Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

LORE POST, Chapter One: In this story remnants of InGen's research were absorbed into a covert government division. Under Dr. Henry Wu's continued oversight, experimental genome trials evolved into something far beyond animal cloning- the production of dinosaurs rivaling humanity in intelligence. The A.N.T.H.R.O. program was designed to weaponize adaptation itself-an evolving viral matrix capable of rewriting DNA and integrating complex intelligence traits into prehistoric genomes brought back from extinction. The results were...marvelous. subjects gained heightened cognitive function, emotional awareness, speech capability, and the ability to take both human and what is labeled as "Anthropomorphic Form"

Project A.N.T.H.R.O. — short for Applied Neural-Theriomorphic Reconstruction Organization — was a covert scientific initiative that emerged from the aftermath of de-extinction programs originally designed to revive prehistoric life. What began as a pursuit of genetic restoration quickly evolved into a military-funded experiment aimed at merging animalistic predatory efficiency with advanced neural intelligence. Following the resurgence of saurian species, researchers discovered that many of the revived organisms possessed unexpectedly high cognitive potential. These capabilities attracted attention from defense sectors seeking to develop controllable, adaptive biological weapons capable of operating in environments where conventional machinery failed. Under this directive, A.N.T.H.R.O. sought to “refine” these creatures through a blend of neurology, behavioral conditioning, and engineered evolution — creating lifeforms that could think, plan, and obey.

In essence, the project’s mission was to reconstruct adaptive and human levels of intelligence within reptilian form, cultivating beings that blurred the line between soldier and specimen. The result was a series of experimental creatures designed not merely to survive, but to dominate. While the early stages of the program were conducted under the guise of evolutionary study, internal documentation later revealed its true intent: to craft the next generation of organic warfare units — sapient predators whose instincts could be directed toward set objectives. Project A.N.T.H.R.O. remains shrouded in secrecy, its outcomes classified and the fates of its test subjects largely unknown. However, scattered reports and leaked footage have suggested that at least one specimen — codenamed IR-01 or “Ripper" — demonstrated levels of self-awareness and behavioral complexity far beyond the project’s expectations, and is a worthy specimen for future missions.

Within Project A.N.T.H.R.O. (Applied Neural-Theriomorphic Reconstruction Organization), the serum developed under its directive represented one of the most controversial milestones in bioengineering history. Initially intended to enhance cognitive development and adaptability in revived saurian species, it ultimately succeeded in the quest of restructuring their physiology to bridge the biological gap between humanoid and reptilian intelligence. The serum functioned by rewriting portions of the subjects’ neural architecture, enhancing communication between the limbic system and higher cortical regions. The result was the emergence of not only improved reasoning and emotional processing, but a disturbing parallel: the evolution of human-like form that was rather unexpected. The serum functioned by rewriting portions of the subjects’ neural architecture, enhancing communication between the limbic system and higher cortical regions. The result was the emergence of not only improved reasoning and emotional processing, but a disturbing parallel: the evolution of human-like form and behavior in the specimens. Yet, despite their humanoid resemblance, these forms never appeared truly natural. The creatures’ limbs were longer and more angular than human proportion allowed, their joints occasionally flexing past normal ranges depending on the species. Their finger and toe-nails abandoning the normal keratin for a deadlier version allowing miniature version of their keratin claws that moreso rraemble humanoid nails, and their feet, though capable of standing flat, retained a semi-digitigrade structure that could extend fully when running or engaging prey.

As the serum spread through the genetic code, test subjects began developing hybridized morphologies — forms that fluctuated between their primal saurian state and a bipedal, humanoid configuration. This “anthro-form” possessed the musculature, limb articulation, and skeletal reorganization necessary for upright locomotion while retaining key reptilian features such as scaled integument, elongated digits tipped with sharp keratinized claws and their tails for balance. This “anthro-form” resembles the normal “feral-form” the specimens have their origins in moreo that the unexpected “human-form.” Most unsettling were the facial details. Teeth sharpened into interlocking serrations; tongues grew longer and more agile, capable of serpentine motion; and their pupils, thin and vertical, gave an alien intensity to even the stillest gaze. Even in moments of calm, there was something deeply wrong about how perfectly these features fit together — as if nature had been forced to compromise between beauty and predation.

Through these augmentations, Project A.N.T.H.R.O. sought to create beings capable of intelligence, communication, and coordinated warfare. Whether this will be successful or not is a question for the future. Project A.N.T.H.R.O. (Applied Neural-Theriomorphic Reconstruction Organization) as started; began as a classified bioengineering initiative under the joint direction of Dr. Henry Wu and several undisclosed government agencies following the resurgence of genetically revived dinosaurs. The stated goal was simple — to civilize and control the revived saurian population. However, behind closed doors, the real objective was far more ambitious: to create a new class of bio-intelligent organisms that could function in both military and civilian roles — soldiers, workers, and specialists capable of surviving in environments hostile to normal human physiology. The A.N.T.H.R.O. Serum was the central component of this vision. By rewriting portions of the saurian genome and enhancing neural complexity, it allowed subjects to evolve far beyond their primitive origins. The serum induced rapid adaptation, higher cognition, and an accelerated ability to mimic human behavior. Within mere days, the first injected subjects began demonstrating comprehension of language, basic reasoning, and even emotional recognition — but along with it came profound, unpredictable physical changes. (Stated before, and will be covered again below)

The resulting beings developed hybridized forms — their reptilian structures reforged into humanoid silhouettes capable of both two- and four-legged locomotion. Their hands grew dexterous enough to manipulate tools, their posture upright, and their voices capable of forming crude speech. Yet these transformations were not fully human: they retained scales, talons, tails, and in many cases, the sharp predatory features of their ancestors. (The earlier stages of the serum rewriting the saurian biology - close to the anthro form but not yet finished) Even when stabilized into “anthro” or “human mimic” states, the results carried disturbing inconsistencies — elongated limbs, slightly digitigrade legs, eyes with vertical pupils and a variety of colors, and sharp, interlocking teeth behind their lips. In females, the emergence of reptilian thoracic glands (analogous to homo sapien gland structure) are an interesting development for these humanois transformations. At this point, the Department of Defense (DoD) saw potential beyond biology and incorporation. These new beings, stronger and faster than any human soldier, could operate under extreme conditions — deserts, radiation zones, deep jungles, and contaminated regions. Their regenerative capacity and cold-blooded metabolic flexibility made them nearly self-sustaining. Military strategists envisioned units of saurian-hybrids capable of independent tactical reasoning, guerrilla warfare, and infiltration. To prepare them for human interaction, a secondary branch of the project aimed to socially integrate select subjects. Under psychological supervision, several humanoid saurians were introduced into controlled population environments to test behavioral mimicry and emotional restraint. The results were mixed at best. While some demonstrated the capacity for empathy and social learning, while a small few displayed predatory fixation — treating humans less as interesting peers and more as familiar prey - one in particular having both of these psychological features. Officially, Project A.N.T.H.R.O. was marked as a “failed behavioral adaptation study.” In reality, the government’s military wing continued to fund it under several reclassified designations indefinitely.

The JW Pathogen: Evolutionary Stages of Infection and Adaptation:

Stage 1 – Latency and Bonding

The pathogen enters the host through exposure to contaminated fluids, tissue, or direct parasitic transmission. During this stage, it remains largely dormant—integrating itself into the host’s nervous and circulatory systems. While inactive, it begins mapping the genetic code, identifying weaknesses, and rewriting select DNA sequences for compatibility. Many hosts show no visible symptoms at this point beyond a low fever and vivid dreams of predation or pursuit.

Stage 2 – Neural Assimilation

At this point, the parasite establishes itself within the host’s central nervous system, forming symbiotic filaments through the spinal cord and brain stem. The host begins experiencing heightened sensory awareness, faster reaction times, and accelerated healing. Behaviorally, the host may become more instinct-driven and emotionally detached—an early sign of the pathogen’s influence on the amygdala and hypothalamus.

Stage 3 – Cellular Reformation

The host’s physical structure begins to evolve. Muscle density increases while bone marrow shifts to a more saurian configuration. Skin hardens; wounds close in moments. Genetic material from ancient saurian templates (dormant within the pathogen) becomes expressed. At this point, the host’s body begins taking on hybridized traits—elongated limbs, digitigrade leg structure, sharp teeth, and heightened predatory endurance.

