The intricate systems of the mechanical gas lamps had their metallic sheen reflected on the dry oak wood table. The room was round, the gold framed window took up its center. Picking up a translucent chalice with wine Safir contentedly smiled to himself, resting his back against the mat black sofa.
' I knew that reappointing Krell as the head of the research department was going to be good for me, but who thought it would be in a way such as this.'
Thinking back to how some of the captains grumbled and complained when he had made his decision official he laughed.
'It was worth it in the end; it could not have gone better for me.'
Raising the antique chalice to the circular window next to the door, a pleased Safir declared.
'Thank you Krell, you kept your promise. My investment was not in vain.'
After taking a sip of wine he turned his head to the double door across the room. Thinking of Bultear who was resting behind those doors.
' It seems my path has finally been illuminated.'
...
The day was dark and gloomy, flickering lights were unnerving in the empty area in front of Bultear.
' Where am I?'
Asked a confused Bultear.
In this enclosed shadowy place appeared a cute golden dog barking with joy.
' Ah, it's Sigmund! He looks fine, thank god.'
His quickened steps almost turned into running, Sigmund in return ran towards him. Bultear's expression of unease greatly eased.
' It must've been a long dream' He thought.
It didn't take long for Bultear to reach Sigmund. The outstretched hands of Bultear did not come in contact with a single strand of his fur, as Sigmund ran by him.
'What?!' Where are you doing? ...Sigmund!
Swiftly turning his head to the place Sigmund had gone to. What he saw shocked him: A man made entirely out of shadow petting Sigmund who was happily wagging his tail. The shadow man then turned to look at the petrified Bultear. Bultear felt as if the man was smiling, he did not know how that was possible since the man had no face and only a wriggling shadow.
"Soon"
The scenery then immediately changed. Now he was in an empty field with a massive river flowing next to it. As his flabbergasted face took in the changed environment, he again heard barking. Focusing his eyes, in the backdrop of the seemingly never-ending river, stood Sigmund facing him once again.
' Is that you Sigmund?... why did you go to that man?'
He wanted to go to him again but this time he hesitated, unsure of the circumstances and reasons as to what was happening. The cute golden dog had at some point started looking at him blankly, the usual vibrant eyes long ago had lost their luster. Then, like scattering sand, his body disappeared leaving only a wolf head floating in the air. The head no longer had fur, as it now was entirely composed of flesh.
Bultear started running, his mind frozen in fear. The hellish head then approached him opening its maw of blood. The speed of its movement beggared belief. As he ran, he looked back at the monster, the memory of a polite and harmless dog clashing with the merciless reality unfolding before him.
'It's catching up to me!'
Right at that moment, right as the vulgar teeth were upon him, Bultear woke up with a shock. A stream of sweat flowing down his back. Panicked, he looked around to ascertain where he was.
' So it was just a bad dream.... *sigh*.... I guess my mind took more damage than I thought. Not really a shock considering what I went through in such a small period of time."
Stumbling out of the bed he reached the double door, twisting the doorknob he opened the door.
...
The minutes slowly went by while deep in thought and just as Safir was about to pour more wine into his dark gold chalice, he heard a clicking sound of the doors quietly opening.
" Good morning Bultear, did you rest well?"
" Not really. How long was I out for?"
" The entire day." Answered Safir while beckoning him to sit on the empty sofa next to him.
" What happens now?"
" Well, first since you just awakened as an Evolver, you'll need to get to know your powers."
" Powers?"
" Have you not received a formal education about Evolvers before?"
"I was attending grammar school when I was young, before I had to dropout to take care of my sister that was suddenly paralyzed from the waist down from some disease. The doctors said it was genetic. I never got to learn much about these Evolvers, and since I never saw one in real life, I completely forgot about them".
" I know all of that already, I read the background check on you."
"..."
" Getting the information from the source is always better than trusting a report."
Safir's smile that radiated both mischief and calmness made Bultear greatly annoyed. Completely ignoring Safir's little stunt, Bultear continued.
"So, how am I supposed test my powers?"
"I'll have you join the 3rd division with this generation of new recruits.
" New recruits?"
" Yes, the Emsdor academy has a faculty for Evolver affairs where they train people for either Evolver research or defence against them. How come you do not know this? The report said that you work there as a janitor."
" I actually tend to the outside area of the academy, and I never was able to make friends there to learn about the academy." Said Bultear scratching his head in embarrassment.
"..."
Now it was Safir's turn to be flabbergasted.