First Reply Challenges of the Heart

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

I have never been afraid of being alone. Maybe that is why it cradles me like a blanket. Or maybe it is because it is the only place I can be myself; away from the questions, the political masks, the endless expectations of constant success. Above, in the city of Ilic, I am both the Director of NCBC, and of N&Z Laboratories; a title earned with years of hard work and dedication to that work. Below, in the forgotten depths of this once hidden ancient city, I am nothing but a stranger, and I like it that way.

I lower the hood of my cloak and step into the shadows of the underground passageway. The underground is silent, but there is a pulse here, something almost alive in the stone. I feel it tug at the edges of my consciousness as if the city itself is watching me. It is, I suppose. The rumored Heart of New Cov has eyes everywhere.

I glance behind me, making sure the guards are still at the top of the stairwell. They will never know I have slipped past them. I have made a habit of evading the people who try to keep me safe when needed. Maybe that is why I keep them close, they are my reminder of the cage I have built around myself. And in this moment I do not wish to put anyone else in danger but myself.

As I walk deeper into the tunnels, the air grows heavy. The scent of old stone mingles with something... sweeter. Something alive, yet unnatural. The ancient city beneath Ilic is more than just a relic, it is a living puzzle. Those who came before me on their own never returned, their bodies found in pieces or not at all. If you fail at the trials of the chambers, you don not just die - you are taken. Torn apart by bio-constructs that protect whatever lies at the heart of this place. They call it the Heart of New Cov, but I wonder if that is a name we gave it, or if it is something it decided for itself.

The Heart is the source of our biomolecules, the reason New Cov is so wealthy, so unique. Without it, we would be nothing. But no one truly knows where it came from, or what it truly is. I have heard the stories, whispers of a being that can bend life itself, that holds the power to reshape the universe. I have heard the fear in the voices of the old ones, those who once lived here and now only speak in riddles.

I can feel it now, calling to me. It has always been a whisper in the back of my mind, a hum beneath the surface. For as long as I can remember, it has been a part of me. Perhaps it is a part of all the Covie. It watches, it listens, it waits.

I pause at the entrance to the first chamber, my heart racing, my breath steady. I have always been a director, a leader, a scientist. I know the rules of the game. Solve the puzzles, pass through the doors. Fail, and the constructs will come.

I step into the darkness, knowing that this path might be the last one I ever walk. But I am not afraid. Not anymore.

I came here for answers. And for once, I am willing to risk everything to get them.

The further I go, the more oppressive the air becomes; thick with a dampness that sticks to my skin. The walls are covered in bioluminescent moss, its eerie glow casting distorted shadows, stretching out like fingers clawing at the edges of my vision. Will they try to grab me? I am not sure, and so I keep walking just in case. My steps echo in the narrow passageways, a reminder of how alone I am down here. The silence is heavy, like it is pressing in on me, but the hum of the Heart; subtle, and ever-present keeps me grounded. I wonder if it is aware of my presence. If it is watching me.

Is this what those Force Wizards feel? I am not one of them and never could be. I do not share in their abilities. But it feels as though there is something in the air that I cannot see, passing through it just as I am.

Perhaps I am really not alone down here afterall.

At the end of the corridor, I come to a door, its surface slick and dark, almost alive. I reach out to touch it, but hesitate. This is where the first trial in this section begins. The stories I have heard, the cryptic warnings from those who have dared to enter, this is when it all starts.

The door slides open with a soft hiss, revealing a vast chamber bathed in an unsettling, golden light. The walls are lined with intricate carvings, an impossible fusion of biological patterns and complex equations. At first glance, they seem like random symbols, but I know better. I can feel the pull of their logic, the precise order hidden beneath their chaotic appearance. My pulse quickens. This is it.

There, in the center of the room, floats a structure; an orb, delicate and transparent like a soap bubble, suspended by nothing. It hums softly, and I swear I can hear it whispering, beckoning me closer. Its surface flickers with shifting shades of what I presume to be colors, a kaleidoscope of strange patterns and numbers.

I step forward, my heart racing with anticipation. This is my challenge, the first test I must pass if I want to move forward. I have studied biomolecules my entire life, but these equations, they are not like anything I have seen before. The complexity, the combination of bio-engineering and abstract science, it is beyond me, beyond any of us. This ancient civilization lost in time seems to be far more advanced than what we have now.

I close my eyes for a moment, steadying my breath. The colors shift again, like they know I am studying them. My colorblindness does not help me here. I have learned to read numbers and equations in a world where hues do not matter, but this - this is not just about understanding. There is something deeper, something instinctive I need to tap into. The problem, the answer, the pattern, it is all buried somewhere inside me.

I reach out, fingers grazing the orb’s surface, and immediately, a sharp jolt of electricity pulses through my fingertips. The pain is blinding, but I hold on. The orb responds, the patterns swirling faster, more erratic. It is like it is just waiting for me to solve it. But there is no time. I can feel something moving behind me with an unsettling sound -shuffling, slithering -coming from the walls. The constructs are stirring. They are close.

I do not have the luxury of hesitation. The equations before me warp and bend, shifting like a living thing. I focus on them, trying to ignore the mounting sense of dread creeping up my spine. I need to get this right. The answers are here, but they are locked away, twisted in ways my mind can barely comprehend.

My fingers trace the symbols, deciphering one after another, aligning them with the equations I know. But there is something off; a subtle difference, a variation I cannot quite place. A wrong answer, and I will face the consequences.

