Chapter 14

A gust of wind echoed through Alia's vast home, followed by the rustling of leaves and cracking of wood. Ali woke with a gasp, shocked to still be alive. Her last moments were that of despair and panic. But instead of perishing horribly, she found herself fully repaired, and lying on a stone table.

"Back home?" Ali stammered as her eyes darted around, feeling her slim body to check for damage. "What happened?"

Upon inspecting her stomach, the doll was surprised to find everything exactly in place. Every inch of her surreal flesh remained soft and smooth, almost as if her genius creator had made the repairs.

"Alia?" The doll whimpered. "Are you there?"

Upon testing her strength, Ali stumbled and fell out of bed in a clumsy mess. But the pain only further motivated her as she began limping across Alia's stuffy home with unyielding courage. As the doll drew closer to the rocky cliffside of her home, she breathed a sigh of relief as a metallic figure appeared in front of her.

"Valor!" Ali cried as she took sight of her savior.

Salem's youngest child seemed shocked with surprise as the doll stumbled toward him.

"Ali?" Valor asked as he felt her arms grasp his waist.

"Thank you!" She cheered, embracing the taller machine.

"Y-you're alive? It's a miracle."

"I've never been helped by anyone like that before. I promise I won't forget it." Ali beamed as she meant every word she spoke.

Valor lowered his head in shame, "Even after I failed you?"

"What do you mean? You were so very brave. You saved my life."

"Thank my mother. It was she who succeeded where I did not. I sincerely apologize for what happened to you."

"I'm the one who got you into trouble. It's not your fault!" Ali frowned as she began to show an uncharacteristically childish side.

"It is a knight's duty to protect the innocent."

"And you did. Please do not say terrible things when I am the only one who has failed."

"Why? Why are you so harsh on yourself Ali," Valor sighed, realizing the doll had turned cleverly turned things around on him.

"I was made for Alia, and now I don't even know where she is. You must understand how this makes me feel."

"You loved her," Valor stammered as he tried his best not to crudely inform the doll her maker was dead.

"Of course, no matter how much she hurt me, I will always love her."

"Indeed, it is your heart. Do not let anything make that decision for you."

"Eh?" Ali paused. "Did you get that from a book Valor?"

"I uh," Valor laughed. "Possibly. Do you read as well?"

"I do!" The doll clapped with joy as she began to relate to her new friend. "Alia made me with the ability to understand the pages, and she even let me read her whole collection!"

"I see! My mother Salem taught me to read. I do find it an enjoyable hobby."

"Salem," Ali frowned as she snapped back into reality. "Is she alright as well? Where is she?"

Valor paused for some time before pointing a finger in the direction of his mother, "She is not in the happiest of moods. But if you insist on speaking with her, I will not stop you."

"Thank you very much Valor. I hope to speak with you again," Ali smiled as she began to walk more confidently toward Salem.

Valor was then left in a silent state of stupor, contemplating his past mistakes. He couldn't deny how well he fought during the battle with Alia, and yet, he felt insecure and worthless. Perhaps he thought, if he were not so cocky and reckless during the fighting, he could have saved Ali from all the pain.

"I should have been more like Korus," Valor sighed as he gripped the silver weapon his fellow Valekry had given him. "What a wonderful knight he is."

Ali soon found herself within a ruined stone castellum she had never seen before, its atmosphere much colder and eery than Alia's wooden home. Typically she had never dared to wander away from her maker's bedroom - and yet she remained unsurprised to find such a foreboding lair. The walls and floor of the castellum were empty and frigid, reminding her of how empty Alia could be.

"Salem?" The doll called out as she began to feel afraid, stumbling around in the darkness.

Ali nearly fainted out of fright as she suddenly bumped into one of Alia's creations. Just one night ago, the same machines had attempted to violently destroy her, filling the doll with terror. But after poking and prodding the machines with her soft finger, she decided all was well and moved on.

"What did she do to you?" Ali whispered to herself as she considered the reason behind the Vornex's creation. "Are you back to being statues?"

A sharp screeching sound then began emanating from the center of the room, as if calling for the doll to move closer.

"Do you like them? They're mine now," a sinister voice rang out. "Bound to malice through insanity."

