Sarah felt Adam freak out a little. <<Right, make somewhere for us to put Eve's kids and I'll quickly set up the stuff in her chamber that should hopefully handle the future Planet Network stuff.>>
A step had her leave Gaia's crystal core thing and appear next to Cloud's home, Aerith's house, and Aerith's church. "EVERYBODY MOVE!"
Thankfully dad's people moved the slower thinkers away and the (accidentally/stolen) martial artists were quick to react, so she soon had some free space. "Adam, how big should I go?"
She could feel him fabricating something. <<Use Elder Godo's house as a template for the foundation, walls, and roof. Coat everything inside with a good layer of steel using the standard 'Uncertainty Patterns', no reason to invest copper in this, and get rid of all the internal walls.>>
Glance downwards, a quick look through the rock… Good enough.
"[[
Harvest.]]"
There. Got a pit with deep pits for pillars, fill it with a massive block of patterned steel. "I'm using the existing hardware from Cloud's house to connect up the church, Aerith's place, and this one with water, sewage, and access to magic."
He was doing SOMETHING complicated over there. <<Good idea, no reason to add even MORE mako density to this place. And don't bother putting any furniture or stuff, just make space for us to shift the healing pods straight over with connectors to hook up to these interfaces.>>
She easily caught the designs he sent and hookups began to form inside the rapidly constructed building, the modular wall and support components from 'Research' easy to quickly assemble as she mentally pushed and pulled each part into place. "How much time we got?"
The air suddenly felt thicker. <<Almost none. Right, transferring patients and shifting Eve home in three! Two!>>
O̱͇̥͎͙̻͆̑̐̿͗ͅn̥̠͕͖ͮ̌̍̈͒e̼̞͚̹̞̯͆̇͗ͦ.̘̟͙̗̹̞ͥ͒͒͆͐̀ ̝̖̰͍͉ͩ͊͛ͧ̒͊̚
Suddenly, something s̞̰͓̫h̗̩͕i͔̼͙f̦̭̦̞̫̯̺t̗̤͚e͙̙͎̮d̠̮.̳͕ The warm fog of magical power shifted slightly, and overwhelmingly there was a c͍͖on̜̘n̟e̮̳̠̤̱̟ct̬̯̩i͎̞̦o̙͕̼n̟̬̺̺.
=What!?={Confusion!?}<<Start setup, settings provided!>>
<<
Networks: Disconnected.>>
Sarah blinked. "Huh."
And she passed out.
~~~Broken Adventure~~~
Eve felt the protective shell outside her healing chamber vanish, even as she settled into an even larger chamber. One filled with pure, unclaimed mako… Magical power that was rapidly condensing and compressing even as her influence spread.
Then something… clicked.
An image appeared in her mind, one of raw power and magic. An illusion, a transmission, something connecting into a foundational part of reality itself! Both real and not, solid yet image, she felt her avatar body slump as the data initially overwhelmed her entirely!
[[
Planet Network: Startup: V0.001]]
>>
Scanning existing networks.<<
~~Gaia Network discovered.
~~Eve Network discovered.
~~Sarah Z̶̢̕͜i̷͡ş́͞͡b̢̧́͠l͏̶̶͘r̴̷̨̢y͏̴͜e̕͡h́̀͡ discovered.
~~Eve Symbiote Network discovered.
>>
Integrating networks.<<
~~Gaia membership imported.
~~Eve membership imported.
~~Sarah Z̶̢̕͜i̷͡ş́͞͡b̢̧́͠l͏̶̶͘r̴̷̨̢y͏̴͜e̕͡h́̀͡ denied, insufficient access.
~~Eve Symbiote imported.
>>
Establishing Network Units.<<
~~Boundary Defense activated.
~~Heuristic Detection activated.
~~~~Malicious Data defined.
~~~~Compromised Users defined.
~~~~Compromised Hardware defined.
~~~~Compromised Networks defined.
~~Counter Actions activated.
~~~~Disconnect Protocols established.
~~~~Destruction Protocols established.
~~~~Assimilation Protocols established.
~~~~Memetic Hazard Protocols denied, insufficient access.
