Kain struggled to answer as he felt the overbearing presence of whatever was before him. He answered internally:
-Of course…who the fuck wouldn't? (Kain)
-THEN OPEN YOUR EYES! (unknown voice)
-What fucking eyes??I have no eyes! (Kain)
-HOW ELSE DO YOU SEE THAT WHICH IS BEFORE YOU? (unknown voice)
Kain was about to let loose another string of curses internally for the riddles, but then realized what the voice meant. He used his radiation detection ability and what appeared before him was a bright green sun. Next to the green sun was a flickering blue orb that was not even a tenth of the size of the green sun.
-TAKE FROM THE GREEN LIGHT! (unknown voice)
Kain didn't need a second reminder, but he could barely move his only remaining arm. He slowly pointed his index finger toward the green sun. Slowly, inch by inch, the finger finally came into contact. A stream of power flowed into him as Kain gasped in pleasure. Soon, he felt like he was at his body's capacity to absorb and he was forced to drop his finger. When he finally broke contact, the green sun stayed the same size, as if what he took was not even a drop in the bucket.
Before he could ascertain which power he received, he felt his severed arm slowly growing back, broken bones fusing together, new teeth pushing through his gums, his cheekbone re-aligning, and his torn skin sewing back shut. Finally, he felt something fill his eye sockets and then turn solid. After a few more seconds, blackness was replaced with gradually brightening light, until Kain was able to see a moonlit scene before him.
Kain rejoiced in his heart when he found he could see once again. What first came into his vision as it cleared up, was a hulking figure kneeling on one knee in front of him. Even with the figure kneeling, it would have towered over a standing Barton in his transformed state. It must have been this figure that he had absorbed from.
The figure had a tail with gruesome spikes and rows of teeth that shined in the moonlight. The reptilian face seemed to be stuck in a perpetual smile.
Of course, when Kain finally processed what he was seeing before him, the first thing that crossed his mind was 'fuck'. The second thing was 'shit'. Finally, the third thing was 'why am I not dead already'.
The stunned Kain finally saw that the kneeling figure was carrying another body in its arms. When the juggernaut noticed that Kain had recovered, it proceeded to offer up the body in its arms to Kain. The thing even bowed its head down as it offered the body, like a worshiper providing a sacrifice.
Kain was frozen and was just stupidly staring at the situation, not knowing what to do. He didn't want to move at all because he feared any movement on his part would piss off the juggernaut.
-TAKE! (unknown voice)
The voice in his mind shook Kain out of his confusion. He raised a finger again and placed it on the forehead of the seemingly dead body. This time there was no stream that came in, but rather a blue ball that quickly travelled to Kain's head before disappearing inside.
He opened his eyes and saw that the body had simply disappeared. Just as he was about to question the internal voice…a miniature blue figure appeared on his shoulder.
-My boy! You have finally freed me from my insanity! (unknown)
-What…the fuck? (Kain)
-Do you recognize this then? My boy, my toy….or merry to me, merry to me? (unknown)
-It's you! (Kain)
Kain promptly tried to poke the figure with his finger, but his finger phased right through the figure. It seemed totally unaffected as if it were a ghost.
-My name is Mexxle, and I am a remnant of Will. Before you go ahead and ask me a million questions, isn't there something more important you have to do right now? (Mexxle)
Confused, he looked around before slapping his forehead and yelling, "Shit!"
He ran over and brought Barton and Desmond closer together as he tried to apply first aid. However, he realized they were barely breathing and their pulse was getting weaker and weaker.
-You will never save them that way. You should really consider how you were saved, as you were worse off than them. (Mexxle)
Kain's face lit up as he hurried over to Barton and forced the regeneration power he just received into his body. The pain on Barton's face eased as his wounds started to heal. Kain rushed to Desmond, but then had no clue what to do since he no longer had the regeneration ability?
-I am totally going to end up as your babysitter, aren't I? *Sigh* Go and draw the power again from Daemaus and after you transfer it to your friend, you can gather one last portion for yourself. (Mexxle)
Kain looked at the terrifying figure before asking:
-It won't get pissed, right? (Kain)
-No, you can't even draw a fraction of its power with your current abilities. Daemaus was insane before, on account of me being insane. However, that is no longer the case. He will follow you loyally from now on. (Mexxle)
Kain promptly absorbed the power of Daemaus and transferred it to Desmond. Desmond also visibly healed. Even Desmond's old wounds started to heal. His azurite arm got pushed out as a new limb started to grow in. The old scar on his neck faded away as well.
Watching the sleeping figures of Barton and Desmond, Kain finally sighed in relief. They would wake up any minute now. Before then, he had to get some answers.
After absorbing one last time from Daemaus and gaining the regeneration ability, he turned to Mexxle.
-Who or what are you? Why would the juggernaut…I mean Daemaus, follow me loyally? (Kain)
-I am considered a remnant of Will and I traveled along with the radiation wave. Daemaus is not a remnant of Will like me, but he serves me. Since I am now a part of you, he will serve you. Unfortunately, I became corrupted traveling with the wave and I became insane. It is only when you absorbed me, that I regained my clarity. (Mexxle)
-Wait, why would you no longer be insane when I absorbed you? It doesn't make sense. (Kain)
-You are not yet ready for the answer to that question. I suspect I have to guide you slowly before such things are revealed. (Mexxle)
-Why would you guide me? (Kain)
-You are destined to be a king, for only you will be able to awaken other remnants of Will. I have awakened to serve you as the first of many. It is my duty to pave the path that lies before you. (Mexxle)
Kain was stunned and confused at the same time. I'm destined to be a king? He shook his head and continued his questioning.
-What does it mean to be a remnant of Will? How are you different from when I absorb any other monster? (Kain)
-When your cells reach the highest level of mutation, a group of cells can form a separate will. A person can then eject them from their body and they will become a separate entity from the host body. You probably didn't know this, but even the most basic level of cell mutation will cause a person to have a difficult time reproducing in the normal way. Creating a remnant of Will offers an individual an alternative to creating 'offspring'. (Mexxle)
-Are you a baby then? (Kain)
-From the moment of our existence, we are self-aware and inherit the store of knowledge within the cells themselves. We are never as weak as offspring created in the normal way. When you absorb other monsters, you take their powers and mutate your own cells. On the other hand, a remnant of Will is like a separate entity living inside you and retain their original power. (Mexxle)
-What level of cell mutation have I reached? (Kain)
-My boy, you haven't even reached the most basic level of cellular mutation. You still have a long path ahead of you, but now that I am with you, many things will be revealed. Let's continue the conversation another time, as I do believe one of your friends is about to wake up. (Mexxle)
Barton started to groan and seemed on the verge of waking up.
-Aren't you going to disappear now? (Kain)
-Don't worry, only you can see me. (Mexxle)
-By the way, how come you were shouting at me when you first arrived? (Kain)
-That wasn't me, it was probably Daemaus. (Mexxle)
-Ah, shit…I was kind of hopping it was you. I think I cursed out a few times. (Kain)
-Does that mean it is fine to curse at me, but not at Daemaus? (Mexxle)
-Umm, well he is a hulking, scary looking guy while you are…kind of a midget. (Kain)
-… (Mexxle)