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      "writing": "Things were moving... surprisingly slowly.  Relaxed, even.  Exir's pack ended up just passing out in my room, and we all conked out on the same bed, after gorging ourselves full of tasty food.  Breakfast was looking to be nice and filling too, as I sat down in the main dining hall with a plate stacked with pancakes, more meat links, and a big side of scrambled eggs.  Plus, a mug of milk, because that always went good with breakfast.\n\nI was a little surprised when Kormir sat down next to me while I was waiting for the others.  ``Morning, Exes.  Did you sleep well?''\n\nMy ears perked and I managed a nod to him before taking my first bite of pancakes.  He chuckled as my stomach growled impatiently, then nodded.  ``Just keep eating.  I had some news for you is all, if you don't mind.''  Hmm?  I glanced about and noticed we were really the only ones actually using the hall.  Unlike in Laridia, it would seem the servants ate elsewhere.  Well, okay then!\n\nI perked as he set his comm down on the table, and an illusionary image flicked up over it.  Oh!  Queen Morrigan smiled my way and waved, looking to be on the move at the moment while holding her comm.  ``Morning, Exes!  I had a bit of news for you plus a debrief if you want it.  I'll understand entirely if you don't of course.''  Debrief?\n\nI swallowed, then asked, curious now.  She nodded, however.  ``You gave us your side of things, but you were never filled in on our side.  I figured you deserve to know; at least the broad strokes.  Also, I'll be arriving in Kaldar myself in a few days.  I believe Calien is also on her way and set to arrive in a week or so.  We want to get together with you and discuss more sensitive Grandmaster topics.''  Ah!  Well, no, I kind of figured this would happen.\n\nI gave a nod.  ``It doesn't really surprise me, so yeah.  I'll just focus on resting and figuring out more with the Garkin in the meantime...''  And trying to figure out Kada's issues, but I didn't want to make anyone alarmed over that quite yet.\n\nShe smiled and nodded again to that, clearly heading inside a train now.  ``Excellent.  I have a few minutes before the train departs now, if you want more information.''  Well admittedly, I was a little curious as to what happened from their perspective.  Morbidly, anyway.\n\n``Did you catch the three that kidnapped me?''  \n\nMorrigan shook her head, however.  ``Not in the literal sense.  They're all dead.''  Oh.  Well then...  I blinked once at that, and she nodded after.  ``They were moderately skilled cultists with some minor artifacts.  Two broke off to give the third one time to run with you.  We... would have taken some casualties, but Umani arrived and eliminated both of them in an instant, practically.''  Oh...  They couldn't target what they couldn't see with True Alchemy.  I hadn't expected Mom to just flat out kill them, though.\n\n``We momentarily lost track of the third, when he made a break for it from his hiding spot and ran as far and fast as he could.  We thought he had you still.  By the time we caught up with him and cornered him, he'd tossed the Inaga female aside, then hit himself in the face with a fire blast at point blank range.  There was no memory scanning that, unfortunately.''  Oh.  He'd destroyed his own brain to prevent them from figuring out where he'd left me at.  That was... definitely crazy devoted there.  Emphasis on crazy.  Why did they want me bad enough to kill themselves to do it?!\n\nKormir shook his head at that.  ``While their techniques were really advanced, and they were well trained, the kidnapping itself was poorly thought out.  Kada woke up and alerted everyone within minutes as far as we can tell, and that's what got them caught on their convoluted way to escape the train station.  They apparently only had enough drugs for you, and their exfil was completely bungled.  Clearly you ending up in Nulidia wasn't part of their plan.''  Not that it made it any less unpleasant... but no, I agreed with that.\n\n``Yeah, my saliva destroyed the note he left with me and they just shipped me off with the rest of the slaves.''  I sighed at that, and Morrigan nodded.  I could almost taste the paper still.  Literally I realized, as the memory almost haunted me.\n\nOf course, the queen was unaware of my inner turmoil and continued.  ``We gathered that much.  The first order was to lock down the city, then gather up every worker in the train yard for scanning.  We knew he had to have dropped you off somewhere within the yard.  They hadn't made it out, so someone should have seen something.  Three trains had escaped however before the lockdown finished, so I put in notice for the refueling station to search the trains too, just in case.''\n\nI paused at that.  ``You caught the Illan and Rapa slavers, then?''\n\nMorrigan nodded.  ``Yeah.  Pretty sure we saved the Illan's life.  There were two attempts to kill her after her arrest that we had to stop.  Looks like not abiding by the note put her life in jeopardy.  But by the time we scanned her and found out you were on the outgoing train, they were out of short-range comms.''  Of course...  And that's all the trains had, given long-range comm relays were... big.\n\nKormir then took over.  ``So, I put the refueling station on lockdown instead and ordered them to stop and deep search all incoming trains.  One of the captains broke the radio silence with a personal comm to the incoming train you were on, however, warning them `politely' about red tape and to expect a delay.  That's when they panicked and tossed you out the side instead.  He was arrested too, mind.''  They really needed to work on their train security.\n\nMy muzzle scrunched, and he sighed before nodding.  ``I know.  Trust me, we'll be tightening a lot of things up after this.  Plus, from your telling, they royally messed up the drop and almost crashed the whole train.  Which my guards saw and rushed the train after it braked on the other side of the bridge.  We recovered the two guards and the Garkin.  They were in shock, pretty much, but were so helpful in revealing it was you and the Illan girl they threw out of the train.''  I sensed `helpful' was `deep mind scan'.  I heard those really, really sucked to get done to you...\n\nThankfully I managed to stop from smirking.   ``I wouldn't call it tossed out.  We fell out completely by accident when they almost toppled the whole car.  The Vulkus slave... didn't make it.  But the Illan and I hit the net.''\n\nMorrigan made a soft clicking noise with her tongue and shook her head.  ``And now we know yet another of their tricks to look out for.''  At least until they figured something else out.\n\nKormir nodded, then sighed again.  ``Unfortunately, we had no idea which one of Nulidia's currently four hundred and sixteen slaving groups had picked you up.  Well, four hundred and fifteen now.  We pretty thoroughly shut down the Agency.  But all we had to go on was the date you arrived.  But the Agency kept you in-house with Atir and Callia instead, and we failed to find you through traditional means.''\n\n``Traditional...?''  I raised an eyebrow to him, and he chuckled, holding his paws up.  Ah.  Traditional.  ``Bloodstalkers.  Got it...''  He shrugged at that.\n\n``It's Nulidia.  I tend to give Shadowstalkers a certain amount of professional deniability when operating there.''  I paused with another bite heading to my muzzle, then chuckled.\n\nMorrigan snorted though.  ``Oh, is that what you call it?   In the same vein as your `rescue evacuation' of the Demon Spire?''\n\nI gave a muffled murmur, looking up towards Kormir with that again, mouth still full of pancake, and he laughed.  ``Hey, we saved a lot of people around the tower and in it.  It was quite a mess!  And just because the global council happened to have just outlawed the ownership of Demon artifacts doesn't mean anything.  We didn't arrest anyone for it, as they clearly didn't get notice of the law change.  But we were obligated to confiscate all contraband we found of course...''  Hah!  He fucking raided the Demon Spire and called it a rescue evacuation?!\n\nHe coughed after and looked down to me instead.  ``Completely unrelated, but we may have scores of Demon artifacts for you to sift through and try to identify.  Take your time of course.''  Oh boy...\n\nHe gave a smile and wave as Kada and Remi finally came up, leading the pack by the looks of it, quite literally.  Exia and Yimir both sat down first, and Kada hopped into Exia's lap while Remi got up in mine and put her tray down next to my own.  Heh, she was getting to be as adorable as Kada!  Though part of me wondered how much of it was her being jealous of him and how adorable he acted with me...  Not that I'd ever protest an adorablility competition.  That sounded amazing.  Wait, was that a word?\n\n``Hey guys.  I can move.  Morrigan and I were just catching Exes up on everything that's happened.''  Kormir stood with that and let Yimir swap with him, framing me between her and Exia.  It was an... odd sensation, tensing a little as they pressed up to either side of me, but they both were settled in for eating, and I relaxed again after a few seconds.  Nothing was going to happen...  sheesh.\n\nSlowly, I nodded to him as he leaned back against the table again.  ``What about after you found me, then?''  I'd just been rushed away at lightning speed, and didn't really know anything that had happened outside of that.\n\nKormir gave a slow nod, but Morrigan shrugged, answering instead.  ``I already had guards moving in too, but simply redirected them to seize all Agency assets instead.  Callia and Atir have been sent here to Talgrand for processing, along with everyone that was arrested there.  Everything was exactly like you said though, and we were able to easily capture all the remaining resources in the building.''\n\nI nodded.  ``As Exa said, anyway.  She's the one that was all over the place in there during the final stages of the training.  I guess we're lucky she remembered where everything was inside...''\n\nGiving a smile at that, Kormir nodded again.  ``We have a bit more debriefing to do, but it'll have to wait till a more private location.  Do you mind dropping by the great hall after breakfast?  I can take us back into the planning room instead.''  Ah yes, right.  I gave him a nod at that, and he shifted to a grin before returning it.\n\nMorrigan relaxed at that, then sighed.  ``I'll leave that to you, then, Kormir.  The train's about to take off, so I have to go for now.  We'll be losing short range comms then, anyway.  I'll see you in a few days, in-person, regardless.''\n\nShe shot a rather... interesting wink to Kormir, who gave a chuckle and a nod to her.  Oh boy...  Still, they said their goodbyes, and he turned the comm off before leaving to let us finish eating, at the very least.  Exir's group sat across from us a bit after Kormir had left, as well, and I just enjoyed listening to everyone idly chat around me.  It was...  I had to let myself slowly get used to all this again.  It was like my mind was still in `survival' mode from Nulidia, and I was expecting to have to switch to defending myself at any time.\n\nStill, I was at least a little more relaxed by the end of breakfast.  Mari was watching me curiously by then, and gave me a smile afterwards.  ``I did some poking about, Exes, and may have put in a few queries for some people to talk to you, by the way.  I know a really awesome general therapist.  She usually works with younger people, but specializes in trauma therapy.''  Oh!  Well, that did sound like something I could benefit from.  I nodded to her, when she grinned a little instead, which made me a little uneasy.  Illan had a... reputation.\n\n``I also put in a request to the Sexual Therapy and Release organization here in Kaldar.  They'll need to get vetted by security, but they're also arranging to have a trauma expert come here.''  Was that an... actual thing?\n\n``Sexual... therapy?''  I slowly tilted my head to that, and she relaxed again, giving another nod.\n\n``Yup.  I have quite a few friends there.  The one I spoke to who's planning on coming is super nice.  She's a Vulkus, and also specializes in trauma and those who've had bad sexual experiences.  She'll help you with setting up your first venting, and also getting slowly... comfortable with your body again.''  Ah.  I didn't even realize such a position existed.  It must be a Vulkus thing, given their Alpha Mutation situation.\n\nSlowly I nodded, exhaling softly.  ``Right.  Sorry, just a little uh...''\n\nA more reassuring smile as she shook her head this time.  ``No, it's okay to be nervous, Exes.  That's what this is about, after all.  I mean, I'm sure that your packmates would love to help you by themselves but... this will give you a way to get more comfortable with yourself in a more clinical, safe way.  At least the first time, which is obviously the hardest.''  I nodded, understanding at least.\n\nI gave a little start as Exia nuzzled against my side a moment later.  Eh?  ``We really do want to help you, bro.  And also important, start to be yours again.  I know there's... emotions to work through there, but we're both definitely here for you, and want to be.''  Yimir nodded rapidly on the other side of me, and I relaxed again a little.  They were just... being supportive of me.\n\n``I mean... I know that.  There's...  I can piece it all together just fine with logic and understanding.  But it's like...  My body doesn't... trust any of it.''  I lowered my ears a little at that, but Mari shook her head again.\n\n``It's to be expected, Exes.  And we'll get there!  I won't stop until you're recovered and happy again!''  She tossed a salute my way after, and I gave a softer chuckle.  Oh boy.  Her energy was hard to match.  She continued, however.  ``I think you should get a session in with both the general and sexual specialists first though before we tackle more in-depth relationship issues.  If you're okay with meeting her, Syriini will be able to come to visit today.''  Oh!  That soon?\n\nRemi frowned to her at that.  ``Isn't that jumpin' tha gun ah bit, Sis?  Well, Ah suppose he'll need ventin' too, soon...''  Yeah... unfortunately...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``I mean, I have to meet with Kormir after this, but otherwise I don't exactly have any definitive plans for the day, other than looking into the Garkin.  I'm not... going to have a choice on jumping into this again so soon, but... in a way, maybe that's better in the long run.  I can't just run away from it...''\n\nMari slowly nodded to that.  ``Honestly, I don't think you'll have an issue with the pacing of the venting.  Everyone who works there is quite professional about things like this.  And I'll let Syri know then.  She's already in the castle and security vetted.  Kormir had arranged for her ahead of time, figuring you'd need someone.''  That... yeah.  I nodded again.  Guess my day was getting a bit busier.  Well, it was all things that I definitely had to do...\n\n[center]~ ~ ~ ~ ~[/center]\n\nExa activated her Avatar array when we got into the planning room with Kormir.  I gave her full control over it now, so she could activate it whenever she wanted.  The silly thing had felt badly about taking someone's `spot' at the table when she wasn't eating.  I had noticed she'd gotten... really shy since being introduced to all of my old friends, family, and loved ones.  I made a mental note to talk to her about that later.  If she thought even remarkably like me, I hoped she wasn't thinking I was replacing her or anything.\n\nNow she rested in my lap instead, as I sat at the large table and watched Kormir set up the projection systems in the center of it.  This was a room behind the throne area, that was clearly meant for more... high security meetings.  I looked about at all the equipment, curious now, as he finally got the machine fully running.  ``I swear, they upgrade all the equipment in the castle all the time, and I can't keep up with half of it...''  He huffed, then flopped down in the large chair at the end, while maps popped up, floating as illusions above the center of the table.\n\nNewspaper headlines matched up with the map, showing the raid on Nulidia, and earlier, the hit against the Garkin facility.  The comm system connected next, and I perked as I saw Kyry appear in image floating over the map.  She smiled as she saw me and gave me a nod.  ``Morning, Exes!  It's good to see you again.''  I returned her smile and nod, and she relaxed at that, before turning her attention to Kormir instead.\n\n``Kyry.  How goes talking to our friend downstairs?''  I'd turned Zyka over to them for far more accurate and appropriate questioning, of course.\n\nShe gave a chuckle at that.  ``Easiest talk I've ever had with someone.  That Nexus thing is seriously powerful.  Even stronger than if she were collared.''\n\nI slowly nodded to that.  ``It beats out the collars.  I was able to `command' the twins to remove their own with it, and the collar couldn't stop them.''\n\nKormir gave a low whistle at that.  ``Damn.  Well, that should make things easier then.  I doubt she had much though.''\n\nA sigh at that, and Kyry shook her head.  ``Her name's Zyka.  Glorified clerk and bottom rung member of the Cult.  I was able to get some details, though.  Information about the Cult's hierarchy and membership management.  They use a traditional tier system of inner circles.  The deeper you go, the more trusted you are.  That comes with more knowledge of the verbal use of True Alchemy, and more toys.  Typical stuff.''  Huh.  I wondered idly how many other cults had existed in Aion.  Well, apart from the four official ones, anyway.\n\nHe nodded again.  ``Assessment of the verbal use of True Alchemy?''\n\nKyry scrunched her muzzle.  ``Direct and to the point.  It's a big, unwieldy stick to swing at things.  They appear highly limited in what they can actually accomplish with it other than releasing huge and dangerous attack effects.  Still, for speed of use and power, it out-performs all but the strongest of mages.  Approaches like Umani, and Shadowstalkers, are the hard counter.  If they don't see you, they can't target you.''  Yeah, that made sense.\n\nBut I could add to it.  ``It's impractical, but all they have access to without a Keyhole.  They're limited to only using a single word of power, and they brute force a pinhole release of Aether into Aion to power the effect, at the cost of an immense amount of personal vita.  While it's powerful and fast to use, overdoing it will probably cause them to lose consciousness, or flat-out die.  From what I can gather, this was the very first use of True Alchemy that the Demons ever did, and the backbone of the more advanced studies...''\n\nKyry had listened intently to that, then slowly nodded.  ``So, they're limited to a single word.  That's why their effects are so limited.  Any other counters?''\n\nI smirked at that.  ``Do you want them alive?''  Her own grin picked up, and Kormir chuckled.\n\n``Ideally, yes, but I'm not about to risk lives to do it.  So, if you're not there to overpower them yourself, Exes, or Umani or a Bloodstalker aren't present to disable them, then no.  Kill on contact order.''  Oh, damn.\n\nI nodded.  ``Then in that case, yeah.  I can make a lesser artifact that will intentionally unbalance the stability of their pinhole Aether generation.  A small orb you toss their way, subtly or not.  When they do the shout, it'll destabilize the pinhole instead of applying it to the power they want.''  He tilted his head at that, and I shrugged.  ``Depends on how much `umph' they put into it.  It'll force bleed them of vita instead until they either pass out or die, then probably create a small, localized explosion of about a meter or so.  Downside is, it's centered on the point of origin, which is right in front of their face.  They uh, probably won't survive that.''\n\nKormir's ears raised at that, and he nodded.  ``I like it.  I'd like one or two given to every captain, if possible, plus all of the Shadowstalkers.  A repeat of the standoff in the Talgrand trainyard is definitely not ideal.  Are they difficult to make?''\n\nI shook my head.  ``The enchantment's pretty simple.  I can make a printing block for them.  Then you can have a regular mage power it with just a bit of mana and vita.  It's pretty low-key.''  Reading that entire minor artifact book was already proving invaluable...\n\nKyry gave a nod.  ``I'd feel a lot safer with those.  True Alchemy is obviously extremely dangerous to engage with.''\n\nKormir looked back to her with that, then nodded.  ``Anything else our friend has said that's interesting?''\n\n``Yeah.  The leader of the Cult is a charismatic Elf by the name of Illithius.  She saw him, sort of, at a few of their meetings.  Always robed of course in dark green, with his face hidden by a stone mask.  No idea where the base of operations is, but as far as she can tell, he's able to make various lesser Demon artifacts, for distribution to the higher up cultists.''  An Elf...?  My ears perked at that, and mind started whirling, trying to bring to light again every bit of information I knew about Elves.  Secretive and reclusive, big on nature magic and Druidry.  They lived in the Jungles for the most part, up in massive tree cities in the canopy.  They were open to trade and general diplomacy with other species, but mostly kept to themselves.  Their bodies were... poorly adapted to most other environments without protective equipment or magic.  They didn't have fur or scales or feathers.  Just a soft skin that wasn't very good at durability or insulation.  Still, they were an immensely old species, and one that oddly seemed to steer clear of the Demons entirely.  I wondered at their origin...\n\nKyry kept going, though.  ``Further, she spoke in length about their little project at the Garkin testing facility, too.  It's entirely unlike anything we've seen them doing before, which concerns me.  Their ultimate goal has always alluded us, but this feels like... it's either a side project for them, or perhaps closer to their goal than we guessed at first.''  So, all or nothing then, as far as intel went.  She shrugged, though.  ``They were taking advantage of the Garkin's essence instability to attempt to bring forth and magnify a highly specific set of traits they'd uncovered in their essence pattern.  As far as she knew, it was to bring them closer to their parent species.  The Gar.''\n\nMy eyebrow lifted at that, but Exa tilted her head, noting the discrepancy first.  ``But Gar have energy wings, don't they?  Why does the Garkin girl have real, physical ones?''\n\nSlowly, Kormir nodded at that.  ``That is a very good question.  If they were after something highly specific, then...  Hmm.  The Agency was funding them heavily, weren't they?''\n\nThat I snorted to.  ``The cringeworthy Project Overlord that I found in Ignaus' files.  The Garkin was his eventual prize for funding them.  She was to be used as a breeder, and somehow pass new traits onto any Gar she produced when Ignaus mated her.  He seemed to think it would `bring back the Gar of old', who would elevate him to some sort of god king or something.''  Kormir looked disgusted at that, and Kyry just sighed, nodding along.\n\n``Unfortunately, I can confirm all that, name included.  He was a complete nutcase.  Further unfortunately, however, it might have also been accurate.  The... other subject we retrieved from the facility showed extensive essence manipulation, which included universal compatibility augments for breeding.''  Other subject?  Oh...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``Fourth generation Garkin test subject.  One of only three produced...''\n\nKyry sighed and nodded there.  ``Two now.  One's missing.  The other didn't make it, unfortunately.  They had her out for operations when we raided the facility, and by the time she was recovered, she'd gone critical and lost consciousness.  They need full life support when not frozen, it would seem.''  Ouch...\n\n``Did you recover their notes?  They might be useful in dealing with this one.''\n\nKormir gave a nod to that.  ``Yes.  Both the notes we got from examining her body afterwards, and the notes from the lab.  Morrigan's bringing all of that over.''  Ah!  Excellent.\n\nExa frowned, however.  ``Where did the other Garkin go then?  Were there any others than the fourth generation at the facility?'' Right, the other one was missing?\n\nKyry nodded to that.  ``Yeah, we rescued almost forty Garkin from the facility.  Most were just left in cages.  The focus of the studies appeared to have shifted to the three Garkin in particular.  We found logs indicating the first one was shipped out almost two days before we hit the lab.  The second was shipped out the day-of.  That's the one that you... intercepted.'' \n\nI frowned at that.  ``That meant they got what they wanted and the study was effectively over, more than likely.  What condition were the other Garkin in?''\n\n``Horrible.''  Kormir huffed after and shook his head.  ``Mistreatment was clear, but worse, a good portion of them were just... listless.  The ones that weren't explained that they were the `base' generation, and all the rest were age-accelerated newborns practically.  They had some sort of Demon artifact they used to accelerate their development, and put them into an artificial coma where they `dreamed' standard life lessons and education at an accelerated rate.''  Oh...\n\nI winced at that.  ``That means... the Garkin we have is dreaming those things still?  Shit... should we wake her up early?''\n\nHe shook his head, however.  ``No, Morrigan will be here with the notes in a few days.  It's too risky for you to just go in blind.''  I suppose that was true.  I could prepare more for waking her up that way, but...  At this point, I distrusted anything the Demons created even more than I normally would have.\n\nSighing, I slowly nodded after.  ``I just... don't trust anything involving the demons at this point.''  He started to nod, when I suddenly remembered another bit to bring up from my discoveries.  ``Also, we're going to have to talk about the collars too, at some point.  Probably once Morrigan gets here...''  Just... thinking about them caused my right paw to tense under the table.  I could still... remember what it felt like to get those tentacles curling up around my mind.\n\nExa slid her paw over and into mine a moment later, however, and I shivered, rubbing hers back and getting a little smile from her.  She had... entirely different experiences with the collars than I had but... she understood anyway, it felt like.  Both Kormir and Kyry frowned, however, at that.\n\n``What do you mean?''  Kormir sounded concerned now.\n\nI sighed at that.  That was a hard thing to explain, admittedly.  ``I know I talked about the `Nexus' in me.  It's... difficult to say exactly what it is.  A... contagious energy wavelength from outside of Aion, that links everyone infected with it to the person with the base wavelength, I guess, is the best way to explain it.  There's not exactly a precedence for it.''\n\nHe nodded.  ``Right.  It lets you link to other people and control them like... oh.''  Heh.  He paused at that, eyes widening a little, and I slowly nodded.\n\n``The Cult, I'm pretty sure, got the Nexus from the Demons, who were researching it.  That's where the name comes from.  I... don't know where the Demons got it.  The original Nexus wavelength, that is.  The one the Cult... infected me with caused me to somehow make up my own base wavelength and form a new Nexus.  But... the collars were made, in part, using the original Nexus.''\n\nKyry's frown deepened, and she looked to Kormir, who rubbed his temples lightly and closed his eyes.  Yeah...  I could tell his mind was whirling now.  Slowly, he nodded again.  ``That's how they control people, then.  They're borrowing that property from the... Nexus they're made with.  Somehow.''\n\nAnother nod from me.  ``As far as I can tell, yes.  But it's held at bay.  Inactive.  Somehow the Demons made it so only the control property was projected, and only temporarily, while the collar was being worn.  I'd have to... examine them to tell you more, but from what I could at least feel with... the one that I wore, there was some physical component in the collar that was releasing the energy.''  Another squeeze from Exa's paw, and I relaxed a little, moving my other arm to hug her around the waist.\n\nShe gave a slow nod against my chest.  ``Yeah.  It felt like ribbons or tentacles in my head.  Wrapping around my thoughts, and extending from the collar.  I dunno if that says anything about the original Nexus or not but... Exes' doesn't feel anything like that.''  Huh?  I looked to her with that, and she smiled up at me, shaking her head.  ``It doesn't.  I can... feel it.  The collar felt... weird.  Alien.  Like it was hard to even think about them.  Exes' orders instead feel...  Well, they're just as absolute, but it's an understood sensation.  A gentler, cool pushing, rather than the hooking and yanking.  It's calming, really...''  I didn't realize she was under the effect of the Nexus too.\n\nKyry looked to her, still frowning, before shifting her gaze back to me instead.  ``That's...  Collars have always been this True Alchemy thing.  I've never really thought about how they work.  I guess I assumed they were mind magic, but now it sounds like they're something far more... alien and violating.  If the original Nexus functions like yours though, what is it linked to?  And... do the collars still link to it?''\n\nThat.  That was the golden question there.  Sighing, I shook my head slowly.  ``I don't know what the original Nexus links to or where it came from.  I just know that it's outside of Aion.  That... might be what's causing the Nexus to be inactive.  The link can't transcend Aion's barrier.  Like how the Gods communicate with us.  Without highly specific methods, it's not possible.  So... yes, the collars might still be linked to the original... thing... that the first Nexus is from.  I don't know, though.''\n\nKormir scrunched his muzzle at that.  ``That is not a comforting thought.  But our entire justice system relies on the collars to function.  This...  We need more information.  I can easily get you a deactivated collar to examine, and Morrigan might have more information for us when she gets here.  They're made in Talgrand, after all.''  Right...  That was where the production facility was for them, anyway.\n\nI gave a nod to that, and he leaned back in his chair again before looking back to Kyry.  ``Was there anything else you managed to get from Zyka, then?''\n\nKyry shook her head, however.  ``No.  That's about the extent of her knowledge, other than a lot of smaller tidbits about the Cult.  I have a full report ready to be sent to you, too.''\n\nHe gave another nod, relaxing again.  ``Alright.  Send it to my comm system upstairs.  I'll read it over in full after this.  As for Zyka...  We can't exactly send her in for normal processing, so we'll keep her here.  She's already under Exes' Nexus so she's not much of a threat.  It seems to be an even stronger variant of a collar, after all.''\n\n``I'll have her stay in holding then.  That way access to her is limited to just us really.''  Kyry wrote something down in front of her, and Kormir nodded again.\n\n``Right.  Well, that's all for now, then.  I should let Exes get going to meet with the therapist.''  My ears perked up at that, and my gaze slid to Kyry instead.  That reminded me...\n\n``Oh, Kyry...''\n\nHer own ears perked, and she looked up from whatever she was writing on and to me again, surprised now.  ``Hmm?  Yes, Exes?''\n\nI hesitated, trying to figure out how to best word it.  ``This...  I just wanted to tell you that I... don't blame you for any of this.  What happened, that is.  With me getting kidnapped.  You helped find me and get me to safety, so... thank you.''\n\nHer eyes widened at that, ears flicking lightly, and I saw Kormir smile suddenly out of the corner of my vision, watching us now.  She hesitated, looking startled for a long moment before slowly relaxing and getting a softer smile to her expression.  ``I...  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  I mean, I know you were at first and I understand you being really stressed out at the time...''\n\nI nodded.  ``I was...  Well, I still am unstable, I think, but things are... improving.  I just... wanted you to not blame yourself.  You did everything in your power to help me and none of it was your fault.''\n\nKormir was definitely right.  I think she really had blamed herself for all of it, as I watched her visibly sag a little, then close her eyes and give a soft grin.  ``It... thank you, Exes.  I... wouldn't mind talking to you more about it later, if you're comfortable with that.  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  It... still feels like I should have done more...  Anything really.  But...  I guess it'll take everyone a little bit to move past everything that happened.''\n\nThat I could agree with, and nodded fully to.  ``Yeah, I wouldn't mind talking more about things.  Whenever you have time and are comfortable too, of course.''  She seemed taken aback by that a bit, but relaxed again and gave a slower nod after.\n\n``Yeah.  I mean... of course!  Kor wanted to meet you anyway, if you don't mind me bringing him along too.  Heh.''  She grinned, and I chuckled and nodded to her.\n\n``I'll be on my best behavior then, meeting a prince and all!''  Somehow, both Kyry and Kormir managed to snort at the same time, then look to each other before laughing.\n\n``Somehow, I think my son would find that just as funny...''  Kormir shook his head with a chuckle after, then grinned to us.  ``I'm glad you two are talking more though.  I encourage it even.  No sense why we can't all be friends above and beyond our duties too.''  Exa nodded enthusiastically to that, and I chuckled and added one of my own, albeit with significantly less energy.  She was kinda like a little kit sometimes, with seemingly endless reserves.\n\nKyry seemed in far better spirits now, and gave us both a smile and nod.  ``Right.  Well, we can arrange that later.  Now, I have to get our friend processed down here, then check in with a few other things.  Exes should get going anyway.  I think Mari already spoke to Syri and let her know...''  Syri?  I hadn't expected Kyry to be on short-name basis with her.  It made me curious, but I kept my mouth shut there, just in case it was something awkward.\n\nKormir gave a nod.  ``Indeed.  Shouldn't keep you either, Kyry.  So dismissed for now.  Thank you for the reports.''\n\nThe Jakatar threw a salute to him, then grinned and winked away, causing the illusion on the table to turn off at the same time.  Kormir gave a nod to me after, then sighed.  ``Well, you've certainly given me a lot to think about, but I think we're far more prepared than we were before.  This is a good thing.  I'll get a collar to you for examination, for starters.  I'm also going to get you full access to our vault under the castle.  High security.  It's got... a significant amount of Demon artifacts stored in it, as well as all the items you managed to take from the Agency.''  Oh!\n\n``Right, you wanted me to start identifying them?''  He slowly nodded to that, then grinned.\n\n``And see if any can actually be of use for once.  We have... a new grade of enemy, I'm afraid, and I like having every edge in a fight that I can get.  Mark my words.  These cultists are working on something big, and I don't think they're going to just give it up without a fight...''  That... yeah.  No, I fully agreed there, and nodded back.\n\nA slow exhale, then I grinned to him instead.  ``Well then, it's a fight they're going to get.  I already promised myself that I wasn't going to let them get what they wanted.  You have my full support...''  He returned my grin at that and nodded back.  He... understood, it felt like.  It was a nice sensation, to just have someone accept that I was pissed off at them and going to take vindictive revenge whenever the opportunity happened to rear its head.  And I had a sneaking suspicion that would be happening quite a lot in the future...\n\n"
    },
    ".description.json": {
      "description": "This release was really cursed.  Real life conspired against me, and then not one, but two of my editors acquired the plague after the chapter was done.  Very unfortunate.  But it's released now, at least!\n\nPotentially Triggering Tags:\nNone\n\nChapter Summaries:\nhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1VHNSczlxfkUvf34NKZNscT1a3Rr-222jdhGpdfV82Fw/edit?usp=sharing\n\nCurious about my custom species? Here's a link!\nhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1k0PobVi3hgyzg8zrro6rnqLLpm_cybJd-3LP-kvp1KI/edit?usp=sharing\n\nFeel like giving me a little financial assistance?  I’ve set up a SubscribeStar account!  I'm extremely thankful for everyone who donates anything they can, be it a subscription or one-off donation.\nhttps://subscribestar.adult/kiroberos-entertainment"
