《The Alchemist》 Beginnings in Blood The world, Minthrilista as it is commonly referred to by its denizens is a world of Magic, and wonder. A world that was draped in history, and practically dripping with tales to spin from it. With many great, and mundane things inhabiting it, several great ancient kingdoms, and forgotten places. The story we are to tell is one that stands out from the rest, it may not be the best, it may not be the worst, it is simply what it is, an outlier amongst many. It begins in the Imperium of Tralum, which stands in the center of the Minthrilista, with the Dead Lands of Irisum to the East, the Wild Lands of Nerona to the West, the sea of Freedom to the North, and Mare Ferennis to the South. It is a land that has stood the test of time, having existed since the Second Age of Darkness, into the Third Age of Decline. Tralum Imperial capital Noxchester sat in the heart of the Rivershire, inhabited by many of the more ¡®speedy¡¯ races, such as Humans, Halflings, Gnomes, and Fairy Folk. The city was made of ten layers, from the front gate, to the Imperial Court at the top, set upon a lone mountain, surrounded by plains, and rivers on all sides. In the Lower rings of the city, one can find many things ranging from simple, to outlandish. Though none of this would surpass the Science Quarter, in the Third Ring, surrounded on all sides by slums. The Science Quarter was a walled off section of the Third Ring of Noxchester, its walls were built up thirty feet high, and were reinforced with smaller towers on the outside. At first glance these walls would give off the impression they were built to guard some kind of dangerous prisoners, in a sense they were. Science was a new concept to this world, as it did not rely on magic, but rather on one''s own ingenuity to come up with clever solutions to fix problems, rather than rely on the all powerful magical arts. Of course, it was also known to be very volatile, and only those deemed ¡®insane¡¯ by most people in this world would attempt the art of science. The walls were built to contain these madmen, to keep their experiments isolated, to prevent death, or injury of the normal citizen. To keep it out of sight of those who would rather use it¡¯s chaotic elements, rather than its boundless application for good. Noxchesterwas no stranger to the arts of Science, as their great minds had developed the steam engine, and railways, creating an albeit small, but well crafted railroad transportation system inside of the country. Nor had the Imperial Army overlooked the applications of firearms enmasse in their armies, as the weapon had the capability to be quite deadly if used in large numbers, though they were incredibly inaccurate, and prone to explode in ones face.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Our story begins with a man by the name of Drakan, he has no Familial name, as he is but a simple commoner, no one of reputable note. In fact he is so simple, his means of work is a delivery man, nothing more. Of course, it is the fact that such an ordinary man, could leave such an impact on the world that astonishes historians to this day, and befuddles even our greatest of intellectuals. Drakan lived in the slums of the Third Ring, and would frequently travel up to the Fourth, or down to the Second ring to deliver supplies, many of his senior delivery men delivered to the Science Quarter, but they never did like to speak of it much, or so he claimed. His curiosity would be sated though, as finally, on the Eleventh Day, of the Sixth Month Jusan, year One Twenty Three, Third Age, he was tasked with delivering a cart of supplies to the Science Quarter. Sitting in his cart before the great gates of the Science Quarter, Drakan sat, shaking in his boots due to his climbing anxiety, he looked to face the guard that stood off to the left of his cart, "What''s your name? And I need your papers." Drakan reached into his waist satchel, fiddling with the contents rather embarrassingly, until finally he was able to pull from it a slip of paper, with the Delivery companies seal on it, "Ah, sorry about that. Haha." Drakan laughed nervously, reaching up with a hand he ruffled the scraggly brown hair that adorned the top of his head "Man, I need to get it cut, best not to worry about lice if I can avoid it." Drakan was ripped from his thoughts as the guard handed the paper back, "You''re clear to enter, but make sure to keep your wits about you, lest you lose your life." The guard made a hand motion, and the gates began to open. "By the Nine, what could be in there that''s so dangerous?" With a click of his tongue, and a snap of the reigns in his hands, Drakan had the horse pulling his cart move into the Quarter, slowly but steadily, muttering to himself, "Guess it''s finally time to find out what''s in here." Born of Fire With the steady clicking of wooden wheels upon the cobblestone, Drakan guided his cart through the gate, and into the Science Quarter. Like stepping into a new world, Drakan was instantly surrounded by completely new sights and sounds. All around him were people running, every direction was filled with the sounds of people exclaiming about something he didn¡¯t understand at all. Tents were constructed all around him with groups of people working in them, all of which had large signs standing outside of them, the first one he noticed after a few moments of following the road red A2. Muttering to himself, ¡°I¡¯m looking for¡­ E four, hopefully it isn¡¯t too far down.¡± As Drakan continued down the path he started to notice less tents, and more buildings, at first they seemed rather simple, like huts, or small hovels. The further in he went Drakan began to notice larger buildings, none of which went higher than the wall, but a few came rather close, outside of one of the larger buildings he spotted another sign B2. Drakan groaned in anguish as it seemed he wasn¡¯t making any progress, ¡°By the nine, when will I find this place.¡± Up ahead Drakan heard some ruckus, about three buildings ahead, on the right he spotted a Gnome standing on a Podium ringing a bell loudly, he could barely make out what the man was saying, ¡°LOOK OUT! SHE¡¯S GOING TO BLOW!¡± Before Drakan could even react the building seemed to be engulfed in a blinding light, forcing him to close his eyes in pain, and due to instinct alone. His ears were throbbing as a crackling booming sound surrounded him, engulfing his whole body in small tremors, then bits of rock, and something wet pelted him.
