Viral Awakening

A Dimly Lit War Room, Tension in the Air

The room is filled with the sounds of static and urgent chatter as large screens display chaotic scenes of panic from across the country. A blinding light pierces the sky in and around the country, pulsating ominously. The footage shows civilians fleeing as Ferals emerge from the light, their ravenous forms spilling into the streets.

At the head of the table, President Hayes, a stoic figure, watches the footage with a furrowed brow, his fingers tapping impatiently on the polished surface. Seated around him are key advisors, including National Security Advisor Greene and General Hamilton, the atmosphere thick with tension.

" We need to address this situation immediately. We can't let this spiral out of control." President Hayes voice strained

General Hamilton shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with Greene, who is fuming beside him.

Greene standing abruptly, voice raised. " You mean to tell me we're watching this catastrophe unfold on live television, and we could've dealt with it before it escalated? It was in Elmwood town while you were wasting resources on some creature in the woods?

He glares at Hamilton, eyes blazing with anger.

General Hamilton defensive "We had intel that suggested the creature was a significant threat"

Greene interrupting "Significant? Look around you! The real threat was right under our noses, and instead of focusing on the real danger, you decided to chase shadows! We could have sent missiles to Elmwood, neutralized the source before it became a full-blown epidemic!"

The President leans forward, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

President Hayes calm but firm " Enough! This is not a time for finger-pointing. This is about saving lives. " He said

Greene breathes heavily, his anger palpable, as he turns to the President, desperation creeping into his voice. "It's over, Mr. President. We've lost" Greene sombre

****

The air crackled with remnants of magic and the scent of charred earth as the battlefield simmered, the sky above hanging heavy with the promise of rain. Vickie, a tempest of pink flames, stood defiantly before Rebirth, the fire creature whose body shimmered like molten metal, now marred by wounds that glowed with an inner light.

Elena, trapped within the confines of her own body, could feel Vickie's fury and pain coursing through her like a wild river. The battle had been fierce, their magic clashing like titans in a dance of destruction. But now, as the smoke began to settle, both combatants found themselves at a standstill, the world around them captivated by the aftermath.

Rebirth staggered, its vast frame shimmering with iridescent hues, yet it teetered on the brink of collapse. One hand pressed against a gaping wound in its torso, fingers slick with a dark, elemental essence that seemed both foreign and familiar. In its eyes, reflections of flickering flames and ash danced, revealing a sentience far greater than mere instinct.

Vickie took a step forward, the pink flames swirling around her like a living aura. Her breath was heavy, mixed with adrenaline

the opposite direction In the chaos of a world overrun by Feral, Eva fought valiantly against the relentless, zombie-like creatures that plagued her surroundings. With her dagger slicing through the air, she dispatched one of the Feral with a swift thrust, while her other hand grappled with another, dispatching it with a well-placed blow. The tension crackled in the air, and above her, the drone hummed softly, its camera capturing the fray.

"Eva, be careful!" Daniel's voice crackled through the drone's speaker, concern lacing his tone. "Don't let them bite you! If you get infected, it's over!"

Eva barely spared a glance at the drone as she sidestepped a lunging Feral. "I know what I'm doing!" she shot back, frustration bubbling beneath her steady resolve. She didn't need rescuing; she needed to survive.

Meanwhile, in the dim light of his bedroom, David sat hunched over his laptop, transfixed by the live feed of the chaos unfolding across the country. The screen flickered with footage of the ongoing battle between survivors and the Feral in the city, The flickering images felt both distant and too close to home. David was afraid, but Eva's determination and courage compelled him to act.

"Come on, Eva! You need to find a way out of there!" David urged, furiously typing coordinates into a mapping program. He could see the cluster of Feral converging around her position, their growls echoing menacingly in the distant audio feed. "There's an abandoned building ahead. I can guide you there—if you just listen!, I know you're worry about Elena but she'll be okay"

Eva was cornered, a cluster of Feral blocking her escape route. She needed to think quickly. "Alright, I'm listening!" she said, gritting her teeth as she forced herself to focus, pushing aside panic. The shadows of the Feral lurked at the fringes of her vision, and their raspy breaths sent shivers down her

spine. Just as she prepared to make a break for it, Vickie emerged from the chaos, her fiery hair alight with a vibrant pink flame. With a shout, she unleashed a wave of fire that surged forward like a living thing, engulfing the nearest Feral in a blinding burst of light. The creature shrieked, its form disintegrating into ash, scattering across the ground like dark snow. Vickie, panting and smeared with grime and blood, staggered forward, her eyes wild yet triumphant.

"Did you see that?" She coughed, one hand gripping her side where crimson stained her shirt. Despite her exhaustion, a grin spread across her face. "I had to do something! We can't let them corner us."

Eva, still trying to catch her breath after the shock of Vickie's display, nodded slowly. "I-I saw. It was incredible! But we can't keep fighting like this. They'll overwhelm us eventually." Her voice wavered as the weight of their situation pressed down on her shoulders. The air was thick with the smell of scorched earth and the remnants of dark energy that the Feral had left behind.

Vickie leaned closer, her fiery determination flickering like the flames that danced around her fingertips. "I know, but we have to push through. You mentioned some plans before. What did you have in mind?"

Eva's mind raced as she recalled the glimpses of the path she had seen earlier—the one that led out of the chaos. "There's a building not far from here. It was abandoned, but it might still be safe. If we can make it, we could rest and regroup."

Vickie wiped the sweat from her brow, her expression serious. "Then we need to move. But we can't just run blindly. If they're aware of our presence, they'll come after us."

"Maybe we can use the flames as a distraction," Eva suggested, her heartbeat quickening with renewed hope. "If you can create a barrier of fire around us, it could keep the Feral at bay while we find our way to the sanctuary."

Vickie glanced at the darkening sky, weighing the risks. "I can do that, but I'll need time to gather my strength. Just a little bit of concentration. We can't let them swarm us while I'm channeling."

Suddenly, a deep growl echoed from the shadows, a chilling reminder that time was short. Eva's heart raced, and she could feel the tension