The hum of machinery fills the sterile, metallic air as I adjust the vial of liquid under the flickering lights. Sweat beads on my forehead, but it's not from exertion. It's from the anticipation, the deep satisfaction of being so close to the culmination of everything I've worked for. Everything I've Sacrificed. 

I stare at the vial in front of me––its contents swirling with an ethereal glow. It's ready. I'm ready. My hands tremble, not from fear. It's excitement. This will be the final breakthrough. It is a perfect blend of science and power.

I've manipulated biology, technology, and chemistry to push the boundaries of human strength. All of it, right here in my grasp.

I can't believe it. I'm about to bring my greatest creation to life. 

The serum inside the vial isn't just a serum. It's the culmination of everything I've worked for-- the fusion of human biology, cybernetics, and cutting-edge nanotechnology, a biological enhancement, but so much more. Inside this vial is the perfect weapon. A serum that will alter the very fabric of the human body, transforming it into something beyond its natural limits.

I lean in closer, watching the glow pulse with energy.

This isn't just a performance enhancer—it's an evolution. The serum will rewrite the genetic code, rewriting what it means to be human. It contains genetically engineered cells harvested from creatures known for their strength, speed, hearing, and regenerative powers. Lions, cheetahs, wax moths, and axolotls.

Each one is meticulously spliced together to form the most lethal combination possible.

But that's not all. The serum also carries the power of nanotechnology. Thousands of tiny machines, no bigger than a speck of dust, will infiltrate the bloodstream.

They'll target every fiber of muscle, every nerve, and every synapse, repairing and augmenting my body with surgical precision. It'll enhance my strength, agility, and healing abilities, pushing me beyond human limitations.

My fingers twitch as I imagine it—muscle fibers rewired to respond faster than the speed of thought, bones reinforced by nanobots, and even my mind—my brain—firing at rates no human has ever experienced. The nanobots will make sure my body performs perfectly in combat, healing wounds faster than normal. I could take on an army and not break a sweat.

And the best part? It's all in my head. I designed it, only me, I've never written anything down. Everything I've done is imprinted in my mind, I can't trust anyone with what I've done. I didn't create this for them. I created it for me.

I can feel the heat rising in my chest, my pulse quickening, and I'm smiling, a little too much. I reach for the vial, and as it settles into my palm.

There's a knock at the door. No surprise. They always come when I'm at the height of my research, watching over my creations like fucking vultures.

Quickly putting the vial into my lab coat pocket.

"Come in," I call out, not looking up.

The door swings open. I don't need to see who it is--I already know.

Isabella steps in first, smooth and silent, her heels clicking like a death knell in the cold silence. She's dressed in a tailored black suit, her sharp features cold as ever. Behind her is Erik, a musclehead who thinks throwing punches gets him respect, and a few others I barely recognize. It's a squad. A damn squad.

They've been keeping their distance, I know that much. Observing my progress. Waiting for the right moment. And now, the moment has come, it seems.

"Everything looks... impressive, Marek," Isabella says, her voice as smooth as her attire. But I can hear the edge in her tone, This isn't admiration.

"You've done well, Marek," Erik adds, his tone gruff, but there's a tremor in his voice. Maybe he's not as sure of himself as the rest of them.

But I'm not buying it. Not anymore. The air in the room feels thick with tension, and I don't like it. They're here for a reason, and it's not to congratulate me.

I straighten, turning to face them fully. "What's going on?" My voice was calm and controlled. But underneath, there's a simmering anger. Betrayal is a dish best served cold, and I've always been good at spotting the signs. "What do you want?"

Isabella doesn't flinch. She never does. "Marek," she begins, her voice syrup-smooth. "We've been watching your work. It's impressive, sure. But you've crossed a line. You've become a liability to the organization."

The words hit me like a bullet to the chest, but I don't show it. I've been waiting for this moment. It's the same story every time. You get too powerful, and they come for you. You're either an asset or a threat. I can guess what I've become.

"I'm a liability?" I repeat, letting the words roll off my tongue. "Is that how you see me, Isabella?"

"You've been pushing the boundaries of science and power, Marek. We can't control that. You're too unpredictable now. Too dangerous."

She finally looks at me, her face scrunching up in an expression I can't explain.

"Are you... smiling?" She asked.

Eh? Smiling?

I quickly put a hand over my mouth to stop myself, But I can't control it.

I laugh. It's not a nice sound. It's manic. My voice cracks, and I feel the familiar rush of anger bubbling to the surface. "You're trying to control me? Do you think you can just take everything I've built? Everything I am?"

Erik steps forward, his face hard. "Enough, Marek. We don't want to do this, but you're making it impossible."

I step back, eyes narrowing. "I don't think you understand what I've done here," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "I'm not some experiment you can control. This is bigger than all of you. Bigger than this damn organization."

