I pull my sword out of the cut in the barrel, breaking a few shards off. I assemble the two constructs again to repeat the test. The result is the same, the blade cuts further with the lightning construct running through it.

“This did the opposite.” I comment. “Instead of draining the flow when activated, it seems to be making the armor-piercing construct more effective.”

“I don't understand.” Vikiana mutters. “Perhaps the two constructs use the same principles?”

“The two's segments don't look anything alike, their internal structures are also vastly different.” I refute.

“That doesn't mean much.” Vikiana shakes her head. “You can use any shape to use flow, there is no unified set of symbols. I know for a fact that many flow researchers prefer to use arithmetic instead of geometry to build their constructs. Think of runes, the reason they use writing instead of geometry is that, while it is easy to remember shapes, the use of segment size to control intensity make it more difficult to engrave items.”

“Then why do some Rykz segments look like...” human ones. I trail off as I know the answer to that. Celyz told me that their technology is heavily dependent on the other two species.

“What were you going to say?” Vikiana asks.

“Don't worry about it.” I reply. “How was the first construct built if there is no 'official alphabet' to making constructs? Was it given to us by the Lake?” I ask.

“No one knows, it was too long ago. The prevailing theory is that we used unstructured flow with intent, like you did to grab the rope when we fought the Tianeel, to create sparks and make fire since that's one of the few things you can do with a standard access to flow. The first construct likely emerged because a mother wanted to teach her daughter and 'intent' isn't really easy to explain so she shaped flow to make it easier to replicate.”

“Hm, alright.” I mutter. “So, you're saying that the reason the lightning construct enhances the armor-piercing one is that they work on the same basic principles?”

“Or they're complementary in effect.” She replies. “What the lightning construct does helps the armor-piercing construct sever matter.”

“Good to know.” I note.

I weave a defensive construct over one of the barrel's intact portions, limiting the scope of it to a small portion to improve the wood's resistance. I then assemble the other two and anchor them to my sword, but this time I set the lightning's target to the barrel instead of the armor-piercing construct.

I activate all three of them, the blade sparkles with electricity and I swing at the defensive construct. The sword goes through the wood, slicing through five centimeters of the material. Vikiana loses her composure.

“You can't tell this to anyone.” She exclaims.

“I'm surprised you aren't asking me to teach you.” I comment.

“You don't understand.” She presses. “The defensive and armor-piercing constructs are phalanx staples. The Lisilese don't have an easy way to handle our defensive construct but their natural reflexes allow them to deal with the armor-piercing construct to a point. If this gets out, we'll lose one of our major advantages.”

“They would need to learn both first, no?” I ask.

“They already know the armor-piercing construct, they just don't use it because they have their own equivalents. Old and widespread constructs like these are impossible for us or the Lisilese to keep secret, prisoners talk, people trade.” She explains. “The Rykz are the only species united enough to hold onto all their secrets but do you really think they won't trade their lightning construct away to the Lisilese if it gives them an advantage? They likely won't if they're winning, but what happens the next time the Empire mounts an expedition to take a Hive?”

“Wouldn't they just use it themselves if they knew?” I ask.

“Princesses don't fight on the front-lines, their drones don't have the capability or reserves to make use of this. No, they don't have elite forces like our phalanxes or the Lisilese's cataphracts to make use of these two constructs, which is likely why they never realized how they interact together. Well, if you exclude the harvesters because they use a unique construct to enhance them, enabling them to battle at an equivalent level to our phalanxes and the Lisilese cataphracts.” She explains.

“So you're saying I hold the Empire's fate in my hands?” I question nervously.

“What you have is an explosive construct that could blow up in your hands at any point, Jessica! If it gets out, we'll lose half of Telnur and won't be able to recover the territory until the defensive construct is updated. It could take weeks, months, or years.” Vikiana says, fear clear on her traits.

“I don't intend for any of that to happen, trust me that's the last thing I want. I'm only considering how to use this to force Caeviel to surrender or exchange it for the Princess.” I explain.

“There are many ways that could go wrong for you, I don't think they would allow you to leave with this secret.” Vikiana tells me, calming down.

“Hm.” I think quickly. “Either option would expose my presence in Meiridin. Cenwalh would be more likely to threaten Cetyz' life to make me hand it over rather than trade the Princess for it. Can't trust Nobility to behave rationally and there's no way I'll give this to them anyway.”

