The dawn of journey
Disclaimer: I do not own Shadow of Destiny or any of its characters
"All things are poison and nothing is without poison, only the
dose permits something not to be poisonous."
Paracelsus
I awoke without the sound of the alarm clock for the first time in many months since my coming to Lebensbaum. I've always been a heavy sleeper and awakening is not something I look forward to every morning. To sleep is wondrous when you are not having nightmares and as I have predicted the night before I dreamed of Homunculus. One of the first dreams to come which were about him. I was preparing myself to my morning routines and when I opened the door of my room…
"Oh, my! You scared me", I said. "You shouldn't stay so quiet behind doors, Homunculus. I almost had an attack here. I'm not very perceptive of noises at morning…"
"I didn't intend to frighten you. The matter is I was wondering if you already decided about your wish. You know I don't like much to be left hanging", he replied smirking.
"And so you're eavesdropping on me…"
"No, of course not. That would be rude of me, don't you think?"
"I think you are bored. You could help me with my research then. Until I know my decision…", I told in my way to the bathroom.
"There's no other choice left for me then", he sighed." I had never been in such a predicament earlier; all my masters were always straightforward about their desires. This is an unusual situation but at the same it's interesting", he said following me.
"Perhaps, they never thought that it was an important decision. Or they were just simple minded enough and didn't care about thinking rationally. This is something life changing and it must be considered wisely", I'd shut the door of the bathroom.
He's amused with me. What am I? Some kind of freak show? I'm not the immortal here, I thought.
Afterwards, while I was making coffee he appeared of thin air at the kitchen. I knew he could teletransport himself but this ability make me nervous somehow.
"I'd ask you to not do that here. I don't want to have a heart attack and die young, you know."
"It's easier to move myself around like this since it doesn't consume much energy. I tire very quickly otherwise", he explained.
"Yes, but you shouldn't do it all the time. What I mean is…. Y-You must warn me firsthand", I stammered. This wasn't the kind of conversation I expected to have with him.
"Why is that? Nobody has requested this of me in years past", he inquired.
"Maybe because none of your former masters were women. I need privacy at certain moments and I wouldn't like if you were to appear unannounced." What I mean is: don't even think about appearing when I take a shower or change clothes if you value your life, I thought irritated.
"Oh, I understand. Women make such difficult masters."
"I 'll pretend to ignore this remark just because I'm your friend", I interrupted.
"Now I should go back to research. It's been a long time since I did my work. Where have I put that book?", I said while searching a pile of papers and parchment scattered in the living room.
"You're sure are messy, Clarice. Master Wagner never lost his homework. Not that I know of", he said mockingly and appeared out of the air again.
"He wasn't a 21 first century man. We don't have time to organize things sometimes." Actually, that was just an excuse to my famous laziness.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Well, who cares really?"
That's officially weird.
"I don't have time for your riddles, Homunculus. Can you hold these books for me?", I put the huge piles of tomes in his arms and…
Thump. Something heavy has fallen. I really hope it is not the last shelf I fixed.
"Homunculus, what are you doing? Did you…", I asked. It is not the shelf. I haven't noticed his fall so far. He must be kidding me…
"Don't ever do that. You nearly broke all my bones", he said in pain.
"I… How could it be? You can't hurt yourself by carrying books…"
"I'm not human. My body is much more fragile than yours…", he interrupted and clutched his hand.
"I have hurt you, I'm so sorry. You didn't tell me… Let me see your hand."
He extended his hand I caught it in mine. His hands were so cold. He looks human, he seems human but he's not. There was a red stain that would probably become purple soon but nothing major.
"I'm going to be fine. I just need to rest for a while", he pulled his hand fastly.
Is it just me or he is unnerved by my touch? This is getting awkward. "So you can't carry heavier things and you tire easily", I continued. "Here I was thinking you were stronger than a mere human."
"I was made this way, I think. It's more easy to control, to domesticate."
