The transition from mundane to mystical was instantaneous. Within the silent expanse of the Celestial Spire, the vortex of grey dust finally settled, leaving the silver watch and the golden pen floating in the void. Elias leaned in, his eyes tracking the subtle, rhythmic pulse of the silver and the dark, clinging shadow of the gold.
Despite the "violent" transformation, they looked exactly as they had in the shop. But to a Beyonder's vision, they now radiated a clear level of spirituality.
"This should do it," Elias murmured, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
He reached out to push them back through the illusory door to the physical world, but his hand paused mid-air. A thought flickered through his mind: If I can bridge the gap between the Sefirah and the material plane this easily, why am I doing it manually? He envisioned a system where items were drawn in and spat out through a set of conceptual filters, automated by the Spire itself.
He shrugged, the ambition cooling for a moment. "Too soon," he conceded to the empty hall. "That's a dream for a higher Sequence. For now, I'm still the delivery boy."
With a flick of his wrist, the items vanished back to his sofa in the living room. He turned to follow them, intending to wake from his trance, when the silence of the Spire was suddenly disturbed.
A series of frantic, distorted murmurs began to echo against the pillars. It wasn't a chaotic raving; it was a rhythmic, slightly tongue-twisted. Someone, somewhere in the world below, was uttering an honorific name.
Elias turned around. He watched as the stellar dust began to churn, condensing with violent speed into a small, vibrating orb. When it finally settled into form, it glowed for a second with a crimson hue before fading back into a sparkling, unstable grey.
He stepped closer, his brow arched in genuine surprise. "That was fast," he said, his voice low and echoing. "I never expected it to actually hook. I didn't think there was someone stupid enough to utter the name of an unknown existence aloud."
He circled the orb, which seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of whoever was on the other side.
"But I suppose I did make the cipher slightly difficult," he chuckled, thinking of the hidden text he'd planted. "The poor soul was probably so excited to have deciphered it that they didn't realize they were speaking a prayer until the final syllable left their tongue. That person is likely running around in a panic like a headless chicken right now; Especially with that Fourth Line."
He cast his gaze through the orb, seeing a blur of a terrified face and a messy room.
"Don't worry, my friend," Elias said, his voice softening with a touch of dark amusement. "This was but an attempt. I won't bother you..."
With a thought, he severed the connection and let his consciousness snap back to his body.
On the sofa, the newspaper slid off Elias's face as he sat up. The room was dark, the silver watch and golden pen sitting innocently on the cushion beside him. He checked the time, his movements crisp and devoid of his previous "exhaustion."
"It's night time, I should get some rest" Despite his energetic state, he had no urgent matters at the moment, so he decided to rest a little.
The next morning was like any other, after eating breakfast he stood up to prepare for his next trip. "I shouldn't be late for my meeting with Mr. Macht and Vessal," he noted.
He slid the silver watch into his vest pocket and clipped the golden pen to the inner side of his coat. And he walked toward the door.
...
The carriage came to a halt in front of the private military club, Elias stepped out of the carriage, slowly making his way in.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of expensive tobacco and the hushed, rhythmic drone of "business." Macht and Vessal were already there, but they weren't alone. Three other investors sat around the mahogany table, already nodding in a strange, synchronized rhythm.
After the initial exchange of pleasantries, Vessal took center stage. He laid out the blueprints of the mine with a practiced flourish.
"The initial excavation has commenced without a single hitch," Vessal stated, his voice smooth as silk, carrying that subtle, hypnotic cadence. "The geological reports are even more promising than anticipated. To ensure this momentum continues, I'll be departing for the site myself to oversee the 'fruitful motion' of our capital."
Elias watched the other investors. They didn't ask about logistics. They didn't ask for receipts. They simply agreed, their gazes slightly glazed as if they were watching a masterpiece rather than a business pitch. Macht, too, seemed uncharacteristically pliable.
"A hands-on approach is always best," Elias interjected, leaning forward with a pleasant smile. "In fact, I have some free time. Why don't I accompany you, Mr. Vessal? Two sets of eyes are better than one when it involves such a significant sum."
Silence stretched For a second. Vessal's smile didn't falter, but his eyes hardened. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Mr. Elias, truly. However, I've already arranged a complex itinerary; meeting with local officials and logistics providers on the way. It would be quite a dull trip for a man of your tastes. I promise, when the site is fully operational next month, you and the other gentlemen will be my honored guests for the grand tour."
Elias gave a slow, understanding nod. "I see. It would be a shame to crowd your schedule."
As the meeting wound down and Vessal prepared to make his exit, Elias stood up. "Before we part, a small gesture of appreciation for bringing us all together."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the golden pen, handing it to Maury. "For the man who signs the future into existence, Mr. Macht."
Macht beamed, turning the heavy gold instrument over in his hands. "A fine piece, Mr. Elias. Truly."
Then, Elias turned to Vessal. He produced the silver pocket watch. It was elegant in its simplicity, but the glass face had a peculiar, convex curve, resembling a polished lens more than a standard cover.
"And for the man who keeps us all on schedule," Elias said, pressing the watch into Vessal's hand. "A small token. May it ensure your journey is as precise as your planning."
Vessal's eyes were glued to the golden pen in Macht's hand for some reason, but his attention shifted the moment his fingers brushed the silver, his eyes gleamed even brighter. It mirrored greed mixed with the instinct of sensing something significant. He stared at the lens-like face of the watch, the silver pulsing with a cold, rhythmic light that only he and Elias could truly perceive.
"It's... exquisite," Vessal murmured, his voice dropping an octave. He tucked it into his pocket with a speed that bordered on frantic. "I shall treasure it." He turned his attention to the other men and shook hands with Maury Macht one last time before departing.
Elias watched him leave, his smile never wavering. "A generous gesture, Mr. Elias," Macht said. "Vessal is a man who appreciates the finer things. That watch will likely never leave his side."
"I certainly hope so," Elias replied smoothly, his tone light.
As Macht continued to boast about the mine's potential to the remaining investors, Elias stood motionless for a second, a strange white light crossed his eyes, and his vision registered two fine threads of light shifting and extending outside the room. His voice a whisper.
"You just couldn't help yourself, could you?"