Silent knowledge

Aiden Infiltrates Juan's Estate – The Hunt for Answers

The inside of the estate was dimly lit, bathed in a warm, golden glow.

The air carried the scent of alcohol, old-world cologne, and burning cigars.

Laughter echoed through the halls—a stark contrast to the ruined world outside.

Aiden moved like a shadow, his body pressing against the walls, his claws retracting slightly to avoid unnecessary noise.

His hearing was sharper now.

The voices in the other room?

Clear as day.

And then—one voice stood out among the rest.

A voice he was looking for.

Juan.

The Conversation – Juan's Dealings

Aiden stopped, listening carefully.

Juan's voice was smooth, amused, completely at ease.

He was speaking to someone else.

Not just some random guest.

Someone important.

And what he was saying—made Aiden's blood freeze.

Juan (Smirking, Casual):

"Waltz? Oh, now that's a name I haven't heard in a while."

"So he was here? Interesting… I thought he was done playing scientist."

"And what exactly did he want from the Colonel?"

Aiden's pupils dilated.

Waltz.

He had been here.

The Colonel had met with him.

And whatever they discussed—Juan knew about it.

Unknown Man (Wary, Low-Toned):

"Information, as always. That lunatic was talking about mutations… something about evolving the virus to the next stage."

"And get this—he injected something into the Colonel. Right in front of everyone."

Aiden clenched his jaw.

Waltz was experimenting again.

Just like he did before.

But this time—he had new test subjects.

And the Colonel?

If he wasn't already dead, he was about to become something far worse.

Aiden Moves – Time for Answers

Aiden had heard enough.

He wasn't here for games.

And if Juan had the answers—then he was going to get them.

His claws flexed slightly.

Then—

With lightning speed, he lunged forward, bursting through the door.

Juan and his guests jumped back in shock, hands moving to their weapons—

But before anyone could react—

Aiden was already in front of Juan, towering over him.

His golden-red eyes glowed intensely, his breath heavy.

And then—he spoke.

Aiden (Growling, Dangerous):

"Tell me everything."

Aiden's Silent Interrogation – The Language Barrier

Juan's guests fled instantly, their panicked footsteps echoing through the estate as they bolted.

The room was now silent—except for the heavy breaths of two men.

One of them—Juan.

The other—a monster sitting in front of him.

Juan hesitated, his hands inching toward something—maybe a weapon, maybe a radio.

But before he could move further—

Aiden's claws clamped down on his arms.

Tight. Unyielding. Unforgiving.

Juan's muscles tensed, his instincts screaming that he was seconds away from death.

And yet—despite the beast gripping him, despite the glowing eyes, despite the pure, raw power radiating from the creature in front of him…

Aiden wasn't attacking.

The Realization – Aiden Cannot Speak

Then, Aiden tried to talk.

Tried to force out words.

Tried to make Juan understand.

But—

Only growls came out.

Deep.

Resonant.

The guttural sounds of a Volatile.

Juan's face twitched in confusion.

From his perspective, this was just another mutant.

A dangerous, intelligent one, but still a mutant nonetheless.

Juan gritted his teeth, watching Aiden's posture carefully.

His claws were clenched.

His maw was slightly open, revealing sharp fangs.

And yet—there was something off.

Something different.

Aiden Calms Down – Finding Another Way

Aiden's mind raced.

The adrenaline burned hot in his bloodstream, forcing his evolutionary instincts to the surface.

But this wasn't working.

He needed a moment to think.

To analyze the situation.

Juan wasn't answering because he didn't understand.

And why would he?

Aiden had lost his human voice.

What good was an interrogation—if his prisoner couldn't comprehend him?

Aiden exhaled sharply, his golden-veined arms loosening their grip.

Then, in one swift movement—he jumped back.

Juan instinctively recoiled, flinching slightly—expecting an attack.

But instead—

Aiden simply grabbed a chair… and sat down.