    },
    ".writing.json": {
      "writing": "Things were moving... surprisingly slowly.  Relaxed, even.  Exir's pack ended up just passing out in my room, and we all conked out on the same bed, after gorging ourselves full of tasty food.  Breakfast was looking to be nice and filling too, as I sat down in the main dining hall with a plate stacked with pancakes, more meat links, and a big side of scrambled eggs.  Plus, a mug of milk, because that always went good with breakfast.\n\nI was a little surprised when Kormir sat down next to me while I was waiting for the others.  ``Morning, Exes.  Did you sleep well?''\n\nMy ears perked and I managed a nod to him before taking my first bite of pancakes.  He chuckled as my stomach growled impatiently, then nodded.  ``Just keep eating.  I had some news for you is all, if you don't mind.''  Hmm?  I glanced about and noticed we were really the only ones actually using the hall.  Unlike in Laridia, it would seem the servants ate elsewhere.  Well, okay then!\n\nI perked as he set his comm down on the table, and an illusionary image flicked up over it.  Oh!  Queen Morrigan smiled my way and waved, looking to be on the move at the moment while holding her comm.  ``Morning, Exes!  I had a bit of news for you plus a debrief if you want it.  I'll understand entirely if you don't of course.''  Debrief?\n\nI swallowed, then asked, curious now.  She nodded, however.  ``You gave us your side of things, but you were never filled in on our side.  I figured you deserve to know; at least the broad strokes.  Also, I'll be arriving in Kaldar myself in a few days.  I believe Calien is also on her way and set to arrive in a week or so.  We want to get together with you and discuss more sensitive Grandmaster topics.''  Ah!  Well, no, I kind of figured this would happen.\n\nI gave a nod.  ``It doesn't really surprise me, so yeah.  I'll just focus on resting and figuring out more with the Garkin in the meantime...''  And trying to figure out Kada's issues, but I didn't want to make anyone alarmed over that quite yet.\n\nShe smiled and nodded again to that, clearly heading inside a train now.  ``Excellent.  I have a few minutes before the train departs now, if you want more information.''  Well admittedly, I was a little curious as to what happened from their perspective.  Morbidly, anyway.\n\n``Did you catch the three that kidnapped me?''  \n\nMorrigan shook her head, however.  ``Not in the literal sense.  They're all dead.''  Oh.  Well then...  I blinked once at that, and she nodded after.  ``They were moderately skilled cultists with some minor artifacts.  Two broke off to give the third one time to run with you.  We... would have taken some casualties, but Umani arrived and eliminated both of them in an instant, practically.''  Oh...  They couldn't target what they couldn't see with True Alchemy.  I hadn't expected Mom to just flat out kill them, though.\n\n``We momentarily lost track of the third, when he made a break for it from his hiding spot and ran as far and fast as he could.  We thought he had you still.  By the time we caught up with him and cornered him, he'd tossed the Inaga female aside, then hit himself in the face with a fire blast at point blank range.  There was no memory scanning that, unfortunately.''  Oh.  He'd destroyed his own brain to prevent them from figuring out where he'd left me at.  That was... definitely crazy devoted there.  Emphasis on crazy.  Why did they want me bad enough to kill themselves to do it?!\n\nKormir shook his head at that.  ``While their techniques were really advanced, and they were well trained, the kidnapping itself was poorly thought out.  Kada woke up and alerted everyone within minutes as far as we can tell, and that's what got them caught on their convoluted way to escape the train station.  They apparently only had enough drugs for you, and their exfil was completely bungled.  Clearly you ending up in Nulidia wasn't part of their plan.''  Not that it made it any less unpleasant... but no, I agreed with that.\n\n``Yeah, my saliva destroyed the note he left with me and they just shipped me off with the rest of the slaves.''  I sighed at that, and Morrigan nodded.  I could almost taste the paper still.  Literally I realized, as the memory almost haunted me.\n\nOf course, the queen was unaware of my inner turmoil and continued.  ``We gathered that much.  The first order was to lock down the city, then gather up every worker in the train yard for scanning.  We knew he had to have dropped you off somewhere within the yard.  They hadn't made it out, so someone should have seen something.  Three trains had escaped however before the lockdown finished, so I put in notice for the refueling station to search the trains too, just in case.''\n\nI paused at that.  ``You caught the Illan and Rapa slavers, then?''\n\nMorrigan nodded.  ``Yeah.  Pretty sure we saved the Illan's life.  There were two attempts to kill her after her arrest that we had to stop.  Looks like not abiding by the note put her life in jeopardy.  But by the time we scanned her and found out you were on the outgoing train, they were out of short-range comms.''  Of course...  And that's all the trains had, given long-range comm relays were... big.\n\nKormir then took over.  ``So, I put the refueling station on lockdown instead and ordered them to stop and deep search all incoming trains.  One of the captains broke the radio silence with a personal comm to the incoming train you were on, however, warning them `politely' about red tape and to expect a delay.  That's when they panicked and tossed you out the side instead.  He was arrested too, mind.''  They really needed to work on their train security.\n\nMy muzzle scrunched, and he sighed before nodding.  ``I know.  Trust me, we'll be tightening a lot of things up after this.  Plus, from your telling, they royally messed up the drop and almost crashed the whole train.  Which my guards saw and rushed the train after it braked on the other side of the bridge.  We recovered the two guards and the Garkin.  They were in shock, pretty much, but were so helpful in revealing it was you and the Illan girl they threw out of the train.''  I sensed `helpful' was `deep mind scan'.  I heard those really, really sucked to get done to you...\n\nThankfully I managed to stop from smirking.   ``I wouldn't call it tossed out.  We fell out completely by accident when they almost toppled the whole car.  The Vulkus slave... didn't make it.  But the Illan and I hit the net.''\n\nMorrigan made a soft clicking noise with her tongue and shook her head.  ``And now we know yet another of their tricks to look out for.''  At least until they figured something else out.\n\nKormir nodded, then sighed again.  ``Unfortunately, we had no idea which one of Nulidia's currently four hundred and sixteen slaving groups had picked you up.  Well, four hundred and fifteen now.  We pretty thoroughly shut down the Agency.  But all we had to go on was the date you arrived.  But the Agency kept you in-house with Atir and Callia instead, and we failed to find you through traditional means.''\n\n``Traditional...?''  I raised an eyebrow to him, and he chuckled, holding his paws up.  Ah.  Traditional.  ``Bloodstalkers.  Got it...''  He shrugged at that.\n\n``It's Nulidia.  I tend to give Shadowstalkers a certain amount of professional deniability when operating there.''  I paused with another bite heading to my muzzle, then chuckled.\n\nMorrigan snorted though.  ``Oh, is that what you call it?   In the same vein as your `rescue evacuation' of the Demon Spire?''\n\nI gave a muffled murmur, looking up towards Kormir with that again, mouth still full of pancake, and he laughed.  ``Hey, we saved a lot of people around the tower and in it.  It was quite a mess!  And just because the global council happened to have just outlawed the ownership of Demon artifacts doesn't mean anything.  We didn't arrest anyone for it, as they clearly didn't get notice of the law change.  But we were obligated to confiscate all contraband we found of course...''  Hah!  He fucking raided the Demon Spire and called it a rescue evacuation?!\n\nHe coughed after and looked down to me instead.  ``Completely unrelated, but we may have scores of Demon artifacts for you to sift through and try to identify.  Take your time of course.''  Oh boy...\n\nHe gave a smile and wave as Kada and Remi finally came up, leading the pack by the looks of it, quite literally.  Exia and Yimir both sat down first, and Kada hopped into Exia's lap while Remi got up in mine and put her tray down next to my own.  Heh, she was getting to be as adorable as Kada!  Though part of me wondered how much of it was her being jealous of him and how adorable he acted with me...  Not that I'd ever protest an adorablility competition.  That sounded amazing.  Wait, was that a word?\n\n``Hey guys.  I can move.  Morrigan and I were just catching Exes up on everything that's happened.''  Kormir stood with that and let Yimir swap with him, framing me between her and Exia.  It was an... odd sensation, tensing a little as they pressed up to either side of me, but they both were settled in for eating, and I relaxed again after a few seconds.  Nothing was going to happen...  sheesh.\n\nSlowly, I nodded to him as he leaned back against the table again.  ``What about after you found me, then?''  I'd just been rushed away at lightning speed, and didn't really know anything that had happened outside of that.\n\nKormir gave a slow nod, but Morrigan shrugged, answering instead.  ``I already had guards moving in too, but simply redirected them to seize all Agency assets instead.  Callia and Atir have been sent here to Talgrand for processing, along with everyone that was arrested there.  Everything was exactly like you said though, and we were able to easily capture all the remaining resources in the building.''\n\nI nodded.  ``As Exa said, anyway.  She's the one that was all over the place in there during the final stages of the training.  I guess we're lucky she remembered where everything was inside...''\n\nGiving a smile at that, Kormir nodded again.  ``We have a bit more debriefing to do, but it'll have to wait till a more private location.  Do you mind dropping by the great hall after breakfast?  I can take us back into the planning room instead.''  Ah yes, right.  I gave him a nod at that, and he shifted to a grin before returning it.\n\nMorrigan relaxed at that, then sighed.  ``I'll leave that to you, then, Kormir.  The train's about to take off, so I have to go for now.  We'll be losing short range comms then, anyway.  I'll see you in a few days, in-person, regardless.''\n\nShe shot a rather... interesting wink to Kormir, who gave a chuckle and a nod to her.  Oh boy...  Still, they said their goodbyes, and he turned the comm off before leaving to let us finish eating, at the very least.  Exir's group sat across from us a bit after Kormir had left, as well, and I just enjoyed listening to everyone idly chat around me.  It was...  I had to let myself slowly get used to all this again.  It was like my mind was still in `survival' mode from Nulidia, and I was expecting to have to switch to defending myself at any time.\n\nStill, I was at least a little more relaxed by the end of breakfast.  Mari was watching me curiously by then, and gave me a smile afterwards.  ``I did some poking about, Exes, and may have put in a few queries for some people to talk to you, by the way.  I know a really awesome general therapist.  She usually works with younger people, but specializes in trauma therapy.''  Oh!  Well, that did sound like something I could benefit from.  I nodded to her, when she grinned a little instead, which made me a little uneasy.  Illan had a... reputation.\n\n``I also put in a request to the Sexual Therapy and Release organization here in Kaldar.  They'll need to get vetted by security, but they're also arranging to have a trauma expert come here.''  Was that an... actual thing?\n\n``Sexual... therapy?''  I slowly tilted my head to that, and she relaxed again, giving another nod.\n\n``Yup.  I have quite a few friends there.  The one I spoke to who's planning on coming is super nice.  She's a Vulkus, and also specializes in trauma and those who've had bad sexual experiences.  She'll help you with setting up your first venting, and also getting slowly... comfortable with your body again.''  Ah.  I didn't even realize such a position existed.  It must be a Vulkus thing, given their Alpha Mutation situation.\n\nSlowly I nodded, exhaling softly.  ``Right.  Sorry, just a little uh...''\n\nA more reassuring smile as she shook her head this time.  ``No, it's okay to be nervous, Exes.  That's what this is about, after all.  I mean, I'm sure that your packmates would love to help you by themselves but... this will give you a way to get more comfortable with yourself in a more clinical, safe way.  At least the first time, which is obviously the hardest.''  I nodded, understanding at least.\n\nI gave a little start as Exia nuzzled against my side a moment later.  Eh?  ``We really do want to help you, bro.  And also important, start to be yours again.  I know there's... emotions to work through there, but we're both definitely here for you, and want to be.''  Yimir nodded rapidly on the other side of me, and I relaxed again a little.  They were just... being supportive of me.\n\n``I mean... I know that.  There's...  I can piece it all together just fine with logic and understanding.  But it's like...  My body doesn't... trust any of it.''  I lowered my ears a little at that, but Mari shook her head again.\n\n``It's to be expected, Exes.  And we'll get there!  I won't stop until you're recovered and happy again!''  She tossed a salute my way after, and I gave a softer chuckle.  Oh boy.  Her energy was hard to match.  She continued, however.  ``I think you should get a session in with both the general and sexual specialists first though before we tackle more in-depth relationship issues.  If you're okay with meeting her, Syriini will be able to come to visit today.''  Oh!  That soon?\n\nRemi frowned to her at that.  ``Isn't that jumpin' tha gun ah bit, Sis?  Well, Ah suppose he'll need ventin' too, soon...''  Yeah... unfortunately...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``I mean, I have to meet with Kormir after this, but otherwise I don't exactly have any definitive plans for the day, other than looking into the Garkin.  I'm not... going to have a choice on jumping into this again so soon, but... in a way, maybe that's better in the long run.  I can't just run away from it...''\n\nMari slowly nodded to that.  ``Honestly, I don't think you'll have an issue with the pacing of the venting.  Everyone who works there is quite professional about things like this.  And I'll let Syri know then.  She's already in the castle and security vetted.  Kormir had arranged for her ahead of time, figuring you'd need someone.''  That... yeah.  I nodded again.  Guess my day was getting a bit busier.  Well, it was all things that I definitely had to do...\n\n[center]~ ~ ~ ~ ~[/center]\n\nExa activated her Avatar array when we got into the planning room with Kormir.  I gave her full control over it now, so she could activate it whenever she wanted.  The silly thing had felt badly about taking someone's `spot' at the table when she wasn't eating.  I had noticed she'd gotten... really shy since being introduced to all of my old friends, family, and loved ones.  I made a mental note to talk to her about that later.  If she thought even remarkably like me, I hoped she wasn't thinking I was replacing her or anything.\n\nNow she rested in my lap instead, as I sat at the large table and watched Kormir set up the projection systems in the center of it.  This was a room behind the throne area, that was clearly meant for more... high security meetings.  I looked about at all the equipment, curious now, as he finally got the machine fully running.  ``I swear, they upgrade all the equipment in the castle all the time, and I can't keep up with half of it...''  He huffed, then flopped down in the large chair at the end, while maps popped up, floating as illusions above the center of the table.\n\nNewspaper headlines matched up with the map, showing the raid on Nulidia, and earlier, the hit against the Garkin facility.  The comm system connected next, and I perked as I saw Kyry appear in image floating over the map.  She smiled as she saw me and gave me a nod.  ``Morning, Exes!  It's good to see you again.''  I returned her smile and nod, and she relaxed at that, before turning her attention to Kormir instead.\n\n``Kyry.  How goes talking to our friend downstairs?''  I'd turned Zyka over to them for far more accurate and appropriate questioning, of course.\n\nShe gave a chuckle at that.  ``Easiest talk I've ever had with someone.  That Nexus thing is seriously powerful.  Even stronger than if she were collared.''\n\nI slowly nodded to that.  ``It beats out the collars.  I was able to `command' the twins to remove their own with it, and the collar couldn't stop them.''\n\nKormir gave a low whistle at that.  ``Damn.  Well, that should make things easier then.  I doubt she had much though.''\n\nA sigh at that, and Kyry shook her head.  ``Her name's Zyka.  Glorified clerk and bottom rung member of the Cult.  I was able to get some details, though.  Information about the Cult's hierarchy and membership management.  They use a traditional tier system of inner circles.  The deeper you go, the more trusted you are.  That comes with more knowledge of the verbal use of True Alchemy, and more toys.  Typical stuff.''  Huh.  I wondered idly how many other cults had existed in Aion.  Well, apart from the four official ones, anyway.\n\nHe nodded again.  ``Assessment of the verbal use of True Alchemy?''\n\nKyry scrunched her muzzle.  ``Direct and to the point.  It's a big, unwieldy stick to swing at things.  They appear highly limited in what they can actually accomplish with it other than releasing huge and dangerous attack effects.  Still, for speed of use and power, it out-performs all but the strongest of mages.  Approaches like Umani, and Shadowstalkers, are the hard counter.  