Hello. Thanks for reading! I'll admit that this was inspired by Frankenstein, if you couldn't tell by the summary. Not my characters, though I wish they were. R&R appreciated. Thank you.

The χ Project

DATALOG

Today an intense break in the field of science has been made.

For millennia, humankind has been seeking the key to immortality, but we have never found it, not with magic or science or good health. Death is inevitable. But now, we have created something capable of living forever, with no heart or blood.

This being has been surgically altered, his heart removed and replaced with a natural electricity-powered diaphragm of equal weight to keep him breathing. Blood samples indicate that all circulatory functions have ceased. We call him XEMNAS (X1NM3S1AE). We doubt he remembers anything of his past, though. For the first three weeks of XEMNAS's existence, we had to keep him constantly on machines, tubes running in his trachea to channel air in until he was capable of breathing on his own. He definitely is alive and responsive, though. He responds to stimuli, and he tries to speak and interact with us. But he is unable to speak as of yet, making only inarticulate moans and shouts. Sometimes he screams and howls in pain or despair for a while, even hours, or until we pump sedative gases into his holding chamber.

We are planning on showcasing this discovery soon. We believe that XEMNAS has the capability to continue living for an infinite amount of time if he meets correct conditions. This could possibly be the most important discovery known to mankind.

-Ansem, PHD. Radiant Garden Team

xxx

Even continued looking over the recordings and taking notes on the situation. XEMNAS was exhibiting some strange behavior, sitting still for hours or going up to the edge of the tank and placing his hand on the plexiglass. He seemed to like it when someone placed their hand against it. Was this some kind of affirmation of presence or attention? Or did the former human want to be with his superior brethren?

Right now, XEMNAS was asleep, slumped against the glass of the chamber. Even remembered who he used to be, a man stripped of memories whose brain, responding to the sudden wipe of personality, constructed a new existence for himself, right down to the name.

The scientist rose and approached the chamber. XEMNAS blinked slowly awake and looked curiously up at him. "Aaaaaah..." he moaned, innocence in his eyes. "Oh...aaah..."

Even tried to put up a ruse of kindness and kneeled to the experiment's sitting level. "Hello, XEMNAS. Will you please come here?" He brought his hand, fingers splayed, onto the semi-cold glass.

"Ehh...aaaaaaaah..." XEMNAS placed his big hand where Even's was, then he got closer, leaning his entire body up against the glass. Even could feel the hiss-pump of the diaphragm, and could see the scars where the removal of the heart, lobotomy, and placement of air tubes had been performed on him. It was almost pitiful, but the creature was undying. Even envied him.

"Good job." The scientist tapped the release code and the glass slid away, allowing XEMNAS to cautiously explore his surroundings. There was nothing harmful here at the moment; just the familiar machinery, a table with two chairs, and some flashcards all stacked neatly facedown. Even rose and sat at the table. "XEMNAS, come."

XEMNAS crawled towards him. "Ehh.."

Even sighed, his patience wearing thin. "XEMNAS, sit on the chair."

XEMNAS made a whining sound and pulled himself onto the chair opposite Even. His eyes stared straight ahead, head resting on one buckled knee and fingers twitching. His chest rose and fell in a steady, unaltered rhythm, powered by the meticulously made machine. It would take something monstrous to upset this system...but what? If this technology was to be perfected, the team would have to find out what would damage the beat of the diaphragm.

"XEMNAS, come to me," Even coaxed, not allowing his intentions to show. XEMNAS obediently approached, staring blankly down at his superior. Even smiled sinisterly. "This won't be comfortable." He brought the former human down to his level and placed his hand on the experiment's stitched chest. Hiss-pump, hiss-pump, hiss-pump... The beat went on, so unlike a true heartbeat, the metal piston pump just below a layer of live meat. It ran on the natural electricity present in living creatures. Electricity was the key!

XEMNAS watched as Even drew the small electric pen from his pocket. It sent off small shocks from a long thin needle, making it useful in various tests and experiments. He was fully aware that he was being watched through hidden cameras, but he felt the need to do this. XEMNAS cocked his head as Even gingerly touched the tip of the needle to his left pectoral.

The experiment couldn't even scream when the scientist pressed the button and put a volt of energy through him.

Even watched in horror as XEMNAS's breathing became rapid and shallow, pupils shrinking as the diaphragm malfunctioned. "What have I done?" Even hadn't considered, in the heat of passion, that this could possibly KILL everything he worked for! Shouts rang out down the hall as XEMNAS staggered to keep balance, his hyperventilation not allowing enough oxygen to his brain. He collapsed to his knees and fell to the ground, mind unconscious but diaphragm still functioning.

Braig and Aeleus ran in. "You idiot!" the former shouted. "You should be fired from the team!" He spun on Aeleus. "Aeleus!"

Aeleus nodded and flipped over XEMNAS, tearing open his stitches and grabbing the disk of the diaphragm's piston. XEMNAS's breathing ceased with it. Aeleus moved the piston in a normal breathing rhythm for about a minute, then let go. XEMNAS's breathing returned to normal, almost as though he were asleep, except that his ochre eyes were peeled wide open, pupils small and unseeing.

As Aeleus put XEMNAS back in his containment chamber, Braig spun on Even. "What were you thinking?" he screamed, eyes flaming. Even cringed and was about to say something in his defense. "You knew what electric currents would do to him! Are you insane?"

Even lowered his head with shame. "I don't know what came over me, Braig, I wasn't myself-"

"You realize what you've caused? We can't present our finds to the Foundation now!" Braig was seething as he punched Even across the jaw, knocking the feeble blonde to the ground.

"Stop!" Aeleus put a big hand on Braig's shoulder.

Braig growled. "You bastard!" With that, he ran away.

Even was crying silently when Aeleus glared down at him and walked off without a word.

xxx

DATALOG

Everything has gone downhill since Even electrocuted XEMNAS.

XEMNAS has become wary and distrustful of us, to the point of violence. Not even Ienzo has full trust. Anytime we draw a knife or pointed object, XEMNAS will scream and howl until we put it away.

He is especially hateful of Even. At the first sight of our blonde scientist, he will howl and roar with blatant rage. We cannot allow Even to interact with him, for we fear it may endanger his very life.

And the strange things XEMNAS has been doing! His screaming fits have all but ceased, and now he moans something to us, attempting to say a word I can't help but find important. It may have something to do with his twice forgotten past.

I shall keep you updated on these discoveries and events in Project χ.

-Ansem, PHD. Radiant Garden Team