“High Lady, you shouldn’t be going outside of the ice fortress in this state! Not after [data lost]. Your body still needs time to recover…or else the whole city could crumble. Let the others handle some of the burden, too! It’s almost been four years. [data lost]. No…I know you’re the only one who can stop it… I’ll take care of [data lost] while you’re away. Just…be careful, High Lady.” - Hazel, Personal Attendant to the High Lady of Ice, The Lost Diaries, Vol. III.
Her earrings kept an even distance from her head, Melissa’s smiling face popping up in the window as she leaned against the wall beside the exit. “Oh, Clover? Woah, hold on a second—video?!”
Folding her arms with a frown, Clover stared down the hall, wondering if Shion was still waiting in the back room. “How are you feeling?” she asked, vision flicking to the confused blonde. “Have you and Lily made it back to Steel Box Bastion yet?”
Melissa gave her a critical look, blue eyes drifting around what Clover could only assume was the backdrop. “Mmh... Yeah, we hit the gas and got back pretty quick—just pulled in, actually. Lily’s being taken in for an examination right now…” trailing off, the woman glanced left for a moment, and Clover caught her ducking into what appeared to be a bathroom.
“Ahem, eh, I think you’re coming in at like...8k definition? That’s the max my wrist projector goes, so...what’s the deal—where did you get a recorder and bandwidth to even send that high of a picture? You aren’t even using a wrist device... I can see your arms.”
Clover sighed, jaw tightening as she glanced left to find Shion magically hovering in the corner of the room. Rosa... I swear, she’s the most random ghost lady. She’s a chronicler—a recorder of history—so why start showing up so much around me?
“Clover?” Melissa brushed back her messy bangs, absently checking the space to make sure she was alone. “I—uh, is everything okay?”
She turned her attention away from the mysterious woman to focus on the spirit user. “Mostly—as much as I should expect at this point—but there are some new developments I’d like you to be aware of.”
“Okay?” the blonde swallowed, going into what appeared to be a space meant for pregnant women; she settled into a comfortable-looking seat with curtains surrounding a few more armchairs and cleared her throat. “I’m listening.”
Letting the spirit user situate herself, Clover waited for the camera to not be so shaky before continuing. “I’ve been approached by a group that wants to do business with me in regards to Soul Armaments.”
Melissa’s mouth tightened, eyebrows drawing in to express her concern, but she listened until Clover was finished.
“I made them aware that I wouldn’t leave either party in the dark. I like the deals they can offer me if I’m being frank, and the transaction method being only monetary rather than any alternative agenda gives me a small measure of reliability, which I can put relative trust into.
“That being said, I don’t wish to jeopardize or hide the fact I’m using their services to Lily or you; I’m not all that concerned about the general, but I realize you’ll likely report such facts to him. So long as they remain anonymous, they have no issue with me making you aware. In fact, Shane used these types of services, correct?”
A long stream of air passed through Melissa’s nose as she glanced to the side, her arm held tightly against her core; she seemed a bit whiplashed at the sudden topic.
“Wow, umm...that was a lot more than I expected. Heh, they moved pretty quickly, huh? A, uh, a lot quicker than they used to. As for Shane... Mmgm, yes. It was pretty common knowledge among the SPU that he preferred using black market services rather than the proper channels, but...who was going to stop him?”
Clover slowly nodded, realizing what she was getting at. “Are you saying the SPU didn’t interfere too much in such activities because Shane basically made it an acceptable method via his notoriety and power, and if I attempt the same thing, it could cause friction?”
The woman gave a weak shrug, playing with her bangs. “It’s just something I’ve thought of since... Anyway, heh, I can see why they’d want to scout you out, though—no one’s used them in five years, and it was a pretty competitive thing back in the day... A lot of money could be made by selling the spare parts the spirit users didn’t use.”
She hadn’t thought about that angle yet, but it made sense. Tamara and her group had been operating in the dark for the past five years; funds were probably running low, which was why something like this device was of such high value when it could have been so much cheaper with a steady supply.
Tamara could be hoping she’d become the next spark that stimulated the underground industry again, which was just a product of such a relationship. That being said, Clover wasn’t opposed to such a thought, yet also doubted Tamara had any desire to compete for services.
Then again, if she’d been the main source of tools for someone as powerful as Shane, how could she complain? It at least put credence in the idea they were at the top of the game.
“I’ll take note of that,” Clover nodded. “Do you believe General Laurence will object?”
