(After Alexander's capture by Markus, Ethan and the others were released from the prison beneath the village. Alexander was imprisoned in a hospital room under heavy guard, awaiting the Elder's decision on his fate. Meanwhile, Lucas and Ethan were taken to the hospital for treatment.)
(At Ethan and Lucas' Room)
Ethan was asleep in his bed while Lucas quietly read a book. Suddenly, their door opened as Markus, Nicholas, Jenny, and the doctor who saved Ethan from the parasitic worm entering his arm walked in. Everyone headed towards Ethan, while the doctor stared at Lucas with shocked eyes, as if seeing a ghost. Lucas noticed the doctor's strange looks and asked in confusion, "What?" Tears began to well up in the doctor's eyes, deepening Lucas' confusion. He continued, "Are you okay, my friend?" The doctor didn't utter a word, just removed his mask and hat, revealing his face to Lucas, whose expression turned to shock. He said in surprise, "Jason?!" Jason rushed towards Lucas, embracing him tightly with tears in his eyes. He spoke with a mix of joy and sorrow, "Lucas (sobbing)... I can't believe what I'm seeing... I thought you were dead (sobbing)!" Lucas hugged Jason back as his own eyes began to tear up. "Me too... I didn't think I'd survive after all I saw." The emotionally charged moment between Lucas and Jason continued while the others in the room watched silently in astonishment. Jenny and Nicholas tried to understand the relationship between the doctor and Lucas, while Ethan woke up due to the crying sounds.
After a moment, Jason stepped back slightly, holding Lucas' shoulders, looking at his amputated arm with expressions of worry and anger. "What happened to your arm?! What did they do to you?" Lucas frowned, remembering what happened. "Don't worry, brother. I'm still alive, that's what matters now." Jason reacted passionately, "What do you mean 'don't worry'? Your arm is gone!" Lucas placed his hand on Jason's shoulder, looking at him with a faint smile. "Believe me, brother, this is a good thing compared to what could have happened." A faint smile appeared on Jason's face. "If that's the case... I'm just happy you're alive." Tears slowly dripped from Jenny's eyes, moved by the scene, while Ethan covered himself and went back to sleep. Nicholas turned to Ethan and yanked the blanket off him, saying sarcastically, "Wake up, lazybones! We're having touching moments here, and you're sleeping like a sloth!" Ethan looked at him with a mix of annoyance and exhaustion, gesturing with his hand as if asking to be left alone. Jenny intervened, "Leave Ethan alone, man. He went through a lot last night; he deserves some rest." Markus looked at Nicholas and said in his usual calm tone, "Let Ethan rest for a while, Nicholas. What happened to him today must have drained his energy." Nicholas reluctantly agreed and threw the blanket back on Ethan's face, muttering, "How can this idiot sleep with all this noise?" He turned to Lucas. "Alexander is imprisoned in the hospital now. They're deciding what to do with him." Lucas replied with venomous hatred in his voice, "What's there to say? He should be executed for his crimes! Though that's too good for him." Markus responded, "That's true. But we don't know yet what he was doing to the people he kidnapped. Since you were there a long time, you probably know at least a little. Please tell me everything you know." Lucas continued, overwhelmed by anger and sorrow. "I don't know where to begin... On my first day, there was another prisoner near my cell. I don't know how long he'd been there, but probably a while. He was normal, like all of us. Didn't talk much, but mentioned his name was Edward or something. I talked to him for about a day... until that monster came and dragged him forcibly to that cursed room. The room wasn't next to mine, but I could hear his screams from afar... screams full of agony... and the sound of metal from the examination table... Those were the usual sounds I heard there. Anyway, after a while, the screams stopped. I thought he'd killed him... but he did something worse. About an hour or so later, I saw that bastard dragging something with a rope. It was a human body... without legs, with short arms... Instead of eyes, there were ears... its face was stitched up as if reassembled. Within minutes, I realized that disfigured creature was Edward... He was experimenting on humans. (His agitation increased) He was mutilating them, making them suffer through their deformed bodies!" Markus replied, "Okay, that's helpful. But how did you know that creature was Edward?" Lucas: "Edward had a tattoo of an eagle on his arm. That's how I recognized him." Markus: "Okay, that makes sense. This information will be enough to condemn him." Markus turned towards the door and left the room without a word. Jenny looked at Jason and asked inquisitively, "Doctor, what's your relation to this man?" Jason replied with a faint smile, "He's my younger brother. He disappeared 15 days ago. I searched for him for a week, then despair took over and I thought he was dead... but here he is, alive." Jenny responded, "He's your brother? Well, I'm happy for both of you." Lucas looked towards the sleeping Ethan and said gratefully, "I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for that boy. Even though I was just a burden, he ran with me trying to save me. I'll never forget this kindness as long as I live." Jason looked at the sleeping Ethan with shock and relief. "He's the same kid the worm burrowed into, huh. Who would have thought a brat like him would save my little brother. Life truly is unpredictable."
