Access Karma
It's pouring down as hard as ever, but the mist and rain do little to hide what's finally in front of her.
The Karma Temple stretches up into the clouds, masses of machinery and architecture gradually blurring together the higher it goes.
But down near the ground level, everything remains clear. The amount of objects feels overwhelming. Like an army standing at attention, ready to swarm over any unwelcome visitors and swallow them completely, absorbing them into the Temple.
Sera does the best she can to remind herself that she's always welcome here. The Temple knows her. Accepts her as a master.
The columns lining the way seem to agree with this. The diamond shaped lanterns fixed on the top blaze away, even if the purple light doesn't feel warming. But it almost feels like the massive structure craves a handler again, and is welcoming her back. The line of lights urging her to follow the walk ways. To come inside. Come inside and be welcomed, mother.
The first step carries her past the two entrance columns, and puts her on the bridge. Sera tries not to focus on the ring of nails embedded in the pillars, reminding her of who *really* is the ruler of this place.
The Tachikoma is still behind her, following like a giant blue dog. She's happy to have it guarding her back, and it encourages her to keep going. There's also a strong damp wind whipping up from the bowl shaped crater the tower springs from, urging her to hurry inside.
The walkway holds up between the two of them; it's been built to withstand far more then one girl and a vehicle. But it's at the stairs that she has to leave it behind. Somehow it feels like bringing a tank inside would disturb the rules of this place. The tank makes itself a temporary home under one of the arches, out from the rain.
And Sera herself takes the steps, sometimes two at a time, until she's stepping into the mouth of the Temple.
The inside is as she remembers; long decorated hallways, giving off the same lavender tinted light. It's almost like a London subway, except for the pillars, the carvings, and the white robed guards standing at attention.
This time around, they don't even try to stop her. She gives them a long look, as steady as she can manage, and tells them her intent.
"I'm going inside. Please stand back." Then there's a static buzz from behind the helmets, a soft exhale of breath (she thinks its from her; she's never seen them breathe) and then she's past them and through the door.
The ride to the Dissimination Machine feels calm, until she gets to the doors. No guards here, this time. But what's beyond the door is daunting enough.
Five seconds to get her courage back, remind herself that this is for her friends. Then she pushes the doors open, and finds herself looking at the ghostly bodies and iron parts of the machine.
Time to access the deeper records and find the answers she promised the Embryon.
The Karma Temple stretches up into the clouds, masses of machinery and architecture gradually blurring together the higher it goes.
But down near the ground level, everything remains clear. The amount of objects feels overwhelming. Like an army standing at attention, ready to swarm over any unwelcome visitors and swallow them completely, absorbing them into the Temple.
Sera does the best she can to remind herself that she's always welcome here. The Temple knows her. Accepts her as a master.
The columns lining the way seem to agree with this. The diamond shaped lanterns fixed on the top blaze away, even if the purple light doesn't feel warming. But it almost feels like the massive structure craves a handler again, and is welcoming her back. The line of lights urging her to follow the walk ways. To come inside. Come inside and be welcomed, mother.
The first step carries her past the two entrance columns, and puts her on the bridge. Sera tries not to focus on the ring of nails embedded in the pillars, reminding her of who *really* is the ruler of this place.
The Tachikoma is still behind her, following like a giant blue dog. She's happy to have it guarding her back, and it encourages her to keep going. There's also a strong damp wind whipping up from the bowl shaped crater the tower springs from, urging her to hurry inside.
The walkway holds up between the two of them; it's been built to withstand far more then one girl and a vehicle. But it's at the stairs that she has to leave it behind. Somehow it feels like bringing a tank inside would disturb the rules of this place. The tank makes itself a temporary home under one of the arches, out from the rain.
And Sera herself takes the steps, sometimes two at a time, until she's stepping into the mouth of the Temple.
The inside is as she remembers; long decorated hallways, giving off the same lavender tinted light. It's almost like a London subway, except for the pillars, the carvings, and the white robed guards standing at attention.
This time around, they don't even try to stop her. She gives them a long look, as steady as she can manage, and tells them her intent.
"I'm going inside. Please stand back." Then there's a static buzz from behind the helmets, a soft exhale of breath (she thinks its from her; she's never seen them breathe) and then she's past them and through the door.
The ride to the Dissimination Machine feels calm, until she gets to the doors. No guards here, this time. But what's beyond the door is daunting enough.
Five seconds to get her courage back, remind herself that this is for her friends. Then she pushes the doors open, and finds herself looking at the ghostly bodies and iron parts of the machine.
Time to access the deeper records and find the answers she promised the Embryon.