071 - The Sleeping Forest

For a long time Magnus sat before Soo's face going through countless memories and exploring the years of his life in the Segye palace. He explored every aspect pertaining to Celestials, attempting to discover everything that Soo had learnt, everything that was written or that had been taught to him.

Nothing good. Demons. Devils. Celestials were unrepentant monsters, the enemies of mankind. But . . there were things that did not make sense, lessons and facts that simply did not add up.

Celestials . . powerful god-like creatures, no matter how much he searched Magnus could not find any answers as to where they came from. There was no mention of the threads of Vigour or their ability to absorb other's knowledge and memories, no mention of how they were born or developed.

And the Alchemists . . the saviours of humanity? Pshwa! No matter how many times it was repeated that was something he could never believe.

Kujata said . . she said remember who your are - you are Magnus Lund, you are not a monster! Are those the words that a devil would speak? And for her to be hidden within a formation, unwilling to take a single step outside . . never use your abilities in public, never let others see you eat; that will bring a great calamity. A great calamity? Something that a Celestial, a great devil should fear?

Don't be naive Magnus, don't trust in the words of others . . if there is anything I can trust in this world it is my own two eyes, my own experiences. If I am to believe anything, believe what I can see, what I can touch . . I don't know nearly enough.

Looking into Soo's memories hardened his resolve to learn; the knowledge and techniques of Sung Soo's life . . they are a treasure trove . . but it is not enough! I need more! More knowledge! More power! As I am now, if the Alchemists or Martial Courts were to get wind of my existence . . . what happened to the other Celestial?

After the war . . the Celestials lost, that much was certain. But in the lessons not much was spoken of their fate, not whether they lived or died; all that was written was that the Alchemists, with the aid of the Martial Courts and the Oracles, brought an end to the conflict and ushered in an age of peace and prosperity for all mankind.

Where had the Celestials gone? They can't all have died . . Kujata was there, and she'd mentioned her other disciples. How many were left? What were they doing now?

Kujata's plan . . it had to have something to do with the Celestials, why else would she risk coming to an Alchemist controlled planet? The Alchemists . . their towers . . Soo and Min had come accompanying the young princes from the Segye Imperial Palace to attend the Alchemists auction later this year . . they hoped to purchase pills, potions, formulas . . and rare materials. The rare materials were the key items . . all the most valuable things at the auction were bones and skins, pieces of mysterious beasts and creatures . .

There wasn't much in Soo's memories that Magnus could find about the methods employed by the Alchemists, most of the information seemed to be kept a secret, only those of a much higher rank were allowed to know. Soo and Min had been told the basics, but there was enough information there for Magnus to discern the truth; the rare materials had to come from Celestials!

Kujata being on this world at this time couldn't be a coincidence . . she wanted him to get into a tower and to raise hell - why? As a distraction? A Celestial in one of the towers . . that would certainly be a hell of a distraction! But to what end? Her plan . . she had never explained it to him beyond this. An equivalent exchange . . she taught me how to survive, how to eat, and in exchange I would give my life to serve as her distraction.

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Revenge. Kill the Alchemists, slaughter them in their tower! Before, that was enough for Magnus . . but now? Now he had a glimpse at the greater world, a taste of the mysteries of the universe beyond . .

If I go into the tower I will die. There is no other way out . . I have made my promises . . I have to hold to my end of the bargain . .

Magnus sunk down to the ground, legs crossed, his head resting on the palm of his hand. There he sat, silent, lost in thought within the forest, around him the white mist moved by a constant invisible breeze.

***

Pontius appeared before any other, the first of the Alchemists. Moments later two more robed individuals faded into existence.

"Magister!"

"Magister!"

They both bowed their heads to the elderly Alchemist. Pontius smiled generously, waving his hand and calling them over. The two wore similar light blue robes.

"Domitia, Valerius, it is good to see you both! How have your studies gone? Ah it has been such a long time . . of course, of course, plenty of time to catch up later!" Pontius looked around the vast empty plane of ash grey grass. "Looks like we're the first ones here, Domitia? If you'd be so kind?"

"Of course Magister!" Domitia pointed at the ground, an intricate sigil made of Animus, flashing electric blue, was rapidly inscribed on the surface of the Ether.

"Very well crafted!" Pontius exclaimed. "You've improved tremendously, a fine sigil Domitia."

Domitia blushed at his praise, saying "Thank you Magister, it is all thanks to your teachings."

The sigil pulsed several times before fading into the ground. A few moments later another two figures appeared next to the Alchemists. They wore plain white robes and each had a short curved sword at their sides.

The taller of the two had a fierce scar running from his temple down to his chin, he exuded an overbearing martial demeanor, looking over the three Alchemists with undisguised scorn.

Pontius greeted them both with a cheerful smile, bowing his head slightly. "Prince Dong-Geun, Captain Sung Hu, welcome! This is Domitia and Valerius." The two younger Alchemists made no effort to greet the newcomers.

"Pontius Magister Preater, correct?" Dong-Geun stared at the old Alchemist with dull eyes. "Are the Mithraic Seers not here?"

Before Pontius could respond a silent pressure descended on all present, the sigil flared once more. Two more figures appeared a next to the sigil.

The two new people, a man and a woman were of a swarthy complexion. Both wore colourful vestments lined with silks and intricate woven patterns.

The most noticeable thing about them however was their eyes; they both had bright golden pupils within pitch black iris, when they looked over Pontius couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

The male seer clasped his hands together saying "Greetings honourable sirs, I am Baqir. This is Zaynab."

"The pleasure is all mine, all mine I assure you!" Pontius welcomed them, waving his hand at the faded sigil erasing it entirely. "Now then, we're all here . . let's not waste any time. We've a Celestial to find!"