Life at the temple quietened significantly since the night of the fire which ravaged the mountainside. Over the past week, the flow of disciples making their way up the mountain slowed to a trickle, only the most determined were willing to face the fiery creatures that inhabited the burning mountainside.

The Pyrthirío did not appear inclined to move on, instead keeping to the singed landscape of the mountain. Disciple Atticus theorized their behavior to be akin to that displayed by creatures within a den, wherein they would remain in proximity to the den boss, this being Pyr. His theory was further proven when I released Pyr on the mountain, and he displayed a level of control over the Pyrthirío.

Following in my footsteps, each of the original three alchemy disciples currently residing in the temple had bonded with a Pyrthirío, using the creatures as personal burners for use in the laboratories. This soon spread to the two newest arrivals, who were apparently directed by the others to bond with a Pyrthirío as a kind of unofficial initiation.

In the guise of Natalie, I stood within one of the first level laboratories of the alchemy tower. Before me a Pyrthirío squirrel sat with a retort bubbling away above it as Kensa, the disciple who owned the squirrel, babbled about her recent discovery.

The woman’s excitement made her words difficult to understand, as she fumbled through her sentences. So I simply smiled, and nodded along as she spoke, my mind slowly piecing together the relevant information from her babbling speech.

Kensa had found a way to solidify the gelatinous substance which coated the bodies of the Pyrthirío. The substance took awhile to dry, but once it did, it was extremely durable. It did not melt, nor did it shatter, or dent when hit, which led to many possible applications for its use.

Holding a solidified piece of what Kensa had named Pyrium, I examined it closely. The Pyrium chunk was clear, with a tinge of orange and gave off a faint warmth, unlike its gelatinous original form which gave off an almost searing heat.

“Walk me through the method once more,” I prompted, shifting my attention back to the purple haired elf.

“First I distilled the raw Pyrium, which gave me a thick dark red substance, and a lighter orange fluid that had adhesive qualities.”

I listened closely as she continued explaining how she focused on the adhesive liquid, with the idea to create a sticky fire weapon. The addition of sap from the Gluey tree, so named due to the adhesive sap it produced, had resulted in the resin-like Pyrium substance.

Reading over the woman’s notes, I could see the various ideas Kensa had for further applications of the Pyrium resin, and her thoughts on the other compound distilled.

Nodding to myself, I turned my attention back to the elven woman with a smile. “Please take the remainder of this morning to gather your notes, and write them out in the preferred format. The high priestess will meet with you at noon to discuss your discovery.”

Kensa’s eyes grew wide, her mouth opening and closing several times before she snapped it shut, her head bobbing in a nod.

Lips twitching in amusement, at the sight of the woman’s flustered response I turned to leave the laboratory, passing Peran and the two newly arrived outer disciples on my way out of the tower. Unlike Kensa, Peran seemed content to work on the easier brewing tasks, opposed to engaging in any new research.

Somehow, he’d managed to gather the two new arrivals under him with the three of them taking over one of the labs for bulk production of potions. Peran seems to have forgotten I favor quality over quantity.

The group would be in for quite a surprise when their potions failed to produce the silver insignia that marked them as being created from one of my personal recipes. Without that mark, no points would be awarded for their work if they submitted them to the temple.

Then again, if they wished to profit off their work, they could always make the trip down to Bovia in order to sell the potions. I couldn’t stop them from selling subpar products, but soon everyone would know only potions marked with an alchemist's insignia were worth buying.

Back in my office, I examined the gold signet ring I wore. The golden nine tailed fox with its purple jeweled eyes that sat in a ring of nine elemental symbols had been given to me by Trismegistus, and served as a creator's mark which magically appeared on any item created using my recipes or formulas.

A similar signet ring sat upon the hands of Brodel, and Meissa, having been forged after I discovered the method in one of the former high priestess's books.

The rings Trismegistus blessed were created through a mixture of all three domains, with a very powerful illusion imbued into the insignia. This being how the symbol of our mark appeared on the items crafted by others using the claimed recipe.

