Free Web NovelChapter 58: The Dark Era
Despite his age, the old man regained his composure quickly. A forced smile adorned his face, accentuating every wrinkle, reluctant to let go of the notebook.
His eyes rose to Gabriel and descended again to the object, with uncertainty dominating his behavior. He really did not want to get rid of those pages, but in the same way, he did not consider himself a vile greedy thief.
He had to discard the idea of organizing a fair duel to determine the owner of the notebook.
Finally, he sighed defeated.
His fingers squeezed the cover one last time, returning the book. With a sharp tone, he said:
"Come in with me. We need to talk."
Thus he was invited to enter the back room with a heavy and solemn tone.
His voice had an uncommon weight. And in his ears, they were promises of secrets whispered under the veil of the moon.
Gabriel followed him from behind, with the pain disappearing from his bones. In his chest he contained the emotion and uncertainty for the alchemist’s unusual behavior.
The notebook gained even greater importance in his consciousness.
In the back room, the characteristic narrow space, he observed how the old man closed the shop for the first time. He secured every door and window with nervous movements, checking each lock twice.
Apparently he didn’t want any lurker near the establishment.
He made him wait sitting on an old wooden chair that creaked under his weight.
Once again, he disappeared into the mysterious room at the back. Without answers, nor words.
The minutes became endless. He heard the clamor beyond the walls, with the old man rummaging through his belongings.
When he finally returned, he had a lit pipe between his lips.
His expression had evolved completely into a deep frown, loaded with reflection, in the light passage of the minutes.
For an instant, his reflection seemed to think beyond the present.
After a long puff, the smoke escaped slowly from his mouth, he spoke with absolute and grave voice.
"I don’t know how or why that object came into your hands. But it should never have done so. Destiny can be as cruel as a mother who abandons her children or a father who fails in his duty."
Those words sank deeply into Gabriel.
It was a pessimistic dialogue that transmitted an indelible feeling, loaded with resigned wisdom.
For the first time, he felt a shiver run down his spine.
"First I need to know your name, boy."
"Gabriel." He responded immediately, without hesitation.
The alchemist pinched his brow with visible heaviness. His shoulders sank slightly. He sighed.
"Gabriel, I am Edward. I was the first one who interfered in your path, so it does not escape my responsibility. I will tell you... but you must keep it with the weight of your soul."
Gabriel’s expression changed gradually.
He understood the gravity behind every word. The atmosphere in the back room became denser and more oppressive.
"Edward, it is my desire to do so... Whatever the cost."
The old man took a few more puffs from his pipe. The smoke filled the small space, creating a slight mist between the two of them.
"Oaths have never been a matter of small things. When you swear, you bind your name, your history and your destiny. Swear it by the mud of your feet, where you step and where you fall!"
Gabriel looked him straight in the eyes. There was no deception in the old man’s gaze.
"By the mud of my feet, where I step and where I fall." He swore with a firm and clear voice.
He probably never was a great cultured personality, but he wasn’t an idiot either.
He understood that Edward’s conviction was as genuine and pure as the sea breeze or the song of the birds.
It was not a meaningless pact.
Edward smiled slightly at his statement, a tired but approving gesture.
He extended his hand and took the notebook with reverential care. He observed the title with a thoroughness that he had previously reserved.
His forehead filled with deep wrinkles.
"The Alchemists of God... Their existence is not explicit in history, but it is presumed that they were formed at the end of the Dark Era. Not even an exact date has survived to the present day."
It immediately captured Gabriel’s interest.
His head leaned forward, ignoring the pain of his wounds. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"They were considered heretics. Hunted and, presumably, exterminated for unknown reasons. They are a great stain in the books that dare to narrate their deeds."
"What books, Edward?" Gabriel suddenly interrupted.
"I don’t have those books. But they should exist."
That answer threw him off. It was a pure contradiction.
But before he could continue, he was interrupted by Edward.
"This notebook should have a great influence from them. But, from what I can see, it is only a large experimental and theoretical set of conjectures."
Gabriel understood practically nothing of the detailed explanation that followed.
When he had leafed through the pages before, he had also found complex prose and unknown symbols that seemed to form a strange harmony.
Geometric diagrams, didactic formulas and ritualistic references.
His question was interrupted when he heard Edward murmur with contained emotion:
"Eureka..."
The old man gave him an intense, almost feverish look.
"You have already asked me about those strange blood crystals. I thought they were just absurd stories, but it is I who was wrong."
And then with trembling fingers he showed him some inscriptions next to geometric drawings.
"Read it for yourself." He said suddenly, with disappointment.
When Gabriel saw the page, he immediately understood the reason.
The yellowish sheet was worn and the writing was confusing, making it extremely difficult to fully understand.
But even so, he could grasp the essentials. From what was exposed, it was related that it was an extremely valuable alchemical material, used for the evolution of lineages.
A path towards transcendent power.
He immediately asked:
"Evolution of lineages? What kind of lineages?"
Edward took longer than usual to respond, meditating on every word before it was spoken.
"Lineages... They are the dynasties that selfishly survive to this days. They usually refer to everyone else as ’commoners’. They control power, blood and destinies that the rest can only dream of."
Gabriel immediately understood what he meant. The pieces began to fit in his mind. But not all his questions had answers yet.
The old man sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.
"It’s a long story! But a man of my age needs to rest... I would love to be of greater help to you, but unfortunately I can’t. Now go! No more questions."
Gabriel wanted to oppose and insist on more details, but he noticed that the old man’s tone was strange.
Something had changed in his expression. A hint of extreme caution covered his eyes.
"Can I come back another day?" He asked with experience.
"Come back. But for today, go." Edward said without room for denial, his voice firm as a final order.
Gabriel had to accept it. He left the shop with more questions than answers.
The information he had obtained was of great importance for his next steps, but even so, the world only managed to keep him aware of his smallness.
Observing his shadow, caused by the light of the torches.
An idea occurred to him.
He stopped in the middle of the street, with the cold wind caressing his trench coat. His eyes shone with a newly discovered curiosity under the mask.
The lineages were intimately connected with the dynasties. For that reason, it was logical to think about their strategic importance.
A resource kept jealously, without disclosure.
Which, highlighted with his current bewilderment, made sense.
He just had to learn the way to obtain it, to finally ascend beyond his limits. And he would get the answer from the intricate connections.
In his interface, a new notification shone. It was an update to his mission.
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[Rumors of the Past II]
[Objective: Investigate the plans plotted by The Despots and discover who their leader is]
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