(Year: 2093)

(Location: Neo Aegis City)

The gala was a symphony of wealth and grandeur, a world of glittering holograms and shimmering lights. Hovercrafts zipped by above the glass ceiling of the sprawling event hall, their neon trails tracing the skyline of Neo Aegis. The guests, dressed in their finest cyber-enhanced attire, floated between conversations, glasses of luminescent liquids in hand. The fabrics of their outfits shimmered with embedded nanotechnology, shifting patterns to complement every movement. Some wore suits woven with fiber-optic threads, their designs pulsing in time with their heartbeats, while others boasted extravagant gowns that emitted soft, bioluminescent hues. Augmented faces gleamed under the soft glow of chandeliers, while metallic accessories clinked gently: bracelets that projected personal holograms, eyewear that displayed live feeds of the stock market, and rings that pulsed with the wearer's vitals.

The entrance to the gala was a spectacle itself. Guests presented their invitations through the latest biometric scanners—palm prints, retinal scans, or, for the more elite, direct neural link verification. Each approval was followed by a soft chime and a brief flash of holographic confetti, welcoming the invitees into the extravagant space. Conversations buzzed in the air, filled with casual mentions of intercontinental business mergers, the latest street riots in Sector Nine, and, of course, the Chaos Project.

"They say the Chaos Project is going to be the next step in human evolution," murmured a woman in a sleek, chrome-detailed gown to her companion, her voice carrying the delicate hum of a voice modulator. "The enhancements they're promising for future generations... I've already spoken to my geneticist about it."

Her companion, a man with a cybernetic arm that glowed faintly beneath his tailored sleeve, nodded. "It's really quite impressive. ExoGenesis has outdone themselves. I heard they've already treated hundreds of embryos, making sure they'll never suffer from disease or genetic flaws."

Nearby, a group of investors discussed the recent upheavals in other cities. "Starlight Megalopolis is in chaos after that coup last month," one man said, adjusting his augmented reality glasses. "But Neo Aegis… we stand strong. Thanks to ExoGenesis and their advancements, the city's security forces are unmatched."

At one of the ornately decorated tables, a young boy sat alone. Jenn, barely ten years old, was fidgeting in his chair. His small suit, made from nanofabric that adjusted to his growing frame, felt constricting, and he tapped his leg impatiently. His wide eyes darted around the room, taking in the sights—the shimmering holograms, the clinking glasses, the laughter of people far older than him. His parents were lost somewhere in the crowd, talking to other guests, leaving him to sit and wait. He had light blue eyes, and dark brown hair in a braided ponytail.

"Ugh…hurry upppp…" He sighed, boredom taking over quickly.

Two elegantly dressed figures approached, their eyes lingering on the lone child. One of them, a woman with flowing silver hair and a dress that shimmered like liquid mercury, leaned down toward Jenn. "Hello there, little one. Are you here alone?"

Jenn looked up, blinking. "No, my parents are over there." He pointed across the room to a pair standing near the central bar. His father, Ethan Hale,  was a tall man in a dark suit with subtle circuitry embedded along the sleeves, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back. His mother, Elara Hale, wore a flowing gown that seemed to ripple with every step, her auburn hair falling in loose waves, her augmented eyes glowing softly as she conversed.

The woman raised an eyebrow. "The Hales? I didn't know they were here tonight." She glanced at her companion, a man with a cybernetic monocle. "Did you know their company, Halo Industries, was one of the original investors in ExoGenesis? Back when it was just a small start-up."

The man chuckled softly. "Oh yes, they funded some of ExoGenesis's earliest projects. Seems they've kept a low profile since, but they're still around, apparently."

Jenn, growing bored of the conversation, turned back to the table and resumed tapping his leg.

'I don't careeree…' He whined in his mind.

Across the room, the stage at the far end of the hall lit up as the lights dimmed. A hush fell over the crowd as Dr. Lyra Kaine stepped into the spotlight. She was a striking figure, her sharp features framed by jet-black hair streaked with glowing strands of blue. Her eyes, an unnatural violet hue, scanned the crowd with an intensity that made even the wealthiest in the room shift uncomfortably. 

