"What's the plan here, Yve?" Darnell asked.
Yve hesitated. "I actually have no plan..." She glanced down at the sword in her hands. "But I have an idea."
They ascended the stairs toward the ARC. The familiar hum of its systems grew louder as they approached the bridge.
Yve remained unusually quiet. "I-I've actually..." She swallowed. "Darnell, I have a confession..."
Darnell glanced at her but said nothing as they entered the bridge.
Yve walked toward the control table and carefully placed the sword down. Duncan and Darnell followed, both looking at her expectantly.
"What is it?" Darnell asked.
Yve stared at the sword. "I-I have a... I've been..." She struggled to find the words. "Uhm... I don't want to get your hopes up. I just..."
"Spill it out, Yve."
Yve took a shaky breath. "I think I just found where father is."
The room went quiet.
Duncan gave a faint whistle under his breath and Darnell just stared at Yve, completely baffled.
Yve tensed, squeezing her hands together as she struggled to keep her composure.
"I-I... I, uh..." She swallowed hard. "I've been... Hmm..." Her voice trembled. "I have a contact from the Jinnari civilization. He—he scanned my father's aura using their technology, and..."
Her voice became muffled as she fought back a sob.
"I-I have the coordinates to where his aura is." She took another shaky breath. "If—if we use the ARC, we can get there in no time... but..." Yve's breathing grew heavier and her eyes began to water. "But I'm not really sure if he's there... or how accurate the information even is. But he, uh..."
Darnell slowly stepped forward. "Yve..."
Yve looked at him. "I-I know the family agreed not to look for him anymore after waiting for half a century. I know..." Her voice cracked. "I know we've all agreed not to discuss him anymore, but I-I just..." She sighed heavily, lowering her gaze.
Darnell's expression softened as his own voice began to tremble. "Thank you."
Yve looked up.
Darnell stepped closer and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
Yve immediately broke.
She buried her face against his shoulder as Darnell gently caressed her hair and rubbed her back. Both of them sobbed quietly, trying desperately to keep themselves from crying harder.
"Thank you..." Darnell whispered. "For not giving up on him."
Yve nodded against his shoulder. "How could I?" she whispered. "I haven't apologized yet."
They held onto each other tightly, neither of them willing to let go.
Duncan faintly smiled at Yve and stepped forward. He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks before giving her a firm grasp on the shoulder. He nodded, and Yve returned the gesture.
Finally, the hug broke.
Darnell gave a faint, shaky chuckle as he wiped his own eyes. "Who—who's your contact? Can we trust him? Where did he say Lucien is? Is—is he still alive?"
"Oh, uh..." Yve took a breath. "He goes by the trade name Null. I-I trust him..."
Duncan stepped forward. "You said he's a Jinnari. They are known to be secluded and don't really socialize with other civilizations. How did you find him?"
"Twenty-four years ago, he once asked me to find something for him. I found it and shipped it to him." Yve paused. "We've been in contact ever since. I trust him."
Darnell looked toward the coordinates still displayed on the monitor. "Where did he say Lucien is?"
Yve pulled up the coordinates.
Duncan and Darnell looked at the display.
"South Korea..." Darnell said quietly.
Yve looked at him. "You know where that is?"
"Yeah." Darnell nodded. "I once lived there for six months. Earth is bigger than you think. And the surface has a lot more to offer. I wasn't just going to stay in one continent."
Yve nodded slowly. "I... I haven't told Ysa yet."
Darnell looked at her. "Really? Why?"
"I don't want to get her hopes up." Yve lowered her gaze. "Even I am trying to keep my hopes down... so I won't be deeply disappointed if we don't find him."
Darnell thought about it for a moment. "Hmm... I agree. She's more sensitive when it comes to your father." He paused. "But you're gonna have to tell her before we go find him."
Yve quietly nodded.
Darnell looked back at the sword resting on the control table. "So what's your idea?"
Yve reached toward it. "That I send Emily's residual aura from the sword to Null so he can look for her."
Darnell nodded slowly. "Okay..."
Yve hesitated. "Only problem is... I don't know how to extract it."
Darnell looked at Duncan.
Duncan shook his head. "We don't know either, Yve. I mean, sure, there's an ongoing experiment on how to properly extract and store aura, but..." He paused. "Last I heard, every batch test failed."
Yve frowned.