I stop, my mind whirling. No, I think, there is a trick. It is not the numbers alone. I narrow my focus. It is the sequence. The pattern. The bio-molecular reaction.

The equation on the orb flickers again, and in that moment, I feel it, like a rush of understanding. I punch in the final sequence with trembling fingers.

The orb pulses in response, brighter now, as if it is pleased. The door on the far side of the chamber slides open, revealing the next passage.

I inhale sharply, a bead of sweat rolling down my temple. But my relief is short-lived.

The moment I turn to leave, I hear it. The sound of something skittering across the stone floor, and then, the unmistakable hiss of something… alive.

I spin around, heart hammering in my chest. From the shadows, something emerges, half-formed, a grotesque amalgamation of organic tissue and synthetic metal. It stands tall, towering above me, its body twitching and rippling like it is constantly shifting. The Heart’s constructs.

I swallow hard, my pulse rising again. The trial is not yet over. It is only just begun. I am not a fighter, I am a scientist. I have brought no weapons with me.

Now what do I do?

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

Thel had been looking for Liin.

Since their last meeting had revealed Lord Omri's paranoia, he had sought out the guidance of his adoptive family. Vera Mina and her daughter had advised caution, and had even offered to step in themselves to resolve things with Omri and the Terallos. But Thel, perhaps stubbornly, wanted to handle it himself. He had come to New Cov with a new plan, one that required him to meet with the Director of NCBC as soon as possible.

Yet before he could call upon her, he had spotted Liin leaving her quarters. Or more accurately: sneaking out. She was clearly trying not to make it obvious, but she was wearing different clothes no woman of her wealth would want to be seen in and kept looking over her shoulder as if she were afraid of pursuit. Thel followed her, but his shadowing was a bit more subtle, born of training since childhood in the art of stealth.

Her route was strange, leading down into the depths of the city. Faced with the oppressive air of the tunnels, their darkness lit only by bioluminescent moss, Thel's curiosity only grew. As did his concern. What on earth could Liin be up to that she would come down here to do it? Without any guards or protection, no less? He wasn't sure how capable she was, but she hadn't struck him as a fighter. If she were to face some danger down here, they likely would never even find her body.

Eventually, they reached a bizarre chamber. At its center was an orb. Thel watched from behind the cover of a pillar as Liin touched the orb, fighting through pain in an effort to understand it. A hissing noise made him turn his head. His eyes widened as he spotted the construct, a huge and hulking thing of organic and synthetic composition. It was headed straight for her.

Thel didn't hesitate. Stepping out of cover, he yanked his blaster pistol from the holster on his hip, took aim, and fired at the construct's back. Even if it dealt no damage, it might at least draw the thing's attention away from the defenseless Liin...

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

The construct steps into the faint light, it's grotesque form unfurling like a nightmare made flesh. At first, it seems almost delicate, with strands of biomaterial weaving in and out of jagged, metallic limbs. But as it moves, I see the horrifying truth; its movements are jerky, twitching, as though it is not fully alive. It's body is a crude bit of patchwork; a failed experiment of biology and technology. It has been twisted, I think, bent to serve an unknown purpose.

It's eyes - or what could be called eyes - glow with an unnatural, pale light. They lock onto mine with an intensity that makes the air feel cold and suffocating. A low, guttural hum fills the room, like the thing is calling to something deeper, something beyond the physical realm.

My heart pounds in my chest. The puzzle I solved was but a trigger! I knew it was too easy! Of course, I should have expected this. The chamber was not just testing my mind. It was testing my survival.

The construct moves again; its long, spindly limbs clicking as it advances, it's form shifting unnervingly as if its body is fighting to hold itself together. I take a step back, the weight of my fear sinking in. The thing does not walk. It slides, it's limbs dragging along the stone floor in a fluid motion that makes it look even more unnatural.

Another sound catches my attention. That of blaster fire echoing through the chamber. I know of that sound. The construct hisses, a sound so high-pitched it grates against my eardrums, and suddenly - without warning - it lunges forward towards me. It's hand snaps out like a whip; the sharp, metallic claws aiming directly for my face.

I dodge to the side, my pulse roaring in my ears. The construct moves with an unnatural speed, far quicker than I anticipated, and before I can fully regain my footing, it's other arm swings around, catching me in the ribs. Pain shoots through my side, but I refuse to let it stop me.

I roll away from the construct, my heart thumping, but I can feel the heat of it's presence behind me, like a shadow that refuses to leave. The construct’s claws scrape against the stone, sending sparks flying. It's hiss is louder now, more desperate. It wants me to - no, it needs me to pass this trial. To survive, I must face it. There is no turning back.

My eyes dart around the chamber in search of who fired the blaster. I half expected it to be Balun Dashiell , yet I knew that he was away from New Cov somewhere on his time off. Yet instead I find young Mister Bloodscrawl. What in the world is he doing down here?

The construct swivels it's torso to face the young man, almost daring him to open fire again.

I take a breath, forcing myself to think while the construct is distracted. What do I know about this thing? I have studied biomolecules, bioengineering; anything that could explain what was happening here. This construct is not a mere machine. It is a hybrid. It was designed. Created by the Heart, perhaps, or those that had built this ancient city. But the biology; the biology appears to be unstable. It's movements are erratic and not natural. It is not a soldier at all. It is a mistake. A creature that was never meant to exist.

