24.6

March 4, 2070, at 0601

Seattle, Dragon Foundation Corporate Holding, Central Ring

"Good morning," Nadja greeted as Crystal settled into the ornate breakfast table. The room was a blend of old-world luxury and modern finesse; the carved wooden chairs with their meticulously crafted leather padding flanked a carved mahogany table, its surface gleaming under the morning light that filtered through the tall, arched windows draped with heavy velvet curtains. The room was adorned with opulent Victorian décor, from the crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling to the intricate tapestries that covered the walls.

Crystal winced as she sat, her body aching from the previous night's exertions. She wore a soft crimson silk nightgown with lace trimmings, the blood-woven fabric clinging delicately to her form. The delicate chime of porcelain as a nearby maid, dressed in a crisp black and white uniform, filled her plate with freshly baked croissants, scrambled eggs, and smoked salmon, adding a calm to the otherwise tense morning. A butler in a sharply tailored suit stood by, ready to attend to any need.

"Ugh," Crystal groaned, barely lifting her head to acknowledge the food. She slumped forward, her hands cradling her head. "My body hurts. That last bit of action took a ton out of me."

Biting into a perfect bagel with strawberry cream cheese, Nadja smirked at her. She was dressed in an elegant morning gown of deep green velvet adorned with intricate gold embroidery. "Jonathan is a stick in the mud with the personality of a steel golem, but one thing he does well is making sure people can’t steal from him. Dragon or not, Ghostwalker sent me a message complaining about it."

"Blood runes?" Crystal mumbled, flickering over the message on her sleek, modern tablet, her mind drifting back to her encounter with Jonathan. "Ares' big boss seems on the same path as me. He felt similar if more metallic."

Nadja’s eyes sparkled with interest. "An elemental then? Blood. Hmm, that's not exactly something I would understand. Granted, the 'metaplanes' aren’t exactly advertised very well. Even the dragons keep information about them completely quiet."

"The what?" Crystal asked, her curiosity piqued despite her exhaustion.

Nadja leaned back, a thoughtful look on her face. "The metaplanes are parallel dimensions, each with its own rules and inhabitants. They are the realms where spirits and elementals originate. Each plane is aligned with a specific element or concept, like fire, water, or even blood."

Crystal's eyes narrowed as the Law of Blood’s place of existence perfectly matched this. "So, you're saying that there are other worlds out there, and these elementals come from those places?"

"Exactly," Nadja confirmed, her tone patient yet filled with a hint of excitement. "And some powerful beings can travel between these planes, pulling power from them. Jonathan is one of those beings, but he draws from a plane of metal and machinery." The corporate queen’s eyes widened as she said, “Y-Your patron…”

“Makes sense.” Crystal frowned, a sudden thought striking her. "If these planes are so accessible, what's stopping people from hopping between them and gathering power?"

Nadja's smirk turned into a more serious expression. "They are not easily navigated. It takes a deep understanding of magic and a strong connection to the element you're trying to access. Not to mention, each plane has its guardians and dangers. It's not a journey one takes lightly. It would appear your Patron is a cut above even that."

Crystal leaned back in the plush chair, feeling the weight of this new knowledge. The room’s opulence contrasted sharply with the gravity of their conversation, the polished silverware and fine china breakfast set reflecting the sunlight streaming in. "So, what does this mean for our deal?”

Nadja's eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and caution. "It means to be very careful. Jonathan is not the only one who can draw power from these planes. It wouldn’t be out of place for a talented magic user among Seattle’s elite to want to render you into your parts. There are quite a few things that can be made with the blood of someone attuned to a plane, I’d wager.”

Crystal nodded slowly, doubting she would be so easily conquered, her mind racing with possibilities and dangers. "And what about this Ghostwalker? I felt a lesser version of Cloaking at the party but was busy with the Horror’s little pet."

Sensing a lull in the conversation, the butler stepped forward with a pot of freshly brewed tea, the aromatic steam wafting through the air as he poured a cup for each of them. Crystal accepted hers with a nod, savoring the warmth of the delicate porcelain against her hands as she pondered the implications of Nadja's words.

"Ghostwalker is a dragon," Nadja said. "But not just any dragon. He is deeply connected to the metaplanes, especially the plane of air and storms. His presence here means he's interested in something big. Like normal though, the annoying wyrm won’t tell me anything."

As Crystal absorbed this, Nadja held out a delicate porcelain cup for a refill, her demeanor calm and collected. The cup, adorned with intricate floral patterns, glinted under the morning light. The butler, standing by with impeccable poise in his black tailcoat and white gloves, refilled it with the steaming, fragrant tea. "We have a lot to do, Crystal. But first, we need to recover our strength. Drink your tea, finish the morning meal, and then we can start planning our next move."

Crystal took her cup, feeling the warmth spread through her fingers. Her mind started to awaken fully as she sipped the tea spiced with cinnamon and sugar. The soothing aroma mingled with the room's polished wood and leather scents, offering a fleeting sense of peace. She set her cup on the table, focusing on Nadja's intense gaze. "What are our immediate priorities?" she asked.

Nadja tapped a manicured nail on the table, her expression thoughtful. "First, we need to address the loose ends from last night. Aina Dupree's disappearance will not go unnoticed. We must ensure her absence doesn't draw undue attention."