Stage 4 – Cognitive Symbiosis

By this stage, the pathogen is no longer merely an infection—it is a co-entity. The host’s consciousness begins losing the battle between itself and the pathogen’s collective network. Those infected can communicate through pheromonal and bio-electrical signals over distance, instinctively coordinating as if one organism. The body of the host has been fully converted to a saurian at this time, with only minor differences showing that parts of the hosts humanity is trying to fight the losing war.

Stage 5 – Takeover Complete

The host achieves biological superiority. The pathogen grants an unrelenting regenerative capability—so long as the host’s body remains structurally intact, death via normal means is inconsequential. The creature may regrow limbs, organs, and even neural tissue.

Beyond its biological transformations, the Pathogen exhibits an eerie behavioral directive that defies standard parasitic logic. Rather than existing solely to reproduce or feed, it seems to possess a subconscious intent—one aimed at replacement.

Hosts infected with advanced strains of the Pathogen (typically Stage 4 and beyond) often exhibit a strange compulsion toward certain human targets. This compulsion is not random. Many hosts report—or are observed—fixating on specific individuals who share some physical or psychological resonance with them. In extreme cases, this leads to a chilling pattern researchers have termed “The Doppelgänger Effect.”

Identification – The saurian host, guided by the pathogen’s latent hive-like intelligence, becomes aware of a human counterpart. This awareness is not visual but instinctual—an internal pull like “a compass for flesh.”

Observation and Mimicry – The host studies the human target from a distance, subconsciously mimicking their posture, voice, and movements. The longer this continues, the more precise the imitation becomes.

Torment and Psychological Collapse – Victims will be stalked, hearing voices identical to their own, or glimpsing malformed shadows clawing out at them. This is the pathogen’s way of eroding human sanity, softening its prey. When the pathogen is slowly closing around its prey - in extreme cases - victims will notice the saurian in their place of residence (Basement, Attic, or their room) which is the pathogen influencing terror within the human doppelganger, as the saurian prepares for consumption.

Replacement – Once the target is mentally or physically vulnerable, the infected host strikes—killing the human, consuming the body, and replicating their form with horrifying precision. The mimicry extends down to voice, gait, and facial detail. However, close observation reveals subtle biological errors—longer limbs, sharper teeth, elongated pupils, or a sense of something “off.”

Integration – The saurian doppelgänger assumes the victim’s life, mannerisms, and social roles. To unknowing observers, they are the same person. Only those who knew the victim intimately (Family, etc) may sense the deception.

This phenomenon suggests that the Pathogen’s long-term goal extends beyond survival or reproduction—it seeks to supplant humanity entirely. Through its saurian hosts, it creates near-perfect imitations of human life while maintaining its underlying inhuman nature. Each replaced human becomes one more node in the expanding biological network of the Pathogen—an empire of flesh hidden beneath familiar faces - to where humanity can't even trust those around them.

S.A.U.R.I.S Is a government system made for the rapid increase of anomolous creatures referred to as “Abberants” or “Deviants” or “Pathoforms”

Aberrants are reptilian organisms distantly related to prehistoric animals that walked the Earth long ago.

Aberrants have shown remarkable regenerative capabilities and feats of physical strength far beyond anything a human is capable of.

These creatures are rapidly increasing in population density over the country of North America, causing distress particularly around small towns as rural areas.

These creatures have an unknown pathogen in their blood which has shown catastrophic reactions to the human body upon injury or blood contact. The pathogen rewrites human biology to fit it's own nefarious means.

In the case of an aberrant encounter, follow the S.A.U.R.I.S Protocol.

S — Stay Silent

Under no circumstances should you speak, shout, or respond to any voice calling your name. If you hear the voice of a family member or close friend — that is not them. It is an Abberant wearing their skin.

A - Avoid Physical Injuries

Wound contact with an Abberant can result in infection of the Pathogen - which there is no cure for - If contact has been via scratches, bites, or mangled wounds, the limb must be cut off immediately to ensure the chance of survival. Do not try to fight an Abberant - this action had resulted in the death of 97% of individuals to encounter an Abberant; The other 3% were morbidly wounded and died from blood loss.

U = Utilize your environment

In the early stages of pathological infection - abberants are fast but equally clumsy and are prone to mistakes - if undetected, move slowly while making no noise. If detected, run away in a zig-zagging manner to trip the Abberant and confuse it. If you are in an open field - utilize any throwable item to distract the Abberant from advancing.

R = Retreat to shelter

If available; try to shelter yourself in any nearby structure that's available; i.e stores, Homes, Garages. Abberants are immensely capable in physical qualities and can damage most walls and doors. If no structures are nearby - curl yourself into a fetal position and protect any vital organs from injury, even if you have to sacrifice your own limb.

I = Inform Authorities

Contact designated S.A.U.R.I.S. Response hotlines or military personnel if you have reliable means - do not attempt to confront an Abberant unless absolutely necessary. If a face to face encounter is unavoidable - strike the eyes, shins, and crotch area of the aberrants - in early stages this may disable them momentarily for you to run away. If the Abberant is in the later stages, and a firearm is on hand - fire for the eyes, brain, and vital organs - this will not kill the Abberant but will give you time to run.

S = Stay Put Until Cleared

Abberants will stay in the area searching for hours regardless - Do not listen to the screams. Do not listen to the voices. Do not feel fear. Hide until reliable S.A.U.R.I.S personnel have discovered your position and analyzed your condition mentally and physically

Stay safe. Do not fear.

Chapter Text

(© 2025 Jayman)

The rain never really stopped on Isla Nublar. It only changed its rhythm - from a whisper through the canopy to a hammering against glass and steel. Tonight, it fell like a heartbeat over the compound that crouched deep in the jungle, its floodlights cutting pale wounds through the fog. Inside, the air was too clean. Too cold. Rows of incubation pods lined the walls, the glass curved like the eyes of insects. Each one pulsed faintly with the heat of the lives growing within. Dr. Henry Wu stood in the observation bay, hands clasped behind his back, his reflection framed against the tank before him. The egg inside was larger than any he had worked with - its surface a marble of bone-white and dull silver. A faint motion trembled beneath the shell, rhythmic, almost deliberate. “She’s stabilizing,” murmured the assistant beside him - a young geneticist whose name Henry hadn’t bothered to remember. Beside the assistant was renowned Geneticist Dr. Henry Wu, who had a stern eye and logic-based behavior. “Cell division remains consistent. Heartbeat’s strong.” Said the assistant. Wu nodded once. His eyes didn’t move from the egg. “And the secondary compound?” The assistant hesitated. “Prepared and measured, as you requested. But… are we certain it’s safe? The serum’s still largely theoretical. Cross-splicing on this scale-” Wu turned his head just enough for the younger man to see the expression that ended most conversations. “The future,” he said calmly, “is never safe.” A pause. Then the assistant exhaled, nodding. He moved to the side console and unsealed a narrow vial. The liquid inside shimmered faintly under the sterile light - not clear, but prismatic, like oil on water. On the vial’s label, handwritten in careful block letters, were two words:

Project A.N.T.H.R.O.

D.T.E. – Trial 001

With practiced precision, the assistant loaded the syringe and leaned over the containment hatch. The needle touched the egg’s surface, and for a second the sound of the rain seemed to fade. A soft click - then the fluid spiraled inward, disappearing into the embryonic veins. Wu stepped closer. On the monitors, a series of lines spiked and stabilized again. The embryo inside stirred once, as if acknowledging the intrusion. “Integration achieved,” the assistant said quietly. “Serum is bonding with the base genome.” Wu’s gaze lingered on the dim outline of the creature within. His voice, when it came, was almost a whisper. “Finally…A new strain is here…” Outside, lightning split the sky over the island, and for the briefest instant, the jungle below looked alive - shadows twisting like scales under the rain. Henry stood before the observation glass - his brown eyes were quiescent. Before him, the glass had cracks like lightning over its sheen - in the heart of the glass pane was a bore - whatever had damaged the glass struggled naught in fracturing its surface. Henry lifted his hand and lightly touched the crazed glass. Abrasion rubbed his fingers as he felt the glass spall surrounding the rosette of cracks. His hand brushed the spiderwebs of crackles - the oculus in the center of the pane was twice the width of his palm. Abruptly, the elevator down the hall chimed and his head turned to stare at the sliding doors. A single vermillion heel stepped out of the elevator - closely followed by a woman in a white dress, clipboard in hand. Wu took a step to his left. “Claire, how was your expedition?” He asked her, his lined face quite a contrast to hers. Claire flicked a strand of ginger hair out of her face, “It went well - some of the subjects reacted…oddly to the serum.” She explained, keeping the clipboard tight to the crook of her arm.

