Binding Allies I

Alexia sank into the couch, her fingers drumming against the armrest as the dim lighting in the apartment gave the room a sense of uneasy calm. She exhaled, closing her eyes. The last few days had been a blur, and now more than ever, she needed clarity. 

"System," she called out inwardly. "Give me a rundown of everything that's happened in the last few days. Leave nothing out."

The familiar cold voice of the system echoed in her mind, calm and clinical:

[System Analysis: Uploading Recent Events...]

A rapid stream of data flooded her consciousness: the anomaly she investigated, the outpost's destruction, the infected creatures' terrifyingly organized attacks, and the introduction of new, evolved types.

Suddenly Alexia realized that if not for the system, she'd have missed a lot of information, her mind flashed back to when Quinn was reporting to his superior and she wondered how he knew that.

The system flashing panel interrupted her mind:

[Infected Evolution Update: Recent events confirm the infected are exhibiting heightened intelligence and strategic behavior. Current projections suggest their further evolution will increase their level exponentially. Immediate countermeasures are recommended.]

Alexia frowned, the weight of the information settling in her chest. Evolving infected?  She'd seen the signs, but hearing the confirmation made her stomach twist. 

"And what would work as a countermeasure? 

The system responded without hesitation.

[Recommendation: Seek reliable allies. Allies will improve survival rates, increase combat efficiency, and enhance your progress toward unlocking system upgrades.]

A holographic screen materialized in her mind, displaying two profiles.

Name: Quinn

Abilities: Shadow Manipulation, Telekinesis

Perks: Exceptional loyalty, Skilled tracker, Proficient Combatant

Potential Upgrade: Increased Range and precision of shadow control, Ability to warp shadows into weapons, Shadow walking

Name: Damien

Abilities: Telepathic Manipulation, Energy Domination(Dormant)

Perks: High-level stragist, natural leader, adaptable under pressure

Potential Upgrade: Enhanced emotional influence, Wide range of mind reading and mind control

Alexia studied the profiles carefully.

"So, you're suggesting I bring them in as my allies?"

[Affirmative. Binding them as allies will provide additional benefits, including the ability to their ability to complement your own.]

Her brow furrowed. "And if they betray me?"

She didn't know if it was her imagination but her system's voice turned more icy.

[Binding includes a failsafe: Betrayal results in complete annihilation of the bound individual. Additionally, the host retains control over their ability upgrades, ensuring loyalty.]

Alexia let out a slow breath. It was a heavy decision, but it was clear she couldn't do this alone.

[Host Progress: Ability Unlock Progress- 45%]

[Update Points: 1,500] 

The holographic screen shifted, showing a glowing progress bar steadily climbing towards completion. Her fingers twitched at the thought of what awaited her when she finally unlocked her abilities.

"Alright," she murmured, steeling herself. "I'll trust them. For now."

The system seemed to hum with approval. 

[Acknowledged. Binding ritual may proceed at the host's discretion. Allies must consent willingly.]

Alexia opened her eyes, the faint hum of the system fading as reality settled back around her. Across the room, Quinn was sharpening a blade, his focus unwavering. Damien sat at the table, reviewing what looked like maps or the base schematics.

"Quinn. Damien."

Her voice broke the quiet, drawing their attention. Quinn straightened, slipping the blade into its sheath, while Damien raised an eyebrow, clearly curious.

"What's up?" Quinn asked, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the wall.

"I need to talk to the both of you. It's important."

Damien set the papers down and walked over, his sharp gaze studying her. "Alright. What's this about?"

Alexia hesitated, before she resolved herself, her expression becoming serious.

"I know things have been...chaotic. And I know we've all been through hell. But if we 're going to survive what's coming, we need to work together. Really work together."

Quinn tilted his head. "We already are. What's this really about?"

"I have a way to evolve your abilities," she said simply.

The air seemed to still as both men stared at her.

"Abilities?" Quinn asked, his head whipping to Damien's direction. "You have abilities?"

Damien ignored the question thrown at him instead he stepped forward towards Alexia, his expression cautious. "What do you know about our abilities?"

Alexia crossed her arms. "I know you both have them; I was there with Quinn the day he got his, and I know that whatever happened to you get those abilities isn't random. I can help you take those abilities to the next level.

Damien's expression faltered for a moment as curiosity replaced it. "How do you know we have powers?" Before looking at Quinn, his expression clearly asking if it was true.

Quinn turned to Damien; his expression guarded. "She's telling the truth. I do have abilities and she was there that day" he said before raising his palm and letting out small tendrils of shadows out. 

"And you didn't let me know earlier" Damien asked, meanwhile Alexia watched them go back and forth clearly not interested in interrupting.

Quinn shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was planning to tell you eventually. It's just... It's not exactly a casual conversation."

"Tell me now," Damien pressed, crossing his arms.

Quinn sighed, leaning against the wall. "Fine. Back when I got injured by one of the infected, I should have died but I survived, had a fever and I changed. After that, I noticed that shadows clung to me and I could control them and then Alexia almost got injured by one of those Infected at the outpost, I didn't know what came over me, but I just held my hand outwards and then I found out I could move things without touching them, but that stunt I pulled drained, I will not be trying it again"

Damien's gaze darkened as he listened. "I guess it's fine that you're alright."

Quinn turned his gaze towards him " It's your turn"

 ----------FLASHBACK------------

The memory was as vivid as if it had happened just a few hours ago. The streets of city Z were quiet, too quiet. Damien's team had been scouring the area for medical supplies, their weapon drawn and senses on high alert.

They found what they'd been looking for in an old clinic, but just as they were loading the supplies into their vehicle, the infected struck.

At first, it was just a few---- easy enough to handle. But then came the swarm, for every strike or slash of the infected came two more.

The numbers of the infected soon outnumbered his team, and one by one they had began taking his team members down to last ten. Damien was struck blindsided, the pain searing and immediate. At first, he thought he was dead.

But he didn't die. 

When he woke hours later, the wound was gone, surrounded by five of his team members who'd seem to have had the same encounter as him, and then after that the voices in his head began, he could also feel the emotions of people around him.

 ----------END OF FLASHBACK-----------

".....And that's how I noticed something about me has changed over the last few hours I had to myself I learned to block out the thoughts and feeling," Damien finished, his tone clipped. "I've been able to hear thoughts and manipulate emotions ever since. But I've been careful who I tell because most of the people in the base don't seem to have those abilities, just the few of us who went on missions outside the base these past few days."

Quinn gave him a long look. " That's one hell of a thing to keep to yourself." "And besides who saved you guys back then.... your teammates?" he asked confused