ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 20

ONE MONTH physical rehabilitation was enough for Midnight to regain his motor skills. He can finally walk without support, he can move normally, but he wouldn't be able to win a fight, even against a beginner in his state at the moment. He had to retrain his body again, but he was not bothered by it.

And in that one month, Silvanus was finally able to draw a map of Midnight's memories—the ones he remembers and the ones he forgot because of the treatment.

In Midnight's understanding, Dominick was helping him escape his father in return for looking after Happy, if need be, which was partly true, and his psychotherapy with Silvanus was part of that help. This was part of the Midnight's memories Silvanus tweak, making it real and false at the same time to make it believable.

Because of the treatment, Midnight cannot remember the whole experiment, and if he remembers, they were all vague, as if there was a veil put over it. What was clear in his mind was that his father and a group of people inhumanely trained and experimented on him so he would be similar to his big brother.

How inhumane was he trained? He doesn't remember much and there was a voice at the back of his mind telling him not to bother recalling such an unpleasant memory because it wasn't worth it. And when he tries to push his mind to remember, his head would always feel this piercing pain. It was excruciating.

Through all those horrible memories, his brother did his best to protect him from their father, but his big brother could only do so much. However, even though that was the case, his brother never stopped caring about him.

After these confirmations, Silvanus could now confidently declare that the treatment was a success. But its success in the long run depends on how long Midnight could ignore his horrible, veiled memories.

As long as Midnight wouldn't go looking for those horrible memories and no one would trigger him, he would be just fine.

"It's good that you can finally move freely," Silvanus observed with a smile, seeing Midnight moving around the room.

"Yeah." Midnight showed a small, relieved smile. "I can finally leave the isolation room and sleep in a more normal room. I had enough with these white walls."

Silvanus slightly chuckled. "Yes, yes, you will be transferred to your previous room on the highest floor of the lab, and Dominick will bring Loki to see you."

Midnight showed a subtle, excited expression and Silvanus felt happy and proud to see that. Midnight still couldn't express all his emotions, which was understandable, since even 'normal' people didn't enjoy showing them, but it was a good start.

This was the reason why their therapy was still ongoing even after concluding that the treatment was a success; to guide Midnight to understand his emotions, so he could express them freely.

However, Silvanus noticed some things about the present Midnight. Maybe because the experiment had already taken root in Midnight's consciousness; Midnight had a habit of putting on a mask.

If the Midnight in the past couldn't be read because of his always impassive expression, the present Midnight was still hard to read and it's all because of the smile he always wears—like a mask.

Silvanus didn't know if it was an unconscious thing, but he noticed Midnight smiles like Knight. He had seen photos and videos of Knight, given to him by Dominick, when he was in the middle of treatment while Midnight was unconscious. He noticed Midnight moves like Knight, to every little detail that it makes the hair on skin rose sometimes.

It was eerie and interesting at the same time.

Thus, Silvanus concluded that Midnight may have forgotten eighty percent of what had been done to him, but the skills he gained and the beliefs that had been engrained into his mind from years of experimentation stayed.

It was fascinating to Silvanus. Midnight was his first patient who undergone the treatment, so every little thing was observed and recorded by him.

"Another month of physical therapy is needed to properly rehabilitate your body and get you back in fighting shape, I believe," Said Silvanus. "When that time comes, I will send you back to the farm, but our therapy will continue."

Midnight nodded. "When will the old man come here?"

Silvanus was now already used to Midnight calling Dominick 'old man'. "This afternoon."

Midnight nodded and said nothing again. He was still a man of few words, like before. But he had improved considerably.

"Do you want to go for a walk in the garden?" Silvanus suggested. "I think the weather is nice."

Midnight nodded with a smile and left the room to go to the garden. His legs were still not as strong as before, but walking was not a problem anymore.

He circled around the garden until he felt tired and sat on one of the benches there.

Midnight looked up at the clear blue sky. He felt carefree, unlike his past self, who was caged and under his father's control.

He took a deep breath. This feels nice.

Midnight stayed in the garden for a long time before he went to the isolation room to eat his lunch.

Soon after, Dominick arrived with Loki.

Midnight immediately took Loki into his arms and rubbed its chin before accepting the bag where Loki's things and foods were. "Did you miss me? Or were you being a heartless little cat like what the old man said?"

