“All is fine, Taj; look, Si balanced my energies. All is fine; I put it on again, see?” Luna was speaking quickly, at the same time showing Taj her arm with a black rubber on it.

  Si could tell that Taj looked worried, but not too much. He understood it in a way—that it had happened before. Luna, blowing things up, and Luna, vomiting after her energies collided.

  So, nothing to worry about, and at the same time—a lot to worry about.

  He looked at Lukai. He and Taj ran up to the arena together. Lukai was silent, but also, he looked gloomy. Why? What Taj had told him—no! Si had a realization. Knowing

  Lukai, it could mean only that Taj said not too much, but too little.

  That was the problem.

  When Lukai wanted to know something, he wanted to get answers to his questions immediately. He was giving orders, and others should obey.

  It was clear Taj did not obey.

  Si had a thought: if his assumption was correct and Taj was who he thought he was, then Taj would certainly not obey Lukai’s orders.

  Also. Lukai was not aware of the Sect’s history in detail. Si was, his mother passed the stories to him, as in relation to the e.i. but also datasets, lost inventions.

  Lost weapons, to be more precise—Commander’s weapons. His inventions were not surpassed by later discoveries. And mostly, all were lost. After the e.i.—Taj! After Taj had disappeared thirty years ago, everything was lost.

  Si decided and spoke up. “Taj, could we talk for a moment? Luna had shown me how her energies collide. Could we now assess my concept?” he asked.

  “Good idea. I also wanted to ask you something, but let’s talk later. Talk to Si; I will stay outside,” Luna said and pushed Taj inside the arena.

  Si smirked.

  It looked like she really wanted them both to talk. Especially since she also grabbed Lukai by his hand and pushed him outside the arena.

  So, yes, she wanted them to talk alone.

  Taj nodded.

  When they were alone, Si decided. He needed to be honest.

  “I talked to Luna. I said I am about to cancel the alliance contract—wait, wait, I need to finish,” Si quickly said, and he had to stop Taj from commenting on his words. “I want to do it because I want to marry Luna as a normal human being without any alliances involved. That is the situation; I wanted to say it. I also wanted to ask for… your permission.”

  Si wondered. Taj was the only family member that Luna had who was older than she was. Significantly older, when to think.

  “I appreciate it. It is Luna’s decision; I never interfered,” Taj replied.

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  “Really? You didn’t—” Si didn’t finish his thought.

  Because what could he say? Luna’s mother made her choice, surely without asking her family or anyone. If she had asked seriously, and if she had also listened, she wouldn’t have chosen Crystaler or given birth to a child.

  “Si, am I correct that soon you will need to take over your father’s position?” Taj suddenly asked.

  “Yes, I won’t avoid it, as much as I would like to,” Si answered and waited for the next question.

  “What is your Element?” Taj asked another one.

  “I am not sure about what you are asking,” Si answered, as he had decided earlier, honestly.

  “O, you are not aware… does it mean there is no backup of the data from 119 ACD?” Taj asked further.

  “Why this date specifically? No—I remember, it was when two Elders died, they indeed stored the data; also, you received it, yes?” Si noticed that Taj nodded. “No, the backup was lost during terraforming; I am not aware of the details. But from what I know, no one noticed until you went missing.”

  “How unfortunate,” Taj said.

  Si could only agree. Not only unfortunate but also silly to lose the data in that way.

  “To have it clear, Luna needs to decide whether she wants to come back to Shadows or not. About myself, I decided already that Luna is the last Clar I help.” Taj stated.

  “I understand. Does it mean you plan to destroy yourself as well as the knowledge you store?” Si needed to ask.

  “I consider unloading parts of the data somewhere Shadows would like me to, to not have it lost completely. I would like to talk to your mother, Sara, about it. I remember her. Or you, when you take over your father’s position, of course.” Taj said.

  “Why only parts of the data? Do not get me wrong; I ask to understand, not to push you to do it differently,” Si said.

  “Some knowledge I have stored for many years was there not to be used but to be hid,” Taj said. He looked as if he were tired.

  Then Si thought about something Lukai had mentioned.

  “Did Lukai say something about Elder Anders, the one who also had another backup and some weapons’ descriptions stored, but all were lost? You and Lukai, you assume there is a connection to how attackers navigated energy during their attacks; did you talk about it?” Si asked.

  The silence was significant.

  Si patiently waited.

  “To answer, no, he didn’t; I also didn’t ask. I am considering whether to ask about it,” Taj finally said.

  “So, what—” Si started to speak, but Taj interrupted.

  “What I mean is, I have my guesses about what was used to steer the attacks, but I am not certain yet what I should and what I shouldn’t share. Not yet. Why is that? It is simple—I do not trust you. About this, I talked to Lukai; I can repeat. The attackers are not found, and there is no real proof they are not among you; even if you or Lukai are innocent, your people—who knows? Not you.”

  The silence was deeper.

  Si this time waited for Taj to continue; what was said, though, was brutal. Because it was difficult not to agree, that was why it was brutal.

  Taj continued. “It happened that I have some data; I have my assumptions, but I am from the past. Shouldn’t you both first exchange your knowledge, share information, look for clues, and find out the truth together? If you are partners, why do you ask me what Lukai had said? Why did Lukai ask me separately from you if I could teach him, but only him? I do not see you both truly cooperating. You mentioned you would like to avoid being responsible for the Shadows’ future. Lukai admitted he was detached from what his Leader knew and did; he also said it could be his organization that could be behind the attacks. How possible? Why do you both not solve it? Why are you still hesitating? Thus, I do not trust you both, together or separately, and I won’t share the data or my guesses with you. Not yet. Is it understandable?”

  What Taj said, Si could only agree. He nodded.

  “Good. Let’s try your weapon. Prepare the trap as you planned. This is the occasion for you and Lukai to push it further, no? The idea could work, and it is worth trying. I need to add one detail; I will describe it to you—what we would do after you absorb these forms. I have a solution; do not worry. I can tell based on your expression that you were concerned about it. Furthermore, I will help as I can. Later, Luna and I will decide about our next steps, including what to do about the knowledge. Is it feasible?” Taj added.

  “So, yes, thank you, Taj. Let’s do it like that,” Si answered.