Chapter Seven
"Shinwoo… I notice you've been calling Rai 'Noblesse' all evening." Ikhan said, raising an eyebrow. Shinwoo looked at him.
"Yes. Why?"
"Well… You never have before. You always called him 'Rai'. You're also calling Ras 'Lord'."
"Ah! That's what it is. Well, you see… I'm a Noble, now…" Shinwoo said, transforming into his Noble form, his eyes becoming crimson red and his body becoming more streamlined. Other than that, there was really no change. He still would have been recognizable as Shinwoo if the person was paying attention.
"But what was wrong with being human!" Ikhan protested. Shinwoo laughed.
"Nothing was wrong with it. But I thought I might try my hand at being a Noble. So far, the topic hasn't really come up. I'm still the same person. I'm just genetically a Noble."
"What… What exactly does that entail?" Suyi asked. "Like, do you have special powers, now?"
"Well… I would… Except I already have so many powers, including the powers of most of the Noble clans… Telekinesis, telepathy, hemokinesis, mind control via telepathy. I could engage an opponent either lethally or non-lethally, depending on the threat level and based on the crime they committed. I could simply use mind control to force them to leave, or atone for their crimes. Or, I could use telekinesis in any number of lethal or non-lethal ways.
"My only really new Noble power is a Soul Weapon, one I have called Prometheus. It's a non-standard Soul Weapon that has no set form. It can change forms as I need it to. Since I am primarily a melee combatant, I suspect that weapons like a sword, or tonfa, or even non-traditional weapons."
"A Soul Weapon? However did you manage to create one? Doesn't it usually require the soul of a Noble, or, in Frankenstein's case, the souls of millions of humans?" Regis asked, raising an eyebrow as well.
"Normally, yes. However, my ability to access bioenergy has allowed me to create a soul powerful enough, and solidify the soul into a viable weapon. Naturally, as the soul was a perfect copy of mine, it responded to my fighting style, which is why it has such a wide variety of forms. If it has a limit to the number of forms it can take, I haven't reached it."
"Color me impressed, Han Shinwoo." Regis said with a smirk, looking around and noticing that the others were beginning to look slightly pale. Their illnesses were beginning to set in. It had been three hours. It was probably enough time to begin to experience symptoms."
"You guys aren't looking well. Muzaka, if you would take the children home?" Frankenstein asked politely, still making it clear that it wasn't up for debate.
"Of course. Come on, kids. We don't want you to be emptying your stomachs on the way. Don't wait, I always say." The children nodded, getting their shoes on, and hurrying along with Muzaka, who didn't bother putting shoes on. Ikhan looked down. How often did a man look at someone's feet? But this was unusual.
"Hey, Muzaka… Why don't you wear shoes?" He asked. Muzaka laughed.
"Why would I need them? The soles of my feet are tougher than any human's. Even if they didn't have calluses from centuries upon centuries of fights, and running barefoot, they would heal as quickly as they could be cut. But…" he said, standing up on one foot, holding it up for Ikhan to see.
"So, the bottom of your foot can't be cut?" Suyi asked. Muzaka shook his head.
"Oh, it can. It would require intent to cut it, though. Watch." Muzaka said, taking a razor sharp knife, and cutting the bottom of his foot. It bled for about four seconds, then healed over, looking as though nothing had ever been there.
"See? No need for shoes. Besides, we're in a hurry."
"Shouldn't we be running, then?" Ikhan asked. Muzaka frowned, shaking his head.
"I don't think you fully appreciate how fast I can run. I can make attacks that break the sound barrier. If I were so inclined, I suspect I could run several hundred kilometers per hour… You Koreans… You go by kilometers now, right?"
"Yes. But we can understand miles if that were the system you preferred to use."
"Well… Maybe miles were what the world used to use, but… Back in my day, thousands of years ago, there were no miles or kilometers in what is now Germany. In fact, Werewolves lived apart from humans, so we didn't use human units of measurement. I have… Some concept of kilometers from Frankenstein. A kilometer is based on division of the planet into units of measurement, correct?"
