The figure finally stopped before Dorian, standing at almost twice his size and Dorian was taller than the average boy. It extended its slender finger to touch Dorian's forehead.
After a moment, the figure opened its mouth to speak, "So after one thousand one hundred and eleven years, a new candidate has emerged…how fitting," its voice felt beyond sound, vibrating deeply in the bones of Dorian's spirit.
'Candidate? What does he mean? Am I not dead? Maybe–'
"I am not death, I am far beyond something so simple. If you wish to know what I am, simply ask" It interrupted Dorian's thoughts, speaking directly into his mind he sounded almost insulted
Dorian shivered, "That's freaky…fine. I have so many questions but first, who are you? And where am I?"
"Child of dust and starlight, I am The One Thing that was before worlds was born and shall remain when they are dust in the void."
"No name? What should I address you as?"
"You can address me as 'The One Thing that was before worlds was born and shall remain when they are dust in the void' "
'This guy is really full of himself, isn't he?' Dorian deadpanned, "I'll just call you One Thing, or OT for short"
"And as to where you are, It is called the soul space. It is an infinite space within the soul,"
"Soul space? I have an infinite space inside me?!"
"It is a space present in all beings that possess a soul, it is not exclusive to you" OT said with an indifferent look across his face
"Thanks for the information, I feel so much better about myself" Dorian shot OT a judging look
"Any other questions before I relay my master's message?"OT asked
"Master's message? Who is your master?"
"I shall answer after delivering my master's message"
"Go on"
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed into something more tense and serious, "I congratulate Dorian Viremont on getting here, but know this, you're not special, you are not chosen, it was simply because you were on the good side of lady luck that you discovered this message" the voice that spoke now carried more authority, Dorian could tell that the words that came out of OT's mouth were not his anymore, like he was possessed
"My true name isn't something you have the strength to speak or know, when the time comes it will be revealed, you can refer to me as Auremis; that was my name while i still walked the mortal plane or you can call me master should you choose to become my disciple," Dorian raised a brow, he barely knew what was going on and now this new being was talking about discipleship.
"The emerald tablet which you discovered led you here, it is the law that governs the alchemical path. You can see it as a guide as you tread the alchemical path, that is should you choose to take on the arduous but rewarding task of being a alchemist" Auremis explained
"Alchemy? That's what this is all about? Pills and potions?" Dorian asked, disappointment lined his voice
Auremis laughed at Dorian's remark, "According to the emerald tablet, you are a learned individual, I thought you would at least know some things, maybe I expected too much. Pills and potions" He laughed again, and Dorian frowned, his intelligence was the one thing he had as an advantage and it was being mocked at by this…man?
Auremis continued "Do you feel offended? If so, do something about it" he paused, "You can't? I thought so, you're weak, you've been ridiculed, trampled upon, mocked, isolated from the world...a noble bastard, still a bastard."
"If you are here to mock me, you're doing a good job. You get a gold star" Dorian retorted, not trying to hide his sarcasm
Auremis scoffed, "I can make all that change, if you choose to walk the path of alchemy under my guidance. Finish the great work and none shall be able to walk over you for you'll be at the zenith of all things. Everything in this world can be achieved through alchemy"
"Including magic?"
"Magic is but a gentle breeze compared to the storm of true alchemy"
With a raised skeptical brow Dorian asked, "At what cost? What do you stand to gain? There is nothing free in this world. To gain a thing, something mirroring its worth must be exchanged, it's how the world works"
"Excellent! You're already speaking like an alchemist. What I stand to gain is to simply pass my knowledge before it's too late. What you're speaking to now is simply a fragment of my being forced to remain on the mortal plane. I can only keep it tethered for so long, I wish to pass my knowledge down before it completely ascends to join the rest of me." Auremis explained, "That is what I stand to gain, knowing what you know, will you accept my teaching and walk the alchemical path?"
Dorian's lips curved into a smile, "You already had me sold at 'Zenith of all things'. I accept"
"Excellent! You made the right choice. Go to sleep now and wake up a new man, the next time we meet will be when you're ready to face the first transition. The tablet will be your guide, trust it with your life" The next thing Dorian saw was black before he could ask any of the multiple questions that raced his mind