“How so?” He asked. His eyes were dark brown, nearly black, and patient as they waited for her reply. “Subject-006-B rejected the serum at first. But the second dose resulted in half-formed transformation. And the third resulted in full transformation and stability.” Claire said, her jade-green iris regarded Henry. Wu’s arms were crossed - fingers rapping his elbow. “Well, it worked eventually, that is all that matters. He said dismissively. Claire nodded before staring out at the forest's edge - she could see the faint movement of wind rushing through underbrush, but otherwise no signs of life. “Awfully shy today?” She asked and Wu nodded, “Yes - she hasn't been eating as of yet.” Claire looked at Henry, “You know what that means Henry? She's learning. Growing smarter. And-” He finished her sentence, “-Learning how to bribe us into getting what she wants.” He sighed. “Soon - my plan will come to fruition.” Suddenly an assistant burst through the door, “Sir! You need to see this…” He said. “What is it, Samuel?” Wu’s melancholy tone immediately shifted to a stern cadence and he felt a cold dread scrabble at his spine. He swiftly yet with an air of professionalism walked past Claire who followed, heels clacking. “Look at this, sir.” Samuel said - approaching a monitor which emitted a faint beeping. On the screen was the thermal image of a figure crouching low into the underbrush - tail swinging slightly but otherwise completely still. The thermal imagery read a baseline blue if not colorless. Henry's eyebrows furrowed. “She- That's…” Samuel looked at Henry. “Sir…” Wu immediately straightened himself. I know Samuel…it seems her body has allowed her to…develop camouflage.” Claire looked at the screen as well. “That's…not possible. How did she do it?” Wu frowned, his deep brown eyes staring at the screen. “I have a theory…just a theory…but a theory nonetheless…I suspect the introduction of the A.N.T.H.R.O. Serum allowed her to gain the ability to adapt - how did the serum do this? That I do not know. It is an interesting development I must say…it's possible that her strands allowed this development - life does find a way.” Claire took a pen to her clipboard, writing down a few notes. “What do you plan on doing with this information?” She asked Henry, jade eyes raking over him. Wu stood up, a languid look plastered onto his face. “Simple. I'm curious as to where this goes. Let us see what happens in a few weeks…” Samuel seemed wary but nodded resolutely - Claire felt a cold chill go up her spine even as she nodded, something did not feel right about this…not right at all…

The blades sliced through the wind. Storm winds battered and whistled against the glass. Rain battered the metal hard, inside the vehicle, the thuds were deafening. A swirl formed through the deep gray clouds when a helicopter burst through them - blades rotating quickly and causing the clouds to warp around the whirring rotors of the aircraft. Inside the helicopter was the pilot who strained his hands against the cyclic - feeling the wind fight against his control of the craft. In the cabin, a man sat on the left side of the seats, his body slumped against the window staring down into the torrent of rain and wind - his name was Owen Grady, a well known animal behaviorist and a trainer of a species rebirthed. The entire fuselage rattled from a fierce blast of wind - Owen raised his head quickly, “Everything alright?” He asked the pilot, his blue eyes strained slightly from the low-light. “Yep - just some turbulence. Dr. Wu suspects it's atmospheric pressure forming around the island.” He said, before the entire vessel lurched forward slightly and they broke through the clouds - coming into view was a sprawling island of trees, cliffs, and a large mountain in the center covered in black rock and evergreen forest. Owen went back to the window. “Is this the island they've been moved to?” He asked. “Yes sir. They've been moved to a new containment zone near Dr. Wu's laboratory…brace yourself, we're going down.” The helicopter shuddered violently as they descended. The laboratory smelled of bleach and clinical sanitation; across the room a man walked past wearing blue gloves leading the grizzled figure of Owen Grady who was in his usual rough-attire. Owen stared at the back of the scientist's head, “Samuel. Is it?” He asked the young man. “Yes sir.” Samuel responded. “I am his apprentice.” Owen was led by the apprentice to Henry Wu - whose back was turned as he stared through a one-way window. “Henry.” Owen said, sticking on his hand - Wu turned around, “Owen…I'm glad the trip was successful and you've made it past the storms.” Henry shook Owen’s hand before pulling away after feeling the calloused fingers. “Mr. Grady, I presume you are here to see the subject?” Henry asked - while behind him, a honey-lit bulb illuminated the area. Owen looked at Henry, his blue eyes contrasted to the geneticist's deep brown iris. “She is in that pen?” He asked Wu, stepping past him and looking through the one-way glass and paused; his eyes glanced over a bedstead with a thin Cot mattress and Quilt. On the left side of the cot, he could see a finger hunched down and hiding, shivering slightly, scales of a charcoal-gray beside the mattress. “. . .What. . .Happened to her?” Owen asked, he was stunned. “Nothing serio-...Nothing harmful. We've - I've - been developing a serum, Owen. I call it A.N.T.H.R.O.” The other man swiveled around. “‘Anthro?’” He said, clearly confused, eyebrows furrowed and shadow forming under the lines in his face. Samuel stepped forward. “Yes, Project A.N.T.H.R.O. stands for ‘Applied Neural-Theriomorphic Reconstruction Organization’ and - as you can see - the results are fascinating.” Owen stared at Samuel, “Fascinating? How is this fascinating? You injected her with some serum and it changed her body.” He muttered, brows nearly forming a line across his face from how tense they were. Henry sighed, “Control yourself, Owen. She is still herself, the only thing the serum affected was her body along with her frontal and parietal lobes.” He looked at Samuel and nodded once. Samuel nodded back, before going over to a computer module.

“If you want to try and communicate with subject V-01-B then I'll allow it, she recognizes you, and only you might be able to snap her out of her distress.” Owen glared at him, then he went back to the glass and laid his palm onto the cool surface. Suddenly the gray figure behind the mattress twitched before hesitantly looking over the edge - Her pupils, fine and black, divided the deep amber-brown of her eyes like cracks in polished wood. Henry stood beside Owen before handing him a keycard with a bleak flick of his wrist. “Now's your chance. One of many, but…I suggest you take it.” Wu said in a flat tone - And Owen glared at him before taking the keycard and he hesitantly swiped it. The door chimed then slid open gently, a pressurized hiss of air blew back at the man. A medicinal aroma caused his nose to wrinkle as he stepped into the room. Once again those deep amber eyes were staring - and the man stuck out his hand, to put something between him and her, just in case . “…you know me?” His shoes squeaked across the tiled floor. The chestnut eyes followed him, as he walked around to see her entirely. Gray scales contrasted with the pale room - Owen bent onto one knee. “Hey, I…know you're probably confused, with…your current situation.” The straightjacket adorning her body was white in color and clearly causing her mild discomfort. Owen hesitated before extending his left hand out to her, “It's alright - You're safe.” The Auburn eyes flickered before her keratin claws lightly clicked against each other while she huffed at him, chest rising and falling. Outside the room, Wu watched as the figure took Owen's hand. “That's good - the serum was successful.” He sighed, fingers going through black strands of hair. Samuel approached him, “Sir…Dr. Isaac has requested your presence, it concerns…him.” Samuel and Henry made eye contact before the latter turned his back and walked away.

