Making Ready

OOC: Since no one else is forthcoming, I'll do the unthinkable and double post. ;)

IC:


Something far off inside the tower thundered, some other horrible experiment being carried out in some distant dungeon or workroom, where the alchemist carried on his ruthless, insane work. Crankings, grindings, howls and screams drifted up from the lower floors and dungeons to the higher levels of the pearl-ashen tower. While guards kept close watch on the grounds outside and scouts watched and spied on the forests around, the smoking tower went on doing its dirty, scientific work.

However, few knew of what was contained on the higher levels, in the upper areas of the tower. The spike of ashen gray, pale and unmoving, actually was quite a palace in the higher chambers. Just above and not quite out of reach of the screams and dying moans of prisoners below, whitened halls and pretty chambers filled the areas where the alchemist himself stayed. In the higher halls of the unnamed tower, lush red carpets and rich tapestry hangings could be found, plush furniture and regal, polished columns as well. Straight, royal halls or white stone stood unstained above the blood they were built on.

In one of the highest chambers, as always, where the great stained glass window could be found that lit up the meditation room, HE could be found. As always, the man spent many an hour merely studying the stained glass over and over, his twisted mind and broken heart going over and over the plan of action, the results, and the following rewards. Not bent and old like the alchemist who had brought him here, or infirm like the little scientist who was now preparing the experiment, this man was tall, regal, silent, and unmoved. By anything. The only thing that disturbed this stranger's reveries and constant planning was the sound of the occasional horror that rose up from below.

When the alchemist himself checked this man, he had to be careful. This man was a key instrument and patient, even the slightest wrong move or word would end everything he had worked so hard to build. Men like this one were not easily changed or swayed.
The alchemist, the Tower Master himself, stiffly hobbled down the plush red carpet hallway, his guards left behind him for once as he shuffled about in his upper house. His usual grumblings and mutterings, turning over countless formulas in his mind, fell silent as he approached this stained glass chamber, as though noise itself might disturb this unusual figure. His old, wizened face told of a long struggle, and it's hard, twisted lines were all the product of his hard, unusual, and painful work. Without a beard or much hair at all on his face or head, except a few wisps on his nearly bald head, he looked like a man twisted with age. Short, small, and even perhaps slightly overweight, his mind was the greatest weapon he could wield now. In his red, richly adorned robes, the old alchemist reached the small door he sought in his grand hallway, took a deep breath, and opened it. Silently.
He peeked inside, his sharp, black eyes glaring inward and searching about like a mouse looking out for a cat. The scene he saw inside was the same as always.

The pearly chamber inside was entirely unadorned, but absolutely stunning in it's stonework. Lovely patterns and rich runes covered the walls and floor, and the columns that lined the circular room held up a slightly circular dome above, where sunlight streamed down into the chamber. Brightly colored and lit, it was a beautiful place. Other than the grand columns and polished stonework, it was entirely without interest...except for one massive stained glass window at the end side from the door. Taking up perhaps a fifth of the circular wall that surrounded the room, a section had been entirely taken out and replaced with colored glass, which also was lit up at the height of day, like it was now. Rich colors of red, blue, green, yellow, violet, and others streamed in along with the white sunlight above, casting every rainbow color possible on the floor...and the figure who always stood in front of it.
He was still there. Standing tall, a high, slender, unmoving figure was staring up at the glass, studying the pictures that were laid into it. From that distance, the old alchemist could just tell that he was wearing a soft, white cloak, the only thing visible on his back. His long, soot black hair fell down some inches below his shoulders, long and combed.
The alchemist coughed roughly. "My prince?" He asked.
There was a long moment before the reply came. "Is it ready yet, Sidonus?"
"Not yet, prince." The old man barked. He always asked that question. "Almost though!" And naturally, he always used the same reply.
"Almost? How long is, 'almost,' alchemist?" The voice of the man in front of the stained glass was smooth and deep, with a polished air of gentleman nobility in it, the voice is a strong, proud man. He did not move from studying the stained glass before him.
"I have waited a long time, Sidonus."
"It will be ready completely, tomorrow." The richly robed scientist entered the room and closed the door behind him. Still, he didn't come any closer to the regal person on the far side.
To this, the white figure on the far side turned to face the alchemist. A scream from some poor, tortured soul rose up from the floors below, cutting through the dignified silence like a knife. It quickly returned, however, as the screamed died away.
"Tomorrow?" The prince raised an eyebrow. His face now visible, the alchemist studied it yet again. It was a handsome, noble face, perhaps slightly pale. His dark eyes and slender features surveyed the red robed man for a moment, like a bird of prey almost eying a mouse. His dark, black hair fell back behind him like a black hood on his white cloak. He was plainly dressed, only in a light silvery robe that shimmered in the light. The stained glass behind him glowed, radiating his features.
His expression was emotionless, however. "And all the others are ready as well?"
"Yes, they're ready." The alchemist nodded grimly. "The Icon of Peace is prepared, and the Icon of Joy has just been dragged up from the pits. The other Icons are being brought in. You, my prince, will have your six subordinates by this time tomorrow."
The prince smiled slightly. It was a cruel, cold smile that seemed to suck every drop of warmth from the room, like the smile of a dead corpse.
"Excellent." He paused. "I am ready to be made perfect, Sidonus. The world has waited too long for Man's sins, Man's evils, to be destroyed. This will make all things right, my friend."
The sickened scientist, who honestly believed it too, nodded. "Yes. All humanity will be made right now, one we begin the Purging. We will be perfect. And you, my prince, will be the greatest Icon, the leader of them all, the loving hero all will look to for all hope and greatness!" He rasped, with a grin.
The prince's smile faded. "I will be the Icon, Sidonus, rest assured of that. If you betray me, it will be you who is first purged. Remember that also." With that, the prince turned back to face the stained glass window. Another grinding noise came up almost through the floor to cut the quiet. It faded again.
The alchemist turned to go, but the princely experiment wasn't finished.
"By this time tomorrow, little scientist, all the world will be paid for in full, and they will forever regret the day they dared betray me. She will regret it. My father will regret it. And most important, every single wretched monster like her and my father will be destroyed. Evils like them will no longer stain the world." He looked over his shoulder at Sidonus. "Make sure you are clean, Sidonus, before the Purging begins. You are not exempt from it. You are human too." With that, he turned again to face the glass wall.
The alchemist nodded furiously and hastily exited, glad to shut the door and step back out into the hallway. He stood there thinking for a moment. Perhaps his 'experiment' was getting more dangerous as time went on, after all. Angels were not made in a day...much less human ones.