Vertin was taken aback by the sudden manifestation of Isaac's' arcanum, causing her to instinctively reel back, cautious of what had happened.
Warily, she looked around and just noticed that the fog around the Lake had significantly increased, so much so that she was unable to see the bank anymore.
Not just that, but she had also sensed another power hidden within the fog — yes, although it was brief and had passed her for less than a moment, she had sensed it — there was something inside the fog that had stirred her emotions.
Indignation.
She could not be wrong about it. For that short and fleeting moment when the fog enveloped her, she felt her negative emotions swell before disappearing, almost as if brushing past her.
It was a peculiar feeling.
"What was that..." She asked, looking at Isaac whom the fog rushed to. "What did you do?"
"Ah... I'm sorry." Quickly replying to her, an apologetic tone broke through the fog covering him. "It's my arcanum... I'm really sorry for startling you, Ms. Vertin..."
Then, nudging the monocle that was hanging on his right eye, the fog around them started thinning, dispersing in all directions to give them more clarity amidst the fog.
Having made sure that the fog wasn't causing her anymore discomfort, he continued. "It's not something I could control all the time, you see, and it's always around me. I hope you understand my predicament."
"A perpetual fog..." Scrutinizing the man's power, an inquisitive look formed on her delicate face. "If the chance arises, I'd like to interview you about this for my personal records. But for now, let's focus on the request I gave you."
"Of course." He nodded, a look of understanding present on his face. "Lead the way then, Ms. Vertin."
Having reached a consensus, the two of them started departing the mystical Lake from which Isaac was summoned. As they walked, the fog around them parted and gave way, as if they dared not to obstruct the one willing over them.
As they reached the bank and were about to fully leave the Lake, Isaac paused for a moment before turning around and looking back at the location from which he was summoned.
Once more, a tranquil silence enveloped that mystical Lake — as if nothing had happened to it mere moments ago — and returned to its silent serenity. The broken Spinning Wheel stood there in the middle; just as it had for who knows how long, surrounded by that ethereal yet mystifying murky blue water.
He lingered for a few brief moments, a look of deep contemplation and wistfulness present in his murky dark eyes, before sighing lightly and resuming his walk.
"I've done it..."
He murmured to himself, silent enough for Vertin to not hear, but just enough for him to vent his true hidden emotions to the wind.
And that emotion that was laced to the words he just uttered was... relief.
---
"Oh... Is this a lobby?"
Having left the mystical Lake and the wilderness that surrounded it, the duo soon entered a building in the middle of a similarly mystical forest.
The building stood in contrast to the biodiverse environment around it; sticking out like a sore thumb. Amidst that vegetation and plant life, it alone was the single anomaly — a sharp contrast to everything.
The two of them entered that building in which they soon found themselves in what seemed like a spacious lobby. Shelves lined the walls and rectangular decorum hung from the ceiling, giving the room an avant-garde look as well as a geometric symmetry. The floor, on the other hand, was a hard lacquered marble square grid floor that glistened at first sight.
From here and there, some items and decorum were present, giving life and personality to the lobby — elevating it to more than just a mere gathering place.
Overall, it was as strikingly conspicuous as its outside appearance yet still gives off a warm atmosphere.
"Indeed." Vertin nodded as she walked over to a bulletin board with pictures plastered all over it and pins with strings connecting them. She then turned to him, her eyes as composed as they were before. "But that is not all."
"Before I tell you my request, I'll first give a brief explanation of what's happening."
With those words, Vertin began explaining all key terms to Isaac, and what he should know regarding her request. Throughout her explanation, Isaac put on an inquisitive look, as if immersing himself in her words and comprehending each and every word.
After going through all that was essential and leaving out the extraneous details, Vertin paused and caught her breath.
After doing so, she looked back at him. "...have you gotten all that?"
"The Storm... St. Pavlov Foundation's goals... Manus Vindictae... Timekeeper..." Isaac murmured, as if connecting and organizing the thoughts and details in his mind. He then pressed his fingers on his temples. "So to sum it up..."
He leaned back against a wall as he raised his index finger as if counting his points.
"There is a Storm that reverses time all around the world that started happening in the year 1999... And it's the Foundation's goal to seek out and recruit arcanists all around the world while providing shelter for normal humans in different eras whenever the Storm arrives... Did I get that right?"
