7 Chapter 7

"Intruders detected at the east gate. Please stay diligent and do not panic, evacuate to your rooms as soon as possible. Guards will immediately be deployed at the east wing." Loud speakers in multiple hallways announced.

Multiple people in white lab coats let out grunts and sighs of displeasure when they realised their work had to be put to a halt due to a hindrance.

"Haven't they got enough? They took 2 of our subjects away and now they're coming back for more. Just great." A guy with glasses complained to his co-worker who was leaning on the balcony and smoking a cigarette.

"Hahaha calm down. It's not like they'll be able to get away this time when we've got guards decked out on every floor. I'll continue with my work, call me when you need anything, kay?" A female replied with a carefree smile, walking away.

It was a completely different story for Dion however. When the news was announced, he quickly got up and grabbed his key card from his table and immediately dialled security requesting for assistance as soon as they could provide it.

"Dion Levisay on the phone. Need assistance with safeguarding subject 23, Zephyr Orpheus. He is located at the North Wing, floor 5. Most likely to be the main target of the intruders." Dion informed, his hands shaking as he attempted to open the drawer with his keys.

The speaker on the phone stayed silent for a while before letting out a nervous sigh.

"We've prepared for that. Guards are already being deployed outside at subject 23 door." The speaker stopped and discussed something with their partners. "Please remain calm and stay in your room for your own safety Mr Levisay. We will handle this just fine." They attempted to say with confidence.

Dion Levisay ended the call and slammed on the table with frustration. "You'll handle it? Don't joke with me." He knew that he couldn't rely on the speaker words when he heard the amount of chaos exploding in the background.

Dion can't stand the idea of losing, the only path he can see for himself is victory, nothing else shall stand and stay. He shall stay superior amongst others, no matter the cost.

Winning produces a euphoria that cannot be explained, it can only be experienced first-hand. Winning is Dion's addiction, he craves for it, he desires for it so much that he is willing to throw away his morals, beliefs and his own family. The extent he will go to just win a battle or a war is extraordinary.

Victory for Dion was at the tip of his fingers, he needed only a few weeks more before he can finish his project. The completed product will even be able to make the government that has the ultimate authority to bow down to him and lick his feet.

Making up his mind, Dion disobeyed the orders of staying safe in his room and headed for the North Wing elevator. Not wanting to think of the slightest possibility that he might lose his gateway to the ultimate victory.

"Security cameras are being interfered with, probably by a power that one of the intruders have." A guard informed to his partner when he realized that the blinking red lights of the security cameras were non-existent.

"I had that suspicion too, our earpieces are being interfered with. The intruders are special cases of mutates." He replied, sounding annoyed while he tapped on his earpiece that was malfunctioning.

"It's fine, everyone would have realised that by now. Let's keep our priorities straight and safeguard Subject 23."

They were here again, I thought. I don't want to be rescued, just leave me here alone. There was simply no point if I ever get out of here alive.

'You really don't want to be rescued?' an inner voice asked, sounding disappointed.

"It doesn't matter if you aren't willing to take over. And besides, shouldn't you be asking yourself that question?" I asked, he was the only thing that was keeping me sane and insane at the same time.

He stayed silent, this often meant that he was thinking. 'You know what happens to you when I let you rest right?' he asked, completely ignoring my earlier question.

"I've gone through enough. Just take back what was yours. You created me to hide away from your own life but there has to be a limit..please." I begged, tired of the events that was happening. "I want to rest."

'I'll be left alone by myself to rot if I let you go.' He replied, sounding upset by my answer.

"And I'll grow more miserable than I already am." I paused. "You won't be left alone if you get rescued by them, right?" I asked.

'You're really..' he started, ' the word rescue to you is probably to let you go.' He said, finally realising what I had meant all this time.

"So, won't you? We'll both be rescued in our own ways. I really can't take this anymore, if I stay longer here like this, I'll break." My voice sounded like it was glass being broken into pieces.

Before our conversation could continue and come to an end, Dion voice could be heard screaming outside the door. He almost sounded like a kid throwing a tantrum.

"I'll take him away and keep him safe for the remainder of the time. Keeping him here is simply a bad idea!" Dion protested when the guards blocked him from unlocking the door.

"I am sorry but we will not allow you to enter this room for the time being. We will protect it and keep it safe so you can stay rest assu-" the guard felt like a cold metal being placed right on the side of his head, he slowly looked at Dion only to see the researcher holding a gun.

The other guards did not hesitate to move and tackle Dion even though he was armed. They pinned down the researcher who was screaming bloody murder at the top of his lungs.

"Let me go, who do you think you're looking down on? I'm the renowned Dion Levisay! Let me go this instant!" he demanded, struggling to push the guards off.

Lights suddenly flickered and went off, the whole level went absurdly dark and silent. Even Dion stopped his tantrum and kept his mouth shut. It was so quiet that the people there could even hear a pin drop.

"Let him go. Our main priority is safe keeping subject 23. He can't bring him out when our enemies are located so near. He'll cooperate if he wants his valuable treasure to not get stolen." A guard whispered, holding up a gun and trying to adjust his eyes to the dark.

Dion kept quiet while he sat in a corner, his hands shaking. Even with such a strong will and desire to win, he was still a coward till the very end.

The security guards were focused, not letting a single detail go. The slightest footsteps could be heard from the right hallway, without hesitation, they shot in that direction relentlessly.