Multiple Conditions Gained: Dazed, Deafened(Temporary) Effect: Slowed Reaction Speed, Unable to percieve sounds due to ringing.
Opening his eyes Drakan could hear nothing but the ringing in his ears. Slowly he looked around him, the first thing he noticed was that the building the gnome had been standing in front of was gone, nothing left but a crater, and debris, then he looked behind him, his cargo was gone, crushed in by what he surmised as a chunk of the building. Turning his head in the opposite direction he noticed that half of his horse was gone as well. Drakans eyes went wide as a primeval, instinctual fear overtook him, looking down at himself he noticed he was covered in blood.
Condition Frightened Gained Effect: -2 to intelligence, and Wisdom (Temporary).
Panic set in as he swiped at himself, looking for a wound, looking for something that could signal the end of his life, the punch to his ticket. Throwing off slick red blood, and bits of meat that he assumed belonged to his horse, Drakan noticed that there was no wound, he wasn¡¯t harmed, he was fine. Slowly he pulled himself off what was left of the cart, stepping onto the cobblestone path, Drakan had to place a hand over his mouth to keep from vomiting, next to his foot was a severed arm. It was smaller than his, the size of a child''s, ¡°Is that, the gnome?¡± The ringing in Drakans ears began to fade, instead he began to hear the sound of people yelling, men in robes of different colors came rushing in, their hands glowed in different colors spraying forth water to put out the fires on the buildings nearby. Drakan hadn¡¯t even noticed the flames, he was pulled from his shocked state by a man in a white robe shaking him hard, ¡°Sir, are you alright? Let me have a look at you.¡± He waved his hand, a green light emanating from it, suddenly Drakan felt rather heavy, his whole body slumped forward, before his face met the ground his vision was swallowed in darkness. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Condition Unconscious Gained Effect: Unable to Act, unable to perceive actions.
¡°AAAAAAAAAH FUUUUUCK!¡± Drakan was jerked awake as his consciousness flooded in. Unable to hold back he hunched forward in a chair he was strapped to, vomiting his breakfast all over his lap, covering himself in it effectively. A slow clapping sound filled the room, it was coming from a dark corner that Drakan couldn¡¯t make out, as there was no light in, well wherever he was. A dark sultry voice broke the dark silence, ¡°Good, you¡¯re awake, though it seems we¡¯ll have to bathe you again.¡± Drakan struggled against the restraints on his wrists, and ankles, they jingled as metal slapped metal. ¡°Haha, don¡¯t bother my apprentice, you can¡¯t get out unless I let you out.¡± Stepping into his vision was a robed figure, even though it was dark Drakans eyes had adjusted to it, so he could make out some shapes, or so he thought. At first the figure seemed to be some kind of indistinguishable robe, but the harder Drakan looked, the more it seemed to be a woman, he sighed letting his head hang limply, ¡°Where¡­ am I? And what do you plan on doing with me?¡± Once more a dark laugh seeped into every corner of the¡­ room? Is he in a room, or a basement? ¡°Dear sweet child, you are where I want you, and I plan on making you into a wonderful successor, or rather, an accomplice.¡± Drakan took a deep breath as he tried to calm down, this was getting too insane for his mind to handle, he was just a normal guy, why did he have to take this job, why didn¡¯t he just enjoy his normal life. As his mind raced with more questions he began to breath heavily, and more frequently, hyperventilating as he couldn¡¯t seem to calm his racing heartbeat. Drakan felt something prick his neck, then the world began to spin, as he looked up he saw sharp features, a woman''s face, and a devilish smirk, then darkness.
Title Gained Alchemists Apprentice
Son of Darkness A sort of warm glow overtook Drakan, as his eyes adjusted he found himself laying on his back in a field of yellow, and blue flowers. The sunlight bathed him in it¡¯s golden hue, the warmth filling every fiber of his being, ¡°Was it just a dream?¡± Slowly Drakan got up from the ground, though it was awkward as if every joint in his body was completely stiff. Patting the dirt off of his trousers, Drakan would make his way slowly through the field looking for anything to indicate where he was. As Drakan wondered for what felt like an hour he noticed something off in the distance, what he guessed was a lone figure, standing there. A little quicker than before Drakan started to walk, and then ran towards the figure, ¡°Hey! Do you know where I am?¡± Drakan got closer to the figure, noticing that they were wearing some kind of dark cloak, ¡°Hello! I seem to be lost, do you happen to know where this place is?¡±
Condition Petrified Gained Effect: Unable to Act, able to percieve actions.
