Inside Selina's bedroom. The air that was steadily thicker slowly returned to normal.
Dispersing the wall of spirituality was one of the things the documents have mentioned. However, even though she didn't specifically include mysticism, she still expressed her appreciation for it being a topic in the document.
Upon sorting the items and extinguishing the burning candles of their plumes in systematic succession. Selina remained before the makeshift altar.
The descriptions in the documents pertaining about this ritual was vague. Even herself was uncertain whether the prayer succeeded, so now she strained to anticipate any revelation that hints of her completion.
I should've consulted Old Neil first or validate the document's safety before attempting it... she sighed bitterly, brooding over her poor sense of caution.
After a few moments, just as Selina could turn, the environment around her suddenly shifted.
The air once again became heavier as clouds of gray mist began to cloak her and the bedroom's entire space. From the obscured surrounding, she could faintly make out a person seated on a familiar high-back chair.
At that moment, she heard a languid voice that was so distant, one could felt the presence of a lofty being. Mr. Fool said in a gentle and amiable tone, "I'm aware."
Once that single sentence reverberated and reached Selina's auditory senses. The fog quietly withdrew as the shimmering crimson glow from the moon returned alongside her bedroom.
Selina was left rooted in place. In awe of what had occurred.
The scarlet light illuminates the whole room faintly as it glints from the silver knife's surface.
Knowing that her attempt went smoothly. She sighed, feeling herself to be in quite a good mood.
The torn paper slip that she had used to translate the Mr. Fool's description, along with 'pray', 'return', and many other foundational words for a successful prayer nested right beside the encyclopedia she bought on the dresser.
When she rekindled the gas lamps, she quickly took this paper note and burned it onto the bright light of the plume, letting the ash settle inside the lamp.
Her next action now would be to broaden her knowledge of herbs and medicine concoction, along with mysticism to back her status and literacy in the field of beyonders.
Old Neil had told before that through the formulas requested from the Earth Mother Church, he would be able to provide her with deeper understanding in medicines, not only that would he also include historical documents, mysticism, and possibly more methods to utilize her pathway.
Right now I don't have any means of actually defending myself against beyonder threats... she murmured to herself softly. Recalling her confrontation with Deimsfel, as of now she's incredibly vulnerable and weak.
Not to mention, she's currently at the stage of beginning to grasp the true capabilities of the beyonder world. In terms of combat prowess, her situation during the chase was an anomaly even herself couldn't help but address.
If events such as those would occur once more, would I be able to survive without external help? Selina felt a rising pressure, a need to obtain power against threats that might harm not only herself, but also the people around her.
She wanted to return to the dreamworld, just to see more of the documents and what measures the organization take against threats. However, at this moment, she had expended her spirituality greatly, the ritual had only taken a bit off of her but the spirit vision and the dreamworld took a toll on her.
At this moment, the air around her ear began to unsettle. Inaudible voices started whispering to her ear.
From the start, they were just gibberish language that had no effect apart from pestering her auditory senses. However, as time passed, Selina fell into a daze as she stands.
The words gradually turned clear. Her body shuddered from fear.
She quickly realized this was one of the indications that a beyonder was nearing the boundary of spiritual depletion and the accumulation of insanity!
Selina raised both her hands to cover her ear, "No... No!"
The voices however, persisted as they slowly became comprehensible sentences.
"Mother-"
Just before the voices could continue. Selina's body suddenly collapsed onto the floor, a light bruise became the result of the impact. Her contorting face was replaced by a drifting expression.
Behind the glass panes, seated on the window's rail was a black feline with soft, fluffy body, casting a small shadow from the light permeating from the window.
...
Morning, Saturday.
Inside of the washroom. Water gushes forth from the faucet of the sink, producing a pleasant melody of trickles and splashes as it met the porcelain basin.
The sound filled the small room, soft yet rhythmic, masking the faint hum of the lights above.
Selina, with her hair coiled up, rinsed her face from the running water and looked toward the mirror, reflecting herself.
What happened? she asked herself with puzzled expression.
When the prayer was done, she contemplated on her next course of action before deciding to sleep. However, the night ended and before she knew it and the next moment, her closed eyes was suddenly bathed by the coursing light of the morning.
Her hand closed the valve of the faucet and immediately after, a rush of memory surged her. It was the inaudible voices that make when she later realized that her spirituality had reached its boundary.
It was careless of me... she said with heavy remorse, her gaze falling to the floor.
She had already experienced the aftermath of a lower sequence loss of control. She wouldn't take any chances if such a thing were to happen again.
After the short visit in the washroom, Selina finished her remaining chores and slipped on her short coat, blouse and a trouser.
But upon considering the gun-holster, she realized she needed the long coat she had brought and washed just recently in order to conceal her profession and appear approachable in the public.
She's against flailing her profession so openly.
So despite her sense of vanity, suitable and align with her work. She decided to redress herself before descending to the first floor.
...
A series of throttling sound fades before a street, just across a department.
Selina alighted from the carriage, spent a penny for the fare and crossed the street before entering the Blackthorn Security Company.
After reaching the reception hall, she saw Rozanne at her usual desk, exchanging pleasantries with her fellow member, Klein Moretti.
In his vested shirt draped with a dark cloak, he held a cane by his right hand and a top hat on his left. A way to properly greet someone while inside a building.
"Good morning", Selina gave a courteous smile at the two as she lowered her sunhat and placed it just below her abdomen with both hands.
