'I'm sorry, I don't understand. How does this work?' Phin asks. He gazes intently at the Corrupted Flora's crimson aura, a detail only skilled Botanists and Appraisers are able to discern.
'Entropy, as you've probably learned, is the natural volatility in a system's energy. Those fluctuations can even bend reality itself, at least a little,' Willow explains in a hushed tone. She covertly glances behind her: the other Botanists of Unit 00 are still preparing the campsite, paying no mind to the conversation.
'Er... is this some kind of hidden information?' Phin notices her unusual secretive behavior.
'What I just told you is common knowledge, agreed upon by generations of researchers. But... that's not the end of it - at least not for me.' Willow grabs Phin firmly by the shoulders, startling him. 'Promise me you won't share this with anyone. Only then will I explain what it truly means.'
Phin nods, frantically shaking his head up and down. 'Yes, Captain - I won't!' he promises, whispering with force.
'Alright. This is what I a few close associates and I call the Theory of Entropy: all entropy traces back to a single point we call Chaos. Entropy is distributed unevenly among all matter, concentrated abnormally high in living organisms - like humans and Florae. One's entropy level influences their range of energy output.'
Phin glances at her nervously, unaware of his cold, clammy hands. 'Wait… isn't that a bit like Floral Alchemy? Or am I missing something?'
Willow grins. 'Exactly! The Theory of Entropy is a more controversial and groundbreaking extension of Floral Alchemy. Only Supreme Regal Nostreimos, his advisors, and I know of it.' She darts her gaze around once more before finally turning back, satisfied. 'Okay, back to my point. Corrupted Florae possess significantly more entropy than their regular form, which makes them much more dangerous by theory.'
'But I haven't heard anything about them being stronger - the Scavengers visiting my shop accidentally kill Corrupted Florae all the time!' Phin quietly objects.
'That's exactly the point, and it leads us to our second main theory: in the natural equilibrium, every driving force has a counteragent, and for entropy, it's order. This kind or order is the purest kind of judgment - and we believe it traces back to another hypothetical singularity we call Divinity.'
'So... this 'order' somehow consciously counteracts the entropy?'
'Yep. And we believe when a Flora is killed, its order dissipates and returns back to Divinity, whereas its entropy remains in its Seed. Think of the Seed as a 'bomb of chaos' - though, for most commonly consumed ones, much less powerful as the nickname suggests. Think about it - what happens when a human consumes a Corrupted Seed?'
'They turn into these bloodthirsty zombified plant-humans,' Phin replies, shuddering.
'Correct. Mainstream science ties it to a virus present in Corrupted Florae, but the Theory of Entropy claims it's due to the human's inability to fend off the greater entropy, which quickly overpowers their natural level of order. As a result, they are overwhelmed, and become - as you said - 'bloodthirsty zombified plant-humans''.
Phin lets out a quiet gasp. This explanation is truly compelling! However, his thoughts drift to the Regal SciDep, where several of his friends work as researchers. But Amara, and Max... they're some of the smartest people I know! There's no way...
'No offense, Captain Shirasagi - but it seems a bit far-fetched, considering the limited scope of our knowledge,' Phin sheepishly points out.
Willow laughs gently. 'None taken.' She pats him on the shoulder. 'Don't let my words burden your mind - at the end of the day, the Theory of Entropy is only speculative and in its nascent phase.'
'Oh... s-sorry to ask, Captain, but why tell me this instead of the more experienced Botanists?'
Willow winks. 'Well, you're our first and only official Flora Analyst. Plus, the Supreme Regal seems to have taken a liking to you. Just before deployment, he personally encouraged me to share the Theory of Entropy with you.'
'Oh, wow. I didn't know...' Phin furrows his brows. Nostreimos, fond of me? Even after I passed out during our only formal introduction? He glances at the dormant Corrupted Flora before turning back to Willow. 'Thanks for introducing me to this theory. I'll keep it in mind as I learn more about Florae.'
'No need to promise me anything,' she laughs softly. 'If it truly sparks your interest, you'll seek answers on your own.' She rises, scanning the campsite. 'Looks like the others are done setting up. You should get some rest, Phin. Dietrich will show you to your temporary lodge.'
Phin nods. Before he leaves, he takes one last glance at the small, bulbous plant hidden deep within the shrubs.
His eyes suddenly go blank, heart thudding heavily. Cold sweat beads on his forehead and slowly drips down, stinging his wide eyes.
No... not like this, not again! Shit!
As black spots invade his vision, Phin forcefully rips his gaze from the wretched Flora, nearly snapping his neck. He falls to the ground, wincing as tiny grass-like Florae jab at his Terrasuit.
What the hell is wrong with me? he wonders painfully, gasping for breath. Screw it. It's just the exhaustion - anyone would start hallucinating after this much strain. That's all it is. I'm just... mentally worn out, that's all.
Phin sighs and climbs back to his feet. The setting sun casts a warm blanket on the Botanist campsite. Unit 00 heads to their deployable sleeping pods one-by-one, soon leaving Phin alone.
A soothing breeze blows through, ruffling the leaves and petals of the dormant Florae. A rich, almost sickly sweet smell lingers in the air.
He breaks down in tears.
***
The sharp tapping of boots echoes against the cold concrete floor. Shadows crawl across the walls, casting ghastly images in the candlelit corridor.
'Mr. Echo?' A trembling voice is accompanied by a loud creaking.
'Yes?'
'They got away - the boy and the Botanists. They're already past the point of interception, at least kilometers into the wilderness. Do we launch a sabotage?'
A man laughs, his voice carrying neither power nor any hint of weakness. 'That won't be necessary, agent. We have our own now - one even stronger than the boy.'
'W-what??' the other voice cries out, choking. 'But isn't that impossible...?'
'You'd be surprised at what the future holds, Klaus.'