(Content Warning: This chapter contains brief mentions of abuse)
Camazotz's cold heart didn't hold much room in it for anyone. He had already relegated far too much space for Abyzou, and Bhandasura had stolen a chunk of it too, and the remains of it were far too dry and cold to make anything else out of it.
That was why he always laughed–internally–when Abyzou called their little worker drones their "children." It wasn't such that he hated their creations (he hated everyone, but that was beside the point), but he just could not look down at any of them, not even his own Gur-Rai, and see anything but a machine. Maybe an employee at best, and employees could be terminated.
This one, though, he had to admit, had stolen a tiny piece of his cold, dead heart. Maybe it was the eyes: the color of snake venom, similar to his. Or maybe it was that charismatic smile: they had made him for one reason, and that was to win over the crowd. But really, it was probably the way the Speaker, even as he bowed low, practically prostrating himself before the Elder, still managed to hold onto a portion of that power in their face. Abyzou would hate it, if she ever noticed. Camazotz saw it as something to respect.
"Glorious Elder Camazotz." The Speaker looked up at him from his position on the floor, and Camazotz saw a glint of yellow behind those glasses. "You know I would never interrupt unless for the most urgent news."
"Of course." Camazotz chuckled. "I assume it's something I'll be happy about."
"An associate has informed me that they have three of the Commander's Inner Circle right on their doorstep." The Speaker rose to his feet. "Jane Kelly is among them, as is Shaojie Zhang, and a name I'm sure you have not heard in years, the legendary Taymallat."
"Annette Durand? That is a rare sighting." Camazotz chuckled. He almost regretted that Annette had managed to escape so early on. She had been stronger than most humans he'd encountered. Maybe she could have managed where the others failed. "But she is not as important as the others. Jane Kelly is out in the open? She is practically giving herself up."
"I believe from here, her capture will be swift and simple." The Speaker continued.
"She is a wily thing, Navisor." Camazotz knelt down so he was closer to the Speaker's height, although the cold floor hurt his knees. He reveled in the pain. It meant he was still alive.
"This time is different." The Speaker insisted. "She is looking for Vahlen."
Camazotz clenched his fists in laughter. "Humans are so sentimental."
"Aren't they? But she's still convinced, deep down, that to reconcile is possible. And I think with a bit of twisting, that could work in our favor~"
"You sound like you already have a plan." Camazotz said.
"I do, but I would never do anything without consulting you." The Speaker bowed low again.
"Navisor, whatever you are planning, you have my permission to execute it." Camazotz assured him. "Especially if it will cause my beloved wife a headache she'll suffer for days."
The Speaker faltered at that, but only briefly. "I shall prepare to fly out at once. And on the topic of consulting you, Vox Camazotz, I do again require your wisdom."
"Speak freely." He waved a hand toward the Speaker. "You know there are no secrets here."
"The humans are beginning to question the absence of the Chosen." The Speaker raised his head, green eyes peering over black sunglasses. Both mirrored Camazotz's own reflection back at him. He saw his own, sickly eyes looking back, and he may as well have been staring at someone else entirely.
He sighed. "And I suppose they will start causing problems if we don't offer them an explanation soon. Or at the very least, distract them." Camazotz raised his four arms and clasped his fingers together. "There is another gala coming, is there not?"
"Indeed, in no less than a month." The Speaker said, and he could feel Camazotz's satisfaction.
"I believe I may have a solution. If Xezbeth and Tiyanak have decided they want to play mad scientist, perhaps I'll make them earn the title."
.
.
"I apologize, I am not very skilled…" Kon-Mai admitted as her fingers ran through the long, black tresses that fell to Aisha's waist. Her hair was coarse and thick, but looked healthy beyond measure. Reaching back toward her own curly locks, Kon-Mai acknowledged how she had been leaving them down recently, and unfortunately they'd developed some rather embarrassing tangles as a result.
"An extra pair of hands is appreciated." Aisha assured her. "It doesn't have to be a perfect braid, I'll be putting it under a cap anyway." Speaking of, she reached over and grabbed a satin underscarf and handed it back to Kon-Mai. "Can you hold that? I'll put the hair in a bun."
