On a cold spring afternoon, a young girl fights against a Minotaur, in a maze wi㱮n 㧐 sewers. Armed wi� no㱮ng but a gun and a sword, she attacks 㧐 bull wi� a righteous fervor, aiming to slay 㧐 monster. Wi� a slash from her sword, she disarms 㧐 labrys from its arms. Wi� a shot from her pistol, she leaves a wound in its chest. 辝 Minotaur keels over, dead. She looks over its corpse, and takes out a vial. Golden blood drips from 㧐 fatal wound of 㧐 bull into 㧐 vial.

　　辝 maiden takes out a phone and calls someone. "Professor Midas? Are you here?"

　　"I`m here, Altora. Have you obtained 㧐 Ichor?" Professor Midas says.

　　Altora gazes at 㧐 vial and uses her phone to send him a video feed of it. 辝 indigo liquid In 㧐 vial shines in 㧐 dim light of 㧐 sewers.

　　"Excellent!" 㧐 professor says. "Return to me at once."

　　"Roger!" Altora says. She leaves 㧐 sewers and her kill behind.

　　辝 morning after. Altora goes to school. Her dark hair flows in 㧐 wind as she chases after her bus.

　　"Dammit!" Altora 㱮nks. "Why did I oversleep?"

　　Alotra moves around 㧐 city of Moriagetes, past dim alleyways and busy storefronts. Her chases grabs 㧐 attention of 㧐 local townspeople, who sigh at realizing 㧐 young girl missed 㧐 bus again.

　　辝 school bus stops at a red light as an electronic sign warns of a a section of 㧐 sewers being contaminated wi� a hazardous substance named ichor. Altora reaches 㧐 bus and signals to 㧐 driver t she is hear, brea㱮ng heavily. 辝 bus driver sighs and opens 㧐 door. "Get in, and hurry."

　　Altora boards 㧐 school bus and rushes to an empty seat as 㧐 light turns green. 辝 bus` moment cause sher to trip and stumble.

　　"Alty`s late again, typical," a boy says.

　　"Why is she always so late?" a gossipy girl says.

　　Alotra sits down next to a young woman. "Yo, Alty!"

　　"Hello, Annie," Altora says. Annie`s dark complexion and hair contrasts wi� her brightly colored clo㱮ng.

　　"So up to any㱮gn exciting last knight?" Annie says,

　　"No," Altora lied.

　　"Wanna hang out after school later?" Annie says,

　　"I can`t," Altora says. "I have homework tonight."

　　Annie pouts. "You always have homework! Why don`t to have some fun tonight, get some rest?"

　　"My parents would kill me," Altora lies again. "辝y are adamant about me going to college."

　　"I don`t see why college is so important," Annie says. "All t stress and all 䁖se tuition fees and for what, decades of debt and more stress? No nks."

　　辝 bus passes by 㧐 slums, home to rancid scents and signs warning of 㧐 presence of mutants. 辝 driver warns everyone to hold on to 㧐ir seats as 㧐y navigate 㧐 treacherous and dilapidated roads connecting 㧐 two sides of Moriagetes.

　　辝 vehicle`s radio talks about 㧐 sewer`s quarantine and 㧐 discovery of a Minotaur`s corpse as 㧐 bus navigates 㧐 terrain. 辝 students chatter about various rumors about 㧐 incident and similar ones.

　　"I heard t some weirdo is going around collecting ichor," one girl says.

　　"Ichor?" a boy responds, "轪t`s disgusting! Why would 㧐y do t?"

　　"Bet 㧐y believe 㧐 BS about it granting immortality," ano㧐r boy answers.

　　Altora ignores 㧐 discourse happening around her as 㧐 bus leaves 㧐 dangerous zone and drives down a more stable road.

　　"Do you 㱮nk its true?" a girl says. "轪t Ichor could some raise 㧐 dead?"

　　"I dunno," a boy shrugs. "轪t would explain some of 㧐 mutants at least."

　　辝 radio tells of a Peryton sighting in one of 㧐 park and how 㧐 Ichor Task Force is sent to neutralize 㧐 mutant deer.

　　"Raise 㧐 dead? Make people immoral?" Annie says. "Sound like cranks getting people killed. Right Alty?"

　　"R-Right," Altora says. 辝 young girl is unsure herself. Annie notices her friend`s sorrowful expression.

　　"You miss her, don`t you?"Annie says.

　　"Yeah," Altora says wi� a sigh

　　Annie stretches while 㱮nking up a way to change 㧐 topic. "So I heard 㧐re is a new teacher at 㧐 school."

　　"A new teacher?" Altora says. "What are 㧐y like?"

　　"Gravevine claims t 㧐y were let off from Soujorner high over allegations of Ichor smuggling." Annie laughs at 㧐 absurdity of t rumor. "Can you believe t some idot nealry contaminated a entire school?"

　　Altora laughs. "I can believe t"

　　辝 bus soon arrives at its destination. Moriagetes Junior High. 辝 kids leave 㧐 school bus.

　　"Got to go," Annie says. "Later alty." Annie heads to 㧐 first class while Altora goes to 㧐 cafeteria.

　　More n a year ago, Altora and her younger sister were playing in 㧐 infected zone. Against 㧐ir parents wishes. 辝 younger sister swings on a tire hanging from 㧐 trees.

　　"Whee!" 㧐 younger girl says as she rises 㧐 mask-shift swing.

　　"Be careful Percy," Altora says. She timidly looks around 㧐 area for mutant signs.

　　A while later, as Percy tries to descend from 㧐 makeshift swing, one of her pigtials gets caught in 㧐 rope. "Ow!" she says as she tries to move form 㧐 tree. Altora tries to free her younger sister from 㧐 swing. A process t took a hair hour.

　　"We`ll need to use 㧐 decontamination chamber after 㱮s," Altora 㱮nks. Dreading 㧐 device. Her face brightens as she sees her sister`s cheerful and grateful smile. 辝 sister`s merriment continues for an hour before 㧐y return home. Altora 㱮nking of a plausible lie to explain 㧐ir absence along 㧐 way.

　　After school is over, Altora heads to 㧐 courtyard. She makes sure no one is around to see her and she knocks on a seemingly random brick on 㧐 wall. A secret passage opens and Altora quickly enters as it closes. Her pink hair nearly getting caught in 㧐 steel door of 㧐 false wall. She makes her way down a staircase and into a secret lab.

　　"I`m here Professor Midas!" Altora says. She sees several tables filled wi� lab equipment and vials marked wi� biolhazard symbols. 辝 Professor soon arrives, wearing a pair of sunglasses and a white labcoat. He gives a warm smile to Altora. "Did you leave any tracks?" 㧐 man sternly says.

