The bag was cold. It felt as if the weight of everything inside had transferred into Michael's hands. His hands trembled for a moment — whether from fear or excitement, he could not tell. Silently, he unzipped it.
The contents were unusual. Three sleek, black-matte technological devices, several metallic-glimmering capsules, and a folded piece of paper…
He unfolded the paper. A short sentence was scrawled in shaky handwriting:
"It is time to discover your power. They are watching you. Time is running out."
Michael's eyes never left the note. Beads of sweat dripped down his face. The emptiness inside him suddenly felt full. So… this was no coincidence. Someone knew about the change inside him.
He stood and pulled the bag onto the bed. He examined the devices — one was a slim wrist module, another a panel interface to be worn on the chest, and the third appeared to control the capsules. Each was systematic, military-grade, and purpose-built.
He looked at the capsules. Names were printed on them:
NeuroFlux-K, PainNull, GenStabil-X…
They meant nothing to him. Yet one thing was clear: these were no ordinary drugs. They were advanced enough to manipulate the nervous system and genetics directly.
The note echoed in his mind:
"They are watching you."
"Time is running out."
He took a deep breath and whispered to himself:
— This is not just my destiny. This is the destiny of all of them…
He hid all the devices and capsules under an old, dusty plank beneath the bed. As the glow of the capsules faded into darkness, Michael closed his eyes and sealed this moment in his heart with a single word:
"The fight begins."
A new life would start tomorrow. For those who had suffered. For the silenced. For the forgotten.
The next day, the air was unusually heavy. Patrol drones were fewer, and some systems had been taken offline for maintenance. Michael seized the opportunity to quietly summon the five he trusted most.
Once the door closed, silence enveloped the room. Everyone felt the weight of something monumental and dangerous.
The first to break the silence was Joseph:
— You're going to tell us why you called us here, right?
Michael said nothing. He bent down, retrieved the bag hidden under the bed, and carefully placed the devices and capsules on the table.
A strange murmur spread through the room — a mix of fear and awe.
— This… this can't be! — Torren's voice trembled — Where did you even find this?!
— Quiet. — Michael's voice was calm but firm. — These devices are not as simple as they look. If we speak too much, they'll come and take us. And we'll never see them again.
— Who gave them to you? — Lyra leaned forward, whispering.
Michael took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling.
— Last night, my body started to change. Red blood flowed from my veins.
— Red?! — Niva's eyes widened — Our blood has always been silver. Human blood is like this.
— So they say. But it wasn't always like this. True human blood was red. The upper class changed us. Our genes, memories, history… They experimented on us to make us weak, while strengthening themselves with our power.
Everyone fell silent. Only Michael spoke — as if years of hidden darkness and truth were finally given voice.
— Last night, someone came. I didn't know who they were, but it felt as if they knew me. They gave me this bag and said I am the one who will save the world. But I cannot do it alone. I need your help.
After a few moments of silence, Joseph nodded:
— Michael, you are my closest friend. But what you're saying… it doesn't make sense. Red blood, chosen one… that's in fairy tales.
— How do you know those tales aren't true? — Michael's voice was edged with hurt.
— Because we've seen our own blood! — Lyra interjected sharply. — All of us, our blood was silver.
— And it should be. — Elion sided with Michael. — I wouldn't believe it either, but I've researched some old, uncensored documents. They speak of humanity's original forms — organisms with red blood. It matches what you're saying.
— You're insane. Why hide so much from us? — Niva shrugged.
— Because they don't want truth. They want obedience! — Michael spoke. — And isn't this life enough for you? Every week, someone disappears! Where do they go? We continue to disappear as long as we stay silent. I will not be silent anymore.
Torren stepped forward. Experienced in technical systems and energy networks, he looked into Michael's eyes:
— You sound serious. If what you're saying is true, these devices are extremely dangerous. And if your body is truly changing… this could be our turning point.
Lyra, Niva, and Joseph exchanged hesitant glances. Michael quietly said:
— Even if I go alone, I will go. This system is rotting. They are slowly eliminating us. And I will no longer stay silent.
— Michael… that's… dangerous. You're putting yourself at risk. — Niva warned.
Her words were the final drop. Michael slammed his fist onto the table, cracking the old wood in two. Red light began to bleed from his veins.
— Michael… — Joseph whispered — …what has happened to you?
— I've been trying to show you. I am no longer the old Michael.
Lyra's breath caught, her eyes frozen in the red glow coursing through him.
— You… you've really changed…
The atmosphere shifted. Fear gave way to awe, doubt to curiosity. Michael's power was now visible to them.
