Delicate

Prologue: The Evolution Of N.E.W

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains mentions of suicide, murder, and Manipulation

Please read with caution

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In the turbulent throes of an imminent global collapse, an insidious pall of uncertainty and dread draped itself over the human collective. The world, on the precipice of cataclysm, bore witness to a cacophony of desperate pleas echoing through the chaos. World leaders, ensnared by the tendrils of fear, surreptitiously sought refuge, turning a deaf ear to the desperate entreaties of their beleaguered populace.

Amidst this maelstrom of despair, a serendipitous alliance formed - a fellowship of scientific minds: Stephanie Donington, Duke Simmons, Kraver Morriston, Atonal Faisal, and Farisa Malik. These disparate individuals, thrown together by the capricious hand of fate, found themselves confined to a solitary room, their isolation breeding a crucible of innovation that would irrevocably reshape their destinies.

The catalyst for this profound transformation was a fateful experiment that unfolded within the confines of their shared confinement. The ensuing cataclysmic explosion enveloped Farisa and Atonal, prompting frantic calls for emergency assistance. In the tense silence that followed, the friends, fearing the worst, clung to a fragile hope that their gazes would once again open to the world.

To their astonishment, the duo emerged from the crucible of chaos unscathed, marked by a newfound vitality that defied the very laws of nature. Atonal's eyes, now suffused with a radiant luminescence, bore testament to their shared journey, while Farisa's once honey-browns transformed into a captivating shade of azure.

News of this inexplicable metamorphosis reverberated through the world, igniting a fervor for the mysterious remedy born from their inadvertent experiment. As demand surged, the friends, acutely aware of the potential repercussions, crafted a meticulous plan to navigate the labyrinth of public clamor.

Stephanie's brother, a luminary in the realm of game development, became the architect of their salvation. Tasked with fashioning a virtual crucible, a test that would discern the deserving from the rest, he delved into the intricate realms of digital complexity. As the virtual trial unfolded, pharmaceutical behemoths, sensing an opportunity of unprecedented magnitude, clamored for the coveted solution. Yet, the friends, resolute in their commitment to principles over profit, staunchly rebuffed the overtures that sought to commercialize their discovery.

Opting for injectable doses as the chosen method, the friends subjected their creation to rigorous scrutiny, a relentless process that would separate the deserving from the opportunistic. Kraver, acting as the vanguard of this new frontier, chose to be the first test subject. His momentary collapse, a mere prelude to the revelation of dazzling blue eyes, stood as a testament to the transformative potential of their discovery.

Now elevated to the hallowed status of a revered council, the friends implemented a discerning process. Virtual trials, a digital litmus test, became the arbiter of who would receive the life-altering dose. The populace, in turn, embraced the brightened eyes as a symbolic measure of one's intrinsic virtue.

However, discontent festered as some sought to exploit the system for personal gain. A legal luminary, dissatisfied with his green eyes, descended into a vortex of violence, earning a lifetime of confinement behind bars. The system, though imperfect, endured, becoming a societal cornerstone that delineated the virtuous from the opportunistic.

As the years unfurled, the friends relinquished their mantle to a new generation. The introduction of a new rule, restricting tests to those 14 and older, and willing, aimed to temper the influx of participants. The Donningtons, replaced by the McArthur family, ushered in an era marked by proposals, shifting dynamics, and the perpetual dance between tradition and innovation.

Yet, fractures in the council's unity manifested when a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded. Salima; Faisal's 14 year old niece, in pursuit of the coveted remedy, succumbed during a trial. The grief-stricken aunt, driven by anguish, fervently pleaded for the ousting of Boon McArthur. The once cohesive council diminished to a trio, their unity tested in the crucible of personal tragedy.

Internal strife persisted, with revelations of a Morrison's deceit in aiding their family members through the tests further thinning their ranks.

The Simmon's family, once a stalwart presence, faced a tragic fate as one survivor succumbed to guilt, urging their progeny to adopt the mother's maiden name before meeting their untimely end.

The enduring Faisal and Malik lines, the last vestiges of the original council, weathered internal turmoil.

A Malik's ill-fated love led to a Machiavellian manipulation for a coveted council seat, unraveling the fabric of the family's legacy.

The lineage that once stood as a bastion of virtue now grappled with the shadows of betrayal.

Esmeray Malik, a figure shrouded in mystery, vanished without a trace, leaving a power vacuum filled by Noble Welhaven and his now second wife, Lilith Welhaven

His swift demise, bound to a tree with his wife, served as a grim harbinger of an impending power struggle.

The tides of fate, however, unveiled a surprise contender - Zealia Malik, declaring herself as the rightful heir, determined to avenge her mother's untold anguish.

A blood test, a scientific affirmation of lineage, confirmed Zealia's claim. With an air of defiance and a smirk on her face, she seated herself on the chair that rightfully belonged to her mother, signaling the resurgence of the Malik legacy.

In a calculated move, Zealia and her compatriots signed a binding decree, an immutable testament to their resolve. After their eventual demise, no one would be allowed to alter the foundational tenets of the test or the rules established by their progenitors. The council house, once a vibrant symbol of authoritative deliberation, now stood dormant, summoned only when the exigencies of necessity dictated its revival.

As time unfurled its tapestry, the council house transformed into a relic of a bygone era. Zealia and her successors, custodians of a legacy marked by triumph and tragedy, sat in deliberation until the ravages of time claimed their mortal forms. The council, a once potent force, now echoed in the annals of history.

The world, having weathered the storms wrought by the friends turned council, found stability in the wake of their contributions. The enigmatic remedy, now part of the fabric of societal evaluation, served as both a beacon of hope and a harbinger of unintended consequences.

The flow of generations ushered in change, as names and faces evolved, but the essence of the council's influence persisted. The very rules that once shaped the destiny of individuals became a timeless edifice, etched in the collective consciousness of society.

In the quietude that followed, the council house stood as a silent witness to the passage of epochs. The cycles of life, the rise and fall of familial legacies, and the ever-shifting dynamics of power etched their tales into the walls of this hallowed space.

And so, the legacy of the friends who emerged from the crucible of chaos endured, woven into the very fabric of human history.

The council house, a relic of a time when extraordinary circumstances forged extraordinary destinies, awaited its next summons, a silent guardian of a legacy that transcended the boundaries of time.

And the tests hadn't caused any harm to a single soul, they did what they had to do and everyone got what they deserved...

Until, of course, something had gone wrong