The faint sound of machinery, the constant hum of the underground facility, was now a constant companion for Aeria. The cold steel walls that once seemed alien and oppressive were now familiar, almost like a second skin. She had been here for what felt like weeks, but time seemed to blur in this isolated prison, where her only role was to be a vessel a source of life for others.
The experimentation had escalated. Dr. Sarris, along with a team of scientists, had been running constant tests on her blood. Every day, her blood was drawn, analyzed, and then pumped back into her body, only to be extracted again. They claimed it was for "optimal efficiency" in healing, but she knew better. They were using her.
A soft hissing noise echoed in the chamber as the machine on her left began its process. She could feel the cool metallic tube attached to her arm, the needle deep within her vein, a never ending stream of her blood pumping out, only to be filtered, analyzed, and redistributed. It was a process that happened every day now, non-stop.
A small monitor beside her flickered on. Dr. Sarris appeared on the screen, his face expressionless as always.
"Good morning, Aeria," he greeted her, his voice overly polite, though his words lacked any real warmth. "Your blood's regenerative properties are working at full capacity. We've adjusted the flow rate. You should be able to maintain the process without adverse effects for now."
Adverse effects. That's what he called the overwhelming sensation of having her life force drained, pumped out, tested, and then forced back into her. As if it was simply a matter of "adjusting the flow."
But Aeria kept her mouth shut. She couldn't afford to show weakness. Not now.
"Your blood is being used, as we discussed," Dr. Sarris continued, his eyes not meeting the camera as he focused on the readings in front of him. "We've perfected the method. It now flows through multiple channels, some of which we've connected to our military operations."
Aeria's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?" Her voice was hoarse, strained from disuse, but she couldn't help herself. She needed to know.
Dr. Sarris smiled coldly, the curve of his lips barely perceptible.
"Your blood is now being pumped directly to the frontlines," he explained, as though discussing an insignificant detail. "It's being delivered to soldiers, high ranking officers, and agents in the field. Their injuries are healed instantly, the most severe wounds closing up with a single transfusion. We've made great strides in turning you into a weapon. Your blood will be the key to giving our forces an edge like never before."
A chill ran down Aeria's spine. She had known they were using her, but hearing it so blatantly the thought that her blood was now sustaining soldiers and feeding war efforts felt like a knife through her gut.
"They're using my blood to fight wars?" Aeria whispered, her voice breaking. The idea that she was being reduced to nothing more than a blood bank for warfare sickened her.
"Yes," Dr. Sarris replied without hesitation, clearly indifferent to her feelings. "Your regenerative blood has given our soldiers and agents an unprecedented advantage. You are more than just a healer now. You are a resource vital for the success of our operations."
Aeria fought back the overwhelming tide of anger and helplessness. They had taken everything from her her family, her freedom, her identity—and now they were using her blood to fuel the wars they waged. She was nothing but a tool.
The worst part? She couldn't escape. Her body, her immortal, unkillable body, was now part of their twisted machine. She could heal every wound, regenerate from any injury, but she couldn't free herself.
Her veins pulsed as the machine continued to siphon her blood. A feeling of cold dread spread through her, the stark realization settling in: there was no way out. As long as they had access to her blood, she would be a prisoner.
"Your blood will continue to flow to the frontlines," Dr. Sarris said, his voice cold and distant. "You may feel fatigued, but that's to be expected. Once the testing phase is complete, we'll introduce a more... permanent method of extraction. You'll be indispensable. You'll save countless lives on the battlefield, all while we control your every move."
Aeria's fists clenched at her sides, but her body remained immobilized by the restraints and the constant influx of her own life force being taken and given back. She was trapped in a nightmare of her own making, her blood literally being used to fuel destruction.
The screen flickered again as Dr. Sarris leaned in, his voice lowering to a whisper. "Do you know what the most exciting part is, Aeria?"
Aeria remained silent, her mind racing as her body endured the draining process.
"We've discovered a new application for your blood." Dr. Sarris paused for a moment, letting the words hang in the air. "In addition to healing, your blood also has the ability to amplify powers. We've started mixing your blood with soldiers' to enhance their own abilities, making them stronger, faster, more durable. It's not just healing it's an upgrade."
Aeria's eyes widened as the weight of the revelation hit her. They weren't just using her blood to heal. They were amplifying others, making them stronger than ever. Her blood wasn't just keeping people alive it was making them unstoppable.
And she had no say in any of it.
"Your sacrifice is invaluable, Aeria," Dr. Sarris continued, his voice unfeeling, detached from any notion of compassion. "You will be remembered as the catalyst for a new era of military superiority."
The words echoed in her ears, as the cold realization hit her once more she was a tool, a machine. Her existence was no longer her own. It had been reduced to the simplest of functions: to heal, to regenerate, to fuel their wars.
Her family had abandoned her. Her classmates had been wiped from existence. And now, she was locked in a cage of her own body, being drained and used for something she couldn't control.
Aeria closed her eyes, willing herself to block out the tears that burned at the back of her throat.
They thought they could break her. They thought they could turn her into a weapon.
But they didn't know her. Not really.
And she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.
The hum of the machines continued, steady and rhythmic, as her blood flowed endlessly to the warfront, her life stolen drop by drop, while the world around her continued to change without her.
But Aeria was not gone yet. She was still alive, and as long as she was, she would never stop fighting.