Jo stood near to the door, observing the outside with her Soul Sense. She’d just seen Nicolai pass by, heading to his room. His Soul Sense was something constantly roving, something which had definitely seen her watching, but he hadn’t showed any reaction. He seemed distracted… upset.
Something was seriously up with him. What was it that they’d witnessed earlier?
‘What was that?’ she muttered, staring at his door through her Soul Sense.
‘Huh?’ came Beth’s voice.
Jo glanced at her sister. Beth was sitting on the bed, a focused expression on her face, preparing for something. She had a bag of Oma crystals beside her and her eye-lenses glowed at she reviewed something she’d seen.
‘What’re you doing?’ Jo asked, distracted for a moment from her worries.
Beth blinked, her eyes clearing as she cancelled whatever recording she’d been watching. She smirked at Jo. ‘Getting ready. I’ve been talking to that head, whenever Nicolai leaves him around. That lil’ guy knows a lot of useful stuff, he told me how to make a new Node, in a detail. I recorded everything he said.’ She took a deep breath, an expression of both uncertain excitement on her face. ‘I’m gonna build one, my first. He said a lung is best to start with, but that first I should practise outside my body, make one on my hand. Apparently Nicolai had trouble when he tried and almost blew a hole in his lung.’
‘Uh, right,’ said Jo, blinking at her sister. She hadn’t seen any of this, it must’ve happened while she’d been in the prison. She glanced at the door. ‘Aren’t you worried?’ she hissed, moving over and settling beside Beth, whose expression had turned distant again, her eyes filming over once more.
‘What? About him?’ said Beth in a distracted tone.
‘Yes about him. What was that, earlier?’
‘I dunno, he was angry, wasn’t he?’ she shrugged. ‘I kinda understand. Now we have to worry about that library Guardian.’
Jo eyed her sister, who, to her great surprise, seemed to be adjusting to this new world better than she was. It was a little unbalancing. Beth had always looked to her, but now she seemed to be… blossoming. That’s what I wanted, she scolded herself, irritated.
‘Anyway, why do you care?’ Beth smirked. ‘Aren’t you soft on him?’
Jo rolled her eyes. ‘That was back then. Shut up. So you aren’t at all concerned? He…’ she shook her head, biting her lip, recalling how he’d emptied round after round into that screaming man, then kept on shooting the corpse, and then stomped on it until it was just a pile of meat. The cold and endless rage in his eyes.
Beth blinked, her eyes clearing as once again, she paused whatever she was watching. She turned and gave Jo a reassuring smile. ‘You need to relax, you’re forgetting something.’
‘I know. The Contract.’
Beth clapped her on the shoulder. ‘Exactly! He literally has to look after us. Sure, sometimes he loses it, but we’re safe regardless. Far as I see, there’s nothing to worry about. Fact is, we’re doing better than ever.’ She grinned.
Jo gaped at her. ‘I thought you didn’t like him? I thought you were all against this? That you didn’t trust him?’
Beth shrugged. ‘I’ve had time to think since then. You know, I’m sorry about all that. I think I was just in a mood from having been stuck in here all that time.’ A toss of her head took in the room they were in. ‘But you know what?’ She smiled. ‘I think I like this new world. I feel… I feel like I can do anything. There’s no limits, here. I learned that from him.’
‘What? Really?’
‘Yeah. I mean he just goes at it, right? He sees something he wants and he just makes some kind of plan and throws himself at it. And I thought to myself… Hey, I can do that.’
Jo frowned. ‘It’s dangerous to think like that.’ She preferred a more cautious approach.
‘Sure.’ Beth patted her on the shoulder. ‘You need a bit of both. You and me together.’
‘Uh, okay.’
‘Feeling better?’
‘A little bit, actually,’ she replied, surprised to realise it was true.
‘Still soft on him?’
‘Hmmm.’ Jo made a face. She wasn’t sure. She couldn’t predict him. She didn’t know what he was thinking, what he’d do. In a way, that was exciting. But increasingly it was also worrying. She shook her head, uncertain. ‘What do you think about after? When the Contracts end?’
Beth smirked. ‘We do whatever we want. That’s what I’m saying.’
Jo rolled her eyes. ‘Okay, sure. But what is that?’