"You mean the people who created you made you weak. This way they could manipulate you utterly", I stated. "This is wrong, completely wrong."
"I don't need your pity, thanks", he said icily.
"There must be a way to make you stronger", I mused.
"Oh, so you have decided how to use your wish Clarice?"
"No. It's not that. I was thinking about the philosopher's stone. What if…"
"In fact, there's a way but it was never attempted before", he continued.
"I'm listening…"
"Never mind. It's too dangerous. Besides, we would not be able to find it anyway", he said.
"I don't care, Homunculus. It's not fair they made you like this. Besides your next master could be someone cruel and mistreat you. If only you could stand for yourself you won't have to endure ruthless treatment."
"Why do you care? I had been a kind of slave since the dawn of time. Humans are oppressors by nature and it's not like I wasn't mistreated before."
"I can't stand seeing injustice. Think whatever you want but I'm determined to make you stronger now that I'm aware of the situation. You don't need to thank me. I'd feel bad with myself if I didn't do anything about it. It goes against my morals. No matter how impossible you think it is I'm going to do it and don't even try to change my mind."
We stared at each other in silence a long moment. He seemed to be studying me trying to find some signal of deception in my words. I was being sincere when I said I wouldn't stand by and do nothing. No one deserved to be defenseless in this world, especially in predatory world like this.
"Well, I suppose humans will never cease to amaze me", he said smiling.
Even his smile is beautiful. Why did he have to be so handsome? I'm living a fairy tale… Bad lining of thoughts again, Clarice. Very bad.
"Do you have any idea of how this can be accomplished" , I asked.
"It'll be very hard or nearly impossible… There was a book containing the information but it has been lost during many centuries ago."
"What does it talk about, this book?"
"It has the data of location of a mythical element used in the creation of the philosopher's stone. I'm not sure if it has come in possession of men. Even its existence is surrounded by mysteries."
"I think… It must be… no that's not possible. It's just a legend."
"You used to thought the philosopher's stone a legend too, right? However, I'm here now talking to you."
"That red stone wasn't the philosopher's stone, was it?", I asked. "If I'm right the stone was a container created to seal you. The real stone nobody knows where is it."
"Correct, but it's not the philosopher's stone we will have to look for. It's something more primary and powerful. Something I only have heard of in myths", he completed.
"So I was right, indeed. You are talking about the carmot."
"Where did you hear about it? This is very obscure knowledge. Very few humans I know of…"
"I hear of it in a ancient book. You can find a little piece of information on the internet, too", I explained.
"Do you mean you have the book?", he said astonished. "The book which says the stone location?"
"I was doing a research before you came. My research involves the history behind the creation of the philosopher's stone. It's one of the reasons why I came to this town and the book you mentioned belongs to my family archive."
"When I moved here I brought my collection with me because I was positive it was related to my research. So I managed to transform the second floor of the house in a library", I continued.
"May I see it? I wonder if this is the same book… Well, if it is…"
We went to the library upstairs and I put my password on the panel.
"Why is it that guarded?", he asked.
"This was my grandfather's private collection. It's a family heirloom and it had been written it should be well protected."
When the door opened a cold breeze passed through me. I had forgotten how cold was here because of the lack of the heater.
"Well, now we only have to look approximately 7300 books to find what we need", I said sarcastically.
"It's not necessary. If the book is here I'll be able to feel its presence. Its filled with ancient magic."
"I didn't know. I have seen it just one time."
"Can I ask where did you acquire this book, Clarice?"
"It's been in the family for generations. I don't know how my grandfather got it."
"It's here. Its presence is overwhelming. Go to the third shelf, the isolated one whose cover is black."
Yes, it had to be most difficult book to get. Congratulations, Clarice. You're going to work on those shelves once more.
I had caught the book and I really didn't remember ever seeing it in my library. "Do you want to see it first?", I asked.
"Better not. All this magic makes me uncomfortable. You should read it since it's a part of your heritage", he replied.
