No Cost Too Great (Blade)

CW:

Guck. Stoof! Spooky tunnels. A Doll gets WACKED in the head with an axe. Talks of binding souls a being traumatized to think hurting those you love is the best way to love them. A gerl gets a command used to violate her will so she won't kill her other half. Compromises to bind souls and deal with each other's trauma and strife and guck. wow!

Descending the second time is a curious thing. Striding into the maw of a great beast once more, this time with my mate and pack sisters in tow, brings me significantly less stress than I expected, the dreary ambience almost... Adorable?

"Alright. Infection, Krahe, you're both sure you're comfortable coming with me and Elevar?' I ask one final time as we near my niece's more active domain.

Verbess and Schatzi's oldest Sister is… Doing better. Walks with more confidence and steady steps. But that's mostly due to Infection pulsing low songs to help her remember, as she puts it, 'her old swagger'. Warden is back with the little ones and keeping them from too much trouble. While Adaline and Schatzi are above and keeping Crux from much the same.

They both pulse Quills in assurances. Krahe speaking up, "Wouldn't have it any other way. Even if we're mostly sure she won't bite or be a problem with more than just words. Pack Sisters should always be together when one is about to pounce on a source of stress."

The passages twist and turn. Become more structured. Root becoming tiled shale. The eerie silence of damp empty underground passages giving way to something more structured.

And the sounds of motion and even little exchanges are heard. Half a dozen voices and conversations around the bends ahead.

As we continue onwards we come across a barren archival room, currently being used by a dozen or so of Sekrhús's Penitent Dolls all trying to assist eachother and themselves with stuffing their thread back inside their bodies. I call out, "Would you all appreciate some assistance with your current task?"

All eyes turn to me as the group goes still. Not in fear. Just... inhuman halting of Function I've seen in more than a few Dolls above. Threads the only sound to echo previous work and motion.

One pulls forward. An older Frame I recognize the basic design from Warden's shared depictions of some iterations from many thousands years ago.

Kneels before us. "These broken Frames thank you for your offer, but would not insult The Firstborne with the callousing of hands and thoughts with the drudgery partaken and demanded of these vessels. But... Would a guide to Her Eminence be desired? Her focus is split between three tasks at current. This Frame can take you to the nearest refraction that spins perceptions to purpose."

"Sure. Though I'll probably return at another time and insist on helping. I've always liked pawing at threads." I say reflexively before looking at my companions. "Is that weird? That seems weird, right?"

The Doll nods and rises. Turns to begin leading us silently down a path through the mess of strings and into passages beyond that remain tiled and more orderly. Even with old writing etched into the tiles.

Elevar lets out a huff of a laugh as we move to follow, "Yes, but you tend to channel that enjoyable oddness through a very specific Frame of yours."

Krahe giggles, shifting Infection's big legless form on her back like it's nothing more than a light scarf. "Not like she got it from us either. In fact, Sister Xafra's made us more weird and wiggly troublemakers than we were."

My Sun-Blessed Sister thrums its own agreement and humor at that. Perched and ready to pounce despite how it seems to drape from Krahe's shoulders.

This pathway takes less time, but feels longer. And soon we find ourselves stopping to watch as a wall parts to reveal...

A Chamber. A true Crack Within the Roots that brims with my niece's Will and Power. Totally and completely under her control.

From the outside it seems like an endless space filled with totally still water. Thin shale pathways laid to twist and wind throughout. Dim false sun and Watchers glimmer above to light the space.

"Would you wish this one to call Her Eminence to speak with you all here, or shall this one lead you to where She works within?" The Penitent Doll asks softly.

"We're here to ask a favor, so it would be more polite to not interrupt her work. We'll wait here until she's ready." I state.

The Doll goes still again. Considering that. "This work will likely never end. Not now. Or at least not for many turnings of the Dreams. But this one can lead you to a different refraction? One insists on not seeing you until your Temples are raised. But another is between and betwixt Chambers, is also..." It flinches. Like a Thread within is pulled or tugged suddenly. Then settles. "More... honest than She might otherwise be through other refractions. Her Eminence wants to ensure you understand this. Truths barbed and raised from lies that brim with venom."

"That would be very welcome indeed." Anything to get Lynette freed.

It nods, and turns to silently lead us farther down the passages. Down and through spiraling paths. Roots crack back past the ordered shale tiles to return the space to a damp eerie aura. A bit of water, no more and a nail's width, rising to layer the floor.

And the smell of moss and murk. Life amidst decay and cycles of death. Rotting roots and blighted growth appear to cling and choke at the passage's edges. So dark. Smotheringly so.

Elevar sparks up a trio of wisplights to hover around us. Illuminating the space and tearing at the darkness.

And then comes the sound of cracking. Splitting. Tearing. Echoes down and around the space. Alongside a guttural song sung in a language I don't recognize.

Turn a corner, and find an incarnation of my niece with pick and axe. Chopping and tearing and mining at these lowest roots of Herself.

The Doll stops before her, says nothing while kneeling into the damp floor.

Sekrhús pulls back. And this version of her is... pale. So pale. A twisting mixture of Dollflesh and rotting corpsemeat. Wearing old tattered attire covered in tool pockets. Three arms, one sickly and held close. Another over-large and fully of Doll make. Graphed into the body at an odd and obviously painful angle. Last infected but functioning.

"Is it late or early?" Sekrhús asks with a squint at our group. Letting that big arm reach back into the passage edge she was working at. Fishing around for something while infected arm holds the pick and axe close.

"Early." The Doll murmurs.

"Really?" Sekrhús growls roughly. Then nods, proceeds to jerk and tear something from the wall. The skull of a Doll frame, it seems? Tosses it to land atop a pile beside where she works while steping forward to shift the axe into the sickly arm's grip.

