Chapter 7 - Travel

He would dismiss her sordid and down right peculiar acts for now; lest her other considerate acts be taken for granted by him. He placed the journal to the side, and went to pick up the clothes. As he touched the clothes, the clothes turned into a viscous substance that grabbed at his skin climbing his arm. He stood in wonder as the substance turned into a dull black armor covering all below his neck. The black armor formed silver pauldrons and a black long long coat that draped to his knees. The material on his feet became tall stylish boots that fit perfectly without chafing. Silver arrogant serpents transitioned into seven elegant buckles adorning the lateral sides of the boots. As he took a breath, the armor gave in to his breathing.

The armor felt as it was his second skin, comfortable and flexible but still firm to the touch. It gave a mix of a leather and metal feel, despite however contradicting that may sound. The gloves turned into ornamental looking as grooves and engravings of mystical figures seemed to elucidate what he assumed to be a great folklore story. Getting another look at the gloves, he could see tiny octagonal scales spreading across in a mosaic style. This pattern remained true throughout the entire suit.

He could say nothing other than the fact that this was truly astonishing. Had it really been only 11 years that he was experimented on, or had technology evolved this much in such a small time frame. Had he not been in such a circumstance, he would have loved to see the technology behind this place. When he glanced at the Oxana, he saw an equally meticulous sheath style orchid dress with many elegant lines and swirls. It matched her figure well and didn't inhibit movement. He coughed tucking the journal into his black jacket and asked ," Would you mind, informing me over the general details that count for everyday information?".

Oxana began walking around the pool and towards the forest while he followed behind. After a bit of silence she began by iterating, " This planet is called Astrusparelex with coordinates 346:-286 of sector B7 in the Zimporian horseshoe galaxy. Our home resides in the Gjortrarol solar system, and is one of five planets; one of two not tidally locked. Compared to your planet of origin, our storms are magnitudes more fierce and deadly. The storm you experienced earlier, was considered only a common weekly grade 2 scatter magnetic storm where it rained rocks roughly the size of my fist. In perspective, a grade 4 storm of the same type would rain meteors the same size in diameter as the width of two of the large golden trees in the forest you probably traveled through, but is typically only seen once every ten lerpa or 32 solar cycles of your origin planet. .....",

She spoke for around half an hour about various political powers, countries, and hazards, before covering the Ohknako civilization she was apart of. When he and Oxana had arrived before a carrier vehicle, she had disclosed that she was the third princess of an autocracy with a shadow puppet king whom has not been seen publicly in 4 lerpa. 4 factions were fighting for political power on the surface, however her faction maintained in control of this rigged selection for dominance over the seat of power. When they both entered the vehicle, the mood became more serious. They found their elegant seats and sat before the 'Teloril wagon' which he had found out was the name of the vehicle levitated and took off.

"Now for the important details of why we need you...you are one of 17 successful test subjects of de novo group, each specimen is special for a different reason, you even more so. You were the first and longest experiment, but also the most extensive. From our information you could have been in captivity for longer 40 lerpa, but we are unsure as of yet how long it has been since then. You are quite frankly the weakest , however the most dangerous test subject due to the premise of your experiment. I don't know how far you gotten in the journal, but as you may have guessed that is the life line of your abilities. The researchers whom we have identified are the Khar space Corps, proposed the idea of an unstable genome of polymorphic identity that could be controlled by the consolidation of stimulus and voluntary action, and you...became that idea. We want you to become our.... our grim reaper as your tales put it"

"So you are proposing that I become the propaganda for your cause as a scare tactic. No... it seems you want me to hunt down the other 16 test subjects if it arises...it also seems you are tight lipped about telling the important parts...but that is understandable, you want to tie me down to the kingdom, but would be impossible without such incentives."Those words were only his surface thoughts he spoke about, but deep down he felt many suspicions.

Such an important vassal had visited him in person,why? She could have easily sent a subordinate to detain him before committing him to work. Some underlying scheme was afoot. 40 lerpa was a 126 lunar cycles, but he could have been experimented on for longer. The last question that slipped his mind was that it was understandable that the princess has an extensive information network, but how could so much information of the experiment be exposed? Then it dawned upon him, the princess must have a connection to the raid on the lab, otherwise how could the events have aligned so smoothly. This princess was just too much of an enigma. Alas, he needs more information to piece everything together. As he was about to ask another question of whether she could guarantee a sanctum for him, he felt a wave exhaustion before passing out.

He just dreamt of an abyss, that was just empty; absolutely nothing but darkness existed. He felt nothing, he was nothing. There was no pain, sorrow, joy, or fun, just nothing. No breeze, no smells, just the still dreary space. As he looked in this space he saw something he could not believe. Surely it was an illusion or some type of nightmare, for how could a book be living. A grotesque book with many eyes that seemed to stare at him. Was it him...it desired or was this a personification of the desire within him. Why did he think of those two questions by instinct. The book was pulsating and harrowing to look at. His mind was screaming in pain, in fear. Then without any noticeable trigger, the book had opened and charged at him with a set of maws. Three rows of sickly black teeth with yellow pasty saliva dripping down. He could feel the hunger, he could hear, and unfortunately see it.

He awoke with cold sweats, he was in the middle of a king sized tapestry bed with a naked Oxana on top of his chest. You have got to be kidding me he thought. He was a little groggy, but was able to remember up until his blackout. Oxana feeling him move and startle asked in a low voice" What is wrong darling". A few brief but heavy steps came towards the bedroom. Shouts behind the door become more audible. He saw Oxana smiling while holding onto to him more intimately."So this is your plan" he spoke with low volume and a hint of irony.