'Perfect.'

She wore a sleek, high-collared coat, its surface rippling with refracted light, the fabric almost seeming alive. Around her, several high-ranking members of ExoGenesis stood, their faces hidden in the shadows.

"Welcome," Lyra's voice echoed across the hall, amplified by unseen speakers. "It is an honor to stand before you tonight, as we celebrate the future of humanity. The Chaos Project has been the culmination of decades of work—decades of innovation, sacrifice, and vision."

As she spoke, a massive holographic projection appeared above her, displaying a timeline of ExoGenesis's achievements. It showed images of the first neural lace interfaces, the early prototypes of enhanced embryos, and the sleek laboratories where the Chaos Project had been born.

"We began with a dream," Lyra continued, her eyes gleaming. "A dream to rid humanity of its flaws. To create a world where sickness, weakness, and imperfection are relics of the past. Through our cutting-edge genetic enhancements, we have ensured that future generations will be stronger, smarter, and more capable than ever before."

The hologram shifted to show footage of embryos suspended in tanks, their DNA being manipulated by robotic arms with microscopic precision. "The Chaos Project is not just about survival. It is about perfection. We are not simply curing disease—we are creating the next stage of human evolution."

She paused, her eyes landing briefly on Jenn's parents. "I want to take a moment to thank some of our earliest supporters, without whom none of this would be possible. Ethan and Elara Hale, of Halo Industries, were among the first to invest in this dream. Their belief in ExoGenesis has brought us to where we are today."

The crowd applauded, and Ethan and Elara exchanged polite smiles, nodding slightly in acknowledgment as the attention of the room briefly shifted to them.

"Seems like this wasn't a mistake after all, huh?" Ethan said.

Elara answered, "I was so scared at first, ya know."

"We both were, we didn't know what we were dealing with."

Jenn sighed, "Can we leaveeee?"

Elara and Ethan looked at him, saying, "Aww."

They rubbed his head, adding, "It'll be over soon. Then we can go celebrate."

Lyra's voice grew more fervent as she continued. "We stand on the precipice of a new era. An era where humanity will no longer be bound by the limitations of biology. The Chaos Project will ensure that our species not only survives but thrives, no matter the challenges we face."

But before she could speak further, the doors to the hall slammed open with a crash. A figure stumbled in, ragged, breathing heavily, his clothes torn and face streaked with dirt and blood. Gasps rippled through the crowd as security drones hovered closer, but the figure raised a hand, shouting, "Stop! You need to hear this!"

Lyra's eyes narrowed, her calm demeanor flickering for the briefest moment.

The man—one of the former scientists of ExoGenesis, Dr. Venn Carter—staggered forward, his voice hoarse. "They're lying to you!" he shouted. "The Chaos Project isn't about perfection! It's about control! They're turning people into weapons—into mindless killers!"

Venn looked sickly and weak, he had messy brown hair, brown eyes, and square glasses, holding an enhanced inhaler in his right hand.

The crowd murmured in confusion, some guests stepping back, others watching in stunned silence. "The CHAOS Virus," Venn continued, his voice desperate. "It's in the implants! It's in all of you! They can turn you into slaves with the push of a button!"

Lyra stood motionless on the stage, her violet eyes locked on Venn as he spoke, her lips pressed into a thin line.

'Fuck..'

"Wake up!" Venn yelled, his voice echoing across the hall. "Before it's too late!"

The room fell deathly silent as Dr. Venn Carter's words pierced the air. The once-grand gala, filled with the wealthy and powerful of Neo Aegis, now stood frozen in disbelief. Whispers rippled through the crowd, a mixture of fear, confusion, and anger.

Jenn's parents, Ethan and Elara Hale, exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting from mild amusement to thinly veiled concern. 

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Ethan muttered, adjusting the cuff of his suit, his voice strained. 

Elara frowned, her glowing eyes narrowing. "Control? What is he talking about? We helped fund this project. They never mentioned—"

"He's lost his mind," one of the nearby guests interjected, shaking his head. "It's impossible. ExoGenesis wouldn't—"

But before anyone could process it further, Venn's voice rang out again, louder, more desperate, cutting through the haze of disbelief like a knife. 

