Development

A Meeting of Sun and Eclipse

The sterile air of the laboratory was thick with tension, not of fear, but of something undeniable—evolution in its purest form.

Draemir stepped forward, his golden pupils locked onto Aiden's.

For a moment—they simply stared at each other.

Two beings, two forces, each standing at the crossroads of their own existence.

Then, with slow precision, Draemir reached up and grasped his sun mask.

With a gentle pull, he removed it, revealing his human yet Volatile-like face.

He held the mask in his hands, its golden details glinting under the dim research lights.

Draemir:

"… You've grown too fast… But I feel… you will still grow even more…"

His voice was calm, almost thoughtful, as he studied Aiden's new form.

Then, raising his left hand, he made a slow, deliberate motion—gestures over his mouth, signaling Aiden to close his maw.

Aiden tried.

His jaw tensed, twitched, and trembled.

But it refused to shut.

Instead, a deep, guttural growl rumbled from his throat.

A frustrated sound, low and primal.

Draemir:

"Well… you just need time…"

Instead of frustration, Draemir's expression softened.

With a slow movement, he raised his left hand again—but this time, he gently patted Aiden's right cheek.

Then, he let his claws trace softly along his skin in a soothing, almost paternal gesture.

Draemir:

"I'm still proud of you… You have chosen your own path… and you are doing great evolving by your own way…"

"I can't wait to see you fully evolved."

Then, a small grin curled at the edges of his Volatile maw.

"Also… I think I can start giving you special training."

Aiden's pupils flickered slightly, reacting.

Draemir:

"You will learn what I can do… while also developing your own abilities."

"I'm sure after training, you will accomplish your mission far more easily."

Then, Draemir turned away.

"But first things first."

The Scientists – The Minds Behind the Research

Draemir walked toward one of the researchers.

She was already waiting, having observed everything in quiet fascination.

Without hesitation, Draemir handed her the injector.

Draemir:

"Please, analyze both—the body and this blood sample."

"Both contain mutations far beyond what we knew."

Her brows furrowed, but she nodded, already preparing to move.

Draemir:

"And trust me… You don't want to know how infected are outside of Solara."

"The virus mutated more wildly than I could have ever expected… And it's going to continue progressing further beyond…"

The woman exhaled slowly, gripping the injector tightly.

She was no stranger to mutations.

But something in Draemir's voice told her—

This was different.

The Research Team – The Scientists of Solara

This wasn't just any lab.

It was built from the minds of those who once stood on the front lines of science.

Some of them? They were former GRE.

Once part of the organization that created the virus, that studied it, that failed to control it.

Now?

They had left that world behind.

Here in Solara, they weren't following GRE's orders.

They were doing what they always should have done.

Studying the virus to change the world.

And leading them?

The head researcher.

Dr. Eliza Carter – Head Researcher (Ex-GRE Scientist) Once a senior virologist in GRE's highest-level research divisions. Directly studied the early stages of the Harran Virus. Knows the original GRE experiments better than anyone left alive. Left GRE after seeing the devastation they caused. Now dedicates herself to researching safe evolution—mutations that can control or resist the virus.

She was the one Draemir handed the injector to.

And as she examined it, her expression remained unreadable.

But inside?

Her mind was already racing.

Other Scientists in the Team

Behind her, a small but brilliant team of researchers.

Each one—chosen for their skills, their knowledge, or their potential.

Dr. Victor Henshaw – Ex-GRE Lead Researcher Worked alongside Eliza in GRE. Specialized in bio-mutations and viral adaptability. Understands how the virus changes, mutates, and strengthens. Now works to counteract its deadliest effects.

Dr. Sofia Almeida – Ex-GRE Immunologist Focused on early virus resistance and immunity testing. Studied how infected bodies resist or adapt to viral damage. Now works on Draemir's blood samples, analyzing their regenerative properties.

Jonas Malik – Survivor Turned Scientist Was once just a survivor. Learned virology under Dr. Carter and Dr. Henshaw. Now one of their most promising researchers. Still learning, but dedicated to finding answers.

Lena Vasquez – Medical Engineer Not a scientist, but a crucial part of the team. Creates and maintains the lab equipment. Helps integrate technology into research efforts.

Together—they made up the scientific heart of Solara.

And now?

They had a new challenge.

The Night Hunter's body.

The latest blood sample.

And most of all—

The evolution of Aiden.

And as Draemir watched them begin their work…

He knew.

This was just the beginning.

