Maya looked at Isolde, her mind racing with questions. "And what about the Beastkin? Where do we fit into this story?"Isolde continued the history lesson as he walked Maya through the dimly lit hall adorned with portraits. "The nurse was never found. It was believed he died with the doctor," he said, his voice steady."Is that what you believe?" Maya cut in, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.Ignoring her question, Isolde pressed on. "In 2028, four years after the first attack, with humanity still fending off attacks from behemoths who had escaped, something extraordinary happened at the General Emergency Ward. Every single woman in the ward, all of whom had been in a coma, was found to be pregnant."Maya's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "How come no one knows of this nowadays?" she asked.Isolde sighed. "The government stepped in and buried the case. One of the stakeholders of the hospital was a diamond head at the time. He was simply protecting his investment," he explained. "The wa
The training spear sliced through the air with a thrilling whoosh as Maya Renard poured her weight into the final stroke, her muscles screaming in anguish. Sweat slicked her skin as she panted, her chest heaving from the intense fluorescent lights of the Defense Corps academy gymnasium. With expressions of grim resolve on their faces, the other cadets around her forced themselves through the final difficult minutes of their training session."Renard, hurry up! Is it all you possess?" Lieutenant Asher Graves's voice was sharp as a whip, cutting through the din. She could almost feel the weight of his expectations bearing down on her shoulders as his severe gaze never left her. "No, sir!" Refusing to let go of the scorching in her limbs, Maya barked back. She reached deep, calling forth a strength she was unaware she possessed, and unleashed yet another barrage of accurate, potent blows.The academy was a sprawling fortress within the heart of Neo-Citadel, the last bastion of humanity a
The wastelands beyond the soaring walls of Neo-Citadel stretched on forever, a desolate place where peril was around every corner. Maya tightened the straps of her equipment, excitement and fear racing in her chest; today's patrol was routine, but she couldn't get rid of the feeling that something wasn't quite right.Lieutenant Asher Graves led the squad, his expression grim beneath the shadow of his helmet. Maya respected Asher deeply; he was more than just her mentor—he was a father figure, guiding her through the complexities of military life and the secrets of being a Beastkin.The other members of her squad, a mix of seasoned soldiers and fellow cadets, moved with practiced efficiency. Maya glanced at them, finding comfort in their shared determination. Despite their camaraderie, unease hung in the air like a tangible presence.Maya's senses began to sharpen as they descended farther into the wastelands; the terrain appeared to remain unchanged—barren, with crumbling building rem
The military base of Neo-Citadel's mess hall was alive with activity, with a steady hum produced by trays clattering and conversations being whispered. Usually, the room would be alive with the casual conversation of soldiers relaxing after a mission, but there was an air of tension and intrigue today.Private Liam Connor sat at one of the tables, his eyes wide with excitement and confusion. “Did you see that? Maya turned into a freaking Behemoth! How is that even possible?”Corporal Jenna Harris shook her head, a look of caution mixed with amazement on her face. "I'm not sure, Liam. It's unlike anything I've ever seen. She was unconscious and bleeding out one moment, and then she was this—this formidable being.Across the table, Specialist Ava Martinez leaned forward, her dark eyes intense. “She saved us all. Without her, we’d be Behemoth chow right now. But it’s still pretty terrifying.”Private David Lee, who had been Maya’s closest friend in the squad, frowned. “Terrifying? She’s
The sound of Maya's footfall resounded across the hospital's bleak, unclean hallway. The chains encircling her wrists clinked quietly with every step, making her gait heavy. Lieutenant Asher Graves strolled next to her, his expression composed and unwavering. Even with his reassuring presence, Maya couldn't shake the knot of dread that was tightening in her abdomen. A swarm of troops had gathered as they emerged from the infirmary, their eyes filled with dread, curiosity, and judgment. Their voices were a low, steady buzz that echoed across the air in barely audible murmurs."Did you hear? She’s being summoned by the Diamond Heads," one soldier muttered."Can you believe it? She’s a monster now," another replied, their tone dripping with disdain.Among the crowd, Emma stood with her arms crossed, her expression hard and scornful. “I knew something was off about her,” she said loudly enough for Maya to hear. “You can’t trust people like that. Who knows what she’ll do next?”Maya's hea
Maya walked slowly back to her quarters, her thoughts racing with Dr. Elara's words. "Your case might be genetic. "Your DNA appears to have undergone a bizarre change before now," Dr. Elara observed, her tone curious and concerned. Maya couldn't escape the dread that had crept over her since her encounter with the Diamond Heads. The discovery that her metamorphosis could be related to a genetic abnormality left her with more questions than answers. Maya inhaled deeply as she entered her modest, plain room. She had always felt that hard effort and determination were essential to succeed. However, with her new abilities, she felt like an outsider even in her own skin. She had to learn to control these powers, not just for her sake, but for the safety of those around her.Maya put on her training gear, and the usual ritual helped to ground her. She went to the isolated training site that had been designated for her usage. As she went, the words of Asher and Dr. Elara resounded in her h
Isolde Nightshade, curled up in a plush leather chair, peered around him with gratitude. As a sign of his power and dominance, his house stood in sharp contrast to the devastation around it. He sat in the vast hall, the high arched ceilings adorned with intricate murals depicting heroic warriors and epic battles. The crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling cast a warm, golden glow across the polished marble floors.Rich, dark wood paneling covered the walls, which were interspersed with large bookcases brimming with rare antiques and old books. Long shadows flowed across the room from the thick velvet drapes that framed the massive windows, letting in moonlight. The aroma of the best aged whiskey, which was sitting in a decanter on the side table, mixed with the subtle scent of sandalwood.In and of himself, Isolde was a terrifying and respected individual. He was an intimidating individual, an experienced fighter who had prevailed in numerous battles. He was over six feet tall,
Lieutenant Asher Graves led his team through the congested Neo-Citadel outskirts in response to a distress call from a nearby settlement, and the atmosphere was charged with tension. Maya Renard felt the weight of her obligations growing with each step as she marched with her allies, focused and resolute. Eager to establish herself in the field, she had trained diligently for this opportunity. She had no idea that fate had another surprise in store for her. As the sun sank below the horizon, long shadows danced across the ruins of the once-vibrant neighborhood they were assigned to watch over. The stillness was broken by Asher's clear and firm commands. "Everyone, stay vigilant. The hot zone is what we're about to enter."With their weapons ready, they advanced with caution, keeping a watchful eye out for any movement among the overgrown debris. Abruptly, there was a rumbling sound in the air, and then Asher heard the booming footfall of a Behemoth, which Asher swiftly recognized as