dev 9 - attuning circuitry

The moment they enter, it doesn't take long for Elyon to notice a clear change- a seating, small chamber, only meant to be used for a single person. There was also the machinery which hosted the core, various shards within it, as well as complicated runework that mostly matched that of Illyothian technology that the two of them witnessed - in particular, the very same technology that prompted massive changes in Eshmun and Caira.

But.. there was something different about this one too.

It's not too long before the drakanite approaches the machinery, briefly inspecting it; an assessment is made to make sure that nothing was changed, whether it's the core of the machine, the seating chamber or the wires and runework, and he reveals the spirit shards within his chest - the shards that were beating and pulsing with the spiritual energy previously taken.

"Remember this? I had a bit of modification made by Magdalen for a single person, and not as overbearing. It shouldn't backfire... at least, I hope it won't."

"And what I need you to do is to oversee the process, launch it by activating the core, and then help the mechanism to smoothly attune this energy to my circuitry."

"You're energy magi, after all, aren't you? This shouldn't be anything new to you. Just the assistance part will suffice, the rest will be handled by this."

Even now, the Chieftain could already observe something.. different emanating from the spirit shards. Where Keitaro once tried to fuse this energy with his body, and it only ended up hurting him in such attempt, it was to remain locked within for the time being.

Precisely for this situation.

"Think you can do it?"
(Keitaro Tennouji)

The ocean gaze did trace over the machinery present, although there's no immediate reaction to it. Instead, the Chieftain quietly steps closer, head tilted over to the side as he's inspect it so.

The Voice's words are heard, and though his eyebrows knit together ever so slightly, he listened-- silent, until Keitaro is finally done.

"While someone like Tototl would be far more suited, this isn't anything... too complex. I can prompt it to start by activating the core, and then try to manipulate the energy to properly attune itself to your circuitry, but-- I don't really know how this entire thing functions, or what'd happen once the process takes place.

This is a tad sudden- I hope you know what you're doing, Kei, specially if you aren't completely sure as to whether it'd backfire or not, but..."

Eyes narrow a bit, and a smaller glance is spared towards those spirit shards. Even so, he'd pause for just a second, shaking his head from one side to the other.

"Anyhow, yeah. Think I can help you operate it so... even if we lack a massive power source, but-- since this is only one of the chambers? And ones that were already constructed to be stable-" unlike the Occultic ones. "-I think it'd be okay?"
(Elyon Hirai)

It was a risky endeavour no doubt. If anything, he made his bet on the fact that it already worked before.. and this would be something much more smaller in comparison, where only one person would need to have such attuning done to them, without many of the physical changes. It causes him to wonder just what exactly would happen once it's all said and done, but..

"That's precisely what's required from you, Elyon. All I need you is to activate the core once I take a seat in the chamber- the lightning shards in abundance next to the core serve as additional power source, and something fitting to my element. I took the idea from Illaron's transceiver's with the lightning shards."

"The idea was also that a single transformation, at much lesser degree, would only requie so much until it's possible. I figured that majority oftechnology lies in runework."

After all, why not tap into additional energy that comes from them? Even then, the steady flow of the spiritual energy continues, transported by the drakanite into core that would be responsible for transferring the energy to his circuitry. Thanks to specific runework, it would become possible as well; soon enough, the flicker in spirit shards seems to fade, drained of all that they had.

The brilliance composed in the core was now apparent with the glow, showing it's light to them both. Without further wait, the Shenlong begins pacing over to the capsule, carefully seating himself in it; his arms and legs become secured by the machinery, and he speaks out to Elyon.

"I'll also work from inside to help attune the spiritual energy to my circuits. Just.. let the runework do it, and also invest your own effort, yes?"

A smile. Despite not knowing how the effects would settle in.. there was always hope that it would go smooth. One can always hope, right?