It required input from both Brodel, and Meissa to craft their rings, as the pair's skill in their chosen domains far exceeded my own. The only parts I could contribute were with guiding the disciples through the process, and the alchemical work to create the potions needed.

Today, I would guide Atticus, Nader, and Kensa in forging their rings, and in time, I planned to have rings forged for all the direct, and some select inner disciples who showed their worth, but for now only a select few would have the honor.

Unfortunately, the task of forging the rings was time-consuming, and not only that, it required active participation from the disciple it was being forged for, which meant having rings made for those who were not present at the temple was difficult to achieve.

Sadie, Helvern, Lucas, and Taurie all required rings to mark their creations, but having them travel from their current locations would take time. Darius had expressed his desire for the laboratories in Caruan, and Sēkrit to remain operating under the current set up, so calling my four direct disciples to the temple wasn’t currently possible.

“Tris, please, please help me make altars! Just two! That’s all I need.” I whined, staring up at the ceiling with a pout.

If there were altars designated to Trismegistus in Sēkrit, and Caruan, then traveling to those locations would be easily done. According to Icarus, and Haiden, all high clergy possessed the ability to magically travel to the temples, and altars dedicated to their patrons. However, for me, a high priestess with only a single temple, and no altars, such a feat was not possible.

No answer came from the god- not that I expected one. Trismegistus already made it clear there would be no free temples or altars, and that I would need to have them built. This wouldn’t be an issue if not for the required materials that were needed.

To create an altar or temple, required a divine anchor, such as the orrery staff which was tied to the temple I currently resided in. Icarus, and Haiden said they gained the anchors by calling upon their patron to bless an item they selected for the anchor, yet when I did so, all I got was a snippy response telling me not to cut corners, or snappish insults about my laziness, and how he didn’t have time for such simplistic matters.

After the third time I attempted to request an anchor, a book had flown off the shelf in my office, and proceeded to spend a good ten minutes smacking me.

Nothing I did stopped the book's attack, as it was both fire resistant, and able to teleport out of my grasp, so all I could do was cower under my desk until it ceased attacking.

That book didn’t help much as the anchor needed to be forged with divine quintessence, pure gold, and astral magic. The process was similar to the signet rings, but at a much higher level. The gold, and astral magic were attainable, but the divine quintessence was something I didn’t know how to attain without the gods' aid.

Attempting to use my own quintessence resulted in a purple gem, and not the golden one described in the book which contained the instructions for creating divine anchors. It was obvious divine quintessence needed to come from a divine being, in particular the patron to whom the anchor would be bound.

It didn’t make sense that Tris was so reluctant to aid me, more altars and temples would be to his benefit as well.

A soft knock at the door broke through my musings, alerting me to the arrival of the three disciples I was waiting for. Straightening in my chair, I called for Atticus, Kensa, and Nadir to enter. When the door clicked closed behind the group, I gestured for Kensa to approach my desk.

The purple haired elf stepped forwards, her hands clutching at a leather bound book.

“Kensa,” I smiled, hoping to ease her tension as I noticed her nervousness. “Natalie has told me about your recent research, and whilst it is not yet enough to earn you a place among my direct disciples, I have decided to allow you to partake in the forging of a personal seal.”

Kensa’s cheeks flushed, as she mumbled something that sounded like “Thank you, high priestess.”

Inclining my head towards the elf, I stood from behind the desk, and directed the disciples to follow me.

As we ascended the staircase leading up the uppermost level of the tower, I spoke about the signet rings, and their abilities.

“So, each time someone uses our claimed formulas our symbol will appear in silver, or in gold if it is made by the original creator?” Atticus asked.

I nodded, glancing back at the man as we reached the door to the observatory, which also served as a ritual room. “Correct, you will also receive a portion of the mana that the crafter gains upon completion of each potion.”

Nadir chuckled. “So, it’s basically a copyright, and royalty payment system.”

