How To Stay Immortal

Reaching the storefront Dante reads written in gold peeling letters over the door 'Oliver Vendor's shop for Channeling Objects: Makers of Fine Channeling Objects since 283 B.C.'. Checking out the shop's display he realizes that it only consists of a solitary heart-shaped Rubin colored pendant laying on a faded blue cushion in the dusty window.

Going inside Dante realizes that this shop despite its fancy front shop is tiny and empty except for a single, counter and thousands of narrow boxes containing wands and other objects piled right up to the ceiling of the tiny shop. Looking around the whole place seems to have a thin layer of dust on every surface. -Spooky merchandise but no customers-

Moving around quietly Dante looks around before softly asking in the oblivion behind the counter. ''Ahm... Hello? Hello?''

Hearing the doorbell ring for a moment, Dante scared turns around only to see the doorbell dangling lazily around. Turning around he suddenly sees a figure step out of the oblivion behind the counter. Fear-stricken and bound to the floor sees Dante the man or creature step into the light behind the counter.

The manor creatures most striking feature is his cephalopod-like head, with octopus-like appendages giving him the illusion of a thick beard. With a seemingly bald head and in addition to his "bearded" face, he or it breathes through a siphon located on the left side of his face.

-Is this Oliver Vendor?-

Looking at his or its physical appearance, Dante realizes that it has a crustacean-style claw for his left arm, a long tentacle in place of the index finger on his right hand, and the right leg of a crab resembling a pegleg.

After stepping up to the counter the creature says in a deep, surprisingly gentle voice. ''I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Mr. Elcraft. It seems only yesterday that your brother as in here buying his first object...''

The creature apparently Oliver Vendor picks up a wand from the counter display case. ''... Ah. Here we are...''

Taking the wand and holding it in his hand nothing happens. ''... Well, give it a wave...''

''Oh!'' Says Dante, waving the wand. Accompanied by the sound of wood breaking the wand breaks lengthwise into two. Jumping up Dante hurriedly puts the broken wand back on the counter saying nothing.

Seeing what happened Vendor rubs his tentacle beard saying. ''Apparently no wand...'' Fetching a box from behind the counter the artist hands him another object, this time a pendant. ''... Perhaps this...''

Even before Dante touches the pendant a strong wave heat appears, burning its creator's long tentacle. With a thump the pendant hits the counter burning its shape into the wood.

''... No, no, definitely not! No symbiosis...'' The vendor says rubbing his now swelling tentacle. ''... I wonder if...''

Playing with a small box while thinking, the salesman decides to hand it over to Dante. Opening the box, Dante finds a blank devoid of any decorum silver colored sigil ring inside. Enchanted by the plain and simple design he puts on the ring. To his own surprise, the ring fits the middle finger of his right hand just perfectly.

The moment the ring slips on the runic symbol of Berkana representing growth and rebirth appears glowing on the empty sigil plate before vanishing. Suddenly Dante feels a tyrannical force rushing into him. A crazy amount of different golden runic inscriptions appear around the ring and slowly started climbing up towards his arm.

Seeing this Dante wanted to take off the ring but couldn't even will his body to do so. The inscription moved from his right-hand middle finger and climbed up to his shoulder in a circular motion. Soon the golden runes stop coming out of the ring, stop moving and get embedded into his skin like a tattoo. After minutes of feeling a burning sensation up and down his right arm.

Regaining back control over his body Dante checks out the remaining runes that have now become permanent tattoos.

-The two times circling my right arm runes spell 'happy-skejtr', roughly translating to 'lucky shot' or 'fortune to strike'. The ones running down the circle spell 'stjrkr-armr', meaning 'strong arm', 'skilled arm' or 'main arm'. The ones on the back of my hand say 'hrađa hönd' and meaning 'quick hand'.- Dante thinks looked at the weird words around his arm feeling the plain sigil ring now being deeply connected to him as if it had been another part of him for a very long time.

''... Curious, very curious...'' He suddenly hears Vendor, whom he had already long forgotten, say.

''Sorry, but what's so curious?'' The five-year-old asks, seeing the man intently rubbing his 'beard'.

''... I remember every object I've ever created and/or sold, Mr. Elcraft. It just so happens that this ring was already part of this shop long before I took over this shop in 283 B.C. ... From what I know it is called 'The Ring of Shalindor'.'' The man explains to Dante, pointing at the ring still on his middle finger.

''And... who owned this shop before and created this shop?''

Shaking his head the salesman says seriously. ''Oh, we do not know his name. The object chooses the owner, Mr. Elcraft. It's not always clear why, but I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. After all, the Elecraft did great things... in the past... terrible, yes, but also great.''

Leaving the 'Oliver Vendor's shop for Channeling Objects' after paying for the Ring of Shalindor, Dante meets up with Micah at the black fountain surmounted by a winged statue of Anteros.

''Got everything you wanted?'' Asks Micah curious because Dante doesn't have packages filled with his clothing with him.

''Yes, got everything in here.'' Says Dante showing Micah his black notebook.

''Ah, you have an Astral-Space Object. I am curious where you got yours from. Those are very expensive...'' Asks Micah before being rudely interrupted by Dante who doesn't want to go into to much detail regarding the origins of his 'Notebook'.

''Didn't we want to go to the meat market in search for a research subject?'' Asks Dante his guide and friend.

''Didn't you keep the puppet raven from the entrance test?''

''Nope, gifted it to a pretty girl I met at Edkins. She is a second-grade healer called Killiana.'' Dante explains.

Smiling all knowingly Micah says. ''Oh, I know her. She really is something since she experimented with those growth potions last year. Didn't know puberty hits so early.''

Rolling his eyes Dante says. ''The meat market?''

''Oh, yes. Best we go to the 'Dark Emporium'. Let me tell you they always have the best and freshest goods...'' Says Micah leading the way down to the business districts warehouses. ''... but first, let me explain a few things to you...''

-The first thing Micah explained was the origin of the goods. Basically, there are four kinds of goods. Animals are either breed for puppet creation or hunted down in the wilderness. Humans or other humanoid beings are either from wars or are a form of repayment from deceased debtors, but never breed for the purpose of doll making.

As Micah explains it there is this thing called ' Univeral Corps Act' ratified by eight of the nine realms from a couple of years ago that prohibits the commercial breeding of humanoid beings.- Dante thinks to summarise his guides explanations.

Reaching a warehouse with distinct black letters over the entrance reading 'Dark Emporium', Micah stops Dante from directly entering by holding him back. Successfully stopping the five-year-old he says. ''I know you are a tough kid, but keep your cool. All the still alive looking body are already long dead. Remember there are two ways we can acquire a body that you want... Auction or Buyout. And please don't expect to get a body below forty. Remember the Academy and Master Draculesci are fitting your bill.''

Letting go of the boy Micah leads him into the warehouse. While going in Dante asks himself. -Is this the destiny that awaits mom if I don't free her in time?-