Revelations and Answers (Part 3)

Ethan's question loomed in the room like an unspoken truth. The word "zombie" still clung to the air, casting an ominous shadow over his fragile grasp of identity. He observed Liam, his unwavering gaze a silent plea for answers that would define his existence in this nightmarish world.

"No," Liam's response was swift, a spark of enthusiasm rekindling in his eyes. "You're not a zombie. You're a Prime."

Ethan's brows furrowed as he struggled to grasp the concept. "So, I've got superpowers? How does that work?" He vividly remembered the rush of unparalleled strength that had coursed through him during his desperate escape, but it had been a fleeting moment. Later, no matter how dire the circumstances or how desperately he had tried to summon that power, it never revealed itself. 

Leaning in closer, Liam spoke with an air of intrigue. "Do you want to know? Well, the truth is, no one knows the exact reason, but" — he emphasized, catching Ethan's eye roll — "there have been a number of rumors. Some say it's the result of alien invaders who are secretly trying to take control of our world by creating mutants. A few brave souls resisted and stole those powers for themselves. Others attribute it to an ancient meteor that suddenly became active. Of course, most of these stories are just folklore."

Ethan exhaled in relief, glad that Liam hadn't fallen down the rabbit hole of absurd conspiracies. He had half-expected to be bombarded with more outlandish tales.

"But one recent rumor has been gaining traction," Liam continued, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Ethan, intrigued by his enthusiasm, leaned in closer to listen. "It goes back to the time of ancient warrior heroes."

"Huh?" Ethan responded, expecting a more rational explanation but instead faced with yet another absurd tale.

"Yes," Liam nodded with fervor. "The belief is that these powers have existed since time immemorial when heroes stood as guardians against monstrous threats. They passed down their teachings through generations, and those descendants who rose to protect us in our time of need."

Ethan couldn't help but scoff at the fanciful notion. "Right. So, I'm an heir to one of these mythical clans, secretly off slaying monsters and vanquishing evil across the globe."

"You don't believe me?" Liam's words carried a hint of defensiveness, his enthusiasm undeterred.

"You expected me to?" Ethan asked.

Liam's eyes narrowed, and he pushed back. "You have no memories, right? How do you your words aren't true?"

"Really?" Ethan challenged. "So, the only Primes are descendants of these legendary clans? You don't know anyone else who's become a Prime?"

Liam, now on the defensive, sought to justify his beliefs. "Well, there are others, but maybe they've discovered the teachings of these heroes somehow."

Ethan, not wanting to draw out a futile argument decided to drop the topic. "Sure, maybe you're right. No need to keep arguing." He sensed Liam's deep admiration for Primes and decided it was best not to puncture his enthusiasm. "But back to the original question, Primes can't become zombies? Are they somehow immune?"

"Maybe. I don't know," Liam replied, still somewhat peeved by their previous exchange.

"You don't? Then why the definite 'no' earlier when I asked if I was a zombie?"

 "I don't feel like you are one," Liam said with such an honest face, Ethan felt like crying.

"Well, that's a relief," Ethan replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I guess my impeccable fashion sense and charming personality are the telltale signs of not being a zombie, right?"

"No," Liam replied with a somber tone, his shoulders slumping. "But I've experienced being one myself, and I understand what it's like."

Ethan cursed his big mouth. "Yeah, you're right. I don't feel like I'm a zombie either." It was more for his own peace of mind than any actual conviction. He shifted the conversation to safer terrain, seeking answers he thought Liam could provide without delving into speculation or wild rumors. "So, what can Primes do? And what's a Genesis Prime? You mentioned it multiple times."

Liam's excitement revved up like an engine in gear five, his eyes glowing with pride as he launched into a detailed explanation of Prime's abilities. "There's a vast range of powers. Some Primes can manipulate fire, others possess incredible strength. There are those who control elements like water and wind or heal wounds with a touch. Some can even read minds. There's no set rule for what power you might have."

'This kid's enthusiasm changes way too quickly,' Ethan thought observing the rapid changes in Liam's mood with amusement. Amid the whirlwind of Liam's fervor, he couldn't resist speculating about his power. 'Maybe it's super strength?'

