"You should sleep." Yrix patted Ivy on the head, collecting the pieces of the Mimic before turning to leave. "It will help you heal."
Ivy shrugged meekly. "I'm not sure I can anymore."
The Arch-Flayer nodded, gracefully departing the room with her silent step. She knew full well that the heiress would not rest a wink. Instead, she would sit up in her bed, staring into the void with her red eye.
There was nothing to be done.
Yet once Yrix reached her office with the Mimic in tow, she spared no time in analyzing her quarry. She may have possessed the honor needed to keep Ivy from the emperor's prying hands, but still, there was a desire to learn for herself nonetheless.
"This material." Yrix mused, scraping the endoskeleton with her nails. "Humans wouldn't have access to it. Not in Sol."
"Her father would have collected it elsewhere." She continued. "But how..."
Grabbing all but the skull of the Mimic, the Arch-Flayer stowed her bounty away in a safe stored under her desk, its mundane appearance reinforced by a spell she had placed on it. Only a Psion of great talent could hope to open that vault. Moreover, it was inconspicuous enough to avoid detection with its human design.
"Well." Yrix thought to herself. "Maybe not from Lila. Best to put a normal lock on it as well. Ironically, I reckon that would keep her out."
Placing the skull at the center of her desk, Yrix stared for what felt like hours. She needed to understand its inner workings so that perhaps she could accelerate Ivy's healing process. Indeed, the guilt of what had befallen the heiress had not yet washed away.
"It was my fault." The Arch-Flayer sighed loudly, albeit with her mind. "I was so convinced it would be the Infestare. But there are other monsters out there..."
"Or...are there."
Yrix placed a finger beneath her chin, narrowing her gaze.
"Its presence was familiar. Perhaps...all things tie back to-."
A knock came from her door, causing Yrix to cease her investigation. She already knew it would be Lila and opened the way through with a flick of her wrist. It wasn't a surprise to see the Earthling standing there, small and disheveled.
"Oh." Yrix nearly gasped, staring at Lila's wounded body. "I...forgot-."
"It's okay." Lila sniffled. "I just wanted to see it."
"No, no." Yrix shook her head, abandoning her desk as she knelt down to rub the Earthling's head. "I went to my work before you. I made a mistake."
Her voice carried an unusual weight, bringing with it a warmth that soothed Lila's aching body. With just a simple touch, she felt suddenly lightheaded, as if placed on a cloud of serenity. Only after looking down did she realize Yrix had cast a spell on her.
"Huh-." Lila gasped, her tiny frame hitching as its vigor was restored. "How-."
"My students need attention and I..." The Arch-Flayer sighed. "I am a bad mother. I always was."
Lila wiped her eyes, looking up at Yrix with a hint of understanding. It was oddly comforting to see the mighty Psion be so humble and honest. She nearly even forgot the nightmare that had just transpired.
"You had kids?" Lila asked curiously.
"Yes." Yrix relaxed her posture. "I could kill anything in the known empire, save for gods and queens. Yet I couldn't raise my babies. I was always too...obsessed."
The Earthling grinned briefly. "Well...Sonera could use some of your healing sauce."
"Is that what we're calling it?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Pain can be a learning experience during official trials," Yrix explained with a tinge of regret in her voice. "At least...that's how I felt in my youth."
"You did make us stronger. It's just...I wasn't ready for it." Lila whimpered, stepping aside to get a better look at the skull on Yrix's desk. "That thing."
Yrix stood up, making her way towards the door as she spoke. "You hate it?"
"It hurt the girl I love. And my family."
"So did I."
Lila had no response.
"If I have to euthanize you, at any point." Yrix continued, her voice still carrying its authentic weight. "I will be...mournful."
The Arch-Flayer dissapeared into the bechamber, seeking to assist the other students. It didn't matter how much Lila spoke with her, or how much progress she thought she was making in cracking Yrix's cold heart. The old Psion was still just as twisted.
- - - - - - - - - - -
"Stop moving." Lunae hissed, placing a cold towel on Sonera's head. "You'll make it worse."
Sonera lamented, ignoring her partner's pleas as she stood like a statue at the center of the bedchamber. "I couldn't save her. If it were you...I wouldn't be able to save you either."
"There's nothing you could have done, Sonera."
"What's the point of all this pain if I can't be strong?"
"Please listen-."
"I need more power," Sonera growled. "Without it..."
Rena interjected, folding her arms as she spoke with a mature tone. "You're getting stronger all the time, Sonera. Quit moping and just keep working at it. Could you fly around with wings and a fire sword two weeks ago? Didn't think so."
"But-." The assasin shifted her gaze, her eyes twinkling with innocent desire.
"But nothing." Rena yawned. "I got folded by that thing. You lasted the longest. Just keep at it, you'll get there. I bet Yrix didn't get this strong in a week."
"She has a point." Yrix boomed, entering the room as she scanned its inhabitants. "This...creature...was unprecedented. It was no trial. You were unprepared."
Sonera looked at the floor in shame, barely even registering the warm touch of Yrix's healing power as it washed over her body. Lunae recognized it, however, shooting the Arch-Flayer a judgmental stare. Her people's techniques were not exactly something she felt comfortable witnessing in the hands of others.
"What-." Yrix shrugged, reaching out to Lunae with her comforting hand. "I've known your people longer than you have."
Lunae reeled back, slapping Yrix's hand with disgust.
"Get that away from me."
"Why? Worried you'll end up a real warrior. Don't think I've forgotten my rule. If you don't fight-."
Sonera stepped in between the two, her breathing labored and tired. No longer did she possess the same fire as during their last encounter. Instead, she seemed morbidly desperate, as if begging Yrix for the chance to prove herself.
Her hatred lingers.
"I'll fight for her." The assassin pleaded. "What will it take?"
"Hm?" Yrix inquired.
"Sonera-." Lunae shook her head. "You don't have to-."
The assassin ignored her. "I'll be your student, Yrix. Not as a prisoner. But as a true pupil. I'll do anything."
"For power?" Yrix chuckled. "You'll give yourself up?"
"If it means walking your path. Yes."
"Well, there are some procedures I had in mind. Granted, I never imagined these would come into play before your graduation. But if you really want this-."
"No!" Lunae protested.
"I have to!" Sonera argued. "Ivy lost an eye because of me. Lila and Rena almost...I can't lose more family. And I can't lose you."
She was rarely a girl of many words. But her speech had moved Yrix. Any doubt about the future of her prodigy had been wiped away.
"This path you follow." Lunae sobbed, placing her hands around Sonera's cheeks. "It will consume you."
Sonera simply stared in response. She never did weigh the costs, even before she met Yrix. Back during her days on Mars, there was little room to question her desires. She wanted Three. And she would kill anything that got in the way.