Fervent (adjective): eager; earnest

Eyes gleaming with the curiosity of a kindergartener, the research assistant eagerly removed her lab coat. A large container of luminescent violet liquid swirled in front of them, its colors sparkling like the Northern Lights. It was there, where the experiment to advance humanity will take place.

“You really didn’t have to make this sacrifice,” said her companion, his fingers tapping worriedly on his clipboard despite the neutral look on his face. “Thank you.”

“It’s all for the sake of science!” Her warm laugh shone like a ray of sunshine in the crowded lab room. “If humans could really use magic after taking a dip, it’ll be revolutionary! Imagine that, our names will go down in history as the greatest scientists to ever live.”

“Yeah…” His voice trailed off.

The idea of glory was shared by every researcher in that room, but when it was time to volunteer to test the new concoction, her hand was the only one that raised.

He’d been fond of her ever since she joined the institute, a happy-go-lucky child that followed him with awe in her eyes. Her curiosity, fascination, and courage was unlike any other, and he desperately wished she would emerge from the experiment unharmed, regardless if they succeeded or not. He pleaded with her to rescind her volunteer statement, to turn back when she still had the chance, but that same tenacity that was so endearing to him denied his request. A little part of his brain did convince himself that she was going to be okay.

But the limp, motionless body they dragged out of the illusionary violet liquid later that day would prove him deadly wrong.