Vendor: So you're looking to find Miss Valentina?
Semmelweis: That's right.
Vendor: Follow me, don't get lost.
Vendor: The weather looks bad. I think it's going to rain. We should hurry.
Vendor: People around here are quite wary of the Foundation. So I suggest you don't do anything out of line.
Semmelweis: Don't worry, I'm just here following some leads, I don't intend to cause any issues.
Semmelweis: The atmosphere feels different here than it used to.
Vendor: You're right—there are many more Arcanists here now. Too many.
Semmelweis: No, I meant something else, has anything else changed here? For the better?
Vendor: Better? There is no such thing as "better" in this world. Not in our world anyway, miss.
Vendor: But there is one thing worth mentioning.
Vendor: I've heard that Miss Lorelei found a way to survive the "flood."
Semmelweis: "The river is in unprecedented chaos ... the flood will come rushing down and devour everything in its path ..."
Vendor: Oh? You've heard Miss Lorelei's prophecy too?
Semmelweis: I only know a bit. I'd like to know more.
Vendor: Miss Lorelei believes that there is a "rock" not far from us. That this "rock" will be able to protect us against the flood.
Semmelweis: A "rock"? Could it be—
Vendor: A lot of folks are convinced that she'll lead them to this "sanctuary" of hers, but me, personally, I think it's better to trust Miss Valentina and her friends.
Semmelweis: Friends?
Vendor: Yeah, she's got some friends from the United States. People say they've found a way to survive the "flood."
Vendor: What was it she called them? ... "Manus Vindictae?"
Semmelweis: ...!
Vendor: I'm more interested in their theory! They made some big promises too, but it still seemed more realistic. Besides, they said they'll pay us to march in the streets for them!
Semmelweis: A "rock" and "Manus Vindictae"...
Semmelweis: I'm curious about Valentina. I heard both her and Lorelei are close friends.
Vendor: That's right. She and Lorelei are the best of friends. I must say, it was the right decision for you to come looking for her.
Vendor: Miss Lorelei hasn't been seen in Vienna for a long time. But if anyone knows where to find her, it'll be Valentina.
Vendor: We're here.
Vendor: Wait a bit. I'll go tell Valentina you've arrived.
The bar was small, lacking a sign or even a window, only a small tightly shut doorway.
Several burly thugs stand near the entrance, each watching Semmelweis warily.
Each of them has a bulge on their hips. Clearly not wands, but firearms.
The vendor approaches the thugs and whispers a few words to the apparent leader.
The thug nods. Looking at Semmelweis, he steps aside motion to the doorway.
Thug: Go on in. Miss Valentina will be waiting for you inside.
Semmelweis nods and looks at the vendor.
Semmelweis: Thank you for your help. And best of luck with the "flood."
Vendor: Oh, thank you miss, you too!
The thug makes a sideways glance at Semmelweis as she passes through.
Thug: I'm warning you, you government lackey, don't try to be clever.
It is just as small as it had appeared from the outside.
The room is dark save for a few dim lights.
Her eyes have not yet adjusted when she hears the clicking of the lock behind her.
And the dim outline of a person with her back turned behind the bar.
???: I've waited a long time for you to find your way here, Semmelweis.
As the figure emerges into the dim light, Semmelweis' heart begins to pound with a familiar violence.
It becomes a pulse that shoots up her vagus nerve, to her jaw, and creeps over her tongue.
A sweet, metallic taste spreads from the tip of her tongue and fills the space between her incisors and canines.
"Kill her."
A voice whispers seductively in Semmelweis' ear.
It is the very same voice that comes to her in her hallucinations, and yet her instincts agree.
"Kill her."
These inward whispers drown out all other sound in Semmelweis' ears.
???: Let me guess what you're thinking right now.
???: "Kill her." Am I right?
???: Greetings, Semmelweis ...
As her eyes at last adjust and make out the features of the figure's face, she recognizes it for what it is.
A face she cannot forget. The faint, elusive smile that haunts her nightmares.
Semmelweis: ... YOU VAMPIRE!
Semmelweis: How dare you show your face to me!
Semmelweis: I'll tear you apart! I'll slit your throat! I'll—
The Beyond stands in front of her, a "vampire," and the very creature responsible for her condition.
Passion clouds her vision and, driven by instinct, she charges at the figure.
???: "Vampire?" What a vulgar word.
Seeing Semmelweis' charging towards her, the vampire chuckles softly, the dark red glow of an Arcane Skill flickering in her hand.
???: A dose of pain should calm you down.
Semmelweis: Wait, I just ...
Thoughts flash through her mind veering toward a gruesome memory.
The madness in her eyes is replaced by clarity and determination.
And to her astonishment, it matched a look of surprise in the vampire's own eyes.
???: So, you managed to control yourself.
Semmelweis stops. She gasps and sinks to her knees before the vampire.
Semmelweis: You ... you ... damn … monster.
???: You're the first Arcanist I've seen who can control themselves in the throes of instinct.
???: You know, you're beginning to surprise me, my little changeling.
???: You ought to be grateful. At the very least that you're still alive.
The vampire looked down at Semmelweis with a look of keen interest.
Semmelweis: I can't let the trail go cold here.
Semmelweis: So, you're the one they call Valentina.
Semmelweis pressed her hand to her chest and stood up.
Valentina: I rarely see such outstanding willpower in your short-lived kind ... I'm beginning to believe you might even survive your transformation.