"You can get started."
(Keitaro Tennouji)

He'd only nod a bit, no further questions regarding the risk, or anything of sorts. This was Keitaro's decision-- and the Voice was more than capable making them so, knowing what is worth it, and what isn't. Regardless, the Chieftain quietly stands there until the other lightning magus finds himself settled into the chamber.

Eyes drift to a close, and for a couple moments there, pure, manifested energy flickers about his palms-- the step to come had to be undertaken in a far more delicate ambit than the simple, loose wielding of magic, after all.

"Alright, prepare yourself."

Murmured, and then a single hand is allowed to drift over to the shimmering spot upon that capsule there-- manifestation of his own mana shifting in an attempt to form some sort of connection with that of the machinery's. There's a steady connection, a flow of energies, before he'd still for just a moment, and then supply it in bulk, aiming to kick-start those mechanisms there, activating the core.

Those eyes of his remain shut, breaths even all the same as he tries his best to feel those streams, much like an extension of his own magic, aiming to manipulate, to direct them towards the Shenlong-- or, rather, to make sure they didn't stray, or lose their uniform flow.

"...okay, so far? I'd need you to try your best and attune it to your own circuits-- your own effort. Provides me with better directions to follow."

To try and match his magic with the Tennouji's own push.

All in all, he did witness the agony Caira went through... and those injuries his own brother ended up with-- even if these chambers weren't nearly as risky as the one Ark went for... worry was always there. He didn't want it all to backfire the worst way possible.
(Elyon Hirai)

There's no doubt that the agony is best avoided. If anything, it was fairly important to ensure that the process goes smooth.. if they weren't able to get this right, then not only this could result in botched failure, but Keitaro potentially getting more damage than he otherwise could have.

Perhaps, it's part of the reason as to why he trusted Elyon to do that- if it were anyone else, if it was anyone who had flawed exert over their energy like that, then this could fail. But so long as it happens in experienced hands, with checked technology, and something built by High Artificer Magdalen herself.. then surely, it should have at least some effect, right?

The hope was there. And so, when the machinery begins to hum, when the glow occurs in the core.. he can't help but wince at the first sign of energy seeping into his circuitry. It felt like a growing burn. Something that you'd instinctively try to jerk away from, and yet he endures.

"--Yes, yes it's fine. Continue."

Where the Chieftain provides a push, the Voice seeks to guide the spiritual energy all across his circuits; rather than forcing it through his body like he has previously done, the energy of spirits surges through him, as if to warp his magical affinity entirely- to an extent, he was still to remain Shenlong, still a physical self.. and yet, different.

The pain serves as a sign that something is changing. But it goes smooth, surprisingly so. There's no overbearing mana that would seek to damage him, merely an attachment to his circuitry that was long time due. Each time the machine hums and glows, it seems to become more intense in that regard- the runework glowing all over the core and chamber alike.

"Give it a bit more push."

Even if it sounded like it could go wrong, the Shenlong urges Elyon to do so. How else could they solidify this energy, unless enough was given?
(Keitaro Tennouji)

There's no reaction to the initial wince, but when the Shenlong provides his confirmation, Elyon would only nod ever so slightly, his eyes still closed, despite all. Amidst every tug and pull along those streams, he could feel the shifts brought about by Keitaro himself, guiding the spiritual energy through his circuits.

No movements on his own side whatsoever, and no sounds follow suit, either-- instead, the Chieftain quietly stands there, maintaining that steady flow, and allowing the Tennouji to handle the rest of it, until the latter asks for even further push, that is.

"Alright... will likely sting even further, but-- try to keep up."

Murmured as per usual, calmly so, and then there's yet another spike in his own efforts, aiming to match the directions set by Keitaro himself as more and more pure, manifested mana seeps out, attached to the mechanism's own energy there, regulating it, directing it.

He'd certainly be able to feel it flood in at a faster rate, and likely more painful, while at it-- any changes, even if minor, would take place that much more swiftly with the entire process in itself being quicker. Uncomfortable, alongside Keitaro's own body catching up to it all.

