Chapter Text
Traffic had come to a complete stop, the citizens of New York City looked up in awe and horror as a large beam of pure light descended onto central park.
A disheveled looking man in a dark apartment cracked open the blinds to see the commotion, the light from the paranormal event was enough to brighten the entire room. The man was temporarily blinded, he quickly closed the blinds and covered his eyes while cursing under his breath.
After a few moments the man ran to his door, bumping into his table covered in pages upon pages of occult spells and hexes. He quickly recovered, grabbing his jacket and rushing down the stairs of his apartment building and booking it towards central park.
When he got there, the OSIC was already on the scene. They had the entire park closed off as armed agents slowly entered the park in teams. He overheard an official in a panic using a radio, “What the hell is that thing? Get Marlowe on the line, we need reinforcements!”
The man chuckled to himself, he had spent a majority of his life researching the paranormal and the occult. He knew what this thing was the moment he laid eyes on it. It was an astral gate, connecting our planet to another dimension. He always knew he would see one some day but he didn't expect it to be in his own city.
As the hours went on and the crowd began to disperse, the streets around the now quarantined park grew dark and empty. The wind blew copies of the New York Oracle down the sidewalks and past the disheveled man, still standing where he was, his notebook in hand. He had filled in seven whole pages of the book in just the time he was there, he had filled it to the brim with notes and sketches of the gate. Even documenting an incident he saw in which a man who got too close turned into a miniature dying star.
“Fascinating isn't it?” Called out a voice from behind him. The man turned around to see a short and red haired man with a beard and jacket carrying a suitcase approaching him. He immediately knew him as Kelvin the great explorer, the local paper told bold tales of his adventures.
“Whats your name, friend?” Said the loud yet kind voiced Kelvin. The disheveled man closed his notebook and tucked it away in his coat before giving a response, “My name is Edric, and your name is Kelvin. I've read about your expeditions.”
Kelvin lets out a boastful laugh as he steps closer to stand next to Edric, “You’ve heard of me, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. I would say I've gained quite the reputation in the scientific community, yes?”
Edric crossed his arms, and lifted his head “Quite the reputation indeed. But what I want to know is why are you here?”
Kelvin chuckled "Isn't it obvious, friend?” he said as he gestured towards the astral gate still visible from outside the park.
Looking down on the adventurer, Edric rephrased his question “I meant why are you speaking to me?”
Scratching the back of his neck, Kelvin seemed almost hesitant to answer. “Well you see… I regretfully wasn't in New York when everything went down. But once I had received word that an astral gate had formed right in central park, I couldn't wait a moment longer!” the excited researcher gestured towards his suitcase “I only just arrived here maybe seven minutes ago?”
The adventurer now seemed distracted trying to think of what time he arrived, muttering to himself about which trains he took. Edric was growing bored of trying to figure out where his accent was from and decided to speak up.
“Well that's all very fascinating, but if you need nothing from me then I would politely suggest you leave me alone.”
Kelvin snapped back to reality from his thoughts and began to focus on Edric. “I get distracted every now and then, do forgive me.” Kelvin points at Edric's jacket, roughly where he stored his notebook. “That notebook in your hand earlier, have you been researching this gate?”
Edric sighed, growing irritated with the conversation. “Yes. I've been here since the gate touched ground this morning.”
The adventurer’s eyes lit up as he stepped closer to Edric. “Would you mind sharing some of your notes perhaps? I’m playing a game of catch-up here and it seems every scientist in New York is ahead of me, it would be nice to have some help.”
Edric paused for a moment, reaching his hand into his jacket not to hand Kelvin the notebook but just to hold on to it. After a few moments of silent consideration, he passes the book to Kelvin. Assuring himself that if the cocky adventurer tried to steal it, there were at least 50 ways he could kill him and get the book back in an instant.
Kelvin nods, “Thank you, my friend. It will be just a moment I promise.”
As Kelvin reads through the pages upon pages written by the sketchy looking scientist, his eyes grow wider and wider. After a few minutes, he lifts his head from the notebook and speaks to Edric.
“You wrote all of this?” He said in a shocked tone.
Edric narrowed his eyes, "Don't act surprised.”
Kelvin continued to flip through the book, looking at all the other paranormal subjects Edric has written about. The adventurer was clearly impressed, “Your notes are fascinating! How long have you been studying the occult?” Kelvin asked without looking up.
Edric was on high alert, now he was almost certain Kelvin would try and steal his notebook. Despite his suspicions, Edric pretended not to worry and answered in kind. “Since the maelstrom.”
Kelvin, still deep in thought, gave a low effort response, “Interesting… very interesting…”
Just when Edric thought the adventurer was going to run off with the book, Kelvin closed the book and politely handed it back to him. “What did you say your name was again?”
Annoyed that Kelvin had already forgotten, he answered very directly. “Edric.”
Kelvin smiled at him and extended his hand. “Edric, I want you to join my team.”
Edric smirked as he put his book back in his jacket, “Really?” he said in an almost mocking tone.
“Yes, really! I can tell from your research you are already more experienced than most of my team members.”
Edric sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking for a moment. Finally he answered. “I will join on one condition, I want to work independently. You and your team are free to use everything I find for your own research, but I refuse to work with amateurs I have to carry on my back.”
Kelvin laughed in amusement, “I can assure you, Edric. They are not amateurs.”
Edric raised his head to look down on the adventurer, “Kelvin, I have no equal. Compared to me, they are amateurs.”
Despite Edric’s ego Kelvin smiled, “Well we will be going on expeditions and doing field research, so working entirely independently is near impossible. But I like you, I will do the best I can to ensure the rest of the team doesn't get in your way.”
The two scientists shake hands, Edric is the first to break the silence. “So it's settled then… I look forward to this business venture.”
Kelvin chuckled, “Nay… I look forward to this friendship.”