[A/N: Warning the chapter will be Gory and Slightly Dark at the end. Viewer Discretion Advised]
As Wesley concluded his thorough briefing on the groundbreaking future he envisioned, his parents absorbed the enormity of the information, their minds teeming with questions and possibilities. The discussion had traversed the realms of science, ethics, and the very fabric of human society, leaving Andrew and Rachel both daunted and awestruck by their son's ambitions. With the conversation drawing to a close, Wesley gently guided his parents toward the next step in their incredible journey: undergoing the genetic enhancement process.
Approaching the sleek, cylindrical tanks that stood imposingly within the medical room, Andrew and Rachel experienced a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The tanks, filled with a translucent, luminescent liquid, promised a transformation beyond their wildest imaginings. Wesley's explanation of the tanks' capabilities had been both exhilarating and somewhat unsettling, but the trust in their son's judgment led them forward.
Climbing the small, medical-grade steps that led to their respective tanks, they hesitated for just a moment, exchanging a glance that conveyed a world of shared history, love, and the unspoken bond of family. With a reassuring nod from Wesley, they each stepped into their designated tank, the cool liquid enveloping them in an embrace that defied every instinctual fear of submersion.
The sensation of floating in the dense, breathable liquid was unlike anything they had ever experienced. An initial wave of panic washed over them, the primal part of their brains screaming in alarm at the unnatural situation. Yet, as they took their first tentative breaths, finding the liquid as breathable as air, a sense of calm began to replace the fear. The realization that they were not drowning, but rather being cradled in a medium designed to rejuvenate and enhance their very beings, brought an almost surreal sense of peace.
Orion, with his precise, AI-driven efficiency, approached the control panel adjacent to the tanks. His synthetic fingers moved deftly over the interface, initiating the complex sequence of commands that would trigger the enhancement process. The tanks hummed to life, their surfaces glowing with a soft, pulsating light that seemed to synchronize with the heartbeats of the occupants.
Inside the tanks, Andrew and Rachel felt a gentle warmth spreading through their bodies, a harbinger of the profound changes that were beginning to take place at the cellular level. The advanced technology within the tanks targeted their genetic makeup, repairing, enhancing, and optimizing with an accuracy and finesse that bordered on the miraculous.
As the gentle hum of the healing tanks filled the medical room, Wesley watched his parents with a mixture of anticipation and concern. The sight of them, suspended in the healing liquid, their faces serene and oblivious to the world outside, was both comforting and unnerving. After ensuring that the enhancement process was proceeding smoothly, Wesley knew he couldn't linger any longer; there were pressing matters that demanded his attention.
Turning to Orion, who stood by with his characteristic stoic efficiency, Wesley's expression hardened with resolve. "Orion, keep a close watch on Mom and Dad. I have to step out and take care of something important," he instructed, his voice carrying an undercurrent of urgency that underscored the gravity of his upcoming task.
[Orion] "Understood, sir. I will monitor their progress and ensure that the enhancement process continues without any complications. I'll alert you immediately if there are any changes or if they require your attention."
Wesley nodded, his trust in Orion's capabilities unwavering. The AI had proven to be an invaluable ally, managing complex systems and providing critical support with unerring precision. "Thank you, Orion. I'll be back as soon as I can. Make sure everything here runs smoothly in my absence," Wesley added, casting one last glance at his peacefully slumbering parents.
With a deep breath, Wesley turned on his heel and strode out of the medical room, his mind already shifting to the task at hand. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he was driven by a purpose that transcended personal concerns. As he disappeared down the corridor, the soft glow of the healing tanks cast long shadows in his wake, a silent testament to the extraordinary journey that lay ahead for the Barnes family.
Orion, left alone in the medical room, continued his vigilant watch over the healing tanks. His advanced sensors and processing capabilities allowed him to maintain an intricate balance of the numerous variables involved in the enhancement process. The quiet whir of his systems and the occasional flicker of lights on the control panel were the only indications of the ceaseless activity within his electronic brain.
