by Elin Wyn
My heart pounded in my chest, and my head ached. From the tension in Maki’s shoulders, she was feeling pretty stressed out as well.
As if I hadn’t enough to worry about with sorting out my feelings for Maki, the new information dropped into my lap like a ton of bricks.
Maki had been a hybrid, infected, like the creatures which had hounded us relentlessly through the Sauma jungles.
Then it occurred to me that, without the Ancient Enemies creating their own hybrids, Maki and I would likely have never met.
I’m not one for existential angst, but that thought bothered me a great deal.
I addressed the weird flower mouth thing once more.
“So Maki is resistant to the Xathi hybrid virus. So what? The Xathi are old news. We kicked their asses.”
That was an exaggeration. In truth we’d barely managed to defeat them with a combination of luck, guile, and determination.
“It’s difficult to put into terms your species can understand. But I will try.”
“Please do.” Maki crossed her legs and sat down on a nearby stone jutting up from the snow covered field.
“It is possible that Maki can resist the Ancient Enemies. Perhaps even defeat them.”
Maki and I exchanged worried glances.
“But how?”
“Unknown at this time.”
“Great. Just great. So, you call us here to tell us you don’t know a damn thing.”
Maki gaped at me and put a restraining hand on my forearm. “Tyehn, take it easy.”
“Tyehn’s apprehension is understandable. I take no offense.”
“Good, because Tyehn’s big mouth tends to talk without thinking.”
Maki grinned at me, perhaps to show that she was kidding.
But suddenly I wasn’t so comfortable around her any more. I kept seeing an image of her with crystalline skin in my mind.
Hybrids might just be my worst nightmare.
Maybe there’d been some sort of mistake.
Perhaps the virus was dormant in her system. My scientific knowledge worked against me, filling my head with wild scenarios where Maki turned into a savage, feral creature bent only on destruction.
Just like the Valorni mother during the Xathi invasion of my home world.
“So, what is it you want us to do?” Maki stood and stepped closer to the flower mouth, hands out as if in supplication. “I assume you need something from me, or you wouldn’t have summoned us here.”
“Maki is correct. I would like her to work closely with me, as well as your own men and women of science. Perhaps your resistance to the Ancient Enemies can be exploited to help others, or even provide a means of attacking them.”
I shook my head and stepped up before the flower’s mass.
“Whoa, wait a minute. Are you saying you want to, to what, weaponize Maki? Are you sure that’s safe? How can you be certain that it would even work in the first place?”
“Tyehn, calm down.”
“I can’t calm down. It wasn’t so long ago that the Puppet Master was trying to kill us, and now it wants me to just hand you over to it? Based on a hunch?”
The flower’s ‘face’ adjusted to face more toward me.
“Your apprehension is understandable. I do not as of yet know exactly how Maki might be of use, only that it is in the realm of possibility. The Ancient Enemies destroyed my—I suppose in your terms it would be my ‘people.’ I am all that remains. If there is a possibility that they can be defeated once and for all, we must grasp the opportunity. Far more lives than just Maki’s are at stake.”
What the Puppet Master left unsaid was that its own life was probably worth more than Maki’s. After all, it was an ancient being, living through countless eons and with a life span that beggared the imagination.
And it was the last of its kind.
But I couldn’t help being selfish.
Maybe at that moment I had no idea how I really felt about Maki, but I damn sure didn’t want her sacrificed so a giant plant could continue to exist.
Later I realized I was being truly selfish, and a fool as well, because if the Puppet Master died then the planet would die with it.
At the time, however, all I knew was that I didn’t trust the Puppet Master.
I also wasn’t sure I could trust Maki, either.
“No, Puppet Master.” I crossed my arms over my substantial chest and stuck out my lower lip. “You don’t just get to experiment on our people to satisfy a whim or verify a hunch. Our lives have meaning too, you know, even if we’re only going to be around for an eyeblink compared to yourself. Maybe that even makes our time more valuable than yours, given that we have so little of it.”
“Tyehn, it’s okay.” Maki turned to the flower mouth. “Puppet Master, I would be more than happy to help you in any way that I can.”
“More than happy?” I shook my head in disbelief. My hand snagged onto her bicep and I turned Maki to face me. “More than happy? Is that a human expression? Because it sounds like a dangerous mental condition to me. How can you be more than happy? How can you be even considering this, this monster’s ideas at all?”
“The Puppet Master is not a monster.” She attempted to jerk her arm out of my grasp, but I didn’t release her.
Maki grimaced up at me. “You’re hurting me.”
I immediately released Maki, fuming mad.
“You know that he has different priorities than we do. There’s no telling what his game is. Look, I caught a glimpse into this thing’s mind, and I’m still not quite sure I retained my sanity. You can’t judge it by human standards. For all we know, it’s making up this bullshit about the ancient enemies and is just looking to add you to its collection.”