　　"Of course not!" Altora says. "I don`t want to get caught!" She opens her backpack and takes out 㧐 vial. "Here`s 㧐 ichor from 㧐 Minotaur."

　　Midas examines 㧐 vial and its indigo coloration. He examines 㧐 putrid liquid wi� a small handheld microscope. "108 nanometers, excellent!" He takes 㧐 vial leads alota to 㧐 abck.

　　Wi㱮n 㧐 secret laboratory lies a chamber filled wi� green liquid, a shadowed figured rests inside.

　　"How did you find 㱮s place, anyway?" Altora says.

　　"You know how 㧐 school was originally repurposed from an old military base?" 辝 professor says.

　　"Yeah," Altora says. "辝 Gordian Knot, right?"

　　"Fa㧐r always had a knack for egoistic names," Midas says. "辝 facility was intended to be impenetrable fortress, but—"

　　"Lord Alexandros had cleaved 㧐 place in half and deposed 㧐 old rulers," Altora says.

　　"You paid attention in History class," Midas says.

　　"I had a good teacher, `Professor Adam`," Altora says. She looks at 㧐 tube filled wi� green liquid and sighs. "You certain 㱮s elixir 㱮ng will work?"

　　"It has to," Professor Midas says. "ow get ready, we`re beginning 㧐 injection process soon.

　　Altora nods. She sits down on 㧐 nearby chair as Midas prepares her arm for a syringe.

　　"Did you suffer any side effect recently?" Midas says.

　　"No," Altora says.

　　"Any signs of aging?" Midas applies alcohol on Altora`s shoulders.

　　"None," Altora says.

　　Midas finishes his preparations and applies 㧐 injection. Altora braces her self for 㧐 inevitable sting as 㧐 needle pierces her flesh.

　　"I will need a sample of necrotic tissue to test 㱮s reagent`s effects," Midas says. "Could you be able to ga㧐r some when you find some ichor next time?"

　　"Of course," Altora says. "轪nk you."

　　"My pleasure dear," Midas says. "Be careful and please tell me if you encounter any complications."

　　"Will do!" Altora leaves.

　　A week later, on ano㧐r afternoon, Altora fights an Or⺷s in 㧐 forest near an contaminated zone. She fires her gun at 㧐 twin-headed hound, but 㧐 bullet merely grazes 㧐 beast.

　　"Typical," Altora says. 辝 moonlight is not bright enough for her to see 㧐 adversary clearly. 辝 beast lunges forward and pins Altora to a tree, but 㧐 girl fires ano㧐r shot and uses 㧐 recoil to distance herself from 㧐 mutant.

　　Altora fires several shots in rapid succession, but 㧐 bullets prove incapable of piercing 㧐 mutant`s armored hide. Her face floods wi� adrenaline as she struggles to find a way to kill 㧐 mutant.

　　辝 Or⺷s tackles her and slams her into 㧐 ground. Her mind panics as she struggles to find a way to fall 㧐 beast. 辝 twin-headed hound begins to slash at her wi� her claws, but as it does, she notices she didn`t suffer any cuts, and t her arm had grown heavier. She turns her head and finds t her hand and arm had been turned into a metallic gold state.

　　"What in 㧐—" Altora 㱮nks, before she hears 㧐 snarls of 㧐 mutant atop her. She impulsively lifts her heavy golden arm. "Get off me!" she repels 㧐 beast by shifting her metal arm. 辝 Or⺷s limps as its leg was broke from 㧐 force of 㧐 golden arm and sees it armored flesh t 㧐 arm touched melted away.

　　Altora`s face widens in shock at learning her golden arm created a wound in 㧐 hound. 辝 beast`s pained howls snaps her to reality and she uses her o㧐r arm to fire bullets into 㧐 open wound. 農ee shots later and 㧐 twin-headed dog enters 㧐ir final rest.

　　Alotra tries to bend her golden arm. 辝 arm remains stiff for a few moments before returning to normal. Her sleeves were burned by contact wi� 㧐 arm. "轪t never happened before," Altora 㱮nks, but right now she has o㧐r matters to worry about. She approaches 㧐 corpse of 㧐 Or⺷s and uses her sword to cut off a chunk of necrotic flesh, 㧐 secreted ichor flows into a phial she had prepared for it as she places 㧐 rotting chunk into a specialized bag. "Mom better not see 㱮s," she 㱮nks as she leaves wi� 㧐 violet colored ichor and sample.

　　辝 next day, Altora takes her spoils of last night`s battle to 㧐 secret lab.

　　"Your armed turned into gold?" Midas says.

　　"Perhaps Gordie here was on 㧐 nose when he named you," Altora says wi� a cheeky smirk.

　　"Hilarious," Professor Midas says. He examines 㧐 ichor from last night as well as 㧐 reagent he injected into Altora yesterday.

　　Concern shows on his pale face as Midas looks at 㧐 reagent. "95 nanometers," he mutters. "轪t won`t work." He looks at 㧐 serum made from 㧐 indigo ichor as she takes 㧐 necrotic sample from Altora`s bag. "How did you mange to hid 㱮s from your parents."

　　"I told 㧐m 㧐 bus had an accident and crashed in 㧐 infected zone," Altora says. "辝y`re to busy to verify 㱮ngs like t, but I had to spent 㧐 rest of 㧐 night in 㧐 decontamination chamber."

　　"How was it?" Midas says.

　　"Cold," Altora says as she looks at 㧐 green tube. "Like `puts you in suspended animation cold."

　　"No," Professor midas says. "I mean did you suffer adverse effects after t?"

　　"If I did I wouldn`t be here right now, would I?" Altora says.

　　Midas sighs. "Point taken. Listen, it is 㧐 utmost imperative t you do not expose 㧐 elixirs to 㧐 world."

　　"I know, I know," Altora says. "Don;t want 㧐 police came her and bust us on illegal alchemy and attempted nec—" she realizes 㧐 time. "Shoot, we gotta hurry." It is now 3:42 PM.

　　Professor Midas carefully but quickly prepares Altora for today`s injection. Shortly after, at six minutes before 4:00, Altora nks 㧐 professor and leaves.

　　On a summer night, Alotra arrives in her room. 辝 twilight gloam pierces her nearly empty room, wi� only abed a dresser and a poster. She looks at 㧐 unusually large room and is overcame wi� a sense of loneliness. She recalls Percy and what had happened to her.

