24 The Whistler (1/2)
”You wish to study energy weapons?”
The question cut through the still air with a sweeping momentum, as the Old Keeper stern voice sounded in questioning.
”Yes, Sir Keeper. Is it possible to create this kind of artifact without using a mutant's soul?” Garett asked in passing, giving the impression that he wanted to experiment with a simple, soulless, artifact to be his first forging.
”Hmmm... If it is this kind of artifact, it is possible. But the energy output would be somewhat weaker.” He answered to the young hunter's doubts, rekindling a small flame of hope in Garett's mind!
'Yes! It is possible, so maybe I can materialize one, then I could use it at any given time...' Garett could visualize him sometime in the future when he could materialize multiple firearms. Like an unstoppable arsenal, he would attack with the most diverse methods!
”Yes, there's one weapon around that you should be familiar with, as it belonged to one of the fellows who died recently.” The Keeper continued his mumbling, remembering the recent happenings. ”It was designed by a junior apprentice on the church, using the energy of a Rank-C mutant, and I should be able to get the schematics for reference. There are also other items using the same principle but without using souls.”
'A junior was able to create an artifact using the soul of a Rank-C mutant? Well, he may be junior to you, but he should be quite experienced already...' Garett thought to himself as he listened to the Keeper. The Old Hunter always referred to others as kids and young, so the 'junior apprentice' might have been someone as old as the captain.
Arriving at this preliminary conclusion, Garett calmed himself and focused on the task at hand.
”I think it would be better for me to practice with soulless artifacts for now, and when the church finally bestows me a ritual, it wouldn't be too late to start using souls,” Garett added, remembering the Keeper of his known status as a common Marked. ”So... can I study the forging method of those simpler artifacts?”
”Oh yes, I almost forgot you were a common person.” The Keeper said, closing his eyes for a couple of seconds before continuing. ”Yes...Yes, feel free to use the schematics. They should be somewhere around that shelf over there.”
He pointed in one of the dusted shelves in the damp library, a multitude of furled schematics crowding the shelves until there was not even a single free space.
'And you expect me to find something in there? Really? It would take a week to find what I want...' Garett's eyelids perceptibly twitched, and he resisted the urge of cursing at the Old Keeper.
”Don't look at me like that, the things you want to find are located at the end of the corridor, so you should be able to find without my help.” The elder spat at Garett's gloomy face before making way to the small room at the back, possibly to do the finishing touches at the clock-like artifact.
'Okay, then... let's get to work...' Garett took a deep breath before stepping forward to the place pointed by the Keeper, already expecting to waste a lot of time only to find the right schematics.
...
The sunlight pierced the thin mist and illuminated the streets, creating a totally different atmosphere than the one that permeated the city at night.
”Are you ready, Garett?” Alice asked with a strange tone, her forehead frowning with a tinge of concern. ”This is your first assignment, so you should prepare thoroughly.”
Her short red-hair slightly swayed with the breeze, and on her back, a large suitcase that contained her two gauntlets was attached strikingly.
”It will be fine, Alice,” Garett reassured her, showing a confident smile and crossing his hands before his chest. ”The Old Keeper helped me a lot, and the Captain personally commissioned him to create an artifact that would help me during the investigative process.”
Alice then nodded in understanding after hearing him talk about the
Old Keeper, even if the hunters mostly avoided the eccentric old freak, none of them doubted his capabilities.
”Do you remember everything pertaining to the mission?” She pressed once more, just like a worried mother reminding her son.
”Yes, Alice. I remember everything, so you don't need to keep reminding me.” He waved in annoyance. ”Do We really need to stay at a hotel even if we are inside the city? Couldn't we just return home to sleep at night?”
”Sadly, no.” She slightly shook her head before continuing. ”We need to stay in the area to respond to any sudden developments, and we wouldn't able to do that if we left the region every night.”
”I see... So, let's hire a carriage?” Garett didn't want to walk on foot during any of the hunter's assignments! If the expenses are to be paid by the church, he had to make full use of the advantages!
”Why not?” She responded with a slight smile.
The duo then proceeded to leave the area, finally embarking on Garett's first mission.
...
”So this is Tobacco Yard... I've rarely come here before.” He commented in passing to the huntress, his eyes fixated outside of the carriage.
”It's a factory district, so there's not much to see here anyway,” Alice responded in passing before pointing ahead. ”Other than that, at least.”