If they don't see you, they can't target you.''  Yeah, that made sense.\n\nBut I could add to it.  ``It's impractical, but all they have access to without a Keyhole.  They're limited to only using a single word of power, and they brute force a pinhole release of Aether into Aion to power the effect, at the cost of an immense amount of personal vita.  While it's powerful and fast to use, overdoing it will probably cause them to lose consciousness, or flat-out die.  From what I can gather, this was the very first use of True Alchemy that the Demons ever did, and the backbone of the more advanced studies...''\n\nKyry had listened intently to that, then slowly nodded.  ``So, they're limited to a single word.  That's why their effects are so limited.  Any other counters?''\n\nI smirked at that.  ``Do you want them alive?''  Her own grin picked up, and Kormir chuckled.\n\n``Ideally, yes, but I'm not about to risk lives to do it.  So, if you're not there to overpower them yourself, Exes, or Umani or a Bloodstalker aren't present to disable them, then no.  Kill on contact order.''  Oh, damn.\n\nI nodded.  ``Then in that case, yeah.  I can make a lesser artifact that will intentionally unbalance the stability of their pinhole Aether generation.  A small orb you toss their way, subtly or not.  When they do the shout, it'll destabilize the pinhole instead of applying it to the power they want.''  He tilted his head at that, and I shrugged.  ``Depends on how much `umph' they put into it.  It'll force bleed them of vita instead until they either pass out or die, then probably create a small, localized explosion of about a meter or so.  Downside is, it's centered on the point of origin, which is right in front of their face.  They uh, probably won't survive that.''\n\nKormir's ears raised at that, and he nodded.  ``I like it.  I'd like one or two given to every captain, if possible, plus all of the Shadowstalkers.  A repeat of the standoff in the Talgrand trainyard is definitely not ideal.  Are they difficult to make?''\n\nI shook my head.  ``The enchantment's pretty simple.  I can make a printing block for them.  Then you can have a regular mage power it with just a bit of mana and vita.  It's pretty low-key.''  Reading that entire minor artifact book was already proving invaluable...\n\nKyry gave a nod.  ``I'd feel a lot safer with those.  True Alchemy is obviously extremely dangerous to engage with.''\n\nKormir looked back to her with that, then nodded.  ``Anything else our friend has said that's interesting?''\n\n``Yeah.  The leader of the Cult is a charismatic Elf by the name of Illithius.  She saw him, sort of, at a few of their meetings.  Always robed of course in dark green, with his face hidden by a stone mask.  No idea where the base of operations is, but as far as she can tell, he's able to make various lesser Demon artifacts, for distribution to the higher up cultists.''  An Elf...?  My ears perked at that, and mind started whirling, trying to bring to light again every bit of information I knew about Elves.  Secretive and reclusive, big on nature magic and Druidry.  They lived in the Jungles for the most part, up in massive tree cities in the canopy.  They were open to trade and general diplomacy with other species, but mostly kept to themselves.  Their bodies were... poorly adapted to most other environments without protective equipment or magic.  They didn't have fur or scales or feathers.  Just a soft skin that wasn't very good at durability or insulation.  Still, they were an immensely old species, and one that oddly seemed to steer clear of the Demons entirely.  I wondered at their origin...\n\nKyry kept going, though.  ``Further, she spoke in length about their little project at the Garkin testing facility, too.  It's entirely unlike anything we've seen them doing before, which concerns me.  Their ultimate goal has always alluded us, but this feels like... it's either a side project for them, or perhaps closer to their goal than we guessed at first.''  So, all or nothing then, as far as intel went.  She shrugged, though.  ``They were taking advantage of the Garkin's essence instability to attempt to bring forth and magnify a highly specific set of traits they'd uncovered in their essence pattern.  As far as she knew, it was to bring them closer to their parent species.  The Gar.''\n\nMy eyebrow lifted at that, but Exa tilted her head, noting the discrepancy first.  ``But Gar have energy wings, don't they?  Why does the Garkin girl have real, physical ones?''\n\nSlowly, Kormir nodded at that.  ``That is a very good question.  If they were after something highly specific, then...  Hmm.  The Agency was funding them heavily, weren't they?''\n\nThat I snorted to.  ``The cringeworthy Project Overlord that I found in Ignaus' files.  The Garkin was his eventual prize for funding them.  She was to be used as a breeder, and somehow pass new traits onto any Gar she produced when Ignaus mated her.  He seemed to think it would `bring back the Gar of old', who would elevate him to some sort of god king or something.''  Kormir looked disgusted at that, and Kyry just sighed, nodding along.\n\n``Unfortunately, I can confirm all that, name included.  He was a complete nutcase.  Further unfortunately, however, it might have also been accurate.  The... other subject we retrieved from the facility showed extensive essence manipulation, which included universal compatibility augments for breeding.''  Other subject?  Oh...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``Fourth generation Garkin test subject.  One of only three produced...''\n\nKyry sighed and nodded there.  ``Two now.  One's missing.  The other didn't make it, unfortunately.  They had her out for operations when we raided the facility, and by the time she was recovered, she'd gone critical and lost consciousness.  They need full life support when not frozen, it would seem.''  Ouch...\n\n``Did you recover their notes?  They might be useful in dealing with this one.''\n\nKormir gave a nod to that.  ``Yes.  Both the notes we got from examining her body afterwards, and the notes from the lab.  Morrigan's bringing all of that over.''  Ah!  Excellent.\n\nExa frowned, however.  ``Where did the other Garkin go then?  Were there any others than the fourth generation at the facility?'' Right, the other one was missing?\n\nKyry nodded to that.  ``Yeah, we rescued almost forty Garkin from the facility.  Most were just left in cages.  The focus of the studies appeared to have shifted to the three Garkin in particular.  We found logs indicating the first one was shipped out almost two days before we hit the lab.  The second was shipped out the day-of.  That's the one that you... intercepted.'' \n\nI frowned at that.  ``That meant they got what they wanted and the study was effectively over, more than likely.  What condition were the other Garkin in?''\n\n``Horrible.''  Kormir huffed after and shook his head.  ``Mistreatment was clear, but worse, a good portion of them were just... listless.  The ones that weren't explained that they were the `base' generation, and all the rest were age-accelerated newborns practically.  They had some sort of Demon artifact they used to accelerate their development, and put them into an artificial coma where they `dreamed' standard life lessons and education at an accelerated rate.''  Oh...\n\nI winced at that.  ``That means... the Garkin we have is dreaming those things still?  Shit... should we wake her up early?''\n\nHe shook his head, however.  ``No, Morrigan will be here with the notes in a few days.  It's too risky for you to just go in blind.''  I suppose that was true.  I could prepare more for waking her up that way, but...  At this point, I distrusted anything the Demons created even more than I normally would have.\n\nSighing, I slowly nodded after.  ``I just... don't trust anything involving the demons at this point.''  He started to nod, when I suddenly remembered another bit to bring up from my discoveries.  ``Also, we're going to have to talk about the collars too, at some point.  Probably once Morrigan gets here...''  Just... thinking about them caused my right paw to tense under the table.  I could still... remember what it felt like to get those tentacles curling up around my mind.\n\nExa slid her paw over and into mine a moment later, however, and I shivered, rubbing hers back and getting a little smile from her.  She had... entirely different experiences with the collars than I had but... she understood anyway, it felt like.  Both Kormir and Kyry frowned, however, at that.\n\n``What do you mean?''  Kormir sounded concerned now.\n\nI sighed at that.  That was a hard thing to explain, admittedly.  ``I know I talked about the `Nexus' in me.  It's... difficult to say exactly what it is.  A... contagious energy wavelength from outside of Aion, that links everyone infected with it to the person with the base wavelength, I guess, is the best way to explain it.  There's not exactly a precedence for it.''\n\nHe nodded.  ``Right.  It lets you link to other people and control them like... oh.''  Heh.  He paused at that, eyes widening a little, and I slowly nodded.\n\n``The Cult, I'm pretty sure, got the Nexus from the Demons, who were researching it.  That's where the name comes from.  I... don't know where the Demons got it.  The original Nexus wavelength, that is.  The one the Cult... infected me with caused me to somehow make up my own base wavelength and form a new Nexus.  But... the collars were made, in part, using the original Nexus.''\n\nKyry's frown deepened, and she looked to Kormir, who rubbed his temples lightly and closed his eyes.  Yeah...  I could tell his mind was whirling now.  Slowly, he nodded again.  ``That's how they control people, then.  They're borrowing that property from the... Nexus they're made with.  Somehow.''\n\nAnother nod from me.  ``As far as I can tell, yes.  But it's held at bay.  Inactive.  Somehow the Demons made it so only the control property was projected, and only temporarily, while the collar was being worn.  I'd have to... examine them to tell you more, but from what I could at least feel with... the one that I wore, there was some physical component in the collar that was releasing the energy.''  Another squeeze from Exa's paw, and I relaxed a little, moving my other arm to hug her around the waist.\n\nShe gave a slow nod against my chest.  ``Yeah.  It felt like ribbons or tentacles in my head.  Wrapping around my thoughts, and extending from the collar.  I dunno if that says anything about the original Nexus or not but... Exes' doesn't feel anything like that.''  Huh?  I looked to her with that, and she smiled up at me, shaking her head.  ``It doesn't.  I can... feel it.  The collar felt... weird.  Alien.  Like it was hard to even think about them.  Exes' orders instead feel...  Well, they're just as absolute, but it's an understood sensation.  A gentler, cool pushing, rather than the hooking and yanking.  It's calming, really...''  I didn't realize she was under the effect of the Nexus too.\n\nKyry looked to her, still frowning, before shifting her gaze back to me instead.  ``That's...  Collars have always been this True Alchemy thing.  I've never really thought about how they work.  I guess I assumed they were mind magic, but now it sounds like they're something far more... alien and violating.  If the original Nexus functions like yours though, what is it linked to?  And... do the collars still link to it?''\n\nThat.  That was the golden question there.  Sighing, I shook my head slowly.  ``I don't know what the original Nexus links to or where it came from.  I just know that it's outside of Aion.  That... might be what's causing the Nexus to be inactive.  The link can't transcend Aion's barrier.  Like how the Gods communicate with us.  Without highly specific methods, it's not possible.  So... yes, the collars might still be linked to the original... thing... that the first Nexus is from.  I don't know, though.''\n\nKormir scrunched his muzzle at that.  ``That is not a comforting thought.  But our entire justice system relies on the collars to function.  This...  We need more information.  I can easily get you a deactivated collar to examine, and Morrigan might have more information for us when she gets here.  They're made in Talgrand, after all.''  Right...  That was where the production facility was for them, anyway.\n\nI gave a nod to that, and he leaned back in his chair again before looking back to Kyry.  ``Was there anything else you managed to get from Zyka, then?''\n\nKyry shook her head, however.  ``No.  That's about the extent of her knowledge, other than a lot of smaller tidbits about the Cult.  I have a full report ready to be sent to you, too.''\n\nHe gave another nod, relaxing again.  ``Alright.  Send it to my comm system upstairs.  I'll read it over in full after this.  As for Zyka...  We can't exactly send her in for normal processing, so we'll keep her here.  She's already under Exes' Nexus so she's not much of a threat.  It seems to be an even stronger variant of a collar, after all.''\n\n``I'll have her stay in holding then.  That way access to her is limited to just us really.''  Kyry wrote something down in front of her, and Kormir nodded again.\n\n``Right.  Well, that's all for now, then.  I should let Exes get going to meet with the therapist.''  My ears perked up at that, and my gaze slid to Kyry instead.  That reminded me...\n\n``Oh, Kyry...''\n\nHer own ears perked, and she looked up from whatever she was writing on and to me again, surprised now.  ``Hmm?  Yes, Exes?''\n\nI hesitated, trying to figure out how to best word it.  ``This...  I just wanted to tell you that I... don't blame you for any of this.  What happened, that is.  With me getting kidnapped.  You helped find me and get me to safety, so... thank you.''\n\nHer eyes widened at that, ears flicking lightly, and I saw Kormir smile suddenly out of the corner of my vision, watching us now.  She hesitated, looking startled for a long moment before slowly relaxing and getting a softer smile to her expression.  ``I...  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  I mean, I know you were at first and I understand you being really stressed out at the time...''\n\nI nodded.  ``I was...  Well, I still am unstable, I think, but things are... improving.  I just... wanted you to not blame yourself.  You did everything in your power to help me and none of it was your fault.''\n\nKormir was definitely right.  I think she really had blamed herself for all of it, as I watched her visibly sag a little, then close her eyes and give a soft grin.  ``It... thank you, Exes.  I... wouldn't mind talking to you more about it later, if you're comfortable with that.  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  It... still feels like I should have done more...  Anything really.  But...  I guess it'll take everyone a little bit to move past everything that happened.''\n\nThat I could agree with, and nodded fully to.  ``Yeah, I wouldn't mind talking more about things.  Whenever you have time and are comfortable too, of course.''  She seemed taken aback by that a bit, but relaxed again and gave a slower nod after.\n\n``Yeah.  I mean... of course!  Kor wanted to meet you anyway, if you don't mind me bringing him along too.  Heh.''  She grinned, and I chuckled and nodded to her.\n\n``I'll be on my best behavior then, meeting a prince and all!''  Somehow, both Kyry and Kormir managed to snort at the same time, then look to each other before laughing.\n\n``Somehow, I think my son would find that just as funny...''  Kormir shook his head with a chuckle after, then grinned to us.  ``I'm glad you two are talking more though.  I encourage it even.  No sense why we can't all be friends above and beyond our duties too.''  Exa nodded enthusiastically to that, and I chuckled and added one of my own, albeit with significantly less energy.  She was kinda like a little kit sometimes, with seemingly endless reserves.\n\nKyry seemed in far better spirits now, and gave us both a smile and nod.  ``Right.  Well, we can arrange that later.  Now, I have to get our friend processed down here, then check in with a few other things.  Exes should get going anyway.  I think Mari already spoke to Syri and let her know...''  Syri?  I hadn't expected Kyry to be on short-name basis with her.  It made me curious, but I kept my mouth shut there, just in case it was something awkward.\n\nKormir gave a nod.  ``Indeed.  Shouldn't keep you either, Kyry.  So dismissed for now.  Thank you for the reports.''\n\nThe Jakatar threw a salute to him, then grinned and winked away, causing the illusion on the table to turn off at the same time.  Kormir gave a nod to me after, then sighed.  ``Well, you've certainly given me a lot to think about, but I think we're far more prepared than we were before.  This is a good thing.  I'll get a collar to you for examination, for starters.  I'm also going to get you full access to our vault under the castle.  High security.  It's got... a significant amount of Demon artifacts stored in it, as well as all the items you managed to take from the Agency.''  Oh!\n\n``Right, you wanted me to start identifying them?''  He slowly nodded to that, then grinned.\n\n``And see if any can actually be of use for once.  We have... a new grade of enemy, I'm afraid, and I like having every edge in a fight that I can get.  Mark my words.  These cultists are working on something big, and I don't think they're going to just give it up without a fight...''  That... yeah.  No, I fully agreed there, and nodded back.\n\nA slow exhale, then I grinned to him instead.  ``Well then, it's a fight they're going to get.  I already promised myself that I wasn't going to let them get what they wanted.  You have my full support...''  He returned my grin at that and nodded back.  He... understood, it felt like.  It was a nice sensation, to just have someone accept that I was pissed off at them and going to take vindictive revenge whenever the opportunity happened to rear its head.  And I had a sneaking suspicion that would be happening quite a lot in the future...\n\n"
