Although Zakarius had managed to take control of the body, his mind was in chaos. He knew he'd had a plan, but he couldn't remember the details. He knew he had been someone important, but he didn't know exactly who. He tried to keep up appearances, but he often caught himself acting with the poise and discipline of a high-ranking angel, which contrasted with the playful and carefree nature of cherubim.
The academy instructors began to notice certain changes in Elior. Though they didn't suspect the truth, they started to worry about his mental health. The young cherub, once bright and full of energy, now seemed distant, reflective, almost somber. Some began to wonder if the pressure of being the son of an oligarch was affecting his behavior.
Zakarius, for his part, was trying to adapt to his new body, but he felt trapped. Although he had achieved his goal of living again, the price he'd paid—the loss of all his memories—was too high. Now, he not only had to face a world he didn't understand but also an identity that didn't fit at all with the body he inhabited.
As the days passed, Zakarius realized that his situation was unsustainable. He knew something was wrong, but he couldn't remember what. Although he had gained the body of a cherub, he felt more like an angel trapped in a body that wasn't his. The amnesia that Elior had caused at the last moment had left him vulnerable, without a clear identity or a defined purpose.
And yet, something inside him told him that this wasn't the end. Although he didn't remember who he was or what he had been, he knew he had a goal. He could feel it deep within his being: he had to regain what he had lost. But for now, he had to keep up appearances, learn to behave like a cherub, and avoid raising suspicion.
Meanwhile, the celestials at the academy continued with their lives, unaware that young Elior, the brilliant heir of one of the most powerful oligarchs, no longer existed. In his place, an ancient fallen angel tried to navigate a world he no longer understood, desperately seeking to recover his identity and power.
Zakarius, still trapped in Elior's body, continued to struggle with the sense of strangeness that surrounded him. Each day, uncertainty overwhelmed him as he tried to adapt to his new life as a cherub. But at night, when Elior's body sank into sleep, something peculiar began to happen.
The first time it happened, it was accidental. While Elior slept deeply, Zakarius felt a pull in his mind, as if an invisible force was pushing him out of the body. And suddenly, he understood. He could project his consciousness again, as he had once done from the phylactery. But this time, he was within a physical body, allowing him far greater control.
His initial reaction was surprise, but then, the familiarity of the ability brought an echo of something lost. Though he didn't remember how he knew, he understood what he was doing. His essence would temporarily leave Elior's body, and he could move around the academy as a specter, invisible to everyone but fully aware.
"This... I've done this before," Zakarius thought as he floated through the dark halls of the academy. Each projection made him feel more comfortable, more certain that this ability wasn't new to him. On the contrary, it seemed an essential part of his being, even if he couldn't remember why.
Each time he projected his consciousness, the feeling of power and familiarity grew. At first, he only observed the recruits, ensuring they didn't discover him. But soon, he began to feel a connection to certain students, especially those he had begun to corrupt before invading Elior's body.
One night, while exploring the academy in his projected form, he felt a strong pull toward one of the dormitories. Following the trace, he arrived at a young angel who was sleeping deeply, but something about him seemed strangely familiar. As he watched, Zakarius's mind began to unearth fragments of memory.
"This young one... is one of those I corrupted," he thought. His projection began to interact with the angel's mind, and then he saw it: memories of past nights when he had planted seeds of doubt and ambition in the young one's mind. The angel had begun to question celestial authority, and now was one of Zakarius's most loyal followers, though he didn't yet know it.
Zakarius felt a heartbeat of recognition. It had been he who had started all this. He wasn't simply Elior, an innocent cherub. He was Zakarius, the fallen angel who had corrupted the minds of the young for his own benefit. And now, those same followers could help him fully remember who he was.
Night after night, Zakarius visited the young ones he had corrupted, those who slept uneasily, their minds full of dark thoughts and desires they didn't fully understand. With each visit, he remembered more details of his original plan: how he had attempted to overthrow the celestials, how he had been discovered and exterminated, and how he had managed to resurface thanks to the phylactery he had created.
One of the recruits closest to him in his projected form, a seraph named Kaleth, helped him connect the missing pieces. In his dreams, Kaleth called him "master," and repeated phrases that Zakarius had whispered to him months before, when his power over them was still at its peak.
"You taught me that celestials are weak," Kaleth said in his dreams. "You showed me that true power lies in darkness."
Every word he heard ignited more memories in Zakarius's mind. He wasn't just a fallen angel; he was the architect of a plan much larger than simply corrupting a few recruits. He had been building a rebellion, a force capable of challenging the celestial order and conquering Eternal. And though he had been defeated before, his resurgence meant he still had a chance.
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One night, while projecting his consciousness, Zakarius decided to speak directly to Kaleth. He manifested in his dreams not just as an observer, but as a tangible presence, a mentor guiding his thoughts.
"Kaleth," Zakarius whispered, "tell me who I am."
Kaleth, in his dream state, responded immediately, as if he recognized the voice in the depths of his being.
"You are my master, Zakarius. The fallen angel who showed us true power. The one who will lead us into a new era."
Hearing his own name, something within Zakarius fully activated. It was as if a barrier had broken, releasing an avalanche of memories that flooded his mind. He remembered everything: his life as an angel, his betrayal, his hatred toward the cherubim, his plan to replace Elior's consciousness, and how he had been discovered and destroyed, only to resurface centuries later.