(Transition to Markus)
Markus reached the place where Alexander was held, finding two guards at the door and the Elder standing before them as if waiting. Seeing Markus, the Elder approached him with a serious expression, speaking sternly, "Finally, you're here, Markus. I have an important decision we need to make quickly." Markus replied calmly but seriously, "Regarding Alexander's fate?" The Elder: "Alexander's fate is predetermined – execution or life imprisonment. He's a danger to everyone. He was storing hordes of Varigean right beneath us! Who knows what he planned to do with them?" Markus remained silent for a moment. "Sorry for what you're about to hear, Elder, but those creatures aren't Varigean." Expressions of bewilderment appeared on the Elder's face. "What are you saying? It's obvious they are!" Markus replied gravely, "According to Lucas, the sole survivor of that place, those creatures aren't Varigean. They are citizens mutilated by Alexander." Expressions of shock and tension appeared on the Elder's face. "You're joking, right? Tell me you're joking!" Markus replied calmly, "No, Elder. That's what Lucas said verbatim. Furthermore, if you want my opinion, based on what I saw of those monsters while I was down there, almost all had a human appearance, or at least human skin, making Lucas's words seem logical." Hearing this, despite his age, the Elder sprinted down the corridor, his face filled with shock and horror, surprising Markus. The Elder ran frantically through the crowded hospital until he exited, continuing to run towards the prison site, praying from the depths of his heart that Lucas was wrong.
The Elder reached the entrance to the underground prison and rushed in, shouting with all his might, "STOOOOOOOP!" The people inside turned to him with bewildered and confused expressions. The Elder advanced towards one of the cells and ordered the man standing before it to tell everyone to stop the "processing," while he entered the cell where a creature lay dead on the floor. The Elder approached slowly, examining it carefully. He noticed the creature had distinctly human-like features. An expression of terror appeared on his face. He began examining the other cells and saw that all the creatures possessed quasi-human forms, confirming Markus's words. The Elder was overcome with panic and shock, muttering to himself, "My God... They really were human... I must stop their killing immediately." He exited the cell and shouted at the top of his voice, "Everyone who can hear me, stop killing them! Tell the others to stop now!" The workers sprang into action while the Elder sat on a wall, breathing heavily.
Moments later, Markus entered the prison and approached the Elder. "So, you've confirmed what I said now?" The Elder looked at Markus with anxious eyes. "I can't believe I rushed my decision... I killed humans thinking they were Varigean." Markus replied, "It's not your fault. Who would know those creatures were humans?" The Elder responded with a mix of anxiety and seriousness, "It's unforgivable... This Alexander deserves no pardon or mercy. He must be executed immediately; he's a danger to all... But before I do anything, I need to question him first."
