand away to expose the milk. Wafting a whiff towards her nose, she didn’t catch any foul odors. “I’ll just stick it in my mouth!” She announced mockingly.

“What?” Sphaere asked with a laugh.

“Oh, something A212 said.” Rhystea replied before taking a sniff from directly above the opening in the container. 

“Nose breath!” Sphaere nagged.

Again, she had not caught any foul odors. “I’ve always wanted to do this!” Rhystea stated as she eyed the carton peculiarly. 

“Don’ do it!” Sphaere cried out as Rhystea lifted the carton to her lips and, keeping them pressed to the opening, threw her head back and drank defiantly from the carton. “Nooooo! You fiend!” Sphaere continued.

Tilting her head back down, careful not to spill anything, Rhystea pulled away from the carton. With a look of triumph she stated, “Best. Milk. Ever.” She proceeded to set the carton down, and removed the tea bags from her cup before gently wringing them out over the cup with her fingers and finally disposing of the used teabags. 

Picking up the milk, she poured some into her tea before hitting the mixture with a stir straw and promptly disposing of it as well. Returning the cap to its place atop the carton, she turned and headed back to the industrial refrigerator. “Watch this!” She insisted as she approached the door, much to Cekell’s chagrin.

Knowing what was coming, Cekell let out another wounded wail as they disappeared inside the refrigerator. A moment later, they re-emerged without the carton and latched the door shut. Rhystea was berated with another barrage of banter from a bitter warborn as she walked by, grabbed her tea, and headed to Dr. Tellamar.

“I’ll be in here makin’ somethin’ ta eat if ya need me.” Sphaere cried after her.

Cekell had simmered down and crawled up and lay over her shoulder as she headed out of the dining area, through the hall, into the observation room and approached Dr. Tellamar. “So, how is this going to work?” She asked.

“I’m going to attempt recording your ability to repair flesh and see if I can measure just how the mana in your marrow is reacting.” Dr. Tellamar answered.

“I don’t…” Rhystea hesitated. “...Know if I can activate it… without having a wound to repair.”

“This is important to me, and I have long since resolved to provide anything necessary.” Dr. Tellamar said stoically. “After I… give you something to work with, I’ll stand under this array, which will record various details on numerous levels. You do your thing and patch me up, and I should be able to learn a fair amount about how you do what you do.”

“You’re an incredibly devoted father. Forgive me, but I must turn around while you…” Rhystea trailed off as she joined him under the array, pointing her back towards him.

“Thank you.” Dr. Tellamar said again. He pulled a bottle of something out of a drawer on his work table, took a substantial draw from it, then sat it back down with a sigh. “Small price to pay.” He declared as he stabbed a scalpel deep in his forearm, and made an incision as long as he could stand. “I’m ready.” He stated, voice wavering.

Rhystea turned and gasped when she saw the incision on his forearm, it was deep and several inches long. Blood poured from the wound, prompting her to work quickly. In a matter of seconds, the flesh had woven shut and the wound disappeared without so much as a scar. “Remarkable, I can’t even tell there was a gash there!” Dr. Tellamar praised her.

“My parents said it will revolutionize the entire practice of medicine. It’s based on a theory of my parents about how mana would interact with the marrow as it produces blood. To that end, about a drop of mana was injected into a few places on my sternum and pelvis, as well as a drop to each of my ribs, vertebrae, and several bones in my hand. The hands were the worst. No one really gets to simply choose the ability they gain, but, metal state upon reception does seem to steer it’s uses. A protracted duration of wanting to heal, and not only myself, pulled it off quite adequately – just as they theorized. I never doubted them, and while it was anything but an enjoyable process, the end certainly justified the means.”

Dr. Tellamar had brought the recording up on his monitor, and you could see the marrow in the bones of what was Rhysteas hand light up, as well as the blood circulating in her veins glow faintly as a wave of energy was projected from her hand that served to reconnect the flesh in the wound she was tending. Numerous gauges recorded things from a very slight decline in the temperature of her body, barely measurable; to a slight increase in blood pressure, yet decrease in blood flow.

“Ah, yes, marvelous! I can extrapolate much data from this! I still don’t know that I’ll be able to alter DNA with it, but it’s certainly worth a try - and who knows what else we might learn from this.” Dr. Tellamar stated. “Thank you, so, so much. Truly, you inspire hope where there was little to be found.”

“I only wish there was more I could do.” Rhystea stated humbly, “I think we’ll take you up on your offer of a meal, but after that we will probably leave this place.”

There was a pause before Dr. Tellamar insisted, “Return after you meet his brother. I promise to do all I can to get you out of here.”

“We’ll take you up on that!” Rhystea said confidently before vanishing through the doorway as she headed back to Sphaere.

Entering the dining area, Rhystea could see Sphaere leaning over a stove as she focused on a pan in front of her. “What’s cooking?” Rhystea called out to her.