"Of course." Kon-Mai took her hands away as she watched Aisha work. The yurt they sat in was hers, and of course since Aisha was the Jinong, it was slightly bigger and more elaborate than the other single houses in Karakorum. The walls were made of stone instead of leather, although the roof was still thatched like the others. On said walls, a few keepsakes hung, some carvings in rock done presumably by a child, a few arrows with feathers on the end, some strings of beads, a bow…and other than that, it was clean, almost pristine.
In the center, the two sat beside a small fire pit that was unlit at the moment, relying on the light flooding in from the open door. The ground was swept as clean as it could be in the steppe, and out of the corner of her eye, Kon-Mai saw a beetle saunter by lazily. She put one hand down on the cool ground and took a deep breath, rooting herself in this place.
She looked up as Aisha reached back for the cap, but instead of handing it to her, Kon-Mai (her hands seemingly moving on their own) raised the cap to Aisha's head and slid it on for her in one fell swoop, covering her hair almost perfectly. Aisha seemed to startle, and Kon-Mai reeled back at her own forwardness.
"I'm so sorry…" She stammered. "I…I don't know why I did such a thing."
"No, it's okay." Aisha smoothed out some of the baby hairs around her face and chuckled, tucking them under the cap. "I haven't had anyone do that for a long time."
"I'm sorry." Kon-Mai said again. "…Was that another practice Monkh performed for you?"
"When I was little." Aisha said quietly. " …She was so good with hair. Her hair was so different from mine, it was really curly and kind of coily, but she could pull it back in braids, or smooth it down, or…" She paused, laying her hands in her lap. " …Thank you for helping me with this. It's nice to not be doing my hair alone…"
"No one else comes over?" Kon-Mai asked, getting to her feet and walking over to the wooden table that held a series of metal pins and brooches, all adorned with Elerium glowing in various colors.
"No…" Aisha shrugged. "I do not mind. The others…they feel more comfortable around each other."
Kon-Mai herself had been slightly apprehensive to come over when Aisha invited her, even more so when the Jinong had asked for help doing her hair. She had cited Kon-Mai's own silver locks as inspiration for asking, but Kon-Mai still felt a bit guilty that she had hesitated at all. Aisha was already so isolated, and to be honest…so was Kon-Mai.
"They should not exclude you simply because you are different." Kon-Mai scoffed, turning over a few of the brooches in her hands, and finally selecting one shaped like a seashell with a faint purple glow.
"I don't think that's the entire reason." Aisha assured her. "It's a mixture of things…jealousy is probably a root."
Kon-Mai chuckled. "There might be much to be jealous of, but it is their own shortcomings that hamper them." She sat behind Aisha, who was wrapping the dark purple hijab round her head. "They should use their envy to become stronger."
"I think they think I'm the weak one…" Aisha sighed. "And that I didn't earn my place as Jinong."
Kon-Mai scoffed. "Monkh would disagree. She loved you too much for you to think that."
Aisha froze, and Kon-Mai froze with her, and the two sat in silence for a moment.
"It still hurts." Aisha admitted. "And it's never felt right without her here, the Khatun hasn't been the same…"
Kon-Mai quietly pinned the hijab in place with the purple brooch. It sparkled in the sunlight, turning pink then red, then purple once again.
"I need to do some hunting before the sun sets." Aisha got to her feet and took her bow off of the wall. "Will you join me?"
Kon-Mai raised a brow. "Proper hunting? I'm afraid I am terrible with a bow."
"I can show you how." Aisha assured her. "And I'd like the company."
Kon-Mai mused on this for a moment, watching the look in Aisha's eyes go from painful reminiscence to anxious desperation. She stood slowly, brushing off her knees, and nodded.
"Thank you." Aisha sighed in relief. "…You can take Nergui. He's big enough for you to ride."
"Nergui?" Kon-Mai faltered. "…But that was Monkh's horse. You said he does not let anyone get close…"
"He was Monkh's horse, yes." Was all Aisha said, her eyes unreadable. "But…"
"But?"