“The only way this has value is if it is kept secret long enough for the University to come up with an update for the defensive construct.” Vikiana says.

“I don't think I'm going to do that.” I shake my head. “I still owe a debt to the Rykz and it would be a betrayal to give the lightning construct to the Empire. I won't break Celyz' trust. Besides, from what you've told me, it wouldn't give us an edge against the Lisilese or the Rykz.”

“It wouldn't.” She nods. “The Lisilese have constructs to reinforce their armors like our defensive construct but they deal with the armor-piercing construct by enhancing their reflexes along with their mounts'. We cannot steal and use those constructs as they are tailor-made to fit the affected species' biology. A better armor-piercing construct wouldn't improve our phalanxes' fighting capability against them. The Rykz, on the other hand, are... odd. They use flow and drone lives interchangeably to deal with our constructs, in the case of the armor-piercing construct, they are content to let us spend our reserves on it as the one for one exchange of that amount of flow for one drone's life is largely in their favor. Besides, the Rykz have recorded knowledge of all three constructs even if they don't use them so they would figure out what we're doing very quickly. It would be dangerous because, again, they would have reason to give their lightning construct to the Lisilese in exchange for land, an alliance against us, or simply an equivalent construct they haven't managed to steal yet. The Rykz wouldn't want to keep the lightning construct a secret from the Lisilese if the Empire learns of it, especially since they can pick and choose which horde they trade it to.”

“In that scenario, our defensive constructs would be able to counter this new armor-piercing construct, no?” I ask. “They wouldn't gain an advantage.”

“No, we use air-blade constructs a lot against the Lisilese but not the Rykz. The reason is simple. Make an air-blade, I'll show you why first-hand.” She says. I assemble an air-blade. “Not like that.” Vikiana stops me. “The blade needs to be sharp but uniform or it will encounter more resistance and the cut will be shallow, you'll need to spend more energy for equivalent damage.”

I make the changes, preparing to hand it over to her as I shouldn't forget to be prudent. I can't use any construct she teaches me until she demonstrates that it's safe. Instead of linking to it, Vikiana inspects it and delivers a flurry of comments, describing everything I did wrong in detail, from the blade's angle to the speed that it must travel to most efficiently cut my target.

“Look, I have more flow than I know what to do with right now, let's test this and I'll make these adjustments later when we train.” I speak up.

“No, that's how you get bad habits and the more access you have, the more likely you are to develop them. Even Kings and Queens run out of flow, Elizabeth.” The Exemplar sermons.

I hurriedly link to the construct and make the changes so that she doesn't go full on instructor mode. I've gotten to know her on a professional level pretty well these past days, she's like a dog with a bone about things like these. Once she's satisfied, I hand the air-blade over to her.

“Now make a lightning construct with a third of the flow you used to make this air-blade.” She says.

“A third?” I ask, surprised.

“Do it.” She replies.

I do so, anchoring the lightning construct to the barrel. She launches the air-blade at the target and I activate my construct. The small bolt flashes and impacts the air-blade. The construct loses its black-golden glow and shatters a single meter away from its target, the consequent burst of wind almost topples the barrel over.

“That's...” I say, baffled.

“That's how you took six air-blades out with three lightning constructs.” She tells me. “The reason it takes so little flow to do this is that you're increasing the internal pressure by heating the air contained inside, making it expand and using the air-blade construct's very composition against itself. A fire construct wouldn't work as the air-blade would reach its target before the air became hot enough to destroy the flow containing it.”

“And it wouldn't be efficient to make the fire construct burn hot enough to work since that would take a lot more flow.” I add.

“Exactly.” The Exemplar nods approvingly.

“Well, the combination of the lightning construct and the armor-piercing one is entirely useless to me.” I note, frustrated. “I can't even tell the Rykz without giving them something they can indefinitely hold over the Empire's head. The logistics involved in using it as a bluff to get a treaty signed and Cetyz released are risky because its value is in secrecy so I would need to reveal my presence in Meiridin to someone high-ranked in the Empire, which makes me an even bigger target and doesn't mean that Cenwalh will play along with whatever comes out of this.”

