2017-12-12: A Certain Bloodline
- Cutscene: A Certain Bloodline
- Cast:Kahm Yugh, Royce Gerune (NPC)
- Where: Beneath Wayside Village
- Date: December 12, 2017
- Summary: While investigating the aftermath of the battle at the Schturdark shrine, Kahm receives a panicked message from Doctor Royce Gerune about an inquiry he'd made.
The cavern system beneath Wayside seemed strangely bereft of the resistance Kahm had encountered the first time he'd visited. Normally he'd be more cautious than to enter alone, but the fact that Lieutenant Van Houten hadn't reported in afterwards had him concerned.
He'd arrived in time to catch Riesenlied's impromptu speech among the crowd.
Aided by a flashlight, he picked his way over rocks and crevices while his mind dwelt on the inherent danger in her words and deeds. What truth could the demons hope to illuminate? What was 'Mother'? Containment was looking less and less likely as a long-term goal.
The Major was still considering his options when his commlink, recently upgraded, beeped. 'They weren't kidding about the signal reception.' Kahm thought, as he answered the call with a muted voice, "This is Yugh."
"What the hell have you gotten yourself into?!" Exclaimed the voice on the other end, panicked and familiar.
"Professor Gerune. I'm guessing this means you know something about what I asked." Kahm said, settling into one of the wooden boats that creaked and swayed in fetid water that ran through the caverns.
"Nexus Hours." Gerune spoke the words with ominous gravity. "Before I tell you anything, what happened?"
"I met a man, an apostate. His power reminded me of a theory you once told me. Ether, it's capabilities, how it's classified. I won't bore you with the rest of the details."
Kahm could hear Gerune's groan in his ear. "You always remembered too many details for your own good." The man complained with a sigh. "It's not just a theory, Kahm. It's the truth."
"Enlighten me." Kahm said, checking behind his shoulder to make sure he wasn't being followed by another craft. "I have some time to pass."
"Consider this: At it's most fundamental form, what we call Ether is the ability to transmute thought into reality. Not accounting for class deviations, one in every fourth Solarian birth will manifest this ability. How does civilization survive a population whose every dream, whim, and nightmare can instantly became real?"
"It couldn't."
"Exactly, if not for one critical advantage-the mind can be indoctrinated. Hence the element theory, which defines and categorizes the power under unique channels. A false narrative that becomes real when filtered through institutions, traning, and other messages spread throughout society." Gerune said, and Kahm could feel the sardonic smile behind his words.
"Every day in Etrenank, we tell the human mind to imagine it's own cage and fetters for us. So far it has kept the peace."
"But it isn't perfect." Kahm responded, "Some people slip through the cracks."
"Yes...those born with the power outside of Solaris, for example. No indoctrination, no controls. Even within, some are born with such potency that their mind chafes under the mental strictures. That one Lieutenant of yours, the girl. She can use all four..."
"This isn't about her." Kahm gruffly noted as his boat came to rest at a rocky shore, dismounting and pressing towards the site of the shrine. "But what was the point of telling me all this?"
"The nexus hours theory is deeply associated with this truth. Even I've only heard the rumors....but that potency I mentioned. Certain bloodlines are known to be problematic in this regard."
"Certain bloodlines, huh?" Kahm repeated the phrase as he stepped into Schturdark's shrine. The area was replete with signs of battle and worse, the broken shards of Schturdark's statue littered the ground like casted bones, an omen of victory for the demons. Tendrils of unknown origin still twitched on the ground, and something distinct in the distance caught the Major's eye. Furtive steps drew him closer, and the professor's voice crackled once more in his ear.
"There's more, but...I shouldn't share it here. I will send you more details soon, just be careful." Gerune said, his voice tinged with unusual concern. "You're investigating something incredibly dangerous."
Kahm nodded mutely, his blue eyes affixed on his find, there amidst the pale white shards of the guardian. Distinct, red strands of hair....and a drive injector, discarded.
"No need to tell me, professor." He said, his eyes lifting up to the yawing entrance of Hadal Temple. A cold chill ran along the back of his neck.
"These days, we're all in danger."