Everyone wishes to possess knowledge, but very few are willing to pay the price." — Décimo Junio Juvenal.
Knowledge is a immense power in the right hands, and a skill that very few will attain. He led a very good life and abandoned everything in pursuit of power and knowledge. Faustus is among us.
Returning to the story, Faustus had drawn a blood-red stone from beneath his garments and presented it to Dante, who marvels at such a tremendous artifact.
DANTE HERALDI: That thing... could it be the Philosopher's Stone?
ELENA and REX are taken aback, as they had heard that name before, and gaze at it with intrigue.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: The Philosopher's Stone? That cheap toy? No—this thing is known as "The Primordial Fragment." This object was created by my own hands. Impressive power lies within it, I tell you; I can only forge one every million years, for to do so, I must journey to the center of a universe. This object alters reality as we know it and can be used for many purposes. However, I have seen within you that there is something you need to master so you can achieve what you desire. Take it (handing him the stone). This stone serves a specific purpose: to break you free from the chains imposed upon you by the Primordial Pantheon. Now, I would love to accompany you longer, but this is your journey, not mine, so I shall take my leave. I wish you luck.
REX: Sir, can't you help us out?
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: I am afraid not, my good dog. This story is not mine.
MALEKIN: What do you mean by that?
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: I mean that DANTE must forge his path alone; I am merely a guide. Perhaps that creature who drew me here had this very purpose: for me to meet DANTE and grant him this stone. Well, in any case, I bid you farewell.
We witness Faustus turn his back to our friends and begin to walk away, gradually fading into thin air. Before he vanishes completely, DANTE speaks up.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey, Faustus... what do you mean by "Primordial Pantheon"?
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: (smiling) You will find out very soon, stranger, heh. (vanishes completely)
DANTE HERALDI: Thank you, you crazy old man…
Our friends are left saddened by Faustus's departure. Dante sits down with the stone in hand to ponder everything that transpired, while the rest remain in silence.
We now turn our gaze to the far reaches of the multiverse. On a planet devoid of human life, Faustus arrives and sits upon a rock to meditate. Out of nowhere, a dog appears, taking a seat beside FAUSTUS.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: (sighing) Hello, friend. It's been so long since I last saw you.
DOG: Hello, old FAUSTUS. It's been 50 years since I last saw you.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: Time moved differently for me; I thought it was longer. But tell me, how have you been? Your name was REX, right?
REX 2: Yes! I'm glad you remember me. For an old guy your age, I thought your memory wasn't so great, jajaja.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: Um, no. Truthfully, I am very good at remembering things. It's just that I was recently in trouble and my memory failed me, but deep down in my mind, I remembered you.
REX 2: I'm glad, old friend. But tell me something: what's troubling you? You seem tense.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: For an animal, your senses are sharp indeed. Yes, something concerns me. I met a very capable young man, and I gave him something so he could achieve his goals—along with a portion of my power to him and his friends, subtly, of course, without them realizing it.
REX 2: And what's the bad part of the story?
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: You see, I believe he is being manipulated, and they manipulated me as well. I don't think they are the true gods of the "Primordial Pantheon," but something tells me it has to do with them.
REX 2: Who knows? Maybe so. From what you told me about this multiverse, they created everything, right? Quite strange for them to meddle with a mortal.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: I know. Something doesn't add up. The one who lured me to that place to meet him might be connected to this…
Out of nowhere, a small black flame manifests before the alchemist. Startled, the dog bolts up from his spot as a sinister voice echoes forth.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: I see you managed to escape from the place where I put you. Um, you are the great sorcerer for a reason, after all.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: You! Why the hell did you take me to that place?! Who on earth are you?!
REX 2: This is the entity you said lured you, right? I sense great evil within him, but at the same time… um, something about him doesn't add up.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: Rest easy. For powerful reasons, I cannot leave the place where I am bound. I lured you with the intent of breaking my curse, but I see you fled far too quickly.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: I was right to leave immediately. You wanted something from me.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: You are correct. But now that you are gone, I shall proceed with Plan B. I merely wanted to tell you that I will see you again very soon, and your powers will belong to me.
REX 2: You… (snarling) Get the hell out of here!
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: Heh… your kind is nothing more than a parasite in this multiverse, yet you dare act high and mighty with me, dog?
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: You had better vanish, you damned demon! I know you have something to do with the "Primordial Pantheon."
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: (surprised) It catches me off guard that you know of them… well, not that much; after all, it is you. Farewell.
The black flame extinguishes, and our friends breathe a sigh of relief.
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: That monster neither confirmed nor denied what I said. Therefore, he must be connected to the "Primordial Pantheon."
REX 2: Um… what if he's an exile seeking vengeance?
