“Argh, why is everything so hazy…”

Arban palmed the side of his head with a grimace. Sans inspected him, trying to find any uncalculated side effects.

“Who are you? Tessa, who is he?”

He asked questions in rapid-fire fashion but before Tessa could reply, Sans held out a halting hand. With a smooth motion, he procured the sample of Twilight Fel and opened the vial.

“Um… sir?”

Arban spoke hesitantly as he watched Sans wave the vial from side to side. Arban’s eyes narrowed in on the green substance.

“I know that… that’s Twilight Fel… Argh!”

The man clutched onto his head once more and his body shivered.

“Arban!”

Tessa cried out, but Sans stopped her from coming closer. After all, he still wasn’t entirely sure that Arban had been cured.

“My name is Sans, and I’m an elder alchemist that is here to help. Arban, do you remember the effects of this drug?”

Sans held out the vial in a carefree manner, almost as if he were goading Arban to snatch it out of his hands should it be his true desires. Arban’s body stopped shaking and he stared at the drug with a mixture of fear and confusion.

“N-No? That’s… odd. I remember taking the drug, but I can’t remember anything else about it. Goodness lad, please trust me—don’t touch that thing!”

Sans chuckled and put the vial away.

“Well you passed my test. I’ll have to check up later on you, just to confirm that you’ve been cured of your addiction, but it seems like you no longer have a physical dependence on the drug. In simple terms, the cure was able to erase your body’s memory of the drug’s effects.”

Arban stared back in shock.

“You can do that?”

He blurted out, completely forgetting that he wouldn’t have been cured otherwise.

“Yes, I think. I must be going now.”

Sans got up to leave, but Arban reached out, grasping onto Sans’ sleeve in an effort to stop him.

“Wait! Can you help my friends too?!”

Sans paused and neatly unclutched Arban’s fingers one by one. He cleared his throat.

“Your friends?”

His eyes shifted to Tessa for a brief moment but was only met with confusion.

“My friends! You know them, Tessa, right?”

“Your… drinking friends?”

Tessa gave him a strange look while Arban nodded in a panic.

“We’ve all been targeted! They threatened everything, our businesses, our lives, even our families! If we didn’t sample Twilight Fel, then we would have lost everything!”

Sans placed a steady hand on his shoulder, seeing as he was becoming aggravated.

“Easy there, who was targeting you? Why didn’t you contact the law?”

“Ugh, it was the other faction. This whole kingdom is divided, especially the aristocracy. My aunt married into a high-status family, one that has been against the king’s faction since the beginning.”

Arban slammed his fist onto the floor, fuming from his nose.

“Those bastards. They couldn’t target those in power, so they must have targeted the lower rings of society.”

Sans let out a sigh and kneaded his brow.

Do I want to get involved in this? Somehow, I feel like I don’t want to.

“Look, Arban, I’m just a humble alchemist and-“

“Ah! Yes, yes. My apologies, I-“

“Wait, let me finish. I can make more of this cure, but I don’t know who needs it or where they are. I’ll be blunt, I also don’t care—no offense.”

Arban, crestfallen, floundered for a brief moment, but his eyes lit up the next second.

“I can bring you customers! It’s not just me, but many other families are losing loved ones to Twilight Fel. Even when I was on the brink of insanity, I met many people on the outskirts. Tessa love, you remember those people too, right?”

Tessa’s expression darkened and she spoke up.

“Y-Yes… I remember them quite well. It was the day we first got kicked out of the inner city. The guards showed up with Arban and evicted us to the outskirts. Since he wasn’t showing severe signs of addiction, we only spent a brief day amongst those people. Arban eventually came to and we were able to enter the city once again.”

Arban gave a weak smile and grabbed her hand.

“During that time, we met many families who either had former connections to the upper echelons of society or were simply dirt poor. Most of them were taking care of a loved one and hoping to get back into the city, but it’s a fruitless endeavor.”

Sans stood up from the floor with an exhaustive stretch.

“Is the outer city really that bad?”

He nonchalantly asked between yawns.