As Wesley stepped out of the medical room, his mind was already transitioning from concern for his family to the grim task that awaited him. The corridors of the facility blurred past as he made his way to the airstrip where his private jet was prepared and waiting, its engines humming softly in the quiet of the early dawn. The journey he was about to undertake was one of retribution and closure, a path he wished he never had to tread, yet compelled by circumstances beyond his control.
Upon boarding the jet, Wesley settled into the plush leather seat, his thoughts racing as the aircraft lifted off the ground, slicing through the clouds towards the heart of Virginia. The serene landscape below belied the tumultuous storm brewing within him. Reaching for his phone, he composed a message to Sophia, the contents of which were as cold and final as the purpose of his trip. "Sophia, the time has come to fulfill my promise. Aurora and your step-mother will face the consequences of their actions. I'll be arriving soon. We also need to discuss the upcoming NATO meeting." The message sent, Wesley stared out the window, the world below a mere blur.
The flight was a solitary journey, filled with introspection and a simmering resolve. Wesley knew the gravity of the actions he was about to take. Retribution was a heavy cloak to wear, its weight felt with every mile that passed beneath the wings of his jet. As the familiar landscapes of Virginia came into view, a knot tightened in his chest. The Alastair family estate, with its sprawling gardens and imposing facade, was a fortress of old money and power. But today, it would witness a reckoning.
Landing at a private airstrip, Wesley was met by the cool Virginia air, a stark contrast to the fire that burned within him. His steps were measured as he made his way to the sleek car that awaited him, the drive to the Alastair estate a silent procession through winding roads lined with history and privilege.
Arriving at the estate, Wesley's presence was a shadow that fell upon the manicured lawns and stately trees. The opulence of the Alastair family was evident in every stone and window of the grand mansion that stood before him. But beneath the veneer of wealth lay the dark undercurrents of betrayal and greed that had led to this moment.
Sophia's response to his message was terse, a simple acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. "Understood. I'll be waiting." Her words, though brief, carried the weight of shared resolve and the unspoken understanding of the actions that were to unfold.
As Wesley stepped into the grand hall of the Alastair estate, the air was thick with anticipation. The meeting with Sophia would not only seal the fate of Aurora and Madam Alastair but also lay the groundwork for the monumental task that lay ahead at NATO. The decisions that were currently being made within these walls would ripple across the globe, shaping the future in ways yet unseen.
Wesley's footsteps echoed through the opulent corridors of the Alastair estate, each step a firm declaration of the grim resolution that had set in his heart. The weight of his impending actions bore heavily on him, a reminder of the line he was about to cross. Never before had the act of taking a life been a reality for Wesley, but the circumstances wrought by Aurora and Madam Alastair's own hands left him with no alternative. Their actions, steeped in malice and greed, had endangered his family, pushing him to this dark precipice.
As he approached the secluded wing where Aurora and Madam Alastair resided, the murmur of their conversation seeped into the hallway, their voices a discordant melody to the tension that gripped Wesley. He paused for a moment, gathering his resolve. This was not just a confrontation; it was a necessary act to protect those he loved and to prevent further harm.
Wesley had meticulously prepared for this moment, not just physically but mentally as well. His body, enhanced by the system evolution, was a formidable vessel, honed and ready. But it was his mastery over the Wisp of Fire that gave him an edge far beyond mere physical prowess. The flames he could summon and manipulate were not mere elements but extensions of his will, capable of piercing both flesh and spirit.
He didn't need to lurk in shadows or employ stealth; his presence in the estate was sanctioned by Sophia, now the head of the Alastair family. His steps were unimpeded, his path clear. The security that roamed the estate, although trained, were no match for the capabilities Wesley now wielded. The knowledge that he was a welcomed guest under Sophia's protection only solidified his resolve.
