At first, no one knew how the virus began at Novastra Academy. It was just a rumor echoing through the hallways, a scary story told by students at night as they laughed mockingly. But when flesh started melting off some of them, when their pain became unbearable, everyone knew that something was wrong terribly wrong.
In one of the underground laboratories where secret experiments were conducted, Professor Daniel Kane was hiding, staring at the surveillance screens that displayed the utter chaos above the academy. He hadn't intended to hide, but he knew that stepping out now would be futile perhaps even catastrophic. He knew the truth, and he had to stay alive to tell it.
"Why didn't you tell us? Why did you let us reach this point?" His voice trembled, afraid of the truth.
Daniel stood before the monitor, looking at his mentor with the gaze of a man who had lost everything. His skin, like the others, had begun to decay in various places. But the pain wasn't just physical there was another kind of agony in his voice, in his quivering pupils.
"I was trying to stop it. But it got out of control. If only I had more time..."
"More time?! People are dying out there! Some are burning from the inside, others are tearing themselves apart in agony! There is no more time!" A young man beside him spoke.
Outside the lab, the sounds were growing louder screams, crying, and running footsteps. The virus had started spreading beyond the academy, reaching the outside world. It was only a matter of hours before the entire city fell under its grip.
In the academy's main courtyard, Elena one of the few students who hadn't been infected yet was desperately dragging her friend, Mayra, away from the scattered corpses. The ground was slippery, a mixture of blood and rotting flesh, and the stench was so unbearable it made her stomach churn.
"Hold on, Mayra! You can't give up now!"
"It burns... My body... It feels like it's melting... I don't want to die..."
Elena couldn't tell her the truth: it was already too late. The blackened, decaying flesh had started spreading along her arm, reaching up to her neck. She knew what would happen next she had seen it happen to others. But how could she tell her friend that she would never make it out of here?
Suddenly, the massive glass door burst open, and a new wave of infected poured in writhing in agony, some screaming for help, while others had completely lost their minds.
From afar, the sounds of battle echoed. The guards sent by the Five Families were trying to contain the chaos, but they weren't prepared for what they saw. Swords pierced the bodies of the infected, but the virus was faster. This wasn't just an infection it was a genetic mutation forcing bodies to persist even as they decayed.
In the corner of the underground lab, Daniel pressed his fingers against the control panel, attempting to send one final warning message through the academy's network.
"They need to know the truth. They need to understand that this isn't just a virus... It's something else entirely."
"What do you mean?!"
Daniel looked at his student, then turned the monitor toward him, displaying classified documents. At the top of each document was the government's emblem, with a large red stamp that read "TOP SECRET."
"It didn't start here. It started somewhere else... A faraway place where they were trying to... manipulate life itself."
Elsewhere in the academy, Elena had dragged Mayra into a side corridor. Her breaths were uneven, her eyes distant, and sweat drenched her forehead. But she wasn't alone.
At the end of the hallway, a man stood silently, watching them.
"Who's there?!"
The man didn't respond. He simply took a step forward, revealing his cracked, blackened skin. But unlike the others, he wasn't writhing in pain.
"Don't be afraid... I'm not exactly like them."
"What do you mean? Who are you?!"
The man smiled sadly, then pointed to his chest, where a small tattoo was visible—the same emblem that had been on the documents Daniel displayed.
"I am one of those who started this nightmare."
At that moment, a thought struck Elena's mind. Could he be... responsible? No, she couldn't think clearly now. There was something in his eyes that made her doubt.
Meanwhile, in the academy's hospital, chaos reigned. Doctors and staff desperately tried to treat the infected, but the casualties were far beyond what anyone could handle. They worked frantically, trying to find any cure or means to save whoever they could.
And among them was one person, despite the unbearable pain ravaging his body, who couldn't stop thinking.
That person was Valerian.
The pain was so intense he thought his body would explode from within. His decaying skin, the searing agony, the feeling of his bones crumbling under the pressure of the virus attacking them all yet he knew one thing: he had to make a crucial decision.
"Should I use my abilities?" The thought spun endlessly in his mind. He knew he had the power to steal another's chance at life an ability that allowed him to survive in deadly conditions like this. But was it fair to take life from others just to ensure his own survival?
I won't be able to live with myself if I use this power... The thought was firm in his mind, but at the same time, he feared it might already be too late.
At that moment, a doctor's desperate voice reached him: "Valerian, we don't have time! We need a cure now! We can't let you die here!"
For a moment, Valerian hesitated. Every time he faced inevitable doom, he thought about how selfishly he could handle life. But now, he was in a situation where selfishness was no longer an option.
Suddenly, Elena felt the air shift behind her, the echo of running footsteps growing closer. The glass door to the hospital burst open as a group of people rushed in carrying infected bodies and staggering individuals who had little hope left.
"What is this?!" Elena screamed, gripping Mayra's wrist as she darted toward the emergency room.
