Unveiling the Parasitic Arsenal

In the labyrinthine complexity of the underground facility, I find myself in a situation I hadn't anticipated. One wrong turn through the maze of corridors, and suddenly, I'm disoriented, far from the control room and any familiar landmarks.

The area where I've ended up is unlike any other part of the facility I've seen. Wires crisscross the walls and ceiling, creating a web of technology that seems both intricate and chaotic. The lighting here is dim, casting long, eerie shadows that stretch across the cold, metallic surfaces.

I turn to see Mia standing nearby, still holding the kitty. Her expression is vacant, almost as if she's in a trance. "Not a single thought behind those eyes..." I mutter to myself, observing her blank stare. It's unsettling, this uncharacteristic lack of presence from her.

I survey the room, trying to make sense of the tangle of wires and equipment. It's like stepping into the heart of the facility's nervous system, where every cable and screen plays a vital role in its operation. The hum of electricity is a constant background noise, a reminder of the unseen energy flowing through the place.

"Hey Mia, do you have any way to head back?" I ask, hoping she might have a better sense of direction or some idea of how to navigate this technological maze.

Mia's response is hesitant, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I-I am just as lost..." she admits, and it's clear from her tone that she's as disoriented as I am.

The realization that we're both stranded in this unknown part of the facility sets in. Without a clear path back or any idea of where we are, the situation feels increasingly like a trap, the wires and screens like the bars of a cage.

I let out a sigh, a mix of frustration and resignation. "Great, just great," I murmur. The thought of being stuck here, in this tangled web of technology, with no easy way out, is not how I envisioned this day.

-

Navigating through the bewildering maze of the underground facility, Mia and I proceed cautiously, each step taking us deeper into the unknown. The corridors twist and turn, creating a disorienting labyrinth that seems designed to confound and confuse.

As we walk, something catches my eye. A large glass wall looms ahead, offering a view into a room unlike any other we've encountered. Curious, I step closer to get a better look. Inside, I see rows upon rows of incubators, their soft glow casting an eerie light in the dimly lit chamber. The sight is both fascinating and unsettling. "A bunch of incubators... I think," I murmur to myself, trying to decipher the purpose of such a setup in this place.

I scan the area for a way in, but the room seems securely locked, its contents shielded behind the impenetrable glass. "Whatever, that room looks like a pain to get into," I mutter, feeling a twinge of frustration. It's odd that there's no tablet or any device nearby that might offer some insight or access to the room.

Turning back to Mia and the kitty, I notice them peering through the glass window, their expressions a mix of curiosity and confusion. Mia's childlike wonder strikes me as odd. "Why the hell does she act like a damn kid? Isn't she supposed to be a hunter?" I wonder, baffled by her behavior.

Eventually, we reach a hallway that splits into two paths. Both corridors stretch out before us, long and daunting. Faced with a decision, I come up with a plan to cover more ground. "Okay, you go left and I go right," I suggest, hoping to find our way back or at least discover something useful.

Mia nods in agreement, her voice steady as she replies, "Alright." She starts walking down the left corridor, her steps measured and cautious. As she disappears around the corner, a nagging thought crosses my mind. "She won't get even more lost, right?" I question inwardly, but it's too late to second-guess the decision.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

In the underground facility's control room, the tense atmosphere shifts as General Harlan settles into a chair, turning his attention to Dolura. The weight of recent events hangs heavily in the air, adding a solemn undertone to their conversation.

"Can I see your artifact?" Harlan asks, his voice measured and calm. Dolura, sitting across from him, hesitates for a moment before complying. She removes her ring, revealing the intricate artifact, and hands it to him. "He just suddenly gave it to me," she explains, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and awe.

Harlan examines the ring closely, his eyes reflecting a depth of knowledge and understanding. After a moment, he sighs deeply and hands it back to Dolura. The significance of the artifact is not lost on him.

Jenna, who has been observing the exchange, speaks up. "That ring... wasn't it in a museum?" she asks, her curiosity evident.

The general nods in confirmation. "This ring is a difficult artifact to work with since it requires specific conditions to be met, and respectfully, you do not meet the conditions," he explains to Dolura, his tone respectful yet forthright.

Dolura acknowledges this with a nod. "Leo says he was forced to become mine because of Caelum..." Her voice trails off, suggesting a deeper complexity to the situation.

The revelation prompts Draken to ask, "Is there a possible reason as to why he gave it to you?"

Dolura considers the question, her brow furrowed in thought. "I'm not sure about all of you... but I had the same nightmare of a monster chasing me for multiple nights straight. The monster wanted to kill me, and right before I was going to be killed, the ring suddenly appeared." She pauses, reflecting on the vividness of her dreams.

She stands up, a determined look in her eyes. "I think nightmares are related to abilities... The nightmare ended with both the monster and I being lifted by an invisible force and crashing into each other. Then when I woke up, I got this." She lifts her hand, and with some effort, manages to coat it in a layer of cold white ice.

