Theriac stood in the entry to the repository. It was filled with numerous artifacts that they had procured from the Xelexian, Inkarotian and Lodrican nations. There was a significant consequence to their actions, however, as they would no longer be welcomed on Sehnack. Even still, the ends would most certainly justify the means. They had obtained the most remarkable artifact of them all—the Xelexian AccuHomi.
Even with the crystal being encased within an ampoule, Theriac could still feel its potency from across the repository. Ever since the Xelexian sovereign had revealed its existence, he just knew that they had to possess it for themselves. So he and Regna devised a stratagem to have Notari, the wayward Lodrican, acquire it for them.
He reflected about Notari from time to time. He had done him a favor by not bringing him back with them to Cirix. Otherwise, the Lodrican would have more than likely ended up like the rest of his brethren—an unwilling specimen on that frigid counter in their dissection laboratory.
Theriac approached the ampoule and carefully opened it. Unlike his previous encounter with the AccuHomi—he was experiencing a new sensation. It was no longer crystalline. Its color was altering into something even more exquisite. He reached his left hand inside and removed the crystal. A surge of the AccuHomi’s potency flowed throughout his corpus. He fell to his knees—grasping the crystal as if his existence depended on it. His corporeal senses were overloading. The outer layers of the crystal had darkened, while the inner ones were changing next.
He pressed the AccuHomi to his lips and assimilated it without a hindrance. Seconds later, he grunted—clutching his collar. His ability to breathe was impeded. The palisades of actuality were fading away all around him. The crystal was taking Theriac somewhere beyond the somatic.
When his eyes re-opened to the physical realm—he was standing at the entry to the obeisance chamber, inside of the Xelexian Sanctum of Canovis. At least two dozen Xelexians were on their hands and knees—adulating the potent crystal. They still didn’t seem to comprehend the gift that they had in their possession this entire time. However, their ignorance was of no consequence to Theriac.
He aimed to approach to retrieve the AccuHomi for the Conesans when an unforeseen vehemence began to impede him. His limbs would simply not abide by his mind’s decree. He floundered. Nothing he tried was working.
Without a warning, each of the Xelexians rose in unison. They stood for a moment—with their backs to him—gazing upon the AccuHomi. It was glowing ruddier by the moment. The Xelexians twisted around to face him. Their eyes were ruddy just like the crystal itself.
What is happening?
They sneered at Theriac and charged in his direction. The Xelexians’ intents did not appear to be benevolent in nature. His limbs were released from their immobility, however, he refused to escape their charge. Something metaphysical had guided him to this crux. The Xelexians sustained their charge and soared towards him. One after another Theriac absorbed them—until he was the sole entity left. The souls he had assimilated were not those of ordinary Xelexians, but those of their finest sovereigns and slayers.
Now all that was left within the chamber was him and the AccuHomi. It beckoned him. He felt its potency rising with each step he took. He grasped the crystal and pressed it to his lips—assimilating it for a second time.
“Theriac. Theriac. Theriac, can you hear me?”
He blinked. The Xelexian obeisance chamber was gone. He had been returned to the Cirix repository. Theriac turned to see Kannas beside him—with a hand on his shoulder.
“Are you coherent?”
“I am. More than I ever have been.”
“What are you doing in here?”
“This.”
He wrapped his hands around Kannas’ collar and began to squeeze. His Conesan collaborator floundered to impede this anomalous infusion of potency, but Theriac would not be denied. Kannas’ resistance was waning. Theriac could see it in his eyes.
He raised his arms towards the ceiling as Kannas’ skull went along with them. His collaborator’s corpus traveled the opposite way to the surface as Theriac breathed in and out. The AccuHomi had given him a new purpose.
It was time for him to heed the cull.