The Second Memory (2)

He was in a desolate room every time the woman finished experimenting with him. To be honest, he was used to it already.

It was as if his mind numbed the pain he felt. After being subjected to so many death situations, he wasn't been scared of death anymore.

Even after they found out that dipping him in acid and extreme burning would kill him, they didn't do it. Instead, they tested it out in smaller quantities.

And after months of of experimentation, he came to realize that his mind was conscious even after they did unspeakable things to him. So, as the women waited for him to recover to continue her experiments, he listened to the conversations she had with the scientists and assistants she had.

One, the Dophl Research Facility was on the verge of collapse.

A powerful woman, Greshina Emberforge, was now the strongest being on Earth after becoming a Vessel of Death. Numerous forces were dispatched to capture her but she killed them all in the most brutal way.

Since then, they have tried for months to negotiate with her and after sometime, she agreed. So today, he would be displayed in a glass chamber as Greshina Emberforge was given a tour of the place.

It was always the same: the screaming, the agony, the recovery, and the return to the lab table. Yet today felt different. A tension hung in the air and the facility's usually cold, detached personnel seemed unusually alert.

After all, having the support of the strongest being who replaced the gods and everyone else was already a massive boon.

______

The metallic hiss of pneumatic doors sliding open drew Veneri's attention. Through the reinforced glass, he saw a small entourage entering the hall of displays.

Leading them was her.

The woman who had tortured him mercilessly, her crisp white coat swaying with each step, clipboard clutched to her chest. Her calm, detached demeanor remained unchanged, as though the atrocities she committed were as routine as a morning coffee.

Behind her walked a tall, pale woman with long, flowing wavy purple hair cascading down her back like a river of silk. Her skin was so alabaster white it almost glowed under the harsh fluorescent lights, her delicate features resembling a marble statue carved by the gods themselves.

Yet it was her eyes that stood out the most. Vivid amethyst orbs that seemed to pierce through everything they landed on, shimmering with a dangerous, almost otherworldly intensity.

Greshina Emberforge.

She moved with a grace that was both ethereal and predatory, like a lioness stalking prey. Her presence was suffocating, yet alluring. He found himself momentarily entranced, memories flickering of a time when beauty like hers might have filled him with awe rather than bitterness.

As the group made its way down the hall, Vastarael's gaze briefly flicked to the other glass chambers. They were filled with subjects, other unfortunate souls subjected to the same horrors as him. Some were hunched and broken, their eyes hollow; others glared at the group with muted rage.

He didn't care about them. He couldn't afford to. In this hell, survival meant focusing on oneself and empathy had long been scorched out of him.

Finally, they stopped in front of his chamber.

The female scientist gestured toward him with a subtle flourish, her tone cool and professional.

This is Subject 083, our most durable and regenerative experiment to date. Unlike the others, he possesses a unique immortality that allows him to endure extensive testing without... permanent damage."

Vastarael leaned against the glass wall, his lips curling into a smirk. He had grown accustomed to her icy introductions, the way she spoke about him as if he were a product on display. But this time was different. This time, he wasn't just another experiment to be paraded in front of staff. He was being shown to her.

His smirk widened into a lazy grin, and with deliberate slowness, he raised a hand and gave Greshina a casual wave.

"Hey there, Gresh," he said, his voice calm but laced with irony. "Welcome to my humble abode. You'be grown. How many years has it been? I can't even see day or night in this place."

For a split second, Greshina's stoic expression faltered. Her amethyst eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise breaking through her otherwise impassive facade. She tilted her head, studying him as though he were some rare creature she hadn't expected to encounter.

"Veneri?"

"Hello. Long time no see."

The female scientist shot him a warning glare, her grip tightening on the clipboard.

Subject 083, maintain your silence."

But Vastarael wasn't finished.

"Don't mind her. She likes to think she owns me. But you, on the other hand... you're interesting. I've heard stories about you, Greshina Emberforge."

Greshina finally spoke, her voice soft yet commanding.

"You've heard of me?"

Vastarael chuckled darkly, the sound hollow.

"Who hasn't? The Vessel of Death. Strongest being on Earth. Replacing gods and slaughtering armies. You're quite the celebrity, you know. You even have your own faction of supernaturals and ruling the world with an iron fist."

Her lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes.

"And yet, you don't seem afraid of me."

"Afraid?" Vastarael repeated, tilting his head. "Oh, I've seen worse than death, believe me. Besides, you don't look all that scary to me. Beautiful, yes. Terrifying? Not quite. After all, we did use to stay in the same orphanage together, did we not?"

Her brows lifted slightly at his audacity and for a moment, an unreadable emotion flickered across her face. She turned to the scientist.

"He's... interesting. I didn't expect to see him so soon."

The scientist's face tightened, her professionalism slipping just slightly.

"He's a resilient specimen, but I must warn you, he can be... insubordinate."

"Insubordinate?" Vastarael laughed dryly. "Lady, you've burned me, sliced me, poisoned me, and electrocuted me. You're lucky I'm still talking to you at all. Have I gone insane? I don't think so. I was already insane the second I knew about this ability."

