“So… you weren’t lying,” Michael said, grinning like a fool.Francis finished chewing the bite of food in his mouth and nodded at his brother. “Remember how I promised you what would happen with those two women and the life you would be living?”“Well, yeah, but I mean who's to say this isn’t a dream?” his brother asked.“Do you want me to kick you in the crotch and try to wake you up?” Francis replied.His brother laughed and shook his head, waving his fork, which still held food waiting to be eaten. “No… please don’t, it’s sore enough down there already, but in a good way,” Michael replied. “I… I just can’t believe your stats and your skills are where they are. All that time we spent training and I’m still stuck in the basic and novice side for most things.”And I’m still not telling you the real truth.Part of him felt a little guilty at not sharing everything, but the other part had witnessed Michael singing like a bird when under the influence of magic. Francis wasn’t certain who in camp might have that ability, so he lied about his stats and skills. If someone did try to acquire knowledge that way, they would learn quickly they were not as prepared as they hoped. The early loops Michael had been the anchor that pulled back some of the memories he had lost. Each memory regained helped Francis hold on to who he was. The knowledge that the parasite or whatever it was had that ability to devour his own memories was a scary thing.“Yeah, it’s crazy,” Francis replied. “Still, the General said he would keep you safe. I’m certain Bella and Lucy will continue to seek you out.”“Well, of course,” Michael replied, motioning to himself. “Who wouldn’t want to keep coming back to this?”Rolling his eyes, Francis continued to eat.He wasn’t as hungry as he thought he might be. His endurance helped to minimize hunger, but the truth was he enjoyed eating. There had been far too many days when neither (...)