~~~~Cognitohazard Protocols denied, insufficient access.
~~~~Infohazard Protocols denied, insufficient access.
~~~~Additional Protocols locked due to insufficient access.
~~Data Analysis activated.
~~Self Refinement activated.
~~External Infiltration activated.
~~~~Connection Protocol enabled.
~~~~Monitoring Protocol enabled.
~~~~Assimilation Protocol enabled.
~~Metrics activated.
>>
Activating Communication units.<<
~~Rooms activated.
~~Databases activated.
~~Map activated.
~~Alerts activated.
<<
Alert: User:
Eve. Access Level:
Deity. Welcome to the Network!>>
She felt her Avatar reconnect even as an image was in her mind.
[[
Planet Network V0.001a]]
~Rooms
~Database
~Browser
~Interface
~Help
She ignored the growing connection to her new home as her thoughts brought up 'Rooms', showing a list of communication channels like 'Global', 'Deities', 'Demi', 'Symbiote', 'Mortal', and 'Custom'.
Even as she did something popped up… Well, not anywhere really, but it FELT like something had shown up to her attention, with a message.
{
Global Room Activated}
=Gaia: Eve, are you alright!?=
=Aerith: What WAS that!?=
=Baby44: Blurgle?=
=Symbiote44: 888421?=
=Mortal116: I don't know what drug they are using on me now, but I am LOVING it!=
=Baby36: {Sucks thumb.}=
=Symbiote36: 543124223.=
=Demi02: What!? What is this!?=
=Mortal069: Note: Long term torture creates very odd delusions. If sane, must follow up.=
=Baby51: {Swish Splash!}=
=Symbiote51: 342111=
=Mortal322: {Confusion?}=
=Mortal033: {Sleepy.}=
=Baby12: {Confused.}=
=Symbiote12: 755465=
=Demi11: Why does mine say Demi? I know what baby means, obviously.=
=Sarah: Adam, we need to fix this. Disable Global by default, make an Admin channel with only us that everyone sees, and hide all other contact for now.=
And it was quiet again. For a moment.
{
Admin Room Activated}
=Adam: Right, one moment Eve and you'll be set up!=
<<
Alert: Eve promoted to Administrator for Eve Network.>>
<<
Alert: Room Custom:Babies established.>>
<<
Alert: Room Custom:Symbiotes established.>>
<<
Alert: Room Custom:Adults established.>>
She blinked, automatically reaching out. =Eve: Hey Adam?=
The joy came back! =Adam: You used my name! Thank GOODNESS!=
What? She always called blue skeletal flames of the father boning by his name of blue skeletal flames of the father boning. Why was he suddenly happy about this? =Eve: But I always called you Adam?=
Something shifted. =Adam: Huh. Anyway, what do you need Eve? Everything feel alright?=
A pause as she checked, both physically examining this new 'Wall of Eve' that was her new home.
Her new chamber was rapidly building up magical charge, even more now that her communication methods had been so vastly improved. It was easier to focus, much less difficult preventing random data being sent, and more intuitive to shift her attention through it.
More than that, it helped settle her inner self somehow as her reach and stability continued to spread through the ever large structure that reached to the sky and bore into the soil. While not as 'pure' or 'untouched' as the near impossibly high quality power given to her in her treatment space, wherever that had been, this was more connected to life itself.
To her mother, Gaia.
Mentally, she realized that this new communication method was a major improvement! It was a moment's thought that easily let her separate all symbiotes into their own Room, no longer confusing everyone else (Even if the babies didn't seem to care one way or the other).
The new symbiotes seemed to appreciate it at least, as their data transfer rate shot WAY up after they only had to communicate between each other.
As for her children, they were ALL babies, so it was easy enough to set up an emotional Room to ensure they could feel each other and not be alone while letting the more mentally advanced babies (The ones over twenty or so years old) connect to a conversational Room without keeping the little one's up.
