Chapter 99 – EVO
***Tirnanog, Old Camp***
***Magnus***
I entered the infirmary of Conla’s flagship and checked the area with Second Sight. Within a moment I could make out Mark’s energy signature beyond a wall and made my way over to the door. I knocked and gave it two seconds before I opened the door with a wide grin on my face.
You got your own room? No fair, I have to share all my quarters! I joked as I made my way over to Mark’s bed.
The subject in question lifted his head and gave me an exhausted wave. Someone had cleaned him up and hooked an IV drip with a clear liquid to his arm.
Hey, Tulkas. I heard you are something akin to a prince now. Do I even deserve the honour of you visiting me?
I dismissively waved a hand. Call me Magnus when we are alone. Tulkas was just an alias I assumed for security reasons, though I still use it in public. And forget the whole ‘prince’ thing until you know what you are talking about.
He frowned. At some point, you will have to tell me why an alias would be necessary. Anyway, so Astra isn’t the daughter of two elders who could point a finger at me and have me thrown overboard? And the most anyone would do is ask how hard they should throw me?
Well…
Mark rolled his eyes. So you are a prince now.
If you keep it up, I will shock you and feed you to my pet dragon, I threatened. Besides, you already look a lot healthier.
Thalia told me those drakes of yours only eat plants though I don’t understand why they would need those dagger-like teeth for plants.
There are plants, and then there are plants in this world. Some shrubs are more dangerous than the animals, I pointed out and shuddered upon thinking about the treemonae or the spiketrees which ended most unknowing exiles. Are we going to continue the banter for long? If so, I will go and get myself something to drink.
Touch! Mark sighed. No, I guess I am done for now. Thanks for checking in on me by the way.
Certainly, just wanted to make sure you are recovering. I gestured at my head. Some things in this world just mess with you.
Mark’s eyes took on a haunted expression for a moment, but he caught himself quickly. Yeah, I am a little surprised about it too. It has been just a single night, but the last months already… feel distant. I can’t explain it. Maybe it’s having four secure walls around me? The bed? People to talk to?
I grinned. Are you sure the nurse doesn’t have anything to do with it?
He gave me a deadpan expression. That woman is plain evil. Yesterday, she kept poking and prodding me till late in the evening, trying to quantify my new mutation. Instead of letting me sleep. I can’t put into words how much I missed a real bed.
Oh, yes. Don’t worry. I also went through Thalia’s medical examination. I dismissed the matter with a wave of my hand. Be glad that you aren’t at Mount Aerie. On this ship, she doesn’t have access to all of her torture devices. What did you get anyway?
Some kind of sub-dermal armour which makes me stronger and faster, though not as fast as you if Thalia is to be believed. Apparently, it synergises with my Precognition, making the ability much more powerful. Its like having the proverbial sixth sense. Thalia said something about the cartilage tissue acting as my armour functioning as an extension for whatever affects Precognition in someone’s skin. Even though it shouldn’t be possible. Overlapping mutations not affecting each other negatively is extremely rare, which is why I became her new science project. According to Thalia, I won the genetic lottery with two overlapping mutations amplifying each other instead of turning me into a monstrosity.
If he hadn’t already told me of his fight with the night beast, I would have asked him which devil rode him to risk eating some unknown creature’s flesh.
Instead, I raised an interested eyebrow. Are you stronger than me now?
He might be if you let him sleep and recover, Thalia chided as she entered the room with a tray laden with food.
Truly? I asked, surprised at her confidence.
There are different types of ‘strength’, Thalia explained. Muscles, by their very nature, can’t be good at everything. Countless factors influence the functionality like fibre density, heat build-up, nutrient supply and waste expulsion after acid build-up. There are no advantages without trade-offs. Some tissues are optimized towards delivering short bursts of explosive speed like yours. Others might be perfect for endurance exercise. And in Mark’s case, it’s slow power.
Slow power, eh? I scratched my chin. Like Gurney’s? I remember him testing me after I got my mutation. Thought to myself there was no way he could overpower me, but that man’s hand was like a vice. Slow and steady wins the race.
Thalia nodded and placed the food in front of Mark.
I still don’t believe I am as strong as Gurney, Mark said while eyeing the food with watery eyes. Oh, you have no idea how hard it was. The only thing I could securely eat raw was starfish. My other mutations can’t be hunted in abundance anywhere in the region. And getting to the lake was almost impossible with Thich in the air and on the ground. Making fire to cook was a risk because of people smelling the smoke. The few times I tried, I had a patrol on my heels no less than ten minutes later. I was so hungry. After some time, you consider eating some raw plant just so-Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
Thalia took a piece of starfish and shoved it into Mark’s mouth. Just eat and stop pitying yourself! By Gaia, your doom and gloom is hanging over the room like a cloud.
