"The rate scales with compatibility. A fire-aligned creature using a Magmaheart Lattice would have much higher success than trying to bind a water element. But yes, it's unreliable for most applications."
"And there's nothing more stable?" Jack asked, though he suspected he knew the answer.
S's smile widened slightly. "There is. But it requires very specific conditions to produce."
Jack's gaze traveled across the garden, searching for whatever S was referring to. His eyes caught on something in the darkness section. Not near the prepared soil beds, but slightly apart.
A pool of black water perhaps three feet across sat in a shallow depression. And in the center of that pool, rising maybe six inches above the surface, was a flower.
The only plant in the entire garden that had actually grown, and it was the color of absolute void.
Jack walked toward it, his boots clicking against stone until he reached the pool's edge.