Melissa forced a smile before shaking her head. “Honestly, eh...no, heh... He might think eventually you’d be better off using SPU channels, but currently, if you can get stronger from it... He’s not the ‘by-the-book’ type, I guess you could say. If you’ve already vetted them, I think we all know at this point you’re a pretty good judge of character with those senses.”
It was good enough for Clover. “Would you mind filling in the general, and what about the changeling rassi?”
“Sure, I can do that,” Melissa mumbled. “But...I’m pretty sure he’s going to call you back to verify some things after—he’s like that. Umm, as for the rassi, I sent him a report after talking to Lily about some of the stuff you discussed. I bet it’ll come up when we talk,” she sighed.
Clover nodded. “As for the video, it’s a device they gave me—likely to use as a communication method that’s not completely tied to the SPU if we’re being transparent about it.”
Melissa’s cheeks bunched to the side, giving her a light glare. “Not even a day awake, and you’ve got better stuff than me.”
A wry grin lifted Clover’s face. “If you want, I can see about introducing you.”
She waved her hand. “No, no, no... I can’t be involved in anything like that... I have my own rules I need to follow.”
“Suit yourself,” Clover shrugged. “Is Lily sleeping?”
“Mhm,” Melissa grunted, her wandering gaze showing something else was on her mind. “She passed out soon after getting into the car. Any other surprises for me?”
Clover didn’t respond immediately, focus shifting to the floating, ethereal priestess-like woman. I need to better understand what I’m dealing with before jumping the gun. It’s not like anyone can do anything if I can’t... It all depends on how Tyler approaches our meeting.
“No, but if you could keep me updated on Lily... Eh, well, other than bumping into some CEO named Tyler who sought me out.”
Melissa choked, pounding her chest and coughing. “W-What? Tyler—as in, Tyler Eclipse—CEO of Eclipse Banking?! He’s in Hollow Veil?! How—how could he have possibly known about you so fast or be in this tiny town?”
Playing it off, Clover’s tone was nonchalant. “I asked him a similar question. From what he’s told me, he was planning an inspection of the bank and wanted to meet me—I can’t imagine someone that important wouldn’t have ears in Steel Box Bastion, and the mobilization in the city gave a fairly telegraphed location as to where I’d be.”
“What did he want—why is he here if there’s a Class-3 nearby?” Melissa asked, biting her lower lip. “I mean...mmh, he’s kind of, well, eh—he’s in with all of the big companies and owns Void-flipping CAT Corp... Even the SPU uses his teleportation infrastructure.”
Clover filed away Melissa’s reaction. Tyler was a celebrity in the business world, likely known by every human across all of Skydream, which might be the last bastion of humanity on Skyhaven. Yet, Tamara seemed to have a very personal relationship with the influential figure.
“I’ll keep that in mind. He wanted to open an account for me himself and chat a little; I can see my banking with him adding to the security of his company... It’s a good business move. I didn’t see much harm in it, given my situation, and accepted to hear what he had to say. Are there any allegations of misconduct I should know about?”
Melissa swiftly shook his head. “No! In fact, he’s been responsible for funding some of the breakthrough research for the SPU, including the construction of Steel Box Bastion itself. He rarely leaves Bloom City, as far as I know—it’s public knowledge he hates dealing with East Skydream.”
“Hmm... You’re not wrong to question it, Melissa; it does seem somewhat suspicious that a CEO of such renown would personally make a visit to Hollow Veil—a rural town—and only a week after a calamity was dealt with—much less with Isngneal’s presence, and I can’t imagine he wouldn’t have personal contact with the general himself to discover Hollow Veil’s current security risks.”
“Yeah! It really does seem odd,” Melissa muttered, sinking into her cushy chair and cupping her chin. “Why wouldn’t he inform the SPU he was making a trip... How did he get here without us knowing from contracted transports? Talon city is dealing with a supply chain issue because transevil and rassi from the Badlands are spilling out onto the freeway.”
Clover could imagine how. “I’ll see if I can get some answers. In the meantime...rest up, Melissa. You really should take a shower and sit down to read something.”
The woman’s face became strained. “Eh—do I look that bad? Ugh, I do feel a bit sore... Healing so often, defending against puppets and transevil...not to mention the stress of Isngneal chasing us! Ha-ha-ha...yeah...oof, I might just develop wrinkles like this! I’ll take your advice. Oh, and I can watch over Lily while I’m at it—two rassi with one stone!”
“Sure. Well, I’ll talk to you later,” Clover chuckled, waving her goodbye before cutting the feed.
