“I have been waiting for you, traveler,” she said, opening her arms wide. “Please, walk with me.”

She stepped toward me, placing a hand on my shoulder and guiding me inside the temple.

“How did you know I’d be coming?” I asked.

“Oh, child, I understand you won’t believe me when I tell you. The stars speak to me, and they told me of your impending arrival. Knowing you would be skeptical, I was sure to share this message with my acolytes in advance. This is enough to convince you, yes?”

My eyes moved to the intricate wall carvings covering the entirety of the large room we’d just entered. Meticulously cut from large chunks of stone, chiseled into carvings so small and detailed. I was impressed. Looking up, I saw the large mural above. A perfect constellation, based on my limited knowledge.

A large hole opened at the peak, leading to a larger fountain at the floor in front of us, allowing rain to fall from the sky as part of the design.

“The architecture and craftsmanship are amazing,” I said, attempting to draw the conversation away from divine messages.

“My… well…” she looked down for a moment, as though the answer pained her, and she couldn’t quite finish without building up her courage for a second longer. “The builder was skilled, yes, but that is what a sense of purpose can do for someone. Without it, it takes only a moment’s hesitation to fall to ruin.”

I nodded. “A sense of purpose is important. I agree. We should discuss my purpose for being here.”

“PanTech has taken something from you, and you seek our help to recover it.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Have the stars told you what it is?”

She laughed, leading me to a bench across from the fountain, sitting and patting the spot beside her.

“The stars don’t tell me everything. What was it that was taken from you?”

“A cure to the sickness that will kill everyone on this island soon, if not dealt with. I could sense that you were about to refuse to help me, but do you understand the importance of it now? Literal life or death.”

The woman smiled gently, far too gently, in response to what I’d just said to her.

“What is your name?” she asked.

“Taylor.”

“I am Lunaria. I’m afraid, even knowing the dire situation, we cannot help you. We are a peaceful people. Even if we agreed, we are of no value to you. PanTech’s Adversity Management is an advanced superpower, made up of trained soldiers outfitted with the best equipment available. We are farmers and scholars of the stars. We have sticks and rocks. Most of those here have never even struck another person in anger.”

“Then I suggest they begin training,” I would not be letting the matter go this easily.

“You will be traveling to Rockport next, I presume?”

“Yes. I’d hoped to have your commitment to help before going there. Let me just repeat it… if you don’t help me recover the vaccine, everyone here is going to die. Period. This virus is not survivable. The mortality rate is one hundred percent. You, your acolytes, your farmers, your children. Is that not registering for you?”

“We will trust in the stars. If we are meant to be saved, we will be saved. If we are meant to perish, we will perish.”

“Do the stars not require any action on your part? When I arrived, I didn’t see the stars out there picking the mangoes from your trees. It was the actions of the people here. Even if the stars have decided you’re meant to survive, don’t you think your own efforts might need to play some role in that?”

Lunaria let out a slow, tired sigh.

“I do not expect you to understand, but until the stars call us to action, I must continue listening. We cannot aid you. I’m sorry.”

“You mean you won’t aid me.”

“Spend the night with us, Taylor. Feast with us, and tomorrow you’re free to go to Rockport. Though you should know that not all that many live there. Many are criminals who hate our peaceful lives here and resent us for our fortune.”

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“Fortune?” I asked, looking around the temple again. “This… all of this?” I gestured to the carvings, the fountain. “This is a bit more advanced than I’d expect in a zone like this. It’s beautiful, and functional. Clearly, a lot of effort went into this place. It’s hard to believe you have the manpower to pull this off, much less the resources. I haven’t seen anything like this in any of the other zones I’ve visited, and I’ve been to several by now.”

Lunaria chuckled, a melodic sound. It would’ve been comforting under different circumstances.

“Your world is far different from ours. When we were granted these islands, Adversity Management sought to create a challenging, yet beautiful place. A place that demanded cooperation. We struggled in the beginning. Many starved. Many died. But, in time, we thrived. The heavens blessed us with fertile soil and a steady climate. This is our reward for our suffering. We have suffered, and now we have moved beyond suffering.”

It was my turn to sigh. Another belief system built upon a foundation of manipulation. PanTech was so good at this. So good at creating the conditions that reinforced their own control, brainwashing others into justifying it for them.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to leave as soon as your people are vaccinated. And even if they’re not. I’m not going to force help on those who don’t want it.”