Valentina: Vampires, bloodfiends, shadowless spirits—Arcanists have many names for us. Call me whatever you like.
Valentina: Yet, your memory is quite correct. I am the Beyond who bit and infected you.
Semmelweis: You talk like you already know me.
Valentina: Because I do, pet. I took notice of you back when you first began working for the Foundation in Vienna. Besides, I rarely forget such an interesting dish.
Valentina: Not to mention that one gains some unique tricks over a long lifespan.
Valentina: In any case, once I had gathered the necessary information, all I needed to do was leave a few breadcrumbs, and you would take care of rescuing Lorelei for me.
Valentina: As my present enemies are other Manus Vindictae factions, it was difficult for me to do anything. So, in this regard, you have already proved useful.
Semmelweis: So, you were the one who left that note?
Valentina shakes her head.
Valentina: This time, you're wrong. I didn't leave the note. I only told Lorelei about it, she was the one who insisted on helping you.
Valentina: The mirror was a gift from Lorelei, too.
Valentina: You'll have to ask Lorelei about that ... but I can already imagine her answer.
Valentina: As far as she's concerned, she just wanted to help you.
Valentina: Lorelei is, of all you very short-lived creatures, among the best I've ever known. As such, I tend to bend to her whims, even when they threaten to derail my plans.
Semmelweis: It sounds like you know exactly where Lorelei is right now.
Valentina: Of course! After all, that's why you're here.
Valentina: But ... before all that, I have a proposal. Would you like to hear it?
Valentina: I have the solution to all the problems you're facing now. We can complete the transformation and you'll become a full Infected.
Semmelweis: Transformation ... is that what you call it? It feels rather more like falling apart.
Valentina: You don't really know what is happening to your own body now.
Valentina: How much do you know about the Infected?
Semmelweis: Arcanists who have been infected by the Beyond suffer from the Beyond Disease. It destroys us from the inside out.
Semmelweis: Its mortality rate is well over 93%, and of those few that survive, they remain "Infected." Even if they survive, most go on to develop severe mental illnesses.
Valentina: I see, it sounds like the Foundation has hidden a great deal from you.
Semmelweis: You're not very subtle, for a vampire. I'd make your next choice of words carefully.
Valentina: "Anyone bitten by a vampire becomes a new vampire" that's how the legends go, don't they? The essence of the Beyond Disease is "a series of symptoms caused by the sudden increase of Arcanist blood."
Valentina: The blood of the Beyond is rapidly re-forming you in both mind and body. And it is true indeed that few can withstand the change.
Valentina: But it is far from a disease, it is only a process. Your body is becoming like mine.
Semmelweis: What you're saying can't possibly be true.
Semmelweis: The bloodlines of mankind and Arcanists are both predestined and unchangeable. That much is common knowledge.
Semmelweis: Do you really think you can tempt me with lies and false promises?
Valentina: I wouldn't lie about this, Semmelweis.
Valentina: Restraint is something our kind have long had to master.
Valentina: I can see the doubt in your eyes. An ill-timed, easily-disproved lie would render my work fruitless.
Valentina: Consider this, an infected Arcanist becomes more and more similar to the Beyond that infected her.
Valentina: Just think, without changing their bloodline, how could such a transformation happen?
Valentina: Besides living on blood, vampires' most well-known traits are that we fear sunlight, cast no shadow, and cannot be seen in mirrors.
Semmelweis: No shadow ...
Valentina: If my timing is correct, your shadow has all but disappeared by now.
Semmelweis: ...
Valentina: Shall I assume my timing is correct then?
Valentina: Now just imagine someone extracting your blood and bones by force, reshaping them, and then shoving them back into your body. When you consider the nature of the change, it is little wonder we are so rare.
Semmelweis: I have a question.
Semmelweis: I want to know ... will this "transformation" impact my Arcane Skill?
Valentina: Hm?
Valentina seemed momentarily taken aback by Semmelweis' unexpected question.
Semmelweis: To put it frankly, after I become an Infected, will I be able to use Arcane Skills?
Valentina: ...
Valentina: Heh ... I suppose I never thought I would need to be asked.
Semmelweis: Please, the answer to this question is very important to me.
Semmelweis: I don't have any incantation skills of my own. For now I can only use Arcane Skills developed by human technology.
Semmelweis: If what you say is true and my bloodline has changed, then it would stand to reason that I might now be able to—
Semmelweis: There would be no better way to prove your claim.
Valentina: Fascinating. What a truly interesting individual you are.
Valentina: I made the right choice in you, I think. Whether or not you'd have chosen it for yourself.
Valentina: Let us see if we can answer your question. Perhaps then, you might consider my offer.
Valentina walks to Semmelweis' side, reaching out to take her hand.
Valentina: Recite the incantation with me.
Semmelweis: ...
Valentina: Don't be nervous. This is only a simple incantation.
Semmelweis & Valentina: Scarlatum!
Nothing happens.
Semmelweis: What did I do wrong? Was it my intonation?
Valentina: There is still so much human in you, even as a mixed blood.
Valentina: You still rely too much on reason. You are saying the words like a formula, not an incantation.
Valentina: The language we use is only a tool. What brings forth an Arcane Skill is the spiritual power within.
Valentina: But perhaps I should have given you more instruction.
Semmelweis: Instruction ...?