A Silent Standoff – Juan's Growing Curiosity

Juan stared.

What the hell was happening?

His heartbeat slowed, his mind catching up with the situation.

If this thing—whatever it was—wanted him dead, he'd be dead already.

Instead, it was sitting there, staring.

Juan cautiously pulled out a cigar, lighting it with steady hands, masking the unease in his posture.

Then—after a few moments of silence—he sat down too.

Juan's Thoughts – Who Is This Creature?

Juan wasn't an idiot.

He'd seen Volatiles, freaks, and every other mutation the virus had to offer.

But this one?

It wasn't attacking.

It wasn't mindless.

And something about it felt… familiar.

But he couldn't place it.

The robes, the markings, the sheer presence of this thing.

And then, Juan finally muttered:

Juan (Calm, But Studying):

"Alright… let's start with the basics."

"You clearly want something."

"So… what the hell are you?"

Aiden Tries to Communicate

Aiden hesitated.

His jaw twitched, trying to form words.

But again—

Only growls.

A frustrated snarl rumbled in his throat.

He needed a different way.

Then—an idea.

Aiden slowly raised his hand, pointing directly at Juan.

Juan tilted his head, intrigued.

Then, Aiden formed a "V" shape with his fingers.

Opened.

Closed.

Then again.

Then again.

It took Juan a second—

But then, he realized.

Juan (Raising an Eyebrow, Amused):

"You're… asking about Villedor?"

Aiden nodded sharply.

Juan let out a slow, amused chuckle, taking a drag of his cigar.

He exhaled the smoke, watching Aiden with renewed interest.

Then—he leaned forward.

Juan (Smirking Slightly):

"You're not a dumb one, huh?"

"Fine. I'll play along."

"What exactly do you want to know?"

Aiden's Next Move – Getting the Information

Aiden needed to be careful.

If Juan was willing to talk—

Then he had to find the right way to ask his real question.

He had to ask about Mia.

And now—

He had to do it without words.

Aiden's Silent Question – The Search for Mia

Aiden stared at Juan, his golden-red pupils flickering slightly in the dim light.

Juan exhaled another slow puff of smoke, clearly intrigued by this mutated creature sitting across from him.

Aiden knew he had one chance to get Juan's cooperation.

He had to make the question clear.

So—he took a deep breath…

And began to gesture.

Aiden's Gestures – Asking About Mia

First—he pointed at Juan.

Juan raised an eyebrow.

"Me? Okay… go on."

Then—Aiden pointed at himself.

Juan smirked slightly, tapping his cigar.

"Alright, we're talking about you and me… what next?"

Then—Aiden placed his hands flat on the table, spreading his fingers apart…

And slowly dragged them outward—as if tracing a long distance.

Juan leaned forward slightly.

"Hmmm… travel? Something far away?"

Aiden nodded.

Then—he pointed upward.

Juan blinked.

"Up? The sky? The stars? Higher ground?"

Aiden shook his head.

Then, he pressed his palm against his chest—slowly—before lifting it away, as if something was being taken.

Juan's expression shifted.

His smirk faded slightly.

"Someone was… taken?"

Aiden nodded again, firmly.

Then—he made a small figure with his fingers, lowering his hand as if to indicate someone much smaller than himself.

Juan's brows furrowed.

"A child?"

Aiden tilted his head.

Not exactly, but close enough.

Then—he spread his arms apart again, mimicking a vast distance.

Juan exhaled through his nose, watching carefully.

Then—it clicked.

Juan (Eyes Narrowing Slightly):

"You're looking for someone."

"Someone young."

"Someone who was… taken far away."

Aiden nodded sharply.

Juan took another long drag of his cigar, studying Aiden's body language.

Then—he finally asked:

Juan (Serious, Studying Him):

"Who?"

"Who are you looking for?"

Aiden Tries to Name Mia

Aiden hesitated.

He wanted to say it.

To just speak her name.

"Mia."

