An elegant private jet soared over white clouds and the sun reflected from its metal skin. Marcus watched the endless ocean of shimmering clouds through a small round window. As captivating as the scenery was, his mind's eye was directed inward in search of the other person inside of him.

Xeen? You have been very quiet over the last few days.

I was muted a lot.

True, but even when you weren't muted you barely said anything. Is everything okay?

You do not need to worry. I was just reflecting on my past… and my relationship with my own children. Seeing Shen interacting with you made me realize some things I wish I had not.

Marcus thought for a moment and then replied. Did you have many children?

Yes, in my early years. In the second half of my life I had none. Marcus didn't know how to react to this, but Xeen read his mind and continued. In the past, I convinced myself that a certain way of doing things was the only option. Now I fear I have failed most of my children. Tsk. I wish they had taught me about parenting instead…

Your parents? Marcus asked, but Xeen stayed silent for a minute before he answered.

Marcus, I was not born like you. I was made, and as such I have no real parents. I am a product of bio engineering. A katakara with enhanced physical and mental abilities, in addition to indoctrination and mental fortification.

Marcus swallowed hard and sat up in his comfy seat. I didn't know that, he thought.

I have avoided this topic, but I think it is time to share this with you. I, and others, were created by the katakara to become elites. We were given the most powerful frameworks and the task to create a glorious future for our people.

I take, it didn't work out like that?

It was a disaster. I spent most of my first millennia engulfed in a civil war, as various factions led by my brothers and sisters aimed to take control. In the end, I was the only one left of the elites and I became the de facto leader of the katakara. Or what was left of my people. The War of the Chosen crippled the katakara to a point that we never really recovered. As you can imagine, there was not a lot of time to learn about parenting. In spite of this, droves of females wanted to be my lovers and have my children. This led to even more misery and made me a cold and distant father to my future children.

It was a dark tale Xeen offered to Marcus and he was still digesting it when Janette took place next to him and pushed a tablet into his face. "Look, your interview from this morning. Everybody is really excited about 'a rare comment from the Titan'," she said, and giggled. She let the video run and it showed Marcus at the airport. A young pretty woman in a red, fancy suit held a microphone in his direction and said, "Last night's announcement from Kim that he has abandoned the race for the top level had caused a great wave. As his disciple can you comment on the rumors that this is a sign of Kim retiring? How do you feel about him slowing down as you try to rise to the top?" She spoke quickly as if she was afraid he would stop her.

Marcus watched himself answer, and it was a strange experience indeed, "Anybody who thinks Ye-jun is retiring clearly knows nothing about him. He changes his approach and I am very happy about it. The constant rush for the highest level is dangerous and not very helpful in the long run. Kim isn't slowing down, he is shifting his focus to a more stable development of his abilities. I believe he will become even stronger now." After this, his 'video self' walked off and the video ended.

"According to the comments you are extremely cool and confident. I have already a few new ideas for merch," Janette said, and grinned as she imagined the future. Marcus rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat. "How long until we reach the Cromwell estate?" He asked, and Janette looked at her phone. "An hour tops. This baby is fast," she said, and leaned her head against his shoulder. After a few minutes it became clear to Marcus that she intended to stay there for the rest of the flight.

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An hour later they walked into the entrance hall of the Cromwell estate and Marcus met the Cromwell team in person, for the first time since his return. Hammond, Rita and Carlos welcomed them with hugs and Marcus saw some unexpected changes, especially with Rita. She had grown out her hair to her shoulders and felt far warmer than before. The cold, military feeling from the past was mainly gone and instead she was holding Carlos' hand. Carlos hadn't changed that much, but his hair was now much shorter and he had an aura of self confidence around him that Marcus couldn't remember he had before. Hammond seemed nearly unchanged and greeted him with, "Ah, Marcus! Draculi is so happy to see you again."

"Where is Alistair?" Grace asked, after the first greeting and Rita said, "He is still with Arthur, you are a bit earlier than expected. I will go and get him." Her eyes fell on Marcus and she thought for a moment. "Marcus, you have never met Arthur, am I right?" She asked, and Marcus shook his head. He knew something had happened to Alistair's son in the past, but it wasn't something that was discussed openly. "Then come with me. You should meet him at least once," Rita said, and showed Marcus the way. After a moment of indecision Marcus saw Grace giving him a hint to follow Rita.

