Twenty

Jessyn, Campar, and Rickar return to the damaged laboratory to retrieve the final piece of equipment—the proteomic dictionary. When Night Drinkers (a hostile alien species) appear in the cathedral, Jessyn's mental state shifts, and she pursues them aggressively with her makeshift weapon, leading her companions deeper into the alien structure and discovering the creatures' nesting grounds before returning to complete their salvage operation.

Jessyn struggles with her recent diagnosis of mental illness as she and her team prepare to retrieve the last equipment from their damaged alcove lab. Campar attempts to distract her during their walk, but Jessyn spirals into dark thoughts about her condition, her medication, and her guilt over Irinna's death. She relies on behavioral interventions—sleep, hygiene, participation—to manage her depression. Upon arriving at the lab, the damage is less severe than her memory had made it, though blood stains and bomb marks remain visible. As Campar and Jessyn work the crowbar to free the dictionary, Rickar alerts them to danger: five Night Drinkers (small, feathered creatures) have entered their area. Jessyn experiences a sudden shift in her emotional state; her self-directed hatred transforms into directed rage toward the creatures. She abandons caution and pursues them with Rickar and Campar following. The three humans chase the creatures deeper into the cathedral, past floating organisms, massive archways, and alien life forms. When the Night Drinker leads them to a soft, fungal wall riddled with burrow holes, Jessyn realizes she has discovered the creatures' nesting grounds. She shouts threats, revealing her knowledge of their location. After returning to their alcove exhausted, Jessyn's elation fades back into darkness and despair. Her companions express care and admiration for her bravery, and Campar embraces her in comfort. She reflects that this emotional volatility—rage masking depression—is now her new normal, yet finds small consolation in the fact that humans were finally feared by alien life.