NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Wishpers of power and Shadows of fate
After they entered the lobby, Rose's eyes widened. There were so many people here, faces filled with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty.
Rose: "What's happening? Why are there so many people?"
Dr. Lucas stepped forward, his voice steady but carrying a weight of unspoken truth. "Hello, and thank you for coming. I am Dr. Lucas. As you all know, we're in the midst of a deadly virus outbreak. We've yet to find a cure. But you… you are different. You are mutants, and this virus does not touch you. You are humanity's last hope."
His words hung in the air, heavy with the gravity of the situation. "I called you here today to tell you something critical. Assistant Thomas, please play the video."
With a flick of a switch, the screen flickered to life, and a voice echoed through the room.
Voice on the Video:
"User: I long to see this world burn.
Other person: But what of the people? Isn't it worth having a family, friends, a connection?
User: It's revolting. I dream of ending them, feeding their remains to dogs. What do you think of this world? Is it beautiful to you?
Other person: Of course, it's beautiful. Then, what do you call your hobby?
Other person: Destruction. It's my joy."
A chilling silence fell. The weight of the words sank deep into their hearts.
(people's whispering in disbelief): "What... What kind of person says such things? That monster... Because of him, so many lives have been lost."
Around her, murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd.
Rose (feeling lost): "I don't understand... What are they talking about? A virus? Mutants? What is this world turning into?"
Emily stepped closer, her voice soft but reassuring. "Don't be afraid. You're safe here. The virus can't touch you."
Arthur nodded,"Yeah, as long as you stay here with us, you'll be fine."
Rose (still confused): "No... It doesn't make sense. None of it."
Dr. Thomas looked at her, his expression serious. "We've discovered a way to create a cure. But to find it, we must locate the person who created this virus."
Someone in the crowd: "How can you trust him to have a cure? He made the virus to destroy humanity!"
Dr. Thomas: "We've thought about that. The person who sent this video claimed to know where the cure is hidden. But before he could tell us, he was killed."
A hushed silence followed. Then, a voice cut through the stillness.
Someone: "Killed by who?"
Dr. Thomas: "There are one group responsible for this. The Harbingers"
He paused, letting the names settle into the minds of the people in the room.
Dr. Thomas:There is two group's,the aegis which is us and -
1. The Aegis – A group of mutants who believe in protecting both mutants and humans, using their powers to defend the world from external threats and ensuring peaceful coexistence.
2. The Harbingers – A radical faction of mutants who see themselves as the next step in human evolution. They wish to impose mutant dominance, using force and violence to reshape the world.
Dr. Thomas: "The Aegis and the Harbingers are sworn enemies. The Aegis fights for peace, while the Harbingers wish to bring about a new world order—one where mutants rule. The Harbinger who created this virus claimed he wanted to destroy the world. But we suspect his true goal is to rule it. That's why we've formed a team to find him and stop him."
Someone in the crowd: "Do you know where the cure is?"
Dr. Thomas (with cold determination): "We will only share that information with those who agree to go on this mission. It will be dangerous. If you are willing to risk everything, please raise your hand."
The room fell into an uneasy silence. No one moved. Then, a voice, cold as ice, shattered the stillness.
Zane: "I will go."
His words were like a challenge, slicing through the tension.
Dr. Thomas: "You will, Zane?"
Zane: "I will."
Cole: "I'll go too."
Dr. Thomas: "You too? What if you two start fighting in the middle of the mission and get yourselves killed?"
Zane: "We won't fight. I'll go."
Cole: "I will too."
The tension between Zane and Cole was palpable, like two storms gathering on the horizon, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
Rose (nervously chuckling): "How... amusing."
But as the words left her mouth, something shifted. Zane's eyes turned toward her, locking onto hers with a cold intensity. His gaze felt like an unspoken challenge, a question hanging in the air between them.
Rose (startled): "Why... Why is he looking at me like that?"
In the heavy silence, Zane's stare remained fixed, his expression unreadable, his thoughts unknown. It felt like the world held its breath.
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(To be continued)
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