I expected Lunaria to push back, but she didn’t.

“Of course, Taylor. You are a traveler, and I understand that travelers have places to be. People to see. But even travelers need rest. Enjoy your time here with us tonight. In the morning, you are free to continue your journey.”

“Enjoy my time?” I asked, my cynicism returning in full force. “How can I enjoy my time knowing what’s coming? Knowing that the people here don’t even know the danger they are in? And knowing that… if things don’t go well tomorrow, I may have to move on without saving anyone here.”

“You may enjoy it because there is much beauty in this world. Beauty that survives in spite of all the ugliness and pain. Look around you, Taylor. There is much to be appreciated, even in the face of death.”

I looked around the temple, taking in my surroundings. The intricate carvings on the walls. The soothing sound of water splashing into the fountain. The sunlight streaming through the hole in the ceiling.

She was right. It was a beautiful place. But that beauty made me feel even more uneasy.

PanTech did not allow this kind of beauty.

“Fine, I’ll stay. But your beliefs and philosophies are your own. Mine are mine.”

Lunaria laughed. “You’re a strange one, Taylor. I’m sure we can learn from one another.”

“I’d rather you learn to protect yourself. What if those Adversity Management men who attacked me come here? What if they decide to take everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve? You said it yourself. Your people are unprepared. They could wipe out this village in minutes.”

She smiled again, that same maddeningly gentle smile. “We have our faith, Taylor. Please, enjoy your meal. And I promise that I will listen very carefully to the stars tonight. If the stars say we are to help you, we will.”

“Do the stars not allow any wiggle room for something so important?”

“The stars know best,” she said, her voice taking on a strange firmness. Her eyes closed, her hand reaching up to gently caress a carving on the wall next to her. “I will not question their judgment. They have been correct too many times before.”

I sighed, deciding it was best to let the matter go. Arguing was a waste of time.

A moment later, a dozen women came in, carrying platters full of food. Vegetables. Fruits. And a large fish, roasted whole on a platter. Many of the acolytes joined us as well, Remira and Randolf among them.

Ghost hopped down to the floor, landing next to Remira’s plate and looking at me. I nodded, and he immediately began tearing into his share of the fish, ripping off chunks and swallowing them whole.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a falcon eat fish,” Randolf said.

“An adaptable creature. He learned from the best. He and I were both part of PanTech’s Explorers League.”

Randolf and Remira seemed surprised by this revelation, but they quickly returned to their meal. I tried the mango first. It tasted better than any fruit I’d ever had in my life.

The food was amazing, and the company was pleasant, but the tension in my shoulders never eased. Something was wrong. Everything felt off.

Ghost looked at me again, and I sensed he wanted to say something, but in private. He wanted to keep up the pet act for now. I picked up my plate and his, and walked outside where we would be alone.

“You’re worried about being betrayed,” Ghost said. My head darted up toward him, but he continued to eat.

“Let’s be realistic, Ghost. Anyone could betray anyone, at any time. It’s happened to me before, remember? But… I’m not sure that’s what worries me the most right now. There’s something else… something I can’t put my finger on.”

“PanTech,” he said. “They’re behind this facade somehow.”

I nodded. “They’re behind all of it. It always comes back to them. Strength Through Adversity. Except I haven’t seen much adversity here. Have you?”

“No,” Ghost said, shaking his head. “But that doesn’t mean it isn’t there, or was, as she said. Maybe they’ve grown complacent. You said yourself their methods are cyclical. Perhaps their arrogance has brought them to a place where they assume they no longer need to employ the same strategies they’ve always used. The Adversity Management in every zone has been vastly different from the one before. Some friend, some foe. Some strict, others allow just about anything.”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rooting for it all to blow up in their face. But… you know something, Ghost? I think you might be onto something. Makes me wonder how long they’ve been planning to take over the islands and set up a real dictatorship. Lunaria is the perfect front for them. Question is… why haven’t they already?”

“Perhaps they already have. You really should eat. You’re losing weight,” Ghost said, nodding toward my mostly untouched plate.

“I’m not hungry,” I said. “Too much going through my mind.”

“You are being illogical. Food doesn’t hinder thinking.”

I sighed, forcing a smile.

“Okay, okay…”