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  "writing": "Things were moving... surprisingly slowly.  Relaxed, even.  Exir's pack ended up just passing out in my room, and we all conked out on the same bed, after gorging ourselves full of tasty food.  Breakfast was looking to be nice and filling too, as I sat down in the main dining hall with a plate stacked with pancakes, more meat links, and a big side of scrambled eggs.  Plus, a mug of milk, because that always went good with breakfast.\n\nI was a little surprised when Kormir sat down next to me while I was waiting for the others.  ``Morning, Exes.  Did you sleep well?''\n\nMy ears perked and I managed a nod to him before taking my first bite of pancakes.  He chuckled as my stomach growled impatiently, then nodded.  ``Just keep eating.  I had some news for you is all, if you don't mind.''  Hmm?  I glanced about and noticed we were really the only ones actually using the hall.  Unlike in Laridia, it would seem the servants ate elsewhere.  Well, okay then!\n\nI perked as he set his comm down on the table, and an illusionary image flicked up over it.  Oh!  Queen Morrigan smiled my way and waved, looking to be on the move at the moment while holding her comm.  ``Morning, Exes!  I had a bit of news for you plus a debrief if you want it.  I'll understand entirely if you don't of course.''  Debrief?\n\nI swallowed, then asked, curious now.  She nodded, however.  ``You gave us your side of things, but you were never filled in on our side.  I figured you deserve to know; at least the broad strokes.  Also, I'll be arriving in Kaldar myself in a few days.  I believe Calien is also on her way and set to arrive in a week or so.  We want to get together with you and discuss more sensitive Grandmaster topics.''  Ah!  Well, no, I kind of figured this would happen.\n\nI gave a nod.  ``It doesn't really surprise me, so yeah.  I'll just focus on resting and figuring out more with the Garkin in the meantime...''  And trying to figure out Kada's issues, but I didn't want to make anyone alarmed over that quite yet.\n\nShe smiled and nodded again to that, clearly heading inside a train now.  ``Excellent.  I have a few minutes before the train departs now, if you want more information.''  Well admittedly, I was a little curious as to what happened from their perspective.  Morbidly, anyway.\n\n``Did you catch the three that kidnapped me?''  \n\nMorrigan shook her head, however.  ``Not in the literal sense.  They're all dead.''  Oh.  Well then...  I blinked once at that, and she nodded after.  ``They were moderately skilled cultists with some minor artifacts.  Two broke off to give the third one time to run with you.  We... would have taken some casualties, but Umani arrived and eliminated both of them in an instant, practically.''  Oh...  They couldn't target what they couldn't see with True Alchemy.  I hadn't expected Mom to just flat out kill them, though.\n\n``We momentarily lost track of the third, when he made a break for it from his hiding spot and ran as far and fast as he could.  We thought he had you still.  By the time we caught up with him and cornered him, he'd tossed the Inaga female aside, then hit himself in the face with a fire blast at point blank range.  There was no memory scanning that, unfortunately.''  Oh.  He'd destroyed his own brain to prevent them from figuring out where he'd left me at.  That was... definitely crazy devoted there.  Emphasis on crazy.  Why did they want me bad enough to kill themselves to do it?!\n\nKormir shook his head at that.  ``While their techniques were really advanced, and they were well trained, the kidnapping itself was poorly thought out.  Kada woke up and alerted everyone within minutes as far as we can tell, and that's what got them caught on their convoluted way to escape the train station.  They apparently only had enough drugs for you, and their exfil was completely bungled.  Clearly you ending up in Nulidia wasn't part of their plan.''  Not that it made it any less unpleasant... but no, I agreed with that.\n\n``Yeah, my saliva destroyed the note he left with me and they just shipped me off with the rest of the slaves.''  I sighed at that, and Morrigan nodded.  I could almost taste the paper still.  Literally I realized, as the memory almost haunted me.\n\nOf course, the queen was unaware of my inner turmoil and continued.  ``We gathered that much.  The first order was to lock down the city, then gather up every worker in the train yard for scanning.  We knew he had to have dropped you off somewhere within the yard.  They hadn't made it out, so someone should have seen something.  Three trains had escaped however before the lockdown finished, so I put in notice for the refueling station to search the trains too, just in case.''\n\nI paused at that.  ``You caught the Illan and Rapa slavers, then?''\n\nMorrigan nodded.  ``Yeah.  Pretty sure we saved the Illan's life.  There were two attempts to kill her after her arrest that we had to stop.  Looks like not abiding by the note put her life in jeopardy.  But by the time we scanned her and found out you were on the outgoing train, they were out of short-range comms.''  Of course...  And that's all the trains had, given long-range comm relays were... big.\n\nKormir then took over.  ``So, I put the refueling station on lockdown instead and ordered them to stop and deep search all incoming trains.  One of the captains broke the radio silence with a personal comm to the incoming train you were on, however, warning them `politely' about red tape and to expect a delay.  That's when they panicked and tossed you out the side instead.  He was arrested too, mind.''  They really needed to work on their train security.\n\nMy muzzle scrunched, and he sighed before nodding.  ``I know.  Trust me, we'll be tightening a lot of things up after this.  Plus, from your telling, they royally messed up the drop and almost crashed the whole train.  Which my guards saw and rushed the train after it braked on the other side of the bridge.  We recovered the two guards and the Garkin.  They were in shock, pretty much, but were so helpful in revealing it was you and the Illan girl they threw out of the train.''  I sensed `helpful' was `deep mind scan'.  I heard those really, really sucked to get done to you...\n\nThankfully I managed to stop from smirking.   ``I wouldn't call it tossed out.  We fell out completely by accident when they almost toppled the whole car.  The Vulkus slave... didn't make it.  But the Illan and I hit the net.''\n\nMorrigan made a soft clicking noise with her tongue and shook her head.  ``And now we know yet another of their tricks to look out for.''  At least until they figured something else out.\n\nKormir nodded, then sighed again.  ``Unfortunately, we had no idea which one of Nulidia's currently four hundred and sixteen slaving groups had picked you up.  Well, four hundred and fifteen now.  We pretty thoroughly shut down the Agency.  But all we had to go on was the date you arrived.  But the Agency kept you in-house with Atir and Callia instead, and we failed to find you through traditional means.''\n\n``Traditional...?''  I raised an eyebrow to him, and he chuckled, holding his paws up.  Ah.  Traditional.  ``Bloodstalkers.  Got it...''  He shrugged at that.\n\n``It's Nulidia.  I tend to give Shadowstalkers a certain amount of professional deniability when operating there.''  I paused with another bite heading to my muzzle, then chuckled.\n\nMorrigan snorted though.  ``Oh, is that what you call it?   In the same vein as your `rescue evacuation' of the Demon Spire?''\n\nI gave a muffled murmur, looking up towards Kormir with that again, mouth still full of pancake, and he laughed.  ``Hey, we saved a lot of people around the tower and in it.  It was quite a mess!  And just because the global council happened to have just outlawed the ownership of Demon artifacts doesn't mean anything.  We didn't arrest anyone for it, as they clearly didn't get notice of the law change.  But we were obligated to confiscate all contraband we found of course...''  Hah!  He fucking raided the Demon Spire and called it a rescue evacuation?!\n\nHe coughed after and looked down to me instead.  ``Completely unrelated, but we may have scores of Demon artifacts for you to sift through and try to identify.  Take your time of course.''  Oh boy...\n\nHe gave a smile and wave as Kada and Remi finally came up, leading the pack by the looks of it, quite literally.  Exia and Yimir both sat down first, and Kada hopped into Exia's lap while Remi got up in mine and put her tray down next to my own.  Heh, she was getting to be as adorable as Kada!  Though part of me wondered how much of it was her being jealous of him and how adorable he acted with me...  Not that I'd ever protest an adorablility competition.  That sounded amazing.  Wait, was that a word?\n\n``Hey guys.  I can move.  Morrigan and I were just catching Exes up on everything that's happened.''  Kormir stood with that and let Yimir swap with him, framing me between her and Exia.  It was an... odd sensation, tensing a little as they pressed up to either side of me, but they both were settled in for eating, and I relaxed again after a few seconds.  Nothing was going to happen...  sheesh.\n\nSlowly, I nodded to him as he leaned back against the table again.  ``What about after you found me, then?''  I'd just been rushed away at lightning speed, and didn't really know anything that had happened outside of that.\n\nKormir gave a slow nod, but Morrigan shrugged, answering instead.  ``I already had guards moving in too, but simply redirected them to seize all Agency assets instead.  Callia and Atir have been sent here to Talgrand for processing, along with everyone that was arrested there.  Everything was exactly like you said though, and we were able to easily capture all the remaining resources in the building.''\n\nI nodded.  ``As Exa said, anyway.  She's the one that was all over the place in there during the final stages of the training.  I guess we're lucky she remembered where everything was inside...''\n\nGiving a smile at that, Kormir nodded again.  ``We have a bit more debriefing to do, but it'll have to wait till a more private location.  Do you mind dropping by the great hall after breakfast?  I can take us back into the planning room instead.''  Ah yes, right.  I gave him a nod at that, and he shifted to a grin before returning it.\n\nMorrigan relaxed at that, then sighed.  ``I'll leave that to you, then, Kormir.  The train's about to take off, so I have to go for now.  We'll be losing short range comms then, anyway.  I'll see you in a few days, in-person, regardless.''\n\nShe shot a rather... interesting wink to Kormir, who gave a chuckle and a nod to her.  Oh boy...  Still, they said their goodbyes, and he turned the comm off before leaving to let us finish eating, at the very least.  Exir's group sat across from us a bit after Kormir had left, as well, and I just enjoyed listening to everyone idly chat around me.  It was...  I had to let myself slowly get used to all this again.  It was like my mind was still in `survival' mode from Nulidia, and I was expecting to have to switch to defending myself at any time.\n\nStill, I was at least a little more relaxed by the end of breakfast.  Mari was watching me curiously by then, and gave me a smile afterwards.  ``I did some poking about, Exes, and may have put in a few queries for some people to talk to you, by the way.  I know a really awesome general therapist.  She usually works with younger people, but specializes in trauma therapy.''  Oh!  Well, that did sound like something I could benefit from.  I nodded to her, when she grinned a little instead, which made me a little uneasy.  Illan had a... reputation.\n\n``I also put in a request to the Sexual Therapy and Release organization here in Kaldar.  They'll need to get vetted by security, but they're also arranging to have a trauma expert come here.''  Was that an... actual thing?\n\n``Sexual... therapy?''  I slowly tilted my head to that, and she relaxed again, giving another nod.\n\n``Yup.  I have quite a few friends there.  The one I spoke to who's planning on coming is super nice.  She's a Vulkus, and also specializes in trauma and those who've had bad sexual experiences.  She'll help you with setting up your first venting, and also getting slowly... comfortable with your body again.''  Ah.  I didn't even realize such a position existed.  It must be a Vulkus thing, given their Alpha Mutation situation.\n\nSlowly I nodded, exhaling softly.  ``Right.  Sorry, just a little uh...''\n\nA more reassuring smile as she shook her head this time.  ``No, it's okay to be nervous, Exes.  That's what this is about, after all.  I mean, I'm sure that your packmates would love to help you by themselves but... this will give you a way to get more comfortable with yourself in a more clinical, safe way.  At least the first time, which is obviously the hardest.''  I nodded, understanding at least.\n\nI gave a little start as Exia nuzzled against my side a moment later.  Eh?  ``We really do want to help you, bro.  And also important, start to be yours again.  I know there's... emotions to work through there, but we're both definitely here for you, and want to be.''  Yimir nodded rapidly on the other side of me, and I relaxed again a little.  They were just... being supportive of me.\n\n``I mean... I know that.  There's...  I can piece it all together just fine with logic and understanding.  But it's like...  My body doesn't... trust any of it.''  I lowered my ears a little at that, but Mari shook her head again.\n\n``It's to be expected, Exes.  And we'll get there!  I won't stop until you're recovered and happy again!''  She tossed a salute my way after, and I gave a softer chuckle.  Oh boy.  Her energy was hard to match.  She continued, however.  ``I think you should get a session in with both the general and sexual specialists first though before we tackle more in-depth relationship issues.  If you're okay with meeting her, Syriini will be able to come to visit today.''  Oh!  That soon?\n\nRemi frowned to her at that.  ``Isn't that jumpin' tha gun ah bit, Sis?  Well, Ah suppose he'll need ventin' too, soon...''  Yeah... unfortunately...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``I mean, I have to meet with Kormir after this, but otherwise I don't exactly have any definitive plans for the day, other than looking into the Garkin.  I'm not... going to have a choice on jumping into this again so soon, but... in a way, maybe that's better in the long run.  I can't just run away from it...''\n\nMari slowly nodded to that.  ``Honestly, I don't think you'll have an issue with the pacing of the venting.  Everyone who works there is quite professional about things like this.  And I'll let Syri know then.  She's already in the castle and security vetted.  Kormir had arranged for her ahead of time, figuring you'd need someone.''  That... yeah.  I nodded again.  Guess my day was getting a bit busier.  Well, it was all things that I definitely had to do...\n\n[center]~ ~ ~ ~ ~[/center]\n\nExa activated her Avatar array when we got into the planning room with Kormir.  I gave her full control over it now, so she could activate it whenever she wanted.  The silly thing had felt badly about taking someone's `spot' at the table when she wasn't eating.  I had noticed she'd gotten... really shy since being introduced to all of my old friends, family, and loved ones.  I made a mental note to talk to her about that later.  If she thought even remarkably like me, I hoped she wasn't thinking I was replacing her or anything.\n\nNow she rested in my lap instead, as I sat at the large table and watched Kormir set up the projection systems in the center of it.  This was a room behind the throne area, that was clearly meant for more... high security meetings.  I looked about at all the equipment, curious now, as he finally got the machine fully running.  ``I swear, they upgrade all the equipment in the castle all the time, and I can't keep up with half of it...''  He huffed, then flopped down in the large chair at the end, while maps popped up, floating as illusions above the center of the table.\n\nNewspaper headlines matched up with the map, showing the raid on Nulidia, and earlier, the hit against the Garkin facility.  The comm system connected next, and I perked as I saw Kyry appear in image floating over the map.  She smiled as she saw me and gave me a nod.  ``Morning, Exes!  It's good to see you again.''  I returned her smile and nod, and she relaxed at that, before turning her attention to Kormir instead.\n\n``Kyry.  How goes talking to our friend downstairs?''  I'd turned Zyka over to them for far more accurate and appropriate questioning, of course.\n\nShe gave a chuckle at that.  ``Easiest talk I've ever had with someone.  That Nexus thing is seriously powerful.  Even stronger than if she were collared.''\n\nI slowly nodded to that.  ``It beats out the collars.  I was able to `command' the twins to remove their own with it, and the collar couldn't stop them.''\n\nKormir gave a low whistle at that.  ``Damn.  Well, that should make things easier then.  I doubt she had much though.''\n\nA sigh at that, and Kyry shook her head.  ``Her name's Zyka.  Glorified clerk and bottom rung member of the Cult.  I was able to get some details, though.  Information about the Cult's hierarchy and membership management.  They use a traditional tier system of inner circles.  The deeper you go, the more trusted you are.  That comes with more knowledge of the verbal use of True Alchemy, and more toys.  Typical stuff.''  Huh.  I wondered idly how many other cults had existed in Aion.  Well, apart from the four official ones, anyway.\n\nHe nodded again.  ``Assessment of the verbal use of True Alchemy?''\n\nKyry scrunched her muzzle.  ``Direct and to the point.  It's a big, unwieldy stick to swing at things.  They appear highly limited in what they can actually accomplish with it other than releasing huge and dangerous attack effects.  Still, for speed of use and power, it out-performs all but the strongest of mages.  Approaches like Umani, and Shadowstalkers, are the hard counter.  If they don't see you, they can't target you.''  Yeah, that made sense.\n\nBut I could add to it.  ``It's impractical, but all they have access to without a Keyhole.  They're limited to only using a single word of power, and they brute force a pinhole release of Aether into Aion to power the effect, at the cost of an immense amount of personal vita.  While it's powerful and fast to use, overdoing it will probably cause them to lose consciousness, or flat-out die.  From what I can gather, this was the very first use of True Alchemy that the Demons ever did, and the backbone of the more advanced studies...''