Chapter Text
"Like this?"
"More force! You used to break cliffs with your power, CLIFFS!!"
Leik looked from the front of Kinich’s house as the boy was trying to get used to using his claymore again. How much memory did he lose after everything that has occurred. Ajaw trying to coach him with… he guessed was some type of encouraging speech. Though it seemed like it left the hunter more confused than anything.
“How did I get roped into this again?” Trinidad asked, leaning against the door frame. “I thought I would be the least fit for the job.”
“You will need to ask Wayna about that.” Leik said, “Beyond that, are you not curious about how Kinich is?”
“I don't follow.” Trinidad said, “Honestly, this must be punishment of some sort. How do I look after a boy like him?”
“You handle Huni's energy just fine. Surely Kinich is much less energetic.” Leik said.
“It's not that.” Trinidad sighed, “I know he… doesn't have the best past. But it's not like I gave him any good memories. All of our exchanges were bickering and arguments.”
“Consider this an opportunity, to see Kinich for who he is underneath.” Leik said, “He may have lost his memories, but he still is the Kinich we know. He is still the Kinich I know.”
“If only that dragon could stay more quiet.” Trinidad mumbled, “How Kinich can handle him, I'll never know.”
Mavuika watched as Mualani and Kachina guided Kinich around the stadium. A few months have passed since he woke up, since he lost his memories. He was still wary of people, of strangers, but he seemed more comfortable around them now. Not as comfortable as he is around Ajaw, but comfortable enough.
She had wondered why. The obvious answer was that the contract connecting Ajaw and Kinich went much more deeper than simply an exchange of power for body. Yet, even if that was the likely explanation, she can't help but think it's not the whole picture. Kinich and Ajaw would bicker, and argue, and insult each other, but there was a familiarity they shared with each other that was different with everyone else.
She thought back to the ritual, and Ajaw's surprisingly less... Annoying attitude during the whole ordeal. He looked so... Determined. He was going to resume the contract even if the opportunity to finish the contract was right there. He didn't want Kinich to die. He shouted about just caring to get his 'vessel' back, but he refused to let Kinich die. One would call such behavior hypocritical, even if Ajaw gave his reasons. Part of it felt strange, yet another part felt like it was natural. She couldn't explain fully as to why.
"It seems like he's healing up just fine."
Mavuika turned her head to see Nahida and Hat Guy walking towards her.
"Hello you two, what's up?" Mavuika asked.
"We came to say our 'goodbyes'." Hat Guy said, glancing in the direction of where Kinich, Mualani, and Kachina wandered off. "With the Doctor successfully out of the picture for now, Kusanali and I have no reason to remain here. So we will be heading back to Sumeru."
"I can't stay away from the Akademiya for too long." Nahida said, "And there isn't much else for us to do here either. Kinich doesn't need our help, not anymore. Plus, I need to prepare in case the fatui come looking for the Dendro Gnosis again."
"I see, thank you, for all your help." Mavuika said, "Here, let me see you off."
Mavuika glanced one more time at the stadium, before walking off with Nahida and Hat Guy.
"So we met in the ruins?"
"Yes."
"We, formed a contract, where I get your powers, and you get my body in return?"
"Yes."
"Huh."
"Huh what?" Ajaw asked as he sat across from Kinich.
Kinich only looked at the tiny pixel dragon, so this was his original form and not that... broken statue like human body he was in before. One that looked eerily like his own.
"I... don't know, the memory isn't there, but that doesn't sound... wrong. It feels right in a sense." Kinich said.
Ajaw huffed, "Of course it feels right! You were the one to propose it anyway!"
Kinich remained silent. These past few months have been... strange. All these people he couldn't remember, but they remembered him. The way they described him sounded both wrong and right. Part of it felt like it wasn't him, another felt like it was. A lot of this was beyond frustrating to him. How can he not remember anything, but everything these people tell him just feel right somehow? Almost like he was disconnected, he knows these feelings, but is unable to actually link it to anything he feels or remembers. It didn't make sense, none of this made sense. But still...
