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Walking down the Khoy University campus, Klein felt anxiety run through him. Now that he had decided to become a Nighthawk, he had to tell his former professors, that he would not be taking part in the job interview to become a professor himself.
From what he had gathered from Klein's memories and feelings, it was mostly Mr Azik that Klein was afraid to face and disappoint.
The original Klein had seen Mr Azik as a mentor, who he had been a bit closer to. One he could go to for help and receive it with open arms. It was one of those relationships, that Zhou Mingrui did not want to change. One that even he, in this body, with these memories, already cherished.
Walking past the copious amount of students, who were lounging in the campus's small park, he took in the various types of wings littered on their figures.
This new world seemed so colourful, though Klein couldn't really understand the need for wings that basically could only compare to chicken when it came to actual flying. Freaking chicken!!!
If they had wings, why could they not fly the skies like regular birds? Why could they only glide, fly very short distances - if one can even call that flying instead of propelling oneself forward, and look so deranged when flapping their wings when doing so?
Not that he could even do that currently, as his wing muscles still seemed to be locked away from him.
Klein sighed.
When he told Mr Dunn Smith that he wanted to become a Nighthawk and a subsequent Beyonder, Dunn had told him, that if his wings still did not work properly due the start of his actual employment, he would receive some sessions with a wing expert, who would help him get them back in working order.
A shiver ran through him as he thought of cold, clinical touches on his wings.
He entered the University building, making his way to the office, where he knew he could find one of the professors who had tended to him last time.
Klein stood in front of the door, his wings fluttering slightly in anxiety. He heaved a deep breath, before knocking on the door.
"Come in," a voice called out.
When Klein opened the door, he saw Mr. Stone sat at his desk, a mountain of papers surrounding him and Starling wings peeking out from the professors back.
"You know, the interview is not for another hour-" the professor said with a rough voice, while scratching his beard. "Is there anything you need Mr Moretti?"
Klein squared his shoulders, his wings giving a slight twitch, before he spoke. "Hello Mr Stone. As you know, Professor Cohen and Professor Azik recommended me for the history department position, and I wanted to tell you, that I found another job and will not be taking part in the interview today."
Mr Stone hummed, looking at Klein and giving him a slight smile. He stood up, hand held out towards Klein. "I see, Congratulations Mr Moretti! You really are a polite lad. I will inform the professor and senior associate professors of your decision. Do remember to tell Professor Azik and Cohen on your own though, as they recommended you for the position!"
Klein nodded, having already planned to do exactly that. Just as he was about to answer, a voice rang out from behind him.
"Moretti, you found another job?"
Klein knew who it was before turning around. Professor Cohen.
At the door stood an elder man in a black tuxedo, with silver hair and brown-black wings,- like those of a Harris Hawk. His deep blue eyes spoke of wisdom and care.
Though what caught Klein's attention, was not Professor Cohen, but the man behind him.
Klein's heart flipped, his wings gave a twitch and his chest started to tighten. "I am not ready yet! I thought I had a few more minutes! Calm down Klein! It is just Professor Azik! You know he won't take this badly, he will probably even be happy for you! … I am not really Klein,… I shouldn't have these feelings that I have about Professor Azik! … Did the original Klein and I merge more deeply than I thought?… Now is not the time! Focus!"
Focusing back on the situation at hand, Klein greeted the two professors in front of him. During this, Klein had time to really take Mr Azik in.
Mr Azik was a man with bronze skin, black hair and soft yet deep brown eyes as though they held a lot of depth and torment from the past. The most eye catching details though were the mole beneath his right ear and his large black wings with white details, which resembled those of a Harpy Eagle from his old world.
Overall Professor Azik looked like a wise man, who held a hidden strength within him.
"What kind of job did you find, if you don't mind me asking?" Professor Cohen moved more into the room, settling himself at the window sill, his brown wings highlighted by the sun shining through the window.
“I got a job at a security company which seeks, collects and protects ancient artefacts. As you probably know, I prefer studying and applying history, instead of summarizing it, so I thought this job was perfect for me. And due to their need of a professional consultant, they are paying me three pounds a week too, which is quite a good salary." Klein fiddled with the bottom of his jacket as he explained, a part of him still anxious about Professor Azik's opinion.
