3 . 6 . 14

Operation: Kill the Creepy Thing ~ Chapter 36

(Kathrine's P.O.V.)

Astrid. She had a look on her face that felt familiar. Nostalgic almost. Her skin was the brightest form of red and her look was of pure shock. Somehow, I knew I had seen it some time in the past. I knew I had...

"Hey, old guy, where they headed off to?" I questioned aloud, turning to the 'Elder'.
"I am not sure young one but I trust that they are discussing something important." The Elder said. To say he was tall would be an understatement- he was gargantuan, towering countless of feet above us. He looked old, which was to be expected of an 'Elder', but it was odd. Percy was centuries old wasn't he? He's no old man. What's with this guy, he has a long white beard and all that.

"Did you see her face?" Cling excitedly pointed, snapping me out of my thoughts. "It was priceless!"
"What do you think Percy said? She was tomato-red!" Tiberius curiously asked, staring at me intensely.
"I wouldn't know- I have practically no memories of that guy...." I shrugged.
"All of you silence!" The Elder's voice boomed. "We must discu-"
"Wait- I have a question!" I interrupted.
"What is it, young one?" He asked.
"It's a question to those two." I glanced. "I thought you're village was dying?"
"Ah- well...no- but...uh..." Tiberius stammered. "It's nothing- they're fine. It's not li-"
"They're lying young one." The Elder cut off. "There was never a village. Even if there was, there is no potion that might've cured it."
"Wha-" I turned to the two alchemists.
"Well...we did need it...but...uh..."
"How do you know they're lying?" I inquired. "And why would they lie in the first place?"
The Elder glanced at the Tiberius and Clint. "I'll explain on their behalf. They don't seem willing to admit."
I tilted my head in confusion as the Elder began.

"The Aceon Gemstone is quite the famous legend, especially in the alchemy and sorcery community. People say it's a god entrapped in a stone- if you use it in a staff or place it's substance in a potion, it can provide power capable of miracles." The Elder explained. "There are some recipes or spells you may find in some old textbooks or grimoires regarding the use of the gemstone but one can only count how little they can find. Many incantations and ingredients are considered "lost" or "extinct" because nobody knows how to find them and all that lives on is the story and name of each spell. Most of the recipes, including the one I assume they have heard of for- the Potions of Complete Salvation- are kept in our Library of Gods, a place only the leader of our clan can access. The Rebirth Potion is one that was leaked in the past and eventually turned into a myth. The one named Percy visited here a long time ago, as the first foreigner to visit this unknown land. He somehow convinced the leader of our other generation to let him in the library."

There was a brief silence as I took in everything he said. So these guys are lying? They never knew how to make the potion in the first place? Then what would they be after? Why would they want the gemstone in the first place?

"I'm surprised you haven't heard of these two, Tiberius and Clint. They're the Hunters of The West, a pair who hunts down rare herbs and objects. They're quite skilled in manipulating and reading body movements. And about our clan as well- we're known for being quite powerful and well-versed in magic and I fell these two are in a bit afraid of me.
I stared, mouth agape. "So...you're saying these two lied so that we'd show empathy and help them get their stone and that they actually probably were just afraid of you guys?"
"Hmmm...why don't you ask the ones in question?" He suggested. Quite irritatedly, I glared at them.
"Hey...chill..." Tiberius gave off a weak laugh. "At least we didn't say we really needed it right? We gave priority to your poor friend!"
"Damn you. One, you made waste my mana by making me use a Darkness' Game. Two, I can believe how dirty you played. Three, you two were most definitely afraid. Four, I hate being fooled." I growled. I pointed my tip of my staff at them, no mercy in my cold eyes. "How utterly annoying."
"Sorry, I guess." Clint insincerely apologized.
"Children, stop you feuds- I have many thing to explain." The Elder stated.
"Can I do something first? Over there at the side. You can begin explaining to them." I said.
"Go on." The Elder approved. A smile tugged at the side of my lip. I slipped behind a couple trees and silently chanted, directing my staff at Clint and Tiberius.
"The demons that feast upon our poor souls, had only one true goal. To cast upon the world a nightmare's dream, the only dream that'll make havoc and screams. It would be hell, a misery, a chore to breath; the wrath of the demons, a sign of their greed. But this could be used for other means, because everything got their red and greens. Control this power, this nightmare, this dream; destroy your opponent's whenever you deem. Call upon the devil's power, and show them that you shall not falter. Nightmare's Dream!"