Zane's eyes were fixed on the vial, his expression a mix of hope and trepidation. He nodded slowly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, I'm ready." Sierra's eyes gleamed with a hint of intensity as she carefully poured the liquid into a small cup. She handed it to Zane, her movements precise and deliberate.
"Drink it all," she said, her voice firm.
"It's the only way to ensure the antidote takes effect." Zane's hand trembled slightly as he took the cup, his eyes never leaving the liquid inside. He raised the cup to his lips, and Sierra's eyes seemed to bore into his, as if willing him to drink. With a deep breath, Zane tilted his head back and downed the liquid in one swift motion. The room seemed to hold its breath as he waited, his eyes fixed on Sierra's face. At first, nothing seemed to happen. And then, a subtle change began to creep over Zane's features. His eyes seemed to brighten, his skin taking on a healthier glow. His breathing slowed, and his body relaxed, as if the very tension had been drained from his limbs. A small smile played on his lips, and he looked at Sierra with a sense of wonder.
"It's working," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. Sierra's eyes gleamed with a hint of satisfaction, and she nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.
"I told you it would," she said, her voice low and husky.
Sierra's eyes gleamed with a hint of satisfaction as she watched Zane's transformation. She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "The antidote is working," she said, her voice low and husky.
"You should start to feel the effects immediately." Zane's eyes sparkled with relief and gratitude as he looked at Sierra.
"Thank you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
"I owe you one." Sierra's smile grew wider, and she shook her head.
"You don't owe me anything," she said.
"You kept your end of the bargain. That's all that matters." She turned to leave, but Zane's voice stopped her. "Wait," he said, his voice filled with a sense of curiosity.
"Why did you do it? Why did you help me?" Sierra's eyes seemed to cloud over, and she looked away, her expression enigmatic.
"Let's just say it's a long story," she said, her voice low and mysterious.
"Miss Sierra right? Become a vip member of my North Star Gaze Alchemy Shop," Zane said. Sierra was indifferent and cold.
Sierra's expression remained neutral, her eyes glinting with a hint of disinterest.
"No, thank you," she said, her voice flat and detached.
"I don't need any special treatment." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Zane looking at her retreating back with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
Zane's eyes lingered on Sierra's departing figure, a thoughtful expression on his face. He seemed to be trying to understand what had just happened.
"Miss Sierra is a mysterious one," he muttered to himself. He shook his head, chuckling wryly.
"I'll have to try harder to get on her good side." He turned to his assistant, a young woman who had been watching the exchange with interest.
"Make sure to send Miss Sierra a gift, something to show our appreciation for her help. Maybe that will change her mind about becoming a VIP member." The assistant nodded, scribbling down a note.
"Yes, sir. I'll take care of it right away." Zane nodded, his eyes still fixed on the door through which Sierra had disappeared.
"Good. I have a feeling that Miss Sierra is going to be a very important person in our lives."
"Oh yes and she is from the House of Watergate send them a gift as well," Zane said as he shook his head he was over six hundred years old with his wife Fiona both were alchemist and he has never seen such a talented alchemist like Sierra. How foolish can the House of Watergate kick such a talented person away?
Zane's assistant nodded, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes, sir. I'll make sure to send a gift to the House of Watergate as well. But, sir, are you sure that's wise? The House of Watergate is known to be... complicated."
Zane's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes clouding over with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Complicated?" he repeated, his voice low and measured.
"Yes, I'm aware of the rumors. The House of Watergate is known for its... difficulties. But I'm not sure I care about that right now. What I care about is that talented young woman, Sierra. She's a genius, a true master of alchemy. I've never seen anyone with her level of skill and potential. And yet, she's been cast aside by her own family?" Zane's voice rose in indignation, his eyes flashing with anger.
"It's unacceptable. I want to know more about what happened. Find out everything you can about Sierra and the House of Watergate."
Zane's assistant nodded, her eyes wide with understanding.
"Yes, sir. I'll start making inquiries immediately. But, sir, if I may ask, what is it about Miss Sierra that has you so interested? She's certainly talented, but there are many skilled alchemists out there."
Zane's expression turned introspective, his eyes gazing into the distance.
"It's not just her talent, although that's certainly part of it. It's the way she thinks, the way she approaches alchemy. She's not just following established methods and techniques, she's pushing the boundaries, experimenting, innovating. She's a true original, and that's something that's hard to find in this world." He paused, his eyes refocusing on his assistant.
"And then there's the fact that she's been cast aside by her own family. I have a feeling that there's more to that story than meets the eye, and I want to know what it is."
Patriarch Magnus was sitting in his massive luxurious office that looked down at Sky City. He was holding his red wine glass as his emerald green eyes narrowed. Sierra she dared actually block his number it made him upset but also amused this woman she truly is something else a woman with both talents but also doesn't allow anyone to control her it's cute. Patriarch Magnus eyes landed on his six year old son Arjuna. Who was busy reading a a complex spell book it seemed like the world around him didn't matter as he looked up he narrowed his eyes he was like a mini virgin of his father.
Patriarch Magnus's gaze lingered on his son Arjuna, a hint of pride and curiosity in his eyes. He couldn't help but notice the similarities between his son and the mysterious woman, Sierra. Both of them had a certain... spark, a spark that set them apart from others. He took a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving Arjuna's face.
"Arjuna, my boy, you're going to be a great alchemist one day, just like your father." He paused, a sly smile spreading across his face.
"But I think you might have some competition. There's a woman out there, a woman with talent and spirit. I think she might be just the person to push you to be your best." Arjuna looked up from his book, his eyes narrowing slightly as he met his father's gaze.
"Who is she, Father?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
"No one knows speaking of which Butler Joe told me you and your mother Elena had an arrangement," Patriarch Magnus said softly and Arjuna was cold and indifferent as he went back to his reading.
"I don't like her just because she gave birth to me it doesn't mean I need to care about her,"Arjuna muttered.
Patriarch Magnus's expression remained calm, but a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. He had expected Arjuna to be cold and indifferent, but not to the point of being openly dismissive of his own mother. He set his wine glass down, his eyes never leaving Arjuna's face.
"I see," he said softly, his voice measured.
"Well, Arjuna, you're old enough to understand the arrangement between your mother and me. But let me make one thing clear: your mother may not be the most... attentive parent, but she is still your mother. And you would do well to show her some respect." Arjuna's gaze didn't waver, but Patriarch Magnus could sense a flicker of tension in the air.
"Besides," he continued, his voice taking on a slightly harder edge.
"Your mother has certain... uses. And I expect you to be polite to her, at the very least."
Patriarch Magnus mind went back to Sierra for some unknown reason he has meant her twice after seven years ago she has truly become a different person she is so beautiful but also fearless. He sat down and he narrowed his eyes no matter what he will make Sierra his.