They left the rest behind and used an elevator to go underground. Two levels beneath zero, they reached a specially reinforced door at the end of a branching hallway. Rita knocked before she opened the security door. A large, well decorated room awaited them behind the door. The room was dominated by a special medical bed in the middle. A young, attractive man with raven black hair was lying in the bed with several medical devices connected to his body, monitors constantly observing his physical status.

Alistair got up from a comfy leather armchair and closed the book in his hands. "Marcus, good to see you. You have arrived earlier than expected," Alistair said, and gave Marcus a hand. Lord Cromwell had de-aged even more and now looked about mid forties. His dark hair had only a few remnants of white and it had grown longer too. To Marcus' surprise Alistair had a ponytail and sideburns, which gave him a roguish look.

"I am happy to see you too, Alistair," Marcus answered, and his eyes moved from the strangely young Alistair to the sleeping young man in the large bed. "Right, you have never met Arthur before," Alistair said, and smiled. "One day he went into a ruin, touched some alien device and became like this. It has been 10 years now, and nobody knows what is wrong with him. The best scientists, medical professionals and class holders couldn't figure out why he is unconscious. By all metrics, he is completely healthy," Alistair explained, as if he had done it many times before.

Marcus, remind me, did you not tell me that his son was a class holder?

Yes, a Blood Knight if I remember correctly. "He is a Blood Knight, correct?" Marcus asked, and Alistair nodded "At his time, one of the top in the UK, level 85," he said. Marcus, can you go closer to Arthur. Really close.

"Could I take a look at him?" Marcus asked Alistair, who was somewhat surprised but agreed with a smile.

Marcus walked closer to the bed and leaned over the sleeping man. Closer. Marcus leaned closer, and now only a few centimeters separated their faces. The other people in the room looked slightly confused.

That is a first, even for me. The boy has no Astral Body.

What?!

I do not know how this is possible, but something must have happened and separated him from his Astral Body. That would also explain his state. Once the transformation happens, your consciousness is partially connected to your Astral Body. If it was removed forcefully, his mind might be missing something vital. Intriguing.

Marcus leaned back and took a deep breath. "Alistair, I think I know what ails your son," he said, and two jaws dropped to the floor. "Really! Tell me please," Alistair pleaded, and sudden hope was in his eyes. "It is hard to explain without you understanding a few things, but something vital is missing from him. I don't know how he has lost it, but without it he might never wake up again," Marcus said, and Alistair looked not at all discouraged, the opposite was the case.

Alistair thought for a moment and looked strangely uncomfortable before he spoke again. "Has this insight something to do with Xeen?" He asked carefully, and now Marcus was the surprised one. "Candis accidentally let something slip, please don't be angry with her. She told us only a few key points afterwards," Alistair said, and Marcus rolled his eyes. "Well, if that is the case, then it would be best if we sit down and talk. It is easier anyway, for now and for the mission ahead," Marcus explained and the others looked relieved.

After chewing out Candis for not telling him about the slip up, Marcus gave the Cromwell crew the basic information package about Xeen and also informed them about the missing Astral Body of Arthur. They were sitting in the room filled with exotic plants they had visited before, and drank tea, while talking about aliens and the Astral Plane. Alistair looked extremely happy, "Finally an answer! Finally an idea what to do." The old lord looked even younger now.

"I knew fate had guided us together for a reason, Marcus. But never had I imagined you would be the one who uncovers the secret of my son's malady." Alistair nearly spilled his tea, he was that excited. "But I can't tell you how this happened. Even Xeen is surprised by this. Arthur must have engaged with some unknown technology. Very far advanced, too," Marcus explained, and Alistair nodded. "We have lost access to the world where it happened, but one day I will find it again and save my son," he said, and Marcus could see the determination in the old man's eyes.

I too would like to find the source. Technology that can manipulate Astral Bodies is unheard off. We might learn a lot from it.

Marcus thought about Xeen's words and what such a technology could be used for. Marcus wasn't sure if he was happy about the implications.

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