"But I mean, we can extract aura from dead bodies. I did it with Haugen's body." She glanced toward the sword. "I just don't know how to do it on stuff like a sword."
"Yeah, but come on..." Darnell gestured toward the sword. "Forcing an aura to be visible is different from extraction, preservation, storage... We don't have the current technology for that."
Yve stared at the sword. "Well, we don't exactly have months to waste delivering Ysa's sword to Null." She looked up at them. "Emily might be dead by then."
Silence settled over the bridge.
Yve clenched her hands. "There has to be another way."
Duncan glanced toward Yve, his expression thoughtful. "Well... what about Callista?"
Yve's expression immediately tightened. "That's a good idea, but no..." She lowered her gaze. "We can't. And frankly? We shouldn't."
Duncan watched her carefully.
"She's drained right now, and to be honest..." Yve hesitated, her voice dropping. "I'm... I'm embarrassed to ask her."
"Really?" Darnell asked. "Why?"
Yve looked between them.
For a moment, she said nothing. Then she sighed heavily and lowered her head.
"I brought you guys here..." she said. "Look at me. Shamelessly using your gifts to protect Havenwall and find my friends." Her fingers curled against her palm. "I saw Callista. Her hands were cold. And she still hasn't regained her energy." She swallowed. "It would be selfish of me to ask her to use it again."
Darnell sighed and nodded. "Fair point... but we could still try."
"Don't be ashamed, Yve," Duncan said.
Yve looked up at him. "What?"
Duncan exchanged a glance with Darnell before looking back at her. "We're also living off the humans."
Yve blinked. "Uh... how?"
Duncan and Darnell looked at each other again.
Duncan exhaled. "Reefville is gone. My home. Our home." His expression hardened. "A thousand years of endless war, just to give us the peaceful home we had at Reefville." He looked away. "Failing to protect Reefville... the very waters our ancestors died protecting..." His jaw tightened. "It's shameful."
Yve's expression fell. She looked down at the floor, unable to argue with him.
Darnell stepped forward. "But you bringing us here has given us another purpose."
Yve looked back at him.
"Another people to protect," Darnell continued. "Until we find the perpetrator who destroyed Reefville, who massacred our people... until then, we're protecting Havenwall."
Yve stared at them for a moment.
Neither man looked away.
She lowered her gaze, her hands clenching into a fist. "Then..." She hesitated. "Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way."
Darnell raised an eyebrow.
Yve looked between them. "If you two are already here to protect Havenwall, then maybe I shouldn't be the only one thinking about where we can get help."
Duncan tilted his head slightly.
Yve looked between Duncan and Darnell. "Don't you two have any contacts from other civilizations that have the technology we need?"
Duncan shook his head. "I don't... I don't really have many friends besides you guys."
Darnell remained silent for a moment. "I used to."
Yve turned toward him. "Used to?"
Darnell's expression shifted. "Eh... it's a long story."
"Well, can't you reach him now?"
"Her."
Yve paused.
Duncan looked at Darnell.
Yve raised an eyebrow. "Okay... her, whom you never told us about. Who is she?"
Darnell reached up and rubbed the side of his neck, avoiding their eyes. "Someone I used to know."
Yve slowly turned toward Duncan. Duncan was already looking at her. They exchanged a knowing glance.
Yve turned back to Darnell. "Well... can you reach her? Do you still have a way to contact her?"
"Not anymore." Darnell shook his head. "Last time we talked was way before you and Ysa were born."
Yve nodded, her curiosity growing. "What civilization is she from?"
"Mayans."
Yve and Duncan exchanged another glance.
Duncan's mouth curled into a grin. "Didn't know you fancied feathered people."
Darnell immediately looked at him. "Okay, okay... that's enough."
Yve covered her mouth, trying to hide her grin. "Aww... have we plucked a scale?"
Darnell's face went pale. "Yve..."
Duncan laughed. "Wait. Didn't know the Mayans already had that kind of technology like the Jinnari for centuries."
Darnell shook his head. "Well... no. Not technically." He hesitated. "She's now in the Eirveil Realm."
Yve's teasing expression disappeared. "Wow..." She blinked. "That's... quite an honor." She lowered her head slightly. "I apologize for making fun of her."
Duncan looked at Darnell, his curiosity returning. "Really? How'd she get in?"
