Side story 2: The Journal on the Homunculi

-Day 1-
Today, we searched the underground laboratories Gerdival Liveren mentioned after the recent attacks from demons. Within, we found an elf child. She is guarded toward us, but allowed me to give her some food. Right after that, however, she skittered away. The speed she possessed is enormous even for the fastest of us. We could not follow her into the place.
The child returned to us after a few hours. She appears to particularly like me. Mayhaps it is because of the food last time. I cannot help but wonder, what has happened to her?

-Day 2-
She returned to us once more. She understands Mins, although she refuses to speak. While she is elusive and does not like to be touched at all, I cannot help but feel that she's not aggressive.

-Day 5-
She returned to us once again. She appears slightly more at ease now. When asked about her name, she described herself as D-7. I can tell it's a machination of Limen. I have read some reports on his work. The disgusting reality was that his experiments could not survive for long due to being used as weapons shortly after. D-7 is one of them. Even if that doesn't kill her, the royalty will, even though it's not her fault. I don't want her to die like this. She deserves better than that. Although I cannot promise anything now, I wish to take her in.

-Day 9-
Although most of the notes on the homunculi were destroyed by the demons, the apparatus is almost untouched. I do not know what importance most of it had for Limen, but it can only be assumed to be connected to dragons. The only thing I could find that is certainly associated with them is labeled Gereval. The notes mention it a few times, but the precise use is unknown as of now. We managed to find only a single bottle full of it. However, I cannot see any notes on manufacturing it.

-Day 13-
In a collapsed lab on the lowest level, we found some notes. The formulas appear connected in ways that are almost indescribable.
Together with them, innumerable descriptions of vile procedures became apparent, although they can not be reconstructed fully. What is clear, however, is that the transplant as described should be impossible. Under normal circumstances, elf flesh would reject dragon's. However, perhaps Alchemist Limen found a way to bypass that restriction.
Is this how homunculi were created?
However, one thing that caught my attention is the mention of Gereval in some of the processes. Its descriptions suggest it might be used to block or even restrain the egos of those affected. This appears to be how Limen controlled them.
But the precise dosage is undescribed.

-Day 20-
We have arrived back in Weydan. She appears to like it here, although she is not inclined to go anywhere without me. She has formed a bond with me, but I cannot fathom why she would put trust in anyone, given what happened to her.

-Day 22-
I have decided to give her a name. I wish that with it, she may escape the bounds of her past. At the same time, I hope for the name to be truly hers. Therefore, I will teach her to read and write. More than that, learning Siles would be beneficial to her.
I could keep her as a guest, but that cannot last forever. If I want to escape Gerdival's insight, I must hide her properly. I'll take her in as a servant, or even an adopted daughter if need be. She must never be found.

-Day 30-
She is beginning to open up to the people around her, although she shows tremendous restraint with anyone but me. She wouldn't accept food from anyone but me. Mayhaps this is a form of trust in her eyes.
Today, she told me that she wanted to choose a name as I had promised her. Therefore, we went to the library and began searching for a proper one. It's been so long by now that she is asleep in my lap. This child is so peaceful like this that it's hard to believe what she might be capable of.
The name we chose is Nimue.

-Day 42-
Nimue has fallen ill.
I do not know why exactly how it happened, but it seems connected to her invoking causality previously. The symptoms of her illness do not match any that I've ever seen. Her body is freezing cold, and she is coughing up blood. She is in pain that I cannot stop. Why? She's still so young. What did she do to deserve that?

-Day 44-
Nimue's condition is slowly worsening. I'm doing what I can to find a solution, but I'm afraid it's futile. Limen's notes describe this affliction as 'punishment'. From the reports, this process is irreversible. The best we can do is to stall for time.

-Day 50-
One of the formulas I deciphered from the documents showed promise. A carefully prepared solution with Gereval may be able to dampen the effects.
When administered, Nimue fell asleep very quickly. However, her state already looks better than before.

-Day 51-
Nimue is back to full health.
It's hard to believe, yet the results speak for themselves.
However, I cannot help but worry. We lack any other methods. Battling a sickness like this without at least equal strength is impossible in the long run, and controlling an ego can't be achieved without another at least as strong. We can only stall for time. As long as Nimue does not overuse her power, however, it may be possible to prolong her lifespan. How long for is undefined.
To whomever I pass this notebook on: Nobody must ever know of Nimue's condition.