Alusion
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Chapter Eighty-Four: Unlikely Alliances
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Chapter Eighty-Four: Unlikely Alliances
Once again, I find myself sitting alone in a conference room with the most powerful sentinel in Japan. This time, though, I don’t have Akari or Baylee to back me up and look after me when this inevitably goes wrong. It is for Akari that I’m here in the first place. It’s for her that I’m even putting one foot in front of the other.
So, unlike last time, I don’t quake in fear as I stare across the table at the muscular Japanese woman before me. Instead, I offer her only a flat stare, Celeste joining me in our silent condemnation. I know it isn’t her fault, but Nightsong’s actions had directly led to Akari’s death and my own torture and later injury. And while I’ve heard from Karma since the incident… this is the first I’ve seen of our illustrious new leader since being taken off the field.
“So,” I say, voice dead, “you said you wanted to help me with my work. Why should I trust you anywhere near Akari’s soul gem after everything you’ve done?”
Instead of letting Nightsong take the lead in the conversation, I decided to take a note out of Baylee’s playbook and steal the initiative. I have a lot to do, and I still need to get back to Florina today before my tattoos start to break down too far. I can already feel myself slowly weakening. Without Florina to help me refresh the magic keeping the Stygian Mana at bay, I’ll soon fall back into the kind of state I was in before meeting her. Long story short, I don’t have time for Nightsong’s bullshit today. If she’s going to kill me or help me, she should damn well get on with it already.
“Miss Solace,” Nightsong starts, startling me by bowing her head. “Allow me to begin this conversation with an apology. You have become a game piece on a board larger than you can see and have been moved around on that board, both by me and others. I apologize for what had to be done to you.”
I scoff, turning away, “Get on with it. I’m only here to help Akari.”
“And nothing else?” Nightsong asks, her voice surprisingly gentle. “Have you forgotten the world’s plight while in your convalescence?”
Is that what this is for? She sees me up and walking around again, and immediately wants to put me back on the battlefield?
“Of course, I haven’t forgotten!” I snap, my hand moving to wrap around Akari’s gemstone. “Right now, I’m little better than an ordinary teen with a few magic tricks! What can I even do?!”
“Far more than you know, I suspect,” Nightsong murmurs, leaning forward and steepling her hands. “Listen, Serena. I didn’t call you in here to fight. I really didn’t. During our first meeting, circumstances were such that we needed to be… if not enemies, then opponents. You had Althia’s watchful eye on you everywhere you went. Now, that presence is gone. Believe it or not, this is our first meeting between just you and me.”
“Because you don’t trust Althia,” I say dryly. “Did you forget that we’re supposed to be allies?”
Nightsong heaves out a sigh and leans back in her seat. Then, in a flash of light, she produces several folders of paper from her inventory and lays them down on the table.
“These,” she says, pushing the folders across to me, “are the transcripts of what you told General Novak of your interactions with Althia. But you don’t need to read them — you’re the one who lived it. As such, I would value your perspective highly. Tell me, what do you think Althia and others like her will do with humanity when they arrive in force?”
I blink, “They will protect us. Help us push back the Volcora one final time and, I hope, eventually make a lasting peace between the two factions. Althia swore to me personally that she would protect the common people.”
Nightsong’s eyes grow intense. “But how will they do that, Serena? Do you know? And, even if you do, what’s going to stop them from changing their minds? Once they are here, our time to act is over. Sentinels like you and I will be the last of a dying breed. Maybe humanity will discover how to protect itself, but I don’t like the idea of my sisters who aren’t sentinels being forced to live and die on the whims of these greater beings.”
Biting my lip, I glance to Celeste. “Thoughts?”
Celeste has her wings flared and is glaring indignantly at Nightsong. [My mother would never do such a thing!] she exclaims, projecting to both of us. [She knows that we Centurions were the ones to bring the Volcora to Earth in the first place. We will see the normal people safe with good lives.]
