-"Ines, please sit."-I motioned to a table by the desk.
She nodded and did as I said, looking at me as if trying to see through me. I gave her time to do whatever she was doing, not pushing her to speak. So we sat in silence for a few minutes before she opened her mouth.
-"Talulah has two shadows."
-"Shadows?"-I asked, not understanding her meaning.
-"My Originium Art allows me to 'read' people's shadows, giving me some understanding about them. Talulah has two shadows, one hers, a caring idealist with too much strength for her good, but the other… It's like a cold snake. Cruel, merciless, scheming, almost opposite of real Talulah."
-"As expected, she is not herself, but possessed in some way. By the way, what do you read in my shadow?"
-"You want me to use my Art on you?"-She looked surprised by my ask.
-"I believe that you used it during our first meeting, otherwise you wouldn't believe me so easily. Mercenaries value loyalty and truth much, as it often concerns their life, am I right?"
-"Indeed."-She nodded but then stopped speaking, unsure how to word her description of me.-"You… You remind me of the Regent, but with one important difference."
-"Regent?"-I raised my eyebrow; Regent wasn't exactly a person I wished to be associated with.
-"Yes. Like that man, you see people as numbers, weights on a scale. If their value is not enough, you can sacrifice them without a second thought."-She looked me in the eyes while speaking.-"But you never use the same scale for those close to you, this is why I said you have an important difference. If you see someone as a friend, you'd never consider them a pawn, putting their well-being over your own safety. That's why I decided to believe you."
-"So you want to be my friend?"
-"Yes, I want to earn your friendship, thus securing safety for myself and my team."
-"Your team?"
-"They have different jobs for now, but after they complete them, they would also need a safe home."
-"Good. I agree to that, but my friendship isn't something one can buy. I for now, I can suggest some positions where you'd be able to use your skills, some safer than others, but I can guarantee your life."
-"I'll follow your orders as long as you pay me and indeed ensure my survival. But before that, the matter of Kazdel. Regent wishes for Ursus and Yan to fight and create chaos; he needs time to accomplish something. I'm unsure what exactly, but there was one thing that I overheard that made me decide to escape: 'bring her back' ."
This sentence made me freeze, as if it meant what I thought it did, then many things I thought I understood suddenly stopped making any sense. Noticing me fall deep into thoughts, Ines stopped speaking, giving me time to analyze everything. I tried to make sense of all the information I had, but I couldn't make it fit together. In the end, I decided to look for more information before trying to piece everything together.
-"So, what is my job going to be?"-Ines asked after noticing me returning to present.
-"I can either send you to Siracusa to help someone there, or you can stay by my side in Lungmen for now."
-"Then please let me stay now."
-"Sure, I'll have you work with Cellinia as your Art can help with her work."
-" Thank you."
-"It's too early to thank me; you can do so after you've achieved everything you want."
She nodded and stood up, leaving my room. As there was no need for me to rest, I also walked out after some time, heading to the top deck to watch the scenery and think. I could feel many eyes on me; both my past and recent actions had made me popular among the infected, but my status also kept anyone from approaching. Anyone but those who were already familiar with me.
-"May I sit?"-Aefanyl approached me.
-"Sure, sitting here alone while everyone watches me makes me feel like an animal in a zoo."
-"More like a museum exhibit."-He smiled slightly.-"Heard from my Mother that you awakened your Banshee's blood. That would make us only male Banshees alive now."
-"True, I'm already dreading visiting Convallis of the Banshees."
-"Reasonable, but it's not that bad when you get used to it. Right, thanks for saving everyone back then, especially Scout."
-"It's a minor matter to me, I was there for personal reasons and just helped on the way."
-"It might be minor for you, but for us it is as major as the success of that operation."-He stood up.-"Interested in looking around?"
-"Only if you are my guide."
-"Of course."
He showed me around the Landship, introducing me to some Operators on the way. The Landship was clearly divided into three parts: the public area open to patients and visitors; the closed area with facilities like labs and workshops, along with where Operators lived; and the core area, heavily restricted even to Operators.
As a special guest, I had access to all but the last section, Aefanyl didn't hide much thing during our tour, being direct with me. He explained the functions of every facility, telling me little about their research. This would be a normal tour, if not for the last lab we visited. When we entered, I was instantly greeted by a shocked look on the face of a Medic Operator, looking at me as if I had two heads.