"I never hated them," Ali frowned as she headed towards the grating noise. "Alia made me too you know."

"Your maker spoke much about insanity you know. She insisted it was no different from the pursuit of knowledge. That only the embrace of insanity could bring enlightenment. I must admit her beliefs feel more valid every day. Is that why she left you to me? To remind me of her lessons?"

Ali then suddenly felt a sharp nail lift her chin as a prosthetic arm appeared out of the shadows. She raised her eyes in painful anticipation - half expecting to be killed again. But instead of the end, she saw only the confident gaze of Salem.

"You," Ali gasped.

"Good morning," Salem smiled as she attempted to hide how guilty felt just hours ago.

While the red mother caressed her face, Ali's mind began to overflow with perilous questions. But instead of immediately presenting her plight, she found herself releasing nothing more than a painful whimper. The doll was obviously scared to ask about Alia.

"It's good to see you in one piece," Salem smirked as she pulled Ali in with the superior strength of her new prosthetic arm.

"I'm very sorry for causing you trouble," Ali stammered. "Are you all right as well?"

"Brighter than the sun."

Ali then revealed a pensive expression as she gestured toward Salem's metal arm. She had grown since she last met the woman, her confidence increasing with every interaction as she demanded answers without a word.

"It is part of me now," Salem pensively replied.

"What happened?" Ali whispered, trying her best to probe for the truth without overstepping.

Salem scoffed, trying her best to disguise her fear. She had no lie prepared for the doll, and not even the cleverest of schemes could help her escape her new dilemma. Salem knew in her heart the truth had to be revealed, even if it would break the innocent doll. She then averted her crimson eyes to the corner of the room as she nervously fumbled for words.

Fortunately for Salem, Ali had caught sight of a familiar friend and dropped her investigation.

"Bear-Bear?" Ali beamed as a furry little creature came into view. "Is that you?"

Somehow, the small bear had remained unseen in the corner of the stone chamber for quite some time. Salem appeared genuinely shocked at first, having never given the plush much thought at all. As far as she knew it was just some stupid toy left behind during the battle - and yet it had mysteriously appeared right in front of her as if it were alive.

"What the hell?" Salem jumped.

"It's so good to see you Bear-Bear! Did you follow Salem here? Was she nice to you?" Ali smiled, assuming Salem was aware of the plush.

"How did it get here?"

"Oh, well I suppose she just walked here all by herself. Isn't that right Bear-bear?" Ali giggled as she handed Salem the toy.

Realizing something was off, Salem promptly returned Bear-Bear to the doll. She had seen enough of Alia's tricks to trust anything. If it were not for Ali's sweet smile, Salem would have destroyed the bear just to be sure.

"Can I keep her?" Ali beamed.

"You may," Salem scoffed as she glared at the bear, who seemed to respond with a subtle wink.

"Why don't you like her?"

"Never been the biggest fan of toys. Creepy humans always gave them to me in some infantilizing attempt. But I've never acted like some little girl, no matter how they treated me."

"Oh well, that's a shame," Ali smiled as she began to twirl around with the bear. "I just feel so happy around it you know?"

For what seemed like an eternity, Salem stared in disbelief. She was completely dumbfounded by the doll who usually displayed great restraint and intelligence. And yet at that moment, her mind was filled with nothing but childish bliss; it made Salem jealous as if her own chance at a carefree life had been stolen from her.

"Maybe I would have liked toys as a kid after all," Salem muttered as she admired the doll.

Lost in thought, Salem frowned and began to rest her face on her own metal palm as she stared at the doll. On one hand, she detested Ali's childish behavior, and yet on the other, she desperately wanted to protect that beaming smile. In the end, she couldn't deny her attachment and swore in silence to protect the pure image that lay in front of her.

"Does she remind me of myself? Or am I just envious of what I could have been?" Salem sighed as she leaned against the frozen Vornex next to her. "I wonder which one I really am. This masked creature, or her. Maybe once upon a time that was an easy question."

"I believe the answer really is simple," Ali interrupted as she interpreted Salem's faint mumbling. "You're like the children you've made. Brave and kind."