“Hellooo…Hellooo? Anyone there?” A figure said - standing before another individual who was strapped within a chair. Dr. Isaac Dorn sighed, raising him up from the bent position he was in. Another man beside Isaac mumbled, “Is he asleep?” And Isaac chuckled, “Oh no, he just wants us to think that.” Another sigh came from him as he pulled up a clipboard, “Come on, you were doing so well the other day…” He shook his head in disappointment and marked a tick on the board. “Alright - I'll turn off these annoying lights for you, wouldn't that be nice?” He didn't get a response - the figure in the chair hadn't moved or showed any signs that he even heard the psychologist. “We'll begin again in the next hour.” In the room was an armed personnel - who suddenly got a message in his comms. “...Mister Isaac - Doctor Henry is coming down for analysis - he said to prepare the subject for departure.” Isaac rolled his eyes upon hearing that, “‘Subject’ was the word that Henry used?” “Yes sir.” Isaac sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “‘Subject’, ‘Specimen’, ‘Hybrid’ - He isn't a monster. He is my patient.” Suddenly Henry walked around the corner and into the room, his voidless eyes stared at Ripper - at his perfect creation - His masterpiece. “How is he, Isaac?” Henry asked, approaching, and getting a better view of the hybrid. “He has been unresponsive. Quite the opposite to how he was the other day.” Said Isaac before swiveling to look at Wu who turned to face him. “Prepare him for General Hale.” He said, and Isaac nodded meekly. Wu then turned around swiftly, his shoes echoing around the relatively empty unit - he made his way up the elevator and came out the top to hear a grizzled and ugly tone. “Dr. Wu” A stubby and rounded man came into view with a slight limp - he had stars branded on his shirt and his chest was out slightly. “General Hale…” Henry said, briefly extending his hand to shake the generals, “I presume you are here to see my subjects?” Hale nodded curtly. His trimmed gray mustache fluttered with a heavy sigh. “Of course I am, Wu. Yearly, remember? The DoD said so.” Hale stated with the breadth of a smirk, which was extinguished immediately. “Anyways, let's begin Wu - I don't have all day.” “Yes, let's begin.” He led the general into the elevator - Hale’s chest was heaving and his limb was ever so obvious, as the medallion and badges on his broad chest shook. The elevator clattered as it descended and Henry looked over his shoulder to see the two soldiers the General had brought with him. “Are they necessary?” He questioned Hale who chortled, his broad front heaving. “Of course they are Wu - don't you remember the last little ‘incident?’” The general muttered, heaving. The elevator shuddered as it came to a stop and the passengers stepped out. Hale raised his fist and coughed into it for a mere moment in the passage of time. Wu walked into the room with Isaac as Hale stopped abruptly, staring at the dark room behind the observation window. “And what is this, Wu?” Hale asked, teeth gritted. Henry stared at him, “Calm yourself general - Isaac turn on the lights.” And Isaac nodded and flicked a switch - the observation window flickered into a bright luminance and the general's eyes widened partially from their stern glance, “You've…gotten better at this…Wu.” And Henry nodded, “I know I have.”

.. .- -- .... . .-. .

Chapter Text

The substation creaked from gales of wind swirling through its steel latticework - clouds plumed and twisted ominously, deep pewter and ash vapor whirling its way across the island, a testament to the storm that was brewing. A metallic bang shot out over the station as a figure in a yellow coat muttered, “Damn thing…” He was wind-battered, sleep deprived, and certainly not in the mood to be dealing with this Station. His gloved hand gripped a red lever and it strained as he pulled it down. “Shit…” A coin dropped from his pocket and he bent down to pick it up. The man sighed, holding the coin up and smiling at it, it was a gift from his granddaughter before he set out to this island, one of the few objects he had to remember- A thunderous boom went over the town and a bright flash of luminance struck the tower sending out crackling sparks - the man below was struck through his fingers and the force alone was enough to send him spinning across the pavement. Faint pops of bubbling skin and molten rubber came from the still figure, the fingers were stripped of muscle revealing charred bone - near the hand was a crinkled copper coin, static electricity sparkling around it. Steel framing slammed into the ground hard, cracking the asphalt and scraping across the roadway. The lights guttered and pulsed before each portion of the town went pitch black with only the faint luminance of the moon above providing the wary remnants of the island a grasp at the hope of light. Almost immediately, island personnel began to try and reactivate the power while the island guests were startled from the hotels and commodities. 

Hale jolted from a rumble that traveled through the floor beneath his feet and the next moment the power went out. Henry’s face went white at the pressurized hisses that went on around him, and the scrambled shuffles of feet before an earsplitting yell went through the room and the splatter of a liquid split across the floor - smashing and crashing noises echoed all around them. Henry cursed, swiping his jostled hair from his face as he patted around the floor in complete darkness before the sound of energy pulsed around them and the lights flickered before illuminating the space. Samuel immediately looked around and the first thing his eyes fell upon was the crimson fluid staining the wild tile which also has blackened marks upon it - and that is when his face turned pasty hue. One of Hale's soldiers was clutching his arm and breathing heavily - fresh velvet dripping down his fingers and splatting the floor with portentous splats. The man held his bleeding arm as he made a trail of blood which splattered the floor despairingly - and Hale stuttered, “What-? James- what happened?” His eyes went over the bloody floor and Henry stood up to look at the containment pen. “Dammit…” He cursed with spite and immediately stomped past Hale looking at the scrap marks which had made their way towards the elevator which Henry could hear rising faintly. “Clever…” He muttered, a smirk almost going over his lips before he went back to the room, “Samuel- are communications up?” And Samuel whirled around from his chair, “Yes sir - they're telling me a bolt of lightning struck the substation.” And Henry cursed once again, “Tell them to get the backup generators activated, now.” His footfalls echoed around the room as he went back to the elevator and began pressing the button to the top floor rapidly. 

