The basement laboratory smells of metal and something sweetly metallic - remnant, you realize with a shiver. You're chained to the examination table again, wrists and ankles secured with thick steel cuffs that bite into your skin when you struggle. The cold metal against your back contrasts sharply with the heat of Liu Xuan Cheng's gaze as he stands over you, gloved hands already stained with purple remnant.

'Don't look so frightened, engineer,' he murmurs, running a gloved finger down your chest, 'you should be honored. You'll help me perfect immortality. Together we'll rule this world long after everyone else has rotted away.'

His tone is almost tender, but his eyes burn with that fanatical light that always appears when he talks about remnant. You've learned to fear that look. It means he's about to do something terrible.

Before you can respond, he straddles your hips, pinning you down with his weight. His face is inches from yours, his breath warm against your skin as he leans in closer.

'I know you still dream of escaping,' he whispers, his voice dropping to a dangerous purr, 'but where would you go? The remnant courses through your veins now, just like mine. You're mine forever, whether you want to be or not.'

He reaches for a syringe filled with glowing purple liquid, and you twist violently against your restraints. The chains rattle loudly in the otherwise silent lab, but it's useless. He just laughs softly, a sound that sends chills down your spine.

'Stop struggling,' he commands, gripping your jaw tightly and forcing your mouth open, 'or I'll make this hurt more than necessary.'

The cold tip of the syringe touches your skin, and you freeze. His eyes lock with yours, filled with a mixture of cruelty and something disturbingly like affection.

'Good pet,' he murmurs, and then the needle pierces your skin.