AN UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS

It honestly took a little convincing for Frankenstein to get permission to check up on Luciel's body to make sure she was alright since it's been a long time since anyone had. 900 years is way over the limit he could take not knowing if she was alright. He personally checked out her body and took his time while doing it. Her cells were the first thing he looked at to make sure they didn't decide to reject one another and cause her body to break down. Luckily, her stability was as perfect as the day he first checked up on her all those years ago.

Luciel sat down in the back of Frankenstein's personal space, a secret lab below the house that had all the latest equipment already installed. She watched in silence as M-21 went through a full body scan after her own checkup was done, while Frankenstein looked over the data he was given.

"Hmm... just as I thought," Frankenstein said as his eyes scanned over the screen. "I noticed that the change in your body from the fight, won't be permanent."

M-21 sat up from the table. "Really?"

"Your physical state is clearly better than before."

"Any side effects?" Luciel was the one to ask this.

Frankenstein gave her a glance but he noticed her strange gaze at M-21 like she was studying him with her ultra eyes. "Luckily no. It might be too early to conclude anything but his body is definitely becoming more stable," he said.

"I thought the same considering the speed of my recovery." M-21 grimaced with the memories. "I thought I would really die in that last fight. The wounds were definitely severe..."

"Indeed. Despite the fact that Master assisted in your recovery, your ability recover was incredible. When I arrived your wounds were already slowly healing."

"I'm not sure, but when I was passed out and dying... your master called me."

Frankenstein paused. "Master did?"

M-21 pulled his shirt back on. "I'm not sure...maybe it was just a dream?"

"Maybe the echo from Master boosted your power and woke your mind."

"That makes sense."

Luciel got up from her seat. "Something's been weighing on my mind about you, M-21." She spoke in a serious tone that took M-21 by surprise.

"What do you mean?" He asked

She rested her hand against her chin and stared like she was looking right through him. "I don't know if it's because I'm a chimera that I noticed, but your not a normal modified human."

"What do you mean?" M-21 blinked.

Frankenstein spoke up. "I've noticed that too. After examining your body. I haven't seen the other M-Series, so I can't say for sure. But you are quite simple."

"Simple?"

"You wouldn't know what I am talking about. Normally, modified humans are capable of busting their characteristics on their own. They also assimilate with the characteristic of animals. Many special devices have been planted recently. But, you're different. A certain ability wasn't enhanced, but keep in mind that the genes and specific parts of the creatures were planted in your body. The change in your abilities may have not been so noticeable at first. You have to understand that it takes time for your abilities to enhance."

"Specific...subject?"

"Yes, no doubt your healing power is absolute if it wasn't for your assistance...it wouldn't have gotten a stable result from the experience."

"Are you referring to that of noblesse? Or just like your power?"

"No." Frankenstein shook his head.

"No? There can't be anything as great as you, can there?"

"Nobles are not the only ones who ruled the old world."

M-21 froze when he said that as everything slowly started to come into place and make sense. The outstanding healing power and the sudden power boost. It could only mean one thing. "Werewolf?"

Frankenstein nodded his head in approval. "Yes, you seem to have their ability."

"Werewolves still exist? I thought they were extinct... When I was at the Union, I couldn't get a hold of any files on them."

"They do still exist somewhere. It's been like that for a very long time. There were few Nobles but even fewer Werewolves. Comparing them in number would be a meaningless task because they are so rare. And since they couldn't erase memories, they stayed very low to keep themselves from getting well known." A dark smile came to his lips when he pulled off his glasses. "I always thought that you and Luciel were similar...the heart that is."

The unknown and unfamiliar object in M-21's chest beat loudly and made all his blood run cold. "My heart is...a werewolf's heart?"

Luciel crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head a bit "That's what I found strange about you. Your heartbeat is identical to mine. I'm surprised that the Union got their hands on something like that."

"It's very advanced to conduct an experiment like this...Crombell must be quite competent."

M-21 felt a cold blast of air. "How...do you know this?"

Frankenstein's eyes darkened. "How do I know?"

Luciel frowned. "Oh, boy..." She mumbled and sat back down to place her head against her hand.

"You remind me of the old days. When I used to think of only one thing. That's right. I was once searching for knowledge. I would have given anything to have my thirst for knowledge resolved... The pleasure and happiness I felt... I realized the meaning of my existence..."

Luciel quietly closed and eyes and listened on to his mindless rambling and pacing back and forth. 900 years still isn't enough to change this man at all. She's heard this story so many times already that she practically knows it by heart and can easily fall asleep to it.

"Luciel?"

Her eyes shot open and she jumped from her seat when he suddenly addressed her. "Yes?"

"Are you listening?"

"Y-Yes..."

M-21 started at them in a dumbfounded manner and just wondered...was he waiting for him to ask?

Luciel watched with curious eyes beside Frankenstein as he handed two pills each to Takeo and Tao.

"What's this?" Tao asked, studying the pills in his hand.

"I found some problems from D," Frankenstein said which took the boys back.

"D has problems?" Takeo questioned him. "There can't be. We took it several times."

Tao only agreed. "We didn't have any side effects while taking D. We would have known."