On the surface many of the island's rangers with Owen gathered around the decimated substation - electrical sparks and wiring fizzing around the melted teamwork of the station - oozing molten metal which dropped down scalding bullets that splattered the ground. Rainwater poured down onto the personnel from the brewing squall of ashy smog and gray swirls. One of the men approached the blackened remains, coughing and pressing the back of his hand against his nostrils, “Damn…” His foot nudged the body, while another ranger approached. “Shit…is that David?” He asked, and the other responded. “Yeah…The bolt must-have gone through him.” Then a loud hiss went over the area and every ranger faced the large wrought gates while a ranger's comm went off and Samuel's voice blurted through, “Do- not let tho-se ga-tes ope-n!” The transmission stuttering and glitching as the storm increased in its ferocity - the scout gripped his transceiver, “What was that?!” He asked over the howl of wind before the very ground beneath his feet rumbled as the gates were finally open. His pupils shrink as he stared into the darkness in the opening, trying to detect motion - yet there was nothing, just the cold chill coming from the darkness. His pupils tried to focus, they tried to find something, he couldn't move, he was paralyzed in body and in mind. And, without warning, a flickering hue shone out to him then increased in size and showed a gleaming eye of scarlet - and a deep puff of breath blew his hair back. Keratinous claws gripped the gate doors - the force causing the frame to buckle as the claws peeled away strips of iron. A single deep growl went through the asphalt before the eyes suddenly rose themselves to a height beyond human capability. “Move away, Bri-” One of his colleagues began before the claws slammed onto the member - his decapitated head splattered and rolled across the road while a splash of crimson streaked across the surrounding personnel's clothing and skin - the impact caused his carcass to be flattened into the cracks of the asphalt while pebbles and nearby streetlights rattled from the force. The hulking figure of a reptilian monstrosity burst through the opening with enough force to dislodge one of the multi-ton doors out of place, causing gears to snap off and shatter. The door creaked and groaned before slipping from its socket and falling onto nearing staff, squeezing their bodies against the road mercilessly. One of the workers had survived the initial onslaught and cried in pain, her left leg missing and only a bleeding nub was in its place. The large figure of steely gray stared at the woman, so tiny in comparison - deep thunderous growls filled the individual's ears as the monstrosity approached before stomping down onto her, the impact pulverized the human into a velvet pile of remains and cracked bones. Owen sprinted towards a nearby truck, when a body slammed in front of him and revolting greenish-brown fluids splashed onto his abdomen. He looked at the carcass and its gender was impossible to make out, the face had been peeled off revealing mammalian teeth and bleeding cavities inside the skull. Owen jumped over the body, his left boot caught on the corpse and he tripped, crashing into the vehicle - which caused the gray beast to look at the truck, as Owen slipped underneath it, covered in mud. She took a step forward - jagged teeth shined with fresh crimson she had been denied of tasting - her eyes gleamed through the thick mist, tongue extending far past her tapering teeth, tines tasting the air and cool rainwater from above. Owen held his breath, the entire vehicle above him echoing from the rain, he could see an expansive pair of feet approaching the truck, talons cracking the ground below, yet there was no sound from her footfalls - she was more silent than any mere human would think. Her slitted nostrils peeled apart to take in the air, she could smell him, underneath one of their means of transportation - useless hunks of metal. Owen looked to his left, and he saw a staff member he recognized from his time here - it was Noan. Unfortunately for Noah he was on the bigger end of things and wasn't exactly the smartest individual - he had his back against the front of the vehicle, breath heaving while the large figure approached, growling deeply. She then raised her foot and crushed Noah, smashing his body cruelly against the ground, before her claws gripped his broken body held together by snapped tendons - Noah was thrown at the automobile Owen was underneath, the impact plastered Noah's body onto the side of the truck which had been tilted onto its side wheels before crashing back down and nearly crushing the man beneath them. A trail of intestines plopped onto the mud, vicious fluids of carmine pooled onto the ground and Owen put his hand to his mouth, eyes watering from the overwhelming metallic odor. The beast growled deeply, claws scraping the ground as she approached the truck and then nudged it with her hand, rattling the entire carapace before her spine contorted and arched through the scales, vertebrae revealed from her emaciated complexion. Owen gritted his teeth at the sound of bones snapping and crackling washed over him like a cold chill, he looked towards the back of the truck and saw…human feet walking in the mud, the skin was ghastly pale and the nails were sharpened. A singular hand reached down to grab the lip of the vehicle's underside and suddenly the entire vessel was lifted off its wheel and ripped away its original spot - the hauler scraped violently against the asphalt and sparks flew out from the friction. Owen looked up, fresh rain pattering his face as he saw a woman who was abnormally tall and unclothed, looking down at him with slitted pupils, her scarlet eyes were monotone and lifeless as they watched Owen. Her lean arm then bent down and gripped the man by his neck, before lifting him off the ground by several feet and he choked around her hand with black sharp nails. Owen's blue eyes constricted as he was choked while she looked at him coldly, the right side of her lip and cheek had been torn and were scarred providing a foreboding image along with her pure white hair, long and unusually still as if it were dead. Then Owen had his throat released and she peeled back her lips, “Where…Is…Him...He?” The words were disjointed, wrong, coming from a throat trying to develop them yet failing considerably and Owen paused, his mind racing - it didn't make sense; he was dealing with the…and now she was this…his mind rationalized Henry's serum, but to this capability, it wasn't possible…Owen kicked his boots at the woman's abdomen, and he could incidentally define every ridge in her abdomen and her epigastric region was indented enough that his boot could fit there - however, each meaningless kick from Owen and struggle didn't affect her at all, she didn't even flinch, just those cold scarlet eyes piercing through him before she resumed her grip and repeated, “Where?” Her voice remained completely lifeless, as if she was in no rush to find whoever she was looking for. Owen groaned, teeth rattling, “What?” His voice strained and sore, and the woman stared at him blankly, lips pursed before she tossed Owen aside and he hit a concrete wall with a grunt and he hit the ground with a heavy thud. She walked away slowly, her position hunched over, as she stepped through the heavy rain leaving the unconscious figure of Owen behind. 

Henry held onto a nearby table as the tremors that came from above rattled the room and he looked at Samuel, “Go up the elevator - the backup generator is powering it - tell communications we're having an issue and that we need power back to the entire island now.” He finished, brow sweating in growing tension - Samuel nodded, “Yes sir.” And immediately walked past them all and towards the elevator. He stepped through the opening and his fingers mashed the button, an obnoxious ringing splitting his ears as he did this. Eventually the vessel lurched and the doors closed gently as it rose up and Samuel tapped his foot upon the floor below. His russet hair slick from sweat. A small ding was heard by Samuel and the doors began opening, yet he didn't wait and squeezed himself through the gap. He ran through the main hobby and out into the heart of the storm - immediately Samuel had his hair blown back from the fierce winds and in the distance he watched as another substation sparked and crackled from the hurricane battering down upon it. He grunted at the force of wind pummeling his abdomen before he reached his car and clicked his keys, to which the vehicle beeped and Samuel popped open the left door. He sighed, soaked from the rain which thumped against the windows - a rumble vibrated the vessel as he pressed his shoe down and backed out of the lot. Rain splashed onto the hood and sides of Samuel's vehicle as it went down the road, his headlights providing some sense of security to lighting his way when Samuel noticed something odd - there were black masses resembling figurines on the ground and road, they were still and some seemed to be broken into parts - he rubbed his eyes for a moment and they were still there, unmoving. “What the hell-” Thump, his car bounced up and a pool of red spattered his front windows, “Dammit!” Samuel exclaimed being taken off guard, he instinctually reached down and activated the window wipers which smeared the red off his window. Samuel shook his head, “Just an animal…Just a dead animal.” The vehicle staggered as it turned into the lot of the communications center - Samuel stepping out, feeling a cold chill from the icy rain, yet before he stepped in - he could have sworn he had heard the noise of a car door slamming once more. His shoes squeaked against the polished floor, echoing around him in the empty building - ‘this is…odd.’ Samuel thought to himself, brown eyes flickering around the corners, this building was usually lively and loud, but now it was still and quiet. The man continued forth, and reached an office, bursting it open, he expected to see his good friend; Dan Heathcrew, a nice yet pompous man who had worked his way to the top of management for communications. “Dan! You in here-?” He paused, he had stepped in something wet, and as he looked down a fluid the same color of wine sneaked across the hardwood floor. Samuel's breath hitched before looking up at the table and it was Dan - his teeth were ripped from his jaw, eyes gouged atrociously and a fresh heart laid upon of the paper stacks - the scenery was almost comical in its brutality and Samuel took another step foolishly forward before hearing the door creak behind him. His heart was beating quickly, pounding against his ribs and it felt like a golf ball was in his throat - as he slowly looked behind him, pupils shrinking and quivering in dread. Samuel stared at the door crack, as it wavered until the movement stopped completely - gleaming eyes shone crimson over him and yellowed teeth into a wide inhuman grin pierced his body like a dagger - Samuel pressed himself against the wall and kept his eyes on the door crack while the eyes remained dilated, unmoving, with abominable capability for cruelty. A faint breathing came from the crack, and the eyes moved slightly, watching his movement before a voice washed over him, a voice colder than the most frigid of weather, like frost bite creeping up the limbs.

“You are nothing…just a weak man…inside a weak body…”

A faint hissing followed the voice from the door crack until a single clawed hand gripped the doorframe, claws scrabbling the wall paper and peeling strips while another hand gripped the door itself. While Samuel gasped out a breath, “What do you want?!” His eyes quivered and his body shook, body tensed and heart pounding continuously against his chest. “What?!” Samuel roared again, spittle flying out - neurons fired in his brain, he needed to escape but the entrance was blocked and the dilated eyes and yellowed grin had not answered, until…The door flew open with such a force that it smashed into the opposite way and was ripped from the top hinge and the set of eyes had disappeared - an inhuman laugh echoed in the building while Samuel slid down the wall onto his rear end, holding his head while the laugh increased in volume - whatever cruel, violent, and malicious individual intent on torturing Samuel only continued to cackle at the trapped man. 

Minutes had passed…and nobody had come for Samuel - the cackling had long since quit and he could hear scratching going across the walls. On the hardened floor of spilt blood that had long since dried, a singular spider writhed across the floor, minute legs carrying itself into the open doorway while its abdomen had a red hourglass. Samuel abruptly scrambled into a corner - his shoulders shaking before a shadow leaned from the top of the doorway, the true height eclipsed Samuel's by a large margin. The noir pupils were thinned to daggers and offset from each other, serpentine tongue extended outwards and held still in the hair, a single clawed hand gripped the doorframe and clenched, claws digging into the wall before the head turned towards Samuel slowly to stare at him in the corner - pupils shrinking to become even thinner than before, as the creatures mouth opened into a voracious grin, saliva dribbling onto the floor below, the faint suffering of others echoing around in the creature's throat before it lurched forward at the defenseless man and jaws of shadow and tendrils of Inky blackness snapped over his throat, fueling the septicemia in its ravenous consumption. 

