The Philosopher's Stone

That night, I practice the stances used in self-defence that Van Helsing taught me before I go to sleep. I'm well aware that such moves are rarely delivered perfectly in an actual battle. However, if I get my body to remember these moves, I'll be able to react without thinking in battle. The more practice I get, the better.

The people around me are all very skilled.

If we're going to face more dangers, I don't want to get in their way. I go over the things I learned in training, one by one. As I do, the expression Victoria had been wearing during the meal comes to my mind.

What was that about? Was she trying to say something about the "lead" she was talking about yesterday?

That conversation has never fully been finished after Holmes' interruption.

Maybe Lupin and the rest all have their own takes on the situation.

No one had brought up the subject with Victoria since last night.

What did that glance she gave me mean?

I wonder if she's hiding something? As my frustration mounts, I intensity my training in search of answers.

What does the future have in store for us? What will happen to everyone?

To me? The uncertainty of tomorrow unsettles me. I probably feel that way because I'm happy now, and because I've been able to cross paths with so many people. My anxiety grows when I stop my exercises.

"Caleb? Are you all right?" Victoria's voice knocks me out of my reverie.

"Victoria?" I realise that she is standing right in front of me, with her brow furrowed. Why did I come here? I can't remember at all.

"Yes, hello. I was trying to talk to you, but you weren't responding. It seemed like you were zoned out." Victoria says. "But, good. I panicked, since I thought something was wrong.

"No, I'm fine. I was just thinking. Was there a reason you came to see me, Victoria? We're out in the inner courtyard." When I ask this, she scratches at her cheek with a guilty expression.

"Reason... Um, yeah. I had a pretty important one, actually."

"Important?"

We sit down altogether on the edge of one of the flower beds.

Even though Victoria said she had a reason for seeing me, she doesn't attempt to say more.

I'm curious what she wants to talk about. Looking at her face, I can tell that she is conflicted.

If she should tell me, or remain silent. That seems to be her dilemma.

The wind quickly stirs up the air as I sit and wait for her to speak.

"I've been thinking about this for a long time." When Victoria finally speaks up, I look back at her. "I know how you can obtain the truth."

"The truth?" I ask.

"What I'm about to tell you pertains to the lead I was speaking of yesterday. I'm planning to tell the others tomorrow." I hold my breath. "Pretorius had her own secret research lab. We may be able to locate that facility."

"A research lab? Does it have something to do with me?"

"Yes, it must be." Victoria nods slowly, then continues with a serious expression. "And... I'll start from the beginning. In Britain, long ago, there was some research being conducted in the Royal Society. The discovery of infinite energy, the refinement of elixir of immortality. Emulation of the work of God. The legendary substance, the philosopher's stone, would be the foundation for it all. Under King Victor's orders, experiments were conducted to refine the substance, pouring obscene amounts of money into it."

I'm hearing all of this for the first time. I don't understand some of it, and what I do understand makes little sense.

But Victoria's serious tone is enough to tell me that this must have been an immense endeavour.

"The Philosophers Stone?" I ask.

"Yes. But the scientists were never able to truly create it, instead creating an imitation, 'Philosium.'" Victoria pauses to sigh heavily, as if taking a break from her exposition.

I still get the feeling that she's hiding something from me. "Is that everything you wanted to tell me?"

She avoids my gaze for a moment. "No. Actually, this is the part I really wanted you to know." She shakes off whatever's holding her back and turns to me. "Septima Pretorius was involved in the research."

"Septima Pretorius?"

"That's right. I don't know why she decided to involve herself in the search for the philosopher's stone. After Septima became the head of research, I had the opportunity to witness the Philosium that she had in her possession."

"How is this related to me?"

"What I saw... The solid form of Philosium was the same formula I had used to create Evelyn and what me and Pretorius used to bring you to life. And is the forerunner to the philosophers stone." A sudden gust of wind blows past us, and the flowers in the flowered rustle. I look up and see that Victoria is looking away, with a forlorn expression. It's like she is struggling with something. "The research facility I mentioned earlier is the laboratory where Septima was studying the philosopher's stone. And..."

"...It's where I was created?"

"Yes."

"I see... But, why? Why are you telling me all this now? You could have said something much sooner."

"That's because, uh... It took me some time to confirm the link between Philosium and the philosophers stone. I know I really should have explained this to you all before now."

"I see..."

"Caleb. The truth will always be out there, and will never change, no matter what happens. If that's what you desire..."

"Victoria?"

Victoria turns to look at me. But she seems to be staring into an entirely different place.