Partner Keys Part 1
2083 Words
Partner Keys Part 1
(A/N: To avoid confusion, this part is a flashback as to why Nephrite woke up in another world called)
A faint, unfamiliar buzzing sound slowly entered Nephrite’s muddled consciousness as he felt the warm, moist sensation shrouded him.
[Vessel compatibility scan running]
[Soul fluctuations: active]
[Memory scanning 72%]
[Physical data compatibility 100%]
[Damage detection: negative]
[Memory scan completed.]
[Vessel compatibility: 100%]
Nephrite slowly opened his eyes as he heard the smart-sounding female voice of the AI.
As the light slowly filled his eyes, he saw a crystal clear glass.
Laid in a glass capsule, it reminded him of an elegant coffin he once saw on TV. Only, the air-conditioning inside reminded him that this "coffin" wasn't for the dead.
Large high-end devices were set up in the room with people in white lab coats monitoring each device.
There was a floor-to-ceiling glass wall across the room, probably a one-way window wall.
With all these things surrounding him, it reminded him of the secret lab back in the hospital…
An excruciating pain grabbed his heart so suddenly, shredding it to pieces as memories flooded him. Pain caused by a confusing betrayal.
The sudden change in his vitals alerted the staff but it was all unnoticed by him.
Tears trickled down his cheeks like a lost child.
The memories from the hospital, back to all those times he spent with Agase.
All of those were not illusions, right?
But he trusted Agase for as long as he could remember. Why did he do all that? Did he just approach him for their group’s purpose? But why did he protect him if he would attack him in the end? Why did he need to put on an act?
He had many questions swirling in his mind. His chest tightened as if he were drowning. He wanted to grab something just to stop all the negative emotions inside him.
Nephrite wanted answers, but who should he ask?
Suddenly, a figure of a tall and handsome young man with bluish-silver hair flashed in his memory.
Like gaining another life, Nephrite received a boost of blood. Yes, of course, he might know something!
As if on cue, the door opened and spit out Xei, his assistant Zireon and some other executives.
Nephrite’s eyes fixated on the man as he strode in his direction.
Without saying a word, Xei quickly opened the capsule, helped him get out, and put on a bathrobe to cover his body.
Nephrite wanted to thank him but he noticed the frown on Xei's head. Was he upset because of me?
Looking at the subordinates behind this person, he realized his waking up interrupted an important meeting. Should I apologize?
Little did he know that Xei's irritation was from a different matter. He wanted to kick his subordinates now!
He clearly told them to stay in the conference room so why the hell did they follow him here?!
An inexplicable annoyance crept into his heart the moment he saw them ogled on the young man's nakedness, he couldn't help but frown.
Zireon stood on the sidelines, amused. It was already a very, very long time ago since he last saw any emotions from Xei aside from annoyance. His curiosity only grew before glancing at the other people in the room.
Their subordinates stood in their place in both fear and confusion. No one wanted to mess with Xei but how would they understand this kind of sudden mood change? Usually. Xei was either cold and calm or cold and annoyed. But this was the first time they saw him hostile.
Zireon tried to stifle his chuckle.
.
Slouching his back as he tried to keep up with his appearance, he walked toward Xei. He tapped the other man’s shoulder and whispered, "Master, let me handle the meeting. Take your time,"
Xei was about to nod at Zireon when he saw the latter grinning widely.
"Could you remove that annoying grin on your face?"
"Eh, what's wrong, master?" His voice sounded scared but his grin grew wider.
"Just scram!"
"Alright, alright! Sorry Master!" He turned to the still quiet Nephrite, "See you later and relax," he said in a low voice and winked at the still confused man.
Xei's mouth gaped open, "You!"
Zireon could not hold it anymore. His laugh echoed in the room as he pushed the rest of their subordinates out and back to the conference room. He received a few curious glances but it hit as much as the effect of their master acting out of character. Is there anything else that could take them by surprise, today?
But as soon as Xei turned to Nephrite, the latter grabbed him by the arm, “Where’s Agase?”
Xei felt his heart squelched because of the strong distress in Nephrite’s voice.
“Agase did not do that, right?” He looked up and stopped as his gaze landed on Xei’s eyes. “He did not betray me, right? Those things were all an illusion, right? Please answer me.”
Xei was so astounded he was not able to find his voice right away. Nephrite’s lips quivered as the silence stretched between them.
Before Xei could answer, Nephrite wailed in agony. He could not believe how things turned out like this.
Xei saw Nephrite’s eyes shrouded in confusion. For the first time in a hundred years, Xei’s steel heart was moved. Before he knew it, he already hugged Nephrite, and comforted him until he felt the young man’s steady breathing. Nephrite fell asleep.
___________
Nephrite observed his body's reflection in the mirror.
His once pale skin now looked healthy and glowing. His hair seems silkier and his once foggy eyes can now feast on the surroundings.
It was not just his appearance but his frail and weak body that felt stronger.
It felt so different as if it was not his own body.
Yes, it is not my real body anymore, he sighed.
He heard the sound of the glass door sliding open. Quickly, he took the clean shirt from the bed and wore it just in time Xei entered the room.
Xei held a tray filled with nutrient packets, "How are you feeling now?"