"He's one of the biggest ones." Aisha stepped away, avoiding Kon-Mai's gaze. "If you want, you can take one of the smaller ones, but I don't think they'll handle as well."
Kon-Mai wanted to insist on doing so, but when she went to protest…found she was unable to speak.
.
.
Malinalli was waving in the distance as the cart came into view, and Dhar-Mon made himself smile for her. But as the cart drew closer, laden with metals and processed Elerium, she saw his face, and saw the worry lining own smile dropped.
She embraced him as he came close, squeezing around his waist and burying her face in his chest, and he put his hands on her shoulders and brought her in close, seeking comfort in her embrace.
"What happened?" She asked softly, looking up at him with worried eyes. "Did something go wrong at the mines?"
He sighed, shook his head…and then sighed again. "I do not know. And I feel we cannot discuss it here."
Malinalli looked around, then grabbed his hand. "Let's go somewhere private then." She began to pull him away, stopping only when one of the warriors Dhar-Mon had been traveling with, Uyanga, called to them.
"Hey, Purple Man! You're strong!" She jabbed her thumb at the cart. "Help us unload."
"I was going…" Dhar-Mon began to protest, his voice shaking as he tried to find the words. "…'Purple man'?"
Malinalli stepped up and put a hand on his arm. "I'll help too. Those look heavy and you could use all the help."
Uyanga raised a skeptical eye, running her gaze up and down Malinalli's body. "No muscle on you. Only fat."
"That's correct." Malinalli gave her a smirk as she pushed past and grabbed a chunk of Elerium with both hands. "So you don't want the extra help?"
Uyanga eyed her for a moment more before nodding slowly. "Just keep up."
Dhar-Mon approached his lover, who was faring okay carrying the smaller chunks, but when she reached for a piece almost as big as her head, he stopped her. "Are you sure-?"
"Please, don't you underestimate me too." She said softly. "I can carry these fine, holding down patients is a lot harder."
"I…y-you're right, I am so sorry…" He stammered, looking down and blushing purple, his skin growing hotter until Malinalli climbed up on the cart beside him and kissed him on his scaly cheek.
"Now, tell me about the mine." She whispered in his ear.
"We are exposed here." He looked back at Uyanga, who was unloading her own batch of Elerium near the town's center plaza. "If only we could talk like before…"
"The mental link." Malinalli chuckled. "I miss you on the inside sometimes."
"I believe I have a substitute for that." Dhar-Mon couldn't stop himself blushing as he said that.
Malinalli snorted, almost dropping the Elerium she had picked up. "In my head, you dummy. But maybe later, we'll see~" She winked.
He chuckled, then his smile fell and his heart sank again. "It was everything the Khatun says it is, a great hole in the earth that slips into darkness, but the walls are lined with glowing Elerium. They process it, and in turn stabilize its radioactive properties. For the most part."
"So you won't become fully irradiated from wearing a necklace." Malinalli nodded. "Smart…"
"Indeed." He didn't quite know what else to say on it. "The workers…seem indifferent. I met one that was friendly, but the others did not pay me much mind. Several were…they were scared of me."
"I'm sure they were just startled, they might not get many visitors…" Malinalli looked over her shoulder, then leaned in again to kiss him, whispering as she did "But that's not all, is it?"
"There is something amiss within the mine." He said. "And I do not believe it is benevolent. Screams echo from within."
Malinalli pulled away from him, worry more apparent in her eyes. "I'd love to see it." She tried to keep her voice chipper. "You'll have to insist the others take me with, next time they go."
"Next time?" Dhar-Mon blinked. "…Oh. Yes. When next we go, I will take you, my darling."
Malinalli winked. "We should go early. So we aren't missed too much here."
"I'm sure it will not take long. We only want to see the outer mine, after all…" Dhar-Mon looked over at Uyanga, who only generally glanced in their direction. It seemed like she hadn't heard them.
"Maybe with some luck, we can sneak away together~"
.
.
It seemed like Hong Kong was always kind of dark. Then again, everything was dark around Jane Kelly.