~~
From his position at the door, Azik looked at his former student with a hint of puzzlement. Something had changed about Klein, he just wasn't sure what.
The Klein Moretti he knew, didn't feel like two different jigsaw puzzles jumbled and clicked together, forming an entirely new picture. The rivers of his fate seemed to also have changed. Curious.
He listened to Klein talk about his new job, cataloguing every reaction and tick of his former student. With that he also took note of the wings. How strange... Usually Klein Moretti would be very expressive through his Sparrow wings, but now they almost lay eerily flat, only a twitch happening here and there.
The Professor had wanted to ask Klein about Naya and Welch, however he decided to wait a bit longer until he got Klein alone.
"He looks so nervous, I wonder what is up with that… Could it tie in with his other abnormalities? I better find out, maybe I can help him… I should invite him over for tea in my office, that way I can ask him what happened to his friends and maybe even why his soul looks so off. I hope nothing is wrong…" Azik's heart clenched for some reason, he couldn't explain why, but it felt like a subconscious reaction, something he must have felt before, but had forgotten.
"…I’m very happy that you bothered to come to Khoy University to inform them instead of just not showing up.” Azik focused back on the conversation and heard the tail end of what Cohen said.
At this point Azik interjected, wanting to get Klein alone. "Klein, would you be willing to come over for tea in my office? I have some things I would like to talk to you about before you are on your way again."
Though Klein looked a bit nervous at the prospect, the answer of "Yes!", came pretty quickly.
Both of them said their goodbyes to the other professors before leisurely walking towards Azik's office. Azik kept an eye on Klein, seeing his tense posture and fiddling hands. He really did wonder what exactly had been going on in his former students life, especially with the death of his friends. Had he not known, that Klein would be coming in for an interview today, he would have sought him out in the near future, either through a letter asking him to meet up, or by showing up at the Moretti residence. He did worry about his former student quite a bit when he found out about the deaths. Something about them, seemed almost unnatural. Azik knew something was off, yet he couldn't explain what.
A sharp pinch ran through his mind.
Unlocking his office door, Azik let Klein into the room, showing him to the seating area, before moving towards the small stove onto which he set a kettle filled with water.
As the kettle started to warm the water up to a boil, Azik grabbed two cups, adding some tea leaves to them, and settled next to the kettle in wait, -though having turned towards Klein.
"How have you been Klein? You seem a bit out of sorts."
~~
Klein fiddled with his jacket, not really knowing how to answer the question, as a part of him, the part that had been Klein, wanted to tell Azik everything, while his Mingrui half felt more trepidation about opening up.
"I… I have been well Professor Azik!" Klein looked up only to see Azik narrow his eyes in disbelief. Klein's shoulders slumped, his wings giving a sharp shudder, as Klein realised it would be futile to lie to his former teacher.
"Alright…I… Things have been going on these past few days, and I don't know exactly how I feel about most of it… I just…" He trailed off, his head in his hands, which where gripping the strands of his hair tightly.
"Why oh why, can I not lie to this person? Why do I not want to disappoint him so badly? I know he and the original Klein were close, but … that is not me?! So why???"
In the background Klein heard the kettle boil and soon after the clink of a cup of tea being placed on the table before him.
A warm and steady hand rested on his shoulder, bringing Klein out of his musings.
"Tell me what is wrong Klein. I can see your fate has twisted, that your soul looks like a jumbled mosaic. Does it have to do with Naya and Welsh's death?" Azik felt Klein tense under his hand, as if he had hit the nail right on the head.
Fear ran through Klein, how did he know? How did Professor Azik know? Was he a Beyonder? Could all Beyonders see that?!
Klein felt like his breath was stolen, as he started to hyperventilate. Why does everything seem so out of his hand…
Firm yet warm hands grabbed his, stroking them gently, lending Klein a focal point in his panic. From what felt like far away, he heard Professor Azik speak to him, yet the words were jumbled and incomprehensible.
"…come back Klein. You are safe. Everything is fine. You are not alone!" Finally the words started to register in Klein's mind and he started to relax.
