Chapter 6: Ambition

"Argh, my head… Where am I? The hospital?"

Dmitri's eyes slowly started to open, but he kept them squinted when a brilliant light suddenly shone upon him, making him wonder where he was.

As he thought back on his final minutes, he reasoned that the hospital was the only sensible location. He remained confused until something very significant during this recollection widened his eyes.

"Arias!!"

He suddenly stood up and opened his eyes wide, scanning the area in a feverish manner as though all the tiredness had left him.

He discovered that he was actually in an enclosed apartment and not a hospital. He questioned his whereabouts and the whereabouts of his pal because it wasn't overly luxurious nor too low class.

"You're finally awake, good. We couldn't afford to linger around much longer."

Dmitri was searching the area for an answer when Arias emerged from the bathroom door in a towel, his exposed upper body still covered in water droplets, indicating that he had just taken a shower.

"Arias… you're okay. But how? That fall, you and I should be dead or in critical condition even, what happened?"

Dmitri wanted to know all that had happened before this point since his mind was always working. He was still perplexed by numerous issues.

One moment they were being chased down by the mafia and police alike, about to meet their fates then the next he wakes up in an alright apartment room with his friend casually walking out of the shower like everything was nice and peachy.

"Wait… why am I on the floor and what happened to the bed?" Dmitri was more perplexed when he saw what appeared to be a bed-like structure that was partially charred and melted.

Arias didn't respond right away but instead started to clean himself up while he spoke.

"We're in my apartment, the bed would be your handy work, Dmitri. It seems you and I had powers awaken during our accident. Wether this was before or after I am unsure, but it's the only possible explanation to why we aren't completely dead."

Arias fabricated a lie clearly and freely, and because of the way he spoke and behaved, it was challenging to tell the difference between the truth and lies.

Dmitri was an ally, but there was no guarantee that he would always be one. After almost dying due to betrayal, Arias considered it unwise to place blind faith in people.

He wouldn't be revealing the contents of his encounter with the so called infinity to the likes of others.

[ What you said should sound believable to this life form. Having been caught up in the space during our merging he also experienced a reconstruction. Although inferior to you, his physiology is definitely superior than others of the same race. His ability merely stemmed from the "gene" as you call it that your entire race possesses. A reconstruction of the body must activate it from its dormant nature, making your lie even more plausible. ]

While Arias wiped his hair, a soft voice in his head made a remark.

'You need not break down my thought process, I thought you said you'd only observe?' Arias wondered in his head.

Although he felt relieved to have a new life, he found it extremely difficult to adjust to the voice that constantly appeared in his thoughts at odd times.

His interactions with the infinity have so far revealed that it was intrigued about the physical world but was picking things up at a startling rate, understanding concepts almost instantly.

It was without a doubt his greatest asset, but it was also his greatest weakness because he believed he had nothing to hide.

[ If it makes our coexistence more favorable then I will isolate my thoughts to myself and keep away from yours, and I'll only inquire should it be truly necessary. You may ask me of something at anytime time Arias, simply call our true name ]

When Arias discovered that it had responded in a saddened tone rather than the monotone one it had been utilizing up to that point, he wrinkled his brows.

'It's developing emotions? Well at least my mind suddenly feels like my own again. What does it mean our name? Abyss?'

[ Yes Arias? Is there something wrong? ]

'No, just... Nevermind, feel free to call me as well if anything.'

[ I will do so...thank you. ]

In its feminine voice, the infinity reacted with relief and joy.

Arias needed it to be content with him as a vessel, despite how unnerving he found it to be. He may be replaced for all he knew.

Being accommodating was required till he had more information about his present self. Within a little period of time, Arias finished talking and returned to the enquiring Dmitri.

"So, what are our abilities?"

Dmitri questioned while inspecting his own body in confusion.

"Well as far as I can tell we both have super human bodies. Greater fortitude, improved senses, accelerated healing, and so on. Then as for unique abilities, you melted this bed simply by coming into contact with it, the strange thing is that your clothes didn't melt as well so I'm not sure, a form Pyrokinesis I think."

Arias gazed at the bed with a doubtful expression; he wasn't lying when he said that he didn't truly know what Dmitri's awakened abilities were.

When Dmitri stared at his own hand and extended it, a fist-sized flame appeared in his hand.

"So warm. How about you? What's your unique power?"

Dmitri excitedly inquired, but Arias simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Either it is yet to manifest or I don't have one. Also could you not experiment in here before you burn anything else?" Dmitri got to his feet while Arias sighed and started getting dressed.

"This great! We not only survived but have super powers, Do you know what this means Arias?" Arias simply responded to Dmitri's fervent question with a raised eyebrow that appeared to be saying, "What, Dmitri?"

"It means you and I can survive on our own, we don't have to runaway from my father, the valentines or the police. We can't be pushed around anymore? Just like we wished when were kids, we could be free to do whatever we like!" Dmitri exclaimed, intoxicated by the meager exhibition of strength he witnessed.

However, Arias quickly shook his head and punctured Dmitri's delusion.

"Don't be stupid. If it were that easy to become successful with super powers then Gotham would be a bigger hellhole than it already is. If you act carelessly now then you're just going to end up in Arkham."

Dmitri bowed his head in realization that super heroes exist and that many villains with abilities similar to his had not been able to live as freely as he had claimed.

"There's no shortcut to freedom Dmitri, just to get where we are how much have you and I lost? How much have we suffered? I'm not sure what freedom you seek but personally I'm tired of being at the bottom, I'm aiming for the very top."

Arias finished dressing and remarked gravely, tossing his towel aside. At Arias's remarks, Dmitri's glum expression changed into a smile.

"And you call me unrealistic…

"But what the hell, if today has taught me anything, it's that anything is possible. I don't know how you plan on reaching the top and I don't really care, but as your best friend it's my job to help you do it. So count me in."

Dmitri received a smile and a nod of approval from Arias in return.

"Your ability to dive head first into preposterous ideas never ceases to amaze me. I look forward to what you and I will accomplish."