Chapter 16

Carl and Katia prepare to undergo a dangerous potion treatment at a field hospital outside the guild base. Using a modified Glory Bound drug combined with other potions, Katia will confront a traumatic memory while Carl attempts to enter the spider entity Shi Maria's memories with the goal of trapping her consciousness forever. As they lose consciousness, their minds briefly touch, and Carl glimpses Katia's deepest fears and a hidden anger toward him before a warlord notification interrupts the moment.

At the field hospital, Mordecai explains the treatment plan to Carl and Katia. Katia will take eight to ten hours to process her addiction through a confrontation with her worst memory, while Carl's session should be shorter. The potion is a modified Glory Bound mixed with Tough Love and, for Carl, combined with Removal Order to access Shi Maria's memories instead of his own. Bucket Boy expresses concern that the potion might cause catastrophic failure, but Mordecai assures them it should work. Rosetta will monitor both patients and induce wake-up sequences as needed. Imani will provide protective spells. Outside, construction continues on an anti-magic shell over the base. Before the potion takes full effect, Katia reveals her worst and favorite memories are the same, and she reaches for Carl's hand. When Imani separates them and administers sleep potions, Carl experiences a strange moment where his consciousness briefly merges with those nearby, particularly Katia. He glimpses fragments of her mind: her fear of being a burden, shame at the group's sacrifice for her, and a hidden anger—not at the situation, but at Carl himself, specifically that he allows people to hurt him. Katia begins to explain this anger just as a warlord notification interrupts, offering free passage to the Lemig Sortion for peace negotiations.