Closed [Lab 45-E] A Cloak For Your Thoughts? (Rayage)

[Jason Alexander]

Timestamp: 41st of Fall, 2012
Location: Laboratory 45-E Private Laboratory of Rayage

All was quiet in the halls of the citadel. The only movement within the corridors came from the different golems roaming the hall fulfilling their given assignments. The one exception to this would be a dark skinned nuit currently on his way to a section of private labs used for dangerous research, more specifically laboratory 45-E. As the nuit continued on his path, the golems in the corridor flared out around him never once forcing the undead to stop or move out of his straight path. Keeping his slow and steady pace the entire way from the Synchrograph Office, where he begin the process of requesting regents and other items for when he made his journey to begin a new branch of research.

Turning the corner into the branch forty-five of the private laboratory he looked at first plate on the door labeling the lab ’45-A’. Continuing down the corridor looking from one door plate to another until arriving at the one he required. Knocking once and then opening the door he found himself looking at Rayage halfway on the path to answering the door. Shutting the door behind him, the dark skin nuit looked toward the ancient one and spoke in a soft voice. “Hello Rayage. I am Edward Witchit, lead assistant to Guvronsek. I am here to commission one of your more well known steel-cloth cloaks for research of a more secret matter, you understand don’t you as we were told you could be trusted. I was told to inform you that whatever you wish in exchange this cloak I am to provide for you, as long as you keep this exchange to yourself.” The Nuit informed the Alchemist. Walking at a steady pace over to one of the tables inside the lab, he spoke once more. “I will write down where you can contact me without going through the main channel of communication. Once you have finished the cloak and decided on a worthy payment for your work send word. I will come collect the cloak and have your payment. Remember to not speak about this to anyone as this top secret research.” Edward spoke as he wrote some information on a small piece of parchment. Standing straight he handed the parchment to Rayage and began to walk out the door. Opening it he looked back, “Have a pleasant evening Master Rayage.”

And he was gone from the lab leaving as soon as he had came. Leaving the old Nuit to ponder his own thoughts on what had just happened.

[Rayage]

Scribbling, always scribbling the words flowed on the pages. They were not the most interesting thing to read, no, they were reports. He did report to Qiao after all. He needed them to be detailed, accurate, and show his plans for the future. The nuit had plans, big plans, and they were going to change Sahova for quite some time. For example, he was working with an idea about a new type of anti-magic material, one that if magically augmented, could, theoretically, dispel magic around the caster and within the wearer itself. Though not so much as to cause overgiving… However, it still was an idea, though he was sure that Qiao would be interested in his methods and theories.

Though a rapping came from the far end of the lab, on the door itself. Secluded he wondered who would bother him when he was in the middle of writing a report, or dare to interrupt his thoughts. Frowning, the nuit plunged the quill back into the inkwell and slowly, carefully rose from the chair cursing whoever it was. Turning he made his way to the door, but when he was about half way there it opened and another nuit slipped in, one that he didn’t recognize, but it wasn’t the body which he was looking it was the mannerisms and how he carried himself. He was sure that he hadn’t met this person before, and he wondered why he would dare disturb him. Unamused he looked over the nuit, and crossed his arms, waiting for him to explain himself. The guy had sense because he didn’t keep him waiting long. He introduced himself as Edward Witchit, and apparently he had a message from Guvronsek. Rayage listened, nodding, and he watched at the nuit wrote on the piece of parchment and hand it to him. Glancing at the small folded piece of paper in his hand, the man was already out the door wishing him to have a pleasant evening, and then he was alone once again. Or was he?

Turning back to his desk the immortal took a moment to think over the offer, a trade? He smiled if the nuit wasn’t fibbing about Guvronsek this might be a chance for him to gain the summoners favor. Though at what cost? The strange thought filtered through his mind as he considered the pros and cons… Then again, politics were not always straight. Pocketing the piece of parchment the nuit did not look at it, before he wrote on a sheet of paper all that he would need to get the cloaks writing out the formula along with supplies needed:

• 17 Steel bars
• 17 Cotton Scarfs
• 1 Cloak
• 1 Vial Red Dye
• Vial of Water

S+C+C+C+C=SC1
SC1+C+C+C+C=SC2
SC2+C+C+C+C=SC3
SC3+C+C+C+C=SC4

C+S+S+S+S=CS1
CS1+S+S+S+S=CS2
CS2+S+S+S+S=CS3
CS3+S+S+S+S=CS4


CS4+SC4=CSSC1

Cl+CSSC1+Bd-W=F

Of course, he had done this exact formula before, and he was confident in it. With that all written out now all he had to do was go order the parts and pieces he would need from that pencil pusher nuit who is the over glorified secretary. That ought to be fun, the nuit jested to himself, but since he worked for Qiao he hadn’t experienced much trouble with him at all, and these were pretty common items he was asking for. So, he expected the transaction to be smooth and prompt. It wasn’t like he was asking for ton of elephant lard or anything like that. Really, sahova should have this stuff just lying around. The nuit dared to imagine what the storehouse in Sahova would look like. He was in a good mood today he had just got an offer that he couldn’t refuse, and a new project to fill his time. Of course, this wouldn’t be reported to Qiao, but he knew the man his ways of finding things out.

