Chapter 27: Awakening

Zagon left his palace and walked through the yard in the night. 

"Xeroi, there's no need to follow me." 

Xeroi appeared from behind a tree and kneeled. 

"Are you sure, My Lord? We never know what those Outsiders are thinking." 

"I'm fine. I'm just curious as to what kind of person would make Julius so shaken." 

"That man Julius was the first of the Outsiders to submit to you, he served as a bridge between us and them. That is commendable, however, he can't be trusted." 

"Because he was quick to betray his people?" 

"Yes." 

"I don't think it's strange considering he was locked up and awaiting possible execution. Then again, I'm someone who betrays others, so maybe that's why we get along." 

"...." 

"Oh, sorry. Did I make it awkward?" 

Zagon chuckled a bit. 

"Anyway, I'll be fine." 

He resumed walking and waved. 

"I'll see you in a few hours." 

Xeroi watched as Zagon disappeared into the night. Zagon leapt and travelled hundreds of meters with every jump. He landed in front of rthe esearch facility a few minutes later. The guards there saw him and kneeled. 

"Is Feng here?" 

"He is, My Lord. We'll tell him you're here." 

"No need." 

Zagon forced open the door and entered the facility. 

"I'll go meet him myself." 

He walked through the halls with confident steps. All who saw him made way and bowed their heads. 

"Oh, Lord!" 

After some time, Feng appeared before him. 

"What's with the sudden visit? If I knew you were coming, I would've made preparations to welcome you properly." 

"Well, I suddenly felt like coming to see you." 

"I see." 

Feng smirked. 

"Julius told you about my new masterpiece." 

Zagon didn't answer. Feng sighed. 

"I want to say his concerns are unwarranted but…" 

"Oh? You're admitting you might have a problem? Now I'm even more interested." 

"I wouldn't call it a problem though…I mean, I have no problem dying if it could result in the birth of something never before seen." 

Feng wore a troubled expression. That made Zagon frown. 

"Take me to him." 

"Only if you promise not to destroy him." 

"….You're one of the few on this island who would tell me what to do." 

"Because unlike the others I don't fear you. Isn't that why you call me and Julius to have drinks with you?" 

"Julius only treats me like an equal in private. You just don't care." 

Zagon sighed. 

"Fine, I won't destroy him. But I'll lock him away if he's too dangerous." 

"Seems fair, alright." 

(He says that but he'll throw a fit if I actually lock him away.) 

Zagon thought as he followed Feng. It didn't take long for them to arrive in front of Feng's lab. Feng cut his hand and placed it over a scanner. The door opened and both of them walked in. 

"So this is him?" 

Zagon stood before the gigantic tank filled with glowing liquid. He observed the person floating inside with tubes connected to him. 

"Tell me about him." 

"He's called Gustav Fernandez, but his real name is Giovanni Delgado. Before I came here he was a soldier famous for his crimes against humanity and was locked away. I don't know what happened for him to end up here, but he's a valuable asset. His body has a unique composition where his muscles and bones are superior to the average Outsider. However, the most noteworthy thing is he somehow is able to absorb God Essence at a rate similar to your people." 

"Julius said his strength was comparable to a High-Level Warrior, despite his old body." 

Zagon observed the youth's appearance once again before turning to Feng. 

"Did you make him younger to see if he'll become stronger?" 

"Not exactly. I simply wanted to revert his body to its peak condition to see if it would affect his psyche. All of us Outsiders use God Essence to regain or retain our youth. This caused some of us to experience a regression in or a stagnation in mental maturity. I want to see if it will be the same for him." 

Feng paused for a bit. 

"But it's certain he will have some mental issues because he died for a few minutes before his body was preserved using an artefact. As for what kind of mental issues it will be, we'll have to wait and see." 

"I understand, then what's the next step? Have you modified his body to make him stronger like the others?" 

Feng shook his head. 

"I only restored his body and revived him so far. Other than the God Essence he consumed before death, he should be the same strength….No, his restored youth should make him stronger than before but I don't by how muc—" 

Feng swallowed his words. He stared at the tank with trembling eyes. 

"What's wrong?" 

Zagon followed his line of sight. His eyes slightly widened. 

"He's awake?" 

The person in the tank was staring at them. 

"Impossible. The amount of suppressants flowing inside him would send elephants into a coma dozens of times over." 

Feng spoke with a shaky voice which made Zagon frown. The person inside locked eyes with him but showed no hostility, and yet… 

(What is this sense of dread?) 

He couldn't help but be on guard. 

"...." 

