Merkmal Arzt sat in the lab, engrossed in his research, while the rest of the group worked around him. Apache, a curious cat, rubbed against his leg and meows softly, attempting to break Merkmal's concentration. Across the table, Seraphina watched him intently before finally speaking up.
“So, are you saying you can give traits to anything?” she asked, her curiosity evident.
Merkmal looked up from his papers, meeting her gaze. “The thing about the research I was trying to do was to give traits to objects. It eventually led to two outcomes, one of which was short-lived.”
Intrigued, Seraphina leaned in closer. “What were these outcomes?”
“The first was Legion,” Merkmal explained. “He was given life through the raw emotions he harbored. He acted based on what he felt was right and heroic. You can’t blame him; he just didn’t understand morals.”
Seraphina's eyes widened with interest. “And the second?”
Merkmal continued, “The second was a suit of armor I created during the Great War.”
“Were you trying to give life to the suit of armor as well, like you did with Legion?” Seraphina asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
Merkmal nodded slowly. “Yes, but it was different. While Legion was driven by emotions and a misguided sense of heroism, the armor was meant to be a vessel—an empty shell that could be controlled. I wanted to see if I could create something that combined the strength of an object with the essence of life. The results were... unpredictable.”
Seraphina's curiosity deepened. “What happened to the suit of armor?”
Merkmal sighed, his expression darkening. “The armor developed a will of its own, much like Legion. It became a formidable entity on the battlefield, but without a clear sense of purpose or morality. It was powerful but ultimately uncontrollable.”
As the conversation settled, the lab buzzed with a mix of scientific inquiry and the quiet tension of untold stories. Merkmal glanced down at Apache, who had finally succeeded in capturing his attention. He smiled faintly, grateful for the small distraction, before returning to his thoughts, knowing that his research still held many mysteries and potential dangers.
Merkmal continued, “The armor itself held onto the traits, and whoever wore it could harness those traits as if they were their own.”
From across the room, Vörher chimed in from his computer. “So, you managed to give traits to someone who wouldn’t have had them normally. Meaning, if you put a trait into a sword, you could theoretically give the user that trait’s ability.”
Merkmal nodded, picking up Apache and placing him gently on the table. “Exactly. During that time, I aimed to show how combining magic and technology could enhance not only the military but also have practical applications in everyday life.”
Vörher began to spin in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. “So, in other words, we could have a trait specializing in wind-related magic and use it as an elevator?”
Seraphina, frantically jotting down notes, added, “At this rate, we could rebuild society completely, even in the parts of the continent ravaged by the Great War.”
Merkmal resumed, his tone cautious. “Remember, traits are linked to emotions. It’s your greatest emotion that fuels them. If someone no longer harbors the intensity of that emotion, the trait won’t be as strong.”
Vörher stopped spinning and leaned forward, intrigued. “So, emotional intensity directly affects the trait's power. How do you ensure the consistency of these traits, especially if emotions fluctuate?”
Merkmal pondered for a moment. “That’s the challenge. The technology can stabilize to an extent, but the human element adds variability. It’s why we need to approach this with both caution and thorough understanding.”
Seraphina looked up from her notes. “But if we could create a system to regulate these traits, harnessing the power of emotions while maintaining stability, we could revolutionize how we interact with technology and magic.”
Merkmal nodded. “That’s the goal. To find a balance where magic and technology complement each other, enhancing human capabilities without compromising the essence of what makes us human. It’s a delicate equilibrium, but one worth striving for.”
The room fell into a thoughtful silence, each person contemplating the immense potential and the ethical implications of Merkmal’s research. Apache, now content on the table, purred softly, providing a momentary respite from the heavy discussion.
Seraphina nodded in agreement, adding her own insights. “It appears that each type of trait has its own hierarchy in a way. While any and all traits can become the top, they don’t seem to start out that way. The ‘stats,’ as you called them, Vörher, seem to be the lowest type of traits available. They are the most common and not as complex as the others we come across later. Traits like Justice, Kindness, Determination seem to be above that; they are like the full versions of the stats. This would also explain why, during the Great War, more full traits were common in people due to the global conflict.”
Rück paused from his work on creating new liquid stat traits, considering Seraphina’s words. “So, that would mean the reason you were more powerful than your brother, even with less experience, was because your traits were more fully developed. Skills and experience should have given him the advantage, but the fact that your abilities weren’t in a trial state like his made the difference.”
