The Guardian of the Chamber awoke from his slumber.
He resembles the ghost of the Sphinx, before turning himself into the form of a human. I guess it's convenient to do so? He first inspected Emily who was on my left, carefully and then looked at me.
He circled around me several times, sometimes suddenly lifting my hand and dropping it, and then moving at a quick pace that my eyes couldn't keep up with him, only to regain back to his normal stance.
"Hmmm...hmmm...Interesting...This smell...This spiritual presence...Everything about it..." I don't know what this old man is blabbering about, but I felt the need to remain shut and watch him. For some reason, when I just looked in his eyes, what met me was the intense wrath of blood lust. I could be wrong again, maybe with the concept of power and bloodlust, but what I knew was he was one with who I should not mess.
"You...young man...perhaps...I might be wrong because my skills are rusty...you are a human, right?" Spot on, old man! You're trying to lower the expectations and then bang it right in the middle, eh? Not bad.
"Yes."
"Hmm...A mere mortal, as your guidepost, and your knight? You're pulling out a bold move, young girl. Not even your ancestors could do what you're about to do."
"Guidepost and Knight? Woah! Hold up. I thought you said I was just your partner." I directed my question towards Emily.
"Yeah, they mean the same thing."
"With responsibilities, as an added bonus!"
"Well, sorry for not clearly handing over the imaginary rule book that explains what you're going to sign up for."
"You both makeup for a good couple. I'll be rooting for you."
"Huh?"
"Huh!"
We both responded in Unison.
"What are you talking about?"
"Yeah, me and her?"
He chuckled for a moment. I wonder what's so amusing about this little exchange we were having.
"Kid, I can see it all. From the past to the future. Eons and eons of information, right here, in this very head. I can see that a certain travesty awaits you. The path ahead is a turbulent, torrid, and abysmal one. And yet, you choose to walk down that path, knowing what your destiny awaits. But where one chapter ends, another begins. That is life!"
"And even during these horrendous moments, each one of you shall always shoulder the other, in the darkest of nights, and the bright sky of the dawns. You shall always be together. Cometh the time, Cometh the Hour, Cometh the place, Cometh the situation, everything is rendered fruitless, when compared to what you both share."
Argh! I was scratching my head in dismay. On one end, the way he was thrashing his words clearly showed his age but on the other end, though no disrespect to him, since he is all but a God, what he said just started to question my faith in this gentleman.
I looked at her to gain her approval as well. But for some reason, she was quiet as a rock. Oi! Don't tell me you actually believe in this? I was clearly trying to get her attention. Whistling, hissing...I've tried everything but nothing seemed to get her attention. In an utter loss, I just waited for her. A few seconds went by to a few minutes, and now, I was sleeping on the rocks.
I must say, the structural composition of these rocks gives enough validation for the unevenness it forms on the land which leads to minor inconvenience but once you get used to it, it actually makes up for a pretty good place to sleep. Alright! Enough said! I can't take this anymore.
On one end, my partner there is lost in her own world. On the other end, this old geezer has been imploring me with useful but mind-boggling information about the demon world that I can't even keep up with him anymore. Still, he was explaining it to me in a way that even an idiot can be a monarch.
It seemed he finally finished explaining to me. I thanked him for what he had done. Basically, I understood the whole modern-day demon lore in a matter of fewer than 30 minutes. Meanwhile, my fellow companion, idly sitting by the cathedral seats was still a little curious.
"I don't think that's a good idea kid."
"Huh? I didn't do anything."
"Remember, I told you I can see your future."
"Thanks for the input."
I got up from my seat and went close towards her. I gave a look back at the old man. He was trying to hold back his laughter. Alright, old man! Here it goes.
"Oi! Emily. Snap out of it!" I nudged her, tapped her on the shoulders, and did other stuff. But to my utter dismay, she was clearly mumbling to herself. At this point, I was super annoyed. My patience hit the limit. Well, I tried!
I took a few steps back, and clapped my hands, swinging them to the back, and whistled around. I only have one idea. And I know the outcome.
I suddenly shrug her, capturing her attention for a moment, and then...
Wchhhh!
I kissed her!
Normally, restoring to this technique would be very immature. But when given sudden stimuli, the subject tends to respond as a reflex action. I certainly kissed her, or so I thought, before realizing that she blocked my kiss by some barrier, and moments later, tossed me out.
"Creep!"
Ugh! I hate this! "So, can we proceed with the ceremony now?"
"Yeah, fine! You ruined everything, anyway."
"Sure. No need to thank me."
"Really, you..."
"Alright, let's proceed with the ritual."
The old man appeared out of nowhere and tossed me into the center transmutational circle. Emily followed suit, though she didn't need any help."Now let's done with this, so I can go back to sleep."
His eyes glowed in the crimson red color of our surroundings, and waves of red lightning struck around the cathedral.
"WITH HEAVEN ABOVE AND HELL BENEATH, AND THE POWERS BESTOWED WITHIN ME, I SHALL PRONOUNCE YOU AS THE GRAND DUKE OF HER HIGHNESS! SHOULD THERE EVER COMETH A TIME WHERE ONE PERISHES, THE FUTURE LIES WITHIN THEIR VERY OWN HANDS! RISE, YOUNG ALCHEMIST!"