The Apprentice Assassin (Complete but editing) MxM

The Madman's Lab

"Well humor an old man, what kind of salt are the hip kids into today? I have holy salt, unholy salt, fire salt, volcanic salt, mummified salt, rainbow salt, sodium chloride salt, earth raked salts, golem seed salt, and a few hundred others on this shelf!"

"Sodium chloride!" Thomas exclaimed happily when he noticed a pile of what he assumed was rainbow salt. "Sodium chloride, that's the one people eat! Where is that?" Alex looked over at him with raised eyebrows and a cautious look in his eyes. "Yes, I promise you, people eat sodium chloride. I know the things to make it kill people, but it's harmless when they crystallize!" He paused for a second blinking at his own words.

"How do you know about the chemical process of fusing those two and not know anything about alchemy?" Alex questioned as he started towards the shelf and began digging around in the back.

"My science instructor had a nice voice. I couldn't help but listen to him!" Thomas answered back, thinking back to his days in school fondly. 

"I'm sure that's the only thing you were focusing on, am I right?" Alex replied, snickering at Thomas as he began to move a few large jars around. "Here, hold this one please." He asked, lifting a large jar of what looked like ants. "Don't drop this jar or you'll kill us both." He explained as Thomas tenderly accepted the container. 

Holding the jar of wriggling mass, Thomas began to feel uncomfortable as it began to jerk slowly in his hands. "What are these things anyway?" He asked as Alex stood up suddenly with a large jar of what looked to be rock salt. 

"Those my friend are essences of stone golems! Each grain will grow into the size of a full-sized golem in a few hours given the right circumstances!" Alex answered, reaching for the jar and tenderly putting it back on the shelf. "Those creatures are smarter than history gives them credit for. Not only do they have brain's, but they also take nutrients out of the soil to heal themselves!" 

"So they aren't brainless creatures of folklore?" Thomas questioned as he looked at the swirling jar in wonder.

"Nope and nope!" Alex stated as he looked at the jar fondly. "I heard legend of one that lived near an Iron mine! Story goes that he had grown so big after consuming the iron from the mine that the locals tried to kill it. He went to an ancient dragon's cave, and made a deal. All he wanted was to live in solitude and be able to eat whenever he wants. The dragon agreed and set it ablaze. Legend goes to say the fire was so hot, it refined the golem into pure iron! The quickly began to sink into the ground, and as he ate, the molten core in his center refined the material, making him heavier with each bite. Eventually, it's said the golem became so heavy that he sank into the center of our planet and rests in the molten core, enjoying the solitude as he consumes the core, growing heavier with each bite". He paused and looked over to see Thomas infatuated with the story and smirked. "That is if you believe the rumors!" 

"And that whole jar is full of baby golems? Thomas questioned as he looked at the jar somewhat fearfully as a shiver of fear went crawling down his spine at the thought of thousands of these golems wandering the world. 

"That's right Thomas! This jar is one of my greatest treasures!" Alex replied as he started off towards the door. "Let's pick up the history lesson another day though. I don't have the energy to tell you every story this place as to offer."

Thomas started after him but froze when he saw Alex step over the tripwire and began walking forward. "Watch out!" He screamed as Alex's foot went down in front of him. 

"What are you whining about now?" Alex asked as he turned around and looked back at him confused. 

Looking back to Alex, Thomas furled his brows. "Why are you not dead? You're standing on the pressure plate you warned me about! Where are the horrible traps?"