Drawing closer to their quarters, Wesley could discern the strain in their conversation. Their words, laced with anxiety and desperation, painted a vivid picture of their dwindling fortunes and the looming retribution they faced. Wesley steeled himself, his hand instinctively reaching for the latent power of the Wisp of Fire that simmered within him, ready to be unleashed.
The door to their sanctuary loomed before him, a barrier to the justice that awaited on the other side. Wesley took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs like a silent prayer for strength. With a final nod to the resolve that had brought him here, he pushed the door open, stepping into the room with a presence that commanded attention.
Aurora and Madam Alastair turned, their expressions a mix of surprise and fear as they faced the harbinger of their fate. Wesley's gaze was unwavering, a mirror to the conviction that had led him to this moment. The room, once a haven for their scheming and plots, was now the stage for their reckoning.
In the stillness that followed, Wesley's voice broke the silence, his words resolute and clear. "Your actions have consequences, ones that you must now face." The fire within him stirred, ready to be called upon, a testament to the path he had chosen and the lengths he would go to protect those he held dear.
"Mr. Barnes, what are you doing here?! Why the hell did you enter here?!" Aurora said, in pure shock, seeing the man she tried to extort and bring into her fold, standing before her with a fierce and angry gaze, caused shivers to run down her spine. Alongside the vast confusion she had by looking at the man across the room.
After saying this, Wesley quickly shut the door behind him, hearing a click as the lock was switched, Madam Alastair, seeing this, had visible nervousness on her face. The tension within the room was palpable. Walking over to the side table, picking up a glass ornament sitting there.
"Did you really think you could hurt my family?" Wesley asked coldly, with a devilish small as he focused on the glass ornament in his hand.
"Uhhhh, what. What are you talking about?" Aurora said in a stutter, internally panicking at the situation before him.
"DO NOT PLAY GAMES WITH ME!" Wesley flared with anger, subconsciously activating his wisp of fire, causing the glass ornament to melt between his fingers.
"You see, originally, when I helped Sophia get to the position of Family head. I was going to leave you both alone. Knowing that economically I, or Sophia could destroy you, like we have already done. However your Dumb ass decided to attack my family. And quite frankly that is something I was dumb and naive for. But that will be the case no longer." Wesley said as he quickly lunged forward faster than Aurora or Madam Alastair could perceive. Grabbing Aurora by the neck, picking her up with one hand as she grasps for air. Not wanting to die, regretting her decisions of greed and anger towards Mr. Barnes. Helplessness could be seen throughout her eyes. As she is struggling to breathe and break free, Wesley places his other hand over her chest as her body is wrangling to break free, then using the wisp of fire, compressing his energy into a burst and unleashing a mini blast upon her chest. Blowing a hole through her chest. Causing the light in Aurora's eyes to immediately dim. Wesley, released his grasp over her neck, watching her cold body drop to the floor with a massive burned hole in her chest.
"Now time for you, I don't need to waste my time with shitty people like you." Wesley said as he walked towards Madam Alastair who was frozen in place, from fear and shock from the situation that has now progressed before her.
"NOOOO, leave me! Leave me alone! You MONSTER! Get away" Madam Alastair screamed, breaking out of her shock, falling down and dragging herself away from Wesley in fear for her life.
"Even after your daughter's death, you do not even care about her, you merely care to protect yourself." Wesley said with disgust, thinking about how a mother could be this way to her children. Whether Sophia or Aurora.
"See you in hell." Wesley said, as he condensed the flames around his hand in a blade, increasing the intensity of the heat, turning the flames to a dark green. Pulling his hand back in a diagonal path, slashing forward towards her neck with precision. As his hands got closer to her neck, her skin began to char instantly, when his hands reached her neck, the heat began to delve into her neck, cutting away all the muscle. Wesley's hand went through her neck within seconds, causing immense pain, and a gory scene laid before him. As Madam Alastair's head rolled across the floor as you could see the fear still in her eyes, with her neck completely sizzled and charred for the death Wesley had caused.