The summons for Korsha to return to Anadrovs side was a twofold thing. The first part was its suddenness. She and Tal had just barely arrived back on the ship and had ordered Nevar, Khoklan’s replacement, to jump them out of the system. There was nothing left for them here and she didn’t want to be around when the bomb went off. She didn’t need to see the projections to know it would throw the stability of the asteroid field off for some time. There was a bittersweetness to that particular justice.

Yet before she could go to her chambers the console had flashed indicating an incoming message. This interceptor was far larger than her original and so she’d been forced to trot across the metal floors to the overly large and ornate console that had been installed. Its glistening gold upon black frame, complete with imperial reliefs and regalia fit for a general, caused her unease. She was only a servant yet her master had demanded her acceptance of this lavish gift.

Reaching out, she clicked the button watching as Anadrov’s upper body manifested in the air before her. He grinned down at her, his one living eye fixing itself upon her with a warmth that sent pride surging through her.

“Your presence is required at Iriauda. I will meet you there.”

“Yes, my master.” She said with a bow.

The second part of the transmission was the joy that came from knowing that she would be returning to her master’s side. Something she was all too eager to do. She knew that partly came from an overly protective streak that had developed in her over the last month. She’d had several nightmares of seeing her master’s dead body. That particular wound wouldn’t be healing any time soon and she knew it was festering into a longing to serve as a bodyguard for her master. Yet she knew her place wasn’t at his side but being the tip of his dagger.

A second later the transmission cut and she relayed the new orders to Nevar. The acrena bobbed her head up. Her eyes were like bronze infernos. Korsha wondered if the acrena knew what had happened to her last one. Was that something acrena even cared about? If so Nevar didn’t let on as she lifted her six hands and tapped away at the air.

It struck Korsha that Nevar was different from Khokhlan in numerous ways beyond her being far more animated. It wasn’t her shell that matched the rest of the ship’s black and gold aesthetic nor her six arms, though Korsha found in them a kindred aesthetic to her own armored shell. It wasn’t in the way she spoke. Nor in any other way that Korsha could put her finger on.

There was an otherness to her.

Something that was different from any other acrena she’d ever run into.

Yet, she knew that in the end, her master was a man of great means and would stop at nothing to ensure that she was well equipped for any job he required of her.

Turning away she saw Tal standing at the doorway to his quarters. Half covered in shadows. He hesitated. She hated it. It was the same timidness she’d had when not knowing who her master was or what he would require of her. The feeling had dissipated over time, their relationship growing deeper over stable experiences that worked to allow her to anticipate his desires and needs. In a way Tal was acting as though he’d never known her.

There was a stinging in that.

Had she really changed that much?

In a way the events of the last month had worn her down, broken her open so that her essence had spilled out. She’d mourned it as a death yet now she saw the wisdom in her master’s grand plan. This had all been for her. A test to see if she could survive this crucible and become something far stronger than she could have otherwise. In the fires of these events she’d found herself purged of her former weakness. The chains of the past no longer bound her.

She was free.

Free to serve her master.

“You listened?”

Tal licked his lips before nodding. She sighed. Perhaps it would take time for him to understand that she saw him as a friend. The binding that held him had been necessary to rid him of his former weakness, his former delusions. Now they could return to what they once had. In time she’d show him that there was some measure of purpose to be found in the aftermath of life’s greater troubles.

“I’ve never been to Iriauda.”

Tal stepped out from the doorway, the shadows sliding off him like a veil. There was a twinkle in those eyes that told her he knew what Iriauda was and was eager to show off. His confident stride and grin made her smile. He reached the console and tapped in a series of commands. As he finished the ship jolted and the stars outside streaked into eternal lines of azure and emerald that danced outside the viewport.

The image of a solar system appeared, the hologram hovering in the arc as the planets slowly arced their way through the void around twin suns. It was a standard enough system with planets and plenty of moons. Several asteroid belts towards the system’s outer limits. Tal pointed to a planet just a hair’s breadth within the golden zone for life.