---

Later That Day

Ray turned at the sound of his lab doors being opened. Golems filed into the room carrying the supplies that he had asked for. It seemed that master status within Sahova had quite a few perks, one of them being a fast response time from the office. After all Boris had a lot to gain by treating masters with respect and giving them what they ask for in a timely manner. He was glad that his supplies had arrived for he was rather eager to get started on this project, more so than any of his current ones right now. If he could get anything he wanted, and perhaps build a lasting relationship with this wizard, then maybe he could elevate even higher up in Sahova than ever before. It was a thought that pushed his want to defend Sahova against the Syliran Knights to the back of his mind. Though little did he realize how twisted his logic was, for if there was no Sahova, there would be no superficial power to grasp onto.

The golems quickly left the supplies in heaps around the tables they were just ordinary items they did not to be treated with extra special care or anything of the like. As quickly as the golems filed in they left in an orderly fashion as well. He was, once again, alone, left to his own devices, whatever they may be. The trivial looking assortment of items which were presented to him held a not so innocent secret. It was the job, the life, of an alchemist to change and transform the mundane to the extraordinary, as it is commonly said, lead to gold. Though those learned of alchemy might know that the ‘lead’ and the ‘gold’ are not exactly what they appear and represent a deeper meaning of much more profound discovery. To the alchemist anything is possible, any change can be made, and any substance transformed. To the alchemist he was gifted the power and knowledge to know the limitless possibilities that his craft offered. Alchemy was versatile, and deeply profound. It could be applied to nearly anything. In fact, Rayage hasn’t found anything that couldn’t be changed by the force of alchemy yet. With it, he knew, he could accomplish the impossible. That is his faith, his hope, his religion, that is his Alchemy.

Now, however, it was time to get down to business. It was time to summon change itself through force of will, it was time to work the magic at which he was so renowned for, and show the world, or at least Guvronsek, just how good an Alchemist he really was. Nothing could stand in his way, no, now he had everything he needed to fulfill his end of the bargin. He half wondered what Guvronsek wanted with one of his cloaks, what sort of dangerous experiment he was planning on doing that needed this kind of light-weight protection. Was he going to venture to the testing grounds? Perhaps, though the alchemist shook those distracting thoughts from his head. He needed to focus. He needed to sharpen his mind on the task at hand.

Thinking back to his formula the first line of it was S+C+C+C+C=SC1. That meant one steel bar as the target and four cloth scarves as the founts. Turning to the stack of supplies he grabbed four scarves and grabbed them, placing them by the alchemy circle, and went and retrieved one steel bar placing it by the scarves. He did not load the circle yet because it has yet to be tested for polarity. Bending down and taking out a dagger he pricked his finger with practiced ease careful not to damage his body more than he had to in order to get this experiment done. No, for it wasn’t worth a body change, not yet, not ever was the power of change going to bring him to that tipping point. He hated changing bodies, he just felt all weird afterwards and then getting reacquainted was a hassle, the reorientation of the body left much to be desired. There had to be a better way than this, and yet, he wondered if it had at all been looked into? Probably, but now wasn’t the time to ponder and search, placing his wounded appendage onto the keystone in front of him he willed the energies of the circle into motion once more. This was his first attempt at alchemy with this circle in such a long time, and so he was slow, gentle, as he nudged the djed to move, to curve around the circle to test it. He needed to find out the fount and filter side of the circle, take note of them, and then he could begin his project.

He felt his connection with the circle strengthen as he willed the energies into movement. The power he felt, even with no fount or filter present, the circle wasn’t even loaded, but having to go through this ritual every time he wants to do alchemy it had a way of bringing back that rush, those good memories which lead him to feel something more. When he was preforming alchemy it wasn’t just a magic to him, no, it was more than that. It was more, so much more, so hard to put into words the feelings which Alchemy brought to the alchemist. Like a faithful servant to his god, the close bond he shared with the magic he was sure that others have experienced it, but towards the gods themselves. Alchemy was his salvation, his imagination, his very thought and reason for being. It was Rayage and Rayage was Alchemy. They were one in the same, but of different forms, of different powers, they held a different existence, but yet were connected. It was this very moment which connected and strengthened the bond the nuit held with his magic, his art, his life. Was magic like this for everyone? He wondered, and thought that there were people who treated magic just as a means to an end. Though it was so much more, any master could tell you that. It was everything.

The Djed flowed and through it he knew, feeling the strain of opposite forces, which side was the fount and the filter. It was really something, he thought, how opposites can create something unique, something otherworldly. It was a balance really, a push and pull, a give and take, a fount and a filter… It was only through the balance of all things within the circle which someone will get what they have come for. It was this balance which most wizards sought out. A balance hard to strive for, especially when the sweet whispers set in, a balance quickly lost to the pushing, shoving hand of fate. Was that the fate of all wizards eventually? To give in, to go mad, to… No. There are always chances to change the future, for as Alchemy has shown there are an infinite number of possibilities and each person is the sum of their actions up to the present point in the flow of time. Even Ray was not immune to those observations, those rules of reality, but he did know, reality was what you make it out to be.

oocIm going to post in multiple posts as if it were in one post, it would be rather huge and discouraging to read. Ill tell you when Im finished.

[Rayage]

Figuring out where which side held the founts and the filters completed the first step of the alchemical process. Taking his hand from the keystone the nuit turned to that which he wished to transform. Grabbing ahold of the steel bar he placed it in the center of the circle. Striding back out, he grabbed the scarves and placed them in the fount sections of the circle one by one, careful to position them so not a single part of them were outside the designated space. If one was careless with Alchemy, well, the perpetrator didn’t last very long. Not long at all.