Darnell's face went pale again. This time, he didn't answer immediately. His eyes lowered. "She died."
The humor disappeared from the room.
Yve's expression softened. "Darnell... I'm sorry."
"Yeah..." Duncan's voice was quieter. "Sorry, man."
Darnell swallowed and looked away. "It's history now." He took a slow breath. "She and I..." His voice shook slightly. "Only woman I ever saw a future with."
No one said anything for a moment.
Yve glanced toward the sword. "Well... she's not an option, then."
Darnell nodded.
Yve sighed. "Okay. Back to the problem."
Darnell looked toward the control table. "Nine... check the latest updates on the Siren civilization's technological advancement. Are there any improvements regarding Project APEX?"
Nine's voice came from the bridge. "The latest updates regarding Project APEX, or Project Aura Preservation and Extraction Experiment, indicate that another experimental batch utilizing technology provided by the Carrial residents has failed. However, there are ongoing geopolitical talks regarding acquiring technology from other civilizations, including the Jinnari, Nymthe, and Slytharian races."
Duncan folded his arms. "What if you just ask your buddy Null to maybe send us a prototype of their tech?"
Yve hesitated.
"I could..." She raised two fingers. "There are only two problems." She folded one finger, leaving only one raised. "One. He might not agree. You know the Jinnari and their gatekeeping personalities." She raised another finger. "Two, if he does agree, it would take four months for it to be delivered here. And I just told you, we don't have that much time to wait."
Duncan thought for a moment. "What if he just shows you how the tech works? Get him on live while we take down notes."
Darnell immediately looked at him. "Seriously? You trying to start a war?"
Duncan scoffed. "What? I was just saying... as long as no one finds out."
"Hell no." Darnell shook his head. "I'm not risking that, and you're not risking that. We are not risking a war between two civilizations for one human life."
Duncan's expression hardened slightly.
"If they find out we stole their technological property, it'll start a war between the Sirens and the Jinnari."
Yve sighed. "I mean... as long as no one finds out... right?"
Darnell stared at her. "I said no."
Yve fell silent.
"This whole rescue mission with that Emily girl is getting your integrity twisted," Darnell continued. "You can still rescue her without risking either civilization. Not to mention, it's diminishing to our integrity and a huge insult to our race's honor."
Yve lowered her head.
For a moment, she said nothing.
"Y... you're right." She looked back toward the sword. "I guess I'm just going to have to convince Null to share."
With that conversation settled, Yve contacted Null.
It took several attempts before he finally accepted the call. His three-dimensional holographic projection flickered into existence above the interface, the image shifting slightly as it stabilized.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, Null... did you receive the payment? I just sent it."
"Yeah. I was reading the Binding Favor contract you sent. I let you ring for a few calls."
Yve chuckled. "Yeah... typical." She glanced down at the contract on her tablet. "What do you think?"
Null chuckled. "I was reading the terms. It says I can't ask for your hand in marriage or ask you to kill someone."
"I had to..." Yve said. "I know you're not going to do either of those things, but ever since someone made that absurd request for a favor, I just... I had to put a limit on it."
"Yeah, no. I understand." Null nodded. "Thanks for this, though. You didn't really have to send a Binding Favor."
"I stamped my copy with my blood. Accept it or destroy it. Your choice."
Null simply nodded. "You need anything else, though?"
"Yeah..." Yve hesitated. "I have a sword here that might still have some residual Aura left. It belonged to someone I know. She's missing."
Null's eyes narrowed slightly. "And... you want me to look for her?"
"Yes. That's what I like about you, Null. You're smart."
"Doesn't really require a genius to reach that conclusion." A faint amusement entered his voice. "And I'm assuming there's a problem."
"Yes..." Yve sighed heavily. "You know very well that my race hasn't really made much advancement with Project APEX."
"Geez, Clyve..." Null interrupted. "I think I know what you're trying to say, and my answer is no."
Yve blinked. "Really? Straight up, no?"
Null nodded. "Can't help you, Clyve. Either you ship that sword to me, or you figure out a way to extract, preserve, and properly store the residual Aura yourself. Then you'll need to convert it into readable signature data that my equipment can actually process. Either way, I can't do it for you."
"There has to be another way, Null..."
"Sorry, Clyve. But there isn't."
Null paused.
