Implementing Elara's fear-dampening strategy involved more than just crafting symbols; it required subtly integrating them into the sanctuary's life. Captain agreed to the plan, allocating resources for Elara to supervise groups of survivors in collecting and purifying salvaged metal and tech scraps. He framed it as a necessary step for maintaining structural integrity, a pragmatic task that disguised its true purpose.
Elara oversaw the work, patiently instructing the survivors on the specific shapes of the 'grounding' symbols. Most did the work without question, seeing it as another necessary chore in their endless struggle. A few, particularly those who had been swayed by Gus's fear, looked at the symbols with suspicion, whispering about old world superstitions or waste of valuable materials.
Kael, when he was able, participated in collecting scraps with Elara. He felt Vispera's familiar warmth resonate with certain pieces, particularly those containing remnants of old technology – circuit boards, wiring, discarded power cells. It was a feeling of quiet resistance, a faint light pushing back against the pervasive grey, even within inert objects. These were the fragments Elara sought for the symbols.
Once crafted, Elara, with a few trusted individuals and Kael, began strategically placing the symbols throughout the sanctuary. Small, intricate knots were discreetly embedded in walls near communal areas, placed near sleeping quarters, integrated into the structure of the mess hall. They were positioned based on where Kael sensed the fear resonance was strongest, where the vibration of internal unease felt most jarring against the external thrumming of The Void.
Captain maintained oversight, ensuring the process didn't cause undue alarm or give Gus's remaining sympathizers more fuel. He relied on Elara's judgment and Kael's sensing to guide the placement, a silent acknowledgment of the unconventional nature of this defense.
As more symbols were placed, Kael began to feel a subtle shift in the sanctuary's emotional atmosphere. The constant, cold vibration of fear didn't vanish, but in the areas with the symbols, it seemed less intense, the resonance with The Void less pronounced. It was like turning down the volume on a low, unsettling hum.
Elara observed the effect in the general population, too. While difficult to measure precisely, there seemed to be a marginal decrease in spontaneous outbursts of paranoia, a slightly calmer demeanor in the most heavily 'grounded' areas. It wasn't a dramatic transformation, but a subtle, incremental improvement.
The Bedel of Trust continued to affect Kael, making social interaction challenging. But his unique perception allowed him to see, or rather, feel, the tangible impact of their efforts to combat fear. The symbols worked, in a way he could uniquely perceive, offering a fragile defense against the insidious internal grey.
The chapter ends with the implementation of Elara's 'grounding' symbols throughout the sanctuary. Kael's sensing confirms their localized effect on dampening fear resonance. The strategy shows subtle positive results in reducing internal fear and vulnerability to the Void, highlighting the importance of this unconventional defense alongside physical preparation, while acknowledging the ongoing challenge.