Suddenly Drakan felt cold, a chill that ran straight into his bones, every joint ground to a halt, every muscle spasmed out, his instincts screamed to run away. His eyes went wide, losing focus for a moment as the figure turned to face him, he suddenly found that they were close, incredibly close, maybe ten feet from each other. Creaking out of Drakans throat were a few broken sounding words, ¡°Please, I, help.¡± The figure approached, and with a simple motion it raised a hand, placing it on his face. It was burning hot, an excruciating pain, that was so intense it made his vision flash white as he fought to stay awake. A feminine voice came from the dark hood that obscured the figures face, ¡°It¡¯s time to awake, my Apprentice.¡± Screaming out Drakan felt himself being pulled into the black pit of that open hood, engulfed by it¡¯s unnatural darkness.
Condition Unconscious Removed Effect: Regain Consciousness
Jolting awake Drakan found himself lying in front of a fireplace, wrapped in some kind of fur blanket. Breathing heavily Drakan looked around, trying to figure out where he was. Drakan felt hands clasp around his neck, pulling him backwards gently, his eyes went wide as his primal instincts screamed to flee, but his legs refused to move. He felt the back of his head press against something soft, and one of those hands reached up from his chest, and began to caress the side of his face. Once more, that sickening voice creeped up, this time from behind him, ¡°My dear Apprentice, you¡¯re shaking like a leaf, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
Condition Nauseated Gained Effect: Unable to move, unable to complete any action requiring concentration.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.Drakan had to steady himself, as he didn¡¯t want to retch in front of this woman, he feared what that might entail for him. ¡°You seem to be, petrified, why is that? Did I do something to you? Well¡­ I suppose I did take you captive.¡± Drakan could feel this woman''s breath on the nape of his neck, her hand slowly leaving his face, instead moving through his hair. Slowly he managed to creak out a response, ¡°I¡¯m, not sure, why¡­¡± Slowly the woman patted his head, and moved away from Drakan, ¡°I know why. I just thought you might be different, my dear Apprentice.¡± Drakans mind raced, ¡°This is my chance, I should run now. Wait¡­ where the hell is the exit to this place. Where even AM I? Can I get out of here, what if she¡¯s dangerous?¡± Slowly Drakan could feel the woman moving around him, she was moving from behind, around the right, to face him. As the cloaked figure came around to face him, Drakans body began to freeze once more, his mind ceasing to run through ideas. Slowly the figure knelt back down, getting incredibly close, though no matter how close the two were, Drakan couldn¡¯t see into the hood, as if some unnatural darkness guarded her face. ¡°Perhaps, you are curious?¡± She said, tilting her head to the left a bit, slowly she moved a hand up to her hood, and then flicked it back. Drakan had to fight to remain conscious as he stared at what was before him. Under the hood there was a woman, but she seemed more like a demon than a person. Twisted horns sprouted from her head, half of her face covered in blackened bandages, the other half had sharp features bathed in blood red, a single eye like that of a serpent, a quaint smile of dark purple. ¡°Ah, my Apprentice, you must think of me a terrifying beast. You will adjust, with time, and then you will help me take what I want from this wretched world.¡± Slowly the woman moved her hand back out, Drakan tried to pull back, but it¡¯s as if his body still wouldn¡¯t obey his brain. Slowly the woman placed her hand on his face, a wicked grin forming on her face. Before Drakan could react she pushed herself upward, and placed her lips over his, forcing a kiss onto him, her eye shut, but Drakans remained forced open. His body didn¡¯t react, as if he were a stone statue, petrified in fear. As the woman pulled back, she still had that wicked smirk on her face, suddenly Drakan felt something hot burning his chest. ¡°AAAAAAAAH¡± He screamed out in pain, hands grasping at the center of his chest, ripping his shirt open to reveal a crest, or some kind of marking etched into his skin like a scar, it was blazing hot red, like a fire burning him alive. After a few minutes the pain subsided, and the scars turned back to normal. The woman stood up, pulling her hood back over herself, ¡°I¡¯ll be back, to begin your training, soon my Apprentice. For now, sleep well.¡± Suddenly as she said sleep, Drakan felt incredibly drowsy. His eyes were fighting to remain open, as the hooded figure stared at him, before eventually he succumbed to sleep.
Curse Gained: Slaves Crest Effect: Unable to disobey Orders (Pain), unable to harm owner (Pain), unable to lie to owner (Pain), unable to kill owner (Death).