Making The Pills

"It really was expensive." Luke confessed as they walked out of the same door they had entered from. This time, Luke was holding a small wooden box that was locked.

The old man gave Luke a smirk. "I told you, didn't I?"

Luke nodded in agreement. "Yes you did but I didn't think it would be so high."

"Same way you didn't think a door could be disguised as a wall." They both laughed.

The old man changed the topic. "That aside, the black market doesn't just leave skulls as hints. In some other areas, it's a bird, in others, it's any random animal. But there's a way to spot them."

Luke was eager to know so he asked. "What way is that?"

The old man walked one step at a time as he explained to Luke. "There are two similarities in each of the black market's hints. The first is that all the creatures have one thing in common. The heads of birds and beasts are always in skull form. And the second way to identify them is that all of them have the same color."

"They're all black?" Luke asked even though he knew the answer. He wanted the conversation to continue.

The old man nodded and proceeded to advise Luke. "Exactly. But I should warn you, be careful when going into them. It's easier to rob someone there since it's usually crowded. Avoid bumping into anyone and always check yourself if you're bumped into."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for today." Luke bowed his head.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Hurry up, the shop's just up ahead so let's get something to eat and drink when we get there."

"Yes, old man." Luke replied.

They arrived at the shop and had a snack together, of course, Seth joined them.

After they finished their little meal time, Luke asked. "Old man Jarod, can I leave early today? I have to do something pretty soon and I wouldn't want to delay it."

"Sure. I'll turn a blind eye to this just once. Now shoo." The old man chased Luke off.

"Thank you, old man." Luke picked up his wooden box and walked out of the shop.

*****

"Whew… It's been like forever since I exercised. Seeing the results today, I can definitely say I'm a Chosen now." Obed was on the way, going back home when he heard a voice behind him.

Luke was heading home when he spotted Obed in a black shirt and shorts. He decided to frustrate his friend.

"Don't turn back if you want to live." Luke said in a deep threatening voice.

Obed froze for a minute and asked. "What do you want?" He didn't bother looking back like the person had suggested.

"Nothing much. I've got good news for you." Luke replied.

Obed thought the voice seemed familiar. "What news is that?"

Luke smiled and moved to speak with his normal voice into Obed's ear. "I got the ingredients for the pills."

Obed turned immediately and found Luke smiling. "Damn you. Again."

Luke was struggling to speak as he laughed. "How do you keep falling for it?"

Obed stared at Luke for a moment. "Shut up! We're going home!" Obed turned and walked away.

Luke hurried after him. "Sure sure."

"Is there something to eat at home?" Luke asked when he caught up to Luke.

"Yeah, a few things." Obed answered without stopping or turning to look at Luke.

They arrived at the building and Luke headed to the kitchen. He began the preparation of the mana pills.

He ground some of the plants into powder and placed them in a pot with little water. Others, he placed wholly and some others he cut into bits and placed inside.

He just covered the pot on the fire and let it boil.

"Hey, you're gonna leave it that way?" Obed asked when he saw Luke walk away from the pot.

Luke held the wooden box in his hand and shook it a bit. "Yeah… I need to completely cut off parts from these."

Obed raised an eyebrow. "What are those?"

Luke took out the first rabbit. "They're called two-scut rabbits. A major ingredient when making the pills I need. The blood and orb are necessary and its meat is amazing or so I've heard."

"I see. They're dead aren't they?" Obed asked again.

"I had them killed before I got home. Didn't wanna stain my hands by killing innocent animals. They're dead already so cutting them up would be disturbing." Luke placed it on the table in the kitchen and cut it up.

He took out its heart and cut it open. He found an orb covered in blood inside. He took it out and washed it. It was a milky-colored orb.

He poured all of its blood into a bowl and then, he took out the other rabbit and proceeded to do the same thing to the other rabbit.

He took out its heart and took out the tiny orb from the heart. He emptied the blood into the same bowl and washed the orb.

He placed them in a separate bowl and walked away from the kitchen after covering the bowl with blood in it.

"Is this a ritual?" Obed asked his friend.

Luke immediately objected. "No, it's not."

Obed chuckled. "Seems to me like one."

Luke raised an eyebrow. "You seen a ritual take place?"

"No, I've read a few books. Blood's a necessary ingredient." Obed answered.

Luke walked back to the pot and poured some of the blood into it and left it to boil. He dropped the orbs inside and covered the pot again.

"How long do you plan to leave that on fire?" Obed asked after an hour.

"Around three more hours." Luke replied.

Three hours later, Luke went back and opened the pot. Almost all the liquid was gone. The orbs were now a mixture of colors. Most of it was red, a little green, little blue, and a tiny bit of its original color.

"I think it's ready." Luke pulled out the two orbs.

"One for me and one for you." He informed Obed.