Draken and Jenna, both deep in thought, listen intently as General Harlan and Aeliana weave together pieces of information, trying to make sense of the complex situation.

Jenna breaks the silence first, "I have been having weird dreams but not nightmares." Her admission adds another layer to the puzzle of how abilities and dreams might be connected.

The general, sipping his alcohol thoughtfully, offers his insight. "From what we've researched, abilities differ from person to person. It could be that Dolura is a new case. Regardless, the real question is, how did Caelum know?"

Aeliana chimes in with a pragmatic tone, "Do we even need to question it? We don't even know how strong he is. We just need to add it to the file. That man probably has many more things he's hiding."

The conversation takes a turn as the general looks at a screen, his expression serious. "That's right... now we need to talk about your ring as we move," he says, standing up, indicating a change in both location and topic.

Dolura, intrigued and slightly apprehensive, asks, "Moving? Are we moving to a different room?"

Aeliana clarifies, "No... I've been helping the general prepare for this relocation. We expected there to be a problem since one of the secret projects was broken into. However, we didn't anticipate people breaking in here; we were expecting a monster or two."

Jenna, ever curious, inquires, "What sort of project is it?"

At that moment, Dr. Lysa Hartwell, a key figure in the facility's research team, rushes up to them, slightly out of breath but exuding enthusiasm. "I'm glad you asked," she says, catching her breath. She then launches into an explanation. "A couple of months ago, we decided to send our most important project here and lock it up with maximum security while we set up everything else for transportation. The project, named Zanithar 1-R, is something we've been working on for over twenty years."

Dr. Hartwell continues, her excitement palpable, "We have known about artifacts for thousands of years, yet due to their nature, it's practically impossible to study them. So, we have instead been focusing on the energy they emit. With that data in mind, we set out to find a possible way to harness a similar energy."

She pauses for a moment, ensuring they're following her explanation. "We found a new species of parasites in the blood sea. We collected data on it and managed to incorporate its method of attaching to a host into a rare metal. With that, we've been creating weapons. These weapons work by choosing a host and altering the genetic code in order to use the artificial energy in the weapon. However, it's still a work in progress, and due to the parasitical nature of the weapons, anyone who becomes a host will slowly become a zombie."

Jenna, grappling with the revelations, asks, "How is that even possible? Artificial energy? How do you make artificial energy?" Her question reflects the group's growing concern and curiosity.

Dr. Hartwell smirks, clearly passionate about the subject. "We call it artificial not because it's man-made but because it's not the same energy artifacts have. Anyway, regardless of that, there is a bigger issue at hand. Somehow one of the capsules holding knife C-4 was broken. If it was broken and thrown on the side, it's fine, but if someone became its host, things will get complicated. Apart from becoming a zombie, we've had issues where the weapon changes the mentality of a person, slowly killing them while attempting to find a different host."

Draken, puzzled by the implications, tilts his head and asks, "That does sound a bit dangerous... Is that all it does?"

The general nods, his expression grave. "We have no clue. The weapons themselves are relatively new, and we are still studying them. Every now and then, we read a signature similar to that of a conscious being, but as soon as we notice it, it disappears."

The group walks into an elevator, where General Harlan scans his hand to activate it. Dr. Hartwell continues, "We are not positive, but we think it may be due to the parasite's nature to grow. We never expected it to happen to a weapon, which is why it is so dangerous. If a weapon gains consciousness and control, what will it do?"

-

General Harlan, looking intensely at a screen, shares a concerning update. "We didn't plan to go after it until we've cleared the facility, but it seems Caelum seems to be interested in it. We're not sure how strong he is, but we do not want someone as strong as that possibly being controlled by a parasitical weapon." The screen shows Caelum peering through the glass window of the incubation room, tracking the weapon's traces into a hallway.

Dolura, reflecting on Caelum's capabilities, interjects, "I don't think anything like that can control Caelum..." Her confidence in Caelum's strength is evident.

Aeliana, agreeing with Dolura, adds, "I agree, but General Harlan doesn't like taking chances." Her comment underscores the general's cautious approach to the situation.

Harlan, rubbing his temples in a gesture of frustration and concern, responds, "It's not that simple, Aeliana." His tone indicates the complexity and gravity of the situation.

Dr. Hartwell elaborates further, "Knife C-4 was taken around four days ago. We installed data readers in each weapon to monitor them at all times. Normally it will control someone within one day; however, it has had the same host for four days. We're positive it isn't a hunter, so it must be someone that got an ability. Personally, I would love to have them captured to study the connection, but General Harlan says it might not be possible. We're trying to get there before your friend Caelum arrives and possibly kills them."

Saxon, listening to the discussion, can't help but express his astonishment with a grin. "Hahahaha. Seriously... this is insane. Do all secret bases have projects like this?"

Dr. Hartwell, not one to miss an opportunity to boast about her achievements, points at herself and then extends her arms out, sticking her tongue out playfully. "Maybe one or two, but I am the reason General Harlan has so many top-notch projects."