7. Sage
7
SAGE
T he last patron stumbles out of Slim's Last Chance, his tentacles leaving a trail of slime across the floor. I watch him go, my entire body aching from the night's work. The bar is a disaster zone of empty glasses, spilled drinks, and the lingering scent of otherworldly spirits.
"Holy hell," I mutter, surveying the carnage.
My feet throb in my new boots, and my arms feel like overcooked noodles from shaking cocktails all night. But beneath the exhaustion, there's a spark of pride. I did it. I survived my first shift in an underworld bar.
"Not bad for a newbie," a gruff voice says behind me.
I turn to see Deus, looking as fresh and intimidating as he did at the start of the night. How does he do that? I wonder, acutely aware of the sweat plastering my hair to my forehead and the stains on my apron.
"Thanks," I manage, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "It was... intense."
Deus grunts, his crimson eyes scanning the bar. "This? This was nothing. A slow night, even."
My jaw drops. "You're kidding, right? We were slammed!"
He shakes his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You ain't seen nothing yet, sweetheart. But you held your own. Now the real work begins."
I blink, confusion replacing my fatigue. "Real work? What do you mean?"
Deus doesn't answer. Instead, he turns and strides towards the back of the bar. "Follow me," he calls over his shoulder.
Curiosity overrides my exhaustion, and I hurry after him. We weave through the maze of tables and stools until we reach a blank wall behind the bar.
"Uh, Deus? There's nothing here," I say, wondering if maybe I'm more tired than I thought.
He smirks, reaching out to touch a seemingly random spot on the wall. "Watch and learn, kid."
As his fingers make contact, a soft glow emanates from the point of touch. Intricate patterns of light spread across the wall, forming a complex sigil. With a low rumble, a section of the wall slides away, revealing a hidden doorway.
"Holy crap," I breathe, my eyes wide. "That's... that's incredible!"
Deus's smirk widens. "Welcome to the real Slim's."
He steps through the doorway, and after a moment's hesitation, I follow. We descend a spiraling staircase, the air growing cooler with each step. The walls are lined with softly glowing runes, casting eerie shadows as we pass.
"What is this place?" I ask, my voice hushed.
"The heart of my operation," Deus replies. "Where the real magic happens."
As we reach the bottom of the stairs, the narrow passage opens up into a vast chamber. I gasp, overwhelmed by the sight before me.
The room is cavernous, its high ceiling lost in shadows. Rows upon rows of shelves line the walls, filled with jars, bottles, and containers of every shape and size. Strange apparatus dot the room – bubbling cauldrons, twisting glass tubes, and devices I can't even begin to name.
The air is thick with a mix of scents – sweet, acrid, earthy, and some I can't identify. It's intoxicating and slightly terrifying.
"This," Deus says, gesturing around. "This is where you'll learn the true art of demonic alchemy."
I take a tentative step forward, my eyes darting from one fascinating object to another. On a nearby shelf, I spot a jar filled with what looks like eyeballs, but they're constantly changing color. Next to it, a bottle contains a swirling mist that seems to form faces before dissipating.
"What... what are these?" I ask, pointing to a cluster of glowing crystals.
"Crystallized banshee screams," Deus replies casually. "Useful in certain clarity potions."
I nod, pretending that's a perfectly normal thing to have lying around. My gaze is drawn to a large apparatus in the center of the room. It's a complex network of tubes and chambers, filled with bubbling liquids of various colors.
"And that?" I ask, gesturing to the contraption.
Deus grins, a hint of pride in his voice. "That's my pride and joy. A demonic distillery. Capable of extracting the essence from just about anything."
I approach it cautiously, fascinated by its intricate design. "It's beautiful," I murmur.
"It's dangerous," Deus corrects. "One wrong move and you could unleash hell. Literally."
I gulp, taking a step back. "Right. Noted."
Deus moves to a workbench, gesturing for me to join him. "Alright, time for your first lesson in demonic alchemy."
Despite my exhaustion, I feel a surge of excitement. This is what I've been waiting for – a chance to expand my knowledge beyond mortal limits.
"Demonic alchemy," Deus begins. "Is similar to what you know, but with a crucial difference. We're not just manipulating physical elements. We're working with the very essence of the underworld."
I nod eagerly. "Like spiritual energy?"