But—when he opened his mouth…

Only growls.

Frustration flared in his chest.

His claws twitched.

Then—he tried a different approach.

Aiden's Desperation – Showing Juan Who She Is

Aiden reached to his belt, unclipping a small pouch.

He pulled out a folded, slightly worn piece of paper.

Juan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Aiden slid the paper across the table.

Juan picked it up, unfolding it—

And then—his expression changed.

His casual smirk vanished.

For the first time—Juan looked genuinely surprised.

The Picture – A Memory of Mia

It was an old photo.

Slightly faded.

A young girl with light-colored hair, smiling faintly at the camera.

Next to her—Aiden, much younger, his face still human, his expression warm.

It was a memory from another life.

A moment before everything went wrong.

Juan stared at the photo.

Then—he looked up at Aiden.

His eyes searched the creature in front of him.

Then back to the photo.

Then back to Aiden.

And finally—he exhaled, leaning back.

Juan (Voice Lower, Calculating):

"Mia, huh?"

"Now things are getting interesting…"

Aiden's Fate Now Rests on Juan's Next Words.

Juan's Reaction – The Game Begins

Juan leaned back in his chair, rolling the photograph between his fingers. His usual smug expression had faded into something more thoughtful—more calculating.

Aiden watched him closely, his glowing pupils narrowing. His patience was thin.

Juan tapped the photo lightly against the table, then took another slow drag from his cigar before exhaling.

Juan (Smirking Again, But Studying Aiden):

"You know, if you were anyone else, I'd say you were wasting my time."

"But this? This is... interesting."

"You're looking for this girl—Mia. You traveled all this way, you broke into my estate, and instead of tearing my throat out... you're sitting here like a gentleman, trying to ask me for help."

"That tells me two things."

Juan leaned forward, flicking some ash from his cigar.

Juan (Raising Two Fingers):

"One—you're desperate."

"Two—you think I know something."

Aiden's Patience Runs Thin

Aiden growled softly, his clawed fingers drumming against the table.

He didn't have time for games.

Juan clearly knew something.

He could see it in his face.

Aiden leaned forward, raising his hand in a claw-like grip, then slowly closed it—mimicking crushing something.

A silent warning.

Juan chuckled, completely unfazed.

Juan (Mocking, But Amused):

"Alright, alright, relax, big guy."

"I get it. You're not here for a chat."

"You want real answers."

Juan sighed, leaning back in his chair again, crossing his arms.

Juan Finally Talks – The Lead on Mia

"Now, if you're looking for someone specific, that means they either came through Villedor… or someone smuggled them out."

"And lucky for you… I happen to know a few things about that."

Aiden tilted his head slightly, listening.

Juan grinned.

"See, there were whispers not too long ago. A group moving through the city—scientists, researchers, real secretive types."

"They weren't just passing through. No, no... they were looking for something. Or someone."

Juan tapped the edge of the photo again.

"A girl, maybe? A young woman?"

"I didn't ask too many questions. But I do know this—whatever they were doing, they didn't stick around."

"They went east. Toward the dam."

Aiden Processes the Information

The dam.

It was one of the most dangerous places in Villedor—Waltz's old territory.

And now—it was Aiden's next destination.

Aiden stared at Juan for a moment, then slowly reached forward, taking the photo back.

Juan smirked, rubbing his chin.

Juan (Playful, But Serious Underneath):

"So... what happens now?"

"You gonna go storm the dam? Tear through whatever's left?"

"Or maybe... you'll owe me a favor when this is all over?"

Juan's eyes gleamed.

"You never know when someone like you could be useful to a man like me."

Aiden's Next Move – The Decision

Aiden narrowed his eyes.

The dam was dangerous, but if there was even the slightest chance Mia was connected to those researchers…

Then he had no choice.

He had to go.

But first—he had to decide.

Did he ignore Juan's little deal?

Or did he accept that he might owe Juan a favor later?

Aiden had to make his move—now.