Chapter 17: Hatred

"I forgot to mention that I found something in the Choir," Daniel said. We were back in the safety of the Nave, only a few meters from the stairs that led elsewhere. I kept my distance from the two, uncertain of their feelings toward me at the moment.

"What was it?" Isabelle asked, obviously intrigued.

"Well, I vaguely remembered that the note mentioned something about the poisonous fungi. After wandering around for a while, I came across some of it. After experimenting, I got some sort of gland out of the plant." Daniel said, pulling it out of his pocket.

"I believe that is listed on the note," I said quietly, casting a sheepish glance at my friends. They didn't even acknowledge my comment, for they just continued admiring the poison gland. I let out a brief sigh of exasperation, knowing that they were ignoring me on purpose. I deserve it. I went too far when I hit Isabelle.

"We should try to get the other things on the list! Well, at least before we deal with these Orb pieces." Isabelle exclaimed. Daniel nodded in agreement. At that, I pulled the slip of paper out of my pocket, reading over the shambolic handwriting in a brief moment. All we need to get now is the Tampter and vitae. I wonder where we'll find them…

"We should split up and look for the remaining ingredients. The Choir is off limits, though. I think we've done everything we can in there, and I don't want anyone running into the monster." Daniel said sternly, casting a hasty glance in my direction. Isabelle nodded eagerly, enthusiastic about our new mission. I watched as the two vanished in separate directions, starting the search immediately. Unsure of what to do, I turned to Agrippa.

The man hadn't moved an inch since I had last seen him, and I was almost sure he had died. When I drew closer, he looked up. I hope he can give me some answers… Maybe he knows what the things on the list are for?

"You seem troubled…" The man said.

"Yeah, things haven't been going my way lately," I sighed, "But I thought you could help me. I found a note involving Weyer. It talks about these… ingredients. Maybe you know what it means?"

"Ah, I know what you mean. Weyer was working on a tonic; it was supposed to help me. Those things on the note are the ingredients to make the tonic. If you would be so kind, could you track them down?" Agrippa asked.

"I'm already working on it," I replied before heading towards the gate that led into another room. When I entered, I could see two staircases on both sides. They led up to a walkway, and I could see prison doors lining the walls. On the bottom floor, there were more cells, and I couldn't help but feel repulsed. I wonder who was held in these cells… Those poor people. I shook my head, trying desperately to dislodge the unsettling thoughts. I decided to head up one of the staircases, only to be dumbfounded when I saw a slab of meat resting on a small table. What's this doing here? I reached down and grasped the meat by the bone, holding it gently. It's obviously used for something, but what?

"Oh, no." I let out a grim sigh. I remembered passing a room on the way to the Transept. In that room, I recalled seeing a well. And wells usually lead to water. I'm going to have to feed the water monster? Well, the note said that Tampter was the saliva of that fiend, so I guess that's my only choice. Reluctantly, I made my way to the corridor with the well.

I walked in the darkness for what seemed like an eternity, doubt growing with each step. When I finally reached the room with the well, I peered inside, uncertain if I should go in or not. There was nothing to the area, just rocks, a wheel, and the well. A rope was suspended above the pit, and I carefully tied the piece of meat to it. I jumped when a growl echoed from the depths, but quickly calmed when I knew I was safe.

"Okay, let's see if this works…" I said aloud, making my way over to the wheel attached to a wooden pillar. I started spinning the wheel, watching as the rope lowered into the depths of the well. Instantly, something latched onto the rope, tugging and thrashing about. I stepped back, listening as the aquatic beast growled and snarled as it feasted on the meat. After a few minutes, things grew silent, and I reeled the rope in. There was nothing left but a bone, and I carefully untied it from the line.

"The only thing left is the vitae," I sighed. But I think I'll leave that to Daniel and Isabelle. Just as the two crossed my thoughts, I heard something stir in the hallway. I sat by the door, listening as the sound of footsteps grew louder and louder. I was about to step out, but Isabelle suddenly peered into the room. I let out a sigh of relief, noticing that my heart was pounding.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. She glared at me for a long time, her aqua eyes alive with enmity. She didn't answer, but only left the room and vanished into the darkness of the corridor. Bewildered, I stared at the shadows where she had disappeared. Yeah, now I definitely know they are ignoring me. But I feel like I work better alone, so I don't really mind.

I re-entered the main section of the Nave, briefly glancing at Agrippa before sitting down on one of the boxes. I stayed there for what seemed like an eternity before I began to doze off. I'm so tired… It wasn't long before I fell asleep.

But I wasn't asleep for long, for someone shoved me off of the box. I landed face-first on the dirty stone floor, moaning in protest.

"Now's not the time to be dozing off!" Daniel scolded, "We found the vitae, now let's get a move on."

"B-but I'm so comfortable…" I groaned, dragging myself off of the ground to face my friends. Daniel was grinning from ear-to-ear, pleased with his plan to wake me up. Isabelle's expression was callous, but I ignored her icy gaze.

"Where are we going now?" I asked, wiping the dirt and dust from my clothes. Daniel paused for a moment, thinking deeply.

"We can't do anything with the ingredients, since the laboratory is boarded up. My guess is that we return to the Chancel. There might be something there to help us gain access to the laboratory. Also, Isabelle and I didn't thoroughly explore it."

"But, didn't you an Isabelle run into some trouble there?" I asked, voice slightly quivering.

"Yeah, but I think it's safe now." Daniel said, but I could hear the doubt in his tone. "Come on, I think we're almost to the end of all of this."