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‘I asked the Guide the same thing. He says it’s by virtue of entity absorption. Tis where immense psionic power renders a single biological structure into a vessel for other bodies and entities. From plain mortals or higher entities such as deities or dark lords. The process is facilitated by superior or cosmic psi priests who can restore souls to the upper sunlight, what we metas and our fellow humans call resurrected life. Caught in a psionic vice, each body can cycle between whatever the main entity desires. Gaining some form of advantage by enhancing themselves, with knowledge and skills, or using it as a power source.’

Xion flinched. ‘Fokk. So he’s caught in this warp of souls?’

Zane gave Xion a nod. ‘Something like that.’

‘What’s the worst that will happen?’ Ki’Remi shot out.

‘The Shard believes Ankis wants freedom from the torment of the multiple entities inside him,’ Zane told him. ‘After much thought, I don’t think he wanted to harm Eden II. He desired access to my psionic power and that of the entity so it’d somehow heal him by breaking him free from all the sum of his parts.’

Kainan grunted. ‘While becoming the grand shaman of the Shard. The conduit to lifting away the disease, malfunction, and suffering of many.’

‘Isn’t that a good thing?’ Ki’Remi asked, his empathy stirring.

Zane shook his head. ‘In theory. However, the Shard Guide says it’s a savior complex that ends up in subjugation and control. Ankis wants to rid himself and others of suffering, which posits a utopia caught in the realms of fantasy. The problem is that if he goes about separating himself from the other entities inside him, but does it the wrong way, it might unleash untold horror on the galaxy. Some of those beings, the Shard told me, are not even from Pegasi. They’re from other unknown parts of the universe.’

Kainan grimaced. ‘So he doesn’t care about the possibility of more evil running amok across this galaxy. Given how malicious some of them are, they’d bring more chaos into Pegasi if he found a way of breaking those entities apart. We can’t allow it.’

Zane agreed with a quick nod. ‘Naam. Ankis’ search for healing is a wild and twisted logic. Mind you, the priests he was with were amping and feeding him lies, manipulating him into war crimes, all in the name of searching for the Shard. Their hidden agenda was to elevate him to a leader among the true faithful.’

‘The Ordo Secondo?’

‘The same. Those fanaticalkinaiswanted to find the three separate Shards and unite them into a single entity to rule over Pegasi.’

Ki’Remi huffed. ‘So, having these entities encased in Ankis’ body keeps all the evil within contained.’

Zane nodded. ‘Which is why we sent Riv to try to locate Ankis. To try and help him, perhaps use my psionic abilities before he gets out of control.’

Kainan grunted. ‘So he can pay for the crimes he wrought across Pegasi.’

‘That too,’ Zane growled.

The Riders fell into silence.

‘What do we do now?’ Kage rasped.

Zane pushed a hand through his hair and sighed. ‘We need to go after Riv and, together, find Ankis. To be specific, I’ll go after them both. I have what it takes to cut through Ankis’ malaise and protect us from any attack he may lob our way.’

Kage sucked his teeth. ‘Alone? I’ll come with you.’

Zane tilted his head. ‘Nada. Neither can Kainan. Thekhosiis running an interplanetary government with Selene, and your wife, Kage, is still nursing a young child.’

Kage and Harlow had been busy in recent years, adding a third lilac and black-haired bub to their brood. Their new baby was just four months old.

Xion lifted his chin. ‘I’ll join you.’

‘As will I,’ said Mirage. ‘At least two nodes of myself to give you sufficient power to punch through that nebula for comms.’

‘I, too, should come,’ Ki’Remi stated. ‘Sheba,’ he went on, speaking of Selene Sable’s sister, ‘is managing all our hospitals and clinics with such ease she doesn’t need me. Besides, I also want to see this Ankis phenomenon for myself.’

Kainan drummed the table. ‘Then it’s settled.’

Zane turned to Mirage. ‘You’ll stay with Illanna and Malia? Keep an eye on them for me, please?’

‘Of course.’

Kainan saluted Zane. ‘Sante,brother. Seek the truth and bring them both back to us. Meanwhile, we’ll wait and keep vigil until you call for us or return home safe.’

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