The Soul Translator

“Get up, Luciel. We’ve got a big day ahead.”

A voice rang throughout the room, as Luciel tried to get up from his slumber. He stirred, his body heavy, as if a massive anchor is weighing him down. When he hasn’t awoken from his sleep—still idling by his bed, Alice decided to give him a surprising awakening.

“I said… get up!”

And then, a burst of wind was sent hurling towards his direction—knocking him off the bed, which caused him to land awkwardly on the floor.

“Oww, what was that for?” he clutched his neck, confused as to why he was flung out of his bed.

“There’s something we need to do…” she sighed, dragging him haphazardly, “But first—Breakfast.”

Luciel then bounced from each step of the stair, clearly dazed by the chaos that welcomed him first thing in the morning. Once both of them arrived downstairs, the golden light coming from the door filtered through his freshly-awakened eyes, making him squint.

Children ran amok on the streets, playing with new toys and gadgets delivered by merchants from the Empire Capital—Einheit.

“Wait—why do they have Einheit tech here?” Luciel asked, squinting as a boy whirred by with a little mechanical bird. “I thought elves hated trading with the Empire.”

Alice peeked through the doorframe, watching the scene with a small smile before glancing back at him.

“Not all of us. The Chiefdom isn’t under the Empire’s rule, true, but we’re not isolationists either. Some merchants come and go without trouble.”

“But why was I scorned when I entered the village?”

Her shoulders lifted in a light shrug. “Well some still do hold resentment against humans.”

Luciel nodded slowly, watching the children chase their toys across the dirt road. “Guess that explains why this place doesn’t look like some forgotten forest village…”

“Exactly.” She chuckled, “That’s why we make use of it.”

After having small talk about shared technology between Einheit and the Elven Chiefdom, they then prepared themselves for the day ahead—with Alice taking her staff with her, and Luciel brining his trusted sword.

“Why do we need our weapons?” he asked, raising a brow.

“That’s a secret…” she leaned towards him, placing her index finger softly on his lips.

“What a bummer…” he groaned.

Her laughter spilled out at his muttered complaint, and before he could protest, she tugged him by the arm as they strolled the streets of Nai’theriel.

The wooden architecture soon gave way to marbled buildings, some traced with steel and glowing faintly with runes. The sudden shift in scenery made Luciel’s eyes widen—it felt less like walking and more like stepping into another world. Yet when he turned around, the rustic village still stood behind them, a reminder of where they began.

“This place… it’s so different. Almost too advanced compared to Nai’theriel,” he muttered, glancing at the glowing runes at each storefront they blitzed through.

“Well, this is the heart of the Chiefdom,” Alice replied casually, mingling with passersby who greeted her with warm familiarity.

“You really are someone important here, huh?” he said, watching the way the citizens treated her.

“I’m a noble, y’know?” she grinned, as she pointed towards the emerald-green emblem on her left chest.

Luciel blinked, realization dawning on him. “I didn’t know that was a symbol of aristocracy.”

“Well now you know!” she giggled, before pulling him away, yet again.

At last, they arrived at a colossal structure crowned by a gleaming dome, towering over every building in sight—even those back in Nai’theriel.

Alice swept her arm out dramatically. “Welcome to Veyndalis—the center of technological advancement!”

Luciel turned his gaze away from her momentarily, setting his focus towards the magnificent structure before him. It has a marbled structure—similar to that of those that can be seen from Roman Architecture on Earth. The dome above shimmered faintly, like a sky made of glass. It truly was a breathtaking sight to see.

“I’m surprised at how advanced elves are…” he whispered.

Alice smirked. “That’s because we know how to squeeze every last drop from our trade with the Empire.”

Just as Luciel was about to ask even more questions, Alice then held his arm one more time, bringing him closer to the entrance of said building.

“Remember the Soul Translator I told you about yesterday?” she asked, her eyes glistening with excitement.

“Yeah…?” he looked at her, his face marked with confusion.

She then led him into the dome—where sheets of parchment drifted through the air, grimoires, and even more glowing runes embedded through out each pillar. There, an attendant awaited them.

“Welcome to the Nexus Atrium! What can I assist for you two today?” the attendant greeted them, cheerful and welcoming.

But then the attendant noticed Alice’s emblem on her chest.

Her eyes fell on the emblem pinned to Alice’s chest, and she straightened at once.