It was better in comparison to what he remembered before. The nightmares were still there, still present, lingering. An odd young man from the Masters of the Night Wind had gifted him a type of dreamcatcher to help with the nightmares. So far, the trinket had worked, at least he thinks so. He still needs to figure out how to repay them for all this care. Not to mention the odd drinks and herbs he brought with him. Said it would help him heal. Heal from... Whatever happened to his body.
Kinich glanced down at his arms, the faded scars from razor blades and needles danced across his arm. Not to mention the various electrical scars that flowered from his chest to his arms and limbs. He couldn't help but pull his shirt to look at a large scar that sparked and bloomed over his heart.
He turned back when he heard Ajaw growl. The small dragon glared daggers into his chest.
"Ajaw?"
"Tch, I swear, if that bastard ever shows his face again, he will face my wrath." Ajaw scowled, "Stealing my vessel was one thing, damaging it is a whole other thing."
"Ajaw, I've been to ask." Kinich started, "You call me your vessel, you told me about how the contract works. Why is it then... That you are so concerned about my health? When the day I die is when you can be free."
Ajaw looked at him, before taking a tired breath, "The same question everyone has. I don't understand why the concept is so hard to understand."
"I'm sorry?"
"You are only allowed to die when I say so." Ajaw said, "It's simple. You are not allowed to die in such a weak and insulting manner. You will die gloriously in battle, I shall take your body either after you win the fight, or fall in the midst and I give your comrades the final aid they need. That's it."
"And when will that be?"
"Are you asking to die?"
"N-no... I was just... Wondering."
"Stupid thing to wonder." Ajaw grumbled, "Then again, you Scions are always the most reckless of the bunch."
Kinich didn't say anything, only thinking as he absorbed the information, just as he did all the other information he was given. Something about it all sounded both right and wrong, both him and someone else. However, he wasn't... Hesitant about the information anymore. He supposed that was a start.
"...Beyond the scarring, there isn't anything else physically wrong with him. All that's left is just his memories now." Ifa said as he moved away from his mortar and pestle.
"Which we are slowly returning to him, but... Based on what he says, they're nothing but feelings at the moment. It's been months now and he personally can't recall them. Just say they feel familiar... I don't like saying it, but I'm starting to have doubts he'll regain them at all." Citlali frowned.
"Don't say that, we just need to keep this up." Mualani said, she was visiting Ifa to grab some of Kinich's medicine and ran into him speaking with Citlali.
"He is slowly acting like how he used to be." Ifa said, crossing his arms. "However, he's not as stern as he normally is. I wonder if this Kinich is who he was before..."
"Before he became a saurian hunter?" Citlali asked.
Ifa nodded, "Yeah, he's more shy. More... Like a scared kid. Now I worry if this memory loss extended further than just inability to recall things."
"You mean..."
"Exactly, so I agree with you, Mualani." Ifa said, "We keep up the stories, as well as Ajaw training with him. His body remembers, but his mind likely doesn't anymore. You should probably spar with him as well. Maybe reawakening some of those muscle memories might help."
"Consider it done! I can help Kinich train up again in no time!" Mualani smiled brightly.
Her expression dimmed just a bit, but her smile was still there, "He's still the Kinich I know, he's in there. We just need to help him remember a little more."
"How has Ajaw been with him?" Ifa asked, "He's basically the only thing Kinich seems to fully trust at the moment."
"Ajaw has been his usual self." Mualani said, "But... I think he's trying to handle Kinich more gently now. It's... Odd. I've never seen Ajaw so protective like this before. But, he's been fine. He seems keen on making sure Kinich heals up and trains well himself. Elder Leik even said so as well."
"I'm still surprised Leik and Wayna wanted Trinidad to help him out. Those two did not get along last I recall." Citlali said.