Torren approached, hand on Michael's shoulder:
— Let's start. We have much to learn.
The red glow in Michael's veins dimmed gradually. Torren examined him carefully, then turned his gaze to the devices on the table.
— Is this… a Bio-Capsule? — he asked slowly. — I've seen this in documents, but never in person. It connects directly to the nervous system, allowing you to copy powers. Any skill, any memory… the device can hold it.
Elion picked up a device. Purple-metallic, slender, wristband-shaped.
— This is the Neuro-Q archive. It implants memories and reflexes into the brain — fighter reflexes, languages, strategies…
— I know this one. — Lyra pointed to a capsule. — PainNull. It temporarily shuts down nerve receptors. No pain. But… overuse dulls human emotions.
— So… Michael can fight and heal at the same time? — Niva was still in shock.
— Not exactly. I can copy one person's power at a time. More than that harms me. If I overload… I could die.
Silence fell.
— These powers, these devices… they are weapons in our hands. — Elion broke the silence. — Even if we can't destroy them, we can escape.
Torren opened a small schematic from the bag:
— This is a map of Hoffnung's energy center. If we disable the main breaker here, cameras and automatic doors will be offline for 90 seconds. That's our window.
— But we have to pass near the guard sector. — Joseph interjected. — At least three robots and a few live guards.
— We can lure the robots with a fake explosion. — Elion suggested. — Draw them out, then Michael activates the breaker.
— I… work in the storage sector. — Niva spoke quietly. — There's an old service tunnel there. It leads to the external tunnels. If we reach it… there's hope.
— And after that? — Lyra asked. — Hoffnung's outer tunnels are a legend. Nobody knows what's there. Maybe there's no way out…
Michael spoke resolutely:
— We don't know. But staying here is certain death. If there's a way, we must try.
Everyone exchanged glances. The atmosphere had changed — fear was gone. In its place were hope, risk, and the desire for freedom.
Torren stood:
— Plan: Elion and Joseph set the explosion. Lyra, Michael, and I will monitor the guards and wait for the right moment. Niva will hold the storage tunnel open.
— What if… the robots recognize us? — Lyra whispered.
Michael activated the Bio-Capsule on his wrist. The red glow returned to his veins.
— Then the fight begins.
Each went to their position. Lyra hacked the door codes. Elion had mapped the town in five days. Michael checked his devices and weapons one last time, preparing for the trial the next day.
Torren's room glowed faintly. Michael entered:
— Can I come in?
— Come on, Michael. I was going to call you. — Torren showed him the bright device.
— What is this?
— Energy breaker. It can disable all cameras and door locks for fifteen minutes. That's our time to escape.
Michael nodded, understanding that this battle demanded both brains and brawn.
He strapped the neural interface to his wrist. The device immediately connected with the energy flowing through his veins. The red glow flared. A message appeared:
"No suitable bio-energy source nearby. Switching to main power."
He clenched his fists — striking the wall created cracks.
Over the following days, he trained in secret at an old drill ground. Torren and Elion observed — Elion taking notes, Torren monitoring the device.
— Try your power on me now, — Torren instructed. — Don't worry, if it goes out of control, we have an antidote.
Michael activated the device. The message read:
"Torren: High analytical intelligence, microelectronic influence."
Information flooded Michael's mind.
— I… can think like you!
— Actually, you're replicating my thought processes and bio-energy rhythm. Incredible! — Torren exclaimed.
After training, Michael rested against the wall. The red glow dimmed. He felt weak, knees trembling.
— Michael?! — Elion ran to him.
— I'm… fine. Just a little… drained.
Torren scanned the interface. A warning sounded:
"Warning: Stabilization 42%. Nervous overload. Energy depletion imminent."
— You can't use this power for long. Every copied ability leaves a mark on your nervous system. Your body won't endure.
Michael remained silent, feeling it. Nights of practice left him with a thousand pinpricks, trembling arms, and screams in sleep.
— How much time do I have?
— I don't know. Could be a month… could be tomorrow. This power isn't stable. It will either save you or slowly destroy you. — Torren shrugged.
Lyra stepped close:
— We worry for you. We want you as a leader, not a martyr.
Michael pressed his lips together. The power came with a cost, but he had chosen.
— Even if my body burns, it's fine. As long as one of you is free, it's worth it.
Silence fell again. Leadership sometimes meant standing alone.
At 5 a.m., the underground city slept. Dim artificial lights flickered; distant footsteps echoed off concrete.