Merkmal nodded, deep in thought. “Precisely. Traits linked to strong emotions and significant experiences tend to develop more fully and rapidly. During the Great War, the intensity of emotions and the dire circumstances likely accelerated the development of these higher-tier traits. People were pushed to their limits, and their traits evolved to reflect their inner strength and convictions.”
Vörher leaned back, processing the information. “So, if we can understand and map out this hierarchy, we could potentially predict or even influence the development of traits. We could guide people towards achieving these more advanced traits by creating environments that foster the necessary emotional and experiential growth.”
Seraphina added, “And if we apply this knowledge responsibly, we could rebuild society in a way that encourages the best traits to emerge in people. It’s not just about survival; it’s about thriving and evolving.”
Rück nodded thoughtfully. “This could revolutionize how we approach not just magic and technology, but education, social structures, everything. We could create a society where people are empowered to reach their fullest potential.”
Merkmal picked up Apache again, stroking the cat thoughtfully. “We have to be careful, though. This kind of power can easily be misused. We need to ensure that our research and its applications remain ethical and beneficial for everyone, not just a select few.”
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The room once again fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of their discoveries and the potential impact of their work settling over them. Each member of the group felt a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Vörher stared at the ceiling, lost in memories of his brother. After a moment, he snapped out of it and asked, “I assume the hierarchy doesn't end there, right?”
Seraphina nodded, continuing her explanation. “Based on my research, traits can indeed be altered. I'd like to start with Shattered traits. These are negative traits and feelings people harbor. This ties into Merkmal’s research on combining traits. Combining two fully-fledged traits or even the basic stats can create entirely new traits. These new traits might contain elements of ‘bad’ traits, resulting in a more powerful variant. If my hypothesis is correct, the altered traits we’ve seen were due to that monster you fought.”
Vörher interjected, his voice heavy with emotion. “That being couldn’t have been my brother. Corruption itself must have taken over.”
The mood in the lab turned somber as Vörher’s words hung in the air. Seraphina continued, her tone serious. “That corruption used Hatred to afflict those traits. It wasn’t a normal combination of traits but a forced takeover and manipulation.”
Merkmal looked thoughtful. “So, if corruption can forcefully alter traits, this means we need to understand how to prevent or counteract it. The implications are significant. Traits are not just abilities but reflections of our inner selves. If they can be twisted by external forces, it could explain the presence of monstrous beings born from corrupted emotions.”
Seraphina nodded. “Exactly. If we can figure out how these corrupted traits form and how to cleanse them, we could potentially save those afflicted and prevent future corruptions. This also opens the possibility of enhancing positive traits while mitigating negative ones.”
Vörher, still visibly shaken, added, “It means my brother’s fate might not be sealed. If we can find a way to reverse or purify the corruption, we could bring him back.”
Rück, who had been silently listening, spoke up. “This also means we need to be extremely cautious with our own emotions and the environments we create. Any strong negative emotion could potentially lead to a Shattered trait if left unchecked.”
Merkmal placed Apache back on the table, the cat providing a brief, comforting presence amidst the heavy discussion. Merkmal started back up, his tone serious. “While Shattered traits are more powerful than regular full traits, they come at a significant cost. They can cause you to lose your sense of self, stripping away your brightest and nicest qualities.”
Vörher’s question hung heavy in the air after Merkmal's revelation. He spoke again, his voice tinged with concern, “What happened to the armor you were working on? It wasn’t down there in the ruins, was it the armor Legion was wearing?”
Merkmal hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully before responding. “The armor... it was stolen long ago. A cosmic being, appearing as though it came from the stars themselves, descended in search of cosmic essence. His strength was unmatched; the sheer power from his swings alone could shatter mountains effortlessly. He’s something I’ve tried to forget.”
Merkmal’s demeanor shifted noticeably, his usual calm and composed demeanor giving way to a dark and cold intensity. It was clear he harbored a deep fear of this cosmic being and what it was capable of.
Vörher exchanged a glance with Seraphina and Rück, sensing the gravity of Merkmal’s words. “A cosmic being? What did it want with the armor?”
Merkmal sighed heavily, his gaze distant as he recalled the events. “The armor I created was infused with cosmic essence, a blend of magic and technology designed to enhance its wearer’s abilities. The cosmic being sought that essence, believing it could amplify his own power even further. It was a mistake to create something that attracted such attention.”