Veneri couldn't help but notice how stunning she was up close. Her beauty wasn't just physical. It radiated an aura of power and confidence that made her utterly captivating, even in this hellish place.

He watched as her eyes drifted over him, taking in his disheveled appearance, the scars that had yet to fade, the defiance still burning in his blue eyes. And as she turned to continue the tour, Vastarael noticed the faintest hesitation in her step.

"I'd like to talk to him. Alone."

"Oh um... understood."

They all left, leaving the subject with the Vessel of Death.

______

Greshina stepped closer to the glass chamber, her eyes never leaving him. Vastarael met her gaze, his posture relaxed, almost lazy, but there was a glint of curiosity in his sapphire eyes.

"You've changed," Greshina said after a moment, her voice softer now.

Vastarael replied, leaning against the glass.

"So have you. Though I'd say you've gone through a bit more... dramatic of a transformation. Vessel of Death? That's a good title."

Her lips twitched in a brief, wry smile.

"It's... been a long road."

"Has it? Feels like yesterday we were in the orphanage, stealing bread and sneaking into libraries to read about the gods we didn't believe in."

Greshina's expression softened and for a moment, she looked like the girl he remembered.

"I was ten when I came to the orphanage," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "And you were six. You were my best friend, Vastarael. Always looking out for me, teaching me to read, to fight… to survive."

"..."

"Now, I'm almost two hundred years old. Exploring the hells really takes the time out of you."

He couldn't help but show a faint smile.

"You didn't need much teaching. You were a natural. Always were."

She lowered her gaze, her fingers brushing against the edge of the glass.

"We stayed together until I was sixteen. Then I was adopted by my father's friend, a rich family who gave me everything I thought I wanted. But I lost... you. And I never stopped thinking about you."

Vastarael's voice was quieter now.

"I thought about you too. Every day."

Her amethyst eyes met his, filled with regret.

"I had a crush on you," she admitted, her cheeks faintly pink against her pale skin. "Even after we were separated. For years."

Vastarael's smirk returned, but it was softer this time.

"I had a crush on you too. Still do, if I'm being honest. You're even more beautiful than ever."

Greshina's expression hardened slightly, and she straightened her posture.

"I don't anymore. I've changed too much. I've become... someone else. Sorry."

Vastarael nodded, the faint smile lingering.

"I figured. But it's nice to hear you say it anyway. I do have one question though. Did you enjoy being with me back then?"

She gave him a slight nod.

"Then that's all I need to know."

She sighed, placing her palm flat against the glass as if trying to bridge the chasm between them.

"But there's one thing I can do for you, Veneri. For the boy who accepted me when no one else would. For my best friend."

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

"And what's that?"

"In five years, the world will be destroyed. And... there's nothing anyone can do to stop it."

Vastarael stiffened, the smirk vanishing from his face.

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure. But I've found something. The heart of a Titan of Time. It's powerful enough to elongate the time we have left. Sixty years, Vastarael. That's how long I can give the world."

"Sixty years?"

"If I fail to save the world in that time, just know that I died. And if I succeed… well, I'll send forces to this facility to tear it apart. You'll be free, Vastarael. Free to live again."

Vastarael studied her, his expression now curious.

"And in the meantime?"

Her gaze darkened.

"You'll stay here. Subject yourself to the experiments. The pain. The torture. For sixty more years. Just... don't die."

"You know you can get me out of here, right?"

"But do you want to escape?"

"..."

"I know you. You want to destroy everyone here for what they've done. Also, I know how resilient you are. So?"

He took a deep breath, his hands curling into fists. Then, he looked up at her, his blue eyes finally looking away.

"Sixty years…Alright. I'll do it. Besides, I can't tell time anymore."

Her amethyst eyes widened slightly.

"Just like that?"

"If it means that I'll survive, sure. And if I get to see you succeed, then it's worth it."

Greshina's lips parted, as if to argue, but then she stopped. A small, bittersweet smile curved her mouth.

"You've always been stubborn."

"Call it trust. Don't die, Greshina. And... maybe if we both survive, maybe we can be friends again."

She laughed softly, the sound carrying a hint of sadness.

"Of course. And who knows, I might fall for you again. After that, I want to live in peace. So pray to the dead gods that we'll survive. Hey, I might give you a chance. You're still handsome."

"I know."

Greshina stepped back from the glass, her hands trembling slightly.

"This is goodbye then. I'll pray to the dead gods that I'll survive. And if I don't… well, I'll make sure my forces find you regardless."

Vastarael gave her a small, sad smile.

"Goodbye, Greshina. Try not to die, alright? The world needs you."

She hesitated, her amethyst eyes locking with his one last time. Then, without another word, she turned and walked away, her figure disappearing down the sterile hallway.

Vastarael leaned back against the glass, his chest heavy with emotions he couldn't name.

"Sixty years.Guess I'd better get used to it. After all, she's not the same Greshina anymore...