Hydra Heart

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter 18: Hail to the King

Molly, even after some time, still had questions for Violet. She leaned in close, on account of the surveillance. Between Violet's Kit and the cozy cell, they had plenty of reason to get close, so Molly had nothing to discourage her from asking questions.

"So, it was you who was sending the visions to Vesta?" Molly confirmed

"Yes. You are aware of my Kit, and how it makes people stronger as they get to know me or as I get to know them?"

"I've been feeling it already," Molly replied. It was true, she felt her SOLE reserves almost double by sharing secrets with Violet over the past week.

"Then you also know that, at a certain point, it can unlock entirely new abilities, as it did with Tenra and Mary both."

"Yeah, where's this going?"

"My higher ability. It only makes sense, then, that by getting to know myself, I could unlock an extra power of my own."

Molly's eyes widened. "How did I not think of that?"

"Right? So, one day, no more than a few months ago, I... re-evaluated myself."

"I was sitting in this cell, contemplating my position. I have been here for almost two decades. I could always give in, you know. Kit users once loyal to Cremsillian, like Bruta, have found luxurious positions amongst Banner's armies. Or, I could try to find a way to die in this cell, and that would fix my problem. For the longest time, I held on, and convinced myself that my determination was so strong that I could do this for the sake of the organization, and for Cremsillian.

"After so many years, it wasn't enough anymore. I came to the realization that all I wanted was to see how my daughter was doing. All my devotion to the cause was not enough, it paled in comparison to how badly I needed to see Vesta again. I am not a noble hero who can hold on for the sake of 'doing the right thing.' I had to admit to myself that I simply was not that strong. Instead, I drew part of my motivation from a place of selfishness. I had to believe that one day I would get what I want, which is to see Vesta again."

Molly could not help but wrap her arms around Violet in a hug. She couldn't wrap her head around all the woman had been through. Molly had been missing Vesta, Tenra, and Shay for days, while Violet had been missing them for sixteen years.

They drew back from the embrace, and Violet continued her explanation. "In that moment of understanding myself and my wants, I manifested my new ability, which, as you know, has allowed me to draw on energy sources near Vesta to communicate with her. I don't know how it actually works, though.

"I've always wondered the same thing about mine. I know Inquiry takes a certain amount of my energy to generate whatever tool I need, but I don't know how it does it."

Violet nodded her head. "I believe the science is beyond our time. Maybe a few hundred years from now the technology will exist to perform such feats without a Kit."

Molly tapped her chin. "You know, I should probably take the time to guess how much 'me juice' it takes to operate my Kit, in case some future scientists find it useful."

Their conversation was interrupted by a rapping at the door. "Knock, knock," came a smooth, masculine voice from the other side.

"Oh," Violet rolled her eyes. "He's here."

Banner opened the door and entered the room, carrying a chair. He set it down in their cell. Even sitting down, his presence was impossible to ignore.

"Hi," he said. Banner was dressed in businessman's clothes, a clean suit and double tie. This, in combination with his below average height, gave him an unassuming exterior. However, after having years to cultivate his strength, the raw quantity of his SOLE made Molly feel like there was pressure in the room.

"First of all, I'd like to thank you, Molly, for helping me with Bruta. Firing people is just so awkward, you know?"

Molly sat in silence, trying not to look afraid. She met his gaze, staring into his eyes as if they were equals. Violet sat down on the bed, ignoring the visitor.

"I brought you a friend, and you won't even look at me?" Banner asked. "... Look, I don't get why Violet won't just talk to me. She makes it clear she hates me, but won't even tell me why. Now, Molly, I bet you're wondering why you're here."

She took Violet's lead and said nothing.

"Well, I ordered you to be taken alive. Actually, I ordered you all to be taken alive, but Bruta was never one to follow directions like my other department heads. Hence, why I'm glad you... took care of that for me." He gave a smile.

"I'm sure you're smart enough to figure out why I'd want you all around, especially Violet, but if that's not the case, then all the better for me." He took a look around the cell, then leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head.

He could see now that Molly was visibly agitated, resisting the urge to hit him. "Look," he said. "Let's not make this personal. We're just competing for resources, that's all. That's just what people do. Don't act like you're better than me just because you're losing. You're still playing the game with me. At least, you were."

He stood up, picked up his chair, and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Molly exhaled with relief, as if she'd set down a heavy burden. "... Just how powerful is he?"

"More so than anyone else on this planet," Violet answered. "I never respond to him, I do everything I can to forget what he's told me, but still... he's gotten more power from my Kit than anyone ever has. Luckily, there's a flaw with his plan."

Realization dawned on Molly, "Of course."

"For every ounce of SOLE he gets out of me, I get a morsel of knowledge about who he is and how he works. I know everything about the depths of his soul. His way of thinking is twisted, it's wretched. But, I know how he gets the rest of Hirudinea to entertain it, and eventually agree with it.

"Simply put, that is what his Kit does. It is named Royalty."