She crossed her legs, leaning back against the metal bench plunked smack in the middle of a park that was way too pristine. The sky was a soft grey, and the sun hid behind a thin layer of cloud that dimmed its light just enough that the shadows covered her face.
She knew she was taking a risk out here, but she had to get away. Do something. It felt like they were getting nowhere with Dax́iiu: Zhang kept giving him good reasons to defect, and Dax́iiu just kept kicking the can farther down the road. Her comrades had assured her that it would just take time, but Jane wasn't going to sit around holding her breath.
Time was passing, far too quickly. She'd already lost so many years, she wanted as much time as she could pry from the cosmos' cold, dead hands. And if Vahlen was here? If Vahlen was somewhere in Hong Kong?
Jane stood up and walked briskly across the street shoving her hands into her pockets. She had to keep moving, always keep moving. Bradford used to call her a hamster, running on its wheel. Maybe that was true. Maybe she should go back to-
Footsteps behind her made her slow, and she took a quick turn down a dirt maintenance path, ducking behind a beat up truck. A couple of Trooper helmets lay on the ground beside their wheels, and the footsteps drew closer to her hiding place and then stopped.
"I know you are there." A familiar voice called out, stilted and awkward, in broken English. "Come out."
Jane took a moment to remember where she'd heard that–him–before. When she did, a shiver went up her spine, and she was definitely no closer to revealing herself. She envied Kon-Mai in that moment, being able to go invisible would have been really handy right now."
"I am not going to hurt you." He said again. "I know what you seek. I want to help you."
Jane still hesitated. " …I'm armed." She said. "If you try and drag me off to ADVENT, I have absolutely no problem shooting myself."
"Please don't." He said. "Please, I want to help."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Jane reached for her pocket weapon, ready to make a run for it. "You're in Dax́iiu's pocket. And he might be talking, but he sure hasn't made things easy for us."
"Please." He said again. "I don't know how to say. Please…"
Jane kept silent for a moment longer, then stood up and looked into the black eyes of T8Y47.
"I know what you seek." He said. "I know…who you seek."
"How?" Jane drew her gun and pointed it at his shoulder. His eyes were gleaming with what looked like tears, but she could never be sure. " …How much do you know? How do you know? Who told you?"
"ADVENT knows all." He said, his hands in the air. "I know that your name is not really Jane. I know that your mother abandoned you. I know where she is."
Jane felt her hands starting to shake–probably from holding the gun up for so long. "You…you know? You know where she is?"
"Dax́iiu knows too." He said. "He wants to help you."
Jane snarled. "That weasel needs to pick a side and stop sitting on fences." She hissed. "Mother can wait that long, if he keeps wanting to drag his heels."
"But she can't." The hybrid lowered his hands. "That's why I came to find you."
.
.
The nearly black horse looked up at Kon-Mai with sad, dark eyes as she approached. In her arms, she held a knitted saddle blanket and a pair of reigns, and as she drew close to him, his ears folded against his head.
"Aisha, are you certain?" Kon-Mai turned to the woman who was already seated on her own horse. "He looks forlorn."
"Do not force him." Aisha assured her. "But…you're doing well. He doesn't seem agitated."
Kon-Mai looked back to Nergui, whose ears perked up slightly as she did. They locked eyes again, and she set down her tackle and approached him slowly, hands out, just as she was.
"You were her horse." She said softly, reaching out ever so tentatively. "You were Monkh's horse"
Nergui let out a soft nicker and shook out his tangled mane, turning away from her.
"I know you must miss her." She continued. "I am no substitute. I am not Monkh." With barely a touch, she put her hand on his nose, and gasped as she felt its velvety softness. "But I…I want to…" What did she want?
Nergui knew far better than her, obviously. He responded to her touch by pressing his nose forward into her palm, then stepping forward and bobbing his head slightly, as if telling her to pet him. She stroked his nose while he brayed happily, closing his eyes and turning his face up towards the sun.
"I had a feeling!" Aisha called to her. "Do you need help with the tackle gear?"
