Deviant: No Longer Human

Wang Xiao, cautiously examining the luminous entity before him, questioned, "And what's in it for you?"

The hell spirit's voice resonated through the cosmic void, each word carrying a weight that seemed to reverberate in the emptiness. "I don't want to die, just like you. But remember, that it would cause many problems in the future."

Wang Xiao, surrounded by the surreal dance of shadows and light, leaned forward, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. "What type of problems?"

The hell spirit's glow flickered as it spoke, "I wasn't the only spirit that escaped; there are more. Once our consciousnesses are linked, they would easily mistake you for a hell spirit as well. The other hell spirits must have possessed more humans in this realm. The moment you encounter them, they would recognize you and might try to kill you."

Wang Xiao, grappling with the gravity of the revelation, asked, "That's it?"

The hell spirit's response hung in the cosmic expanse, the dim glow intensifying briefly. "Is it not bad enough?"

Wang Xiao's head shook in a mix of resignation and determination. "I would die either way..."

The Hell Spirit lingered in a momentary silence before erupting into laughter, the echoes of amusement resonating through the cosmic void. "Very well, you have to cooperate with me during the process, as I can't overpower you like this."

Wang Xiao, his expression tinged with wariness but recognizing the lack of alternatives, reluctantly agreed, "Make it quick." In an instant, the orb, radiant and ethereal, swiftly shot toward him, finding its place at the center of his forehead between his eyebrows.

The sudden intrusion sent a shiver down Wang Xiao's spine, marking the initiation of a transformative connection between mortal and otherworldly forces.

______

The weight on Wang Xiao's head felt unbearable as he slowly opened his eyes to a world blurred by haze. The heaviness pressed upon him, as if the very air carried the burden of a thousand kilograms.

"Ugh!"

His hands instinctively reached for his head, fingers gripping tightly as needles that had penetrated his skin during some mysterious process now loosened and fell away. The struggle to regain control intensified, his body twisting uncomfortably on the stretcher.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a gasp escaped his lips, and the fog lifted. Breathing heavily, his bloodshot eyes darted around the unfamiliar surroundings. The haze dissipated, replaced by a strange clarity that settled over his vision.

"Why is my head so heavy!?" he muttered, grappling with the lingering disorientation.

His fingers, still clutching at his forehead, encountered smooth skin where there had once been an intrusion. Thoughts raced through his mind, questions multiplying like wildfire.

"Where am I? What just happened?"

A soft echo seemed to resonate through the room, a subtle response to his inner turmoil. 'You've been reborn,' a voice, familiar yet distant, whispered in the recesses of his consciousness.

Wang Xiao's gaze focused on the source of the voice, a flickering light that danced in the corner of the room. "Reborn? What does that mean?"

The room, shrouded in an otherworldly glow, remained silent. Wang Xiao took a deep breath, his mind searching for clarity amid the lingering confusion.

"Reborn..." he repeated, testing the word as if it held the key to unraveling the mysteries surrounding him.

However hard he tried, Wang Xiao couldn't fully grasp the memories of his encounter with the hell spirit. The recollections were shrouded in a fog that resisted his attempts at clarity, slowly clearing up like a mist lifting with time.

*Click*

At that very moment, the door swung open abruptly. "You woke up!?" A stunned Amelia stood at the entrance, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Wang Xiao conscious on the stretcher.

Wang Xiao, still processing the haziness in his mind, managed a weak smile. "Yeah, it seems like it."

Amelia, with her black hair cascading around her shoulders and piercing blue eyes, rushed to his side. "You gave us quite a scare. We didn't know if you were going to make it."

Wang Xiao's brow furrowed in confusion. "Make it? What happened to me?"

Amelia hesitated, glancing at the unfamiliar glow lingering in the room. "It's a long story. You've been through something extraordinary."

Wang Xiao attempted to sit up, feeling the remnants of the strange connection with the hell spirit. "Extraordinary, indeed. But why can't I remember everything clearly?"

Amelia bit her lip, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "The mind works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, it takes time for memories to settle."

Wang Xiao nodded, absorbing the information. "Well, I'm here now. Thanks for taking care of me."

Amelia's concern softened into a warm smile. "You're welcome. Just take it easy, and if you need anything, we're here for you."

!?

Wang Xiao suddenly flinched, a flicker of consciousness ringing. "We are here for you?" he muttered to himself, observing Amelia's face as he saw her for the first time. Her appearance, with black hair and blue eyes, seemed to carry a blend of Chinese and English features. A sense of confusion washed over him as he questioned, "Do I know you...? Wait, how did I even get here?"

Amelia, noticing his perplexity, offered a reassuring smile. "You can call me Amelia, you were found near the sacred barrier, unconscious. We brought you here for treatment."

Wang Xiao rubbed his temples, attempting to make sense of the fragmented memories. "The barrier... and what happened before that? I can't recall it clearly."

Amelia's gaze held a mixture of concern and understanding. "It might take some time for your memories to fully return. Whatever you went through seems to have left its mark on you."

Wang Xiao nodded, still grappling with the disorienting fragments of his recollections. "I appreciate your help. But there's something about you... Why do you look different and weird?"

Wang Xiao nodded, still grappling with the disorienting fragments of his recollections. "I appreciate your help. But there's something about you... Why do you look different and weird?"

Amelia's expression softened, and she glanced away briefly before meeting his eyes again. "You're perceptive. Why don't you take a look at yourself."

"Hmm?" Wang Xiao, confused, started to inspect his body. Initially, he found nothing wrong, but as he continued, realization dawned on him. His body had grown significantly—his limbs, torso, everything had expanded. "What!?"

Amelia revealed, "It's been 5 years since you were in a coma."