Saul felt his heart pound, his thoughts churning. Where? Where is he taking me?He was about to ask when Alex spoke again, his voice carrying a note of excitement. "You know, I've been working with Dr. Aris. He's been my partner in all of this. He's the one who helped me understand what happened to you…...it was all part of the plan. His plan, really. He's the one who designed the procedure. He's the one who made it possible.”Saul thought he saw the man twitch as he spoke the doctor's name, and Saul felt his own body give a corresponding flinch, his body reacting before his mind had fully processed it. Dr. Aris. The doctor who had come to check up on him after he overdosed on the S-Factor. The man who had seemed so kind, so concerned.But because of the total darkness, Saul couldn't be sure if his reaction was visible. He forced himself to stay still, his voice careful. "Dr. Aris? He's involved in this?""Very involved," Alex said, his voice cheerful. "He's been a great help. A gre

Breath picking up in panic, he turned, his eyes finding Dr. Aris standing behind him, a syringe in his hand. ‘Y-you..” Saul stammered.The doctor's expression was unreadable, his face a blank mask. But there was something in his eyes.It might have been regret."I am sorry about this, Saul," Aris said, his voice oh so understanding. "But this is for the best. You'll understand soon enough. I promise."Saul opened his mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. His legs buckled beneath him, his body going limp. He felt himself falling, the ground rushing up to meet him.He hit the floor, his vision fading. The last thing he saw was Alex's face, his smile wide and triumphant, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.And then there was nothing but darkness.***(SAUL'S POV)Something felt off.That was the first coherent thought that crystallized in the fog of my consciousness, and even as it formed, I knew it was inadequate….a pale descriptor for the fundamental wrongness that permeat

Aris stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he laughed, a short, sharp sound that was more surprise than amusement."Ah," he said, shaking his head. "You have indeed gained your memories. That's unmistakably Saul. No one else could be so dismissive and demanding in the same breath.""Glad you recognize the real thing," I said dryly. "Now, about Alex-""I don't care for what you need or where Alex went," Aris interrupted, his voice sharp. "I wanted to talk to you before the two of you reunited. There are things I need to say to you, Saul. Just you."I raised an eyebrow, my expression carefully bored. "He won't like that. You know how he gets when people try to go behind his back."Aris's eyes flashed. "I don't care for what Alex likes either." He sneered, the expression transforming his face into something almost ugly. "Besides, the bastard practically worships you like a god….you and that idiot Haruno."Something cold settled in my chest at the name. Magnus Haruno

The man cried out louder as hethrashed, his body jerking against mine.But I was too strong. I had the leverage, the position, the rage. I knew all the right places to lock down a helpless opponent.I had my hand on all the right pressure points, all the right angles. Hands that made resistance useless."Please," he begged, his voice barely a whisper. "Please, I'm sorry-"I tightened my grip, cutting off his air completely. His face was turning purple, his eyes bulging with fear. He was dying, and he knew it."I promised you, didn't I?" I said, my voice soft and deadly. "If I ever saw you again, I would kill you with my bare hands."He tried to respond, tried to plead, but no words came. His body was going limp, his struggles weakening.I held him for a moment longer, savoring the feeling of his pain."This is goodbye, Aris," I said.“No! Please-" And I snapped his neck.***(Normal pov)The crack was sharp and final, a sound that echoed off the walls of the small room. Aris's body

Nothing would truly bring back all he had lost the day Aris had made that choice.And Alex knew that.Staring down the other man, Saul's voice was low as he spoke, carrying an edge of warning. "We really need to have that talk Alex."Any trace of fondness and joy of an old friend had already vanished from his face at Saul's coldness and at his dark words, Alex's features turned blank.The man in front of him may have given him his due revenge, but the deeds of Alexander of late made Saul keep his guard up. He was cautious, calculating, watching for any sign of deception.Not that Alex could beat him at anything, even if he had both his limbs cut off. But the look in Alex's eyes showed that he had crossed a line that never should have been crossed.Saul had his suspicions as to who might have steered Alex down such a path. Magnus Haruno's name had come up more than once in their shared past, and there was something about the way Aris had spoke of him that made Saul's instincts prickl