“Bad is an understatement. People go missing in the outer city all the time, and no one cares. Out there, you’re not even treated as human.”

Tessa replied, looking as if she were recalling some terrible memory.

“People go missing? What about the city guard, can’t they do anything about it?”

“Sir alchemist, the city guard goes on patrol, but it’s more for show than anything. Honestly, I’d even suggest more people go missing the day following a patrol than before.”

Arban scratched his head as he responded. He continued speaking.

“However, don’t mind about these small matters. Please, I implore you, make more of this cure! I know many people that have been forced to give up on their loved ones, and they would do anything to bring them back.”

The man bowed before Sans, which was a bewildering motion for him.

“Please stop that.”

Sans lifted him up to his feet, patting him on the arm. He revealed a gentle smile in hopes of easing the tense atmosphere.

“Relax, I’ll be making more of this cure. Just find me tomorrow at Herbs and Cauldrons. Although some of the materials are a touch rare, they don’t cost too terribly much and the method is simple. Don’t worry about the cost and just send people my way. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

Arban stepped to the side with wide eyes as Sans walked by.

“S-Sir alchemist…”

He called out from behind.

“Hmm?”

“You are a blessing upon us. Thank you.”

“Ugh, don’t say that.”

Sans waved his hand and dismissed the compliment, but his cheeks were flushed red nonetheless. He opened the door, causing two bodies to fall into the room and landing as a pile of tiny humans.

“Oh? If it isn’t Lance and Camila.”

The two children froze on the floor as they were caught red-handed eavesdropping. Sans let out a chuckle and carefully stepped over them. The next moment, two high pitched squeals of delight rung out.

“Daddy!”

They cried out simultaneously and raced toward their father, who caught them into a giant hug. Their faces quickly turned into a mess of snot and tears. Of course, the one who cried the most was Arban himself.

Sans closed the door behind him, reminiscing of a time where he too had a father to cry on.

----

In the bowels of Herbs and Cauldrons, a lighthearted session of alchemy was shared between Sans, Elder Hoplin, and Lemma, whom of which had also begun creating the Twilight Fel cure.

“That’s another batch!”

Lemma called out as she triumphantly tossed a light blue pill into a clear vial. She then placed the vial next to a pile of others, which was the culmination of their ongoing effort.

“Sans, what are you going to call this cure?”

“Hmm…”

Sans used fire to manipulate a collection of ingredients in midair with expert precision. He was leagues above the other two in his technique, and he was only getting better with time. He finalized the process, producing 13 pills simultaneously.

“Maybe I’ll call it Daybreak Remedy. What do you think, Lem?”

Lemma picked up a vial, peering inside with a critical eye.

“But the pill is blue! Couldn’t you have called it Azure Remedy?”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“I could, but daybreak signifies the end of twilight.”

“Oh, so it’s like that! I think Daybreak Remedy is perfect then!”

Sans wordlessly procured a new batch of ingredients and set to work.

“This time I’ll try using Frostfire on the Iridescent Valley Dew, but then I’ll use this other flame for…”

He muttered under his breath as a colorful display of fire enveloped the ingredients. Elder Holpin watched from a distance, short of breath.

“It amazes me every time I watch him experiment with a new method. To think these old bones were only able to get so far with my humble flame.”

“Master, what are you talking about? Don’t compare yourself to that monster. You’re still one of the most proficient alchemists in our association!”

Lemma shot forth words of encouragement, but they were all mentally dodged by Elder Hoplin.

“Yes, that’s what worries me.”

Elder Hoplin glanced over at the multitude of vials. He reached out, stealing two of them away.

“Anyway, I’ll take some of these for research purposes-”

“Just two?”

Sans glanced over just as his new batch of Daybreak Remedy finished.

“Here take more! You can never be too sure if you run into someone who could use it.”

He placed a new set of vials on the table, pushing them toward Elder Hoplin.

“Ah-hah, yes, yes. Of course.”

Elder Hoplin grabbed a third vial and stowed it away.

“I’ll be off now.”