Loki meowed and Midnight smile.

The human and the cat looked so harmonious, but Dominick was looking at Midnight with flat and dry expression.

The cat was being treated with so much affection and sincerity. Meanwhile, he, the human being who had been looking after this kid for weeks, was being called an 'old man'.

Dominick clicked his tongue. "You're just as heartless as your cat."

Midnight raised his eyes at Dominick and looked at him cluelessly. Dominick snorted, then handed a phone to Midnight. "Your phone. It's fully charged. You're welcome."

"Thanks."

Dominick sneered. "You are really not a cute kid at all."

Midnight just smiled and silently took Loki to his room. He was planning to put Loki down on the floor when the cat used its claws to cling to his clothes.

He softly chucked. "Miss me?"

Loki made a purring sound, making Midnight's expression softened. "Not heartless at all," he whispered. "Old man is just talking shit about you, huh?"

Loki meowed.

Midnight smiled, then put the bag down before checking his phone. It had been two months since he used this phone. He suddenly wondered how GodfavoredMe was now.

He opened the ALONE app and tapped the inbox. There were three unread messages from GodFavoredMe.

Sitting down at the edge of the bed, he opened GodFavoredMe message.

GodFavoredMe: It's my brother's death anniversary today. I don't feel like coming out of my room, but my parents would be very sad. I can't be selfish. They're already in pain. I shouldn't add to it. I have to keep myself together.

GodFavoredMe: I survived the DA of my brother. How are you? It seems you haven't been online. Are you doing okay? You're still alive, right?

The third message came just last week.

GodFavoredMe: I pray that you're doing fine. Goodbye. Please have a good life.

Slowly, a frown made its way to Midnight's eyebrows.

Midnight immediately typed a message to GodFavoredMe, but his chat only sank to the bottom of the chat box. Unread.

Maybe this person was not online?

Midnight gave it a few hours before checking his ALONE app chat box again.

Nothing.

Midnight let a day passed before checking again.

Still no response from GodFavoredMe.

As Midnight's days filled with physical therapy and therapy with Silvanus continued, he never forgets to check the ALONE app to see if GodFavoredMe replied. But there was nothing. Not even a single post since that person bade him goodbye.

A twinge of worry surfaced in Midnight's heart. He may not be that close with GodFavoredMe, but GodFavoredMe was the person he talked to the most in the ALONE app. The only person who left an impression on him.

A lonely person who was trying to live a good life for their family. And he could understand them because he felt the same way towards his big brother.

For the first time in his life, he genuinely hopes that a person was alive.

He sent another message to GodFavoredMe.

Anonymous: You're alive...right?

His message just sunk to the bottom of the chat box again.

Recalling GodFavoredMe old posts, Midnight couldn't help thinking about something unpleasant.

GodFavoredMe really didn't do it... right?

However, there was no way to know anything about GodFavoredMe. ALONE app has no user data because it was made by the Orgánosi to keep everyone anonymous. He had no way of knowing what had happened to this person.

Unfortunately, his concern for GodFavoredMe did not bear any fruit. GodFavoredMe never went online anymore, and he got busy retraining his body to fight deadly battles.

If he wanted to take that position similar to his brother, he had to be even stronger than he used to be.

After staying for three months in the laboratory since he fell in coma, he was finally sent back to the farm, where he trained even harder. There were only a few weeks left before the selection. He didn't let himself slacked off.

"There are some strong contenders for the position, but I don't think they would be able to defeat you in combat." Dominick commented after seeing Midnight finished another round of training. "It's okay to rest, kid."

"I can't slack off." Midnight then proceeded to do exercises that strengthen his core.

Dominick just shook his head and let Midnight be.

THREE WEEKS later, the selection for the overseer of the Orgánosi's North America continent started in Acapulco, Mexico.

First requirement to be able to be part of the selection was a recommendation from one of the Arkhontes and each Arkhontes can only recommend one person, thus there were ten fighting for one position.

Dominick Quinn was the one who recommended Midnight for the position. And ironically, the Fourth Arkhon, Kelleon Velasquez, recommended someone as well. A strong candidate, as if he was testing Midnight's strength.

However, Midnight couldn't care less about his father at the moment. There were three tests for this selection. Two of tests were focused on individual strength and combat skills while the last one was a test of intelligence and how quick one could solve problems.