"Sort of," Deus says. "But darker, more potent. It's the stuff of nightmares and desires, of pain and pleasure. And it's incredibly volatile."
He reaches for a vial filled with a shimmering black liquid. "This, for example, is distilled fear. One drop can send a mortal into a panic attack. A full vial could drive them insane."
"Wow," I breathe. "And you use this in drinks?"
Deus nods. "In very small doses, it can create a thrilling sense of excitement. It's all about balance."
I lean in, fascinated. "What else? What other ingredients do you use?"
Deus seems pleased by my enthusiasm. He begins pointing out various items, explaining their properties and uses.
"Powdered phoenix ash – great for renewal elixirs. Essence of chaos – unpredictable, but powerful. Crystallized time – tricky to work with, but essential for certain temporal effects."
My mind is reeling, trying to absorb all this new information. "This is incredible," I say. "I never imagined alchemy could be like this."
Deus nods approvingly. "You've got a good foundation with your hexeblood alchemy. But this... this is a whole new level."
I can't help but ask, "How did you learn all this?"
For a moment, Deus's expression darkens. "That's a story for another time. For now, let's see what you can do."
He begins setting up a simple apparatus – a small burner, a glass beaker, and a few vials of ingredients.
"Alright," he says. "Let's start with something basic. A mood-altering elixir. I want you to create something that will induce a sense of calm and contentment."
I nod, my exhaustion forgotten in the face of this challenge. I examine the ingredients before me – a vial of shimmering blue liquid, a packet of what looks like starlight, and a small bottle of golden dust.
"Okay," I mutter to myself. "Calm and contentment. I can do this."
I start by adding the blue liquid to the beaker, remembering how certain cool colors can induce relaxation. As it heats, I sprinkle in a pinch of the starlight, watching as it dissolves into tiny, twinkling motes.
"Good instincts," Deus comments. "That's the essence of serenity and dream dust. But it needs something more."
I bite my lip, considering. Then, on a hunch, I add just a touch of the golden dust.
"Interesting choice," Deus says. "What made you pick that?"
"Well," I explain. "If it's supposed to induce contentment, I figured a little bit of joy wouldn't hurt. Is that... fulfillment dust?"
Deus nods, looking impressed. "Good eye. Now, how are you going to bind it all together?"
I hesitate, realizing I'm missing a crucial step. In normal alchemy, I'd use a binding agent, but this is different.
Then, an idea strikes me.
Closing my eyes, I focus on my own sense of calm and contentment. I think of peaceful moments, of satisfaction after a job well done. I feel my hexeblood power stirring, and I direct it into the mixture.
The liquid in the beaker begins to glow softly, the colors swirling together in a mesmerizing dance.
"Well, well," Deus says, his voice low. "That's not bad at all."
I open my eyes, looking at the finished product. The elixir is a soft, pearlescent lavender, emitting a gentle warmth.
Deus carefully lifts the beaker, examining it closely. He takes a small sip, his eyes closing as he analyzes the effects.
After a moment, he opens his eyes, a hint of a smile on his face. "Not bad for a first attempt. The calm is there, and there's definitely a sense of contentment. But..."
"But?" I ask, eager for feedback.
"But it's a bit too... gentle for our clientele. Remember, we're dealing with demons and lost souls here. They need something with a bit more kick."
I nod, already thinking of how I could modify the recipe. "I could add a touch of adrenaline essence, maybe? To give it that extra oomph?"
Deus's smile widens. "Now you're thinking like a demonic alchemist. We'll make a proper soultender out of you yet."
As the first rays of the underworld's strange sun begin to seep through the high windows, Deus claps his hands together.
"Alright, that's enough for tonight... or this morning, I suppose. Get some rest. You'll need it for what's coming next."
I nod, suddenly aware again of how exhausted I am. But as I turn to leave, I can't help but look back at the vast array of alchemical wonders surrounding us.
"Deus?" I say, pausing at the foot of the stairs.
He looks up from where he's cleaning the workbench. "Yeah?"
"Thank you. For this opportunity. For teaching me."
For a moment, his gruff exterior softens. "Don't thank me yet, kid. The hard part's just beginning. But... you've got potential. Don't waste it."
As I climb the stairs, my mind is already racing with ideas for new elixirs, new combinations to try. I may be exhausted, but I've never felt more alive.