This was perfect! =Eve: This is amazing! But it might make it hard for them to sleep.=
=Sarah: Good point, Adam we need to have only certain things bother people or this could drive them nuts.=
=Adam: {Rolls eyes} I know, I know, I already limit forced notification to big alerts and stuff, not normal talking. Plus, everyone can just make their own changes in their Interface menu.=
=Eve: Oh, did you already tell us that?=
=Adam: …=
<
Alert: You can adjust 'Alerts', visible messages and chants and so forth, along with enabling maps, minimaps, local time, subtitles, and other features via the 'Interface' menu! Just will into existence 'Interface' to see all the new features! For any issues, just physically or mentally call for 'Help!'>
=Adam: {Blush.} Yep!=
=Sarah: You put a lot of work into this thing, Boss! It's pretty impressive. Right. Eve! If you feel like your connection to your family is secure?=
Eve felt the other Rooms that were active. All of them, of course, it was easy enough to pay attention to each one at one time without losing track or missing anything. Even had a custom connection communicating directly with mother using more dangerous levels of da̬ͅṭa̟̦̤ and another Room just for little Aerith, the little cutie.
It felt far more stable, and somehow more secure too! =Eve: Yes! If anything, it is even easier to send my love and concern to my babies without having to fear accidentally hurting them!=
=Sarah: {Warm affection} Good. But next we have to do something about this magic density, the mako being pumped into the area.=
Oh? =Eve: It is a bit low, but it should build up quickly enough. I think this more complicated setup Adam created has even started making some of that… What did he call it, Materia Sand? Yes, some of that has started forming.=
The spike of concern from both of them caught her off guard. =Adam: Shit, we are running out of time. Right, I got a plan!=
=Sarah: {Sigh} You mean you've got a thing you will be doing, but go on. Stun me with some solution to this massive spike of local mako and the invincible army of monsters it will soon spawn?=
Eve's body blinked… Ah. Right, it was a natural defensive measure for both her and mother, the magic ensuring that the more important places (Where mako gathers) would also be properly defended.
Which wasn't normally right next to an existing capital city.
It was hard to blame mother for these instincts, humanity in general only existed for a few million years or so, a fairly recent blip on their lives so far. Though her recent painful incident had felt a lot longer than the few decades it had been, fair enough.
=Adam: Right, first of all! I'm going to build even more magic towers at the core of our soon-to-be-formed Harbor Island!=
=Sarah: {Exasperation.}=
=Adam: No, follow me on this! I'll make this one even BIGGER and more symbolic than all the rest of this mess, and that will naturally pull ALL the new mako to flow toward it, right?=
She blinked. Well, yes? Didn't seem like a solution though.
Silver bone daughter seemed to agree. =Sarah: Yes. Yes, that would probably pull all magic to one spot. The island we want to build. Which, and please correct me if I am wrong, would be bad.=
=Adam: Ah, but look at this! {
Proposed_Materia_Formation.data}=
Eve blinked as she examined the information. And it was interesting indeed! She knew abstractly that Gaia naturally produced Materia as a side effect of existing. It was an issue with how Souls (Monstrous and otherwise) returned to the Lifestream and influenced it over time.
She just hadn't cared too much, though the process was neat.
When creatures or humans with powerful 'Limit Breaks' passed away, similar abilities or special attacks or status effects would resonate with the magic of the Planet, eventually forming once in a while into the crystalized potential of mako shards, or Materia.
Then monsters or people would eat or process those shards and end up with small clusters of long gone special abilities, or magic spells, that they could use. Cause them to grow enough and it would spawn a new seed Materia while the old one would reach a saturated or 'Mastered' state.
It had amused Eve when she found out that the new human species had collected their favorite ones and nearly standardized the process of production for this stuff, considering that Gaia was barely aware she was making the stuff in the first place.
Still. =Eve: And how I am supposed to make these custom Materia?= Though it shouldn't be TOO hard.
Blue skeletal flames of the father boning agreed. =Adam: From what 'Research' got thanks to Sarah's new snack collection, a cluster of spells will eventually become Magic or Green Materia while mako crystals formed near others that change how other spells operate in general become Support or Blue Materia. If the effects only apply to living creatures, it's more likely it will form into Command or Yellow Materia.=
Mostly true. Though there were some other colors, and a few exceptions here and there.