‘I want to keep getting improving my Cultivation. You need to be strong, to survive in this world. And anyway, it’s fun. Plus we can get all the augments mom and dad never let us.’
‘Right, yeah.’ Jo snorted, wondering if Beth might be more inspired by Nicolai than she was letting on. Still, Beth had always been a bit single minded. ‘You think mom and dad are out here, somewhere?’
Beth grimaced. ‘Probably. Hopefully we don’t run into them. Ugh.’
‘Right?’ muttered Jo, absently. She was thinking now about what she wanted. It would be nice to create some kind of actual society, out here. Right now the castle was just all small groups roving around. Never knew if someone would want to talk or try to shoot you. Not to mention the Chosen.
Beth was right. Things as they were, Nicolai was a good person to have on side, regardless of his occasional… moments. But she didn’t think he’d be interested in building a society. Others would, though. Maxine on the radio talked about just that, all the time. ‘I guess we’ll have to see,’ she murmured, and received a distracted ‘Uh-huh,’ from Beth.
‘What’re you watching?’ she asked, curious.
Beth sent her the recording over Local, and she saw the head, Kleos, on the table in the common room. It was talking in excessive detail about how to build a Lung Node, and she settled into the instruction, interested.
‘This is how we get stronger as… Cultivators?’
‘That’s right.’ Beth nodded beside her. ‘Making more Nodes is the first step. That’s why he’s so obsessed with gathering the crystals, by the way. We need to make sure we get our share.’ Jo felt a sudden smugness, where Beth’s Soul Sense touched on her own, as Beth added, ‘Of course, you took care of that, too. It’s in the Contract, I checked. He’s been giving us our share, too. He always gives me some crystals after he collects.’
Jo snorted. ‘No problem.’
‘You need to Integrate your Seed, too,’ said Beth. ‘Why haven’t you already?’
Jo bit her lip. ‘I’m worried. What if it goes bad?’
‘Psh. Don’t worry, it’s like surgery. You just wait for it to be over. I’ll watch over you, anyway. I’m gonna try my first practise run making a Node. After that you Integrate your Seed. Deal?’
‘Alright.’ Jo smiled, settling into place across from her sister, as Beth raised a hand. A pale-blue mist-like substance began to form on her palm. It turned into a thin strand, like string, and turned on itself, starting to form the eggshell-shape the head had mentioned in the recording. She did feel more relaxed, now. Beth was right, for now there was nothing to worry about. Of course, the Contract wouldn’t last forever, but she’d cross that bridge when they came to it.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
###
Nicolai was busy examing the books, for the first time. To his surprise, he received two separate Examine texts from the first book, something that had never happened before.
Memory Tome
Memory Tomes are constructed through use of Symbiotes bolstered with Rituals, and contain an imprint of a Cultivator’s Understanding. They are prized possessions, as one can have their knowledge greatly advanced by such a Tome.
A Collection of Foundation Symbiotes (Memory Tome)
This Memory Tome contains insights into many common Foundation-tier Symbiotes, primarily Tier 1 Symbiotes. Though this book mostly contains basic knowledge such as the appearances, abilities, foods, and values of hundreds of Symbiotes, it also contains several recipes for the creation of Symbiotes.
‘What is it?’ asked Kleos.
‘Symbiote recipes,’ said Nicolai, smiling down at the book. He was deeply curious on how exactly Symbiote refinement would look, and eager to make his first attempts, to experience first hand the wonder of creating something from magic.
On top of that, he was well aware of the value of these recipes. He’d been intending to buy as many recipes for useful looking Symbiotes as he could from the Trade Link, as he figured that would allow him the maximum possible options in gaining power.
This book represented hundreds of thousands of points, millions even, had he been forced to purchase from the Trade Link. As he considered the matter of recipes, he frowned, looking to Kleos. Surely Kleos would know recipes. Nicolai’s impression was that any real Cultivator would know at least a few.
‘Kleos, do you know Symbiote recipes?’ he asked.
Kleos frowned at him. ‘I do,’ said the head.
Nicolai smiled. ‘Good. When I’ve time, you will tell me all of them.’
Kleos’ frown grew; quite a severe, unhappy frown. Nicolai was good at reading Kleos’ frowns, now. This was perhaps the most upset he’d seen the head.
Nicolai quirked an eyebrow at it. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘It’s, uh, Cultivator’s don’t normally share their recipes. It is a… personal matter. A part of a Cultivator’s Journey. Sharing one’s recipes is akin to sharing who they are, giving someone a route into their heart—‘
Nicolai interrupted these words with a dismissive wave. ‘None of that matters to me.’ He gazed thoughtfully at the head. He’d believed Kleos and he were of the same mind. That it was devoted to helping him grow stronger, so that he might be capable of regaining a body for it. But, apparently, Kleos didn’t see things quite the same way.
He liked Kleos, but he had no illusions as to the nature of their relationship. He needed that information, and the head was going to give it to him.
‘We have a Contract,’ Nicolai reminded Kleos. ‘You are to tell me anything you know, honestly, if I ask it. The only exception is irrelevant details from your past, unless they can help my goals. I would describe Symbiote recipes as extremely relevant.’
‘But you don’t need them to get my body,’ said Kleos. ‘Now you have writ my name in the book, and with your current strength, you are very close to being able to get me a body. I know how you can do so. There is a room, deep in this castle, which contains a coffin. This coffin, given the right ingredients, can regrow me a body. Previously I didn’t think you had any chance against the guardian. Whatever it might be, it will be strong. But now, I think you are just about there, and now that you’ve put my name in the book the coffin will accept me.’
Nicolai flipped a hand, nonplussed. ‘I feel like you’ve forgotten that getting you a body is just one side of things. It’s your goal, which you want me to fulfil. We made a trade, remember? In return for working to get you a body, I receive the knowledge of any and everything you know that can be of assistance to me. So… I really don’t understand what the problem is.’
‘My Symbiote recipes are personal,’ hissed Kleos, eyes growing a little wild.
The head really wasn’t happy about this. Nicolai’s eyes narrowed. That was unfortunate, but Kleos had made an agreement with him, and he considered its Symbiote recipes to be entirely fair as compensation for what he was doing for it. Kleos stared back at him, and he saw its face tighten. It was difficult to sense the head’s emotions via Soul Sense, due to its damaged Soul, but he had a vague impression of a rapid deluge of different emotions and thoughts. The head was doing some quick thinking. Anger. Worry. Calculation. Irritation. Acceptance.
‘Fine,’ said Kleos.
Nicolai sat back, staring thoughtfully at the head. He might have let it off in respect for their… friendship, but it had caught at his paranoia. ‘That was a quick change of mind,’ he observed. ‘What prompted it?’
Kleos sighed, defeated, irritable. ‘You’re well suited to this world. I was hoping to keep that knowledge to myself. But I know you won’t let me. That’s all.’
‘Would you have let you, in my position?’ questioned Nicolai, curious.
‘No,’ murmured the head, avoiding his eyes.
‘So, we understand one another.’ Nicolai smiled. ‘Let us return to how things were before this unfortunate disagreement.’
‘Of course,’ Kleos smiled back at him.
Nicolai moved to examine the next two books. Kleos hid it decently well, but it was obvious enough the head wasn’t pleased. Recently no one seemed happy with him, which he felt was understandable. His Mask felt bad, but it seemed that every day he cared less and less about its feelings. He probably ought to think on that, but he found he simply didn’t care to do so. His Mask squirmed. Later. He brushed it aside, reaching for the books.
Creatures of Nightmare (Memory Tome)
This Memory Tome contains insights into the Spirit Beasts, Mutants, Nature Spirits, and oddities that are commonly seen on Nightmare.
Lesser Natural Treasures (Memory Tome)
This Memory Tome contains insights into common resources found throughout the Material, such as those used for Symbiote Refinement, Rituals, and Artifact creation.
Nicolai ran his hands thoughtfully over the books, feeling at the aged but still firm and lustrous leather covers.
‘There are some more things I wish you to tell me about,’ said Nicolai, looking to Kleos. It had struck him that he was not yet making full use of the head, and that due to their diverging opinions on what was necessary information, Kleos wasn’t being entirely forthcoming. Now that he knew the right kinds of questions to ask, he intended to rectify that. From these books he would learn detailed information on three important subjects of this new world, and from Kleos he would fill in the blanks, seeking to learn everything Kleos knew.