"Yes. That's what the metric system is based on. Ah, here's my house. Thanks, Muzaka. I hope this virus doesn't make me too miserable to enjoy the Doctor Who marathon that's gonna be on all day tomorrow."
"See you later, Ikhan." Suyi said. Yuna waved as well as Ikhan went inside.
"Okay, whose house is the closest to here?"
"Mm… That would be mine." Yuna said, pointing toward where it was. Muzaka nodded, and they crossed the street. As they were crossing, though, a car turned. It was going far too fast, and nearly hit Yuna. Muzaka leapt in, thrusting his hand out, going partially into Werewolf form, stopping the car in its tracks, completely crushing the front of the car.
"Hey, asshole! Watch it!" The person yelled, jumping out of the car, waving his arms, gesticulating rudely at the women.
"My apologies, sir. I suppose I should have been looking more closely before we crossed the street." Muzaka said, trying to compromise with the man. "Of course, I'll pay for the repairs to your car. This is my address. My name is Muzaka. Just send me the bill.
"Yeah, I'm sorry I yelled at you, too… Um… Listen…"
"Whoa… Have you been drinking? You…"
"Listen, young man… How did you manage to stop my car like that?"
"Well… Um… My high school chemistry is a little bit rusty, but something about dopamine and endorphins making me stronger than humanly possible."
"Yeah… Alcohol tends to have similar effects, young man, 'cept you don't actually get stronger. You only think you are. Don't ever touch the stuff. Listen, I won't send you the bill if you won't tell anyone about this accident. I think I'll walk home." The man said. It was obvious that he was more than a little bit drunk.
"What!?" Suyi demanded angrily. Muzaka nodded, though, holding his hand out.
"It's a deal. I don't need this kind of attention, Miss Suyi. Let's get you home. You're both alright?" He asked. Suyi and Yuna nodded. As they were walking, Yuna seemed like she wanted to ask something.
"Is it true that Linus has your heart, Muzaka? I heard that the Union experimented extensively on you, removing organs to see if you would regenerate. Is that true?"
"It's quite possible. If so, I would want him to know that I hold no grudge against him for it. It wasn't his fault that the Union's greed led them to modify him. As I understand, he's holding out quite well. The modification has almost completely synchronized with his body. I'm happy about that. Not many men could successfully synchronize like that. Why do you ask?"
"I… I wondered if there was any way that you could make me a Werewolf. Is… Is that true, about a Werewolf's bite?"
Muzaka stared blankly at Yuna.
"What about a Werewolf's bite? I've never heard that anything happened when I bit someone, except that they usually die.
"A Werewolf warrior has very powerful jaw strength. Frankenstein measured my bite strength in Werewolf mode, and it exceeded 150,000 psi, though I forget what psi stands for."
"Pounds per square inch…" Yuna said. "Probably… My apartment is coming up over here. Thanks so much for walking us home, Muzaka." She said, smiling and walking into the building, leaving only Suyi and Muzaka. Muzaka looked at Suyi.
"Okay, so, where are we going for you?"
"Don't worry about me. I live all the way across town. I can take a cab."
"Are you kidding? Frankenstein would never forgive me if I left you alone on the street at night. Hop on. I can get you home in no time." Muzaka said, grabbing Suyi off her feet, and running full speed, jumping up onto the roofs and hurrying across town toward where Suyi had indicated her home was.
About five minutes later, they were standing in front of a fairly posh apartment, and Suyi smiled politely, thanking Muzaka for taking her home. She had to admit that she was slightly shaken from the breakneck speed at which they were travelling. They had been going faster than any car she had ever been in. It had driven the air right from her lungs. She dismounted, gasping for breath.
"Are you alright, Miss Suyi?" Muzaka asked. Suyi finally caught her breath, and nodded.
"Yes. I'm alright. Just… stunned, slightly. Maybe next time… You could run a bit slower?"
"Sure… In the event that I ever carry you about on my back again, I'll run slower." Muzaka joked. Suyi laughed as well, bidding Muzaka farewell, and heading into her apartment. She would only actually be staying in Korea for a few more days. Hopefully her illness subsided before then.