"Unless the Jinnari High Council decides to permit our technology to be shared with other civilizations, then perhaps I could assist you. Until that happens, I cannot give you access to, nor share any information about the technology of my people."
Yve lowered her gaze as she remained silent.
Null seemed to feel a little guilty and immediately added, "Don't pout, Clyve. You know very well that if I were to disclose restricted technology without the Council's permission, I would be violating the trust placed in me."
He paused.
"And I would lose my status, possibly be exiled."
Yve looked back at him. "That's too bad…" She sighed. "I get it."
Null gave a small shrug. "You can ship to me the sword. Or you can solve Project APEX."
With that, Null gave a small nod.
"Have to go, Clyve. I've got a client calling in."
"Yeah, sure..." Yve sighed. "Thanks, Null."
The holographic projection disappeared.
Yve stared at the empty space above the interface for a moment before sighing heavily. "Well... there's that." She looked around the bridge. "Anyone got any ideas?" She picked up the sword from the control table and turned it over in her hands. "We're not even sure if there's any Aura left on this thing..."
Darnell sighed.
No one answered.
For quite some time, the three of them stood in silence, each trying to think of another possibility.
Then Darnell's expression suddenly changed. "Wait." He looked toward the control table. "Nine... what about you? Do you have any ideas?"
"I've got a few ideas."
Yve and Duncan both looked toward the interface.
Darnell stared at Nine for a moment. "You've had ideas this whole time and you didn't tell us?"
"You didn't ask me."
Yve immediately covered her mouth, trying to suppress a faint laugh. "Okay..." She shook her head, still fighting a smile. "Let's hear it, Nine. How could we possibly find Emily without having to solve Project APEX, with the limited amount of time we have left?" She glanced at the sword. "Give or take three weeks. Maybe less."
Nine paused briefly.
"Option one. After searching the Galactic Web, I have found several technologies and relics capable of locating an object, a person, or a specific location. Most of them require some form of identifying information, such as DNA, an image, coordinates, or a physical imprint of the target."
Yve immediately shook her head. "Can't. Every time the sword dissolves and re-manifests, the fingerprint doesn't get restored." She looked down at the blade. "And we're not even sure if there's any Aura left."
"Indeed. The genetic material left on a Siren's weapon is erased each time the weapon returns to its original state. Given the amount of time that has passed since Emily last touched the sword, it is possible that no residual Aura remains. Even if there were trace amounts remaining, we would still require Project APEX to extract and preserve it."
"Yeah, yeah, we already know that." Yve waved a hand impatiently. "What are your other ideas?"
"Still under that option. I found two possibilities that may help us: the Willsign Dial, a relic from the Eirveil Realm, and the Nacci SEQ Tracker, an unfinished project being developed by the Mythe civilization."
Yve froze. "The Willsign Dial..." Her eyes widened. "The Dial." She slowly turned toward Duncan.
Duncan blinked. "I-I gave that to you, didn't I?"
Yve's expression suddenly lit up. "Oh my heavens... you did!" She practically jumped in place. "You did give that to me!" Her excitement immediately took over. "Oh! We can find Emily!"
Yve threw her arms around Duncan.
Duncan barely had time to react before she started bouncing excitedly, dragging him into the celebration.
"How could I forget that? Damn!"
Duncan laughed as he tried to steady himself. "Where is it?"
"It's in my stuff..." Yve suddenly stopped. Her eyes widened again. "My stuff is in the Tidecraft." She looked toward the doors. "Oh my heavens. Wait here!"
Before anyone could respond, Yve hurried out of the bridge and ran down the stairs.
Yve hurried down the stairs, nearly tripping over herself in her excitement. She finally reached the open area where the Tidecrafts were parked and quickly located the one she had used when she returned after recovering.
She opened the rear compartment and immediately began rummaging through her things.
"Come on... where is it..."
Finally, she spotted it wedged into a corner.
Her face lit up. "Oh!"
She grabbed the Willsign Dial and held it tightly in her hands. The hands of the strange device immediately began spinning before gradually slowing down and locking onto a direction.
Yve stared at it.
Then she looked around. "Ava..."
She quickly began searching for her. After running around and asking the residents she passed by, she eventually found Ava beneath the Winslow tree, kneeling quietly on the ground.
Yve slowed as she approached. "Ava?"
Ava didn't answer.
Yve reached her and gently touched her shoulder.