“You would need to make a demonstration of it to a Templar Master at the very least so that he can contact the Emperor, it is risky but you should keep the option in mind.” Vikiana says. “And you don't need to convince me, I agree that revealing this creates more problems with little promise to solve the current ones.”

“Hiding this to maintain the status quo is good and all, but this doesn't help me end this war.” I utter angrily.

“It depends, it would improve your chances to free the Princess by a wide margin if you can find a way to use it without revealing that you're using two constructs in tandem because it bears repeating that if someone sees that electrified blade, the rumor will spread like wildfire. You better believe that anyone competent that hears it will reach the same conclusions we have about the advantage the Lisilese would gain if they obtain it.” Vikiana says.

“If I can do that, then I'll be able to openly use this 'new and improved' armor-piercing construct and leverage its existence at a later date. The only reason I can't do that now is the fact that I'm surrounded by enemies and my only defense is that no one knows where I am yet.” I smile behind my mask.

“In the interest of honesty, I should tell you that the Empire won't let this go once they learn of it, and they will if you make use of it.” Vikiana speaks up.

“I never thought the Empire would remain in the dark, especially because I fully expect you to talk as soon as you're free to do so.” I casually observe, glancing down at her shackles. The Exemplar doesn't try to deny it. It is her duty to report this after all.

“Then why tell me that this will only ever be a bluff since you have no intention of giving this to the Rykz or the Lisilese?” She asks.

“Because I wouldn't have fooled you if I threatened to give it to the Lisilese and you need to understand that my ties to the Rykz do not supersede my loyalty to the Empire.” I say. “It is essential for you to comprehend the threat that I can make to ensure my own safety.”

“What is it?” She questions with a frown.

“It's quite simple really. The reason I'm loyal to the Empire is because I believe that it stands for the greater good. If the Empire attacks me, if the Order tries to capture me after all I've told you, then I'll have to resign myself to the fact that my judgment is misguided, that my faith in the Emperor is misplaced. In which case, I will not hold back. I'm counting on you talking because this only works if they know that I can blow this secret wide open quite easily and that I will have every reason to do as I attempt to escape pursuit, if only to prove that I do not make empty threats.” I carefully survey our surroundings to ensure that no one has a line of sight to us and take my mask off. I lock eyes with the Exemplar. “Elizabeth Vil is but an alter-ego that is meant to fade. Do not force me to become her.”

“You're putting me in an impossible situation.” Vikiana says, sitting down roughly.

“How so?” I ask, setting the mask back on.

“Let's put aside the fact that I bear responsibility for teaching this to you because this discovery would have been made at some point so it is fortunate that humans did so before the Rykz. In any other situation, my duty would be to kill you right now and report the information. Except the Shade insisted on the importance of the data that could be acquired from you. Added to that is the fact that my daughter's life might hang on the balance of your success and that forces me to remain silent on this.” Vikiana explains, looking distraught.

“Silent? What?” I say, caught by surprise.

“The situation is chaotic enough, I cannot add another set of complications before you assault the institute and free Cetyz. You need to understand that Shades are chosen among those who will do anything to preserve the Empire, it is in their nature. They don't strive for the greater good like Templars are meant to, they are a force for survival. Telling Aisha will backfire, Elizabeth. I don't think she dislikes you, she might even consider you a friend for all I know. It doesn't change the fact that if she hears of this, that you hold a construct that can enhance the armor-piercing construct to such levels that it defeats our defensive construct with an almost equivalent energy expenditure, she might just try to kill you immediately after having secured the data our Emperor needs. It does not reflect on the Emperor or the Empire, believe me, Elizabeth. It is simply a mindset necessary to their covert work, they tie up loose ends and that is what you would be to her because eliminating you buries the problem long enough to find a solution before the Rykz discover this.” Vikiana pauses. “Did you sleep with her, with Aisha?” She asks hesitantly.

“What? No! Why?” I blurt out.

“Because Aisha...” Vikiana turns away awkwardly. “She lies with anyone regardless of gender if it helps her.”

“I'm really not up to having this kind of conversation with you again, Exemplar.” I grunt. “She likes both, so what?”

“That's not it.” Vikiana shakes her head, frowning. “I know for a fact that she is nor... that she is attracted to men, she only goes out with men if there are no stakes involved. I'm trying to illustrate my point, I don't think that there is a line she won't cross if she thinks it benefits the Empire.”

