Further in

Aiden's Approach – The Shadow of the Eclipse

Aiden took a slow breath, feeling the night air fill his lungs.

His clawed fingers flexed, his instincts sharpening.

He could rush in like a predator, use his speed and power to tear through anything in his way.

But that would be reckless.

No—this required patience.

Stealth.

Precision.

Aiden wasn't just hunting.

He was stalking his prey.

He needed to find Mia, not waste energy on fights that didn't matter.

So, he chose the shadows.

The Journey – A Silent Hunter

Aiden moved like a phantom, weaving through the city with unnatural grace.

He climbed walls with ease, his hooks pulling him across rooftops like a specter.

The city below was infested.

Biters wandered aimlessly.

Virals darted through alleyways.

A few Volatiles lurked in the deeper darkness, their glowing eyes sweeping the streets.

But none of them saw him.

Aiden was faster.

Smarter.

Deadlier.

Each step he took was calculated, each movement designed to avoid attention.

The Night was his ally.

And the Eclipse walked unseen.

Closing in on the Dam – The Presence of Waltz

As Aiden neared the dam, something felt off.

The air was different.

Thicker.

Like the virus itself was stronger here.

Aiden crouched atop a rusted radio tower, his glowing eyes scanning the landscape.

And then—he saw it.

Lights.

Not from UV lamps.

Not from survivors.

But from something else.

Something organized.

Waltz's men.

They were stationed near the dam, guarding it like a fortress.

Aiden's claws tightened.

Waltz was here.

And if Waltz was here…

Then Mia might be too.

The Next Move – Infiltration or Attack?

Aiden's path was set.

But now—he had another choice.

Infiltrate. Sneak into the dam, learn what Waltz was doing before striking.

Strike Now. Rip through the guards, make them fear the Eclipse, and force his way inside.

Aiden took another breath.

He had come this far.

Now—he had to decide how to finish this.

Aiden's Decision – The Eclipse Stays Hidden

Aiden's clawed fingers twitched, itching for a fight.

But he forced himself to stay still.

Charging in blindly would get him killed—or worse, captured.

No.

He needed to observe.

To learn.

Then, when the time was right—he would strike.

Aiden crouched lower, his glowing pupils narrowing as he studied the dam's perimeter.

The Dam – Waltz's Stronghold

The area was heavily guarded.

Floodlights cut through the darkness, casting long shadows across the ruined structure.

Armed soldiers patrolled the walkways, their footsteps echoing through the silence.

Strangely—there were no infected.

Aiden's grip tightened.

That wasn't normal.

Anywhere else in Villedor, the streets were overrun.

But here?

It was too clean.

Too controlled.

Something was keeping the infected away.

And that meant one thing—Waltz had control.

Finding a Way Inside – Aiden's Stealth Approach

Aiden moved carefully, keeping to the shadows.

His body felt lighter, more efficient, his mutations working with him rather than against him.

He scaled a collapsed bridge, using his hooks to pull himself onto a rusted catwalk.

Below—guards paced back and forth.

Aiden watched them, memorizing their movements.

Then—he spotted an opening.

A ventilation shaft, barely big enough for a normal person—but perfect for him.

With one fluid motion, Aiden leapt down, landing silently.

Then—he slipped inside the vent.

Inside the Dam – Aiden's Discovery

The air inside was stale.

Damp.

Echoes of footsteps and distant voices bounced off the metal walls.

Aiden crawled forward, his claws barely making a sound.

Then—he heard it.

A voice.

Deep.

Familiar.

Waltz.

Waltz's Words – The Experiment Continues

"You don't understand, Colonel…"

"The Night Hunter was just the beginning."

"Crane was the first—an accident. But this time… we have complete control."

Aiden's chest tightened.

Waltz was experimenting again.

And worse—he had the Colonel.

Aiden gritted his teeth.

He had come for Mia.

But now—he was walking straight into something much bigger.

And whatever Waltz was doing…

It was about to change everything.

Aiden's Silent Rage – The Past is Repeating

Aiden's claws dug into the metal vent walls, his breathing slow but heavy.

This was just like before.

Waltz. His experiments.

Using people as nothing more than test subjects.

Just like what happened to him.

And now, Crane's fate was being repeated.

The Night Hunter had been the first.

And now… Waltz was trying to make more.

Aiden gritted his teeth. He wouldn't let that happen.

Not again.

Inside the Dam – The Laboratory Below

Aiden crawled deeper into the vents, moving toward the source of Waltz's voice.

Through the metal grates, he caught glimpses of the rooms below.

Fluorescent lights flickered.

The hallways were lined with cells.

Inside them—people.

Some looked normal, terrified survivors trapped in cold, sterile cages.

Others… weren't human anymore.

Aiden's glowing eyes narrowed.

Half-turned infected.

They twitched violently, restrained by reinforced shackles.

Some were snarling, some were shaking, others just… staring.

Dead inside.

And in the center of it all—the Colonel.

Strapped to a metal table, restrained.

His veins glowed faintly—sickly green.

Whatever Waltz had injected into him… it was spreading.

Waltz's Experiment – The Next Phase Begins

Waltz stood over the Colonel, smiling slightly, amused.

"You're stronger than I expected."

"The virus is taking its time with you… but that's fine."

"Your men… well, they didn't last long."

Waltz gestured behind him.

Aiden shifted, looking through another vent.

There—Renegades.

Or at least—what used to be Renegades.

They were now mutated—twisted versions of what they once were.

Some had elongated claws, their eyes glowing with unnatural colors—not the usual infected red, but sickly greens and purples.

Others were bulging with muscle, their bodies unstable, veins pulsing as if the virus was still actively reshaping them.

And then, one… was watching Aiden.

The Mutated Renegade – Aiden Has Been Seen

The infected tilted its head.

It didn't growl.

It didn't snarl.

It just… stared.

As if it recognized something.

Aiden froze.

Then—it let out a sharp, piercing screech.

Instantly, alarms blared.

Aiden's chest tightened.

"Shit—"

Waltz Reacts – The Hunter is Here

Waltz whipped his head up, eyes narrowing.

He turned toward one of his soldiers.

"Seal the exits."

"The Hunter is here."

Aiden gritted his teeth.

He had seconds before the vents were locked down.

His cover was blown.

Now—he had to move.

The Next Move – Fight or Escape?

Aiden had two choices:

Drop down and fight. Take out as many of Waltz's men as possible and free the prisoners, but risk getting captured. Find another way deeper inside. Escape the vents before they lock him in, stay hidden, and get closer to Mia's location.

His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

Time was running out.

Aiden had to decide—NOW.