The Alchemist: Dawn of Destiny

by L. A. Wasielewski

  “Can you open it?”

  Kaia’s voice snapped him from his thoughts. Clearing his throat, he moved around to the foot of the container and examined the mechanism. It was exactly like the panel that had controlled his partner’s stasis. “I don’t see why not. Everything seems to be the same.”

  “Then get going.” She laid her hands on the lid.

  Ryris nodded and ran back to his backpack, pulling out his journal. Even though he had successfully opened Kaia’s coffin, he wasn’t confident that he could reproduce the same results from memory. He would definitely need his notes. Returning to his position at the foot of the sarcophagus, he set his journal on the glass lid and got to work.

  “How long will it take?”

  “Ten minutes? Each time I power a circuit down, there’s a small delay until I can do it again. I’m assuming it’s some sort of failsafe mechanism to keep the machine from releasing stasis too quickly.” He depressed the first glowing button. “When everything is done, the room should go black. Those lights on the wall will flare within a couple seconds.”

  Kaia inhaled deeply, keeping her hands firmly planted above Jaric’s still form. Ryris wondered what could possibly be going though her mind. He made the split second decision to ask.

  “Gamm for your thoughts?” He depressed another button, and it dimmed beneath his fingertip.

  “Pardon?” She looked at him, surprised.

  “I just…I’m wondering what you’re thinking. I mean, we’re really to the point of no return, aren’t we?”

  “Indeed.” Kaia kept her hands on the lid, tracing her finger down the smooth glass. “Jaric is my most trusted general. Yes, he and Ealsig are both well trained soldiers, but I always felt a different sort of camaraderie with him.”

  Ryris swore he saw Kaia’s cheeks blush in the low light. Before he could stop himself, more words tumbled from his mouth. “Was he your boyfriend?”

  Kaia turned and shot him a stern glance, the young alchemist instantly regretting saying anything.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

  Kaia didn’t acknowledge his apology. He worked the rest of the time in silence, covertly watching Kaia for any reaction. But she just kept staring at Jaric through the clear lid, never giving any indication that she wanted more conversation. Ryris swore he saw a tear roll down her cheek, but in the dim light of the chamber, it was quite possible his eyes had deceived him. As he pressed the last button on the panel, he warned Kaia that the room would soon go dark. Seconds later, the lights blinked out, leaving them in pitch-black. Within moments, the crystal lamps on the walls blazed, bathing the room in clear, white light. Kaia kept her palms planted on the lid, waiting.

  “How long?” Her voice was strong, no hint of the emotion she may have been showing in the moments leading up to the blackout.

  “The lid should open on its own any minute now.” Ryris left the foot of the sarcophagus and joined Kaia at the side. “He’s going to be really out of it. I don’t know how much you recall.”

  “I remember enough.”

  The lid cracked open, air hissing out of the broken seal. Kaia flinched at the sound. Sliding back exactly as the cover on Kaia’s coffin had done, the lid was soon out of sight, exposing Jaric to the environment for the first time in seven-hundred years.

  His dark brown hair ruffled on the artificial breeze created by the movement of the lid. He laid there peacefully, his chest still and his eyes unmoving beneath their lids. A goatee surrounded his mouth, a thick scar protruding from the whiskers on his chin. Another blemish crossed just underneath his right eye running from his ear to the bridge of his nose. It was obvious to Ryris that Jaric had seen his fair share of battlefield action. His armor was covered with scratches and dents, several patches adorning various plates of crystal. A longsword lay at his side, his left hand bent slightly to cover the hilt. Attached to the scabbard were red leather straps, tucked neatly under the weapon. Kaia reached forward, as if to touch her slumbering friend, but was startled when he took in a giant, gasping breath.

  Jaric jolted upright and lurched forward, pained gasps billowing from his lips. His legs twitched in front of him, one hand reaching up to clutch at his throat. A thin stream of saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to fill his lungs. Disorientation overtook him.

  Kaia laid her hand on his back and leaned close, her voice more soothing and quiet than Ryris had ever heard. “Jaric…stay calm.” Her movements were gentle as she eased him into a more comfortable position. Even when he flinched away from her touch, much like she had done with Ryris, she held firm and tried her best to assist him through his discomfort.

