Book of Alchemy

The bar's wooden door creaked open, and the figure slipped inside, the aroma of hearty stew and the sound of merry chatter enveloping them. He found an empty stool at the bar and took a seat, his identity concealed by the shadowy hood of their cloak.

The bartender, a stout human with a friendly demeanor, approached. "What can I get ya, friend?" he asked, his eyes meeting the shadowy figure's.

The figure's voice, though disguised, held an air of mystery as they replied, "A mug of your finest ale, please."

The bar was redolent with the aroma of hearty fare. The scent of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and savory stews wafted from the kitchen, tempting the palate and making the bar a sanctuary for both the weary traveler and the curious adventurer.

As the night unfolded in the warmth of The Weary Wanderer, Syzoth observed the diverse patrons, each engrossed in their own conversations and revelries. 

The bar was alive with the hum of conversation. The diverse clientele, including humans, elves, and dwarves, sat together in harmonious camaraderie, reflecting the city's commitment to unity and acceptance.

For now, Syzoth would bide his time, eavesdropping on the tales and rumors that swirled around him. Who knows what kind of information he could use in the future?

Looking around Syzoth realized that the bar was divided into various cozy nooks and corners, each offering a different atmosphere. Tables with aged wooden surfaces were accompanied by cushioned chairs and benches, providing comfortable seating for the patrons. In one corner, a hearth crackled with a welcoming fire, casting dancing shadows on the walls and adding to the overall warmth.

As for the lanterns, each a unique work of art, hung from the ceiling and cast a soft, amber glow over the establishment.

"Hey, newcomer, are ya waiting for someone? Are you having a date?" the bartender asked, all the while he handed him a cup of ale.

"You could say that, but it's more business than romantically."

"Ok, did you or did someone save a table for ya?"

"Yes, he called himself, ähm, Mr. Arkenstone?"

"Oh, so you are with him. Ok. I shall tell ya where his table is. But first…"

"What?"

"May I know your name, sire? That young gentleman told me only to tell you where he is when his visitor names himself by his real name. Sorry."

The cloaked figure remained silent.

It was clear that it gave him no pleasure to do what the bartender asked.

After a few moments, he finally said:"…inihuini"

"Sorry?"

"My name is Tinihuini. There, can you tell my where he is?"

The bartender, not being able to hold a chuckle, made a nod, and pointed at another table.

A table that was at the very end of the bar.

After taking a deep draught of the rich ale, the cloaked lizardman rose from the barstool and moved with a silent grace to a nearby table. Sitting there was another figure who sat bathed in a soft, ethereal light, and his presence commanded a sense of reverence. Patrons nearby cast curious glances but did not intrude.

As Syzoth approached the table where the figure sat, he could see that the figure's presence exuded an aura of serene wisdom, though their eyes twinkled with a hint of playful mischief.

"Well, well, well, look who we got here. If it isn't the man who summoned me. Tell me, to what do I own the pleasure of finally seeing you face to face?"

"Ah, my dear alchemist. How are you? Are you fine?"

Guess three times. I am hunted by not only those I once called comrades, but also by the inquisition, by the assassins, by alchemists, by the empire, by the holy kingdom, by the United Nations of the west, by the vampires, and now, even the bloody spirits seemed to always try to look me, and when they do, every person in a 1-mile radius knows my location. I am constantly on the run, am forced to live in the woods as if I was some goblin, I am forced to kill every person who finds me just so that the information doesn't get to Leon. Or Maria. Or anyone bloody else. So tell me, 'friend', how 'fine' do you think I am?"

The figure didn't seem to be bothered. Instead, he just a piece of meat into his mouth and started to eat.

"Please, eat. I am sure you are hungry."

"Hungry is an understatement"

Syzoth then took the wooden fork and knife, and started to eat the food that lied on the table.

"How do you feel? Is it good?"

"Splendid. After been forced to eat only berries and apples for the last ten days, this is actually delicious. Munch. What is this?"

"Human meat."

Syzoth, for just a moment, stopped. He then looked at the man in front of him, back at the table. From one side, it was strange to eat human meat. But from another point of view, he was really hungry. There was, of course, another option to just bye some food, but he knew he couldn't do that.

The reason for that was because the only type of coins he had were gold coins, which are one of the highest valued coins. Only aristocrats, people of high nobility, adventurers, smiths, or alchemists had the opportunity to possess gold coins, the other could only get silver or brass.

And by the looks of Syzoth it was clear that he was either an alchemists, or a thief.

And if they realize that he was a lizardman alchemists on top of that, well, it was possibly that they would try to capture him and then interrogate him.

That could end with them sending a letter to Leon.

Of course, the keyword was 'try' capturing him.

Syzoth could potentially just release a big poisonous cloud, kill everyone, and escape.

But he didn't want to do that.

So, gulping, he took another bite.

"How did you get?"

"Tinihuini, please, I never heard of human sacrifice? Do you know how many idiots there are that would just kill themselves just in hope that I help their tribes?. Boy, there are literally thousands of them."

