26:12

[CHE5TER]-...With me?

[Leo]-Indeed.

[X4NDER]-B-But how's that even possible? You were the one who told me that nobody can come back after they die! You told me that sentence with your own mouth!

[Leo]-That is correct. However, it appears that the ruby has undergone a mutation which I haven't paid attention to... My assumption would be that following your demise, the ruby absorbed the electrical energy of your being, luring your very soul within its confines. This electrical energy played a vital role in your physical form, as it was linked to your own cerebral sources and bestowed upon you the abilities you possessed. Consequently, as the electric energy was gathered within the ruby, your soul, in some manner or another, became a... victim... of this process. I suppose that the Inhumanity an Almost-Human can possess are directly tied to the soul, acquiring a distinctive energy... such as your case, the electric energy, which, once extracted from the corporeal vessel and transposed into a new physical form, accompanies the soul in its transference.

[CHE5TER]-...So what do you mean by mutation?

[Leo]-I mean to say that the ruby possesses the ability to assimilate any form of energy that comes into contact with it, trapping it deep into its core. And as we discuss the matter of a sentient being, it appears that the ruby can also absorb spiritual energy, specifically the essence of one's soul that was linked to their electric energy. In simpler terms... if a living being were to meet their demise and come into contact with the ruby, their very soul would be trapped within its confines for an eternity to come.

[CHE5TER]-Okay... and what does this have to do with me? I have no connections to him whatsoever, why would I be the one to be involved in this?

[Leo]-Well, this is where things take a rather... convoluted turn. You mentioned that you had laid a hand upon the ruby, and in that very moment, a sharp pang of agony shot through your being. It appears that this sharp pang was not a mere pointless incident, but rather a signal that you had forged a connection with the very energy contained within that ore. Here's what I believe to have happened: If the ore possesses the ability to lure various forms of energy within its very core... then why should it not also possess the power to transfer said energy into a fresh vessel or physical form?

[CHE5TER]-...Where exactly are you going with this?

[Leo]-You see... when you made direct contact with the ruby, the very energy it held captive sought out a fresh vessel to inhabit. While the electric energy could have been transferred to any inanimate object, the spiritual energy required the living embodiment of a sentient being. Thus, when it encountered a potential host who had come into contact with the ruby, it transferred a portion of the energy within you, creating for our friend X4NDER a brand new corporeal form. It mimicked your biological characteristics to create flesh, while also utilizing the spiritual energy to replicate the likeness of his previous body. This would explain the disappearance of his original hue and the new similarity with your own as well. Once one of your kind departs from this world, the very mutation that grants them their unique abilities vanishes entirely, as well as their colour. Therefore, the energy residing within you attempted to fill the void that X4NDER now had in his new form, a void that was meant to house that very ability he now lacks. And in order to achieve this, it directly linked itself with your own powers.

[X4NDER]-...What about my Inhumanity? How did it manage to stay but not my blessing?

[Leo]-Well, I've already mentioned it, haven't I? The electric energy that bestowed upon you those powers was linked to your very spiritual essence. The replica of your body simply kept that attachment. However... that shouldn't be the cause of concern for you at this moment, my friend.

[X4NDER]-W-What?

[Leo]-You see... given your connection to his powers, it follows that if said ability were to vanish, you would also meet your demise. In simpler terms... if he were to meet his own end, you would sadly accompany him on his journey into the unknown realm of death.

The boys get rather shocked, X4NDER even looking at the ruler concerned of the future, but CHE5TER only seeming rather mad at this fact, knowing damn well that He now will be the reason of another man's death just by Him simply dying.

[Leo]-...But I do have a tiny dilemma when it comes to you, stranger. When VERA conducted her scan upon you, she discovered not only the presence of X4NDER's electric energy within your being... but also an entirely new form of energy that I have never encountered before. Could you by any chance share some information about this mysterious energy, if you happen to be privy to its nature? And if it be within your knowledge, perhaps you could explain how this energy came to reside within you?

[CHE5TER]-...New energy?

[X4NDER]-He means your Inhumanity, CHE5TER.