The first test was in a forest. The ten contenders would have to take out each other until there was only one left. They have to render their opponent unconscious using no weapon for it to be considered a win. It was a hunt and a survival.

At the start of the test, everyone was given each other's location to start the hunt.

Midnight stared at the map in his hand for a full two minutes before folding it and putting it in his pocket, never taking it out again.

He looked around and took a deep breath before he calmly walked to his first prey—500 meters away from him.

Midnight didn't mean to target him—Jandro was the one recommended by his father—but Jandro was the closest to him.

With a shrug, Midnight started his hunt.

Silent footsteps and controlled breathing, Midnight approached his target from behind. It seems his target was also looking for him since he was heading in his direction.

Midnight silently scoffed and deliberately made a noise by cracking his knuckles.

When his target snapped and turned around, Midnight step away from where he was hiding and smiled.

"Hola."

Jandro took a step back, his eyes narrowed on Midnight, sharpened. He did not respond to Midnight, instead; he recalled the mission given to him by the Fourth Arkhon—to stop Midnight from winning the position.

"Let's fight?" Midnight asked.

Jandro was wary at Midnight's calm demeanor because Midnight's calm eyes were looking at him as if he was a prey to be ripped apart.

If this was an actual battle, Jandro felt like Midnight would really rip him to shreds.

Jandro's heart pounded, and a chilly feeling crept into his spine. He clenched his fist, ready to fight, when he saw Midnight took a step forward, but faster than his eyes could follow, Midnight appeared in front of him with the back of Midnight's elbow slamming against his throat, knocking him back and suffocating him.

Without a pause, Midnight continued attacking with his leg, elbows and fists. Targeting Jandro's chest, neck, throat, jaws and eyes.

Jandro fought back, but Midnight already had an advantage at the moment he was knocked off. That split second gap was enough for Midnight to exploit it. Mercilessly attacking until Jandro was on the ground, curled in a fetus position. Struggling to breathe and soaking the dirt with his blood.

It was an utter mess. A perfect picture of a ruthless attack.

Midnight's eyes held no mercy as he looked down at Jandro. He took a step forward, raised his leg, ready to deliver his final attack, when an invigilator came out of nowhere and stopped Midnight.

"Halt!"

Midnight innocently glanced at the invigilator. "The rules say I have to render him unconscious. He's still conscious."

The invigilator looked at Midnight warily. He saw how Midnight knocked down Jandro in a short period of time. His every attack was ruthless and deadly, that Jandro did not even last five minutes.

The invigilator had supervised a few tests for the Orgánosi's seven bosses' position, and this was his second time feeling a genuine fear towards a candidate. The first one was the selection for the Asia continent.

He could never forget that name—Knight Velasquez.

Now, he was facing another Velasquez-Midnight Velasquez. Another terrifying monster who looked exactly alike to one of the bosses of Asia, but this one seemed to be more monstrous than Knight Velasquez. Were they twin?

"I said halt." The invigilator spoke again, with pretend firmness to intimidate, but Midnight just stared at him with those impassive eyes of his. "You would kill him if you attacked him again."

Midnight looked at Jandro and then at the invigilator. "Oh."

The invigilator took a deep breath. "In his state, Jandro wouldn't be able to take the next test."

Midnight finally put down his raised leg and tilted his head to the side as he inquired. "Does that mean I'm disqualified for breaking a rule?"

The invigilator shook his head. "You may continue your hunt." The Orgánosi wants monstrous fighters than anything else.

Midnight's impassive expression broke into a smile, sending a shiver down the spine of the invigilator. "Thank you, sir."

With that, Midnight recalled the map and went to his next destination.

The invigilator let out a relieve breath when Midnight finally walked away. He looked at Jandro on the ground for a few seconds before pressing his earpiece to talk to the chief invigilator.

"Code blue. Jandro is down. Need a swift medical attention." He informed the person on the line. "Keep an eye on Midnight Velasquez. Danger level—five. Highly dangerous."

The other line was silent for a few seconds before he muttered, "it seems Orgánosi is going to welcome another monster on the list."

The invigilator cut the line, but he couldn't agree more. Just seeing Jandro's condition, Midnight Velasquez was indeed a monster.

CECELIB | C.C.