\n\nKyry had listened intently to that, then slowly nodded.  ``So, they're limited to a single word.  That's why their effects are so limited.  Any other counters?''\n\nI smirked at that.  ``Do you want them alive?''  Her own grin picked up, and Kormir chuckled.\n\n``Ideally, yes, but I'm not about to risk lives to do it.  So, if you're not there to overpower them yourself, Exes, or Umani or a Bloodstalker aren't present to disable them, then no.  Kill on contact order.''  Oh, damn.\n\nI nodded.  ``Then in that case, yeah.  I can make a lesser artifact that will intentionally unbalance the stability of their pinhole Aether generation.  A small orb you toss their way, subtly or not.  When they do the shout, it'll destabilize the pinhole instead of applying it to the power they want.''  He tilted his head at that, and I shrugged.  ``Depends on how much `umph' they put into it.  It'll force bleed them of vita instead until they either pass out or die, then probably create a small, localized explosion of about a meter or so.  Downside is, it's centered on the point of origin, which is right in front of their face.  They uh, probably won't survive that.''\n\nKormir's ears raised at that, and he nodded.  ``I like it.  I'd like one or two given to every captain, if possible, plus all of the Shadowstalkers.  A repeat of the standoff in the Talgrand trainyard is definitely not ideal.  Are they difficult to make?''\n\nI shook my head.  ``The enchantment's pretty simple.  I can make a printing block for them.  Then you can have a regular mage power it with just a bit of mana and vita.  It's pretty low-key.''  Reading that entire minor artifact book was already proving invaluable...\n\nKyry gave a nod.  ``I'd feel a lot safer with those.  True Alchemy is obviously extremely dangerous to engage with.''\n\nKormir looked back to her with that, then nodded.  ``Anything else our friend has said that's interesting?''\n\n``Yeah.  The leader of the Cult is a charismatic Elf by the name of Illithius.  She saw him, sort of, at a few of their meetings.  Always robed of course in dark green, with his face hidden by a stone mask.  No idea where the base of operations is, but as far as she can tell, he's able to make various lesser Demon artifacts, for distribution to the higher up cultists.''  An Elf...?  My ears perked at that, and mind started whirling, trying to bring to light again every bit of information I knew about Elves.  Secretive and reclusive, big on nature magic and Druidry.  They lived in the Jungles for the most part, up in massive tree cities in the canopy.  They were open to trade and general diplomacy with other species, but mostly kept to themselves.  Their bodies were... poorly adapted to most other environments without protective equipment or magic.  They didn't have fur or scales or feathers.  Just a soft skin that wasn't very good at durability or insulation.  Still, they were an immensely old species, and one that oddly seemed to steer clear of the Demons entirely.  I wondered at their origin...\n\nKyry kept going, though.  ``Further, she spoke in length about their little project at the Garkin testing facility, too.  It's entirely unlike anything we've seen them doing before, which concerns me.  Their ultimate goal has always alluded us, but this feels like... it's either a side project for them, or perhaps closer to their goal than we guessed at first.''  So, all or nothing then, as far as intel went.  She shrugged, though.  ``They were taking advantage of the Garkin's essence instability to attempt to bring forth and magnify a highly specific set of traits they'd uncovered in their essence pattern.  As far as she knew, it was to bring them closer to their parent species.  The Gar.''\n\nMy eyebrow lifted at that, but Exa tilted her head, noting the discrepancy first.  ``But Gar have energy wings, don't they?  Why does the Garkin girl have real, physical ones?''\n\nSlowly, Kormir nodded at that.  ``That is a very good question.  If they were after something highly specific, then...  Hmm.  The Agency was funding them heavily, weren't they?''\n\nThat I snorted to.  ``The cringeworthy Project Overlord that I found in Ignaus' files.  The Garkin was his eventual prize for funding them.  She was to be used as a breeder, and somehow pass new traits onto any Gar she produced when Ignaus mated her.  He seemed to think it would `bring back the Gar of old', who would elevate him to some sort of god king or something.''  Kormir looked disgusted at that, and Kyry just sighed, nodding along.\n\n``Unfortunately, I can confirm all that, name included.  He was a complete nutcase.  Further unfortunately, however, it might have also been accurate.  The... other subject we retrieved from the facility showed extensive essence manipulation, which included universal compatibility augments for breeding.''  Other subject?  Oh...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``Fourth generation Garkin test subject.  One of only three produced...''\n\nKyry sighed and nodded there.  ``Two now.  One's missing.  The other didn't make it, unfortunately.  They had her out for operations when we raided the facility, and by the time she was recovered, she'd gone critical and lost consciousness.  They need full life support when not frozen, it would seem.''  Ouch...\n\n``Did you recover their notes?  They might be useful in dealing with this one.''\n\nKormir gave a nod to that.  ``Yes.  Both the notes we got from examining her body afterwards, and the notes from the lab.  Morrigan's bringing all of that over.''  Ah!  Excellent.\n\nExa frowned, however.  ``Where did the other Garkin go then?  Were there any others than the fourth generation at the facility?'' Right, the other one was missing?\n\nKyry nodded to that.  ``Yeah, we rescued almost forty Garkin from the facility.  Most were just left in cages.  The focus of the studies appeared to have shifted to the three Garkin in particular.  We found logs indicating the first one was shipped out almost two days before we hit the lab.  The second was shipped out the day-of.  That's the one that you... intercepted.'' \n\nI frowned at that.  ``That meant they got what they wanted and the study was effectively over, more than likely.  What condition were the other Garkin in?''\n\n``Horrible.''  Kormir huffed after and shook his head.  ``Mistreatment was clear, but worse, a good portion of them were just... listless.  The ones that weren't explained that they were the `base' generation, and all the rest were age-accelerated newborns practically.  They had some sort of Demon artifact they used to accelerate their development, and put them into an artificial coma where they `dreamed' standard life lessons and education at an accelerated rate.''  Oh...\n\nI winced at that.  ``That means... the Garkin we have is dreaming those things still?  Shit... should we wake her up early?''\n\nHe shook his head, however.  ``No, Morrigan will be here with the notes in a few days.  It's too risky for you to just go in blind.''  I suppose that was true.  I could prepare more for waking her up that way, but...  At this point, I distrusted anything the Demons created even more than I normally would have.\n\nSighing, I slowly nodded after.  ``I just... don't trust anything involving the demons at this point.''  He started to nod, when I suddenly remembered another bit to bring up from my discoveries.  ``Also, we're going to have to talk about the collars too, at some point.  Probably once Morrigan gets here...''  Just... thinking about them caused my right paw to tense under the table.  I could still... remember what it felt like to get those tentacles curling up around my mind.\n\nExa slid her paw over and into mine a moment later, however, and I shivered, rubbing hers back and getting a little smile from her.  She had... entirely different experiences with the collars than I had but... she understood anyway, it felt like.  Both Kormir and Kyry frowned, however, at that.\n\n``What do you mean?''  Kormir sounded concerned now.\n\nI sighed at that.  That was a hard thing to explain, admittedly.  ``I know I talked about the `Nexus' in me.  It's... difficult to say exactly what it is.  A... contagious energy wavelength from outside of Aion, that links everyone infected with it to the person with the base wavelength, I guess, is the best way to explain it.  There's not exactly a precedence for it.''\n\nHe nodded.  ``Right.  It lets you link to other people and control them like... oh.''  Heh.  He paused at that, eyes widening a little, and I slowly nodded.\n\n``The Cult, I'm pretty sure, got the Nexus from the Demons, who were researching it.  That's where the name comes from.  I... don't know where the Demons got it.  The original Nexus wavelength, that is.  The one the Cult... infected me with caused me to somehow make up my own base wavelength and form a new Nexus.  But... the collars were made, in part, using the original Nexus.''\n\nKyry's frown deepened, and she looked to Kormir, who rubbed his temples lightly and closed his eyes.  Yeah...  I could tell his mind was whirling now.  Slowly, he nodded again.  ``That's how they control people, then.  They're borrowing that property from the... Nexus they're made with.  Somehow.''\n\nAnother nod from me.  ``As far as I can tell, yes.  But it's held at bay.  Inactive.  Somehow the Demons made it so only the control property was projected, and only temporarily, while the collar was being worn.  I'd have to... examine them to tell you more, but from what I could at least feel with... the one that I wore, there was some physical component in the collar that was releasing the energy.''  Another squeeze from Exa's paw, and I relaxed a little, moving my other arm to hug her around the waist.\n\nShe gave a slow nod against my chest.  ``Yeah.  It felt like ribbons or tentacles in my head.  Wrapping around my thoughts, and extending from the collar.  I dunno if that says anything about the original Nexus or not but... Exes' doesn't feel anything like that.''  Huh?  I looked to her with that, and she smiled up at me, shaking her head.  ``It doesn't.  I can... feel it.  The collar felt... weird.  Alien.  Like it was hard to even think about them.  Exes' orders instead feel...  Well, they're just as absolute, but it's an understood sensation.  A gentler, cool pushing, rather than the hooking and yanking.  It's calming, really...''  I didn't realize she was under the effect of the Nexus too.\n\nKyry looked to her, still frowning, before shifting her gaze back to me instead.  ``That's...  Collars have always been this True Alchemy thing.  I've never really thought about how they work.  I guess I assumed they were mind magic, but now it sounds like they're something far more... alien and violating.  If the original Nexus functions like yours though, what is it linked to?  And... do the collars still link to it?''\n\nThat.  That was the golden question there.  Sighing, I shook my head slowly.  ``I don't know what the original Nexus links to or where it came from.  I just know that it's outside of Aion.  That... might be what's causing the Nexus to be inactive.  The link can't transcend Aion's barrier.  Like how the Gods communicate with us.  Without highly specific methods, it's not possible.  So... yes, the collars might still be linked to the original... thing... that the first Nexus is from.  I don't know, though.''\n\nKormir scrunched his muzzle at that.  ``That is not a comforting thought.  But our entire justice system relies on the collars to function.  This...  We need more information.  I can easily get you a deactivated collar to examine, and Morrigan might have more information for us when she gets here.  They're made in Talgrand, after all.''  Right...  That was where the production facility was for them, anyway.\n\nI gave a nod to that, and he leaned back in his chair again before looking back to Kyry.  ``Was there anything else you managed to get from Zyka, then?''\n\nKyry shook her head, however.  ``No.  That's about the extent of her knowledge, other than a lot of smaller tidbits about the Cult.  I have a full report ready to be sent to you, too.''\n\nHe gave another nod, relaxing again.  ``Alright.  Send it to my comm system upstairs.  I'll read it over in full after this.  As for Zyka...  We can't exactly send her in for normal processing, so we'll keep her here.  She's already under Exes' Nexus so she's not much of a threat.  It seems to be an even stronger variant of a collar, after all.''\n\n``I'll have her stay in holding then.  That way access to her is limited to just us really.''  Kyry wrote something down in front of her, and Kormir nodded again.\n\n``Right.  Well, that's all for now, then.  I should let Exes get going to meet with the therapist.''  My ears perked up at that, and my gaze slid to Kyry instead.  That reminded me...\n\n``Oh, Kyry...''\n\nHer own ears perked, and she looked up from whatever she was writing on and to me again, surprised now.  ``Hmm?  Yes, Exes?''\n\nI hesitated, trying to figure out how to best word it.  ``This...  I just wanted to tell you that I... don't blame you for any of this.  What happened, that is.  With me getting kidnapped.  You helped find me and get me to safety, so... thank you.''\n\nHer eyes widened at that, ears flicking lightly, and I saw Kormir smile suddenly out of the corner of my vision, watching us now.  She hesitated, looking startled for a long moment before slowly relaxing and getting a softer smile to her expression.  ``I...  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  I mean, I know you were at first and I understand you being really stressed out at the time...''\n\nI nodded.  ``I was...  Well, I still am unstable, I think, but things are... improving.  I just... wanted you to not blame yourself.  You did everything in your power to help me and none of it was your fault.''\n\nKormir was definitely right.  I think she really had blamed herself for all of it, as I watched her visibly sag a little, then close her eyes and give a soft grin.  ``It... thank you, Exes.  I... wouldn't mind talking to you more about it later, if you're comfortable with that.  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  It... still feels like I should have done more...  Anything really.  But...  I guess it'll take everyone a little bit to move past everything that happened.''\n\nThat I could agree with, and nodded fully to.  ``Yeah, I wouldn't mind talking more about things.  Whenever you have time and are comfortable too, of course.''  She seemed taken aback by that a bit, but relaxed again and gave a slower nod after.\n\n``Yeah.  I mean... of course!  Kor wanted to meet you anyway, if you don't mind me bringing him along too.  Heh.''  She grinned, and I chuckled and nodded to her.\n\n``I'll be on my best behavior then, meeting a prince and all!''  Somehow, both Kyry and Kormir managed to snort at the same time, then look to each other before laughing.\n\n``Somehow, I think my son would find that just as funny...''  Kormir shook his head with a chuckle after, then grinned to us.  ``I'm glad you two are talking more though.  I encourage it even.  No sense why we can't all be friends above and beyond our duties too.''  Exa nodded enthusiastically to that, and I chuckled and added one of my own, albeit with significantly less energy.  She was kinda like a little kit sometimes, with seemingly endless reserves.\n\nKyry seemed in far better spirits now, and gave us both a smile and nod.  ``Right.  Well, we can arrange that later.  Now, I have to get our friend processed down here, then check in with a few other things.  Exes should get going anyway.  I think Mari already spoke to Syri and let her know...''  Syri?  I hadn't expected Kyry to be on short-name basis with her.  It made me curious, but I kept my mouth shut there, just in case it was something awkward.\n\nKormir gave a nod.  ``Indeed.  Shouldn't keep you either, Kyry.  So dismissed for now.  Thank you for the reports.''\n\nThe Jakatar threw a salute to him, then grinned and winked away, causing the illusion on the table to turn off at the same time.  Kormir gave a nod to me after, then sighed.  ``Well, you've certainly given me a lot to think about, but I think we're far more prepared than we were before.  This is a good thing.  I'll get a collar to you for examination, for starters.  I'm also going to get you full access to our vault under the castle.  High security.  It's got... a significant amount of Demon artifacts stored in it, as well as all the items you managed to take from the Agency.''  Oh!\n\n``Right, you wanted me to start identifying them?''  He slowly nodded to that, then grinned.\n\n``And see if any can actually be of use for once.  We have... a new grade of enemy, I'm afraid, and I like having every edge in a fight that I can get.  Mark my words.  These cultists are working on something big, and I don't think they're going to just give it up without a fight...''  That... yeah.  No, I fully agreed there, and nodded back.\n\nA slow exhale, then I grinned to him instead.  ``Well then, it's a fight they're going to get.  I already promised myself that I wasn't going to let them get what they wanted.  You have my full support...''  He returned my grin at that and nodded back.  He... understood, it felt like.  It was a nice sensation, to just have someone accept that I was pissed off at them and going to take vindictive revenge whenever the opportunity happened to rear its head.  And I had a sneaking suspicion that would be happening quite a lot in the future...\n\n"
}

{
  "description": "This release was really cursed.  Real life conspired against me, and then not one, but two of my editors acquired the plague after the chapter was done.  Very unfortunate.  But it's released now, at least!\n\nPotentially Triggering Tags:\nNone\n\nChapter Summaries:\nhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1VHNSczlxfkUvf34NKZNscT1a3Rr-222jdhGpdfV82Fw/edit?usp=sharing\n\nCurious about my custom species? Here's a link!\nhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1k0PobVi3hgyzg8zrro6rnqLLpm_cybJd-3LP-kvp1KI/edit?usp=sharing\n\nFeel like giving me a little financial assistance?  I’ve set up a SubscribeStar account!  I'm extremely thankful for everyone who donates anything they can, be it a subscription or one-off donation.\nhttps://subscribestar.adult/kiroberos-entertainment"
}

{
