Lord of the Mysteries - Fountain of Blood (Fanfic)

Finally, some me time. Lex thought to herself as she paced the room, the heavy door of her chamber clicking shut behind her. The weight of the day still hung on her shoulders, but for the first time in a while, she felt the oppressive silence of the room wrapping around her like a familiar cloak. It was the solitude she needed—time to think, to plan.

Her eyes flicked to the metal container resting on the table. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her de-gloved hand, the fingers curling with eerie precision as it closed around the box. It followed her like an obedient shadow, silently hovering just behind her as she moved. She glanced at the monkey paw, still lying where Monty had left it. After seeing the effect it had on him, she had no intention of provoking whatever nightmare lingered within it.

No matter where I go, I will be ostracized for my eyes, Lex lamented, her thoughts darkening. I'll need help with that before I leave the Order and try to step outside these walls. But first things first... I need to find Nigel.

She sighed, pushing the door open with a force that made it groan. The hallway stretched out before her, empty, almost too quiet. The echo of her footsteps seemed to stretch unnaturally, reverberating against the stone walls. She approached the 23rd door at the end of the hall. It was marked with a symbol she had seen only a few times before—a deep crimson infinity sign, bisected by a black slash. It was her room.

Lex pressed her palm against the door, feeling the subtle hum beneath her fingers. The symbol flickered, glowing faintly in response, and the door creaked open with a groan. It wasn't an ordinary door, not by any means. Nothing in this place was.

Stepping inside, she surveyed the room. It was far larger than the lodge she'd woken up in—at least three times the size, spacious and imposing in its solitude. In one corner, a massive shelf stood laden with books, the label on the side reading 'Mysticism / Sacrificial Rituals.' The label made her smile faintly. Now that was something she could get behind.

The bed was enormous, easily large enough to hold three of her. A series of lamps and heaters, scattered around the room, hummed quietly in the background, giving the space a warm, if slightly oppressive, glow. A large closet stood opposite the bed, its doors yawning open to reveal a trunk at the floor's base. Lex crossed to the trunk, prying it open. Inside, she found a holster and a carrying pouch. With swift, practiced motions, she strapped the holster around her body and slipped her new revolver into place against her back, hidden beneath her dress. The weight felt comforting, like an old friend.

She glanced at the boxes of ammunition and picked one up, emptying the rounds into the pouch and tying it tightly around her waist. Satisfied, Lex moved toward the kitchen area. The smell of raw potatoes and milk lingered in the air as she pulled them from their places. With a flick of her wrist, her de-gloved hand sliced the potatoes with precision while she grated the cheese. After seasoning them with salt, she set the meal down in front of her. She didn't mind eating alone—she found it peaceful, in a way.

Once finished, Lex washed her face and made sure all of the lamps and heaters were turned off. The room felt strangely empty now, like it was waiting for something. She pulled the door open, her steps soundless as she exited into the hallway, the heavy door closing behind her with a soft thud.

The reception area loomed ahead, and as she neared, the door swung open suddenly, revealing Nigel. His gray beard twitched as he smiled at her, his sharp, beady eyes crinkling with warmth.

"I was just on my way to find you. What are the odds?" Lex mused, offering him a tired but genuine smile.

Nigel stepped toward her, his presence like a solid wall of comfort in the otherwise sterile hallway. "Small world, eh? Anyway, how can I help you, Lex?"

"I was wondering if you could take me to the range," she began, her voice calm, though there was a slight edge to her words. "And after that... I'll need something to cover my eyes. I won't be able to go out in public like this." She paused, the cold fingers of doubt curling in her stomach. "I need to start grasping my potion, but that's impossible if everyone sees me and decides to burn me at the stake on sight."

Nigel gave her a knowing look, the corners of his lips twitching with understanding. "No problem. I have nothing pressing this week. When you get to the top of the stairs, there will always be a listener nearby to guide you back down here if you need to head back from the city. I'll take you up or to the range whenever you ask."

"Thank you, Nigel," Lex responded, her voice soft with gratitude. "Please, take me to the range first."

Nigel seemed to hesitate, his brow furrowing for a moment as if considering something important. "Before we go," he said slowly, "I think it's worth speaking to Mr. H. He might have a way of helping with your eyes. Mr. H has a... reputation for solving problems." He paused, as if searching for the right words. "Whatever it is, he seems to have a solution. I've never seen him fail."

Lex tilted her head slightly. Mr. H... The name sent a ripple through her thoughts, a brief shiver of unease. She knew little about the man other than that he was a force to be reckoned with, and that Monty feared him more than he let on. The notion that he might be the key to solving the one issue that gnawed at her—the issue of her eyes—was both unsettling and oddly comforting. If anyone could solve the riddle of her existence, it was probably him.

She nodded, her decision made. "Alright. Let's go speak to him then."

Nigel's smile grew wider, though there was a flicker of caution in his gaze. "I'm sure he'll have a solution. He always does."