Chapter 36 - Back inside

She strings me along in a walk through the woods. The sun is far from rising, as such, there is still no light illuminating my surroundings. Different animalistic howls can be heard through the forest, but none seem to bother Soulweaver. Why would they? In all of Melodica, those with the ability to stand before her can be counted on one hand. It begs the question as to why she is such an unknown figure. Her name has never come across any of my classes and I have never heard of her before. For the identity of someone so powerful to be so thoroughly concealed is truly strange.

As we traverse the forest, we hardly come across any type of wildlife. They seem to be instinctively aware that they should not be anywhere within our vicinity. I somewhat wish I had that sense when Sylvia asked for my help on this mission. The unlucky few which do cross our path are quickly disposed of by Soulweaver, each time more cruel than the last. Unexpectedly, Soulweaver remains silent throughout our entire journey. This makes me uneasy as I am unable to tell what goes through her mind when she does not open her mouth.

No more than half an hour passes and we have returned to the facility. Upon our arrival, it is made clear to me that the field is truly empty. I am not exactly shocked, but as I was shown by Soulweaver, my companions have indeed left me behind. While I acted according to my own will, and I do not blame them whatsoever, this sight still brings back the stinging pain in my heart. It also puts emphasis on the severity of the situation. At this moment, I am truly alone. No one will be able to save me in time if Soulweaver decides I am no longer worth her time. Not Maestro Lauren, not Sebastian, not anyone. Nothing I can do will be of help in my predicament either, and no miracle will occur. My life is completely in Soulweaver's hands and her whims. As we approach the main, and only, gate of the facility, Soulweaver steps in a puddle of mud. As her right foot sinks into it, she looks down and completely freezes. Noticing her actions, I expect the worse. Could this have triggered her manic tendencies? If so, I'll need to make myself very small in order to avoid attracting her madness. However, against my expectations, she turns in my direction and speaks while placing both hands over her mouth, expressing something resembling embarassment.

"Oh! How unsavory!! My appearance isn't nearly adequate enough! Why didn't you tell me I looked so bad?!"

"..."

I do not feel like answering her is the right move, hence, I simply keep my mouth shut. Either way, the sight before me is much too disturbing to give her my input. What she means by 'bad' is that her skull is caved in and one of her eyes is hanging out of its socket. A few of her teeth are missing and her entire face is dyed red with blood. From her words and tone, she seems to think it is similar to forgetting to do your hair before leaving your house in the morning. Clumsily attempting to hide her face, she orders me.

"Stay here! I'll be right back!"

It is not like I am planning to go anywhere no matter what she tells me. There is no way for me to escape her. Thus, I patiently wait outside for her return with what I imagine will be a fixed cranium and a new set of eyes. Perhaps a new set of teeth too. Thankfully, Soulweaver does not make me wait long. After a few seconds, she comes back out. Well, a young boy, no taller than Calliope, comes back out, but I know it is Soulweaver. The boy waves and with a large smile, he asks me a question.

"What do you think, don't I look better!? I haven't been young in so long!!"

"..."

With a shout, he asks me again.

"Don't I look better!!?"

His sudden outburst startles me, nearly making me jump out of my suit. With a trembling voice, I reply.

"Y-you look fine...?"

"Good! I'm glad you like it! Now follow me! I have something to show you!

Without hesitation, I follow him into the facility. I enter it for the second time, except I am now here as a visitor and not an intruder. Mine and his steps resonate through the desolate interior of the building. Its state is the same as when I left it an hour ago. Soulweaver walks at a hastened pace in front of me and I follow her deeper into the facility. Glancing at the different rooms and different parts of the hallways, she makes a remark.

"Ugh, I should really make them clean up here sometime!! Hmm, but then it won't smell like death will it? What to do.... What to do... Is there such a thing as a clean smell of death? I'll have to look into that later... What? No, that's stupid!! An [enlightened] with the ability to reproduce smells?? Where would I even find that!?! Anyways, it's my turn right now so shush!!"

His monologue leaves me speechless. If before I had doubts that he had a type of multiple personality disorder, now I am sure. This might be the result of living among corpses whose sole ability is to obey your commands. Whenever he speaks to them, he is really speaking to himself. I know this because when he somehow established a link between us earlier, I was able to see it, he is experiencing all of their lives at the same time. All of their actions are through his will alone. I fail to even fathom how that could be possible, yet, he is doing it as we speak. I suspect there must be some limitations to this ability, but it is incredibly impressive nonetheless. Regardless of Soulweaver's mental state, his sheer skill and power deserve respect.

Pulling me out of my thoughts, a light flashes green and I realize that we've finally arrived at the only elevator leading to the basement of this place. The doors open with a slow sliding motion. Both Soulweaver and I squeeze in. A few seconds pass and we arrive. The doors open once again, we step outside of the elevator and the three rooms re-appear before me. The only difference is that I now know what each of them hides. Soulweaver takes a moment to breathe in the air before explaining his reasoning for bringing me here. He makes sure to properly fill both of his nostrils with the aroma of his surroundings. Simply remembering the smell, I sense a flow of regurgitation climbing my esophagus, but I push it down without letting my disgust show. After having taken in the fragrance, he turns to me and speaks.

"This is where the magic happens, Alden!! I know that you're one of the smart ones... you must have pieced together some parts of the manufacturing process right!!?"

My expression which had now been wary with a tinge of nervousness, turns dark. My gaze locks onto Soulweaver's and I am painfully reminded that he is the cause of all the torment in this place. In our interactions thus far, I had somehow forgotten that fact. No matter what he says or what he does, this person is pure evil. He is more vile than anything I've seen before and maybe even more than anything I'll ever see. Noticing my bubbling anger, Soulweaver mockingly raises his hands in surrender.

"Hehehehe, don't get too angry now, you don't even know the best part!! You know what it takes to make it but you don't know how exactly the tuning pill is made!! That's what I've brought you here for, let me show you!!"