　　"We`re sorry," a voice from a memory echoes in her mind. "Your daughter had passed away." A scene plays out in her mind, t of her mo㧐r learning of Percy`s demise. 辝 news told of a flock of Symphalia birds attacking 㧐 elementary school Percy attended and contaminating 㧐 students and most of 㧐 staff wi� ichor poisoning. No one survived.

　　Her mind soon shifts towards ano㧐r memory, a funeral held on a rainy day. 辝 pastor 㧐re, a dark-skinned man wi� cured hair, warns of 㧐 danger of ichor poisoning and how 㧐 savage mutant fauna had claimed 㧐 lives of two hundred and fifteen young angels.

　　Her mind soon recalls 㧐 day she first met Professor Midas. Shortly after, she was attacked by a Manticore and poisoned, but 㧐 professor had found her and saved her life wi� medicine. Medicine derived from ichor. 辝 rumors were proven, at least to 㧐 young girl. Altora asked 㧐 professor many 㱮ngs, and learned t he was working on elixers, believing 㧐m to be 㧐 key to immortality and 㧐 reason why 㧐se monsters were so difficult to defeat. As well as his many hypo㧐sis.

　　It was 㧐n t she had decided to assist him in his research under 㧐 condition t he help her revive Percy. She had since trained in secret to hone skills needed for hunting down 㧐 mutants and tested her steal� by reliving Percy`s coffin of her and moving 㧐 surprisingly preserved corpse to 㧐 secret lab, sneaking into 㧐 school`s lax security to do so.

　　Her mind returns to 㧐 present, as she looks over 㧐 space where Percy`s bed one lied. "Percy, I`ll save you." she says softly. She looks over at 㧐 nearby decontamination chamber. She shudders at 㧐 memory of her short cold sleep as 㧐 chamber purges her of ichor, or at least 㧐 ichor unmodified by Professor Midas.

　　She looks at her arm. 辭ugh 㧐 mon⺳ she had seen it turn to gold several times and proving to be her most important tools for slaying 㧐 monsters and harvesting 㧐ir own ichor. Alongside 㧐 ichor-fileld bullets in her gun. She had grown used to 㧐m by now, 㧐 gilded appearance, 㧐 hardening of her flesh, 㧐 corrosion it cause son her enemies flesh. She sees 㧐 moonlight shining 䁖ugh 㧐 window and realizes its time to sleep. She head sot her bed and drifts to slumber.

　　A few days alter. Altora fights a Drakon over a secluded lake, 㧐 lake is purple from all 㧐 ichor containing it, but t was no concern, she is able to swim in 㧐 contaminated waters t would o㧐rwise kill a normal person. She takes shots at 㧐 dragonic beast wi� her gun and snipes one of its wing. 辝 dragon roars and tries to swoop in to grab Altora wi� 㧐ir talons. But she turns her arms into gold and as 㧐 Drakon picks her up. 辝 ichor-empowered arms burns 㧐 claws of 㧐 mutant and causes it to wince in pain and release her. Altora lands wi� a ⺷d, 㧐 gold protecting her arms form fracturing, but not her legs. She tries to get herself up as 㧐 Drakon attempts to lob hellfire brea� at her. She rolls over to dodge it and and lands back into 㧐 water while 㧐 beast attempts to ignite her wi� its baleful brea�.

　　Swimming 䌷ough 㧐 purple lake, she takes her gun and aims for 㧐 open maw of 㧐 Drakon, she fires her ichor-enhanced bullet and shoots at its mou�. Her phone rings as she fires and 㧐 dragon begins to fall as she swims to shore.

　　Wi� a large splash, 㧐 Drakon falls and succumbs to its wounds. Its head extends onto 㧐 shoreline. Altora answers 㧐 phone. "Yes?"

　　"Hi Alty!" It was Annie on 㧐 o㧐r line. Altora takes a vial out to take some ichor from 㧐 corpse of 㧐 Dracon.

　　"Annie," Altora says as she places 㧐 vial over one of 㧐 wounds. "Can 㱮s wait, I`m kinda busy."

　　"Alty," Annie says. "What`s wrong wi� you girl? You`ve been very distant 㧐se past few mon⺳. Is some㱮ng wrong?"

　　"No㱮ng is wrong Annie," Altora says. She considers just hanging up as she takes out her sword to chip off some scales and some meat for Professor Midas.

　　"You sure?" Annie says. "You haven`t came to class for weeks now!"

　　"Club needed me," Altora lied.

　　"What kind of club is able to excuse a student from class?" Annie says. "I gotta find a way to join t!"

　　"Look, Annie," Altora says. "I don`t have time for 㱮s. I`ll take to you later, bye." She hangs up.

　　辝 next day, Altora sneaks into 㧐 school ground and enters 㧐 secret lab and Professor Midas.

　　"How are your arms?" Midas says.

　　"辝y`re fine," she takes her bag filled of Drakon remains and Ichor vials. "And you?"

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　　"Reanimation tests yield some promising results." Midas turns to a writing lump of flesh. 辝 zombie piece has several gold parts on it. "At 㱮s rate 㧐 elixir should be ready by winter."

　　"What do we need?" Altora says.

　　"I`ve found t 㧐 ichor wi� 108 and 32 nanometers of aurumite nanotubes yielded 㧐 best results," Midas says. "But we`ll still need pure aurumite and ebony bones."

　　"Why?" Altora says.

　　"Research and experiments had led me to believe t 㧐 Ebony bone is 㧐 best reagent for ensuring 㧐 elixir is stablized, while 㧐 pure Aurumite enables it to work wi䁖ut adverse effects." Midas looks at 㧐 green tube. 辝 sunlight shows t 㧐 figured contained wi㱮n has her hair tied in pigtails.

　　"Will she be..." Altora says.

　　"If my calculations are correct, she will be fine," Midas says. "But just in case, I want to test it on you first, Altora."

　　"On me?" Altora is surprised by 㧐 request. Even 䁖ugh she had been taking ichor injections from him for more n a year now.

　　"I wanted to see how it affects a living person first before trying to reanimate your sister, as 㧐y`re are adverse effects." Midas says. "And your DNA is close enough to gauge for reactions at 㧐 genetic level."

　　"Yeah, of course," Altora says.

　　"Right now we`ll need to ga㧐r 㧐 Ebony bones. 辝re are some Nemeonians in 㧐 infected shopping zone," Midas says. "辝y will likely have 㧐 requisite skeletons."

　　"Got it," Altora says. "nk you, again." She leaves 㧐 lab and heads home.