Noticing her presence, Klein was the first to initiate a greeting, followed by Rozanne who swiftly adds, she seems to continue her sentence, "They were planning on waiting for additional Beyonders and another Special Operations squad from the police to arrive before beginning the operation to do the deed instantly without alarming the commoners. Unfortunately, that Instigator was extremely sharp. He charged out of the encirclement when he noticed something amiss, successfully escaping as a result."
Instigator?
Selina noticed this tidbit and blurted, "Instigator?"
"Yes!" Rozanne exclaimed. "That unforgiveable devil was really slippery!"
"At such times, they need a Beyonder with tracking abilities, such as me." Klein made a joke.
Tracking abilities? What pathway could provide such an ability? Selina instinctively wondered. "You do?"
"There was no lack of trackers back then." Dunn Smith's voice suddenly sounded.
Rozanne turned her head abruptly and saw the captain wearing his black windbreaker. He was glaring right at her with his deep pair of gray eyes while leaning against the partition's frame.
She hurriedly raised her hands to cover her mouth. Then, she shook her head incessantly, expressing her futile innocence.
Dunn turned his gaze to Klein and Selina, after some thought, he said, "There were a total of six Beyonders from the Mandated Punishers, the Machinery Hivemind, and us Nighthawks. We traced the injured Tris to Iron Cross Street's Lower Street. We found his temporary residence, but the clues ended there. Be it Beyonder methods or ordinary investigations, nothing worked. It was as though he evaporated into thin air, disappearing completely."
Disappearing... Selina stayed as a listener on the sideline.
"Do you need my help with divination?" Klein asked probingly.
Dunn shook his head gently.
"The Machinery Hivemind had a Mystery Pryer. He is a senior Beyonder as good as Old Neil. I even suspect that he's already at Sequence 8. I'm just unaware what the name of the corresponding potion is."
"The Theosophy Order's heritage to this day must have something special about it," consoled Klein.
When it was time to head downstairs. He glanced at Selina, already knowing where she was heading, he asked, "Looking for Old Neil?"
Huh? Selina snapped from her role as a listener, she said with a faint hurriedness, "Yes."
"Then shall we go?"
Selina nodded and occupied the side of Klein as they both left the reception hall.
Rozanne, whose feigning innocence, caught sight of this and secretly let out a grin.
"Care to explain what you've informed them earlier?" Dunn's voice suddenly sounded, it had a hint of coldness and calmness to them.
When she heard the captain say this, her face instantly grew pale.
...
Faint taps echoed from the confined halls of the basement.
When they arrived in the alchemy room, Old Neil was there, holding a few items with carved symbols alongside a revolver that was nested onto the table.
The carved items were either pendants, plates or gems.
"What are those?" Selina blurted out of curiosity.
"Oh, Ms. Roy, I've found a much suitable revolver for you", Old Neil said amiably as he presents the revolver for Selina.
Klein on the other hand, answered her first question with efficiency, "I believe those are protection amulets. As the name suggests, it protects its possessor from disaster, avert illness or maybe for good fortune."
"Ah, yes." Old Neil immediately sorted his words when he realized that the lady actually refers to the amulets on the table. "Each amulet are forged with incantation and material that have intimate relation with the energy as its source. Different gods meant different constellations and different constellations would mean different materials to be used."
"Well, enough about that for now. Would you like to weigh the revolver I've personally picked?"
"Very well", Selina wasn't a person to reject kindness out of inconveniency. It was basic courtesy.
When she felt the revolver on her hand. Her first impression was that it was light. It was oddly comfortable to swing the smooth handle around as she circle her wrist for a test.
"How is it?" Old Neil eagerly anticipated Selina's impression.
Selina had no issue with the overall condition of the gun, however, since it was an unfamiliar weapon her first inquiry was, "What model is it?"
"This is one of the custom made revolvers in our armory. Supplied by the Church, it was meant to address members who aren't quite adapted with the standard calibers." Old Neil said, kindly explaining the details for Selina.
"I see..." she muttered to herself. Diligently inspecting the revolver's parts. "Thank you."
Old Neil's gave a warm, satisfied smile. "No problem. Ah, I almost forgot."
He hurriedly took his leave. Selina and Klein could hear faint steps from after the door was closed, fading from the path where the armory is located.
Moments later, he returned with a leather sheathe in hand and gave it to Selina, saying, "Here's a gun-holster. Once you put it on we'll immediately start the lecture."
Another gun-holster? Selina was unsure of how to accept the offer. She already have one, another more would make it seem like she was strapped for battle that would appear any moment.
However, regardless of this thought, she still smiled as she stammered a replied, "T-Thank you again."
When she received the holster, she noticed its size and how long it is to be unsuitable to wear on her available thigh.
It's large... Are these meant for a giant?
Her hand rearranged how it was displayed when she held it. And after a few tries, she saw that it was actually meant to be worn on her chest.
Chest... Selina lifted her gaze toward Old Neil, now exchanging a few things with Klein. I see...
"I'll be back for a bit."
Klein and Old Neil both turned their heads away to the exiting Selina. Moments later, they heard a series of footsteps that soon opened the door leading to the path outside.
Selina had gone out of her way to ascend the stairwell, asked Rozanne for the washroom before finally returning back to the alchemy room.
Seeing her enter, Old Neil clasped his hand in delight, "Great. Then shall we begin?"