Lyra, Michael, and Torren pressed against a tunnel wall, watching a nearby guard. The neural interface on Michael's wrist pulsed softly.
— Now or never. — Lyra whispered. Codes ready. Twelve minutes.
— Energy breaker gives fifteen. One shot only. No turning back. — Torren nodded.
Niva waited in the storage sector, ready to open the final tunnel if needed. Elion and Joseph completed the fake explosive. Elion checked the time and signaled:
— Now.
Joseph activated the cylinder near the reactor. A massive explosion shook the sector. Red alarms blared.
"Sector 7 under threat! All security units deploy!"
Guards rushed. Torren activated the energy breaker. Lights flickered. Cameras went dark. Doors unlocked.
— Now! — Michael shouted, and the trio ran.
A robot guard noticed them, sending a high-pitched alert:
"Intruder detected. Escape attempt. RED alert. Eliminate."
Footsteps echoed, metal mixed with smoke. Shots fired. Michael shielded his friends. Several bullets hit him. Pain surged, knees buckled, but the red glow restored itself, wounds healing.
— This… my body is not my own anymore… — he thought.
They reached the storage. Niva held the door.
— Where have you been?! — she shouted. — Get inside!
Michael was last, closing the door behind.
— Enter the tunnel! I'll cover you!
— No, Michael! — Lyra shouted — They gave me this power for you. You go. I'll find you.
Michael swallowed an Adrenaline B-9 capsule. Energy surged, red lightning coursed through his veins.
He clenched his fist and turned to face the approaching robot guards. Their eyes glowed blue.
"Target: Genetic anomaly. Kill authorized."
Michael's mind raced, analyzing copied powers. The wrist interface glowed.
— Telekinetic strike… too risky… need at least two exhausting powers.
Michael stretched his hands forward. He activated the electromagnetic wave technique he had once copied in a laboratory. The metallic particles around him began to vibrate. As the robots approached, a powerful shockwave burst out. Two robots were thrown into the air, smashing against the wall and shattering into pieces.
But the others kept advancing relentlessly.
"Something else…" — Michael accelerated his healing; the bullet wound on his right shoulder began to regenerate with unexpected speed.
One of them attacked from behind. Michael turned and activated the agility power he had copied from a previous fighter. His body twisted mid-air, dodging the robot's strike with precision, then struck its chest with a sharp blow. The robot was thrown back but wasn't destroyed.
Then something happened.
He felt a strange vibration inside his brain. It was as if several powers had activated at once. His hands began to burn, his eyes turned pitch black. The abilities he had copied started to merge, overlapping chaotically.
Magnetic, energy, and pressure waves spread around him in an unstable burst.
"No... No! I can't hold them together!" — Michael fell to his knees, trembling. One robot took advantage of the moment and leapt toward him. But one of his powers exploded on its own — the robot melted under the unstable energy radiating from Michael's body.
Michael was gasping for breath. This power, this body... he still couldn't control it.
"They make me stronger... but they could destroy me as well…" — he whispered.
Alone, weakened but determined, Michael pulled himself together and walked toward the remaining robots. He no longer thought — he moved on instinct. There was no fear in his eyes. Only anger, determination, and a trace of... terrifying calmness.
One by one, he destroyed the robots, but after the final strike, he too dropped to his knees. He placed a trembling hand on the ground, trying to catch his breath. Slowly, he rose to his feet and looked toward the tunnel ahead.
"I'm getting to them... Nothing will stop us."
Michael's footsteps echoed through the narrow, dark tunnel. His body was exhausted, but he kept moving. The interface on his wrist was flickering — his energy levels were nearly depleted.
A few minutes later, a distant voice echoed:
"Who's there?"
"It's me... Michael."
He crawled through the narrow passage at the tunnel's end and entered the area where the others were. Niva and Elion caught him by the arms, keeping him upright. Michael's body was burned and wounded, yet the light in his eyes hadn't faded.
"You're alive!" — Lyra said in disbelief. "We thought they'd killed you…"
"Killing me isn't that easy."
Joseph stepped forward, inspecting Michael's wounds.
"You… you're not like us anymore, Michael."
"You knew that from the start. I've changed. This is the price of our freedom."
Torren's eyes focused on the device on Michael's wrist.
"The interface is flashing red. We need to activate the energy disruptor now. It's our only chance to disable the last security system in this zone."
Michael nodded.
"Let's do it."
At the end of the tunnel stood a massive, steel-covered gate — the main exit of Hoffnung. If they passed through it, they could finally leave the underground city. But the gate was surrounded by defense systems.
