PROLOGUE 2
"I am a weapon. A blade employed by mother creation, brought down to slaughter the black filth."
—Silas Wulfgar
The murderous intent of the sun on that strange day was sickening. Absolutely detestable. And the city of scholars? Excuse me? This place? That could not be true. How was the infrastructure so terrible as to not allow fresh air to flow into the markets and establishments?
Either the city was a lie, or this city was made into the city of scholars far later than its initial creation by the moronic architects who had it made.
No matter. The one redeeming quality this place had was that library. That great, beautiful library. Truly, there were none like it. Every time I lay eyes on it, I am swallowed by it's perfect magnitude…
A large, dark obelisk. Massive in every way imaginable. Making my way inside, as always, is a simple procedure, a single payment of a somewhat large silver coin. One side imprinted with my face on it, and the other, the emblem of the library.
This is how you show them you're welcome here.
How you are not a stranger.
Not many could enter the library, it was a luxury reserved for a few of us. The nobility, elite. Besides our clothes, knowledge is also what helped us separate ourselves from the… Lesser fortunate, so to say.
The whole, recent, world-falling apart event hasn't helped much, admittedly, now every other bastard possesses some kind of core. Thankfully, these people will never be able to learn how to make proper use of it, the fools. Education is, evidently, also something for the noble.
Back to the few members of the library, I have knowledge on most of them, after all, we must stick together, help eachother. However, there are few I know close to nothing of. This is not an issue with those who come here rarely, but there is one who frequents this place more than even I, Hock of Ycca, of the noble family Maximilien.
Him I know nothing of. I know not even the name of his family. Who is he? What business has he doing here? Call me nosy all you like, and that curiosity killed the cat, but I will be fast to tell you that satisfaction brought it back.
Today is the day I speak to that man.
He always reads books pertaining to our biology and cores. I know where he sits, reading these books. I will walk row after row after row of shelves to find him. I walked swiftly, but, of course, silently. I would not dare disturb my fellows…
There he was.
And there he sat, he hadn't even noticed me, actually. The clothes he wore were not so much different from mine. He wore a stiff collar shirt with a cravat, and a waistcoat over it, though his trousers were strange, they seemed to go a little higher than usual, and they wrapped more tightly around his waist… Which was on the slimmer side.
If I hadn't known any better, I'd might have thought he was a woman! But alas, this section was preserved for men only. The women had their own sector, you see. I am drifting, I will return to the theme at hand.
And to the side, there were his other clothes. His coats, a large, wide brimmed hat, satchels… Why would he carry these all the way here? How did he not sweat himself to death on the path to this location? I barely made do with my own clothes, and I wore no coats!
I realized I had began to wander off in my mind, and I chose to approach the man at once.
"Greetings!" I said, a grimace shaped on my face.
"Greetings?" He replied, clear confusion on his face. He continued:"Pardon me, do I know you?"
I felt a bit awkward, I had to recollect myself, it was… Difficult, to lead a conversation with him without losing focus, for some reason.
"No, no. You do not know me, and that is sort of my issue. I, Hock Maximilien, have great connections with all the visitors on this sector, except for you, and I would like to change that. So, I would like to have a formal meeting with you!"
"Ah, I understand. That is completely understandable."
He suddenly stood up. Goodness.
Why was he so tall?
Not inhumanly tall, but taller than the average.
He raised a pale, vascular hand. One of a size fitting of his tall, slender stature.
"My name is Silas Wulfgar. You may also refer to me as Silas of Morvathia, or simply Silas. That is what acquaintances call me. I do not enjoy this… Overly serious, formal environment so many nobles try to keep up."
His voice was… Something else. Captivating, almost. Pleasant.
"Ah! Yes, completely agreeable!" I did not agree, but for some reason I felt compelled to agree. I felt as though if I did not, he would crush me. The grip he had on my hand was that of iron.
"My name is Hock Maximilien, as you know, or Hock of Ycca. I am a younger member at this establishment, twenty years old."
"I thought you were older."
He let my hand go.
"I myself am seventeen."
Seventeen? Is this reality?
"That cannot be true."
"You're not the first to make that claim, now, unless you would like to discuss the topic of cores and biology, I would appreciate it if you would leave me to my studies."
Who does this arrogant kid think he is? I'll show this Wulfgar his place. Whatever plebian blood that is.
"I would like to test your knowledge on the matters, actually. I believe my understanding thus far surpasses yours greatly, as I have studied this for many years myself."
"I doubt this. Try."
He replied faster, and he sounded more tired. Maybe offended?
"What gene in the body is responsible for the presence of a core in the offspring of a sorcerer pair?"
"There is no direct correlation between genetics and whether or not the sorcerer identity of a human is dependent on genetics passed down from the parents."
