Dori awoke with the sound of many coins clinking together; that is, her alarm clock. She gave a loud yawn and stretched unashamedly before getting out of her canopy bed, its purple linen sheets and its white chiffon curtains with floral motifs made of the finest embroidery. She put her lilac slippers with a pattern of Mora coins on, and approached a small box she had on her desk. Beside the box there was a stack of Mora coins. She took one, and inserted it into a slot atop the box. Then, the box began to emit a melodic sound identical to that of coins clinking. It was a music box. While the box sounded, Dori sang:
Mora, Mora, shining brightly.
Mora, Mora, many is sightly.
Beautiful Mora, precious Mora.
Everyone's Mora, Dori's Mora!
Dori finished her song, and the next moment, the box finished its melody. Once the melody ended, Dori took a deep bow towards an imaginary audience. And thus, the tycoon obsessed with Mora concluded her morning ritual.
She exited her room, and looked at Sucrose's door across the small hall of the topmost floor. Had she already gotten up? Ever since she had begun to talk with Nahida in her dreams, her waking time had become a little irregular. Dori spruced herself up in the floor's restroom, and then returned to her room to get dressed. In her closet she had plenty of topmost expensive clothes and outfits for any kind of occasion. For another ordinary day, she took her casual outfit, which, even though it was already opulent on its own, seemed dull compared to the other ones. Still, compared to her actually normal pajamas, it was a considerable change of style.
"Another day, another fortune to gain!" she proclaimed after finishing dressing.
She went down to the dining room to have breakfast. Since she was going to spend the day going all around, she asked for a full breakfast consisting of a salad, two eggs and a coffee. When she arrived at the dining table, she saw that Collei was already there, having her own breakfast, which were two slices of toast and an orange juice. Collei was going to spend most of her day studying in Atelier Sucrose; therefore, she wasn't going to do much physical activity, and her breakfast was simpler.
"I presume that Sucrose hasn't gotten up yet," Dori commented as she sat down on her chair.
"Fucrofe?" Collei spoke with her mouth full. She continued speaking after swallowing. "I guess not. I, at least, haven't seen her yet."
It was quite likely that Sucrose had gotten carried away talking with Nahida. In that case, Dori would go upstairs to wake her up after having breakfast. It wasn't that she was jealous of them, or that she was opposed to them talking every night, but if Sucrose got up late, then she would have difficulty going to bed on time. And Sucrose, now that she finally had a decent sleeping schedule, didn't want to spoil it; thus, she herself was actually the one who had asked to be awoken if she ever overslept.
Once Collei finished her breakfast, she remained at the table, waiting for Dori to finish hers. Although she no longer felt nervous around anybody in the palace, there was still something she was somewhat uncertain about:
"Dori, are you sure I can stay here longer?"
"Why do you ask?" Dori returned the question.
"It's just…" Collei tripped over her tongue. "Am I not a bother?"
Dori roared with laughter. "A bother? Oh, you silly employee of mine, you are more of a help to Sucrose than you think. So much so that I even get a little jealous sometimes."
She then put the yolk of one of her eggs in her mouth. Collei felt somewhat relieved when she heard Dori's compliment, although she wasn't completely sure whether that last part was true or not.
As soon as Dori finished her breakfast as well, they both tidied their dishes up and then went straight to Sucrose's room.
"Were you waiting for me to come along with me?" Dori said. "You could have just gone on your own."
"I hadn't thought of it…" Collei apologized ashamedly.
Dori chuckled. "Relax, I'm just teasing you. It's actually okay, don't worry about it."
They reached the topmost floor and stood before Sucrose's door. Dori knocked firmly.
"Sucrose! Come on, it's time to wakey-wake up!" she called out.
They waited for several seconds, yet they didn't receive any reply. None of them heard any noise coming from inside the room. Dori knocked again, this time almost banging on the door.
"Sucrose!"
And again, nothing. Collei tried as well, with the same null result. They looked at each other. Something was not right. Dori opened the door, which was unlocked, and both peeked inside. There was not a soul in Sucrose's room.
"Maybe we have assumed wrong and Sucrose has actually been all this time in the atelier," Collei guessed.