Torren pulled out the energy disruptor, placed it on the ground, and activated it.
"We have 15 minutes. Cameras, alarms, door locks — all will go silent. But it's a one-time shot. — Elion, check the map. Which route takes us to the surface fastest?" — Michael asked.
"If we go straight through here, we'll reach the old metro tunnel. About 700 meters ahead is the air passage to the surface. But…"
"But what?" — Niva asked cautiously.
"This section is marked as a 'sealed zone'. We have no idea what's in there."
Everyone looked at one another.
Michael took a deep breath.
"If we want to get out of here, we have to take the risk. Anyone who's afraid can turn back. I'm moving forward."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Lyra stepped forward.
"We're coming too."
The door opened with a deep rumble. A dark and cold passage greeted them.
Far ahead, there seemed to be a faint light… and an unknown sound — metal scraping, like breathing.
One by one, they entered the tunnel. Hoffnung was already behind them.
A new danger awaited ahead.
The tunnel door closed behind them with a heavy roar. They walked in silence. The air here was different — damp, rust-scented, and strangely "dead."
Elion studied the map and spoke:
"Seven hundred meters straight ahead — there's an air shaft. But the section after that isn't fully mapped…"
Torren walked along the wall, examining it.
"These walls… this place used to be a military laboratory. Layers of metal like this were used to reduce radiation and energy leaks."
"So… something dangerous was kept here?" — Lyra whispered.
"Possibly."
Suddenly, a metallic sound echoed from one of the passages ahead — as if someone, or something, was scraping against the tunnel wall.
Everyone froze.
"What was that?" — Niva stepped back.
"Quiet," — Michael turned and motioned with his hand.
A few steps later, the passage widened, revealing the remains of a half-collapsed laboratory in the darkness. Tables, capsules — some appeared as if something had forced its way out of them.
Elion bent down and picked up a broken piece of a capsule. There was a dried, reddish stain on it.
"This place… it was used for human experiments."
"They could have brought us here too…" — Joseph said, his voice trembling.
Then, a blinding noise came from the end of the tunnel — a hiss and the grinding of metal. Everyone stepped back.
Out of the darkness emerged a long, humanoid but entirely mechanical creature. Half-human, half-machine — its hands dragging against the floor, its body armored, and its face covered with a mask devoid of expression. It was clearly a remnant of old experiments — a Sentinel.
Torren hissed quickly:
"Run… These things are faster and stronger than humans."
The Sentinel saw Michael — its red eyes gleamed and it emitted a high-pitched sound.
"Detected: Red Gene."
Michael stepped forward.
"It recognizes me. It senses the difference in my genome…"
"It's programmed to kill you! Get back!" — Elion shouted.
The Sentinel lunged forward. Michael rolled to the ground, but the creature tore through the wall and came straight at him. Torren and Joseph instantly drew their weapons and opened fire, but the Sentinel didn't even flinch.
"Michael!" — Lyra screamed.
At the last moment, Michael injected an Adrenaline B-9 capsule, amplifying his power. The red light in his veins flared brighter, and his hands ignited. Gathering all his strength, he struck — his fist pierced through the Sentinel's chest. The machine was thrown back and crashed into the ground.
But it began to rise again...
"It's not stopping!" — Niva cried out.
"We have to get out of here!" — Michael pushed them forward and ran ahead.
The tunnel split in two. Michael chose the left path. Elion glanced at the map and confirmed:
"That's right — this path leads to the air shaft!"
Behind them, the Sentinel screeched and gave chase.
Ahead, the ventilation shaft came into view. Torren rushed to a control panel and activated it.
"The exit gate! But it'll take time to open!"
"Hurry up, it's coming!" — Joseph shouted, looking back.
Michael stepped forward again, blocking the Sentinel's way.
But this time, something was different. Michael's body began to overheat. His powers were overloading him. His hands trembled, his eyes glowed red.
"This… it's destroying me…" — he thought to himself.
The gate burst open with a loud clang. Michael and the others rushed inside.
At the end of the dark tunnel, a metal elevator was waiting for them.
"Quickly!" Michael shouted.
Everyone scrambled in one after another. Just as the elevator doors were about to close, the sound of metal footsteps echoed through the tunnel.
Two robotic guards stormed in. One of them, moving at lightning speed, grabbed Lyra by the arm.
"Lyra!" Joseph cried out.
Without hesitation, Michael leaped forward, using his strength to snap the robot's arms and free her.