Loaded, it was time to charge the circle. Going over to the keystone the alchemist knelt by the circle, placing his pierced hand over the place of power, pushing down on it, he felt it again, that tingle of energy. That rush that he got when he was preforming alchemy. It was extraordinary. It was that feeling, the feeling of absolute control, which had got him this far. Focusing on the circle itself, he willed the energies to move around the circle. His will dominating the circle as the energies followed suit. He was the commander and they were mere followers, servants to follow his exact instruction. The djed which flowed around the place flowed because he willed it, because he has the power, because it had to. He had paid the blood sacrifice, and in exchange he was granted power, dominion over the circle and everything within. With just a drop of ichor he could summon forth, command, and control the powers of change and transformation.

Djed trickled slowly around the circle, and began to speed up slowly as the alchemist got a greater and greater grasp on the feeling which he wanted. This grasp strengthened his control and further helped him clutch onto the magic, command it, and use it for his own gain. That is why people use magic after all, is it not? Self-preservation. That is and was everything to the nuit, and this power, the magic which is called Alchemy is how he would ensure himself a page on the history of mizahar. No, he would not be forgotten as some half-witted, sloppy alchemist. He would be renowned as the next Rupert Pycon, greater than Pycon ever was or ever could hope to be! He would change the very world with his art, and craft it in his image. He was clutching at a power which he could control, and with this magic he would make the best out of it.

Faster and faster still the djed surged around the circle. It needed more speed, more power, more permanence. By sheer force of will he found himself controlling this ring with effort and concentration. The many times he has done this has made the practice and art form, and the nuit an artist. For there can be no art without an artist, that would be just absurd. He was an artist, and his canvas was reality! His art will make people rethink what is possible and what is not. He will truly stretch the limits of this magic, and with it rise to fame, but more importantly clutch at power.

Further still he concentrated, a look of effort torn upon the immortals face as the energies were now swirling around the circle at appalling speeds. The faint crackle of djed could be heard as the ring glowed with visible power. The creative and positive energies he wielded flowed without any resistance from the negative influences of the filters. Unrestrained and unrestricted the djed passed through the keystone, now a constant stream, giving the alchemist himself a feeling, a charged feeling as through his connection with the circle he could feel the energy, become it, and command it. It was reaching its peak though, and so, without further to do or will, the alchemist broke his connection with the keystone, at that very moment, at the very last moment, willing all the energy at the bar of steel in the center.

There was a flash of light, blinding and bright, but only for a moment. Daring to look at what he created he rose and walked to the center of the circle. Picking up the steel bar he examined it closely, bringing it close to his face and feeling the difference just one transmutation has done. The steel was now more clothy. It grew softer, had a slight texture to it, but it was still evidently steel. There had to be another transmutation. Going over to the water barrel he plunged the item into the water ceremoniously ridding the steel-cloth combination of any lingering djed radiation, or at least most of it.

The nuit let it sit in the barrel of water as he went over to his notes, crossing the first step off his list, he had successfully done that, now didn’t he? The Alchemist was now ready for step two, which noted to be SC1+C+C+C+C=SC2. Not very complicated, no, but very time consuming. He hoped whatever Guvronsek had to offer was worth the trouble. He started to have his doubts, but he shook his head, that will come when it is time. For now he had to concentrate on fulfilling his part of the transaction faithfully and have faith that Guvronsek, or the nuit representing him, would come through for him. Yes, that is what he had to do.

Retrieving the SC1 from the barrel the nuit carefully dried it off, and let it sit for a while as he set up the next transmutation. Again collecting four scarves he placed them, again, in the fount slots. Once more he was careful to keep the scarves within the fount zones. Once everything was perfect he proceeded to fetch SC1 from its resting place. Picking it up and placing it in the center of the circle the alchemist again took his position at the keystone, placing his hand on the stone itself, he pressed down on it feeling an almost instant connection with the circle itself and everything within. The feeling of power spread over him again as he concentrated, willing the stasis energies into motion.

The djed was forced to dance to his tune, flowing smooth, graceful through the circle. The lead of this dance was the D-wire which wrapped itself around the circle, the djed being transported through that along the great iron ring. Rayage, of course, was the musician playing the tune to which the leader lead. It was all very artistic how the djed flowed and moved, edging along, gaining speed every second. Mastery of the art has allowed him to accelerate the djed flux at speeds that most alchemists could never hope to achieve. It was this power that let him create things, distill, and attach things that no normal or average alchemist could. So, why was he doing these cloaks instead of refining life itself? Well, the answer was obvious, to advance himself, to turn the mundane to the extraordinary, to turn his lead to gold. No, this wasn’t about completing the cloak, but about Rayage. Selfish? Hardly, he is doing what needs to be done to survive in this wizard eating world of madness which is Sahova.

The djed flux of the alchemy circle reached its limit again, and again, the nuit took his hand off of the key stone severing his connection giving the final command: to go to the target. The energy flowed where it was told to go, and in a great collision of light the job was completed. SC1 had transformed to SC2. Two more steps to go, the nuit remarked to himself as he picked up the steel-cloth and threw it once more into the barrel of water dispelling any lingering djed. Two more steps and the first equation will be complete.

[Rayage]

It was something not unexpected, as the nuit took what once had been a steel bar out of the water. It had grown slightly absorbent of water, but still held its shape, much like some kind of sponge. Squeezing it between his fingers some of it gave, but it was still very solid. Water leaked out of it, falling back into the barrel. Setting the wringed out bar of steel on a nearby table, the alchemist walked over to his notes and jotted down the condition of the steel after just two transmutations. His notes this time will be far more complete than when he made this in Sunberth. He did not have the luxury of his lab in Sunberth, his notes, almost everything was at Sahova.