Vertin nodded. "Yes."
Gaining her approval, he continued. "And you, Timekeeper, are tasked with venturing out and braving the Storm head-on to rescue survivors — since you are the only one completely immune to the effects of the Storm, yes?"
"That is correct. And that extends to the suitcase I carry that we are currently in. Arcanists who dwell inside my suitcase shall also be saved from the Storm." Vertin nodded again while adding her own details.
She emphasized on the word "arcanist" once more, indicating that humans, unfortunately, would still meet the same fate even if they were inside her suitcase.
...he decided to not inquire about it and instead continue his summarization. He raised another finger.
"While you were out on a mission in the year 1966, you were suddenly caught up in another Storm and was sent back to the past along with the arcanist you rescued to the year 1929 — the year we currently are at right now. And when you attempted to return to the Foundation, you were captured by a terrorist group of arcanists who call themselves Manus Vindictive... Did I get that right?"
"It's Manus Vindictae — and yes, you're right about everything else." She corrected him while giving a small nod.
Having summarized all of the information that had been given to him, Isaac released a soft sigh before adjusting his monocle. "Honestly... How convoluted this is... You know, if a thing such as arcanum doesn't exist in this world, I might have never believed any of this — but here I am."
"I know this must be a bit overwhelming, but please bear with me for a while. I just need more help to ensure our victory." She then glanced at the area around them, looking at the drifting thin fog that had somehow managed to get inside. "Plus your arcanum... Might be of help."
"Which brings up the question... What does your arcanum actually do, Mr. Isaac?" A prying gleam appeared in her eyes and she soon glanced over at him. "Is it really just a simple fog?"
She wanted to know more about that strange sensation she felt earlier when the fog he conjured enveloped them. Her intuition was telling her that his fog wasn't as simple as they seem; and perhaps held more to them.
Isaac lingered, his silence permeating for a few brief moments, before he shrugged with a lighthearted smile. "Quite sharp... Indeed, my fog is no simple manifestation of water vapors in the air, well to some extent, at least..."
He leaned back a bit. "In truth, my fogs can quite literally cloud other's judgements. The longer you stay inside them or linger around me, the more your mind becomes obscured — you get confused, feel indignation, and even cynicism. Arcanists are fine and can only feel skeptical of me at best, but for normal humans, well, let's just say that it gets physical every time they get affected. It's quite sinister, therefore I named it..."
"The Uncertain Mist."
"...that name doesn't sound too sinister to me." Vertin commented right after hearing Isaac's explanation.
"I'm still working on it. Ehe."
She then looked around and noticed something amiss. She then pondered for a moment before asking. "Hold on, didn't you say that the longer someone stays near you, the more their minds become clouded? If so, then why have I not been affected yet?"
It was true. Throughout their conversation and how long they had been together out in the Lake, the Wilderness, as well as here in the Lobby, not once did Vertin experienced any strange upheaval in her emotions. Sure, there was that one time when Isaac first summoned his fog — but after that, she hadn't felt anything since.
"Huh, you're right." Noticing this, Isaac also got curious. "Is it because you're the Timekeeper? Well, whatever it is, it's certainly something new to me."
Watching him nod to himself while also picking up interest over the matter, Vertin stayed silent for a few moments before shaking her head.
"Well, let's leave it at that for now. Let's focus on the objective first." She then stood up and picked up her top hat. "Have you memorized what you should do?"
He nodded.
"Create an opportunity for your team — erm, Sonetto, Sotheby, and the Foundation — to reach you. Got it." Isaac recounted the task Vertin had given.
"Due to my current circumstances, I'm not able to freely leave right now. But if it's you — combined with your arcanum — I believe that it would be fairly easy. So long as you won't be noticed by Forget Me Not." She sighed.
"Don't fret, Ms. Vertin." Nudging his right eye's monocle, a light smirk curled on his lips. "I'll make sure to do my part with the utmost importance. You can count on me."
"Alright, thank you..." Having heard his confident affirmation — and seeing as how she has no other choices right now — Vertin decided to trust him. "If there's nothing more, then let's start the operation immediately."
She then put on her top hat and started walking off to the exit of the suitcase to leave..Behind her, Isaac followed, a light smile present on his face as he did so.
"Of course." He muttered. "Let us do well, Ms. Vertin."
As he spoke, the fog around him thickened.