Mualani chuckled, "Yeah, but I trust their judgment. Plus, I never took Trinidad as someone who actually disliked Kinich. He just... Viewed him more or less as a rebellious teen who wouldn't listen to his reason. Now though, he's been getting along with him a little better. I'm not sure how, but Huni told me Trinidad invited him over for dinner. Kinich tried pay him for it but Trinidad absolutely refused Mora. I think he settled with asking Kinich to babysit Huni for the day as a way to get around it."
Citlali couldn't help but chuckle, honestly, kids these days...
"Beyond that, his health is improving, and Ororon told me the dreamcatchers he made for Kinich seem to be helping with the nightmares." Ifa said. "I think he's on the road to recovery pretty well. I just hope we can help jog his memories."
Ororon walked across the fields, basket of veggies in hand, to see Kinich. His Electro vision was hidden away for now, back when Kinich was still bedridden, the sight of Iansan's electro vision sent him into a panic attack. So both him and Iansan decided to keep their Visions hidden away when seeing Kinich. Iansan came to check on him regularly with Mualani for training and getting used to the attacks he normally did routinely.
"Just like that, yeah, a little more force, you usually let the momentum of the blade to spring you in the direction you want to go."
Ororon heard Iansan's voice, he entered the clearing and saw her, holding a simple claymore, as Kinich held onto his usual weapon. She did a few practice swings and Kinich followed after. Ajaw watching from the side, more silent than he normally is. Ororon walked over to Ajaw as Iansan guided Kinich through a few more practice swings.
"Everything going smoothly here?" Ororon asked.
The dragon turned to him, "As smooth as it can go. Kinich doesn't remember how to fight, even though his body does. Him adjusting to it is... a work in progress. He accidentally cracks a few plates, but cannot muster the strength to use his claymore and break a rock in half."
"Hm..."
"What?"
"This was the first time you didn't address me with some kind of insult." Ororon noted.
Ajaw scoffed, "You humans are weird to expect that."
"It's just you normally do so, that it's weird when you don't." Ororon said.
"Tch, I just have other things to worry about." Ajaw said, "Trying to keep my vessel alive is even harder now compared to when we first made the contract. That stupid doctor, messing everything up."
"Kinich, you can stop for now."
The two turned to see Iansan helping Kinich keep steady, the hunter looking more exhausted than usual. He leaned on his claymore for support.
"I'm... fine." Kinich said, "Just... tired."
However, as he finished speaking, his eyes closed and he fell to the side. Iansan moved quick enough to catch him and lay him on the ground.
Ajaw flew over and Ororon followed.
"Not again..." Ajaw sighed as he floated closer.
"What happened?" Iansan asked, glancing at the two.
"Kinich's soul is... fractured." Ororon said, "Like mine, but different. It's fragmented, but that fragmentation also leaves it's bond to his body unstable."
"In short, he passes out because his soul temporarily severed connection to his body." Ajaw said, "But he should be awake in a few minutes. These happen, but he doesn't stay asleep for very long. Just carry him."
Iansan looked at Ororon and nodded. Ororon nodded back before gently picking Kinich up, hoisting him onto his back.
"Are we taking him back to his home?" Ororon asked.
"Yeah, he needs to be somewhere secure until his body wakes up again." Ajaw said, "And training was going so well..."
"We can pick up again later." Iansan said, "I am glad to say though, his muscles haven't gone too bad. He's slowly remembering the movements he used to do."
Kinich woke up again, did he pass out? He found that he was passing out a lot recently. The young man from the Masters of the Night Wind said it was because of how his soul is currently. His soul... was... off. A lot of this still seemed so strange. How long has it been since he was first taken in by all these people? They told him they'd help him remember, and they did, but it wasn't perfect.
He remembered Mualani, as well as Kachina, he remembered elder Leik, he knew who all of them were, he finally understood why they felt familiar, felt safe. Yet... there were still so many holes. He can't remember them all clearly, it was like his life was an old photograph that was burned in a fire. Only small pieces remaining after the cinders receded and left. Trying to make out of what remained. The nightmares have stopped mostly too, he would contribute it partly to the dreamcatcher.
