End of All

First Chapter

Time never moved slower than when Nathan was anxious to get something done. Being New Year’s Eve with 2017 just hours away, Nathan’s constant glances at the clock was interpreted by others as excitement to head off to a party. In extreme opposition to those expectations, Nathan’s eagerness to get off work was based in a project scheduled to start as soon as he could get out of his cashiering position.

To pass time, Nathan sat on his stool with an old, leather-bound journal in hand. There had been maybe four customers in the past two hours, leaving him plenty of spare opportunity to get last minute studying in.

That night Nathan had more important plans than getting drunk. He and a friend were in the final steps of preparation for a major alchemic transmutation. They had been studying the old scientific magic for years, and had managed to transmute everything from toys to gold to chimera-type insect experiments. The gold helped out financially, but they kept it to a minimum since it was difficult to explain where they were getting large sums of gold.

Experiments with insects were the lead up to their New Year’s plans. They had tanks full of monstrous bug-creatures like tarantulas fused with grasshoppers. The result of that experiment was the thorax of a hairy, massive South American Bird-Eating tarantula with 6-inch long grasshopper legs capable of launching the beast 12 feet in an instant. Nathan wanted that specimen euthanized, but Kyland, his partner, was really partial to it.

Nathan’s favorite creation was the combination of a long-haired Angora Rabbit, a Palace cat, and an Australian Kangaroo mouse. He called it Nilli, and it had been one of the best companions he’d ever had.

“Nathan!” a large, dark-bearded man boomed as he walked up. “You look board!”

The voice jarred Nathan out of his study-stupor.

Nathan’s manager was standing next to him now, his huge beard twinked up at the side where his mouth was hidden somewhere inside.

“Sorry,” Nathan apologized, closing his book. “There’s just no one here, and I’m trying not to fall asleep.”

The manager looked at the time on Nathan’s register screen. “Let’s go ahead and close up for the night. We’re just losing money like this.”

A relieved grin spread across Nathan’s face. He gladly counted out his drawer, deposited the money, and did all the cleaning duties required before the sweet release of freedom.

Cold air tinged with the threat of snow blew into his face as he made his way to his car. All the excitement pent up from the entire evening was starting to break over him in waves. His stomach had knotted up in anticipation. Even his lips had gone numb from nerves and the driving wind.
Nathan sent a message to Kyland to let him know he was off work early. After waiting a few minutes for the car to start blowing hot air to quell his shaking, Nathan was on his way home.

The path home was a 15 minute drive into the woods south of the city. Nathan wasn’t fond of being so far out from civilization, but when conducting alchemical experiments that occasionally violently exploded or needed to be shot, having neighbors wasn’t a good idea.

Pulling into the circular driveway Nathan parked behind Kyland’s Civic before braving the cold.

“Kyand! I’m here!” Nathan called out, hanging his coat up near the door.

A roaring fire was set in the fireplace. Its welcomed heat began to thaw Nathan’s frozen hands and toes as he stood as close as he dared to the flames. Winter was his least enjoyed time of year. He hated the cold with a passion. Were it not for Christmas Nathan would write off winter entirely as a totally lost cause.

A tall brunette man walked into the room clad in only a towel, another towel in hand rubbing through his dark hair. The other man walked up to warm himself with the fire.

“I hate winter,” Kyland muttered, snuggling as close to the fire as the flames would allow. “I’m ready for it to be over already.”

Nathan held his hand up to the flames with his head nodding in agreement. “Did you get the last bits finished up?”

Kyland nodded. “That’s why I had to take a shower. I was covered in chalk dust by the time I was done.”

“Well, go get dressed,” Nathan said, stretching. “We’ve got a big event to do.”

Ten minutes later the men were together in the basement lab. The floor had been covered in runes and alchemic rings in preparation of tonight’s transmutation. In the center of the labyrinthine lines was a massive, fully enclosed round tank. Thick black tubes connected to the glass to allow things to be introduced without opening it.

Nathan ran his fingertips along the surface of the tank, appreciating the incredible amount of work that had gone into the set up.
Kyland had taken his spot next to the power switch.

“Ready?” Kyland asked.

Nathan inclined his head, taking up residence in his own place. He closed his eyes. With a deep breath he splayed his long fingers onto the circle.
A loud thunk issued from the power switch as Kyland threw it, and the room immediately lapsed into ear splitting silence. For a few moments Nathan could barely concentrate on the task with his brain so confused with the utter quiet. Then the autopilot of his mind overtook him.
Nathan poured energy into the painted lines, bearing in mind the shape he intended to make. He kept the idea ever-present. It didn’t once falter. Bright light glared against his eyelids. It rippled as if he were underwater.

“NATHAN!”

His eyes shot open, panning violently to see what was wrong.