Cal's boots crunched over the uneven terrain. He glanced at Temp, who was still busy trying to manipulate oversoul.

"Temp," Cal began, his voice cutting through the silence, "remember that electric squirrel? The way it channeled lightning... it's not just a random adaptation. Do you think it was the organ, or something else innate that allows it to harness that energy."

"I was also curious, perhaps if we had examined further, I would have more details. But the qualitative data points to the organ." Temp replied, "The creature's biological makeup is specialized, and it appears that as they grow stronger, they begin manifesting these powers. It suggests an advanced level of evolution or perhaps even engineered design."

"Engineered..." Cal echoed, mulling over the word. His steps slowed as he pondered the implications. "Interesting. Do you think this is related to the soul at all?"

"An intriguing hypothesis," Temp observed. "The creatures we have faced so far have had weak souls, aside from the scorpion. I do not think the electricity correlates."

Cal stopped for a moment, his gaze distant. He considered the creatures they had encountered, the strange abilities that seemed so beyond human. Was there an underlying thread that tied this power to the body?

"Could understanding such a connection give us power?" Cal wondered aloud, not entirely sure he wanted an answer. His blue eyes narrowed as he scanned the horizon, vigilant. "Or maybe it's about comprehension, about bridging the gap between what we are and what we could become."

"Philosophical musings are outside my initial programming parameters," Temp noted, "but I find this line of inquiry... stimulating."

Cal nodded, resuming his pace with renewed purpose. Each step took them closer to their goal, to the sunburst orchids, and potentially, to understanding the very fabric of existence.

The pond mirrored the sky, a perfect canvas for the sunburst orchids that speckled its edge. Cal's boots sunk softly into the lush grass as he approached, his eyes tracing the vibrant hues of orange and gold that erupted from the flowers like solar flares caught in bloom. There was a gentle hum in the air, nature's own quiet melody, and it soothed the tension that had knotted between his shoulder blades.

"Peaceful," he murmured, his breath forming a small cloud before dissipating into the crisp air.

"Contrasts sharply with the recent chaos," Temp replied.

Cal nodded, allowing himself this respite. He crouched, fingertips grazing the water's surface, sending ripples across the pond. Reflections danced, distorting the orderly clusters of orchids that lined the bank.

"Uniform," Cal noted, standing again. "Too uniform for wild growth." His gaze narrowed as he surveyed the scene, seeking patterns amidst the beauty.

"Perhaps cultivated?" Temp suggested, its mechanical voice devoid of wonder yet curious in its own way.

"Intentional," Cal affirmed. He stepped back, viewing the arrangement from another angle. "A garden, then. But why here? Why these flowers?"

"Perhaps the one who planted these knows something we do not," came Temp's reply. "The orchids could hold more value than we know."

"Or… perhaps the location is integral,” Temp continued.

Cal nodded, crouching to inspect an orchid. He noted its unusual vibrancy, the petals radiating color as if they too harnessed the sunlight. Gently, he plucked not just the leaves but the whole flower, hoping its entirety may prove useful.

"Our priority remains." Temp said.

Cal knelt beside the nearest cluster of sunburst orchids. Their petals fanned out like rays of dawn, untouched by any malice. He plucked a leaf, thin and vibrant, then paused.

"Right," Cal said, his focus snapping back to their mission. It was easy to get lost in the serenity, in the questions that branched out like the roots of the orchids themselves. But there were truths buried beneath the soil, and he was determined to unearth them all.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Temp, do you detect anything?" he asked, scrutinizing the botanical specimens before him.

"Scans reveal no toxins, spores, or defense mechanisms," Temp responded, its voice a flat line of certainty. "The orchids are benign."

"Odd for such a place," Cal mused. His fingers hesitated, then wrapped around the stem of a full bloom. With a decisive tug, he freed the flower from its earthen hold. "Best to gather whole plant. There could be more value than we realize."

Temp observed, watching as Cal repeated the action, collecting handfuls of the radiant flora.

With his satchel brimming with sunburst orchids, Cal stood and turned to the pond. The still waters offered a mirror to the sky above. He stepped closer, eyes vigilant for the slightest disturbance beneath the surface. A stone cast into the shallows sent ripples outward, but yielded no signs of lurking beasts.

