– Why did you mention that? – Titan took on a serious, almost threatening posture, his sharp eyes focused.

– I don’t know much about the subject, as it seems to be something almost impossible to find information on – Tyx replied, walking toward the mirrored walls that reflected the city below, illuminated by the sun shining on the buildings. – But what I do know is that during the Second World War, the Nazis also conducted experiments on prisoners and soldiers in an attempt to create enhanced individuals. What they called...

– Idealer Kämpfer... I know, I was there... – Titan interrupted, sighing as he sat down and stared at the floor. He grabbed a small metal canteen from his pocket and took a drink. – An attempt not only to control the body but also the mind... Those bastards wanted to create super soldiers to change the tide of battle. Which didn’t quite work out...

Everyone in the room fell silent for a moment. The Visionary kept his attention on Tyx, the Amazon pressed her lips together with a sad look directed at Titan, and Conrad simply stared at the floor.

– Yeah, you don’t seem to know more than we have on record, but I know that much of the German research was integrated by the government of that time, even granting amnesty to some. As was the case with Khalarran, who, although many do not know, also conducted experiments on BHE’s – Tyx said, observing the city's splendor and slightly curving the corner of his mouth. – That made me wonder: what happened to the Idealer Kämpfer research?

– Are you trying to say that someone might be creating enhanced individuals out there? – Conrad asked, looking toward Tyx, who was obscured by the light; only his silhouette was visible.

– Maybe. Black doesn’t fit any logic we know about BHE’s. His eyes are yellow, so technically, he should be classified as Gamma on the Power Variation Index. But the most important thing is that it is ridiculously difficult to perfect and maintain the Absolute Apex. – Tyx said, running his hand through his goatee and then turning his attention back to everyone. – The only person we know who was able to do that is Titan, and it took him over a decade to exhibit those yellow eyes around.

– And there’s another thing. – declared the Visionary, causing everyone to shift their attention to him. – This young man doesn’t seem to be from Libya, which is strange. After all, what was he doing there?

– How are you sure of that? – the Amazon asked, her eyes curious.

– "Abavikeli bangababulali" was what he said, which means "Defenders are killers." – the Visionary explained, looking into the Amazon's eyes. – That language is Zulu, commonly spoken in South Africa, not in the North.

– So he could be South African? How did Division Zero not discover this? – the Amazon questioned, keeping her gaze fixed on the Visionary. – And how did he end up in a conflict in Libya?

– I believe that, since they had limited time with him, they decided to try to figure out what they were dealing with instead of who he really was. – the Visionary replied, with his hand open toward the Amazon. – There’s no way to be certain, but what intrigues me is Black’s impression of the African Defenders.

Hearing this, the Amazon clenched her fists tightly; her expression was clearly one of frustration.

– We all know that the African Defenders are basically military. Maybe the young man has information about them, who knows? – Tyx said, pacing the room in front of everyone.

– In the Division Zero report, it was stated that it was not them who found Black, but rather the Defender White Ray. – Titan asserted, continuing to drink from his canteen. – It was written that he was injured and had burns from electricity.

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– Is it possible that they are involved in something? It doesn’t make sense for a Defender to deal directly with something like this. – the Amazon said, staring at the floor with furrowed brows.

– You’re just assuming things; you can’t just accuse someone of something like that. – Conrad said, placing a hand on his forehead and shaking his head. – This is turning into a mess.

Tyx nodded slowly and then put his hand in his pocket, grabbing a cellphone and sliding his thumb to the right on the screen. With that, the holographic image changed, now showing dark skin with a marking that looked like a circle with a line running from the center down through it.

Upon noticing this, Titan's eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost, and his mouth opened for a brief moment. Tyx noticed and looked toward him, nodding his head.

– I believe you know this symbol well; it doesn’t look like a birthmark. – Tyx said, bringing the holographic device closer to everyone.

– It looks like a circle, but why does it have that line in the middle? – the Amazon questioned, leaning over the table for a better look.

– It’s not a circle... it’s the damn snake. – Titan replied, shaking his head and clenching his teeth. – Project Ouroboros...

Tyx locked his cellphone, and the hologram disappeared.

Everyone looked at him as he returned to the center of the room and sat in that solitary chair.

– This is the advantage of having a grandpa in the room. – Tyx said, taking out his wallet again and lighting a cigarette. – That’s exactly it, but I couldn’t find much else beyond that.

– And what is this Project Ouroboros? – the Amazon asked, looking toward Titan, who was deep in thought with a look of anger.

– It’s a project that ANSA pretends never happened. It had a similar purpose to that of Idealer Kämpfer, but in this case, they used torture and drugs to try to control the minds of enhanced individuals. They claim to have shut down the project in 1973 – Titan replied, rising with fury in his eyes. – This can’t stand! We have to do something! They are certainly involved!

– We can’t! Not yet. We need concrete evidence; what we have isn’t enough. – Conrad said, also standing up and facing Titan. – However, we already have a lead; let’s start from there.

– Maybe that’s why Jupiter sent the boy here. No one would go against his influence, and he might have realized that something was wrong. – Tyx said as he took a drag from his cigarette and looked at the large statue in front of him. – The boy is our best lead; if he can remember what happened, we’ll have definitive proof.

All the Defenders nodded in agreement, and those who were standing sat down again.

– I completely agree with you, Tyx. So, as you yourself recognize, Black is essential to this investigation. – Conrad said, opening his hands and looking seriously at Tyx. – We must keep him under maximum surveillance every day.

– I was thinking of integrating him into the aides. – Tyx replied, with a slight smile as he crossed his legs again and pointed the cigarette at Conrad, who frowned.

– You must be joking! Do you want him to leave the building and walk the streets!? What if something happens? What if he runs away!? – Conrad exclaimed, clenching his fists on the table. – We don’t even know if he is trustworthy or mentally stable! You know what happened when we let our guard down like that; we have to keep him under surveillance!

– Remember what I told you, Conrad? You have no power in this decision. I was specifically assigned to handle this case. – Tyx said, leaning forward in his chair but lowering his head. – I haven’t forgotten what happened, but we can’t live in the past and put all the mistakes of that bastard on the boy’s shoulders. He deserves a chance.

– And how exactly will integrating him into the Aides help? – Conrad was agitated, pressing his fists against the table.

– The boy seems to have been through a lot, and do you know what the best remedy for that is? – Tyx questioned, staring at Conrad. – Time and companionship. Let’s show him that we are not what he thinks we are; he’s not just a clue to a case, he’s a human being too.

Conrad hung his head for a moment, looking at the gold ring on his finger and then hiding it with his other hand; then he nodded.

– Fine. And how exactly are you going to handle him? Are you just going to integrate him into the aides? – Conrad asked, crossing his arms.

– Don’t worry about that; it’s all planned out. He will receive intensive training, and when he’s ready, he’ll be able to act as a convergent. – Tyx replied, taking another drag and getting up from the chair, heading for the exit while waving his hand. – The Visionary will send the measures taken to you, and don’t worry; I have someone special in mind to work with him.

– Who are you talking about? – Conrad questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Tyx didn’t answer, just showing a slight smile as he looked at Conrad before putting his metal mask back on.

– You wouldn’t do that... – Conrad said, his voice irritated.

Conrad’s remark was met only by a tip of Tyx’s hat as he left the room. The door moved slowly, still revealing his figure until it finally closed.