(At the Interrogation Room)
The Elder entered the room slowly, his face stern. Alexander sat on a wooden chair, shackled hand and foot, his face filled with despair. The Elder approached Alexander, looking at him with eyes full of hatred and contempt, and sat down opposite him. "I suppose you know why I'm here, you animal." Alexander raised his head towards the Elder. "To tell me my sentence, I assume." The Elder replied, his voice thick with anger, "Given everything you've done, your sentence was clear from the start." Alexander took a deep breath. "Then why come? It's impossible you just came to tell me I'll be executed and leave." The Elder adjusted his posture. "Actually, I came to ask you some questions." Alexander scratched his head. "Fine, ask whatever you want." The Elder took a deep breath, trying to contain his anger. "Why mutilate humans? What was the purpose? And how did you even do this? We don't have such advanced medical tools!" An expression of annoyance crossed Alexander's face. "It's... like an addiction, Elder." The Elder looked bewildered as Alexander continued, "Every time I performed those experiments... cutting off their limbs, reassembling them the way I wanted... it gave me a kind of happiness, a relief I never felt otherwise. And to be honest, I don't truly like what I do. Even though performing those operations gives me euphoria and pleasure... those feelings are followed, after some time, by a terrible feeling of regret for my heinous actions. A horrific feeling punishing me. But even when I decided to stop... that urge, that irresistible craving to perform more operations would come... and the same scenario would repeat." The Elder fell silent for a moment after Alexander's confession, his bewilderment growing. "So, tell me, how long have you had this... addiction? And why didn't you seek help from any psychologist? We have many in the village!" Alexander coughed for several seconds before answering. "This problem isn't new, Elder. I've been like this since childhood, though less severely. At around 10 years old, I'd stitch lizard tails together or seal animals' mouths shut for fun. That made me want to learn new things... new ways to do what I loved. With those creatures spreading across the continent and laws collapsing that might stop me... I pursued learning surgery. At 14, I'd go to hospitals, take the necessary tools and books to learn how to operate and amputate organs without damaging them. I always practiced on those creatures, or if I was lucky, I'd find some humans to experiment on. At first, every creature died – from bleeding or something else. But that changed later. I found one of those creatures – a Varigean – seemingly dead. I approached it and started my experiments on it and another creature. For fun, I took some of its blood and put it into the second creature's severed hand... and was shocked to see the hand remained intact and could still move for a few minutes! I completed the operation and managed to create my first artificial monster – a creature with different limbs yet still alive. From that moment, I only performed that kind of operation after taking all that creature's blood. Years later, around age 20, I started feeling regret... a terrible feeling about all I'd done. I realized then that what I was doing was monstrous, worse than evil. But even then, even accepting the truth of my beastly actions... that urge to experiment didn't leave me. Over all those years, that habit became an inseparable part of me. Even when I entered this village, I tried to change. I decided to become a doctor to help people... and help myself stop. But that was a mistake... The moment I entered the village and got the job... the urge grew stronger and stronger because of all the humans around. Every operation I performed to help someone here intensified my craving and addiction to an irresistible degree... but I couldn't act because there was no safe place to perform my operations. So I was tormented by my craving and urge for days, weeks, months... until one day, while walking outside the village trying to suppress myself, I saw a small hole near a tree. It piqued my curiosity. I passed by it and saw a ladder leading underground... and discovered later it was a hidden prison. From that moment, my craving completely took over. And as you know, I started kidnapping people at dead of night and performing my experiments there. And how could I possibly tell a psychologist? Tell him I have an urge to experiment on people? That would have gotten me expelled from the village or even executed! So I kept my condition hidden." The Elder remained silent for some time, looking at Alexander with expressions of shock and disgust. He then stood up and said sternly, "Sickness or urge, I don't care. Your actions surpass the limits of savagery. No one can justify the magnitude of suffering you caused others. And even with the world's laws gone, in our small village, you will receive the punishment you deserve." Alexander looked at the Elder with an empty gaze and said coldly, "Do whatever you want." The Elder left the room, leaving Alexander shackled to the chair, resigned to his fate.
Outside, the Elder met Markus waiting near the door. Markus asked, "Finished now?" The Elder nodded, replying calmly but heavily, "Yes. In short, he will be executed publicly in the village square in one hour. So the citizens can find peace knowing the killer who terrorized them all these days is gone." Markus replied dismissively, "Good... Anyway, once the execution and all this is over, I hope you keep your promise and return one of our carts." The Elder replied calmly, "Don't worry. When we're done, we'll give you the vaccine for the plague and what you want. You helped us, after all."
