Chapter IX
Within a secret facility safe from the public, a boy floated wide eyed in a swallow pool of purple fluid. His eyes were wide open locked on a bright ceiling light above him, he was awake but not present then suddenly after what felt like eternity to him he woke, regaining lucidity.
"Patient C-04 has awoken." His recovery was reported.
The door slid open, a nurse walked in with a fresh set of clothes for him.
"Welcome back, Mr. Rothschild " She bowed in greeting with cordial mannerism and a sweet smile.
Placing his hand on his chest, he felt the gentle rhythm of life still beating.
"I'm alive." The boy questioned his reality and felt every inch of his body discovering slight abnormalities, he saw his reflection in the liquid he was covered in.
The face that stared back at him wasn't his, he knew it.
A dull gray in his eyes, a gentle wave of ash hair, a yellowing white complexion, a jaw squared to perfection and a physique so perfect it might as well be myth.
The sight hit too hard and left him staring completely out of it. The Nurse moved to action.
"Excuse me" She disconnected every tube and device he was attached to and led him out of the bath, supporting him with her shoulder.
Every step felt heavy and suffocating.
"You haven't walked in months so please be careful."
She helped him to the next area — a bedroom where she sat him on the bed and wore him a proper shirt and pants.
The boy tried to resist.
"You don't have to do this."
But the nurse reassured him, "Don't worry. I have been caring for you for since you arrived here."
Another person arrived, this one he didn't need to recognise because he wore a fly head mask.
"Beelzebub?" He questioned uncertainly.
"You remember me?" With a little bit of sarcasm, "I'm flattered." The masked figure now identified as Beelzebub commented.
Beelzebub inspected the young man with interest. He probed his body for a good minute before concluding.
"You are in a much better state than when you were brought, I am honestly surprised to see you looking this good."
"What did you do to me?" The boy asked not sharing in Beelzebub's humor.
"Simple, I resurrected a corpse."
This response was so impossibly vague it could have well been a joke but the severity of the situation made the boy know that Beelzebub wasn't being sarcastic with that statement.
"Did that come out wrong. Okay let explain, a few months ago i received a request to help save someone. I wasn't too thrilled till I heard the challenge, this particular client had passed on during his transport and conventional methods wouldn't work for a body that has been inactive for over half a day so i was called not just to treat an aliment but to perform a miracle and believe me those aren't cheap but i was willing nonetheless. Bringing back the body wasn't a problem but for the brain that pilots it, a certain kind of finesse is needed. So I developed a new technology that could reignite neural firing, synchronise brain wave, restore communication between brain regions and kickstart neural and brain tissue regeneration then hope you would return with some semblance of humanity and thankfully you did."
"My Body?"
"All this was by the request of your acquaintance after all regardless of how you look. Are you not Ives Rothschild?"
Beelzebub's words forced Ives to confront his fears, he remembered the brutal beating he took at the old man's hands and how the powerlessness tortured him more than the pain.
"I could have died and it would have all been over" Ives said out loud, trying to process the full weight of all he had transpired.
Beelzebub responded to his inner turmoil, "Isn't it always that way. But thankfully you are part of a select few, who from now on death might just a minor inconvenience and i advise you remain focused on ensuring you don't lose that leverage. I wouldn't be all too pleased to see a promising young man like yourself fade too quickly."
Ives turned to Beelzebub, there was a striking clarity and determination in his gaze which wasn't there earlier.
"Mister Beelzebub. I have a request?"
Beelzebub responded with deep interest, "And what would that be?"
"I want to be stronger."
"Umm… you have wealth that is something so many lack. Won't that suffice enough as strength, you could employ strong men to your service."
Ives remained adamant, "Strong like Zeke."
After a brief pause, Beelzebub responded to Ives.
"Those like Zeke are only given such modifications to enable them to serve our goals, we exist as a secret sect of society that tends to keep our special resources tight and controlled. I don't think it is such a good idea.."
"I'll pay." Ives interjected.
"There are many things that even money isn't enough to buy such things are forged in secret, upheld and protected by agendas far too serious for even you to grasp. In such places, innocence is a myth and escape is a luxury often accompanied by a swift death."
"Like I said I'll pay." Ives made his stand.
And how strong would you need to get to be satisfied?"
"Stronger than Zeke."
Beelzebub paused. The ferocity in Ives' eyes showed a man with a life wrecked by helplessness and pain which propelled him towards growth at any cost in order to escape his past. A drive which could save or destroy him.
Beelzebub responded with acceptance.
"Very well. Who am I to stop a young man from pursuing his passion. This was what forged me into what I am today."
Beelzebub handed over a gold coin to Ives and said,
"Ives Rothschild. I hereby nominate you for the position of Enforcer." Turning to the nurse he ordered, "Prepare this fine young man we are about to create a monster."