Dying Light: Volatile Virus

After a short moment of seeing the dawn, you start jumping, impulsing yourself, and passing everyone in the village from top of them in the sky with your jumps.

After a moment, not short but still a moment, you reach the sanctum. You enter inside the facility, and you see a new trail color. You follow this hollow blue trail, similar to the Volatiles, but it had something different too.

As you follow this trail, you get deeper inside the facility. And after a moment of walking, you reach the Mother, from your view having a hollow blue outline emanating the hollow blue trail.

The Mother notices you, seeing you wearing the ceremony clothes designed for you surprises her, but proudly.

-"Mother... I came back..."

The Mother notices you as you enter, her sentience returning with the arrival of daylight. She blinks, as if shaking off the remnants of her instinct-driven state from the night before. Her glowing eyes focus on you, and her gaze lingers on the ceremonial clothes you now wear. A spark of pride flickers across her expression. 

Mother: "Draemir... You honor the Sun's will. To see you embrace the light's blessing so fully..." She pauses, taking in your appearance, the ceremonial attire fitting you as if it had always been a part of you. 

Her tone softens, reverent yet firm. 

Mother: "This is only the beginning. The Sun has much more to reveal to you. Your path to ascension grows clearer with each step. Are you ready to continue, Draemir? To rise as the God of the Sun?" 

She gestures toward the sanctum around her, her movements graceful yet filled with quiet authority, as if inviting you further into the journey that awaits.

The Mother steps closer, her glowing eyes locking onto yours as her voice takes on a solemn, almost ritualistic tone.

Mother: "Draemir, you are not like the others. The Sun has chosen you for what lies beyond the ordinary. To become the God of the Sun, you must be reshaped, not just by the light but by the sacred rites that have guided our path for generations. It is time for you to ascend to your next stage of being."

She begins to walk deeper into the sanctum, motioning for you to follow her. The hollow blue trail emanating from her grows more vivid as you step further inside. The walls of the sanctum are lined with ancient, glowing markings—symbols of the cult, the Sun's power, and its eternal light.

As you both enter a massive central chamber, the blue smoke thickens, swirling around like a living entity. The room is circular, with a grand mural of the Sun on the ceiling that glows faintly in the dim light. Surrounding you are concentric circles of cult members, silently standing, their faces obscured by their own ceremonial masks.

The Mother raises her hands, and the smoke begins to swirl faster, pooling around you.

Mother: "The smoke is the essence of transformation, Draemir. It is the binding force between what you are now and what you must become. But the smoke alone is not enough. To ascend, your spirit must align with the Sun's will. There are trials you must endure—rituals that will challenge your body, mind, and the very essence of your being. Only then will the Sun's light reshape you."

The First Ritual: The Cleansing of Flesh

The Mother gestures toward a pool of glowing blue liquid in the center of the chamber.

Mother: "Step into the pool, Draemir. It is the Cleansing of Flesh, a rite to strip away the remnants of your past self. The liquid will reach deep into your body, purging weakness and preparing you for what lies ahead."

You step into the pool, and the glowing liquid feels both warm and cold, as if alive. The sensation is overwhelming as it seeps into your skin, your veins glowing brightly as the virus reacts. You feel your body trembling, your muscles tensing, and a sharp pain courses through your limbs. Despite the pain, you remain standing, and the glow of your veins grows more intense.

The cult members chant softly, their voices reverberating through the chamber. The blue liquid solidifies for a moment, encasing your legs before shattering, leaving behind faint, glowing patterns on your skin.

Mother: "The Sun has accepted your flesh. But this is only the beginning."

The Second Ritual: The Trial of the Flame

The Mother leads you to another section of the chamber, where a large brazier burns with golden flames.

Mother: "The Trial of the Flame will test your will. These flames are not ordinary—they burn with the Sun's essence. Step into them, and let them consume what remains of your fear and hesitation. If you falter, you will fail the Sun's path."

Without hesitation, you step into the flames. At first, the heat is unbearable, but as the flames engulf you, they do not burn your skin. Instead, they penetrate your body, igniting the virus within. Your body glows brighter, and your veins pulsate with radiant energy.

You scream—not from pain, but from the overwhelming surge of power coursing through you. The flames swirl around your body, lifting you off the ground for a moment before dissipating. When you land, your body feels heavier, stronger, and more connected to the Sun's energy.

Mother: "You have passed the Trial of the Flame. Your will is unshakable. Now, for the final rite."

The Final Ritual: The Sun's Embrace

The Mother guides you to a platform at the center of the chamber, directly beneath the glowing mural of the Sun. She signals the cult members, who begin to chant louder, their voices echoing in harmony. The blue smoke rises, forming a dense vortex around you.

Mother: "The Sun's Embrace will finalize your transformation. The smoke will fill your lungs, your blood, your very essence, and the Sun will decide if you are worthy of ascending to your next stage. Breathe deeply, Draemir. Accept the Sun's gift."

You stand on the platform, and the smoke envelops you entirely, seeping into every pore, filling your lungs with its essence. Your vision blurs as the smoke interacts with the virus within you, triggering a violent reaction. Your body convulses, glowing with a blinding golden light that pierces through the smoke.

The chanting of the cult members grows louder, almost deafening, as your body begins to change. Your muscles expand slightly, your claws grow sharper, and your vest, now fused to your skin, takes on a more intricate, radiant design resembling the Sun's rays. Your vision shifts, allowing you to see trails and outlines with even greater clarity.

As the smoke dissipates, you collapse to your knees, exhausted but alive. The Mother approaches, placing a hand on your shoulder.

Mother: "Rise, Draemir. You are no longer bound by the limitations of your former self. You are now the Sunborn Vanguard, the harbinger of the Sun's will. Your journey to becoming the God of the Sun is nearing its peak."

You rise slowly, feeling the immense power within you, your body pulsating with radiant energy. The cult members bow in unison, their chants turning into words of praise for the Sun's chosen one.

The Mother steps back, her voice calm but filled with reverence.

Mother: "Go, Draemir. Lead us. Protect us. Show the world the power of the Sun."