"Seems clear, odd," he declared and proceeded to strip off his tattered coat, haphazardly throwing it on a nearby rock. His hands plunged into the cool water, cupping it to splash against his face. The shock of the temperature was a welcome jolt, stripping away the fatigue that clung to his skin like a second layer.

“This could have been a good spot to camp, but it feels somehow vulnerable.”

"Agreed. Cal, are you maintaining appearances?" Temp inquired, a hint of something beyond its usual monotone teasing at the edges of its words.

"Doesn't hurt to look the part," Cal answered, a wry smile ghosting his lips as he undid his tie. The remaining fabric slid free as Cal stripped down, submerging his body, as he began scrubbing away the grime. The water worked its cleansing magic, carrying away the residue of their last encounter.

He reached inside his satchel for his tuxedo generator and the magical device shot out a perfectly tailored suit just waiting for such an occasion - collecting orchids.

Slipping into the fresh attire, he felt a sense of renewal settle over him. This tux was midnight black, and the smooth of the label was cut in clean lines. It was a small comfort, but one he welcomed nonetheless.

"Ready to proceed?" Temp asked

"Let's move out." Cal adjusted his cuffs, the sunburst orchids secure, his mind already racing ahead to what lay beyond this tranquil veil. He picked up his remaining equipment and set off.

The path wound through the forest, a serpentine trail of anticipation and secrets. However, their journey back to base was uneventful, the path treading underfoot much quicker than their first ascent.

"Curious things, these flowers," Temp mused, its voice a soft hum against the rustling leaves. "Almost as if they hold the power of life within their folds. It is strange that my new body calls for them."

"The system might be right about it not being useful for biologicals. My body doesn't feel anything from them." Cal mused, then continued. "Make sure to titrate the dosage. we had to use quite a bit of serum for the a single point of vitality last time," Cal replied, the idea sparking a flicker of intrigue behind his piercing blue eyes. “We can loop back this way to gather the remaining in the next couple of days.”

"Let's hope they work." Cal’s words continued, his gaze fixed on the distance where the base lay hidden.

As the final rays of sunlight kissed the horizon, the base loomed into view, an amalgam of shadows and hushed intentions. Cal’s senses sharpened, his instincts sensing that there was an observer.

The familiar outlines of the burnt clearing came into view, etched against the setting sun, as they neared home territory. A sense of normalcy reasserted itself, but Cal knew better than to let his guard down.

"Unexpected," Temp noted, pausing as a figure emerged from the base's entrance.

A young woman stood before them in the distance, her silhouette framed by the fading light, long hair cascading like liquid gold. She spoke, her words weaving an exotic tapestry of sound, untranslated but musical.

"Is she practicing for an audience or just likes hearing her own voice?" Cal quipped, one eyebrow arched in amusement.

"Perhaps it is a monologue," Temp added, its tone almost playful, a rare glimpse into the emerging sentience beneath the algorithmic surface. “Different cultures have strange practices.”

"Or maybe she is just happy to see us," Cal said, a smirk tugging at his lips as he stepped forward to greet the human.

Mara did not sound happy to see them. She spoke long sentences filled with corrosive intonations in her foreign language and soon she reached out her hand as if asking for something.

As Cal moved closer he could see one small horn rising from the center of her forehead. “Interesting, another species.” Cal also noticed the tell-tale signs of deception. Her smile was fake, but it was her eyes that gave her away.

Cal’s laughter, a rich and hearty sound, shattered the language barrier between them. It was warm and genuine, carrying a sincerity that threatened to disarm her.

Cal reached for his bag and simultaneously, the woman reached for her weapon. Cal pulled out a single orchid flower, spun it then tossed it to the woman.

The delicate orchid, with its vibrant shades of orange and gold, drifted gracefully on the wind before landing gently in her open palms. Her hand had moved to catch it. A fleeting blush rose to her cheeks as she marveled at the beauty of the flower in her hands. Its velvety petals seemed to glow in the sunlight, radiating a sense of tranquility and wonder. She breathed in its sweet scent, letting it fill her senses and transport her to a world of ethereal beauty.

Cal was about to seize the opportunity to draw his dagger and capture her with a quick ambush, but he decided to approach this a different way.