Prologue

Chapter Song Suggestion "Blade Runner 2049 by Synthwave Goose"

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Our world ended at exactly year 2090. Humanity was on the verge of creating a world-leading innovative cure for cancer. In theory, Cell was a successful breakdown of one's own natural body cell combined with the genus Pan to breed an authentic multicellular organism to combat radical cell mutation.

However, the scientists never predicted that the genus Pan would overwrite its human counterpart and eventually evolve into a destructive force. In year 2070, Project Cell was launched, and experimentations were actively conducted. Each experiment focused on the observation, development, and modification of Cell's growth. Two decades later, everything appeared to be progressing fine until that moment when all hell broke loose.

Surviving scientists couldn't identify the reason for Cell's abrupt mutation. One final test upon a lab animal was recorded on tape, and that was the day our world as we knew it came to an end.

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Year 2090

The camera zoomed in on the scientists' activities, recording a large man strapping down an immobile dog. Beside him, his colleague prepared a syringe with a viscous serum to be injected into the animal's body.

"Subject has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer approximately five months ago. Subject's survival rate is less than a week if left untreated. We will now introduce the Cell serum into the subject's body to observe and subsequently record its curative effects."

Observing from the corner, a third scientist spoke, "If this works out as we predicted, then we will have hit the jackpot."

"It will work out!" claimed the man with the now empty syringe. His expression was etched with desperation as he confronted his youngest co-worker. "It has to work. If this final experiment fails, then the government will stop funding our research and it will be the end of our careers! Our reputation will be tarnished forever!"

"Calm down, Mark!" the large scientist barked as he pulled off his face mask and discarded his surgical gloves. Facing the others, he frowned. "We have dedicated our entire lives to perfect this cure and it hasn't shown signs of failure yet. Nothing will go wrong."

Mark clenched his jaw, his gaze shifting to the topic of their conversation. "How can you be so sure, Geoff? After we omitted the abnormality found in the last report, I have been plagued with doubts."

Geoff's eyes narrowed with censure. "A great change can only be wrought if you are willing to take a big risk."

"Well, this risk might endanger humanity if it goes wrong," murmured the third scientist, his voice filled with apprehension.

Geoff and Mark remained silent, both absorbed in their own thoughts.

Suddenly, the animal's heart monitor began bleeping erratically, startling the three men out of their stupor.

"What's going on?" Mark demanded anxiously. He strode towards the table where the subject began shaking vigorously, its body lapsing into seizure.

"Hurry, get the sedative!" Geoff barked at the third scientist.

Hastily, he checked the lab's computer, his eyes absorbing the flashing data on the monitor. "This isn't right. The subject's body isn't just rejecting the serum, but Cell is attempting to absorb its host." His mind raced at what he was seeing, horror sweeping through him. "It's cannibalizing the subject's cells."

"Carroway, where is that tranquilizer!?" Mark yelled in distress as the dog began foaming at the mouth.

"I got it!" Carroway shouted and hurried back. Uncapping the syringe, he jabbed the needle into the animal's shoulder. Both watched as the liquid emptied into the subject's bloodstream.

"It's not working!" Mark exclaimed in horror when the dog lashed out. Clumsily, he stumbled backwards as the canine awoke from slumber and thrashed violently, ripping off the safety straps. "Something's wrong! The sedative is ineffective! The subject is rebelling!"

The animal plummeted off the bed, startling the two scientists who fearfully retreated. The growling dog rose on all fours, baring its vicious fangs. Its eyes flashed an abnormal gleam of hunger as it pinned the men down with ominous hunger.

Mark and Carroway swallowed audibly, their leaden feet shuffling slowly away from the frenzied threat.

"Geoff, do something!" Carroway cried in earnest, pressing his body up against the wall. His heart raced wildly in his chest and his lungs contracted. He didn't want to die! Not like this!

Without wasting time, Geoff jabbed the emergency button sealing off all exits.

"What the fuck are you doing, Geoff?" Mark demanded riotously, his eyes darting back and forth between his colleague and the rabid beast. "We have to get out of here!"

"We cannot risk the subject leaving this theatre."

Geoff ignored his colleague's hysterics and strode over to the medicine cabinet. Rummaging through the bottles, he found what he was looking for.

"What are you doing now?" Mark cried, waves of terror pouring off him.

"If the normal sedative doesn't work then we need something stronger."

"But we don't have anything stronger than the one I administered!" Carroway exclaimed in a panic-stricken voice. "The stronger tranquilizers are stored outside this lab."

"Then I just have to make my own concoction that will knock it out cold."

"Whatever you're doing, hurry up!" Mark snapped irritably. "It looks like it's about to poun─"

The dog leaped, aiming straight for Mark's jugular. In the nick of time, Geoff tackled the animal to the ground, brusquely stabbing it with the tranquilizer. Careful not to let it take a bite out of him, he bodily detained the dog, waiting for the sedative to kick in.

