If I had a dollar for every time I woke up in a strange place with a pounding headache and no memory of how I got there, I'd have… well, more dollars than I'd like to admit. This time, though, the situation was different. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and something else—something ancient and powerful. The walls were lined with strange symbols that pulsed with a faint blue light, casting eerie shadows that danced across the room.
I tried to sit up, but my body protested with a chorus of aches and pains. My limbs felt like they'd been steamrolled, and my brain was doing somersaults trying to piece together the chaos from the night before. Memories flashed—blood, screams, the metallic tang of fear, and me, not quite myself. I remembered the transformation, the loss of control, and the terrifying realization that I had become the very monster I swore to fight against.
"You're awake," a voice said, smooth and unfamiliar.
I turned my head, wincing at the movement, to see a woman standing at the foot of the bed. She was dressed in tactical gear, her face partially obscured by a hood. Her eyes, however, were sharp and calculating.
"Who are you?" I croaked, my throat dry and raw.
She tilted her head, studying me. "Let's just say I'm someone who finds you... intriguing."
"That's not an answer," I muttered, trying to swing my legs over the side of the bed. Bad idea. My knees buckled, and I would have face-planted if not for her swift movement to catch me.
"Easy there," she said, guiding me back onto the bed. "You're still recovering."
"Recovering from what? Turning into a monster? Slaughtering innocent people?" The guilt hit me like a tidal wave, and I buried my face in my hands.
She was silent for a moment before speaking. "What happened wasn't entirely your fault. The virus inside you reacted unpredictably when combined with the Hollowed's bite."
I looked up at her, anger flaring. "So, what? I'm just supposed to accept that I lost control and became a killer?"
"No," she said firmly. "But you need to understand that this... transformation could be the key to stopping the Scourge."
I stared at her, disbelief etched on my face. "You think turning into a beast is the solution?"
She nodded. "Controlled, it could be a powerful weapon."
I shook my head. "I'm not a weapon. I'm a person."
"Are you?" she challenged. "Because from what I saw, you're something else entirely."
Before I could respond, the door to the room opened, and a man stepped in. He was tall, with a commanding presence and eyes that seemed to see right through me.
"Ah, our guest is awake," he said, his voice smooth and confident.
"Who are you people?" I demanded.
"We're part of a group dedicated to studying and combating the Scourge," he explained. "We've been monitoring your progress for some time."
"Monitoring me? So, you knew this would happen?"
He exchanged a glance with the woman. "We had our suspicions."
I clenched my fists, the anger boiling over. "You used me."
"We gave you the tools to survive," he countered. "And now, we need your help."
I laughed bitterly. "You want me to become that thing again?"
He nodded. "With proper training and control, you could turn the tide in this war."
I stood up, ignoring the protests from my body. "No. I won't be your monster."
The woman stepped forward. "Elias, please. Think about the lives you could save."
I looked at her, pain and determination in my eyes. "I have to find my own way."
Without another word, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving them behind.
As I stepped into the hallway, alarms blared, and red lights flashed.
"Intruders detected," a robotic voice announced.
Great. Just what I needed.
I sprinted down the corridor, my body still aching but fueled by adrenaline. I turned a corner and nearly collided with a group of soldiers.
"Elias!" one of them shouted. "You're alive!"
I recognized the voice. Adrian.
"Adrian?" I asked, disbelief coloring my tone.
He nodded, relief evident on his face. "We thought you were dead."
"Not yet," I said grimly. "But we need to get out of here."
He gestured for me to follow. "This way."
We navigated the maze-like corridors, dodging security bots and enemy soldiers. Finally, we reached an exit and burst into the open air.
The city was in chaos. Fires raged, and the sky was filled with smoke.
"What happened?" I asked.
"The Scourge launched an attack," Adrian explained. "They're everywhere."
I looked around, determination settling in. "Then we fight."
He nodded. "Together."
As we prepared to face the oncoming horde, I felt a familiar sensation—a pull deep within me.
The beast stirred.
I took a deep breath, embracing the power, but this time, I would control it.
For the people.
For redemption.
For me.