Shattered Harmony

Once exposed to Quasarite, humans transform into terrifying and haunting manifestations of chaos. Twisted and malformed, their formerly-human features are distorted into nightmarish forms. Their skin, a sickly combination of dark hues, appears mottled and scarred, as though corruption has seeped into their essence.

These infected move with an unsettling grace, their movements both agile and predatory. Sharp, elongated claws extend from their fingers, stained with the remnants of their victims. Their eyes, once alive, now gleam with an evil sheen, reflecting the chaotic energy that courses through them.

When they approach, their guttural growls and roars pierce the air, sending shivers down the spines of those who encounter them.

It was a disturbing image and sound, one Calyx had burned into his memory. That's why he was entirely sure, judging from the sound and silhouette of what approached them, it was no ordinary infected.

Thud, thud, thud.

Each step it took echoed through the train station like a countdown to an impending catastrophe, and the closer it got, the faster Haze and Calyx's hearts seemed to beat.

Then the creature emerged into one of the dangling, fluttering lights of the train station, and it was different—a horrifying evolution from its seemingly lesser counterparts, a manifestation of calamity taken to a more nightmarish extreme. Towering over its surroundings, this particular monster's form was a grotesque fusion of twisted limbs, pulsating veins, and a nightmarish aura that infected the air around it.

Its once-human features were nearly indiscernible, replaced by a monstrous combination of elongated limbs and contorted joints. The skin, now an eerie blend of sickly purples and blues, appeared almost translucent, revealing the pulsating energy beneath. The creature's eyes, now only glowing orbs of chaotic energy, emitted an unnatural radiance that cast an unsettling glow—a terrifying sight.

Unlike the normal infected, this one moved with deliberate and predatory menace, showcasing an intelligence beyond the others. Its elongated claws were sharper and seemingly more destructive.

However, what now greatly terrified Calyx was not the abominable form of the atrocity before him or the terrifying aura it exuded; instead, it was something else he felt from it—Quasarite.

"Step back," Calyx told Haze, not taking his gaze off the monster that approached them slowly.

"I can help," Haze insisted with determination, gripping his spear.

"You don't understand, step back now," Calyx exclaimed.

Confused but knowing better than to contest it, Haze began to take steps back.

"Keep going until you reach the tracks, get as far away from it as possible," Calyx instructed.

"What's going on?" Haze asked as he moved as far back as he could.

"This one emits Quasarite; if you are exposed to it, you'd be infected and turn to those monsters," Calyx explained as his mind began to race for a solution out of the mess they were in.

"Is this an ethervore? No, maybe the level two infected that Quasar talked about," Calyx thought to himself as he charged another air bullet, air swirling at the tip of his fingers.

He took aim and shot for the approaching infected's heart. Upon hitting it, the monster paused, but only for a second; the attack failed to significantly damage him.

"I know its skin seemed tougher; I have to keep it away from Haze until the train comes, no matter what," Calyx thought to himself as he gripped the hilt of his sword.

Having no experience with weapons, now that his wind had failed to work, his only advantage would be his speed and strength so he was forced to use the weapon.

With a firm grip on his sword and a determined glint in his eyes, leaving only wind where he once was, Calyx moved, launching at the monster with full speed. He swung the sword in an attempt to slice through the monster's skin. Now behind the monster, as he turned around to assess the damage he had done, he saw the monster was still unharmed.

He looked straight at the monster, his grip on his sword tightening once more as he prepared to launch another attack.

"It might be durable, but it's slow. I just need to keep it occupied until—huh?" Calyx's words stopped as the monster before him disappeared.

"It... moved?" Calyx mumbled.

He had barely seen it, so Haze definitely did not. The monster that now stood beside him, its hand raised high up, ready to descend on him with obliterating force.

"Haze!!!" Calyx exclaimed with a gutteral scream of terror.

"Hmm, there you go again, child, disturbing my slumber. Do you not know this Quasarite is not to be used now?" The voice of Moros echoed through Calyx's mind.

It all happened quickly, in a very short moment. None of them knew what happened or how; not Haze, who now laid at the other side of the train track; not Calyx, who had stood beside him; nor the monster, whose hand was severed and Calyx's sword thrust deep into his heart. Confusion was etched onto Haze's face as he watched the monster crumble to its knees before falling on his face, dying with inaudible mumbles.

Calyx, however, had a look of understanding and gratefulness. Although, along with Haze, their emotions quickly shifted to fear as Calyx turned to Haze.

"I can feel it. I've been exposed to Quasarite, haven't I?" Haze said as he laid on the floor, sitting up and placing his back on the wall close to them.

"No, no... You were... No," Calyx mumbled as his face contorted. He didn't know what to do or say.

"Hmm, I can feel it. My body is changing. I'm becoming a monster. Oh, I'm really stupid, aren't I? I should have listened to you," Haze said as he let out a deep breath.

"No, stop! It's not, not again," Calyx rambled on as his voice shook.

"Stop, Calyx. You did your best. Hal and my mom will be so pissed at me," Haze said, his voice beginning to shake too, tears starting to run down his eyes.

"Take this spear. When I turn, please pierce my heart with it. I don't want to live as a monster, Calyx," Haze said as his tears ran down his face.

"No, stop, please stop," Calyx's voice wavered as he looked at Haze and around, wishing for anything that could help him, help them.

"Please, Calyx, do this last thing for me," Haze said as he placed the spear in Calyx's hand. "A quick death is better than being that. Promise me, Cakyx," Haze said, yet Calyx was silent, only his heavy breaths echoing through the station.

"Calyx, promise me you won't let me be a monster!" Haze exclaimed.

"I can't, I can't. This shouldn't happen," Calyx mumbled as his pupils and hands trembled.

"Calyx, please, don't let me live as a monster," Haze pleaded as his tears flowed more.

Calyx looked Haze in the eyes, the scene enough to drive him to the edge of madness.

"I won't," Calyx replied.

"Thank you," Haze said.

So they waited.

And waited...

And waited...