"I hate you," Salem muttered under her breath, knowing full well the doll was correct. "You think you know me. Just like that girl Alia. Are you her mirrored image? Or am I?"

The red mother continued to brood in spite and frustration. She wanted desperately to feel better about herself, or at the very least, to justify her pathetic life. And despite being the only one with secrets, Salem would continue to pry into the doll searching for answers.

"Why do you smile," Salem questioned.

"You believe I should be sad? Many times I am, but I find it more comforting when I smile. At the very least it can soothe those around me."

"Don't lie to me, you can't possibly say that feeling is genuine."

"You know I cannot lie Salem," the doll sighed as if predicting Salem's next move. "Alia didn't lie to you either. She always tells the truth in her own way."

"That may be true, but I do not believe you understand the truth."

"So then what do you want from me?"

"All I've ever wanted is something fair!" Salem screamed as she lifted her hand.

But before Salem could strike she hesitated with a sharp breath. No matter how terrible things became violence was never the answer - a lesson she had learned back on Glacia. In her mind, restraint was the last thing keeping her from a path like Alia's.

"That night I told you we were alike," Salem continued in a much softer voice. "I lied. I wanted to think I was like you. We have so much in common. But the truth is that you're better. I think Alia knew that when she gave me to you. She wanted me to know my greatest flaw."

"You can still move on," Ali whispered, her improved intellect having already captured the meaning of Salem's words. "It's not too late."

"Your wrong I'm afraid. You may be able to heal any wound, but what I've done can't just be left behind. I have to face it," Salem breathed deeply. "Ali, I killed your maker. She wanted me to do it, but I still bear the blame. Alia is gone, by my hand."

Ali paused for a moment before placing her bear gently on the floor. She already knew Alia was dead deep inside, yet had denied the truth using what little hope she had left. Salem could see the internal war raging within the doll's mind. Half of her wanted to lash out like an irrational child, whereas the other simply wished to run away.

"It's alright to let it out. You won't be like me if you do," Salem frowned.

For a moment, Ali stared off into the void and took a step away from the woman who killed her maker. It was at that moment she made her most fateful decision. The doll finally had the chance to choose her own path and thought carefully.

"Who am I," Ali thought to herself.

It was then that she reclaimed her bear from the cold ground, recognizing it as a memento to Alia.

"She knew all along Salem," the doll calmly explained as her rage dissipated. "What you would do to her. She warned me over and over not to get attached, that she'd disappear soon. But in those last moments, before I had to say goodbye, she seemed happy for once. I remember how peaceful she was before the mask came on one last time."

"She loved you," Salem sighed.

"Perhaps. Maybe she was just happy to get rid of me."

"Ali I'm-."

"It wasn't your fault," Ali interrupted. "I should consider what you have been through. I'm sorry."

"Whatever do you mean? You're the victim, not me, I don't deserve a damn thing."

But before Salem could explain her case, she felt the warm embrace of the doll wrap around her chest. Somehow Ali had taken it upon herself to diminish her own sorrow, holding tightly to Salem as if she were the only victim. That was the decision the doll had made for herself.

"Don't you divide the blame, Ali, you have to take care of yourself, you-," Salem stammered. "We can both heal, together! There is no one free of pain here, do you understand!"

The doll paused for a moment before silently nodding her head.

"Very well then Salem, we shall heal together, as friends," Ali smiled as Salem began to return her embrace.

"I hate you," Salem chuckled as she stared up at the vast sky of Lacuna.

_______________________________

Sometime after his mother had reunited with her lost friend, Anger stood outside of Alia's mansion on the usual patrol. The cynical machine wasn't exactly thrilled with the doll and preferred to keep his distance. But for the sake of his mother, Anger would stay vigilant.

Suddenly, the sound of nearby footsteps could be heard clambering up the rocky mountain path, causing Anger to draw his mace in preparation for battle.

"Who goes there," he growled.

"A friend."

Anger muttered to himself in disapproval as the Valekry he knew as Kalis appeared just beyond the path.

"You walked all the way to the edge of Lacuna? I see no vessel of yours," Anger questioned the unique machine.

"I thought it best to keep a distance from your mistress after the battle," Korus replied in a soft and understanding tone. "I am here now to see if she is alright."