She looked at me with an exasperated expression. I swear, I don’t know whether this guy has the most willpower I have ever seen in a person, or whether the self-pitying is a survival mechanism to cope with hunger. This is what I had to deal with since yesterday. The emotional abuse I went through is unacceptable.
No am urf mech… Mark tried to explain with a full mouth, but Thalia shoved another piece into his face to shut him up while she unloaded her woes on me.
I stayed for a while longer to make sure Mark was fine. Well, he was obviously not fine considering the emotional backlashes he suffered whenever something reminded him of the time spent alone in the wilderness.
About the music player? No. About you getting yourself into trouble at every opportunity? Yes, I tried to explain. The issue is, I dont believe you are doing it intentionally. You probably already figured out that you are way smarter than a kid your age should be, Isaac. We adults dont know how to deal with it, which is why I am taking a leap of faith here. The others are probably blind-sided by your capabilities. You know far more than a kid your age should and they are subconsciously expecting you to act according to this knowledge while simultaneously treating you like a real toddler. They tried to shelter you, but your abilities make it hard or next to impossible.
I turned down the corridor towards the treemonae garden.
Despite your maturity, Isaac, you obviously lack the life experience expected to come along with it. You know things, but you havent learned how to judge a situation and consider the consequences of your actions. You see a pretty, shiny thing and immediately want to touch it when you could have just asked any of the adults to show it to you. If thats how it is, then the only responsible thing I can do for you is to show you the dangers of this world so you may choose on your own not to engage them.
That day, I took my boy on a tour through all of Aeries horrors. As tame as the clans residential cave system was, there were still plenty of dangers which would snack on a toddler without a second thought. From the estates treemonae watchdog system to molerat carriages and Marias garden of poisonous plants. I didnt hold anything back including the live-feeding of some Isaac-sized animals.
When we returned from our little outing with Isaac riding on my shoulders, I was in for another surprise.
Look at who decided to show up again! I commented with an ambivalent smile upon meeting Iv and Hector in the estates lobby. They were still decked out in full survival gear, showing they had just returned from their little outing. Three weeks in the wilderness without telling me anything.
My sister looked chagrined, but of course, her character didnt allow her to back down.
Look, Magnus- she began, but I interrupted her, deciding to follow Astras advice and not mention anything about her relationship with Hector. Which didnt mean I had to approve of her actions either.
Why dont you greet Isaac at least? I picked the boy off my shoulders and held him out to a stunned Iv. Isaac, this is your aunt, Ivonne. Ivonne, this is your nephew, Isaac.
Isaac waved shyly.
I- ah- how? was the only thing Iv managed to get out.
A lot of things can happen in three weeks, I answered. Why dont you bring him to Astras quarters while I have a word with Hector? Isaac was a little naughty lately and together we affirmed he would have some apologizing to do.
For once, Iv didnt argue and simply took the boy from me and departed. She was probably too shocked by the situation to refuse.
Once she was gone, I turned to Hector. Judging by your appearance, you two didnt partner up?
Hector shook his head. I didnt believe it to be appropriate, even if Iv wanted to.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest and studied the man from head to toe before I met his eyes again. I would have expected you two to return as a partnered couple. So, is my sister not good enough for you?
Hectors expression turned blank. What?
Do you have second thoughts about becoming serious? Is it her looks? I asked. Too skinny? Her boobs not bouncy enough?
He pretended to clean out one of his ears with his little finger. I am sorry? I thought you disapproved of our relationship and would be jumping with joy if we returned unpartnered. Ivonne is a wonderful woman, but I also dont want your hands around my throat again.
I would have been very upset, I admitted. But now I have to ask myself whether you are serious about her.
Hector threw up both hands. Then what am I supposed to do? You dislike me partnering up with your sister. And now I get questioned for not hooking up with her! Sounds like theres no way to make it right!
I grinned. Welcome to the real world.
He raised a warning finger. You are messing with me!
I am, I admitted. But seriously
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
I got advised that there isnt much I can do if Iv really wants to hook up with you. And after some introspection, I have to admit that is true. But I have sacrificed a lot just to find the last remaining members of my family. Even got myself exiled on the mere hope of Iv and her sister still being alive. Its probably the biggest miracle I could have asked for to have her here with me now. I wont compromise this opportunity.
I patted his shoulder and smiled, hoping I got the message across as cheerfully as possible. But if you hurt her, or fail to protect her, know I will find a way to end you.
***Tirnanog, The Ancient Grove***
***Vanya***
I entered the observation platform with Anajed at my side, though right now I wished Tianna was with me. Unfortunately, she had gone with the task force to liberate the Old Camp.
Skye Rumen turned around and nodded at me while the airship broke through a low cloud cover, revealing the disaster awaiting us. Jengs Ancient Grove was burning and Thich airships were circling the area like a flock of vultures around a corpse.
Are we too late? I asked.
Skye studied the scene and shook his head in dismay. I honestly dont know.