Ch 33: Transaction

Homunculi and their potential uses are as varied as one’s imagination. With enough time and effort one could populate a town with their creations, or man a ship alone. Or one could focus on quality, the creation of a perfect life.

• Unnamed Grimoire

Solomon awoke late the following morning. He opened his eyes slowly and saw Melissa standing directly next to the bed with an unsettling smile on her face.

He very slowly sat himself up and looked at her.

“Melissa, are you okay?”

Melissa’s smile stayed steady. “This one is simply inhabiting Melissa for the moment. This one is The World, here to assist in the completion of your transactions.”

“And the one you’re possessing currently?” asked Solomon.

“She is unharmed and unaware. This is the time she had intended to awaken you anyway.”

“Is there a way for you to do this that does not involve possessing someone near me?”

“This one has no physical form and so is required to possess others in order to perform his duties.”

“How does one lose their physical form?”

“They sacrifice it in the pursuit of ethereal knowledge and power. This one was once the greatest soulamancer in existence. I attempted to use my powers to assume control of the Arcana and as punishment I am now bound in service to it for eternity.”

“If I were to ask you to teach me about Soulamancy, would you?”

“I am unable to do so. Before I was bound in service I hid my knowledge within the infinite astral realm. None shall have what I had.”

Solomon let that thought sit for a moment before beginning to move out of his bed.

“Excuse me,” he said and The World moved out of his way. He moved to his desk and reviewed the short list he made. Then he carefully opened the lockbox in the corner of his desk and counted out sixty gold draks and one silver drak. He then turned to the World.

“Do you need a pouch or box?”
“There is no need,” it responded in Melissa’s voice.

Solomon looked back and saw that the gold and silver were gone. In their place was a book with a tan leather cover and a yellowed scroll bound with twine.

“Thank you.”

The World bowed, then looked around.

“The wards around this place are strange. Many to keep away prying eyes and evil spirits, but nothing to discourage possession.”