He felt a warmth enveloping him, a soothing feeling pressing down on his wings. Something…soft? Soft? Klein slowly opened his eyes only to be met by darkness. The smell of books and freshly dug earth reached his nose, filling Klein up with a powerful sense of safety. A rumble vibrated through the enclosed space, lulling Klein into a serene state. It felt so comforting, so warm, -it reminded Mingrui of the times when he had been hugged tightly by his parents, knowing that he was completely safe and sound. Never would he have thought that another person, a stranger to his Mingrui part, would conjure up those exact feelings within him.
The fingers tracing over his hands stopped their motion, only for him to receive a strong squeeze.
"Are you alright now Klein? I am sorry, I didn't want to make you panic. I have just been worried ever since I heard that Naya and Welch died." Azik brought a hand up to Klein's arm stroking it in soothing motions.
"I… yeah.. I think I am fine now. But… what did you mean with my soul looking like a jumbled mosaic? I… are… are you a…" Klein trailed off, not knowing if he was allowed to divulge that information, in case Azik wasn't actually a Beyonder.
"A Beyonder? Is that what you wanted to ask?" Klein nodded at Azik's question which reverberated in this soothing enclosed space, -which now that Klein was calm again could discern, was due to Professor Azik having surrounded them with his large wings, cutting them off from the outside world. "To be honest Klein, I don't really remember a lot of my life. I do know that I am a Beyonder, one who can see the strings of fate and the souls of others. I have been searching for answers ever since I remembered this part of myself, yet have found nothing. Your soul. Well, your soul has changed since the last time I have seen you. It almost seems like a second soul was mixed into it. Do you know anything about that?"
Klein opened his mouth to answer, yet no words came. Here was a person, who somewhat knew what had happened, someone who could help him, yet speaking the truth almost felt impossible. Unable to find the right words, Klein just nodded his head again.
Professor Azik sucked in a long breath, as if preparing himself for what was to come.
"Please tell me. Maybe I can help?!"
Klein fiddled with his hands and started to scratch at them, only for them to be gathered back in Azik's warm hands. The safety that came with those hands taking his, made Klein take a shuddering breath, before he started to speak.
"The Antigonous Notebook… Naya, Welch and I were studying the Antigonous Notebook, but something… Something went wrong. I don't remember what exactly happened but…" he bit at his lips, not knowing how he should phrase the next part. " On Thursday, on Thursday…I.." he gulped, "…the original Klein Moretti died. And I woke up in his body and you have to believe me! I have no idea what happened and how it did, but I just woke up that day, a bullet wound knitting itself together, the moon red, wings on my back and memories that I didn't have before entering my mind and maybe I merged with Klein or maybe I only got his memories, but I didn't want this! I just wanted to go back home and I don't know this world and…" The words tumbled out of his mouth without rest, making him spiral into a state of panic. Tears gathered in his eyes as the feeling of helplessness, that he had shoved deep into his subconsciousness, rose up.
~~
Azik felt his heart drop as he listened to the panicked tellings of Klein Moretti. This really was not the Klein Moretti he knew, but the amalgamation of two souls, one completely unknown to him. But, he was still in there. He didn't die completely. He just merged with someone else, someone who decided to keep living as Klein. Someone, who was just scared and alone, who didn't know what was going on and needed help. Help he could maybe give.
In the end this was just a scared young adult, one, who to him still felt like a child.
Azik's eyes softened as he made his decision. There was no way he would leave Klein alone with this. There was just something about him that called to him, and today, that feeling had been stronger than usual. This was meant to be.
"Klein, listen Klein. I am here for you. I will not leave you alone in this! No matter who you were before Klein, Klein is still a part of you. Please calm down. I am here for you! Hush child... Everything will be fine…."
The Professor felt Klein start to relax and gave his hands another squeeze.
"If you don't mind me asking. Who is the other soul that merged with Klein Moretti?"
"Zhou Mingrui…" came the whisper from his former student.
"Zhou Mingrui. That doesn't sound like any name I have ever heard. Where are you from?" He started asking Klein smaller questions to focus on, to both gather information he needed, and to make Klein focus on something else, so that he would fully leave his state of panic.
"I came from a place called China on Earth." Klein clenched Azik's hands a bit, his breath starting to slow.
"Could you tell me more about China?" His deep voice was filled with curiosity.