Ororon... that was the name of the young man from the Masters of the Night Wind. Ifa was another, from the Flower Feather Clan, a vet. He hasn't met Ifa yet though. Though, he had a good guess as to why.
Kinich flinched, even just thinking about it made him wince as the memories took the brief opportunity to surge into his mind again.
Kinich sat up, he was back in his house, the blankets carefully draped over him, just as they were every time he passed out. Some of the periods he was told were longer or shorter, sometimes minutes, and other hours. He moved his arm, the bandages were long gone now, all that remained were scars on his skin. There... were a lot of scars, some jagged like lightning bolts, others flowing like vines and leaves, and even more, blocky and staggered like chiseled stone. What all these meant, he doesn't remember too well, he thinks the others don't wish to bring it up for the very same reasons he hardly thinks about it himself. Despite how much time has passed, he can't get that man out of his mind, he's there, lingering. Even though he was told he left the nation months ago.
Kinich turned to hear a knocking on the door. The door creaked open and he saw a familiar figure, he hasn't seen her often. Not as often as the others anyway, she was carrying a small basket with bottles inside.
Chasca smiled at him, "Hey, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine... just a little tired." Kinich said, moving to get out of the bed, he walked over to the small table in the room as Chasca set the basket down.
"I got some medicine from Ifa, said it would help with some of the sores you still have." Chasca said, "Plus some delights from both Kachina and Mualani. The two of them are busy right now and will be visiting later."
"I see... thanks." Kinich said, "Um, what would you like as repayment?"
"I don't need repayment for this, Kinich." Chasca said, smiling softly.
"But..."
"I think you remembering that is all the payment I need." Chasca said.
"I... don't follow."
Chasca chuckled, "What you used to do, all the time. Offer payment and absolutely refuse otherwise. You seek repayment and seek us to ask you for compensation. That's the Kinich I know."
"Is... is that a good thing?" Kinich asked.
"Perhaps, I still think you should feel safe, to not demand we ask you for repayment. I understand why you do though. So I'm glad you're doing alright now, Kinich." Chasca said.
"Where's Ajaw?" Kinich asked, looking around, it was oddly quiet.
"Went to see Mavuika about something, he'll be back soon." Chasca said, before taking a seat, "I'll be here until he comes back. So, how was your training with Iansan going?"
"O-oh, it's going... alright. I still find it strange that I would use such a large weapon." Kinich said, it was on his mind, he spent so much time swinging around the trees, why use such a heavy weapon?
"Oh, you always like claymores." Chasca mused, "You explain before that it was because they helped build momentum, plus the weight increased your downward velocity so it helped when you would jump enemies from the trees. Less time for them to react and all."
"Oh, I see, that does make sense." Kinich noted, "I haven't gotten to using the claymore in that manner yet. Though I suppose that was my main way of combat then?"
"Kinda, you either used your sword, or you used Ajaw to blast them away." Chasca said, making a motion with her hand, "You are very agile, even faster than me."
"I suppose... Though I still can't remember too much about it." Kinich said.
"Don't sweat it," Chasca smiled, "You'll relearn it in due time if you can't remember. Everyone just wants to make sure you're okay."
"I know, everyone's been focused on helping me." Kinich said, looking at his reflection in one of the medicine bottles. "Yet, I still don't remember everything fully. Now, I can remember certain whys. I understand why you're all worried, why Mualani and Kachina are so close to me, why you care for me. I don't wonder about those anymore, but I still don't recall everything. Not the moments that I feel like are important. It's enough to get the idea, and understanding... but anything more is missing. I still can't remember them no matter what happens."
"That might be because those memories were lost." Chasca said with a frown, "I heard all about it from Mualani and Mavuika. They told me, how your soul was so fractured it ended up in four different places and the Dendro Archon had to do some emergency patchwork before taking you to Granny Itztli to stabilize you. There's a high chance... those memories might never come back."
