Unidentified Corpses on the Shore

After a few hours, Julia woke up.

She found Jason sitting on a chair beside her bed.

"How are you feeling now?" Jason asked.

"A bit dizzy," Julia replied.

When she sat up she noticed that Jason was receiving blood through an IV line.

"Are you alright? Did something happen?" Julia asked with a worried look on her face.

"It's nothing. After your awakening, it seems I fainted and after Reina checked she said I was low on blood," Jason replied.

"Sorry to make you worry. I know you have been very busy these few days because of me."

"It's fine. But there's something I need to tell you. After your awakening, your appearance has changed a bit. I am not sure how you might feel about it."

Julia got a bit startled and put her hands on her face.

"Can I have a mirror?" Julia asked.

A screen appeared in front of her that showed her own reflection.

At first, she couldn't recognize the person in the mirror. Though the facial structure didn't change, one of her eyes was golden and the other was purple.

Julia took a deep breath.

"I thought it was something serious. But it seems it's just the eye color," said Julia.

"Well, after your awakening, your hair color also changed and half of it was white and the other half was black," said Jason.

"Then how did it change back to normal?"

"Maybe it might change again when you use your powers. I will be taking you to the port base tomorrow. We will start your training there after your full recovery."

"One thing before that..."

"Yes?"

"Which one do you like the most? My previous appearance or this new one?"

"You will always be the same to me. But how do you feel about it?"

"I am not sure. I believe my father will freak out if he sees me."

"He won't."

"How do you know that? Don't tell me you already told him about it?"

"He hasn't been informed yet."

"Then what makes you so sure that he won't freak out?"

"...Find the answer yourself."

Around that time, Reina entered the room.

"Oh you are awake... How are you feeling now?" Reina asked Julia while she was removing the IV line from Jason's arm.

Reina and Julia talked with each other for a while.

"Ohh I almost forgot. Dr. Greg asked you to meet him in his lab," Reina said to Jason.

"Alright. Please look after Julia for the time being," said Jason.

"You didn't have to add the 'please'," said Reina.

"I was just being polite," said Jason as he left the room.

Meanwhile, Julia and Reina continued their talk.

"What's the matter?" Jason asked Greg when he entered Greg's lab.

"See for yourself."

Greg passed the tablet to Jason. It was showing the recent news on several news channels.

"EARLIER THIS DAY, SEVERAL HUGE DEFORMED CORPSES WERE FOUND ALL AROUND THE CORONADO BEACH. THE OFFICIALS HAVE CLOSED OF THE BEACH AFTER THE CORPSES WERE DISCOVERED BY THE LOCALS. THE EXPERTS AT THE SCENE ARE SAYING IT WAS JUST SOME SHARKS WHICH DIED AND THEIR FLESH STARTED TO ROT. BUT THE LOCALS ARE SAYING THE CORPSES WERE STILL FRESH WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THE CORPSES THIS MORNING. IS THE GOVERNMENT TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING? ARE THE MYSTERIES ABOUT THE SEA GOING TO BE UNRAVEL? TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION STAY TUNED...." The other channels were broadcasting the same thing.

"The previous giant squid and now the deformed corpses. It seems the first wave started way earlier than we predicted," said Jason.

"That's not all. Our team stationed in Hawaii has sent the topography of the sea floor and the changes are huge. But they still haven't pinpointed the origin point," said Greg.

"Tell them there's no need to rush. Let's see how the US government handles it. How long till the first wave starts?"

"Around 20 days."

"I guess they also know it. But the world will change after this incident that's for sure. We don't even have to wait a year till the Global Awakening to experience the chaos at its early stages."

"What about your friends? They have probably seen the news too. They might want to help."

"No matter how much some of them might want to be heroes, they know their limitations. Yosef for once will never go around saving people, Thomas knows he isn't strong enough yet, Abbey finds it a pain, Damian is too scared to do something alone and as for Ashton, if the others don't do it, he won't probably take the first step."

"What about Fredrick?"

"He won't be awakening any time soon."

"How long will you keep suppressing him?"

"Till the time comes."

"Are you doing this to him because he told you to?"

"He showed me and I am trying to prevent the same outcome this time."

" *sigh* I just feel bad for the kid. From the look of his eyes I could tell he wants power so that he could protect others. A pure intention."

"I will be protecting the ones he wants to protect till I remove the suppressions...Just so you know, I don't enjoy doing this to my friends either."

"You don't have to tell me that."

As they were talking, Jason received a call from the port base.

"Have you seen the news?" Thomas asked.

"I have just now," Jason replied.

"Are these the monsters Uncle Greg was talking about that will be appearing?"

"I will visit tomorrow with Julia. Uncle Greg will also be coming. He will tell you the rest tomorrow."

Jason ended the call.

"That reminds me, what's your plan with Julia?" Greg asked.

"To keep her as far from the chaos as possible like Sam."

"Aren't you being a bit partial?"

"I won't deny that. But I intend to keep the promise I made. I will personally oversee her training. She should at least be strong enough to defend herself in any situation."