Clover’s seafoam eyes snapped to Shion as the devices darted back to enclose the tips of her ears. “Now that we’re alone, is there something you want to say, or are you mute?”
The religious-looking woman’s lips curved, placing her left arm under her chest while her right lifted to collect all the cards flowing around her body. “Would you select a card, Clover, or should I show you Fate without you offering a question?”
Shion’s voice was petite and captivating—it unnerved Clover—this woman was practically invisible to every other sense, but what she assumed the figure allowed her to grasp; yet, she had to wonder if it was because this alien personage was manipulating her mind or the fabric of space itself—both seemed possible.
Hoisting herself away from the wall, Clover put a hand on her right hip, left flexing while toying with the idea of recalling the Viper Blade from Yumi. “For what purpose?”
Spreading her delicate fingers, Shion separated seven cards from the deck with the backs facing Clover. “I am both The Chronicler and The Marker of Change. I can offer you help and guidance, for which I ask the question, ‘Who is Clover Emberfield’... Fate answers…”
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Clover’s skin prickled, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end as each card flipped around, one by one, as she spoke.
“Your past... The Upright Tower.”
She held it up, making Clover’s stomach squirm; it felt as if she were being drawn into the image. “Before your arrival on Skyhaven, you were the product of sudden upheaval that led to your broken pride; you were a disaster to humanity and that which it feared.”
Unveiling emotions welled up within Clover’s breast as she spoke—this was unlike anything she’d experienced before—she couldn’t deny the truths this woman told.
The Upright Tower? So...I was a disaster... That can’t be talking about my time before stepping into the Void—I was a rather atypical high noble, but not some bringer of calamity—I have always been a fairly orderly girl. My life was confined to my studies, hobbies, and spending time with my family.
No, she said before my arrival on Skyhaven... Did I leave the planet—is she speaking about the Void? But—that’s insane?! What did I do in that purple vortex?
Shion kept going, only pausing for a short moment to give Clover time to let her words sink in; she left the revealed cards facing her.
“Your present... The Upright Hermit.
“Fallen into a world unfamiliar, you are lost, changed in unknown ways that pull at your soul for answers. You contemplate and search for truth regarding yourself and the world, relying on the powerful intuition you’ve acquired.”
Even if that evaluation sounds moronic and self-evident...it’s like she’s reading from a book of my life. No, the key word in that... Acquired? I sought and acquired my senses in some manner within the Void...where I was a disaster to humanity?
“The near future... Judgment in the Upright.
“Revelations will bring you to a state of reflection; you are the mark of reckoning for a future that is currently unknown, and a force sent to deliver judgment... You have powers yet claimed.”
Gears turned in Clover’s mind as she listened, gut tightening at each statement that sent a shiver down her spine. It grated against her heart, being told she was a calamity, yet it felt like a lie to deny it, and the sensations she’d experienced while falling out of the Void chilled her marrow.
Someone sent me to be a judge... Does that mean it wasn’t of my own choice—that woman’s voice I heard when falling? A reckoning in a murky future, and I have powers, in the plural, yet claimed... Is one of those my Soul-Spirit, or is there more to it?
“Fate’s advice... The Upright Lovers…”
“Unite with those that seek out your support and develop partnerships to fulfill the future you desire; bridge the gap that has formed between divisions.”
Obviously, this relates to the various groups I’ve met... Is she telling me I need to bring Melissa, Tyler, and Tamara’s groups together... Unite everyone in a shared goal?
The fifth card flipped around, and she couldn’t turn her eyes away from the visceral image; a man with a noose around his throat, hanging upside down in isolation as a dreary and barren world swallowed him in the background.
“How will those around you affect Fate’s course? The Reverse Hanged Man…
“Those you trust and that guide you are trapped by stagnation—fear of the possibility of sacrifice—and will sacrifice themselves needlessly.”
Spirit users… Melissa? What’s she going to do that will affect my future; is the general stuck in stagnation, or is she? Is it Tyler or Tamara? I suppose I’ll need to look for it, but Laurence seems to be the one willing to break from the norm while Melissa hesitates.
Shion’s red lips curved a little as the sixth card was revealed. “Obstacles line your path, Clover...hidden influencers lurking in the shadows to take advantage of the path you blaze, manipulating you for their own ends... Reversed Justice.”
That’s not a question but a statement, she internally growled as the woman continued.
“Foreign agents will worm their way into your circle, and you will not know their intentions; deceivers hide their desires behind masks while others attempt to influence your judgment for their own ends.”
Shifting her stiff neck and shoulders, Clover rubbed her arm as goosebumps spread across her skin. “How do I find these agents?”