"That's right... it's time you got exposed…if we can bring this to the fucking light now, then—" 

Jenn was scared, saying, "Mom..dad.."

Before he could finish, there was a deafening crash. Glass rained down from the ceiling as five grotesque figures—inhuman, twisted forms—descended from above, landing with bone-jarring force in the center of the room. The guests screamed and scattered, but it was too late. 

The figures weren't human anymore. They were monstrosities, their bodies twisted by cybernetic enhancements and genetic mutations. Their eyes burned with a savage, vacant hunger. Their skin was pale and stretched over augmented muscles, rippling with unnatural strength. Weapons were grafted into their flesh—blades, spikes, and jagged, metallic limbs protruding from their bodies like instruments of torture.

They were Klems. Damn successful Victims of the Chaos Project.

Each one bore a name etched in crude, glowing tattoos across their flesh.

Klem-046: A massive brute with a jagged jaw, his arms replaced with two large, serrated blades that gleamed under the neon lights.

Klem-122: A lithe and twisted figure, her spine exposed, her fingers elongated into needle-like claws that dripped with venomous liquid

Klem-099: A hulking creature, his face half covered by a cracked, metal mask, with a cannon embedded into his chest that hummed ominously.

Klem-207: His entire lower body had been replaced with mechanical spider-like legs, each one tipped with sharpened points, ready to impale.

Klem-013: The smallest of them, but no less horrifying, with a face twisted into a permanent grin, his eyes glowing red, and metallic tendrils snaking from his arms, tipped with blades.

The crowd recoiled in horror as these twisted beings surveyed them, their augmented forms twitching unnaturally. 

"No!"

"Everyone get out!"

"What the fuck are they?!"

Lyra Kaine, standing calmly on the stage, surveyed the chaos with cold indifference. She raised a hand, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Fetch."

In the blink of an eye, the Klems moved. Faster than anything human. They lunged at Venn with a speed that defied comprehension, their grotesque bodies blurring as they closed the distance in a heartbeat. Venn barely had time to react before Klem-046's blade-arm swept toward him. Venn ducked, the blade slicing through the air above him, but the other Klems were already upon him.

The wall behind them exploded as the Klems tore through it, dragging Venn with them into the sprawling neon-lit streets of Neo Aegis. The city outside was a chaotic web of towering buildings, holographic advertisements flickering in the rain, and streets crowded with people oblivious to the violence unfolding above them. Hovercars zoomed by, casting trails of light through the mist, and the distant hum of cyber-enhanced life filled the air.

Venn rolled to his feet on the rooftop, blood dripping from a fresh gash on his forehead. The Klems surrounded him, their movements erratic, their cybernetic enhancements whirring as they prepared to strike. Venn breathed heavily, his augmented limbs humming as he calculated his next move. He had no choice but to fight.

Klem-099 was the first to strike. The cannon in his chest glowed bright, and with a thunderous roar, he fired. Venn leapt to the side, the blast tearing through the rooftop with devastating force, sending chunks of concrete flying. Venn landed in a roll, narrowly avoiding Klem-046's blade as it came crashing down where he had been moments before. 

"Abominations…!" Venn exclaimed.

Klem-122 darted in next, her needle-like claws aiming for Venn's throat. Venn twisted, catching her wrist mid-strike and slamming her into the ground with a brutal crack. But she was back on her feet in an instant, her claws swiping at his face. He ducked, then launched a vicious kick to her chest, sending her skidding across the rooftop.

Klem-207, with his spider-like legs, scuttled forward, his limbs stabbing down toward Venn like spears. Venn dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding one of the sharpened points. He grabbed a broken pipe from the debris, using it to block another strike, the metal clanging sharply. He spun, using the momentum to drive the pipe into Klem-207's side, but the creature barely flinched, its mechanical limbs continuing their relentless assault.

