My body ached, and the taste of blood lingered on my lips as I slowly regained my senses from my slightly distorted vision. Fritz's escape had left me battered and exhausted.
Darius let out a weary sigh and leaned on one of the chairs as if he had anticipated this turn of events. Lucas scanned the area, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Where did Fritz go?" He wondered aloud, his voice trembling with frustration.
I struggled to make sense of the situation. What kind of abilities allowed him to do that? Was it another artifact?
Jo's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts, providing crucial information. "Those abilities he used to get away, belong to one of the Space pathways. He’s either a Tier 7 Distancer or Tier 6 Cartographer."
I nodded, masking my surprise, but inside, I realized I had much to learn about the intricacies of these powers. I was merely a Tier 8 Watcher of the Time Pathway, I stood no chance against him.
Yet, Fritz's escape only fueled my determination. If I wanted to survive as an arcanist, I would have to get stronger. It would only take time before I was to face him or any other formidable foe again, I needed to be able to control my powers in a way that was perfect. I couldn’t stay a pathetic ‘Watcher’ with no real offensive abilities forever.
As I stood there, trying to quell the pounding in my head, the rest of our team appeared just as perplexed about what to do next. Fleur's voice broke the tense silence, her frustration evident. "Shouldn't we track Fritz down? He could still harm innocent people."
Darius, however, held up the black glove and clenched it, The Hand of God that once adorned Fritz's fist. His voice was calm and resolute as he spoke, "We've achieved our objective. Fritz was merely an obstacle, and he no longer possesses the artifact anymore. We’re done here."
Fleur's irritation flared, and she retorted, "But he's still out there Boss. He could unleash more chaos and destruction."
Darius met her gaze, unwavering. "He did it all with this. He no longer has it now. Besides, we can track Fritz down anytime something comes up. We can't be too hasty right now.”
“But-” Fleur said back.
Darius interjected cutting her off. “He could be backed by an organisation for all we know. And with the state we’re all in now, I don’t think it would be a wise idea to challenge something like that.”
As the debate between Fleur and Darius continued, the weight of my own thoughts pressed upon me. My fingers clenched into fists, feeling the latent power within them. I couldn't deny the truth in Darius's words. Fritz might be a formidable adversary, but there were greater forces at play, and our team needed to be prepared for whatever lay ahead.
Darius turned to Jo, his voice measured and calm. "Jo, can you take care of the artifact?"
She nodded with a determined expression, her gaze fixed on The Hand of God. "Of course, Darius. I'll keep it safe."
With the decision made, we began to gather ourselves. Lucas helped Mar to her feet, and Jean checked on their injuries. As for me, the throbbing pain in my head persisted, a constant reminder of my limitations.
Fritz's abilities gnawed at me like a puzzle with missing pieces. The Space Pathway's powers he wielded were impressive, but there was more to it. It was as if he possessed a deeper understanding, a secret knowledge that seemed to even elude Darius.
Jo's movements brought me back to the present as she carefully stowed The Hand of God in a secure case. The artifact, an enigmatic and powerful relic, had been the catalyst for this entire encounter. I couldn't help but wonder about its origins with Valliant Force and its connection to the so-called ‘Rose,’ the cryptic entity Fritz had mentioned.
The theatre around us was a chaotic mess, a grim reminder of our encounter. It was time to leave this eerie place behind.
We made our way out of the theatre and into a waiting carriage. The night air was cool and carried a hint of mist. As the carriage rumbled to life and we left that sinister theatre behind, the throbbing in my head gradually subsided, allowing me to think clearly once more.
In the quietness, my mind drifted back to the ethereal landscape of illusory gears, the boundless space of imaginary matter where I had gone with Fritz. What was that place? Why was I sent there with him? And why had none of the others mentioned it? Questions swirled in my mind like a never-ending storm.
I pondered the possibilities. Was it some kind of manifestation of the Space pathway's power, a realm of Fritz’s creation? Or perhaps it was part of the artifact he had harnessed? Unlikely since he didn’t seem to know what it was or have any means to control it. Was it connected to me? But how? None of it made sense, and my theories remained elusive, like trying to grasp smoke with bare hands but ultimately slipping through.
Instinctively, I reached into my jacket pocket, my fingers brushing against the cold metal of my pocket watch. It had become my anchor in this world of mysteries and magic, a constant reminder of my purpose, telling me that I had to use my newfound time to my advantage. To learn what I can and adapt.
Leaning back in the carriage, I gazed out of the window at the late-night streets of Leode. The gas lamps cast eerie shadows on the winter cobblestone streets, and the city was wrapped in an otherworldly silence. Yet the sounds from the entertainment district could still be heard as we departed from the area and back towards the town centre.
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The carriage finally came to a halt outside the Den. The building, shrouded in shadows, stood as a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the city. We filed out, weary and bruised, our steps echoing in the empty streets.
Inside, we gathered in the dimly lit meeting room, the warm glow of the gas-lit lamps casting shadows on the walls. It was here that we would discuss our encounter with Fritz in more detail.
The room's atmosphere was heavy with anticipation and fatigue as we settled around the table. Darius took the lead, his face a mask of seriousness.
"Fritz's abilities," he began, "Jo mentioned that he was a Distancer or Cartographer. If that’s the case he wouldn't have many significant offensive abilities, which could explain his reliance on the artifact."
