The sun has reached its apex in the violently clear, blue sky. Noon, it would seem, has struck, and with it came the long march to see the Monarch. They were giving their declaration today, which would reveal the latest archaeological discovery made by the alchemists in the royalty's employ. It would change everything for the world at large, especially for us *blank*-ians. The streets are filled with eager supporters like myself, from different walks of life altogether. A tempered excitement hovers over us as we continue our trek to the plaza. Merchants selling their wares, children playing in the nearby fountain, and everything in between that spoke to this idyllic atmosphere was on display in all directions. This was the most peaceful day I'd had in a long time. As an alchemist, days are spent toiling away at formulas and hypotheses, most of which wouldn't see the light of day. This is why this historical discovery is so important to the world of alchemy and sorcery alike. This is where the physical reality of the former collides with the mysticism and astral implications of the latter. It would've been nice to be at the forefront of said discovery, but all is well in my eyes. This revelation can only serve the practice of alchemy entirely, and who knows? I may be the next in line to take us even further.

Then, subtly, the ground began to tremble. At first, I thought it was my imagination. I'd thought the excitement had set my heart off in some way, or that the footsteps of this congregation had hidden depths that even I wasn't expecting. This wasn't the case. As I stopped walking, so did everyone else. Then, a gut-wrenching shriek broke through the silence that had swiftly befallen us. A woman had fallen to the ground, head in her hands, screaming in pain. Then on cue, another shriek rang off in another direction. Then another. Then at some point, multiple people had fallen over in pain. While the rest of us looked on in shock and confusion. As if this weren't enough, the radiance of the sun ebbed away. The sky took on the shade of dusk, but it had an ominous crimson tinge that hinted to how unnatural this phenomenon was. The high noon sun was swallowed up completely by something else. An outline of a radiant ball of fire was all that was left- an eclipse. This eclipse was by no means natural at all. No eclipse was slated to happen any time soon. This went beyond logic or reason, and as such, panic ensued. Mass hysteria echoed throughout the entire city and stampedes took centre stage. If you didn't find high ground quickly, being trampled to death was your only fate. I ducked and weaved through the ocean of bodies and found myself climbing up the side of a two-storey building. I managed to reach a balcony that jutted out by the first floor, managing to catch my breath to make sense of what was going on. All I saw was chaos and death. Bellows of sorrow rang through the air above, and as I looked at the eclipse, the obsidian celestial body that had blocked the sun began to... morph. Eyes began opening up on its surface and an earthquake shook the entire city in an instant. Crevices opened up instantly, with buildings, people, and the like all toppling over. An otherworldly energy erupted from the ground, a miasma that could only spell the end for any living lifeform that came into contact with it. Then, in an instant, a world-shattering collapse raptured the entire city. So much had happened that I couldn't even find time to make sens of it all as I fell into what could only be an eternal darkness. No time for regrets or goodbyes. Only one thought came to mind... "------- succeeded. He actua-"

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Then darkness.

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Argus finally opened his eyes, finding himself in the same spot he'd occupied before he dived into the Whispers again. He found himself holding the tome of an unnamed alchemist from an unmentioned period of history. All he knows, like the other Keepers, is that these tomes are the final words from those of the Old World. In other words, their final thoughts or memories. No Keeper in recorded history has ever had the same ability as Argus- which is being able to live out the final tale of people's etched words inside these tomes. However, he's made it a point to not tell this to anyone. Even though he doesn't know why, Argus can't betray this thought process. Or rather, he instinctively felt that he couldn't.

"Another dead end, huh?" Argus monologues, "Well, at least this one had a different ending. I would've at least wanted to learn some names this time around. It's like-"

"Still wasting time trying to read the tomes, I see." As Argus' train of thought was interrupted, he found that Erdric was addressing him and making his way to him. Erdric was one of the senior Keepers here at Viafinis. "None of us who've been Keepers longer than you even know what that ancient language is called, let alone what it says. Think staring at it long enough will miraculously awaken a sixth sense of sorts? Come on now, Argus." Erdric was, without a doubt, one of Argus' least favourite people around. Condescending, overly strict, and pedantic to a fault, Argus made it a point to not interact with him whenever the chance arose.

"I just like sifting through the tomes, even though I can't understand what they say. Is that so bad?" Argus responded.

"Well, do it when you're not on duty and don't have floors to clean. There's still dust waiting for you in the hallway, my dear Keeper." Argus sighed, put the tome back in the bookshelf, and made his way to the hallway. As he walked past Erdric, the man grabbed his shoulder lightly.

"Once you're done, make your way to the Oraculum." Argus couldn't hide the shock on his face, and as he opened his mouth to respond, Erdric cut him off, "No questions. Just get to your cleaning duties posthaste."

Argus quietly nodded, then made his way out of the tome chamber. Erdric silently gazed at the boy as he made his way out. As if he were contemplating thoughts that betrayed himself and what he saw in the moments prior.