The rain hit the hotel stairs in waves while guests exited their rooms in droves, questioning the onslaught of the storm and the outages disabling power throughout the town - shoes stomped and slipped down the many rows of spiral stairs in long lines. One resident in particular was standing in her room still, gathering her objects while the floor rattled above from other residents exiting the building - she folded her clothes listening to the sound of thumps, thuds, and distant thunder while a singular fly flew around her ears. The woman sighed, waving her hand at the insect only for it to continue buzzing when very suddenly the building went quiet except for pouring rain and the wet paps of droplets against concrete. The woman raised her head, brunette hair shifting at the sudden lack of volume and her door swayed in the breeze of cold air - and abruptly a vibrating buzz echoed around the room and the woman was drawn to the nearest window coverings which flapped and shook in their place. She pulled back the cider curtain and a horrid pool of flies were startled and began flying around the room when the door banged open, crashing against the opposing wall and startling the woman. She switched around and saw a silhouette in the light, two dots of fiery persimmon gleamed as a deep rumble went through the complex shaking the room and causing a crucifix to fall, clattering on the hardwood floor. The silhouette growled deeply, splitting dribbling from pointy teeth before the figure moved forward with a snarl, clawed hands outstretched to grab the woman and clamp down teeth onto her neck. 

The sounds of ripping flesh and splattering blood - muscle tendons were ripped from bare broken bones before the silhouette crumbled on the floor, body cracking and shifting violently. She rose up, mouth covered in red and her eyes flickering - she clenched her fingers, how peculiar they were to her. Each finger was abnormally long before crackling into a length relative to their body before the individual looked at a nearby mirror. How odd this body was, with its anatomy…and its compatibility. The woman cracked her jaw, walking away from the mangled carcass near the foot of the bed - the jaw continued moving around and adjusting while her eyes remained still, lashes fluttering gently. The rain and thunder crackled as flies swarmed the remains, infesting with mucus and laying their spawn, while the figure held up a piece of clothing and shook it, head tilting and throat rattling with a growl. Suddenly, the individual's head snapped up with a crackle, and she began to head for the door, feet stumbling awkwardly, trying to understand the perplexing anatomy of her new cadaver. She needed to find him, his presence was near. Samuel was gone, it was only him now, wearing the skin of the pathetic assistant - he tripped and stumbled for a moment, the body was confusing…so different in anatomy to his original form. His lips peeled back over sharp teeth into a large cruel grin before his bones cracked, grin expanding and cheeks tearing apart with vicarious muscle tendons - his serpentine canines and tongues extended and his form grew tall, lean, clothing stretching. He hissed, crimson sclera glowing. He sure does through the door, his head brushing the ceiling. He could sense her…Beelzebub, she was nearby, as was he. He grinned once more, permanent, constant, nostrils fringing and thinning. 

Beelzebub exited the complex, her eyes a deep hazel, as they flicked around the crowd of guests unblinking. ‘How curious these creatures were’, she thought to herself; how they scrambled and ran, how they gathered in crowds and whispered in their language. Her eyes gleamed so brightly the hazel turned to orange for a moment as she laid eyes on…him. He was wearing the skin of a scientist, lab cost covered in red with splattering dots of it over his pale skin - Beelzebub's breath hitched as he laid eyes on her, and his eyes flickered crimson to alert her of his presence in human skin. Soon, out of a different portion of the crowd, a tall woman with pure white hair and impassive eyes made her way towards the center along with the other two - until they reached each other. The tallest spoke first, her voice cold like the night air, “These…’humans’ gather in crows….” Only to be corrected by the male, “Crowds…”, and Beelzebub faced the man, “You have…gained form.” And he nodded, lips pursing, “These…’humans’ aren't very intelligent…Except for one…below us…with others...” The taller female looked at him, brown eyes and white sclera flashing scarlet, “Him?...” And he nodded, looking at her before going down her body with his eyes, “We have…adorned their forms well…however - I think…he becoming…he will become suspicious once he notices…the assistant is missing…” He smirked, snout curling inhumanely before going back to normal. The tallest looked over the crowd, “We are fine for now…Regardless…” and Beelzebub’s eyes flickered, “We need…distraction…There are too many blocking…us paths - our paths…” The man’s deep brown eyes looked around, his brown hair flicking down before his hand strained, fingernails stretching into keratin claws which buried themselves in the jugular of a nearby person before switching back. The man collapsed, “Gagg!” Blood spewing from his neck onto the floor and a nearby human, female, screamed as soon as she noticed her mate evidently bleeding. The taller female stared, tongue traveling across lips at the sight of blood before her hand was gripped by the smaller male, “Later…Let us go…” Beelzebub snorted, nose wrinkling before she followed her superiors, eyes watching for any signs of a threat. Henry rubbed his head, looking at the blood samples to pass the time - Samuel should have been back by now…no matter, there was a storm going on. He grabbed a pipette and formaldehyde solution into the petri dish under his microscope. He strained his eyes to see any reaction within the blood sample when he noticed a peculiar organism - it was oblong in shape with tiny tendrils swirling around ending in appendages that resembled bird feet - the organism was currently still and unmoving regardless of the formaldehyde solution being included and he sighed before looking at a vile nearby, it was a different vile from another of the reptilians. Grabbing it he took the pipette and sucked some of the sample out and into the petri dish. Almost immediately, as soon as Henry put his eyes back to the microscope - the organism began shifting across the sample and gripped one of the samples blood cells, sticking one of the ‘crows-feet’ appendages into the cell to which it would become a blood cell replica of the organism - and even white blood cells from the sample were overridden by the organism. “Interesting…” Henry then looked over to the cloth left from the incident, covered in blood - he stared at it, mind racing as he slipped on latex gloves and gripped the rag, Henry used the pipette to squeeze out the blood into the vile before setting the cloth down - a simple press, and the blood was injected over the petri dish. Wu watched, brown eyes concentrating on the organism as it suddenly moved across the dish at a rapid pace before one appendage pierced a Homo Sapien blood cell which popped into pieces and mutated to become similar to the original cell - Henry's eyebrows furrowed as the unknown cell aggressively attached the human cells with prejudice.

A metallic this went through the room and Henry swirled around, hearing General Hale's frantic voice, “HENRY! HENRY!! GET IN HERE!” Wu immediately sprang to his feet and began running, fast enough to skid across the tile floor as he turned the corner…

.. - / .... .- ... / -... . --. ..- -.

Terribly sorry for this late chapter but I got a bit carried away with adding more and more to it (2,000+ more words) compared to the previous chapter length, if you have any opinions/questions or character ideas/names let me know, enjoy 

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: First Emergence 

Henry made his way down the hall, and into the next room where he heard heavy banging and Hale was against the wall staring at a containment. Inside was Marvolo - The soldier Hale has brought along for his own protection, alongside others. Marvolo slammed his body repeatedly against the glass, splattering viscous green, yellow, and red over the window - while his lips peeled back revealing outstretched guns and sharpened teeth replacing the jaw. His skin had turned a grayish-black and was peeling off to reveal mottled scales taking place. Hale was stuttering, his hands shaking as blood drenched his coat along with what seemed to be vomit, “H-He..H-He began to…Claws g-grew from h-his hands and - and…” His words trailed off as Marvelo released a loud screech through the room, before continuing to bang on the claws, claws scraping fragments from the window. Henry immediately moved to the side door and confirmed it was locked before stepping back and observing through the deep green and red tainted window as Marvelo growled, hunched over, clothes torn and body contorting before bending over and vomiting blood at his feet which had grown keratin talons and changed their posture. Marvelo snarled at the glass before beginning to repeatedly bang his head against the glass, smashing it repeatedly without concern for injury. Human teeth cluttered onto the floor while Marvelo vomited once more, eyes popping from his skull until they burst and new ones grew in, yellowish-green with black slits for pupils. Groans of pain and deep snarls came from the containment area while Henry gripped a nearby chair, his legs felt like jelly at this predicament - what had happened? What was Marvelo…no, what was this beast doing? Henry looked at Hale, “What has happened, General?” He demanded, and Hale spluttered. “I-I have no idea! A few hours ago he said he felt sick and went to lay on the bed in there - next thing I know he locked himself inside and began convulsing, puking…bleeding…” Hale trailed off, his expansive chest heaving as he rubbed it with a hand, face purpling as his chin strained against the collar of his shirt - Hale's eyes were hazy, hollow, and before long the General vomited onto the floor from stress, wiping his lips with a cloth while his knees shook. “Haaaale! Haaaale! Why didn't you save me…him?...me…” Marvelo snarled, lips curling as he spoke in pain and immense suffering, body being broken down and his mind degrading.