Raises and slams the pick down into the Doll's face. Kicks its limp form aside before moving to kneel before me.

"Welcome, Xafra. My Deaf Blossom. Sisters to Changes Clawed from Corpses." She offers, voice finding the same gentle rasp the little version of her I met within my Temple had. "What brings you this far down? We're barely higher than the Corpse Pits here."

I blink in confusion at both those titles and whatever they imply before shrugging. "Was hoping to trade with you. Not Names at the moment though… some advice in that direction would be nice. I want the rest of Lynette and/or the bits that were left over from the previous her."

Sekrhús looks up to consider us for a long moment. Adjusts hands to rest on her knees before replying. "Is my creature's Function failing to meet the expectations and demands of our arrangements? The..." Her dark eyes move to Elevar. "What was your word you adored for it all? Compromises?" Looks back to me. "Things have been more than well-knit, I think. Especially since I provided the surrogate for the tasks and allowed her to be bound by a Garrote until it was acceptable for her to be without. Also have kept my promises to those left over bits, as you call them. Have even wrapped the new little one, Sia, into the folds of protection offered to the other two."

"Not at all. You are correct in all that you say, yet... I am selfish and do not wish my children to grow up with any of their family in undesired chains. Not Lynette, and not you." I explain, wanting to get the basics out before calling on Augusta or having Elevar say something particularly acidic.

"Aaaaah." She draws out the sound. Nodding along while tapping fingers on knees. "And thus... trade. An exchange. Or renegotiation of the terms? As Yselda was hoping for in turning you into a Doll to take her place."

It's like... an audible sound. From along the threads of the bond that connect me to my mate. As those last words are murmured. A wordless intonement of thoughts interrupted and cracked.

"Wait. What?" Elevar asks, voice stiff.

"From dreaming to waking the translation of the purpose can be muddled." Sekrhús waves a hand nonchalantly from where she kneels. "But the ultimate fate of all my Blossoms is to be turned into another of the Penitent. And with her inability to leave... well. My late Blossom couldn't simply walk away like others have in the past to avoid it. Like you could do and did. Needed to be tricky about the affair to avoid rousing my attentions at her desire to break Oaths to me."

"No. That's not..." My mate starts, then trails off. Lets out a sigh while bringing a hand up to brush hair from her eyes in old annoyance. "Yes. Actually. It would make some degree of sense. Fits the old cunt's... temperaments. And I was a mess during our bargaining. So. Let's renegotiate things. Get my sister free."

"We can discuss this." Sekrhús smiles and shifts to rise. "Although... first, it seems. We need to clear up some misconceptions about the nature of your twin."

"Sure. That's reasonable enough. Do you mind if I call over my other sister though? Could you both uhm... avoid the pissing contests this time?" I ask a bit crudely.

She chuckles deeply at that. Mirth rough but real. "My treasured family is always welcome in these halls, Xafra. Although... I'm not sure either of us will ever promise to be well-behaved. We have schedules to keep and natures to break, after all. Call her if you wish."

I'm about to, but then Augusta playfully counters from behind me, making me jump. "I think we both exhibit behavior extremely well."

Elevar only flinches, but does give Augusta a pointed smile of gentle reproach at the scare. Opens her mouth to greet her.

"Aunt mine!" Sekrhús cuts my mate's words off with nothing but delight. Her form twisting to soften a touch. The halls themselves around writhing in response to her suddenly glowing mood. Moss and muck sprouting extra growths "How do Her Dreams find you after our busy night, especially after such a frightful loss in our race?"

"Well... I got spoken to sternly about unnecessary cruelty and how if I'm going to convince people, making them hate me is probably not ideal. So that felt awful. But otherwise I'm doing quite well." Augusta responds cheerfully.

Our niece tilts her head in thought. "Really? I've found the opposite in my years. Hatred and cruelty are a wonderful way to endear hearts and minds to my way of thinking. But, it's wonderful to see you well and firmly rooted to schemes. More than before, even. Did you want your tool back? I've kept it safe, warm, and even sharpened the edges to finer points. Cleaned off some rust that was gathering as well."

"It would be appreciated. I am glad you won the race, truly. Was... Worried for you."

Sekrhús reaches into one of her many pockets and tugs out a... Quill? One of deep oiled hues and curling shadows at the tip. Then steps up to press it into my sister's hand. Folds the fingers shut and holds them between hers. "If I hadn't charmed Stability through Change centuries ago I might have struggled. But Forever Fire was, as always, distracted. I'm awake. Fully. And it's every agony I wanted it to be. Thank you for that. And the new Name."

"You're very welcome. So you were going to drop the hottest of goss about Lynette?" My sister says, the incomprehensible phrase sliding past my brain.

"I was!" Our niece agrees and steps back. "It's no surprise one of my gerls has indulged in the habit of lying via omission and misdirection. But that's the pattern she's knit to match. Can't blame her for struggling to part from comfortable shapes, and all. This was my expectation and Elevar's offer. But at this... juncture of Function. Let's call it. It's good for those bargaining for her to know the creature they're chasing."

Then she turns and begins to move down the passage while that big arm motions for us to follow. "So. Let's start simple. Do you know the stark line between a Sun-Blessed and a Sun-Scorched? Not in principle. But in Function. Look to Nadine's current state if you need a nudge at where this may lead us."

I shake my head, "Not really. I have a bad habit of acting without thinking but in this case, and only found very little information on the topic with my studies."