  "writing": "Things were moving... surprisingly slowly.  Relaxed, even.  Exir's pack ended up just passing out in my room, and we all conked out on the same bed, after gorging ourselves full of tasty food.  Breakfast was looking to be nice and filling too, as I sat down in the main dining hall with a plate stacked with pancakes, more meat links, and a big side of scrambled eggs.  Plus, a mug of milk, because that always went good with breakfast.\n\nI was a little surprised when Kormir sat down next to me while I was waiting for the others.  ``Morning, Exes.  Did you sleep well?''\n\nMy ears perked and I managed a nod to him before taking my first bite of pancakes.  He chuckled as my stomach growled impatiently, then nodded.  ``Just keep eating.  I had some news for you is all, if you don't mind.''  Hmm?  I glanced about and noticed we were really the only ones actually using the hall.  Unlike in Laridia, it would seem the servants ate elsewhere.  Well, okay then!\n\nI perked as he set his comm down on the table, and an illusionary image flicked up over it.  Oh!  Queen Morrigan smiled my way and waved, looking to be on the move at the moment while holding her comm.  ``Morning, Exes!  I had a bit of news for you plus a debrief if you want it.  I'll understand entirely if you don't of course.''  Debrief?\n\nI swallowed, then asked, curious now.  She nodded, however.  ``You gave us your side of things, but you were never filled in on our side.  I figured you deserve to know; at least the broad strokes.  Also, I'll be arriving in Kaldar myself in a few days.  I believe Calien is also on her way and set to arrive in a week or so.  We want to get together with you and discuss more sensitive Grandmaster topics.''  Ah!  Well, no, I kind of figured this would happen.\n\nI gave a nod.  ``It doesn't really surprise me, so yeah.  I'll just focus on resting and figuring out more with the Garkin in the meantime...''  And trying to figure out Kada's issues, but I didn't want to make anyone alarmed over that quite yet.\n\nShe smiled and nodded again to that, clearly heading inside a train now.  ``Excellent.  I have a few minutes before the train departs now, if you want more information.''  Well admittedly, I was a little curious as to what happened from their perspective.  Morbidly, anyway.\n\n``Did you catch the three that kidnapped me?''  \n\nMorrigan shook her head, however.  ``Not in the literal sense.  They're all dead.''  Oh.  Well then...  I blinked once at that, and she nodded after.  ``They were moderately skilled cultists with some minor artifacts.  Two broke off to give the third one time to run with you.  We... would have taken some casualties, but Umani arrived and eliminated both of them in an instant, practically.''  Oh...  They couldn't target what they couldn't see with True Alchemy.  I hadn't expected Mom to just flat out kill them, though.\n\n``We momentarily lost track of the third, when he made a break for it from his hiding spot and ran as far and fast as he could.  We thought he had you still.  By the time we caught up with him and cornered him, he'd tossed the Inaga female aside, then hit himself in the face with a fire blast at point blank range.  There was no memory scanning that, unfortunately.''  Oh.  He'd destroyed his own brain to prevent them from figuring out where he'd left me at.  That was... definitely crazy devoted there.  Emphasis on crazy.  Why did they want me bad enough to kill themselves to do it?!\n\nKormir shook his head at that.  ``While their techniques were really advanced, and they were well trained, the kidnapping itself was poorly thought out.  Kada woke up and alerted everyone within minutes as far as we can tell, and that's what got them caught on their convoluted way to escape the train station.  They apparently only had enough drugs for you, and their exfil was completely bungled.  Clearly you ending up in Nulidia wasn't part of their plan.''  Not that it made it any less unpleasant... but no, I agreed with that.\n\n``Yeah, my saliva destroyed the note he left with me and they just shipped me off with the rest of the slaves.''  I sighed at that, and Morrigan nodded.  I could almost taste the paper still.  Literally I realized, as the memory almost haunted me.\n\nOf course, the queen was unaware of my inner turmoil and continued.  ``We gathered that much.  The first order was to lock down the city, then gather up every worker in the train yard for scanning.  We knew he had to have dropped you off somewhere within the yard.  They hadn't made it out, so someone should have seen something.  Three trains had escaped however before the lockdown finished, so I put in notice for the refueling station to search the trains too, just in case.''\n\nI paused at that.  ``You caught the Illan and Rapa slavers, then?''\n\nMorrigan nodded.  ``Yeah.  Pretty sure we saved the Illan's life.  There were two attempts to kill her after her arrest that we had to stop.  Looks like not abiding by the note put her life in jeopardy.  But by the time we scanned her and found out you were on the outgoing train, they were out of short-range comms.''  Of course...  And that's all the trains had, given long-range comm relays were... big.\n\nKormir then took over.  ``So, I put the refueling station on lockdown instead and ordered them to stop and deep search all incoming trains.  One of the captains broke the radio silence with a personal comm to the incoming train you were on, however, warning them `politely' about red tape and to expect a delay.  That's when they panicked and tossed you out the side instead.  He was arrested too, mind.''  They really needed to work on their train security.\n\nMy muzzle scrunched, and he sighed before nodding.  ``I know.  Trust me, we'll be tightening a lot of things up after this.  Plus, from your telling, they royally messed up the drop and almost crashed the whole train.  Which my guards saw and rushed the train after it braked on the other side of the bridge.  We recovered the two guards and the Garkin.  They were in shock, pretty much, but were so helpful in revealing it was you and the Illan girl they threw out of the train.''  I sensed `helpful' was `deep mind scan'.  I heard those really, really sucked to get done to you...\n\nThankfully I managed to stop from smirking.   ``I wouldn't call it tossed out.  We fell out completely by accident when they almost toppled the whole car.  The Vulkus slave... didn't make it.  But the Illan and I hit the net.''\n\nMorrigan made a soft clicking noise with her tongue and shook her head.  ``And now we know yet another of their tricks to look out for.''  At least until they figured something else out.\n\nKormir nodded, then sighed again.  ``Unfortunately, we had no idea which one of Nulidia's currently four hundred and sixteen slaving groups had picked you up.  Well, four hundred and fifteen now.  We pretty thoroughly shut down the Agency.  But all we had to go on was the date you arrived.  But the Agency kept you in-house with Atir and Callia instead, and we failed to find you through traditional means.''\n\n``Traditional...?''  I raised an eyebrow to him, and he chuckled, holding his paws up.  Ah.  Traditional.  ``Bloodstalkers.  Got it...''  He shrugged at that.\n\n``It's Nulidia.  I tend to give Shadowstalkers a certain amount of professional deniability when operating there.''  I paused with another bite heading to my muzzle, then chuckled.\n\nMorrigan snorted though.  ``Oh, is that what you call it?   In the same vein as your `rescue evacuation' of the Demon Spire?''\n\nI gave a muffled murmur, looking up towards Kormir with that again, mouth still full of pancake, and he laughed.  ``Hey, we saved a lot of people around the tower and in it.  It was quite a mess!  And just because the global council happened to have just outlawed the ownership of Demon artifacts doesn't mean anything.  We didn't arrest anyone for it, as they clearly didn't get notice of the law change.  But we were obligated to confiscate all contraband we found of course...''  Hah!  He fucking raided the Demon Spire and called it a rescue evacuation?!\n\nHe coughed after and looked down to me instead.  ``Completely unrelated, but we may have scores of Demon artifacts for you to sift through and try to identify.  Take your time of course.''  Oh boy...\n\nHe gave a smile and wave as Kada and Remi finally came up, leading the pack by the looks of it, quite literally.  Exia and Yimir both sat down first, and Kada hopped into Exia's lap while Remi got up in mine and put her tray down next to my own.  Heh, she was getting to be as adorable as Kada!  Though part of me wondered how much of it was her being jealous of him and how adorable he acted with me...  Not that I'd ever protest an adorablility competition.  That sounded amazing.  Wait, was that a word?\n\n``Hey guys.  I can move.  Morrigan and I were just catching Exes up on everything that's happened.''  Kormir stood with that and let Yimir swap with him, framing me between her and Exia.  It was an... odd sensation, tensing a little as they pressed up to either side of me, but they both were settled in for eating, and I relaxed again after a few seconds.  Nothing was going to happen...  sheesh.\n\nSlowly, I nodded to him as he leaned back against the table again.  ``What about after you found me, then?''  I'd just been rushed away at lightning speed, and didn't really know anything that had happened outside of that.\n\nKormir gave a slow nod, but Morrigan shrugged, answering instead.  ``I already had guards moving in too, but simply redirected them to seize all Agency assets instead.  Callia and Atir have been sent here to Talgrand for processing, along with everyone that was arrested there.  Everything was exactly like you said though, and we were able to easily capture all the remaining resources in the building.''\n\nI nodded.  ``As Exa said, anyway.  She's the one that was all over the place in there during the final stages of the training.  I guess we're lucky she remembered where everything was inside...''\n\nGiving a smile at that, Kormir nodded again.  ``We have a bit more debriefing to do, but it'll have to wait till a more private location.  Do you mind dropping by the great hall after breakfast?  I can take us back into the planning room instead.''  Ah yes, right.  I gave him a nod at that, and he shifted to a grin before returning it.\n\nMorrigan relaxed at that, then sighed.  ``I'll leave that to you, then, Kormir.  The train's about to take off, so I have to go for now.  We'll be losing short range comms then, anyway.  I'll see you in a few days, in-person, regardless.''\n\nShe shot a rather... interesting wink to Kormir, who gave a chuckle and a nod to her.  Oh boy...  Still, they said their goodbyes, and he turned the comm off before leaving to let us finish eating, at the very least.  Exir's group sat across from us a bit after Kormir had left, as well, and I just enjoyed listening to everyone idly chat around me.  It was...  I had to let myself slowly get used to all this again.  It was like my mind was still in `survival' mode from Nulidia, and I was expecting to have to switch to defending myself at any time.\n\nStill, I was at least a little more relaxed by the end of breakfast.  Mari was watching me curiously by then, and gave me a smile afterwards.  ``I did some poking about, Exes, and may have put in a few queries for some people to talk to you, by the way.  I know a really awesome general therapist.  She usually works with younger people, but specializes in trauma therapy.''  Oh!  Well, that did sound like something I could benefit from.  I nodded to her, when she grinned a little instead, which made me a little uneasy.  Illan had a... reputation.\n\n``I also put in a request to the Sexual Therapy and Release organization here in Kaldar.  They'll need to get vetted by security, but they're also arranging to have a trauma expert come here.''  Was that an... actual thing?\n\n``Sexual... therapy?''  I slowly tilted my head to that, and she relaxed again, giving another nod.\n\n``Yup.  I have quite a few friends there.  The one I spoke to who's planning on coming is super nice.  She's a Vulkus, and also specializes in trauma and those who've had bad sexual experiences.  She'll help you with setting up your first venting, and also getting slowly... comfortable with your body again.''  Ah.  I didn't even realize such a position existed.  It must be a Vulkus thing, given their Alpha Mutation situation.\n\nSlowly I nodded, exhaling softly.  ``Right.  Sorry, just a little uh...''\n\nA more reassuring smile as she shook her head this time.  ``No, it's okay to be nervous, Exes.  That's what this is about, after all.  I mean, I'm sure that your packmates would love to help you by themselves but... this will give you a way to get more comfortable with yourself in a more clinical, safe way.  At least the first time, which is obviously the hardest.''  I nodded, understanding at least.\n\nI gave a little start as Exia nuzzled against my side a moment later.  Eh?  ``We really do want to help you, bro.  And also important, start to be yours again.  I know there's... emotions to work through there, but we're both definitely here for you, and want to be.''  Yimir nodded rapidly on the other side of me, and I relaxed again a little.  They were just... being supportive of me.\n\n``I mean... I know that.  There's...  I can piece it all together just fine with logic and understanding.  But it's like...  My body doesn't... trust any of it.''  I lowered my ears a little at that, but Mari shook her head again.\n\n``It's to be expected, Exes.  And we'll get there!  I won't stop until you're recovered and happy again!''  She tossed a salute my way after, and I gave a softer chuckle.  Oh boy.  Her energy was hard to match.  She continued, however.  ``I think you should get a session in with both the general and sexual specialists first though before we tackle more in-depth relationship issues.  If you're okay with meeting her, Syriini will be able to come to visit today.''  Oh!  That soon?\n\nRemi frowned to her at that.  ``Isn't that jumpin' tha gun ah bit, Sis?  Well, Ah suppose he'll need ventin' too, soon...''  Yeah... unfortunately...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``I mean, I have to meet with Kormir after this, but otherwise I don't exactly have any definitive plans for the day, other than looking into the Garkin.  I'm not... going to have a choice on jumping into this again so soon, but... in a way, maybe that's better in the long run.  I can't just run away from it...''\n\nMari slowly nodded to that.  ``Honestly, I don't think you'll have an issue with the pacing of the venting.  Everyone who works there is quite professional about things like this.  And I'll let Syri know then.  She's already in the castle and security vetted.  Kormir had arranged for her ahead of time, figuring you'd need someone.''  That... yeah.  I nodded again.  Guess my day was getting a bit busier.  Well, it was all things that I definitely had to do...\n\n[center]~ ~ ~ ~ ~[/center]\n\nExa activated her Avatar array when we got into the planning room with Kormir.  I gave her full control over it now, so she could activate it whenever she wanted.  The silly thing had felt badly about taking someone's `spot' at the table when she wasn't eating.  I had noticed she'd gotten... really shy since being introduced to all of my old friends, family, and loved ones.  I made a mental note to talk to her about that later.  If she thought even remarkably like me, I hoped she wasn't thinking I was replacing her or anything.\n\nNow she rested in my lap instead, as I sat at the large table and watched Kormir set up the projection systems in the center of it.  This was a room behind the throne area, that was clearly meant for more... high security meetings.  I looked about at all the equipment, curious now, as he finally got the machine fully running.  ``I swear, they upgrade all the equipment in the castle all the time, and I can't keep up with half of it...''  He huffed, then flopped down in the large chair at the end, while maps popped up, floating as illusions above the center of the table.\n\nNewspaper headlines matched up with the map, showing the raid on Nulidia, and earlier, the hit against the Garkin facility.  The comm system connected next, and I perked as I saw Kyry appear in image floating over the map.  She smiled as she saw me and gave me a nod.  ``Morning, Exes!  It's good to see you again.''  I returned her smile and nod, and she relaxed at that, before turning her attention to Kormir instead.\n\n``Kyry.  How goes talking to our friend downstairs?''  I'd turned Zyka over to them for far more accurate and appropriate questioning, of course.\n\nShe gave a chuckle at that.  ``Easiest talk I've ever had with someone.  That Nexus thing is seriously powerful.  Even stronger than if she were collared.''\n\nI slowly nodded to that.  ``It beats out the collars.  I was able to `command' the twins to remove their own with it, and the collar couldn't stop them.''\n\nKormir gave a low whistle at that.  ``Damn.  Well, that should make things easier then.  I doubt she had much though.''\n\nA sigh at that, and Kyry shook her head.  ``Her name's Zyka.  Glorified clerk and bottom rung member of the Cult.  I was able to get some details, though.  Information about the Cult's hierarchy and membership management.  They use a traditional tier system of inner circles.  The deeper you go, the more trusted you are.  That comes with more knowledge of the verbal use of True Alchemy, and more toys.  Typical stuff.''  Huh.  I wondered idly how many other cults had existed in Aion.  Well, apart from the four official ones, anyway.\n\nHe nodded again.  ``Assessment of the verbal use of True Alchemy?''\n\nKyry scrunched her muzzle.  ``Direct and to the point.  It's a big, unwieldy stick to swing at things.  They appear highly limited in what they can actually accomplish with it other than releasing huge and dangerous attack effects.  Still, for speed of use and power, it out-performs all but the strongest of mages.  Approaches like Umani, and Shadowstalkers, are the hard counter.  If they don't see you, they can't target you.''  Yeah, that made sense.\n\nBut I could add to it.  ``It's impractical, but all they have access to without a Keyhole.  They're limited to only using a single word of power, and they brute force a pinhole release of Aether into Aion to power the effect, at the cost of an immense amount of personal vita.  