Chapter 450: Archive Beneath Vermillion

Damon descended the first few steps without rushing, keeping his sword sheathed. The red lights came on as the group advanced, illuminating a wide staircase with metal walls and handrails attached directly to the structure. There were no guards in sight, but he could hear machines operating on the lower levels.

Varos walked right behind him, watching the indicators installed beside each door.

"These stairs are normally locked," he explained. "Even the researchers need authorization to access the biological levels."

"So Serik really is inviting us in."

"Yes. That’s what worries me."

Damon looked at him. "Do you know any reason he’d want Liora specifically?"

"Other than what Eir showed us? No. I didn’t even know a second manifestation existed."

Liora remained between Xue Mei and Ester. Since they had entered the facility, she had barely spoken. The plantlike veins in her arms were darker than they had been during the journey, and Damon noticed that her eyes were following something the others couldn’t see.

"Can you feel your sister?" he asked.

Liora nodded.

"Is she awake?"

"She is now."

"And does she know you’re here?"

The girl hesitated. "I think so."

Damon continued down the stairs but raised his hand when they reached the first landing. Aria had stopped in front of a panel where three green indicators blinked in sequence.

"What is it?" he asked.

"These doors are open, but the communication routes are still working. Serik could be recording everything we do."

Varos approached the panel. "He is. The presence sensors remain active even when access is granted."

"Can you turn them off?"

"Not without accessing central control."

Damon looked at the camera installed in a corner of the ceiling and raised two fingers in greeting.

"Then he already knows we’re suspicious."

Serik’s voice came through the speakers again.

"Commander Varos, could you explain to your companions that I have no interest in attacking them as long as they remain cooperative?"

Varos raised his head.

"Did you order the agents at the northern outpost killed?"

There was a pause.

"Two agents were eliminated for a security violation. The others received evacuation orders."

"You used the authentication marks."

"Yes."

Varos clenched his fists. "Those marks were never presented as execution devices."

"There was no operational reason to inform the agents of that capability."

Damon looked at Varos but said nothing. The answer had confirmed exactly what they had found at the abandoned outpost.

Serik continued.

"The Order must prevent the spread of incompatible biological material. The failure of the operation in Eir’s Valley made it necessary to change our procedures."

"Are you talking about my desertion?" Varos asked.

"I’m talking about the second manifestation you brought to Vermillion."

Liora gripped Xue Mei’s hand more tightly.

Damon answered before Varos could continue.

"She didn’t come here for you."

"That will be determined when we reach the laboratory."

"No. That’s already been determined."

Serik didn’t respond.

Damon resumed walking, but when he reached the door to the lower level, he noticed an important difference. In addition to the access panel, there was a structure similar to the machines used in Eir’s Valley. The device was turned off, but a black chain extended from its base and disappeared into the wall.

Aurelia approached to examine it.

"These chains aren’t here to prevent the forest from restoring itself."

Varos nodded. "They’re local stabilizers. They keep the facility’s structure isolated from external alterations."

"And they can also fix alterations made to organisms in place," she added.

"Yes."

Damon looked at Liora.

"Can you feel whether any of these machines are trying to reach you?"

"Not right now."

"Tell me if that changes."

The door opened automatically as they approached. On the other side was a corridor with observation windows along the left wall. Damon found the first research rooms behind the glass. Some were empty, while others contained surgical equipment and containers holding preserved plant tissue.

Aria stopped in front of a window. Inside the room were three cylinders similar to those used at the Order’s camp, but the dark liquid they had contained had been replaced by a green substance.

"They’re producing something with material from Eir."

Aurelia examined the tubes connected to the cylinders.

"It doesn’t look like storage. The material is going through different stages of processing."

Varos checked the room number.

"Regenerative research. It’s one of the wings I’m familiar with."

"You knew they were working with plant tissue?" Ester asked.

"Yes. I knew they were studying how to restore damaged organs. I didn’t know where the material came from."

Liora approached the window. Her expression changed when she saw a small root suspended inside one of the containers.

"It’s hers."

"Your sister’s?" Xue Mei asked.

Liora nodded.

Damon looked at the other rooms. There were dozens of similar containers.

"They’ve been taking parts of her for more than a century."

Serik’s voice answered through the speaker.