Recalling how he threw a fit, demanding information about Agase, Nephrite massaged his nape in embarrassment. He hesitated for a moment,
"I'm sorry about earlier."
Xei sat down on the couch and gave him a nutrient pack, "It's fine. You woke up confused about what happened. Your fr-that guy electrocuted you to split your quantum light from your body. Even though it fully activates your ability, it will still have a negative effect."
Nephrite nodded and sat on the couch too, leaving a bit of distance between them. He took the nutrient pack but did not pay attention to it. Xei didn't force him to consume it, either.
Once again, he asked Xei what happened after he lost consciousness.
Confusion, pain, and betrayal gnawed his insides as if shredding to fine paper strips. However, his heart can't accept the things he knew.
He grew up with Agase, the latter taking care of him earnestly, especially these past years. So even if he experienced the betrayal firsthand, as pathetic as it may sound, he wanted to give him the benefit of doubt.
Xei felt as if someone squeezed his heart as he observed Nephrite's state. The boy's sloe eyes were downcasted, both filled with worry and sadness. He took a deep breath and patiently told him what happened.
Xei's team held a follow-up investigation. They learned Agase was a member of a notorious soul hunter organization. Agase was sent to extract Nephrite's quantum light. But, as they all saw, he changed his mind at the last moment and defended him. As for Agase electrocuting Nephrite, he could only take a guess.
"What a stupid guy! Always making me confused," Nephrite laughed bitterly.
Xei pulled out something on his space ring and handed it to Nephrite.
It was a jacket with tattered sleeves with visible bloodstain and slightly burnt parts.
Nephrite's face paled at the sight of it.
It was the one Agase wore at the hospital.
With trembling hands, he took it. Staring at it, his voice quivered, "Where is he?"
Xei shook his head, "We engaged in another fight with his former team. He was heavily injured. He passed me the vial where he put your quantum light after the fight, his body dispersed."
Nephrite clutched the jacket tighter as he caught something in the things Xei said.
Xei, who was always indifferent, couldn't explain these feelings rising inside his chest as he continued to watch Nephrite.
Without thinking, Xei found his hand reaching out to hug the boy. But before he could do it, Xei retracted his hand.
A reluctance rose in his heart, like a coward moth who saw a fire. Attracted but did not dare feel its glowing light. Instead, he patted the other on the shoulder, silently cursing himself under his breath.
Xei thought of numerous ways to comfort him.
Nephrite spoke out of the blue, "Master Xei, I apologize, but could you leave me alone for now?"
He hesitantly moved his hands away, "Use the intercom if you need me. I’m just at my office."
Once Xei left, Nephrite took a deep breath to calm himself before he stood up. He put down the jacket on his bed and then headed straight to the bathroom.
He must clear his muddled thoughts and think over his situation. Even if he wanted to cry his heart out, he couldn’t yet.
There were lots of things he needed to decide on. He was already aware that he wouldn't be able to return to his real body for the time being. About returning to it in the future, only time will tell.
He also needed to know about the organization that targeted him. Besides, the possibility that other organizations might target him can't be ignored.
He also wanted to know the truth behind Agase.
He heard those professors while checking on him earlier. Soul hunters can use his Q-light as a valuable material to make tools for restricted worlds. In other words, those organizations were unlikely to let him go easily.
He pushed the bathroom door open, revealing simple yet high-end bathroom technology. Starting from an infrared tap system, warmer drawers, an LCD-operated shower, and probably even the bathtub. For someone who loves tech stuff, it took Nephrite's attention away from his worries a bit.
He undressed and took a full look at his new body in the mirror. Technically, he had been reborn. For now, he must think of ways to protect himself and survive. Agase protected him with his life so he will never waste it.
As for everyone in this place, Nephrite still needed to observe these people. He had to be vigilant.
But for some reason, Nephrite could feel like he could somehow lower his guard around Xei.
“Or maybe, I already did,” Nephrite whispered to himself.
For some reason, Xei’s presence made Nephrite relax his vigilance. The other man gave him a feeling of familiarity that he could not explain.
Maybe it was weird for other people to trust in this kind of situation, but not Nephrite.
Though he did show reluctance at first, who would not after seeing bodies inside a capsule(cryonics)? After the initial shock, however, his mind cleared up. He was still unsure whether everyone in this place was truly trustworthy, but Nephrite had long known that ‘everyone is their own person’. One chooses your own path. Others’ mistakes can not be blamed on another person. You might be fooled by one, but that does not mean the next one will do the same.
Nephrite’s own family was not good to him, but other people treated him well. Agase and his mother treated him well. Whatever happened back at the hospital, this one truth will never change.
Nephrite sighed. For now, he should cooperate with them while investigating on his own.
With that decision in mind, he went under the shower and let the water wash away his concerns.
______
The Core Notes:
Current Characters:
Nephrite - Main Character
Xei - Master of the Memory Bank, saved Xei after Reaper's attack to take his Q-Light.
Agase - Nephrite’s friend, a member of the Reapers, and a Soul Hunter. Leader of the unit who was assigned to take Nephrite’s Q-Light.
Zireon - Xei’s assistant.
- Writer
