Hoisting Caesar up by the collar like a rag doll, Rexy and I charge the mansion wall again, bursting through one side and out the other.

  The building groans, shudders, and then implodes in a cloud of dust and debris.

  Standing atop the rubble, I survey the scene of utter devastation. Then, I stare at Caesar. His face is completely drained of color, his eyes wide and vacant.

  A wave of euphoria washes over me, but realizing I’m being consumed by emotions, I snap myself back to a more reasonable state.

  Okay, gotta keep it together. No becoming a power-mad maniac. It’s a trick I picked up in my past life, mostly for keeping my temper in check.

  I glance at my audience—the guards and all the servants who escaped the mansion.

  “No hard feelings to any of you, just doing your jobs,” I hold Caesar up in front of them for emphasis. “Drop your weapons—they’re not doing anything anyway—and I promise you’ll walk away from this. Resist, though, and… well, I can’t make any promises.”

  Clink. Clatter. Thud.

  One by one, the guards’ weapons hit the ground. The sound echoes in the encapsulated dome.

  Once the last gun hits the ground, I swipe a few more Adamantine bars on my scale-covered arm again, as I’ve been doing throughout the fight to replenish the power within my hair.

  My hair shimmers with renewed iridescence. Alright, fingers crossed this works…

  Focusing my power, I will strands of my hair to extend. They shoot out, iridescent whips of light, reaching every servant and guard within the dome.

  Before they can even blink, the strands gently poke their heads, freezing them in place. So far, so good.

  Not knowing how to control the memory-altering powers, I have to improvise by picturing a browser history tab in my mind. Then, I mentally select “clear browsing data.” Specifically, the last day.

  After receiving my improvised mental command, my hair triggers a cascade of unseen processes through each strand, commencing the absorption of everyone’s memories from the past day.

  Tiny, faint specks of light, like miniature fireflies, zip from each person’s forehead, racing along the strands of my hair toward me.

  A whirlwind of memories floods my mind: family mornings, smiles of children, rushed breakfasts, tedious preparations, the mundane tasks of following Caesar around, the sudden panic, the escalating chaos…

  Delete! I command internally, and the chaotic montage vanishes from my mind.

  Something peculiar I notice within the memories: within all of them, I haven’t seen a single monitor or anything that looks like surveillance cameras. I guess it’s one less thing to worry about.

  After the specks of light exit each person’s mind, they slump into a deep, peaceful sleep. It’s as if the entire day never happened. Every wound they’d sustained closes and heals, leaving no trace.

  Returning to Lawrence, who's collapsed on the ground, I dump Caesar beside him. They stare at me with a mixture of fear and utter hopelessness.

  It’s clear they’ve never experienced anything remotely close to this reality-bending event. They’ve always lived such sheltered lives, cocooned by the Mercer family’s protection.

  “Wh-what in the hells are you?” Caesar stammers, his voice trembling.

  “No… no machine, no weapon could… It’s impossible. Are you... a Harbinger? The Syners... their existence... It was a secret! We were so careful. HOW?!”

  Lawrence looks at his uncle in complete disbelief and disgust.

  “I had absolutely no involvement with… with any of this,” he insists, kicking his uncle to the side. “That… that imbecile is solely responsible!”

  He turns back to me, his voice now a desperate plea. “I’ll give you anything you want! Name your price! Anything! Wealth, access, favors… Please… Please… Please…”

  “I didn’t really plan for things to turn out this way. The original plan was just to get some adamantine off your deep pockets and use your resources for some intel,” I say, looking at Lawrence and shaking my head.

  “It’s quite unfortunate things went sideways, but considering your family upbringing…” I glance over at Caesar and back. “You’ll get the same treatment as all your servants… if you deserve it.”

  A strand of my hair shoots out, gently piercing Lawrence’s head. Since it worked last time, I once again picture a browser history tab in my mind.

  This time, though, I use the search function, inputting specific keywords: murder, rape, bullying, abuse, harassment…

  Like I did with Rexy, I only try to pull fragmented memories. Thankfully, not a single speck of light zips back for murder or rape.

  Bullying, abuse, and harassment, however, draw out a few memories from his childhood and teenage years. Nothing too extreme, nothing unforgivable—just the usual rich kid shenanigans.

  Nodding slowly, I look down at Lawrence. “I’m happy to announce that you will only forget what happened today,” I say. “You’re not as bad as you look, all things considered.”