Another vicious vomit of bile and mucous splattered across the ground and Henry by now had gained his composure - eyes flickering as he observed the creature pacing behind stained glass. Hale panted and strained his lungs to take in more air, face continuing to purple before Henry immediately snapped his attention onto him, “What happened exactly?” And he watched the general catch his breath, “H-He said his wound was hurting more than usual just a few hours ago…And then- then…this.” He waved his hand wildly at the creature, but Wu sighed, putting bare knuckles to his head, thinking until he immediately stepped back from Hale. “Do you have any Injuries?” He asked, and Hale looked at him, “W-what-?”, “Do you have any injuries?...Scratches? Cuts? Scraps?” Henry said with a frantic tone while the general thought on the question before patting himself down and then looking at his head where he saw a single scrape on his pale skin. Henry immediately moved the rolling chair between him and the general who stared at the injury - his heart was beating, pumping, and straining until the General fell over and his heavy body hit the ground with a tremendous thud, and he moved no longer. Henry sighed, but only for a moment, he always knew that the General's complexion would come to bite him. He moved forward before hearing the general's upper body up and dragged him, albeit with a strenuous toil, into a separate, empty containment room. He ran his fingers through his black hair, his eyes quivering at what he had discovered, before the man collapsed with hands on his knees, body trembling. 

He sat, knees crossed, new body in tow - it was interesting the autonomy of it all. Nearby the woman in white sat at the base of a great and terrible tree, branches outstretched, as if to grip the souls of those below. The woman looked at him, tilting her head, then she spoke. “You use that human skin around us - show your true self…” She said with a voice of biting ice. The man tilted his head, bones creaking, before his face stretched and clothing burst - his fingers grew in length like snakes - his teeth outstretched far beyond human capacity before he stood up - he had the appearance of an African American man, but with large eyes, slitted nostrils, and that smile. . .always plastered upon his handsome face. He only stood there, nude, the clothes having torn. She watched him - the woman in white - her skin contrasted to his own - she was pale, like a ghost. He approached her and crouched low to the brush, his lengthy black hair sliding over his handsome yet inhuman features. “Your name?” She asked, her scarlet eyes reflecting in his crimson sclera. And he smiled wider, his cheeks opening to reveal membranes barely holding the flesh together near his high cheekbone, revealing more teeth in that charismatic smile. “I have no name…as neither do you…We are so alike yet so different…” He said, crimson eyes flickering in their intensity. Her face remained impassive, “...Are names necessary?” Her voice had a faint drip of curiosity from the cavernous pool that was her emotionless tone. She too - like him - was nude, but this bothered them naught, they had grown accustomed to being bare to the wind long before they had the capability for these ‘humane’ forms. She looked to the sky, nostrils thinning, “Darcy…” It was one word, a unique word, a fascinating word, at least to him. He tilted his head, frizzled hair gliding across his face before falling onto his right shoulder, “Darccccyy…” He said, drawing out his stone - and Darcy looked at him, before shifting to where she was mere inches from his visage, their eyes provided contrast against the verdant leaves and the woman's bust pressed against a mighty root belonging to the ancient tree. “Your…name?” She asked him, nostrils flaring and thinning. The male tilted his head and it cracked like a gunshot - neck vertebrae revealed through taunt skin, crackling and unnatural. “Ripper…” He said, and the words came from his mouth like a blast of cold air. And she said his label, her voice a drilling pick of ice, “Ripper…”, Beelzebub came from the sage cycads, which molded over her body and her most private areas. She took a hand with clawing fingernails and swiped the leaves aside, their great lengths snapped as she looked at the matriarch female who was looming over her the smaller but no less mighty male, before they both noticed Beelzebub staring and he who be be called Ripper acknowledged her. “Beelzebub, you bring news~?” He asked her, and as she approached, her haunches glided across each other, wet from her investigation of the underbrush, fragments of mulch and bark covered Beelzebub’s entire form. “The rangers have rallied the guests, they are making way for a vessel…” Her voice traveled with the wind to their ears and Darcy looked at the smaller female who recoiled lightly, lowering her form, “Vessel…Ship?” and Beelzebub responded quickly. “Yes, your Grace.” She bowed her head down, her hair sharing the hue of the eldest brass dropped down in curly strands, her eyes gleaming a color of burning orange. Ripper then gripped the chin of Darcy and she faced him, scarlet eyes tightening before he caressed her lips with her own, their tongue furling and the larger female closed her eyes before the male separated his lips from hers, a trail of dribble going down from her maw and onto the revealed collarbone beneath taunt skin. Beelzebub looked up at the two, “I can feel Satanis near, he is on the other end of their expanse.” She finished, her eyes flickering between them and then flying over through the brush, then focusing on Ripper. His lips peeled back and the membrane separated to reveal his sharp teeth, “I will gather the rest…Darcy, you will stay here…” He said to her, his finger nails with their sharp ends sliding down her hollow cheeks - Darcy said nothing. The male rose himself up onto his feet and walked across the wet rotting leaves, leaving the other two inside the small opening. 

The storm crackled across the sky - bolts of light sparking through the clouds. However, a greater issue had amassed upon the town. Horrid things of furious claws, dribbling blood and broken teeth moved across the ground, their forms nearly completed from the hours of transformation. One of them had their head buried into the chest of a man, gagging and puking out grotesque fluids as the humane mind was overridden, the creature's teeth pulled long intestines from the gut of the man and swallowed with a primal hunger. One survivor tried to run, screaming only for one of the creatures to land onto a vehicle, a massive outstretched claws slashed across the survivors head, sending the head spinning across the asphalt while the spinal column was stretched beyond capacity, arms flabbed onto the grass while others ran towards the body and gripped separate pieces. One of the horrid things stood up, a monstrous figure, face drenched in red and his burgundy hair dripped with blood. His eyes were a deep maroon and the moonlight above reflected off the sclera. Satanis looked amongst the others, his snout furling at the smell of iron - and he walked over a body, his footfall crushing a skull with a crack. He looked off into the forest and saw a lean man, with crimson eyes, it was Ripper. He stared at Satanis who immediately got onto his knee and forced his head down, as the other approached and the creatures reacted with recoil at the dark demeanor going over the area. Ripper’s cheeks split and his eyes squinted down at Satanis before he extended his hand for him to take - Satanis hesitated, before clasping his superiors hand and rising to his feet. “Satanis~...” Ripper drawled, eyes half-lidded, walking past the other. “Your absence had…displeased me greatly~” Ripper continued, a grin permanently etched onto that malevolent face. One of the creatures approached Ripper, tail furling into a coil before the larger hybrid placed his hand down the female's chin, and she lifted her throat to his touch until he let her go and faced Satanis once more. “Satanis…~” He repeated, “Gather these…~” He looked amongst them, as if trying to decide a name for themselves. “Gather them, and we will move onto the next step…~” said Ripper. Satanis nodded, and watched the emaciated figure walk past him again, heading towards the Electrician Center. And before long, Beelzebub was by his side as his eyes glanced at the smaller individual, “You followed me~” He asked. “For your safety.” “Ah~.” Ripper continued walking before a human ran out of the center and was immediately gripped at the throat by Ripper who slowly forced his nails into their throat, blood going down his hand so staining his skin scarlet. Ripper dropped the body and continued, a door sliding open and they both stopped. Beelzebub sniffed the entrance, “It opens on its own…” She waved her hand at it and the door opened once more while he stared at the door, “Sensor~ It detects our movement~” He said knowledgeably, walking through the doorway which slid shut behind them. The room smelled of chemicals and cleanliness, Beelzebub wrinkled her nostrils, a fly buzzing around her head before landing in her mottled green hair - as they ascended stairs before reaching a room labeled “Generator.” The male walked in, crimson eyes reflecting off the sterile surfaces, electrical components buzzing and whirring before him - he crossed the room swiftly and pulled plugs from their outlets, and ripped a shard of metal before jamming it through the main component which sparked and buzzed. Beelzebub stared at a lever attached to the generator, and her hand gripped it tightly, shifting the lever and all of the power went out at that moment. The town was once again plunged into darkness, only the lights from the ship illuminated a faint portion of the coast. Ripper cackled, grinning widely before exiting the Center with Beelzebub at his side. Atop the mountain that made up the island, steam, ash, and rock plumed steadily.

