Vir understood then that Saunak wasn’t oblivious to ethical and moral issues. No, it wasn’t ignorance. He simply rejected the concept as flawed.
“That might be true,” Vir said, “but that doesn’t mean we should outright ignore them. Values allow us to live our lives proudly, don’t they? Maybe that’s selfish… but I feel like it still has value.”
Cirayus squeezed Vir’s shoulder, while Saunak regarded him appraisingly.
“A common viewpoint,” Saunak said. “And one that is not without merit. Fear not, young Vir. I do take care to minimize the pain for these beasts. I’m not a monster.”
Vir really wanted to know what Saunak considered monstrous.
“We have arrived,” the demon announced, drawing everyone’s attention to a pool of inky black liquid that sat in an oversized emerald green bowl in the middle of the enormous lab.
“What’s this?” Vir asked, peeking over the bowl’s edge to peer at the Ink. The bowl reminded Vir of a nest formed of ancient tree roots. It looked nothing like any Imperium creation he’d seen before. Imperium architecture was vibrant and orderly… This felt far more organic. More alive.
“The Ink of Clarity,” Saunak said. “Though that’s only the name I gave it. Truthfully, I have no idea what the Gods called it. It was here when I got here, and there’s no documentation of it that I can tell. Despite my research, I cannot even say for certain if the Imperium was responsible for its creation. All evidence points to the contrary.”
But if not the gods… Who else? Vir’s mind spun at the possibility of another ancient race existing. One that possibly rivaled the gods.
“What, uh… what does it do?” Vir thought, wondering if the liquid was supposed to be consumed.
“This will be a good test,” Saunak said, his eyes brightening. “As best I can tell, it shows the past, the present… and possibly also the future, though I’ve been unable to determine whether it shows only possible eventualities or foregone conclusions.”
It can predict the future! Like the demons’ seers. Is it the same power?
“I shall test this first,” Cirayus said, striding up to the Ink of Clarity. He peered deeply, frowning with suspicion. “Nothing is happening, Saunak. Are you certain this contraption does what you…”
He trailed off, his expression changing to one of surprise, then softening into tenderness, before finally being replaced with a mask of fear.
“What did you see?” Vir asked. “Cirayus?”
Vir peeked at the pool but saw only inky darkness. Whatever it showed, it was for Cirayus’ eyes only.
The giant cleared his throat, stepping awkwardly away from the bowl. “It seems to function as Saunak said,” he replied. “As for what I saw… It was your father and mother, enjoying each other’s company,” he said with a smile. “They were happy.”
But why would he be afraid if that was all he saw? Vir believed there was more, but now wasn’t the time to press him. He’d have to ask later when Saunak wasn’t around.
“Go on, give it a try,” Saunak said, urging Vir forward.
The pool brightened to Vir’s eyes, though not by much. It took him a moment to understand he was staring at a cave. And in a dark corner was a man. A man with a salt and pepper beard, lit only by a dim crack in the ceiling.
Vir gasped.
It’s Riyan! He’s alive!
Alive, but spent and haggard. The man had become emaciated, and he sat cross-legged, his eyes piercing into the darkness. He was whispering something to the shadows, but what it was, or to whom he was speaking, Vir couldn’t tell.
“Are these always accurate? When it shows things from the past, I mean.”
Saunak shrugged. “I’ve found it to be, at least. But who can say for certain? Too many mysteries surround it.”
While Vir always suspected Riyan might’ve survived, it was one thing to suspect and another entirely to know for certain.
But what is he up to?
The image melted away, replaced by an equally dark place. A temple of some sort, lit with candles.
Red seemed to be a theme, with red banners, and even the ceiling and walls dyed in its shades.
At the center sat a stone tub… and when Vir saw what was inside, he gasped.
Blood. That’s blood, realizing that the red paint on the walls wasn’t paint at all, but blood as well.
He’d heard of such temples.
This is a temple of the Children of Ash!
The crazy cultists. The Primordial haters.
From off to the right, someone appeared, her back to him. A young woman. Naked, except for her undergarments. She was beautiful…
And then Vir saw her hair, which had been tied into a bun. Crimson.
Vir gulped. No. No! Please don’t let it be true…
She turned, and Vir reeled. Maiya? What are you doing!
Maiya gingerly placed one foot into the pool of blood, then another.
No! Stop! Fear and panic flared within Vir. His heart threatened to jump out of his chest. Had she been coerced into this? Was someone threatening her? Was she in danger?
I need to help her! Somehow. Gods, I have to go back!
Vir watched in horror as she slowly sat until her entire body was bathed in the pool of blood.
Priests chanted in a ring around her, though Vir couldn’t make out the words.
Vir dreaded what was about to happen.
“Can I communicate with the person on the other end?” Vir asked, his voice full of panic.
“Not that I’m aware of,” Saunak said. “But you could certainly try!”
“What’s wrong, lad? What do you see?”
It was too late. Maiya took a deep breath as the priest pushed her head into the pool of blood.
The seconds dragged on, and she didn’t rise. Her air bubbles grew more and more frantic, and Vir’s knuckles whitened as he clutched the pool’s bowl.
They’re drowning her! Why isn’t she resisting?
Then, nearly a minute later, the priest pulled her up. Maiya gasped, choking on the blood that entered her mouth.
When she emerged, her entire body was covered in it. She looked like some horrific blood beast.
No! No-no-no-no! Maiya, why? What have they done to you?
Maiya shivered as she stepped out, painting footprints of blood on the stone floor.
The image immediately went dark. Vir simply stared, his mind in chaos, but before he recovered, a third scene revealed itself.
It was a bright, large room, filled with clutter. Much like the one they were in.
Not ‘like’ this one. It ‘is’ this room! Vir realized, analyzing the details, looking around to confirm.
Some of the items had changed positions, but it was undeniably the same room.
And at its center was the Ink of Clarity.
Vir watched in the vision as Saunak walked up to the pool and peered into the darkness. A pool within a pool. Vir expected to see nothing, as he had with Cirayus, but instead, the image rippled, forming a scene.
It was a bizarre experience to watch a vision within a vision, and Vir had to peer closely to see what the pool of liquid inside was showing.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t very difficult. It showed Vir and Cirayus running. It showed them fleeing from the Automaton, before cutting to when they’d dug out a hole in the mountainside to hide.
And finally, it showed Vir, removing his armor. Revealing the symbol on his chest.
Saunak in the vision stared for a moment, then cackled. The cackling grew louder and louder until the image winked out.
Vir turned slowly. Cold sweat broke out across his back.
“Well?” Saunak asked excitedly. “What did you see?”