Revelation

After some moments spent in freshening up, Romeo reluctantly stepped out of the bathroom and was now claded in a high-tech luxurious clothing, courtesy of Alfred who stares with admiration at Romeo.

Romeo now looks like a refined gentleman, especially in the outfit he is on which makes him bear resemblance to the scions of prestigious elites living in Land Climax.

Standing before the long dressing mirror placed in the bedroom, Romeo couldn't help but gawk at his suave appearance. He looks nothing like the teenager striving to make ends meet in the slums.

With the exquisite clothing he is putting on which features a silk-blend fabric woven with micro sensors that monitor vital signs and adjust the clothes temperature and texture for optimal confort, Romeo felt like this is the most comfortable piece of clothing he ever had the privilege of putting on.

The clothes feature a sleeve embedded with a flexible, high resolution display that showcases intricate patterns and designs, changing to match Romeo's mood and environment.

It also features hemlines and seams crafted with nano-technology that repel stains and wrinkles, ensuring a flawless appearance, as well as a train embedded with fiber-optics that shimmer and glow in synchronization with his movements, leaving a trail of light behind whenever he walks.

"Alfred, don't you think that this is a little overboard." Romeo commented as he felt that the extravaganza of the clothing is too much for him to handle. In his defence, he is not used to such luxurious clothing which caused him to feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Overboard?" Alfred questions as he stood to join Romeo who was standing before the mirror. "Romeo, we are in a land where luxury and prestige is a part of the lives of those living here. What better way to blend in if not to dress like them." Alfred said suppressing the traces of uncertainty in Romeo's mind.

*Ding: I quite agree with the old man, Romeo. Besides, you look smashing.*

Romeo jumped up with fright as the familiar voice of the consciousness pops up in his mind. "Would you please stop doing that. I almost had an heart attack." Romeo muttered under his breath as he places his right hand on his chest.

"Uh? Doing what?" Alfred asks quizzically with confusion lacing his tone.

"No, not you. Never mind Alfred." Romeo said. As he wanted to smoothen the few wrinkles that appears on his clothes due to his agitated movements, he noticed that they were already being fixed automatically as if the clothes has a mind of it own.

"Don't worry, Romeo. Everything is going to be fine." Alfred assures Romeo with the thought that his agitated movements have something to do with the anxiety he was feeling. "All we just have to do is blend in so we can explore the land and then we can get you enrolled in that school you want to go."

Romeo nodded his head as his raging heart resumes it's normal pace.

"Okay, now that you are settled. Wait here for me while I go have my bath." Alfred said before disappearing into the bathroom.

Romeo soon continues with gawking at his reflection in the mirror. His appearance still seem surreal to him that he had to check it out several times before confirming that his reflection is really the one in the mirror.

*Ding: Do you want to know something too Romeo? No matter how many times you stare at yourself, your appearance is still the same.*

"Do you really have to buzz around like a fly?" Romeo asks, visibly annoyed at his Carnal Consciousness. "If you don't speak for a while, I won't take you to be a mute."

*Ding: But speaking is what I was programmed to do. In fact, you really do not think that you would be able to survive for long in Land Climax without me, do you?*

Romeo's gaze darkened at the words of his Consciousness. It seems like his consciousness is trying to mock him, something that makes him feel uncomfortable.

*Ding: No offence, Romeo but you are still a newborn who have barely learn how to crawl in the world of Carnal Shifters. How then do you think you would learn to walk in this world without me by your side if you don't even know the basics?*

As much as Romeo hate to admit it, he is still new to the world of carnal shifting and this realisation makes his gaze darkened. The thought of having to rely on a foul-mouthed Carnal Consciousness irks him to the core but there is nothing that he could do about it.

"So what would you propose that I do?" Romeo questions in defeat. Since Alfred is yet to take him to where he shall learn to gain control over his abilities, he might as well take advice from a sentient being he can't see but keeps disturbing him.

*Ding: Now that is the spirit Romeo. About the discussion we were having earlier before the interruption of the old man, don't you think it is time we continue with it?"

