The general's jaw had lowered with every sentence. Even after Vor finished his report, he stood silently, looking back and forth between Lena and Vor.
“General?” Vor prompted.
“You . . . you built a new digger?”
“Yes, sir. Under Tech's guidance.”
“And you found her with a group of Aethari?”
“Yes, if you recall, I reported that an Aethari named Rallorival tried to challenge me for Lena. He's the one who abducted her.”
“I see.” The general cleared his throat. “What happened to the erial?”
“We left it near the fortress, but it's hidden.”
General Ankeh made a pensive sound. “Very good, Commander. That erial may come in handy.” He lifted a handin a chiding gesture. “Granted, you should have spoken to me before you went digging a new tunnel to the surface, but I'll overlook that considering Tech's guidance and . . .” He trailed off, his eyes going distant as his breath quickened. “Dear Tech, what is this?” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I feel more alive. I feel . . .”
“Yes, youfeel.” Vor clapped a hand on the general's shoulder. “And you will feel more the longer you're around Lena. I have a theory that her physical and vocal vibrations activate dormant frequencies in us. In short, Lena aligns our tech parts. She aligns all tech, in fact. Did you see the lights earlier?”
“That was you?” General Ankeh gaped at Lena.
“No, General. I believe that was Tech.” Lena lifted her chin. “Source was welcoming me.”
“It's happy,” Vor added. “Can you feel it? Source rejoices because Lena is here.”
The general closed his eyes for a few seconds and then popped them open. “Source rejoices,” he whispers. “I never thought it could feel, much less feel happiness. How can it feel that, when it's never allowed us to?”
Lena felt something bubble up inside her and opened her mouth to speak, but the words weren't hers. “Long ago, the Sources were one sentient being who created Para. But the world was dead. Nothing would grow upon it. Life was impossible. So the being divided itself to become the Sources of Technology and Magic. One rose, and one fell, and between them, Para found balance. Even in their separation, they reached for each other, saturating sky, surface, and soil with the harmony of convergence. The world came to life, and the first Medeans wereborn. All was well upon Para until the Medeans learned about the Sources. Two groups split from the whole, each determined to find a Source. One rose, and one fell, and between them, the remaining Medeans kept the balance. Those who went looking found what they were after, but they upset the balance within them and changed so much that they became new races. The new races built homes near their chosen Source, and their imbalance seeped into the soil and sky until those areas were as imbalanced as the Aethari and Nethren. Only on the surface can the two great energies of Para meet now. It saddens them, who were once one being, to be pushed further apart by the children they love.”
The general and Vor both gaped at her.
Vor recovered first. “They were one being? A being like us?”
“Not like us. They were a god. They made Para and then pulled themselves apart to give their creation life. Gods inhabit and empower our world.”
“Lena,” Vor whispered. “Is that you or is that Source speaking?”
Lena swayed, her mind still hers but full of divine thoughts that both comforted and compelled her. “It is both of us. I am her, but these words come from Source.”
“No one has ever spoken for Tech before,” the general said.
“People speak for Magic.” Lena shrugged as Tech withdrew. “But I suppose you must be sensitive enough to interpret the energy of Source to speak for it. The Nethren have become desensitized. It's time to wake up, General.”
“Yes, it is, Lena Drask, Speaker of Ranuvul.” General Ankeh squared his shoulders. “And you will wake us.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Lena
A week later, Lena stood in the bedroom she shared with Vor and looked over her white gown. Lace skimmed her shoulders and dipped into the V of her bodice. White silk molded to her torso before spreading out into a full skirt decorated with more lace. Her shoes were matching silk slippers, and a bouquet of pink flowers waited on her dresser. Beside the bouquet, a vidco leaned against the mirror, Liria sharing the screen with their mother.
“You look amazing!” Liria exclaimed.
Their mother sniffled happy tears. “I wish I could be there with you.”
“You are.” Lena picked up the bouquet and vidco. “It's time.” She left the room to find Lieutenant Greis waiting just outside. “I'm going to pass you to Greis.” She handed the vidco to Greis.
“Dad! Thax! They're starting!” Liria called.
