Hudan's Hideous Sight

Ashmodai and Randyl look around the laboratory that they've discovered. It's filled with a diverse but all still grotesque range of experiments.

"Don't touch anything. We don't know what effects they might give." Ashmodai commands calmly, knowing that Randyl likes to touch things more than he should.

"Yeah, okay." Randyl replies in a timid tone, clearly still freaked out.

Following primarily Ashmodai's lead, they begin to actively look into the experiments.

The amount of experimented bodies and ritualistic markings is staggering. The smell of death and disease is heavy in this enclosed room.

One of the first things Ashmodai notices is a female satyr hanging against the wall. She's being preserved by the radiation of some minerals around her, it seems like her body whilst experimented upon is still in a good shape. A journal lies next to it, explaining the process of experimentation in vivid detail.

"A satyr from about 1200 years ago, afflicted with a disease that she could not handle mana in any shape or form. The first symptoms are dizziness, an intense desire to sleep, and a generally lesser intake of food. This will gradually weaken the body until it falls into a state of paralysis, which afterward induces a heart attack. It seems Hudan was looking to weaponize it in some shape, but he hasn't succeeded yet." Ashmodai reads the journal out loud, trying to figure out Hudan's train of though and objectives.

"Is it that dangerous?" Randyl asks for a creature with minimal magical abilities.

"If he manages to weaponize it, then he could wipe out more than sixty percent of Lucille's Light population." Ashmodai replies dryly, before putting the book back.

"Shouldn't we steal it then, make sure he doesn't succeed?"

"That's not why I came here, besides, he probably has some form of backup. He would only get more hasty if he noticed that others have been through his laboratory."

"I guess you're right." Randyl replies, quite surprised that the devil he thought was a mere alcoholic also had this more serious side of him.

The imp also begins to act more independently, its attention falls on a book called "Power of sound and the voice."

The little imp decides to read the research paper out loud in case his companion Ashmodai might notice something that he doesn't.

"Magic related to the voice or any of the primary senses has long been theorized to be the main magic used during ancient times. Nowadays not many have the ability to unleash it any longer as the flow of mana has gradually changed to a more durable form. The question is, however, what exactly can one reach with the power of the primary senses. The majority of theories have unfortunately been debunked, as the sample size is limited and abilities vary." Randyl reads out loud, giving a quick summary of the small research paper.

"Voice magic? Interesting." Ashmodai responds, generally intrigued.

"Why's that?"

"Eloisa might have been even more important than Treyah realized." Ashmodai explains to Randyl.

"That little girl?"

"Yes, I guess I should have you up to date since you are searching with. Hudan was the one who summoned Eli from another realm via the use of a ritual. Plus, her magic lies in her voice, so it would strike me as very coincidental if this wasn't on purpose." Ashmodai explains calmly.

"Can I ask a strange question?"

"You ask no normal questions."

"Was that little girl summoned here because she had the ability, or was she given it?" Randyl asks, a surprisingly complicated question for the little brain that he has.

"I don't know. Her summoning was under the jurisdiction of the church, so we're missing crucial information."

After finishing their small discussion, they continue looking through this laboratory. General attempted modifications of one's body are very common throughout this room. Even runic enchantments and other forms of trying to enhance mana are spread throughout it. A lot of the remaining research papers talk about mythic creatures or events: Titans, the personification of creation and destruction, Creation of the veil, Soul magic throughout the ages, Yrthrar's ascension, Interdimensional travel. These are just a few topics that are brought up within these new research papers.

Ashmodai stops before some sort of scripture upon the wall. It seems to be a translation of some kind.

"Life is only sustainable whilst balanced with death. Those who are against nature will find themselves against the world. Happiness can only be felt when one knows sadness, so I hereby call out to all who will hear my words. Do not look to change the world for your needs, change yourself to fit within it."

"Quite the cryptic message." Ashmodai mutters under his breath.

"Ashmodai, I've found something!" Randyl yells, strangely excited!

Ashmodai quickly walks over to the screaming little imp.

"What did you find?"

Randyl excitedly holds out a simple-looking polished green stone.

"…"

"Pretty, am I right?"

"Have you forgotten why we are here?" Ashmodai asks, genuinely baffled.

"No, but we've searched everything and quite frankly I don't understand anything." The imp replies completely honestly.

"Sigh." Ashmodai sighs, tired from the imp's antics.

"Let's go." Ashmodai simply says.

"Where are we going?" Randyl asks in a curious tone.

"We still have one more place to search. We're going to the church."

"Okay!" Randyl yells in affirmation. Sneakily putting the simple-looking green stone in one of his little pockets.

Ashmodai with his keen senses notices this little deceitful action, deciding to ignore it, Ashmodai walks out with the imp by his side.

***

Hudan Hakel makes his way through the pardoned district at a quick pace. He had received a signal from his laboratory portal that someone has entered.

'Which rat dares?' Hudan begins to wonder, thinking about who might be interested in his experiments.

Rushing through the abandoned district, a figure appears before him. Quite the surprise, even for the clever priest.

"Allatou, I thought you said that you planned to leave the city?" Hudan Hakel asks the figure that appeared before him.

Allatou, the previous sight and the devil with sheeplike features, does not respond immediately.

"And I thought that you would be sticking with Treyah and the others. Sometimes the things we expect simply do not happen." Allatou says her voice as powerful and enchanting as ever.

"Indeed, now excuse me. I have urgent business to take care of." Hudan says, his voice showing clear impatience.

"I don't trust you. Not even for a bit. Keep that in mind, Hudan."

"…"

"Any misstep and I will kill you." Allatou's aura changes to a state of clear killing intent.

"Fine, if we're doing this now. Allatou do you want to hear about one of my experiments? I summoned a girl here. Yes, you heard me correctly, a reincarnation! Do you want to know something else? I based her upon you."

Allatou's face contorts to that of one mixed with confusion and dread.

"You're replaceable. I have no need for you. So go crawl back to whichever corner you like." Hudan Hakel says, showing his own killing intent.