Turning back to the steel bar, he touched it, it was still wet. He would have to wait for it to dry. Sighing, he turned back to his desk. He could set up the circle, but then what to pass the time? First thing is first though he had to reload the circle again. Going over to the piles of supplies, he dug out four more scarves. The circle spread out before him, he placed the scarves carefully in the fount slots. Each one was laid with watchful care that none of it was beyond the boundaries of the circle. There was no room to mess up, no room to double back or doubt the process. There was no room for error. One mistake could set him back time and supplies. That he couldn’t afford, and so he recorded his results carefully, proceed carefully, calculate absolutely.

He had some time to kill, so he might as well do it practicing. Pulling a stool up to where the alchemized SC2 lay, he started to concentrate on it. Fixating his eyes on the object he let it fill his sight, and with the sight being occupied he let his mind wander over the object. Just how far it had come in two opening of the doors was amazing. He was definitely seeing progression in his alchemy on a physical level. Now it was time to take a closer look, a deeper look into what was actually happening to the bar. A stray thought entered his mind, the nuit cursing to himself as he knew he was right, he should have noted the aura at the very beginning instead of in the middle of the process. It would have made his notes and observations more complete. Besides, isn’t that why he had got the magic in the first place? Yes, he remember much more detailed notes taking observations down about the aura and structure of the object as the alchemy worked to warp it. Rayanne had always taken better notes and care in her experiments than he ever did. She had the foresight that he was lacking, and that was why, no matter how good he has become, she will always be just that much better.

The djed trickled to him as he reached out with his very essence to the item. With this magic and deep concentration, deep focus it brought with it new insight into the craft before him. Colors and textures swirled about his vision as he tirelessly tried to dechipher them before they fell out of focus. The nuit still was struggling with keeping the aura focused, and it still took a great deal of concentration to do anything useful with it. Perhaps if he had practiced more with it he would have this problem. Though as he consumed more and more of his personal djed, and spent time in silent observation things slowly, oh so slowly, started to come to him. He could feel it, taste it, hear what it sounded like when it clasped against the table, even see a myriad of color flow before him all representing traits, and the different traits meant more diversity to the item. He even got a glimpse, when he strained his eyes, of the alchemy put onto it and where it would start decaying first. It was decaying already. Time was ticking by, little flakes of djed floating off the item mixing with the smoke that was the traits of the object. Yes, the flakes of djed, that had to be the alchemical decay.

Feeling the wear and the strain the nuit released the spell, having been lucky to have made it as far as to recognize and see the decay. It was an accomplishment, but it still felt wet…

[Rayage]

Time passed, and finally SC2 was dry. Having already set up the circle the nuit took the steel-cloth2 and placed it in the center of the circle. Walking out of it he pivoted on his heel, turning to the keystone. Squeezing some more ichor out of the small cut on his finger he once again reestablished his connection with the circle. He could feel it. It was like a living thing now, an extension of him, a part of him. Change, however, any alchemist will realize that it is a part of us all. So is the magic of Alchemy an innate gift from the gods? No one knew, but through it, Alchemy, it allowed mortals to interact and feel the power of change, the power to warp objects into something that they are not. Using alchemy made him feel closer and closer to the god Harmeus, this must be how he feels when he changes the world!

A shallow grin appeared on his face, this feeling must be one hundred times better when he will actually use his magic to change the world. That, he was sure of. Willing the djed around the circle into motion, he called upon it to move, commanding it, ordering it, becoming it. The djed had nothing to do but obey. It was now, through ichor connection, an extension of his very being. He controlled it with his very thoughts much like he controls the movement of his arm or the even the djed inside his body when he casts personal magic. This circle was his to command, absolute control, it was everything he wanted and more. Within this space he was a god, able to change and warp reality to a degree. Alchemy is the art of transformation. What an art it would be if one couldn’t transform and warp reality itself? He could create things otherwise nonexistent within the world, new things, and new ideas.

The circle forged a path for the djed to flow, and through it the djed went faster and faster constantly gaining speed as the Alchemist willed it. This little ritual was necessary for any transmutation to be successful. It was the speed and the size of the circle which, in part, determined the half-life of the product in question. There were other factors as well such as concentration and effort, for sloppy work will never be good as honest work, but the two most obvious factors were speed at which the djed is accelerated and the size of the circle. The faster and bigger those two variables, it seemed, the longer the half-life on a single item. For as Alchemists grown in skill and power they are able to command bigger circles and accelerate djed at even greater speeds. It made sense. The force at which the djed flux hits the object, the amount of djed accelerated, everything had to be factored in. No one has the time to do all of that, so it’s been kept simple, for now.

Soon enough the djed was thick in the air, a faint crackling sound could be heard as the energy accelerated so fast now that it was visible and formed a glowing circle as it raced around the alchemy ring. Faster and faster it span, sound and light picking up in both brightness and intensity of the noise, though the alchemist willed it on, spurred it on, further and further kicking it with his mind. Faster, faster! He seemed to yell, but soon it could go no faster. Soon it was at its limit. Soon he had to release it, and that is just what he did. Taking his hand off the keystone he used his last seconds of influence over the circle as a whole to will the djed to the center of the circle, slamming it, mercilessly, into SC2. Light shot out from every direction, causing Ray to look away, closing his eyes, and then SC2 became SC3.

Hurrying, as to not devalue the product by letting the extra djed affect it any longer than it has to, the nuit grabbed SC3 out of the circle and just about threw it in the barrel of water. He watched as it floated for a while, slowly absorbing water before it sank to the bottom. The steel was indeed getting more and more cloth-like with each door opened upon it.

