Chapter 555: Its Alive

Chapter 555: Its Alive

Nestled deep beneath the most prestigious university in the city-state of Wind Harbor, the underground archive had been enveloped in an uncanny, almost reverential silence. The subterranean vault was more than just a repository of knowledge; it was a sanctuary imbued with a mystical essence that set it apart from mundane places. Unlike other city-states governed by religious institutions like the Storm Church or the Death Church, this archive in Wind Harbor had a singularly supernatural importance.

Only objects and beings deemed as sealed artifacts were permitted to be stored here. These were not ordinary artifacts; they were anomalies and contamination vectors ranked among the top one hundred in terms of their potential danger or mysterious capabilities. It was a place reserved for entities like Alice that displayed some kind of lifelike characteristics.

These entitieswhether anomalies or contamination vectorsshared an unnerving commonality: they exhibited signs of life. Some demonstrated inexplicable cognitive functions, potentially capable of communicating with humans or showing tendencies to move and escape. No matter the extent of their lifelike attributes, each displayed at least a rudimentary instinct to seek pleasure and avoid harmmuch like Alice, who had complied instinctively when she first encountered Duncan despite having no prior knowledge of him.

In simpler terms, these entities were somewhat sentientjust enough to fear death but not fully understand it. Duncan found this level of sentience to be somewhat convenient, as it often made his work easier.

As they stood in the corridor, Lucretia looked around with a palpable sense of awe. Meanwhile, Nina and Shirley momentarily widened their eyes in surprise, then inexplicably lifted their faces with an air of smug satisfaction, though it was unclear why they felt so self-satisfied at that moment.

Ted Lir, known as the Truth Keeper, paused and turned to Duncan, his eyes filled with a complex set of emotions. They were not fearful, as most peoples would be when meeting Duncan, but neither did they betray any signs of alertness or hostility. After pondering for several seconds, he finally spoke, You should visit this place more often while youre in Wind Harbor.

Taken aback, Duncan responded, Thats unusual. In other city-states, as soon as I make contact, theyd prefer I keep my distance. Places of such significance would immediately be fortified. Why are you encouraging me to visit?

Pointing to the now eerily quiet corridor, Ted simply said, With you here, I can finally take a break.

Though puzzled, Duncan noticed that Ted seemed unfazed by the reactions of others to his comment. Ted casually dropped this piece of information and continued to walk deeper into the hallowed halls of the archive.

The group followed, but Duncan purposefully lagged a few steps behind. He pulled Lucretia aside and whispered, I dont remember much about this Truth Keeper. Has he always carried this aura of bearing a lifetime of grievances?

Speaking softly, Lucretia replied, Lord Ted has recently been tasked with overseeing the graduating class here at the university.

Duncan couldnt hide his surprise when he heard Lucretias explanation. Wait, the leader of the city-states guardians also has teaching responsibilities? I dont recall Vanna having any such additional duties when she served as an inquisitor.

Lucretia took a moment to elucidate. The divine power within our realm is intimately connected to the actions and beliefs of its devotees. For the followers of Lahem, the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge are sacred activities. Thats why the entire ecclesiastical structure here is built around an academy. The higher-ranking priests are obliged to serve as instructors, guiding students in their academic and spiritual journey. The more senior the cleric, the more demanding and complex their teaching obligations become. As the Truth Keeper, Ted Lir has the burdensome task of overseeing the graduating class, which is the most challenging group to manage.

Satisfied, Ted Lir nodded back. Very well, youve done your duty admirably. You may take your leave and rest now. But remember, Teds tone grew stern, before you go, make sure to personally replace the shackles onto the hands of the statue. Under no circumstances are you to switch places with the statue, nor should you respond to any vocalizations it may emit, even if they sound like cries for help.

The shackled guard nodded solemnly, silently exiting the room without uttering a single word, thereby underscoring the weightiness of their responsibility and the gravity of the situation.

After the shackled guard has departed, I can elaborate further, Ted Lir began, addressing Duncan and the rest of the group with a more open demeanor. The shackles that the guard was wearing are actually a component of Anomaly 87, often referred to as the Statue. Theres a specialized ritual protocol that allows us to temporarily borrow these shackles. Whoever wears them has to remain silent and gains the ability to restrain a designated entity within their field of vision. This technique is particularly useful when were dealing with newly discovered objects whose properties are uncertain, yet potentially dangerous.

Such as, perhaps, an unexplained intruder from another reality that decided to make an appearance in a local marketplace? Lucretia interjected, her eyes drifting to the mysterious substance displayed on the platform in the center of the room.

This substance seemed to be a lump of what looked like metal, solidified yet eerily smooth, almost as if it had skin. It gave the unsettling impression that it had once been a fluid, or perhaps gelatinous, entity that had abruptly frozen into its current form. Protruding from its slick, metallic surface were angular, horn-like growths. They appeared as if somethingsome entity or forcewas trying to break out from within this puzzling mass.

The angular protrusions actually began to manifest shortly after the sample was introduced to this containment room, Ted Lir went on to explain. Within mere minutes of its arrival, the sample exhibited highly erratic behavior; its surface topology underwent a rapid transformation. We even contemplated relocating it to a more secure, higher-tier containment facility out of concern that it might compromise the integrity of this rooms seals. However, just as suddenly, its activity levels plummeted, stabilizing to the point where its now almost indistinguishable from an inert lump of metal.

Duncan zeroed in on a particular word in Teds explanation. Almost?'

Yes, almost, because its not entirely inert, Ted Lir confirmed, nodding thoughtfully. Deep within the core of this lump of matter, weve detected a faint but sustained signal of some form of activity. While the outer shell has hardened into this state, something at its very core remains active. In fact, you can hear it yourself.

As he spoke, Ted Lir reached for a hefty, magical tome hed been carrying. Flipping it open to a designated page, he lightly tapped a specific inscription.

Materializing from the thin air above the page was an object resembling a stethoscope.

Ted picked up the conjured instrument and hung it around his neck. With the caution one might expect of a person handling high explosives, he then placed the end of the stethoscope delicately upon the lumps surface.

In the ensuing moment, a rhythmic, palpable sound filled the room, echoing off the walls and reverberating in the chests of all who were present.

Thump, thump, thump

Theres a heartbeat, Ted Lir announced solemnly, looking up to meet the eyes of everyone in the room. Inside this mysterious lump of metal beats a heart that is, against all odds, still very much alive.