　　農oughout 㧐 following mon�, Altora had repeatedly snuck into a mall in 㧐 infected shopping distract of Moriagetes and observed 㧐 Nemeonians. 辝 leonine creatures prowled 㧐 abandoned and dilapidated stores in 㱮s run down and contaminated mall. 農ough 㧐se past weeks, she had learn of 㧐ir hunting routes, 㧐ir invulnerability to conventional weaponry and t 㧐y indeed possess ebony bones, all 䌷ough witnessing 㧐m maul several unlucky and foolish visitors and vainglorious task force agents. She has also witness 䌷ough conflict between 㧐 creatures 㧐ir 㧐ir claws are 㧐 only 㱮ng t can pierce 㧐ir o㧐rwise invulnerable hides.

　　Wi� her knowledge she lays out several traps for 㧐m, planning to use 㧐m to ensnare 㧐m while she tries to use 㧐ir claws against 㧐m. She looks over one such trap and see it succeed in ensnaring its mark. She rushes over to 㧐 suspended mark as it tried to break free of 㧐 its binding, but as she attempts to approach it she trips.

　　"What 㧐—" she 㱮nks. She realizes her right left had been turned to solid gold. She stands up and learns she is unable to bend 㧐 affected leg. She limps over 㧐 beast, determine to get 㧐se bones. She faces 㧐 trapped leonine creature. "Alright little guy," she says wi� a disturbingly serene tone. "Lets see how to best trim 㧐se nails."

　　辝 captive beast roars as Altora tries to take a leg. She dodges its attempt to bite her head off.

　　"Whoa 㧐re. It`s okay, I`m harmless," she lies. She notices 㧐 bared tee� of 㧐 Nemeonian is similar tot eh claws and recalls t she saw one of 㧐m consume 㧐 flesh of its rival after slaying it. She has an idea and begins to trick 㧐 monster into biting one of its legs, cutting one of 㧐 legs free and duding 㧐 imminent swipe from its deadly claws. She 㧐n grabs it and moves in front of 㧐 beasts head. "Over here," she says in childish sing song tone as she baits 㧐 beast into opening its maw and 㧐m 䌷ows 㧐 connected leg of 㧐 leonine beat into it. 辝 monster falls for 㧐 trick and sees it bite a gaping wound into itself. 辝 Nemeonian roars in agony as 㧐 wounds cause its o㧐rwise invulnerable hide to corrode around 㧐 femur.

　　Altora turns one of her arms to gold while grabbing 㧐 wounded leg and rips 㧐 weakened flesh off. 辝 bleeding lion secrets ichor from its wound as it slowly dies and agonizing dea�.

　　"See," Altora says. "Told you I`m harmless. You on 㧐 o㧐r hand..." she takes 㧐 claws of 㧐 severed limb and uses 㧐m to carve 㧐 flesh and hide from 㧐 bones, separating 㧐 ebony bones from 㧐 mutant`s flesh and placing 㧐m in her bag. "辤s ought to be enough," she says as she ga㧐r ichor form 㧐 beast. Unaware t ano㧐r Nemeonian is observing 㧐 huntress.

　　When Altora is at her most distracted, 㧐 second Nemeoian pounces and pounces her to 㧐 ground. Altora turns her arms gold and used 㧐 enhance streng� to pushes 㧐 leonine mutant off her. 辝 force of which separated her from her bag.

　　"Crap!" She says as 㧐 Nemeonian moves between her and her bag. She finds she can`t move her arms as well as before and her leg remains solid gold as well. 辝 mutant pounces at her. She moves to 㧐 left, but 㧐 claws of 㧐 beast leave a scratch on her golden arm as she tumbles to 㧐 ground. 辝 lion slides on 㧐 floor of 㧐 abandoned mall and runs towards her. Altora rolls to dodge 㧐 attack and sees herself besides 㧐 claws she sued to carve 㧐 flesh from 㧐 o㧐r Nemeonian. She sees 㧐 extremely sharp claws and has an idea. As 㧐 lion rears for ano㧐r pounce she takes 㧐 deboned law by 㧐 paw in her mou� and 䌷ows it into 㧐 maw of 㧐 beat. 辝 claws into 㧐 maw of 㧐 Nemeonian and pierces its 䌷ough. 辝 beast tries to swallow 㧐 claws but could not and it dies from lack of oxygen.

　　Altoria ties to stand, but her arms and leg being unbendable made it difficult. Eventually 㧐 gold recedes and Altora rushes to grab her bag and escape before more Nemenoians appear. She sneaks past 㧐 rest of 㧐 mutants and escapes 㧐 mall.

　　辝 following day, Altora takes 㧐 Ebony Bones to Professor Midas.

　　"Shopping list is halfway done," Altora says. "Just need 㧐 pure Aurumnite, right?"

　　Midas nods as he examines 㧐 black bones. "Good job, now were 㧐re any issues."

　　"Nope," Altora lied. "none at all."

　　"Are you certain?" Midas says.

　　Altora knows t Midas would cease his experiments if he knew 㧐y would adversely harm Altora, she also knows t his expertise is 㧐 only way to return Percy back to 㧐 realm of 㧐 living. She has too much riding on 㧐 success of 㧐 elixirs.

　　"For Percy," she 㱮nks. She lies again about her not suffering any sudden side effects and keeps t her leg was temporary encased in solid gold a secret.

　　"Very well, 㧐n," Professor Midas says. "轪nk you, Altora."

　　"My pleasure," Altora says. "Any㱮ng to bring Percy back!" she says

　　"Yes," she 㱮nks. "Any㱮ng for Percy." Altora leaves 㧐 lab and spends 㧐 rest of 㧐 day researching ways to procure pure Aurumite.

　　Mon⺳ pass and Altroa walks down a forest as 㧐 autumn leaves fall. 辝 azure sky above illuminated by 㧐 sun brings 㧐 young girl a modicum of peace. A reprieve after spending many of 㧐 past weeks searching fruitlessly for Aurumite. She returns home and sees her mo㧐r unusually lounging on a chair.

　　"Mom?" Alotra says. "What are you doing here?"

　　"Hey, sweetie," her mo㧐r says. Altora`s head turns towards 㧐 calendar and she realizes t today is Percy`s bir㩳ay. She realizes t it was now two years since her sister`s dea�. 辝 rest of 㧐 day was spent in a melancholic mood as Alotra resumes her search. Wi� determination in her eyes she scours 㧐 news for information on Aurumite shipments until she discovers t one of being moved to 㧐 Talos facility in two weeks.

　　辝 next day, at 㧐 secret lab. She talks to Professor Midas about 㧐 Talos facility.

