Shadow Slave: The Holy Emperor

I'm watching Arcane TikTok edits as I write this.

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Keter opened his eyes to see the basement ceiling, which looked more damaged than last time. Keter winched at the smell. 'I guess not showering for seven mouths does that.'

"You're finally awake. You took a damn long time; I think you now hold the record for the longest First Nightmare." A quippy remark came from across the room.

Keter looked over to the woman, and his eyes widened as he recognized her as Soul Reaper Jet.

"What you looking at, kid?" Jet asked.

"I'm just surprised to see a master on duty," Keter responded quickly. His eyes were wondering more than they should be, but he was trying to stop himself.

"I'm taking lunch right now, kid." Keter notices the box of food on her lap. 'I want my head to be there. Wait, shut up, me. This is important.' Keter pushes those thoughts out of his mind.

"It seems like you won the genetic lottery, kid. I would kill for looks like that." Jet stayed, though Keter noticed a subtle hint of envy. 

'So that's part of what Eyes of Heart does. It's a type of emotion sense that's good to have. I'm horrible at reading people.' Keter notices and then says. "Genetic lottery? What are you talking about?" Keter asks, confused.

Jet undoes Keter's restraints and says, "Go take a shower. You stink, and there is a mirror in there. See for yourself."

"Gladly," Keter gets up and leaves for the showers, almost surprised that he doesn't feel sore or stiff. After Keter reaches the shower, he grabs one of the extra sets of clothes provided and a towel. He hangs up his old clothes and puts the towel where he can reach it from inside the shower. Keter's body temporarily relaxes as the hot water hits his smooth skin. Keter gets a good look at his body as he washes himself. His dark brown hair and eyes were now a thick honey brown, and his eyes had a slight yellow glow to them. His skin was now a healthy, pristine white with no blemishes. His calluses were all gone, and his features were slightly more angular, but they still left him looking delicate. He was now lean instead of the thin he was before, but there was still one more thing. "Hell yeah, I got my ass back." Keter examined his butt and smiled. "I'm no longer flat as a broad; I'm back to being thick." 

Keter walked out of the shower with the towel wrapped around his waist. He grabbed his new clothes, put them on, and then walked out of the bathroom to meet Soul Reaper Jet.

"You took a while, kid. So, have you decided where you will go?" she says, knowing she does not need to explain his options.

"I want to go the academy," Keter says, then continues. "It's the only good option."

"You're not wrong." She texts someone using her communicator and then says, "Come one, kid, let's get you to the academy." Keter follows her to the PTV and gets in, and as she's driving, he asks.

"Do you have any advice, Miss?" Keter says, hoping to hear something new.

"First off, don't call me Miss, just Jet is fine. And for advice?" she thinks for a second and says. "The government runs every academy in the world. I bet you have heard countless amounts of propaganda about being in the A-1. But my advice is to ignore it and not give them the info about your Aspect, First Nightmare, attributes, or memories. Keep it to yourself. After all, the government will use it against you at some point." she finishes.

"You work for the government. Should you really be bad-mouthing them?" Keter asked, surprised at her bluntness.

"Exactly. I work for them, so that should tell you something." Jet laughs a little. Then she pulls over and says. "We're here, so get on out, kid. All your stuff will be delivered to you in a few hours."

"Thank you, Jet," Keter says as he gets out of PTV but then stops and asks, "Can I ask something of you, Jet?"

"Depends. What is it?" she looks at Keter questioningly.

"If I survive the dream realm and become an Awakened. Will you come by and say hi?" Keter says somberly, hoping to see the first person he has seen since that horrid torture again.

"Hum, sure, I will swing by if you live." She looks at Keter, smiles, and says, "Good luck, Keter."