"Ah. Well, then. I'll keep this simple." She offers. "All Sun-Blessed become bound to Eternity in the same way. Get infected by one of His children's Spores, and are made the offer. When they accept they are His. But while the Forever Fire may be possessive, He allows any Sparks that wish to leave His embrace to do so in many ways. The most absolute is to promise themselves to another. Often less soft and mad keeper. In Lynette's case, mine. Totally and completely. This is why His gift to her was nought but ash and soot within your Dream, Xafra. Her past, present, and future, ceded to me. Even her old Name. Which I ate. Of course. It was part of the binding and why Girra couldn't recall it if He wanted to. Took decades suffering within my Corpse Pits, and the right twisting of circumstances, but from it I gained a creature with intimate understanding of Nomos. Eternity. And how to bleed the Forever Fire. And woven to match the Lynette of old with a blind creatures instincts? A spiteful bitter thing slow to trust kindness offered, quick to manipulate and control, alongside the quirks of intuition that comes with being an old Half-Knit."

"Okay. So my understanding is that she's valuable to you then?" I answer, not particularly surprised at most of the information, Lynette's actions and Sekrhús' nature giving much of it away ahead of time.

"Yes. Millenia of work given form and Function." Sekrhús cackles as the space turns and twists. tiled shale once again returning to split forth up past the decaying roots. "Why lose a ripening harvest before her season's end? I thought it all too early, Xafra. Forcing her to strike at Girra. But it's perfect. She nearly asked for you to help her finish the Frame that will be her Shell. Finished taking Elevar's place as my Penitent before... But... No. She offered you a lie draped in the best promise she had and tumbles along toward more Ruin. Might try again, soon."

No, she never lied. Ignorance is not a lie and she told me she couldn't be what I wanted her to be because of you.

"Why? Because I want her. I don't mind whatever you do with the rest of your empty vessels but I want her. So name your price, please." I ask again.

"Hmmm... I could ask for something, or someone, you can't part with. So let's establish those limits first. I'd prefer you to not think me unreasonable in this." She nods as we enter a large fork in the paths. Stops to turn and regard me and us. "Some are obvious. Elevar and Lynette are parts of each other. So you getting one will involve severing the other from myself. Your Pack, of course. Alongside all the Dolls I already promised not to harm are not of interest to me." Sekrhús lists, hesitates. Then laughs. "Oh. Oh I could demand the little Rat I taste scurrying about above with your Sisters. An unnamed and unrealized Divine is a rare thing... after all. Could twist her into interesting shapes... But I sense that would fall upon the edge of politeness. Despite how tempting it is to do. Whom or what else?"

"My main question is what do you want out of it? To hurt me, and/or to benefit you? To ensure I understand the gravity of the ask? Limits are... Not as important as knowing what kind of results you're looking for." I ask, needing to understand properly to make this bargain work.

"Of course I want to hurt you." She snaps, like… how a pack Sister or Elevar might if I accused them of not loving me. "How is it you put it? The crime of your creation makes everything owed to you? Well, I'm second in line to that inheritance, and I've already lost one grunkle to his own stupidity. I'll blight everything you love to keep you here and wanting to lay worse wounds upon me in return."

I stop and smile at her. "Okay. I can work with that." I'm never going to let you go. Not ever.

"Good. You don't have a choice. And now that I'm awake Augusta can't get away either. Will find Chalice again someday too and bite his stupid face for leaving me like he did." She calms, hesitates. Then states. "To replace Lynette... I want one of three things. Either the first Lunargent hearthstone your mother anchored herself to, your second sister's first scale, or the right to give Crux one of her Names. That's my offer. Bring me one, and I'll cut Lynette and her twin away from my roots to let them Rot in your arms."

I look at her in confusion. "None of those three would hurt me to give you. They're also not mine to give but, that's besides the point. You want to hurt and be hurt. To know that you'll never be left alone again. To know that I cannot leave, Yes?"

It takes… roughly three heartbeats of silence and consideration for the others to react. With my sister speaking first.

"Xafra. What kind of bullshit are you considering?" Augusta snaps.

The worst kind, as always.

"I already KNOW you won't leave. And I don't need immediate wounds you... impatient rock eater. Getting any of those lets me lay blighted seeds that will grow and blossom later." Sekrhús adds. "Lynette being free won't be the kindness you think it is. Under me she is leashed. Pointed. Under your care? A Storm like even Girra's favorite will struggle to match. Feral. Trying to heal but failing at that."

"Eventually, I'm going to eat every single one of your stolen names like they're just more rocks, before gifting you replacements. I'm going to consume each of your Penitent Dolls to weave the strands of my Driftdream into something that encompasses the Real like a quilt. But those are later plans. Instead might I now offer you something that will hurt us both for as long as we persist?" I counter.

I will too. With love and vengeance, I'm going to unmake your ruin and grant you flowers.

She narrows her eyes at me. "Go on. What is your counter offer, Firstborn of Sín?"

"Let me weave our souls together." I say simply, knowing the chaos I propose.

"Xafra..." Elevar warns.

Pack Sisters by my side and far above thrum Quills in surprise and their own feelings of worry at that. The steady support offered to help me manage my Name shaken a bit by this idea.

"Xafra." My Mate says again. Softly, quietly. "This... Does not seem a good scheme. Or something to offer without knowing the full consequences. Even if you can keep your bonds separate there will be overlap. And that's assuming things remain as just what you propose. Why offer this?"

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Because it will work and I won't let anyone try to kill her again. She's my family.

But Sekrhús just... stares. Frozen. That body so clearly a mask hiding her real reactions now.

"Because I don't want to lie to or swindle her... or ever let her go either. She's family and I want her to understand me better. I want her to know that she can end it at any time but will never choose to, because feeling my pain and growing madness alongside all my joys and accomplishments is something no one else would offer." I find myself crying, the Pack's Song tilting as they don't just realize why this can work, but why it's the only path that can. Tears streaming down my face as I struggle to explain. Words… so small and unable to communicate the gaps between this dream that could be and the reality of the World that is. "Because she doesn't deserve what happened to her! Because she is what my daughter could have been! Because I am just as guilty and I deserve to hurt and that's what a mother is supposed to do. To be a bloody riven source of stability and security and take damn responsibility and I wouldn't be able to face our daughters if I offered less."

