Sentry of the Arcane: Engulfed

Chapter Twenty: Fitz

"I'm coming with you."

I will admit that although I saw it coming, I was completely taken aback from her instant response. My eyes widen as I stare at the female Percipient's brown eyes, trying to decipher her. I can see the fear, the uncertainty...

But I can see the determination clear as day.

Instead of immediately leading the way to the laboratory, I breathe out in a whisper, "What have I done to make you want to come? To make you want to be near me- despite everything." She doesn't know what happened, I think to myself. I may have to transform... and I don't want Sophie to be near when that happens.

Sophie reaches up and touches my cheek gently, making me tense up and look down at her. "You waited for me," she says softly. My eyes widen considerably and my cheeks become warm, most likely tinging a pale red.

I swallow visibly, knowing now that I can't, and I won't, change her mind. I sigh before saying, "Don't say I didn't warn you... but alright." I don't waste any more time and walk towards the now-fixed metal doors. I reach to open them, but knowing what's happening inside, I decide against it.

So I slam the doors wide open with my telekinesis.

Inside, I see the man, now ragged and mangy, holding two archances at Steven and Caroline. My eyes widen when I see two or three pieces of nebmentia levitating a few inches away from each of the scientists' faces.

"More people..!" the man chokes, the period of time being held captive taking a noticeable toll on his voice. "More... to kill..!" He then points the archances at the two of us. "I should've finished the job when they couldn't..!"

And then he pulls the trigger.

The sounds being the last thing that echoes in my mind, a beastly scream escapes me before my vision turns white instantaneously. I don't feel any pain this time, and my vision clears up almost instantly. I see my teal-scaled claws and shake my head, forcing myself to not get distracted with my appearance

The man glares up at me. "You..." he mutters, pointing the archances up at me. Before he can do anything, I remember the nebmentia flying towards Sophie since I'm in the air. My eyes widening, I fly down to have the nebmentia get reflected off of my scales, ricocheting into the wall. I feel a stinging pain on my right arm- claw- and look to see that two of my scales have fallen off, revealing brown flesh.

Ignoring the wounds, I scream and circle around in the air before aiming at the man. Using my non-injured claw, I lift the man up into the air, not watching the archances fall down and smash into pieces. I don't hesitate to drop him afterwards, pretending as if I don't hear his screams as he plummets.

When he lands on the ground painfully, I dart down towards him, making him back up against the wall. Narrowing my eyes, I transmit to him, You're not going to kill anyone here. Not on my watch. His eyes widen, and I say, Yes, I can transmit while in this state. And I can read your thoughts. I don't hesitate to follow up on my words. After a moment, I add, You're scared right now, but you want to kill me. Too bad.

And with that, I can feel the energy pooling together to create the memory erasing light. My vision turns white, and I can tell that everyone's memories, except mine, have been erased. A tingling sensation passes through my body before I find myself on the ground, back to human.

When I hoist myself up, I see the man already on his feet, but limping and staggering about because of my dragon form. I narrow my eyes at him, but he merely cackles. "I didn't forget it," he wheezes. "About...you. What you just did-" He pauses, tapping his head. "It's up here. I made sure to remember. You'll regret this later."

I don't have time to say anything before the man leaves, leaving me in the laboratory. It didn't work on him..? I ask myself, paling considerably. Then what did he do to avoid it? Running a hand through my hair, I feel my stinging pain from earlier multiply considerably, making me hiss and look at whatever wound I received.

On the ground, two of my scales gleam in the ceiling light. On my arm, two wounds that are shaped like two of my scales begin to bleed painfully. As I suck in a breath to avoid screaming out in pain, I hear some rustling in front of me. Not even two seconds pass before Steven stands up.

"What happened?" he asks. The pathologist then sees my scars and asks, "What happened?!"

"Nebmentia," I say through gritted teeth. "Chipped two of my scales off of me while I was a dragon." I then hesitate before saying, "I tried to erase everyone's memories of me, but he did something and now remembers seeing me as a dragon." My two wounds throb agonizingly, I breathe out, "He knows my power now."

Steven's eyes widen. "Caroline and Sophie aren't awake yet," he says. Grabbing me by my left arm, he leads me into their personal laboratory. "I don't remember anything after seeing you two come into the laboratory, so I'll need you to fill me in," the forensic pathologist instructs me. "And we can't tell anyone about this yet."

I nod, watching patiently as Steven cleans my wounds, despite me hissing, gritting my teeth, and clenching my hands tightly. After a few moments, I replay Steven's previous words in my head and furrow my eyebrows. "Wait- the light actually worked?" I ask, scowling.

The forensic pathologist nods. "It did," he says. "Are you wondering because of that man being able to protect his memories?" When I nod, he mutters under his breath, "I thought he looked familiar."

Looking up from the bandages being wrapped around my wounds, I tilt my head to the side in confusion. "Who is he?" I ask curiously. "Do you know him already?"

"Aeron," he says. "I should've known once you said that he looked liked a younger version of Fitton." He glares down at my arm while he finishes wrapping layers of gauze around my second wound. He presses his lips together, as he's silently telling me not to ask about him. Another moment of silence passes between us before he asks, "Where are your two scales?"

My eyes widen. "Outside," I say, suddenly rushing outside. My eyes scan the ground for any sign of my teal scales, but I don't see them. Paling, I transmit to the pathologist, They're gone... Someone took them.

Does anyone other than Aeron know about your ability? Steven asks, looking over at the female Percipient and Caroline, who are now standing and talking with one another. The pathologist taps my shoulder, reminding me that I haven't answered him yet.

No one else knows about my ability, I tell him. Benen, Donovan, Sophie, and you know about my scar. But... My eyes widen when realization hits me.

"What is it?" Steven asks out loud.

I think I know who took the scales, I say. She already has one of them. I don't know how- she just does.

Steven's eyes widen. Turning to face the two, he asks, "You mean-"

"Yeah" I say, nodding. "Sophie must have them."

Cursing under his breath, Steven says, "No wonder she's a Percipient..." And I can't help but agree with him on that.