Back in Elior's body, Zakarius awoke with renewed clarity. He knew who he was, and although he had lost part of his power in the process, he now had control over a young body full of potential. Elior had managed to erase his memories in a desperate attempt to avoid his own destruction, but Zakarius had recovered enough to continue his plan.
"No one suspects yet," he thought as he walked through the academy. "To everyone, I am Elior, but inside, I am Zakarius." This advantage gave him time to perfect his strategy. The young celestials he had corrupted remained loyal, even if they didn't know the full truth. He could use them as key pieces in his next move.
Now that he remembered who he was, Zakarius wouldn't just seek a new life. He would seek revenge on those who had destroyed him and would carry out his vengeance from within, using his followers and his new identity to complete his work.
But for now, he had to keep up appearances. He had to continue being the eccentric and capricious cherub Elior, while weaving in the shadows the plan that would lead him to his final victory.
Zakarius moved carefully, weaving his web of influence in the shadows. Although he had already managed to corrupt several young celestial beings, he needed something more. He needed power, and to achieve that, he had to infiltrate the minds of those in higher positions. He could not afford to be discovered, so his method was subtle: tiny seeds of doubt and ambition that slowly blossomed in the minds of his victims, until they could no longer resist the call of rebellion.
Every night, his consciousness projected further, reaching higher-ranking angels and seraphim. He whispered promises of power, of breaking free from the rigid structures of heaven. While not everyone fell under his influence immediately, Zakarius was patient. He knew that the most effective corruption was slow-burning, taking its time to consolidate before becoming evident.
As his network grew, days at the academy passed without incident. Zakarius, in Elior's body, continued to act as the extravagant young cherub everyone knew. Although some noticed certain changes in his behavior, most attributed them to the unstable nature of cherubs. However, those whom Zakarius had corrupted knew the truth, albeit not entirely: they saw Elior as the leader who would guide them toward a new era.
One day, while Zakarius pondered the progress of his rebellion, he was summoned to the office of one of the academy's directors, the angel Altior, who was in charge of diplomatic relations. Upon arriving, he found Altior waiting with a solemn expression on his face.
"Elior, it's good to see you," Altior said, observing him carefully. "The Celestial Oligarchic Republics have offered their support in the war. They are willing to share their technology and resources with us, but they need to know more about our situation and what we need."
Upon hearing this, Zakarius tensed. He knew the Republics were a powerhouse in technology and scientific advancements, and their intervention could tip the scales of war. However, he also knew that now, as Elior, he would have to deal with these diplomatic matters—a dangerous ground for someone who barely remembered how to behave like a cherub.
"I understand," Zakarius replied calmly, trying to appear unconcerned. "What role should I play in all of this?"
Altior looked at him intently. "Your father, one of the oligarchs, is the one who pushed for this alliance. Your role is crucial, Elior. You must act as an intermediary between us and the Republics. No one is better positioned to ensure that resources and technology flow efficiently to our armies. But in addition to that, your family wants to make sure that the interests of the Republics are well represented."
Zakarius nodded, maintaining an outward calm. He knew that any mistake in this mission could reveal his true identity, but he also understood that playing this role provided him with a strategic advantage.
"I will do my best," he said with a slight smile, though inside, his mind was calculating how to use this situation to his advantage.
The next day, Zakarius received another unexpected visit. Two cherubs, former tutors of Elior and subordinate emissaries of his father, had come to see him. They wanted to know how he was doing and discuss the details of his diplomatic mission. Zakarius knew he had to be cautious, as these cherubs knew him well—perhaps too well.
The emissaries, a pair of elder cherubs named Adriel and Thesan, were respected figures in the Republics. When they arrived, both greeted him with a bow, something unusual among cherubs, but appropriate given Elior's status.
"Elior, dear," Adriel said with a paternal smile, "we've come to see you on behalf of your father. He is worried about you, about how you are adapting to life in the academy and, of course, about your mission. How are you?"
Zakarius, still trying to familiarize himself with the body and customs of the cherubs, decided that it was best to keep his answers vague, avoiding any detail that could betray him.
"I feel… fine, I suppose," he replied, searching for a tone that seemed casual. "It's been a time of many changes, but I'm adjusting."
Adriel and Thesan exchanged a glance. They knew Elior had always been more expressive, but they did not press the issue. Instead, Adriel continued, "Your mission is of great importance, Elior. The Republics have made impressive advances in technology, and your role as an intermediary could change the course of the war. You must understand that your father expects a lot from you."
Zakarius nodded with a contained smile, though inside he felt increasingly uncomfortable. What did Elior know about this technology? What exactly did they expect from him? He realized he would need more information to avoid making a fatal mistake.
"I understand," he said slowly. "I will do everything I can to meet expectations. I appreciate the trust of my father and the Republics."
Thesan, who had remained silent until now, watched him with a piercing gaze. "You look… different, Elior. The academy must be changing you. Is this what you expected?"
Zakarius felt a chill. Had he said something suspicious? Thesan's gaze was sharp, as if he were trying to read his mind. He had to be careful.
"I suppose we all change over time," he replied, looking away. "Life here is demanding, but I'm learning a lot."
The emissaries watched him for a few more moments, but ultimately decided not to press. They bid farewell, reminding him of the importance of his mission, and promised to return soon to discuss progress with the Republics.