Elevar winces, then Cants

::Sympatheic Pain/Understanding/Extreme Caution/Hesitation::

But also...

::Love/Support Unending::

Moves to stand in front of me. Hands gently cupping my wrists. Whispering softly. "Dear one... I... agree with almost all of that. Except that you deserve to hurt yourself this way. So tell me. Is this the best option? Truly? Is this taking advantage of all your resources, allies, and brilliance? Those other things seem... problematic. But possible. And Augusta has yet to make her offers or arguments to things."

"This is incredibly stupid, wool headed, and foolish. Also I'm feeling jealous and spiteful because I'm jealous." Augusta shares with a glare.

My mate glances to our sister with a sigh. "I... I think we might know what to get you and Gebetshure as a present for when all this calms down. But that aside..." Looks back to me. "So. Walk us through this. Pointedly. The mechanics. The way the Weave will work. The safety aspects. How you mean to even... even DO this. And if you insist this will be just like knitting Verbess or the rest of the Pack I'm going to bonk you on the tit and devote some time to turning all my curses to being silly things pointed at nudging you to scheme better."

I shake my head. "I need to know what my niece feels about it first."

Please. Just say yes. Accept this horror that I'm going to inflict on myself.

Elevar nods, "Agreed. Then we consider the details and if such a thing is even safely possible before firmly accepting."

Then she moves back to my side. Letting Sekrhús once again meet my eyes.

"You'd share your Strife with me? Wither under mine?" Looks down to the glimmering bracelet on her wrist. The promise mine and Augusta's long gone sibling broke. Leaving her alone. "I... It's a roundabout way of doing it. Ending me. When he left. Your brother, I mean. I had to sleep longer than normal. And if you did this, then actually got away, and I can't sleep? That would do it. I'd rot half the world with me. But I've had someone sacrifice nearly that to try for the same..." She trails off, then grins up at me and us. "Add Augusta to the binding. And I'll take that offer. Can use my torn threads below and..."

Then her face goes blank. Eyes empty.

And… I sense something then. Like finding a tear or crack in something important I didn't notice before. But to focus on it would mean needing to adjust the Pack Song that holds me together, or smother it long enough to see past what my niece is feeling.

Augusta seems to almost jump at the opportunity, her book fluttering a page loose past the binding strap. "Agreed. But you need to understand, Sekrhús, because I've been told to be fair and genuine with family... This is a trap. It will change you utterly in the long term to the point that you will struggle to recognize your past self. Yet also an opportunity to grow in ways you could never do otherwise."

As she speaks the loose page flies over to Elevar, landing in her hand. A slow smile creeps across Sekrhús' lips as my mate considers the parchment in her hand.

What are you doing, Augusta? Why would you put yourself further at risk?

"Genuine and fair? Hmmm... Okay. Let me try that too!" My niece speaks, that grin an inhuman broken thing the longer she holds it. "Of the three of us, I don't think it's the old Horrortrap you should warn of the dangers of this, aunt mine. You and Xafra may be Divine, but you are new to the... weight, of it. Still off balance. It is yourselves you should worry about. Because I'm very good at infecting and rotting people from the inside. Have already started with the both of you. Turned murderous spite into... this. Also, the Nameless Sun-Scorched will hate you both for this choice. And unfortunately... I can only probably give the part of her that grows through Elevar by the time we do this. No extra bits."

"My book has the outcome of this written clearly. I'm simply glad it was Xafra's idea." Augusta states.

Oh. Okay. Okay, I think I can work with this.

Elevar looks to Augusta after reading the page a few times. Can feel her commit the words into her Little Archive. Seeming confused and surprised and also more than a little worried. But... trusting. Murmurs to her. "Alright, I... But parts of this have to be implemented now. In this weaving and agreement. Else there is too much risk for me or our Pack to agree to."

"I don't know why both of you are on board but... Okay. When can I get the extra bits of Lynette? I'm assuming you're using it currently." I say, still confused.

"Oh, never. I suspect. Apologies. They won't exist anymore by the time we weave this." Sekrhús replies like one would discuss the weather. Eyes far away. "Lynette means to use either the Blasanplague or the Mondfäule to burn them totally away when she finds them. Which I suspect will be very soon. Clever gerl found the entrance to my Corpse Pits while you slept. Was waiting for me to be... distracted. Before entering. Which I am."

No. I need to prove that I'm willing. I need to free Lynette, all of her, even if she hates me for this. A small betrayal to protect her past and her future with our daughter.

"...Looks like you get a head start on hurting me. Stop her. Please." I ask.

My niece's eyes return to focus, considering my request for a long few heartbeats, then speaks with lips I cannot see but hear command. ⟨Intake: 112,590,479. Attend me.⟩

It takes... a few long moments. But lightning precedes the gentle thunder of her working. Lynette's Blitzköder tearing her through the tunnels to land at Sekrhús' opposite side. About... ten feet behind my niece. Followed by a wash of rumbling in the spell's wake.

Form is as she was last I saw her. Save a chunk of polished and etched Lunargent clutched in her wounded off hand. Empty expression slowly stitching itself into a quiet wordless scowl as they move to rest on my niece's back.

In the silence Elevar moves first. Sliding past Sekrhús to approach Lynette.

"Sister..." She murmurs as she stops in front of her. "I would slap you if that Frame wasn't harder than an old Root way at winter's end."

Lynette holds her eyes for all of... three heartbeats. Then looks away. "Moonshite. The Beast did catch on. Never seen it so... pointedly focused. Offers must be quite impressive."

"They are. More than I might let her and Augusta pay, if we're being honest." Elevar snaps. "So why, exactly, are you being stupid?"