Waiting a few chimes, the nuit then reached into the barrel, fishing out SC3 before wringing it out and letting it dry. He noticed as he squeezed the water out of it that the metal gave more before becoming solid as a rock. It was now just about a sponge, an expensively time consuming alchemy-made sponge of steel. Though… if one didn’t know better than he wouldn’t be able to tell that it was steel at all, just some weird cloth thing. Although it still had many of steels properties, it wasn’t exactly steel, but it wasn’t cloth either, it was somewhere in-between.

Placing SC3 to dry the nuit once again got busy setting up the circle. Once more, and for the final time, he grabbed four more scarves and placed them in the fount slot. Once more he was careful that they did not exceed the slots boundaries. Once more he was successful in that endeavor. He had done this three times already, he was pretty sure that he could set up the circle, especially such a simple circle as this one, without any incidents. Again the process was done with plenty of time to spare. So he waited for SC3 to dry.

The drying took longer than he would have liked, but once it was finally dry he quickly advanced it to the center of the circle. Placing it once more as the target the nuit moved back and out of the alchemy circle. This was the ritual of change. Placing his hand on the keystone he willed the energy to move. The funny thing about this entire process, or at least Ray found some humor in it, is that Alchemy is the art of change and transmutation. Though to go through it, one must go through the same steps over and over again, but only with different chargers. Perhaps, he mused, as the djed span faster, that was the key to life?

Was the ability to open doors that lead to changing a substances entire state of being lain in preforming the same task over and over again? If opening doors to change was that easy, then why do most people fear it? Because they don’t know what’s on the other side? No, that is illogical, and stupid. Based on past actions, what you place in the founts, and your present actions, what you place in the filters, and the door you are looking at, the target, one can very well have an educated guess on what might happen. Alchemy, and there for Change, can be predicted and foreseen if one has an open enough mind.

The circle was again glowing with power as the alchemist willed the djed through and around it. It crackled and fizzled with energy and magic. The entire room felt charged with the alchemist’s power radiating from the circle. Ray could feel the djed across his skin, the djed radiation; he could also feel it traveling around the circle like the personal djed which travels within him. It was a feeling of power, and that power he could get used it. It was that magic which made him smirk as he egged the transmutation to go just a little bit faster. It was only at the peak that he released the djed, forcing it to the center, taking his hand off, stumbling back, and looking away from the blinding light. SC3 turned to SC4. The first equation was complete Rayage noted. Now there are only six more steps left. He was getting there, albeit slowly. The nuit placed SC4 into the barrel of water to dissipate the lingering djed and to finalize the creation of SC4.

[Rayage]

Crossing the lab, the nuit glanced at his notes. SC4 was successfully created, now all he needed was to create CS4. The first step, according to his formula, was C+S+S+S+S=CS1. He thought about how sloppy that formula looked. It was going to take pages for something truly complex. Perhaps he could shorthand it. Something like, picking up his quill he played with a few ideas in his head until he wrote the best one down, C+(S*4)=CS1. That way if he had any repeating components in a formula he could just group them together like so and expand with others. His eyes glossed over the page looking at formulas to play with. He smiled liking the game he had come up with. Though such thoughts were later, but he experimented with a hypothetical formula scribed on the bottom of the page C+(S*4)+(T*4)+E-G=B. It sure saved a lot of space instead of writing out the variable ‘S’ and the variable ‘T’ four times over. Otherwise… the nuit wrote out the formula not in shorthand: C+S+S+S+S+T+T+T+T+E-G=B. Comparing the two, he nodded to himself, the first one looked a lot cleaner. Perhaps he will start writing all his formulas with repeating variables in that shorthand.

Dropping the quill and bottling back up the ink the nuit was glad that he had that figured out, but now he was just wasting time spending any more thought on it. He had to add action to his plans else nothing will be created or changed. There was still a lot of work ahead of him, and he knew it. Looking at the stack of steel bars in front of him he had to conquer this task. The offer was just too tempting to pass up. Going over, he picked up a bar, one in each hand, and moved them slowly over to the alchemy circle. Placing them down in the fount slots he hurried back to the pile and grabbed two more, dragging them over to where they were to be placed down, and set them in their respective slots within the circle. In alchemy everything had a place, and places mattered very much. If one were to switch up the Fount and the Filter, disastrous things could happen to the project. Opening one wrong door could lead to ruin for the entire experiment. Grabbing the last scarf he placed it in the center of the circle, it was to be his target this time.

The keystone was his alter of power. The nuit walked over to it, ichor still on it, he smiled, as he placed both hands gently onto the stone. With this alter he could summon the power of change. He could transform matter and bend someone’s idea of what exactly is possible. It was the ability to summon such power along with the ability to control it which got the nuit hooked on alchemy. It gave him a rush, made him feel alive again when he could direct and command such dangerous and lethal energy. For an alchemist such as him, Ray knows very well how deadly the djed flux of an Alchemy circle can be. He has gone through so many living things because of it. The prospect almost disgusted him. It made him feel ill. Though he banished those thoughts from his mind as he concentrated on getting the circle going, getting the djed flowing. He shouldn’t waste time daydreaming about the past, but, instead, he should create the future!

The djed slowly awakened from its slumber, the energy slowly being ripped from the objects based on the alchemists will. Yes, that is what Alchemy does: it rips the very identity of the objects off of themselves, or at least that is what happens in the fount slot. It takes everything that it is, indiscriminate in its reaping, and that is why, usually, there are founts to block out unwanted properties. Ray wanted none of that. He wanted to find the perfect medium between cloth and steel and this, yes this, is how he will do it.