(In the Village Square)
The villagers gathered in the square after the Elder announced the execution of the man responsible for the disappearances. The Elder stood before Alexander, who was shackled, kneeling on the ground, his face etched with despair and resignation. As the noise of the crowd filled the air, the Elder raised his hand for silence. He lowered his hand and spoke loudly and clearly to all, "People! We are gathered today to make a fateful decision. Alexander, whom we trusted as a doctor in this village... it has become clear, based on what we witnessed and Lucas's testimony, that he committed unforgivable crimes against our citizens. It is proven he kidnapped citizens and performed horrific experiments on them, leaving them in lifelong torment through their own bodies!"
Silence fell over the place. Expressions of horror and disgust appeared on the faces of the crowd. Some exchanged looks and whispered quietly.
The Elder continued, "Allowing this monster to live is a direct threat to every one of us. He lived among us. We thought he was one of us. But he committed unforgivable crimes against each of us." The Elder looked towards one of the guards present, the one carrying a pistol (the same man who had threatened Markus earlier). He nodded his head, ordering him to prepare for the execution. Then he looked at Alexander, whose face showed despair and apathy. "Do you have any last words?" Alexander looked at the citizens, seeing them stare at him with expressions of disgust and hatred. He took a deep breath and said in a voice filled with pain and sorrow, "I won't ask for mercy because I don't deserve it. Everything I did was driven by an impulse I couldn't control. I tried to stop, but I failed. But that doesn't justify what I did to others. And here I am, ready to receive my punishment."
His words echoed through the crowd. Nothing but anger and revulsion showed on their faces, mixed with cries of hatred and malice that filled the place. The Elder looked at the guard and signaled him to begin the execution. The guard approached Alexander and placed the pistol against the back of his head. Alexander's body began to tremble violently, sweat pouring down his face. Despite accepting his death, his body refused to believe it. His body. His mind. His heart. Every cell in his body screamed against dying. Alexander tried to say something, but the guard pulled the trigger. The bullet entered his skull, dropping him lifeless to the ground as a pool of blood spread beneath his head, marking the end of a life filled with turmoil and crime. The sounds of the crowd, filled with joy at their victory over the killer, rose. The Elder signaled to a group of guards, who wrapped Alexander's body in black cloth and carried him away.
People gradually dispersed. Some still felt anger, others relief that the killer was finally dead, and others sadness for the state their village had reached.
In a distant corner, Markus watched everything silently. He turned his head towards the Elder and said calmly, "Elder, may I go examine Alexander's body? I need to confirm a few things." The Elder nodded in agreement. Before leaving, Markus turned to Nicholas. "Take the cart the Elder will give you and wait for me outside." Then he walked away. Nicholas looked at him in confusion for a moment but ignored the feeling when he saw men bringing one of their confiscated carts. The Elder approached Nicholas and put a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, this is what we promised Markus. One cart from those you brought, and the plague cure for you. I believe that's everything." Nicholas turned to Ethan and Jenny, who exchanged looks. He signaled for them to help him carry the cart. The three of them moved the cart outside the village and sat down to rest while waiting for Markus.
"My head hurts..."
"My memory is fuzzy..."
"What happened...?"
"Was it all a dream...?"
Alexander slowly opened his eyes. He found himself on a hospital bed. He couldn't get up at first, but eventually managed to sit up. He couldn't see well without his glasses. He started moving his hand around, feeling everything he touched, hoping to find them. After a while, he found his glasses on a table in front of him. He picked them up and slowly placed them on his eyes, his vision clearing. He began looking around carefully. There were dozens of medical beds, each holding what seemed like dead humans, all covered in black cloth except for their exposed feet. Expressions of anxiety and confusion appeared on Alexander's face. "Wh... Where am I? The last thing I remember is being executed... Can this be... Hell?" Seconds after he spoke, he heard a voice behind him. A familiar voice. "No, not Hell yet." Alexander turned slowly, his face showing shock and confusion. Markus stood behind him, sitting on one of the beds.