[Leo]-Inhumanity? Is he an Almost-Human as well, X4NDER?

[VERA]-Giving that I have no records of that type of energy he owns, it might be a possibility. But there are no Almost-Humans recorded those past years that could fit his description. At least none to have been seen and recorded by me. May I ask for the date of your birth?

He looks rather perplexed at everyone, while they all stare at Him. After all, He probably is the only person in this room that knows nothing of what's going on.

[Leo]-Please, tell me. Are you an Almost-Human?

[CHE5TER]-...I am. I mean, from what he says, I am. I-I don't even know what an "Almost-Hooman" is.

[Leo]-May I see the back of your head then?

He has a bit of hesitation at first since He knows nothing of this man and is now present in a completely unfamiliar place too, being too vulnerable to be able to defend Himself properly, but given that He now knows that this is the same man this boy was talking about, the man who is supposed to "have His answers", He gives the stranger the liberty to do anything he wants. So, the man gets closer to the ruler, taking off His hood and looking at the back of His neck, exactly where His symbol is. Though not impressed of the symbol itself, it is more perplexed from other matters.

[Leo]-May I ask why does it have a line on it?

[CHE5TER]-...That's an injury.

[Leo]-An injury? How can you even manage to injure yourself in this particular place?

[CHE5TER]-Doesn't matter. Now, can you tell me the meaning behind it?

[Leo]-Well, it appears that you are indeed an Almost-Human... But I must determine the specific nature of your abilities if you desire me to provide you with answers. Might I request another scan of your body?

The Great Leader doesn't say anything though, but He lets His head down as an agreement, moment in which the man lights up his bionic eye again and the machine gets closer to scan His symbol. It takes a few more seconds this time though, as it seems that the machine's scan gave an error, making them obligated to try again. The second try wasn't successful either, so the man gets rather confused at the situation and tries one more time.

But on the third try, the man has rather a shock. Not from his result at all, but rather from something that stopped his intention of trying to scan the symbol, as if that thing has also tried to push him away. Not only that, but the machine now stops out of nowhere, falling on the ground as if it collapsed from exhaustion completely and won't respond to any command anymore. Of course, the man looks at the machine that seems to have turned off on its own without any given reason, looking a bit worried and perplexed this time too, and trying to reach for it...

[Leo]-...VERA?

"...Dad!"

...until something rather unexpected happens in front of him. Everything turns black around him, remaining only the man with nothing near him but random voices. Standing in the darkness. All alone.

"...Will we be okay, Leo?"

"...That place is doomed! Don't you understand!? We can't go back there no matter what we do! Screw your ideas! You have to get over it already!"

"...It's simply impossible to do what you intend to plan, Mr. Dalton. I know you wish to come back home and help us restore what we have lost, but our technology isn't enough to resolve such disaster. You have to let it go."

...Foolish human. Don't you understand? Your specie's ignorance will always remain with you. You cannot undo what your kind has done. So why do you still try to redeem everything as if nothing happened? Do you think that after almost two thousand years of nothingness, your salvation will come? Give up, Leo. It's time for you to join your people. Leo... Leo...

[X4NDER]-...Leo! Leo, can you hear me??

And then, he opens his eye, so quickly as if he woke up from a nightmare, and breathing so chaotically as if he was out of air. He looked around and saw how the two boys were looking at him shocked, with him laying on the ground.

[Leo]-...What ha--

[CHE5TER]- --You fell unconscious just a few moments ago. Are you alright?

[Leo]-...I-I'm alright. My age is catching up with me, probably... Would you two be so kind as to lend me a hand in returning to my chair...?

And so they do. They help him get up from the ground and take him slowly back to his chair where he can rest for a few minutes. But as they do so, CHE5TER stares at the machine that is still laying on the ground, not responding at all. More exactly, He stares at its black screen that seems to now have something written on it. Maybe Him being the only one that have noticed a change. A small message that reads: BORN A SINNER, ALWAYS A SINNER.

"...I know this is your doing, Demon. What have you done this time?"