"No." Kon-Mai said, far too quietly. "No, I'll be fine!" She reached down for the saddle blanket (forgoing the actual saddle, as she was far too tall for any of them) and then picking up the bridle and placing the metal bit in her palm, gently holding it against his lips, waiting for him to bite. And bite he did, taking the bit from her with the kind of ease that could only come from years of trust.
"Do you need a leg up?" Aisha called after her again, crawling closer on her horse.
Kon-Mai gave her a look. "At your height? Do not try it." She walked around Nergui's side, heaping her hand on his neck the whole time. "I'll be alright." She bent one knee slightly, throwing her arm over the top of his neck, and ran forward, kicking up and over his back and landing, seated, on the saddle blanket, pulling herself upright into a sitting position.
She straightened up, shaking out her hair, and noticed Aisha staring at her. Her expression was…unreadable, but her mouth was set in a thin line.
"What is wrong?" Kon-Mai took hold of the reigns.
"Nothing, just distracted…" Aisha turned her own horse towards the gate. "Have you hunted before?"
"Not like this." Kon-Mai chuckled, feeling Nergui paw at the ground excitedly. "But I am always ready to learn."
.
.
For once, Betos found herself really wishing Geist was here, if only so she didn't have to feel like the odd one out.
Drakaina and Volk each sat on an arm of Drakaina's throne, passing a glass of vodka back and forth between them as they chatted in their native tongue, completely acting as though Betos did not exist. She understood the hesitancy to discuss anything more serious before Senuna arrived, but occasionally they would glance pointedly in her direction and Betos, despite being invited here, felt as though she was intruding.
Part of her wanted to leave, just walk right out and communicate the level of disrespect that she felt. But as soon as she gathered up the strength to turn on her heel, the doors opened and Senuna walked in, flanked by Bradford.
"Sorry about that!" She giggled, flipping her silver hair. "I was sure I had enough time for a quick nap and well, time got away from me."
"It's fine, you are here now." Betos grumbled and turned to Drakaina, who stood so Volk could keep his seat on the arm rest.
"I brought you all here to discuss preparations on an outpost attack." Drakaina said. "We have discovered ADVENT has a city center near Erdenesant, that is small enough that my army could take it, if we had help."
"Hold on." Bradford held up a hand. "You said no city centers."
"I said settlements." Drakaina clarified. "This is technically one of those. The center was constructed only a month ago and its defenses are still incomplete until more troops can be allocated."
"Commander." He looked to Senuna. "Back me up here."
"How big is the settlement?" Senuna asked. "City centers aren't usually small. I've been to plenty, trust me."
"It has a population of about 3,000 people, and as of right now about half as many hybrid soldiers guarding them." She looked to Betos. "Guards that, perhaps with your help, could be made to quietly walk away."
"We said we weren't taking on a city center." Bradford insisted. "Infiltration is one thing. This is an all out attack."
"This is our chance to save these people." Drakaina insisted. "Or would you rather they starve under the tyranny of our invaders?"
"I'd rather we not lose this war by getting our skulls dashed against the sidewalk while the general population cheers." Bradford crossed his arms. "And answer me this: how do we convince them we're the good guys? I'm not just talking about the soldiers; the civvies are going to be terrified if we run in there guns blazing to drag them from their homes."
Drakaina seemed to hesitate a bit, and then Senuna interjected, looking toward Bradford. "I might be able to convince them to come quietly. And I could evacuate the city before the attack happens."
"I'm not sending you back in there, Sunny." He hissed. "Not a chance."
"A leader should fight on the field with the rest of her warriors." Drakaina insisted. "I have heard tales of your great power, Commander."
"I won't have to get close." Senuna assured him. "Just enough to project my voice."
Betos chuckled nervously. "You plan to perform a concert?"
"Who knows? Maybe I have some fans in the city~" Senuna winked. "But Drakaina does have a point. If the city center is that small…it's conceivable that we could crack it. And–I'll be honest–taking on a city center is risky business, but if we have a chance to help people get out of there…"
Bradford looked away, glowering at Senuna's answer, while Drakaina smiled. Her nearly white eyes seemed to glitter. "I see why you are the Commander, you know exactly what must be done." Drakaina looked back at Volk. "Your Reapers are very good at remaining unseen."