Crystal's mind whirred with the implications. "What about the virus? Are we certain it's neutralized? Any blowback would paint us in an unhealthy light."

"Your elemental took care of the immediate threat, and the storm elementals fortunately did the rest," Nadja replied, her voice calm but firm. "The Foundation’s resources are apt to handle the aftermath discreetly, but it won’t be needed from what I can see."

Crystal couldn't help but think of Jonathan. "What about Ironhand?" Nadja's smile held a hint of danger. "Jonathan is a problem we can't solve directly. His connections and cybernetic enhancements make him formidable. However, he is, at the base, a coward. He won’t make any movements, only solidify his position, strangling any opponent to death over time."

Crystal's eyes lit up with understanding. "He won’t take action out of fear; by then, it will be too late."

"Exactly," Nadja said. "And while he's integrating his forces once more, we need to exit stage left. The power players at the Sky Needle won’t ignore your existence."

Crystal finished her tea, the warmth bolstering her resolve. The sun outside bathed the lush garden in a golden glow, and the vibrant flowers and meticulously trimmed hedges created a serene backdrop for their intense discussion. A few maids in their crisp black and white uniforms moved about the room, ensuring everything was in place. "I'll start with the Matrix. S.F.W.S. will likely have built an empire of information by now. Fluffyfeathers is paranoid like that."

Nadja nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Good. I'll handle outside cyberspace. If required, I’ll lay my body on the line to get information from Ghostwalker."

The butler discreetly cleared the dishes, his movements almost ghost-like, allowing the two women to continue their conversation undisturbed. Crystal looked around the room one last time, taking in the rich tapestries, the opulent furniture, and the aura of old-world elegance. She felt a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's get to work then," she said, her voice steady with resolve.

Crystal rose from her chair, the hem of her nightgown whispering against the polished wooden floor. She moved towards the tall windows, the garden outside basking in the early morning sun. The meticulously manicured lawns and vibrant flower beds contrasted with the chaos she had faced the previous night. She took a deep breath, the scent of fresh roses mingling with the lingering aroma of breakfast.

Nadja also stood, her gown flowing elegantly as she joined Crystal by the window. "We should move quickly," she said, her tone resolute. "The longer we wait, the more opportunities we give our enemies to act."

Crystal nodded, her mind already racing with plans. "I'll need to access the Matrix as soon as possible. S.F.W.S. likely has eyes everywhere. If there's any information to be found, the bird will have it."

Crystal altered her clothing with a mere whisper of willpower. The nightgown became a crimson leather jumpsuit painted on like a second skin. She adjusted as the power of the Law of Blood ensured it concealed the weapons and gadgets she always carried.

Glancing at the Banshee, Nadja’s clothing had shifted. She now donned a powerful three-piece suit that somehow cast her face in shadow.

As they moved towards the door, Nadja paused and turned to address the assembled staff. "Ensure the house is secure. No one enters or leaves without my explicit permission."

The head maid, a stern woman with a tightly bound bun and piercing blue eyes, nodded. "Of course, ma'am. We'll maintain vigilance." The butler nearby suddenly had a brace of pistols in hand like a waiter serving spare mint chocolates.

Stepping outside, the duo descended a gravel path lined with blooming roses and neatly trimmed hedges. The morning air was crisp, a light breeze rustling the leaves and carrying the scent of jasmine from the nearby bushes. They approached a sleek, black sedan parked at the end of the drive. The driver, dressed in a sharp suit and cap, held the door open, Nadja entered while Crystal glanced inside the interior was lined with screens and hidden compartments, a mobile command center perfect for any corpo queen’s needs. "I'll be in touch," Crystal said, "I have a personal transport. S.F.W.S. uses it as a data relay point."

Nadja nodded, her eyes scanning a nearby holographic map. "I’ll head to a few of Ghostwalker’s old haunts. Perhaps I can catch him there." Crystal nodded as the car’s door sealed shut.

Crystal moved away, focusing on the task ahead, her mind methodically planning each step. The location Rabbit had chosen to park was dangerous, but she didn’t doubt it would be reachable.

Crystal moved swiftly off Nadja’s property, her senses constantly scanning the surroundings. It took minutes to flex her power and reach a concealed entrance to the metro tunnels, a heavy metal door marked with graffiti. After a quick glance around to ensure she wasn't followed, tiny wire-slivers of blood slipped into the keypad before the door slid open with a soft hiss. Organic bio-hacking was easier than potion crafting now.

The tunnels were dark and damp, the air thick with the smell of mildew. Crystal navigated the labyrinthine passages with practiced ease following a map Rabbit had sent her, footsteps silent on the concrete floor. She reached a heavily fortified door, guarded by a pair of S.F.W.S. mercenary-employed operatives. They nodded at her, recognizing the digital photo uploaded of her immediately, and allowed her through.

As she stepped through the door, the world rippled around her before stabilizing within seconds.

“It worked?” said the voice of her Patron from nearby. A glance to the right showed the silver-mist-clad form of her deity.

Crystal immediately realized she was now in her world accompanied by Fluffyfeathers, Rabbit’s RV, and her bike. Before she could get a word in, a soft voice from the side said, “Pardon, which one of you is Crystal Moss?”