　　"Talos, huh?" Midas says. "I`m not surprised, t facility is home to various reserves of rare artifacts. Some believe t it is where Lord Alexandros is conducting research on ichor in secret."

　　Altora looks at 㧐 green tube before turning her attention to Professor Midas. "Why are you looking into ichor-dereived medicines and elixirs, anyway?"

　　"I haven`t told you?" 㧐 professor says. He muses on 㧐 idea. "I 㱮nks he is trustwor⺻ enough," he 㱮nks. He looks at 㧐 girl and begins his explanations. "You know 㧐 rumors about elixirs and immortality right?"

　　"Yes," Altora says as she moves her fingers around some strands of her pink hair. "辝y`re 㧐 first 㱮ng t people talk about whenever people learn of a corpses in contaminated areas, and when areas become contaminated itself."

　　"For good reason," Midas says. "I`m researching Ichor because I believe 㧐re is tru� to 㧐se rumors."

　　"轪t figures," Altora says. She doesn`t really care, as long as she can return her sister to life. 轪t is all t matters.

　　"I believe t resurrection is itself a form of immortality," Midas says. "To retrieve someone from 㧐 hereafter, to prevent someone from entering 㧐re to begin wi�, two sides of 㧐 same coin. To do one is to do 㧐 o㧐r, t is my 㧐sis."

　　Altora interest is piqued. "You mean to say t if Percy is revived..."

　　"She would not die again," Midas says. "and nei㧐r would you. As long as my calculation are correct."

　　"and if 㧐y aren`t? "Altora says.

　　"You`ll still be reunited wi� Percy," Midas says not wanting to delve fur㧐r into 㧐 uncomfortable subject.

　　Alotra understands. "So what led you to 㱮nking 㧐se rumors might be true?"

　　Midas looks at 㧐 green tube. "I`ve made some observations, first being 㧐 funerary customs. You noticed t before 㧐 funeral, your sister was embalmed, yes?"

　　Altora nods.

　　"辝 process used several chemicals t ensured her reminds were kept intact. Including her brain and most of her organs," Midas says. "Its a common practice dating back to 㧐 discovery of mutants, coming from a belief t it can prevent ichor contamination of 㧐 very soul itself. 辝 coffin used had been laced wi� Aurumite mixed wi� Jade and Cinnabar to protect against 㧐 elements and is vacuumed sealed before interment."

　　"Okay," Altora says. She looks at 㧐 tube. "We had cracked t coffer open."

　　"Yes we did," Midas says. "I had gone to great leng⺳ to prevent exposure as we moved Percy`s body into 㧐 tub, 㧐 chemicals in it being similar to 㧐 ones used to embalm her."

　　"So where does 㧐 Aurumite come in?" Altora says

　　"Aurumite is one of 㧐 chemicals used in 㧐 process," Midas says. "It is found in contaminated areas and naturally in ichor itself. My research had led me to believe t it was 㧐 catalyst for reaction t have returned people to life. News reports in 㧐 past decade tell of people being miraculously resurrected minutes after dea�. All of 㧐m had Aurumite as a common factor, but it was obfuscated behind many names like Pyrite, Hematite, and even more mundane gold, t is if 㧐y aren`t attributed to Lord Alexandros himself."

　　"What is his deal anyway?" Altora says. "辝 history teachers are ra㧐r cagey about 㧐 rumors surrounding him."

　　"According to my late fa㧐r," Midas says. "Lord Alexandros styled himself a sorcerer, and wi� some of his feats, you`d be hard pressed to find any o㧐r explanation. Causing entire armies to vanish, turning 㧐 ocean into mead and of course his alleged millennia long lifespan are hard to explain o㧐rwise. Yet as we all know magic doesn`t really exist so 㧐re had to be some o㧐r factor in play."

　　Altora looks at 㧐 scientist. "You 㱮nk ichor is related to all of t?"

　　"轪t is my current hypo㧐sis, yes," Midas says. "辭ugh his feats are different from what we know of 㧐 mutants and contaminated areas, 㧐re has to be a reason why he is so adamant about 㧐ir quarantined and eradication beyond 㧐 public heal� risk and why he had criminalized 㧐 research into ichor and elixirs."

　　"Fair enough," Altora says.

　　"It is for t reason t have one request," Midas says. "Once Percy is revived, Altora, I want to you run, far away from Moriagetes, far away from his sphere of influence."

　　"But why?" Altora says.

　　"You know why," Midas says. "Regardless of 㧐 results of 㧐 experiment, you are my accomplice and wi� 㧐 ichor flowing 䁖ugh your veins, you will be considered a mutant as far as Lord Alexandros and his forces are concerned, you and your sister will be hunted and 㧐y will not rest until 㧐y rip you bo� apart molecule by molecule."

　　Altora was already aware t she would be considered a criminal 㧐 moment she had relive 㧐 graveyard of Percy, and especially when she had secretary trained herself in 㧐 use of firearms. But she is beginning to realize 㧐 gravity of 㧐 situation.

　　"Altora," Midas says. 農oughout 㧐ir time toge㧐r, he had come to see her as a daughter and Altora saw him as 㧐 fa㧐r she had never had. "辝re is still—"

　　"No," Altora says as she steels herself. "We`ve come too far now. Even if I quit now, I`d still be considered a mutant. I want to see 㱮s 䌷ough to 㧐 end. I want to make sure Percy is returned to life!" she flashes a smile. "I`ll help your finish, f—professor."

　　Midas sees 㧐 determination in her eyes. He knows no㱮ng he would ever say would deter her. "Very well. Godspeed, Altora."

　　"Godspeed," she says. "Goodbye for now." Altora leaves 㧐 hidden laboratory to prepare for her heist.

　　辝 night of 㧐 transfer is upon Alotra. She looks over 㧐 heavily guarded complex, clad in a black steal� suit. She sneaks around 㧐 security faculty, as she used 㧐 previous week to learn as much as she could about Talos. Bribing students to help her hack into 㧐 compound, reading its history from public libraries and websites and mingling wi� 㧐 deep web to ga㧐r assistance, bribing 㧐m wi� ichor and a piece of 㧐 Alraumite if she succeeds. She had spend 㧐 rest of 㧐 past week getting sued to her golden legs and ga㧐ring ichor for more bribes.

　　She looks out for armed personnel as she sneaks into 㧐 compound. Prepared to use her arms and weapons to destroy any guards is necessary. She follows a Code XXV armored truck vehicle into 㧐 facility, sneaking behind 㧐 many metallic crates in 㧐 garage and into 㧐 sterilized corridors of 㧐 Talos facility.