That was the most logical explanation, although neither of them had any idea why Sucrose would want to go to the atelier so early in the morning. They headed there in the hope of finding her. However, when Dori knocked on the atelier's door, she received the same response as in Sucrose's room. Conversely, Dori found out that this door was locked when she tried to open it.
They both peeked inside through the window, although Dori had to climb up in order to do so, and saw that there was nobody inside. They were struck by the mess present on a work desk: that was not there the day before. They stepped away from the window, both of them having a hard time keeping calm.
"Let's not get nervous," Dori said uneasily. "Let's split up and look for her. Perhaps all of this is just an absurd coincidence. We will meet at the gazebo in ten minutes."
They split up and searched the entire palace. Inside and out. They did not find her. They asked Goshtasb, Shaghayeh, Mandana, Soltani… Nobody had seen her. She was not in the basin either, nor with the Stumper Beasts. They met at the gazebo at the appointed time. Both of them were showing clear signs of nervousness.
"Perhaps somebody came in the middle of the night, and synthesized something in the atelier in order to render Sucrose unconscious," Dori said. "That way, they would be able to kidnap her while making sure she didn't make any noise."
"Uhm, Dori… don't take this the wrong way, but that sounds…"
"Preposterous? Maybe because it is!" Dori exploded. "But for her sake, this better be what happened!"
The actual most reasonable conclusion, given the state of affairs, was that Sucrose had gone off on her own after having synthesized something in her atelier in a hurry, so much so that she did not put everything in order despite how meticulous she was. That was what best explained the disarray inside the closed atelier with no signs of force. Collei was frightened; not only because she didn't know anything about Sucrose, but also because she had never seen anybody as incensed as Dori was at that moment. She didn't have the courage to say anything to Dori; she just accompanied her when she set out to find Sucrose.
Somewhere in the forest, southwest of Sumeru City, northwest of Vimara Village, and at the foot of a precipice, Pardis Dhyai was located. It was a large botanical garden, but also a research facility for the Akademiya scholars; in particular, those from Amurta Darshan.
Its exterior had a circular perimeter, it was full of flower beds with plans of all kinds, and it had a network of canals in order to maintain a constant water supply. Such canals followed circular paths, similar to that of the garden's perimeter, thus giving the whole place a harmonious image. The different areas separated by the canals were connected to each other via stone bridges.
There were several gazebos in the garden as well, every single one of them with banks, chairs and tables. This way, the scholars had somewhere to sit down to rest, have a snack or simply chat. The exterior was completed by a large stone arch at its entrance from the direction towards the city and a large flower-shaped fountain in the center of the garden. In terms of aesthetics, this garden had little reason to envy that of the Palace of Alcazarzaray, except for the liveliness and color of its plants, thanks to the efforts of a certain alchemist.
At the garden's closest edge to the cliff stood a building. Although its main structure was Sumerian in style, the rest was made of glass: it was a greenhouse. The purpose of this greenhouse, however, was not the usual for this sort of construction. Here was where the scholars conducted their research, some of those about elements which could be harmful to the local ecosystem. Thus, the purpose of this building was not to protect the inside from the outside, but the other way around.
Tighnari had his study in this building. After visiting Collei the day before, he spent the night at his home in Gandharva Ville, and then he went to his study at first light. That day he had a meeting there with two other people to discuss the new Withering. He was greatly surprised when they arrived and they turned out to be actually three people.
"I honestly wasn't expecting to see Sucrose here," he commented in astonishment. "And with so much of a coincidence that we saw each other just yesterday."
"Tell me about it…" Cyno sighed. "I'm sure I made that same face when Nahida came to me way before our appointed time and told me we were leaving right away, that we were going to pick up Sucrose first."
"More or less, yes," Nahida asserted.
Sucrose looked at them apologetically; she thought that her sudden inclusion to the group was a nuisance to them, and felt guilty about it. It seemed like Nahida had read her like an open book, because she immediately told her that she was not being a bother whatsoever.
"She's right," Cyno agreed. "We're just surprised by this sudden turn of events, that's all."
"If you're still not convinced, how about you take a look around my study?" Tighnari suggested smilingly. "I looked around your atelier yesterday; it's only fair. Feel free to make yourself at home."