“I believe you, Celeste, I truly do,” Nightsong says, her tone still startlingly soft… almost kind. I’m honestly not sure if I’ve ever seen this side of her before. “But… imagine if you would, a relationship. Forget Centurions and humanity, just think of a normal relationship between two people in a workplace. Let’s take me and Serena, for example. If I were angry at Serena and wanted to hurt her, is there anything she could do about it?”
I glare at the older woman, “Obviously not.”
“Exactly. I have more political, magical, and physical power. This means that I can act with impunity, and Serena has to bow to me whether she likes it or not. She can rebel and fight back, but she would lose. Now, as I’m sure you are aware, this is not exactly a fair and equal relationship for Serena, now is it?”
[No, as you’ve proven in the past,] Celeste grumps, and Nightsong shrugs.
“Now, imagine humanity’s relationship with the Centurions is like that. The Centurions haven’t abused us yet, but they could. Take a possibility and allow an infinite amount of time, and well… you’ve got a certainty.” Nightsong raises her hands, “All I want to do is raise humanity up, specifically our sentinel protectors, so that we can stand on even footing. We will have our own territory that we are capable of protecting. A place where my little sisters and your father can live safely and happily. Maybe we sentinel protectors never need to act to protect our people, but the mere fact that we could act will be our greatest shield.”
Celeste and I share a glance before turning back to Nightsong. Reluctantly, I nod my agreement with her statements. It does make sense. I just worry that raising humanity up isn’t all she has in mind.
“So, what do you want from us?” I ask instead, “What does this have to do with my project?”
Nightsong grins, “We have thousands of soul gems from fallen sentinels over the years. If you can figure out how to bring them back, truly restore them to who they once were… Well, some of those soul gems are from other A Rankers like me. Gather us all together, and maybe that’s enough of a deterrent to keep the Centurions honest and true in our alliance. Besides, if we can reliably bring back the fallen, then sentinels reaching A Rank stops being an impossibility and starts becoming an inevitability. We will be able to stand on our own feet. Then, instead of the war being Centurions vs Volcora, it will be the Centurions and Humanity vs the Volcora. I like the sound of that lot better… don’t you?”
Ultimately, getting Akari back means everything to me. I would make a deal with even a blackhole, the antithesis of the stars, if it would give me my heart back. Compared to that, Nightsong is a lesser evil. Let her think about the military power of all the revived sentinels… I’ll think about the people returned from the grave to embrace their friends and families once again. Without even needing to ask Celeste, I can feel her agreement. It’s time to do what needs to be done and deal with the consequences later.
“We will accept your backing in order to work toward our common goal,” I say, keeping my voice cold and formal. Nightsong is not my friend, and even if this is a genuine offer to help, I don’t see that fact changing. “However, I will have my own terms for this working relationship, and I imagine you will as well.”
“Of course,” Nightsong says with a savage grin. “First, whatever method you discover to revive sentinels will be owned solely by the A Rank Council. We won’t begrudge you reviving a friend here and there, but any attempt to mass produce your results outside of our directive will be prohibited. Second, your work will be supervised and aided by the Architect, a member of the A Rank council named Felix. You two will work together, and you will not withhold information from one another. Finally, if at any point you regain your former connection to Althia the Golden, our deal is null and void. You will be cut from the work, and we will continue the research independently.”
[What!] exclaims Celeste, hopping forward on the table with her wings flared. [Our connection to my mother is our greatest asset!]
Nightsong nods, “Indeed, and we are asking you to forsake that connection and fall under the protection of the A Rank council instead. When you were fully connected to Althia, she could watch your every move, and we would never have offered you this chance. Now, you are free of that observation. If you regain your connection, regardless of your own intentions, it would be like inviting a foreign spy into one of the most critical operations that humanity has. Once your mother arrives fully in our world, I will not begrudge you meeting and speaking with her as much as you wish. However, we will not tolerate you acting as a living extension of her will.”