I glance quickly around the chamber while it is distracted, trying to think. My body is already tired, aching from the impact and unused to violence, but my mind sharpens. The puzzle was not just about equations. It was about survival. I solved the equation, but this creature’s existence? That is another puzzle entirely. And the two seem to be connected.

I need to disable it as I did the orb. But how?

The construct turns back to me and lunges again, this time with it's full weight, aiming to pin me to the ground. I sidestep, and it's momentum sends it crashing into the wall. The impact causes the stone to crack, and for a moment, I see something; a pattern etched into the wall behind it.

I freeze once I back into another pillar near Mister Bloodscrawl. "Do you see that? It is more than just carvings. It is a sequence. The symbols - they are not just for decoration. They are like a blueprint. A map." And I realize, in that instant, what I must do.

The Heart’s design is not perfect.

I dive forward, grabbing hold of a loose piece of stone from the wall. I am not sure how much time I have nor of how much time either of us have, but it does not matter. The answer seems simple; disrupt it's core. If I can break the construct's structural code, its cellular integrity should collapse. I have seen it happen in theory. I can try to do it now.

The construct spins around, it's glowing eyes locking on me once again. The air crackles with it's unnatural energy, but I do not flinch. I have already solved this puzzle.

I thrust the stone toward the creature’s chest as it lunges at me once more, aiming for the core, the center where it's bio-organic material meets the synthetic shell. The construct howls; a guttural, inhuman sound that echoes in the chamber, and then the chamber goes dark.

For a moment, I think I have failed.

But then, I hear it. The creature’s hiss turns into a strangled scream, it's limbs twitching violently. The stone in my hand starts to glow, absorbing the energy from the creature’s body, draining its life force. Its form collapses, slowly at first; then with a violent, wet crack, the biomaterials unravel like threads falling from a broken tapestry.

The light from the orb pulses in the distance, but the chamber has fallen into a silence so complete that I can hear my own heartbeat in my ears. And perhaps even Mister Bloodscrawl's too. My hands are trembling, but I force myself to steady them.

The construct is no more. I did it. Yet if it was not for Mister Bloodscrawl to distract it; I might not have succeeded.

I glance back at the glowing orb, now brighter than before, as if it is acknowledging my victory. But there is no time to celebrate. This is just the beginning. For the deeper I go within the ancient city, the more I am sure to feel the Heart’s presence - closer, more intense, as though it is guiding me, or perhaps, even testing me.

Whatever it is, I know one thing for sure; I have come too far to turn back now. And yet when I had thought that I was safely alone, it has turned out that I have somehow attracted a shadow. I do not need to see him get hurt on my account. Or anyone for that matter. And yet here he is.

"What are you doing down here Mister Bloodscrawl? While I appreciate your aid, you should not be here. It is not safe. Was there a meeting planned that had slipped my mind?"

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

"Do you see that? It is more than just carvings. It is a sequence. The symbols - they are not just for decoration. They are like a blueprint. A map."

Thel was too busy trying to avoid getting killed to really focus on what she was saying. When the construct took a swing at Liin, he resumed his attack at full force, firing repeatedly at the creature. Just as he feared, his weapon had little effect on it.

Luckily, Liin was able to figure out its weakness. She used a sharp piece of stone to pierce the construct's core, draining the energy that powered it. As the construct collapsed, Thel began checking the rest of the chamber for any others like it that might be lying in wait.

"What are you doing down here Mister Bloodscrawl?"

"I could ask you the same question, Miss Terallo," Thel replied. "I followed you here."

"While I appreciate your aid, you should not be here. It is not safe. Was there a meeting planned that had slipped my mind?"

"It was spur of the moment," he said, excusing her forgetfulness. "I was hoping you could put me in touch with N&Z. Bacta-Works wants to do business with them." He gestured to the Heart Chamber. "What is this place, and why are you down here?"

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

He followed me?

I lean back against the stone pillar, using it's steadfast strength to support me. My body ached in more ways than one, for I am not used to getting attacked in a physical way and having to defend myself. The blow to my ribs did not help matters either, as it caused me to shorten my breaths and take more care with my movements.

Still, I find it to be quite ironic as Mister Bloodscrawl continues to respond to my questions. Even down here, well below the surface of New Cov; work has found me. It pulls on me just as much as the mythical Heart does. My work for NCBC and N&Z control very nearly every aspect of my life. And for that I have little complaints. But now I need to weigh my options, upon which there are two of them. One being that I can just give up on my quest for the time being and bring Mister Bloodscrawl back up to the surface to take care of business. Whether or not he informs others - like my guards - of what I am doing down here is a risk, however. The other is that I keep going deeper into the chambers and let him follow me. Although that too brings great risk for his own safety. How would I explain it to his family if he was to be hurt or killed?

In the end I decide to leave the choice up to him. Afterall, he chose to follow me down here. I did not invite him to come. So his own life should be his own responsibility. That was a lesson to be learned in growing up.

"I am unused to spur of the moment visitations. Sponteneity is not usually a part of my schedule. There is usually very little room for it." I let out a soft sigh before before straightening myself up once more and supporting myself on my own two feet. I have learned long ago that people respect those with perfect poise and grace; and I do not have any of that while leaning against a column of rock. "And although proper decorum would bade me to return to my office with you, I just for once in my life feel the pull for something else. This is an ancient city; a mystery that I wish to solve. It has been on my mind and in my dreams since it's discovery, which was also leaked on the holonet, mind you. Many have come to discover it's secrets. Many have died while while tresspassing into it's depths. But maybe that is because they are facing it's tests and puzzles in the wrong way. And given how little your blaster fire affected the construct, that hypothosis is a good one.