“I guess you could say that,” I said, giving a slight nod. “Though, don’t expect any great boons. You could kill a fly and get more mana.”

“Still, it’s nice to know we get something out of sharing our works.” Atticus said as the disciples gathered in the center of the room. “If enough people used our recipes, it would add up eventually.”

I looked at him, my lips curling into a smile. “The brewing of a hundred vials of light potion is about the level of a rat.” I said, referring to the lowest level brewing task available in the alchemy tower.

Kensa’s eyes grew wide, her research notes clutched to her chest. “What level does a disciple need to be in order to assign tasks in the tower?”

“Only clergy, journeyman scholars, and direct disciples may assign tasks.” I informed her, causing Nadir, and Atticus to grin broadly, whilst the purple haired elf’s shoulders slumped.

Directing each of the three disciples to kneel on the ground inside the runic circle carved on the floor, I moved to one of the bookshelves to retrieve three clay bowls. The inside of each bowl contained half a dozen small arrays, which had been carved by Brodel, and inlaid with pure gold.

“As you may have already felt, this circle has been imbued with astral blessings to increase your mental focus, and aid in mana regeneration.” I said, handing each of the disciples a bowl. “If you inspect the bottom of this bowl, you will see it matches your transmutation amulets. Place your amulets on the ground, with the bowl sitting on top, with each point lining up exactly.”

I watched as each placed amulets down before carefully setting bowls atop them. Once each bowl was in place, I withdrew three potion vials from my bag.

“Now, I must warn you, this potion possesses hallucinogenic properties.” I said, handing each of the three a vial. “Those who have consumed it have each spoken of different encounters whilst in the dreamlike state the potion places them in, however it is during this time you shall gain the symbolism for your personal insignia.”

Nadir didn’t hesitate before downing his vial, whilst Kensa, and Atticus both took a moment to examine the potion.

“Are you willing to share the ingredients, high priestess?” Atticus asked.

I smiled. “Not all of them, however I will tell you it contains the stalks of red amanita mushrooms.”

Kensa nodded, clutching her vial tightly as she tilted her back and downed the contents. Atticus watched both Nadir, and Kensa as they knelt frozen in place, their eyes tightly closed.

I said nothing as Atticus continued his examination of his fellow disciples, and the contents of the vial. When Nadir’s eyes flew open, his body losing its rigidity, Atticus spoke softly with the transmutation disciple, questioning him about the effects of the potion.

“It was strange,” Nadir muttered, staring down at his hands with wide eyes. “I- I think I had eight hands, no- not hands, tentacles!”

I blinked once, then twice, momentarily trying to picture the man with tentacles for arms before dismissing the mental picture.

When Kensa woke, she claimed she’d dreamed of being a plant and proceeded to describe how her plant self had been harvested, then distilled into a potion.

Hearing the pair's stories, and seeing them both unharmed from the potions consumption, Atticus downed his own vial in a single gulp.

I waited, watching him closely as I pondered the meaning of Kensa, and Nadir’s dreams. When I personally consumed the potion, I found myself living out the dream both Meissa and Brodel spoke of.

In my vulpine form, I strode through a battlefield, breathing out a poisonous gas that downed my foes, and with a flick of my nine tails I called forth the stars to rain down upon a city of blue and silver. Then, in the aftermath of the battle, I pranced through the ashes, the once ruined city rebuilding itself in the wake of my footsteps.

The sight of myself as such a powerful being was both inspiring, and a little frightening. If such things were possible for someone like me, then I could only imagine what others would be capable of in the future.

When Atticus stirred from his stupor, his brows furrowed as he stared down at the empty bowl, before his expression smoothed into a smile. He remained silent when the others questioned him about what he saw, shaking his head in response to their questions.

Clapping my hands to redirect their attention, I had each recheck their bowls to ensure it hadn’t been moved during their vision. The disciples did as instructed, and once the bowls were confirmed to be properly aligned I handed each a small knife from my pouch.