Sucrose shyly accepted Tighnari's offer. As a matter of fact, she was curious about the specimens the Forest Ranger had in his study. There were several pots and planters with different autochthonous plants and mushrooms: Padisarah, Sumeru Roses, Starshrooms, or Rukkhashava Mushrooms, among others. Sucrose had never seen some of them before. She looked at them up close. They were all quite ordinary, at least in comparison with the flowers she used to have back in her old laboratory.
In his study Tighnari had a work desk as well. On it there were a number of books on botany, some of them seemed to have been handwritten. There were also tools and small utensils for working on the plants, as well as jars in which to store samples of them; and a mortar with which the wise Forest Ranger prepared his medicines.
Sucrose then looked at the bookshelves. Tighnari had quite a few books and scrolls stored on them. Next to the bookshelves there was a wooden board with stuffed insects of various species pinned on it. Lastly, in one corner of the study there was a big, white metal box.
When Sucrose finished looking around, she thought that perhaps she ought to ask Tighnari about Sumerian flora: he seemed to be even more interested in plants and flowers than her. Furthermore, if she wanted to include such flora in her flowery paradise, it would be unwise not to ask an expert on that matter.
Meanwhile, the other three were talking among themselves. Tighnari had honestly offered Sucrose to look around his study in order to make her feel more at ease; despite this, he had also done it so they could discuss something about Sucrose without her present.
"Are you sure about letting her participate, Nahida?" Tighnari asked. "This might be too dangerous for her, being a target of the new Withering and such."
"I know, but there are many ways for her to help us without even getting close to the menace," Nahida asserted. "Moreover, she knows what she's doing; I can assure both of you that, if she were to be caught by the menace, she would never forgive herself."
The way Nahida had put it, it sounded like Sucrose had her own reasons for helping them fight the menace and the new Withering it was causing. However, neither of the two boys could guess what reasons Sucrose could have, for they were unaware of the menace's true goal, as well as the existence of Vanarana of Dreams. Be that as it may, if Sucrose was aware of where she was getting herself into, and Nahida had given her approval, then they would also gladly accept her help. In fact, Cyno already knew that Sucrose had already thought of something, since they had talked about it during their way to Pardis Dhyai. Even so, that was everything he knew, because Nahida had decided to wait until all four of them were gathered before explaining Sucrose's idea.
"So, have you discovered something, Tighnari?" Nahida inquired to change the subject just before Sucrose returned from looking around.
"I've confirmed why the menace focuses only on fungi to create new Withering."
Fungi were amongst the creatures most sensitive to Ley Lines, a vast network that stretched all across the world and within which flowed the elements. Said sensitivity made them more vulnerable to the black mud spewed by the menace, which made them easy targets for it to take control of.
Their high sensitivity was due to the fact that fungi nourished themselves by absorbing elemental energy from Ley Lines. That sustenance was the main reason why they were capable of adapting themselves to any environment; moreover, it also granted them a considerable regeneration ability, their greatest feature.
This regeneration ability allowed them to make great efforts for long periods of time without falling exhausted; but above all, they were able to recover for any injury, regardless of how serious it was, as long as they stayed alive. As long as they didn't drop dead, fungi always sprung back to complete recovery.
"Easy targets which furthermore make good cannon fodder," Nahida summarized thoughtfully. "I wonder how the menace would proceed if it ran out of fungi in the rainforest."
That was a question which everybody hoped they would never know the answer to. Nahida was aware that, even if the ultimate goal of the menace remained safe, that did not mean that they could rest on their laurels.
"Well then, what's the plan for today, Nahida?" Tighnari asked.
Both Cyno and Tighnari already referred to Nahida as such, although that more casual treatment was limited only whenever they were in private; on every other occasion, she was still being referred to as 'Lesser Lord Kusanali' by them. Nahida would like that they always addressed her by her casual name; therefore, it might be easier for the casual treatment towards her she so longed for to spread. But, oh well, one step before the next step.
"Initially, we were going to investigate the most recent sightings of new Withering," Nahida explained. "But, instead, we are going to test Sucrose's new creation."
