Pyre | MxB

Chapter 6 | Descent

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Aster's eyes were growing heavy as he sat in the corner of the laboratory, waiting for the alchemist to finish brewing the potion. He let out a soft yawn as he slumped against the wall, the only sounds in the room being the bubbling of the potion and the occasional flapping of Phoebus' wings.

The room was filled with all manner of magical and mysterious objects, but Aster had been expressly forbidden to touch anything. He also felt too nervous and intimidated by Phoebus to initiate another conversation.

Though Aster still found Phoebus unnerving, there was a sense of comfort in the smokey scent that clung to the cloak the alchemist had given him. The overpowering smell had been too much for him to handle at first, but the lingering aroma on the cloth was oddly soothing and familiar.

The boy let out another soft yawn as he buried his face further into the cloak's hood, letting the scent envelop him and lull him into a state that hovered just on the edge of sleep.

Aster's drowsiness was quickly interrupted by the sound of glass clattering nearby, jolting him back to full consciousness. To his surprise, Phoebus was standing before him, his expression a mixture of amusement and smugness. The alchemist held three vials between his fingers, his smirk almost teasing as he offered them out to the boy.

"Not too intense for you now, is it..?" Phoebus chuckled lowly as he gestured to the way Aster was swaddled in his cloak.

Aster cheeks heated up with embarrassment, quickly snatching up the vials from Phoebus' outstretched hand. He pursed his lips, pushing the hood of the cloak off of his head.

"Make sure you keep those vials secure," The alchemist instructed firmly. "I'll lead you back to the domain's exit..."

Phoebus turned and started towards the door, his steps purposeful and swift as he made his way out of the laboratory. There was a silent expectation in his stride, as if assuming Aster would follow behind him without needing to be told.

Aster had to hurriedly rise to his feet, his heart skipping as he scrambled to catch up with the alchemist.

They made their way back down the hallway and staircase, their footsteps echoing throughout the empty spaces. Aster couldn't help but feel uneasy as they neared the entrance to the mirrored room, his eyes lingering on the silvery, reflective surface with a sense of distaste.

Phoebus noticed Aster's obvious discomfort at the sight of the mirrored room.

"Don't fret," He said, his voice quieter and gentler than Aster had ever heard it be. "I will guide you through the mirrors. Besides, more fae may have returned... We should hurry."

Aster took a deep breath, willing himself to be brave and swallowing back the nagging fear that still threatened to bubble to the surface. There was a small sense of comfort in knowing that Phoebus would be accompanying him the whole way.

"Alright," Aster nodded, his voice still having a slight tremble. "I'm ready."

Phoebus placed his large, clawed hand on the small of Aster's back, the touch surprisingly gentle as he guided the boy forward with him. Upon entering the mirrored room he quickly withdrew his hand, his vibrant eyes flickering cautiously around, as if searching for anything out of the ordinary.

The room was as eerily quiet and still as Aster had remembered it, the only sound echoing through being the faint shuffling of their footsteps as they approached the first set of turns.