“Iriauda’s a forge world. Makes some of the best armors, tech and acrena within the core. It’s a hot volcanic world due to its closer proximity to the system’s twin suns but that’s what makes it such a great forge world.”

“Interesting. I wonder why I’m needed.”

“Because you’re the best at what you do.”

Korsha rolled her eyes and gave him a look. He lifted up his hands in surrender and shrugged his shoulders. Another effect of the binding. One that, in hindsight, she wished she’d have not layered in so heavily. She hadn’t realized that it would make him a kiss-ass. Though hopefully, he’ll grow out of it. She thought with a small smile that warmed her knowing that she was guaranteed the ability to watch Tal grow.

****

They arrived at Iriauda two days later. Korsha stared out of the viewport with Tal at her side. The world was a roiling mass of red and black with intermittent spurts of teal and brown. A gray grizzly atmosphere hung in massive continent sized swirls. Passing through it was like passing through a living barrier. The ship buckled and jerked, the tremors rising up into Korsha’s boots, traveling up her legs until they were merely a dull irritation in her jaw. Never before had she experienced an entry as rough as that one. Yet within minutes they were through and Korsha, with Tal flanking her, exited the ship.

Korsha eyes the platform Nevar had landed the ship on. It was small, barely large enough to fit the entirety of the ship inside its flicking azure shield. In the distant she saw other platforms. Walking over to the railing that lined the edge she saw that they were dangling over an immense canyon filled with impenetrable shadows that hid whatever dwelled down in its uttermost reaches. Shivering, she turned away.

Together she and Tal made their way to the metal tunnel that connected the platform with the canyon’s wall. They entered the tunnel. Korsha’s horns throbbed as they passed through the shield. A second later the air was noticeably hotter, scorching the edges of her nostrils as she breathed it in. They walked in silence as they reached the door at the end of the hall. It opened with a groaning metallic grunt.

“Needs oil.” Tal commented as they stepped inside.

A blast of air rushed down in a torrent of cool air. It rushed over Korsha’s face, twisting between her horns and grabbing at the upper edges of her white braid. They ascended a short staircase that led out into a large open lobby. The walls were decorated with the mythological imagery of the Goddess and her imperial children. There was an image of the Praefecta Divina Imperatrix off to the far left. Behind her was the iconic image of the imperial throne from which bands of golden light descended to accent her heavily armored body. The Praefecta stood an imperious manifestation of the Goddess’s own authority and might. Her body glinted in the room’s pale light causing Korsha to realize her graven image was made of polished metal. No doubt forged in the heart of this very facility.

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Korsha’s brow quirked up as the next sibling wasn’t the Machinarc but the image of the Esoterica, the second daughter. Behind her was the Occultarium. The sacred vault was filled with rows upon rows of books and relics. It was a treasure trove of knowledge, believed to comprise known and forbidden knowledge. Esoterica was slender compared to her older sister, wearing only plain robes. Yet around her were flowing auburn ribbons decorated with emerald script. Each one was a different language, each one held some different set of secrets. Korsha couldn’t comprehend any of it.

There were the other children. The Imperialax Majestra. Korsha owed a debt to the third daughter for her position within the inquisition. The knowledge and craft of binding had descended from her lips. It was fitting that she lounged on a throne carried by the godbeast Alar Lusian. Her feet firmly planted upon his shaggy black mane as though it were a rug. Around her danced spirits of all shapes and sizes. Some were covered in eyes with multiple wings, others were strange geometric shapes. The amount of spirits represented was diverse enough to make Korsha’s head spin. Whoever had created this holy icon had done so under great consideration for accuracy.