"People called it the foodaholic empire. It had it all. Deep rooted culture, spices, -lots of them and an absolute love of food. We had many festivals, where we celebrated with special foods for the occasion. But more than any of that, we valued our community. You knew that you would never be left on your own.
At night moon shone in its silver beauty over the world. Earth was also a lot more advanced than this world…"
Azik listened to Klein or Zhou Mingrui ramble about his home with an elated tone. He really seemed to love it there. Away was the state of panic from his former students mind and instead he seemed to almost come alive over the topic. It was a delightful sight to see.
Zhou Mingrui seemed to have come from another world, a world where life seemed to have been completely different.
"It sounds like a wonderful place Zhou Mingrui."
"It is, was, I… I miss my parents. I want to go home…, but I don't even know how?! And what would happen to Klein Moretti? I don't want to leave Benson and Melissa with a gruesome aftermath…but then…if you say our souls have merged…is there even a way to undo it?" Klein looked up at Azik in this dark enclosed space. Soft eyes greeted him, but they carried a hint of sadness.
"I don't know if it can be undone at this point, your souls are very tightly intertwined. If I had all my memories, I could probably give you a more definite answer, but at this point I can only tell you this. You are now one person. You are both Zhou Mingrui and Klein Moretti. You are their thoughts and feelings combined like a new person, a unique you! And you should not force one part of you down, but try to let both parts live in harmony with one another."
~~
"I.. yeah, I think you are right. I am both and I should not forget that." Klein laid a hand over his heart, feeling it beat strong and steady.
He is both now. Taking away one part of himself at this point would probably leave him incomplete.
Klein felt a part of himself click into place.
"Oh…"
"Oh?" Azik echoed the words in question.
"I think, I think it just really clicked. For days now I've had issues with my wings, being unable to move them on command even though I could feel the muscles. I think it was due to shoving down the parts that were Klein and forcing Mingrui into the foreground. Could you…umm…maybe let down your wings, so that I can… umm try to move them? I want to see if it fixed it…" Klein heard a small chuckle and "Of course!" before feeling the air around him turn colder and the surroundings turning brighter.
He looked at Azik, who was crouched in front of him and looking at him with gentle eyes.
"There you go. Try!"
Klein nodded before closing his eyes and turning his focus inward.
"I am Klein Moretti! I am Zhou Mingrui! I am someone new, and I will conquer this new life granted to me! I will search for answers on Klein's death and Zhou Mingrui's transmigration! If I find a way back, it will be as the amalgamation of both!"
With that Klein opened his wings for the first time since that fateful day, the day he died, the day that he transmigrated, the day that he became someone new.
He opened his eyes, his focus immediately turning to his wings and feeling the rush of victory run through him. He did it! He actually managed to open his wings!!!
Grinning he turned towards Azik, who was watching him in gentle patience.
"Thank you Professor Azik!"
~~
"Just Azik is fine Klein, you are my student no longer."
Looking at Klein in front of him, his Sparrow wings spread wide, he noted a few crooked feathers and his fingers twitched.
"I want to fix them…"
"Klein, a few of your wings seem to be out of place, I know this is presumptuous of me, but could I maybe help you groom them? If you do not want to, I will fully understand! It just looks like if it is not done soon, it will get painful."
Klein looked at him with wide eyes before shyly looking away. "I would not be opposed to it, but the last time someone touched my wings I knocked them into a wall…I don't know how they will react now…" The young historian thought of the cute inspector with the emerald eyes, who had caught him off guard.
"That is of no issue. I just want to make sure that everything is fine and that your wings are taken care off. In the mean time, you can ask me any questions you have and tell me more about your life as Zhou Mingrui and what has been going on these past few days. And drink some tea. It should be cold enough for consumption by now."
Azik watched Klein pick up the cup of tea and take small sips before ushering him to a stool for better access to the wings.
"Umm… Azik… do you have a book on wing care and anatomy? I seem to have forgotten all about it in the merge and I have not been able to go to a library yet, to look it up…" The almost shy way that Klein asked the question, filled Azik with warmth. His former student was just too adorable, that doesn't seem to have changed.
He walked towards his large bookshelf, grabbing a book from the top of it, before handing it to Klein.