Seraphina spoke softly, “Did you confront this being? What happened?”
Merkmal shook his head slowly. “I attempted to reason with him, to negotiate, but he was relentless. His lust for power was insatiable. In the end, he took the armor by force, leaving destruction in his wake. I was powerless against him.”
Rück frowned, his mind racing with possibilities. “If this cosmic being has the armor, what does that mean for us now?”
Merkmal’s expression darkened further. “It means we must tread carefully. That armor was a prototype, and its capabilities were still largely experimental. If this cosmic being harnesses its full potential...” He trailed off, the implications hanging heavily in the air.
The atmosphere in the lab had shifted once more, from contemplation of trait research to the looming threat posed by this mysterious cosmic entity. The group knew they faced a formidable challenge ahead, one that would test their skills, resourcefulness, and unity like never before.
“At the time of the Great War, he appeared and stole the armor because it had some sort of cosmic essence on it—whatever that means,” Merkmal began, his voice tinged with bitterness and regret. “But when he put it on, his entire demeanor changed. He became instantly aggressive, trying to kill me, claiming I had exactly what he was looking for. Half of the ruins are destroyed because of him. He was on a different level compared to everyone back then, and I should have died there.”
Vörher and the others listened intently, absorbing the weight of Merkmal’s words. The realization that this cosmic being was not only powerful but also driven by an insatiable desire for cosmic essence struck them with a sense of urgency.
“That explains why the ruins were in such disarray,” Vörher muttered, his mind racing with implications. “If he’s still out there with that armor...”
Seraphina looked at Merkmal with a mix of curiosity and concern. “So, exactly how did you survive if this guy was such a powerful enemy?”
Merkmal sighed deeply, his hand resting on his head as he leaned back in his chair. “He had an unusual ability—pure cosmic wormholes that led to unknown places. I managed to catch him off guard and used Rewrite to alter the wormhole. It was a close call, but I escaped.”
Seraphina nodded slowly, processing the information. “And now he’s still out there, with the armor and his cosmic abilities.”
Merkmal nodded gravely. “Unfortunately, yes. He’s a persistent threat.”
Rück chimed in confidently, his demeanor slightly boastful. “Honestly, I’m not afraid of some guy in armor, even if he can punch through a mountain. I can punch through a mountain too.”
Merkmal chuckled uneasily at Rück’s bravado, a hint of tension still lingering in the air. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” he replied, returning his focus to his work.
Vörher sat bewildered as Seraphina abruptly stood, causing her chair to screech against the floor. He watched as she hurried over to The Director, who was engrossed in her book in the corner of the lab. The Director, visibly irritated, questioned Seraphina sharply, "What in the world are you doing?"
Ignoring the protest, Seraphina grasped The Director's hand and pulled her out of the lab, leaving Vörher and Rück exchanging confused glances. Vörher, still processing the sudden departure, voiced his confusion aloud, "Do you know what just happened?"
Rück shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't know, has nothing to do with me," he muttered, returning his attention to his work.
Outside the building, The Director's frustration grew as Seraphina led her away from the city. "What is the meaning of this? Can't you see I was in the middle of a perfectly good book?" she demanded, clearly perplexed by Seraphina's urgency.
Seraphina hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "There's something I need to show you," she said cryptically, her expression serious as they continued walking away from the lab and its mysteries.
Back in the lab, Vörher and Rück exchanged another puzzled glance, unsure of what had transpired but sensing it was something beyond their current understanding. As they returned to their tasks, the atmosphere was tinged with curiosity and a touch of unease, wondering what developments awaited them outside the confines of their research.
Seraphina apologized profusely as she hurriedly dragged The Director along. "I just came up with the perfect experiment that could revolutionize how we use traits. Since both of us can use the same traits, I thought it couldn't hurt to try it out with just the two of us."
The Director, clearly displeased but resigned, sighed deeply. "Don't make it weird."
They continued walking, Seraphina leading The Director with a mix of excitement and apprehension about what the experiment could entail. The Director, known for her cautious approach to research, seemed reluctantly intrigued despite her initial annoyance. As they left the city behind, heading towards a more secluded area where their experiment could unfold, the anticipation and tension between them simmered, mingling with the promise of potential discovery and innovation in the realm of traits and their applications.