"So the princess sent you."

"She wants to speak to Salem at once."

"Then send her here."

"I...would if possible," Korus gestured towards the palace in the distance with his empty hands. "But Ina prefers to stay inside."

"Where were you during the battle," Anger hissed with suspicion in his voice.

"He was helping me brother," a nearby voice bellowed with excitement from within the mansion. "Look who it is, my friend!"

Anger placed a palm to his face as his younger brother practically ran out the front door. Valor was of course eager to see Korus, who he still viewed as a hero. Luckily for the spry Valekry, the old knight seemed just as amused.

"Valor! It's good to see you made it out." Korus laughed as he placed a hand on Valor's shoulder. "All is well I assume?"

"There were...complications. I failed to protect the doll," Valor sighed with regret. "You did everything you could, where as I did not."

"Is she dead then?!"

"No. Her wounds were repaired."

"Then you still fought well Valor," Korus reassured the young Valekry. "If not for your efforts those beastly machines would have torn the poor doll apart. What injuries she did sustain likely pale in comparison to the alternative."

"I appreciate your encouragement brother."

"Brother? Hah! Already speaking like one of us I see. Ina told me you were just recently created by Salem, yet look how far you've come."

"I do my best," Valor chuckled as he tried his best not to sound too excited.

"Come back with me to the palace. The princess has requested an audience from your mother."

"It is not decided if she will accept," Anger interrupted in a harsh tone. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

"Can you at least ask the girl?"

Anger hesitated to nod before walking back inside. He knew Salem would likely accept the deal. But from his perspective, it was unwise to keep accepting the aid and influence from others.

____________________________________

Sure enough, Salem accepted the deal before saying a temporary goodbye to the doll. She had no plans to see Ina at first, but after remembering the blue flower and its saving touch, the red mother eventually decided to do the polite thing and come along. As for the princess, she was ecstatic to see her friend, practically rolling out the red carpet as she ran out of from her room.

"I hope the ride was pleasant," Ina panted as she once again greeted Salem from the ramparts of Lacuna's center. "Korus told me everything, including the part where he walked to you in such an uncouth manner."

"It's quite alright," Salem struggled to smile, walking alongside the princess as they headed inside the palace. "I was fine to just wait for a shuttle."

"Tell me Salem, are you alright?"

"You seem rather concerned with my health Princess Ina. You even sent that knight to follow me..."

"I'm sorry if I offended you Salem. But after I learned you were attempting to see that...crazed recluse...I became very worried."

"Well Korus was of great assistance, so I suppose you have my thanks," the red mother grimaced as she avoided the topic of the blue flower. "Tell me, why did you allow a threat such as Alia to live in the city? Clearly, you saw her for what she was. A ticking time bomb of insanity."

"Alia was indeed a troubled mind. But she was also a powerful genius who kept her distance. I thought it best to simply give her space for the time being, especially since I had no idea what she was scheming or the exact limitations of her power. As for the rest of the Tella, well, they saw her mysterious dark skin as an exotic and beautiful trait, like some kind of desirable birth defect. I don't even think they knew Alia was an outsider."

"So she wasn't from Lacuna after all," Salem mumbled as she recalled Alia's choice words for the Tella. "Well, she's been dealt with now. Thanks to you."

"Whatever do you mean? Korus's report informs me you battled her yourself without assistance in the depths of Lacuna."

"You know what I mean. We'll talk about it in private."

"We will head to my quarters then Salem," Ina replied nervously. "If that pleases you."

As the girls strolled down the hallways of the palace, Salem couldn't help but notice how much tidier the crystalline walls and regal banners appeared, as if someone had come around with a dustpan and got to work.

"You did some renovations," Salem smiled spryly as she looked up to see the brightly lit chandeliers Ina had recently repaired. "Is this all for me?"

"I-," Ina stammered and blushed. "I wanted it to look presentable."

"What's your deal with me anyway?" The red mother smirked as the pair stopped in front of the royal bedroom. "Do you want a date or something?"

"I uh-no!" Ina's face lit up with embarrassment. "I would never!"

"I'm not really into women like that I'll have you know. That being said you don't look half bad in the slightest lady. Maybe, I could make an exception, if that's what you really want."