Fleur sighed, smirking slightly. “I guess I was right about the false confidence”
Darius nodded in agreement, acknowledging Fleur's earlier insight. "Indeed, it seems so," he replied, his tone betraying a hint of satisfaction.
The Hand of God," Lucas mused, his brow furrowed in deep thought. "It seems to manipulate gravity to some extent. But to what extent we can't be sure can we?"
As the artifact's potential capabilities were discussed, my thoughts drifted back to my silent inner contemplation. The questions about the illusory world, the one Fritz and I had ventured into, remained unanswered. It was clear the others were not bringing it up, and I couldn't help but wonder why.
Could it be that they were unaware of this otherworldly place? Had it somehow singled both Fritz and I out for that strange journey? I couldn't deny that it was disconcerting and rather strange.
Fritz's words echoed in my mind once more, the enigmatic puzzle of the so-called Valliant Force and the even more potent artifact that lay hidden somewhere in the shadows. The power he spoke of would be greater than what we felt if he managed to get his hands on an even more powerful artifact. One that could take down the original wielder of The Hand of God.
The discussion shifted, and Darius brought up Fritz's cryptic mention of "The Rose." His words hung in the air like an unspoken riddle. "An annoyance in the great Rose's path," Fritz had said.
Darius stroked his chin in thought. "It could refer to an organization, perhaps one we've yet to encounter. Alternatively, it might be the name of a powerful Arcanist. This is the first I’ve heard of it."
While discussing the encounter, I thought of the haunting phrase: "The Rose has already risen." What did it mean? Darius’s explanation of a powerful arcanist could explain it as such a figure could theoretically rise. Yet an organisation fits too. Loose theories would get me nowhere. I most definitely would be encountering Fritz in the future at this rate.
The discussion about Fritz's motives and the potential organizations backing him continued to unravel before us. I remained a silent observer, my mind churning with thoughts. The enigma of the Valliant Force and the elusive artifact weighed heavily on my thoughts.
Jean chimed in with his perspective. "It's definitely possible that Fritz is part of some organization, one that seeks to disrupt the balance of power among Arcanists. His cryptic references to 'The Rose' and 'The Great Rose's path' could imply allegiance to such a group."
Fleur voiced her concerns, her brow furrowed. "We should consider the Church of the Celestial Watchers too. Their interests align with the Space pathway don’t they, and Fritz's abilities seem to hint at a connection."
Darius nodded, his expression serious. "It's a possibility, but we can't jump to conclusions just yet. Although you’re right, The Church of the Celestial Watchers has access to the Space Pathway, though we don’t know if Fritz is an official arcanist. We need more information before we can do anything drastic. Again, it’s best to gather what we know and only move if anything comes up."
The motive behind Fritz's actions too remained a puzzle. He had talked about taking down the Huntsmen, but for what purpose? What was his endgame? The enigma of Fritz Haand seemed to deepen with every passing moment, leaving us with more questions than answers.
As the conversation continued, my thoughts drifted inward once more. The realization struck me like a lightning bolt. If I was to face formidable foes like Fritz, I couldn't rely solely on my intellect and knowledge. My Arcanist abilities needed to evolve, to become more potent.
Darius then looked over at me. “Eli, was there anything else Fritz mentioned while we were… subdued?”
I hesitated slightly but didn’t let it show. I guess they didn’t even see me when I was taken to the illusory world, nor the pathetic fight I had either. That makes things easier for me to hide. “Nothing that hasn’t already been mentioned heh.”
The discussion continued, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency gnawing at me. Fritz's escape had illuminated the gaps in my abilities, and I was determined to fill them. While the others debated the church's involvement and Fritz's motives, I knew I had to focus on my own growth as an Arcanist.
Jo entered the room, her arrival drawing our attention. "I've safely handed over the stolen artifact to the Church of the Keeper of Time," she announced. "They assured me they'd take care of the rest."
Darius rose from his seat, a weariness settling over him. "That's enough for tonight, everyone. We're all beaten up, and it's best if we get some rest. Don't worry if you come in late tomorrow."
His words were a welcome reprieve, and I took the opportunity to change out of my work suit into more comfortable clothes. With a nod to my comrades, I bid them farewell for the night.
Outside, the night air was cool and refreshing. I hailed a waiting carriage, its lanterns casting an inviting glow. The journey home gave me time to reflect.
As I settled into the plush seat of the carriage, I couldn't escape the weight of my thoughts. My desire to become a greater Arcanist burned within me, a fire that had been ignited by Fritz's taunts and my own shortcomings. To face him, or anyone like him, I needed to begin by ascending to Tier 7: Visionary.
From what I had read, the path to becoming a Tier 7 Arcanist required a series of meticulous steps. A ritual was at the core of this progression, one that demanded specific materials, ingredients, and, most importantly, an incantation.
The carriage clattered through the cobbled streets, taking me to Caius's house. The night had already fallen, and I knew that Caius would probably be asleep by now.
I made my way into the house and up the stairs to my room to sit on the edge of my bed.
Thinking more about what I wanted to accomplish only made me realise the steps I would need to take to not only succeed in this new world but become a greater arcanist too. This was only the beginning of my rise.