While it's powerful and fast to use, overdoing it will probably cause them to lose consciousness, or flat-out die.  From what I can gather, this was the very first use of True Alchemy that the Demons ever did, and the backbone of the more advanced studies...''\n\nKyry had listened intently to that, then slowly nodded.  ``So, they're limited to a single word.  That's why their effects are so limited.  Any other counters?''\n\nI smirked at that.  ``Do you want them alive?''  Her own grin picked up, and Kormir chuckled.\n\n``Ideally, yes, but I'm not about to risk lives to do it.  So, if you're not there to overpower them yourself, Exes, or Umani or a Bloodstalker aren't present to disable them, then no.  Kill on contact order.''  Oh, damn.\n\nI nodded.  ``Then in that case, yeah.  I can make a lesser artifact that will intentionally unbalance the stability of their pinhole Aether generation.  A small orb you toss their way, subtly or not.  When they do the shout, it'll destabilize the pinhole instead of applying it to the power they want.''  He tilted his head at that, and I shrugged.  ``Depends on how much `umph' they put into it.  It'll force bleed them of vita instead until they either pass out or die, then probably create a small, localized explosion of about a meter or so.  Downside is, it's centered on the point of origin, which is right in front of their face.  They uh, probably won't survive that.''\n\nKormir's ears raised at that, and he nodded.  ``I like it.  I'd like one or two given to every captain, if possible, plus all of the Shadowstalkers.  A repeat of the standoff in the Talgrand trainyard is definitely not ideal.  Are they difficult to make?''\n\nI shook my head.  ``The enchantment's pretty simple.  I can make a printing block for them.  Then you can have a regular mage power it with just a bit of mana and vita.  It's pretty low-key.''  Reading that entire minor artifact book was already proving invaluable...\n\nKyry gave a nod.  ``I'd feel a lot safer with those.  True Alchemy is obviously extremely dangerous to engage with.''\n\nKormir looked back to her with that, then nodded.  ``Anything else our friend has said that's interesting?''\n\n``Yeah.  The leader of the Cult is a charismatic Elf by the name of Illithius.  She saw him, sort of, at a few of their meetings.  Always robed of course in dark green, with his face hidden by a stone mask.  No idea where the base of operations is, but as far as she can tell, he's able to make various lesser Demon artifacts, for distribution to the higher up cultists.''  An Elf...?  My ears perked at that, and mind started whirling, trying to bring to light again every bit of information I knew about Elves.  Secretive and reclusive, big on nature magic and Druidry.  They lived in the Jungles for the most part, up in massive tree cities in the canopy.  They were open to trade and general diplomacy with other species, but mostly kept to themselves.  Their bodies were... poorly adapted to most other environments without protective equipment or magic.  They didn't have fur or scales or feathers.  Just a soft skin that wasn't very good at durability or insulation.  Still, they were an immensely old species, and one that oddly seemed to steer clear of the Demons entirely.  I wondered at their origin...\n\nKyry kept going, though.  ``Further, she spoke in length about their little project at the Garkin testing facility, too.  It's entirely unlike anything we've seen them doing before, which concerns me.  Their ultimate goal has always alluded us, but this feels like... it's either a side project for them, or perhaps closer to their goal than we guessed at first.''  So, all or nothing then, as far as intel went.  She shrugged, though.  ``They were taking advantage of the Garkin's essence instability to attempt to bring forth and magnify a highly specific set of traits they'd uncovered in their essence pattern.  As far as she knew, it was to bring them closer to their parent species.  The Gar.''\n\nMy eyebrow lifted at that, but Exa tilted her head, noting the discrepancy first.  ``But Gar have energy wings, don't they?  Why does the Garkin girl have real, physical ones?''\n\nSlowly, Kormir nodded at that.  ``That is a very good question.  If they were after something highly specific, then...  Hmm.  The Agency was funding them heavily, weren't they?''\n\nThat I snorted to.  ``The cringeworthy Project Overlord that I found in Ignaus' files.  The Garkin was his eventual prize for funding them.  She was to be used as a breeder, and somehow pass new traits onto any Gar she produced when Ignaus mated her.  He seemed to think it would `bring back the Gar of old', who would elevate him to some sort of god king or something.''  Kormir looked disgusted at that, and Kyry just sighed, nodding along.\n\n``Unfortunately, I can confirm all that, name included.  He was a complete nutcase.  Further unfortunately, however, it might have also been accurate.  The... other subject we retrieved from the facility showed extensive essence manipulation, which included universal compatibility augments for breeding.''  Other subject?  Oh...\n\nSlowly, I nodded.  ``Fourth generation Garkin test subject.  One of only three produced...''\n\nKyry sighed and nodded there.  ``Two now.  One's missing.  The other didn't make it, unfortunately.  They had her out for operations when we raided the facility, and by the time she was recovered, she'd gone critical and lost consciousness.  They need full life support when not frozen, it would seem.''  Ouch...\n\n``Did you recover their notes?  They might be useful in dealing with this one.''\n\nKormir gave a nod to that.  ``Yes.  Both the notes we got from examining her body afterwards, and the notes from the lab.  Morrigan's bringing all of that over.''  Ah!  Excellent.\n\nExa frowned, however.  ``Where did the other Garkin go then?  Were there any others than the fourth generation at the facility?'' Right, the other one was missing?\n\nKyry nodded to that.  ``Yeah, we rescued almost forty Garkin from the facility.  Most were just left in cages.  The focus of the studies appeared to have shifted to the three Garkin in particular.  We found logs indicating the first one was shipped out almost two days before we hit the lab.  The second was shipped out the day-of.  That's the one that you... intercepted.'' \n\nI frowned at that.  ``That meant they got what they wanted and the study was effectively over, more than likely.  What condition were the other Garkin in?''\n\n``Horrible.''  Kormir huffed after and shook his head.  ``Mistreatment was clear, but worse, a good portion of them were just... listless.  The ones that weren't explained that they were the `base' generation, and all the rest were age-accelerated newborns practically.  They had some sort of Demon artifact they used to accelerate their development, and put them into an artificial coma where they `dreamed' standard life lessons and education at an accelerated rate.''  Oh...\n\nI winced at that.  ``That means... the Garkin we have is dreaming those things still?  Shit... should we wake her up early?''\n\nHe shook his head, however.  ``No, Morrigan will be here with the notes in a few days.  It's too risky for you to just go in blind.''  I suppose that was true.  I could prepare more for waking her up that way, but...  At this point, I distrusted anything the Demons created even more than I normally would have.\n\nSighing, I slowly nodded after.  ``I just... don't trust anything involving the demons at this point.''  He started to nod, when I suddenly remembered another bit to bring up from my discoveries.  ``Also, we're going to have to talk about the collars too, at some point.  Probably once Morrigan gets here...''  Just... thinking about them caused my right paw to tense under the table.  I could still... remember what it felt like to get those tentacles curling up around my mind.\n\nExa slid her paw over and into mine a moment later, however, and I shivered, rubbing hers back and getting a little smile from her.  She had... entirely different experiences with the collars than I had but... she understood anyway, it felt like.  Both Kormir and Kyry frowned, however, at that.\n\n``What do you mean?''  Kormir sounded concerned now.\n\nI sighed at that.  That was a hard thing to explain, admittedly.  ``I know I talked about the `Nexus' in me.  It's... difficult to say exactly what it is.  A... contagious energy wavelength from outside of Aion, that links everyone infected with it to the person with the base wavelength, I guess, is the best way to explain it.  There's not exactly a precedence for it.''\n\nHe nodded.  ``Right.  It lets you link to other people and control them like... oh.''  Heh.  He paused at that, eyes widening a little, and I slowly nodded.\n\n``The Cult, I'm pretty sure, got the Nexus from the Demons, who were researching it.  That's where the name comes from.  I... don't know where the Demons got it.  The original Nexus wavelength, that is.  The one the Cult... infected me with caused me to somehow make up my own base wavelength and form a new Nexus.  But... the collars were made, in part, using the original Nexus.''\n\nKyry's frown deepened, and she looked to Kormir, who rubbed his temples lightly and closed his eyes.  Yeah...  I could tell his mind was whirling now.  Slowly, he nodded again.  ``That's how they control people, then.  They're borrowing that property from the... Nexus they're made with.  Somehow.''\n\nAnother nod from me.  ``As far as I can tell, yes.  But it's held at bay.  Inactive.  Somehow the Demons made it so only the control property was projected, and only temporarily, while the collar was being worn.  I'd have to... examine them to tell you more, but from what I could at least feel with... the one that I wore, there was some physical component in the collar that was releasing the energy.''  Another squeeze from Exa's paw, and I relaxed a little, moving my other arm to hug her around the waist.\n\nShe gave a slow nod against my chest.  ``Yeah.  It felt like ribbons or tentacles in my head.  Wrapping around my thoughts, and extending from the collar.  I dunno if that says anything about the original Nexus or not but... Exes' doesn't feel anything like that.''  Huh?  I looked to her with that, and she smiled up at me, shaking her head.  ``It doesn't.  I can... feel it.  The collar felt... weird.  Alien.  Like it was hard to even think about them.  Exes' orders instead feel...  Well, they're just as absolute, but it's an understood sensation.  A gentler, cool pushing, rather than the hooking and yanking.  It's calming, really...''  I didn't realize she was under the effect of the Nexus too.\n\nKyry looked to her, still frowning, before shifting her gaze back to me instead.  ``That's...  Collars have always been this True Alchemy thing.  I've never really thought about how they work.  I guess I assumed they were mind magic, but now it sounds like they're something far more... alien and violating.  If the original Nexus functions like yours though, what is it linked to?  And... do the collars still link to it?''\n\nThat.  That was the golden question there.  Sighing, I shook my head slowly.  ``I don't know what the original Nexus links to or where it came from.  I just know that it's outside of Aion.  That... might be what's causing the Nexus to be inactive.  The link can't transcend Aion's barrier.  Like how the Gods communicate with us.  Without highly specific methods, it's not possible.  So... yes, the collars might still be linked to the original... thing... that the first Nexus is from.  I don't know, though.''\n\nKormir scrunched his muzzle at that.  ``That is not a comforting thought.  But our entire justice system relies on the collars to function.  This...  We need more information.  I can easily get you a deactivated collar to examine, and Morrigan might have more information for us when she gets here.  They're made in Talgrand, after all.''  Right...  That was where the production facility was for them, anyway.\n\nI gave a nod to that, and he leaned back in his chair again before looking back to Kyry.  ``Was there anything else you managed to get from Zyka, then?''\n\nKyry shook her head, however.  ``No.  That's about the extent of her knowledge, other than a lot of smaller tidbits about the Cult.  I have a full report ready to be sent to you, too.''\n\nHe gave another nod, relaxing again.  ``Alright.  Send it to my comm system upstairs.  I'll read it over in full after this.  As for Zyka...  We can't exactly send her in for normal processing, so we'll keep her here.  She's already under Exes' Nexus so she's not much of a threat.  It seems to be an even stronger variant of a collar, after all.''\n\n``I'll have her stay in holding then.  That way access to her is limited to just us really.''  Kyry wrote something down in front of her, and Kormir nodded again.\n\n``Right.  Well, that's all for now, then.  I should let Exes get going to meet with the therapist.''  My ears perked up at that, and my gaze slid to Kyry instead.  That reminded me...\n\n``Oh, Kyry...''\n\nHer own ears perked, and she looked up from whatever she was writing on and to me again, surprised now.  ``Hmm?  Yes, Exes?''\n\nI hesitated, trying to figure out how to best word it.  ``This...  I just wanted to tell you that I... don't blame you for any of this.  What happened, that is.  With me getting kidnapped.  You helped find me and get me to safety, so... thank you.''\n\nHer eyes widened at that, ears flicking lightly, and I saw Kormir smile suddenly out of the corner of my vision, watching us now.  She hesitated, looking startled for a long moment before slowly relaxing and getting a softer smile to her expression.  ``I...  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  I mean, I know you were at first and I understand you being really stressed out at the time...''\n\nI nodded.  ``I was...  Well, I still am unstable, I think, but things are... improving.  I just... wanted you to not blame yourself.  You did everything in your power to help me and none of it was your fault.''\n\nKormir was definitely right.  I think she really had blamed herself for all of it, as I watched her visibly sag a little, then close her eyes and give a soft grin.  ``It... thank you, Exes.  I... wouldn't mind talking to you more about it later, if you're comfortable with that.  I'm glad you're not upset with me.  It... still feels like I should have done more...  Anything really.  But...  I guess it'll take everyone a little bit to move past everything that happened.''\n\nThat I could agree with, and nodded fully to.  ``Yeah, I wouldn't mind talking more about things.  Whenever you have time and are comfortable too, of course.''  She seemed taken aback by that a bit, but relaxed again and gave a slower nod after.\n\n``Yeah.  I mean... of course!  Kor wanted to meet you anyway, if you don't mind me bringing him along too.  Heh.''  She grinned, and I chuckled and nodded to her.\n\n``I'll be on my best behavior then, meeting a prince and all!''  Somehow, both Kyry and Kormir managed to snort at the same time, then look to each other before laughing.\n\n``Somehow, I think my son would find that just as funny...''  Kormir shook his head with a chuckle after, then grinned to us.  ``I'm glad you two are talking more though.  I encourage it even.  No sense why we can't all be friends above and beyond our duties too.''  Exa nodded enthusiastically to that, and I chuckled and added one of my own, albeit with significantly less energy.  She was kinda like a little kit sometimes, with seemingly endless reserves.\n\nKyry seemed in far better spirits now, and gave us both a smile and nod.  ``Right.  Well, we can arrange that later.  Now, I have to get our friend processed down here, then check in with a few other things.  Exes should get going anyway.  I think Mari already spoke to Syri and let her know...''  Syri?  I hadn't expected Kyry to be on short-name basis with her.  It made me curious, but I kept my mouth shut there, just in case it was something awkward.\n\nKormir gave a nod.  ``Indeed.  Shouldn't keep you either, Kyry.  So dismissed for now.  Thank you for the reports.''\n\nThe Jakatar threw a salute to him, then grinned and winked away, causing the illusion on the table to turn off at the same time.  Kormir gave a nod to me after, then sighed.  ``Well, you've certainly given me a lot to think about, but I think we're far more prepared than we were before.  This is a good thing.  I'll get a collar to you for examination, for starters.  I'm also going to get you full access to our vault under the castle.  High security.  It's got... a significant amount of Demon artifacts stored in it, as well as all the items you managed to take from the Agency.''  Oh!\n\n``Right, you wanted me to start identifying them?''  He slowly nodded to that, then grinned.\n\n``And see if any can actually be of use for once.  We have... a new grade of enemy, I'm afraid, and I like having every edge in a fight that I can get.  Mark my words.  These cultists are working on something big, and I don't think they're going to just give it up without a fight...''  That... yeah.  No, I fully agreed there, and nodded back.\n\nA slow exhale, then I grinned to him instead.  ``Well then, it's a fight they're going to get.  I already promised myself that I wasn't going to let them get what they wanted.  You have my full support...''  He returned my grin at that and nodded back.  He... understood, it felt like.  It was a nice sensation, to just have someone accept that I was pissed off at them and going to take vindictive revenge whenever the opportunity happened to rear its head.  And I had a sneaking suspicion that would be happening quite a lot in the future...\n\n"
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[
  {
    "count": "41",
    "description": "Every single chapter of Exes' rebooted storyline.",
    "name": "Aion's Rebirth - Exes Reboot",
    "pool_id": "73193",
    "submission_left_file_name": "5919769_Kiroberos_aion_s_rebirth_-_exes_chapter_40.doc",
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{
  "count": "41",
  "description": "Every single chapter of Exes' rebooted storyline.",
  "name": "Aion's Rebirth - Exes Reboot",
  "pool_id": "73193",
  "submission_left_file_name": "5919769_Kiroberos_aion_s_rebirth_-_exes_chapter_40.doc",
  "submission_left_submission_id": "3820015"
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