  Jaric trembled, his breaths still coming in ragged spurts.

  “I went through the same sensations. You’ll feel sick for a day or two, but your strength will return in time.” She snaked her arm around his body, trying to steady him as he dry heaved. “Jaric? Can you hear me?”

  The warrior groaned painfully as he brought his knees to his chest, his armor creaking from centuries of disuse. He hung his head, laying his cheek on the cool crystal kneecap of his mail. “K-kaia...?”

  “Yes.” She smiled softly, Ryris just able to make out a relieved expression on her turned face. “You’ve been asleep a long time.”

  Jaric turned to face her, his eyes squinting in the bright light. Licking his dry lips, he spoke once again, his voice gravelly and unused. “What happened? Why…?” He coughed, holding back a gag.

  “Don’t try to speak.”

  He nodded wearily, turning his attention to Ryris with a confused look. Kaia, sensing his impending question, answered before he could ask.

  “This is my traveling companion—and friend. You can trust him.”

  Jaric eyed Ryris suspiciously for a moment before his face took on a sudden green hue. He tossed his gauntlets off hurriedly as he tried to scramble from his bed. “Out…I need to…get out…”

  Kaia motioned for Ryris to help her, and they both guided Jaric from his sarcophagus. Barely out for a few seconds, Jaric fell on his hands and knees, and threw up all over Ryris’ boots. The young alchemist nearly vomited himself. He resisted the urge to scoff when Kaia shot him a stern glare.

  “Can you stand?” Kaia wrapped her arm around Jaric’s waist and urged him to his feet. “You’ll feel better once you get that armor off.”

  The weakened warrior followed her lead, and gingerly tried to stand. His legs held his weight for a few seconds, before letting his body collapse once more. Jaric grumbled, his brows furrowing in exhausted frustration. “Why can’t…”

  “Your strength will return, I promise. Come on, we’ll get you something to drink.” She noticed Ryris, suddenly obsessed with removing Jaric’s vomit from his shoes by wiping them against the side wall. His nose wrinkled as he gagged. Her voice rose, an irritated command tumbling out. “You can get new boots in the next town, get over here and help me!”

  Ryris abandoned his cleaning regimen and knelt beside them. Mirroring Kaia, he grabbed Jaric under one of his arms and guided him upwards. Jaric’s legs wobbled, his body heavy from the fatigue of hundreds of years of stasis. They led him to the side of the chamber, where their packs lay against the wall. A warm breeze blew in from the open door. Letting go of her friend for just a moment, Kaia lifted a blanket from her knapsack and laid it on the ground as a makeshift cushion. Ryris struggled to keep him from falling. Moving back to Jaric’s side, she and Ryris eased him down so he could lean back against the cool stone wall. Ryris reached for his waterskin and offered the exhausted warrior a drink.

  Jaric winced as the liquid touched his parched throat. After only a small sip, he pushed the flask away and hung his head between his shoulders. “I can’t.”

  “You must drink.” Kaia’s voice was laced with concern. “We’re in the middle of the desert. Dehydration is a real threat.”

  “What good is the water if I can’t keep it down?” He looked at her with exhausted, pained eyes.
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br />   “I might be able to help…” Ryris raised a hopeful eyebrow at the pair. Rummaging through his pack, he finally produced a small red vial. He held it out, hoping Jaric would accept. “This will settle your stomach.”

  The warrior looked at him suspiciously, refusing the bottle. “I don’t need any magic potions.”

  “Jaric…” Kaia rested her hand on this knee. “Trust him.”

  His face still tinted green with sickness, Jaric relented and accepted the vial. Twisting the cap off, he hesitantly sniffed the tincture before downing it on one gulp. He sat quietly, patiently waiting for any and all effects to take hold. After a few moments, he sighed deeply, his color returning to normal.

  “You made this?”

  Ryris smiled with pride as he nodded.

  Jaric reached for the waterskin. “May I? I feel like I can keep it down now.”

  “By all means, drink up. You’ll need your strength to get down from here.”

  Jaric took a long draught from the canteen. “Don’t remind me. That ascent nearly did me in.”

