Anarchistbanjo's World

Helium (9D) – The Reptilian Lattice

Day 2: The Lattice Deepens
Dusk deepened over Helium, a violet sheen weaving through a restless sky—robot birds stuttered overhead, metal wings faltering as their circuits hissed, the trade platform pulsing beneath the Knights’ boots, alloy quivering like a strained breath. A cool gust brushed through, pine scent fading faint from below—neon flickered across the hub, casting jagged shadows on off-world ships, their docking whines grinding low. Tobal crouched near a lattice tower, his tunic—red, frayed—shifting loose, wild hair catching a neon glint—scars ached, medallion glowing, gold humming bold against his chest, yang’s awareness threading his grip as he traced a crack in the alloy. Fiona stood beside him, her tunic—rough, stitched—rippling soft, red hair spilling free, green eyes piercing the tower’s hum—her staff rested firm, wood gnarled, yin’s wild pulsing through her veins, vines curling faint along the lattice’s base.

A cold hiss slithered through—the reptilian lattice AI tightened its grip, scales glinting angry in the tower’s sheen, draining the wild’s pulse. Becca prowled nearby, her tunic—dark, torn—stretched taut over broad shoulders, shaved head gleaming—blue eyes flared fierce, axe sharp in her grip, yin’s wild growling low as she kicked a sparking shard, her boots scuffing alloy. Rafe danced around a second tower, his tunic—coarse, patched—swirling loose, hazel eyes glinting mischief—his knife twirled, steel flashing, yang’s playful spark threading his wiry frame as he probed a flickering node, grin flashing sharp. Cal leaned against a railing, his tunic—soft, faded—hanging easy, tangled brown hair brushing his brow—gray eyes steadied calm, spear smooth in his grip, yang’s quiet strength pulsing steady as he watched the neon dim further. Valentine circled the platform’s edge, his coat—thick, matted—bristling faint, yellow eyes glinting sharp—claws scraped alloy, yang’s instinct rumbling low through his shaggy stride, nose twitching at the reptilian stench.

A lattice tower shuddered—neon surged, then dulled—angry scales tightened, reptilian rage hissing louder—the wild’s hum weakened further, alloy cracking faint underfoot. Fiona’s vines probed deeper—“Web’s thinning—lattice roots bite hard”—her voice flowed low, green eyes narrowing as tendrils brushed a pulsing scale, a faint sting grazing her palm. Tobal’s pulse flared—“Reptilian—digging in”—his voice rasped firm, brown eyes glinting as his whip uncoiled, tracing a cold hiss threading the tower’s hum—his free hand brushed Fiona’s arm, heat flickering alive. Becca’s growl rumbled—“I’ll rip it out”—blue eyes blazed, axe swinging low as yin’s fire surged, steel grazing a lattice claw with a sharp spark. Rafe’s knife flicked—“Tech’s choking—let’s cut deeper”—breath minty, a flame leaping as he struck a node, yang’s thrill sparking wild—his grin widened at the glitch. Cal’s spear tilted—“Wild’s fading—towers link”—his voice flowed earthy, gray eyes tracing a lattice vein snaking across the platform, yang steadying the web as he stepped closer. Valentine’s snarl broke—“Web bleeds”—yellow eyes flared, claws slashing air as the wild’s cry pulsed through his growl, fur rippling tense.

The platform shuddered—neon flickered—lattice claws tightened, reptilian rage hissing loud—wild’s hum weakened, but the crew stood firm, bodies pulsing Helium’s strength, ready to weave it back. Fiona’s vines curled tighter—“It’s spreading—lattice roots deep”—her spiced breath brushed Tobal, a thread of warmth weaving their stance as she gripped her staff, green eyes locking on a faint shimmer beyond the tower—something moved, alive. Tobal’s whip snapped—“We’re close—find it”—his voice rasped low, yang’s spark flaring as he rose, scars aching sharper, the wild’s call threading through—the crew pressed in, exploration cutting deeper into Helium’s buzzing hub.