The trickle of djed, over time, began to spin faster and faster. The once calm river turning into a raging white rapids. The Alchemist had complete control over the acceleration of the energy, and this alchemist didn’t want to waste any time. So he got things moving rather fast, rather quickly. The first four doors opened leading to the creation of SC4 were just a warm up, to get the ‘rust’ off of him and his circle. He was now fully charged and fully ready to take on the responsibility of the circle and push himself even more. Every door opened was a journey, and this was a journey that he was going to complete. Perhaps he might learn something new?

The torrent of power span around the circle at appalling speeds rather appealing to anyone who was an Alchemist, this was going to be his best transmutation today, perhaps to date. He could feel the Djed is going faster than it ever has been before and it came easier, almost like second nature. He felt a deeper connection with the circle than ever before, a deeper sort of power he was presented as his hand reached for the handle to allow access to open this alchemical door. He was on a journey himself, and, as every alchemist knows, it is not the end product which matters most, but the journey taken. This is because without a journey there can be no lesson. One does not get something for nothing, no, that is not how the world works. Nothing is ever free, nope, not even in Sahova. In fact, things just might be a little more expensive here. Not that Ray minded, of course.

Feeling the speed plateauing the undead decided that it was time to release the power of the circle, and so, with practiced speed and precision, a knowing that he can’t get any more out of this equation, he let go. With the cutting of the connection the djed flux surged towards the center of the circle and again produced a nice flash before the object was changed. The scarf was no longer a scarf, but it has been transformed into CS1. Moving over to the center of the circle Rayage grabbed the used to be scarf, and noticed quite a change. It had lost its cloth like attributes, instead those of steel dominated. Bringing it over to the barrel of water he dropped the scarf in. It has also gained a noticeable weight and sunk like stone, hitting the bottom of the wooden container.

[Rayage]

CS1 turned out great. Removing it from the water the nuit brought cloth over it, drying it thoroughly as he went to replace it into the center of the alchemy circle. There was just something about Alchemy that made the nuit feel content. It was calming to him and allowed him escape reality for a while, focusing solely on the project at hand. It was that escapism that he liked about it, though through it he had learned so much about the world, about life, and the mundane objects. He had learned to focus his mind as he controlled the energies which will surge the circle through his manipulation.

Proceeding to the other supplies he picked up the steel bars again and placed them carefully within the circle. Alchemy was his art, and reality, however limited it is within this circle, will be his canvas. The bars are his colors, white ichor his brush used to control the flow of color, and the product, well, that will be extraordinary. He was an artist, but his piece would not be done in one frame, in one go, no, it takes time to cultivate and further instill the properties upon the fabric until they are just right. In fact, these steps are just a small part of the larger whole, which will be a masterpiece in its own right.

Now it was time to start the process anew, from the beginning, but one step closer. One step closer to finishing, one step closer to the beginning again, one step closer to achieving his goal. The nuit had learned to take the steps, one by one, not to rush the results. It was this discipline which he showed Alchemy that he gave credit to all his success. It was this discipline and the mindset that he had all the time in the world to finish, time was no value, but it was.

Pressing his hand onto the cold keystone he felt the connection rise up in him. This connection filled him with a sense of accomplishment, pride, and, of course, power. He was sure that there was an answer to every problem within Alchemy. It held the secrets of change, and with it the power to change, but first one needs to understand what change really is. That. That level of understanding came with years of practice and dedication, and even then the concept still evades even the greatest of masters. The power twirled around the circle at a sluggish pace, but soon picked up as the alchemist was careful to start out slow and ease into the spinning. It was a way to ensure that he had power over the djed flowing and churning within the circle.

Accelerating and increasing the pace as time ticked by, it was a gradual acceleration and held smooth. Just like a steady hand was needed for the art of healing, a steady mind and control is needed for Alchemy to turn out great. To not mess up one needed to control the very force of change itself. The power moved and reacted to Rays thoughts. He and the circle are connected through the blood tribute, and through it Alchemy was possible.

Chimes later the churning of grew more intense. Its power was radiating and could be felt throughout the room. No the energy wasn’t out of control, in fact it was in the practiced hands of a highly skilled Alchemist. It was refined, purposed, but its power was impressive, commanding the attention of anything in the room. The djed flew though the circle and soon it was at its peak. It was time to end this. Breaking his connection with the circle he forced the djed to the center of the circle. Another flash of light, and CS1 became CS2.

Grabbing CS2 he noticed that the substance got harder, it was heavier, taking on more and more properties of the steel which he used. Throwing it into the barrel it landed with a clank. Two more rotations and then he could combine SC4 and CS4 to make the perfect medium, or so he hoped that is what it would accomplish. The water doing its job rid the product of any excess djed lingering from the transmutation. It was an interesting property of water, being a purifier for Alchemy. He half wondered what other semi-magical properties it possessed. An everyday substance but within it held such power. It could literally give life and in fact is responsible for life as all organisms needed it, or some of it, to survive.

Drying off CS2 he placed it in the center of the alchemy circle. Crossing the lab once again he loaded the circle with four more bars. Now he only had four more bars of steel left. The lack of substance where the bars were was encouraging for the nuit. He only had a few more steps left and then he could get what he wanted. He could get what he wanted from the summoner that had commissioned him. He wondered what that might by. The nuit had not put much thought into it at all. Guess figure it out when the time comes.

Circle loaded he started the process again, focusing on the circle and on the control of the djed therein. The power that he connected with tickled the nuit as he allowed it to flow, feeling it out as continued with the process. The djed of the items, he found, broke off rather easily. Easier than he could remember and hopefully that will give him a better reaction. Quicker for sure, but better is questionable. Focusing on the djed flowing he made it go faster and faster still. Soon it was going around the circle many times in one second.