The book was plain old and it had a black cover but nothing was written on it. I opened it and then I remembered seeing it before. My grandfather showed this book to me once. He said it was going to be mine and to be aware of it. "There's such power hidden here. Never use it for yourself. When the time comes for you to use its power I'm sure you'll do it for someone you care", he said.
The first page was written in black ink and it had an odd letter.
"I'll read it to you. Then you can know if it's the same book."
"It is said that the Philosopher's Stone was made of a mythical material called carmot. Carmot was deep red in color and was used to facilitate transformations while practicing alchemy. Alchemy is the study of spiritual discipline and the philosophical examination of nature. The stone contained a liquid that would give one eternal life and was believed at one time to be the Holy Grail. It was said that the creator of the stone would be spiritually enlightened."
Homunculus looked stunned for a moment, he seemed to be contemplating something. "This changes absolutely everything. Who could thought that you had this book? I think you are going to keep your words, indeed."
"So the carmot is real?", I inquired. "It can make you stronger, really?"
"It can makes anything but only if we find it", he replied.
"Is it going to make you as strong as an human being, Homunculus?"
"No, it's probably going to make me many times stronger than any human. Are you having second thoughts about it now?", he smirked.
"No. I do want you to be stronger. It doesn't matter how much. You won't be subject to the whims of your masters this way."
"Things are going to be better than I anticipated, then. Remember that our deal is still active and the carmot will not change it. I won't go anywhere until you make you wish and I'll accompany you in this quest because I sense my powers will be needed. It'll be a dangerous feat to obtain this mythical element but not impossible."
"Where are we supposed to find the carmot. I don't remember the book saying anything about a specific location."
"That's because it wasn't supposed to be found by mortals. The book contains a magical signature which determines the whereabouts of the carmot. Of course it was made to be perceived by a non-human. It would be too much tempting to a mortal, don't you think?"
"It was made to be used for others not for the one to find it. My grandfather said I should use the book to help another in need."
"Is that true? I'm seriously thinking about going to the past to know this grandfather of yours."
"You can't. You have to stay here with me. We have a deal", I said in a hurry.
"I was only kidding. You don't want me to leave? Why is that?", he diminished the distance between us in seconds. He was so close to me I could kiss him if I wanted to. Nevertheless, I could just blush furiously. Is he going to kiss me? The way he's looking at me it certainly looks like he going to. Don't be speechless right now, Clarice. Do something! I noticed at that precise moment he was taller than me. Great, now I'm self depreciating thoughts too. I'm 5'3" and though he wasn't taller than Eike I still felt like a midget because he was inches taller than me.
I snapped out my dazzle. "We must be making preparations to our journey", I said putting another book off the shelf. "Where are we going from here?"
"I will guide you but I can't tell you the exact location. The book has forbidden me to tell."
"What's the worst that could happen?", I said indignantly. "I need to know where we are going. How am I going to get ready to danger otherwise?"
"Believe me. You don't want to know. The book has old magic very harmful to humans", he replied.
"Ok, then. I guess I don't want to know. What should I take?"
"We need the book and another things you humans must need for a travel. Nothing more, nothing less."
"You should pack mountain gear too. We're going to need it and don't forget to bring some weapons", he said.
"Right. When do we go?"
"At night. It would be less conspicuous this way", he said.
He came toward me at a very close distance like before and put his hand on my shoulder. I wasn't thinking coherently then. I was blushing desperately, too. After a second he approached more and whispered on my right ear.
"You don't need to worry because I'm not going anywhere without you. No need to be upset, I will stay very close to you."
He released me and walked smirking towards the hall. I was rendered speechless and stunned.
I never thought this journey would change so much.
The fact was it would be a very long journey and it was going to change my whole life. Of course I wasn't thinking about that then. I was dazzled by him and it was difficult to take my mind off Homunculus at the moment.
This was going to be a long journey. For the first time a travel I was looking forward to go.