-"Excuse me?"-I couldn't ignore such a direct gaze.
-"You… Is your blood made from ambrosia?"-She observed me up and down.-"I'm Warfarin by the way."
-"Why?"
-"You have two scents on you. I mean, two different Vampires marked you."
-"Is it strange?"
-"Strange? Last time I heard of Vampire touching another Vampire's food, there was a bloodbath, yet you…"
-"Ehem. The circumstances were somewhat special."
-"Is that so? It would seem that your reputation as Sankta that is close to Sarkaz is not false."-She nodded as if that made everything make sense.
-"It doesn't sound like a compliment when you say it."-I rolled my eyes.
-"It was."-She shrugged.-"Even I can't stand some other Sarkaz, yet you, a Sankta, can tolerate them."
-"Don't make me into some saint, I just don't discriminate based on race. Most Sarkaz are still unbearable due to their personality."
-"It's still much more understanding than most."-She smiled sadly.-"It's nice to meet you, Holy Son."
-"Pleasure is mine."
-"What brings you here?"
-"I'm taking him around."-Aefanyl explained from the side.
-"I see. So, how about taking part in the Operator Physical Exam?"
-"Oh? Sounds fun."
-"Then please sit here."
I let Warfarin draw my blood and followed her orders for the test. Some of the data was supplemented from reports about my actions in Leithanien, allowing me to skip some tests. Soon, my scores were out, so I looked at them.
______________________________
Physical Strength: Excellent
Mobility: Outstanding
Endurance: ■■
Tactical Acumen: Excellent
Combat Skill: Outstanding
Originium Arts Assimilation: ■■
______________________________
-"What about those two scores?"
-"Out of scale. Originium behaves as if an extension of you, even comparing Logos with you would make his average at best, as for endurance… Tell me, can you even be harmed in any conventional way?"
-"No."
-"There you have it."
-"Doctor!"-A young Medic Operator rushed into the room.-"Patient just collapsed!"
-"Excuse me, I need to get to work."
-"Need any help?"
-"Are you a trained medic?"
-"No, but I can use Healing Arts."
-"Then follow me."
I nodded and went with her to the hospital wing, where people were rushing around. I looked at the patient on the bed; it was a young boy, about ten years old. Originium crystals were growing on his shoulder, close, not that far from his heart. Just from that, I could tell that he had only a few weeks left, and none of those days would be painless.
-"Doctor! How is my son?!"-A young mother asked Warfarin, her expression at the edge of despair.
-"This…"-Warfarin looked at the child, but her eyes were gloomy.
-"I can help him, but it'll be a rather drastic approach."-I told her.
-"How drastic."
-"Drain all his blood, cut out all the Originium crystals, then heal him and pump new blood."
-"No one will survive that."
-"No one can die near me."-I looked her in the eyes.
She met my gaze, then she grabbed a scalpel and plunged it into her heart. She waited for a moment, then took it out, alive despite the gaping hole in her heart.
-"You are quite trusting."-I commented while healing her.
-"I won't risk the life of my patient."
-"And I can respect that."
-"I'll assist you in the procedure."
-"Can you use Hemokinetic Arts to drain the blood?"
-"Yes."
-"Then let's get going."
Soon, two of us took the patient into an operating room, starting what would be a ten-hour procedure. We first put the boy in a state of suspended animation, then we started by draining his blood. I watched how his body turned into something resembling a mummy, then I picked up a scalpel and got to work. Cut after cut, I extracted small pieces of crystal from muscles, skin, and even bones.
It took me five hours to remove every last piece of crystal, trying not to leave any behind. After that, I slowly reconstructed his body, combining Healing Arts, my Golden Flame, and Warfarin medicinal expertise. It took some time, but we managed to 'put him back together'. Now, we needed to put new blood into his veins.
Warfarin had collected blood from healthy donors, and after confirming that there would be no rejection, we carefully let it flow in. When his body regained some color, I slowly returned him from his suspended animation, guiding his spirit into gentle but deep sleep so that his body could adjust, and additional tests could be made.
When we exited the surgery room, we were greeted by a crowd of Operators and patients, many looking at me in a surgical gown with interest and gratitude. Warfarin looked at everyone and smiled.