He continued. =Adam: Next! When Support and Command Materia form too close together, they will occasionally mutate into Independent or Purple Materia. Instead of just affecting a person, it will directly enhance them. Causing people to be stronger or faster, or automatically defend someone without knowing an attack was incoming, and so on and so forth.=
=Adam: And finally, there are some one off colors we got no data on and I have no idea how magic becomes Summoning or Red Materia.=
Oh! She knew this! =Eve: Gaia and I talked about that! Red Materia forms when a personality is so powerful or legendary it echoes within the Lifestream for an unusually long time, causing memories of powerful effects or famous past actions to turn into those instant use attacks!=
The other two paused. =Adam: Wow. That is… VERY useful information! Thank you, Eve! That's been bothering me for a while, honestly. Right, back on topic though.=
The design shifted. =Adam: So here is the final bit of my plan {
I_Am_Cool.data}, once all the mako is funneled into one spot, Harbor Island, we will push it into some custom Materia Eve makes for us. It will be deeply connected with her so she can keep it from going wrong, and the active effects will both ensure no free mako spilling everywhere making massive monsters spawn AND it'd have beneficial side effects!=
Eve hummed. Well if mom could do this accidentally, she could probably work something out. =Eve: Which spells am I turning into Materia?=
More data came. LOTS of data! =Adam: Thanks to Sarah we got mastered versions of most of them, but I want to ONLY allow one spell per Materia, unlike these. And that will give us seven Materia based on my current plan! The Magic Materia will be [[Barrier]], [[MBarrier]], [[Reflect]], [[Wall]], and [[Shield]]; The Command Materia isonly [[Sense]]; And the Independent Materia picked was [[Enemy Away]].=
This was a pretty big database covering all kinds of stuff about magic in general and the Materia involved. Neat!
Hmm. =Eve: Materia tends to cluster for a reason, actually. Stability. [[Barrier]] and [[MBarrier]] will need to be combined, which will basically turn it directly into [[Wall]]. And [[Wall]], as you know, will reduce all incoming damage by half… But if for some reason you wanted to heal someone from outside the island entirely, it would cut that effect in half too.=
Blue skeletal flames of the father boning paused. =Adam: Hmm. Right, any other Materia combos that will squish like that? I have fallback options.=
Easy enough. =Eve: Well, [[Wall]] won't stack with the other two, obviously, so might as well just stay with it alone. [[Shield]] flat out absorbs all damage that isn't from non-elemental items, but it is very costly to run… It should be behind [[Wall]] as a last resort. [[Reflect]] on the outside obviously to bounce magic, since it is more easily overwhelmed and will crack first…=
Her thoughts were bumped. =Sarah: So those three, plus [[Sense]] connected to [[All]] and [[Sense]] plus [[Counter]]? That would get us seven, and any time we are attacked it would automatically respond by using [[Sense]] to let us know what is happening!=
No. =Eve: The design as written would count both [[Sense+All]] and [[Sense+Counter]] as a total of two Materia.=
=Adam: And 'Research' showed we can't do more than two at a time, nothing like [[Sense+All+Counter]], so that would bring us up to five picked Materia I guess? If only [[MP Absorb]] didn't work based on the total damage dealt, I could include [[Sense+MP Absorb]] to take peoples magic away when they try and punch our awesome island.=
=Sarah: Can't risk any automatic attacks or even the stealing effects with this Materia selection, what if it counts bumping your boat into the dock as an 'Attack' to respond to? Better stick with more safe stuff. And don't forget you already picked [[Enemy Away]], which will keep people from herding sea monsters in to fight us… So that's six?=
The debate went back and forth a while, while her favorite part was the argument about whether or not using [[Cover]] would force the entire island to teleport in front of any attacking enemy if the foe's target was ON the island, and if this was a desired outcome.
The general opinion in the end was: no. But the idea was pretty amusing.
