Chapter 40: Lyria: Departure

Summary

• Lyria examines the scar from her invasive surgery, recalling it was necessary to remove her memories.
• She had significant challenges post-surgery—speech and coordination problems—but her memories are intact.
• Lyria interacts with Matteo, her rehabilitator, who tests her mental recovery with an emotional-spectrum grid.
• Matteo informs Lyria that her mental state has successfully recovered, though she still feels the absence of the internal "parasite."
• She relives the trauma of the parasite's entry and is given the chance to symbolically destroy it.
• Lyria destroys the parasite, signifying her freedom, and learns she's expected by envoys of the Sovereign.
• She discovers that Darrow is present at the facility and will soon depart for the Rim due to attacks from Volsung Fá.
• Lyria confronts Darrow, expressing a desire to accompany him to rescue Volga, but he discourages her.
• Darrow acknowledges her spirit but explains the practical dangers and the futility of her joining the quest for Volga.
• Feeling dismissed, Lyria reflects bitterly on her wish to be considered useful and her bond with Volga.
• The next day, Matteo wakes Lyria for her departure. She nostalgically listens to the song that comforted her during recovery.
• She is informed about the autopiloting ship to Mars and her mysterious fellow passenger.
• Lyria meets her fellow passenger, Sevro Barca, who is short-tempered and uninterested in her story.
• Lyria accidentally informs Sevro about the death of his son, causing him deep distress.
• Sevro hands Lyria a silver cube to deliver to the Sovereign and abruptly leaves the ship.
• Alone, Lyria contemplates the journey ahead and spontaneously decides to board Darrow's ship instead of traveling to Mars.