“Oh! Lady Alice of the Sylvalen family! Please, what can I do for you today? Naturally, there will be no charge.”

“I would like to use the Soul Translator for today!” Alice answered, her face practically glowing from joy. “I don’t mind if I pay…”

“Understood, Miss Alice… But the chieftain insists that nobles shouldn’t pay.” she sighed.

“I don’t care about that stupid rule. Everyone should pay equally!”

“As you wish…”Another resigned sigh left the attendant. “A chamber has just been prepared. If you require anything, please contact me through the communication portal.”

The attendant gestured politely, guiding them across winding hallways that doesn’t seem to end. The glow of the runes flickered, mana coursing through each pillar like it was—living.

As they walked past them, they met a few elven scholars, who seemed to be doing a ritual around a glowing crystal. They kept murmuring spells on and on—without rest, making Luciel a bit uncomfortable.

At the far end stood a sealed archway, humming with pale-blue light. The attendant raised her hand; runes spiraled outward like ripples in water, parting to reveal a narrow passage.

“This way Miss Sylvalen. Your chamber has been attuned.” gesturing her arms with welcoming breadth, before bowing respectfully.

Luciel slowed, feeling the hairs on his arm rise as they stepped closer. The air here was different—thick, almost alive, as if a presence lingered within the walls. Alice, on the other hand, seemed almost giddy, her pace quickening as the archway widened to unveil a circular door of blackened steel.

And then… A dim mechanical pod awaited them.

The Soul Translator resembled a cocoon, linked with multiple wires and screens—way too complex than those made by humans. It is powered by multiple soul runes that was dated back when magic was first discovered—which is pretty old.

“The pod seems alive…” he whispered, looking at the dim glow emanating from the pod.

Alice then grinned yet again, “Well, it isn’t… but it just appears like it.”

“How does it read souls anyway?” he asked, his eyes shimmered, showing clear interest on this marvel of a device—especially made by the elves.

“Unlike the crude translators humans use—ours run on magic, specifically one that uses Divine Affinity. When you step inside, it separates the body from the soul—just enough for the machine to unravel its structure. It can read your past, trace your magical affinity, even define your soul archetype!” she rattled off, words tumbling over each other in her excitement.

His head spun around, overloaded by so much information in such a short span of time. “This is way too much information that I need to digest…”

Alice gave a sheepish laugh, her enthusiasm dimming as her smile faltered. “Sorry… guess I got carried away nerding out.”

“It’s fine Alice,” he said gently, meeting her eyes with a warm gaze. “At least I get to understand this machine even more…”

Her smile returned, the faint spark of excitement lighting up her gaze once more. “Really!?” she perked up yet again, “I’m not annoying…?”

He averted his eyes, feeling the warmth of her closeness. “You’re…” he faltered, then blurted, “…not annoying.”

“Why did you hesitate there for a second?” she pouted, tilting her head to catch his gaze.

“No, no it’s not like that! I really mean it—”

“Hmph! Too late. Punishment time!” she declared, giving him a push toward the machine.

“Rude much?” he laughed, steadying himself. “Am I even going to survive this?”

“Yup, pretty much. It almost never malfunctions.” she muttered, flicking switches on the pod.

“…Almost?”

And without warning, Alice flicked the final lever. A surge of energy ripped through Luciel’s body, his muscles seizing before his consciousness slipped away. Tiny magical orbs floated all throughout the machine and attached to Luciel’s body—forming wire like structures around him, like a cocoon.

The monitor beside Alice flickered to life, lines of data cascading across its surface. It wasn’t ordinary text—it resembled the spiraling code of DNA, yet instead of A’s, C’s, G’s, and T’s, it displayed an unending sequence of ancient runes and numerals. Symbols only the elves could read.

Then, the string of numbers finally stopped, signalling the end of the soul translation. A sharp hiss echoed as the pod’s door unlatched, releasing a plume of steam that curled unnaturally across the floor.

Alice blinked—there wasn’t supposed to be steam. She then approached Luciel, who still appeared unconscious.

She rushed forward, eyes darting to Luciel’s still form inside. “Hey, dummy, wake up…” she muttered, her voice shaking despite herself.

She bit her lip. This isn’t supposed to happen…

***
Heads up everyone! Thanks for reading up to this point. I wonder what would be next for Luciel in the next chapter...

Stay tuned!
Chapter 19: Nature of Souls
September 7, 2025 GMT+8 (3pm)