"The first manifestation possesses exceptional regenerative capabilities. None of the procedures performed so far have compromised her survival."

Ester’s expression grew serious.

"You’re confusing surviving with being well."

"The results have allowed us to treat hundreds of patients who would not have responded to conventional methods."

"Did she agree to those procedures?"

Another pause.

"You’ve reached the laboratory."

The door at the end of the corridor opened.

Damon looked at Ester.

"He avoids specific questions."

"I noticed."

They advanced into a circular room with two work platforms, several instrument tables, and a large glass cylinder installed at the back. Tubes ran across the floor to a metal structure that occupied almost an entire wall. Doctors and technicians were working there, but none carried weapons.

At the center of the room, a man of approximately fifty waited beside a table. He had partially graying brown hair, red clothing similar to Varos’s, and a small circular structure implanted at the base of his neck.

Varos stopped.

"Serik."

The man nodded.

"Commander."

Damon examined the metal piece on his neck. It was larger than the authentication marks used by ordinary agents and had red filaments that disappeared beneath his clothing.

"So this is the seventeenth."

Serik turned his eyes toward him.

"Eir showed you the records."

"She did."

"I presume she also explained the origin of the protocol."

"She explained enough."

Serik pulled out a chair.

"We can talk without threats."

Damon looked at the technicians.

"Then tell them to step away from the controls."

Serik remained still for a moment, then made a gesture. The researchers set down their instruments and gathered near the side door.

"Your turn," Serik said.

Damon kept his sword in its sheath.

"Done."

Varos looked toward the glass cylinder at the back of the room.

"Is that her?"

Serik followed his gaze.

"Yes."

Liora was already walking in that direction when Xue Mei caught her hand.

"Wait."

The girl stopped, but her eyes remained fixed on the cylinder.

Inside it was a light-haired woman who appeared to be slightly older than Aurelia. Her body was partially submerged in a transparent liquid, and thin roots extended from her arms and back to connect with the inner walls. A mask covered her nose and mouth. Her eyes remained closed.

Ester approached the glass.

"She’s sedated."

Serik replied, "Conscious activity interferes with the extraction procedures."

Liora slowly turned toward him.

"You hurt my sister."

"She receives adequate nourishment, treatment, and structural maintenance."

"You hurt her."

Serik didn’t respond.

Damon stood beside the girl.

"What’s her name?"

The man didn’t seem to understand immediately.

"First manifestation."

"I didn’t ask for her classification."

Serik looked toward the cylinder.

"No other name is recorded."

Liora brought her hand closer to the glass.

"She has one."

Damon looked at her.

"What is it?"

"Neria."

The woman inside the cylinder moved her fingers slightly.

Serik noticed.

"Step away from the container."

Liora didn’t obey.

Damon looked at the woman.

"She heard that."

"Involuntary reactions are common," Serik replied.

"Then you won’t mind if we wake her up."

Serik raised a hand.

"That would compromise procedures currently in progress."

Aurelia approached the control table and examined the indicators.

"What procedures?"

Serik finally turned his attention toward her.

"Evaluation of biological restoration capabilities in standardized structures."

"That doesn’t answer the question."

"We’re preparing the third phase of reinitialization."

Aria opened her notebook.

"We found that name at an abandoned outpost."

"Then you already know the project exists."

"We know its name," she replied. "We don’t know what you intend to do."

Serik walked to one of the tables and activated a three-dimensional representation of a human body. The image showed partially blocked spiritual channels and small structures implanted along the spine.

"Current biological models show signs of degradation. The original standardization was carried out to allow different species to survive environmental changes they could not naturally withstand. However, the models stopped being updated when the network was reorganized."

Damon studied the image.

"Eir already explained that."

"Then you know the problem exists."

"I do."

"Vermillion’s studies have demonstrated that it is possible to restore some earlier structures and adapt them to current conditions."

The image changed. One of the blocked channels reopened, allowing energy to travel along an alternative route.

Aurelia tilted her head.

"That part looks like a legitimate correction."

"It is."

"Then why do you need all of Eir?"

Serik pointed at the representation.

"Because restoring an isolated structure isn’t enough. We need to understand the relationships between the systems that existed before standardization. The first manifestation possesses only part of those records."

Damon looked at Liora.

