Silent disbelief filled the cafeteria after Nyz made his announcement, and Kal let it reign for a full minute before speaking.

"I was bred in the intelligence branch," he told everyone. "My identifier was Kaal-21, and I was born six months before Nyz. I'm only three percent dragon. Each of us was only around sixty percent human. Among the other species used to create us, we have some thunderbird, some bogral, some wolf, some snake, some tortoise, some griffin, and sixteen other things, for a total of twenty-four total species making up our genetics. It took them four hundred years and around twenty generations from when they first succeeded in the magical merging of genetics to create us.

"Our generation," he continued. "Was considered the first true success, though. Our genetics were stable, we were immune to the fog like the truly great beings, and we possessed all of the other traits they looked for in our branches."

"My name is Wys-20," Wys announced. "I'm from the warrior branch as well, though Nyz is my superior when it comes to those traits. I'm strong, but he's stronger. I'm tough, but he's tougher."

"Because of the dragon and some other things," Kal said. "I'm far more intelligent than any human could ever become. They used different traits of the dragon for Nyz, though, which is why his intellect isn't much different from a normal person's.

"Due to the genetic differences between us," Kal told them. "We're able to use magic even when humans can't. Nyz specializes in more basic things, but can also perform soul magic, which is what he used to save the young lady earlier. Her soul's been returned to her, so she'll be fine once the AMF is finished purging. Yes, Taylor, Nyz really did save you before."

"I shouldn't have," Nyz muttered. "He's a terrorist."

"Hush," Kal told him. "Back to the story. When we were five, I had Nyz help me break out of the facility. I went to Asterox Academy and enrolled myself into it while Nyz stayed behind. Three years later, I invented the Fog-Destroying Kal Beacons. Asterox took full credit for it, claiming they named it after me because I was a student.

"That glow you saw on the beetle," Kal continued. "Was possible because I am the only person on all of Ilbrathi who actually understands the enchantments, not just another person able to follow the blueprints. This entire island is protected by an even more powerful version of it. This entire island was built using my inhuman intellect, simulacrums, and bots I created. The suits Nyz's team wore, the beetle, those were also created by me. This island is meant to be a guaranteed haven from monsters and the fog, and I intend on keeping it that way. Our defense system is more robust than any military or corporation. Before we move on to that, though, are there any questions?"

"I do," Gabe said, then looked at Wys. "You're not human?"

"No," Wys answered with a grin. "I try my best to pretend it, though, because I look it. But as I said, I'm from the Kumix Project, too."

He raised a hand, a ball of flames swirling into existence above it.

"Unlike my little bro here, though," Wys said as the fire faded. "I haven't done much magic since we left the facility during the AMF attack on Troak, where it was located. From then on, I've tried living as just a normal person."

"Yeah," Kal said. "We each possess mana within us, but that doesn't mean we use it. Nyz is probably the only one of the three of us to use it regularly. We're also incompatible with humans, genetically. There's just too little human in us for us to procreate with them, even if we have all the functions, so for anyone who was wondering if the three of us are enough to cause more… no, we aren't. We'd need others from the Kumix Project, and it's just the three of us. Nyz and I have verified this. So. Any other questions?"

"So you guys are immune to the fog?" Zech asked. "Nash – I mean Nyz – jumped out right into it and seems okay."

"Yes," Kal answered. "We're immune to the fog. It's part of why they used fog monster genetics in our ancestors."

"Do you really expect us to believe you have the genetics of something as mythical as a dragon in you?" One of the Scavengers from the hanger asked.

"Erm," Kal said. "Dragons are real. I know they aren't really seen, but they are real. It's kind of difficult to prove, though, since they live on islands floating above the fog. Any other questions before we get on to the island stuff?"

He looked around, but no one asked any questions. The children, however, seemed amazed by Wys having used magic, and they were all staring at him in shock. Nyz counted seventeen children total, and he hoped Kal didn't expect him to take care of them.

"Alright," Kal said. "As for the island, as I said before, it's meant to be a haven. The glow surrounding the island prevents the AMF from encroaching as well, preventing it from forcing its way in even without the fog. As for monsters, well, we have an automated defense system that utilizes Class S weaponry. Even the various military forces of the world can't use that stuff because it's only produced here, on this island.

"We can set you up with jobs," he told them. "Everyone here is all that is here, other than the simulacrums and bots. We can set you up with food and other supplies for now as well. In the next few years, we'll be bringing more and more people to the island.

"However," he said. "You all are it for now, and probably will be until we recover something Asterox stole from me. Not just inventions from when I was in the academy, but something they stole recently, only months ago. Those of you who helped Nyz on the job, you'll be receiving payment for the seeds and the, erm, other thing once we receive it. As for the item I sent Nyz there for, you'll be paid once we determine if it's what we wanted or not, so that we know how much to pay you. That will come first.