Now I leave the choice to you, Mister Bloodscrawl. You can either follow me further or go back and wait for me to return, upon which we can work out a contract between Bacta-Works and N&Z."

My eyes drift to the heaping mass that was once a construct. Will it return to life once more? Or is it forever broken and left to collect dust? I allow my gaze to shift towards the newly opened doorway. The darkness there is pierced with tendrils of bioluminescent light which pulse in a pattern not like a heartbeat, but like something else entirely. And I can feel it's pull calling me towards it.

"What will it be, Mister Bloodscrawl?"

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

Thel shrugged his shoulders as Liin politely expressed her displeasure. People generally didn't like it when they were followed, but if he hadn't tailed her, she might not have survived her encounter with the construct.

"And although proper decorum would bade me to return to my office with you, I just for once in my life feel the pull for something else. This is an ancient city; a mystery that I wish to solve. It has been on my mind and in my dreams since its discovery, which was also leaked on the Holonet, mind you. Many have come to discover its secrets. Many have died while while trespassing into its depths. But maybe that is because they are facing its tests and puzzles in the wrong way. And given how little your blaster fire affected the construct, that hypothesis is a good one."

Glancing down at his pistol, Thel returned it to its holster. "I have other weapons," he said. "But what about you? You're unarmed and unguarded. Do you plan on using a rock to defeat the next one of those things you encounter?"

"You can either follow me further or go back and wait for me to return, upon which we can work out a contract between Bacta-Works and N&Z. What will it be, Mister Bloodscrawl?"

Thel snorted faintly. He had already concluded that she needed his help, even if she wasn't willing to say as much. And for all that she may have seen him as only a boy, there was much more to him than met the eye. "I'll stay with you," he replied.

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

The sheer utter indifference that he displays is enough to infuriate me. However getting angry is impolite, and so I shove those feelings deep down after a brief moment. I can only hope that he did not catch it in my eyes before I could hide it.

And what is worse is that he very nearly talks to me as though I were a small child. I may have been sheltered from violent situations for most of my life, but I am not completely helpless. I defeated the construct, I remind myself; not him. I figured out his weak point. I had cracked the code.

Looking to the floor, I respond to him in kind, being careful to control my own tone of voice towards that of a strengthened calm. "My plan worked, did it not? And do not patronize me, please. I do not appreciate it and it is not polite. I may not be a warrior or adventurer, but I have made it this far. That has to account for something."

This is not the first time that I had been in this ancient city. Shortly after the discovery was leaked to the public, Karl Von Strauss and I entered through a different section with many of his drones and some guards to accompany us. We had gone through a few of the chambers before turning back, solving what we could until it had gotten to be too dangerous. The constructs there were different and so were the chambers. This entire ancient city was one big puzzle to be solved and I was determined to answer the call and solve it. I do not do it for some publicity or a big reward. Something just told me that this is what I am meant to do. I am certain that the accomplishment will help me to feel fulfilled instead of feeling empty. Even my colorblindness has turned into an asset here, instead of the hinderence that it causes me elsewhere. That surely has to mean something, I would think.

"Now is it ladies first, or are you more determined to take the lead, Mister Bloodscrawl?" I am hoping for the former, rather than the latter. However I have no inclination as to how he would rather play this out. I do not know him well enough for that.

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

"My plan worked, did it not? And do not patronize me, please. I do not appreciate it and it is not polite. I may not be a warrior or adventurer, but I have made it this far. That has to account for something."

"Credit where credit is due," Thel agreed. He wasn't sure why she was upset with him exactly. Maybe his sense of practicality and her need to be independent were causing friction somehow. "Would you like a weapon to carry with you, at least?" he offered. "I've got a couple knives on me. I could spare you one."

"Now is it ladies first, or are you more determined to take the lead, Mister Bloodscrawl?"

He could sense by her tone that she wanted to take the lead. In the interest of not upsetting her any more than he already had, he replied, "You go first." He could cover the rear and make sure nothing snuck up on them.

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

I am unsure if young Mister Bloodscrawl understands how I feel, or if he is just humoring me. In light of the fact that he is allowing me to continue this quest without calling anyone to retrieve me from this ancient city, I am resigned towards giving him some benefit of the doubt. "I suppose that a knife would be helpful. Thank you." I hold out my hand for it, palm up. I have used a dagger in practice before, but I have never used it against any one or any thing outside of that. Today could change that.

After taking hold of the offered knife, I nod my head in affirmation that I will take the lead. The air is still heavy as I step away from the remains of the construct, my pulse beginning to steady at long last. But something nags at me. An unsettling presence, almost like a weight pressing down on my chest. The Heart is close now, it's pull is undeniable to me. It is watching us. It is waiting.

As we move deeper into the winding corridors of the underground city, the walls shift. The glow from the bioluminescent moss fades into a haunting, darker hue. The further we go, the more alien the environment becomes. The ancient city is not just a place built on science; it is alive, as though it's very structure has been grown rather than constructed. The stones seem to pulse with energy, and I can feel the hum of the Heart beneath my feet, in the very marrow of my bones. I wonder if Mister Bloodscrawl can feel it too. Or perhaps it is some side effect from the glowing orb in the previous chamber.

