The Poppy War

Rin is devastated by Altan’s addiction. She has seen debilitating opium addiction her entire life. Ramsa says that after everything Altan’s been through, they have no right to judge him.

After a fortnight, Rin overhears Chaghan and Altan arguing. Altan says Daji gave him permission to free the immured shamans in Chuluu Korikh. Chaghan is adamantly against this, as shamans are only interred after they go mad with unmediated godly power. Altan orders Chaghan to obey or leave the Cike.

Chaghan tells Rin that Altan is losing himself to the Phoenix. He reveals the source of Altan’s power: During their occupation of Nikan, the Federation built a research base near Speer and experimented on Speerlies to understand shamanism. Altan spent half his life in the facility being drugged, tortured, and experimented on. He now hates so deeply and completely that the Phoenix always lives inside him.

Rin returns to Altan with newfound understanding of his addiction. She takes his opium pipe and inhales from it. Altan asks Rin to go with him to Chuluu Korikh. She pledges her allegiance to him.