-"The patient survived."
This caused cheers to erupt, people rushing at us, hugging and shaking my hand, some brave ones even kissed my hands and cheeks. It was only after Amiya shouted at everyone to stop making trouble that I was able to escape. The Little Rabbit took me into her office, helping me to avoid more people.
-"Thank you for your rescue."
-"No, it's I who should thank you. Thank you for helping that boy."-She bowed to me.
-"I just wanted to see if I could do it."
-"Nonetheless, you saved his life."-She straightened and looked at me with a serious expression.-"Eno what you did… It can help many people get a new chance at life. Even if he is still infected, with a low Cell-Originium Assimilation rate and some suppressants, he can live the rest of his natural life."
-"Yes, but repeating such a procedure without me would be nigh impossible."-I pointed out.-"And I can't personally operate on every infected."
-"This…"
-"I can try to create an Originium Art that can put the patient into a far deeper state of suspended animation, but that'll take time. I'll also need assistance from your medics and researchers."
-"We will do what we can."
-"Happy cooperation."
-"Yes!"
-"But I'll need you to do something for me in exchange."
-"Huh?"
-"Data. I want access to your data."
-"I can give you up to level 7 access, but for anything greater, you'll need Kal'tsit permission."
-"Old Lynx, huh? I'll talk with her later."-I nodded, before looking at the rabbit before me.-"Good to finally see you, Amiya."-I extended my hand to her.
-"I'm also happy to see you, Eno."-She smiled and shook my hand, but when we touched, our bodies froze.
My halo turned into the White Crown as its Black counterpart appeared on Amiya's head. I could feel a connection forming between us; I felt how she peeked into my memories, while I felt my connection with Myriad Souls becoming more solid. We stood frozen like that for a few minutes, until a knock on the door woke us up.
I quickly collected myself, but Amiya looked at me with watery eyes, causing the person who entered to take out a chainsaw and attack me. Luckily, I was easily able to immobilize the attacker while Amiya explained the misunderstanding.
-"I'm sorry."
-"I don't mind, just be careful not to jump to conclusions next time."
-"Even so. Allow me to treat you to a meal as an apology."
-"Why not. Amiya?"
-"Only if you are not cooking, Blaze."
-"Ugh."-The Feline Operator acted as if struck by this comment.
-"Let's go to the cafeteria, Eno…"-She looked at my surgical gown.-"How about changing into something more comfortable?"
-"Give me a moment."-I nodded and disappeared into Azure Dream, returning shortly after in my usual armor.-"Let's go."
Three of us moved through the corridors, quickly entering the packed cafeteria. Amiya and I sat down while Blaze went to bring us food. At first, we were alone, but soon, more Operators started to join in, making the whole lunch lively. Even I found myself enjoying the atmosphere here, relaxing in the process. So after the meal, everyone decided to play some games, inviting me along.
I agreed after warning them that they would lose, but they took it as a challenge; so they did lose badly. No poker face could prevent me from feeling their emotions or even thoughts. My Knights and Guinevere also joined in on the fun. No one cared about status or whether one was infected or not here, making such simple fun possible. We only stopped after some people got called for their shifts.
As the Landship was not far from Lungmen already, I decided to help in the hospital for the remainder of my stay. So, aside from mealtimes, I was coped up in the operating room together with most other Medic Operators. We managed to operate on over 200 patients with severe Oripathy, eliminating most of their crystal growth and blood.
While this was possible only due to the help of the medics, the news about the miracle of being unable to die near the Holy Son started to spread around the Landship, causing many patients to start believing in the Lateran Church. This would later cause a not small headache for the Old Lynx, resulting in her cursing me during her sleepless nights, starting a rumor about our presumed on-and-off relationship.
But I didn't know, nor would I care about that, as we arrived at our destination. The special economic zone of Yan, Lungmen. For some, this city represents all that's wrong with capitalism, for others it's a chance to turn their lives around, but one thing was certain: this giant mobile metropolis was one of the capitals of Terra.
But such fame causes it to be a target of many conspiracies, and its precarious state within Yan didn't help. And now, with the threat of Reunion hanging above it, the city stands at an edge; whether it'll emerge whole or not, it still needs to be decided.