What Memory Remains

“It has now been three months since the apprehension of Zenapharr Meridian, a man with murderous streak who formerly worked as an assassin for Minerva. While on numerous missions, he was linked to an unprecedented amount of deaths of innocent civilians. Before he broke out of jail at a NOSRAD facility that he was raised in, he confirmed many of these killings himself. He still awaits trial as more and more information is being gathered to confirm what exactly happened the day he turned himself in. The last death on this killer’s alarming toll was claimed to be that of Robert Krane, the Director of NOSRAD operations. His body could not be found to confirm this claim, and Zenapharr alleged that they destroyed the facility he was killed in and was possibly burned in an incinerator at the facility.

The facility in question was not found registered anywhere, and was supposedly kept a secret because of the multiple illegal activities conducted there. Sade Wingard, one of Zenapharr’s cohorts , did submit some disturbing files documenting in detail what went on in this mysterious facility. An interesting note about this unnamed facility is that it was supposed to have housed an advanced weaponry armored suit called Rune-Tech. After checking with officials, it was confirmed that Krane was given authority to use this small assembly to suppress any attacks due to the conflict between the Nostromus and Latheria continents.

Zenapharr stated that the facility had housed over hundreds of these suits and that Krane had intentions on starting a war against the Magi, and that Krane had orchestrated the assassination of the President and stirred up tensions between the northern and southern continents. None of these claims could be verified, but if anything can be said about NOSRAD, it’s that they were hiding something. One of the many allegations mentioned by Zenapharr was that NOSRAD lured patients and imprisoned them, forcing them to be lab rats and even killed many by syphoning their magical abilities. While this is one of the many wild claims by Zenapharr and his group, there has been a surprising amount of people calling in and sending letters claiming that they had relatives or friends disappear after getting involved with NOSRAD. They are currently being investigated as more and more of these facts seem to line up and does point to corruption and conspiracy for a company that’s been known to try to better lives in the northern continent.

Only time will tell as we uncover more of these facts and events, and you can bet your money that News at 10 will give you more of this story as it unfolds! This is Karen McKay, saying good day to ya, Nostromus!”

Officer Strago at the Contra Prison turned off the TV and decided it was time to make his rounds once more before his relief came. He walked by the rows of inmates, who all gave him dirty and sullen looks as he passed. The looks were returned with equal disdain.

“Buncha lowlifes,” he muttered under his breath. After ten minutes of checking all his assigned blocks, he made his way to the end of Block D, where they kept the notorious killer Zenapharr. The officer was surprised by the sullen, calm demeanor of the man. Every whisper and tale of the man spoke of a cold, calculated swordsman that would snap and mutilate his victims for sheer fun. Tales had their tendency to be made tall, but there was especially something about Zenapharr that made him think otherwise. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“Hey, man. How are ya?” The officer approached the double-enforced steel door.

“I’m actually very thirsty. Could I have some water?”

“Sure, you can have mine. Haven’t opened it yet.”

The guard dropped a water bottle into a small container on his side of the door , and pushed it over to the cell’s side. Zenapharr took a small step over and retrieved the bottle, raising it bit to salute before he took a long gulp.

“Ahhh. Thank you.”

“No problem. Heard any from Sade lately?”

“Not since last month. It looks like the immunity I requested to grant his freedom has proved successful. I received a letter from the judge residing over the case. It seems the lawyer they’ve appointed me will no longer be needed.”

“You’re representing yourself?”

“From here on, yes. My only concern was to keep Sade free , and in exchange I’m going to admit to any crimes committed and all information related to the victims. Although I wouldn’t regard ALL of them as victims. Some were self-defense, others were justice being served.”

“Like Krane?”

“Yes, but I did not kill him. That was his wife, but it was never publicly documented. That’s how Krane works, working behind lock and key. Always the man of cloak-and-dagger tactics.”

“If you could go back and change how it all happened, and you would be the one that killed him….would you?”

“Absolutely.”

“So you’re certain he was a bad man?”

“Most certainly the worst. If only there was another way to dispose of that Rune-Tech Armor without destroying all the other evidence with it…”

“Well, Mr. Meridian. I’ve been working on that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll tell you….this whole mess with conspiracy and NOSRAD…it’s starting to look pretty legit. My friends have been telling me that this wild story of yours may not be as crazy as it sounds. Those missing people…there’s a lot of them out there. People agreeing to being test subjects, and ‘accidentally’ dying during the testing. There’s so many outcomes….NOSRAD paying off the families of victims, using people on the inside of law enforcement to make the cases go cold….there’s something to it. It all leads back to the same organization. Their pockets are deep too. The news only aired what NOSRAD paid them to. I never realized how much control they had until I started investigating. And all this was because you came forward to admit a crime. Trading your sins to fix the countless sins of others.”