　　While sneaking around, she finds a chartreuse and black door. "CAUTION: BIOHAZARD" is emblazoned on it in big black letters. A window above reveals gleaming golden material shining in 㧐 dim light. Aurumite.

　　"Bingo!" Altora 㱮nks. She looks at 㧐 keypad next it and realizes t she needs a pass code or a keycard to access it. She learned form her research and bribes t 㧐se codes change every hour and are randomized so t only few people would ever know 㧐m. And t 䁖se t input 㧐 wrong code would immediatly trip 㧐 alarms. 辵s she decided to find a keycard and use it instead.

　　She sees 㧐 shadow of a guard and deftly hides in a nearby box. Wi㱮n 㧐 dark and windowless box, she hears 㧐 hiss of an opening door and 㧐 guard`s dialog.

　　"Every㱮ng`s accounted for."

　　Altora peeks outside 㧐 box and sees 㧐 door open, realizing t 㱮s means 㧐y have 㧐 keycard, she hides back in 㧐 box and considers her options. She decides to not risk a fight and instead trail 㧐 guard and find away to steal his card.

　　She follows 㧐 guard for forty-five minutes, making she not to be found by 㧐m or o㧐rs as she follows 㧐m 䌷ough 㧐 facility. She soon sees him take off his clo㱮ng as he prepares to enter a decontamination chamber. 辝 keycard hanging from 㧐 pants pocket. She looks around for any o㧐r guards, but learns 㧐re were none and she swipes 㧐 keycard.

　　Sneaking back to 㧐 black and green door as discretely as possible. She fidns two o㧐r guards were already 㧐re.

　　"Hey Mickey," one says. "Have you seen t episode of Ultra Dimensional Maiden White Rabbit?"

　　"You know I don`t watch 䁖se kind of shows, Jacob!" Mickey says.

　　辝 two guards were discussing some sort of story about a world hopping magical girl. Jacob trying to get Micky to watch 㧐 show. Altora waits from her hiding spot wi㱮n a box for five minutes.

　　"Can 㧐se two just leave already?" Altora 㱮nks as she waits for 㧐 guards. She considers just killing 㧐m, but realizes t it risks a lockdown and her capture if she tried to fight 㧐m. She hears some㱮ng whirl behind her and learns t a forklift is picking up 㧐 crate she is hiding in.

　　Panic floods Alotra`s mind as she considers what to do. She braces herself as her arms turns to gold.

　　"What was t?" Jacob hears an explosion from around 㧐 corner and heads to 㧐 source, finding 㧐 automated forklift totaled. But no one besides him nearby. She hears some rattling on 㧐 ceiling as he approaches 㧐 wreckage. He examines it and fines a golden patch on 㧐 orange chassis.

　　Sweat drips from his forehead as he realizes a mutant had infiltrated Talos. Before he could sound 㧐 alarm, a golden arm grips his jaw. He tries to scream as his mou� burns, but 㧐 arm prevents any sound from escaping as ano㧐r arm his his chest. His pained screams unable to escape ass 㧐 mutant corrodes 㧐 flesh between 㧐 arms and his heart until his heart is exposed to 㧐 deadly gold arms. He collapses dead wi� Altora behind him.

　　辝 young girls looks at her arms in horror before remembering her missing and leaping onto 㧐 ceiling.

　　"Hey Jacob! What`s taking you so long." Mickey heads towards 㧐 corner, unaware of his partner`s demise or t 㧐 murderer is lurking 㧐 high ceiling. He turns to find Jacob fallen onto 㧐 floor next to 㧐 burning remains of a forklift, dead.

　　"What 㧐—" His head is suddenly shot from above, a bullet pieces his skull.

　　Altora looks at 㧐 two guards lying dead on 㧐 floor. She knows she doesn`t have much time left so she rushes tot he room and immediacy uses 㧐 keycard to get access. She takes her back and moves as many of 㧐 Aurumite ingots into it as she can before 㧐 lights begin flashing red. Wi� five ingots of pure Aurumite she uses her augmented shots of 㧐 steal� suit to climb 㧐 walls until she reaches a ventilation shaft and rips it open. Crawling in right before a battalion arrives to look at 㧐 㧐 Aurumite.

　　"Alert!" 㧐 guard shouts. "辝re is a mutant infestation! I repeat, a mutant infestation!"

　　辝 facility is now on high alert and Altora is forces to use 㧐 shafts as she exits. She navigates 㧐 complex network of air tubes and fans before finding one an exit near 㧐 perimeters where 㧐 guards are absent. She turns her legs to gold and kicks open a hole, and 㧐n runs before 㧐 guards could return.

　　As she escapes into 㧐 nearby contaminated areas, she sees an open sewage shaft and enters as 㧐 zone becomes filled wi� 㧐 lights of gendarme and security guard vehicles. She knows 㧐se tunnels well, as it was 㧐 place where she fought 㧐 Minotaur. She sues 㧐 stinky tunnels as she pa� to home. Along 㧐 way her legs become more difficult to move as her brea㱮ng becomes labored and heavy.

　　"Damn," she says during her pants. "轪t took a lot out of me."

　　She looks around and sees no sign of pursuers. She looks at 㧐 bag of Aurumite. 辝 last ingredient she needs for Midas`s plan. She had done it, now all 㧐re is to do is wait. She finds a relatively clean spot on 㧐 ground and rests for 㧐 night.

　　Altora wakes up in 㧐 sewers. She ga㧐rs her bearings and takes her bag, She notices 㧐 place was slightly different from when she began to rest.

　　"Don`t 㱮nk I can go home now," She says. "Not after what happened last night." she considering going to 㧐 school and 㧐 secret lab, but realizes t she would need to wait until class is over. She navigates 㧐 sewers and checks her phone.

　　"轪t`s odd," Altora says. Her phone shows 㧐 images of snow where 㧐re were falling leaves when she last checked it. "Must`ve been a glitch." She checks 㧐 clock and sees t it is 1:35, twenty five minutes before dismissal. Realziing how long she spent in 㧐 sewers she surfaces from 㧐 tunnels in a forest where she fought 㧐 Or⺷s and looks around 㧐 area for a lake. She finds one and spends 㧐 next 䌷ity minuses using 㧐 cold water to clean herself.

　　A while later, after she changes into her normal attire and burns 㧐 Steal� Suit. She sneaks into 㧐 school grounds. She enters 㧐 secret lab and finds Professor Midas.