GIORGIUS FAUSTUS: (surprised) hahaha! Ever since those extraterrestrials brought you here, you've become quite sharp. But you're right; there are several exiles, after all. No, there's truth in what you say. I will investigate this further. I shall take my leave, my friend. Take care.
REX 2: Take care, and don't forget to visit me! Bye!
Our friend Faustus vanishes from the area once again. We now return to our protagonist, DANTE, who is contemplating the stone while speaking with his companions.
DANTE HERALDI: This is unbelievable... this stone... I can feel its immense power. He only told me that I have to break free from this "Primordial Pantheon." Do you know anything about that, Quetzalcoatl?
QUETZALCOATL: I regret to inform you that I know nothing, even as a deity. That name intrigues me.
REX: Hey, Quetzalcoatl, are you going to stay in female form? I think you look prettier like this, hehe.
MALEKIN: I agree. (blushing)
DANTE HERALDI: (flustered) It makes no difference to me!
QUETZALCOATL: (teasing laugh) I don't know... what do you think, ELENA?
Dante notices that Elena is glaring at him slightly annoyed, making him nervous.
ELENA: I am not against it. (glares at Dante and pouts)
QUETZALCOATL: Jajajaja! Okay, don't be like that! What do you say we keep moving forward? Now that old FAUSTUS isn't here, the force of gravity in this place will start affecting us. Once we leave, we can better contemplate what to do regarding that stone.
All our friends nod in agreement and set off. Along the way, the gravity begins to take its toll, causing discomfort to our group, but they manage to reach the end without any major issues. At the end of this trial, they discover another entrance resembling a cave and proceed inside. A blinding light envelops them, and when they open their eyes, everyone is stunned: before them lies a tropical jungle so vast that its end is nowhere in sight. A narrow path stretches out in front of them, and awestruck, they slowly advance. After walking for a few hours, they decide to take a rest. Our goddess Quetzalcoatl creates a small two-story house for them to relax in, and they sit down to discuss the situation.
MALEKIN: This place is unbelievable... I can't even imagine how long it will take us to cross it.
QUETZALCOATL: Teocoyolcualloya... or the place where a jaguar devours your heart. This domain has changed drastically; before, it was merely a small site where a jaguar warrior stood in judgment over you. Now, it is practically a whole world. This must be connected to my brother, the First Sun.
DANTE HERALDI: By "First Sun," you mean TEZCATLIPOCA, right? I take it there's a grudge between you two?
QUETZALCOATL: Indeed. But how do you know all of this?
DANTE HERALDI: From the ancient writings about you gods in my world.
QUETZALCOATL: Writings? How strange... Well, in any case, the First Sun and I had numerous conflicts early on when we forged humanity, but things spiraled out of control and he despises me—I'll leave it at that. For today, let us rest here. You may do as you wish, but do not stray too far; it will grow dark in a few hours, so tread carefully.
Everyone expresses their gratitude. DANTE and MALEKIN converse outside while ELENA and REX rest in their respective rooms.
DANTE HERALDI: This is incredible... What do you think I should do with this stone, MALEKIN?
MALEKIN: Everything that has unfolded is fascinating. Based on what I've learned all this time, I'd say your best bet is to focus while holding the stone; perhaps something will happen. Try channeling a portion of your magic into it to see if it responds.
DANTE HERALDI: You're right. I'm going inside to see what I can do. What about you?
MALEKIN: I'm going to explore the surroundings a bit and then head back. Take care.
Our friends part ways. We see MALEKIN dash off to inspect the perimeter, while DANTE head upstairs to a room on the second floor to focus. He sits cross-legged on the floor, opens his status window, and gazes at it in surprise, though he takes no further action. Without another word, he cuppes the stone between his hands, concentrates, and gradually pours his energy into it. A profound silence envelops the room.
DANTE opens his eyes, realizing he is standing in an abyss of pitch darkness. Directly in front of him stands a macabre door. Feeling slightly anxious, DANTE approaches the door and slowly pushes it open. Upon stepping inside, he finds himself within a palace—a throne room, to be precise. It is draped in dark tones: charcoal grays, deep purples, and rust reds adorn the hall. At the far end sits a jet-black throne, and seated upon it is a familiar figure: the evil version of DANTE, staring at him with a sinister smirk.
DANTE HERALDI: It can't be... You!
*****: I do not know how you managed to reach me, but I am grateful that you did. Today, we settle the score once and for all, jajajaja!
As ******* laughs maniacally, he rises from the throne, fixing his gaze squarely on Dante, who stands on high alert at the sudden appearance of his evil alter ego. Tension fills the room. What awaits in this impending battle? Will control over the body be decided? Or is there a deeper truth to this? We will find out very soon.