"And the second has another part."

"Yes."

"Together?"

"They can provide a much more complete reference."

Liora took a step back.

Serik continued.

"We don’t need to destroy either of them. The procedure requires only a temporary connection between their structures."

Aurelia examined the tubes connected to the cylinder.

"A connection through these machines."

"Yes."

"With stabilizers capable of fixing any alterations produced during the procedure."

Serik didn’t respond immediately.

Damon noticed.

"That’s the part you weren’t telling us."

Serik closed the representation.

"Without stabilization, a large-scale restoration could compromise organisms that already depend on the current models."

"And who decides which alterations remain?" Xue Lian asked.

"The reinitialization protocol."

"Serik," Damon replied.

"Yes."

Damon exhaled.

"You’re trying to do the same thing the first standardizers did."

"I’m trying to correct the flaws they left behind."

"Using the same method."

"A proven method."

Aurelia crossed her arms.

"One that produced the degradation you just presented as justification."

Serik looked at her.

"It produced thousands of years of survival."

"It also produced systems that can no longer keep up with changes."

"And that’s why they need to be updated."

Damon realized that the discussion wouldn’t go anywhere as long as Serik continued treating the protocol as the only possible way to perform the update.

He pointed toward the cylinder.

"Before we discuss the future of every species, I want to hear Neria."

Serik watched Liora.

"If we awaken the first manifestation, the current procedure will have to be interrupted."

"Great," Damon replied.

"The regenerating tissues may be lost."

Ester approached the table.

"Show me which ones."

Serik hesitated but activated another panel. Three containers were connected to the main cylinder, each holding human tissue at different stages of reconstruction.

Ester examined the indicators.

"These tissues are samples. There are no patients connected to them."

"They represent months of work."

"Then you’re asking a person to remain sedated to preserve samples."

Serik fell silent.

Ester pointed at the controls.

"Turn it off."

The man looked at Damon.

"Do you intend to take responsibility for what happens to her?"

Damon replied, "She’ll decide what she wants to do when she’s awake. Ester will take responsibility for her medical treatment, if Neria agrees."

Serik studied the six visitors, then Varos and Liora. Finally, he gave an order to the technicians.

One of them approached the panel and began interrupting circulation through the three smaller containers. The indicators gradually decreased until the transfer of material ceased.

Ester checked the sequence before allowing them to turn off the sedation.

The woman inside the cylinder began moving a few minutes later.

First her fingers.

Then her head.

The roots connected to her back reacted, but the stabilizers prevented any significant alteration.

Liora placed both hands against the glass.

"Neria."

The woman’s eyes opened.

They were green, similar to Liora’s, but had small golden markings around the pupils.

She observed the room without showing any confusion. Her gaze passed over Serik, the technicians, and the visitors until it found Liora.

For several seconds, she remained still.

Then she brought a hand to her mask.

Ester looked at the indicators.

"She’s trying to speak. Remove the mask once circulation has stabilized."

Serik made a gesture.

The liquid began to drain.

When the level reached Neria’s waist, a technician opened the front of the cylinder and carefully removed the mask. The woman took several breaths before speaking.

"Liora."

The girl began to cry.

Xue Mei remained beside her while Neria lifted one hand out of the liquid.

"You’ve grown."

Liora shook her head.

"I was born afterward."

Neria smiled weakly.

"Then Mom managed it."

Damon watched Serik’s reaction. The man seemed interested in the reunion, but not surprised. He had probably already anticipated that Liora’s presence would make communication with the first manifestation easier.

Aurelia noticed the same thing.

"You opened the doors because you needed them to meet."

Serik nodded.

"Yes."

"Why didn’t you say that from the beginning?"

"Because I didn’t know whether you would bring the second manifestation into the laboratory voluntarily."

Liora finally released Xue Mei’s hand and approached the opening of the cylinder.

Neria examined the veins in her arms.

"Don’t touch the chains."

"I know."

"Or the machines."

"I know."

Neria raised her eyes toward Damon.

"Did you get her out of there?"

"With help."

"Thank you."

Damon nodded.

"She said you’ve been imprisoned for one hundred and seventeen years."

"I have."

"And that Serik needs both of you to carry out something."

Neria looked at the man in red before answering.

"He needs me to find the old states. He needs her to confirm which ones can still exist."