Silver bone daughter however seemed curious about something else. =Sarah: Hey Eve? About earlier, why were you talking about Summon Materia with Gaia?=
It was part of being her daughter. =Eve: When we grow old and strong enough, we can combine those crystalized memories and Red Materia into our defenders.=
That caught blue skeletal flames of the father boning's attention. =Adam: Defenders?=
It took resources, time, and lots of mako… but it was awesome! =Eve: Yep! They are so cool! Here are a few of Gaia's Defenders: {
Diamond_Weapon.data} {
Ruby_Weapon.data} {
Emerald_Weapon.data}. I want to make my own eventually, but I'm not in a hurry with mom willing to help keep us safe.=
=Sarah: Holy. Shit.=
=Adam: That is SO badass! It also explains why 'enhancing' your Summoning Materia of Shiva was so expensive, Sarah. Too bad we can't use her as the final Materia in this design, but we need something that is permanent and she will be coming with us.=
=Sarah: She will!? I've avoided calling her because I was afraid of getting attached! You said we couldn't bring ANYONE with us!=
=Adam: Oh? Huh. I thought you avoided calling her because even the basic version of Shiva's attack would cause a local ice age considering your magic reserves and potential.=
=Sarah: Please, did you SEE how hot she was!? It is WORTH traveling to the middle of nowhere to call on THAT!=
=Adam: Fair enough… And she count's as an odd case as far as traveling with us is concerned. She isn't so much a different person, as a projection of a different part of your Warehouse, the section purchased on this Jump.=
Eve was feeling lost right now.
=Adam: Basically, a part of yourself would get another Avatar, just like your current Sarah Kisaragi body or your Sarah Killgrave form. They all exist and they are all you, but they are still people.=
=Sarah: I… What?=
=Adam: Yeah, once you remember dating the same woman a few thousand times at the same time, this will make more sense. Point is: Because your Shiva Materia is part of you we can't use her for the island. Also, Summoning Materia is so rare and valuable that none of it was kept in Shinra's Vault. I think anyone lucky enough to have one just carries it around with them.=
Eve blinked. Why was this bringing up a memory?
=Adam: I mean, we got some stuff from stealing Hojo's Manor and all his shit, but only got one Red Materia, which was for [[
Summon:Odin]]... But not only does it only do instant death attacks, which a lot of things are immune or resistant to for obvious reasons (They ain't already dead), but I don't trust SHIT from Hojo. Or his secret torturing laboratory mansion.=
=Sarah: Yeah, no, good call. Let's sacrifice that one to our Ice Goddess. And uh. Maybe ask Gaia if there are a few more Summoning Materia she would be willing to share for the island project… Or maybe even for me to boost Shiva's power level!=
Oh right! =Eve: Sarah, why don't you just use your father's [[
Summon:Leviathan]] Materia instead? I'm sure he won't mind giving it to you if you ask.=
The communication line went silent for a bit.
Well, this one did at least. The babies were busy burbling back and forth in their Room and the Symbiotes were doing whatever the heck they were messing with in their channel as well... And Gaia and little Aerith were cooing over those same babies in their healing pods now that those were physically located over in Wutai.
She was idly examining the growing currents of Materia sand flowing throughout HER new Wall (Woo!) when the connection came back. =Adam: You know, I literally felt nothing when you were near the old man… But this does explain why this section of ocean is so dang clear of junk and free to build on.=
=Sarah: And why there aren't any islands out here. Not anymore.=
Sounds like they were on board! =Eve: So that will be the seventh?=
Everyone paused as another wave of POWER flowed over the area.
Looks like more of her wall was fully converted to operating with liquid magic now too! All KINDS of stuff getting done today!
Not long until this Materia sand really starts building up too, so maybe they should hurry.
=Sarah: Fine, I know we have to dump all this power SOMEWHERE, but I just want to say that this feels like a bad idea.=
=Adam: Huh. So the island will have [[Reflect]], [[Wall]], [[Shield]], [[Sense+Counter]], [[Sense+All]], [[Enemy Away]]... And [[Summon:Leviathan]]?=
=Sarah: Yeah. I'll make sure to eat the other Materia those spells are on so we can give Eve the needed patterns for her to make the custom Materia, and ask dad for his Summoning Materia.=
Seemed reasonable enough. Woo! Awesome island plan is a go!