"Stop teasing me Salem!" Ina pouted as she pushed open the door to her chambers. "It's not becoming of you!"

"Then what is!?" The red mother snapped as she pursued Ina inside. "You've done so much for me like I deserve it. There's something you're not telling me."

"I-uhh-."

"You gave me the blue flower Ina. I already knew you were like me, but after last night, it cannot be ignored any longer."

"Salem," Ina sighed, crawling into her bed with a tired expression. "Do you really want to have this conversation?"

"I lost Ina. I was doomed to perish and you saved me. Don't lie to me."

"It's true, I used the blue flower to help you. Or more accurately, the trinket I gave you was a mark that would activate any time you were in danger."

"Is it still on me?!" Salem gasped as she fiddled with her own dress, half expecting a blue inscription to be somewhere on her exposed silhouette.

"I think someone would see it," Ina frowned in clear disapproval of Salem's proactive attire.

"Oh, don't give me that look. You dress like a harlot as well!"

"I do not!" Ina gasped.

"Yes you do silly, you even got the chest window on your sides and everything!"

"Why does it matter to you?"

"Why do I matter to you? Someone's gotta answer something!" Salem yelled with clear frustration in her voice. "Listen, Ina, I just don't like being kept in the dark."

"Telling you about the flowers could be dangerous," Ina lamented. "I know a great many things about them, but it's not the gift you think it is."

"I already figured that out," the red mother scoffed. "Me and my flower have been disagreeing before I even knew it existed."

"But it speaks to you, doesn't it."

"More like I speak to me," Salem shrugged. "Not the happiest of thoughts."

"There is the danger Salem. We are accursed beings, driven by our own twisted ambitions."

"Then how can we stop it? Where did these things even come from?"

"I'm afraid those answers are unknown to me Salem. I've spent all my life here in Lacuna. The histories of Peruvia and the flowers are...just as much a mystery to me as they are to you."

"Do you at least know how to use it?" Salem sighed as she began to suspect the princess for leaving something out. "Alia wielded her flower in such a way, that I never really stood a chance against her. I want to be able to fight like that."

"Well, I have used my flower for quite some time now," Ina smiled with tenderness as she began to calm down. "I suppose you figured that out after I aided you."

The princess then reached over her bed to grab a nearby tea set, equipped with two dainty cups and a small pot filled with only the most exotic of beverages. If she were to educate Salem on a dangerous and stress-inducing power, then she require something calming. Indeed, Ina loved tea and often had a kettle on hand whenever she felt restless.

"Can you train me then?" Salem pleaded as she accepted a cup Ina had poured for her.

"Very well then," Ina sighed as she took a sip from her own tea. "But don't expect some rigorous routine."

"Then start easy, what's the most important thing you learned with your flower."

"Well considering you already know how to fight, perhaps you just need to expand your horizons and accept the flower in order to harness it's full potential."

"Accept it?"

"Well more accurately, I mean you must embrace the feelings within you in the heat of battle. The flower is a very passionate thing, and when you begin to feel like death is near, it can become far more erratic. You can control that chaos, look inside your own agony and pain, and use it to your advantage. This is how I learned many new abilities over the years."

"New abilities," Salem muttered to herself as she took a seat next to Ina on her bed, sipping her tea in patient bliss. "Mm! This is good!"

"I didn't take you for a tea enjoyer," Ina giggled.

"Well no, I usually prefer something that gets you drunk."

The two girls laughed as they continued their lesson, their friendship blooming all the while. Salem may have still felt restless after her battle, but at least with Ina, she could experience a brief respite. Soon she would consider the princess to be a close friend instead of just another tool.

___________________________________________

"So tell me, young knight, what do you think of the palace?"

"It's marvelous! So much to see!"

Valor marveled at the palace of Lacuna as he walked with Korus, his gaze fixated on the tall and silent honor guards who stood watch over the princess. Every detail of the unique Valekry, from their orange pauldrons to their massive spears had the young knight entranced. Korus on the other hand seemed just satisfied to have another bright and hopeful soul to speak to.

"Brother, why didn't you mention this place?" Valor questioned Anger, who stood behind the pair with an unamused look. "Is this where you got your mace?"