"Of course," he said. "If you wish to move somewhere else, you'll be free to. I can transport you into dozens of cities across Ilbrathi. Just keep in mind that no one will really believe you about what we have or this island. Further questions can be answered later, as I'm hungry and so is Nyz, and he gets cranky if he doesn't get to eat. We'll head off to get back to work, I've told Taylor what needs to be done to get all of you settled in."

Kal, Nyz, and Wys stepped off the table, then Kal and Nyz left the cafeteria, Sen following them. They returned to the decontamination hanger, where Kal pulled the ingot out of the beetle's front storage. They then made their way to one of Kal's labs, where he placed the ingot on a scanner mounted on a table, then sat down and began inputting commands into the attached computer.

"You really aren't human?" Sen asked as a series of lasers began tracing over the ingot.

"No," Nyz answered. "Think of us as just an evolved form of human, though. Our genetics are stable, even if our lifespans are short, and we do have a human form."

"It's really better to think of us that way," Kal told her. "You'd be hard-pressed to find different creatures in our genetics if you analyzed it, and trust me, I have. It's all one species for us now."

"Why didn't you say that during the speech?" She asked.

"Because for most people," Kal told her. "It's easier to accept the information of us having various species making us up rather than us being an entirely new species. Results are in, and Nyz, it is!"

"Nice!" Nyz gave him a fist-bump.

"What's so special about that?" Sen asked.

"This?" Kal asked. "Oh, nothing much. It's just something I've tried figuring out for years, yet turned out to have been invented centuries ago, lost to time because everyone who knew of the success died when Virtul was attacked. Many of the alloys used in mechs and suits today were invented trying to come up with this."

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"So?" She asked. "Why is it so special?"

"Because it's orichalcum," Kal told her. "The legendary, formerly mythical alloy impervious to nearly everything mankind can come up with. One of those lasers was a focused beam of Type 10 magic. It didn't even scratch it. That laser can cut through nearly anything. You didn't notice it due to the sound reduction field around the scanner, but it was also struck with immense physical force using force magic. All I need to do now is break down a sample of it and figure out what makes it up, and I'll be able to start making more of it."

"What's next?" She asked.

"I'm going to prepare for my next mission," Nyz stated. "Which will be done without you."

"She came here of her own accord this time," Kal sighed. "Because she's sided with us over her family's actions. She's not a prisoner, Nyz. She's a partner. That said, before you do anything, I need you to make a call."

"A call?" Nyz asked.

"Yeah," Kal said. "Isabella from Asterox has been trying to contact you the last few days."

"Isabella?" Sen asked.

"Asterox elite security force soldier from Valeros," Nyz explained as he accepted the phone Kal handed him. "There was an issue in Troak while I was on a job there under a different identity, and her group branched off from the others to make sure I was where I was supposed to be."

Nyz listened to the voicemails, then called the number given in several of them. It rang for a few seconds, then picked up.

"Hello?" Isabella's voice came through the call.

"Hello," Nyz said using the appropriate voice for the identity she knew. "This is Nicholas, sorry I didn't respond, I was off on a job and only just returned a few minutes ago."

"Hey, Nicholas," Isabella said. "I was actually hoping to contact you about a job."

"A job?" Nyz asked. "Me specifically? We haven't talked in a couple of months."

"Yeah," she answered. "Your skills were pretty decent, and we need the job a little more, well, covert. We can't put in a formal request for a Scavenger to do it. I tried looking up where you lived, but it seems you've since moved and are one of those Scavengers with two identities."

"Yeah," Nyz told her. "I had an incident with my old crew after I left them, so I always make sure the apartment isn't linked to me."

Kal mouthed at him, telling him to find out the job.

"What's the job?" Nyz asked. "Depending on the pay, I might do it."

"I'm not supposed to say more than that over a phone," she told him. "Just in case. Would you mind meeting me?"

"Sure," he answered. "Where at? Can you text me the location so I can look it up once I'm at a computer?"

"Sure will," she answered. "Thanks, Nicholas, or whatever your real name is."

"Nicholas," he told her. "Just with a different last name. I can be there in an hour and a half, I'd rather not show up to the meeting needing a shower."

"Alright," she said. "I'll see you then. I'll text you the location once I hang up."

"Thanks," he said. "Bye."

The call ended, and Nyz looked at Kal.

"She wants me to do a job?" He asked.

"Yeah," Kal responded, then looked at Sen. "Could you give us some space? I need to talk with Nyz about something sensitive."

"Okay," Sen left the room, and Nyz raised an eyebrow at Kal.

"After you deal with Isabella and her thing," Kal told him. "I'm going to send you to the mission in Asterox Tower. Don't bother changing identities again, we'll discard Nicholas entirely after this."

"Okay," Nyz said. "Why did you want Sen out of the room for that?"

"Nyz," Kal said. "If absolutely necessary, would you be willing to kill her father?"

"Yes," Nyz answered without hesitation. "He stole from us and is refusing to give our stuff back."

"Okay," Kal said. "Don't tell Sen that. I'll forward you the plan once you finish with Isabella and her stuff. Go to your room and change back into Nicholas, I'll send the stuff over while you're on your way."