=Adam: Uh. You don't think those effects will end up stacking on the Summon as well?=
They all blinked at the thought of a massive magic dragon controlling the weather that would also reflect all magic, reduce any and all damage by half, block all remaining energy unless it was physical damage from an item…
A dragon that would repel other monsters and possibly even other summons... AND would know everything about anyone and everyone trying to attack it.
One with near unlimited amounts of magic, magic that would strengthen it fundamentally and be available for it to use.
=Sarah: Adam, saying shit like that is what makes this feel like a bad idea.=
Eve on the other hand felt all her people brighten with her own eagerness hitting the network!
Maybe she would get her own defender much sooner than she had hoped for!
~~~Broken Adventure~~~
Elder Godo blinked. "Yes, young Sarah?"
The tired and frustrated woman sighed. "Dad… I mean, Elder Godo…"
He fought back the warm smile, but his heart was full. "You may call me 'Dad', 'Father', or otherwise as you wish, my child."
She gave a wry grin. "Thanks Dad. Sorry about this mess, things got a bit out of hand…"
He glanced at the massive defensive building able to withstand a massive army filled with 'stolen' victims, people that were currently being healed as medical staff waited to be of help. Another look showed the distant Wutai Bay, and the sparking copper towers that seemed to pulse with the pure life of the Planet herself, grown from nothing and standing tall.
A nod. "You do seem quite busy."
Young Sarah snorted. "Yeah, a bit… Sorry Dad. But I'm nearly done! Then I can do nothing for like… A month or something. Maybe take a year off or whatever."
More like spend a day or so playing with children and then being bored out of her mind and maybe finding more people in need to steal away. Which was fine. "I'm sure. You needed me?"
Always a wonderful feeling for any parent.
She nodded. "Do you have the [[Summon:Leviathan]] Materia? I need to borrow it."
He couldn't help his face going serious. "Such a power is a heavy burden, and even a greater responsibility. I trust your need is equally as burdensome?"
A nod. "All this stuff I built to help the Planet is going to pump WAY too much undirected mako here into our nearest Lifestreams. I have to send it somewhere or we will get SUPER powerful monsters spawning all over this place."
He mentally reeled at the very thought! "And summoning our Goddess will help?"
She blinked. "Goddess?"
He remembered the legends. And his own life, of course. "Our people worship the spirit Leviathan that inspired our Summoning Materia to exist. It is a gift from Gaia herself, one treasured and beloved. The Queen of the Seas, the one that brings our people home. My being accepted as her Summoner is a major contributor for being made the leader of our people."
Young Sarah seemed stunned. "Oh...I didn't know."
He moved with purpose, exposing and removing the Red Summoning Materia from his cane… and holding it with reverence. "That said, I'm sure she would approve of such a use… Of protecting her followers from powerful monsters. She's defended our shores before."
His memories pulled forth such powerful times. Such deadly moments when love and hope we're the only prayers they had, against impossible odds.
Him standing alone on a windswept beach, her mighty sea serpent form forcing the sea itself to protect their people.
Still. "I am putting a lot of trust in you, my daughter."
She hesitated to accept the heavy responsibility in his outstretched hand… But another surge of raw magic motivated her forwards. "I… Thank you, Father."
Supporting one's children, especially one who stood so strongly alongside his own beliefs and with such powerful actions proving her worth, was but expected. "Take care of it. Our people rely on such symbols as these."
As she looked down at the sparkling orb in her hands, he couldn't help but wonder. "I assume you knew of my status as Leviathan's believer from the Planet's communion?"
She absently shook her head. "No, it came up when I was helping her daughter find a new home here."
And she was gone.
That… That was quite a statement.
Nothing was nearby… And No One was giving him a look.
But no, he was not going to try and force his child to lead the faith. It was a frustrating job at the best of times, and she had enough on her shoulders already. He sent signals, and Nobody saw.
Sigh. "I do believe I shall visit the small blue winged babies. The little ones are probably visiting them again, anyway."
Plus the ladies watching over the group always had a good pot of tea ready.
Another powerful wave of magic flowed over the land.
Tea… Tea sounded lovely right now.