Her eyes drifted from the second son, the Lord Justikar, who stood holding his massive sword in one hand as he loomed over the gathered armies of the dominion. Then she saw the Machinarch, placed in the middle above a massive doorway on the opposite side of the room. His mechanical features gave him a strange cybernetic appearance. One that his children, the technomancers, all shared. His statue loomed over the doorway seeming to merge out of the wall. Just going beneath it made Korsha’s heart skip a beat.

A quick glance told her the others were there. The Enkryptar. The ugly, monsterous visage of the Lord Hunter, god of the jaegryn. The Astra Kainum, the crusading fourth and final son of the Goddess. Yet what caught Korsha’s attention, stopping her in her tracks was the image of the only named imperial child amongst the nine.

“Azaelah.” Korsha whispered as she inched across the lobby over to the statue.

Azaelah, fifth daughter, once known as the Archmagus but now as the Betrayer, hovered in the air in a lotus position. She was completely black save for her eyes. One teal. One orange. A manifestation of her duality. Of her power. Of what she’d become. Her robes, which concealed her body, jutted out from the wall in strange angles that gave her odd dimensions as though she were in the process of being translated into this world. Her left hand also jutted out from the wall, though it was normal and open palmed as though in offering to be taken. Korsha eyed the hand. The hand of destruction. Of betrayal and desecration. Of temptation.

“Of course you’d be drawn to her.” The low raspy voice of Ina shattered the moment, causing Korsha to flinch as she spun on her heel to face him.

He stood at the entrance to the other room, the Machinarc looming above him.

“She’s proven her loyalty.” Tal said in a low growl.

“I no longer question her loyalty but as a technomancer we both know that Azaelah will stop at nothing to tarnish the soul of one such as her.”

Korsha’s mouth fell open, the words having caught her off guard. Even after everything they’d been through, she’d believed that Ina would go back to not trusting Korsha. She was a mage afterall yet…

“I know. Trust me. I will stop at nothing to ensure her safety.” Tal said.

Korsha turned to him. There was no bravado in his voice. The way he’d said it had been cold. Hard. As though he were speaking a bitter truth. She wondered if some part of him in there recognized what she’d done to him and was resentful. She set the question aside for now as she approached Ina.

“I didn’t know you’d be here. Master Ina.” She said, bowing once she was within the appropriate distance.

The elder lizard grunted, his tongue flicking the air.

“I’m under the same orders as you though for different purposes. I’m here to take you to Anadrov.”

With that he turned. It was a slow thing but sure footed in the attempt. Korsha and Tal followed in silence as they passed beneath the Machinarc. Korsha’s skin crawled, feeling those red soulless eyes glaring down at her. What sort of technology could be powerful enough to be exchanged for a god’s eyes? She wondered if the god was watching her through his icon. What did he think of one of his children being bound by the child of Azaelah? Would he see the necessity in it and agree with her master? Or would it be blasphemy?

Those questions went unanswered as they entered into a hallway with hyperplastic windows adorning one side. Beyond they could see the massive titanic machines working like efficient beasts of burden. Their groaning rumbles here faint, though felt through slight vibrations that inches along the floor. Their blackened forms were highlighted and made visible by molten reds and oranges. Their hides speckles with constellations of shivering blue, green, red and yellow lights.

They passed through the hall and into another. Ina stopped at the third door and waved his hand over it. His omnivice flashed and the door hushed open. Korsha followed him inside, walking up the bridge of light that crept in from the hallway. Tal’s shadow mingled with hers as he followed her inside. The hall light was constricted and ultimately pressed out as the door slid closed leaving them in darkness. For a long moment there was nothing but silence.

A golden beam of light flickered, then stabilized into a cascading waterfall of light that spilled down onto the floor illuminating the relief of the six winged bird. The sacred icon was one of numerous images depicting her Imperial Majesty in all her multifaceted glory. This one, made of sharp angles to give it a fierce appearance, was one of the earlier incarnations of the Goddess. Back when she was enthroned upon the first imperial capital of Throne and her direct servants were the Great Houses. It spoke to an era before the Ecclesiarchy. Before the imperial children. Before Azaelah’s betrayal and naming.

