Anarchistbanjo's World

Day 3: The Lattice Core

Dusk thickened over Helium, a violet sheen pulsing through a restless sky—robot birds faltered overhead, metal wings stuttering as their circuits whined, the trade platform quivering beneath the Knights’ boots, alloy trembling like a strained pulse. A sharp gust cut through, pine threading faint from below—neon flickered across the hub, casting jagged shadows on off-world ships, their docking hums grinding to a halt. Fiona knelt near a lattice tower, her tunic—rough, stitched—shifting loose, red hair spilling free, green eyes glinting fierce—her staff pressed firm, wood gnarled, yin’s wild threading her veins, vines snaking deep into the alloy’s cracks. Tobal stood over her, his tunic—red, frayed—hanging easy, wild hair catching a neon spark—scars ached low, medallion glowing, gold humming bold against his chest, yang’s awareness pulsing through his steady grip as he scanned the tower’s pulsing core.

A reptilian hiss slithered louder—the lattice AI’s angry scales glinted sharp, threading cold claws deeper into the wild’s web, draining its hum. Becca prowled the tower’s base, 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 traced a lattice vein snaking up the structure, her breath puffing hot. Rafe danced around a flickering node, 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 struck the node, a faint spark leaping free—his grin widened 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 probed a pulsing scale with the spear’s tip. Valentine circled the platform’s rim, his coat—thick, matted—bristling faint, yellow eyes glinting sharp—claws scraped alloy, yang’s instinct rumbling low through his shaggy stride, nose flaring at the reptilian stench thickening the air.

The lattice core pulsed—a dark shimmer flared within the tower, reptilian claws threading angry scales through the alloy, wild’s hum fading fast—until a new hum broke through, soft and alive, weaving from beyond the platform’s edge. Fiona’s vines surged—“Web’s alive—something’s here”—her voice flowed low, green eyes widening as tendrils brushed a faint pulse, a spiced warmth threading her stance. Tobal’s pulse flared—“Reptilian core—found it”—his voice rasped firm, brown eyes glinting as his whip uncoiled, striking a lattice claw—sparks flew, yang’s spark cutting deep—his free hand brushed Fiona’s shoulder, heat flaring alive. Becca’s growl rumbled—“I’ll crack it open”—blue eyes blazed, axe swinging low as yin’s fire surged, steel biting a scale with a sharp clang—her boots planted firm. Rafe’s knife flicked—“Tech’s angry—let’s meet the neighbors”—breath minty, a flame leaping as he struck another node, yang’s thrill sparking wild—his grin flashed sharp at a faint shimmer moving closer. Cal’s spear tilted—“Wild’s calling—friends”—his voice flowed earthy, gray eyes tracing a lattice vein to the shimmer, yang steadying the web as he stepped forward. Valentine’s snarl broke—“Web hums”—yellow eyes flared, claws slashing air as the wild’s cry pulsed through his growl, fur rippling tense.

The shimmer parted—feathered kin emerged, amber eyes molten under gray feathers, OAK staffs humming soft—sentinels, their bodies pulsing Helium’s strength, resisting the reptilian grip. Fiona’s vines curled toward them—“Allies—lattice hates them”—her spiced breath brushed Tobal, green eyes locking on the sentinels as their staffs flared, a thread of warmth weaving through—exploration deepened, wild’s call threading stronger in Helium’s buzzing hub.