In the mountain forest at night, Altaïr and Maki stood face-to-face, each holding out one hand.
Blood trickled from the cut on Altaïr's palm onto the wound in Maki's hand below, then ran down her fingers and dripped to the ground.
The scene looked rather eerie, as though they were performing some strange religious ritual.
"All right, that's enough." Maki took out a Potion and pressed it into Altaïr's hand. "That should do it."
Altaïr withdrew his hand but did not immediately drink the Potion to stop the bleeding. "Would you... perhaps like to try drinking a little more?"
Maki shook her head rapidly. "No, no. Drinking human blood would be going much too far. Besides, only our immune systems are unusual, not our digestive systems.
"What microorganism could survive the acid in the stomach?"
Faced with Maki's firm refusal, Altaïr pulled his hand back. He drank half the Potion and poured the rest over the wound to disinfect it and promote healing.
As he worked, he carefully chose his words. "May I ask whether these microorganisms have some special significance for you?"
Worried that the Potion might interfere with the transfer, Maki did not drink any herself. She merely took out a bandage and wrapped her hand.
Altaïr's question made her pause.
Only Maki and the physician Yan knew that her physical condition was nearing collapse. She had never considered telling anyone else the truth.
But the microorganisms inside Altaïr might be her only hope. The kid had shed his blood without the slightest hesitation, so continuing to hide the truth from him no longer seemed right.
After a brief hesitation, Maki gave him a simple explanation.
Altaïr's eyes gradually widened. He had guessed that the microorganisms might have some special effect on Lady Maki, but he had never imagined her condition was so serious.
Damn it. I should at least have asked Mr. Alva and the others to preserve a few samples back then.
His voice grew urgent. "Then perhaps, once we return to the Red Stronghold, we could ask the Institute Director to help us arrange a blood transfusion.
"We could do it once every few days..."
"There's no need." Maki chuckled and cut him off. "Our blood types may not be compatible. Even if we're lucky and they do match, word could easily get out. I don't want Hinoa and Minoto to know about any of this.
"Besides, if bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms can be transferred, what we just did should have been enough. If they can't, no amount of transfused blood will make a difference.
"Let's leave it at that and entrust the rest to fate."
"At least let the Institute Director examine you. She helped observe and study the microorganisms inside me, so she's very familiar with them.
"She should be able to confirm whether any of them have truly taken root inside your body. If they haven't, she may be able to suggest another solution.
"And the Institute Director isn't a gossip. She should be able to keep your secret."
Faced with Altaïr's unexpectedly firm insistence, Maki could only raise both hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. We'll try it your way."
—--
By the time the two returned to the stronghold, dawn was approaching.
Lights still burned inside the hastily established Kamura branch of the Frenzy Virus Research Institute. Scholars and Alchemists were busy processing samples from infected Monsters and refining Wystones.
Without those tools, the Hunters would have great difficulty operating freely.
When Altaïr and Maki entered, the scholars stared at them in astonishment. Altaïr had appeared severely infected that evening, so why did he look normal now?
The Institute Director showed no surprise.
She knew that Maki could overcome the Frenzy Virus even without a Wystone and that the two Hunters shared similar constitutions. Since they had arrived together, Maki had obviously taught Altaïr how to overcome the infection.
Hmm... so it was a method reserved for people like them.
Then why had they come to the Research Institute? Did they want her to confirm that Altaïr had fully overcome the infection?
Before she could ask, Altaïr addressed her with a grave expression. "Madam Director, could you come with us? We'd like your help with something."
The Institute Director raised one pale eyebrow but did not refuse. She followed Altaïr and Maki to an unoccupied corner.
Altaïr looked at Maki, who reluctantly gave the Institute Director a brief account of her condition and their attempt to transfer the Radiant Dragon microorganisms.
Keen interest immediately flickered in the Institute Director's pink eyes.
Now this was a fascinating subject!
Without another word, she took a sample from the wound on Maki's palm and went to examine it with instruments and equipment the Hunters could not understand.
After a wait that felt interminable to both Maki and Altaïr, the Institute Director returned with the results.
"I have good news and bad news. Which would you like first?" the Institute Director asked, indulging in a rare bit of suspense.
"The bad news," Maki answered without hesitation.
"The bad news is that only a minute number of microorganisms entered your body. They seem to have adapted completely to Altaïr's internal environment, and those that entered you show extremely little activity. In fact, they appear to be entirely dormant."
"And the good news?" Altaïr pressed.
A smile tugged at one corner of the Institute Director's mouth. "The good news is that your blood types are compatible. We can consider using a transfusion to introduce a much larger quantity of microorganisms into Maki's body.
"As for reactivating them, making them a true part of your body, and getting them to reproduce and serve you again, that is something you will have to work out for yourself.
"My personal suggestion is to try activating them with your own blood and qi, just as Altaïr does.
"These microorganisms are extremely adaptable. They may be somewhat uncooperative at first, but as they gradually adjust to their new environment, they should eventually conform to your body."
"Could that really work?" Maki was stunned. She had not held out much hope, yet the Institute Director's explanation made the chances of success sound surprisingly high.
"There are risks, of course, but compared with what is already inside your body, these microorganisms are practically harmless."
As Maki regained her composure, excitement crept into her expression. "If I really can tame these little things, does that mean other people could do the same?"
Her reasoning was straightforward. Even if the microorganisms could not ultimately heal her hidden injuries, perhaps they could find a way to pass them on to others, much like the Frenzy Virus and the Qurio.
"That probably won't work." The Institute Director wore her usual enigmatic smile. "Blood contact can transfer these microorganisms between you only because your immune systems are so unusual.
"In nearly a century, I have encountered only the two of you with similar constitutions.
"I strongly advise you not to give blood to anyone else. You should also avoid bringing your wounds into contact with other people whenever possible.
"There are far too many 'contaminants' inside your bodies. The Radiant Dragon microorganisms alone could cause severe rejection, allergic reactions, hemolysis, immune-system collapse, and other fatal complications."
"Uh, we'll be careful," Altaïr said, unconsciously rubbing at the dried blood on his palm.
So this stuff inside us is toxic to everyone else...
"Then should we begin the transfusion now? Do you have the necessary equipment here?" Altaïr asked the Institute Director.
"Of course we have basic medical equipment of that sort. How much are you planning to give her? Generally speaking, five hundred milliliters or less is quite safe."
"Then a little more should be fine too, right?" Altaïr asked with utter nonchalance.
He had lost blood from wounds far too many times during Hunts. What did five hundred milliliters matter?
The Institute Director gently shook her head. "I wouldn't advise it. Maki isn't anemic at present, either. She will need to have some of her own blood drawn before she can receive a transfusion."
"All right... Then let's start with five hundred milliliters and see what happens?" Altaïr turned to Maki, seeking her opinion.
Maki's expression turned conflicted.
All that earlier talk about being "blood relatives" had only been a joke. But after this, in a sense, wouldn't she and the kid truly be tied by blood?