The hovering woman’s long platinum locks shifted as she gently shook her head. “It is not my place to tell you such information that Fate has not dictated. I can only tell you what has been revealed, for if I give more, the power of Destiny cannot break the yoke of Fate…
“I see a shadow lurking around you, Clover; it is you that must pull on the strings of Fate through the sovereign will of your Destiny within, directing your course along the river of time.”
Clover now knew why Shane found this ‘Chronicler’ a bit annoying to deal with, but she presented something unusual and undeniable; it seemed only specific spirit users could utilize this being’s advice, as well, which meant there was a prerequisite.
“Why can I see you and no one else can?”
Shion lifted her left hand to brush back the few locks that had gathered at her shoulder.
“I am both an independent figure and a bound entity of law; to those that meet my standards, I offer my services, which will expand as allowed by my station. There are things I detest that I cannot affect by my own hand as the Overseer, and thus, you become a partner I can align with to help things move in a more acceptable direction.”
Her answer caused Clover’s jaw to lock, vision falling to the woman’s embroidered clothes. “Acceptable to who... That feels a lot like manipulating things in your own favor…”
A lovely giggle shook the woman’s body. “Everything around your environment is filled with the strings of Fate, twisting and turning to the plucks of causality. To those that have the eyes to see, there are places one can touch to change outcomes. I agree with some and disagree with others... Fate’s current design is in flux, and a conductor is required to take a stand.”
“Oh...and who would that be?” Clover snorted, fingers tightening against her hip.
Shion’s caring features softened. “Ultimately, you are the selector of strings, Clover... I am but a simple chaperone that offers counseling, which can be heeded or dismissed. You are in total control of your own Fate; I am merely a voice and guide for those that are open enough to listen.
“You have a unique ability that allows me the chance to not stand idly by without a voice...and that is why I have come before you; you have the tools to accomplish that which others cannot...including my own bound hands.”
“Haaa.” Clover rubbed her temple with her free fingers. “A slave to law and position?”
“Hmm-hmm-hmm. You could certainly see it that way, but I serve a critical purpose in the grand scheme of order...which can also be cruel.”
Her delicate right hand rose to the hovering cards again, directing her attention to the seventh and final one. “For an optimal resolution to the dangers facing you ahead... Hmm. The Reverse Devil…”
“Do not allow yourself to be bound by the restrictions of others and expectations they put upon you; act freely as you see fit, and restore order in your own way.”
Clover’s fingers dug into her hip bone, eyeing the figure in front of her for anything more. “So...are these Fate readings going to become a common thing, and are there other services you can offer me as I make my decisions?”
Shion’s hands returned to her front, the cards resuming their orbit around her as the flames rose between her cupped palms. “In time, I may offer you not only further advice but my own unique form of strength, given the proper circumstances. When the world is out of balance, I am allowed to act in a set framework... It all depends on the direction you, as a force of Destiny, walk along your own path.”
Her light smile strengthened as a slight tilt moved her slender neck. “I look forward to chronicling your journey, Clover. Until we meet again.”
A strong puff of air shot through Clover’s nose as her earrings flew off to reveal General Laurence’s face, indicating she was getting a call; it only drew her attention away for a split second, yet when her focus returned to the corner, Shion was gone.
Slippery woman…
Answering the call, the man’s stern face and cigar came into the frame; he was in a big, comfortable black chair in what appeared to be his office. Large monitors lined the wall behind him, and she watched her device adapt to the technology Laurence’s camera used, bending slightly to show a far more in-depth view than Melissa’s wrist accessory.
“Clover... You look as if you’ve swallowed bad medicine.”
A light smirk brightened Clover’s full lips. “Your direct responses always help to ground me. I suppose this means you’ve received Melissa’s report?”
He puffed on his cigar for a moment, hard eyes shifting to another screen she couldn’t see. “Hmm... I have, and it’s quite disturbing.”
Clover’s left eyebrow lifted. “Oh? Melissa was sure you’d find it perfectly acceptable for me to gain strength in any way I could.”
A half-smile creased his nose as he grunted. “Mmgh, are you referring to your black market Spirit Armament thing? Humph. As if I care about something so minor—we’re at war for the survival of humanity—it’s not as if you can use SPU resources without getting entangled by unnecessary politics. In fact, this is the best outcome I could have hoped for.”
Laurence worked around his jaw, holding the cigar between his fingers. “No... I’m talking about this rassi that can impersonate anyone; perhaps more alarming, even your supernatural senses can’t detect him.”
