Alden “Big Al” Mercer
Elias’s cousin, born missing three limbs. Alden’s transformation becomes one of the clearest examples of Opi’s ability to repair the human condition without erasing the person underneath.
Current Role
This entry is a starter encyclopedia page and should be expanded as the published chapters grow. It is designed for readers who want a quick, spoiler-light reference to the character and their place in the saga.
Story Function
Alden helps define one of the central questions of the series: what happens when damaged, brilliant, ordinary, or overlooked people are placed inside a civilization-scale rescue attempt with tools powerful enough to change human destiny?