It had been 1800 years since humanity was stripped of their unique gift, one that some had thought was a valid reason to believe that humans were the very centre of this universe: the ability to bend the mana of the world and command the elements to do one's bidding - Magic.
The very same gift that to humanity's despair, was presented on a silver plate to the horrors meandering beyond the walls.
- But what I saw back then was unmistakeable proof - Julietta said as she produced a notebook from a purse she was keeping on her lap.
Connor received it from her, the outline of the wrinkles in his face becoming even more apparent the further he read into the page.
Finally, as he reached the last line, he could not keep the agitation within himself anymore, prompting him to abruptly stand up.
*Cling*
The table rattled due to his sudden movement, something that he dutily apologised to Julietta for after - Are you sure about results of your research Julietta?
Julietta paused momentarily, conflicted, for she herself had trouble trusting her own notes, her own memories. - Yes - she answered in a tired voice - Yes....
- So this is the reason why you had us rush into Makhelm? Even to the point of leaving your beloved disciple behind to fend for himself? - Connor observed the world outside the window. - So right now, hidden within the Dome of Makhelm....
Connor did not finish the sentence but also did not look back at Julietta. He knew that although she oftenly liked to jest and cause mischief around her, she seldom made a joke about a serious situation like this - even more so when it concerned magic.
But the findings within the notebooks were unbelievable, but the truth of the gravity of the situtation was setting, a deep and growing certainty that the impossible might just be true.
Connor did not mean to do so but perhaps, the tremor in his eyes revealed that he was once again looking for confirmation. Because Julietta answered in low tone of voice - Let me start from the beginning.....
*****
It wasn't strange for people to dissapear in Domes, whether it was because of financial struggles, family feuds or by offending someone one couldn't afford to do so.
- It's for reasons like this that I sometimes consider the outside of the Dome's to be more simple. - said Julietta as she stopped to moisten her lips with a sip of tea.
But dissapearing in the Catacombs... that was easier than finding sand in the beach; in this place, some died without even a proper burial.
A week ago, Julietta encountered a strange man in the Catacombs, from his mismatched shoes to pants whose tears had been sewn with different-colored thread, to his loose shirt with frayed cuffs, everything he wore showing he belonged to this place. He was discrete, but his manners and mannerisms revealed a different story - moving as if he didn't quite know the place and a scrunching face as if he wasn't quite used to the overwhelming stench of garbage filling the street.
- But of course, the only reason I even noticed was because I'd been following these people for a long time now....
- What do you mean? How long have you been aware of this? - asked Connor.
- I've been wanting to visit Makhelm for a long time..... The Coucil of 7's job offer just came at a right time.
Julietta's reason for this had been the disturbing lack of information coming out of this Dome - and also its neighbouring Domes for that matter.
It was only when she arrived here did she realise the magnitude of what was happening. - Tell me Connor - she asked all of a sudden - Do you happen to know much about the Web?
- The organisation that you control and earned you your moniker? Let me think.... - Connor caressed his beard at the question, contemplating for some time before he managed to come up with a suitable answer - Only a little more than what is known by the General populace.
- Exactly. - her answer came as suddenly as her questions as she already quite knew what he was going to come up with.
This caused a small tremor to appear in between Connor's eyebrow, he felt for a second she was insulting his intelligence, he massaged the top bridge of his nose in an attempt to calm it down - So where exactly are you going with this?
- Patience Connor. Patience - she said accentuating each syllable as if to elevate the virtue. Of course, the listener did nothing but think that the woman in front was mocking him. - I stalked him from behind until he stopped in front of the Web's branch in the Catacombs.....
Silence filled their conversation suddenly.
Julieta had retreated into her memories, feeling the blazing fire from that day, the tingling of her skin, the glowing of the air and the intense roaring presence that consumed everything within its reach. No incantation like those depicted in legend, nor the grandeur of magic circles, just pure, unadulterated destruction - and all it took was the raise of two hands.
- And? - Connor asked, bringing her back from her reverie.
- By the time I realised, the branch, as well as most of its immediate surroundings..... had been razed from the ground.
- By Acacia....
The shock from that day kept a grip from her attention so by the time she realised, the man had already blended into the crowd. But it wasn't long before she traced him into the sewers, with her cherished sword in hand.
- But I didn't need it. The man was already dead long before I got there. - Julietta pointed towards the notebook at the table, more specifically, to the words that read: Mystic Saturation. - Just imagining the panic those geezers will have when they hear about this makes me giddy.
"Mystic Saturation" was an illness born out of those who handled more mana than their bodies could hold, leading to mana crystals forming within their bodies that could also suck the life force out of them; something that was supposed to have vanished 1800 years ago had once again peeked its head.
- By Acacia.... Heaven knows what that means - Connor slumped into his chair as he felt the troubles that would ensue.
- But most important was the place that I found him at.
Julietta had found him deep into the sewers, in a place that none would have ever been able to find him, in a place where the vermin hiding inside would eat his corpse and existence.
- This was a man with a plan - Connor added with a tremor in his voice.
Julietta's demeanor felt like the surface of a lake at dawn, perfectly mirroring the sky with perfect clarity, a crescent smile even made her way into her lips which implied that unlike his companion, she was enjoying the situation - yet beneath the blindfold, reflected in her eyes, there was a tremor, a faint ripple betraying her outer tranquility.
"The branch in the catacombs. Its location was an open secret... but was about the others?" - Finding the location was one thing but accessing it was on a whole other level for entry was only granted to those who had the correct reagents.
She thought of a possibility, but the ludicrousness of it prevented her from voicing it out loud.
Suddenly, like a splash of crimson on a blank canvas, Julietta's senses came alive - a flickering on the back of her eyes - prompting her to remove her blindfold completely and look towards what Connor believed was the top of the dome.
- Is everything alright? Julietta? - Connor asked, but even she couldn't quite process what it was that her eyes were seeing.
Her eyes were looking beyond the Dome. From her point of view, the air stirred violently, one moment, everything was akin to soft pastels, pale blues and gently creams and the next, a single stroke of violent red and muted grey cutting through it all.
Julietta might not have understood what it was that she was watching but she had an inkling as to where the origin of the anomaly might have been for she was looking in the exact direction of the Dome that had just been recently breached: Nochae.
With this knowledge in mind, she gently clutched the pendant on her neck as she worriedly wished for her disciple's safety.