The staircase beneath Magnolia’s treasure room spiraled down into the heart of the Wildflower, leading to a space that hadn’t existed—or hadn’t been accessible—until now. The air grew heavier with each step, charged with an energy that felt ancient, alive. When she reached the bottom, the chamber opened before her, vast and glowing with the unmistakable touch of Tova craftsmanship.
The walls shimmered, a seamless blend of organic curves and sharp technological precision. Glyphs danced faintly on the surfaces, their light pulsing in sync with the ship’s heartbeat. This was the Wildflower’s new core, shaped by the bond Magnolia had forged with it and the crystals now cradled in her hands.
In the center of the room stood a pedestal, carved from the same bioluminescent material as the walls, its design intricate and alien. The surface was smooth, each slot on it perfectly fitted for the six crystals she carried. Surrounding it, the floor was etched with a complex network of concentric circles, each line glowing faintly, weaving outward in spirals that seemed to ripple when touched by the chamber’s light.
Magnolia set the case down on a low platform beside the pedestal, her breath catching. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers brushing over the latch, before flipping it open. The crystals within shimmered softly, their light faint but warm, as though they, too, anticipated what was to come.
She picked up the first crystal and placed it in its slot. The pedestal responded instantly, its glow intensifying as the crystal clicked into place. The glyphs along the walls flared, their light rushing toward the pedestal like streams of liquid gold.
Magnolia repeated the process, her movements careful and deliberate. Each crystal fit perfectly, the chamber responding with growing intensity. The hum in the air deepened, resonating in her chest, vibrating through her bones. When the final crystal was set, the entire room seemed to exhale, light and energy flowing outward in waves.
The pedestal shifted, lowering the crystals slightly as the lines on the floor erupted in a cascade of brilliance. The light raced outward, climbing the walls and ceiling, converging in a dome of shimmering patterns.
Magnolia’s breath quickened as the glyphs on her skin ignited, glowing in perfect harmony with the chamber. She could feel the ship around her, its consciousness intertwined with her own, watching and waiting.
Dropping to her knees, Magnolia pressed her hands to the glowing lines on the floor. The patterns flared brighter under her touch, warm against her palms. Her voice rang out, steady and resolute, as she began to chant in the Tova tongue.
The words flowed like music, each syllable carrying power that echoed through the chamber. The crystals pulsed in time with her chant, their light spilling into the lines beneath them and spreading through the room. The air vibrated with raw energy, heavy yet exhilarating, as though the Wildflower itself was holding its breath.
As the final word left her lips, the light in the chamber surged, reaching a blinding crescendo before fading into a soft, steady glow. The pedestal went still, the crystals now dormant but radiating a quiet strength. The glyphs on the walls dimmed, their brilliance tempered, as though settling into a new purpose.
Magnolia stayed kneeling for a moment, her breathing ragged, her body trembling from the strain. She felt the bond settle into place, not just between herself and the Wildflower, but extending outward, a tether connecting the ship, the Forge, and the crew.
The Wildflower’s voice resonated in her mind, a low, calming whisper. “It is done.”
Magnolia rose slowly, her gaze lingering on the pedestal. The air around her felt different now—charged, complete. This chamber, this connection, was hers. And it was only the beginning.
Magnolia exhaled slowly, standing in the glow of the ritual chamber as the sensations washed over her. Her connection to the Wildflower was no longer just a whisper at the back of her mind; it was a symphony. Every vibration, every pulse of energy, every step taken aboard her ship resonated within her like a second heartbeat.
She closed her eyes and reached out.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
The intruders were hesitant, their initial bravado dulled by the eeriness of their reception. They had expected resistance, gunfire, perhaps a desperate crew scrambling to protect their ship. Instead, the Wildflower had welcomed them, opening its docking bay like a predator inviting prey. Their boots thudded against the deck plating, each sound reverberating in Magnolia’s mind. Twelve of them. Armed. Cautious. Uncertain.
Magnolia felt them pause, the leader raising a hand to signal the others to spread out. They moved as one, their formation tight and methodical, but the unease was palpable. The Wildflower hummed softly, its lights flickering in patterns too deliberate to be accidental. The air grew heavier, the temperature subtly shifting, just enough to fray nerves.
Her hive moved silently through the shadows. They were her unseen guardians, their presence a comforting rhythm in the back of her mind. She felt their anticipation, their restrained energy as they stalked the intruders. They didn’t rush. They didn’t need to.
Magnolia shifted her awareness to the bridge. Hanjoon stood steady, his hands resting on the console as he tracked the intruders’ movements through the ship’s systems. Selam paced nearby, her sharp eyes flicking between the monitors, her tension a tightly coiled spring. In-Su leaned casually against the wall, but his posture betrayed his readiness, his hand resting near the hilt of his sword.
Below deck, in hydroponics, Lee and Han worked swiftly. The animals—a practical acquisition Magnolia had all but forgotten—stirred uneasily in their pens. Lee whispered soothing words to the creatures, his movements deliberate as he checked the enclosures. Han stood nearby, his usual levity replaced by a grim determination.
And then there was the Forge, no longer merely a relic but a living part of the Wildflower. Magnolia felt its integration deep in her core, a melding of old and new that pulsed with potential. The ship had grown sharper, stronger. Smarter.
The Wildflower and the Forge were becoming something *more*, something unbound by what either had been alone.
Magnolia opened her eyes, the glow of the ritual chamber reflecting in her silver irises. The bond between her and the ship hummed in perfect harmony, her mind entwined with its vast awareness.
“They’re not ready for this,” she murmured.
The glyphs on the chamber walls pulsed in agreement, their light flowing outward as if the Wildflower itself shared her confidence. She reached out, her voice a quiet command carried through the ship’s essence.
“Wait.”
Her hive stilled, poised but patient.
Magnolia felt the intruders’ steps falter as the lights dimmed further. A low hum echoed through the corridors, a sound that wasn’t quite mechanical. One of the men muttered something about traps, his voice tight with unease. The leader snapped at him to focus, but Magnolia could feel the tension rising.
The Wildflower was ready. Its hive was ready. And so was she.
The forge’s legacy lived on in her veins, in her hive, and in the Wildflower itself. Whatever came next, Magnolia would meet it head-on. With one final glance at the glowing pedestal behind her, she turned and ascended the spiral staircase.
The ritual was complete.
Now it was time to act.
Magnolia paused mid-step, her grip tightening on the railing of the spiral staircase. In-Su's voice over the comm was steady but edged with concern.
"Magnolia," he said, his tone soft, almost pleading. "We can help. Whatever you're doing, you don't have to do it alone."
Her heart clenched for a moment, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. There wasn’t time for sentiment.
"Just hold the bridge, In-Su," she replied, her voice firm but not unkind.
There was a pause on the other end, the silence stretching thin. Magnolia could almost picture him standing there, his sword resting against his side, his brow furrowed in thought.
“And if the time comes,” she added, her tone softening just slightly, “dance for me.”
In-Su didn’t respond immediately. Magnolia wasn’t sure if it was confusion or some internal battle to hold back another plea. When he did answer, his voice was quieter, almost reverent.
“Always.”
Magnolia exhaled slowly, forcing herself to keep moving. As she ascended back into her treasure room, the words echoed in her mind. Dance for me. She knew In-Su would understand. He always did.
But this—this was something she had to finish on her own.
Reaching the top of the staircase, she placed her hand against the treasure room wall. It pulsed under her touch, a subtle acknowledgment from the Wildflower, and the door slid open. She stepped through, leaving the ritual chamber—and the weight of her choices—behind.