“Stay safe! I will be working through the night with Lemma. I don’t know how many customers we’ll see tomorrow, but I imagine if word gets out…”

A new set of ingredients found itself smoldering within Sans’ cauldron of flames. Elder Hoplin made for the doorway.

“Right you are lad, best be prepared. I’ll be back soon to help. Of course, if you run out of materials just bring it up with Elder Hara.”

Elder Hoplin closed the door behind him and let out sigh. His eyes flashed open with solemn determination as he made for the exit. The main room was only recently being refurbished with new display cases and furniture; but was otherwise still void of wares, making it easy to navigate through.

“Hmm? Where is the esteemed Elder Hoplin heading to at this time of night?”

Elsie’s lazy voiced called out from behind the man.

“Oh my!”

Elder Hoplin placed a hand over his chest, placating his startled heart. He whirled around to find Elsie seated atop a marbled counter. Moonlight shone through the window, creating sharp shadows along one side of her body. Her deathly stillness, combined with her mysteriously glowing eyes, made her seem like an apex predator hidden behind an impossibly beautiful façade.

“I didn’t see you there. I’ll just be heading out for a bit to conduct some of my own research. I’ll be back before you know it!”

“Is that so? I wish you the best of luck in your… research.”

She almost seemed benignant if it weren’t for her chilling gaze.

“Of course… Excuse me.”

Elder Hoplin neatly exited the building, leaving Elsie alone in the dark room. She shook her head and hopped off the counter.

“What a fool.”

----

Elder Hoplin hobbled through the streets in double time.

“The cure works! It works… finally.”

He mumbled to himself frequently and constantly. Occasionally, he glanced back over his shoulder and scanned his surroundings.

She knows. I know she knows! She must know. Maybe she doesn’t know?

“Bah!”

Pushing his momentum forward, he hobbled a little faster.

“It doesn’t look like she’s following. What does it matter? I mean well… and no one will find out anyway.”

Relief washed over him as his destination was finally coming into sight—his lonely house. Under the moon’s pale light, the walls seemed exceptionally full of sorrow, and the vines that hugged them only enhanced the melancholic atmosphere.

“Ah, home sweet home.”

Elder Hoplin pushed open the door and bumbled through the entry way. Stacks of papers were knocked over and he tripped on a partially opened book.

“Out of my way, damn it.”

He kicked his years of research away in frustration. The next moment, he rammed his toe into a desk that was concealed underneath a mountain of books.

“Blast it! Why today of all days?!”

Grumbling and limping, he couldn’t help but feel like the world was against him in this moment. He shook his head vigorously to clear his head.

“Who cares, who cares. It’s fine.”

A light smile graced his time-worn lips as he battled his way through the messy warzone called home. Eventually, he came across a large leather-bound reclining chair.

“Haah… this is it.”

Elder Hoplin threw his weight against the chair and moved it aside, revealing a trapdoor beneath. He placed his hand on the door handle and sent a pulse of energy toward it. After a small delay, he heard a small click and he opened the door.

“Such an expensive seal. Alas, one can never be too careful…”

He carefully stepped down the stairway, leading to a massive cellar devoid of all light. The darkness was stifling, but Elder Hoplin didn’t seem to mind. He cocked his head to the side, extending his ear out. He listened patiently.

His heart thumped while he waited. Eventually, he knocked on the wooden stairway, causing an echo to reverberate outward. That’s when he heard it.

“Grrrg.”

A low growl sounded back. Instead of being afraid, Elder Hoplin was relieved!

“Rraaggg!”

Another, much louder growl, hung in the air, but Elder Hoplin ignored it altogether. He smiled and waved his hand, sending multiple balls of fire into their respective lanterns.

“Sskeee!”

A low screech sounded out once the lanterns were lit.

“Relax, relax. I’m coming.”

Elder Hoplin called out as he took a deep breath.

“Today is the day.”

He muttered as he straightened his clothes and fixed his hair. He journeyed deeper into the cellar, coming across a room locked behind thick metallic bars. He stood on the other side of the makeshift jail, peering into the room with a hopeful expression.

“Hello, my loves…”

“Rraaa!”

“Grrrr!”