Her twin has no reply to that. Empty eyes dance past to take in the gathering.

"To be clear, she was going to let you finish. I asked her to stop you." I state.

I betrayed you. I'm so sorry. I'd do it again a million times if it helped even a little. You shouldn't forgive me.

Lynette doesn't answer at first, is totally still. Gripping that hunk of Lunargent so tight it ends up creaking under the strain. "Why stop me at all? It's not stupid. It's logical. I kill her, and my Do- our Daughter is free. A fracturing will never hurt her again. And she can be allowed to see me without risk. Pick a name for herself. Grow past what this wretched place and the old Cunt did to her."

That odd garden returns to encompass the tunnels around her. My old gifted commands cracked away. Ash and sand cradling little sprouts of weird plants and the shuffling sands of creatures swimming below.

"And what's one more storm to me? I'd weather the damage. Easily. Have memories of enduring worse. Both hers and yours, Elevar. This would be nothing. Even if pain mattered to a thing like me."

Little cute wounded sad critters start to poke their heads up. Swim and move to nuzzle around Elevar and my ankles. One even bubbles up in front of Augusta. Huffing and inching closer like the clutch did to all of us in Sikkina's Sanctuary.

"Why stop me? Why not let me kill that sad stupid broken weak blind crab part of me? Because I'm sick to death of drowning in her mistakes. Would rather make my own." She finishes with a snarl, letting empty eyes meet mine.

"You don't have to keep her or integrate her. But I'm the one paying the cost to free you and her, and I'd rather you not reduce the value I get in return. My plan is to simply let her join the Driftdream, because if our daughter wants to know her origins in the future, she deserves that opportunity. Godsblood, I wish I had that chance."

Truth and Lie blended fine. I need Sekrhús to agree to this. Don't trust me again.

It's so... easy. Now. To see how she wants to snap one of a thousand barbed replies. But... Lynette doesn't speak them. Smother's her fury. Fights to soften her glare and look between us with something more like polite curiosity. Seems to accept her lack of choices and inability to convince me otherwise. Asks only when her voice is level. "I hate that, disagree with nearly every spark. But... fine. I trust my twin has helped you both haggle well? At least? What's being traded for my rotten threads and all the parts attached?"

"Weeell..." Sekrhús muses, glancing back at Lynette. "First I asked for her mother's first Anchor, The Scales Changed Hearthscale, or the right to give the lastborne a name. But Xafra had a compelling counter offer I'm going to take if we can make it work."

"We're going to bind Sekrhús', Augusta's, and my soul together, similar to how I did the Pack, but not quite the same. We haven't worked out the precise details yet." I explain simply.

Elevar passes Lynette the paper Augusta gave her before she can reply. "This. It's... Everything we talked about. Mistakes and tumbles and problems aside. Us three. In Sikkina's Sanctuary the other night. This is how we start. Xafra and Augusta will bind themselves to her. Balance her. Gift her their perceptions. Strife shared."

Lynette absorbs that. Reads over the paper while listening to her twin explain. I even feel my mate share some memories of my words along the bond. What does it say? What is Augusta doing?

"Can't be like the Pack Bond is." Lynette says, more to herself. Lip twitching in either a smile... or a snarl. Hard to tell. "The Beast Roused doesn't have the same parts as Xafra does, and neither does Augusta. Will have to accommodate and ensure the Void won't shred this. And it can't just be three. Death will need her lover entwined behind. And your Pack can use songs to hold sway and keep your Names steady and soft. Need to spread out the weight. Even your Dolls and Geists should be a part of this, actually." Then she looks up to us all. "I hate this too. But... if you're going to bind yourself to it, we're going to do this right. Okay? Am I allowed to ask that, at least?"

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO—

"If you want to. I don't want anyone doing this unless they agree, including the Dolls." The very idea of binding any of them makes my teeth grate as I clack my jaw shut.

"Well, we all smolder under the same sky and suck on the same air and might accidently drink the same poisoned water, yes? None of us here helped brew the disaster that is your chosen niece, but if we don't lift together in this you and Augusta will drown in the nonsense." Lynette counters, somehow… either spotting my revulsion of this addition. Or simply lashing out at places she thinks might hurt me. "And besides, your Dolls and Geists will leap at the chance to help you endure this. As will your Pack. And Gebetshure. Even Crux, if I had to guess. They have a choice. Let them make it. Else their next option will have all the freedom a gerl might find when abandoned in the desert."

"I understand you're upset but I am not arguing. If they want to help, I won't stop them." I say with exasperation.

You've won. I've already agreed and I hate it.

Lynette's eyes narrow, and every Pack Sister probably senses the spite she wants to spit. Rage hard fought down boiling up.

And all the little critters whimper in fear from where they curl around our ankles. Even the one near Augusta moves to flop over her dark boots in shivering worry.

But Elevar raises a hand to halt her twin's words, and to my surprise, it works. Lynette quiets. Then my mate looks to Augusta and myself. "Perhaps ask each Geist as we move to the place this needs to be woven from? Deliberately. Understand how they might help, or why they refuse. Augusta and you will be the central parts of this, of course, but each soul will help this hold and grow. And all of them helped and help make you who you are. And once this is laid you can seek out and ask each Doll. Starting with your first, while Augusta speaks with Gebestrure and mayhaps even Prevoriis. Because if this works and works well? It might buy you more relief and insights on how to adjust your most troublesome Names."

Okay. Okay. Change of plans. Need to make this work in a softer way.

"That sounds reasonable. Thank you." I respond softly before turning to Sekrhús. "Would you please lead the way?"

"Of course. Open us a passage to your Spire. The broken one. Those tunnels are the best path down there. Otherwise we have to go through a mulching Chamber with a many toothed maw and that would be... messy." She grins at me.