“Eggs.” Sphaere replied, maintaining her focus.

“I won’t tell A212 if you won’t.” Rhystea said with a laugh.

“Tellamar already finished with ya?” Sphaere asked, still not looking up.

“Yea, that was a little nuts, but he obtained a lot of data. He seemed pleased with it at least.” Rhystea answered.

“Well, let’s have us some eggs on toast, an’ beat a trail. It’s after lunchtime, but breakfast is the most important meal o’ the day!” Sphaere announced as she started scooping some fried eggs out of the pan in front of her.

At that moment, singed bread popped up out of a toaster. Rhystea spied butter over by it and proceeded to turn the singed bread into toast by slathering it with butter. They met up at a table, each bringing something for the other, and sat down to eat. “Thanks!” Rhystea insisted.

“You can clean up the mess!” Sphaere replied as she mashed her eggs up with her fork.

“Yes, dear.” Rhystea responded before taking a bite of her toast.

“Naw, yer wastin’ yer toast! Ya wanna dip it in the yolk, that’s the best part!” Sphaere explained.

“Ugh, is that what I sound like when I tell you how to talk?” Rhystea inquired, prompting Sphaere to laugh, even getting a curious chirp out of Cekell.

 

They finished their meal and Rhystea took care of the dishes while Sphaere prepared a fresh cup of tea for each of them. “This alone made the trip here worthwhile.” She stated as she set the tea bags to steep.

“Showering sure was nice, too.” Rhystea added as she scrubbed.

“That jus’ leaves meetin’ Ceke’s brother.” Sphaere announced before falling silent and staring down her tea.

“Worried?” Rhystea asked.

“Yes and no. We never know what we’re gonna run inta anymore, but I’m not worried about Cekell. Ya start worryin’ ‘bout ‘im an’ ‘e’ll go jump in a fire or somethin’! I jus’ don’ like the idea o’ Ceke fightin’ ‘e’s own family, an’ that’s even if ya can consider what ‘e does as a fight. With ‘is abilities, they could maim each other, if not worse…” Sphaere concluded uncomfortably.

There was a lull in the conversation as Rhystea finished cleaning. Breaking the silence, Sphaere stated, “Tea’s ready, I’ll letcha put yer own cream an’ sugar in.”

“Perfect, thanks!” Rhystea replied as she dried her hands; afterwich she tended to her tea, and eyeing Cekell curiously, she picked up the carton of milk, and turned towards the refrigerator.

Knowing what was about to happen, Cekell climbed up on her shoulder and started making a frantic racket. Rhystea laughed villainously as she proceeded into the refrigerator, put the milk up, and returned, all while Cekell wailed like a banshee for her to get out of there.

“Now that’s cold!” Sphaere insisted as Rhystea emerged through the door.

“That’s what he keeps telling me!” Rhystea laughed in reply. Cekell fell silent in defeat as he just glared at Rhystea. “Oh, don’t you give me that! It’s not like we’d ever leave you alone in the cold!” Rhystea insisted. She then approached Sphaere, Cekell leapt from Rhystea’s shoulder to Sphaere’s, who had to catch herself before shooting tea out of her nose as she was mid drink when Cekell took his new perch.

“Oh come on, it wasn't that bad! You were only in there for a few seconds!” Rhystea reiterated as they made their way out of the dining area and back towards the observation room. Heading through there, they waved and called out their good-bye’s to Dr. Tellamar, who waved back before quickly resuming his work, then they headed to the stairwell.

“Think we’ll get to the barrier first, or run into the other one?” Rhystea asked as they made it to the top of the stairwell.

“Hmmm.” Sphaere paused to think about it as they headed through the hallway and back into the room filled with decimated insects. “Fer ‘is brother’s sake, I hope ‘e’s not still mad ‘boutcha takin’ ‘im inta that cold refrigerator!”

Rhystea laughed lightly, then they both fell silent as they walked past all the charred remains. The trip was faster this time as the lights had been turned on for them, allowing them an attempt to count, but there was a great deal of charred husks of insect piled high on top of each other.

“Yea, ain’t that worried 'bout Ceke.” Sphaere noted as they left that room behind and approached the final corner leading to their exit. “I bet ‘e fried at least fifty o’ them spider soldiers in under three minutes!”

“Dr. Tellamar did comment on Cekell waking something up in the Astral Point that still lay dormant in the Umbral Point.” Rhystea noted as they approached the hole that allowed them entry. Their eyes took a moment to adjust to the bright sunlight. They found it comforting until they realized another quicksilver kid was waiting for them to make their exit.

Sphaere froze when she saw him. It took Rhystea a moment longer, but she responded in the same manner. The unfamiliar warborn looked up at them as he stood with his arms folded and his tendril erect. The only discernible difference between this one and Cekell was that this one lacked a long and oddly shaped scar across it’s chest.

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