Following my instructions each of the disciples drew the blades across their left wrist, grimacing in pain as they did so. Each knife was coated in a basic poison that would prevent the wounds from self healing, allowing the blood to continue flowing freely into the bowls.

Once each bowl was full, I carefully wrapped each disciples wrist in a potion soaked bandage that would negate the poison, and quicken the healing process.

With their bowls now filled to the brim with blood, each disciple placed their hands one either side of the bowl, their eyes closed as they focused their mana into the transmutation amulets. A bright golden glow filled the room as each allowed their mana to flow into the amulet, and the arrays carved onto the bowl.

For over an hour the disciples fed mana into the arrays, the blessed circle they knelt in ensuring their cores refilled enough that they could continue pouring mana into their amulets. As the mana continued to flow around me, I allowed my mind to wander, mulling over the various tasks which required my attention.

The sound of a loud crack, and a masculine cry of shock, brought my attention back to the present.

Nadir stared down at the shattered fragments of his bowl where a glimmer of gold sparkled amongst the shards, and as the transmutater reached down to pick it up, I walked closer to examine the ring over his shoulder.

That explains the eight tentacles from his vision. I gazed down at the ring, admiring the octopus with its eight tentacles stretched out in a way that vaguely resembled a basic transmutation array. Tilting my head, I thought I could see tiny runes in the sucker cups depicted on parts of the tentacles, but they were too small to make out clearly without closer examination.

As Nadir slipped his ring onto his left hand, I noticed that his ring lacked any gemstones, which I knew adorned both my ring, and that of the clergy.

Mulling that over, I moved to Kensa’s side as her bowl was the next to break.

The elven disciple’s ring showed a blooming flower, with the runic symbol for life at its center. As with Nadir’s ring, there were no gemstones. Perhaps only clergy rings have them?

“High priestess, do you know what kind of flower this is?” Kensa asked, holding up her ring.

Leaning down, I took a closer look at the ring, attempting to discern what kind of flower I was. Nothing came to mind, so I simply gave the woman a polite smile. “You must discern that on your own disciple, tis your path to follow.”

The sound of Atticus’s bowl cracking saved me from further conversation, and I quickly left to inspect his ring.

My eyes widened as I gazed down at my direct disciples ring which showed a golden fox curled around the edges of the ring, nose touching it’s tail. The symbol for fire was at the center of the ring, encircled by the fox, who possessed a single red stone for its visible eye.

Neither Kensa, or Nadir formed rings with gemstones, yet the one Atticus forged did. What an interesting occurrence.

“Thank you, high priestess.” Atticus wore a prideful expression as he slipped on his ring, his fingers tracing over the fox. “I am grateful to be given the honor of being your Acolyte, and shall do my best to prove myself worthy of you, and our patron.”

The disciple bowed his head, his tone reverent as he spoke.

I fought back a frown as I sent a probing tendril of mana towards the golden orb within the disciples body, and found that he no longer gave off the same aura as the disciples. Awareness filled me, bringing forth the knowledge that he was indeed an acolyte, the first rank attainable among the clergy.

As I ushered the disciples from the room, directing them to return to their rooms to rest, Atticus finally gave in to Kensa’s questions and told her of his dream wherein he was greeted by Trismegistus.

That the old man personally spoke to Atticus, and recruited him as an acolyte was surprising to say the least. I hadn’t planned on recruiting any else to the clergy until Kelnose was located, though, admittedly having a higher ranked person in the alchemy tower would be useful. It would save me having to spend as much time there in the guise of Natalie.

If Tris believes he is worthy of the position, who am I to argue? I sighed, running a hand through my hair as the door to my office closed behind the disciples.

Smothering a yawn as a wave of fatigue washed over me, I moved to the chair behind my desk, reaching for the notes Kensa left behind for me to read.

I could really use a nap right about now.

That thought had barely crossed my mind when the faint sound of something moving behind me caused my ears to twitch moments before a cloth covered hand clamped itself over my mouth, and nose.