‘You need merely ask,’ said the head, the words unusually cordial.
Nicolai flicked an amused glance at it. ‘No need to speak so gently. I know you’re upset. Show it, if you wish. It matters little. We will continue to work together, you and I. And, at the end of this, I will have given you what you desire above all else, a body. You can take solace in that, can’t you?’ Midway through the words he found himself sitting back, staring at the head, a frown working its way onto his face. All of a sudden, the head’s answer seemed important to him. He realised that his Mask had worked its way fully onto his face, clinging to his features and digging into his mind.
He watched Kleos, feeling strangely worried, oddly unsure, thinking… he’s my friend?
Kleos didn’t notice, staring at a spot on the table, chewing its lip, doing some deep thinking. ‘I suppose I can,’ the head murmured, and it sounded some combination of minimally mollified and grudgingly accepting.
Nicolai’s face broke into a smile of relief, just for a moment, before he focused on controlling his features. Only, it wasn’t easy. His Mask clung tight. He wrenched his head sideways, hiding his face from Kleos as his expression squirmed.
He doesn’t want to share his recipes, his Mask was saying.
Why does that matter? Nicolai stared at the wall, confused, not sure what was happening.
It’s wrong.
He snorted, and began listing why it was not wrong, but right. It’s a fair trade. He agreed to this. It benefits me. I want those recipes. We’re not frien—
He’s the closest we have.
Nicolai swallowed, some horrible ache emanating from his chest. Emotions, which the Mask was using to prove its point. Was this really something he’d wanted, these emotions? His skin was uncomfortably hot, sweaty.
Friend or not… I need those recipes. Furthermore, I don’t see why sharing them is such a big deal to him. I’m going to get him his body. Without me doing that, he’s stuck as he is.
For a moment the Mask eyed him and he eyed the Mask. I’m not sure why its such a big deal to him, either. Maybe something cultural? From it he felt a degree of interest, a desire to know more about Kleos, and Nicolai realised this might be a way to mollify it.
‘Why is it that sharing your recipes is so painful to you?’ asked Nicolai, gazing once more at Kleos.
The head blinked at him. ‘It’s… you really want to know?’
Nicolai nodded.
The head chewed at its lip. ‘It is said that ones Symbiote recipes form a part of their Path. Their understanding of Symbiotes defines who they are, as a Cultivator. All the knowledge they have gathered on their function. Telling someone you recipes… is akin to sharing who you are. It gives someone a complete understanding of your capabilities. Sharing them makes one… vulnerable.’
‘I am sorry,’ he said, ‘but I need those Symbiote recipes. I will consider it a debt.’ Better? His Mask seemed to feel it was, at least marginally so.
Kleos raised an eyebrow. ‘If you say so,’ it answered.
Nicolai stared at Kleos, aware that Kleos didn’t quite believe him. He thought on what they’d been through. On how the head had helped him. That first night with fast-barked orders to close and lock the door before night came. The library, and the Soul Trap. Where would he be, without that Soul Trap? Would he still be alive? Perhaps not. Becoming one of the first, if not the first, Cultivators amongst his fellow humans had given him an edge which combined with the shimmer poncho to allow him to punch well above his weight.
It had all been part of their deal, sure. But Nicolai owed a lot to Kleos. Many times, Kleos had gone above the terms of their agreement. The head had provided more support than the agreement required, something that seemed rather like actual care. One good turn deserves another, and the man he wanted to be would keep that in mind.
He nodded, slowly. ‘I say so.’ He owed Kleos a debt, a true debt, and he would pay it back. He still didn’t truly trust Kleos, because he didn’t trust anyone. But no matter whether it betrayed him or not, he would still owe it that debt. He decided, at that moment, that this was what the man he wanted to be would do.
‘In that case, would you mind sharing the recipes I don’t know from those Tomes?’ asked Kleos suddenly, eyeing the books.
Nicolai grinned. Now Kleos was speaking his language. ‘Certainly, a little later.’ He rose to his feet and tapped his Mark. He’d completed Maric’s Quest and it was time to claim his reward.
After that, it would be time to introduce the skull to the head. He was curious as to how they would get on.