The warped: Dark seed saga

The distant roar of engines echoed through the canyon, a symphony of reckless ambition and desperation. The night air carried the scent of scorched rubber and gasoline, thick with the sting of loss and the electric thrill of victory.

Streetlights flickered against the chrome bodies of two cars as they tore down the last stretch of Turnbull Canyon Road, headlights slashing through the dark.

A Nissan 240SX-beaten, but tuned with all the bells and whistles.

An RX-7-sleek, untouchable. A king's chariot.

The race had already been decided.

The RX-7 slid to a stop first, its engine purring like a beast that had claimed its prey. The 240SX rolled in seconds later, its tires kicking up rocks in protest, carrying the weight of defeat upon stopping.

The driver of the RX-7, Isaac, a man with sharp cheekbones and sharper confidence, reached out and snatched up the pink slip from the outstretched hand of his rival. He twirled it between his fingers, savoring the moment.

Tonight, he owned these streets.

"That was intense, Josh," Isaac said, grinning as he inspected the slip. "But your car -"

Josh scowled, yanking off his gloves. "-is still worth more than your rent."

Laughter erupted from the gathered crowd of twenty racers, engines still humming in the background.

The night belonged to them-adrenaline, freedom, the sheer rush of defying gravity and chance.

And then-the peace broke. A Plea for Help could be heard echoing in the distance

The first of the girls burst onto the road, gasping for air.

Her hoodie was torn at the sleeve, her chest rising and falling too fast, her body shaking. Her eyes were wild, flicking over the stunned faces of the racers.

"Help!" she sobbed, almost tripping over herself. "Please! He's-he's dead!"

Behind her, lexi, Natalie, and Carlos stumbled onto the pavement, their faces just as stricken. They had all run together.

The crowd turned, confused.

"What the hell?" Isaac muttered, stepping forward.

Josh asked cautiously. "You kids lost or something?"

Carlos's breath was ragged. "You don't understand!" he snapped, eyes darting back toward the trees. "Something-killed our friend! Lucas-he just -" His voice broke, as if the words themselves didn't make sense.

Some of the racers exchanged wary glances.

The girl named Sophie gripped her own arms, trying to steady herself. "We have to get out of here now!"

Josh sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Listen, you gotta be more specific. Who's dead? What happened?"

Natalie shook her head violently. "No-he's not just dead. There's a monster up th-"

And then-their friend finally stepped into the light.

Carlos's called out to his friend. "Holy shit Lucas, you made it?"

Lucas opened his eyes slowly, his eyes burned red against the blackened backdrop of the night sky.

His mouth stretched too wide, revealing sharp dagger-like teeth.

Josh took a step back. "No fucking way-"

Then Lucas moved.

Isaac barely had time to process before Lucas slammed into the nearest racer, his teeth sinking into the man's throat.

A wet, ripping sound.

A choked gasp.

Then-a scream.

Blood splattered across the pavement.

Someone shouted. Others ran.

Lucas lifted his head, grinning through the blood.

Alfonso convulsed violently on the ground, veins pulsing black. His limbs twitched, body spasming-before stillness.

For a heartbeat, the night was silent.

Then Alfonso lifted his head.

His pupils burned red.

Slowly, Alfonso turned toward Lucas. And then-he smiled.

" .... hey brother?"

Panic Spreads Like Fire

Engines roared to life.

Some of the racers scrambled to their cars, throwing open doors, slamming gas pedals, tires screeching as they tore down the road. Each corner taken faster and faster. Fear outweighing control, Safety was a forgotten luxury—only outrunning the nightmare behind them mattered.

But not everyone got away.

Sophie, lexi, Natalie, and Carlos sprinted toward the rx-7 parked near the edge of the lot.

Isaac was already inside his RX-7, gripping the wheel tight, engine growling.

"Get in! Get the hell in!"

Carlos bolted to catch up to the girls jumping in their only escape.

Lucas was closing in too fast.

Natalie turned, eyes widening as carlos finally caught up to her. "Carlos, what are you-?"

Carlos shoved lexi-hard.