Elder Hoplin shook his head. He watched the faint outline of two chained figures roar and screech in his direction. They were bound by every limb against the far back wall, a necessity considering the circumstances.

“Okay, okay. Don’t worry. Today is the day that we are finally free. I’m sorry that it has taken so long. I’ll make it up to you, I swear! I promise—I must.”

The old man unlocked the jail cell and let himself in. Once inside, he lit one last lantern that hung from the ceiling. A flood of light illuminated the dank and moss-coated stone.

“My dear wife, you’re looking precious today, as usual.”

“Grr!”

“You too, my wonderful son. Don’t worry, papa has the cure now. We’re going to be okay.”

His heart twisted inside as he gazed upon them.

The skin on their cheeks was frayed and disconnected, revealing pockets of rotting tissue underneath. Along their arms and legs were frayed rags, which once acted as clothing, but have now decayed and molded into their bodies. Their eyeballs were withered and grey, as if someone had bathed them in a jar of sand before returning them to their sockets.

Elder Hoplin took a step forward, which caused the two zombified bodies to cock their heads like feral animals. They gnashed the remnants of their teeth together and strained against the chains that bound them. Snarls and growls resounded outward once more.

“The Lazure Plague… I had to do it. I’m sorry, but you would have died otherwise.”

He recalled all those years ago, when his wife and son tiptoed the line of insanity due to the demands of Twilight Fel. The symptoms they had shown back then were still clear as day, the discolored and protruding veins, and even the greenish tint on their lips. None of it went away—even after he infected them with the Lazure Plague.

“It’s a forbidden plague due to its contagious nature. Even just a single bite or scratch will allow it to spread. Should an uncontained outbreak occur, it would create another forbidden zone within the tower. Anyone found with their plague in their possession are to be immediately executed… such is the common law.”

Elder Hoplin let out a sigh and procured two ancient vials.

“However, the cure of Lazure Plague has been well known for quite some time. Ultimately, the plague won’t cause any damage as long as the inflicted aren’t set loose to spread it. Yes… this is all calculated. This was my only way to prolong your guys’ lives.”

His lips quivered as he gazed upon their frantic and decrepit bodies.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. It was the only way.”

With one last sniffle, he straightened his back.

“This all ends today!”

In his other hand, he withdrew two pills of Daybreak Remedy.

“With this, you two will be rid of the dreadful Twilight Fel!”

Elder Hoplin expertly shot each pill into the mouths of his son and wife. The two bodies stilled before going limp against the chains.

“Oh no…”

He stared at them in fear, but his worries were put to rest the next moment as the two bodies began convulsing. Savage roars followed shortly after.

“Grraaahhh!!!!”

“Raaahh!”

Despite the violent commotion, Elder Hoplin kept his eyes peeled on their lips and veins. Much to his delight, the symptoms eventually went away entirely!

“Yes! We did it!”

The old man pranced around the room in excitement. Meanwhile, the two bodies grew still once more and slinked back against the wall. After a few moments, they regained their liveliness, but this time thrashing more furiously than before.

“Don’t worry! Now, all we have to do is cure the Lazure Plague!”

He gleefully opened the two ancient vials and withdrew the pills within. The cure for the Lazure Plague was not terribly difficult to reproduce, and he was willing to stake his life on his ability to create it.

“Open wide, my loves.”

Two pills shot into two unsuspecting mouths. Elder Hoplin watched on, hopeful and expectant.

“I-It’s working!”

The skin along their bodies grew and reattached itself as if it were molting like a snake. The mottled portions fell away, along with copious amounts of black goop. What little remained of their hair had begun to fall out, but none of this mattered to Elder Hoplin. He could sense it, a portion of their humanity was being restored!

“My love! Can you hear me?!”

Elder Hoplin took a step closer to his wife. He raised his hand in the air, to which her eyes seemed to follow along.

“Perfect! Just wonderful! Now you, my boy!”

He stood in front of his son and did the same as before. His son’s eyes roamed across the room, before settling on Elder Hoplin’s outstretched hand.

“Yes! The cure is working! This all been a nightmare… hah… such a long, long nightmare.”

