A strained relationship

Micheal Sims was an oddball among the researchers in the city state of Griffin. While the entire research team tried to improve upon the Hybrid Strain, making further modifications to their baseline human bodies, Micheal wanted to revert his modified body to it's original state. This was because Micheal Sims was from a long line of Eagle variant Hybrid Strain users. As a child, he was always treated as the next successor to lead the family but after his awakening, he started to look more and more like a Chicken variant Hybrid Strain user. He had awakened a dormant Chicken variant that was in present in his family lineage.

On the surface level, it was illegal to discriminate any citizen in Griffin based on their Hybrid Strain and all hybrid modifications done to the human body were treated as achievements to be proud of. However, people always found a way for some modifications to be more proud of than others. As a result, Micheal was ostracized by his own family. He had secretly vowed to undo his natural awakening and try a forced awakening to become an Eagle variant Hybrid Strain user.

Switching from one variant of a Strain to another variant was not unheard of but if the process wasn't natural, there was a risk of developing into an Abomination Strain and losing all rationality in the process. Therefore it was a taboo to undo an awakening. If the truth about the world hadn't been revealed, perhaps the oversight would've remained lax and his research would've gone unnoticed. Instead he was now hiding in a shabby laboratory, trying to bring his research to fruition in a state of hurry.

"It's bad timing, really. When the truth about the world was revealed, instead of facing the crisis together, this dog eat dog world had shown its true colors. My state had forsaken me and my family had decided to use my research as an excuse to eliminate me from the competition. I'll make sure they regret this!", Micheal was talking to himself.

"How's the preparation going researcher Sims? Have you made yourself comfortable with the Lion variant of the Therian Strain?", asked Alexis Lyons. His son, Wilbert Lyons and Elder Claudia Peck had also come along with him.

"Didn't I tell you that I could do guide an awakening for any variant of the Therian Strain even in my sleep? Don't bother me. I'm in the middle of something important.", said Micheal carelessly.

The careless attitude irked Claudia. She stepped forward and held Micheal by his collar and said, "Listen here, you chicken shit! We're putting the lives of our children in your hands. If you don't show some seriousness, I'll be glad to take you to the butcher."

Micheal lost his cool upon hearing the insults. He lashed out channeling the essence of Fury, "What the heck did you call me?! You low grade Therian trash!" His body that resembled a Chicken started glowing red with the quick intake of the essence of Fury. An ethereal rooster was manifesting around Micheal.

Claudia did not back away. She had the Hawk variant of the Therian Strain. She too channeled the essence of Fury. An ethereal hawk manifested around Claudia and increased her power. Despite being considered one of the superior variants in Therian Strain, Claudia was struggling to overcome the Chicken variant of the Hybrid Strain.

Eventually Alexis stepped in and cooled both parties. "That's enough from both of you. Claudia, we don't need to threaten Micheal. He knows fully well that there are no more second chances." He looked at Wilbert and asked him, "What about you Wil? Are you ready to awaken your Strain?"

"Yes father. I've prepared my mind.", replied Wil.

Alexis nodded and gestured to Micheal. Micheal tidied himself and asked Wil to get undressed. He picked up his tools and proceeded to identify the nodes in Micheal's body. He made markings on Wil's body with luminescent ink. After he made sure that all the nodes and pathways corresponding to the Therian Strain are in good condition, he began explaining the procedure to Wil.

"I can see that the nodes related to the Therian Strain are properly developed within your body. You must've practiced the breathing techniques and training stances related to the your variant diligently. What we're going to do is similar to your daily routine. You will perform the training stances while using the breathing technique of the Lion variant. I will channel the essence of Curiosity through your father first and allow the essence to familiarize itself with the Therian Strain. Then I will pass this essence through you while using the infusion needles to forcefully stimulate your nodes. Before awakening, the nodes are shut tight and do not allow any essence to pass through them so once a tiny strand of essence passes through the node, it will try to close immediately. I will control the needles and keep this forceful stimulation active. This will strain your body but you have to maintain control. Do you understand?"

Wil nodded in understanding.

Micheal continued, "Once a node is opened, the essence of Curiosity will autonomously use the pathways to reach the next node. I will try my best to guide the essence of Curiosity and bypass the nodes related to the Lion variant but if your body is predisposed to other variants, they may naturally allow the essence to bypass through those node and you will awaken with a different variant." Micheal inadvertently sighed when he explained this. But he soon regained his focus. "Anyways, when the essence of Curiosity reaches the final node in the Therian Strain, I will seal the last node and your core will be formed at that node. You will distinctly feel it within yourself and your innate essence will automatically be drawn to your core and will awaken the Therian Strain."

Once everyone was on the same page, Wil started performing his training stances. He stabilized his breathing using the Lion variant breathing technique. Micheal monitored his rhythm and once he was satisfied, he channeled essence of Curiosity through Alexis. His whole body started emitting a yellow radiance. Once Micheal was confident, he pierced Wil with an infusion needle. Wil did not flinch and continued with his stances. Micheal started channeling the same essence of Curiosity through Wil.

Suddenly, the door to the laboratory flung open. It was Marcus Lycan. Luckily both Wil and Micheal did not falter. Alexis was startled and was filled with rage. However the next words out of Marcus' mouth filled him with anxiety.

"We're under attack!"