After Eppa, Adam once again tried to convince Spam to join him in attacking the Bekanna. This time, Spam agreed. Even with three of them, they were still far from strong enough to stop Sern.
Later that day, Iyan asked Adam where he was from. He pressed him with a few more questions, but Adam's answers only left him more confused. Adam had no apparent connection to the Zenons.
"Who are the Zenons?" Adam asked.
Iyan hesitated for a moment before answering. "The Zenons are a species from the planet Zenon. Their civilization was divided into two groups: the intellectual Zenons and their biologically enhanced counterparts, the Zenonites. The Zenons have always been a highly advanced species—one of the first to reach Level 2 civilization status."
Adam listened intently as Iyan continued.
"This made them a threat to the Vurmilions, another race that had achieved second-class civilization status. Unlike the Zenons, the Vurmilions were a warrior species, known for conquering and colonizing worlds. They had already taken control of thirteen planets when they set their sights on Zenon.
"But the Vurmilions didn't achieve their status alone. Their empire—built on the resources and labor of their conquered worlds—allowed them to advance. And that made the Zenons an even greater threat. The Zenons possessed weapons powerful enough to destroy entire planets, weapons the Vurmilions could not afford to let exist.
"The Vurmilions themselves have a unique trait. In oxygen-rich environments, their bodies glow bright red, radiating heat that rivals the surface of a red dwarf planet."
This made the Vurmilions a formidable force when invading oxygen-rich planets. In such environments, they could fly, their bodies engulfed in flames that had no adverse effect on them, making them nearly invulnerable. They could even fire laser beams from their eyes. Unfortunately for them, their home planet was not oxygen-rich but primarily nitrogen-based, limiting their natural advantages.
When war broke out between the Vurmilions and the Zenons, the Zenons—despite their advanced technology—were ultimately defeated. Their planet was annexed, and they were reduced to a colony within the Vurmilion Empire. For decades, they accepted their status as a subjugated people. The Vurmilions imposed strict bans on the development of any weaponry, stationing specialists to monitor them closely. Any major scientific project required Vurmilion approval.
With direct technological advancement restricted, the Zenons turned to bioengineering in search of an answer. They sought to enhance their own DNA, but after countless failed experiments, they realized that altering adult DNA was ineffective. If they could not free themselves, they would ensure that their children could.
Thus, the Zenonites were born.
This silent revolution continued for generations until, at last, the Zenonites had grown numerous and powerful enough to rise up. In a swift and brutal rebellion, they reclaimed their planet. But they didn't stop there. They launched an invasion of Vurmora, the Vurmilion homeworld—wiping out the Vurmilions entirely."
As Iyan spoke, Adam still struggled to see the connection.
"The Zenons eventually turned against each other," Iyan continued. "The Zenonites and the original Zenons disagreed on how to handle the Vurmilion colonies. The Zenonites wanted to seize control of all the Vurmilion Empire's assets, while the Zenons believed the colonies should be free and independent."
This divide grew until the Zenonites left Zenon entirely, migrating to Vurmora. Though the planet's air composition was different, their bodies quickly adapted. They took the place of their former masters, ruling over the colonies just as the Vurmilions had before them.
"Some Zenonites stayed behind," Iyan added. "But after generations of interbreeding, the original Zenon DNA was lost."
Adam processed the information, then asked, "Wait… do the Zenonites also glow red in oxygen-rich environments?"
"No," Iyan said. "They look like you and me, but they can fly, fire lasers from their eyes, and adapt to any environment. They're also nearly invulnerable."
Adam's stomach tightened. That sounds like Sern.
"I think there's a Zenonite in the Bekanna," he said aloud.
Iyan froze, his mind racing. His first thought was of a Zenonite capable of creating perfect copies of himself. An opponent who could summon countless echoes and maintain them indefinitely. The idea alone was overwhelming.
"If that's true," Iyan finally said, "I know someone who would want to meet him."
Iyan led Adam down a dimly lit corridor to a small, unremarkable room.
"Urek, I have someone you'll want to meet," Iyan said.
Adam glanced around, confused. The room was empty.
Then, without a sound, a man materialized right in front of him.
"This is Adam, from the Bekanna," Iyan continued. "He just told me there's a Zenonite in the Bekanna."
Urek's expression shifted from mild curiosity to amusement.
"Wait… you're telling me that whatever that Bekanna started, he has a Zenonite in his so-called fold?" Urek chuckled, a knowing grin spreading across his face.
"Think about this carefully," Iyan cautioned. "If he really is a Zenonite, he can create echoes."
Urek waved off the warning. "Don't worry," he said, his grin widening. "He won't see me coming."
And with that, he vanished.
Adam exhaled, his mind racing.
"I guess you have Urek now," Iyan admitted. "But that still won't be enough."
Adam nodded absently as he stepped out of the room, his thoughts swirling. Invisibility might be useful… but what good is it against someone who's invulnerable?
If it won't be enough, I'll have to bridge the gap. Adam thought. He turned to Iyan.
"Spar with me."
Iyan raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I won't go easy on you."
"I don't want you to."
They moved to a force-fielded training room, designed to withstand intense combat. The moment they stepped inside, Iyan gestured for Adam to begin.
Adam charged.
Without effort, Iyan lifted him with a flick of his wrist and slammed him into the ground.
Gritting his teeth, Adam got up and charged again—only to be blasted back by a sudden gravitational force.
Still, he didn't hesitate. He lunged forward a third time.
This time, an immense pressure crushed him to the floor. He dropped to his hands and knees, gasping. But he kept moving, crawling inch by inch toward Iyan.
With every step, another wave of gravity slammed into him, pressing him down. His muscles screamed. His bones felt like they would snap.
And then—he stopped moving.
Iyan stepped forward and crouched beside him. Adam was still alive, just barely conscious.
When he had recovered, he tried again.
And again.
Iyan switched between his three techniques at will—lifting, blasting, crushing. No matter what Adam did, he couldn't get within five feet of him.
By the end of the session, Adam lay on the ground, completely drained.
Iyan shook his head. "You're persistent. I'll give you that."
Adam clenched his fists, staring up at the ceiling. He had learned something today.
He was still too weak.