Frankenstein shook his head. "You go back to normal once the effect wears off, or so you though, but the effect of D is not totally gone. Some of it stays in your body. I should say, it has accumulated in your body. D enhances your physical strength but carries side effects as well. That's why it only lasts for 30 minutes."

"That's right..." Tao grimaced. "But the limited time is to minimize the physical burden on our body."

Luciel bit down on her lips. "Knowing that you were designed to be absorbed by Kranz then...to avoid the cells from collapsing you'll need to tolerate it to get the maximized power without side effects...right?" She glanced to Frankenstein and he nodded.

This new information made them sick to their stomachs.

"Then, what's the side effects?" Tao hesitated to asked.

"It shortens your lifespan. Enhancing your abilities by using D means they didn't consider your physical conditions. The source of enhancing your power is your vitality. You used it to upgrade your power." He said to the dumbstruck men. "You can't feel it now. But if you keep using D for 3-4 years, you will feel your body cell collapsing."

Tao paled. "Then... we only have 3-4 years left?"

"No, only if you keep taking D. The good thing is there weren't many situations to take it. I recommend you stop taking the D. You should be able to recover gradually with your physical abilities."

Takeo spoke. "The ones we gave you are it. We can't get it anymore unless we get it from the Union."

Luciel sighed. "That's good to hear." She was relieved that they would be fine in due time. It's time like these that that's glad that Frankenstein was so knowledgeable about these things.

"The pills you gave us treat the side effects caused by D?" Tao asked but Frankenstein shook his head.

"No, that is the upgraded version of D. I didn't have enough time to study it. The effects might not be as efficient, but there won't be any side effects."

A look of shock came to their faces. One after another they were being surprised with what this man could do in such a short amount of time. They knew that the D could not be easily made and not only that, it's accustomed only for them. They were wondering how Frankenstein was able to remove the side effects.

"It's not a perfect version with the removal of the side effects. The intensity level is only 30% of the D. Give me some time. Like D, these pills will only work on you guys."

Luciel leaned down to get a better look at the pills and noticed that there were two different colors. "Why are they different?"

"One of the pills is a less intense version of the D" Frankenstein explained with a slight smile to her curious eyes. "The other will start the effect immediately. I extended the intensity level to 200% of the D."

Takeo's and Tao's mouth dropped open. They stared at the single, small red pill in their hands. "200%"

"Right. But it takes up your lifespan immediately. If you let out all your power, it can kill you in a couple of hours. Simple stating, your life can be short and glorious." He laughed but Luciel only gave him a grim look.

The day seemed to move on like normal with just going over everyone's physical condition and nighttime soon fell upon them. Four hours ago, Frankenstein went out to get groceries by himself and left the house in Luciel's care. The clock ticked away though and left a pit in her stomach as the hours passed on one after another.

Something wasn't right.

Luciel has been staring at the clock in front of her for the last 3 minutes and watched has the hand circles the numbers countless times now. "Do you think something happened?" She broke her staring contest with the clock sat back down on the couch beside Regis and Seira.

"Well, he told me he would be back soon." Regis crossed his arms.

Luciel only frowned. "But that was 4 hours ago. He should be back by now. He went to get groceries at 4:03 pm. No one can reach him now."

"That's really strange..." M-21 agreed with her.

"He must have his reasons." Takeo assumed.

"Yeah, he could be late," Tao spoke up. "I think you guys are going overboard."

"If it was someone else then it would be understandable," Luciel said. "but Frankenstein would at least call if he was being held up, but to be gone 4 hours, silent. Impossible."

"I-Is it?" Tao brought his hand up to his chin. "If we can't reach a guy like that, this late..." A sudden realization came to pass. "Does this mean he got abducted or something?!"

If something came up he could call. No doubt. Luciel knew Frankenstein for a very long time and he has always been very diligent with everything he had done. Like checking out her body twice to make sure it was in perfect health or tending to Raizel's needs without delay. It was so unlike him to just suddenly go silent on them.

Luciel felt her head began to throb as well as her hands shake while clenching them tightly. Anxiety was still very fresh with her, so now it felt like every little thing that went wrong sent her over the edge since she was so desperate to stay with them. She never wanted to run away. She never wanted to worry Frankenstein or Raizel every again.

The group began to get worried more and more the longer they pondered on this, and their thoughts wondered who on earth wound kidnap that man. HIM of all people.

Luciel suddenly began to chuckle before she covered her mouth. "Oh dear, if it did turn out to be an abduction then...they would die." She could no longer stand the silence and got up from her seat. "I'll go look for him." She went over and grabbed her coat off the back of the couch.

Tao suddenly stood up when Luciel walked over to the door. "Right now? By yourself?" He looked towards in utter shock.

Luciel pulled her coat on. "That's right. If I leave now then I'll find him in a day or 2."

Tao's eyes widen. "Can you really find him?"

"But of course." Luciel smiled and went for the door. "I'll call in every 3 hours to give you guys an update." She looked back to the group. "Alright?"

Tao couldn't find the words to defy her and could only trust her abilities as a chimera. "Yes, miss."

Luciel smiled. "Ok. I'll be off then." She gave a wave to them before opening the door and shutting it behind her.