When Jevette said he'd be evaluated the next day he wasn't kidding. Nearly a week had gone by, Curore had been poked and prodded to no end. Samples of blood, spinal fluid, skin, marrow, sperm, not to mention tissue samples of all his internal organs. Every inch of him had been carefully collected, examined, and categorized.
Even worse Caliguay had overseen and handled each specimen personally, meaning Curore had to endure his icy demeanor. He'd also had to retake a number of cognitive tests, which he found increasingly difficult as the voice in his head had started to erode his every waking moment
At first he'd been given sedatives to combat the restlessness this had caused, but Caliguay had soon put a stop to them. The lack of sleep had started to affect his body, which grew weakend and slow, as well as his mind which he found difficult to focus. Caliguay had carefully studied and recorded this decline.
Javier, who was now responsible for Curore's health had protested much of Caliguay's tests. But Caliguay outranked him, and had the ear of Jevette. All Javier could do was ensure Curore was clean and comfortable during this process.
The two Crajacks stood before Jevette in his office. A stack of papers before him, the official results of Caliguay's audit. *Give me the highlights find anything out of the ordinary?* *Officially* started Caliguay his dark brooding face giving nothing away. *I was able to confirm most of Pjerro's reports.*
*Most?* He questioned *There was a small discrepancy.* Caliguay approached his father, flipped his document to the page for Jevette to inspect. *Curore's absence from society could explain this, it's been awhile since he's been tested.* *But you don't think so...* Jevette replied
*I tested his mental capabilities, as expected they were unimpressive.* *And?* Jevette questioned a little irritated. *Unimpressive, but registering. In Pjerro's report they're non-existent.* He pointed to some charts on the paper. *There's no reason he should not be able to use thought speak, the most basic form of telepathy. So I did a little experiment.*
Caliguay flipped some pages to show Jevette something else. Javier tried to make it out from his section of the room. *We stopped treating his fatigue, letting the mind sickness take full effect.* Jevette carefully read the report. *Are you sure this is the same bantling?* His voice had a dangerous edge. *I tested him three times myself.* Caliguay replied
*Javier, ready the bantling, he'll be joining me at Pjerro's visitation.* *Yes Sire* Javier responded, exiting the room with only a fraction of hesitation. What was in that report of Caliguay's, that could spurn their father to action so quickly.
Now just the two of them, they could speak freely. *I haven't seen levels like these since Pjre.* Jevette remarked. *I was very thorough in my audit father, I am nearly certain Pjre and Sorenelle are his parents.* *Nearly?* Caliguay shuffled through some more papers in the file.
*Some of the sequencing in his DNA appears to be edited, I've highlighted the unusual areas. It's possible these abnormalities are naturally occurring. Given he is the only child of a Phajnoir and Pyxan I have nothing to compare it to.*
Jevette carefully studied the sequencing, Curore had suddenly become a mystery, like all mysteries he could not rest until it was solved. *You have suspicions about your brother, what are they?*
*Like you father I care only about the facts. The facts in this case are that in Curore's initial evaluation his intelligence, fortitude, constitution, and strength ranked lower than that of his half brother Oshenelle, who is full Pyxan. With these stats he should have been labeled a moron, slated for menial labor or disposed of. Instead he was carted off to a lodge in the wilderness.*
Jevette considered his words, *Have you brought about the Luecerrns yet?* He asked changing the subject. *My soldiers have tracked them down, but the animals are unwilling to come in.* *Bring them in tomorrow, or I'll find someone who can* *Yes father*
With the conversation over, Caliguay exited the office and the palace. Dropping to all fours he raced off into the distance, taking nothing with him for speed was everything. He would not disappoint his father. If Pjerro were not soon made well, his father would have to announce a new Crown Prince.
Back in his office Jevette combed through the audit. Making notes for later. Things would be much easier if Pjerro was healthy and he had a luecerrn to interrogate, but neither of those things were possible. At least he had Javier doing Pjerro's work these days. He didn't want to think about what would happen if Pjerro didn't pull through, so he busied himself with other work.
~
Javier and been sent to ready Curore, since the lad was suffering from lack of sleep he injected him with a quick acting sedative. He'd let him sleep a few hours then wake him up with an amphetamine. It wasn't ideal, but he needed the bantling able to focus during the interrogation.
Waking Curore he had the servants dress and brush every inch of him. He needed to be spotless if he was to be presented to Jevette. Javier, who had been temporarily allowed to replace Pjerro was hoping, if he did a better job than his brother, would get the position permanently.