The deeper we go, the more distorted reality feels to me. The air grows thicker, heavier with a strange, sweet scent as it did before, almost like the perfume of a flower you know you should avoid. I am not sure whether it is the Heart itself or something else down here, but the deeper we go, the more I feel as though I am being wrapped in it's tendrils. The bioluminescent markings that cover the walls flicker in and out, casting eerie shadows in every direction. The faint light glow illuminates the shifting equations; patterns that seem to warp and change, as if the city itself is rewriting the path forward, only revealing the next clue once the last has been solved.

"This is most unusual. It is a tech like our datapads, but more organic in nature. And it is almost as if it is trying to confuse us." The Vong took over New Cov for a time centuries ago. Could these be remnants of that time? I am not sure if it is just the weight of the place, or if something more profound is happening here, but the patterns that have appeared in front of us are beginning to make sense in ways I cannot explain. Each equation seems to have it's own rhythm; a pulse like the city itself was breathing with us. The numbers, symbols, and strange organic curves glow in different shades.

"I think that we need to follow the path of these equations. Somehow they may guide us along the right path." The markings have a form to them that cannot be easily understood by anyone who is not thinking the way this place demands. It is not just about reading numbers or patterns in the traditional sense. No, this is something alive - and alive meant it is in constant flux; ready to change when you are not looking.

The walls creak and groan around us, and the equations begin to shift again; new symbols lighting up like stars scattered across a dark sky. Some equations grow brighter, others dim as if they are fading into the stone, only to be replaced with others. The walls are folding in on themselves, and I can feel the tension growing. The path ahead is narrowing, but the bioluminescent equations are now growing more complex. It is as if the city is growing impatient, forcing us to keep up.

I scan the glowing symbols, trying to piece together the logic of the puzzle. A few of the equations I recognize from basic biochemistry - a sequence of organic chains, something akin to amino acids or nucleotides, forming larger structures. But some symbols are unfamiliar, biological yet alien in form. My hand brushes against the cold stone as I step forward.

"This one," I remark, pointing to an equation glowing brighter than the others. It is a double helix of light, coiling like DNA but with extra branches reaching out to the edges of the wall. If I am right it is a warning system. A guide, perhaps. A part of the city’s defensive mechanism to protect the Heart. The pattern here might lead us in the right direction.

As I take a step toward the equation, the wall before us began to pulse. The floor beneath us then shifts, and the walls tear open with a deafening noise! A massive screeching sound fills the air, and the construct emerges from the shadows. It is not human, but it's shape is vaguely humanoid. Large, towering, and with limbs made of intertwined metal and organic matter. It's head is too large, it's eyes are too many, a dozen glowing with the same bioluminescence that had once illuminated the walls.

The construct’s body pulses in rhythm with the equations we have just activated. The more we move, the more the equations change, as though they are feeding off of our presence, guiding the creature toward us.

By instinct I step back into Mister Bloodscrawl and take hold of his arm with my free hand. The construct charges us, it's body shifting and expanding, but now that the meaning behind the equations dawns on me, I can see what they mean! The construct’s attacks are predictable, it's limbs jerking in precise patterns, almost like a dance! If we can stay ahead of it's movements, we can predict it's next strike. "We need to move now!" I shout before pulling him forward as the creature lunges again, it's massive claws reaching for us. I duck, narrowly avoiding it's swipe, hoping that Mister Bloodscrawl follows my lead.

Suddenly, another set of equations flash, overlapping with the others, illuminating an opening in the wall. It could be a path forward. The bioluminescent symbols beyond it beckon, but time is running out.

"Run now!" I yell, pulling Mister Bloodscrawl towards the opening in as fast a speed as I can muster. The walls shift, closing behind us with a grinding sound as the construct roars in frustration, trapped behind the stone.

Silence falls upon us as the echoes fade away once more. Another respite, it seems. How much further is it? I hope that it is not much further.

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

Liin accepted his offer. He handed her a combat knife, well-balanced and simple with no electronics or other frills. Then they set out.

Thel followed close behind Liin, his eyes scanning their surroundings at every turn. While she was interested in the strange technology of the Heart, Thel was mainly focused on keeping them alive. "I trust your judgment," he muttered after she pointed out the equations and drew conclusions about where they should go and what they should do. He had no idea how she was able to determine this stuff, so he didn't feel any reason to argue or discuss it.

Then the wall in front of them suddenly began to pulse. Thel's startled gaze flicked down as the floor beneath their feet shifted, then split open. The noise was deafening, seemingly designed to disorient them, while another construct thundered in to kill them. Thel saw the incomprehensible equations changing, and quickly deduced that they were tracking his and Liin's movements, feeding the information to the construct.

"We need to move now!"

No need to tell him twice. Thel ran with Liin away from the creature, heading toward an opening in the wall. They made it through in the nick of time as the walls sealed shut behind them.

It was dark. Thel turned on a flashlight, illuminating his immediate surroundings. There was Liin, and some walls... another passageway. He heard the construct roaring in frustration, the sound muffled through the thick wall. "Great," he muttered. "Now we have no way back." Liin was probably more concerned about unearthing the secrets of the Heart than returning home, but Thel was more practical. He grit his teeth and sighed. "What now?" he asked Liin, since she seemed to have all the answers.