A Lesson in the Ways of Solara

Dr. Eliza Carter and her team were already deep in their research, analyzing the Night Hunter's decapitated body and the blood sample Draemir provided.

The quiet hum of their work filled the laboratory, but Draemir's presence was no longer needed.

His purpose now?

To guide Aiden.

Leaving the Lab – Into the Underground World

Draemir lifted his hands, adjusting his sun mask once more, securing it properly.

Then—without hesitation—

He turned toward Aiden, gesturing for him to follow.

Aiden remained silent, his newly evolved form still adjusting, still processing.

But he followed.

The two of them stepped out of the lab, walking through the tunnel that led to Solara's underground crossroads.

The Crossroads – Where Paths Diverge

After some time, they reached a vast open space.

The tunnel had widened into a massive intersection, the heart of Solara's underground transit system.

And above them—

Three large signs, each marking a different path.

Draemir raised his hand, pointing at each one, his voice calm but commanding.

Draemir:

"To the left, is where most of the work happens. Nothing new compared to how it used to be before the virus escaped Harran."

He motioned toward the left tunnel.

"It's also where the market is, so you can consume products or services… or sell your own."

Then, he pointed straight ahead.

"This path leads to the heart city underground in Solara. Behind it, there are roads that stretch to different crossroads—each leading to various cities far away. Some are closer, some are deep underground."

Aiden's pupils flickered, absorbing the information.

Draemir continued.

"The cities were built by modifying old bunkers underground. It was a long, difficult process, but… thanks to the Demolishers, we were able to clear debris much faster."

"The heart city serves mostly as a shortcut for outsiders. A direct path to the market and trade centers. Many travelers stay there in rented housing, buying and selling what they need before moving on."

Draemir glanced at Aiden.

"I'm not sure if you've heard of it already, but we created a currency—our own style of money."

He let out a slight chuckle.

"I won't lie… It was difficult at first. At the beginning, it was just simple trades—crops for meat, resources for tools."

"But the most common? My blessing… in exchange for Antizin and blood samples."

Aiden's head tilted slightly.

Draemir continued, his tone more reflective.

"We needed Antizin and blood samples for research, while non-infected needed my blessing to soften the virus's effects… or to save themselves in extreme emergencies."

A New Lesson – The Language of Volatiles

Then, Draemir paused.

His glowing eyes met Aiden's.

Draemir:

"Don't worry, you can talk… even if you can't fully close your maw yet."

"Your first lesson—speak like a Volatile."

Aiden stiffened slightly.

Draemir:

"Volatiles have their own language, inaccessible to non-infected ears."

"To humans, it just sounds like growling. But to Volatiles, to me… it's speech."

Aiden narrowed his gaze slightly, listening closely.

Draemir:

"Speaking like a Volatile requires you to change how you think about talking."

"Instead of focusing on moving your lips… you need to focus on moving your entire mouth."

"It takes concentration, but trust me—it's easier than you might expect."

A pause.

Then, Draemir tilted his head slightly.

"Go ahead, give it a try."

Aiden hesitated.

For a moment, he remained still. Thinking. Processing.

Then—he tried.

Aiden let out a soft growl, attempting to form words as a Volatile would.

It sounded good—for a human.

But not perfect.

Draemir:

"…Yes, I am sure."

Then, he let out a small sigh, shaking his head slightly.

"Also… You need to practice your pronunciation."

"You said 'Ae… Ar yu shure?'"

Aiden growled slightly in frustration.

Draemir let out a low, amused hum.

"But don't worry, you need time… And time is exactly what you will have."

His golden pupils gleamed slightly.

"Endless time… to learn, to improve, to upgrade… to evolve into something even greater."

Then—a shift.

Draemir's tone became more direct.

Draemir:

"So. Are you ready to practice your jumps? To move faster—cross lands and fields with ease?"

Aiden hesitated… then nodded.

But after a moment—he growled again, trying to respond in Volatile.

Draemir nodded in approval.

Draemir:

"Well, at least you can say short words perfectly."

Then, without another word—he turned.

And with a slight movement of his hand, he gestured for Aiden to follow.

Draemir:

"Alright. Let's go to the heart city of Solara—Lunaris."

The Heart of Solara – Lunaris

Lunaris.

A name derived from the balance of night and day—the meeting place of the light of the sun and the darkness of the moon.

A place that represented the very nature of Solara itself.

Where outsiders arrived, where trade flourished, where knowledge thrived.

And now?

Where Aiden would take his first step… into his new life.