I glance to my familiar, seeing her still simmering with anger. “Just until we have Akari and Liora back. Then we will take a second look at this. Right now, we don’t know if we can reconnect to your mother in the same way as before at all, and the benefits of working with a specialized A Rank could mean the difference between success and failure.”
Celeste continues glaring daggers at Nightsong, but eventually, her wings fold back at her sides, and she sits once more. [Fine.]
Nightsong nods, “Good. And your demands, Serena? I’m certain you have some.”
I nod, my mind whirling as I think about what to ask for. “First,” I start, “my home and my father will remain under GDF guard throughout our partnership. I’ve heard talk of withdrawing that protection now that I’m no longer an asset.”
The A Ranker’s smile fades, and her hands ball into fists on the table. “That protection will stay, whether or not you are an actively participating sentinel. I never would have let it be withdrawn in the first place. Despite what we might think of one another, Miss Solace, I am not blind to the sacrifices you’ve made for this city, nor the pain you’ve personally suffered on our behalf. You, your family, and your home will remain guarded into the future no matter what happens. In fact, while you are so weak, it is even more critical that you remain protected.”
“Color me surprised,” I say with a small laugh, “I thought you wanted me dead.”
For a long moment, the older woman looks contemplative, as if trying to figure out what to say. Finally, she just sighs.
“I will not say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind, but that was when I’d first arrived here. I knew your team had powerful connections to the Nine, and I was worried that you might not actually be here for the benefit of humanity. Time, however, has tempered that worry somewhat. Speaking with Karma and Prof, as well as reading the reports of your actions, has shown me that you truly do want to protect and help people. I still have my doubts about some of your teammates, but for you, I am certain.”
“Certain that I want to help?” I question.
“More or less,” Nightsong confirms. “You were a normal girl living in the city before your elevation, and try as I might, I cannot connect you with any ill intentions. The same cannot be said about your old teammate Haruto, so far as we can find, that boy just appeared out of thin air one day.”
I jolt in my seat, my eyes widening. Haruto? I… well, of all of my team members, he’s the one I know the least about. I’ve never seen his home, met his family, or even heard much about his past. But… I don’t think he’s some kind of evil mastermind like Nightsong seems to be implying. My impression of Haruto has always been that of a young man who wishes to be a knight of old. To stand at the front and protect those who stand behind him. He’s a bit cold and brutally honest at times, but that hardness is the anchor that the chaotic emotions of the rest of the team rely on.
“Well,” Nightsong says, watching me closely, “that reaction is telling. However, we are getting off track. What are your other conditions?”
I swallow, my mind still reeling from Nightsong’s words. What does she mean? Haruto just appeared out of nowhere one day? His family lives in the city, don’t they? I’m certain he has mentioned them several times before. I suppose he could be lying, but… stars, I need to talk to Baylee. She’ll know what to do; she’s always so much better at things like this than I am. Besides, what can I do right now anyway? Even with Florina’s help, I’m far too weak to accomplish much of anything. No… I will talk to Baylee and help her as best I can. However, for now, I need to stay focused. I wouldn’t put it past Nightsong to use this as some kind of tactic just to fluster me during negotiations.
Clearing my throat, I say, “W-Well, you say my protection is a given, but I’d still like it in the contract. Other than that, though, I want to live at home, so no whisking me away to some weird research facility outside of Japan. I want to get paid for my work, enough that my dad will never need to worry about money, even if I pass on. I’ll need regular trips to Florina, the big tree by the docks, in order to keep my condition stable… Oh! And I need Asumi.”
Nightsong tilts her head, “Agreed to the rest of it, but who is Asumi?”
“The girl I was with when you rudely teleported me here without warning again. Her and her brother are probably freaking out being in the hub alone right now,” I explain.