"This one is the most comprehensive one I have. If you have any questions, you can always come to me too." Grabbing some wing oil from one of his drawer, Azik made his way back to Klein, snatching a stool in the process, before making himself comfortable behind Klein.
He could tell, that the top part of the wing was mostly neat, the folded sections were a mess, as were the underwings. Pouring some oil onto his hands, he started his work on the scapulars, to work his way outwards to the primaries.
~~
It felt heavenly, that was all that Klein could think of. Azik's hands moving through his wings, straightening and loosening some feathers felt so absolutely good, he could almost not concentrate on anything else. His former professor just felt so utterly safe to him, like someone he could depend on.
"The job I got, it is with the Nighthawks. They invited me to join and thinking it over, I decided it was the best action I could take. If everything goes well, I will also be allowed to become a Beyonder." He thought back on Roselle's diary entry, in which he wished to have taken either the Seer, Apprentice or Marauder potion. If he could get one of the three…
"I see. Do take care please. The Beyonder world is filled with madness and dangers that you can't comprehend. Too much knowledge even, can be your doom! Once you do take the potion, please come see me and maybe I can give you some advice here and there."
Klein had to say that having someone else he could go to for advice sounded amazing, especially now that Azik knew most of the situation at hand. Though telling Azik about the Fool…better not. His cheeks tinged in slight embarrassment and Klein was glad that Azik currently couldn't see his face.
"I will!"
"Actually, remind me to give you something before you leave today. It is something, with which you can always reach me." Klein hummed in agreement, currently somewhat lost in the floaty feeling of careful hands moving through his feathers.
The afternoon passed in tranquility as Klein asked his questions while Azik took care of his wings. When Klein ran out of questions, they both delved into history, talking about their current topics of interest, loosing track of time.
~~
Azik coated the last feather in oil, stroking it softly. A part of him, didn't want this to end, but he knew that it was time. The sun was starting to set on the horizon, bathing his office in an orange hue.
He felt like he had done this a thousand times already, with someone, he had felt something similar as he felt towards Klein. Are those…parental feeling..? Shaking his hands, he patted the wings softly, giving a soft "I am done!" before getting up to wash his hands.
From the corner of his eyes, he saw Klein stretch, both his wings and his body, before folding the wings back into the resting position.
Once his hands were clean again, he moved to his coat, reaching into his inner pocket and grasping his treasured copper whistle.
It was one of the few things that he had woken up with after having lost his memories. It was a way to call on his messengers. Personally, he didn't need it to call on them, so giving it to Klein felt only right.
When he turned back to Klein, whistle in hand, his former student stood at the center of the room, the book on wing care clutched in his fingers.
"Thank you Azik for caring for me… I… if you… could I, if I ever need help with my wings again…could I also come to you? Like with the grooming…not the questions." Azik chuckled when he saw the tinge of red on Klein's cheeks.
"Of course. I will be happy to help. Don't forget to contact me frequently. I can only help you, if you tell me what is going on." Here Azik gave Klein a slightly stern look. "Maybe we could meet once a week, that way you can bring me up to speed." Holding the copper whistle out to Klein, he explained its function. "With this copper whistle you can contact my messenger. Send me a letter through it and tell me when you wish to meet next, once you settle a bit into work. And remember, if you have questions, I am here for you!"
Once Klein had grabbed the whistle he spoke a heartfelt thank you and grabbed his coat, putting it on.
"Thank you again, Azik. I will message you! I wish you a wonderful evening."
"Have a wonderful evening. I wish you all the best and hope you choose a good pathway. Do think about your options a bit before choosing!" With that Azik lay a steady hand on Klein's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze before letting go.
"I will. And I will message you as soon as I can once I have taken the potion."
They moved towards the door, both not really wanting to part yet, but knowing that it was time.
~~
Walking out of the door, Klein felt like something warm had settled deep within him. Where he had still felt out of tune when he had walked into the office, now he felt complete and right. Talking to Azik had really helped him. Something where he had at first felt a lot of trepidation at the start, had absolutely felt right.
With a light heart he made his long way home.
Oh what a grand prize it was to know someone would be there for you if you need it.
Klein looked up at the red moon rising on the horizon and for the first time since Zhou Mingrui came to this world, he knew that he could handle what was to come.