Pollution was undeniably one of humanity's greatest faults, a relentless stream of waste and grime that wound its way around the outskirts of Gotham, suffocating the once vibrant surroundings.
In this place, the remains of a forgotten world are scattered like abandoned dreams, with the bodies of animals and people strewn across the desolate landscape. Each one was taken from the world too soon, and their stories are now lost in the wasteland.
The heavy atmosphere was tainted with a persistent foul odor, serving as a grim reminder of the consequences of long-term apathy and neglect.
Suddenly, a scream pierced through the dense haze of filth, cutting through the murk like a knife, as a human-like shape began to materialize, its figure gradually advancing towards the shore, each step a defiance against the decay surrounding it.
—Slick, Thump, Splat—its form hit the earth with a wet thud, the muck that enveloped it gradually dripping away like a discarded shroud to unveil a young boy who appeared to be in his early teens, his features sharp and almost ethereal against the backdrop of despair.
He remained still for a moment, his gaze a rich emerald green that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light, his hair unkempt and lengthy, curling wildly around his face, and his complexion remained surprisingly perfect despite the layers of grime that clung to his form like a second skin.
His mouth twitched slightly as if struggling against the weight of the moment, before a large grin broke free, stretching across his face with an unsettling enthusiasm.
"haha."
"hahahHaha."
"AHHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!"
His laughter erupted loudly, infused with a sick madness that echoed through the still air.
His eyes glowed brightly with manic energy as his laughter ricocheted throughout the surrounding area, unsettling the very stillness that had blanketed the landscape.
"I'M ALIVE!!! I'M ALIVE," he exclaimed.
His body vibrated with palpable joy, a tremor of exhilaration coursing through him as he sprang to his feet, the remnants of the muck finally breaking free from his form and falling away like a forgotten memory.
The grin still stayed on his face, his arms stretched out like he was seeking an embrace with a figure that wasn't there, and his eyes glowed brighter and brighter.
"Nathaniel King IS BACKK!!!" he shouted to the skies.
He took a step, and his head pounded, sending him to his knees as a surge of information flooded his mind, igniting a panic attack.
His bones cracked and reformed, twisting and contorting as if they had a will of their own. Dark, bristled fur erupted across his skin, spreading like a dark shadow. His face elongated features morphing into something primal, while his teeth sharpened to vicious points, glinting in the light.
Finally, a long, sinuous tail sprouted from the base of his spine, swaying with newfound life as the transformation was completed.
He surged ahead with velocity unparalleled by any ordinary human, racing through the contaminated zone and arriving at the lively thoroughfares of Gotham.
He keeps going, not stopping to admire the lights or the people around before coming to a stop, his nose twitched slightly, and a rough deep growl escape your mouth.
A man stepped out of a nearby building, his powerful physique bursting with muscles that rippled beneath the surface. His skin was an eerie pale, resembling that of a ghost, and he wore a thick jacket that seemed to swallow him whole, paired with casual jeans that hugged his form.
With a sudden lunge, Nathaniel sprang at the man, fangs bared and aimed at his neck.
The man wasn't merely a mass of muscle; he reacted with surprising agility, moving backward and deftly dodging the feral attack with an ease that left the onlookers frozen in a mix of confusion and horror. Their wide eyes reflected the tension of the moment, each breath caught in their throats.
"Someone's stray dog…" the muscular figure huffed, dismissing Nathaniel with a contemptuous sneer.
But Nathaniel's head throbbed with a primal urge, a deep desperation to kill this man surging through him like a powerful current. Visions of leather flashed in his mind, the searing sensation coursing through his veins, while a cacophony of chaotic noise invaded his thoughts, drowning out all reason.
The spectators gaped in horror as the stray-like creature began to swell, its form distorting grotesquely. Limbs stretched out, rising onto two hind legs as its fur ignited in a brilliant display, transforming its once-paw-like extremities into elongated arms adorned with razor-sharp claws.
"ROAAAAAWWWWWWHHHHHHH—!!!!" The creature bellowed a primal roar that reverberated through the streets as it lunged toward the muscular figure with unrestrained fury.
All onlookers scattered in fear, their terrified screams echoing through the alleys, creating a symphony of panic that filled the air.
The man huffed, his bravado faltering as he swiftly removed his coat, preparing for a confrontation. He threw a punch that landed directly into Nathaniel's head, but to his shock, it had no effect whatsoever.
As if drawn from a nightmare, the man visibly paled—if that was even possible—as Nathaniel gripped him by the shoulders, his gaze feral and unyielding. In one swift motion, he sank his razor-sharp teeth into the man's neck, a swift and brutal act, ripping through flesh without allowing the man a moment to cry out or scream in terror.
The streets fell silent but for the echoes of Nathaniel's primal hunger as he claimed his prey.