Chapter 15: Dr. Griffin is Not Human

She recounted her birth to unknown parents in a clandestine lab. From the moment she was born, she was raised not as a child, but as an experiment. Every day, every year of her life until she turned 17 had been marked by painful and inhumane tests, all designed to enhance her cognitive abilities beyond what was humanly possible. She spoke about the memories of those years, the suffering she endured, and the overwhelming loneliness that followed her everywhere.

Then she mentioned the man who had changed her life: Dr. Alan Griffin. How one day, he decided to save her, to help her escape from that hellish lab. He taught her the basics of a normal life, helped her adjust to a world she had never known, before suddenly disappearing. Evelyn explained how, since then, she had put her unique brain to work, amassing knowledge in an impressive range of fields. Her hypermnesia and extraordinary cognitive abilities allowed her to become an expert in various disciplines, such as medicine, nanotechnology, quantum physics, and many others.

Vykhor listened carefully, stunned by Evelyn’s range of skills. Even with his own knowledge, he had never met someone so versatile, so brilliant. But part of him was even more intrigued by the mystery of Alan Griffin, the man who had saved her. When Evelyn finished her story, a silence settled between them as Vykhor reflected on what he had just learned.

Finally, he broke the silence, his deep voice echoing in the infirmary. "Evelyn… what you've been through, what you’ve accomplished, it’s… remarkable. But there's something you need to know. Alan Griffin is not human."

Evelyn froze for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked, bewildered.

Vykhor continued, choosing his words carefully. "Alan Griffin is indeed a scientist—a brilliant one, at that. But he’s not human. He’s an Exotherian, a species known for their mastery of science and technology far beyond what most civilizations in the galaxy can comprehend. Exotherians are rarely seen outside their own territory, and even less so on planets like Earth."

Evelyn remained silent, processing this shocking revelation. So much suddenly made sense. The way Alan Griffin had known exactly what to do to save her, the advanced technology he used to hide them, his nearly limitless knowledge… it all aligned with what Vykhor had just told her.

"But no one knows what happened to him after his time on Earth," Vykhor added, his tone somber. "He disappeared."

A whirlwind of emotions swirled within Evelyn: confusion, sadness, but above all, a deep melancholy. Alan Griffin, the man who had given her a new life, remained to her the father she had always loved. Even after this shocking revelation, she understood why he had kept his true identity a secret. He had protected her by hiding certain truths, keeping her away from dangers that could have destroyed her. She didn’t feel betrayed; quite the opposite—her love and gratitude toward him remained intact. He had saved her, and for that, she would always be grateful.

Vykhor, watching the turmoil in her eyes, understood that he had shaken her already fragile world even further. He could see the emotions warring within her, but he knew that harsh reality left little room for sentimentality. Evelyn was no longer just a lost human in a cruel universe. She represented something greater, something more powerful. Her skills, her past, and especially her potential made her an invaluable asset in a merciless universe. But she was still fragile, worn by fatigue, and now by the weight of this new truth.

Vykhor, despite the hardness of his soul, couldn’t ignore the growing attachment he felt toward her. Evelyn had saved him, repaired his body, and little by little, she was fixing something else inside him—something he had believed was broken long ago. Yet, he remained Vykhor, a fallen prince and a relentless warrior. He couldn’t erase that hardness, even in Evelyn’s presence.

"Evelyn," he said softly, his rough voice tinged with a nearly protective tone, "You’re welcome aboard my ship for as long as you like. But I need to know: What do you want to do now?"

She looked up at him, her mind troubled but determined. She had just learned a life-altering truth, but it didn’t change the core of things. Alan Griffin, despite his secrets, had always been a father to her. She understood him now, and it gave her a sense of freedom. But she also knew she needed to take control of her own life. She didn’t want to be a mere spectator in this cosmic game anymore. She wanted to discover what she could become with this newfound knowledge of her origins.

"I don’t know yet," she admitted with disarming honesty. "But I need to understand all of this. I need to find out who I really am, now that I know where I come from."

Vykhor nodded, his face remaining impassive, but deep down, he deeply respected her desire to search for herself. He knew he had to give her the space she needed to make her own decisions. But he hoped, almost unconsciously, that she would choose to stay. Not just because her skills were invaluable, but because he saw in her an ally—perhaps even more. Evelyn had awakened something in him, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Despite his hard nature and a heart forged in the fires of war and vengeance, Vykhor was starting to feel an irrepressible attachment to Evelyn. She was much more than just a tool or a strategic ally. Her presence stirred in him a feeling he hadn’t yet defined, but that he couldn’t deny.

