Eve stood up and knocked Naomi on the head.
I know when you woke up, she said. Dumb ass. Pretend better next time.
A messenger interrupted before Naomi could respond.
They were told to dress properly and come promptly. There would be a tour of the sanctuary. Breakfast with the leadership afterward.
The underground sanctuary was enormous.
Everything that existed above ground existed here too markets, homes, gathering spaces. But since electricity couldn't reach this deep they had cultivated plants that glowed naturally, and the light from them made the whole place beautiful in a way that felt intentional. Like someone had designed this not just to function but to feel like a home worth staying in.
Eve thought about that as they walked. How long did something like this take to build. How many people chose to stay because they felt safe rather than trapped.
They passed a girl with pink hair. She moved differently from everyone else. Something about her didn't read right.
Eve caught Naomi's eye.
Something's odd, she said quietly. I can't feel her rift. She feels too low level to even be Unhuman.
You might be overthinking it, Naomi replied.
Maybe she's just good at hiding it like us.
But Eve kept glancing back as they moved deeper into the sanctuary.
Naomi got distracted by statues. They looked like people carved with such precision and detail that for a moment she thought they might move.
Eve, are these people important. Why do they have so many statues. Can someone actually carve something this good.
Before their guide could answer Eve stared at Soren until he understood what she wanted.
Out of pure fear he asked the question.
Sir, what's your name. We forgot to ask.
The man had a strange figure — hard to place in any category. He replied simply.
I go by various names. You can call me Siah.
What a strange name, someone muttered.
They kept walking and talking and after a while the tour became a blur of corridors and spaces and light. Siah pointing out different areas until they all went quiet and lost track of where they'd been.
And this is the exit, he said finally.
They looked back trying to remember it all. Eve still felt something off. She couldn't place it so she let it go.
Then people started running toward the clinic.
They were collapsing. Multiple people. No visible cause.
Eve moved toward the commotion without deciding to. Naomi and Soren followed.
What's happening, Eve asked the nearest person. Why are they being rushed.
I don't know much, they replied quickly. Just they're suffocating. But nothing's happening. There's no trace of what's causing it. They paused. We did a cleanup recently. Threw out old things we didn't want anymore. Some people say it's a ritual. Some say it's hunters. I don't know what the actual issue is.
They walked away before anyone could ask more questions.
Eve and Naomi and Soren stood there with worry written across their faces but no way to help and no information to work from.
They decided to meet with Somi instead.
Her home was different from everything else in the sanctuary.
The moment they walked in Eve saw it luxury that shouldn't exist underground. Luxury that belonged to clan leaders and high ranking officials. Everything in the space was carefully chosen and placed. Flowers in nearly every corner. Mirrors positioned to catch light from the glowing plants. Details in the walls and ceilings that would take years to design.
Wow, Eve muttered before she could stop herself. She's fine. It almost hurts.
Naomi and Soren noticed the details too but neither said anything. The inequality of it sat between them — how an Unhuman living in hiding had access to things that should be impossible to have.
Soren was distracted though. He could see people in the room that weren't visibly there. Ghosts moving through the space like they owned it. He kept his attention split between the living and the dead.
Finally they reached the dining room.
The table was long — thirty-two seats. The food could feed a small village. The table itself was kumiko, the intricate wooden patterns so detailed they looked impossible.
Eve stared at the design.
Somi noticed.
It looks good, right. It's kumiko made straight from the Koi clan. She smiled slightly. You might be wondering how I got my hands on it. Well, that's a story of its own.
She sat down across from them.
So tell me, how did you guys find yourself here. It's been a while since something interesting happened.
You think we're interesting, Eve said.Yes. I do. Somi's gaze moved across all three of them. Two girls with purple rifts. And you what's your name.
Soren. I go by Soren.
From what clan.
I don't know what clan I'm from. He said it like he'd said it a hundred times before. I was abandoned as a child and raised by a humble fisherman. I didn't know what clan he was from he was secretive about it.
Naomi was looking around the room. Seven gourds. Seven weapons of quality so high that only Wu Wei clan and their own clan of origin produced them. Her breath caught slightly.
Somi noticed.
Let's eat our meal before it gets cold.
Thank you, they all said.
The plates emptied. There was still enough food for days but no one could eat anymore.
Somi set down her utensils and her expression changed. She'd been thinking about this for a long time.
I want to appreciate you for joining me for dinner,* she said. Your presence is very welcomed.
She paused.
I want to formally introduce myself. I am Somi. As you might have noticed, I am the ruling leader of this sanctuary. I have been for about thirty years now. She looked at each of them. This is the only place where Unhumans can feel safe without having to change something fundamental about themselves. This is our home.
I'm introducing myself formally so we can have a real acquaintance. Another pause. But I have a request for you. And I need you to consider it carefully.
She stood.
Can we take a walk as we talk.
They followed her.
The halls were quieter now. The sounds of the sanctuary felt distant.
You might have noticed an unfortunate fate that has fallen on us, Somi said. Some of our people are dying with no apparent cause. Everyone is scared. No one knows who might be next.
She stopped and turned to face them.
My request is that you try to help us. I have a feeling you'll be able to solve this case.
What makes you think we can solve anything, Eve replied immediately. You don't know us. We don't have skills or tools or information. Even if we wanted to help we wouldn't know where to start.
Let's say instinct. Somi's voice was steady. I've trusted my instinct for thirty years and it hasn't failed me yet. I don't think it will now.
You'll be provided with whatever information we have and any tools we can access.
Soren spoke up.
But what if we can't achieve it. And what do we get as a reward.
Whatever you guys want, Somi said simply. I will grant one thing. Just try your best and stay safe. Hopefully everything goes well.
She turned and walked back toward her chamber, escorted by her guard.
Eve and Naomi and Soren stood facing the exit with its intricate design matching the table. The weight of the decision sat between them.
Eve watched Somi disappear into the distance.
She's still fine, she muttered. Even without looking at her face.
Her light blue hair moved like water as she walked. Her body had the kind of presence that made space feel smaller. The kind of presence that could seduce anyone even a Dominion leader without needing to show her face. Her voice alone was enough to convince most people to do almost anything.
The question was whether it would be enough for Eve.
For a moment Eve let herself think about it. Then the image was gone.
They arrived back at their room with the decision hanging between them like something alive.
Naomi sat quietly, a single thought working behind her eyes.
If the queen can grant anything we wish, she said quietly, loud enough for Eve to hear, is there a limit. What exactly can she actually give us.
Nobody answered.
They all nodded that they would make a decision tomorrow.
The weight of it followed them into sleep