Truth and happiness were two fundamental yet incompatible pursuits in life. If one obtained all the knowledge in the world and achieved an ultimate state of being, then happiness for them would be reduced to nothing more than a meaningless human concept. If, however, they achieved a perfect state of happiness then there would be no need for Truth. Happiness inspires purpose and meaning in life. It is the answer to the question: why do we exist?
Victor knew this all along. He knew that he should have been content with a normal life; a normal job and home with a picket fence, and a beautiful wife, and children, and a dog for them to play with. Is this happiness? He often wondered. Is this just a system of control? One could bow their head and let their limited years tick away like sand in an hourglass. In another life that might have been okay. But perhaps there was no going back now. Perhaps he didn’t want to. He was drawn to the philosopher’s stone like a moth to a light. He chose eternity.
Rodrick found Victor and Sam in the library. He could read the lingering uncertainty that clouded their minds, but he did not mention it. “It’s time,” he said.
They came to the lab where they had performed their last test and everything had already been set up; four red stones were sitting on four individual tables and Hansel and Gretel stood behind two of them. Victor stared at the stones in awe, as if he could feel them from afar. They were so small, and yet more precious than anything that had ever existed.
Mr. Silver stood with Rodrick, Ling and Caesar behind him; the four Slayers held their own philosopher’s stones in their hands. He gestured for Victor and Sam to each pick a table.
“Welcome to the official initiation,” he announced. “Tonight we will see if all of your hard work has paid off. These are the last four philosopher’s stones in our possession, and we humbly offer them to you so that you may continue in your service to life and to The Truth until the end of days. The process here is simple, but it will require every ounce of strength and courage in your hearts! You will be bound to your philosopher’s stone, but the stone will test you, which is why you have been trained not only in body, but also in mind. As you may have already guessed, eternity can be quite taxing.”
Miss. Ling and Mr. Caesar began the preparations. The four initiates were placed in chairs and their arms and legs were strapped down. Rodrick continued the explanation:
“You have all had a difficult journey, and I am afraid there is much more difficulty to come, but you cannot be uncertain of anything. A weakness of the mind is the greatest weakness of all. So, let me recap a few things. The philosopher’s stone exists, and is composed of alkahest which is only obtained through The Nether. It enables human beings to place a bridge between soul and body, therefore prolonging life and granting you power.”
The four stones were heated until they glowed shining white. The initiates became aware of pale-blue smoke rising around them, and it stung their nostrils as they breathed it in.
“One stone will last you a lifetime. Unfortunately, the alkahest is used up as the stone feeds your body, so when it runs out the stone just becomes a rock, and your body will begin to shut down. As I said, the secret to our power involves creating a bridge between your body and your soul to gain access to etheric energy. The smoke is here to help you. The body and soul are one entity, and separating them entirely will always lead to death. This is not something a novice can achieve. It will be unbelievably painful, and will take a hardened mind and body. Also, once it is done there is no going back, and by definition you will no longer be human, instead you will become one of the monsters that you were destined to destroy.”
The burning stones were placed in their hands and their flesh singed and hissed. Agony poured through their veins, but something could be felt among the torment, though they were in too much hurt to know what it was. “Focus your minds!” Silver demanded. “The Truth is out there. Your reality is but a small cage in the vast ocean of the cosmos. Look! See it! Break free of the cage!”
Rodrick continued to talk to them as the philosopher’s stones cooled in their hands:
“Search for it. The Truth, otherwise known as The Source of All Things, is the place where one may achieve absolute enlightenment; it allows one to access all the knowledge of the universe and manipulate the physical world as they see fit. A trained etheric energy that is free of burden after death can enter the spiritual realm and therefore become omnipresent, thus gaining access to The Truth. You have to die if you wish to live forever. Stay calm. Breathe.”
Victor knew not how long he stayed in that chair, but the pain did not waver, and it hurt a hundred times worse to see the tears in Sam’s eyes. A constant pattern of lights and colours flowed into his vision. He held strong. Determined to win. To conquer death.
ns 108.162.216.47da2