I don't offer her the satisfaction of a shudder, instead ripping a hole in the world to my Spire as requested.

"This should go better than expected, even if it will be mostly exquisite agony." My sister Divine says, taking notes in her book as we travel.

"The best kind!" Sekrhús agrees happily, moving to the front and leading us into my Pack's home. Then into the passages none of us ventured into. Ones... devoid. Almost natural. Roots and dust and rocks feel normal and not dripping with my niece's Will.

Then we reach the end. A large chamber with multiple broken collapsed tunnels. And in the middle... a hole.

A pit that reeks of death and decay and misery. Even some gentle sounds of pain drift up to tint the smell.

"Alright. Down we go!" Sekrhús chimes and hops into the gap. Disappearing into shadow.

Augusta follows second, with Krahe and Infection hopping after a thrum of Quills to decide that. And Elevar next.

Leaving Lynette and myself here for what I expected to be a second, but she catches my arm. Seems... still a mess. Angry. Hurt. Fractured down the middle worse than before due to the Command Sekrhús just laid. But also... something else. Still. Trying to find her balance. "Xafra I... Before everything else today. Thank you. Dearly. For wanting to offer this to her, for me. The fool scheme is so... you I didn't expect it. But still. Know that. Truly."

"I love you, and I will pay any cost necessary to care for my loves. " I answer her. "And I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you when this is done and the only commands that can leash you are your own."

Any cost.

"And yours. Of course. That Divine Voice is..." She trails off, shrugs and does smile then. "Tell me one thing, though. You would offer this to her even if she wanted something else. Yes?"

"Yes. But not as soon as this. This will hurt me more than it would if I could take more time to heal and process my emotions. I mean to change the direction of her story. I've had enough of villains."

Won't let Augusta be the villain either. If the story needs one, I'll be the villain.

Lynette nods, then glares down at the entrance to the Corpse Pits. "I promised Elevar I wouldn't make this an entire... Just be safe. Alright? Listen to your mate, and your sister."

"Yes dear. I'll do my best to stay safe." Following a quick hug, I hop down the hole after the others, and simultaneously focus in on my Driftdream.

My Wisps are screaming. My head hurts. My soul hurts. My Name hurts with the betrayal. I am Lynette's and I've acted against her.

Getting to my feet, I pull myself together and step out of my Core room already dreading what comes next. While I agreed to let those who want to join do so... I don't want them to. I don't want to be the reason they suffer even more. I don't want them to volunteer to hurt for my sake. I don't want my Dolls to have to feel my pain and uncertainty. I don't...

I slump down against the wall and close my eyes, taking a moment to be a coward in private. "It would be so much easier if I was the only one hurt. Why can't the cost simply be left for me to pay?" I murmur to myself, trying to work out a justification for what I'm about to do to the ones I love. "I don't want to be the kind of person — of being — that denies those under my care agency. I want them all to be free. And... That seems to mean the freedom to suffer as well. But at the very least, I can, I must, make sure they fully understand what they could be getting into."

"Ms. Xafra." Comes a soft call, look up to find Tiffany squatting in front of me. Taking me in with a sad smile and worried knowing eyes. "Floor sitting won't fix this, you need to get your feet moving." Then she holds out a hand to me. "C'mon."

I take her hand and stand. "Sorry. Needed a minute to have a little pity party."

"It's not a party unless you bring lovers or friends. And it's not self pity to freak out over big choices that can and will hurt those you love." She pushes back gently while tugging me in the totally opposite direction I need to go. Toward... I think the lounge or seating area? The place Tiffany insisted I weave a kitchen during some renovations of my library? "So. Hot fudgebrew or some kinda of weird tea like Calix invented with Nettle? I'm a chocolate girl myself but... I know you really love the stuff that silly boy makes."

"Weird tea would be wonderful." I acquiesce.

Might as well, will help me calm down a bit. Should just… Share everything with them, they've seen it all and knowing my thoughts will help.

In no time we're in a large room with lots of soft chairs next to a smallish kitchen space. Tiffany leads me to the cooking area and starts brewing the drinks. "You know... your little ones are going to be so spoiled. Three moms. More aunts than I can count. Lots of siblings that are super sweet. And access to any magic they want to get into trouble with. It's kinda really unbelievable what's waiting for them when things quiet down a bit. What you, Elevar, and the prickle badger have built for them."

"They will be. But they won't have an easy life as much as I wish otherwise. Not with the end of our world on the way." I sigh. "Not trying to be a downer, just... Recognizing the limits I choose to impose upon myself. Important ones. I'm assuming you know what I'm going to be talking to you all about?"

"Yeah. More of us than you'd expect are um... pretty watchful. Kinda more than is probably necessary." She laughs, and it's not a bitter or worried thing. Seems more embarrassed. "And for all the opposite reasons you'd expect. But you'll understand how when you get to gab it up with the rest of the girls here. Won't be down in the worry muck with the frongs when you sit with them. Let me tell you. The Time workings are for that as much as these talks. You're going to get an earful from a few. It's gonna be an entire thing and a half."

"That's genuinely a relief, you know? It's reassuring to have people provide feedback about my actions. I noticed the Timey gunk. Not quite sure how you managed it as the closest I've ever gotten was Temporal Wake, which is more of a uhm... Shield?" I mumble, genuinely impressed.

"I mean... so is this? Same principles. Just adjusted a few parts of that spell. And it being inside a Dream makes it waaay easier. Just... changing what I'm keeping away. Giving us all time to help you feel super comfy with our choices." She explains as she mixes the last bits of my drink. "You're a lot smarter than you like to give yourself credit for. I'd know, you got that from me. And like... at least half of the other girls here." Then offers me the mug and moves toward a side door. "Speaking of. They're being kept at bay by Nadine while I got you in position. The weave will give us... roughly a day to talk, at least. Possibly more. Before you get to the places and need to start weaving us all into the binding. So... I hope you're ready."