  All the memories and injuries he sustained over the past day are gone, just like I made them disappear for the servants and guards.

  Before retracting my hair, I whisper to him as he faints, “You have the wealth and power. Use it to better people’s lives. It will enlighten your boring, perfect life.”

  Last but not least, Caesar. I stare down at him.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll live,” I declare after thinking back to the warm, comforting afterlife I almost experienced. He definitely doesn't deserve to be there after everything he’s done.

  “That torture room is probably just one of your terrible acts. And yet,” I tilt my head slightly, “not a single flicker of regret.”

  “You might be at the top of the pyramid in this world. Unfortunately for you, I am not a part of this world.”

  “Ahahahah!” Caesar laughs, a manic challenge in his eyes. "Regret?! I should have ripped him apart! His screams! A symphony of despair!”

  “KILL ME! DO IT! You Anunnaki, you look down on us, judging us! But you are no better! You toy with our lives just as we toy with the Syners!”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “You claim divinity, but you are just as cruel, just as selfish as we are! Do it! Show me your divine wrath!"

  He thinks I'm an Anunnaki? It doesn't really matter anymore. I shrug.

  “You’ll remain in this world, but I’m stripping you of all your precious memories! I’m taking every last drop of happiness and joy from you, memories of everyone you love and everyone who loves you.”

  “I’m confiscating your pride, self-esteem, courage, and hope! All you’ll have left are memories of misery and despair!”

  “NO! YOU CAN’T! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! NO! KILL ME!” Caesar screams, his voice cracking with a manic edge.

  He actually tries to bite his own tongue. Before he can manage anything crazy, a strand of my hair pierces his forehead, freezing him in place.

  His eyes bulge, bloodshot and frantic, as he fights against the inevitable.

  “You will live,” I explain, “but you’ll never again experience any fulfillment, since you’ve forgotten how to be happy.”

  Scanning his memories for evidence of murder, rape, the usual villain fare. Dozens of little specks of memory detach from him, and after a quick glance, I promptly wipe them from my own mind.

  “Walking the earth like an empty vessel, you deserve all the misery and despair!” I finish, and as my judgment takes hold, a large, glowing speck of light leaves Caesar’s head.

  Caesar’s precious memories flood into my mind.

  * * *

  A warm and joyous room. Mom and Dad's warm smiles comfort me. Days, weeks, months, years pass, and I slowly grow up.

  Step by step, I'm taught how to behave and act like nobility. Even though we're just a side branch of the Mercer dynasty, I have a pristine upbringing.

  My parents are happy and proud of all my accomplishments in school, and I grow up beaming with self-esteem.

  This wonderful childhood transitions into adolescence. The fascinating world opens its arms to me. I travel, learn, and enjoy calm afternoon tea with my friends.

  I have my first dance with my first love, and we share an awkward first kiss.

  …

  I charge into the hospital. Mom and Dad lie bloodied on a bed. The doctor says they were in a terrible accident.

  They can only keep them alive for a week. I offer them money, anything they want, but they can't help.

  Mustering all the courage I have, I ask the main family to arrange an offering ritual for the Harbingers.

  I beg the Harbingers for a way to save my parents, offering everything I have. I even offer them my own life!

  Yet, they look down on me, dismissing my pleas, mocking me.

  After taking all the adamantine, all they leave me with are words. “Human essence is meant for the afterlife,” they command. "Your parents will rest in heaven.”

  ...

  The love of my life, Elara, comes to comfort me after my parents’ funeral, her presence a warm light in my darkest hours.

  With her help, I walk out of the abyss. Standing at my parents’ graves, I whisper, “With these hands of mine, I’ll make this world a better place.”

  ...

  With a surge of pride, I enter one of the most pristine medical institutions in the world. The years fly by, filled with happy memories of learning and discovery.

  Being a Mercer definitely has its perks; I never worry about money. I spend a great deal of time with Elara, who is now my wife.

  We're preparing for our first child, and my research is showing immense promise.

  ...

  Our first child is born! The joy of fatherhood washes over me as Elara lies in my embrace, a warm smile gracing her lips. We name her Lyra.

  ...

  My daughter, Lyra, lies in the hospital's recovery chambers, a small smile playing on her lips. She's so young, yet so brave, fighting for her life.