  “You and me both.” Ryris drank from another flask, savoring the cool water.

  The trio sat silently for several minutes, Jaric eventually draining his canteen. The potion Ryris had given him had eased his stomach somewhat, but his muscles still ached and his head pounded. Kaia kept close watch on him as he sat; head leaned back against the chamber wall, eyes closed. Deep, even breaths billowed from his lips.

  When nearly ten minutes had passed without any conversation, Ryris decided to break the ice. “So, are we going to stay the night here, or…?”

  “I don’t think I can make it down the canyon. Not tonight.” Jaric’s voice was feeble, exhaustion taking hold. “Why do I feel so spent? I’ve been asleep for…how long?”

  “Over seven-hundred years.” Kaia regarded him closely, looking for any hint of despair. She obviously knew better than anyone what it felt like to be given the news that you had outlived countless generations. “And stasis isn’t sleep. It will take a few days for your vigor to return.”

  “Seven-hundred, eh?” Jaric exhaled deeply through his nostrils, tapping his fingers on the crystal knee caps of his armor. After a moment, he slapped his hands on his thighs and turned his attention to his partner. “No sense in dwelling on it, right? Dust and bones, eh, Kaia?”

  “Dust and bones…”

  Ryris looked intently at the pair. Something in their tone, they way they looked at each other in solidarity—he wondered if he would ever share in that feeling of camaraderie with the warriors.

  “We’ll spend the night up here, protected from the heat and predators. I think we can make do without a fire, the wall sconces will give us plenty of light.” Kaia leaned in toward her friend. “Let me help you with that armor. You’ll feel much better once it’s off.”

  “Undressing me now? You minx…” Jaric smirked devilishly before removing his boots.

  Kaia rolled her eyes. “I see your personality has remained undamaged by stasis…” She removed his greaves while he unbuckled his breastplate from the pauldrons. Within moments, Jaric’s outer armor was shed, leaving him clad in the thin crystal chain mail he wore underneath. After rubbing his neck with a strong hand, the warrior let out a relieved sigh and turned his attention to Ryris.

  “So, just how is it that you came to be in Kaia’s company? You don’t seem like her type.” Jaric eyed him suspiciously. It seemed to Ryris that his thankfulness for the potion—along with his politeness—had waned.

  Ryris regaled him with the tale of the boys, saberstrike, and the time he and Kaia spent together snowbound above Hewe. The warrior showed no emotion when Lyrax’ name was mentioned, only nodding solemnly as they told him about their suspicions with the newly crowned emperor. Jaric watched him closely as he recalled the events of their travels, ending with Nar and the Ka’liik, and their climb to his tomb. Hoping he had quelled the soldier’s assumptions about him, Ryris was discouraged when Jaric shook his head with a huff.

  “But what’s so special about you, alchemist? You just happened to stumble upon her. Do you even realize who we are?”

  Ryris was immediately offended, and felt the urge to lash out and slap the bastard across the face. He knew his type—bold, brave, and arrogant. Always looking down at the lowly tradesmen, the weirdo intellectuals who spent their time with their noses in books rather than at a sword’s edge. “What’s that supposed to mean? Of course I know who you are. My Gran used to tell me stories about the Crystal Guard.”

  “Stories?” Jaric snorted incredulously before raising his voice. “Do you even understand what kind of danger we faced—that we’ll surely face again?”

  Ryris’ cheeks flushed with anger, and he found himself very relieved when Kaia intervened.

  “Jaric, watch your tongue!” Her eyes were seething with fury. “How dare you belittle the man who risked his life to find you?” She pointed to Ryris’ chest. “Show him what an ass he’s just made of himself.”

  Obeying his friend, Ryris unbuttoned the top of his shirt and fished out the silver chain hanging on his chest. When the amulet emerged into the bright lights of the chamber, it sparkled brilliantly. Jaric’s expression immediately sobered, his mouth hanging open in awe.

  “It can’t be…” He scrambled forward, grasping the bauble between his thumb and forefinger. Pulling a bit too hard, Jaric yanked Ryris’ body forward as he inspected the talisman. “This…this is…”

  “I think you owe Ryris an apology.” Kaia glared at her fellow general.

