When Dr. Isaac Gilmore tweaks the genetic code of a captured alien virus in 2041, he accidentally creates an unspeakably destructive shapeshifting plague—dubbed the Xeno-5 Strand. What begins as an isolated lab outbreak in a futuristic Tokyo research institute soon erupts into a full-scale global disaster.

Just years after the world beat back the original Xeno-3 epidemic, this new mutant “protean” strain proves even deadlier, triggering chilling bodily transformations. In hours, the entire metro area becomes engulfed by a biological tidal wave turning millions into ravenous beasts acting as one.

With apocalyptic annihilation looming, special operative Jiro Yamada ventures into the hotzone’s shifting landscape of alien tissue, nightmarish architecture and strange psychic phenomena to rescue Dr. Gilmore and secure research needed to formulate a cure. However, shadowy political interests have other plans for deploying the lab-grown viral payload that Jiro is determined to stop at all costs.

He bands together with the doctor’s gifted young daughter and a squad of misfit scavengers caught behind enemy lines. But can their makeshift alliance adapt fast enough to withstand the nightmare bubbling up from secret military Crypt labs seeded across the city? Hope hangs in the balance on whether Jiro’s team can uncover a counteragent before a key zero hour when Protean will enter an unstoppable final stage.

Protean Relapse 2041

Jiro lowered his hand, and the whirlwind illusion dissipated into stillness once more. 


… Ruka blinked rapidly, her mind struggling to process what she had just witnessed. 


"That was...incredible," she said finally. 


"I have never seen anything like that level of control over the natural world." 


"There are deeper mysteries at play here that we've only begun to glimpse. 


 But for now, we have more immediate concerns." 


He turned to survey the battered remnants of the resistance fighters gathering around them. 


They looked worn and shaken after the nightmarish battle, but their eyes shone with renewed determination. 


"We have dealt a significant blow to Dyford's bioweapons operations here. But our true war is only just beginning." 


As long as that monster still draws breath, he'll continue developing new horrors to unleash." 


The Calm After the Storm