Maki glared up at me, so fiercely I averted my gaze. “You’re letting your fear do your talking for you. Why are you acting like such an ass about this? You’re not my commander or my owner. I do what I please.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but then closed it. Something told me that I was on thin ice and should remain silent until she wound down.
“And don’t you dare accuse the Puppet Master of making up stories. If it wanted us dead, we’d be dead. All of us. There’s no way for us to fight against the flora and fauna of this world if it all rose against us at once.” She rested her hand on my arm. “You’re not thinking, Tyehn. You’re a man of science. Puzzle it out. If the Puppet Master were truly intent on being our enemy, then why would he make up a story—and an impossible to prove story, at that—about incorporeal beings?”
I realized she was right and heaved a heavy sigh. “Okay, you’re right. I’m not thinking things through. It’s just, it’s just there’s a lot going on now, all right? A lot to absorb.”
“Hmph.” Maki turned back to the Puppet Master’s mouthpiece. “What do you want me to do?”
“You must allow me into your mind, so I can interface with you directly.”
“All right. I’ll do what you need to.”
I had little choice but let her.
Maki used to be a hybrid.
How could I ever fully trust her again?
And what did this mean for our new relationship?
Maki
“You don’t have to do this,” Tyehn blurted. He had a strange look on his face that I couldn’t place. He looked pained, confused, but there was something else in there too.
“I know.” My voice trembled when I spoke. “But if there’s something in my head that can help us, I want to do it.”
“You can change your mind at any time,” Tyehn said.
“I’ll be fine.” I tried to give him a reassuring smile but it looked more like a grimace. “Remember, I’m tougher than you are.”
Tyehn choked out a laugh but the worry never left his eyes.
I settled myself in the snow pile beside the Puppet Master.
“Your companion is correct,” the Puppet Master said. “I did not intend to do this today. If you are not comfortable, we can do this anothe
r time.”
“No,” I snapped. “I’m here. I’m ready. I want to do this now. Putting it off will just make things worse.”
“Very well,” the Puppet Master said gently.
“I’ll be right here the whole time,” Tyehn assured me. “I’ve also signalled on my comm and soon we’ll have soldiers stationed at every entrance of the park. No one will disturb you.”
“Thank you.” I wanted to say more but the words dried up in my mouth. “What’s going to happen?”
“I am going to enter your mind,” the Puppet Master explained. “Once I do, we’ll be able to access your deepest memories together.”
“You’ll be with me?”
“You will be reliving memories in which I am not present. You will not see me but I will be there all the same. If I feel that your distress is too great to the point of causing damage, I will pull you out.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
“What kind of damage?” Tyehn spoke up.
“The memories we will be accessing may be incredibly painful and scarring. I will not allow Maki to suffer any lasting psychological damage. You have my word.”
“It’s fine, Tyehn,” I assured him. “I’ll be fine.” I wasn’t convinced but hopefully, I could convince him.
“All right,” he nodded.
I turned to look at the Puppet Master’s vibrant petals.
“Will it hurt?” I asked.
“You should not feel any pain. If you do, I will pull you out. However, your memories may trick you into thinking you’re in real pain rather than remembered pain. Just remember that it’s not real. You’ll be able to fight through it and keep exploring your memories.”
“Got it.” I gave a jerky nod. “Let’s do this.”
“I’ll be right here,” Tyehn repeats in a softer voice.
“I know.” This time, my smile looked real.
A vine burst through the snow. It looked like any other vine one would find in the forest, except for it was shot through with pulsing veins of light.
“This won’t hurt,” the Puppet Master assured me once more.
“I’m ready.” I trembled with impatience. “Do it.”
The vine wrapped around my arm from my wrist up to my shoulder. The tip of the vine rested against my neck and stretched up to my temple.
I looked up at Tyehn to give him one last smile but I was suddenly pulled into darkness.
I felt myself slipping away.
I tried to keep a firm hold on my mind so that I could analyze what happened around me but it wasn’t working.
Something else entered my mind. My whole body recoiled at the feeling I hoped to never feel again.
The Xathi sub-queen I served under merged her consciousness with mine.
I thrashed against it, against her.
Shh, dear creature. A woman’s soothing voice washed over my consciousness. You have no need to fight. I shall protect you.
My body relaxed. I felt like I was floating on a cloud. My mind still struggled for control. I couldn’t give up.
Not again.
Such strength! The voice marveled. You will make a fine soldier. Let me lead you. I can protect you.
I don’t need protection. I’m strong enough to fight on my own.
A face took shape in my mind's eye.
At first, it was horrible. A transparent, crystalline head with too many eyes and sharp pincers. I recoiled, struggling harder against the grip on my mind.
The true face of the Xathi sub-queen morphed into something else.
The face of a beautiful maiden with skin like milk and hair like corn silk filled my head. Her massive blue eyes sparkled with laughter. Her red lips were parted in a grin.
What do you have to be frightened of? Look at me! I won’t hurt you. I want to save you.
That didn’t sound so bad. Everything around me crumbled more by the day.
Soon there would be nothing left. I should let her save me while I could still be saved.