"Even if they don't come back..." Kinich mumbled, "I... will continue to make new ones regardless."
Chasca smiled softly at him again, "You will indeed, in fact, the new memories you gain will be the best ones yet. Natlan had overcome a crisis that had lasted for centuries. Now, a new age of peace has come to our whole nation. I believe, the new memories will be ones you treasure forever."
"Wise words, Chasca."
The two turned to see Mavuika walk in, Ajaw floating besides her.
"Are you properly tethered today?" Ajaw asked.
"So far." Kinich said simply.
"Pfft."
"What?"
Mavuika chuckled as she saw Kinich's confused expression, "I'm so used to the past, it's odd to not have you two bicker."
"Give it time." Chasca mused, "Oh yeah, you two always exchanged quippy remarks."
"Please, I was just speaking as a Great Dragonlord should speak." Ajaw scoffed.
"How are you feeling so far, Kinich?" Mavuika asked.
"I feel fine, nothing unusual so far." Kinich said. "My training with Iansan is also going well."
"Once you're done with mastering that claymore again, you need to retrain with my powers." Ajaw said, "You can't in your current state, because you might kill yourself trying."
"Still strange to hear how much you care about him, Ajaw." Chasca smirked. "Always rambling on about how you can't wait for the day you get his body."
"HEY! I keep saying he must die in a manner that is worthy of my possession. How many times do I need to repeat myself?!" Ajaw grumbled as he flew over to Kinich. "So don't go dying on me!"
"R-right, I don't plan on it." Kinich said.
Mavuika chuckled, "Since we're here, how about we stay for lunch? I brought some good eats from the buffet. I got some of your favorites."
"Kinich needs to take his medicine with food anyway, sounds like a plan." Chasca said.
"I'll go get the Quenepa Berries-" Kinich was cut off as Ajaw fluttered in front of him.
"Unless those berries are me specifically, you are not allowed to fetch them." Ajaw said, flying off to the kitchen area.
"Is he a worrywart?" Chasca asked.
"He always enforces a bedtime." Kinich said, "And... a curfew. He doesn't allow me to be outside of the house past sunset."
"I never thought I'd see Ajaw act like a worried parent." Mavuika mused, "Still, that's quite good."
"Elder Leik said he'd be coming by as well tomorrow." Kinich said, "He's... been by a lot."
"Oh? Alongside both Wayna and Trinidad?" Mavuika asked.
"Mostly just by himself, Chief Wayna does come by sometimes, mostly just to do a brief check in." Kinich said, "Trinidad... he doesn't so much visit me, as much as his daughter asks me to stop by when I'm in the tribe."
"Told ya Uncle Wayna knew what he was doing." Chasca said.
"I don't follow?" Kinich blinked.
"Little Huni is a good influence."
"You... don't need to worry about that, Kinich." Mavuika sighed.
Kinich blinked, recalling the last time Huni had spotted him in the main tribe village.
Kinich was getting some fruits from the tradesmen in the tribe, Ajaw off to speak with Wayna about something. He was slowly getting re-acclimated to the tribe's main village. The people in the village knew all about what had happened. Many were relieved he was alright, others were odd when they tried to inquire about prices. So he was relatively on good relations with these people. Why did he live so far away?
Kinich was taken out of his thoughts when a small hand grabbed his own. He looked down and saw a girl with brown hair smiling at him.
"Hello?"
"Hello Mister Kinich, remember me?" She smiled at him.
"Huni, right?"
"Uh-huh! I'm glad your memory is doing okay now." Huni said, slightly tugging him, "Come on, my dad is making some puffs as a snack, you should totally get some to enjoy."
"I-I don't want to intrude-"
"You are 'Malipo' Kinich! This is never an intrusion. Moreso, I'm the one taking you there, haha!" Huni smiled as she dragged him along.