Ava stiffened in surprise before relaxing when she realized who it was. "Yve."
"Hey..." Yve hesitated. "Are you okay?"
Ava quickly wiped her tears and stood, deliberately avoiding Yve's eyes. "You need anything?"
Yve held out the Willsign Dial.
Ava looked at it before cautiously taking it from her.
The moment it entered her hands, its needle began spinning.
Ava stared at it as it rotated several times before suddenly locking into place.
Yve smiled faintly.
Ava looked at the device in confusion. "A compass?"
"Not just a compass," Yve said. "It's a relic. They call it the Willsign Dial."
"Oh..." Ava glanced at it again. "Okay?" She looked back at Yve. "And?"
"It points toward your desire."
Ava blinked. "My desire?"
"Yeah."
"How? What?"
"I don't know the entire mechanics behind it." Yve shrugged slightly. "All I know is that it responds to desire. Duncan said it's still a little broken, but the desire mechanism works."
Ava stared at the Dial. She thought about it for a moment. "Okay... that's, uh... cool, I guess."
Yve smiled faintly. "It could point you to Emily... if you strongly desire to see her again."
Ava froze.
The words seemed to take a moment to register. Her fingers tightened around the Dial and her hands suddenly felt cold.
Excitement, regret, guilt, and hope.
She didn't know what she was feeling. Maybe all of it at once. "Really?"
Yve nodded. "Yes."
Tears immediately welled in Ava's eyes.
They rolled down her cheeks as she laughed through them, smiling despite the tears.
Yve barely had time to react before Ava threw her arms around her.
Yve hugged her back, gently patting her on the back. "We'll find her..."
Ava nodded against her shoulder. She pulled away and looked down at the Dial. "I-it's pointing somewhere." Her voice trembled with excitement. "W-we... let's go find her."
Yve nodded. "I'll get a Tidecraft. I'll come with you."
Ava smiled. "Okay."
Yve quickly turned and ran.
Ava remained beneath the Winslow tree, holding the Willsign Dial tightly in her hands as she watched her leave.
The Dial continued pointing in the same direction.
~~~
The Tidecraft lifted from the ground, pulled forward by two Pegacampi. They hadn't traveled very far when the Willsign Dial suddenly shifted. Its needle tilted sharply in another direction.
Yve glanced down at it. "Huh?" She adjusted the Tidecraft's course, guiding the Pegacampi toward the direction indicated by the Dial.
A few moments later, Yve frowned. They were circling something—a specific building inside Havenwall.
Ava looked around. "I... here?" She glanced toward the walls surrounding them. "Yve, we're still in Havenwall."
Yve slowly guided the Tidecraft downward. It landed with a heavy thud. The door hissed open as Yve pulled herself out, her tail dissolving back into legs as she stepped onto the ground. She turned and helped Ava down. "I don't get it..."
Ava looked at the Dial and followed the direction it indicated while Yve followed behind her. They crossed Havenwall until they reached a large security building. Ava stopped in front of the entrance, looked at the Dial, then at the building. Without saying anything, she stepped inside.
Yve followed.
They continued deeper into the building until they reached the makeshift jail where the cannibal prisoners had been held.
Ava stopped and stared through the bars at the prisoners. "Emily isn't here."
Yve looked at the prisoners, then back at Ava. "Ava... I never said it points to Emily. I said it points to your desire."
Ava looked down at the Dial. "Yeah... but... I don't get it."
Yve studied her for a moment. "What do you desire now, Ava?"
Ava hesitated. Yve's gaze shifted toward the prisoners. Several of them were quietly whispering among themselves.
"To find Emily," Ava said. "To get her back."
Yve remained silent for a moment. "You have to be honest with yourself, Ava. The Willsign Dial doesn't lie. Maybe you need some time to think about it."
Ava stared at the Dial. "What else is there to think about? I want Emily. More than anything else."
"I know." Yve looked at the Dial again. "But it's not a rule that you can only have one desire at a time."
Ava said nothing.
Yve stepped closer and gently pushed the Dial closer to Ava's heart. "We can't move forward until you become honest with yourself. I'll leave that to you. Hold onto it... and reflect."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Ava standing in front of the makeshift jail. The prisoners continued whispering behind the bars as Ava looked down at the Willsign Dial.
Its needle remained fixed in their direction.