The Star

[GDPR 014 48]

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He studied the metal with his students, the Cradle was unlike any other. It defied the world, its very being able to make ideas literal, such noted by the use of various signs and symbols, and taking on those properties. It was an opportunity; a catalyst for the next stage of their great work. 

 

The Hanged Man and his aids immediately went to work, devising a plan to mold the metal in shapes that would help their goal, transmutation of something greater. They would make plans for something that can devour and produce alchemical symbols and signs, ones that are beyond the material world, able to pull from more than select concepts and states. 

 

They first started with creating a basin, for the liquid to flow to, lining pathways to the center to allow the product to coalesce. They plated the cradle onto the basin, and shaped it to their whims, giving it the ability to bring forth the manifested liquid in its pure material form. 

 

They then began designing that which would devour and spit out the materials, through The Hanged Man’s design, they created a large framework, a great Crucible where the objects and ideas would be poured into, connected to pipeworks that lead to the basin’s pathways. A great fire was ready to be ignited under it. In the end, they basked in the glory of The Crucible. 

 

 

Though there was uncertainty in some of the aids, that much Zadrik could tell.

 

“Do you know why we are doing this? I asked you all for help, but I do not think you all know the truth behind this invention.”

 

He took the looks and averted gazes as his answer, to which he began.

 

“There is little you people know about me. Even though I taught all of you everything I know, even though you follow me without question. I was born unlike all of you, an Elf. Though unlike my cursed kin, who were born in complacency, infected by stagnation from the curse -- I was born hungry; hungry for more than that wretched place of rest. I studied and learned, and eventually -- I made the mistake of practicing foul magic, the void. I made a name for myself through it, though I was never truly satisfied. I served what was once called Oren, from the Great Olivier de Savioe -- blessed be his name  -- to the coward who blew Johannesburg to an icy grave. After this, I served with the Westerlands, along the great Caius Horen.” 

 

“I always knew I did not belong with the Elves, and my time with true men of the world solidified that. I strove for that Humanity they had, that blessing to write their own destiny. I thought my magic would help me achieve that capability, and I held onto it so dearly, as I did before. Truly, I was addicted to its false sense of security, even as my body decayed from its use. It was only during tenure aiding the Marked Men did I realize my mistake.”

 

“The Horrors of Mordskov and the acts of mages showed me what it was like outside my bubble. I could no longer stand the thing I so clung to -- my mind addicted to its power. I recalled learning Alchemy, a worldly field that relied on no outside power… so I embraced it. I turned a new page, and the mage I was was no longer, replaced with a man by the name of ‘Klaus of Heldenburg’. I tried so hard to escape my past self, I wanted to believe I can start all over, even with all the things I built and the family I started; but the elven blood would come back to haunt me. 

 

“I truly realized how to fix this after that fateful day, where I acquired the ability to Shunt. I spent ages trying to find the answer, working for The Wyrd, searching and praying. I thought I lost hope, but it was much soul searching that gave me hope, and set me on my journey. We begin preparation to create an Alchemical Legend, The Philosopher’s Stone. This shall allow us to transmute and produce energy. We seek to transmute something, a soul -- an Elven Soul to that of a Man. once that is done, the past of Avenel Synalli shall no longer haunt me, and instead coalesce.”

 

“I shall be made free.”

 

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[Gustando 1990]

As always a good read, man. Keep it up.