He sat Curore in interrogation, the bantling was confused but waited patiently. Jevette stood in the corner observing the bantling. Pjerro looked terrible, as the guards brought him in Curore jumped up in a start, Javier put a powerful hand on his shoulder bidding him sit back down.
Pjerro had not eaten anything since incarceration. His usual bright glowing eyes had dimmed, flickering as he struggled to focus. His fur all patchy, thinning, he looked aged, nearly identical to his father who was hundreds of years his senior. "What's wrong with him?" Curore asked, he was too shocked to notice but the pounding voice had finally left him.
*He is possessed, by the demon En Domas, how is your head?* Jevette asked "It's fine" he said surprised Jevette nodded *I think he was reaching out to you. To use telepathy over long distances individuals must be bound together. If that's the case you should be able to reach him.*
The guards sat Pjerro down across from Curore. *I have not allowed any to enter his mind for fear of what may still be dwelling there. Will you enter?* Curore stared at the decrepit male before him "I will," he finally said "what if I'm not strong enough, do you think Pjerro will let me in?" *There's only one way to find out.*
Curore looked at Pjerro and his heart hurt for him. This great male had been the only family he'd known. If the connection could made would he really be able to help him? Curore held out a hand. Pjerro sniffed it curiously, then in a flash gripped it tightly boring into him with those faded eyes.
Those were the last thing he saw as he descended into darkness "Pjerro!" Curore called, nothing, a dull ache in his hand, must be from Pjerro's iron grip. He squeezed his eyes shut as he struggled to clear his thoughts and center his energy. He used the pain of Pjerro's grasp as a medium to visualize they're psychic connection. *Pjerro* He repeated over and over, pausing for response. He nearly missed it at first, a stirring in his mind, followed by a dim and weak light. A soft light, just a speck, Pjerro's consciousness. It was whispering something, whispering Sister.
Sister, Pjerro didn't have a sister, who's sister? *Who are you?* Another consciousness in the dark, how can this be? Unlike Pjerro this was a powerful mind, it was attempting to probe him. *Who are you?* The mind wanted to know.
*Pjerro's ward, our cousin?* The mind wanted to know. *Pjerro's cousin* Curore corrected. *Pjerro and I are one, one mind, one consciousness brother, sister.* The voice was strange, not like a voice at all but his own thoughts. Like he was speaking to himself. *Pjerro doesn't have a Sister, who are you really?* *Didn't have a sister, but he does now.* Curore's instincts were to challenge her claim, but little was known of the Sherean, many still believed them to be fictional. She could be speaking truth.
*What have you done to him?* Again he could feel her trying to influence him, feelings that were not his own, but felt like they could be. *Stay out of my mind!* he was adamant he didn't want her there, couldn't let her influence him. *What is your name cousin?* The mind wanted to know *What is your name?* He replied harshly.
*I have no name, I am called Sister, Daughter, your name cousin?* "You ought to be called Serine.* he scoffed. *Serine?* She paused a moment *Someone greedy, who devours all in their path, that's not me.* *Why are you trying to snuff out Pjerro's mind then?* Silence.... was she gone. *Hello? Serine?* he called for her.
*I'm not a serine.* She replied. *Explain yourself then.* He demanded *Father said I needed too, Pjerro will kill me one day.* *Father? You mean En Domas?* Curore asked. *That's not his name.* Serine snapped back. *What is his name?* Curore queried
Silence.... *Serine, stop hiding from me.* He called again. *Tell me yours first, then I will tell you his.* She finally answered. *I don't care to know that bad.* he responded *Tell me how does he know Pjerro will kill you?* *He saw it, my Father sees everything.* She answered *How do you know he's telling you the truth?*
Silence again.... *Serine how do you know he's telling you the truth? Did you probe his mind?* *No, I'm afraid to go there* *So you have no idea if he's telling you the truth, and you decided to snuff out your Brother anyways? Have you probed Pjerro's mind?* He asked accusingly
*Yes.* *What did you find?* *He loves me.* *You are going to snuff out that love for En Domas, En Domas whom you fear?* *No* she was becoming defensive *I couldn't, father said I must be he doesn't understand.* *Understand what?*
He could almost sense a complicated emotion. He was already pushing himself much harder than he had ever before, he was right on the cusp of completing the connection. *Pjerro and I, we're one, killing him would mean killing myself. I've merely imprisoned his mind.*
*His body is failing, you must set him free.* *I can't do that, Father, would be upset. His body won't fail, it'll soon go into hibernation.* *You don't know that..* she cut him off *You don't know anything so stop pretending like you do.* It was like being shocked, she'd hit him with some sort of psionic wave, he felt extreme pain penetrate his mind. Made him dizzy and nauseous he had to recenter himself. He had to be careful not to anger her again, this time he reached out softly.
