99 XCIX. The Revelation (1/2)

”What?! Purple?!” exclaimed Dag, in disbelief.

Although others before Asa had noticed the change in the color of Dag's eyes, no one had ever told him so explicitly.

Dag paused to think. Unintentionally, his mind had made a connection: it would have been more logical if his eyes had changed color after ingesting Xis' blood. In that case, the blood would enter his digestive system and change his body chemistry. But with that hare it was different... it was a simple animal, its blood was normal red blood. It had no connection to the Xis.

So why did one of his eyes go purple for a few seconds?

Purple eyes were a peculiar feature of the Xis. If the animals weren't the only link... what other connection was there between him and that alien race?

Dag could not understand, thoughts continued to crowd in his mind.

”It's impossible, mother. This doesn't make any sense! That hare didn't have magenta blood, why did my eye change color?” asked Dag, frightened by Asa's revelation.

Asa paused for a few minutes, trying to think of an answer to give Dag.

”What exactly does 'Unknown' mean?” she asked.

”Uhm? What do you mean?”

”The Temporum, or what's called that thing... You said that when it examined you, one of the values it released was Unknown, right?” continued Asa.

”Yes, that's it” Dag said.

Immediately he opened his eyes wide as if an electric shock had just struck him.

He remained motionless and a sea of memories invaded his mind, blurring his sight. In a few seconds, he retraced his whole life, focusing on the last period... the one during which he realized that he had developed dark powers.

Everything was connected, now everything was clearer.

The key to the riddle had always been within him.

”My blood! It's my blood, mother! You're a genius! How did I not think about it before, how stupid!” shouted Dag, happy to have discovered such an important thing about himself.

He hugged Asa hard, lifting her off the ground and spinning her.

”Thank you, Mom!” he said again, kissing Asa on the cheek.

”What... what did I say?” she replied, unaware that she had sparked in Dag such a deep reflection on his ego.

”The Temporum. The answer is inside that 2%. My blood has something different from other earthlings. When they had to decide what to do with me, the Xis of the Great Court started talking to each other. It was the first time they were unsure of the decision to be made. I have to find out more about my parents, I need more answers” Dag continued, enthusiastic about his discovery.

”Are you saying that somehow your blood may be tied to that of the Xis?” asked Asa.

”It's strange to say, but... yes. I think a small part of me isn't human. I really hope Vegard has the answers I'm looking for.”