"Year 2045. Following experiments done by the god of beasts and the god of biology on human subjects, mortals questioned gods about the morality of genetic modification on sapient creatures. It was a scandal. But the gods explained they've created a process to obtain consent from subjects before they are even born. The Temporal Lily. A flower that starts dead and ends its life a seed. Created with the combined magic of the god of time, the god of oblivion, and the god of botany. It grows only in Cernunnos laboratories." Ely took a break and drank water from a mug.

Was it going to be that long of an explanation?

"Before experiments are conducted on living embryos, the royal geneticists wait for the flowers to rise from ashes in soil. If the flowers live, that would mean, in the future, the subjects would consent to the modifications and the experiment would go through with no complications. On the other hand, if they never grow, that would mean the subject will either die or refuse, thus they're pulled out from experimentation."

Kirin poked his cheek as he looked up to think. "So then... everyone that's been experimented on and are alive now should certainly have given their consent, right?"

"Not necessarily." Ely shook his head as he placed the mug back on the table. "Time Magic works weirdly as it is. Get Oblivion Magic involved and you'd have yourself the most incomprehensible concepts there would be to think. When their flowers finish growing down to seeds, the subjects are summoned back to their respective laboratories. There they give their answer by choosing whether or not to replant their seed. Planting means yes. Destroying their seed means no. Now, to avoid making subjects think that the fact they're already altered must mean they would definitely agree, the god of time has made it so that genetically altered beings live in multiple timelines. First, a false timeline, where they agree. Second, another false timeline, where they refuse. Third, their true timeline, when they've decided. There's no way of telling if a subject is already on their third."

A spark of realization dilated Kirin's eyes. "So then... you're telling me all this... because the reason we're going to Cernunnos... is for Faolan to decide...? But..." The trap mumbled. "Why...? Why were there tears on his face?"

Ely gave a kind look, then averted his gaze to his hair as he ran his fingers through its long black strands. "I'm going there to give my answer too. Coral Crown's probably also on their way."

"Wait. You guys are also Cernunnos experiments?"

Ely laughed lightly and rested his arms on the table. As he did, his hair slowly slithered, like thin worms squirming away from his head. "Anthro-teuthida."

"T-T--" Stars sprinkled on Kirin's eyes and a blush sprayed his cheeks. "Tentacles!"

"I used to contemplate destroying my seed."

"T--" Sanity dawned returned to Kirin. "Oh? Why's that?"

"Well, unlike the rest of us, I..." Ely sighed. "Remember when Nebby called my magic disgusting? It's because every time I use it, I feel pleasure all over my head. Every time I squirt... Every time I spray... Every time, I... I feel... I feel pleasure. I've always been called the weird kid because of that. When Coral Crown knew... they kicked me out. Even though they were my own brothers. Because of that... Because I couldn't bear seeing them every day anymore... I left Harpe and joined Excalibur."

"I see..." Kirin looked down, letting his locks fall in front to hide his face. Not that he didn't want Ely to see him crying. Kirin just needed to hide the blush that had so swiftly returned to his face.

Darn it!

Kirin very well knew he should have been more sympathetic. But... there was just something in all that Ely was saying!

It all sounded... awfully... l-l-lewd!

"Anyway, wanting to be normal, I figured I'd say no when the time came." Ely's hair let fall as he took a breath in. "Then I realized that I won't be able to help Sir Bhala anymore."

"Oh." Kirin's sanity popped back in again. "Ely? What... What exactly happens if a subject turns out saying no?"

The man looked directly into the trap's eyes. "Oblivion will consume their history. Everyone will forget about them, they'll lose their magic, and they'll live their lives as if they were never involved in any way with Cernunnos."

***

"Gnawr-gnawr," said a raging two-foot-tall, purple, otter-like beast gnawing and scratching on Kirin's rerebrace. It was a venom diver. The last of seven creatures Fable Eclipse was meant to hunt down on their way to the Kingdom of Beasts.

While the creature was giving its all, Kirin merely stared into nothingness, almost like a doll, as he was out of his usual self.

Not so shocking. After not having had sleep last night and listening to all that Ely had to share. There was quite a lot. Things that have brought some light onto Faolan's puzzle. A puzzle that had plenty of missing pieces, yet Kirin was able to fill. ...with speculation.

The letter that Faolan received was likely his summon to the Kindom of Cernunnos. That he cried might be because he's thinking of destroying his Temporal Lily seed. If what Ely said was true and Coral Crown is also going, then Alia and Onyx might have heard and are also already aware of what's going on. Perhaps that's why Onyx was insistent on coming. Were they there to watch over Faolan? To make sure that he'll be staying? Quite likely. But... why should they be worrying? Neither of them saw him crying that night, right? Or did they? Maybe they've been aware beforehand that Faolan had a reason to give up his power. But... what? What could it be?

"Are you finishing that up or what?" Onyx hissed, forehead crumpled, thrusting his sword back in its container.

"Oh." Kirin shook his arm in an effort to drop the venom diver. "Just! Go! Already! You're boring!"

"Gnawr!" The creature's snout slipped through Kirin's ribbed rerebrace and nipped on his bicep.

The trap blinked multiple times.

As pleasure traced Kirin's nerves, his teeth jittered as it gnawed on his bottom lip. "Kyaaaaa-yaaa-yaaa!"