The three of them turned towards Sucrose, who was still not used to being in the spotlight. Nervously, she placed two L-shaped metal rods on Tighnari's work desk. Cyno guessed that those had something to do with Sucrose's idea, yet he didn't fathom how they could be of any help.
"What are those?" Tighnari asked.
"I synthesized these rods, making them highly sensitive to tremors," Sucrose replied shyly. "They're supposed to help us track down the menace."
"Don't say 'they're supposed to'," Cyno rebuked her. "You have created them; have more faith in yourself."
Although for Sucrose that had been a somewhat blunt way of encouragement, she knew that Cyno was right: she ought to believe in her latest creation just as she believed in the others. Besides, she already knew everybody present well enough to know that if the rods turned out not to work, they would not hold it against her. She breathed in and out several times, until she felt more at ease at last.
"They are held like this," she said, holding the rods by their short end and pointing forwards with their long end, "and they will vibrate if they detect any tremor coming from the direction they're pointing to."
'They seem like dowsing rods', the other three thought at the same time. Nahida picked the rods up to look at them more closely. Judging by their appearance and their operating instructions, they clearly seemed like dowsing rods.
"What do you say if we do a field test?" she suggested. "Try to find the current location of the menace?"
"Do you mean we should go find the menace right away?" Tighnari wondered.
"No, nothing of the sort. We will just try to pinpoint its current location whilst trying to avoid any sort of contact with it. I don't intend to take any risks until we know what we are up against."
Tighnari knew very well that Nahida was being cautious and stoic. He saw no reason to refuse. Cyno also agreed without hesitation, although he looked serious. Sucrose observed him; in all the time since they had left the palace, the General Mahamatra had not stopped looking serious, which felt odd to her in comparison with the casual version of him she knew. So that was how Cyno looked like when he was in work mode, and how Sucrose had pictured him before they met. She recalled how afraid of him she used to be; a distant memory which seemed unreal compared to the familiarity they had with each other now.
"Whenever we're together, you always stare fixedly at me," Cyno pointed out when he realized he was being stared at. "I'm beginning to think that you like me or something."
Too much familiarity. Sucrose turned red as a beet and, dying of shame, she turned around, her back now facing the others. So much steam billowed from her head that it was almost visible. Both Tighnari and Nahida stared at Cyno with narrowed eyes.
"That was in poor taste," Tighnari criticized.
"Very poor taste," Nahida ratified.
They had to wait for a while until Sucrose regained her composure; at least, enough to be able to talk to her again.
They exited Tighnari's study and walked outside the building. Nahida was holding Sucrose's hand, who was still not completely recovered from her embarrassment caused by Cyno's joke. In her other hand, the Dendro Archon still held Sucrose's rods. The sky was clear, and even though there were some people in the garden, the only noise was that of the flowing water from the fountain. It was a good time to test the rods.
"Would you like to do the honours, Sucrose?" Nahida offered.
"Can I refuse?" Sucrose stuttered shyly.
Nahida wanted to help Sucrose distract herself from the embarrassment she was still having. However, Sucrose suspected that moving around while holding the rods would attract a few gazes at least; it would be something odd to see, after all. And right now, she wanted not to attract any attention whatsoever: she had already felt ashamed enough for the day.
"Yes, of course. Don't worry about it," Nahida smiled. "You do it, Cyno."
"I don't mind, but why me?"
"Because you do it, Cyno," Nahida repeated smilingly.
Behind that smile, a small hint of anger could be glimpsed. It was obvious that Nahida wanted to make Cyno pay for having teased Sucrose like that, and since she was her superior, he could not refuse, even if he wanted to. Thus, he took Sucrose's rods and held them just as Sucrose had explained before: like a dowser.
They walked around the garden slowly, taking short steps. Cyno was in front, waiting for any reaction from the rods. Just as Sucrose had suspected, he attracted more than one gaze; however, because he was the General Mahamatra, and he was accompanied by Tighnari and Lesser Lord Kusanali herself, nobody questioned their actions and just went on with their own affairs.
They kept walking for a while, yet nothing had still occurred whatsoever. Sucrose began to think that perhaps it was because her rods turned out to be a failure. Her expression darkened.