“Almost poetic isn’t it?”

“You could say that almost. So look…we went to some ‘outside’ sources, a guy by the name of Aegis Wilhelm. Says he can get the evidence needed to take care of NOSRAD. I’m not talking some slap on the wrist…he says that he can completely shut them down.”

“Aegis….that is good news. He’s a good source.”

“He helped you , didn’t he? To do what you did?”

“Yes, he did. Strange fellow, jokes too much.”

“That’d be him. So Aegis told you where this armor was, right?”

“Yes.”

“And this facility he led you to had that magic-resistant armor. …you saw it?”

“With my own two eyes. There were people…hooked up to them like some kind of enslaved military. Probably test subjects that were brainwashed. I’m not even sure I want to know what they were. They remind me of myself in a way, mindlessly working to fulfill some other person’s need.”

“Like when you were an assassin?”

“Yes. I just went about life, acting on instinct. Fulfilling whatever selfish need I had. And one day, it all changed.”

“What happened?”

“I went on my last mission, though I didn’t know it at the time. I was supposed to kill someone and they told me that Krane had been lying to me. That things were not as they seemed in my past. I never really thought of it before, never really questioned anything before that. And I’m not sure if it was so much his words, but my response of actually wondering ‘what if?’ After that it was like I just….woke up.”

“Things were different.”

“Yes. And funny thing about it…I think it never really happened…meeting that man. I can never say for sure because of Krane’s tactics but, I’ve had hallucinations before. Either way, it was real tome. It was like my mind was telling me something I didn’t want to accept so, I found some other way to tell myself.”

“Powerful stuff.”

“Yes, yes indeed. Speaking of which, I believe my next appointment will be soon.”

“Oh, with Dr. Shephard? How’s that been going?”

“So-so. He’s a kind man but, I never liked any doctor who thought I was crazy. Alice doesn’t like him either.”

“Alice is there during your appointments?”

“Yes. She tricks the doctor into thinking she’s not there, haha! I keep telling her that it’s not honest, but she’s such a curious girl. Has to know everything, always in people’s heads. But if you could read people’s minds, wouldn’t you want to take a peek?”

“Can’t say I could resist that. Maybe I’d be on the same page with my wife for once.” They both chuckled for a moment, and went silent. He shifted in his chair he’d plopped down near the cell, and his mind wondered for a moment.

“Officer, how come you’re so nice to me?” Zenapharr interrupted the silence, a puzzled expression written on his brow.

“Oh, uh…I dunno. I guess I just like talking to you. Sometimes to hear what you gotta say, sometimes because I got something to say. Everyone wins.”

“I’m glad you do, I was just curious. I’m so glad that Minerva allows her to visit me here. Talking to her helps with the loneliness most of the time, but I’m glad to have an adult to talk to also. You know recently, I’ve found that writing things down seems to help me with all that’s been going on. In fact, I started a journal of my own. I’ve actually been thinking about writing down my endeavors into a book and publishing it. Quite a fascinating tale…could even be a best-seller. What do you think?”

The guard thought about saying something else for a moment, and replied.

“I think you should do it. Never know what could come of it. You know, I thought about being a painter once. Used to spend hours just hitting the canvas when I was younger.”

“What stopped you?”

“I dunno….life I guess. Being a police guard pays the bills. You get older and somehow the necessities of life just make you forget.”

“You can still do both.”

“Me? Haha, nah. I was good when I was younger. Probably lost my touch by now.”

“Did it make you happy?”

“Yeah….I guess it did.”

“Then do it.”

“I think I’ll do that.”

A light began flashing on a device on the guard’s hip, and he jumped up.

“Looks like your doctor’s here.”

“I shall await his presence. Seems like this will be a busy day for me.”

“Yeah, sure will be. Give him hell, will ya?”

Zenapharr chuckled, and the guard went off to let the doctor in. The high-pitched giggle pricked the Seraphim’s ears, and he turned to his bed where he saw Alice sitting.

“Would you stop that?”

“I can’t help it! I like to listen! It’s like I’m a detective.”

“You’re eavesdropping. I don’t know why you bother signing in when you’re here half the time they think that you’re gone.”

“It’s more fun that way.”

“Silly girl. By the way, you will be happy to know that your father has contacted me…he wants to see you.”

“That’s good news…I guess.” Zenapharr felt a sting as he saw the disappointment in her eyes.

“It doesn’t mean that he plans to take you back, but I suppose he’ll want to. But with your power, I assume you’ll do what you want either way.”

“I’m not going back to him. He left me with that horrible man.”

The half elf sat down beside her and embraced her, rocking her back and forth.

“It’s alright. I won’t make you go back with him.”

“Good.”

“I don’t want you to go away ever, Alice. We’ve been through too much.”

“And I’ll never leave you.”