*Pjerro and you share a bond, it's unique, and powerful. Instead of destroying that you should embrace it. He's apart of you, you're apart of him, read his mind if you don't believe me. You have his memories I presume.*Silence, was she gone or did he lose the connection.
*Cousin?* This time he used the moniker she preferred. *Please,* he asked again*he's the only family I've ever known.* *Okay Cousin, I'll release him, but you have to do something in return for me.* *What do you want?* He asked, curiosity edging in. *Save me.* She said
*Save you from En Domas?* He asked, trying to figure out what she meant. *From everyone, even Pjerro should he come for me.* He suddenly recalled the unrelenting voice calling to him unend. *It was you wasn't it, you called to me.* He accused *If you promise to save me I'll help you gain the Phajnoir throne and set Pjerro free.*
The Phajnoir throne? He'd never even been to Phajnoir, and certainly wasn't being considered for the position. *If I help put you in power, you must use your authority to save me.* She continued
*I don't understand, who is out to get you?* *You don't understand yet.* She replied *You will... you will see one day, everyone is out to get me.*
It was quite a promise she wanted him to make. Not something he was certain he could fullfil. *Let Pjerro free ad a sign of good will, then if, and only if I aquire a position of authority on any planet. I will use all my power to protect you, that's a promise.*
*Beware of Pjerro, En Domas can still access his mind through me, I will not be able to stop him.* She said, but her voice had grown dimmer, softer. *You may return, another time, I'll be hearing from you.*
He gasped as he opened his eyes, the room rushing back to him, a throbbing pain in the hand Pjerro had previously held. The light in Pjerro's eyes had turned on, Jevette was staring at them intently. "Are you alright?" Jevette was speaking to him.
Jevette was speaking to him? He never spoke *Ahh* he tried to cry out, more pain, in his chest, he was struggling to breathe. Javier rubbed his back "It's okay now, breathe, slowly." His heart was racing, he took small short breaths, the pain in his chest growing. He became scared as his heart beat erratically. "In and out, slowly in and out." Pjerro coached, Curore struggled at first but slowly his heart calmed down as he caught his breath.
"Are you alright Cousin, she let you go?" Curore asked. "All thanks to you, it was very dangerous what you did, she could have killed you you know?" But why was everyone speaking to him instead of using telepathy? Jevette read his mind.
"You went through quite the ordeal, stretched muscles you've never used before. Accessed abilities beyond your capacity, we'll all talk for now to give your mind a rest. Anymore stress it could start to shut down." Curore nodded in understanding.
"I don't know why she didn't, crush me that is, considering how I goaded her on." "She gave you quite the shock, you should be monitored the next few days for brain damage." "Don't worry, I'll take care of him." Javier answered sharply.
They stared at each other for a moment, frozen until an evil scowl crawled along Pjerro's face, "So she let you out, my, my, your connection must be stronger than I had anticipated." At first they were all confused, then it dawned on them. En Domas had once again possessed Pjerro.
Curore looked wide eyed up at Jevette, Jevette directed his attentions to Pjerro. Javier, who was standing over Curore was slowly reaching for his weapon. Laughter from Pjerro "Still, I have yet to play all my cards, I will separate the two of you. When I do, we will destroy the universe, starting with Crajack." He laughed again, aiming his fierce gaze at the King "Jevette I look forward to seeing you soon!"
Silence, Pjerro deflated in his seat as his head rolled down chin to chest. Everyone waited watching him when finally, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes. "You heard that correct?" They nodded, "En Domas is building an army," Pjerro said "we're next on his list." "Take him away." Jevette said to the guards sorrowfully, avoiding eye contact with his son, ignoring his words. Pjerro, his favorite, it hurt him to no end having to reject him this way.
Pjerro said nothing, he didn't cry out or beg. He understood, he was a pariah, possessed, he could not be trusted. He went willingly, and somehow, it hurt Jevette all the more. Javier still had his hand on Curore's shoulder. A look passed between the two, Pjerro and Curore. Curore had just risked his life for Pjerro, they hadn't got any time together. Pjerro wanted him to stay quiet.
Once he was gone, the room somehow seemed small and cramped. Javier pulled Curore up. He found it surprisingly difficult, his body was heavy like lead, it was as though his limbs were not his own. Javier checked his pulse, scowled, pulled out a small light to better inspect Curore's eyes. Before glancing back at Jevette. They were talking about him, but what were they saying Curore thought to himself.
Suddenly his vision clouded, everything went dark.