Aurelia’s expression grew serious.

"So Liora isn’t just a second reference."

"No."

"She’s the comparison organism."

Neria nodded.

"My structure has been modified by the procedures performed here. After so long, I can no longer distinguish some of the alterations they made to me from what Mom originally put there."

Liora looked at Serik.

"You changed my sister."

The man replied, "It was necessary to keep her alive outside Eir."

Neria shook her head.

"Some changes were necessary."

She raised her arm, revealing small red filaments among the plantlike roots.

"These weren’t."

Varos approached for the first time since they had entered the laboratory.

"Are those protocol filaments?"

"Yes," Neria replied. "They record everything I recover."

Damon looked at Serik.

"So the real reason you want Liora is to find out which parts of her sister still belong to Eir."

Serik didn’t deny it.

"And from there, reconstruct a complete reference."

"Yes."

Aurelia examined the control panel and noticed that the three smaller machines weren’t the only equipment connected to Neria’s cylinder. A set of cables ran across the floor to the large structure on the opposite wall.

"Where does that connection end?"

Serik replied, "At the main archive."

"The ancient archive?"

"Yes."

Aria approached the wall and identified symbols similar to those found in the ruins beneath Vermillion.

"You’re using a facility built by the first standardizers."

"We are."

"Does it receive the information extracted from Neria?"

"Yes."

Damon ran a hand over his face.

"So you already have one hundred and seventeen years of records."

Serik nodded.

"We do."

"And you need Liora to verify what’s missing."

"Correct."

Damon looked at Neria.

"If we get you out of here, what happens to the archive?"

She took a moment to answer.

"The records remain."

"And the reinitialization protocol?"

"It can continue using the records that already exist."

Aurelia went still.

So did Damon.

Serik watched the change in their expressions.

"Now you understand why I can’t simply end the project."

Damon looked at the structure on the wall.

Removing Neria from the cylinder wasn’t enough. Serik already possessed sufficient material to perform biological alterations, and the entire facility had been built to turn those records into reproducible procedures.

"Aria," he said. "Find out how that archive works."

She nodded and approached the structure.

Serik raised his hand.

"I do not authorize access to the central archive."

Damon looked at him.

"You said you wanted to talk without threats."

"Yes."

"Then don’t turn this conversation into one."

Serik remained still.

Neria gripped the edge of the cylinder and tried to stand. Ester immediately approached to help her but stopped when the woman raised her hand.

"I can manage."

She placed one foot on the floor and then the other. The roots connected to her back stretched, showing that there was still a physical connection between her body and the machine.

"Do those cables keep you nourished?" Ester asked.

"Partly."

"Can we replace them?"

"Yes."

"How?"

Neria pointed at Liora.

The girl approached.

"Do you need me?"

"Not your body," Neria replied. "I need you to take a message to Mom."

Liora nodded immediately.

"What is it?"

Neria looked toward the archive structure.

"Tell her the records are here. All the ones they managed to take from me."

Liora closed her eyes for several seconds.

The veins in her arms turned green.

When she opened her eyes again, her expression had changed.

"She heard."

A vibration traveled through the laboratory floor.

The machines’ indicators remained normal, but the metal wall behind the archive began making small cracking sounds.

Serik turned immediately.

"What did you do?"

Liora looked at him.

"Nothing."

Neria smiled.

"My mother remembered where this room stood before you built Vermillion."

Aurelia understood and looked at Damon.

"Serik fixed the facility’s modern alterations in place."

"But the archive was built over the ancient ruins," he added.

Neria nodded.

"The first standardizers’ records were already here before the chains."

Damon looked at the wall.

"So Eir doesn’t need to alter the entire laboratory."

"No," Neria replied. "She only needs to show the archive what it was before Serik started using it."

The man in red immediately advanced toward the main panel.

Varos stepped into his path.

"No."

Serik stopped.

"Commander, step aside."

Varos held his gaze.

"First, you’re going to explain why a biological research facility needs to keep a woman imprisoned for one hundred and seventeen years to carry out a protocol your own agents know nothing about."

Damon watched the panel.

For the first time since they had entered Vermillion, Serik seemed less interested in talking.

And that confirmed that Neria had just shown the group something he truly needed to protect.