"Excuse me? Is this some sort of pseudoscience?"
"No, it is a simple observation. Current Leofrician biologists claim that the core essence allele is dominant, the one responsible for it's presence, which wouldn't be so unrealistic if coreless, normal humans didn't give birth to sorcerers. How would the sorcerous child inherit dominant genetics from parents who possess the recessive gene?
The truth of the matter, is that the coreless are such an oppressed people, that not even biologist core users possess the gall to step off their high chair and try to sympathise SOMEHOW with these people to learn more and… I… I!-…"
He began taking steps towards me, and his voice gained more and more weight and emotion as he kept on speaking, frankly, it had me feeling a bit lightheaded and afraid… You'd think he'd start choking, or fall over, or SOMETHING!
… Admittedly, I did fall over backwards, trying to get away from him the closer he got…
He was gesticulating a lot, and at the end of his breath, his finger was raised upwards, likely gesturing towards the high chairs of the biologists about whom he spoke. Also, his other hand was launched at his own throat, as he heaved heavily for air. He developed a sweat, as well.
"I apologize… It wasn't my intention to gain such a volume, and attract so many eyes…"
His voice returned to his more calm, charming self. Though less charming this time.
"That is okay… I wouldn't have ever thought you were so passionate about this subject…"
Surprisingly, as I tried getting back up, he actually reached a hand out for me to grab, and he helped me back on my feet.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"So, do you have a shorter conclusion, perhaps?"
"Yes. I have to admit that, despite my faith in my understanding, I can very well be wrong. My knowledge is limited, but I do seek to enlighten myself to the greatest capacity."
"Splendid, how about instead of quizzing you, we can just have a normal discussion of biology. Say, what else do you know?"
"I find the corrilic system quite intriguing, I must admit. Or, what was the other name?"
"Some guy who discovered it, you know, like how they name organs after the people who discovered them, and such."
"Yes yes. But, the corrilic system is quite interesting to me. What is essentially a secondary lymphatic system, carries the necessary.. fluids, I suppose, to and fro through the body so we may perform sorcery. Korelin, was it? Produced in the… Pancreas."
"It is quite fascinating what we already know that we can do with extracted korelin. We are very curious beasts."
"I wonder how they got to extracting korelin out of the body."
A long pause followed that sarcastic statement. It was obvious how that korelin was extracted. A cruel process, I like to refer to it as.. "splaying". The body is… Splayed open, but kept alive via highly advanced technology, medicine, or simple sorcery, and the pancreas is attached to some tubes. Following that, the brain is somehow stimulated into producing korelin. The process doesn't kill the hooked up person, but it's certainly not ethical…
"Myes… Yes… Erm… Anyhooow… It is rather late, is it not? How about we take our leave?"
"Ah, that's true. Verily, let us go."
Silas then reached for his items. And soon, we left. It was then that I realized that, that much time hadn't passed at all. Yet it was this dark already. How odd?
"Pray tell, Hock Maximilien, what goals do you have?"
I didn't expect that. Splendid question.
"Oh, that's a good question. I have a vision set in front of me. I shall learn more of cores, advance the scientific world of cores, and become the head of the Maximilien family."
"Ahh, wait. Wait wait. Maximilien, that's like.. Valtr Valentin Maximillian, right? Just a different spelling."
"Ahh, great you should mention that. While I am related to his greatness, this family is more of… A distant branch of the bloodline. The family tree split before the great Valtr Valentin Maximillian was born."
"A great scientist, he was."
"Indeed. And what are your goals and aspirations, Silas Wulfgar?"
"There is nothing I desire less than to burn all my bridges and live as free as a bird, freeing others on my course to the end of my life. Who knows where my passion and love will take me?"
Hm. Sure, but no need to suddenly be so poetic.
"I will make my name known, I will be remembered. I will be helpful to the kind, and unforgiving in the face of evil."
Sure you will.
"And I'll crush those who deem their fellow man inferior."
Sure
"Free."
You
"Save."
Will.
"End."
"Hello? Hello? Hock?"
Oh, oops. Was lost in my thoughts for a second.
"Huh? Oh, yes. Great goals you have there. Fame is something I'd like to achieve one day as well."
"You know, perhaps, one day, well help each other achieve these goals. Splendid meeting you, Hock Maximilien. I have to go the other way from here."
Ah, has he kept walking with me despite going the wrong way?
"Oh, uh. Yes, that's… Yes. Go. It was a pleasure getting to know you as well, Silas Wulfgar. Let us meet again?"
"Certainly, tomorrow?"
"And not an hour later!"
Not much time since then has passed. Only took two weeks. Two weeks to the day I last saw Silas.