"I'll have Elena take a couple and scout out any weak points." Volk stood up and downed the rest of his vodka. "I know it's a scary concept, John, but it's about time we start taking the fight to the Elders. Can't play defense forever."
.
.
"Does Zhang know you're talking to me?" Jane asked, glancing sideways at T8Y47. The hybrid held the door open for her, gesturing for her to continue. When she hesitated, he entered first.
"Nobody knows." He answered. "Chilong and Taymallat are…focused. On other things. Not you."
"I'm focused on the mission, too." Jane said. "This is a side quest at best."
"You have been searching for so long." T8Y47 led her down a hallway similar to the one in the penthouse, but instead of gold, this one was lined with silver and marble and dark green gems. "And you came all this way. I understand why. I understand you want to know."
Jane scoffed. "Yeah, sure you do."
"I do." He insisted. "I had a mother too."
Jane stopped. "So you're one of the ones they 'rewarded', huh?"
He slowed his pace, probably realizing she was no longer following him.
"Do you remember your family at all?" She asked. "Do you remember your mom?"
He shook his head. "I do not know if she lived or died. I do not know if she would want to see me again. I only have the memory of her smile, a faint outline of light in a dark void.."
Jane swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm not a therapist but…" She said softly. "…You should find her."
T8Y47 stopped briefly in his tracks at that, looking back at Jane with black eyes.
"I'm serious." Jane insisted. "Hey, if you're helping me find my mom, maybe I'll help you find yours."
He kept watching her out of the corner of his eye. "…You would do that for a stranger?"
She shrugged. "I repay kindness. I know I don't seem like I do but…I will."
T8Y47 stood still for a moment longer…and then put his hand on the glass doorknob. "You will find what you seek in here."
"Thank you." Jane stepped in front of him, her heart pounding, her hands shaking. "…What's your name?"
"I have no name."
"When I'm done in here, I want you to have thought up a name." She looked back at T8Y47 and winked. "See you in a bit."
Jane hadn't had time to prepare for this at all, this moment was supposed to be magical, she closed her eyes and tried to imagine herself a child once again, running across marble floors to finally land in her mother's arms…
The door swung open and she stepped inside, her heart instantly dropping as she saw the spacious, dark, nearly empty interrogation room. Across the wall, rows upon rows of televisions blinked, cameras scanning what looked like a prison. In front of her was a desk, and at the desk sat a slimy looking man, smiling behind his sunglasses.
"Hello Jane." The Speaker said as the door closed behind her. "…Or should I call you Sinéad? It's such a pretty name."
.
.
The wind in her hair, whipping past her face, tickling her cheeks, the sound of Nergui's hooves thundering against the ground hard enough to shake the mountains around her…
Kon-Mai hadn't felt such joy in years. She threw her head back, looking up to the golden sun glowing through the clouds, just as a purple arrow whizzed past her head. She looked behind her as Aisha cried out "Sorry!"
Tugging the reigns to one side, Kon-Mai moved out of the way just enough for Aisha to ride past and hold out her hand, calling the arrow back to her and scooping up the animal she had killed with it. She checked it briefly, then gave Kon-Mai a thumbs up. "Instant!"
"You are quite talented!" Kon-Mai cried, guiding Nergui over to her companion.
"Speak for yourself." Aisha chuckled. "I didn't know you could ride so well."
"I'll be honest, neither did I." Kon-Mai leaned down and patted Nergui's neck, and he whinnied happily at her touch.
"He's…not usually this happy." Aisha added. "After Monkh died…I used to try and take him out, he refused to go each time."
"You were the one who offered for me to take him." Kon-Mai raised a brow. "Giving me a troublesome horse on my first ride? Quite irresponsible, Aisha."
"Well, he's also one of the biggest ones, I knew he'd be able to hold your weight…" Aisha coughed. "No offense, I mean-"
"I know, don't worry." Kon-Mai giggled. "He handles like a dream."