Foothalls bounced through the hallways, and Zenapharr nodded at Alice to do what she always did at his sessions. It sounded like three pairs of feet the closer the sound got, and changed to two at one point.

“My hearing must be off. Probably that damn hex that witch put on me,” Zenapharr thought darkly. A few moments later, his doctor and Officer Strago approached.

“Good evening, Zenapharr. How are we?” The doctor asked cheerily. His perfectly parted hair was uncanny, matching his expertly clean attire.

“We are good,” he responded, smiling.

“Well, looks like you are in good spirits. The officer tells me that you’ve been having regular chats with him.”

“That’s correct, doctor.”

“Good, good! Research strongly supports that emotional and mental health relies on interaction with others. That is hard to come by in your situation, so please take full advantage.”

“One step ahead.”

“Yes, yes. So…Zenapharr I want to jump straight in today. I’ve been assessing the parts of your story that are being looked at from the legal end to decipher the events that have led you here. And there’s one part of it I want to go over one last time with you.”

“What is that?”

“Shortly after you escaped the facility, you made your way back into town by horseback. Tell me what happened from there.”

“I don’t see why this is necessary. I’ve already told you.”

“I just want to hear it again, Zenapharr.”

“Why? What is it you’re not telling me?”

“Look…I’m here to evaluate you. And there was a lot that happened. Sometimes, the details get fuzzy when remembering something like you did. People died.”

“The only people that died that mattered was Luke Everton.”

“And who is he?”

“I probably didn’t use his real name. People call him the Rainmaker.”

“Oh, he’s….” The doctor rifled through his notebook. “Oh…he’s the one that jumped in and saved you.”

“Yes, he did. He disabled all those Rune-Tech Armor, then flooded the facility so no one else could find them and use it. We stopped a war from happening.”

“Well, there’s no doubt some of the unusual activity between the continents stopped after you turned yourself in. So, again…please tell me what happened.”

“Fine….so we got back to Ohim in a panic. Alice passed out and was barely breathing. We….we took her to a nearby medical station and they tried to get her heart beating again. It took too much and….” Zenapharr fumbled to get the rest out.

“It’s okay, take your time.”

“She….she almost didn’t make it. When they were about to pronounce her d-dead, she came back! It was a miracle…I couldn’t believe it! Sade couldn’t either, he just stood there looking at me with wide eyes. We were so relieved to see her. Then, we discussed how we would go to the authorities, and we did.”

The doctor scribbled furiously in his notebook, and he finally put his pen down. He adjusted his glasses, cleaned them, and stared for a moment at Zenapharr.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I hate when people do that.”

“I’m so sorry, I was just deciding on whether to continue our session together. I think….I think that’s really all I needed for now, but one more thing. I have someone here to see you.” He turned and motioned to the guard, who came back a moment later with Sade.

“Sade! By the Heavens, how are you!” Zenapharr lit up, and reached his arms through the bars.

“I can’t touch you Zenapharr, I’m sorry. House rules.” His friend replied, the guard nodding in accordance.

“Alright then. So, what brings you here? Obviously your immunity has gone without a hitch.”

“It did, Zenapharr.” Sade looked down as he got closer to talk.

“What’s wrong? Why do you look like that? Has NOSRAD threatened you or—“

“No, no. Nothing like that. It’s just that…I’m here to talk with you.”

“Well, great. Talk away!”

“It’s about you, Zen. As your brother and friend, Dr. Shephard advised that I come speak with you personally. We’ve given it some time, and we think it’s time to tell you something.”

“Well, I’m all ears.”

“I’ve heard your story from the doctor, and according to Strago here, Alice has been visiting you.”

“Yes! She’s kept me company a lot. I don’t know what to do without her.”

Sade looked over at the doctor , who nodded. Almost cringing, Sade continued.

“Zenapharr, I don’t know how else to say this but….Alice died three months ago. She didn’t make it when we got back.”

“Who told you to say that? Is Krane really alive, pulling his strings again?!”

“No, Zenapharr it’s the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you, you know that. NOSRAD is in the process of being dissolved because there’s more being discovered about the things they were really doing. Their influence is getting less and less every day. No one’s paid me to come here. I’m here as a friend.”

“Then why are you telling me such horrible things! Alice is right here, you just can’t see her because she’s using her powers! She doesn’t show herself unless she wants to!”

“That’s what you’ve been telling yourself? Zen, I….I’ve always worried about you since that day. You’re still holding on to her. Please…just let go.”

“I have nothing to let go of, I’m fine! I’m happy here! She’s here with me and that’s all I really need! Can’t you just be happy that I’ve locked myself away for the things I did?! I feel better than I have in years.”

“But you don’t have to pretend to do it. I’m just trying to help you see…”

“No! Get out! I don’t need this right now.” The half-elf sat down on his bed, staring at the wall.