He pressed a few keys in front of him to display a few scenes behind him. “It’s nothing like we’ve come up against before, and breaks everything we’ve put into place... Not even Biometrics... Rosa, this fiend played around with and made a fool out of a MASS prototype military-grade AI that was designed to monitor and protect their most secure facilities.”
The man jabbed his smoking cigar at key areas. “The moment we started looking into the behaviors you told Lily and Melissa about, we started to discover its path through the facility.
“Unfortunately, it seemed to be able to not only utilize the person’s biological identifiers but, to a certain extent, their memories, as well... We haven’t dealt with mental-type rassi in Western Skydream in...well, ever. It’s only been seen in Northern and Eastern Skydream that such rassi appear.”
Scratching his cleanly shaved cheek, Laurence growled, tongue sliding across his dry lips. “Worse, we don’t know what it was after, but it certainly found it before zeroing most of the drives; there’s no footage, and we can’t be sure where it’s lurking now.”
Clover’s eyes narrowed as a live camera of Lily took the place of the left monitor. “I’m...guessing you suspect Lily might have been replaced by this rassi?”
The general released a low note in his throat. “Mmgh. It’s not out of the question...but I’d say unlikely. Still, we’ve discovered timed-release capsules of unknown origin mixed inside of her blood—unlike anything we’ve seen... Technology the SPU nor Marcov should possess. In fact, several things seem to either have been stolen from or loaned to them by MASS.”
“Can you remove it?” Clover asked, feeling the heat rising inside her chest. “What did the scientists I brought out say about it?”
He shook his head, drawing a few more puffs before breathing out the smoke. “From what we’ve determined, the Director running this Marcov convert base compartmentalized everything. These men were only given the information to administer the unknown treatment and observe its effects...document everything.”
Clover wanted to curse; she hadn’t made it in time to save her. “Is there anything we can do... Is it dangerous?”
“I don’t know, Clover,” he hissed. “That’s what I’m telling you... Everything this facility was a part of—anything of importance—was destroyed by the rassi or the transevil they allowed to escape, which is troubling since it means they’re becoming savvy to breakthrough technology and don’t want us to know what they’d discovered.
“All back-ups that were sent to various locations around Hollow Veil have been remotely wiped, and the scientists and personnel that worked below the 3rd level—dead. Whoever these two rassi are, they’re more thorough than any human I’ve dealt with...extraordinarily intelligent.”
Fingers tightening against her palm, Clover took in a deep breath and let it out. “Okay... So, where do we go from here—is there anything we can do, or is the technology out of reach?”
Laurence fell into silence, glaring at the screen and drawing on his cancer stick to ease his nerves before pulling up his pipe, likely debating on swapping tobacco methods.
“It’s possible MASS has the right tech to extract it, but we don’t know their part in Marcov’s operation here... If we let them know we suspect a connection, it could tip them off and ruin our shot at securing the device.”
Clover didn’t like waiting around, but she could see the strategy and risks he was considering. “Where’s the closest MASS headquarters; what can we do?”
“Ugh…” The general’s nose twitched with agitation. “Nothing at this time. I need to pull some strings and get more information because something this massive should never have gone under the radar. There’s a corporate trail; I just need to find it to discover which MASS location and supervisor we need to put our focus on.”
Heat blew out of Clover’s nose as her balled fist struck the concrete beside her, causing cracks to run down its length; not having something she could do was maddening. “Do what you can and let me know when you have a lead. I’ll try to work my own angle from here.”
Laurence nodded, calm eyes appraising her. “I’ll keep the top scientists working on discovering what they injected into Lily’s blood. It may turn out to be harmless in the end, but I wouldn’t bet on it. She’ll remain in lockdown and observation, although that shouldn’t hamper her ability to act as your operator from within her room.”
Catching the subtle undertone, Clover scratched her neck, leveling a grimace at where Shion had stood. “I understand... I’ll keep an ear out for anything unusual she might say or if she tries to guide me in an odd direction. Keep me updated.”
Ending the call, Clover leaned against the wall, feeling more frustrated than she could remember. I didn’t make it in time.
She glared at the damage she’d caused to the wall. “Hmm…”
If I want more answers, Tamara and Tyler seem to be the places I can get them, and Tyler definitely has connections in MASS. I’ll meet with Tamara, gauge her concerns about Tyler and then see what he has to say.
Mind made up, she exited the building and followed Tamara’s scent to the private bar she’d mentioned; it was time to find out precisely what this Soul-Spirit was.