Reth stared into Azure's eyes, sending a shiver running through Azure's entire body. He swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile.
After what felt like an eternity, Reth finally gripped Azure's hand in a firm handshake. Azure felt a bit of relief, then examined Reth closely. He noticed black scales had fully covered its body, making it almost completely armoured. Its eye glowed red, and just looking into it felt like peering into an abyss. The creature had neither a tail nor horns.
"Do you remember anything?" Azure asked curiously, sitting on the ground in front of Reth.
Reth didn't reply. His gaze drifted past Azure, as if trying to focus on a memory. His face twisted to hatred and rage. His voice was choked and angry, "I… heard their voices. They spoke words I didn't understand—'device'… 'power'… 'experiment.' I felt something burning inside me." He placed his hand on his chest, where a faint glow pulsed beneath the scales.
Azure wanted to say something to calm Reth but didn't know what to say. He asked in a low voice, "Don't you remember anything else? Something about your past?"
"I… saw memories. But they're jumbled. Faces, voices, pain." Reth replied, his voice heavy.
"What do you remember?" Azure asked cautiously. "Anything… that might help us."
Reth closed his eyes and focused his mind, but all he could recall was the torture and experiments.
Reth's energy began to surge again, a faint tremor rippling through the air. He breathes heavily as the scales on his skin start to fade and melt away. His massive body transformed into that of a tall young man with pale skin and jet-black hair. His red eyes turned black, like the depths of night.
"Reth?" Azure whispered, his heart thudding loudly in his chest.
Reth stared at his hands, his face a mask of shock and fear. His voice softened slightly, "A hazy memory appeared before me… I was larger"
Vladimir and Lycarius froze in disbelief. Vladimir said in shock, "Ask him what that creature looked like in that memory!"
Azure asked curiously, "Can you describe the creature?"
Reth was inspecting his body as he replied, his voice faint and muddled, as if struggling to process his own words. "I was… bigger and taller. My body was serpentine. My scales were black, shiny like metal, covering me like armor. My eyes… they burned anyone who looked into them. There were thousands of corpses beneath me." He winced, pressing his forehead as pain creased his features. "But… I wasn't here. I wasn't trapped. I was free."
A cold shiver coursed through Azure, while Vladimir and Lycarius's expressions turned to horror and awe.
"Wait…" Vladimir muttered in Azure's mind, his voice filled with doubt and caution. "Black, shiny scales… red eyes… serpentine body… This reminds me of something. Something ancient, a creature from myths. But… I can't recall it clearly."
"Reth," Azure said cautiously, "that memory… do you remember anything else? About where you were? About… what you were?"
Reth shook his head slowly, pressing his forehead again as if the memory caused pain. "Everything… was hazy. I remember darkness, human voices, and endless pain." He looked at his human hands, his voice softening. "This body… feels odd. I feel… weaker, but at the same time… lighter."
"No need to worry. You're safe now, and your strength is returning…" Azure reassured him.
Reth fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Thank you…"
Azure smiled happily, "Don't worry, you'll be fine. I'll help you"
"Why?" Reth asked, his face filled with confusion as he stared at Azure like a lost child.
"Want the truth?" Azure asked seriously.
Reth nodded quickly. Azure laughed, looking at Reth, "I'm lost here too and don't know anything. I also lost my memories and only regained most of them an hour ago. Between you and me, I'm the reason this building's destroyed, but keep it a secret", he whispered the last part weakly.
Reth looked confused and began examining Azure again, staring intently, not believing him.
Azure frowned slowly, saying grimly, "What's with that look? Don't you believe me?"
Reth nodded silently. Azure rolled his eyes, laughing angrily, "I have a curse that seals my memories. I can only recall tiny details."
Reth frowned and nodded slowly, "I see. That explains why I feel a strange energy in you. I thought all humans were like that."
"No, I'm just unlucky… Anyway, you and I are on the same path. We have no one else with us or who understands us, so why not walk this path together? We can help each other. Especially since I have no combat power because I'm a healer," he said the last part in a sad voice.
Reth stood suddenly, smiling faintly, "Of course. I'll make sure to protect you." Azure chuckled lightly, standing too. He dusted off his clothes and suddenly remembered something important. He stared at Reth again, his face flushing red like a ripe tomato.
"We'll need to get you some clothes," he mumbled, averting his gaze in embarrassment.
Reth looked at his body and grew confused, "Do I need clothes like yours?"
Azure nodded, scanning around for any clothes. He activated augmented vision and spotted some in the lockers. He approached slowly and found them locked with a padlock. Eve, can you open the locker?
[It would be faster if master asked his new friend to break the lock,] Eve replied in a mechanical, emotionless tone.
Azure frowned. Eve, are you okay?
[Eve is fine. Thank you for master's concern,] she replied in the same mechanical tone.
Are you sure you're not angry? You can talk to me.
[Eve has no emotions to feel anger.]
I can see that. Azure sighed, shaking his head. He looked at Reth and called him over.
"There are clothes in this locker. I want you to—" Before Azure finished, Reth hit the locker. The hit was strong enough to break the locker. Azure stared at him, paused, "…Thanks."
He looked at the wreckage and sighed, crouching to pick up the clothes. He examined them closely, then looked at Reth, "These should fit for now."
He handed the clothes to Reth, telling him to wear what he liked. Stepping back, he scanned the room and noticed a mark on the floor via augmented vision.
He approached slowly and inspected the mark—a small, faint crack. For some reason, augmented vision showed significant energy readings beneath the floor. He hesitated, hand hovering over his pistol. With a deep breath, he raised the weapon and fired... A cloud of smoke billowed up, stinging his eyes. He waved it aside and looked at the result, frowning slowly.