Anger looked away before responding, "I did not think it was of any significance."

But the older machine was slightly bluffing. Despite his lack of care for anything, he seemed interested in a nearby sculpture, its pearly surface depicting a massive snake devouring itself. Valor never took his brother as an appreciator of art and observed in silence. It was rare enough to even get a reaction out of Anger, let alone catch him in a state of curiosity.

"Speaking of blades," Korus interrupted as Anger continued to stare at the sculpture as if he could interpret some deeper meaning. "I have something for you Valor."

"Really?!" Valor beamed with excitement as the white Valekry led him toward the deeper section of the palace where the great forge was located.

"I had something suited for your brother as you can tell, it matches his disposition. As for you, I have something more regal in store."

Korus pushed past an old wooden door as the surroundings of the palace began to drastically shift. Within the knight's forge, an unusually organic setup had been designed, with a flaming furnace and a traditional iron anvil. Only the weapon rack itself was inlaid with advanced technology. As for the rest of the room, it seemed the Valekry were trying desperately to shed themselves of any advantage when it came to the production of a blade.

"Typically the factories beneath Lacuna produce both Valekry and their weapons. But here in the forge, we craft our blades by hand before outfitting them with the necessary enhancements. Your brother's mace was designed by yours truly long before it came to possess those gravity powers."

"Gravity powers?" Valor stammered as he looked back at Anger's weapon, its long frame fastened to his back. "I haven't seen that yet."

"I fought a beast with it," Anger shrugged. "It is a good weapon."

"And that's all the thanks I need," Korus chuckled as he got to work at the forge.

Valor watched in amazement as his idol operated the forge like a veteran smith, calmly picking apart several ingots within the furnace and shifting through the molten metal using his bare hands. It became clear to Salem's children that Korus had been working in the old station for years.

"Ah, here it is. I like to keep this material warm," Korus explained as she pulled a blade out of the furnace like an insect from its cocoon. "This particular metal takes weeks to heat. It's like a baby almost, in that it needs to stay in the crib to grow."

"You had it already prepared?" Valor beamed.

"Well between the smelting process and working the metal over the anvil, it's quite the endeavor. But I enjoy it."

Korus then brandished the blade in the air, unveiling a superheated rapier inlaid with several ornate holes, giving it a vine-like appearance. Valor was amazed to see the whole weapon, its round guard and straight pommel striking him with the pride of a heroic knight. It was just like something he had read out of the books.

"I admit," Korus explained as the blade began to cool, revealing its smooth pale surface encrusted with topaz. "I took inspiration from those old human tales regarding duelists and vigilantes from a bygone era. I believed the demeanor of a classical man to fit you well Valor."

"It is a most fine blade! Most fine indeed! I do not believe I even deserve it."

"You will once I train you with it. There is an art to a dueling blade, and you will master it."

"I humbly accept," Valor chuckled as Korus handed him the blade. "Does it come with any abilities?"

"Possibly. But that is for you to discover."

"Hah! Did you do the same with Anger!"

"I could tell what it did," the cynical Valekry sighed. "A rather obvious but effective weapon. Korus knows his work well."

"Well don't compliment me too hard," Korus winked using his eye plates as Valor began to play with his new weapon. "You'll make me blush."

"I do not hand out praise often. You have done my mother right by arming both her children. For that, you have my thanks. But why help us?"

"Me personally? I love my people. Making you happy is my purpose in this world. As for Ina? I'm afraid you must ask the princess yourself."

"That's not an answer," Anger hissed.

"I know," the white Valekry shrugged. "But the truth really does lie within Ina and her secrets, even if I don't always agree with them."

"I see..."

As the trio of Valekry continued to speak in the forge, a pale figure observed them from the shadows.

"Look at you, real men," Ocelot frowned as he hid behind a nearby pillar. "It must be nice to be proud of yourself."

The royal prince then departed in a hurry. In his mind, the world of Lacuna was a secret he had yet to decipher. Everything around him was a story not yet heard, including the Valekry, the Tella, and even his sister. Ina was not the simple victim she appeared to be. And Ocelot knew it.

"Mark my words sister, I will find you out. And when I do, I will fix this broken kingdom."