The run was uneventful, though tiring. Eve alerted Alan to any traps or obstacles, as their safe return to the Black Rose guild headquarters was paramount. Down a third secret path, past a few trivial puzzles, Alan found himself before another cubic structure, slightly larger than the previous two. He quickly narrowed his focus onto the machine presence and sent out a message.

Let me talk to the Warden. Please?

… Systems Initializing. Error. Warning: Limited Power.

Request Acknowledged. Warning: Main Systems Offline.

Shortly thereafter, Alan finally felt the presence he associated with the Warden attempt a connection to him, which he accepted immediately.

What, Betrayer, here to gloat about your victory? Let me assure you that you will not leave here alive, the Warden sent in a curt, threatening manner.

Um, actually I sort of wanted to explain my actions, Alan thought nervously. Look, you can review the footage, but the Predecessor was going crazy, and basically threatened to kill me. If I didn’t follow its orders, I’m sure it would have killed me and taken out the crystal itself. This way, you didn’t lose the energy crystal. I really want to study it so I can complete this quest, Alan said truthfully, without letting the Warden know there was a second way to possibly finish its task.

The Warden seemed to consider Alan’s response carefully, weighing its options. I may have miscalculated; I can see how you proceeded through these actions with your misguided biological judgment.

Alan simply accepted the Warden’s comment, not wanting to cause any trouble, ignoring Eve who seemed to readily agree with its sentiment.

Apology acknowledged. As finding a suitable guardian will prove problematic with the facility’s current capacity, I will grant you a brief period to study the power crystal. However, if you fail to return with it holding just as much charge, there will be dire consequences. Do not presume this is a completely isolated facility. One of my wardens has collected your soulsteel knife, and will only return it if you complete my task.

Um, sure, sure, Alan agreed, wondering what else the facility could be tied to.

Eve immediately chimed in. At this point, based upon the Predecessor’s remarks, I believe this is a facility constructed by the mysterious Lords of Life, who disappeared after their great war with the Predecessors. It is generally assumed that they lost the war, but after hearing the Lord of the Abyss’s account I am not so sure. Then again, this is only a possibility, as there have been countless Predecessor civil wars throughout history.

Two messages popped up before Alan: