Chapter 54: CH 054: Mad White (MR 8)

Chapter 54: CH 054: Mad White (MR 8)Dave stepped back into the main room, his boots clicking softly against the cold, sterile floor. His gaze immediately met Chris who was hunched in a corner, his shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world rested upon them. Chris’s eyes were distant, unfocused, staring at nothing in particular. His hands, usually steady, now fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve, twisting and pulling in absent-minded gestures. There were no tears, no outward signs of distress, yet an undeniable heaviness hung in the air around him. Dave hesitated, unsure of how to bridge the chasm of grief that seemed to separate them. Words of comfort eluded him; he had never been adept at offering solace. Instead, he turned his attention to the others, who were gathered near the entrance, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and apprehension. The beast attack had ended, and the commotion that once filled the air had disappeared as it was replaced by an eeriee silence. He had also received an announcement from the system, informing him of the end of the second wave of the beast attack. He knew this respite was temporary; White would soon lift the lockdown, and they would need to act swiftly. A surge of anger bubbled within Dave as he thought of White, the architect of Chris’ torment, the man behind his father’s death. The desire for retribution burned bright for Chris, who had lost so much. But Dave’s pragmatism tempered his fury. Charging into a confrontation without a plan would be reckless, endangering not just their lives but the lives of everyone who had fought beside them. "Alright, everyone," Dave’s voice cut through the murmurs, firm and authoritative. "The beast attack is over. The lockdown will be lifted any minute now. We need to move out, stay sharp, and stick together." The group nodded, their movements synchronized as they prepared for the next phase. Dave’s eyes flicked back to Chris, concern etching his features. He knew Chris’s pain ran deep, his father’s death was a wound that would take time to heal. But there was no time for mourning now; survival was their only focus. At least at first, then maybe later, once they’re out of here, they could go ahead to have their revenge on him. As the team readied themselves, Dave approached Ella, who was adjusting her weapon, ready to get out of here anytime soon. Her brow furrowed in concentration, lips pressed into a thin line. Dave then waited till she met his gaze before speaking. "Ella," Dave began, his tone low, "can we talk?" She nodded with a neutral expression as she followed him to a second inner room adjacent to where they had discovered Chris’s father. The two entered, leaving the others wondering what they were about to discuss. *** In the dimly lit surveillance room, White sat hunched over a console, his eyes fixed on the array of monitors displaying live feeds from cameras positioned around the compound. His fingers hovered over the controls, ready to respond to any sudden developments. On the screens, the beasts, those formidable, unpredictable creatures were retreating. Their movements were synchronized, deliberate, as if orchestrated by a single mind. They moved away in unison, heading toward an unseen destination, their coordinated actions betraying a purpose beyond mere survival. A sigh escaped White’s lips, a mixture of relief and lingering unease. He had expected the beasts to be relentless, not to withdraw so suddenly. But their departure was too abrupt, too coordinated, to be entirely reassuring. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss, that this retreat was part of a larger, unseen strategy. Despite the apparent withdrawal, skepticism gnawed at White’s mind. Could the beasts truly be gone, or was this a temporary lull before another assault? He couldn’t afford to make assumptions. Deciding to exercise caution, he instructed the lockdown to remain in effect, opting to observe and gather more information before making any changes. Utilizing this waiting period, White summoned his team. He needed a comprehensive assessment of the recent conflict’s toll. Gathering his men, he demanded precise reports on the number of hybrids lost to the beasts and an updated count of those that were still alive. The numbers would inform his next steps, guiding his strategy in the uncertain days ahead. All of his men were hybrids, a testament to his relentless pursuit of merging human intellect with beastly strength. Yet, he himself remained distinctly human. His decision to abstain from undergoing the hybridization process was deliberate. He had observed firsthand the volatile nature of such transformations. While these hybrids possessed human-level intelligence, their primal instincts often lurked just beneath the surface, ready to surface without warning. To maintain control over his creations, White had engineered a sophisticated device, a remote control powered by an array of beast crystals. With a simple press of a button, he could influence their actions: compelling them to fully embrace their beast forms, revert to their human semblance, or follow specific directives. This technology granted him dominance over their wills, ensuring unwavering obedience. This innovation was his brainchild, a testament to his genius. Yet, as he reflected on his creations and the ethical boundaries he had crossed, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the madness that tinged his brilliance. He had ventured into uncharted territories, driven by ambition and a thirst for control, crafting beings that were both marvels and monstrosities. In his quest for mastery, he had become something other than human, straddling the line between visionary and madman. **** Thursday mass Release! I was hoping I could mass release a lot of Chapters, but many things keep on popping up throughout this week causing a delay in the mass release. But be rest assured, all remaining Chapters will be released as soon as I’m done writing. For tonight, I’ll be releasing Chapter 54 to 58, 5 Chapters, that’s if I don’t sleep off while doing it haha. You can also help out by gifting and supporting in any way you can, it cheers me on. Any form of support is appreciated, thank you! ... Current mass release event for April: Tuesday >> 5 Chapters - Completed Wednesday >> 10 Chps - Completed Thursday>> 12 Chps - Completed Friday >> 10 Chps - Ongoing Saturday >> 10 Chps