  Elara cries silently in the corner, her heart breaking alongside mine.

  ...

  “YES!” I shout, the word echoing through my lab. I stare at one of the final records of Artificial Life technology from centuries ago—the technology used to create the Synthars!

  A way to preserve Lyra’s essence! I’ll be able to transfer it into a new body later.

  I work tirelessly in secret, fueled by desperation and hope. At the last moment, I make it!

  The machines hum to life, bathing the room in a soft glow. A speck of light appears, and I trap it in a specially prepared container. Lyra's essence. ...

  …

  It's him! A Synthar! He's right here in my hospital, looking at the wounded orphan child. His organs are all on the opposite side.

  Thank you, I praise the heavens. Everyone thought the Synthars were wiped out, but there are survivors!

  I save the orphan child, raise him like my own. His name is Alex. Although we're collecting samples and data for my research, our family gives him all our love and care.

  We see him as our hope of reviving our Lyra.

  …

  One moonless night, our house explodes into flames. My Elara… my love… perishes in the fire. Along with Lyra’s essence…

  “WHY?!” I scream to the heavens. “WHY MUST YOU TAKE EVERYTHING FROM ME!”

  …

  Searching the rubble, I still hope for a miracle, but there are none. But among the rubble, someone else is missing… Alex…

  After a careful investigation, we find the explosion was no accident. Someone disabled all the fire alarms and detonated an explosive.

  …

  “WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO IT?!” I scream at Alex, holding him at gunpoint.

  “You Mercers killed my parents! This is just revenge, an eye for an eye, blood for blood!” Alex claims, his tone far too mature for a boy his age.

  “I don't know your parents. I've never even met them!” I yell back, utterly confused.

  “BUT YOU ARE A MERCER!” Alex screams.

  “AHHHHHHH!” I pull the trigger…

  …

  I look happily at the bloody table in front of me. Carefully I cut open and preserve each part of Alex’s body. Finally, I cut and place his head into a jar and set it aside…

  * * *

  That… that’s the last of Caesar’s precious memories… he hasn’t been truly happy since…

  He collapses to the ground, his gaze hollow and empty. There’s a saying from my past life… the most despicable villain… suffered the worst scars…

  Caesar will pay for all the suffering he's caused others for the rest of his life. I wonder what heaven would even look like for him if he's forgotten how to be happy.

  From Caesar’s memories, I dig for all the info on Synthars and Bailey. He turns out to be obsessed with the tech behind artificial life, all to save his daughter, Lyra.

  From his memories, I piece together the story of the Synthars and information on Bailey’s whereabouts…

  Apparently, centuries ago, humans got so advanced they whipped up the first multicellular artificial lifeform. This tech evolved fast, eventually birthing a humanoid species: the Synthars.

  These Synthars are practically perfect human copies, except for one tiny detail: they are mirror images. Like, everything, down to their DNA and physiology, is flipped.

  This mirrored physiology gives them some neat perks. They're immune to every disease and toxin that can take down a human.

  Plus, they have crazy long lifespans, potentially living for hundreds of years.

  However, then the Harbingers found out. They are absolutely furious at humanity’s sudden technological leaps, especially these artificial creations.

  They promptly wiped out the entire Synthar creation technology, along with any human who had anything to do with it.

  The Harbingers lay down the law: humans are forbidden from creating any lifeforms and from researching life extension. Or else they'll wipe humanity off the face of the planet.

  Then comes the order: genocide. Every single Synthar has to go. In the months that follow, ten thousand Synthars—now commonly called Syners—are hunted down and killed in cold blood.

  Caesar does the same after the incident with Alex. However, he's kind to humanity. The medicine he creates from his research saves countless lives.

  He devotes his entire life to giving humanity more control and power over its fate.

  Caesar later finds Bailey, but he slips between his fingers. Months later… Dante calls.

  Bailey endures unspeakable tortures, countless tests, all for Caesar’s research.

  He remains stubbornly unbroken, even as Caesar practically disassembles and reassembles him with high-tech medicine.

  Then, a message arrives from the Duke. An order. Caesar has to hand Bailey over. No arguments. No delays.

  He has no choice but to obey, handing Bailey over five days ago.

  These memories… along with the memories of the past day, are all extracted from Caesar. As my hair retracts from his head, his wounds close. He falls into a deep sleep like the rest.