CHAPTER 12
"Just how was this freak able to do that without an aether organ doc?"
"All our numerous diagnosis led to nothing concrete. Aether is a relatively new area of study for us so we have no way of knowing what substitute energy he used."
"What I can confidently say is that whatever he used took an immense toll on his body."
"Cut the crap. Even a kid could tell that by looking at him. You can just say you're as clueless as we all are."
"Can you get out. We have a procedure next"
"Oh so you're going to grow his aether heart"
"GET OUT!'
"Sigh, why so bitter doc. Its ok to be clueless sometimes. No one is going to blame you for lacking knowledge in a field where you're the supposed expert at."
"Guards!"
"Okay, okay.."
A bald middle aged man stood in a vast and spacious lab with gleaming white walls and rows of high-tech equipment lining the walls. The lighting was subdued and blue, with a soft glow emanating from the various machines and displays scattered throughout the room.
In the center of the lab, a patient lay on a pristine metal table, connected to a myriad of wires and tubes that snaked their way across his body. He appears to be only in his teens, lean and lanky, with pale skin and short, dark hair. His eyes are closed, and he appeared to be sleeping. This patient was Thorne.
Surrounding the table were several doctors, all dressed in white lab coats and sporting various pieces of equipment. They moved about the table with precision and efficiency, carefully adjusting the various machines and instruments that monitored the Thorne's vital signs.
At the head of the table stood the bald wrinkle faced man - the lead doctor. He was older than the others, with greying beard and a stern expression. He spoke with authority and confidence, commanding the attention of his colleagues as they initiated the procedure.
"Bring out the serum"
The serum was contained in a small, silver vial, which a subordinate retrieved from a nearby fridge. He carefully unscrewed the cap and drew all the clear liquid into a syringe. He then approached the patient, under the watchful hawk like eyes of the lead doctor, and selected a spot on Thorne's chest, just above the heart.
With practiced ease, he inserted the needle and slowly injected the serum into the Thorne's bloodstream. Everyone present drew breaths at the same time. They waited for a second....two...three, a minute. Nothing. There was absolutely no effect. Thorne continued laying there, unresponsive.
"Fetch another serum!"
The lead- doctor instructed immediately. Another serum was brought out aand the process was carried out again,
No reaction from the patient!
"Fetch another."
No response!
"Another"
...
The eleventh dosage was the final turning point. Almost immediately, Thorne's body begun to convulse, his limbs flailing wildly as the serum took effect.
The doctors worked quickly to stabilize him, administering various medications and adjusting the machines to compensate for the sudden surge of energy coursing through his body. Slowly but surely, the Thorne's movements become more controlled, and he appeared to calm down.
Next to his heart in his chest, a small, glowing mass of energy appeared. Over time, it grew and slowly structured itself into a miniature replica of Thorne's heart. A golden miniature replica.
As time went by, the aether heart grew and expanded, it begun to form a network of aether veins that extended throughout the body. They would transport aether to all parts of the body, enabling the Thorne to tap into its power.
Over the next few hours, the he underwent a remarkable transformation. His body begun to grow and expand, muscles bulging and rippling under his skin as he gained strength and power. His skin took on a golden sheen, and his eyes finally opened to reveal a pupil-less, fiery, otherworldly glow.
Ba-Dump! Ba-Dump!
In his chest, a translucent crystal heart was beating, mimicking the original next to it
*************************
In a dark office, a fairly large man stood behind a large desk staring out of the glass windows. The nightlights from the city reflected his calm serene gaze. Behind him stood a mature lady in glasses holding a number of files and making a report.
"He ended his own life sir, but not without yelling 'successful sabotage' a number of times"
A cold gleam flashed through the man's eyes as he heard this. He said nothing however, allowing the woman to continue, her crisp voice echoing off the walls.
"The other leaders have been rounded up, and the boy, Agnus was sent to the same facility as the others."
Here, the man suddenly asked, "How did they react to his presence?"
His voice was deep and gentle. The lady found it odd how he could remain this calm when the world was crumbling around him. Out of the two major cities that were attacked, one held his entire family and they all died as a result of the attack. All of them; his wife, children, parents, everyone. He really had no one left.
Yet he returned to work today. He wasn't fuming angrily, he wasn't sobbing uncontrollably, he was just calm and quiet as usual.
How unusual!
She sighed deeply and answered. "The others seemed averse to his presence but lady Elizabeth calmed them down. She is the only one who doesn't treat him indifferently.
"That good." He nodded. "She's going to be their leader after all. Her attitude sets me at ease."
'If I may ask sir", the lady sounded genuinely confused, "Why do you insist on finding and bringing them together?"
The man's actions a few days ago had confused many. He had insisted on finding everyone on the leaderboard in Nexus and bringing them together. No one knew how he convinced the other families to let go of their prized treasures but he had successfully done so.
The man turned to smile at her but didn't answer. Rather, he asked of a certain youth also on the leaderboard who had done the impossible a few days ago.
"According to doctor Newman, he has successfully formed his aether heart." The lady responded, flipping through some files.
"The process however required eleven serums." Her voice rose slightly at the end out of surprise.
Eleven serums! Outrageous!
Half a serum was enough for any normal person to form an aether heart. Even geniuses like Elizabeth only required three. How did this guy end up using eleven? Why didn't he blow up?
As for the man, whether he was surprised or not, he didn't show. He merely nodded and instructed the lady.
"He should be made to enter the game as soon as possible. There have been some new development and he might be left out."
Moments later, the lady walked out of the office and hurried away. On the door she just closed, a plaque read,
'The President'
Yes, this was the leader of the single government.
This was the president of the entire world.
Literally.