She stumbled, falling onto the pavement with a sharp cry.

Natalie screamed, reaching for her-but Carlos was already diving into the racer's car.

"GO!" he yelled.

Isaac didn't hesitate.

The tires shrieked.

Natalie, bleeding from a bite on her arm, barely managed to jump in before the door slammed shut. She clutched her wound wincing in pain. Tears streaking down her face.

She turned, looking through the back window in horror.

Lexi, sprawled on the ground, looked up at the car leaving in shock.

Lexi's eyes met Carlos's through the tinted window.

Her lips moved, but no sound came.

Just one word.

Why?

She barely had time to react before teeth met her throat.

A strangled gasp-then stillness.

Carlos let out a shaky breath, gripping his seatbelt.

Natalie shoved him, hard. "You asshole! You left her!"

Carlos didn't look at her. His jaw was clenched.

"You would've done the same."

Far from the massacre, Mephisto watched with one eye, through the eyes of his servants.

His real body remained still, arms crossed as he leaned against a tree. His mouth curled slightly, amused. His other eye watching eri's haphazard form of training.

Marisol stood across from him, rigid, staring intensly into eri's eyes.

Eri stood in opposition. She had attacked Marisol many times now, with no results.

Marisol's breath came in ragged bursts, her body swaying where she stood. The weight of the night pressed on her like lead, her limbs trembling with exhaustion. Her wide, hollow eyes barely tracked Eri as she took a step forward.

"I—I can't," Marisol murmured, the words barely escaping her lips. Her body sagged, muscles betraying her.

Eri folded her arms, jaw tight. "You want to sleep? Show me some progress first."

Marisol didn't respond. She blinked, slow and unfocused, her body tilting like she might collapse.

Mephisto sighed, adjusting his gloves with deliberate care. "Eri, she's still a human child. We want her to grow, not bury her six feet under from neglect." His voice was calm, measured. "Set a realistic goal. Let her call it a night."

Eri exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders. A flicker of irritation, then calculation.

"Fine," she relented, shifting her stance. "One last task. After that, she's done."

Marisol barely reacted, her eyelids already drooping. Mephisto smirked slightly, his gaze flicking to Eri.

"Now then." Eri's voice was cool, unreadable.

She tilted her head slightly. "Each time you have used your powers... tell me, what were you thinking? How did it feel?"

Marisol tensed. "I dont-it was painful like I was going to be split in two."

Eri cut her off. "Its because you are not ready for that kind of power. It feeds directly off your emotions, fueling their growth. She paused, contemplating her next words, "like murderous intent, for example."

Her tone was very stern and firm. "Had we not arrived, your bloodlust would have taken root."

Marisol's cried out. "What, I dont have any bloodlust!"

Eri's gaze held no mockery, no cruelty-just a cold, unsettling certainty.

"Why lie to yourself?"

Marisol's hands trembled.

"This is why we will try a different approach," Eri raised a hand before explaining her plan. "The shadows that protect you. They respond to your strong desire they are what we will focus on today."

Obsidian Roots, thick and twisting, burst from eris garments, lunging at Marisol.

She didn't think.

She reached out with her hands, wincing to block the attack.

And the same shadow-cat answered.

It slammed into Eri's attack, claws sinking into the dark tendrils, tearing them apart.

For the first time-

Mephisto geniunely smiled.

Marisol swayed, her eyelids fluttering as the weight of exhaustion finally won. A small, dazed smile crossed her lips.

"I… I finally did it…" she murmured, barely above a whisper.

Then, she crumpled.

Before she could hit the ground, her shadow cat slithered beneath her, softening the impact with its shifting, fluid form. It curled around her protectively, its eerie, flickering shape purring in satisfaction.

Eri exhaled, stepping forward and scooping Marisol up with effortless control. The cat leapt onto Eri's shoulder, settling like it belonged there.

Mephisto adjusted his coat, watching the two with a knowing smirk. "So? What's the plan now?"

Eri glanced down at Marisol's sleeping face, her expression unreadable. Then, she turned on her heel.

"I know a place."