Ray was left shocked when a bullet grazed his face, he stood rooted to the ground. He had never been discovered before, his invisibility allowed him to hide his presence at all times. His footsteps were as light as feather, his breathing couldn't even be heard at most times.

Even though the security guards were correct about someone at the right hallway, It was far too late as Thanatos plan had already swing into action.

Connor took advantage of the distraction Ray had unintentionally created and grabbed his dagger and went in, he swung his blade across a security guard's neck that has noticed his presence. They dodged and immediately went to fish out his gun but it was nowhere to be found in his hands or pocket.

"Looking for these?" Blaze asked with a smile, squatting beneath the security guard's feet. "Too bad." He raised the gun and shot, the bullet landing in the guards right eye.

"Bull's-eye!" Blaze joked before raising the gun again and this time, the bullet went through the guards head. He immediately stood up and turned around, raising his right leg and performing a hook kick right across a guard's face who was about to perform an ambush.

Connor rolled his eyes and threw his small knives at the security guards. He flicked his wrist with swiftness and grace, his aim was impeccable.

Chains started revealing themselves, it restrained all the security guards in a blink of an eye. They all struggled to get out of the chains that Kayden had created.

"The coast is clear. You can proceed up here, Ethan. Brandon, Damien and Claude will deal with the guards downstairs." Connor said into his microphone while he walked up to the researcher who was hiding away in the corner.

Dion Levisay was continuously chanting mysterious phrases while his hands were unconsciously plucking his own hair out. He resembled a wild animal that was being forced to eat his own kind. Bloodthirsty eyes but a horrified body language.

Gradually, Connor snatched the key card from rather researcher's pocket and walked away. Gesturing for Kayden to chain the researcher too.

"That was easier than I had expected." Blaze commented, trying to break the door in any way he could. He touched it to activate his power but nothing happened.

Soon, Ethan could be seen running towards the group who seemed restless at the sight of the large metal door. "You guys..got everything?" he asked, definitely shocked when he saw how many security guards there were. His eyes slowly drift over to Dion.

"You're Zephyr's researcher aren't you?" Ethan questioned. "Than you must know the code to open this door." He concluded. Trying to find a different alternative to opening the door rather than forcefully exploding it open.

"Don't kill me..don't-" Dion begged, his eyes beginning to become out of focus.

"The code, Mr." Kayden stepped forward and pressured. "I'd suggest you tell us before one of us puncture a hole through your face." He threatened.

"899123." Dion murmured in fear. His life was more important than anything right now. But letting Zephyr go would put all his work and dedication to waste.

Ethan placed the key card on the door and punched in the code, the door made a loud beep sound before opening.

Dion pulled out a syringe from his pocket and jabbed it inside his veins. "Don't go near him!" He growled with fury, breaking free from the chains while his muscles inflate.

The other members quickly got into a ready stance before engaging, however, what happened before their eyes was far too shocking.

Dion Levisay face grew a bunch of eyes all over his face, his mouth started growing in size while large sharp teeth could be seen forming. Most shocking of all, his body grew in size. His legs formed sharp spikes all around his calves, his hands resembled a machine gun.

"He turned into a mutate.." Connor stated when he had finally digested what had happened.

The monster started heading towards the group with incredible speed. It headed for Ethan who was far too slow and shocked to react in time. Blaze pulled the kid away and backed off into the hallway.

The mutate let out a loud thundering roar that shook the whole building. Everyone started running, even though most of them had fought with mutates in the past, they had never seen one that gross in shape and size.

"We can't go back without Zephyr." Ethan reminded to the group when they had finally found a safe spot to hide at for the time being.

"We can't go back with that disgusting thing over there. It'll demolish us in an instant if we were it's main priority." Ray stated, his heartbeat getting faster. He had never felt this scared in his whole life. Guards seeing right through his cover and watching a researcher willingly turning himself to a mutate.

"WHERE DID YOU TAKE ZEPHYR ?" The mutate screeched at them, peeking from behind the wall. While it's multiple eyes fixated on every one of them. "GIVE HIM BAACK!" it yelled.

"It..can talk?" Kayden blurted out in the midst of his fear.

"It has a mind of it's own.." Blaze stated, a nervous smile forming on it's face. "We're..doomed."

Ethan bit his lips and slowly stepped behind. He wanted to run away with all his might but he knew that if he did, he'll never be able to redeem himself. The gears in his head started turning desperately in hopes of trying to find out ways to get out of this situation before the mutate gets out of hand.

The mutate swung it's large metal arm across the wall and breaking it in one go, crushing Kayden and Connor underneath. It screeched to declare it's rage while it advanced towards the remaining members. It rammed its whole entire spiky leg through Blaze, blood splattered on the wall and onto Ethan who stood there, paralyzed in fear.

Ray had went invisible and ran towards the direction they had originally came from, he headed to where the room was to find the kid that was possibly his last hope of surviving this disaster. He searched every corner of the room as fast as his legs and eyes could allow him to.

Until, Ray paused and felt a chill ran down his spine. He felt a creepy stare eyeing him from the entrance of the room.

Slowly, Ray turned around and met eyes with a kid. He was so mesmerised by how the kid looked that he alost forgot his objective. Catlike eyes that were viridian in color, it looked so enchanting that it could possibly control someone with just a mere glance.

"You a-are Zephyr right?" Ray asked with fear and confusion installed in his voice.

The boy shot him a nasty glare before turning around as if he had heard something. "Need my help?" he asked in a robotic tone.