"I think he just likes you." Aisha threw her leg over her horse and slid off, taking the reigns in one hand.
"Have you caught all you need for today?" Kon-Mai asked.
"Not yet, but I thought this would be a good place to stretch our legs." Aisha said as she drew her sword. "You could show me a few tricks."
Kon-Mai raised a brow. "That is incredibly foolish of you." She said as she slid off Negui's back. "My sword never misses a target."
"Then I'll have a real challenge." Aisha shrugged. "That's perfectly fine."
"You can't get such a challenge elsewhere?" Kon-Mai asked as she let Nergui to a green looking patch of land.
"Perhaps I could." Aisha shrugged. "But why not you? And besides, we're all the way out here."
"I don't want to accidentally hurt you." Kon-Mai smirked as she unsheathed her sword.
"And I don't want to be hurt." Aisha giggled. "So I guess I just have to be good."
.
.
"No!" Jane turned on her heel and slammed her shoulder into the now locked door. "FUCKING BASTARD! YOU TRICKED ME!"
"Sinéad, let's now make a scene now." The Speaker stood slowly. "I'm here to help you."
Jane began searching for screws along the hinges, maybe she could dig them out with her fingernails, but froze as she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"You want to see your mother." He chuckled. "I'm sorry she couldn't be here today, she's a very busy woman after all, running all those experiments, corrupting the Elders' hard work, I'm sure it's a taxing job. But she's so happy you came all this way just to find her."
"I don't believe you." Jane hissed. "You're a fucking conman! You tricked me! She's not actually here, is she? She never was!"
"I think you'll find my offer is sincere." His grip on her shoulder tightened. "You're smart, that much I know, and you're smart enough to know what I will do if you resist me."
Jane froze, her body going limp as she let the Speaker guide her back to the table. He sat down across from her, gesturing for her to do the same in the chair provided.
"…How did you find out?" Jane murmured. "I've never gone by my birth name."
"It wasn't hard to piece together." The Speaker reached across the table to where the pile of files sat, dragging one over. "Your records may not be public per se, but they were not exactly hidden either. You have a paper trail miles long whether you like it or-"
"Did she tell you?" Jane was afraid to know the answer to that. People cracked under pressure all the time, good people, but after all that if her mother had given her away…
"No, which is no surprise." The Speaker looked over the top of his glasses, his green eyes boring into her. "Moira Vahlen is not a weak-minded human. She never even mentioned she had a daughter before. But the papers speak for themselves, don't they?"
Jane felt her shoulders relax and droop, just as the Speaker slid her old, yellowed birth certificate across the table.
"Sinéad Vahlen." He said, his tongue hissing against his lips ever so slightly. "You're a very long way from home."
.
.
Two swords clanged against each other, and the frosty air was filled with fire.
Kon-Mai's eyes were alight, and her hair flew out behind her in a wave of snowy locks. Aisha darted to the side but still had to raise her own blade to parry Kon-Mai's swipe downward. She blocked it, then her leg bent and she rolled away from under the Shrinemaiden's pin.
"You fight well." Kon-Mai said with a smile.
"I take a lot of pride in that." Aisha got to her feet with a smile and twirled her blade in two circles, almost mimicking Kon-Mai's own movement with her blade. "All those years of training, I would hope I'm good."
"You…" Kon-Mai shifted backward again, getting back into her stance. "You have a good disposition for combat. Loose, almost casual, but not so easily distracted!" She dipped and darted forward, and Aisha barely had time to bring up her blade in a parry once again. She slid backward briefly, putting one hand down to steady herself, and then ducked away, letting Kon-Mai's sword embed itself in the ground.
Aisha rolled into a standing position and plunged her blade into the ground, a purple glow emanating from her eyes. "You're as nimble as they say, Shrinemaiden." She drew her blade back, carving a curve into the ground, with a cloud of pink dust rising up around it. "Let's see how you dodge this!"
Kon-Mai could only brace herself against the…wave of psionic energy that crashed over her, sending her to her knees. She squeezed her eyes shut, mind and heart both racing.
