Chapter Text
I clutch the thick, leather-bound record of my boss’s previous experiments in my trembling hands as I watch Dottore, the insanest person I’ve ever met, enthusiastically set up his lab for our newest experiment. With his wild hair and peculiar mannerisms, he exudes an air of both genius and madness, and as usual, a queasy feeling starts to emerge in my stomach. Is he going to nuke half the underground facilities that I hadn’t even known existed beneath the Northland Bank prior to his arrival, or will I be in for much worse?
Dottore paces around the cluttered laboratory, his gaze fixed on a collection of bubbling flasks and smoking beakers. His eyes gleam with a mixture of excitement and mischief as he explains the experiment to me, his voice echoing through the dimly lit room. 'My assistant, today we shall delve into the mysteries of elemental reactions! I have devised the most ingenious contraption to demonstrate their effects!' He claims as his hands dance with anticipation, waving in grandiose gestures.
I can't help but feel a sense of trepidation as I survey the ominous apparatus that looms before me. It consists of a series of intricate glass tubes, connected by an array of colourful wires and buttons. Sparks crackle intermittently, casting eerie shadows across the room. It is a contraption that seems more suited to a mad scientist's lair than a respectable laboratory. But then, it is Dottore’s lab. Am I really that surprised to see his newest wiring-laden invention?
With a mischievous grin, Dottore pulls a lever, and the machine springs to life, emitting a cacophony of whirring gears and hissing steam. The laboratory fills with an ominous hum, and I can feel the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
'Behold, my creation!' Dottore exclaims, his eyes sparkling with delight. 'By combining the powers of Pyro and Electro, we shall witness a reaction of truly shocking proportions!'
‘Doctor,’ I start hesitantly. ‘I think we already know the reaction and its effects. Isn’t it called Overloaded-’
‘Aha! But have you ever seen it magnified into itself hundreds of thousands of times, and with pure elemental energy at that?’
I shake my head, not knowing what to say.
The blue haired maniac grins. ‘Imagine how much energy I could harness if this experiment goes the way I wish! It could even power an artificial god, if I so wished!’
An artificial what?
As if on cue, he produces a small flask of vibrant blue liquid, labelled 'Electro Catalyst.' I can only watch in horrified fascination as he pours the contents into an equally red container labelled 'Pyro Accelerant,' causing an immediate eruption of colourful sparks and a miniature lightning storm crackling within.
My heart pounds in my chest as I stumble backward, my eyes widening with a mixture of awe and terror. Sparks dance around the room, threatening to singe my eyebrows and ignite the numerous scrolls and parchments scattered across the lab.
'Doctor, perhaps we should reconsider this experiment,' I stammer, my voice trembling. 'I think I’d like to live a little longer!'
But Dottore, lost in his mad scientific reverie, pays no heed to my apprehension. With a cackle, he grabs a pair of oversized safety goggles and offers them to me. 'Fear not, you foolish mortal! These safety goggles shall shield your eyes from harm and your mind from doubt. Let the spectacle commence!'
Reluctantly, I don the goggles, my hands shaking uncontrollably. I have become an unwilling participant in this bizarre alchemical theatre, filled with equal parts curiosity and terror.
As Dottore positions himself beside the machine, a bolt of electricity arcs between two protruding wires, illuminating the room with a blinding flash. The contraption whirs and crackles, emitting a series of strange noises that seem to mimic the agonised wails of a banshee.
At this moment, I close my eyes, bracing myself for the unknown. The cacophony reaches its crescendo, and I can feel the ground quiver beneath my feet. When I dare to open my eyes, I am greeted by a spectacle of surreal beauty.
My horrified gaze takes in the chaotic display before me. Fire and electricity intertwine in a mesmerising ballet, illuminating the laboratory with an otherworldly glow. The air crackles with energy, and I can feel the static electricity prickling my skin.
Dottore, seemingly unaffected by the pandemonium, watches with a maniacal glee. His laughter merges with the symphony of sizzling sparks and booming explosions that fill the room. It's as if he has unleashed a storm within these walls, revelling in the chaos it creates.
But as the spectacle intensifies, my horror grows. I can no longer distinguish between the boundaries of the experiment and the boundaries of safety. Parchments and scrolls are scattered across the laboratory, caught in the cyclone of elemental forces. I can only hope that they won't be devoured by the flames or incinerated by the bolts of lightning.
My hands clutch the record book even tighter, my knuckles turning white. It feels as if we have ventured into forbidden territory, where the laws of nature themselves rebel against his tampering. And yet, I am afraid of speaking up, lest I invoke the wrath of Dottore, a force that I believe is worse than all the forces of nature.
Amidst the chaos, I catch glimpses of the mad scientist, his eyes gleaming with a mix of exhilaration and madness. His hair stands on end, as if charged with the very essence of the experiment. He seems to revel in this uncontrolled dance of elements, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding.
And yet, despite my horror and unease, a small part of me is captivated by the sheer audacity of the display. There is an awe-inspiring beauty in the swirling vortex of fire and lightning. It is a reminder that the world is far more mysterious and powerful than I can comprehend.
