Cyber Chronicles 3: Plague Genesis

Prologue

Electricity crackled and surged across the wires sprouting from the human-sized capsule at the center of the dome-like structure. The walls and roof were reinforced with titanium, giving the place an aura of impenetrability.

Inside the capsule, a glowing crimson liquid churned, submerging a barely visible figure. Whether the being inside was alive, or even human, was a mystery-only the loud, rhythmic heartbeat echoed through the room, amplified by the speakers surrounding it, giving a semblance of life.

A group of people gathered around the capsule, each engrossed in their tasks at various advanced machines that filled the room, all humming with electricity. It was a sight of unparalleled innovation-a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and ancient prowess. This was not a mere merging of the two but the creation of something entirely new. Technology and charge had given birth to a new entity, and the one to bear this immense burden was the being inside the capsule.

But it was only a matter of time before it broke free.

A deafening explosion shattered the vision Gustav just saw, jolting him back to reality. Rocks and debris flew past him, one grazing his cheek. He felt a familiar surge of charge envelop him, and in an instant, he was transported further away from the cave he once called home. A strong hand gripped his shoulder, the same aura he felt during the teleportation-Carzen.

The scene before him came in disjointed fragments. After all, Gustav was blind, and his perception was ruled by an uncontrollable ability. He could see everything yet nothing, his mind grasping at fleeting images and sensations.

However, the feel of this explosion was much different from the one before it. A surge of crimson energy now easily spread throughout the desert. This only meant one thing: Lincoln had survived the destruction of the cave.

Yet, it seemed he had transformed into something else entirely, something larger in scale.

"Is that... a titan?" Ketsukii whispered in awe, his voice low and filled with shock. His eyes were locked onto the enormous crimson figure, over ten times their size, rising from the debris.

It faced the beast that had destroyed Gustav's home, and led them to believe Lincoln was dead. This creature, seemingly born from the canyon's rocks, resembled a golem. Its massive form was hewn from jagged stone and unlike the aura-filled titan, this golem showed no signs of life, standing motionless like a puppet awaiting its next command.

The titan's fists began to glow, charged with an immense amount of crimson energy. The glow grew brighter, crackling with power, before the titan swung its fist with incredible force. The air itself seemed to ripple as the fist connected with the golem's face. The impact was thunderous. A shockwave radiated outwards, sending gusts of sand and debris swirling into the air.

The golem's head snapped back, and its massive body was lifted off the ground, hurtling through the air. It tumbled across the desert sands, smashing into the earth with such force that the ground quaked. Pieces of rock shattered off its form, scattering across the landscape. The golem nearly crumbled upon impact, lying in a heap of stone and dust.

The titan roared, a sound that reverberated through the canyon. Its eyes blazed with crimson fury, and it took a step forward, the ground trembling beneath its weight. The golem struggled to rise, its movements slow and mechanical. Yet, despite its formidable size, it seemed fragile compared to the living, breathing titan.

The titan's translucent, energy-like body suddenly darkened as black scales began to form. These scales spread, adding a more defined and menacing structure to its features, until they gradually covered its entire form. Its face was the last to transform, the scales creeping up and over, revealing a cosmic blue hue within its eyes.

"Obsune..." Ketsukii whispered, his voice trembling with a mix of recognition and fear. His eyes widened as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "Does that mean...?"

"The trials were successful. Lincoln is now Obsune's vessel," Gustav explained, his empty pupils fixated on the scene before him.

The newly transformed titan exuded an even more oppressive aura. Dark energy shimmered around it, crackling with every movement. The air felt heavy, charged with a palpable sense of power and danger.

Ketsukii could barely tear his eyes away from the sight. The sheer power radiating from Lincoln's titan form was overwhelming. The golem, sensing the increased threat, struggled to rise. Its movements were sluggish and mechanical. In contrast, the titan moved with fluid precision.

Ketsukii's heart pounded as he watched the overwhelming power of the transformed Lincoln.

With a roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth, Lincoln lunged forward. His armoured fist, now even more formidable, collided with the golem's torso, sending shards of rock flying in all directions. The golem staggered, pieces of its stony exterior crumbling away, yet it stood defiant, ready to face the next assault.

In a seamless motion, a blade of energy fused into Lincoln's titanic arm, glowing with a fierce, otherworldly light. With a swift, powerful strike, the blade sliced through the golem's head, severing it effortlessly. The decapitated head tumbled to the ground with a resounding crash, and the golem's massive body crumbled soon after, falling into a lifeless heap.

As the titan stood victorious over the fallen golem, a haunting question loomed in the minds of those watching.

What comes next?