Ethan's eyes snapped open. He stared at Xavier with an expression that shifted from surprise to incredulity to something perilously close to offense.
"When did I have a zerg inside me?"
He spread his arms wide, gesturing at himself as though inviting inspection.
"Can't you see, Second Young Master? I am the one controlling the zergs. Me. Not the other way around."
"No." Xavier tried to shake his head, but couldn't. "That's exactly what they want you to think. The zerg—"
"Oh, shut up."
Ethan scoffed, almost rolling his eyes.
"You military types are all the same. If something doesn't fit your neat little worldview, it must be enemy manipulation. Has it ever occurred to you that some people simply choose to do terrible things?"
He began pacing, the twin daggers swinging loosely from one hand. His footsteps left no sound as he walked.
"I chose this," Ethan said, his voice hardening in firm conviction. "Every step. Every decision. My body. Mine."
