Veridium bathed in the amber glow of dusk, as Bellamy scampered through the narrow alleyways of the lower districts. His bare feet pressed against the cobblestones, his heart racing with anticipation, His mind clouded by fogginess as if something just happened prior before. Yet he couldn't remember. It was in these forgotten corners of the city that he found solace, away from the oppressive presence of the gods.
Drawn by an invisible force, Bellamy found himself standing before a weathered door behind his Fathers' workshop—a sanctuary of creativity nestled amidst the labyrinthine streets. The scent of wood and metal permeated the air, mingling with the dust of countless dreams and aspirations.
Has this always been here? No, it couldn't be or not I would've remembered surely.
He rubbed his eyes, hoping to dispel the illusion before him, but the Weathered door remained resolute, its solid frame standing as a stark contradiction to the world around him. It seemed to taunt his understanding, daring him to unravel its mystery.
Driven by curiosity, Bellamy reached out and turned the tarnished doorknob. With a hesitant creak, the worn door swung open, releasing a rush of stale air that carried echoes of forgotten secrets. The hinges groaned as if cautioning him of the enigmatic realm that lay beyond. It was an invitation into the unknown, an alluring portal beckoning the curious to step through and embrace the thrill of unraveling the untold.
As the door swung open, a gust of stale air rushed forth, carrying whispers of long-lost secrets and hidden mysteries. The hinges groaned in protest as if warning of the enigmatic realm that lay beyond. It was an invitation into the unknown, an exhilarating portal beckoning the curious to step through and embrace the thrill of unraveling the untold it was too hard to see at the start but soon enough the room was filled with amber liked lights as if Veridum was welcoming it only for it to be junk.
Without hesitation, Bellamy stepped inside, and as he did, the room came alive with a warm, amber glow. It was as if Veridium itself welcomed his presence, illuminating the space with its ethereal light. But his excitement quickly turned to confusion.
"It's just junk? How have I never noticed this room before? Could my father have kept it hidden?" Bellamy murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and bewilderment.
The abandoned storage room was small and cramped; the air inside was heavy and musty, with a distinct scent of decay permeating the space. Amongst the scattered tools and half-finished inventions, Bellamy's gaze fell upon an ancient chest, its surface etched with intricate symbols that whispered of forgotten knowledge.
Intrigued, he carefully lifted the lid, revealing a grimoire—an aged tome brimming with arcane secrets. His fingers grazed the yellowed pages, tracing the faded words that held the promise of change. Within those ancient lines, sensing the potential for change, for making Veridium a better place, free from the chains of inequality and injustice. A small tattered envelope slipped from within the book. The envelope bore faded initials, once inscribed with meticulous care "A.J".
Now faded and mottled, the ink whispered of a forgotten hand that had carefully penned those letters. It carried the weight of time as if safeguarding a message from the Apotheosis age. Bellamy's eyes sparkled with a newfound determination.
"I can use this knowledge to help people, to bring about change without relying on the church or the gods," he whispered, his voice filled with conviction.
Clutching the grimoire to his chest, beneath his black greatcoat, Bellamy stepped out of the room, only to find that the door had vanished without a trace, merging seamlessly with the wall. Surprise and wonder washed over him, tinged with a sense of mystery. Was this the work of the gods? Or perhaps the fates themselves? Bellamy couldn't fathom the sorcery that had transpired, nor the purpose behind it.
While walking out of the alleyway, still clutching the grimoire underneath his black greatcoat with one hand while the other was digging in the pockets for some change.
"Only three farthings, that's not enough to get home, but it is enough for Alina's" he muttered to himself.
Exiting the alleyway, Bellamy hailed a passing carriage with a wave of his hand. Before hopping into the carriage the coachman had asked in a deep raspy voice
"Where to?"
"Dialous street on Heimar Square, please."
The coachman nodded and gestured for Bellamy to climb aboard. As the carriage resumed its steady journey, Bellamy couldn't help but marvel at the serendipitous events that had unfolded. He had discovered a power that could shape Veridium's destiny, and he was determined to wield it with wisdom and purpose.
"I usually don't take people to Dialous Street, but with business being so low due to that new train and its station, I rarely refuse offers as such nowadays. So what brings you out here at this time Mr...?"
"Grace, it's Bellamy Grace. I don't quite remember to be quite frank even now I have seemed to have forgotten my shoes. I just remember going behind my father's workshop in the alleyway close by after that I..."
Bellamy stopped. I must say no more if I do I might sound like a madman or even if he does believe me he might report the grimoire to the church or even to the Seraphic Aegis Enforcers.
"I... Picked up my coat which I had left behind. "
"At this time, you must love that coat."
Bellamy chuckled and gave a soft small smile "Yeah I guess I do."
Wait what time even was it? Bellamy thought, shifting his head left towards the window to look outside. How could I have not noticed, it seems to be midnight. It was just half past five in the evening. Or at least it was before I entered that room. How peculiar Bellamy thought to himself.
Carefully removing the envelope from the grimoire. With cautious anticipation, Bellamy gently tore open the aged envelope, its fragile edges giving way to reveal the letter hidden inside. The scent of time mingled with the air as he unfolded the parchment, his eyes drawn to the faded ink that adorned the page.