“Welcome, Taj,” Lukai said.

  “Welcome, Lukai.” Taj replied calmly.

  “A long time ago, we met like this,” he added.

  It was the truth. Months had passed since he had last met with Taj—with Taj being projected and Lukai being casual.

  The meeting was not to argue this time. It was to settle everything, to finally establish the rules.

  Lukai took a breath and continued.

  “Let me start. The company responsible for the Crystals didn’t test them before delivery. I will oversee the investigation, and those who should be punished will be punished. I will take care of it.”

  It had to be done; it had to be a warning for those who thought that artificial energy was a toy.

  “Good, thank you, Lukai.”

  “The next thing, Taj, is the mass healing. Can you confirm?” Lukai asked.

  “I will need to project one of my versions with Ability to heal Crystalers on Planet Two and Four whenever we spot another wave of dust that is causing the illness. I saw reports that those waves should fade soon. To avoid panic, I propose doing it discreetly to reduce trouble caused by sending teams of the Healers. Their natural energy collides with artificial energy on these Crystal-rich planets. For me, doing it will be quick. Though, I need to project. Do you give me your consent?” Taj explained and asked.

  “I agree,” Lukai answered.

  Another topic confirmed, no arguments. It looked promising.

  “Let me speak.” Taj said and waited.

  Lukai agreed.

  He was content. Taj was asking for his permission.

  “I cannot share any details about the energy I used to destroy Crystals and transformed bodies on both planets. This knowledge is not mine; I used it, but I was not the inventor. They asked me not to share it, and I have decided to respect their wish.” Taj stated.

  Lukai expected it.

  Though he wanted this knowledge, he was prepared for the answer. He also had something up his sleeve.

  “Let me ask you something,” Lukai started.

  Taj looked as if he was surprised that there was no pressure.

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  “How did you die?”

  Lukai asked and watched him, being more astonished than expected.

  “What a question. I died, and I didn’t die… I can tell you this one. I am aware you searched for the materials from this time and found some. Of the experiment, I am not aware of the details; I recalled some only when I transferred to Gates. Back then, I worked in the Deserts; first attempts at terraforming were my focus. I was alone when they captured me. I remember light and pain. Nothing more of what they did to me. I also can recall what the man was telling me—what he wanted to achieve. It was delusional, his vision. Later, I got to know I could be localized only after I awoke and broke free by myself; I was in an energy cage, which covered my trace… yes?”

  Taj stopped.

  Lukai was curious; he wasn’t aware of this kind of feature.

  “Is it possible to track someone based on their energy? Does it leave traces?” he asked.

  “Correct. About this, we can talk later. Should I continue?” Taj asked.

  “Please.” Lukai allowed.

  “When I awoke, I had Crystal inserted, an entirely new design. Artificial energy was fighting with my Ability. I was not with a clear mind; from what I was told, I jumped out of the building. I do not remember why, but I can imagine that my thought could be that I needed water. My cultivation was connected to water. I was the one who created the lake, and then I fell into it—”

  Taj stopped suddenly, as if he had said too much.

  However, Lukai caught it.

  One word that said it all.

  ‘Created.’

  “… My energies were fighting, natural and artificial; my body was exhausted, and I needed to die. I decided to die on a particular day, in the middle of the Deserts. We experimented then with these Crystals as navigations; about this I spoke before. I woke up in one of the Crystals’ devices. That is all, Lukai,” Taj said.

  “How did they change?” Lukai asked suddenly.

  “O? What do you mean?” Taj asked, but his face—Lukai knew that he knew about what was the question.

  Not to dance around, Lukai decided to be precise.

  “Taj, your energies, how did they change?”

  “This was not confirmed; my assumptions are too weak to be told.” he answered.

  How nicely he dodged, Lukai noticed.

  “Why did you need to die? You said you needed to die?”

  “My energies were in collision; I was afraid of them destroying me and everything around. It was dangerous. I saw it like this. Why now?” Taj asked.

  Lukai had his reasons and gladly pulled his ace out of his sleeve. Something that had been specially hidden on his private servers for such an occasion.

  “I am aware that you are loyal to your Commander. I have something for you, Taj. Read it. The documents—I am certain your Commander, your Song, knew about this. I am curious if he told you. Your feelings, your loyalty—read and give it a thought. Let’s talk about the weapons of your Commander later.” Lukai said and clicked ‘send.’

  Taj received materials instantly. He took a look.

  How was it possible that he did that so fast and remotely?

  How astonishing. Gates, this form of his. Not to be killed. Accessing everything immediately.

  Lukai wondered if it would be possible to transform himself someday.

  “Finally, Taj.”

  He stopped for a moment. He was still enjoying Taj’s surprised face.

  After a minute, he continued.

  “You do not want to share details; I accept it. You need to project to use your skills; this then leads us to the situation when I need to restrict you more. Observe your projections closely. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.” Taj said only this.

  “I have the overview of your actions; I also created an additional support for me to be certain what I see in the data is the truth,” Lukai added.

  “I know. Let’s simplify. I won’t project myself. Except that once a week, I want to meet with Luna. One hour per week, at a small training spot in Shadows somewhere. You can fully monitor it if you wish.” Taj said.

  It was unexpected.

  “For what, Taj?” Lukai asked.

  The answer was even more unexpected.

  “I just want to dance.” Taj answered.