"Then why don't you put a stop to it?"

"Firstly, I just enjoy seeing mortals just doing the most abhorrent of things just for a little bit of my attention. And secondly, if I were to do that, they would most likely stop worshipping me when they realize that all their sacrifices were just because of a small prank I did a few hundreds of years ago."

Syzoth remained quiet.

"Why did you call me? Why summon me here? You could have picked any place, but you chose this one."

"Don't worry, we'll make this brief and discreet. As you know, after you sent that devil back to the pits of hell, by the way, it was quite funny. Can you imagine how the other devils met her? She is now known as the starngled, the first devil to die because she got strangled to death. Hahahaha."

"Please tell me this isn't it. If I did all this just for so little then it was clearly not worth it."

"Don't worry, this isn't it. But she did say that she will stop at nothing before she gets you and makes a pet out of you."

"Great, now there is an angry devil who is after me as well."

"And so, for making history, I, the glorious and benevolent being in the multiverse, decided to give you an award."

"Yeah, you already told me that when I fell asleep three days ago. You told me to get to the place where the druid killed himself to stop a fire. Then you told me to get towards the bar where wanderers could rest. And then you said I should name you after a stone from a famous fantasy story from my world, and name myself, ti.. ti"

"Tinihuini"

"Why did I have to call myself that?! My thing is in no way tiny! I know that because Benedict for some reason decided to make all of the boys make a contest who had the longest little brother."

"Yeah, I liked that bard."

"Why did you make me find this place through some god damn riddle? You could have just…"

"Sorry, I can't do that. Rules"

"Rules?"

"Yes, rules that every being of my status has to obey, or risk destruction by the will."

"…what is the will?"

"Anyway, congratulations. Here. This is my present to you."

The figure snapped his fingers, and on the table now laid a book.

"A … book?"

"Not just some book, my friend, it is MY book. I am the author, and the one who wrote every letter on it and the one who draw every picture on it. It may be a few hundreds of years old, and there may have been a few other who got a hold of this masterpiece but…"

Syzoth didn't listen anymore. Instead, he just took the book into his hands. To Syzoth's surprise, it weighed much less than he expected.

  Almost instantly, he heard a light ding in his head.

  Then, he summoned his system.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Book of Alchemy. 

Rank: ---

Level: ---

Cover: The front cover bears an embossed image of an alchemical symbol—a serpent devouring its own tail, representing the eternal cycle of transformation and renewal. The symbol was framed by delicate scrollwork and botanical motifs, giving the book an air of mystique.

Intricate Illuminations: Each page within the book was adorned with meticulously hand-drawn illustrations, some of which depicted alchemical symbols and formulas. Others portray fantastical creatures and mythical landscapes, offering insights into the world beyond the pages.

Alchemical Recipes: The majority of the book's content consists of alchemical recipes, each one carefully detailed with ingredients, instructions, and annotations. These range from simple elixirs for healing to more complex mixtures for enhancing one's abilities or creating protective barriers.

Annotations and Insights: In the margins and between the lines of text, the alchemist can find handwritten annotations and comments. These notes, often penned in an elegant script, provid practical advice, warnings, and occasional witty remarks from previous alchemists who had consulted the tome.

Monster Lore: Scattered throughout the book are sections dedicated to the creatures and monsters of the world. Vivid descriptions and illustrations provided insights into the habits, strengths, and weaknesses of these beings, giving the alchemist a valuable resource for understanding and encountering them.

Sense of Legacy: When perusing the book, the alchemist can't help but feel a sense of connection to generations of alchemists who had turned to its pages for guidance. The book feels like a bridge between the past and the present, a repository of knowledge and experience waiting to be harnessed.

The Scent of Ages: The book carries a faint, musty scent of age and parchment that seems to transport the alchemist to bygone eras. It is as if the very pages exhale the wisdom of centuries, ready to impart their secrets to those who sought them.

Enchantment: The book possesses a profound enchantment, one that safeguards its secrets with great precision. Only those who held the mantle of an alchemist, initiated into the mysteries of the craft, can decipher the knowledge hidden within its pages.

To anyone else who dare to peruse its contents, the book would appear as a collection of blank pages, utterly devoid of text or illustration. It is as if the ancient wisdom contained within the tome recognizes only the worthy, revealing its secrets solely to those who had earned the right to access its knowledge.

In the hands of an alchemist, the book is not just a collection of recipes and information; it is a key to unlocking the mysteries of the world, a companion on his/here journey, and a tangible connection to the alchemical legacy of those who had come before him.

  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Oh yeah, if you follow the instructions exactly, it may open you a way to the dreamworld."

"Wait, what?"

Before Syzoth could hear his answer, the figure before him disappeared into thin smoke, all the while the front door of the bar fell down, and a beautiful figure, followed by dozens of guards entered the bar.

"Where is Syzoth? I know he is here. Just show me where he is, and nothing shall happen to anyone else."

Syzoth recognized that voice.

It was the voice of Maria, supreme and greatest fire magician of the world, and one of those he once called a comrade.