The alchemist's journey.

1. Awakening

The twanging of the rain hitting the air vents was soothing. The room was a nice equalized and cool temperature as well as a bit damp. Bioluminescent sconces threw off a yellow hue on the rock walls in which they reside. His mechanical clock rang to wake him sooner rather than later. Rubbing his eyes to rid them of the crust that had built up over night, he looks around while a yawn slips out. His apothecary station where he makes his salves, tinctures, and other assorted remedies lies there ready for another day of work. There's a knock at the door, but he's not expecting visitors nor customers yet. As he nears the door he hears a faint female voice, almost child like.

The door opens and standing there not quite at the height of an average woman stands a little girl. Karissa is her name, and she's also the daughter of the blacksmith. "Hello Mr Artimus" said Karissa, "how are you this fine morning." He chuckles a slight amount, cheeks sanguine with cheer. "I'm great Ms. Karissa, say is your father home I do need to ask him something." Karissa looked at him gleefully "yes sir he's home, he said I should come over here to ask if you need help gathering ingredients!" Ah well I'm quite set on ingredients little one he said with a smile, but please do tell your father to stop by. "Yes sir Mr. Artimus" she said as she ran up the steps to the rest of the world. Artimus, curious as to how it looked outside today decided to follow, and in doing so he grabbed his cloak, his boots, and locked his door behind him.

Slowly he ascended. Light from the world getting brighter and brighter. And there he stood, atop a hill in the city district of the kingdom. Mighty mountains strewn about the backdrop of his view and closer to him the farmers fields, castle walls and towers, and last but not least the central tower that no mere citizen has ever entered.

As Artimus is walking he hears the gleeful chirping of birds, people's dogs barking in the distance. He saw many a neighbor and waved to them. He also witnessed some children playing games, one in particular called tag. As he took in all the sounds around him and saw the beautiful city in which he lived he has a small cold chill of sorts. Knowing that it was probably from sensory overload he shrugged it off.

By the time he reached the market which was relatively close to the main entrance to the city he heard someone calling his name. "Artimus" a man shouted. It was Karissa's father Daemus coming ever closer, and with a smile on his face. "Artimus my old friend! How are you this fine day!" Good Artimus said, also smiling. He asks him "Daemus what brings you here to the market?" Daemus chuckles and says "Karissa told me the message you sent back with her and by that time I figured you may have wandered off from your shop." I did said Artimus, chuckling a slight. Hopefully I didn't drag you from anything important Artimus said. "Nonsense my friend, so why did you need me to stop by?" Artimus cleared his throat for a second and asked "Well I was wondering if you had any work that ne be done."

Daemus stops and thinks for a second or two, probably trying to mess with dear old Artimus. Finally he arrives to an answer. "Ah yes I do actually have a very big task but I don't quite know if you'd want to take it on by your lonesome?" What is it Artimus asked with haste in his voice. Daemus just shook his head for a second in thought, he then said "Nevermind you wouldn't be alone. Oh but the task is dangerous." I'm in said Artimus, not quite knowing what it was. Good said Daemus, we'll meet at your shop tomorrow for details.