I walk into the library again, expecting to see Silas, reading up on his last books of interest, but yet he wasn't there. He was usually much earlier here than me. Hours. Many hours earlier.
Admittedly, I believe I had actually become a little bit fond of him at this point.
He'd come a little later, looking a little rough and tired out. As though he'd been pushing stuff around, or hauling heavy items.
"Greetings, Hock!"
"Ahhh, Silas. What's gotten you looking so rough?"
"Ahh, some merchant needed to move some boxes. Say, Hock. How about it, we stay a little later today?"
"Feeling studious today? Sure. We can remain here until late."
Unfortunate decision. The day went by as expected. Chitter and chatter. We read books. Exchange opinions, have a laugh, maybe some delicacy or drink in between outside the library.
I recall that night being a bit colder. Me and Silas stood outside the large black monolith, discussing what else. Of course, about that damned subject known as biology.
The cold night enabled Silas to wear all his best layers. Only his best coat, scarf, a long, horizontal hat most splendid…
"Hock…"
"Yes?"
"This is the first bridge I burn."
"What?"
It only took a second. The library caught on fire, nearly instantly. I saw the flames rise and grow, from the base to the very top. It grew from a torch, to a bonfire, to a burning pyre, and then, to a burning tower.
"… Why? H-how even? WHY?!"
I rushed at him, my hands reaching to rip into his throat. I wasn't even certain that this was his doing, but his calm, somewhat happy expression despite the tragedy happening to his right gave me everything I needed. But alas, I didn't even see his leg coming, as he kicked me in the chest, leaving me breathless on the floor, grasping for breath.
"That korelin thing. You know, how they are able to infuse korelin into fat to keep it stored for longer. You told me all about it. Thankfully, I didn't have to make any of it myself, a simple purchase is all I needed to make to acquire as much as I wanted."
Oh, that's why he was late today…
WHY DID I SHARE ANYTHING WITH HIM?
"As for why… Well. Good question. I learned everything I wanted to know from this library."
WHERE ARE THE GUARDS? WHY IS NOBODY COMING? WHERE IS HELP?
"Nothing. These sciences don't bother me anymore. I realized I can discover and see for myself. This is mostly biased, propaganda-infested trash. For as long as I let that black tower stand, I'd have to live with the fact I did nothing to prevent the spread of lies and hatred."
I DESPISE YOU, SILAS.
"Go on, speak what putrid words you have for me."
I cleared my throat, and got ready to speak…
But nothing came out.
"I… I don't understand…"
"It doesn't concern you… It doesn't even slightly affect your life. You are NOBILITY! WE ARE NOBILITY! WE-"
"Yes. I understand. But the poverty and inequality in this city serves as proof of the reason for why I did what I did. This library was the place filled with the very nobility that let the lesser fortunate starve and die right by the entrance to this place."
"Look, Hock. I enjoyed my time studying and learning new things with you. I am certain there are more cities out there, with even greater libraries-"
"If there are more that do the same, what's the point of burning just one?"
I quickly managed to say, and he smiled to it.
"This is merely the beginning. I don't have to burn all buildings down alone. Not soon, I am sure."
He curled his thumb and pointer finger together, and put them into his mouth, producing a loud whistle. Something in the distance awoke, and rapidly began making its way here. Silas began taking steps down to the road, the one that merchants take across places.
"You must be wondering, the reason nobody's come yet, is because of the fact I've just been blocking out the view. See?"
That hardly even matters right now.
I wasn't even thinking about that anymore.
He said, waving his hand into the air, as the air seemed to ripple. Or something translucent in the air did. These were… Ambient core essence particles? He could manipulate pure, ambient core essence? What? No, no, this couldn't be. And he was leaving?
"I'll let the veil fall down in a couple of seconds, so you better make a run to safety. So you, you know. Don't tarnish your family's name by being framed as the one to have burnt the place to the ground, you know?"
WHY ARE YOU SO CARELESS?
I quickly got back on my feet, and ran to him. No way I would let him go. No. I couldn't. He was… Such… A waste. A prodigy. Wasted on this foolish idea, this stubborn, MORONIC idea of altruism.
CARE.
But alas, whatever creature he summoned forth as his steed had finally arrived, and he had gotten atop it.
BE REMORSEFUL.
"Farewell, Hock. May you achieve your dreams. Maybe you'll learn to see the truth, one day."
FEEL REGRET.
HAVE DOUBT.
"NO! DON'T GO!"
A wave and a grin was all I got, before his strange, dark steed neighed and ran away.
That is when the screams came, as people finally began to see the burning library.
I was gone before anyone caught sight of me.
Silas. You naive fool.
May you achieve your goals.
And may I be one of the hands that tears you to shreds once the day comes.
Silas.