Chapter 10: White Chamber of Naught

"You're an alchemist?"

"That's so cool!"

Lars and Len couldn't quite contain their excitement over the wondrous basement Tirana had. It was like they were kids in a candy store, marveling at everything and wanted to touch everything. But still, they knew better not to carelessly fiddled with the colorful spheres, various kinds of flasks on the table or the bubbling cauldron. They may not know much about chemicals, but they knew enough to not mess with them.

Lars carefully inspected a peculiar gear mechanism on the work table. "So, does all the agents of VERSE are alchemists or...?"

"No, they just have a dedicated division for it. There are those recruited from military background, mercenaries, or graduates from VERSE academy like my father. I'm simply continuing his legacy."

"What is it that alchemists do? How do you make all of this?" Len asked.

Tirana smiled in a way that was clear that she anticipated such question. "Alchemists are the bridge between science and magic. What we did and made might look like magic to mundane eyes, but it's actually a lot more complex than that. Essentially, alchemy is about ways of combining them together by imbuing different kinds of energies into an object we synthesized."

Lars and Len looked at each other, silently transmitting the impression that they had no idea what Tirana meant. The alchemist girl just chuckled, and reached to a certain familiar leather bag. She pulled out the lantern orb that Lars and Len remembered housing the silver light particles from the monster. The light within the orb gave off metallic, menacing glow.

"There are many sorts of energies. Most of them are intangible because that's just the natural law of our universe. These energies are behind every natural or supernatural phenomenon in this world, and each of them has specific purpose to keep our world in balance. However, this particular energy that I have in my hand is a complete exception."

"Is it because it came from VEIL who's not from our world?" Len guessed with a shrug.

"Close," Tirana said, "this energy does not come from VEIL. This very energy is VEIL, and it disrupts the natural order and law of our universe just by existing. The energy is called silverstream and every VERSE agent is required to absorb it into this orb thingy called enerlocks to keep it from spreading and tainting our world's own natural energies."

"Ah, I see. Then what do you guys do with it?" Len said.

"Well, thankfully, VERSE's alchemists had come up with a way of transmutation to harness silverstream's power without keeping it spreading. My spear Mist Lotus is one of such transmutation weapons. As you can see yesterday, it could absorb and enhance any properties of a liquid into a gaseous, mist form almost instantly. It doesn't even have to be much, just a pint is enough."

"Fight fire with fire, huh?" Len said.

"That's the idea," she said.

Lars was feeling lightheaded ever since Tirana shown the orb. He shook his head with hope to regain his focus, but he only made it worse. At that point, Lars could barely register Tirana's further explanation about transmutation principles and processes within the alchemy.

"Lars, are you alright? What is it?" Len asked, noticing his brother looking all wobbly.

"I - I don't know. I don't feel so good."

"Oh my goodness, my apologies. How insensitive I am to bring this up to you," Tirana said.

Tirana immediately rushed to get Lars a water bottle and sat him down in a plait couch. Lars found his fingers trembling and heart pounding hard. He wasn't sure whether it was just him or the necklace was spreading unbearable heat all over his body.

Lars took off the necklace but it didn't cease his restlessness. He began to feel out of breath and sweating intensely. Not a moment later, Lars was reduced to an incoherent rambling mess. Images of the monster's attack resurfaced, along with the pain sensation, and the mysterious voices kept reverberating on his head.

'Pull yourself together, O brave soul'

Without him knowing, Lars found himself back at the white runic room. However, this time he had a clearer mind and better conscience than his last visit. Lars could feel himself moving and thinking properly, unlike the state of delirious haze he was in before. He also had a better grasp of the mysterious voice and identified it belong to a man with ethereal authority qualities.

"Who is that? Who's there?"

'Fear not, child. I am the one who had bestowed upon you the power to command the truest light with the brilliance of thousand stars. My true name is Alt'ma, the Indomitable Judge of Heavens.'

Lars looked around but there was no clear sign of where the voice came from. The disembodied voice just echoed across the room, and the glowing runes that covered the chamber did nothing but glow steadily in accordance.

"But... why?" Lars finally spoke.

'There is a reason, meaning and purpose to everything in this world and you being chosen by me are no different. You are among the select few souls that are worthy of wielding my power and I have decided that it's you. It should be you, brave one.'

"Why me, of all people? Please explain everything because I - I don't understand any of this."

'My deepest apologies but perhaps I couldn't lay it all down right here right now as our time is running short. All I could say to you is that the stars of destiny have aligned for both of us to cross path. Our fate has intertwined and our heart has synched in harmony. All that is left to ask now is whether you are willing to serve a greater purpose that the world entrusted upon you and me.'

"Greater... purpose?"

'This world, brave one. This world is in a brink of destruction, threatened by otherworldly creatures that only seek out chaos. They have preyed on my world and now they have come for yours too. If we don't do something, if we don't stop them here, they will annihilate all of the creations long before its due and it is a purpose that I trusted upon myself to smite them here once and for all.'

"You mean the VEIL? A - Are you talking about the monster from yesterday?"

'They are... evil incarnates, brave one. Malicious to its core, the Devil in Silver Scales. They... must... be stopped... their... worshippers... they - '

The voice started to get slower and distant, as if the entity Lars was talking to was pulled away. Lars watched as the runes on the walls starting to dim slightly and it was quite alarming for him.

'Forgive me, but I cannot explain everything to you right now. Perhaps in another time, when I have accumulated enough strength to reach you, for I haven't fully recovered from my last battle. In the meantime, forge yourself with the power surging within you... stay in the path of light... trust your heart and let it guide you to do right...'

"W - Wait, don't go just yet! Please!"

'Worry not, dear child. We shall meet again someway, somehow. Until then, you have to seek out the answers on your own. Seek out the others and the truth of this island... everything shall be revealed soon...'

The runes grew dim and so did Lars' vision. The chamber of white disappeared and Lars was left stranded in a viscous blackness that set him adrift, floating in a void with his mind in complete haze. He didn't know whether he closed his eyes, blink, feel or did anything at all. All he remembered was how peaceful the darkness was, and how a soft whisper finally carried him back to conscious.

'Until we meet again, my Scion. It is an honor meeting you.'