K/DA and the Call of the Void (Book 1, K/DA: LEGENDS)

Chapter 1: Escaping Fate

G/NETIC Industries—Zaun...

A frozen body was sprawled across a laboratory table, heat radiating from the infrared heat lamps placed over it.

Water vapor steamed off the body, its flesh covered in tainted frost.

The ice was soaked in darkness, the frost tarnished with purple shadows.

A man observed the discovery from a distance, arms crossed. He inched closer with curiosity.

"Where'd we find him?" Viktor asked the team of scientists working around him.

"A little north of Greenland," one of the team members solemnly answered. "They were frozen under the ice."

Viktor stroked his black mustache with intrigue.

"Hmm, so many questions, so many...possibilities," Viktor muttered.

How is he still alive? What does this mean for medical treatments? Cryotherapy? Cryogenic hibernation? The list goes on...

The G/NETIC CEO waved his arms out enthusiastically.

"Maybe this is the break our company needed, the change it needed...with this, we could change the w—"

The frozen man gasped awake.

Purple smoke erupted out of him in a shockwave.

Alarmed, the scientists scrambled backwards, raising their arms out protectively.

The survivor coughed and spluttered. His purple eyes flickered open, roaming the room.

Everyone in the room hesitantly froze before him.

"Wh-where...where am I. What...happened," Malzahar growled, disoriented.

He shook his head, trying to remember.

"S-sir, it's okay," Viktor tried. "We are here...to help."

He reached his hand out in a calming gesture.

Malzahar frowned. His eyes darkened, growing resentful.

"You're a...disgrace to the Void..." Malzahar bitterly began to recollect. "After her..."

Viktor hesitated, confused by Malzahar's murmuring.

"Where is she..." Malazhar muttered. "Where is she."

His eyes began glowing a raging white.

"WHERE IS SHE?" he roared in confusion.

Temper flaring, Malzahar latched his hand onto the closest scientist's neck.

The unexpecting scientist squirmed in his grasp.

"Hey, hey! Everyone, just stay calm," Viktor motioned his hands out.

He raised his hand at Malzahar to catch his attention.

"Please. Just release the man," Viktor calmly negotiated, "and we'll figure everything out."

Malzahar tilted his head in contemplation, before finally coming to a decision. He let the white glow fade from his eyes.

He slowly let go of the scientist, who cowered away in panic.

Malzahar raised his gaze to meet Viktor's, observing the CEO with intrigue.

Purple energy flashed around his eyes, then Viktor's.

Malzahar tapped into Viktor's mind, listening to an unfiltered stream of the CEO's thoughts.

No, no, no. Can't let him get out of control—the opportunity...! He's too important of an asset. All the discoveries we can make...just need to calm him down...