Here lay the dilemma: Could they really find a cure for this nightmare?
Meanwhile, Valerian watched the doctors' desperate attempts to save lives, his mind racing.
On the other side of the academy, Zenith continued his search for answers. Ever since he first heard of the virus, he knew it couldn't be just a natural evolution. There was something unnatural about this infection.
His mind raced through past events, quickly connecting the dots.
"How far are you willing to go?" His thoughts were sharp.
He recalled old tales legends of savage creatures that used humans as sustenance. He remembered a defining moment in his life when he first heard of the ancient enemy that was supposedly wiped out in a historical event decades ago. It was believed to be gone. But now, the virus seemed to be the link that was resurrecting that enemy or perhaps something even worse.
"No... It can't be... Is this really...?" He hesitated. "Have you joined them?"
Suddenly, a notification popped up on his device.
"A kingdom has fallen into panic. The attack has begun. Armies are ready to move."
These words were a turning point.
Elsewhere, the five royal families gathered in the royal throne hall, in the heart of the Kingdom of "Evis," which was in a state of extreme tension. The ruling families were as anxious as ever, but the current situation posed an existential threat to the entire kingdom. Each attendee placed a hand on their heart, feeling that what they were witnessing in the world was beyond any familiar nightmare.
King Yaram Donteveri, who possessed a strong presence and a calm face like a raging sea, managed the session with professionalism. Behind him stood the old administrative general and the members of the Council of Elders.
Edgar Lockard, the head of the Lockard family, sat at the edge of the table, silently examining the maps and scattered reports before him. His tone was always calm and cold, but his eyes were filled with anticipation and concern. He fully understood that this crisis could not be overcome easily. He already had multiple solutions in mind to steer events in their favor, but he was fully aware that this time was different. The virus that had begun in "Novastra Academy" threatened everyone's lives.
"We need an answer, faster than ever before," Edgar said in an emotionless tone as he looked at King Yaram. "If the virus is the threat, we must stop it immediately. As you all know, the other families have not yet made a move. We cannot wait until the virus spreads to our borders."
The other families did not look any better; anxiety was clearly visible on their faces. Everyone in the throne hall was watching each other, but their gazes differed. The Drakmor family was visibly more worried, while the Seraphina family seemed to have an unusual stance. While they were speaking in hushed tones about ways to respond, the Rivers family sensed the chaos surrounding them and sought economic solutions to ensure the kingdom's survival.
Prince Leon of the Seraphina family, a tall man with a sharp beard and piercing eyes, stood up and spoke in a loud voice, attempting to show a hint of bravery: "Time is not on our side, King Yaram. We know the next attack from the armies is imminent. However, we also have internal enemies trying to exploit the situation to their advantage. Are we prepared to face this threat on all fronts?"
Princess Alen of the Naidorm family, the only daughter of the late king, spoke with a voice full of courage despite the tension: "We must agree on a solid plan to fight the virus and also to deal with the external enemy. If we unite, we can prevent chaos from taking over the kingdom." She hoped they would focus on the biological threat first, then take military action afterward.
The Rivers family, known for their brilliant economic strategies, had already begun discussing ways to fund the upcoming wars, without showing much tension on their faces. However, one member of the Rivers family, a man with thick glasses, spoke in a low voice: "If we cannot overcome this virus, we won't need armies. We will need new solutions to rebuild the economy. We are on the brink of economic chaos."
Meanwhile, Yaram Donteveri observed everyone closely, contemplating the dimensions of this crisis, which could not be classified as a traditional threat. The devastated academy grounds were only the beginning of a much larger problem. He scrutinized their eyes, realizing that the real danger was not just a physical attack but the virus's impact on the kingdom's stability.
"How long will we keep waiting?" Yaram's words came out with complete firmness. "We must settle this matter today."
But suddenly, a young girl entered the hall, her eyes filled with rage. It was "Evelyn," who had left before the virus spread.
Evelyn shouted hastily, "It's happening! Everything is unfolding just as I saw before... but there are changes in the future I witnessed! The academy is collapsing faster than I expected! The virus is not what I anticipated! It's reacting in ways I can't understand!"
Everyone raised their eyes to Evelyn. No one had expected her to burst into the royal hall like this.
"What do you mean?" Edgar Lockard asked her with deep seriousness.
Evelyn took a deep breath and then spoke with a voice that shook the walls of the hall: "My vision... Last time, when I looked into the future, the virus was just an emergency, merely a biological threat. But now, the virus is not just an enemy, it's... it's something else entirely! I didn't see it mutating this way, and I didn't know things would reach this level of chaos so quickly!"
Everyone felt as if the ground beneath them was slipping, realizing that something far greater than the virus was unfolding behind the scenes. King Yaram watched her closely, his mind working rapidly.
"Do you mean we need to change our strategy?" Yaram asked in a calm yet deeply concerned tone.
