For three days, Lucius had been treated at the headquarters of the Director, Kara, and Nathan. His body ached, his mind clouded with memories of the brutal encounter with Tazer. He barely spoke to anyone as he recovered, the bruises on his skin a reminder of his Alter fragility and the raw, overwhelming power of Tazer. Despite their efforts, he felt like an outsider in this unfamiliar place.
On the morning of the third day, Lucius awoke in a modest room, sunlight streaming in through the small window. He stretched gingerly, testing his body's limits, and decided to explore. Something about this place felt off to him—he needed answers, and he wasn't going to get them lying in bed.
As he wandered through the corridors, Lucius noted how clinical yet advanced everything looked. The walls were a blend of sterile white and sleek metal panels, humming faintly with unseen machinery. Personnel in uniforms passed by him, some nodding politely, others whispering when they thought he wasn't listening. But what caught his attention most were the countless doors he walked past, each with no labels, each hiding something unknown.
One particular door at the end of a corridor was slightly ajar, light spilling out into the otherwise dim hallway. Lucius approached cautiously and peeked inside. The room was brightly lit, filled with shelves of toys and books. In the center of the room, a boy sat cross-legged on the floor, playing with a small toy airplane.
The boy appeared no older than six, his dark hair tousled and his small frame dwarfed by the oversized chair behind him. His expression was focused as he moved the plane through the air, mimicking the sounds of an engine. Lucius hesitated before stepping inside.
"Hey," Lucius said softly, unsure how to approach.
The boy paused and turned to look at him. His dark eyes held an odd, unchildlike intensity, a mixture of innocence and something far more complex. "Hello," the boy replied, his voice calm and measured, not at all what Lucius expected.
Lucius took a few cautious steps closer, crouching to the boy's level. "What's your name?" he asked, trying to sound friendly.
The boy tilted his head, as if considering the question deeply. "Well, our name is Adam... Tyler... no, I don't know my name yet."
Lucius blinked, confused. "Our name? What do you mean by 'our'?"
The boy smiled faintly, his small hands setting the toy plane aside. "I'm not sure yet.
Lucius felt a chill run down his spine. Something about the boy's words unsettled him, but before he could ask anything further, the boy spoke again.
"In a room full of darkness," the boy began, his voice taking on a hauntingly profound tone, "your will is to find the light. In a room full of light, you should beware of the shadows creeping in the corners. But what do you find when light and darkness balance the room?"
Lucius stared at him, his mind racing to decipher the meaning. "What do you mean? What's in the balance?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper.
Lucius felt a shiver run down his spine. The boy's words struck something deep within him, though he couldn't fully understand why. "What are you trying to say?" Lucius asked, his voice trembling slightly.
The boy leaned back, picking up his toy plane again as if the conversation had never happened. "You'll figure it out," he said with a small smile, his tone now cheerful and innocent again. "Eventually."
Lucius stood there for a moment, his mind spinning with questions. Who was this boy? Why did he speak as if he knew something about Lucius's struggles? And why did his words feel so eerily relevant to what Lucius was facing?
Before Lucius could ask more, Kara appeared at the doorway. "Lucius," she called, her voice cutting through his thoughts. "The Director wants to see you."
Lucius glanced back at the boy, who was now engrossed in his toy once more. He hesitated, wanting to press further, but the boy seemed oblivious to him now. Reluctantly, he turned and followed Kara out of the room, the boy's cryptic words echoing in his mind.
As they walked down the corridor, Lucius couldn't shake the feeling that the boy's message was more than just a riddle—it was a warning.
Lucias sat in a sleek, minimalistic room, across from Kara and the Director. The silence stretched between them as Lucias shifted uncomfortably, his bruises still fresh from the encounter with Tazer. Finally, the Director spoke, his tone calm but firm.
"Lucias," he began, leaning forward, "we've been keeping you here for a reason."
Lucias raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. "Yeah, I figured. Care to explain why?"
