Nico's Village Transformation
Nico rose from the ground, brushing dirt from his clothes. His enhanced vision caught two objects streaking across the night sky before landing beyond his sight. Without hesitation, he dispatched his T-Virus-enhanced crow to investigate.
Through Hive Mind, Nico witnessed something unexpected.
"Momonga!?" he gasped, recognizing the skeleton in warrior's garb rather than his usual sorcerer's robes.
Severing the connection, Nico rushed to the Laboratory. Someone powerful enough to challenge them had arrived. He worked through the night, devising strategies to accelerate his power acquisition and resource gathering.
Morning light filtered through the windows as Nico finalized his plan.
"Would Derek Simmons, Carla Radames, and Deborah Harper report to the laboratory?" His voice echoed through the P.A. system across the sprawling complex.
Minutes later, they arrived, bowing deeply.
"We are here, Creator. How may we serve?" Simmons asked, his voice perfectly measured.
Nico connected them to the Hive Mind, directing their attention to the villagers below.
"Tell me what you see."
"Mortals," Deborah whispered, eyes downcast.
"Weak mortals requiring immediate elimination," Carla stated coldly, a clinical edge to her voice.
"Useless lowlifes serving no purpose whatsoever," Simmons declared with contempt.
Nico's lips curled into a smile as he conjured a spiked sphere filled with C-Virus. "They still have purpose, Simmons. With your expertise, the C-Virus will transform these inefficient workers into something... useful."
He led them through the mountain passages toward the village. "Watch as these incompetent peasants become our foothold in this world."
The village chieftain smiled at their approach—his final human expression. Nico gathered everyone in the town square.
"Time to pledge your devotion to Mother Miranda," Nico announced, his voice carrying a dark melody as he launched the viral spheres skyward.
His hand morphed into a protective shield, covering his lieutenants as the spheres burst. Viral agents rained down, penetrating skin and infiltrating bloodstreams.
The transformation began immediately. Multiple eyes erupted across faces. Skin split and discolored. Blood seeped from every pore as the C-Virus rewrote their DNA.
Three armored guards remained unaffected in the corner. Carla's hand twitched toward her weapon, but Nico stopped her with a glance.
"Deborah," he commanded softly. "Show me your loyalty."
Deborah's timid demeanor vanished as her flesh paled to sickly green. Spider-like appendages erupted from her back with wet, tearing sounds. Her transformation completed, she arched her back sensually, her new form exuding predatory sexuality.
"Subdue them," Nico ordered.
"Gladly," she purred, a voice nothing like her human self. She launched herself toward the guards, her movements fluid and impossibly fast.
The guards' screams died in their throats as her appendages pierced armor and flesh alike, pinning them to the earth. They struggled futilely against her inhuman strength.
"Excellent work," Nico applauded, approaching with a different strain of C-Virus. "For you three, something special."
The guards' bodies crystallized rapidly after injection. One erupted into a Strelac, its frilled neck pulsing with newfound power. Another became a muscular Napad, mountain-like spikes jutting from its back. The third dissolved into a swarm that reformed as a Gnezdo, insects creating a feminine silhouette around their queen.
"Guard this village," Nico commanded. "Remain hidden until needed."
The creatures melted into the shadows as Nico turned to his lieutenants.
"Simmons, Carla, return to the Lab," he ordered. "Deborah, stay and oversee our new workforce."
"Alone?" Vulnerability crept back into Deborah's voice as she reverted to human form.
"The Baker Family will assist you," Nico explained as Jack pushed Eveline's wheelchair into view, followed by Marguerite and Lucas.
"They'll help maintain the illusion of normalcy," Nico said, handing Deborah a jar of C-Virus. "Anyone who visits becomes one of us."
After giving final instructions, Nico returned to base, satisfied with the day's progress. In the control room, he contemplated his next move.
"I need to recruit stronger subjects," he mused, then smiled. "What better source than adventurers?"
Announcing his departure, Nico headed to his quarters to prepare his disguise. He altered his features and donned an assassin's garb—perfect for his abilities and inconspicuous enough to avoid attention.
As he exited, the Dimitrescu sisters blocked his path.
"Mother has ordered us to accompany you," Bela stated firmly, standing tall.
"Lady Beneviento insists," Cassandra added, concern evident in her eyes.
Nico scoffed. "I can protect myself."
"You're the last Creator," Daniela countered. "Without you, we have no purpose."
"You can't blend in," Nico argued, gesturing at their blood-stained faces.
The sisters exchanged knowing glances before dissolving into swarms of blowflies. They reappeared moments later—pristine, human-looking.
"Don't worry, Creator. We can be... discreet," Bela assured, her usual imperious tone softened.
Nico recognized defeat. "Fine, but there are rules: no independent action, no fighting unless attacked, no discussing this facility."
On the journey to the village, Nico noticed Bela waving shyly to Lucas.
"So... you and Lucas?" he teased, watching color flood her normally pale cheeks.
"We're just friends," she muttered as her sisters snickered.
"When did this 'friendship' start?" Nico asked, genuinely curious.
"At the headcount," Bela admitted. "His knowledge of technology is... fascinating."
Nico nodded thoughtfully. "The Bakers are good people. Your mother, however..."
"We're just friends!" Bela insisted, her usual composure shattered.
After giving final instructions to the Bakers and Deborah, the group departed. Once clear of the village, Nico manifested wings.
"E-Rantel will be our destination," he announced, taking flight. "It's the perfect hunting ground for adventurers."
The sisters dissolved into swarms of flies, following their Creator into the darkening sky.