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

Ahead of us, the path splits into two. At least that is what I can tell from Mister Bloodscrawl's light. The left leads to an open chamber. It appears to almost be bathed in a soft, golden light. While the right descends into a series of winding tunnels, where the darkness seems impenetrable. A low, eerie hum emanates from the left, familiar to me and almost soothing. Is it the Heart? I can feel it pulling me, calling me toward the chamber. But the right path - there is something about it that feels more real, something that seems to stir the very edges of my mind. It is as though a part of me recognizes that path, though I have never walked it before. Not while I have been awake, anyways.

I stand there for a long moment, torn. The Heart is to the left. But what if that path holds something dangerous? Or worse, deceptive?

"Let us go to the right. It seems quieter that way. There's a chance that maybe it loops around."

I lead us through the right passage. The tunnels are narrow, their walls pulsing with that same, unnatural life the further that we go down. It is harder to breathe here; the air thick with a suffocating weight that presses against us. The further we go, the more I notice the subtle changes in the walls - the bio-organic patterns are shifting, writhing almost as if they are alive and watching us. They react to our every movement. The sound of our footsteps is muffled and I find myself reaching with my free hand without a thought to hold onto Master Bloodscrawl's. Knowing that I am not alone here gives me some comfort and a small part of me is glad that he had followed me here.

And then I see it up ahead - a large, circular chamber, its ceiling high and cavernous. In the center stands a massive pillar, smooth and gleaming like polished stone. But it is not stone. I can feel it, deep in my chest, the way it resonates with life, the subtle, almost imperceptible pulse coming from it. At the base of the pillar, embedded in the smooth surface, is a device. It is a strange, ancient machine of both organic and mechanical design.

I move closer, drawn to it like a moth to a flame, my fingers itching to touch it. It feels almost wrong, somehow. This is no ordinary technology. The glyphs on the surface are unlike any I have ever seen before; too complex to be part of any bio-engineering I have encountered. And yet, I know that I should be able to understand them. I feel that connection, the same way I have always felt my scientific instincts guiding me. But something else is here, something I cannot yet grasp.

I reach out, my hand hovering over the device. As soon as my fingers make contact, a surge of energy races through me, unlike anything I have ever felt! It is not just a current; it feels like a bonding, as though the machine is linking to my very DNA, drawing something out of me. I had a similar experience before when Karl Von Strauss and I had entered the underground city through another access point. But this time the feeling is more intense!

The room trembles around us. The hum in the air intensifies, rising in pitch until it feels like the sound is vibrating in my bones. I gasp, trying to pull my hand back, but it will not move! "Help! I am stuck!" The machine has locked onto me, its energy coursing through my body, melding with my cells, fusing with my own molecules.

A voice comes into my mind then. It is soft at first; like a whisper from the deepest recesses of my mind, but then it grows louder, clearer, as though it is speaking directly to me. "You are mine now." Panic floods through me, but the voice continues; persistent like an overbearing presence inside my thoughts. "I have made you into something more than what you once were. You belong to me, Director."

I shake my head, trying to break free from the grip of the voice, but I feel the weight of it's words in my chest, in my bones, as though it is true. The Heart is no mere myth. It is a force - a presence both ancient and powerful. But it is not of the same ilk as what the Force Wizards claim to use. It is alive in ways that I cannot comprehend. It is not just creating biomolecules for New Cov; it is creating itself.

And I realize then with horrifying clarity, what the Heart truly is. It is not just a being, not just a god-like entity. It is a parasite. A creature that creates life only to take it, to feed on it, to control it. It does not just want to shape New Cov - it wants to spread, to seed itself into the very fabric of the universe. And the biomolecules? They are not just tools for the Heart's unique life. They are the keys.

My hand is released from the machine then; either with Mister Bloodscrawl's help or not I cannot be certain. But the damage is done. I can feel it now, deep inside, a stirring in my blood. The Heart has marked me, and I do not know if I can ever escape it.

Another rumble is heard ahead of us, the sound of stone grinding on stone. A doorway has opened with the passage beyond bathed in a soft light. I turn to Mister Bloodscrawl. In some ways I feel defeated; as though I could feel a lecture filled with 'I told you so' coming. "I guess we go that way...."

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

Two paths lay ahead of them. To the left, there was light. To the right, there was darkness and more winding tunnels. Though it seemed inexplicable to Thel, Liin chose the right path. He exhaled, then took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever lay ahead. "All right. You first."

The air grew suffocatingly thick the further they ventured. Thel's eyes picked up the strange writhing of the walls, as if the place were alive. "I guess that's why they call it the Heart," he muttered. "Everything down here is like a throbbing organ or pulsating tissues..."

Liin grabbed his hand, trying to keep herself ground in reality. He let her do it, even giving her hand a comforting squeeze.

Eventually they reached a circular chamber with a high ceiling. It was easier to breathe there, but Thel knew better than to let his guard down. He watched as Liin approached the great pillar which stood at the center of the room, his gaze sweeping the exits for any signs of more constructs. So far so good.

At least, until Liin went to investigate the pillar. Finding a strange device at its center, she proved that she had learned nothing from past experiences fiddling with the mechanisms of the Heart and touched it. The results were as predictable as they were disturbing.

"Help! I am stuck!"

Thel raced to her side, staring at her hand, which looked like it was becoming fused to the pillar. He tried to pull her away, but its grip on Liin was too strong. With few options left, he did the first thing that came to mind: he grabbed his dagger and stabbed it into the device. Whether his tactic was effective or not, the thing soon released its grip on Liin, who staggered back.