Finally, as if the elements themselves tire of their chaotic dance, the tumultuous storm begins to subside. The crackling flames wane, and the bolts of lightning diminish into wisps of energy. The laboratory falls silent.
Dottore stands amidst the remnants of the experiment, his countenance a mix of exhilaration and satisfaction. He turns towards me, a triumphant smile playing upon his lips. ‘Have you not witnessed the grandeur of elemental alchemy?’ He exclaims, his voice filled with glee.
‘No comment.’ I say with a hint of horror, my voice merely an echo of what it used to be.
Dottore's triumphant smile fades upon hearing my response, replaced by a look of mild annoyance. I sense a hint of disappointment in his eyes, as if my lack of enthusiasm dampens his own exhilaration.
His voice drips with disdain as he mutters, ‘You boring human.’
I swallow the retort that rises to my lips, realising that further engagement would only fuel his displeasure. Instead, I focus on the relief that washes over me as I remove the safety goggles, grateful for having survived the ordeal relatively unscathed. The laboratory falls into an uneasy silence, the gentle hiss of residual heat the only sound that breaks the stillness..
There is a part of me that recognizes the allure of Dottore's grand experiments, the allure of pushing the boundaries of knowledge and witnessing the marvels that unfold, so I admit it is also curiosity that pushes me to ask about his little comment.
‘Is it able to power an artificial god, then?’
Dottore's expression softens slightly as he shakes his head, his demeanour shifting from annoyance to a more approachable state. ‘Not quite at that stage yet,’ he admits, a hint of contemplation in his voice. ‘Although the experiment expends all its energy in one go, with a few tweaks and adjustments, I believe it can be harnessed more effectively. The potential is there.’
I nod, not knowing what else to do. ‘What are you missing?’
‘A gnosis.’ He says nonchalantly, not even bothering to look at me as the record book slips out of my grasp and onto the scorched floor.
‘Are you-’ I bite my tongue, my common sense not letting me finish my own sentence. ‘A gnosis?’ I restart. ‘How- what?’
‘Pick the record book- and your jaw- off the floor,’ Dottore says dismissively, and I quickly do as he says. ‘As for how, I suppose any archon will suffice. Though an electro gnosis would suit my experiment the most.’
The world around me seems to spin as I grapple with the implications of his statement. A gnosis, the embodiment of an archon's power, a sacred relic of tremendous significance. To wield such an artifact in conjunction with his experimental prowess... It is both fantastical and deeply unsettling.
Questions swirl in my mind, each vying for attention. What does he hope to achieve with such a combination of forces? What would be the consequences of tampering with an archon's power? The delicate balance between human ambition and divine authority hangs in the balance.
Dottore, seemingly unaffected by my internal turmoil, continues his work, his focus undeterred. His words echo in my mind, revealing a glimpse of his motivations and the desires that drive him forward. ‘Ah, my other segments will be very pleased with this news,’ he murmurs, his voice tinged with a mixture of anticipation and satisfaction. ‘I am the first one who has had such unprecedented success with our collaboration. Maybe it is because I have a barely average assistant this time, instead of a complete idiot.’
Trying not to let his compliment get to my head, I make myself aware of the fact that I am witnessing the unfolding of a precarious dance, where the boundaries between mortal and divine blur. My instincts scream for caution, reminding me of the potential consequences of crossing those carefully placed boundaries.
This is.. clearly not a good idea, and I do not want to do anything to do with it. But what other choice do I have? As a member of the Fatui, I am meant to obey my superiors, no matter what it is that they have me do. And Dottore being the second ranked Harbinger only solidifies my loyalty towards him, even if my morals greatly contradict his.
How I miss Ajax.
As I hastily stuff the letters I’d hidden in the record book back into my pocket, I wonder how different my chaotic life would have been had I accepted his offer to go with him. It would’ve been nice to see Snezhnaya, I sigh to myself as Dottore dismisses me with a casual flick of his wrist. Though, it is true that my time here has been incredibly fulfilling; it’s definitely exhilarating to be able to help one of the smartest people in Teyvat, even if it’s.. questionable at times.
As I exit Dottore's laboratory, my mind continues to churn with conflicting thoughts and emotions. The thought of betraying Dottore, the second-ranked Harbinger, is inconceivable, and the consequences for such an act would be extreme. I have seen firsthand what happens to those who cross the Fatui.
And still, I am reminded of Ajax and the genuine kindness of his heart, and the fact that he risked so much just so he could help me escape from a dire situation. I reach into my pocket, feeling the crumpled letters from my lover hidden within. They are my only source of comfort within Dottore’s labs, tying me to the comforting sanity that is the eleventh Harbinger. But at the same time, they are reminders of the choice I made, the choice to stay and serve the Fatui diligently and without favouritism, to be part of something greater, even if it means compromising my own values. Ajax’s offer to take me to Snezhnaya, with its icy landscapes and mysterious allure, feels like a distant dream, forever out of reach.
But he’s visiting soon, isn’t he? Maybe, if I tell him how I'm feeling, he’ll be able to help me.
Yes. He’ll help me for sure.
In the meanwhile, I ‘ll do my work as I’ve always done, dutifully working as Dottore’s assistant.
Shouldn’t be too hard.