NB: In chapter 2 I spoke about category six, but I changed it cause I thought nine categories are too many. So instead the power system is the one in chapter 3 of three evolutionary stages with three grades in each. All in all they are nine fiend grades now.
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Cassian looked at me like I was prey.
"You're the anomaly the geeks in science are talking about right? They're losing their minds figuring you out. Why don't you show me what it's all about?"
I took a step and and raised my hands in the air in surrender "Wish I could help but, I don't know what they're talking about."
Cassian cocked his head to the side "Huh. Well maybe this will jog your memory" he was in front of me in seconds, fist already aiming for my face. The world slowed down to me and my thoughts in that moment. Unlike the time with Stigs and with the haze in my head clearer I was able to react on pure instinct. I grabbed his fist mere inches from my face which brought a vicious smirk to Cassian's lips "See?" he said.
He released his hand from my arm and feinted a left hook. I brought up my arms in a defensive stance but, instead the blow came from the right. I kept my defensive stance up waiting for a small window to deliver a blow. In between his attacks he left his left side vulnerable to more properly focus on his right side. As he threw another right hook I used my left hand deflect his attack leaving him open. I didn't waste a second and delivered a right hook of my own which he blocked with his left elbow and twisted his my arm and threw me over his shoulder.
I crashed into the ground and my back screamed in pain. I opened my eyes to find Cassian staring down at me "Your body remembers what your brain doesn't." He offered his hand which I took and he pulled me up.
"Gather up imbeciles" he said to everyone else. When we were all gathered in messy lines he spoke up "This was just to get handle on your combat experience. Obviously you won't be using melee combat techniques against fiends. Doesn't mean it's useless. What you need to know though are patterns of category one fiends. They have low intelligence and their regeneration is the slowest so they're much easier to kill. However, most species in category one hunt in packs so they're danger is in numbers" his com device crackled and he listened for a moment. He checked his watch beneath his sleeves then sighed "That's it for today. Partner up and spar, then afterwards head to your respective duties for the day"
He walked away to a training area for military personnel only.
"You were clumsy. Like a headless chicken" said Lach from were he was sitting on the ground. I sat besides him, away from the vomit "Never fought before in my life or at least as long as I can remember"
"Like the asshole said, you have been trained in combat and have honed your techniques to the extent that they became reflex"
"How do I remember more then?" I asked him.
He pushed himself up to his feet "How else? More sparring for you"
****
For the next two hours Lach drilled me on basic melee combat and exercises. Through them I realized that I was more at fault than my body. At this point my brain was a hindrance than anything else. Lach had advised that until I got my memories back I had to trust my instincts more. After sparring we all went to our designated areas for chores. Today I was on dish duty.
I was on the millionth plate and still the pile didn't show signs of diminishing. I let out a weary sigh. It was boring but, safe I reminded myself.
"Hi there stranger" said a familiar Texan drawl.
"Oh Kris how are you? Anything I can do for you?" she was dressed the same as the last time I saw her except that hair was down in a long braid. It made her look more refined and less scary. She came to lean on the counter next to me "Nope, checking in on you" she said.
I raised an eyebrow at her "Why?"
She looked at me like I was crazy "Because you were carrying two military grade weapons you have no idea how you got them? You have a black market infusion that has the geeks losing sleep on it? You're basically the most interesting thing around here. Period!"
It does make sense and it also made me curious "Find anything on the gun that could help identify me?" I asked.
Her spirits visibly fell "No. Everything about you is a mystery. I am thoroughly intrigued."
She patted my shoulder "Anyways I'll figure it out soon enough....?"
"Osric" I supplied.
Her eyes widened "Ahhh so you do remember something."
"Bits and pieces"
She smiled "See you down the road Osric"
I was left alone in the kitchen to finish up my chores. Another hour passed before I was finished and allowed to rest for the day. Instead of relaxing I went to look for Nora. Maybe she had found more information on my fiend infusion. The science department building was separate from all the others and had a bunch of guards outside. Lacking clearance to enter I had wait while they confirmed with Nora. The process took about a quarter of an hour and I was allowed to enter. The building had two three floors and Nora's office was on the second floor.
The hall walls were filled with transparent windows that showcased what the scientists were up too. Most seemed to be working on anti-fiend weaponry and armory. Nora's office was at the end of the hallway and was easy enough to locate. There where papers all over the place, with white boards filled with formulas and data. She has biting her nails while typing in something on her laptop. I knocked lightly to not scare her but, she was locked in. I had to knock a little louder to get her attention
She yelped and looked up "Ohh hello. Could have said something"
"I did but, you were preoccupied" I gestured to her laptop. She smiled shyly then gestured to the only other chair in the room. I sat down and began slowly " So I came to check in and see if you had discovered more information on my implant"
Nora chewed on her nails while humming "You have us thoroughly stumped. I've sent you information to central, maybe they will have better luck. I'm sorry we couldn't be more help."
I had hoped they may have found something, anything at this point. I let out a shaky breathe "Thanks for trying" I stood up, thanked her once more and turned to leave when she spoke up "Piece of advise?"
I stopped and looked at her. She was already clicking on her laptop and talked as if to it "Who ever you where or what got you here is a thing of the past. The answers to your infusion may not exist on our databases but, they certainly do exist in you. Focus on activating it."
For the rest of the day I through her words around in my head. Logically speaking it made sense. It was about time I discover what type of monster I was fused with.