Seeing this, David stepped forward, his voice echoed like a whisper across the minds of those in the battlefield. "I think that's enough marveling."
The vampires froze, momentarily paralyzed by the authority in his tone. David's eyes narrowed, his gaze unwavering as he raised his hand and unleashed a psionic wave, forcing the remaining vampires to their knees. They shrieked, writhing as David's mind bore down on them, crushing their will. With a casual motion, he flicked his wrist, and the vampires' bodies floated towards him and convulsed, their bones snapping and blood pouring from their mouths as he seized control of their very beings.
David's eyes glinted with a cold determination as he extended his hand, reaching out with his mind to channel the silvery, metallic virus toward the kneeling vampires. He could feel the resistance in their twisted forms, their bodies trembling as they sensed the foreign power surging toward them. The techno-organic virus, a creation meant to transform life, to bind organic matter and machinery, now took on a different purpose as it moved to infiltrate these undead creatures.
The nearest vampire snarled, its blood-red eyes flashing defiantly, but David's control was absolute. As he concentrated, the virus responded, coiling like dark tendrils through the air before plunging into the vampire's flesh. The creature's defiant gaze turned to one of pure terror as the virus took hold. Its veins darkened, turning a sickly metallic shade as the techno-organic fibers wove through its body, forcing an unholy fusion.
The vampire screamed, its voice shrill and guttural, as the virus began its work. Blood vessels hardened and turned to metal, muscle tissue fused with darkened circuitry, and flesh took on a rigid, alien sheen. David watched with fascination as the creature's body convulsed, caught between two powerful forces. 'It seems the ancient curse of vampirism and the transformative power of the virus are battling each other.' He mused as he could feel the chaotic clash within the vampire while the virus struggled to bend it into submission, to overwrite the supernatural corruption and reshape it to David's design.
But the undead body fought back fiercely. Unlike a human host, the vampire's corrupted nature resisted integration, its very essence rejecting the viral intrusion. The dark alloy spreading through its veins faltered, caught between progressing further and unraveling. Its form wavered, and for a brief moment, David could see the virus splintering, the vampire's supernatural resilience pushing back with surprising ferocity.
David tightened his grip, pouring more energy into the psionic bond, willing the virus to assert dominance. The vampire's body began to mutate, each movement a jarring, twisted convulsion as it fought against the transformation. Its limbs jerked erratically, bones cracking and reshaping as fragments of flesh tore away, replaced by metallic scales. But just as victory seemed close, the creature let out one last, desperate howl.
With a sudden, explosive force, the virus backlash surged back, and the vampire's body exploded in a violent burst, the metallic tendrils scattered on the ground like snakes converged towards David. The scene was horrific yet mesmerizing as the vampire burst, leaving a pile of smoldering metallic remains.
'It seems that their brains are wired to self destruct when the control authority is being overtaken. Does this mean I can transform everything except for the brain?' David took a step back, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he observed the remnants. This encounter had confirmed something he suspected before, the virus was powerful but not all-consuming. It met its match in creatures animated by forces older and darker than life itself. Turning to the remaining vampires who still writhed in his psionic grip, he released them abruptly, allowing their bodies to fall limp to the ground.
"It seems your bodies cannot withstand true transformation," David said coolly, regarding the weakened creatures with a calculated gaze. "Just in time really. We are lacking test subjects at the moment."
The vampires, now trembling in pain and fear, dared not resist. Though they remained infected at a low level by the viral remnants, it was clear that full conversion was beyond them. David's mind raced with ideas, contemplating how this interaction might still be used to his advantage.
With a final wave of his hand, he forced the remaining vampires into a state of submission. They were not yet suitable for his larger plans, but David knew that even the failed experiment held valuable insights. As he prepared to depart, he left the creatures bound by his psionic power, intending to study them further and probe the limits of their ancient curse.
As the last of the vampires lay dying, David approached the brothers, his expression unreadable. "Impressive work, both of you. Are you up for an upgrade?" James wiped a smear of blood from his face, panting as he closed in on David with a brotherly hug as his bloody face is labeled with curiosity. "You got something in mind?" David patted his brother's back while nodding at Victor.