"Are you all right?" Thel asked, giving her a quick once-over. She didn't appear to be injured, but the look on her face was... strange. As if she had seen something horrific in a truly cosmic sense.

Stone grinded on stone as another doorway opened, revealing a passageway. This one was well-lit, at least. Did that mean they were getting close to the end? Thel turned to Liin, finding her staring at him with a defeated expression. He didn't lecture her, but he did have a rather pertinent question: "Why do you keep touching these things?" Clearly there must be some purpose to it, yet she always seemed to react with panic when the machinery responded to physical contact, as if she didn't expect it. Was she just too curious for her own good?

"I guess we go that way...."

"Doesn't seem to be anywhere else we can go," he remarked, looking around at the chamber one final time. "If you aren't hurt, we should probably get going before we get attacked by another one of those constructs... or worse." He started walking toward the open doorway.

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

I find myself taking in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Mister Bloodscrawl's question was an honest one. Why do I keep touching those things? I look down to my hand and slowly flex my fingers. My hand is slightly red, but otherwise fine. At least it appears so. My only answer for him would be a silly one; and that is something along the lines of perhaps this could all be a dream. Yet in what dream does one feel textures and pain?

Instead of an answer, I merely give him a poignant expression followed by a nod of my head. Dutifully I follow him, with my other hand still clutching the knife that he had given me. In some respects I feel as though our ages wre reversed, for I have little doubt that Mister Bloodscrawl has experienced a lot more danger than I have. Yet I do not want to be held responsible should anything happen to him.

The path that we enter is softly lit, while the air carries with it a sweet aroma. The ground changes, turning from stone to moss; much like one comes across when walking along a forest path. Along with the sweetness in the air, the weight of it feels gentler too, just as the passageway expands to that of a lush cavern teeming with bioluminescent life. Mushrooms of various forms ranging in height of a few centimeters to that of towering trees engulf the area. Flowers bloom and glow, each of them a species known only to exist on New Cov.

"This is where it starts. Oh look, is it not beautiful?" I can only imagine what it woulld look like in color. Yet from what I can see the different shades both soft and subtle give the cavern an ethereal quality.

But how do they grow here? Where do they get their sunlight? Looking high above, I squint my eyes in a bid to look through the small spaces in between the tallest mushroom stalks. And it is there that I believe that I can see a few stars dotting what I hope to be the night sky. "I think, Mister Bloodscrawl, that we need to climb up through there?" Climbing is not exactly something that I have ever done before. I can only hope that he has knowledge in the craft. "Do you happen to know how?"

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

Liin responded to his question with a rueful look and a nod of her head. It wasn't much of an answer, but by then Thel's priorities had shifted to the cavern they emerged into after walking through the passageway.

"This is where it starts. Oh look, is it not beautiful?"

Thel grunted an acknowledgment, already on the hunt for traps or constructs that might be lurking in the shadows. "Do you think this cave is a natural formation, or man-made?" he muttered.

"I think, Mister Bloodscrawl, that we need to climb up through there?"

His gaze arched upward, spotting the stars visible through cracks in the ceiling, before he turned to Liin. So she finally wanted to leave this strange and dangerous place? He was happy to oblige her. "I'll use my grappling hook," he said, grabbing the hook attached to his belt. With a deft swing, he launched the hook upwards. It caught on a rock. He gave it an experimental tug, making sure it was stable.

Liin indicated that she was not an experienced climber. "You can hold onto me while I climb up," he suggested. It would be unwise for her to attempt to shimmy up the cord by herself when she had never attempted such before. Having her weight on him wasn't an ideal solution either, but he was fairly confident that he could get them both up safely.

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

His question of the cave's nature gave me pause. Was it man-made or naturally formed? In some respects I feel that it could be both. But if it was man-made, I do not believe that it was done by a Covie. Moreso it was probably built by the ancient civilization that crafted the underground city.

My wandering thoughts are interrupted as Mister Bloodscrawl remarks on using a grappling hook of his. "Do you always have one with you?," I inquire. Knives, a grappling hook; it made me wonder what else he carries around with him that is deftly hidden on his person. I could probably learn from that and hide many a things within the folds of my dresses and gowns.

"You want me to hold onto you? I shall give it a try...." Oh now this is awkward. Hold onto him how? I walk around behind him and wrap my arms lightly about his rib cage. But no, that seems wrong. It feels wrong. So I change the position of my arms to on top of his shoulders, only to remove them again, for no doubt I'd only end up strangling him the moment we got off of the ground.

How can such a simple thing be so difficult? Well I certainly know the reason for that question. I am not used to human contact. A little dance here and there during some social events is all that I have had. However the last time that I was invited to dance was quite some time ago. Even at my own celebrations I have been left standing alone amongst empty promises that are never fulfilled. But it does no good to pity oneself. Not when there are far more important tasks that need to be done.

Surely Mister Bloodscrawl has taken notice of my awkwardness. I let out a huff of breath and reconsider how best to grab hold of him. I wrap my right arm above his shoulder and my left arm below his arm. Then I interlock my fingers. At least this way there could be less of a chance of me slipping, and less of a chance of me strangling him. "Alright Mister Bloodscrawl, I believe that I am ready." I want to close my eyes, but I do not. A part of me feels the need to keep a lookout for danger. I only hope that the danger here lies just in the height.