Reaching his peak, the energy could go no faster. So he had to finish it. This transmutation had been simple enough, and so he broke his connection and guided the djed to the center. The mass of power collided with the object in the center and created a flash of light. He knew that CS2 was no longer what it had been, but something more. Though the transmutation might not show much change between CS1, CS2, or even CS3 it was there. The cloth, with every door opened within it, became more and more ‘pure’. This purity served to cement the properties inside the cloth, and hopefully will come to scale the SC4 to make the steel cloth successful. The nuit grabbed the newly formed material and walked over the barrel of water. Placing it in the water for a few chimes the alchemist stood there holding the used-to-be-cloth in place as he felt the djed dissipate and be absorbed, cleansed in the water. This was CS3.

Drying off CS3 he placed it in the center of the circle and once again loaded it. The last four bars were to be used in this transmutation, and then all he would have left is CS4, SC4, a robe, some dye, and water. From there he could create the steel cloth without much difficulty. Activating the circle, he pressed his hand firmly against the keystone. The djed gave rise when he commanded it. Stripping the steel of its properties came easy to Rayage. The Alchemist has had a lot practice after all.

Once again he came to his peak, the flare of djed was intense, grinding as every last ounce of what steel is was drained away from the steel. Added to the circle he smiled feeling accomplished as he felt the djed swirl and spin, constantly moving, constantly swirling with the thoughts of the alchemist, constantly changing. The essence of what was will become what is, and so, with that thought in mind, he released his grip on the djed forcing it to the center of the circle. Another flash and CS3 became CS4.

Quickly going over he grabbed the component and threw it in the water. He had no more time to waste on creating the mediums, on painting the spectrum of steel and cloth…

[Rayage]

He had completed both of the bigger equations. CS4 and SC4 have been created. Now it was time to act upon the final two steps of the alchemical problem. The last step ending in the creation of the cloak itself, a miracle of Alchemy, a genus creation. Taking CS4 out of the water he dried it off and let it sit on a table, waiting a while till it was all the way dry. SC4 however was more than ready, so he loaded it into the circle, the steel with the properties of cloth was unique indeed, but it wasn’t quite what he was looking for. He needed a good medium, and so it is like adding a negative number to its inverse, you always get zero. Zero was what he wanted here nothing more, nothing less.

Taking the now dry CS4 he put it in the center of the circle. CS4 will be the target for, unlike math, the location of the items mattered. He feared that if put SC4 in the center, the steel with cloths properties, then it will gain CS4’s properties making harder than what wanted it to be. Though the other way around, the way he was doing it hard will become soft. If one really thought about it then his fears would become very real. It was only logical, right? Shaking away doubts the alchemist continued on with his delicate work.

Once more he found himself at the keystone. It could be named that for many reasons, but Ray liked to think of it as the ‘key’ to which opens the doors of understanding and alchemy. Yes, it was a key alright, and for Rayage it has unlocked many doors revealing the truth as much as the countless emotion of disappointment. His experiments were hard, his experiments were not for the weak of mind or heart. His experiments are what set him apart from other alchemists. It was this that his sense of pride came from. He was different, knowledgeable, but more importantly he was a master in his field, powerful. His knowledge of alchemy was astounding, rivaling even the great Rupert Pycon, or so he hoped or so he aimed, or so he dreamed.

Setting the energy into motion he felt almost no strain on his mind. It was as if he was snapping a twig under his foot, it was easy because it was only one object. There was hardly any resistance, hardly anything at all. The lack of energy surprised him, but it also allowed him far more control, and allowed him to gain speed much faster from when the circle was full. It was like cutting into cake, that was how easy it was. Smiling as he thought this the energy surged through the circle uninhibited and uncontrolled by anything but the Alchemists thoughts.

The energy moved faster and faster under his sharp command. More and more speed it gained until it was its peak. The nuit grinned loving the feeling and how ‘effortless’ this was. It made him feel even more alive, even more powerful as the circles energy bended to his will. Speed plateauing he lost his connecting with the circle binding the energies to the center as he stumbled backwards. The combination gave birth to CSSC1: the perfect medium. Grabbing it he felt the material that he made. It was different, but carried both properties of the cloth it was made out of and the steel that came from the many, many reactions. The fabric was flexible and bent just like cloth would, but it was firm, cold, and very much steel-like. It was exactly what he was aiming to get.

Throwing it into the barrel it sank with some reluctance. The object actually absorbed water just like cloth would. Noting this in his essay he quickly scribbled down his observations. After waiting a couple chimes he fetched CSSC1 and rung it out and immediately loaded it into a charger. It did not matter if it was dry for this last step for water will be included in the filter slot taking out that property. Grabbing the black robe of which he was provided with he gently paced it in the center of the circle. Loading the circle was the ritual that every Alchemist went through to perform their art. Grabbing the red dye he was given by Sahova he dripped the ink-like substance into another fount. Rayage also poured some water into the filter. This was twofold, first for CSSC1 and then for the dye. He only wanted the color red and none of the watery properties.

Going over to the keystone he began the alchemical process for what would be the final time for this project. It has taken quite some time but it would be worth it. Instantly the connection was made, his hand feeling the tingle of energy as he commanded the djed flux around the circle. Slowly the djed was ripped from all the founts, ripped from CSSC1, ripped from the dye, and it passed through the filter of water. The water offered some resistance to Rayage and didn’t allow him to progress as fast as he liked as it snagged some of the energies flowing within the circle, greedily keeping it for itself. The water acted like a magnet attracting everything of like properties to it.