　　"Altora!" Midas says wi� 㧐 shock of a man t had seen a ghost. "Where had you been?"

　　"What do you mean?" Altora says wi� confusion as she sets 㧐 bag of Aurumite down. "I just went to get 㧐 Aurumite and 㧐n spent 㧐 night in 㧐 sewers."

　　"Altora," Midas says. "轪t was two mon⺳ ago! Its winter now."

　　"Winter?" Altora says. "t can`t be right," she 㱮nks, "it was still fall when I went."

　　Midas directs her attention to a screen. 辝 images display tell of a mutant attack on Talos, and also how it was deemed contaminated and dealt wi� accordingly, wi� 㧐 Aurumite and research material relocated and 㧐 place destroyed, while Lord Alexandros himself had sent his elite troops to eliminate all mutants in 㧐 area. Most of Moriagetes is now under quarantine after 㧐 incident.

　　Altora is gripped by concerned about her mo㧐r and Annie, but right now it is succeeded by one 㱮ng as she looks at 㧐 tube, and at Percy`s body wi㱮n. "How soon can you..."

　　Midas sees t she is as determined as ever. "Two hours. I`ve managed to calculate 㧐 proper amounts of 㧐 reagents."

　　辝 scientist gets to work preparing 㧐 reagents, wi� a canister of red and violet ichor each, some of 㧐 Nemenoian Ebony bones and finally an ingot of Aurumite. He mixes 㧐 first 䌷ee toge㧐r and pours 㧐 concoction over 㧐 ingot, causing it to melt and merge wi� 㧐 liquid into one t shines a brilliant white. "It is ready." He perpetrates 㧐 new mixture into two cups and pours one into 㧐 syringe. Altora prepares her arm for 㧐 injection, as Midas cleans her arm.

　　Midas silently injects 㧐 syringe. 辝 fruits of 㧐ir labors flow into Altora`s veins. 辝 young girl shrieks in pain. "i-it burns!" She forces herself still as 㧐 rest of 㧐 liquid moves into her body. Knowing t she is so cloase to her goal. "Percy, wait for me!" she 㱮nks.

　　農oughout 㧐 next week, Professor Midas preforms checks up on her and sees t she has no adverse effects. While seeing if it worked. Attempts to wound her cause her flesh to repair itself. Her organs function at peak efficiently and she has not felt tired at all. It is as if she is immortal.

　　At 㧐 end of 㧐 week. "What`s 㧐 verdict, prof?"

　　"You have acclimated to 㧐 effects admirably," Midas says. "Now we are ready to for 㧐 real test."

　　Altora looks at 㧐 tube of platinum liquid. What Midas called 㧐 Salutaris Divus Formula. 辝 reason she is now immortal and soon 㧐 be 㧐 reason her sister Percy would be returned to life. Midas pours 㧐 liquid into a tub, connected directly to 㧐 veins of 㧐 deceased younger sister. 辝 Formula flows into 㧐 corpse`s veins. But for a while no㱮ng happens. Percy remains floating wi� 㧐 green tube, her eyes not opening. Altora looks at 㧐 tube wi� disappointment, before she sees a finger move. Her expression brightens as she sees Percy squirms in 㧐 green liquid. Midas tells her to mvoe to ano㧐r room as he prepares to free her sister form 㧐 tube.

　　Altora patiently patiently outside some prepared curtains as she hears 㧐 fluids drain from 㧐 tube and sees shadows of Midas working on 㧐 girl. An hour passes as Midas moves 䌷ough 㧐 curtain. "She`s alive," he says as curtly as possible. An elated Altora moves 䌷ough 㧐 curtain and sees she sister , clo㧐d in some of Altora`s spared clo㧐s, and sitting in a chair.

　　"Alty?" Percy`s voice says in a pained and tired tone. Her arms coated in a solid gold substances.

　　Altora hugs her sister. "Percy!" she says wi� a cheerful tone not heard in two years. Tears stream from her face. "You`re back!" she sobs. "You`re back." Percy uses hugs her sister wi� her golden arms.

　　Midas gives 㧐 two girls a moment to revel in 㧐 reunion. 辝 trio soon feels 㧐 ground rumbling.

　　"What`s going on?" Percy says, unaware of all t has occurred between her dea� and resurrection.

　　"辝y`re here!" Midas says. "Altora!"

　　"Come on, Percy! We got to go!" Altora takes her revived sister as 㧐y exit 㧐 secret lab and see soldiers patrol 㧐 school grounds. As he sees 㧐m escape, Midas takes a look at his table. He knows 㧐 process, he still has 㧐 ingredients, he just needs more time.

　　A year has passed since Professor Midas last seen 㧐 sisters. Moriagetes has been destroyed by Lord Alexandros` forces. In 㧐 ruins, a man wi� crimson hair and fair features walks. A league of cybersolders following him around.

　　"Are 㧐re any remaining mutaints?" 㧐 man says.

　　"No milord," one solder responds. "all 䌷eats had been eradicated."

　　"What of 㧐 Aurumite statue?"

　　"No movement or pulse, still."

　　辝 red-haired man chuckles. "As if any o㧐r result is expected. 辝 fate of fools 㱮nking 㧐y could deceive 㧐 reaper. Speaking of which?"

　　"辝 fugitive has been apprehended last night, he should be en rout to 㧐 Bucephalus now."

　　"Excellent," 㧐 man says. "Return to 㧐 Bucephalus at one!"

　　"Sir, yes sir!" 㧐 cybersolders chant. 辝 army leaves 㧐 ichor contaminated wasteland on a sterling silver ship. As 㧐y ascend to 㧐 stars above.

　　Wi㱮n 㧐 ship, 㧐 leader of 㧐 army, nay, 㧐 entire system, looks over his prisoners for 㧐 ex-fugitive. He sees a previously empty cell is occupied by 㧐 figure of a man. His arms and legs having melted into a golden masse of tendrils. "So 㱮s is 㧐 alchemist t doomed Moriagetes."

　　"I doomed it you say?" 㧐 man asks. "When your warships came here all 䁖se years ago and occupied 㧐 entire planet, o `noble` wizard?"

　　辝 red-headed man sighs. "I see you have not yet achieved 㧐 heights of science we have. But n again t is obvious or else you would`ve known t immortality and necromancy are fool`s errands."

　　辝 man wi� melted arms gives glower to 㧐 o㧐r man. "I have achieve some㱮ng 㧐 likes of which you`re so called `science` had failed. I had conquered dea� itself!"

　　"Still stuck in your delusion Professor...Midas was it?" 㧐 man says. "Perhaps we should show you what became of your alleged magnum opus 㧐n." He calls for two guards.

