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The natives are retreating back to the lagoon area, disappearing in the thick jungle and cover of darkness. One remains. The male leader. It seems like he is waiting for Wyri.
Even as an Aukami, Wyri cannot hide his surprise at seeing the male leader wait, when others flee. He stops his limping approach at a respectable distance, and bows again, low. "I beg forgiveness. I would ask for a second chance, but such has already been given. Else you and the other would not have approached us in the clearing. The female dealt a great blow to our leader, and to me." He pauses, working his mind around his next words. After all, he never uses them that much. "I submit myself, in the name of peace. /I/ am the scientist working on the cure for your people. Allow me to continue working on that cure. After I complete it, and before, my life is in your hands. If I cannot complete the cure," He pauses again, thinking back to Katrin. Days spent, and days yet to spend with the woman he loves. "Kill me." The weight of those words have never been stronger, but it's the only thing he has to trade for the lives lost today.
"Your name, tall one?" the native asks quietly. He stands steady, watching Wyri through a slanted gaze. "You bear little resemblance to us, however we can sense the strength and power in you. Consider joining us. A single mind could never truly understand what we offer until they accept it. We could help your powers grow in ways you may have never thought possible." He extends a hand. "We link to each other. Feel each other. It is to never be alone." There is a moment of silence as he contemplates the offer and nods. "We will accept your offer, in the name of peace. We just want peace."
And even an Aukami could not stop the relieved sigh from rising up in his throat. Wyri maintains himself though, his grip on his cane loosening somewhat. It would be a lie to say he did not expect to be shot with an arrow from behind. "Thank you." He bows again, not forgetting his manners either. "Your words are wise, truly, you could teach my people many things." He manages, without the slightest bitterness in his voice for the sins of his people. "If the offer to join you is present, I will accept. There is nothing to lose but fear itself." Fear. There's plenty of that, as the Aukami moves to take the native's hand.
A smile curves the leader's lips. "I am called Hadi," he says. "You are certain? Once enveloped into the fold, we do not relinquish you lightly. Very few ever leave afterward."
As their hands touch, Wyri would feel a strong surge of power running down his arm and right up to his mind. It is invasive but gently cradling the fragile memories and pieces that make the man who he is.
It takes a moment for Wyri to answer. Hell, it takes a moment for him to do anything as the invasion of his mind occurs. The first time he had been mentally assaulted was in that clearing, he had been in no way ready for it. He fancied he'd do better now. But he could never have been ready for invasion on this scale.
As a being who has had control of his own mind for many, many decades, it's overwhelming. Deep breaths. These are his memories. His feelings. His... name. "I am Wyri Grutos," He tells the native, steeling himself, clinging onto what part of him remains his own. His name, if nothing else. "And the only thing I have to lose," Fear threatens to swallow him whole. Choke his arteries of blood, his lungs of oxygen. "Is fear itself."
"You are still your own man, Wyri Grutos," Hadi says with a smile. "But now you also exist as a part of the collective. Your knowledge, your memories... we have access to it. Our knowledge and memories... you can see each thing as clearly as if you were the one experiencing it. It is an amazing feeling, is it not?" His eyes close and he sinks into a momentary bliss. "We have never had one so knowledged in sciences a part of the collective before."
The rush of it all fades, but only slightly, Wyri can't help but grip his head as his breathing slows. Words taking a moment to form in his mind. "Thank you..." He murmurs, leaning heavier on his cane then he had before. "It is..." Again it takes a moment to differentiate between what he wants to say, and what he should. "An honour."
Hadi continues to savor the wide variety of memories and experiences that Wyri possesses, finally nodding. "Come with us now, my brother," he says. "Become our salvation."
Wyri takes one last look back. Towards the ships. Towards independence. Towards Katrin. Things lost can be regained. There's still time, and to his mind he has preserved life. He's started to do his duty, and there's much work yet to be done. The silver haired Aukami nods. "I think I understand. The cure is within reach." He starts to limp after Hadi.
"We have no need for physical release," Hadi says, following Wyri's gaze back toward the ships. "We care for each other and the emotional bond and connection is enough." He smiles. "I suppose it will take some time for you to be able to understand it all. But love is not required." The mention of the cure brings joy to his eyes. "We have already lost so many..."
"I leave a lot behind, sometimes." Wyri explains, a thin smile settling on his scarred lips. "But please, make no mistake, what we gained today... the lives we could save... I wouldn't have given this up for the world."Thank you. For giving me the chance." Again the Aukami laments that he's not all that good with words. Perhaps the bond they share will be enough to express what cannot say.
Underground Caves - Tavros - <Tavros>
After a descent down into darkness, it eventually leads to a winding labyrinth of underground caves. All are man made, leading to niches that clearly once were a location of some form of civilization. The further down into the caves one goes, the more intricate the natural and unnatural architecture is. Grand arches and vaulted ceilings mark many of these rooms, some adorned with altars of some sort. Other caves lead to side rooms that look like they could have once been homes for a blossoming family with space to live and interact.
"The gift you offer us in a cure if more than enough thanks for what we offer you now," Hadi says. As they descend the caves, he gives a grim look. "Soon, we will be able to abandon these caves," he says. "Be able to see the sun once more. Be who we were meant to be."
As they descend, Wyri attempts to prove their mental connection, trying to find a reason why they can't leave the caves, and see the sun. Failing the connection, he asks, "You cannot see the sun?" More and more his eyes are drawn to other places as signs of civilisation bloom about them. He walks tall, despite his mental wounding from earlier, like the outsider he is.
"We feel pain when we are exposed to the sunlight," Hadi says with a frown. "We cannot explain why. It was gradual at first, but slowly become too terrible for us to stand. Those who would try were the first to lose their voices and leave us."
"I believe I may have some theories on that, too." The Aukami replies, his silver hair stirring in the slight breeze behind him. Wyri's fingers almost itch to be around some good lab equipment. If he could just isolate what was in those injections... On the one hand he wants to be in and out as fast as he can be, on the other, the caves carry with them an almost homely feel. He shudders.
"If it will put your mind at ease, we may be able to assist the woman," Hadi offers. "Not all of us carry the strength of the mind, especially outside of the collective, but some do. Myself and Hadia. I could sooth her mind. Repair the damage Hadia inflicted." Though there is a sudden surge of angry emotion that both he and Wyri would feel. Come from the named woman.
Wyri stops in his track, hope catching his breath in his throat. "I... I didn't know you could it... yes! That would be well! We could go now, I would see no harm come to you." He seems about ready to turn on the spot and run back to the ships if need be.
Hadi's expression is patient and kind. "Will you put her from your mind if you know she is alive and well?" he asks. "We need your absolute focus. We know that it is difficult in the beginning but surrender to the collective. Do not worry about the troubles you once had."
"I would put everything else from my mind, for the comfort to know she is alive and well." Wyri replies. Surrendering to the collective sounds like something you don't come back from quickly. If at all. "She is my..." He searches for a word, but all he can do is place an olive tinged hand over his heart.
"We understand," Hadi says with a sympathetic nod. "We will fix her," he promises. "Lead us back and we will see it done."
Stifling another relieved sigh, he nods, his smile growing a little wider. "Thank you." Wryi replies, turning on the spot and trying not to limp /too/ fast so as to show his haste.