"I guess so. However, what do you want to tell me that i do not already know about Carnal Shifters?" Romeo questions. "The only thing that I am interested in now is the meaning behind the words you spoke when you said my entire being is composed of Carnal Genes."

*Ding: Oh, right. There are many things you don't know but you claim to understand them. For starters, I told you that you are composed of Carnal Genes yet you interpreted my words as you possessing multiple Carnal Genes. Romeo, this world is shrouded in mystery. Things that are too enigmatic to be explained by logic.*

Romeo frowns at the words of the Carnal Consciousness. "Don't we already live in this world? Besides, the concept of Carnal Gene is also something that was once said to be a mystery yet it was uncovered later with logic."

*Ding: Perhaps you are right Romeo, perhaps you are wrong. Either ways, what you should know is the fact that you are not a human but a laboratory experiment.*

This revelation was like an explosion in the brain of Romeo as he stood rooted on his thought while pondering on the various meaning attached to the words of the Carnal Consciousness.

For some reason, Romeo believed what his consciousness said but a major part of him refused to accept it. Suppressing the uneasy feeling in his heart, Romeo questions his Consciousness,

"What do you mean by what you just said?"

*Ding: I think you heard me right and you should also understand what I meant. But if you want me to be clearer then I won't mind. Your parents were once scientists for THRIVE but I think you should already know that. Also you should know that THRIVE was the one which murdered your parents but what you don't know is the reason they had your parents killed.*

"So are you trying to insinuate that you know the reason behind my parents death? If so, I suggest you spill the beans." Romeo urged. He had been vengeful towards THRIVE for having his parents killed but he did not know the reason they were murdered.

This was a question mark that has caused him restlessness on his quest for revenge and now that there is a chance to figure it out, he would definitely do so.

Once again, the Carnal Consciousness was about to speak when it was interupted by the sound of the door of the bathroom opening.

"Just hold on a little longer while I put on my clothes. We shall get going soon." Alfred announced as he emerged from the bathroom in a white robe.

*Ding: I guess the conversation would have to continue later, Romeo."

The Carnal Consciousness says much to the dismay of Romeo who really wanted to figure out the reason behind his parents death.

"Wait! Don't go." Romeo shouted causing Alfred to pause in his steps.

"Do you want something Romeo?" Alfred asks with a raised brow.

"Uh? Nah, don't worry Alfred. Continue with what you are doing." Romeo said while slumping his figure onto the sofa in the bedroom as he waits for Alfred to dress up.

Several moments later, Romeo and Alfred descended from their suite in a luxurious elevator. Having arrived in the lobby, Romeo couldn't help but stare, once again, at the luxury the hotel holds.

The previous day when Alfred checked them in, Romeo was simply too tired to even keep his eyelids open to explore the hotel they were going to be spending the night in. But now, staring at the lobby, he slapped himself inwardly while mentally chiding himself for not being awake when they checked in.

Stepping into the lobby of the hotel, Romeo was enveloped in what seem like a futuristic oasis. The sleek, minimalist design was punctuated by a stunning LED chandelier that pulsed with a soft, ethereal glow. The walls, adorned with interactive digital art installations, seemed to come alive as Romeo walked alongside Alfred.

The reception desk, a gleaming curve of polished chrome and glass, was staffed by friendly, AI-powered holographic assistants who checked him out with a smile. Nearby, a bank of holographic concierges offered personalized recommendations for exploring the city.

The lobby's centerpiece was a breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling 'living wall' – a lush, verdant expanse of real plants and trees, nurtured by advanced hydroponics and climate control. The air was crisp and clean, with a subtle hint of refreshing scents.

As he made his way to the doors, Romeo noticed a discreet, AI-powered security system monitoring the space with unobtrusive, high-resolution cameras. The atmosphere was tranquil, yet vibrant – a perfect blend of technology, nature, and hospitality.

The hotel really depicts the expression paradise on earth as all corners of it, from its lobby to the rooms, screams of architectural and technological excellence.