Venn ducked under a swing from Klem-046, the blade slicing through the air above him, and retaliated with a brutal elbow to the creature's jaw. Klem-046 staggered back, but quickly regained his footing, his eyes glowing with rage. Venn turned just in time to see Klem-013 charging at him, his tendrils whipping through the air like bladed whips. Venn dodged, but one of the tendrils caught him across the chest, tearing through his flesh with a spray of blood.

He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain, and slammed his fist into Klem-013's face, shattering the creature's nose. Klem-013 reeled, but before Venn could press the advantage, Klem-099's cannon fired again. Venn had no time to dodge. The blast hit him square in the chest, sending him flying backward, crashing through a billboard and into the side of a building.

Venn groaned, his body screaming in pain, but he forced himself to his feet. He wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot.

"I'm not..don't..I'm not fucking done yet…Lyra!!!"

The Klems were relentless. Klem-046 charged, swinging his blade-arms with deadly precision. Venn ducked and weaved, dodging each strike by mere inches, the blades slicing through the air with terrifying speed. He countered with a swift uppercut to Klem-046's chin, followed by a knee to the gut, but the creature barely flinched, its augmented body absorbing the blows.

Suddenly, Klem-122 was on him again, her claws flashing in the neon light. Venn blocked the first strike, but the second claw slashed across his arm, drawing blood. He growled in pain and retaliated with a brutal punch to her face, sending her sprawling across the rooftop.

Klem-207 lunged again, his spider-like legs stabbing down toward Venn. He dodged one, two strikes, but the third caught him in the side, impaling him through the ribs. Venn gasped, blood spilling from his mouth, but he grabbed the leg and twisted, pulling Klem-207 off-balance. With a roar of effort, Venn hurled the creature off the rooftop, watching as it crashed into the street below, sending sparks flying.

But there were still three left.

Klem-099 charged, his cannon glowing bright. Before he could fire, Venn sprinted forward, closing the distance in a blur of movement. He leapt, driving his fist into Klem-099's chest, shattering the cannon with a deafening explosion. The creature roared, staggering backward, but Venn was relentless. He followed up with a series of brutal strikes—punches, kicks, elbows—all aimed at vital points. Each blow landed with sickening impact, blood and oil spraying from the creature's body.

But it wasn't enough. 

Klem-046 and Klem-013 attacked in unison, their blades and tendrils slicing through the air. Venn dodged, blocked, countered—but he was slowing down. His movements were becoming sluggish, his augmented limbs straining under the relentless assault. 

Klem-046's blade finally found its mark, slicing deep into Venn's side. He gasped, blood pouring from the wound. Klem-013's tendrils wrapped around his neck, pulling him to the ground. Venn struggled, but it was no use. 

Klem-046 raised his blade for the final strike, but before he could deliver it, a figure appeared behind Venn, moving with unnatural speed. The figure was dressed in a sleek black suit, a porcelain-white mask covering their face. They moved with terrifying precision, their twin swords already embedded in Venn's back.

Venn's body went limp as the figure ripped the swords free, blood spraying across the rooftop. The masked figure knelt, grabbing Venn's head with one hand.

"For Chaos," the figure muttered, before ripping Venn's head from his body in one swift motion.

Back at the gala, the room was a bloodbath. Bodies lay strewn across the once-elegant floor, their blood pooling beneath the shattered chandeliers. The scent of death hung heavy in the air. Jenn was backed up against the wall, trembling, his small body covered in the blood of the fallen. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at the carnage, his breathing ragged, his heart pounding in his chest.

His parents were among the dead, their lifeless bodies lying in a heap near the bar.

In the center of the room, Lyra stood amidst the corpses, her violet eyes glinting with cold satisfaction. She took a step toward Jenn, her boots clicking softly against the blood-soaked floor. Her hand reached out toward him, her voice soft, almost soothing.

"Come here... I'll take care of you…"

Jenn whimpered, pressing himself further against the wall, tears streaming down his face.

But before he could move, Lyra vanished, reappearing in front of him in an instant, her hand wrapping around his small neck with chilling precision. Jenn gasped, choking, his hands clawing at her wrist, but her grip was iron.

"He'll be a perfect embryo," Lyra said, her voice a whisper of triumph.

Jenn's vision blurred, his world fading to black as her grip tightened around his throat.