“Come my faithful servant.” Anadrov said, stepping forward so that his silhouette was just visible beyond the beam of light, “Stand upon the sacred image and accept the fruits of your faithful laboring.”

Korsha obeyed though internally she was shocked. She’d assumed she was here to solve some problem for her master not to be rewarded. As she inched forward, part of her was conflicted. Why should she be rewarded for doing what was right? Wasn’t service to her master good enough? Wasn’t being seen as righteous and unblemished by her inborn stain in the eyes of the Goddess a far more just reward than anything material in this universe?

“Faithfulness is its own reward but to leave devotion unrewarded is a sin in its own way.” Anadrov said as though sensing her thoughts.

She nodded, once more understanding that this wasn’t about her. This was about what was necessary for her master. That old familiar satisfaction slid into place, settling within her like a piece of stained glass back into its proper place. She was a tool. His tool. In this she found purpose. Atonement. Redemption. And eventually exaltation. For now she was all too willing to play her part. Stepping onto the sacred icon, her boots brushed against the raised edges of the relief.

“Place your feet there and there.” Anadrov instructed, pointing to where the middle wings flared out from the body.

Korsha did as instructed and a second later her feet sank several inches into the floor the two sections dropped. Machinery clamped down upon her feet, welding her in place. She remained motionless, trusting in her master’s own faithfulness, as the rest of the relief opened up to reveal dozens of mechanical arms. Cold lifeless claws grabbed at her chalice armor and began to strip her down to her under armor. She was surrounded by the hydraulic whines of the machines. Their low metallic song was interspersed with hisses and clanging as they continued their work. Within minutes she was in her under armor. She was lifted up as her feet were released.

“Hold still.”

She obeyed. Her eyes met her master’s own. Anadrov stepped aside and snapped his finger. There was a soft metallic clank. Then another. Korsha’s eyes widened as she saw a suit of armor, much like her own with six arms each held in various positions of meditative prayer, but this one was far sleeker as though the designers had taken inspiration from the predatory musculature of cats. The armor moved with a fluid grace that her own armor never could. It was black yet streaks of gold ran through it as though portions of the armor had been broken but then reunited, bound by the glittering metal.

The suit stepped onto the icon and then circled her. Korsha continued to remain still as the suit came behind her. Fingers brushed against her wrists, drawing her hands up with a gentleness that Korsha wouldn’t have imagined could come from a lifeless object such as this. The fingers fell away yet she remained standing with her arms outstretched. There was a series of clicks like gears snapping back and forth. Then there was a soft hush and a low thrum. Korsha closed her eyes, concentrating on that sound. Hidden beneath the constant rumble was a slow steady rhythm. Like a distant heartbeat.

Two metallic clanks were the only warning she had before the suit was pressing itself against her. The chest plates flowed over her shoulders before drawing down and wrapping them around her as though embracing her. The suit’s gauntlets pressed themselves against her hands, turning them until their hands were united. The suit continued to draw her into itself. Korsha lost herself in its embrace as though she were being drawn into a warm bath. Within seconds she was now fully encased in her new armor.

“This is the mark thirteen Samsaragni chalice armor. Complete with its own acrena to act as your guardian. It was forged,torn apart, rebuilt and reforged dozens of times until I deemed it perfect for you.” Anadrov said, stepping forward and placing his hands upon the shoulder plates and staring into Korsha’s eyes. “Tal please come and ensure that everything is in order.”

Tal trotted over. Korsha thought she caught something out of the corner of her eye as he approached. Was that a snarl? No. Definitely not. The binding prevented him from harming her master. He stepped next to Anadrov and activated his omnivice and his eyes went wide and he gave a low whistle.

“This is incredible.”

Anadrov turned from Tal back to Korsha and her armor. A grin spread across his face.

“It’s good to have us reunited.”