Faster and faster still the circle progressed the energy moving to the frantic pace of the Alechmist. It needed to go faster, and so it did. The intense strain in concentration was evident in Rayage. The nuit was getting weary of doing alchemy, especially after so many steps of the same thing over and over and over again. Faster he felt and willed the djed to go more. Each time the energy passed through the water it collected and purified the djed stream he was feeding through it. Ending the transmutation prematurely could have adverse effects, such as the cloak gaining the properties of water. Even though there was a water filter all the djed needed to be cleansed before it would work just right. To ensure this he needed it to go faster and faster, every rotation the energy made around the circle was a rotation with less and less ‘water-in-energy-form’.

Reaching its peak Rayage forced the energy to the cloak, taking his hand off the keystone while watching for the transmutation to occur. It may just seem like a flash of light to anyone, but it held a deep meaning to the alchemist. In that flash of light held the power of transformation and transfiguration. It was in that moment, the moment when the djed of the chargers met the djed of the target that things would change. Forcing itself onto the cloak the light cleared and the once black cloak was now a deep red. Not only that but it was shiny, metallic, and held all the other properties of which he desired. Best of all it didn’t turn into a puddle!

Grabbing the cloak the alchemist noticed that it had gained some weight to it, but it still flowed like the fabric it was made out it. The red of the cloak shined in the light, and a warm tingle of djed was present. He knew that the djed would mark the cloak as created by him if anyone really looked into his work. He was sure that someone on the island had. Taking the cloak into his hands he moved to the barrel and dipped it in, allowing it to sit there as he read the message that Edward gave him. After reading it he went over to a lit candle and burned the parchment. No one needed to know of this. After that he sent word that the cloak had been completed. He smiled as he thought of what he wanted.

[Jason Alexander]

“Edward is the circle prepared?” Master Guvronsek asked his assistant is soft and somber voice. The dark skinned assistant looked over the complicated circle checking each of the lines for smudges and every number for a mistaken identity to where is should go. Satisfied that the circle is correct he turned around and spoke to his fellow nuit and his companion. “Yes master, I have just finished checking the circle for mistakes. It is prepared for your work now master.” Edward replied as he bowed himself out of the summoning chamber and into one of the viewing chambers. Nodding Guvronsek shut the door behind the exiting nuit and went to the middle of the room to perform the summoning.

Edward stepped into the room, away from the door and headed towards the viewing window. The dark skinned nuit was still learning the finer points of higher end summoning from his master. Watching through the viewing window allowed him to pick up on some more finer detailed practices Guvronsek preformed while summoning. Looking down at his notebook, Edward began to write, this time on negotiation techniques.

Hours passed as the summoning master interviewed and negotiated with many different creatures from some world many stars a way. With each new member of the world that came through the portal, Edwards hand flew across the pages as fast has his nuit hand would allow. At the end of one hopeful interview, the assistant was alerted to a golem within the chamber. So engrossed with his note taking he hadn't notice it until it whistled. Looking down at the communication golem, he nodded and the golem gave it message. Smiling from what the golem had spoken, the message was from Rayage advising that the cloak was finished and for him to come meet him to discuss the trade.

Edward quickly wrote a note to his master and slightly walked out of the chambers and headed to the E section of the private labs. Upon arriving at Rayage’s personal lab once more, he entered this time without bothering to knock. “Good Evening Master Rayage. I received your letter about the cloak being finished. I have been instructed by my master to provide you with a payment for your hard work. Now then, show me this cloak and how it works and we will discuss your payment.” The well spoke nuit assistant stated to the ancient alchemist master.

[Rayage]

Rayage frowned as Edward entered without even knocking. Even knowing the situation he slowly turned around, setting down a book that he had checked out of the library. It was on summoning, an art that he did not know much about at all. ”Yes,” he started, ”the cloak is indeed done.” he gestured over to the red cloak that shimmered in the low light of the room. Getting up from a chair the nuit walked over to the cloak and brushed his hand over the newly made material, it was well dry by now, ”How does it work?” he asked almost laughing, ”You doubt my abilities Edward?” he asked, taking out a dagger, running it across the cloak, he even stabbed at it, but the material held without even a scratch. ”This cloak is probably the best I’ve made, and should last quite a long time.” he nodded at it, picking it up with one hand.

Setting it over his shoulder the nuit walked with a slight limp due to the weight of the cloak, ”Its light and as you can see acts like normal fabric.” he explained, handing the cloak to the man in front of him, and then offering him the dagger, ”Care to try it out yourself?” he asked the man if he wanted to test the material that he made. His voice sounded slightly frustrated with the man and the liberties that he took. If Edward would not accept the cloak then he would set it on a nearby table, placing the dagger by it. Of course the Alchemist knew that steel-cloth seemed too good to be true, but he made it. Of course they would question him, but if they knew the Alchemists reputation then perhaps it would have been wise to withhold ones doubts.

”Now, I do not know much about summoning, but I hear that the worlds and their residences are not always… agreeable.” he said the last word after a short pause as if trying to choose the right word, mulling over his many choices, ”Surely you must know a discipline to defend yourself with, or even negotiate with, to get them under your thumb.” he hinted at what he wanted out of this, ”I want that power.” he said looking Edward dead in the eyes, ”I want that discipline that you use to force the submission of all sorts of creatures and things.” he smiled, ”The payment for this cloak, which is quite a deal on your end if I don’t say so myself, will be to teach me the discipline which you use for self-defense.” he told him.

”Surely you must employ some powerful personal magic…” He paused, ”So, is it a deal?”