Chapter 14: A Night to be Remembered
At long last, the day is finally drawing to a close, and I don't try to retain even a shred of dignity as I flop face-first on the bed, sighing deep into the pillow. Even Chimeras can be tired; no matter what you are, troublesome things will be troublesome.
Nemeya gently sits next to me on the bed, summarily annoying any concept of personal space, resting her body against mine. That's a Ghoul thing, I suppose.
"Master… Thank you. You're amazing. You're so young, but able to fight off so many people. You know magic, scheming, noble etiquette, even human nature-"
At that moment, I can't help but let out bitter laughter. Does it really seem that way? All I have are memories I've stolen-- they're not mine, they never will be. Sure, I can predict things from that, learn what actions to take or how to treat people, but do I understand it? Not a chance.
"Heh… Maybe on the surface, it seems that way. To tell you the truth, humans still evade my understanding. There's selfishness, brutality, even the pechance for war… But there's also laughter, kindness, and love. I've… known... some people who couldn't bear to hurt a fly, who snuck away her food to feed small animals in the forest, but I've also seen some so jaded by the cruelties of the world, utterly broken and sinking into the very depravity that wounded him in the first place. Which is the real human? Sure, I can predict action based on what I remember, but if I was asked if I truly understand their nature… I couldn't answer yes."
My rambling brought a sad smile from Nemeya, and she lays herself down on the bed next to me, her hand finding mine and giving a squeeze.
"I don't think you can say that's human, though… There were people like that back in my tribe. Human, demihuman, demon… Everyone can face that, become that. Intelligence can be wonderful, but it often begets cruelty, and anyone can be pushed over the edge. No one is invincible, immune to the effects of the world we live in… Even you. I don't know why, but it feels like understanding human nature is incredibly important for you. That's not an easy road to walk, or a pleasant one. But… I'll be there for you. I'm yours, after all."
I'm not sure how to respond to that. For a moment, this innocent, airheaded woman had a distant look in her eyes, like she's seen too much, but she quickly recovered to her normal smile. I'm not sure what it is, but a burning feeling arose in my chest. I wanted to… protect her, I think. From the very thing I'm seeking at that.
"Nemeya… Thank you. I'll be counting on you to help me understand this world."
"Master… It might be impudent as a slave to ask, so please forgive me, but… You're not human, are you?"
"Well, I don't mind it. Even after a day it's pretty obvious, but I've never thought of you as a slave in the first place. I was looking for a companion that I can trust, one that has the knowledge and experience I still lack."
Nemeya continues to listen attentively, but I can see an innocent smile forming on her lips after that. Personally, I don't think it should be much of a surprise, seeing as she's never really treated me as a master, but I'll let her enjoy the moment.
"Anyway, you're right-- I'm not human, although they did create me. I'm an artificial life form called a Chimera, created in the pursuit of immortality, and-"
"Wait! You're immortal?!?!"
"... No clue. Not too eager to find out, either."
"Just the fact that you can casually say you might be…. Wait, then how old are you??"
"Eh? What's that got to do with anything? Well, I'm either much older than you, or much, much younger, depending on how you look at it. I've existed for a few millennia, but I've been sealed away in hibernation for all but a few weeks."
"Fueeh~... I've been sexually harassed by a baaaby~"
Somehow she seems to have suffered a major mental blow, so I hurriedly shift the topic to more important manners.
"Anyway, since I was created as a… Well, what I was created for isn't important, but I can manipulate almost anything biological, including your body. If you want… I can heal all of you, give you a body that regenerate itself. I saw how you felt when everyone looked at you today… Even if I don't understand people that well, I can tell it hurt, even as well as you hid it. I don't want that. I want you to be able to stand proudly next to me, and smile."
"Del… I… I want that. I hate how people have treated me, treated my kind for something superficial, but... what are you, really? I've never heard of any Alchemist or Magus being able to do anything like that, but… I can trust you."
"That's… not an easy question to answer. In truth, I was created as a weapon. Able to manipulate anything biological, a perfect memory, perfect coordination, ultimate adaptability… In my creator's mind, I was perfect. But his goal… Was horrifying, even for me. He wanted me to absorb everything I could, analyze every bit of their DNA… er, body, and create a virus- a sickness. A sickness that targeted everything I had ever absorbed, turning them all into creatures like me… Into Chimeras. In his mind, that was the best outcome for humanity… To be replaced by a more 'perfect' existance. But something happened. There were four of us, but we were never intentionally released with his command."
"Del… If I say yes, will I become like you? A… Chimera, as you said? Will I still be me?"
"It wouldn't be like the virus. You… Nemeya would still be Nemeya. Some of my cells would merge with your body, but there wouldn't be any major changes beyond healing or a longer lifespan. It'd be like… Well, if we reproduced, it'd be like those children. And Nemeya… thanks… for not being scared of me."
Nemeya seemed shocked for a moment, letting out a shy smile before she returned to the conversation with newfound determination. It was like she found hope, but for what…
"If I say yes, could you change more than just healing? Could you make me stronger? Although my kind isn't weak, I… I want the strength to figure out what happened to my tribe. Even if I couldn't protect them then, I can still protect others like me. Please, Del…"
"... I can do that. But you'll become more like me, like a Chimera. I'm not sure what all you'll be able to do, but you'll be stronger than before, that I can promise. Are you sure you want that?"
"... Do it. I want to be strong enough, strong enough to protect those I care about, strong enough to be of use to you."
Her face shone with determination, something I had seen before in those memories… The memories of the soldier turned bandit, who couldn't protect his village. I see. She's the same. But she didn't lash out because of it… Why? That's the question that floated in my mind as I spoke to her.
"Alright, lie down. I'll need a bit of your blood…"
She let out a cute whimper as I bit her arm to draw blood, but the determination in her eyes never faded.
'Cores, begin viral vector creation. Objective: Partial Chimeric transformation. Leave subject intact.'
< Beginning blood sample analysis… Calculating vector and transformation plasmids… >
I sat next to her on the bed in silence, her hand still in mine. She was nervous, but that much was natural. I'm not sure how much time passed like that, but in the end, we laid side by side, her body pressed against mine.
< Analysis complete. Viral vector created. Warning: Partial transformation requires Chimeric stem cells. Host energy will be depleted, falling into a vulnerable state for six to eight hours. Not recommended. >
"Alright Nemeya, it's done. When I give you this, we'll both fall unconscious, and when you wake up, you'll have your new body. There might be a few temporary mental side-effects, like instinct being sharpened, but you'll still be you. You sure about this?"
"Yeah… Please, Del. Do it."
She shook as she said that, but her determination held strong. I admired that.
I smiled as I pressed my hand against the wound on her face. I'm not sure why, but there was something I wanted to say…
"... Sweet dreams, Nemeya."
The virus and stem cells leave my body, and I felt weakness taking over. Her wounds start closing before my eyes, but Nemeya could barely flutter her eyes and try to stay awake, falling asleep just before I did. The last thing I remembered was lying by her side, my arm still over her, trying to reassure her in her last moments of consciousness.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone