Dying Light: Volatile Virus

After a moment of observing yourself, you walk, leaving the facility, while the Mother follows you. Suddenly, you hear interference and static noises from the radio, so you settle it, and then, you hear Dr. Zere.

Dr. Zere: "Marco? Can you hear me?"

-"Yes, doc. Is something wrong?"

Your voice at first takes Dr. Zere by surprise, but he quickly goes to the point.

Dr. Zere: "I analyzed all the information. Your blood sample, and the information in the USB. The virus mutates very different in everyone if anything happens. And the speed of mutation is also variable. I can't find a cure, as all tests show a different result each time. And... The airdrops supplies stopped arriving in Harran... Marco... The Tower is falling from inside, we are losing survivors... Without Antizin... They're turning... And it's nighttime... We need you here..."

-"Don't worry, doc. I'm-"

You suddenly stop talking as you hear static from the radio. One thing was clear... The Tower was lost, but maybe, and only maybe... Some are still alive in there... Maybe trapped in rooms... Or by fighting their way to remain distance... But time was running out...

You quickly start leaving, making your way, but once you leave the facility, members of the cult offers you something. Ceremonial clothes, specifically designed for you.

The cult member, faceless and reverent, bows slightly before speaking in a tone of deep respect, their voice steady and deliberate: 

"Successor of the Sun, the Mother has foreseen your journey and prepared this for you. These garments are woven with purpose, blessed under the Sun's light to shield and honor you. Wear them as you ascend, a beacon of hope and strength to all who follow the path of the Sun." 

They extend the ceremonial clothes toward Marco with both hands, head lowered, as if presenting a sacred gift.

-"... Place them in my backpack. I have something very important to attend right now."

The cult member obeys and saves the clothes in your backpack. Once he closes the backpack, you continue running and jumping, impulsing yourself as max speed as you can.

Your way back to Harran is long, even for your speed and impulsed jumps... After few hours, you reach the sewers, travelling all the way back to Harran.

After entering the Slums, you hear in the far distance the noise of Volatile growls. So you yell a Volatile growl as answer of those growls calling you.

Then, you start jumping to the nearest roof, and from there, from roof to roof, impulsing yourself to get back at the Tower as fast as possible.

It takes you a big while to reach visual of the Tower in the distance. Slowly, you start reaching the Tower, more and more getting closer, as your worry keeps growing as you continue.

Once you reach the Tower, you see the windows broken, shattered. So you jump and crawl through the wall, checking what you see from outside the inside of each floor.

The first floors are full of blood and death, along corpses devoured and infecteds. The near up floors are not so different, but slowly, less and less corpses after each floor.

You reach the laboratory room, but Dr. Zere isn't there, as you are used to see him there.

You enter the room, and see the laptop of Dr. Zere turned on, and all bloody, but you still can see the monitor well enough.

You start using the monitor, quickly finding a record file with videos, all with different dates, but you don't know when this videos were recorded, as you forgot in which date you are, so you play it, not caring if you attract any infected or not, as after all, that's an irrelevant risk for you, what wouldn't be for any non-infected survivor.

The laptop displays five videos, each marked with a progressive date, detailing the Tower's situation during Marco's absence. Here's a summary of each recording:

Video 1: Optimism and Gratitude

Dr. Zere appears seated in his laboratory, visibly tired but hopeful. Behind him, survivors are seen sorting crates of Antizin Marco delivered.

Dr. Zere:

"Thanks to Marco, we've received more Antizin than we thought possible. This will give us some breathing room. We've begun distributing it to other safe zones in the Slums. For now, spirits are high, and we're holding steady. Marco, wherever you are, know that you've made a difference."

Video 2: Resources Begin to Dwindle

Dr. Zere looks more stressed, and the room is slightly messier. Behind him, survivors are seen arguing over supplies.

Dr. Zere:

"We've miscalculated. The Antizin is going out faster than anticipated. More survivors are showing up at the Tower daily, some desperate and on the verge of turning. We've prioritized those showing symptoms, but it's spreading us thin. If Marco or Kyle doesn't return soon, we may need to ration what's left."

Video 3: Tensions Rise

The laboratory is quieter now, with fewer people in the background. Dr. Zere looks visibly exhausted, his voice carrying a defeated tone.

Dr. Zere:

"The Antizin supply is critical. We've started rationing it, but that's only made matters worse. Survivors are angry—panicked. Fights have broken out. I've heard rumors of people hoarding doses or fleeing the Tower. We're doing what we can, but the situation is deteriorating rapidly."

A loud commotion is heard outside the room, and Dr. Zere briefly looks toward the door before ending the recording.

Video 4: The Collapse

Dr. Zere is speaking quickly, sweat on his brow, as chaos erupts in the background. Screams echo from the hallways, and the sound of growling infecteds grows closer.

Dr. Zere:

"We've run out. The last dose of Antizin was used yesterday. There's nothing left. The Tower is falling apart from within—infected are turning, and we don't have the manpower to hold them back. I tried to call for help—anyone—but the GRE hasn't responded. Kyle... Marco... if either of you are out there, this may be our last message. The Tower is—"

The door bursts open as Virals rush in, cutting him off. Zere is seen scrambling for something off-camera as the screen goes black.

Video 5: Today's Despair

This recording plays automatically. Dr. Zere is visibly pale, blood staining his shirt, and he speaks into the radio with trembling hands.

Dr. Zere:

"Marco, if you're hearing this... the Tower is lost. Survivors are trapped in rooms, barricaded. Some are already turning. The GRE abandoned us, and Kyle... I don't know where Crane is. I've barricaded myself here in the lab, but it won't hold for long. Marco, you're the only one who can help... please... hurry."

Loud banging is heard at the lab door, and Zere's voice becomes panicked.

Dr. Zere:

"They're here. I'll—"

The video cuts out abruptly as Volatiles and Virals breach the room.

The laptop screen returns to the desktop after the final video. The silence in the room is deafening as you process what you have just seen.

You remain sitting in a chair after seeing the videos, analyzing the situation. All those boxes of Antizin... Wasted as fast as you also obtained them... Was thing was clear for you... They caused this to themselves... They didn't think, and they tried something they couldn't handle... And now... The idea you shared to Dr. Zere was also dead... Was all now on you...

You replay a little the part where Dr. Zero mentions not knowing where Crane is... You wonder where he might be, as you didn't saw him in the countryside, and you did follow his trail until reaching there, but... You lost track of him, and now was too late for Dr. Zere and everyone in the Tower.

You take deep breathes, trying to understand, how did they waste all the Antizin so fast? How could this get out of hand so easily? Why humanity doesn't change?... Questions come and go in your mind, but no answers to understand the situation...

After a short moment, you try something you know is stupid, but you hope it works. You get your radio, and try to communicate with Dr. Zere, in hope to find his location with the radio, as you don't see nearby red trails.

From your radio is heard static. No answer, only silence... You save your radio while unsettling it, but suddenly, from your radio you hear the GRE while you were unsettling it, as you accidentally settled it in their signal.

GRE Operator: "This is GRE. Status report, agent."

You get surprised, so you prepare to talk, but you hesitate, sighing.

-"... Why did you stop?... Why did you stop sending supply crates?..."

Your voice surprises the GRE Operator.

GRE Operator: "Agent Sanchez, explain your tone. Supplies were cut due to compromised distribution and unsatisfactory results. Elaborate on your findings."

-"... You got what you wanted... I don't know where there may be survivors in Harran, at least in the Slums... Is this what you wanted?... People died because of you..."

GRE Operator: "Agent, casualties were anticipated. The operation's primary goal remains intelligence acquisition and containment. Focus on your objectives, not the aftermath."

-"... Objectives?... What objectives?... I have the USB, I'm trying to get more information... The deal was to continue trying to make people in Harran survive... And you left them to die... As food for the infected... Here was a doctor... A good one in being a scientist... He could have helped in the cure... And now he is dead because of you... How many casualties have to happen?... How many until you do something for real?... Contain Harran as you did... Only made everything worse... I lost where Crane is... But I found a way to leave Harran... Your containment failed..."

GRE Operator: "Agent, containment was never meant to be absolute—it was a delay to assess the situation and secure critical assets, like the USB you now possess. Your emotions are clouding your judgment. Focus on securing actionable data and re-establishing contact with Crane if possible. Harran's fate is collateral."

-"... You are collateral..."

GRE Operator: "Watch your tone, Agent. You serve a purpose within this operation—nothing more. Fulfill your duty, or you'll become as expendable as the rest of Harran."

-"... I don't think you understand... Because of you, I got unconscious by hard hits in my head when landed in Harran, then infected with lot of bites over me... Then I turned... And from there, worse... I turned into a Volatile, but I'm different... I also entered a strange cult of a god of the sun, by a Sentient Volatile known as the Mother... They see me as not only the successor of such god, but also the god itself... I don't know how more times I'll may change... Mutate or... Evolve... Just know... I know the way to leave Harran... And if I can leave... That means I can take my home nest of Volatiles with me... Leave Harran and get a new nest outside... I don't think any of you could stop me... The best would be find a mutual benefit deal, but... I know we won't reach that..."

GRE Operator: "Your condition is irrelevant, Agent. Your usefulness is determined by your actions, not your circumstances. If you're no longer capable of serving GRE objectives, you'll be deemed a threat—inside Harran or out. Consider this your warning. Continue the mission, secure results, or face termination. The choice is yours."

-"... I quit... Consider this as I don't work for GRE anymore... I'll keep the information you feared of Rais with me. Maybe once I leave Harran, at any moment you don't know, I may or not find a scientist... Maybe I get good benefits... And by how I heard locals used to say here... Good luck, and good night..."

You then unsettle the radio, leaving the GRE Operator with the answer in their mouth.

You turn around and get from your backpack the ceremonial clothes. After you change of clothes, you stare at the Sun mask while holding it with both hands.

-"... As the God of the Sun... I will glow a bright light... To guide the path to those in need..."

You then turn the Sun mask, and slowly move it to your head, until place it, now wearing it. Once you wear it, you your vision goes golden for an instant, as the mask's eye spots glowed with a golden sparkle as were your pupils.

Marco's appearance in the ceremonial clothes radiates an aura of authority and divine presence, blending his Volatile nature with the role of a revered figure. Here's a detailed description:

Head and Mask

Sun Mask: The mask, crafted from a burnished, gold-like material, features intricate designs resembling sun rays emanating outward. The eyes are hollow but glow faintly golden, creating the illusion of watchful, divine eyes. Around the edges are faint engravings of celestial symbols. When Marco wears it, the mask's glow intensifies slightly, reacting to his presence and pulsating with a faint golden aura.

Torso and Vest

Ceremonial Overlay: A deep crimson robe drapes over Marco's fused tactical vest, embroidered with golden thread in patterns resembling solar flares and constellations. The robe doesn't conceal the sharp skeletal outlines of his vest, which now appears as part of his body. The Sun's mask symbol is prominent over the chest area, etched into the vest itself, glowing faintly under sunlight.

Arms and Hands

Arm Bands: His upper arms are wrapped with dark leather straps, studded with sun-shaped medallions. His clawed hands are left bare, their sharpness and darkened texture giving a stark contrast to the ceremonial elegance. A faint golden shimmer traces the veins on his forearms, showing his mutation intertwined with his new identity.

Legs and Feet

Flowing Robe: The crimson ceremonial robe extends below the waist, split along the sides to allow freedom of movement. Beneath it, Marco's mutated legs, muscular and reinforced, remain visible, with faint golden veins running along them. The robe's lower edges are embroidered with radiant golden patterns resembling a sun's rising glow.

Feet: His bare, clawed feet are darkened, with a faint sheen as if absorbing the sunlight directly. They seem more animalistic, their shape a testament to his predatory evolution.

Accessories

Sash and Belt: A wide golden sash wraps around his waist, holding the ceremonial robe in place and etched with the cult's sacred symbols. Small loops on the sash hold his equipment and tools, modified by his evolution but still functional.

Backpack Attachment: The ceremonial clothes integrate seamlessly with his evolved, fused backpack. The backpack has taken on a sleek, polished appearance, with faint glowing symbols running along its surface.

Aura Marco emanates a subtle golden aura, especially in sunlight. The ceremonial outfit seems to amplify the light he absorbs, making him appear like a living beacon of solar energy. The combination of elegance and predatory menace makes him look like both a divine figure and a relentless hunter.

In this attire, Marco looks like a walking embodiment of the Sun God his cult reveres—majestic, powerful, and terrifying.