Alexander said, shock dominating his features, "What are you doing here? And how did I end up alive? I'm sure the bullet went through my brain!!" Markus replied, "All I did was modify the executioner's pistol before the execution. Made it weak enough not to kill you but strong enough to make them think you were dead. Any other questions?" Alexander froze in place from shock, trying to process everything. Markus continued, "If you're wondering why I saved you, it's simple: you're incredibly useful. Just think – there are still doctors who can reattach severed limbs to their owners... No, even transplant them into other humans the way they want. That's truly indescribable." Alexander remained silent for a moment. His eyes widened with terror and tension as he listened. He said, his voice increasingly tense and nervous, "Are you in your right mind?! After all I've done... you save me just because I'm useful?! Are you insane?! I tortured hundreds of souls just because I couldn't control myself or my urges! I won't be useful; I'll just repeat the same scenario!" Markus replied in his usual calm, serious tone, "If you're worried about that urge, I can cure you of it. So you can't consider it a problem." Alexander replied, shock and confusion filling his voice, "What? What are you talking about? How could you possibly cure me?!" Markus stood up from his chair and walked slowly towards Alexander until he reached him. Alexander looked up tensely to see Markus looking down at him calmly from behind his mask. Markus clenched his fist near Alexander's head. "Remember when you found your hand suddenly broken, but couldn't remember how it happened?" Alexander answered with difficulty, "Yes..." Markus continued, "That was me. But you didn't remember because I used this on you." Suddenly, without warning, Markus slammed his fist hard against the wall near Alexander's head, making him jump back a few steps in fright. Alexander opened his eyes wide in shock, bewilderment, and confusion. Amidst these conflicting emotions, Alexander noticed something strange about Markus's arm. It started vibrating strangely and rapidly, piquing his confusion. Markus continued, "Noxis. It's a special technique that allows me to generate specific frequencies sent directly to the brain. I usually use it to erase a few minutes of a person's memory, starting from the moment they receive the blow. The duration multiplies with each subsequent hit. You might wonder what this has to do with your addiction? Simply, I can use the same technique but with different frequencies to target the organ causing your addiction and reduce its activity. And there you are, cured." Alexander looked at him with suspicion and disbelief. "Are you sure you can do any of this?" Markus replied, "Yes. And if you don't believe me, how about taking a look at the room?" Alexander replied, "What do you mea--" He was startled to find they were no longer in the same place; they had moved to a different room. "What?! Where are we?" Markus replied, "Believe me now?" Alexander looked at him in astonishment as a faint glimmer of hope appeared in his heart. He said hurriedly, "What are you waiting for? Do it--" Before he could finish, Markus delivered a powerful blow to a specific point on Alexander's head, dropping him to the ground in intense pain. Markus said calmly, "Alright, we're done. Get up quickly; we don't have much time."
Alexander struggled to his feet, surprised to find himself outside the village. He stood for a few seconds, trying to regain his balance and full consciousness. Once fully awake, a strange feeling washed over him. A feeling he'd never had before. "What is this feeling? I was always used to feeling incomplete after even a short time without performing my operations... a constant sense of lack for me. But now it's different... That feeling is completely gone. I don't feel the usual discomfort. I don't feel the urge to perform any operations anymore. He really did it! He was telling the truth! But I didn't expect to feel it this fast. I thought I'd know after several hours – the usual time my craving activates..." Markus interrupted his thoughts. "Didn't you hear me? I said quickly. I don't want nightfall to catch us halfway." Alexander replied, "Wait a minute! My tools and the materials I use are in my medical room. I can't do much without them!" Markus sighed. "Unfortunately, they searched your room and cell and took all those materials. They're now trying to figure out their source and how to make them to benefit medicine." An expression of annoyance appeared on Alexander's face. "Bad luck for you. Everything I do fundamentally requires those materials to succeed." Markus replied dismissively, "Not a problem. You can tell me how to make them on the way, and I'll provide everything you need. Just do your job and give me the best results." Alexander replied, "If that's the case, then no problem." Markus: "Then let's get out of this place." Alexander and Markus set off towards the team waiting for them.
The group was shocked that Alexander was still alive. But Markus told them he would explain everything on the way. They then embarked on a long journey back to their home village.
(End of Chapter)