That’s right, she encouraged. Let me save you.
More of my mind slipped away from me.
The Xathi sub-queen traced out a path in my mind. She showed me exactly what to do so that I would be safe.
I could join my friends.
They’d already joined the ranks of the Xathi sub-queen. They were saved. I could be with them again.
I wanted that.
All I had to do was follow a few tiny, simple orders.
I ask for so little and offer you so much, the beautiful Xathi sub-queen hummed to me.
She showed me the horrible monsters that were trying to kill her children and followers.
Towering creatures with green skin and purple bands, red monsters with scales, and grey beings that were half creature, half machine.
They looked familiar. I couldn’t quite place the memory.
They must be destroyed. Help me and I will save you, the Xathi sub-queen whispered.
I don’t want to fight those creatures.
The Xathi sun-queen expected me to feel fear. When I didn’t, she dove deeper into my mind. She tried to force me to hand over my willpower to her.
I jerked back instinctively. It didn’t feel right.
The image of the fair maiden flickered away. The true face of the Xathi sub-Queen showed through her illusion.
No, I didn’t want this. I never wanted it. I never will want it.
“Let me go.” My voice was weak.
I just want to save you. Why don’t you let me save you?
“You don’t want to save me.” My voice grew stronger with each word. I pushed against the hold of the Xathi sub-queen.
She thrashed in my mind, desperate to dig her claws into me.
“Get out!” I screamed. I kept screaming until my voice was raw and my head felt like it was going to explode.
Suddenly, the Xathi sub-queen vanished.
I looked around. I was in a clearing in the forest. All around me were other people fighting against the hold of the Xathi sub-queen.
But they were losing. The person nearest to me turned to face me. Their eyes didn’t look right. They snarled and snapped.
When they lunged, I took off into the forest.
I was still in control of my body and my mind but something didn’t feel right.
Even though the Xathi sub-queen couldn’t hold her grasp on me, she left her mark. When I tried to remember my name, I couldn’t.
I had no idea who I was or where I needed to go.
Panic gripped me. My throat closed up as tears welled in my eyes. Maybe I should’ve let the Xathi sub-queen have me. I needed saving.
“No.” I gritted my teeth and pressed onward. There was something I could do. There was always something.
I wandered into a city that I couldn’t remember the name of.
Guards that looked like me and guards that looked like the creatures the Xathi sun-queen tried to scare me into fighting approached me.
“Do you think she’s one of them?” One asked.
“She’s not displaying any of the key symptoms. Her eyes look fine. There are no patches on her. She’s not aggressive. Still, let’s get her to the clinic. The doc will want to examine her. We can’t take any chances.”
A red giant with scales took me by my right arm. Someone who looked like me took my left.
“Are you going to save me?” I croaked.
“You’ve saved yourself,” the one on my left said. “We’re just going to help you with the last step.”
“Oh.”
I was taken to a run-down building that looked far nicer on the inside. A smiling woman took me into a room.
She sat me down and poked me with needles. She talked to me, but I couldn’t hold the words in my head. She didn’t seem bothered that I didn’t answer her.
“I’m glad you came in. There’s a seed of Xathi corruption within you. You must’ve worked so hard to fight it off. Don’t worry. We’ll get rid of it.”
Corruption inside me? My
insides twisted at the thought.
The woman injected something into me and instructed me to lie down.
“This might be rough,” she warned me. “Just lay still and know that it’ll pass. You’ll feel much better when it does.”
At first, it was terrible. Nausea ripped through me. My skull felt like it was going to split open. Chills tore through me. My teeth chattered so violently I worried I would bite off my tongue.
Then it stopped.
Everything I was before the Xathi sub-queen tried to steal my mind came rushing back to me.
My name was Mika Hotaru.
I was a scientist. I loved to climb and explore everything I could find.
I was my own person.
I saved myself.
The Puppet Master slowly broke the connection to my mind. My memories faded back to blackness.
When I opened my eyes, I was lying on my back in the snow under one of the Puppet Master’s stunning petals.
“Mika?” Tyehn called softly.
“She may not be able to speak right away. Her memories were violent. She might need time to recover.”
“No,” I said. “I’m okay. I’m back.”
With the help of Tyehn and the Puppet Master, I sat up.
“What happened? Did you find what you needed to find?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. I looked at the Puppet Master.
“It was a good start,” the Puppet Master said. “I’ve confirmed that you were, in fact, able to fight off the control of the Xathi without outside assistance.”
“That’s good, right?” I looked to Tyehn, who nodded. “How did I do that when no one else could?”
“That’s an answer I do not yet have,” the Puppet Master replied. “The important thing is that we know it’s possible. Should the Ancient Enemies come for you, you will be able to fight against them.”
Tyehn
The city of Sauma was a beautiful place.
The people that called the city home had incorporated their city into the surrounding jungle, only clearing out what needed to be moved for roads, buildings, and a few parks, and even then, most of those trees were transplanted into different parts of the jungle.
