Lucas pov

Inside of my room I start gearing up to search for Cyril. Tide is already geared up and waiting for me outside. When it comes to fighting you'd think she would not be too good at it however, she is pretty dependable when it comes to battle. Although her reaction to killing her first Human was not good, she has no problems fighting monsters. She cried for days.

Anyways, I begin with my chestplat. It's made from the scales of a Fury Salamander. A giant salamander that erupts with fire from within and releases the flames through the pores. The scales are nearly impossible to penetrate without magic. Next I fasten my belt with my hand crafted throwing knives. And finally I put my falchion on my back.

I can't believe I'm going to go and save my brother after what he did. He beat that goblin to death in such a brutal fashion and he was going to do the same to me. He was going to kill me or at least try.

"Argh! I don't know what to think anymore!"

I say this as I put my face in my hands. I still love him, but he was going to try to kill me!

"......"

I sit still and think about things for a little. Surely he's not completely evil? All of those good times we've had. All of the games we played, the food we've shared, the laughs we've had together as friends. As brothers. Surely they do not mean nothing to him?

After thinking things over I head into Cyril's room. I reach under his bed and pull out the weapon Mom and Dad crafted for him at birth. Other than the purple hilt, it's exactly like mine. As I stare at it in my hands I remember all of the good times we've had together.

"I don't know if I truly know you, Cyril. But you will always be my little brother and I will always be there for you when it counts."

I then put the matching falchion on my back and head out of the house.

Tide has been waiting for me outside. Her setup is a pretty interesting one. She has a pure white leather chestplate made the hide of a Raging Bull. It's basiclly like a regulare bull except three times the size. What's special about it is the breed it came from. Pure white Raging Bulls are extremely uncommon and ofter stronger than the more common breeds. This may seem like an incredible accomplishment, but Tide told me that her Dad helped her kill it. I don't doubt that since he spoils on her so much.

Next is her weapon. On her back she carries a black Warhammer made of ebony. Only the best for Uncle Atlas' little princess haha. She doesn't know too much magic other than some basic body strengthening and attack water spells since she relies mostly on her natural strength.

"What do we do now?"

*Sigh*

I give a deep sigh in response. I know it was my idea to go after him, but I don't actually have any plan.

"Let's try going the direction he ran off in."

"Wait he ran away?! I thought he was just missing! Why would Cyril ever run away?"

"Well...We got into an argument and he ran off. That is the last time I saw him."

"What could ever make you two fight? You guys have always been so close!"

"I don't want to talk about it Tide. Sorry."

To this she has a worried look on her face, but she doesn't push for answers.

"Well then, shall we head off?"

Cyril pov

*BAM*

I'm rudely woken up from a loud sound. Being a bit on edge I jump to my feet and ready myself for a fight. But since I just woke up from a nap my stance is a bit sloppy and I'm a bit out of it.

"Relax kid. It's just your Daddy."

"Dad?! He's here?!"

Hearing that my Dad is here I begin to frantically look around. Then I rub my eyes and clear my vision. Dad is nowhere to be seen.

"I'm not his Father."

Ambrogino? Was that some kind of joke Gnat just made? Or does he really think I'm Ambrogino's kid?

"Oh? And I was so sure he was your illigitimate child."

"Enough with the jokes shit eater. Here's you new body."

Now that my vision is clear I focus on Ambrogino. He tosses somebody off of his shoulder onto the ground. It's an unconsious young man around his twenties with brown messy hair. He looks pretty scrawny like he hasn't been eating enough.

"I tell you to bring me a young strong body and this is what you bring me? This fool looks like he hasn't eaten for days!"

"He IS strong you idiot! He may look like a stick but he has plenty of mana to spare. ten thousand to be exact."

Gnat's eyes light up after hearing this. So ten thousand is a lot? Wait if Dragons have more mana for than Humans, then how much is mine?

"Ten thousand! That's great! This body only has five thousand. He must have been someone pretty important."

"I had to follow him for a while so I overheard plenty of info about his life. He's the son of a noble that has little influence. Apparently his father also just liked to use him as a tool to get to a higher position due to him having such high mana."

"Perfect! Alright enough chit chat. Let's begin switching bodies."

"I really want to know how this works, so I'm just going to watch."

I announce this to both of them. Gnat doesn't seem to be paying attention and Amrogino has that same smug grin on his face.

"Suit yourself."

"What's that supposed to mea- Oh my God!"

Without any warning, bursting out the side of Gnat's head comes a giant worm like creature of at least three feet with long tendrils on both ends. I think some brain matter got on my face so I wipe it away.

*Thud*

The body of the old man quickly falls flat on its face leaving Gnat, the parasite, right next to it.

"It's a good thing this kid isn't awake for this."

You're telling me! I'de be freaking my shit. I may have a high mental recistance, but I fuckin hate bugs and nothing will ever change that.

Now that Gnat has made his way out of the old man body he makes his may toward the young man. Once he gets next to his head, Gnat somehow manages to squeeze inside of the ear. After waiting around for a dew minutes the young man's body springs up. He does a few stretches, opens and closes his hand and runs in place. I guess this is Gnat testing out his new host.

"Aaah that should do it. Alright, you guys can leave now."

Says Gnat as he waves his hand in our direction like shooing away an animal.

"And you will be meeting us at the city gate tomorrow at dawn?"

"Yes yes now hurry up and leave! I still need to configure myself to this body a little."

Ambrogino says nothing as he motions for me to follow him. Once we finally leave I ask him a few questions while we walk.

"How does he control them?"

"His tendrils wrap around certain parts of the brain to control his movements. That way he can see what they see, taste what they taste, feel what they feel and he can even absorb their memories which stays with him forever."

Welp that sounds terrifying.

"Why did you tell me not to eat anything he gave me? How would he be able to possess me like that?"

"He can't. He is always looking for an opportunity to provide a host for his offspring which reside inside his host's body. In fact, he'll have to dig them all out of that corpse's lower intestines and swallow them again."

Holy shit that's gross. It's kind of like how alligator Moms carry their babies in their mouths. Except in his stomach.

"How many are there?"

"Last time I checked there were a couple thousand."

"Where are we going?"

"To find an inn to stay at."

"Who's this adventurer both of you have been trying to avoid?"

"Do you ever shut up!"

Ah looks like I hit a soft spot. We'll just try to not touch on that anymore. I have to admit, I did just ask a bunch a questions in a row. I csn see how that can be annoying.