"Come," said the Kael'tarian as he stood up, "I’ll take you to your cabin."

Evelyn followed Vykhor as they walked in silence through several corridors before stopping in front of a door that slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a small but welcoming space.

"I had the ship adjust the environment to suit a human," Vykhor explained in a neutral tone. "Let me know if anything’s wrong."

"Thank you, Vykhor," Evelyn said as she stepped inside.

Vykhor gave her a simple nod in response, and the door closed, cutting Evelyn off from the rest of the ship.

Evelyn sat on the bed. Unlike the infirmary, this room was warm, comfortable—designed to offer a sense of comfort. The walls, still metallic, were adorned with subtle details, and the lights were set to a soft hue that gave the space a calming ambiance. She was surprised by the attention to detail, which contrasted with the rough and austere image she had of Vykhor up until now.

She placed her bag beside her, then leaned back against the plush pillows, letting her thoughts wander. Vykhor was clearly a man of few words. But she felt that something special had formed between them over the course of this intense week. The care she had given him, their rushed escape from the base, the way he had protected her without hesitation… All of this had created a tacit bond, a sort of mutual understanding. She never would have imagined that someone like him, with his dark past and intimidating appearance, could become someone she could trust. And yet, she felt it deeply.

She rummaged through her bag and pulled out her precious notebook—the one she never left behind. It was more than just a collection of notes; it was her anchor in the constant whirlpool of thoughts and memories that filled her mind. She slowly unfolded Dr. Griffin’s note, reading it once again, even though she knew every word by heart.

The revelation that Vykhor had made—that Dr. Alan Griffin wasn’t human—continued to resonate within her. She had always sensed that he was different, that his knowledge and abilities far exceeded those of any other human she had met. But to think he belonged to another species… It was both shocking and fascinating. Knowing he was an Exotherian, a being from a species known for their unmatched mastery of science and technology, explained so much. But it also raised new questions—questions she hoped to find answers to.

Even though Vykhor had told her that Alan Griffin had gone missing, Evelyn now nurtured a wild hope. Now that she was aboard the Narak'Tharr, floating in the vastness of space, a new possibility opened up to her. What if she could find Dr. Griffin? What if he was still alive, somewhere out there? This desire, as unrealistic as it seemed, had taken root inside her. She wanted answers. She wanted to understand why he had saved her, why he had disappeared, and maybe even discover if their meeting had been a mere coincidence.

Absentmindedly, Evelyn touched the star pendant Lily had given her, the small charm she considered a lucky token. It reminded her of why she fought, why she couldn’t give up. Lily, with her innocence and joy for life, represented everything Evelyn sought to protect in this vast universe: life, compassion, and hope.

But despite the growing appeal of staying aboard the ship, one question still haunted her. Who was Vykhor really, and what was his "profession"? She knew he was more than just a warrior. Everything about him—the way he had orchestrated their escape, his sharp intelligence—revealed a cold and calculating strategist. But there was also that sense of honor, the loyalty he had shown her, a human he could have easily left behind.

She wondered what he was truly doing on this massive ship, alone until she came aboard. Was he on a mission? Did he have powerful enemies? And most importantly, what were his intentions toward her now that she was under his protection? Evelyn knew she had to learn more—that she couldn’t simply accept what was offered without understanding the full implications.

Maybe Vykhor would be willing to tell her more now that she had shared her own past. There was a chance, a hope, that he might be as open with her as she had been with him, that he might trust her as she had started to trust him. But she had to be patient—and careful. This man, though friendly in some ways, was a dangerous being, someone who wouldn’t reveal his secrets easily.

Evelyn sighed softly, closing her notebook and setting it on the bedside table beside her. She was tired, but this time it was a healthy fatigue, the kind that comes after long reflection, not the chronic exhaustion that so often plagued her. She felt stronger, more determined to understand what was happening around her, to uncover the mysteries that lay before her.

She cast one last glance around the cabin, appreciating its comfort. Yes, the idea of staying aboard was tempting. But she also knew that to make a decision, she first needed to understand everything that was at play around her. And for that, she had to learn more about Vykhor and what he truly expected from her.