The older woman waves her hand lazily, “Don’t worry about that, I sent an attendant to entertain them while you were away. I don’t like guests being left alone in sentinel areas, where important information is often flying around. What do you need her for?”
“She’s a point of power,” I explain. “Understanding her and her magic could be key to the revival process.”
“I see!” Nightsong exclaims happily, clapping her hands before her. “Thinking ahead like that is good! I could probably organize her a deal similar to a sentinel contract with the GDF, but geared toward helping you instead of fighting. People are very worried about the points of power right now. Her coming in early would be great protection for both her and her family. We would much rather part with some money than have to worry about a threat like that being out there unsupervised.”
“That’s fine so long as she agrees to it,” I say with a nod.
Honestly, part of why I brought Asumi today is so she could get herself used to the GDF and the hub. If she can tap into anywhere near the amount of power that Florina can, she will need to be part of an organization like the GDF. Also, getting her in with a deal where she won’t be forced to join a sentinel team and fight or something ridiculous like that is probably one of the best-case scenarios. It’s perhaps a bit heavy-handed of me to try to organize something like this for her, but I won’t let anything go through without her consent.
“Great,” Nightsong says, standing from her seat and moving over to extend a hand. “If that’s all, then we have a preliminary agreement. I’ll have the contract to you by the end of the day.”
I glance at her hand, then tentatively shake it. “Sure… just… Nightsong, can you give me your word that you aren’t trying to screw me here? I’m willing to try working with you and the council… but… I don’t trust you.”
“Understandable,” Nightsong says, letting go of my hand. “I don’t trust you either, Solace. But… we’ll be working together more often in the near future. As such, think of this as an olive branch. My real name is Kyra, and maybe when this is all over, we will be able to count one another as friends.”
For a long moment, I just stand stock still, staring into Nightsong’s eyes and trying to see the woman beneath. She says her name is Kyra, but… I find that the name Nightsong seems to suit her better. Even still, I think I can see just a hint of the person Kyra might have been in those dark eyes. A large part of me doesn’t want to humanize this living calamity, wants to put her into the box of a monster, and leave her there. And yet… everyone can be healed. Maybe even Nightsong might be able to see the error of her ways in time. It would be nice to one day count her as a true friend. That day is a very long way off, but in order to start crossing that distance, I first need to take the first step.
So, offering Kyra my first genuine smile of our meeting, I say, “I hope so, Kyra… I really do. I’m putting my faith in you here. Show me that you deserve it.”
With that, I turn and head for the door. I’ll need to hunt down Asumi and Daizen to make sure they are all right, then head for Florina. This meeting ended up taking a lot longer than I thought it would, and I’m already starting to feel a bit faint. Still, if this partnership helps me bring back Akari, it will all have been more than worth it.
Comments
TheBotler
Thank you for the chapter!
Ria Corvidiva
> “Because you don’t trust, Althia,” remove the comma after 'trust' > But you don’t need to read them, you’re the one who lived it comma -> semicolon (splice) > The same cannot be said about your old teammate Haruto, so far as we can find, that boy just appeared out of thin air one day.” Another splice. Would probably change the comma after Haruto to a period and start a new sentence. > Besides, what can I do right now anyway/ / -> ? > For a long moment, the older woman looked contemplative, as if trying to figure out what to say. Finally, she just sighed. looked -> looks; sighed -> sighs (tense) > I say simply, “understanding her and her magic could be key to the revival process.” either 'simply, "and understanding her...' or 'simply. "Understanding her...' > I really do. I’m putting my faith in you here, show me that you deserve it.” One last comma splice. And... Yeah, I'm completely with Serena on this one. I don't trust Nightsong half as far as she'd allow me to throw her. I still don't think the A-Rank Council is so benevolent or well-intentioned as they claim to be, just as I don't think the Centurions are as well-intentioned or the Volcora as mindlessly evil as portrayed. Sadly, I must wait yet another week to learn more. Wishing I could just fast forward in time and learn what happens next. :(