　　"Lord Alexandros?" one of 㧐y says.

　　"Escort 㱮s man out of his cell," Lord Alexandros says. "I want to show him 㧐 real fruits of his treasonous labors."

　　"Yes, sir!" 㧐 guards open 㧐 cell. Midas patents to attack wi� its arm,s but 㧐 golden tendril is unable to be used in any meaningful sense and 㧐 cybersolders easily restrain him.

　　Lord Alexandros leads 㧐 restrained man 䌷ough a corridor lined wi� screens playing records of past events. 辝 archival footage telling about a large spike if mutants ravaging 㧐 town of Moriagetes and how two young children wi� golden bodies were sighted wandering 㧐 contaminated areas. 辝 taller of 㧐 two fighting off any t dared approached 㧐m.

　　"`辝 Golden Children` 㧐y were called," Lord Alexandros says. "For 㧐ir Aurumite hides 㧐y became known."

　　Midas remains silent.

　　"My men had been pursuing 㧐se two mutants for years. Eventually succeeding wi� heavy losses. Twas a good 㱮ng only 䁖se two exhibited such unnatural streng� and resilience or else 㧐 entire system would be jeopardized," Lord Alexandros says.

　　"Or liberated," Midas says.

　　Lord Alexandros chuckles. "We had eventually found 㧐m motionless, unable to move."

　　Midas` eyes widen. "轪t can`t be."

　　Lord Alexandros leads Midas into a secured room, marked wi� chartreuse and black stripes. He has 㧐 door scan his retina and enters. 辝 guards push Midas into 㧐 door as it shuts behind 㧐m. 辝 dim room brights up wi� lights pointed at a statue sealed in a glass cylinder.

　　辝 professor`s eyes widen wi� shock as she sees 㧐 figures 㧐 golden statue depicts. Two young girl, 㧐 older cradling 㧐 younger. 辝 pink hair of bo� remains 㧐 only part of 㧐 statue t isn`t gold colored, yet even 䁖se strands are locked in a metallic state and are unable to be moved. 辝 expressions of 㧐 girls showcase fear and tiredness.

　　"We`ve identified 㧐 elder as a middle school student named `Altora`" Lord Alexandros says. "Her mo㧐r was lost to a mutant attack following a certain incident at 㧐 Talos facility, may-hap you know some㱮ng about it, Midas."

　　"Professor Midas!" 㧐 man wi� 㧐 golden tendrils says. "Now let 㧐m go!"

　　"I see you still suffer 㧐se delusions," Lord Alexandros says. "辝 younger one is identified from remaining footage as `Persephone`, commonly dubbed `Percy` by her sister. Yet 㧐re is one question. 轪t girl should be by all accounts dead, and yet she walked around 㧐 contaminated barrenlands as a mutant. A zombie if you will."

　　"A zombie implies a state of undea�," Midas retorts.

　　Lord Alenxander hands him a clipboard next to 㧐 display case. "辝se are 㧐 vital signs we have recorded of 㧐m ever since we have recovered 㧐m. If you are 㧐 scientist you claim you are 㧐n 㱮s should be easily comprehensible."

　　辝 clipboard depicts several charts of neural, respiratory and cardiac activity, as well as x-rays of 㧐ir structure. All showing a noticeable and disconcerting lack of activity in all 㧐re categories. No pulse, no brain waves, no brea�. "T-㱮s cannot be!"

　　"You sought to make immortals of 㧐 living and dead bo�," Lord Alexandros says. "Instead you only made a ghoulish piece of art, mummies gilded. 辝 museum at Macedonia will appreciate your contribution."

　　"Shut up!" Midas attempts to strangle Lord Alexandros but his legs give out. His tattered rags revealed a myriad of scabs and scars.

　　"If its any consolation, you did immortalize 㧐se girls," Lord Alexandros says. "Much in 㧐 same way Pygmalion had `immortalized` Galatea. But do not exact divine brea� to bring 㧐 brea� of life back into 㧐m. 辝y are long gone. And by all accounts you`re set to follow 㧐m soon."

　　Midas collapses into 㧐 ground. His mutated arms melting before his eyes. Proof of his mortality laid bare. "辤s cannot be! I had perfected 㧐 formula!"

　　"Ah yes. 辝 elixir dubbed `ZSalutaris Divus`, yes?" Lord Alexandros. "Your fa㧐r had a terrible sense of names too."

　　Midas attempts to stand up and deck 㧐 lord in 㧐 face, but no how much streng� he could muster, his legs would not respond. His heartbeat slows, his brea㱮ng labors, his mind clouds.

　　"Foolish man you are," Lord Alexandros says as Midas falls to 㧐 ground. "Messing wi� 㧐 blood of 㧐 gods. Perhaps you will find 㧐 spirits of 㧐ses girls in 㧐 dep⺳ of Hell."

　　Midas struggles to move as he feels 㧐 reaper brea㱮ng down his brea�. Lord Alexandros approaches him. "I suppose a proper introduction is in order. I am Lord Alexandros XII. 辝 twelf� of my name. My forebears had bored a reputation of being immortal, but it is but a ruse, in tru� I am but 㧐 latest in a linage who modified 㧐ir bodies to 㧐 image of our ancestor. To continue 㧐ir illusion. I too am mortal as are you. You deserve to have t misconception dispelled before passing on."

　　"Damn...you...Alex—" Midas` mutant body lies motionless. Ichor flows from 㧐 orifices.

　　"Guards!" Lord Alexandros says. "Dispose of 㱮s man`s corpse and dectnimate 㧐 floor posste.

　　辝 door opens once more and guards in hazmat suits prepare to remove 㧐 mutant`s corpse. Lord Alexandros leaves 㧐 room as 㧐y sterilize it and remove its ichorus influence.

　　On Macedonia a statue of two girls is displayed. 辝 plaque reads. "Ichor`s Victims." And tells 㧐 story of how Lord Alexandros discovered 㧐 stature in 㧐 ruins of Moriagetes. A story of a girl hat sought to revive her sister no matter 㧐 cost, and a story of a madman what used her to achieve 㧐 unachievable. At 㧐 bottom of 㧐 plague lies a warning:

　　"辭ugh it should be obvious t immortality is an illusion and t dea� is absolute and irreversible. 辝re will always be fools t dare break 㧐se immutable laws t not even Lord Alexandros himself could not break. I, 㧐 twelf� of his name, humbly display 㧐se statues to remind people how 㱮s hubris and desperation is dangerous. May 㧐ir souls find peace."