The person looked away from Zagon and started surveying his surroundings. He examined the tubes and wires attached to him. He showed interest towards the liquid he was inside. He started pulling the tubes and wire out of his body and floated towards the glass. 

"Feng, how strong is that glass?" 

"It should be able to withstand several attacks from an armoured tank without cracking, so it should—" 

*BOOM!* 

A thunderous noise resounded in the room. A large crack ran through the tank after the person inside punched the glass. 

"Nevermind." 

Feng mumbled. Zagon stood in front of him. 

"...…" 

The person looked at their fist with a deadpan expression. He slowly opened and closed it. He lifted his leg. It flickered and a crashing noise rang out. Liquids flooded the room and soaked everything. The person landed on the ground covered in broken glass and glowing fluids. 

His body flickered. A foot popped up in front of Zagon's face. He stretched a hand out and blocked the foot. The clash caused the room to shake. 

"Hello, or should I say Good Morning?" 

Zagon spoke with a grin. The person stayed quiet and distanced himself while examining his body. 

"Do you remember your name?" 

Feng peeked out from behind Zagon and asked. The person looked at him with no emotions on their face. He opened his mouth. 

"The Blood Devil, that's what people call me before they die." 

He pointed at the two of them. 

"Since you're going to die, feel free to address me as such." 

"You're pretty cocky for someone who just woke up." 

Zagon smirked at him. 

"I can tell, you don't know where you are, because if you did you would be able to guess my identity from my appearance." 

The person's body flickered again. Zagon sidestepped while holding onto Feng. A crash came from behind them. They turned around and saw the person embedded in the wall. 

"...…" 

He silently pulled himself out of the wall and started examining his body. 

"From your movements and the way you're acting, I'm certain you have no memories of the power you have or how you attained them." 

"So the mental issue is memory loss?" 

Feng's eyes started to sparkle. 

"Is it temporary or permanent? Are there any other abnormalities? No, more importantly just how many memories did you lose?" 

The person didn't reply and quietly started flexing their muscles. 

"Since you're unaware, let me inform you of your situation." 

Zagon stepped forward. 

"You're on an island that emerged from the ocean over 40 years ago. You might look young but you're actually in your 60s. The reason for your youthful appearance and newfound strength is the liquid on the floor, it's called God Essence. It allows you to touch the realm of god, and it's in all of us." 

The person looked towards him. 

"God?" 

He smirked. 

"So gods exist?" 

"Of course, you're standing in the presence of one." 

Zagon placed his hand over his heart. 

"I am the ruler of Paradise and the Holy Land, the Lord that rules over all in the name of the Phoenix and the Serpent. I am Zagon Tiama Octivinus, the god of you Outsiders." 

Zagon pointed to the ground while looking at the person with disdain. 

"You are in the presence of a god. Little human, bow." 

"…I refuse." 

"I see. So you won't bow." 

Zagon appeared in front of the person. Zagon stomped his legs and forced him to his knees. 

"Then maybe you'd prefer to kneel." 

"...…" 

The person silently looked at him without saying a word. His eyes lacked any emotion and were cold. Zagon clicked his tongue and lifted his leg. He forced him to prostrate on the ground. 

"You will learn to submit. You will learn to—" 

"One." 

"Huh?" 

"Two. Three. Four." 

Zagon looked down at him in confusion. 

"Why are you counting?" 

"Five. Six. Seven." 

"I said, why are you counting?!" 

"Eight. Nine. Ten." 

The veins in Zagon's head started bulging. 

"You!" 

"Lord, remember your promise!" 

Feng shouted. Zagon looked at him and took a deep breath. He lifted his feet and turned away. 

"Feng, he's your creation. You handle him and get him up to speed with how things work around here." 

"Yes." 

Feng moved towards the person. Zagon glanced at him. 

(He followed my movements with his eyes…Or was I just imagining it?) 

He thought to himself. Feng helped the person off the ground. 

"I'm Feng, the person who brought you back alive. I'll help you figure out what's going on. However, for the time being, could you confirm you go by, Gustav Fernandez or Giovanni Delgado?" 

The person looked at Feng for a while before answering. 

"Giovanni Fernandez, how about that?" 

"What?" 

Giovanni brushed Feng off. 

"Call me whatever you want, names don't matter right now. Just tell me, what the hell is going on." 

"Oh, I will. But before that, you'll need to answer some of my questions firsts, and do some tests, and—" 

Giovanni blocked out what Feng was saying. He just stared at Zagon's back. 

"Twelve, huh?" 

Feng stopped talking the moment he witnessed a grin crawl on Giovanni's face. 

"Thirty-six it will be then."