I quickly glance at the dim glow in my pocket, also noticing that they don't see it. "This is my legacy. And no one's taking it."

Before I can move, Erik lunges, trying to grab my arm. I twist, slamming my elbow into his gut. He grunts stumbling back, but I'm already on the attack. I throw a punch, and it connects with one of the other agents. There's a sickening crack as his nose breaks, and I don't stop. I never stop.

I hear the sound of another agent charging from behind. But I'm ready. I spin, kicking him square in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall. His body slumps to the ground like a ragdoll.

"You think this is a game?" I yell, grinning wildly. You think you can just take me down like one of your lackeys?"

I'm laughing, I just can't stop, my body moves like it's in its element. This is what I was made for. Power. Control. Destruction. They thought they could get rid of me. But they'll all see.

I take a step forward, eyes locked on Isabella. "You should've left me alone."

But she's not backing down. She knows what I'm capable of. That's why she's not afraid. She's too calm, too sure of herself.

"Erik, take him down," She orders, her voice cold. And just like that, the game shifts.

Erik charges again, this time with a couple of others backing him up. They move like a pack, surrounding me from all sides. I fight back with everything I have. My fists are flying, but it's no use. They're too many. Too coordinated.

Every punch I land doesn't seem to slow them down. I'm faster and stronger than any of them. But the numbers are against me. And soon. I feel the sting of a blade sinking into my side.

I gasp, but the laugh escapes my lips once again. It's Insane. Fun. I'm having fun. This is what I was meant for.

This is beautiful, the purest form of chaos.

But just as I'm about to deliver a finishing blow to one of my attackers, something sharp punctures my side.

A cold shiver runs down my spine as the syringe embeds itself in my skin, the needle slipping in with effortless ease. My body freezes for just a moment. I look down, seeing the glint of a needle.

A sharp, silver promise of death. I turn my head slowly, my blood still pumping with the adrenaline of the fight.

And there she is. Isabella.

Her eyes glint with cold satisfaction as she twists the syringe. "You're strong," she says, her voice tinged with something I can't place," But not that strong."

I blink, the world around me starting to destroy, blurring at the edges. My heart slams against my chest, but it's sluggish like I'm downing something too thick to process. She watches me intently as if savoring my fall.

I laugh. It's a hollow sound, but still mine. My vision flashes with moments from my past-- failed experiments, breakthroughs, the rush of success, the ecstasy of science, fighting other criminal mobs--and then, everything sharpens again. The poison is spreading through me, draining my strength. But I'm not done. I won't go down like this. I can't.

I feel my knees buckle, but I fight it.

With every ounce of willpower I have left, I reach for the pocket of my lab coat, my fingers trembling as they graze the glass vial. It's warm to the touch—glowing, pulsing with an otherworldly pink light. I pull it out with a swift motion, uncapping it without hesitation.

"What are you doing?" Erik's voice is sharp with alarm. Isabella's eyes narrow, her lips twisting in something between confusion and fear.

I don't answer them. I don't need to. The vial is already at my lips. The liquid slides down my throat, hot and thick, burning its way into my stomach. The last of my strength, all of my energy, pours into that one desperate act.

"This… this is my creation," I murmur, my voice barely a whisper as my body starts to tremble uncontrollably. "What I've worked my entire life for."

The serum burns. It's agony, and yet… it's glorious.

I feel it—feel everything—the nanobots activating, the genetic modifications rewiring my body, the muscle fibers stretching and growing, my bones adjusting, my skin tingling. But then, something changes.

My body doesn't obey the way it should. The serum was supposed to enhance me, but something… corrupts it. I can feel it working, yes, but it's twisted. It's as if the power I sought has turned against me, consumed me, pulling me in directions I wasn't ready for.

I can't control it. My hands jerk, my legs spasm. I scream as the chemical storm inside me rages, tearing through my insides, and shifting my muscles in ways I never thought possible. I'm twitching uncontrollably, writhing like a puppet on a string. My vision blurs again, but I know what's happening.

My body is collapsing into itself—twisting, breaking, regenerating.

Isabella and Erik stand there, frozen, shock spreading across their faces as they watch me contort, as I fight against the serum eating away at my flesh. I can barely hold my form together. I can't stop moving, twitching, and jerking, but I can't stop smiling either.

I smile. It's all I can do.

My body fights against the poison, fights against the serum I created, but in the end, I know it won't matter. I'm dying. My eyes lock on Isabella and Erik, watching their faces twist from confusion to terror to anger. They have no idea what they're looking at. They didn't understand what I did.

I grin wider, the last remnants of my sanity slipping as the serum takes over.

My body goes limp, and the last thing I see before everything goes dark is their faces—haunted by the terror of not knowing what just happened. They'll never understand. They'll never know the full extent of what I've done.