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

"Do you always have one with you?"

Thel paused, taken aback by her question. Perhaps it was due to the differences in culture and upbringing between them, but it being unusual for a person to always be well-armed wasn't something he had ever considered. "Yes," he finally replied, a simple and to-the-point answer. "I never know when I might need it." Current circumstances seemingly proved it was better to have and not need than to need and be without.

"You want me to hold onto you? I shall give it a try...."

She first wrapped her arms around his waist. He opened his mouth to tell her that wouldn't work, as she would just slide off him, but she shifted her arms before he could say anything. Even he couldn't help but notice how tight her grip around his neck was, and was relieved when she changed her position. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than nothing. That had been the motto for most of their solutions throughout this entire adventure.

"Alright Mister Bloodscrawl, I believe that I am ready."

With a nod, he began to climb up the cord. Despite his youth, Thel was an adept climber; his muscles were strong and well-developed, the result of training and conditioning from an early age. They were making good progress toward the hole in the cavern ceiling, inching steadily closer to freedom and fresh air. Even so, Thel remained just as wary as Liin, ready to act at a moment's notice if their escape were to suddenly become a trap...

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

I wanted to just curl up into a ball, but it was impossible. I could only hold my knees up for so long before they became too heavy for me as Mister Bloodscrawl carried us upwards. I am far from any sort of athlete, so my muscles aren't nearly as strong as they could be. Will this event cause me to start some training? That is probably not very likely for I doubt that I will be putting myself in such a situation again. I will certainly not be seeking any adventures anytime soon.

The further Mister Bloodscrawl climbs, the longer that it takes; the more that I worry about losing my grip and slipping. Yet I hold on as best as I can, despite the fact that that I can feel my grip weakening. I shut my eyes then, for if I am to fall, I do not want to watch it happen.

The climb seems to last forever, yet we finally reach the top. I can tell by the angle of Mister Bloodscrawls body as it shifts forward. I open my eyes and look up, yet I do not let go. We are standing on a ledge with what looks like another six feet left to go before we were on the other side of the opening. And beyond that I can see the stars and towering trees. For anyone else this could be a sign of hope; but I know better. Every Covie does.

"This is not good, Mister Bloodscrawl. We are outside of the domes. The jungles are not safe. But I cannot see how far away the domes are, nor which direction. We will need to tread carefully and quietly."

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

With a final pull, Thel reached the top of the ceiling and heaved the two of them over the edge of the narrow hole. For several moments he could do nothing but lie there panting, exhausted from the climb.

"This is not good, Mister Bloodscrawl. We are outside of the domes. The jungles are not safe. But I cannot see how far away the domes are, nor which direction. We will need to tread carefully and quietly."

Waiting to catch his breath, Thel finally responded, "I have... a ship. I should be able to call the pilot to our location." He held up his comlink. "Unless... We're so far away from civilization... That I can't get service out here..."

Which was a very real possibility. Given the strange nature of the Heart complex, they could be many, many miles away from the domed city. Nonetheless, he activated his comms, trying to contact his ship...

Liin "Tera" Terallo​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

A Lady is not to crouch; and so while Mister Bloodscrawl takes a much needed rest on the ground, I stand nearby keeping a sort of vigil. The knife is held tightly in my hand while my eyes scan the foliage of the forest for movement. I know what dangers lurk in there.

Hearing Mister Bloodscrawl suggest that he call his ship, I find myself nodding in agreement while keeping the volume of my voice purposely low. "Please do, Mister Bloodscrawl." One look in his direction allows me to see that he is already doing so. I give a small smile of amusement, afterall he is no employee of mine so there is no reason for him to have to wait for any orders from me.

The fingers of my other hand cross, which is of course a silly gesture of good luck to make. However this entire situation could be viewed as silly. If my guards or my parents were to find out what had happened tonight; well I can easily see the lectures and constant watch on me that would follow for the next while to come. Of course the opposite could happen too. I am an adult, afterall, despite being very underprepared for a lot of real life situations.

Could I survive out here in the jungle? No.

Could I find myself food or water? Also no.

Could I build myself a shelter? That's laughable.

In this misfortunate adventure I am the small, silly child, while Mister Bloodscrawl is the responsible adult. Oh, how ironic.

"I do not believe that we have walked too far down there, Mister Bloodscrawl. Your signal should get through." At least the trees are not towering giants like those on the moon of Endor. So there is little to get in the way of different frequencies.

Tag: Thel Bloodscrawl

 

[Thel Bloodscrawl]

Thel waited with bated breath as his comlink sought out his ship. As soon as the connection was made, he quickly spoke into the device: "Rumble Fish, do you read me? I need extraction for myself and... a friend." He wasn't sure if someone might be listening, and if there was Liin probably didn't want them to know where she was or what she had been doing.

There was silence. Then a female voice answered, "Copy that, Rumble Fish. We are tracing your coordinates. Stand by for extraction."

Thel gave Liin a reassuring nod. "Stay within sight. They'll pick us up soon."

He couldn't help but yawn. It had been an eventful night. He had nearly forgotten his original reason for seeking Liin out. But as they stood there waiting, he remembered why he had come to New Cov. "I was going to offer you my help in getting rid of Lord Omri and his son, since they've been causing you trouble." After tonight, he got the impression Liin had more than enough trouble in her life.

Liin "Tera" Terallo​