How did Aisha know that? That was her move. That was her Harbor Wave.
When she heard footsteps approaching, she looked up and saw Aisha was holding out a hand to her, but Kon-Mai only stared up at her in shock.
"How do you know that move?" She stumbled to her feet.
Aisha pulled back. "Mai…"
"Don't call me that." Kon-Mai hissed. "Just answer me. Where did you learn that?"
"I'm sorry." Aisha reached out, and Kon-Mai took another step away. "Kon-Mai please-"
"Where did you learn that?!" Kon-Mai shrieked. "Nothing makes sense here. The horses, the language, Nergui acts like he knows me, and now this?! What are you hiding from me?! Who are you?!" Not waiting for an answer, Kon-Mai turned on her heel and began to walk away-
"Wait!" Aisha reached out and grabbed hold of Kon-Mai's hand, finger's lacing around hers.
A flash of orange light surrounded them as the sun set, and she grabbed hold of the little girl and lifted her in the air. Her braids flew around her like branches of a tree, and as she spun and the two of them laughed, Monkh felt free.
Kon-Mai pulled her hand away, shaking as she stared at it. Aisha, too, stumbled back, looking down at her hand, then up at Kon-Mai.
"…It…" Aisha shook her head, her lip quivering. "It's you…it's really you…it's impossible but it's you!"
Kon-Mai took a single step backward, her entire body shaking like a leaf. "…How do you know all this?"
"Monkh." Aisha put her hand to her face, her lips trembling. "I…I learned that move years ago. From Monkh."
Kon-Mai turned on her heel and ran. She heard Aisha screaming her name, running after her through the treacherous step, but she simply closed her eyes and ran forward into darkness.
Summary: The chapter begins with Camazotz meeting with the Speaker, reflecting on how the Speaker is the only one of his creations he is actually proud of. The Speaker reports that Zhang, Jane and Annette are in Hong Kong, and that he has a plan to capture them, which Camazotz approves. Afterward the Speaker confesses that people are becoming restless not knowing where the Chosen are, and Camazotz decides to enlist the help of Xezbeth and Tiyanak.
In Karakorum, Kon-Mai is helping Aisha style her hair and put it up under her hijab, and the two talk briefly about how Aisha is seen as different from the others, and some believe she did not truly earn her place as Jinong. Aisha offers for Kon-Mai to come hunting with her, and suggests she takes Nergui, the old Jinong's horse.
Dhar-Mon returns from his trip to the mines, and Malinalli welcomes him home. The two quietly discuss what Dhar-Mon saw there, while helping to unload the Elerium harvested from the mine. Dhar-Mon and Malinalli make plans, in secret, to return to the mine again.
Betos meets with Drakaina and Volk, and feels left out while they wait for Senuna, the two actively talk with each other and ignore her. When Senuna finally joins them, Drakaina confesses she wants to attack a (small) city center. While Bradford is hesitant, Senuna agrees to help
In Hong Kong, Jane takes a break from her current dwellings to walk around the city, and is stopped by the hybrid assistant of Dax́iiu, T8Y47. He tells her he knows what she is seeking, and that he can help her find her mother. T8Y47 leads Jane back to the hotel, where he double crosses her and locks her in a room with the Speaker, who reveals that they discovered her true identity: Sinéad Vahlen, daughter of Moira Vahlen.
Back in Mongolia, Kon-Mai and Aisha have success in hunting, and Aisha comments on how good a rider Kon-Mai is. The two stop briefly to practice swordwork together, and after a brief battle, Aisha uses Kon-Mai's own Harbor Wave attack, which scares the latter. Demanding to know where she learned that, Aisha reveals she learned it from Monkh, the previous Jinong, and then grabs Kon-Mai's hand, triggering what seemed to be a flashback. Kon-Mai pulls her hand free and runs away, overwhelmed.
(I know it's been a while, thank you all so much for sticking with me again. This time, it really is more health problems getting in the way of me writing, but I assure you I'm still very passionate about this story. I thank the SFTD Discord for keeping me grounded in that aspect, and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It was kind of short, but we got a lot of big reveals in this one~)