  “Ryris?” Jaric let the amulet go and immediately hung his head in shame. “I’m a fool.”

  “Yes. You are.” Kaia slapped him forcefully on the back of the head.

  Jaric looked up to the alchemist with an expression of humility. “Forgive me. My remarks were uncalled for. You’re his ancestor, aren’t you?”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  “I’m the unworthy one, then. To be in your presence, to be in the presence of that amulet once more.” Jaric nodded to no one in particular. “It’s…good to know that it’s safe.”

  Ryris, willing to forget Jaric’s prior disrespect, wanted to know more about his bauble—and his ancestor. “Did you know him well? The other Ryris, I mean.”

  “Know him? I’m the one they sent to get the amulet created.” Jaric smiled, mentally reminiscing. “It was his expertise that ended up saving us in the end. Kaia may have activated the sword, but he enchanted it. It was an honor to have served alongside him.”

  “If I may ask, who made my amulet? Where did it come from? I’ve had it my whole life—but know nothing about it.” Ryris unconsciously touched the talisman around his neck, rubbing his thumb over the smooth stone.

  “The thing nearly got me killed. Ran across a pack of undead ghouls on my way. They gave me this.” He moved his thin under mail aside as he turned his back toward Ryris, exposing a long, jagged scar down his shoulder blade. “Damn things overran me; one jumped on my back and tried to jam its stinking sword down my armor. But I would have faced a thousand of them to get our Arch-battlemage the protection he needed. As for the craftsman, his name was Laren Foyt. He lived in the central forests, I think the village was Shadewick.”

  Ryris was unfamiliar with the family name or the village. He knew the area, but couldn’t recall any such town. “Shadewick…doesn’t ring a bell.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Jaric’s expression sobered. “It was razed near the end of the war. All of the inhabitants were…” He looked to Kaia, as if to ask her permission to continue. He wasn’t sure just how much Ryris knew. At her nod, he continued. “…turned. The only way to save them was to destroy them. Believe me, it was the humane thing to do.”

  Ryris shuddered, thinking back to the terrible image in his book. The face of the woman begging for her life—and then her haunting, lifeless eyes and rotten, putrid skin after the deed had been done—had been forever burned into his brain.

  “Jaric’s b
ravery is unmatched.” Kaia’s proud voice cut through the sudden silence of the chamber. “He was the perfect candidate to send on such an important mission.”

  “Don’t flatter me, Kaia.” Jaric’s eyes glimmered mischievously. “We both know if it wasn’t for me, we would have never defeated that necromancing bastard. Because, well, I’m just that great.”

  “You’re an ass.” She shoved him, causing him to push back in childish response.

  “Seriously though, do you realize just how incredible she is?” Jaric motioned to Kaia. “Youngest general the Guard had ever seen. And she’ll kick your ass into next week without so much as a bat of her eyelashes.”

  Kaia’s voice became humble. “I trained intensely, just like everyone else.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Quick. No one even comes close to your warrior’s will.” He leaned over and punched her in the arm, which she immediately returned with double the force.

  Watching the two old friends exchange boasts suddenly made Ryris feel uncomfortable. Pangs of jealousy began to rise within him, even though he had only known Jaric for a very short time. Had they been involved? The way he looked at her, the way they interacted—Ryris just didn’t know. He had to remind himself that Kaia wasn’t his, and that he needed to keep his budding feelings in check if he wanted to continue on. This was definitely not the time or place for soul-searching. Ryris smiled sincerely and hoped his impending compliment would seem genuine—even though his mind was aflutter.

  “You two seem to have a great relationship. It must be nice to be with an old friend again.” Ryris’ voice was wistful as he thought back to the friendships he really never had.

  “Old friend—and a new one.” Jaric grabbed Ryris’ hand and shook it firmly. “You’re one of us now, whether you like it or not.”

  “I’ve really never had close friends. Well, there’s Grildi, but he’s—different. It feels nice to belong.”

  Kaia smiled warmly at Ryris’ admission before digging in her knapsack, finding a small pouch of dried berries. She offered a handful to Jaric. “Eat. You need to regain your strength. We need to move as soon as possible.”