"She would have to consult with Shinwoo about the full extent of her soon to be abilities, when she stopped feeling like she was about to vomit, that was. She ran upstairs, heading straight to the bathroom, slamming the door and heading to the toilet. Finally, after kneeling there for a while, heaving, she went to bed, deciding that she had better rest up for a rough next day.
"Master, what is your opinion on Shinwoo's experiments into forcing human evolution? Nobles have always disdained human modification, but also ironically given it tacit approval by not interfering. So, Shinwoo's ability to force such drastic changes in humans is probably… Shocking to say the least."
"Not at all. Shinwoo merely followed his will in doing what he believed was best.
"He is not killing anyone, and he is not doing unnecessary harm in achieving his goals. So I see no reason to object to his desires. I have never objected to humans accepting modification, as long as it was of their own free will. There is no reason that humans should not desire to advance themselves. Although some use that power for evil ends, like the Union, some simply wish to protect that which they hold dear, like the KSA."
"Do you know when the wedding is going to be, Master?"
"I have not made extensive plans for it yet. I am not familiar with the human ceremony of marriage. As you know, Nobles do not typically celebrate their bonding in the same way. Our race is going through great changes, Frankenstein." Raizel said, looking slightly wistful.
"A Noble Clan Leader is marrying a human. Nobles, including myself, have accepted extensive modification. Those who were once Clan Leaders and some of my most loyal followers, have broken away from Lukedonia, and joined the human Union. Time in the human world moves so fast, and I am fearful that in another ten years, I will not even recognize the world as I have only just begun to recognize it now. What is your opinion, Frankenstein?
"Should I retreat back to Lukedonia, and live comfortably in the slow paced world if the Nobles? Or should I grow used to humanity as it has become?"
"I… Could not give my opinion, Master. It must be your decision."
"And… Your opinion on Han Shinwoo's decision?"
"I believe that only time will tell if his decision was the right one. Time told that my research in the name of the Union went into dangerous hands, and became dangerous weapons that they used against the very ones that they claimed to protect. But Han Shinwoo… He has decided to give this gift to all of humanity, an unbiased decision that will change the world as we see it. It will change all of science, and will take years to fully understand the causes, if ever they understand it.
"That said, humans will always be as humans always have been. Some will use their new powers for good. Some for evil. But at least humans will stand a better chance against the predators of the world, like the Union, though, unlike the Union agents, they'll actually have to work to earn it."
"Yes… They have long worked to earn this benediction. Humans have gods that they follow, correct?"
"Yes, Master…"
"Do you think that they will believe that their deity, or deities have lowered this benediction upon them?"
"I… Couldn't say. Humans are, by and large, an irrational people. I'm sure that they will scramble to find an answer for their sudden power, whether it is divine grace for those who believe, and some bizarre side effect of medication, or perhaps the effect of food additives for those who do not.
"I could not say. Regardless of how they seek the answer, they will find it, whether it is true or not. Either way, the conspiracy theorists will inevitably be the closest to the truth."
"Conspiracy theorists?" Raizel asked, raising an eyebrow.
"There are people in this world who, regardless of the evidence, will search for some sort of shady deal or organization that has caused something. For the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center in America, many believe that America's own government organized the attacks. Many believe that fluorinated water is used to control the minds of the masses, and that secret groups like the Illuminati, the Freemasons, and Skull and Crossbones secretly control the governments of the world.
"All three of those organizations exist. However, through private research, I have discovered that in reality, they are just extensions of, and scapegoats for, the Union. The Union started these conspiracy theories to distract the public from the fact that in truth, there is a single organization that controls most of the world. If most humans knew that, they would panic. Thus, in pre-emptive strategy, the Union released the conspiracy theories about various organizations to deflect suspicion."
"And… Nobody takes these people seriously?"
"Yes… They are the kooks and lunatics of the world.
"Humans never cease to amaze me with their innovative ways of dividing themselves." Raizel said, shaking his head silently.