"Take this, now!" Michael pressed a teleport chip onto Lyra's wrist and activated it.
In an instant, Lyra vanished and reappeared inside the elevator.
As the elevator doors closed, Michael was left behind. His shouts, the explosions, and the screeching of metal faded into the tunnel…
"Michael! My brother!" Joseph's voice trembled.
"Is he… dead?" Lyra couldn't hold back her tears. She blamed herself.
"We'll have to go on without him now," Elion said, clenching his jaw. "We'll fight for him."
The elevator stopped. They stepped into a dark, damp room. Between the dusty walls stood a single staircase leading upward.
Suddenly, part of the wall collapsed. Through the dust and debris, a blood-covered figure emerged.
"Michael!" Joseph ran forward.
A faint smile appeared on Michael's face. His eyes still burned with the fire of battle, but his body was intact.
"You're crying, aren't you?" Michael teased, pulling Joseph into a hug.
"Nooo, I'm not. Something just got in my eye…"
"We were so scared…" Lyra wrapped her arms tightly around him. "Why did you risk yourself for me?"
"A man who wouldn't sacrifice himself for his friends," Michael said calmly, his voice filled with quiet conviction, "could never save the world."
Suddenly, the walls exploded outward, stones and metal flying in every direction. Through the dust, Sentinel emerged.
His eyes glowed red like fire.
"Welcome," Michael said, taking a battle stance. Then, narrowing his eyes, he muttered,
"Wait… why are his eyes red?"
"He's connected to the System," Elion quickly explained. "Remember? The robots had red eyes too."
Sentinel lunged forward with incredible speed. Michael tried to block him, but his body was too weak from the earlier fight. Joseph and Elion fired their stolen rifles, but the bullets did nothing.
Sentinel grabbed Michael and slammed him against the wall. Michael collapsed, pain shooting through his back as he struggled to stand.
Then, a deafening explosion filled the room. Sentinel crashed to the ground, shattered, his mechanical arms twitching. Everyone turned toward the source of the blast.
Niva stood there, holding a rocket launcher. Her eyes were calm and cold.
"Niva, you saved us!" Torren gasped. "Where did you even find that?"
"I took it… just in case," Niva replied quietly.
Michael stared at her in amazement.
"Niva… without you, we'd all be dead. We'll always need you."
"I'll always be by your side. I promise," she said, her gaze steady.
Amid the sounds of collapsing metal, Michael approached the broken Sentinel. The machine's damaged voice module crackled.
"H…elp… me…"
Michael froze. This being had once been human too… perhaps forced, just like him.
He slowly knelt and took Sentinel's hand. The broken fingers brushed against his palm.
The red glow in Sentinel's eyes flickered…
And went out.
Everyone climbed up the staircase. In front of them stood a massive, rusted iron door. Without a moment's hesitation, Michael kicked it open—the metal screeched as it gave way.
A sudden burst of light blinded them. For several seconds, no one spoke.
Niva squinted, raising her hand to shield her eyes.
"Is that…?" she whispered.
Elion lifted his head, staring upward. His voice trembled with awe.
"Yes… it's the sun. And… the sky."
"It's beautiful…" Lyra breathed, her voice barely audible.
"It's just like in my dream," Michael murmured. His eyes gleamed with wonder.
"Alright, move! Let's go!" Elion snapped back to focus.
But their hope didn't last long.
Suddenly, drones appeared in the sky. The air trembled with a deafening hum. Automated tanks rolled into position all around them. From giant loudspeakers, a single message echoed again and again:
"Surrender for Unity."
For a moment, everyone froze. Then Elion shouted,
"Run! Into the forest!"
They dashed toward the trees, branches whipping against their faces.
Suddenly, Michael's holo-recorder began to vibrate. He opened it while running. A blinking message appeared on the screen:
"Congratulations, Michael.
You've completed your first mission.
Second mission: Travel to the Scandinavian region and join him.
He needs your help."
Michael stared at the message, breathing heavily. Then he looked up at his friends.
"How far is Scandinavia?" he asked.
"To which city?" Elion replied.
"Mora."
"1,071 kilometers."
"How are we supposed to get there?" Niva complained.
Michael turned to Torren.
"Can you drive?"
Torren raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, why?"
Michael pointed toward a sleek, abandoned vehicle nearby—ultra-modern, but covered in dust.
Torren looked at the car, then back at Michael. They both smiled.
No words were needed. Everyone already knew what this meant.
Ahead of them lay a long and dangerous road.
A brutal journey.
But they were in it together.
Together, they would fight.
To take back the world.