Is Aisha why she thought it was a choice for us? Unimportant.

“So we're back to you telling me I can't use this.” I comment, suspicious that she might be pushing an angle.

“Not exactly. I'm simply trying to make you understand that if the Shade learns of this, she won't try to trap you inside the institute because then Nobility might get this out of you. She'll take the data, and kill or capture you for the University. It won't even be a choice for her, she'll give up on freeing the Princess and go back to her plan to pressure Caeviel.”

“I'll never give the lightning construct over.” I deny, taking a deep breath to suppress the suffocating fear that arises at the indirect mention of torture. “I might break and give whatever confession they want but I won't ever betray those who trusted me, it's been done to me enough.” I think quickly. Let's probe her a little, ask where she's going with this. “What are you proposing?”

“I'm only giving you the facts from my perspective.” Vikiana replies. “You've made it clear that we've lost your trust so I think this is the most I can do.”

“See, that kind of answer makes me nervous.” I note.

“I've advised you already, don't use it unless you can get rid of the tell-tale lightning.” Vikiana says.

“Fine, let's continue then. We'll see if you hold your tongue, I'll apparently be at your mercy once we reach Meiridin.” I lie. “But you'll be at mine, so think very carefully.”

Well, not really a lie, a test within a bluff within a bluff I think. I'll send a message to Celyz through a merchant, addressing it to Izla Meria's Council which shouldn't be too hard considering they're going to trade with Telnur and the Rykz will be besieging Port-Odo soon if they aren't already.

I'll then tell Vikiana what I did, but bluff about the content, telling her that I sent it to someone I trust and that it contains instructions to reveal how the two constructs interact in case I disappear or am hunted down by the Empire.

If she spoke of it, failed the test, it should be obvious... even if it isn't, she'll have to deal with the consequences herself. I don't trust her but I do not doubt her love for her daughter or her dedication to the Empire and both would be threatened here.

Even if all is lost, whether because of Aisha, the Emperor, or a simply failure on my part, there is no way I would reveal this information to the Rykz. It would be wrong to bring the Empire down with me even if my faith in the Emperor is mistaken. The entire human species, or at least the Empire's population, shouldn't pay for their leaders. I miss my fields.

“Ready to continue?” Vikiana asks. “Or should we go have lunch?”

“No, give me a moment. We spoke I didn't have time to test something” I say.

I assemble a lightning construct and an armor-piercing construct over my sword. The weapon glows black with small hints of gold. I try to charge the blade's steel instead of the air. I activate both. Bolts of electricity course along the sword's length. Hm. I reduce the amount of flow in the lightning, bringing it down to a half-portion.

It works! The lightning dissipates, proving that I can charge metal just as easily as air and use that to contain the bolts. I target the construct at the barrel. Tiny bolts flash out in its direction from the sword. I frown and undo the change.

I swing at the barrel. The blade cuts through it, going further than when I didn't use a lightning construct. I repeat the test while protecting the single still intact portion of the barrel's wood with a defensive construct, finding out that it isn't even necessary to aim the lightning construct to enhance the armor-piercing construct's performance.

“That's perfect.” Vikiana comments in a relieved voice. “Your black-gold flow makes it almost impossible to tell exactly how much energy you truly put into the armor-piercing construct and the layered lightning construct underneath makes it even more confusing because it doesn't appear to be a separate construct.”

“Might be because I intended them both to function in concert.” I note.

“I've heard that some titled nobles use burning air-blade constructs, perhaps that's what they do. A wasteful use of flow, it's mostly for show.” The Exemplar says. “If I didn't know, it would have seemed that you simply overpowered the defensive construct with brute force, using more flow than it could defend against.”

“How so?” I ask.

“It's a lot easier to tell how much energy humans or Lisilese use because it is quite obvious when the gold and red flow is intensified whereas a deeper black is still... well, black.” Vikiana explains.

“I don't have that problem.” I frown.

Ah, that's because flow grows 'hotter' the more I concentrate it through my other sense. I make a mental note not to forget that the lightning construct is not to be used in concert with the air-blade construct, to keep them on separate trajectories if I use both.

Also, I shouldn't try to block air-blades with my sword, even if it lightning courses through it. The compressed air would burst right in my face and the best I can hope in that case is to lose my balance.