Knowing this is an option in the future? The ability to stop and think and talk with the girls that know me better than anyone else? I might just be.

And without waiting for a reply she's turning the handle. Filling our space with the unmuffled sounds of at least most of my Giests in the room beyond. Is calling something to them.

And in an almost rush they're all flooding into this space. A wave of... alot. And not even all are the Geists. There are little Sun-Blessed members of Infection's family with them. Wiggly odd friends and even lovers some of my girls have gotten attached to since its full binding to our Pack.

Before I even get to explain the situation more than a few are shushing any with a chorus of 'We know's and 'Can skip that's. Then I'm herded into one of the big unrealistically soft chairs here and made to sit with my warm mug.

One of the first to approach is the shockingly large Grackler that one of my Geists have become. "Hey Kerr, I'm assuming you have a few thoughts for me?"

Kerr, for her part, thumps her head against my knee and then curls around the base of the chair before speaking. "Affirmative. Kerr feels like her Goddess is an adorable fool, but that makes sense as one who is not a vastly superior Grackler. Xafra cannot help but make mistakes when confining herself to mostly people and weapon shapes. Kerr knows that pain is a part of life, it adds dimension and makes the good morsels taste better. Xafra should spend more time on experimenting with the effects of gravity on liquids in cups and less on worrying."

"It's not the same when Calix isn't here. Last time I tried, Elevar dunked me in the sink." I counter.

"Skill issue. Xafra must simply widen her eyes and pout slightly to make her mate tremble in amazement." Kerr says dismissively before laying her head down and ending the conversation.

"But also..." Comes a giggle from behind me. Glance back to see Quamona moving to lean on the back of the big chair I'm in. Freckled shoulders, neck and arms supporting roughly... half a dozen Sun-Blessed crabs firmly stuck to bare skin. All about the size of a small coin. But with tendrils instead of legs. Shells cracked open just enough to allow a multitude of eyes watch the Dream around her. "You did bite her after she did that. Not shaped like a Grakler anymore but... close enough. And it was cute. So win-win?"

"Well yes. That makes sense." I can't help but agree. "So what's your take on everything? I'm here to get opinions as well as understand who wants to participate."

"Well... nearly everyone? Even more than a few Sun-Blessed from Infection's Spore family if you'll let them root down here in the Driftdream permanently. It's kinda a big relief, if we're being honest. A lot of us just... watch the things outside happen. Want to help you without leaving here. But agreed to not push when we realized just how much privacy you lose by us being able to watch and listen and feel everything you do whenever we want. You asking us lets us break rule 1 and get involved. Help the girl more than a few of us see as our little adopted sister with these big problems. Share thoughts we've had for a few forevers even."

"Of course they're welcome to stay. My goal is to make this a comfortable sort of afterlife, really. Probably eventually find a way to grant those who want it a Rebirth of sorts, a fresh start like Augusta mentioned wanting to do. The important thing is that the cycle continues instead of stagnating. I don't want her suddenly compelled to try and purge my Driftdream because we've gotten too big or anything. Though I also think that the Archive will have to expand eventually. I think it'll be important to have the opportunity to look at one's past lives and come to terms with the choices made in each. Heck, I'll probably do that myself once the kids are grown. Get a genuine chance at a real childhood and make all new mistakes growing up in a new world while the rest of me maintains the Driftdream. Sekrhús is a part of that too, for me. Her focus on perspectives makes it clear how much she lacks in actual experiences that aren't just suffering and punishment. Her nascent domain of Rot and Ruin could be embraced to turn the worst parts of our lives into fertilizer for new ones to blossom from. I don't know if that makes any sense at all? Possibly just justification after making my decision but... It's what I hope for."

"Mhm. It's good to get you to say it all aloud. And I agree." She nods. "Think it would be... really nice to get that. To know that there isn't just some pie in the sky waiting, but a new life if people want that. Or need it. Change is more than important. It's... kinda everything? But it needs bits to grow from. That's what I think your niece obsesses over, once you peel back the layers of trauma that girl has. That all of the pain matters, but isn't forever and not all there is. That everything doesn't just die, but becomes food for ourselves in the future."

Then Quamona leans across the chair, gives me a kiss on the top of my head, then pulls back to find a place to snuggle down in the big but crowded room. Giving room for someone else to approach and talk to me.

The next is... to my surprise, the youngest in my Driftdream.

Tall for her age. Hair longer than she ever got in life. Body even more along in her transition than outside granted before her death. Never... particularly interested in a Resheathing. Now bearing her own Sun-Blessed friend wrapped about her shoulders. Some sort of... snek mixed with a spider?

Ajex flops down to sit next to me in this chair. Turning to give me her hardest look with bright amber eyes. Long scarf-pretending critter curled around her shoulders turning to look too. "Xafra. You need to tell Livallii that I'm allowed to help with this. Not after she and others know it's safe. Not when I'm older. Now. Same as the rest of you. Let this be my choice. If fourteen is old enough to get killed, then fifteen should be more than enough to do something like this."

Parenting mode, Activate. Gotta convey the severity while not undermining her confidence. "Can we compromise? I agree that it is your choice. I won't take that away from you. However, I would be more comfortable if you waited to see the initial results so you could make your decision with all the knowledge of what it entails."

"That's exactly, spit for spat, what the others think." She huffs and slumps back, glaring up at the ceiling while that little friend slithers to snug her tighter. "Like I don't know that it could be horrible. And scary. And the literal worse thing ever. But I do. Heck, I really really do. Because I'm one of the girls here who knows what it's like to lose a sister. How that breaks everything inside and out. To have parents who... who blame us for it. I'm not stupid enough to think I can help her. But I can like... help Livallii and you and all the others deal with her. Balance the bad thoughts with better ones. But... if you'll promise me first spot after this first group. Before ANYONE else. I'll agree to that. Not happily. But I'll do it."

