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The Resident Evil film series had concluded its unprecedented, four-month theatrical blitz. In a sleek office overlooking the New York skyline, Yinsen stood before a massive holographic display, presenting the final numbers to Aidan via a secure comms link.
"The strategy was unorthodox, Aidan," Yinsen said, a weary but deeply satisfied smile on his face. "The studio heads at Lionsgate thought you were insane. But the numbers don't lie."
On the display, a chart glowed, detailing the global box office for each film:
Resident Evil 1: The Mutant Survived - $90 million+
Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse - $160 million+
Resident Evil 3: Extinction - $190 million+
Resident Evil 4: God of War Reborn - $150 million+
Resident Evil 5: Punishment - $110 million+
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter - $130 million+
"A total of nearly eight hundred million dollars," Yinsen concluded. "But more importantly, the public relations initiative is proceeding exactly as you predicted." He swiped the screen, bringing up a highly circulated film review. "Ruby has been algorithmically promoting this one across all social media platforms. It's shaping the public conversation."
He read an excerpt aloud. "'...the development of the T-Virus is not portrayed as an act of pure evil, but as a tragic pursuit by a father to save his beloved daughter... The film serves as a powerful warning, not against science itself, but against the corporate greed that corrupts it. In the end, the most terrifying monsters are not the zombies, but the humans in the boardroom. It's hard to imagine a film series this philosophically complex was directed by a high school student, but that doesn't prevent it from being excellent.'"
Let them think it's just a movie, Aidan thought from his room in Kamar-Taj. Let them debate the philosophy. When the time comes, they will see the T-Virus not as a monster, but as a miracle. And they will be grateful. The virus itself, he knew, was the ultimate deterrent weapon, and this was the first step in managing its public perception.
In the sun-drenched main courtyard of Kamar-Taj—a space that felt more like a sacred martial arts field than a schoolyard—Aidan stood opposite Mordo. Today was for practical application. Today was for magical combat.
"This," Mordo said, holding up a simple, polished wooden staff, longer than a baton, "is a magic weapon. A relic." He gave it a single, sharp wave. The staff was suddenly wreathed in crackling red magical stripes, which then extended outward like a whip, lashing out and striking the stone ground with the sharp crack of a thunderclap. "Some magical instruments are too difficult to control in their raw form. We inject their essence into mundane objects, allowing us to wield their power freely at any time." The magic dissipated, and the staff returned to its original state. "This is the Staff of the Living Tribunal. Before I can take you to find your own relic, you must be prepared."
"I think I'm ready now," Aidan said, a grin spreading across his face as he saw the eager, competitive look in Mordo's eyes.
"No," Mordo grinned back, a rare sight. "We won't know that until I've hit you." He settled into a low fighting stance. "Now, use your spells as your weapon!"
"Then it shouldn't be a foul if I use some of my own methods," Aidan retorted. The crimson Umbrella medallion on his wrist liquefied, flowing up his arm in a wave of blood-red biomass. It spread across his entire body, forming a sleek, chitinous armor that looked more like a living creature than a suit. Glowing blue channels, like veins, pulsed under its surface, and a smooth, black visor covered his face. The Alicia-gene prototype was far more organic than his previous suits.
With a thought, his palms vibrated slightly, and two shimmering, orange mandalas of energy appeared in his hands. The Rings of Raggadorr. They were his magical start.
"Come on!" Aidan's voice, now a metallic rasp, came from behind the mask as he arrogantly beckoned Mordo forward with his fingers.
Mordo didn't speak. He activated the relics on his own feet, the Vaulting Boots of Valtorr, and the Staff of the Living Tribunal in his hand. He lunged, his staff transforming into a whip of pure energy, lashing out at Aidan.
Aidan simply turned to one side, dodging the blow. But as he turned back, Mordo had vanished, only to reappear instantly in front of him, having closed the distance in a magical flash. The whip came down on his head.
CRACK! The magical shield in Aidan's hand met the energy whip, and the impact sent a shower of golden sparks across the courtyard. At the exact moment of the parry, Aidan's internal combat chip fired a command, and his leg shot out in a powerful kick aimed at Mordo's abdomen.
But Mordo was a master of magical movement. He kicked off an invisible platform of solidified air, the Vaulting Boots of Valtorr propelling him backward, narrowly avoiding the kick. While still in the air, he kicked off another platform, launching himself into a backflip that took him directly behind Aidan, his staff already swinging down at his back.
Aidan's enhanced agility allowed him to spin quickly, blocking the staff with one shielded hand, while the magic in his other hand reformed from a shield into a heavy war hammer, which he swung toward Mordo's midsection. It was a brilliant counter, but Mordo's movements defied physics. His jumping boots flashed again, and he stepped on the empty air, twisting his body sideways to dodge the hammer, while bringing his staff crashing down on Aidan's shoulder.
Even with the bio-suit's protection, the force of the blow was immense. Aidan felt a heavy impact and was involuntarily forced down to one knee. He hadn't had time to be surprised. As Mordo pressed his advantage, Aidan reacted, his hand shooting out and grabbing the enchanted shoe on his shoulder. He leaned back, pulling with all his enhanced strength.
Mordo, caught off balance, was yanked forward, stumbling as his shoe came off in Aidan's hand. Aidan rolled backward, coming to his feet with the shoe in his hand. He sniffed it theatrically. "By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth, Mordo! You haven't washed your feet in days?" he teased, before tossing the boot aside.
"I merely forgot yesterday," Mordo said indifferently, standing opposite him, now wearing only a sock on his left foot.
"Then you should have smelly feet!" Aidan retorted. He clapped his palms together, and the red energy between them fused, forming a solid, glowing red staff about half a meter long. He charged.
Mordo's staff became a long, crackling energy whip, which he lashed out at the rushing Aidan. But Aidan's speed was immense; he dodged every strike with ease. Soon, he was in close, waving his red energy wand and aiming a sharp blow at Mordo's head.
Mordo raised his own staff to block, but the raw strength of the bio-suit caught him off guard. He was driven back a step, quickly turning sideways to vent the force of the blow. The two men then began a furious exchange, their energy weapons clashing like lightsabers, every impact sending bursts of red magical particles into the air.
After a few moments, Mordo, feeling his own human stamina beginning to wane against the tireless strength of the bio-suit, knew he had to end it. Seizing an opportunity, the energy of his staff skyrocketed. He feinted with the whip, forcing Aidan to block high, and in that instant, he reformed the energy into a solid, flaming sword. It bypassed Aidan's guard, and he pressed the searing point of the blade directly against the bio-suit over Aidan's heart.
The spar was over.
Next Extra Chapter at 1000 Powerstones.