"Don't jump to conclusions just yet," Tighnari comforted her. "Maybe the menace is just too far away for the rods to receive any tremor, or maybe it isn't moving right now."
"Yes, maybe you're right."
Tighnari's words encouraged Sucrose, although she still felt somewhat downcast. Now that that thought had forged its way into her mind, she couldn't get it out that easily. Moments later, Cyno stopped all of a sudden, and Sucrose, who was right behind him and looking down, almost bumped into him.
"What is it?" Nahida inquired.
"The rods are vibrating," Cyno said. "Very faintly, but I can feel it."
Cyno's assertion killed Sucrose's lingering thought and brought her back to high spirits. So the rods weren't a failure, after all. Everybody looked towards where the rods were pointing: forwards, to the southwest from their position.
"Apam Woods?" Tighnari said. "What should we do now, Lesser Lord Kusanali?"
They weren't in private anymore, so it was the formal name now. Nahida thought about their next step; although, she couldn't come to a decision with certainty:
"I would like to take a closer look; however, Apam Woods is too dangerous for Sucrose, even without the threat of the menace looming over," she explained. "And we can't leave her behind, either. Even if Pardis Dhyai is a safe location, she isn't supposed to be on her own."
"And if we could, she wouldn't be able to verify the rods in person," Cyno added. "Can we really not take her with us?"
"Unfortunately not: her safety is topmost priority."
"If that's the case, the three of us can protect her," Tighnari suggested.
Both Nahida and Cyno looked at Tighnari in surprise. Knowing how overprotective he was of Collei, neither of them expected that he would agree to let Sucrose go with them.
"I know that this sounds strange, coming from me," he continued, "but think about it: there's Cyno, the General Mahamatra; Lesser Lord Kusanali, the Dendro Archon; and myself. I think we make for quite a strong team. Besides, how do we intend to protect a whole nation from the menace if we can't protect a single person?"
"If you put it that way, you might have a point," Nahida pondered.
"Yes, please! Don't worry about me!" Sucrose stammered. "I'll do anything you say! I'll go wherever you tell me! I'll even hold hands if necessary!"
That last sentence amazed the other three: Sucrose was being surprisingly assertive. Nahida knew the reason why she was being this insistent: because she had seen a chance to meet Araperke at last, and she didn't want to let it pass her by.
"Sucrose, are you aware of what you're saying?" she asked worriedly. "You do remember what we discussed before, do you?"
"I am, and I do," Sucrose answered confidently. Then, she pulled out a light blue sphere from a pouch. "But I also know how to defend myself, and I trust that you will protect me."
Both Tighnari and Cyno had heard Collei talk about those spheres. Because she was quite excited when she mentioned them, they were very interested in seeing this innovative creation of Sucrose for themselves, and now they finally had it before them. Since Sucrose wasn't good at giving names, Collei and Dori were the ones who came up with it: they were called 'Elemental Spheres'.
The Elemental Spheres were a large condensed concentration of the element in question in a pure state. Upon impact, they released all of their stored energy, causing a powerful explosion of the element they were composed of. They were so powerful, and so dangerous, that Sucrose categorically refused to allow Dori to sell them; nobody was allowed to use them but her. She was so adamant that she left no room for negotiation whatsoever. She had set out to create one of each element, and insofar she had managed to create Pyro, Hydro, and recently, Cryo spheres.
Nahida was clear about Sucrose not wanting to back down. She approached her and looked her in the eye. Sucrose got nervous when she saw how serious Nahida looked. She began to fear a scolding, or something worse. However…
"Everything you have said, do you promise it?" Nahida said.
That was not what Sucrose expected, yet she did not waver. "I promise. I'll do whatever it takes to stay safe."
Nahida continued staring at her in earnest for several seconds. Sucrose also looked at her without faltering; she wanted to prove that she was certain about her decision. Then, Nahida relaxed her expression and smiled.
"I believe in you," she nodded. "Well then, shall we be off? All of us, together."
Everybody nodded. Then, the four of them set off together and left Pardis Dhyai through the opposite entrance from the city, heading towards the deepest part of Dharma Forest. From the other entrance of the garden, the one coming from the city, two people arrived just in time to see them leave.