Tears cascaded down his frail cheeks. It was a massive sense of relief, one that he never thought he’d be able to relish.

“My loves, thank goodness. Come, let’s get you out of those chains. Those won’t be necessary anymore. Don’t be too hasty though, you must still be reacclimating to your senses!”

Elder Hoplin stepped forward with a rosy expression and stood directly between them. With two metallic clicks, the shackles fell to the floor.

“Well?”

He gave them a beaming smile and outstretched his arms to either side. Both his wife and son stood quietly, staring at his hands, then his arms, and then his body.

The next moment, the staggered forward with wide eyes and open arms!

“Give me a big hug! I missed you guys so much!”

Elder Hoplin cried out as he wrapped his arms around the two, whom of which mimicked the action, resulting a heartfelt reunion. The old man sank to his knees and fresh streams of tears decorated his face.

“Life is good. Life is so good-“

A soft and meaty crunch interrupted him.

“Huh…?”

His son sunk his teeth further into his shoulder. At his other side, another crunch sounded as his wife savored the delicacy before her.

“What…?”

Another bite followed, but Elder Hoplin couldn’t feel a thing. It’s not that the pain was invisible, but rather his mind hadn’t caught up to it yet. He watched as his former son and wife continued to take another bite of his aged body.

“How could this be…”

He stared straight ahead as the two snuggled closer to him for comfort, taking two more massive bites.

“I see… It’s been too long. I see… you can’t be cured anymore… I see now… I’m fine with this. It’s fine.”

Elder Hoplin closed his eyes and pulled his loved ones closer. If death was so certain, then he could think of no better way to go out than within than embrace of his wife and son.

“No, it’s not fine.”

A sharp voice cut through the air, followed by a wave of incinerating heat!

“Huh?”

Elder Hoplin was jolted to his senses as a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

“You’re-?!”

“Hmpf! You imbecile! Why do you think the Lazure Plague is forbidden? Look at yourself!”

Elsie chastised the old man, who stared down at his body. Large chunks of himself were bitten away, the pain of which was only now catching up to him. However, the most devasting part was the ashes that covered his legs and the surrounding floor.

“What… what have you done!”

Elder Hoplin screeched out in alarm. His hands quivered and shook, afraid to move even an inch as he mentally processed what happened.

“M-My wife! My son! You… you killed them!”

His voice choked as he grasped onto a handful of ash, letting it fall through his fingers.

“Stop your nonsense. You were prepared to die with your wife and son this entire time if your plan failed. Then what? Set the Lazure Plague loose on the entire city in retribution?”

Elsie crossed her arms over her chest and spoke in a cold tone.

“I-I-“

“Or perhaps you were too stupid to even think of that outcome? Look at this place. You didn’t even bother locking the doors behind you. In your blindness, you nearly caused the death of everyone else around you.”

Elsie continued to berate the elder as he picked himself up off the floor. He turned to her with a pitiable expression, one that seemed to have gone through hell and back—only to return to hell one final time.

“Then… what’s the point of me living? I have nothing left. Even now, my body is already infected by the Lazure Plague. The cure that I created, I don’t even know if it would have worked. Tell me then, what do I do?”

Elsie snorted in disdain.

“Your cure certainly would have worked if it were used within the first year of infection. But I’d wager they’ve been locked in here for over a decade—am I wrong?

“No…”

“Think about your disciple, Lemma. Think about that woman, Hara, who clearly still loves you even though you treat her like garbage. Your life is not over, so stop with this nonsense.”

Elsie turned away, walking outside the jail cell. Elder Hoplin hesitantly called out.

“Since you know so much, are you not going to help cure me?”

His voice was downcast and haggard, but Elsie didn’t pause her footsteps.

“What am I? A traveling merchant? Cure yourself! That is, if you want to live. It’s fine if you don’t. I’ll just burn this whole place down—with you inside it, of course. Your martyrdom won’t ever become a reality, so give up on it. Besides, who is going to help Sans craft all those elixirs?”

Elsie’s words lingered in the air as she disappeared from her spot, leaving Elder Hoplin to decide his own fate.