Chapter 12 - The Lab (1/2)
Persephone
As the sun passed its zenith we started to head for Ash's lab. Xavier was still reluctant to go and expressed his concern before leaving, but was still forced to come. I thought it was strange that Xavier was so strongly opposed to going, but didn't have a reason to be against it. I shrugged it off as pointless. We approached the magic guild and saw a figure outside waiting for us.
”Hey, Ash. I hope you don't mind, but I brought my companions.”
”Oh. Hello there. I'm probably going to have trouble with your names. It would be awkward to call everyone 'you'.” He said cheerfully.
With that Mordred stepped forward to introduce us, ”This is Persephone. Ash, Persephone. Persephone, Ash. The blond is Solskin. Ash, Solskin. Solskin, Ash. They're both wonderful, but they're not who you're really here for, right?” Mordred chuckled heartily, ”This is our resident grinch, the one and only-”
”Xavier.” Ash interrupted. ”At last we meet. You have no idea how long I have been searching for you.”
Xavier gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. He glared at Ash and remained silent. He looked ready to attack Ash.
”Anyways, now that you know our names, why don't we get to your lab?” Mordred said excitedly. Ash smiled genially and started walking to the back of the building.
”While the front entrance is where our libraries, private study rooms, and lecture halls are, the back entrance only leads to the laboratories. I'm sure that you will be pleased with our equipment. It is of the highest quality.”
”Back in Shiria, the stuff I had to work with was crap, to put it mildly.” Mordred said.
”I'm sure that you made do regardless. We have actually just found a very promising lead. Shall we start our research?” Ash said. We approached a surprisingly old-looking door which Ash unlocked and gestured us in.
”Welcome to my humble laboratory, please enter.”
”I can't wait to get started,” Mordred said excitedly.
Mordred
Once we were inside, I was pleasantly surprised. Despite Ash's ȧssurances, I was worried that the lab would be subpar due to the terrible condition of the door. But it was clearly a premier research facility. Books were neatly arranged across the multiple tables. Magic circles were drawn on a large piece of canvas that took up an entire wall. I gasped in admiration of the scope of research being conducted into other dimensions.
”Hello, Mordred. You look as horrible as ever.”
A young elf was sitting on a table in front of us. He was tossing balls of light around the room. A hood covered most of his face, but a few stray strands of blonde hair stuck out.
”How have you been, errand boy?” I sneered before catching myself. It wouldn't do to get wrinkles because of someone like Emmyth.