Evelyn, her voice filled with uncertainty, replied: "Yes... This is not just a virus; it's something more advanced than anything I expected. We must act now before things evolve further. We don't know how much worse it can get."
As everyone contemplated Evelyn's words, they all recalled the dark clouds looming in the sky and the distant sounds of soldiers gathering at the edges of the academy. The royal armies had already mobilized, prepared to confront any internal or external threat, but now they needed strong leadership and a unified vision for the battle that would change the course of history.
But before they could plan their next steps, the conflict at "Novastra Academy" reminded everyone that the disaster was not just beginning it was the beginning of something far worse than they had ever imagined.
In the hospital that was teeming with chaos, amidst the corridors of the ruined academy, Valerian stood there at the peak of weakness, his body burning from within due to the cursed virus that was attacking everyone. But he knew very well that he could not stand idly by. The human losses were piling up at an incredible speed, and eyes were searching for hope.
At that critical moment, his sister, "Claire Lockard," approached him. She usually appeared cold and harsh, but today there was something in her eyes, something that indicated a worry he had never seen before.
"Valerian..." she said in a low voice, her eyes shimmering with a glint of tension. "Are you okay?" She noticed the pain ravaging her brother, but her words lacked their usual strength. The situation was worsening.
He looked at her, his body burning with pain, while his mind floated in a sea of hesitation. Should he use his powers? Could he really steal someone else's life to survive?
He took a deep breath. "I can't just stay here and watch everyone die without doing something." His words came out heavily, as if expressing something deeper.
Claire looked at him with deeply worried eyes. "You can't do anything, you are weak and not a hero."
"I know." Valerian interrupted her, clutching his heart. "But I no longer have any other choice."
"What do you mean?" She felt something unnatural in her heart.
At that moment, he felt something strange. There was something unnatural about the pain gnawing at his body, something unbearable. He remembered his power, the ability to steal opportunities from others. He knew that if he used it, his fate might change. But was it the right thing to do?
"I'll do it," Valerian whispered to himself as he began to feel something strange in his heart.
He extended his hand, which began to glow, then rushed forward, trying to seize the right moment. Suddenly, a message appeared on the screen, saying: "The theft was successful."
Then, unusually, the screen added a mocking sentence: "Do you really think you got away with this?"
The words struck Valerian like lightning. He had successfully stolen the life of someone uninfected by the virus, but something was wrong with the system. He looked at the screen, his expression frozen.
At that moment, all the pain in his body disappeared. Suddenly, he was completely normal, with no trace of the virus that had been ravaging him. But the screen did not calm down, and another message appeared: "You have returned to your normal state, but do you really think it's over?"
"What does this mean?" Valerian muttered as his sister, Claire, watched the transformation happening before her.
But there was no time to think for long. The situation at the academy was deteriorating rapidly, and everyone was growing more anxious. As for Valerian, he had only one question in his mind: Why were those mocking messages appearing now? Who was controlling this strange system?
At that moment, just as he was trying to understand what had happened, the hospital doors suddenly burst open.
In the Abyss
A strange being an old woman bearing something of corruption and madness in her features. Her body was cracked, gray, and unnatural, and her eyes glowed with an irrational insanity.
"You did what had to be done, didn't you?" the woman said, her voice vast and insane. Her speech was tinged with hysterical laughter, as if she were in another world entirely.
Then, she turned to another figure standing beside her, someone who appeared extremely cold. He resembled "Arkanis" in his features, but there was something strange in his eyes something of absolute calm and logic beyond human comprehension. His hair was white, his eyes burned red like embers, and his mind worked with chilling rationality.
"Well done… Your plan succeeded," the woman said as she stared at this person who stood firmly beside her.
"A puppet," she said in her hysterical voice, laughing from the depths of her being.
"I am not a puppet," the man replied calmly. His words were so dry as if he saw her as nothing more than a stranger. He was trying to display some sort of rationality, but internally, he knew nothing could make him respect this creature.
"But I created you, and you have no idea what it means to be something I crafted with my own hands."
"You did not create me, and you will never create anything in your life," the man replied calmly, but the look in his eyes carried something of a silent challenge. He refused to be treated like a mere puppet.
Then, the man turned outward, toward the devastated armies that were pouring into the lands. Hell itself was moving, and there were savage creatures devouring each other under the dim starlight. Those were the beings called "Arkanis", and they moved like beasts, eating mercilessly.
"They are not even worth my attention," the man muttered to himself as he watched them with disdain. But deep inside, there was another feeling one that told him things were no longer as they had been in the past.
Then, suddenly, the man said something unexpected:
"They are nothing but pieces in a grand game, a game that never ends. A game… whose creator is him."
These words cast a shadow over the atmosphere around him. The savage creatures tore at each other, and the academy was collapsing into chaos. As he stepped forward, he felt that this war was just the beginning of what was to come.
And in a sudden moment of realization, a thought entered his mind:
"There is nothing left that can stop them."