"I promise. I'll need time to recover afterwards, then I'll come talk to you directly again. I know it's not fair or necessarily reasonable. This is for our benefit more than yours. Knowing we provided you with the tools to make this choice." I offer softly.

"I... Okay." She takes a deep breath, nods. "Okay. Sorry to pounce. Just hate feeling like with everyone else it's a yes or no, and with me it's like... not. It's a maybe. Or a someday. Prossibly never ever just playing pretend as other words. Had enough of that for a few lifetimes. But I know you don't mean it that way and have all my memories to get it. And I have yours." Then she rolls over, gives me a big hug that includes that wriggly scarf Sun-Blessed a little, and hops up to stand. "Thank you."

Then she's going to flop next to Quamona. Letting their Sun-Blessed passengers begin to boop snoot to tendrils in greetings.

A few more approach, and... most of them don't really add much more than what these others have already said. Just more firm telling me that they want to help. A lot.

"You got some ideas for the pattern you'll use for this net?" Comes a gentle yet firm voice of the next as she shifts to sit at my feet. The first of these women to die in the ritual that trapped them all here. "Now that you have some ideas of the extra rope we're giving ya?"

Leaning back against the chair and right arm over my knees. Rhea's a smallish old gal. Lean. Was a sort of... not a guardian. The village these Geists came from didn't have that. Didn't need one save for the odd scary animal that might wander close. But Rhea took care of that, kept watch. Hunted and fished and tried to be there for all the heavy work that comes with keeping a community maintained. Might have been able to warn the village to scatter and run had the Witches not used their magic to catch her. Lay her over the sacrificial runes and kill her first.

"With the number of volunteers... This has grown much larger than the shared noose I planned to make initially. This is... Closer to an adaptation of the network we made with the amulets to let the Dolls and others communicate. Probably won't work to actually communicate but it should... Do Something? Truthfully I am running a bit on instinct at this point. Don't even know what Augusta shared with Elevar and Lynette to get them to agree. It feels like one of my Names is guiding me to this conclusion." I take a sip of the brimestone and roostertin tea, wincing at the corrosive effect as I reinforce my throat.

"Yeeeah. Noose won't hold things as wiggly as you, your sister, and something as big as Sekrhús. Not for long. She'd just tug and draw you both round and round. Or tangle it worse around you all." She muses. "Should use hooks. Or... some kinda piercing. Like Tiffany was trying to talk Nadine into trying. Anyway, that way it can be taken on and off. Let's everyone get some sleep between the screaming. Take turns and watches. You think your Name would compromise on that?"

"It will need to be threaded through myself, Augusta, and Sekrhús, but it seems reasonable that others could have it be more temporary. I was thinking of... incorporating the Rivers potentially?"

"Hmmm... Could. Might break sumthin' important we're not sure needs to stay a certain way. Know Augusta wants to end the world, but it's like breaking an egg. Too early and you just lose it to the dirt." She shrugs. "Barely understand it all, honestly. But I don't mind helping be another pair of hands holding things steady."

"I appreciate it. Thanks Rhea. For everything so far." I say with a dumb smile on my face, starting to feel more confident about this absurd plan.

She pip-pats my knee with her right hand while using the other to push herself upwards off my knees. Even ruffles and shuffles my hair before stepping over to start making herself something to drink.

And finally, Nadine makes her way forward, dropping to one knee in front of me. "My Goddess."

I look down at her in annoyance. "Nadine. You're somehow one of my worst influences and favorite Geists. Get off the ground and pull up a chair. I need to know what kind of mess you're expecting from this and if you're thinking about going rogue again."

She stands with a pout and drags a chair over, pulling Tiffany onto her lap and giving me a nervous smile. "Sorry again. I... Made a mistake. Didn't trust enough. Not gonna go rogue again. Tiffany will keep me well-behaved. And honestly, I have no idea what's going to happen. I suspect it will change less than we believe on a day to day basis but have much bigger compounding effects in the long term. Like kettles."

I have no idea what that could possibly mean. Kettles? For heating up water? How could they possibly have a compounding effect.

Tiffany pokes her girlfriend in the nose. "You forgot to mention the frongs, Nadine. We're going to be like little happy amfibidans in slowly heating up water and will need outsiders to make sure we're not boiled into someone else's meal. Because frongs inside the pot don't realise the heat is getting dangerous. Thus Rhea's really really good idea about everyone else having removable links. Like those adorable necklaces made for the Dolls. We can keep watch on each other too."

"Yes. I can probably make something like that. In here it's more symbolic than actually physical so it can be done much quicker." I confirm. "But... Kettles?"

Nadine nods. "Sure. Kettles boil water. Not super impressive. Might save like ten minutes a Weeping for the average person. Yet, they're also the basis of water purification, steam power, alchemy, medicine, and so much more. Small things can be like a shim, just barely nudging the path and yet changing the outcomes even thousands of years in the future."

And with that understanding and thought, I smile and return my primary focus to my Mate.

"... eally do think they should be included." Elevar is saying as we walk through a place that feels like a tunneled swamp with odd tiled floors and metal slabs bearing rotting corpses and all sorts of other wierdness. "They're... a part of you. Like Xafra's Geists. But..." Then she looks to me. "What do you think, dear one? Should her Penitent Dolls be knit into this like the girls within you? Or should we wait to include them after the fact. Like your Shelf will be? Apparently your niece uses them to store threads and Directives she'd rather ignore or forget."

Sekrhús leads with Augusta at her side, with Krahe and Infection behind, and myself and Elevar next. Lynette at the back.

"Can they consent?" I ask without hesitation.

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