"Okay," Nyz said.

Nyz left the lab and began walking towards his quarters, Sen following.

"That was rather fast," she said.

"It was something brief," he stated. "You're not coming into my room with me."

"I've already seen you naked," she said. "Your room is a bit more private than that?"

"I hadn't thought that through," Nyz stated. "I didn't realize I was naked until you mentioned it, and I don't like you."

"I know you don't," she said. "You demonstrating proof that you were simply human was rather amusing, you know. Especially now that I know the truth."

"You do realize I could easily snuff out your life, right?" He asked. "Because I tend to do that to pests that don't leave me alone. It's bad enough Kal decided to keep the terrorist without you actively bothering me."

"I was going to offer to let you see what I saw."

"I do every damn time I see my naked reflection in a mirror."

"I… no, Nyz!" Sen laughed. "I meant make it fair. You accidentally let me see you naked. I was going to offer to show you myself in exchange."

Nyz stopped walking and looking Sen up and down, appraising her. He knew that he was attracted to her, even though he disliked her simply because she was the heir to Asterox Corporation. He also knew she couldn't have been using a spell for that on him.

At the same time, he could sense that she felt an attraction toward him, which he found strange. Rather than peering into her mind, he checked her soul on instinct, finding something surprising there.

"What's that expression for?" She asked.

"Because I just realized how useless it is to try to be an ass to you," he sighed. "No matter what I do, you're going to pester me anyway."

"I'm just trying to be friendly with one of my new comrades," she said. "And maybe I want to show off a little, too, which… now that I think about it, is strange."

"It's not if you can read souls," he sighed. "It appears the two of us were bound to meet at some point. Your soul has a marker Kal's does on it, a marker that shows you're meant to be part of our group."

"A marker?" She asked.

"Yes," he thought it over as he resumed walking, reaching his room soon after. "More like… something imprinted into your soul. Since Kal and I can use soul magic, we can read them. Your soul gives you an innate attraction to me."

"What?" She looked at him in confusion. "Why would it-"

Nyz held up a hand to silence her as Kal began talking in his ear.

"Yeah, and you have one for her," Kal told him. "I knew I was forgetting to tell you something."

"Kal says I bear one relating to you," Nyz told her.

"If you have something in your soul that says you're always going to be attracted to me," Sen said. "Why do you hate me so much?"

"Your family's company stole from me," he stated. "I don't forgive those who steal from me."

"I had nothing to do with that," she said.

"Whatever," he said. "If you really want to devalue women, then go ahead and follow me in. But I'm not asking you to, and it'll only lower my opinion of you, soul-bound nature or not."

Nyz entered his room, Sen following, and he walked straight to his bathroom, where she followed him. He set the shower to running, then stripped and stepped into the shower, pulling the door closed.

"You didn't force me to stay out," she commented.

"Why should I fight my soul?" He asked as he began washing out the skin tint and hair dye. "They're an innate part of us which makes up everything about us, even if it's just information attached to it. You, Kal, and I have strange ones, with things woven into the soul in addition to the stuff attached to it."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Certain tendencies," he told her. "Personality traits. Attractions. Kal's soul puts him at having a high affinity for magic and enchanting, as well as intelligence. Mine has the magic and enchanting, as well as physical combat and gun use and lack of care about nearly anyone. Yours gives you an affinity for physical combat with some magical affinity."

"Anything else?" She asked.

"Several things," he answered. "According to Var-Var, the imprints are because our souls are special, and unlike most people, we're born again and again. Each time we're born, everything we do imprints onto our souls, and every life where we do things from past lives again, that imprinting becomes stronger, making it an affinity or tendency in future lives. However, we lack any memories of our past lives. It's… strange."

"Var-Var?" She asked.

"A phoenix Kal and I met years ago," he explained. "We met him in a volcano on Mrecany when we were eleven. Kal was hoping for some phoenix blood, and yes, we got it, and no, I don't know why he wanted some."

"Okay," she said. "So you've decided to stop fighting your attraction to me now that you know we're bound by our souls to like each other?"

"If you're asking if I'll sleep with you, the answer is a firm 'no'," he told her. "But we're essentially destined to at least be friends, and there's no point in fighting destiny. It's why Kal and I are still friends."

"What do you mean by that?"

"No matter how hard I want to dislike him," Nyz told her. "Some part of me has a protective instinct for him, and another part refuses to accept my issues. Sort of like with you."

"Oh," she said.

They were silent as Nyz finished up his shower, and he stepped out, grabbing a towel to to keep the floor dry as he ran the bath so that he could begin the tinting.

"Wait, you had skin tint and hair dye?" She asked.

"Yeah," he gave her an amused look. "I'm about to tint myself a different shade and darken my hair a different brown. I change my looks every identity. Even my eye color right now is done through contacts."

Remembering that, he pulled them out, then murmured under his breath, dissolving them.

"Whoa," she said. "Your eyes are really pretty, Nyz."

"Thanks," he returned to drying off. "Yours are, too."