It was strange, Kinich didn't know so many children looked up to the bearer of the Turnfire, that of 'Malipo', it took a bit of time, and Elder Leik's lessons to remember the history of the tribe, and of his Ancient Name. The more he learned, the more it felt like the 'Kinich' everyone knew was some kind of far away figure, almost like a hero in a myth. However, the more he learned, the more he remembered. Things felt more familiar, like they weren't on such a far away pedestal.
It wasn't long before they reached the hut.
"Hey Dad! Look who I found in the marketplace!" Huni called out, "I invited him for puffs!"
Trinidad's figure appeared in view, holding a bowl of freshly popped puffs and blinked, he set the bowl down and cleared his throat. "Hello Kinich."
"Hi."
Huni looked between them, before smirking and running off. "I'm going to look for mom, I may be a bit."
The two were left alone, Kinich held onto an arm as he tried to think about how to continue the conversation.
"Are you feeling well today?" Trinidad asked, gesturing him to take a seat.
Kinich tentatively sat down on one of the chairs in the main room.
"Better, the nightmares are not as present anymore." Kinich said, "I uh... I still don't remember too much about you, I'm sorry."
"Please don't worry about it," Trinidad sighed, "In whole honesty, I'd rather you didn't."
"...Why is that?"
Trinidad sighed, "You and I didn't get along too well. Both of us were perhaps too prideful to allow much room, well... perhaps I was the prideful one, you were simply pragmatic at the time. I had a strong dislike for you, even thought of a scheme that went against your beliefs, yet in that same moment, you saved me."
"I hear similar things a lot recently." Kinich said, "People tell me a lot about who I used to be. Sometimes I'm frustrated that I can't recall them myself. It's like I'm being told a story, whoever I was before... is so far away now."
"It's... not always a bad thing." Trinidad said, sliding the bowl of puffs over to him, "The Turnfire is all about price, about the past, and keep moving forward. The main story of the Turnfire is that the original bearer had to never look back as he took the flame. He was not allowed to look back, to look at the past. But, I think... as a way of looking at this situation on the lighter side. Some things are better off forgotten."
Kinich tentatively took some puffs, "I still... I... I know I have a lot of responsibilities to bear. I am the bearer of 'Malipo', yet I still need to relearn what 'Malipo' meant to me. It's... frightening."
"I understand, we all do." Trinidad sighed, "But the Wayobs chose you for a reason. Back then, you understood. Do not worry, all of us here, are to help you remember your reasons, your choices, and why you were chosen as 'Malipo'. You played a role in saving the nation, in saving our tribe. I never did get a chance to thank you for that, not before... everything that happened anyway."
"Elder Leik... told me he took me in when I was small. I was living on my own supposedly even before that." Kinich said, "Is... there a reason why he did? I asked him, but all he said was that he wanted me to grow well."
"Elder Leik is a charitable man," Trinidad said, "Stubborn in his own way, but no different than myself. He saw you needed help, and frankly, he's one of the main reasons you became who you were. Because... the tribe, as a whole, failed you back then. I was not privy to what happened in your past, I had no right to be. However, certain revelations came after the events with the Mountain King that made me re-evaluate who you were, and why you were the way you were back then. To be frank, I told both Leik and Wayna it would be unwise to have me aid in your recovery. We did not have the best history."
"But they insisted anyway, because of the fact I don't remember much of it." Kinich said, "It wouldn't hinder our relationship, whatever it was, because I can't recall it. Right?"
Trinidad looked at him, before chuckling, "Yes, that is correct. For a moment, you sounded just like you did back then. That's a reassuring sign."
Kinich blinked, before thinking for a moment, "Trinidad, you say you butted head with me in the past, in that case... can you tell me a bit more about myself?"
"Why? Haven't the others been doing that? They're much closer to you than I." Trinidad said.
"Because I think your perspective might help." Kinich said, "Sure, the others tell me, and I remember things slowly, but... some of the events, they paint me as some kind of hero or myth. Not to mention, I'm hardly in the tribe during these stories. I would like you tell me about who I was, for better or worse, and how I was around the tribe. I see your daughter seems to look up to me, but I don't know if that's just because of my Ancient Name. I was also told I focused a lot on prices, which... I am slowly relearning. But I also learned that when it comes to repayments between me and my... friends, they're not has concrete as others."