Liam's seriousness grew as he delved deeper into the topic. "All Primes begin their journey as Genesis Primes, but they can evolve over time, progressing from Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and ultimately to Omega."

"Seems like someone's been raiding a Greek alphabet store. Was he a mathematician?" Ethan quipped.

Liam appeared baffled by Ethan's seemingly nonsensical question. "Who cares about that?"

"Who does indeed?" Ethan nonchalantly replied before refocusing on the discussion at hand. "So, how do I evolve further? Can I gain more abilities as I evolve?"

Liam scratched his head awkwardly, his chestnut-brown hair in disarray. "I'm not entirely sure. Those details aren't widely known outside the Prime community."

Ethan decided to voice the question he had been curious about. "How did you know I'm a Prime? I don't think I look any different. Do I?"

"Oh, it's because the Symbioth reacted," Liam answered as a matter of fact, dropping another unfamiliar term.

Ethan sighed. It was going to take some time getting used to. "The what?"

Liam pointed somewhere behind Ethan. "That."

Ethan leaped back, his heels clattering against the corner of the overturned bowl as he teetered on the brink of losing his balance. With an instinctive grace, he managed to steady himself, landing unsteadily on the makeshift blanket beneath his feet. His wide-eyed gaze darted across the room, studying the cracked and paint-peeled wall, "There's nothing there."

"No, I was pointing at your arm," Liam clarified with a hint of exasperation.

Ethan hadn't even noticed, absorbed as he was in their conversation, but when he glanced at his right wrist, he froze. There, emitting a soft, blue pulsating glow, were vein-like patterns on his arm.

"Okay, that's weird," he muttered, pulse speeding up, his eyes locked onto the peculiar luminance. "What did you do?"

Liam's face radiated with pride as he explained, "I successfully fused the Symbioth with you. It's a symbiotic mutant, a highly sought-after tool among Primes. It's an invaluable aid in understanding and harnessing their abilities. But its capabilities extend far beyond the surface."

Ethan's eyes widened in a mixture of alarm and disbelief as he listened to Liam's confession. "Are you telling me I've got some alien thingy stuck to my wrist now?"

Liam's unwavering enthusiasm persisted as he nodded. "Precisely! Isn't it amazing? This is a significant step in uncovering your true potential as a Prime."

"Get this thing off me," Ethan whispered, a subtle tremor of fear quivering in his voice.

"Why?" Liam queried, his tone tinted with confusion. "The Symbioth is an incredible asset for any Prime."

"Get this thing off me!" Ethan's voice rose to a shout as he began frantically scratching at the device, then resorting to shaking his arm violently in a desperate attempt to remove it.

"Stop. Wait. It won't come off like that." Liam, realizing Ethan's growing distress, leaped towards the kitchen utensils, rummaging through them with an urgency only paralleled by Ethan's panic. After a brief moment, he emerged brandishing a knife.

"What are you doing?" Ethan asked.

Liam, still struggling with his words, stammered, "I can't simply take it off. It's fused with your arm, intertwined with your nerves. The only way to extract it is… well, by cutting off your arm."

"Fused with my...?" Ethan's eyes widened in sheer horror, his voice trembling. "Will cutting my arm off even help?"

"It might," Liam responded, trying to provide some reassurance. "But there's a risk of going into shock or even a coma."

Ethan's anger surged, and he couldn't contain his frustration any longer. "Then what in the world was the point of the knife?" He roared.

"I... I thought you were aware," Liam replied, visibly shrinking in the face of Ethan's mounting rage.

"Are you out of your mind? I just told you I lost my memories" Ethan's voice trembled with frustration, and he inhaled deeply to regain his composure. Slowly, he approached Liam, his footfalls echoing like a ticking clock in the tense room.

Liam instinctively retreated, his movements constrained as Ethan advanced. He continued to step backward until his back collided with the cold, peeling wallpaper of the room. Caught in Ethan's unwavering scrutiny, Liam swallowed hard.

Ethan leveled a penetrating gaze on him, the steeliness of his eyes bordering on ferocity. "What does this thing do? And why did you fuse it with me?"

"It's not harmful," Liam quickly explained, trying to get out of the sticky situation. "I promise. All the Primes use it. At the basic level, it can act like kind of a … a game interface. Or a System. Please. Just try it once."