“Zen, I’m sorry. I wasn’t right for weeks about it, but you can’t go on pretending…”

“Leave me be. I don’t feel like talking anymore.”

They waited for a moment in uncomfortable silence, and the doctor leaned in to Sade.

“He’s worse than I thought. He is completely and utterly convinced of it. I’m afraid there’s not much more we can do. At least your friend won’t be put to death, they’ll think he’s completely insane.”

“I could give a horse’s ass about that,” Sade turned to leave. “I just want my brother back.”

As the three slowly left Zenapharr, Alice walked over to him and leaned her head against his.

“Want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“I get it.” They sat for a moment. Zenapharr felt her warmth against him, and he still couldn’t conceive why Sade and the doctor were saying such horrible things.

“You should have shown yourself. Why didn’t you?”

“I’m not a dog that comes when you call.”

“But you made me look like a fool.”

“Maybe because you are.”

“What do you mean?”

Zenapharr’s eyes met Alice’s, and there was something in her that seemed to beckon him, as if asking him to do something.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to try….to make you remember everything better.”

“No, don’t—“

Suddenly, the surroundings of the jail disappeared around Zenapharr. He felt a dry air hit him, soon followed by an intense heat. Then, he saw himself on a horse and the hooves sent sand flying in the air. The image of himself looked up and saw the village of Ohim ahead. Alice was in one arm, and he held the reigns in the other.

“No, stop it!” Zenapharr thought, but the vison continued.

They raced into the village, and were then inside the medical station. The lifeless body of Alice lay there on the table, nurses trying again and again with defibrillators. Each time her body hitched and fell, never regaining consciousness.

“Try it again!” Zenapharr yelled at them. After a few more attempts, the doctor in charge informed them that there was nothing they could do. Sade shook his head, tears streaming down his face as he sank down against the wall. The Seraphim stood over her looking down at her angelic face. Her hair was strewn everywhere, and and he gently brushed a tuft of hair to the side.

“Please, don’t…” He said, leaning in to speak into her ear. “You’re still there, I know it.” After no response, a nurse tried to reach his arm.

“I’m sorry, but she’s….”

“Let me be, please!” He shouted, and the medical personnel all left Zenapharr and Sade.

“Take me instead, please,” He looked up and spoke with trembling. “Just, take me. I deserved this, not her. This is too much…after all we’ve been through she can’t just….not now. Take me instead…she’s just a child….this isn’t right….not like this.” A hand touched his shoulder, and he slowly turned to his weary-eyed brother.

“I’m sorry, brother.” The two brothers clutched each other and cried until there were no tears left.

“We were so close….”

“I know.”

The vision dissipated, and the Seraphim was back in the jail looking at the phantom Alice sitting beside him.

“You’re not real.” He said, trying to make himself believe it. It was hard not to believe she was there. There was even a shadow cast on the wall from her.

“I’m as real as you need me to be, Zenapharr. The mind is a powerful thing.”

“Understatement of the year.”

“You have Sade, that’s something to be happy for. You thought you lost everyone, but you haven’t. Even your mother is still with you.”

“You’re right.” Zenapharr reflected for a moment. “What was it you said to me that I kept hearing over and over. Even the Elder Seraphim said it…”

“You can only save yourself.”

“What does that mean?”

“It can mean a lot of things. I think it means there’s no guarantees for what you can do for others. The only person you can change is you.”

“Maybe…or maybe you were predicting something.”

“Perhaps I was. We may never know.”

“It’s not too late.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can still save you, I just don’t know how. When the Seraphim linked their minds with me, I learned so much I couldn’t even begin to understand it all. Understanding things I didn’t before….languages….and…..” Then, an idea struck him that he’d never thought of.

“I need to speak with Sade again.”

“You do, why?”

“Because I just remembered that I made a promise to someone. But first, and more importantly…” He looked deep into the young girl’s eyes. “I don’t need you anymore.”

“You don’t?” The sadness in Alice’s eyes made him almost give in, but he had to accept truth.

“Don’t look at me like that. You’ve known it would come to this. I’m sorry, Alice. I can’t see you anymore. Goodbye sweetheart.”

“Bye, Zenny.”

The image of her faded until she was completely gone. A minute passed, and he prepared himself for what he would do next.

“Luke, I’m a man of my word.”

An hour later, Officer Strago made his patrol rounds and felt pity as he entered cell block D. He felt sorry for Zenapharr, having known others to lose children themselves. Grief was a powerful emotion.

“Hey Zen hope you’re up to talking.” He was spinning his flashlight to emulate the gunslingers of the West he had read so much about. “If you’re not up for talking it’s fine, I under--”

As he approached the holding cell at the end, the flashlight fell from his grip and clattered on the concrete floor. The cell was empty, and a large crater replaced where the back of his cell should have been.