David nodded. "I do. The same gift I have given our scientists—something to make you faster, stronger, and more resilient. Something that will allow you to become more than human."
Victor, always hungry for 'more power', stepped forward eagerly. "What is it?"
David held up his hand, the metallic sheen of the techno-organic virus glinting in the moonlight. "This is something that merges with your very being. It will make you one with technology, giving you wisdom, strength, durability and endurance beyond your current condition."
James and Victor exchanged a glance. They had fought alongside David long enough to know he was not one to make empty promises. If he offered power, it was real. "I'm in," Victor said without hesitation, baring his neck in an almost ritualistic acceptance.
James hesitated only a moment before nodding. "If it means we can better protect our own, then I'm in too."
"Well I heard someone's about to be a father. You guys didn't wait long huh?" James was about to speak when David smiled and placed a hand on each of their shoulders, allowing the virus to seep into them. They grimaced as the virus took hold, pain lancing through their bodies as their cells began to reshape, reinforcing their skeletons with techno-organic alloy and enhancing their muscles with tensile strength far beyond human capacity. Their senses sharpened, and they felt an electric current running through their veins, a vibrant energy that thrummed with power.
As the transformation completed, both men flexed their new, enhanced forms. Victor's hand lost its human appearance and became a menacing bladed hand that gleamed with a metallic sheen, each tip now sharper than before. His senses were heightened, assisted by an HUD and various modules, he felt an insatiable hunger to test his new abilities.
James, similarly changed, felt the techno-organic virus reinforcing his bones and flesh, making him nearly impervious to physical harm. His strength, already formidable, was now enhanced, and he knew he could deliver blows that would shatter any creature standing in his way.
To test their newfound powers, David gestured toward the forest's edge, where a few remaining vampires has been released, hoping to escape their fate. With a single nod, the brothers set off, their movements swift and seamless, faster than they'd ever been before.
The vampires barely had time to react before Victor was upon them, his claws tearing through flesh and bone with ease. His movements were a blur, and he reveled in the speed and power, feeling unstoppable as he slaughtered his enemies. Blood splattered across his face, and he laughed, intoxicated by the thrill of the hunt.
James, not to be outdone, grabbed one vampire by the neck, hoisting it into the air before slamming it down with bone-crushing force. The creature's body shattered, bones breaking as it lay twisted on the ground. He turned to another, slashing through its midsection and watching as its entrails spilled onto the forest floor.
Together, the brothers moved through the remaining vampires like a storm of blood and metal, their enhanced forms unstoppable. The forest floor was littered with the remains of their enemies, bodies torn and broken, the earth soaked with dark, glistening blood.
When the last vampire fell, David watched with satisfaction. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice carrying a promise of even greater power to come. "Your augmentation is different from the rest, I gave you the authority to infect others and collect biomass for your own improvements."
The brothers, bloodied and breathless but exhilarated, nodded, feeling a renewed sense of loyalty and purpose. They were more than men now; they were weapons, forged by David's vision and empowered by the virus.
As they turned back toward Zama City, David allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "You popped Rose huh James? You animal, she was like a sister to us." He began teasing James who is apparently about to become a father.
"A sister to you, we left long before I could get to know her." James explained in his defense before looking at Victor who seemed to have been quiet this whole time. "You talk to him, he's been all around town, I don't know how many ladies he got pregnant." David looked at Victor who is scratching the back of his head with a silly smile. "That's nothing, John just brought me along in one of his booze and women tours. I just indulged myself a little."
"Let me tell you, three for Victor and eight for John. You and I are actually the lowest scorers with one each." James laughed as he explained the family's current 'predicament' but his words made David frown and then smile in disbelief. Not in the fact that his brothers have many women because the Howlett's are known to have unlimited stamina.
"Wait, wa-wait... me? Who would... Vivian, don't tell me she..." He muttered while James nodded with a smile in affirmation before he could finish his words and Victor patted him on the shoulder. "When we heard that you're about to be a father, John and I couldn't allow you to beat us to it so we compensated a bit with numbers." He explained as it all dawned in on David's mind.
[Fertility Boost B]