Any hisses of agony or groans would be completely ignored, however, the Hirai had no intentions to actually stop unless his Voice directly asked him to do so.

That flow is maintained, and not held back all that much-- other than that? He'd let the machinery continue its operations.
(Elyon Hirai)

Just like it was intended to, the machinery's runework provides ample work on its own. In truth, from the machinery alone this might've been already enough.. after all, with the power source that was present back then, five different creatures were molded and shaped into something entirely else- as substitute to that energy, there were lightning shards, less investment required, and two magi working in tandem on a same thing.

It should be enough. For when he feels this energy fill the entirety of his circuitry, he can't help but grit his teeth in pain- it becomes almost invasive, something akin to being 'burned' into his mana circuits, much like the device itself had done in the past. But while Elyon provides the necessary push for that energy, Keitaro works on stabilizing it and properly attuning it.

Simply flooding himself with this would not be enough. And so, much like his arteries and veins, the circuits subtly glow with azure lightning, so much that it's barely possible to even see them, unless one was looking closer.. but it's also a sign of the change, of the transformation that he was looking for - rather than warping his body, the nature of his magic acquired a wholly new asset.

"Almost.."

It's spoken through a hiss, but the final remnants of the spiritual energy are attuned to his circuits; step by step, the core is running out of energy to lend that Keitaro meticulously harvested and charged the machine with, until there's nothing else left to lend. The final steps are made..

And the entirety of his circuits are flooded now, with this energy solidified to belong to him.

It's an odd feeling. He feels as if he'd still have to exercise it, to properly work on the feeling alone as if to make sure that it could work- but perhaps, by working on it further in general, it could already take the necessary leap. Still..

"..Stop the energy flow to the core. The capsule should open."
(Keitaro Tennouji)

The hissed word is heard, and he didn't cease the flow of energy in the slightest. Instead, those streams are made to remain steady, his own breath even all the while as faintest flickers of aure, manifested energy lingers around his form, swirling, expanding, continuing with those efforts all the same.

The process appeared to be relatively safe thus far, but that mild fear remained-- even if they minimized the risks, and even if the process in itself was far, far less taxing compared to what happened back along those volcanoes, it... was always something to worry over. After all, all three mages involved got close to losing their lives.

Yet-- when Keitaro finally speaks up yet once again, asking for the process to be halted, he didn't immediately shut it so. Instead, the decrement in mene is gradual, but not slow, either. Just to make sure no abrupt shifts take place-- until it finally comes to a halt, ceased. That hand is slowly, slowly removed, breaking whatever connection he had left with the mechanism's own energy.

And then, the ocean gaze drifts back in Keitaro's direction, watching, and waiting for the capsule to open up.

"Mm... went seemingly fine. You okay, there?"
(Elyon Hirai)

The energy was slowly stabilized, swimming through his circuitry akin to a foreign liquid that was yet to be put to a proper use. Of course, the results were yet to be seen, especially considering that this technology, for all intents and purposes, was still mostly experimental.. and there was no telling just how it would turn out to be like.

Perhaps, it would hurt him.
Perhaps, it would elevate him.

But the fact remains is that the energy he once sought to warp himself with, now was attached to circuitry instead. It's an idea that he's gotten at some point, after he witnessed many of the spiritual rituals performed back at Levengard, where majority of such spiritual power was attuned to circuits, rather than the body..

So why shouldn't he do the same?

Carefully stepping out of the capsule, the drakanite carefully gazed over his limbs and his torso in particular. So many things could be different.. but for now, he felt odd in general.

"Yes, yes.. I'm okay." It's a wonder to see how it'll go.

"..I'll keep you updated on how it goes. Maybe it'll work at last."

And he hoped that it would. Or else, it could result in years of effort wasted.. now, wouldn't that be unfortunate?
(Keitaro Tennouji)