Age of Beast Tamers and Exorcists

"What would people say when they hear of a monster created by a couple who killed them?"
Nero's fingernails dug into his palm. He gritted his teeth. A flash of memory suddenly emerged in his mind.
For no certain reason, he lost his balance and fell to his knees. He clutched his head with such force that it seemed he might separate it from his neck. He yelled aloud, shivering in panic.
"No...! N-no..."
The memory of a large river appeared in his mind, his eyes shut. A ship, sailing on the water, began to topple in various directions. It threatened to turn upside down.
Not long afterwards, a lot of people were already slipping into the river. It was so vivid as if he were back in the past. An unforgettable day for him.
One which always craved his sanity and peace of mind whenever he recalled it!
He sobbed. "If... if only I didn't push too much, if I wasn't eager to test that out..."
At that moment, a hand gave his shoulder a gentle pat. The feeling on his thick jacket sent something through him.
He no longer saw the illusion, nor felt every bone in his body tingling with guilt. No; he instead began to feel relieved. Not even relieved; it was different from that.
Nero grappled with what was coming over him.
Could this be excitement? Where was it coming from?
He withdrew his hands from his head. Then, for a reason that Nero even didn't have an explanation for, he grinned.
A part of him seemed to be stepping over the other that was somewhat trying to calm him down.
He didn't know why, but a strange excitement geared him. And he felt as if that feeling directed itself towards something nice behind him.
He heard voices in his head. One that sounded like his - "Get back to your senses, Nero Norman!" and another, with a voice that was inhumanly deep and manipulative, said, "Grab him and enjoy the taste!"
Nero's eyes glowed with a purple light. He glanced backwards. The atmosphere around him felt dark.

Looming before him was a guy clad in the same jacket; his mouth was agape, eyes wide in fear as he stared down.
Without warning, Nero found himself jumping towards the guy with dark excitement.
The guy rushed backwards. He screamed, "Help!"
***
Pant... pant... pant...
"Eh-eh!"
The voice panted harder. Its sound pulled louder to the front.
Six pairs of eyes glanced forward. They all occupied three bunks of wooden beds.
A candle placed on a round centre table cast a dim light across the room. It stood in a rigid position under the support of the wax.
"Uh...?" one of the guys mumbled as he stepped down from the upper bunk, walking closer to the fourth one.
He was half-naked. He had golden hair, the faint light of the candle marking the contours of his chiselled abs.
He had a square back, blocking the view of some others looking in the direction he was walking.
"Nero Norman, you are awake."
Nero's eyes scanned from one corner to another. The familiar faces, the interior, the lower bunk he was in, and the paved surface all told him he was in his dorm.
Besides, their dorm comprised four bunk beds, so there were eight occupants.
He looked at them one after the other. 'Kairos, Ronan, Damian, Silas....' then to the last one standing before him, '...Lucian.'
Why was he back in his room? What happened back then?
He tried to recall what happened. But his memory only remained to when he jumped straight towards the guy. It felt as if someone had erased the other part or something.
He glanced back at Lucian. "How... did I get in here?"
The guy, as blunt and composed as always, replied, "The other guy brought you to the room. When I saw you, you seemed to be asleep... probably it's that you passed out."
Nero creased his brows. "Another guy?"
"Yes. Your weird friend," the guy replied. "He doesn't get along with others in this dorm. And I see you guys are close only because you seem to have known each other before getting awakened.
Even so, I'm surprised that he brought you by himself. Literally, he saved you. It's surprising, isn't it?"
The one on the upper bunk closest to Nero's, Ronan, added, "Who noticed me looking at you when he entered the room with Nero?" Like... the weird guy for real?"
He was lying on the side of his stomach, supporting his weight with his elbow grounded into the bed.
"I saw you looking at everyone like that. But I assumed you're up for your pointless bullshit," Kairos on the next bunk added, "before actually seeing him as well."
The recipient of the statement mouthed threats to him. But he just chuckled.
Nero glanced at the bed. He frowned. Why were they throwing such hateful words at Zmey?
Even if he himself had cases to settle at the moment, he knew he should at least attempt to change their mindset. He glanced straight up.
"You guys are unbelievable..." he began.
But Lucian cut him off. "We know you'll stand up for him, as always. But you can't change our perspective of him unless he does it himself. Still, I don't think I will ever tag along with him because he always gives me the creeps."
Ronan, who mouthed threats earlier, jumped down from his bunk. He moved towards the window that was beside another bunk.
He toggled the casement, bringing the already dark atmosphere into everyone's view. He pointed outside, then looked at Nero.
"It's already dark, buddy. Rest your arse till daybreak, and try to go fetch your friend from wherever he is. We're two hours away from daybreak, yet he's still outside."
Nero grew interested. His gaze lingered on the door. Minutes passed. Everyone had gone back to bed. But he leaned against the wall, his eyes moving to the door without pause.
'He must still be at the library.'
While pondering over that, another thought crossed his mind. What happened to the guy whom he likely attacked? Was he alive... or dead like those in the past?
And, did Zmey find out the flaw to his identity?
His chest tightened.
'I pray I'm wrong.'