"Ah, I think... I can help you with that." Trinidad said, "But please, I do want to take this opportunity to restart with you. The past doesn't define who you are indefinitely, it's just a starting point for who you're going to be."
Trinidad was much more talkative now, compared to back then. Despite his gentle wish for Kinich not to remember their old encounters, he did, gradually. Trinidad from back then, was always fighting with Kinich in regards to prices, the tribe's conditions and traditions, and how Kinich held tightly to prices, either for himself, or for others. He remembered more from the Mountain King incident thanks to Trinidad as well. Despite his concerns, Trinidad's more neutral, even if negative, recount of 'Kinich' helped repair some holes in his memory, it didn't feel so much like a far away myth anymore. He still... felt human, not a hero in some fantastical tale. Somehow, that made him feel better. He just couldn't explain why.
Kinich's gaze fell to a book left near the bedside.
"Do you read that book often?" Chasca asked, noticing his gaze.
Kinich nodded his head, "I do, I find it calming. It's familiar, somehow... I can't make out a name though, since it's only a manuscript and not a formal book."
"It's one of your treasured possessions." Mavuika said, "One you keep close, it always brought you comfort. Ever since you were small. that's what you told me."
"Ahh! I finally got the berries." Ajaw sighed dramatically, flying back into the room with a basket suspended by his pixel hands. "Now eat before you starve!"
Kinich only blinked as the basket was dropped on the table, Ajaw taking a seat as both Chasca and Mavuika smiled.
He couldn't help but smile himself, he felt like there was a longing in his heart, that something was missing, but...
"We are back! We got done early-! Hey! Are you guys having lunch?! We brought food too!" Mualani's voice rang throughout the house as she ran in, Kachina on her tail as Mualani carried in a basket of food. The two girls shuffled in and gathered around the small table in the room.
"It's getting crowded! We should move this to the living room." Mavuika laughed, she got up and helped Kinich out of his seat as Chasca and Ajaw proceeded to gather the food, following the others to the main room of the house.
"I'm glad you're doing well, Kinich." Mavuika smiled.
Kinich smiled at her, "I'm glad too."
Dottore scoffed, looking at a monitor in his lab as he dismissed a notice on one of the screens. "I was so close..."
"What troubles you? My dear doctor?"
Dottore turned to the source of the voice and saw Pantalone looking at him with a smirk on his face.
"I was so close to making a connection with a vessel beyond the heaven's rule, but dammit all and the connection was severed." Dottore grumbled, opting to step away from the console and go to an experimentation table he had set up further away. "I was so close, that boy is a unique specimen. I am extremely disappointed I could not complete my experiment with him."
"I heard," Pantalone hummed, "A rare boy, who seemingly cannot die, lest he be possessed by the heavens or by the dragons. You even got as far as to get a gnosis to assimilate with him."
"I was, it did. The gnosis spoke." Dottore said, "That boy is the perfect vessel for possession by any and all higher powers. To let him slip through my grasps..."
"Are you going to try and claim him again?" Pantalone asked, "You never usually give up."
"I don't, but I have other things to worry about." Dottore said, "My preparations in Nod-Krai are coming to a close, with Columbina going rogue, I need to divert my focus."
"And if your plan with obtaining the Tri-Lune Authority succeed, will you still need the boy?" Pantalone questioned.
"By then, it won't be a matter of need." Dottore said, "But I do believe he will be the perfect bargaining chip, against Natlan, against the dragons, and against the Heavenly Principles. Thanks to him, I finally understand their operations. When I obtain the that ancient power, I truly wonder what I can do to him. He may be the vessel needed for an experiment I have been dying to conduct. One that will re-shape the very logic of life and death in this world."
"Then I wish you the best, Doctor." Pantalone mused, "And... do inform me if you need help in that endeavor."