[Xeno's POV]

After what seemed to be weeks of agony I remember to have reached the strange entrance of what seemed to be a base of some sort. I can clearly recall the huge hole at the base of the rock wall I had found. It was a seemingly endless tunnel, its pure black metallic surface was exuding a level of sturdiness I couldn't possibly even imagine.

The last thing I had sensed while still possessing an ounce of my own will was the metallic being of the shape of a lesser that appeared in front of me. My first encounter with a creature of unfathomable might, as it had no clear openings and to my senses its energy seemed almost bottomless.

However, seeing myself still alive and thinking with a clear mind, the strange robot must have saved me. It must know something about the cause of my previous conditions, as in the past Aiduth had suggested my unstable emotional status as a consequence of my awakening. Yet it must not be only that, as in the later stages I had clearly perceived the influence of an external source.

Sensing around I finally start to get a hold of the place I am currently resting in. It's a three meters long transparent capsule, located horizontally it seems to be levitating above the ground. I can sense at least five more capsules aligned to mine inside of a clean white rectangular room. Other than the six oval containers, I have sensed another small structure that, however, expands vertically in a cylindrical shape. Inside of it is contained a greenish liquid and the only other living signature I had identified inside of the room. A two meters long worm with a seemingly smooth skin, various barbs and tentacles protruding from its body. At the top of what I could refer as its head, there was a long stinger.

Yet the disgusting creature was just standing there leisurely, either undisturbed from my presence or it simply wasn't in a conscious state.

Now that I had sorted out my situation a bit, I gave a better look at myself. I already figured out to be now free of whatever was messing with my head, as my analytical faculties had returned to me in full.

Trying to slowly move my limbs I happily noticed them to be not only completely under my control but fully healed too. My body was yet once again anew, as if it wasn't neither heavily injured or extremely famished anymore.

As I was now inspecting and touching the capsule here and there, trying to find a way to open it somehow, the metallic alien suddenly appeared before me.

[Narrator POV]

[Young Azoth, do not fear, I will free you at once.

I have been a servant of your species in the past, you may ask me anything.]

While the capsule had started to slowly open up, the robotic voice of the metallic lesser ringed inside of Xeno's head.

Without further ado, Xeno who was now walking out of the transparent walls of the capsule, had already arrived to the most obvious conclusion.

He pointed his clawed index finger at the green container a few meters from him.

"Is that creature the responsible for my 'sickness'? What exactly is that thing?"

A tingling of both curiosity and anger could be perceived from his yet irritated tone.

Stolen novel; please report.

[This… Is something you could refer to the likes of parasites. However at the same time something more than that. We generally call them 'Xantagar', they are one of the most powerful biological weapons of Azoths. You have been lucky that this one wasn't an advanced one, also you had endured it pretty well.

These vicious creatures are able to permanently taking over the mind of the host they are infecting. Basically destroying their psyche, in the ancient wars they had been vastly utilized to kill not only enemies but even Azoths themselves.]

Hearing this Xeno remained flabbergasted and utterly shocked for an entire minute, before angrily stomping his now purple glowing feet to the ground.

KIIIIIEEEEKKKK!!

His shrieking and raspy voice exploded with rage.

[That damned wench! Aiduth how dare you!]

After calming himself a bit, he started telling to the lesser how he had become an Azoth and how changed his life soon after.

Then the calm and metallic word of the robot assembled again into Xeno's brain.

[I understand, I don't really know much about the process of your transformation. Yet I am pretty sure that since you had been given your new body the parasite had been living inside of you.

Probably with your awakening it acquired enough energy to mature, then it started its attempts in gaining control over both your body and brain. Thus it explains your unstable mind and concentration issues.

As you have already guessed, this Aiduth you spoke of, it must have been her the source of the Xantagar. In truth, these parasites still maintain a certain degree of autonomy, however in a sense they are none other then a different kind of lesser. Loyal to their master until their very end.

Furthermore, as you can imagine the emotional aspect of the awakening is not true at all. She just made it up to cover her Xantagar. Azoths are sure merciless and wicked beings, however they are still sentient beings, they feel both hatred and ,more rarely, affection depending on the situation.]

Xeno slowly processed this information, having gained important suggestions to new means to increase his power.

Having already guessed what the young Azoth was going to ask him, the robot resumed his speech.

[I am sorry, but in this weak state of yours you cannot neither produce nor create any kind of biological weapon yet.

Your body is too fragile to stimulate the implementation of such organs, your nano-heart is still lacking too.

However I may be able to help you to change your situation around. My previous master had left this military facility under my command before the great war broke out.

His last orders where to set a trial and a consequent reward for any kind of Azoth that managed to survive the conflict.

Yet in thousands of years you are the first and only one to come back.]

Both good and back news have been delivered o the black alien. However he could not mask his now exited expression, at least there was still a way to advance. Since the traitorous bitch would clearly not help him grow anymore. Yet before accepting the deal, the now fully operating mind of Xeno had found an incongruity in what had happened.

[I still have some doubts though. Why did she tell me to come down there? How could she be unaware of the existence of this facility? Furthermore I don't believe I had been this lucky to find this segregated place at once…]

To quickly respond the anxious questions of the young azoth, the robot quickly indicated to his forehead, where was situated a little red tear shaped crystal.

[The responsible for you finding this place so quickly is none other than the Etheth's tear. It's an ancient biologic artifact and it probably resonated with this outpost, subconsciously leading you here.

I myself do not possess much knowledge, and I was a bit surprised seeing you possessing such thing. Not many of them have been created, since they are a creation of the first Azoth queen who died at the start of the Great War.

You see, this place should not be either visible or accessible from the outside. Furthermore its existence wasn't wildly known even in the past, she probably didn't know about it.]

Thinking about the words of the robot, Xeno understood that the original plan of Aiduth was actually premeditated. She needed a valid host that could grow an Azoth body for he to take over. Probably she needed a servant strong enough to free her of whatever her current predicament was. However the tear was actually a foreign event she could not control. Wanting to put her hands over it she had been blinded by her own greed.

[I accept your offer, I am ready to undergo your trial. However you have yet to tell me your name.]

Indeed, the robot had not revealed an ounce of its identity, if not for the fact of him being a lesser without a master.

[You can refer to me as No.2345]