The Director glanced at Kara, who nodded subtly before he continued. "We're part of an organization called Stargent. Our mission is to study and respond to extraordinary phenomena that occur around the world—phenomena that defy explanation. People like you, Nathan, and... Tazer are part of that mission."
Lucias leaned back, his expression skeptical. "So, what? You're some kind of secret agency?"
"Something like that," Kara said, her voice gentler. "But we're not just here to monitor. We aim to understand and, if possible, help those affected by these... anomalies."
Lucias narrowed his eyes. "And that includes me?"
"Yes," the Director replied. "Your case is... unique. Your Alter isn't like most others we've encountered. Usually, there's a clear dominance—a host and a subordinate Alter. But you and your Alter coexist in a volatile equilibrium. It's dangerous, unpredictable."
Lucias frowned. "So, you've been keeping me under surveillance. Is that why you dragged me here after Tazer nearly killed me?"
Kara leaned forward, her expression earnest. "It's not just about surveillance, Lucias. It's about keeping you safe—and keeping others safe from you, if it comes to that."
Lucias scoffed, but before he could retort, the Director interjected. "You're not the first case we've dealt with, Lucias. Nathan is another example."
At the mention of Nathan, Lucias's curiosity was piqued. "Nathan? What's his story?"
The Director exchanged a glance with Kara before continuing. "Nathan was... different from the start. His Alter was unusually aggressive, but instead of remaining separate, Nathan achieved something remarkable. He merged with his Alter completely. They became one, creating what we call a Complete Form."
Kara added, "It took years of training, sacrifice, and pain. Nathan's role in Stargent is vital—he's our front line, our strongest operative."
Lucias mulled this over, a hint of respect for Nathan creeping into his thoughts. "And what about you two? What's your role in all of this?"
Kara smiled faintly. "I'm a field researcher and operative. My job is to gather data, analyze cases, and provide support during missions."
The Director folded his hands. "And I lead this operation. I coordinate efforts, allocate resources, and ensure the safety of everyone involved."
Lucias tilted his head. "Sounds like you've got it all figured out. But what about Tazer? Who the hell is he?"
At the mention of Tazer, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Kara and the Director exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions darkening. Finally, the Director sighed. "That's the part that doesn't make sense."
Kara continued, her voice quiet. "We've been researching Tazer's case for the past few days, trying to understand him. But the data... it's horrifying."
The Director's gaze locked onto Lucias. "Tazer's Alter didn't just dominate his host. It consumed him—completely. The host is gone, dead. Tazer is his Alter, fully in control of the body."
Lucias's eyes widened as he pieced it together. "So... you're saying—"
"Yes," the Director interrupted grimly. "Tazer is the first known case of an Alter completely killing its host and taking over. He's no longer a split personality. He is the personality."
Kara pulled up a screen on a nearby console, displaying a dossier. "His real name was Liam Cavanaugh," she said. "A military operative who disappeared six years ago during a classified mission. When he reappeared, he wasn't the same. His entire squad was dead, and his file was buried by higher-ups."
Lucias stared at the image of a younger Tazer—Liam—on the screen. "So, he's a soldier?"
"He was," the Director clarified. "But now, he's something far worse. We believe Tazer's goal is to destroy or consume other Alters to strengthen himself."
Kara leaned closer to Lucias, her tone urgent. "That's why we need your help. You've encountered him, survived him. The only way to defeat an Alter is other Alter ."
Lucias's jaw tightened as he processed everything. Finally, he stood, his expression unreadable. "Let me go home."
Kara's eyes widened. "Wait, Lucias—"
The Director raised a hand, stopping her. "Let him be."
Lucias walked out of the room without another word, his mind swirling with confusion and anger. As he disappeared down the hallway, Nathan entered, his expression curious. "What was that about?"
Kara sighed, rubbing her temples. "Lucias…"
The Director shook his head. "He'll come around. He just needs time."
But deep down, both Kara and the Director knew time was a luxury they might not have.