Seconds later, the animal calmed down, finally passing out cold while the other two expelled a breath of relief. Sweat trickled down their necks as they cautiously approached Geoff.

"W-What happens now?" Carroway asked shakily. His face was bleached and his gaze not quite focused.

"We tell no one about this," Geoff responded without pause, levering himself into a sitting position.

"B-but, now that it's gotten out of hand, there is no way we can hide the truth any longer," Mark insisted, his appearance dishevelled from the incident.

"No!" the older man snarled. "We can fix this. We just need more time to figure out what went wrong."

"You said that Cell tried to overtake its host. For all we know, Cell has successfully dominated the subject's body and when the tranquillizer wears off, it will attack again. That was no animal. It was a monster! Did you see the abnormal protrusions on its back?"

Geoff stood up, hefting the animal into his arms. "Let's cage it up for now until we figure out a solution."

"Geoff! You're not listening!"

"Please, Mark! We just need a little more time!"

Mark stopped short on his impending argument. They were both desperate. He studied the older man's somberness and exchanged a wary glance with Carroway. Blowing out a regretful sigh, he rubbed his pounding temples.

"If we agree to keep this under wraps and find a solution, then we must agree that this will be the last time. The next experiment that goes south, I am calling off this entire project. Do we understand each other?"

Geoff didn't respond immediately but after some inflection he reluctantly nodded. "Alright, we'll do it your way."

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Year 3356

"And that was how predation began. Eventually the experiments turned unruly, and Cell rampaged. The mutated beasts attacked the scientists and destroyed the facility, escaping into the world. Naturally, they terrorized the nation — killing and spreading chaos. Those newly born predators were ravenous for flesh and blood."

A hand lifted in the air. "But professor, how did the disease spread?"

"Excellent question. Predation spreads via bodily fluids – be it blood, saliva, or sexual intercourse. All it takes is one bite and you're dead. But that was only the beginning of predation. Years later, scientists discovered that Cell had evolved into a parasitic virus, allowing it to adapt to changing environments within its host. In other words, it's strong and invincible."

The professor gestured to the sliding images on the holographic screen. "Because of this unexpected mutation, more than half the Earth's population was wiped out. In response, The United Nations Security Council set up underground shelters and engaged all military forces to terminate the predators whilst evacuating the cities. The success rate was a calculated risk, but sacrifices had to be made in order to save mankind."

"Then it must have worked." A trainee piped up boldly. "We're living proof of the old government's efforts."

"That is correct. And so, during post-evacuation, predator activities were monitored to study the effects of their severed food supply. Months into starvation, they began to mutate again and cannibalize each other to survive. This led to the evolution of new flora and fauna species. But that wasn't the only change that occurred. Food and medicinal shortage soon became an issue. That was how the special kill force was established, followed by the fundamental provisions division (FPD). The rise in new systems eradicated the old government's hierarchy, allowing society to regain its footing as Earth's unique apex predator."

"Centuries later, tectonic shifting created the seven regions we now live in. Humanity devolved into primitive times while predators mature into versatile killers. In between, we managed to restore parts of human technology, incorporating them into our biological weapons known as cell reapers. It wasn't until a hundred years later did researchers recognized Cell II's ability to create a race of kill hunters. For those who don't know, Cell II is derived from the blood of new age predators." Pausing for effect, the Professor swept his gaze across the sea of new trainees. "Everyone here is a symbol of hope for humanity's continuous survival, and the future guardians of the seven regions…,"

Lurking in the shadows, the tall figure snorted at the load of bullshit. Every year, the trainee orientation became more embellished as the government aimed to brainwash young minds, courtesy of Lieutenant General Novak Levente's influence — the man responsible for his parents' death.

Fifteen years ago, his orientation was nothing more than terror and threats. Not to mention, they had injected an explosive tracker under his skin to prevent him from escaping.

The military revealed only ten percent of the ugly truth. Cell II was more than predator's blood…it was a ghastly combination of one's own DNA with predator DNA. Injected into the bloodstream, it caused agonizing, gut wrenching pain that no amount of yelling, cursing or self-harming could erase the traumatic muscle memory.

These oblivious trainees were in for a rude awakening. But it was a necessary evil to qualify as a kill hunter — to be able to connect and wield their own cell reaper.

Pushing off the wall, he retrieved a cigarette from his pocket. He had seen enough. Talented crop would reveal itself sooner or later. He had time. There was no rush. Besides, tomorrow a new hunter would be transferring into his unit. A ghost of his past.

Eira Ulva.

The name brought back a rush of bittersweet memories. It had been fifteen years since he saw her. A cigarette wouldn't be enough to numb the tightness blooming in his chest.