Nyxharra Bloom: The Source of Crimson Light

Only the cliff faces of the floating island chains above the Ravellith's Crown--a world of suspended stone and gentle electrical storms--are home to the bioluminescent, crimson-veined Nyxharra Bloom. The flower is a delicate wonder to the naked eye, used in mood-glow textiles, low-light technologies, and nerve-ailment therapeutic tonics. When its petals are crushed, they awaken latent nerves and help with physical treatment, and its shimmering filaments produce a gentle, live light that lasts for days after harvesting.

However, there is something far worse hidden beneath this noble goal.

Ilymnoxithin is a neuro-synaptic destabilizer found deep beneath the Nyxharra Bloom's roots. This substance can be extracted via an exact, outdated method (known only to individuals with connections to the defunct Order of the Whisper-Kin) and used in a procedure known as "Severing." It enables the user to surgically and covertly remove memories from other people.

Both high council conspiracies and black market rings have used the procedure. When a victim wakes up, their mind may be completely clear of the trauma, and they may have no memories of abuse, treachery, or power theft. In the worst situations, it is employed to suppress early childhood disobedience or compel important political figures to comply. Except for one important thing, the individual can recall everything except the things that matter.

Even worse, Ilymnoxithin buries the memory alive, deep inside the conscious mind, where it festers and distorts, rather than erasing it. The suppressed memories may eventually come back in violent dreams, dissociation, or even episodes of possession.

This covert application is prohibited in all known domains. However, the bloom has continued to grow despite this. Even then, the demand has not decreased.

The Nyxharra Bloom is still utilized extensively today, not because its negative qualities are unknown, but rather because its positive ones are too strong, too lucrative, and too ingrained in culture to be disregarded.

Nyxharra extract is utilized to cure neurological flares, help restore limbs, and even control some divine flare syndromes in children of hybrid blood in hospitals in both the cybercities and the divine realms. Particularly in high-risk divine pregnancies, its glowing strands are braided into womb-stabilizing wraps and dream-silk bandages. For some people, it's the only thing preventing their nerves from completely failing.

According to the Healing Syndicates, a complete prohibition on Nyxharra would condemn thousands of patients to a life of suffering or death, particularly veterans, flare-burn victims, and children with genetic impairment. Whole cities now depend on the light harvested from the Bloom for advanced memory-nerve mapping in rehabilitation facilities and night-safety infrastructure.

However, the price is high.

There is an increasing push to outlaw all Nyxharra exports because the Severing technique is still practiced--in secret in underground clinics, in the black rooms of trauma traffickers, and by memory brokers. The Red Reclaimers is the name of these protestors. Severing survivors, many of whom have lost years of memory, are now retaliating. They think that the permanent holes Nyxharra leaves behind outweigh any benefit it may provide. They insist that the flower, root, and petal be completely eradicated.

The Bloomed Twelve, an ancient family and pharmaceutical empire, on the other hand, are still defending their exclusive use of the flower in legal contexts. "Ethical use certifications" are provided, and they maintain that the Severing cannot be performed without "forbidden rituals." However, the proof grows every day.

Meridia is currently a member of the High Council, where arguments are harsh and never-ending. Three times this year, the vote to prohibit all Nyxharra was blocked.

It returns tomorrow.

The Blossom continues to grow.