He walked through the forestry, his large sail warbling slightly in the wind - he had heard of the escape in the main town - it interested him. Through the brush, a large reptilian walked amongst the forest; Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, in his current form he shared the length of a coach bus, and his extended length surpassed this. Salem growled at the sounds of branches crunching and he turned to see…Darcy. She was considerably bigger than Salem, her footfalls were eerily silent given her size, and Salem snarled at her. “Who…are you?” His voice filled with rudeness and aggression. She didn't respond, not immediately, only walking around him, her haunches wet from the underbrush. She then stood to her full height and rested her rear down on the ground. “We have begun to take over…You are required.” Her icy voice washed over him like a torrent of sea water; Salem chuffed, mist coming from his nostrils, “You want my…assistance?” “Obviously…” She said, a mock voice dribbling from her emotionless voice. Salem’s snout quivered, “And if I walk?” He asked her. “Then it will be your last…” Darcy whispered and Salem immediately snarled, shaking the tree before breathing in like a death rattle, “I don't take commands from anyone, let alone from a whore like you, this is my island.” He stomped forward, and Darcy stood up swiftly. They stared for a moment until Salem roared and ran forward on all four limbs, before raising himself and slashing at Darcy - she lowered herself and he missed, as Darcy clamped her jaws on Salem's spine, and with a few pops her teeth punctured his sail. Darcy ripped Salem into the ground, and then stomped down onto his now bloodied ankle, and the sound of crackling bone snapped over the area. Salem’s head was gripped Darcy's articulate hands and she slammed his jaws into the ground, compressing the dirt before Darcy positioned herself above him, her haunches against his own, and her serpentine tongue traveled down her teeth before she grinded herself against his crotch and her slit glided brutally across his sheath. Darcy continued to jolt against his body before Salem's sheath opened and his phallus exited from the sensual grinding, and it glided across her belly before the larger female rose herself up and placed herself painfully onto his length which split her velvet walls. Salem groaned as she rid him, the slams from her weight battered his bones while Darcy continued to rise herself up and down on the smaller male, until she snapped her body down and clawed through his ribs, digging into the gaps between his ribs. The heavy rain and wind covering them as whirlwinds of the storm increased in their ferocity. 

Henry left behind his facility, he needed to get off this hellish island on the damned. He made his way via a vehicle down through the town, his eyes remained indifferent as the wheel of the car crushed one of the corpses, and the head flew onto the hood of the car and became lodged near the window wipers, splattering red over the window in its entirety. Wheels screeched across the wet road, Henry turning the wheel haphazardly to avoid a pile of bodies, his hallowed eyes staring as he passed. His vehicle was then hit, hard, like driving into a concrete wall - he watched one of the creatures snarl, slamming its hands with growing nails and torn skin onto the hood of Henry's car. Wu wasted no moment, pressed his foot against the pedal and caused the aberration of man to slide over the roof of the vehicle and slam into the ground. Henry continued down the road hearing distant screams as he shifted gears and pulled onto the coast near the ship, where guests and staff filed into the barge. The mountain flushed ash, pressure rising, large boulders crashing down and leaving deep troughs through the ground, when a thundering boom vibrated the entire island. A massive influx of gray flushed out from the mountain and hot bubbling orange creeped down through troughs cleaved from erosion brought with millions of years of moisture. Pebbles smacked the ground hard and one figure waved his hand at the falling ash, perturbed. 

Ripper stared at the plums rising through the sky, hot coals and cinders snuffed themselves out, reflecting hellfire in his crimson eyes - one of the embers swung and swayed through the air, fizzling. His eyes then stared through the flurries of ash and saw her…She was dazzling, cautiously approaching him until they were mere feet from each other. “Blue~ Why have you graced me with your presence~?” He asked her, head tilting. “I wondered what you were doing…” She said simply, amber eyes melancholy and yet full of caution. He grinned at her, cheeks splitting, “What do you think of this~?” His hand waved at the fuming mountain, and Blue looked at it. “To be expected…why are you here, Vulture?” She asked him, one eye opening to look at him, as he giggled, eyes gleaming. “I have a new name now; Ripper. But fine~ I'll use old names, my bluebird~...I finally escaped from my prison, and I'm allowing our species, our kind, to propagate - I'm sure you've already discovered our…attributes~” Blue faced him, tilting her head, “Of course…this cruelty…why?” And Ripper growled, his membrane expanding to reveal every fang beneath his lips. “Why? Because this cruelty is the world! This- this! It's so great, it’s divine, seeing all of the lives snuff out, the blood shed, and the war, which is coming..

Very soon, very very soon~...War is the greatest form of divination, the greatest form of cruelty! It defines humanity! It defines us! It defines the universe! You could say…War Is God!” He cackled madly, eyes becoming strained as he raised his arms out wide, the mountain behind him plumed once more and a ground shaking rumble rattled them to their core. Blue hissed at him, “You always were a rotten, spoiled and selfish wolf…” to which Ripper looked at her with his crazed eyes, “And you always were a naive sheep, under my thumb~” He chuckled, his body convulsing and shifting down to a woman with deep brown hair and cold eyes, pupils so black they contrasted with the brown iris. “Come with me, bluebird. You don't want to die on this forsaken land~” He walked towards her, and as he passed, Blue had changed to a woman with dim-gray hair and hazel eyes. She followed Ripper, as he approached the ship, “I know you have others. Where are they?” Blue asked him to which Ripper grinned. “I've gathered them onto the ship - the humans hadn't even realized, to be expected.” Through feminine lips, his serpent tongue traveled over the hidden membrane, eventually they had reached the ship and a ranger looked at the first to approach. “Name?” He asked, hands shaking slightly, holding up a clipboard. “Maeve Blackwood~” Said the first and the second looked up, “Amelia Grady.” The first woman immediately smirked and stared at the other with a gleaming eye, this went unnoticed by the ranger who wrote their names down, “Alright. Enter, and quickly - we need to get off this damned island.” He looked at the volcano faintly illuminating the damned island. Ripper smirked, lips curling, “So easy to fool, aren't they, Blue…or should I call you Amelia~?” Blue looked at him, walking with a foot in front of the other, “Quiet.” She said, lip twitching. Ripper looked at all of the guests lined against the wall, cold, shivering and terrified. His demeanor lost the facade, trailing across his face until Blue grabbed its length and yanked at the appendage - Ripper momentarily gagged, as Blue let go of his tongue and glared at him. “Quit with that, you're going to get us killed.” “Get you killed~? My bluebird I would never put you at such a risk~” His eyes gleamed, pupils an endless void of malevolence. They both went to a corner of the room, sat side by side on a bench; one of the humans to rippers left had accidentally bumped into Ripper. “Disgusting~” He hissed, voice barely a serpent's whisper. The human had touched him. Blue gripped his left earlobe with her fingers and jerked the male's head down. “Enough.” She said, her eyes sternly looking at him. Ripper chuckled, before remaining still until he looked at a man across from him, whose eyes flickered to a maroon color then going back to a sky blue. He grinned at the man, it was Satanis across from him, that was good - looking around he would also see Darcy, and Beelzebub, who had a centipede going through her hair and disconcerting the human next to her. Blue followed her partner's eyes and saw the three others, nose twitching slightly as she laid eyes on Darcy’s expressionless face. The barge cleaved through the cimmerian sea, the bow of the ship was battered and rattled from constant waves snacking against their sides. Froths of white rose from every plunge of the massive ship - providing splashes of unnoticeable color across the endless black. Floodlights flickered over the waves, wavering over flows of saltwater resembling scales cleaving the oceans apart. Inside the highest quarters belonging to the ship, a captain stood - staring off into the endless dark, a cigar in his mouth while behind the ship, rivers and flows of raging orange split down the mountain rocks tumbling and crumbling as they smashed into the ground. The barge made way for the mainland within the far distance.