Increased heat

Captured – Waltz's Discovery

Waltz's cold fingers dug through Aiden's robes, his expression twisting into amusement as he pulled out a radio.

Aiden's body tensed, his claws clenching.

He tried to snarl out a warning, but only angry growls escaped his maw.

His pupils flashed dangerously—his instincts screaming for him to rip the radio from Waltz's hands.

But the restraints held firm.

Waltz turned the radio over in his hands, examining it.

"What does an infected do with a radio?"

He tilted his head, mockingly thoughtful.

"Did someone place this on you? Send you here?"

Then—his lips curled into a wide smirk.

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest, growing into laughter.

"And here I was… thinking I was the only one who could control infected."

Waltz's laugh grew louder.

Aiden snarled, his muscles straining against the restraints.

Waltz's amusement only deepened.

He turned toward the Colonel, watching the man struggle through his slow, agonizing transformation.

"Colonel… if the Night Hunter really is dead… that only means it was imperfect."

He tapped the side of his head, grinning.

"But I… I will perfect it."

"Why settle for a mere shadow… when I can create a void?"

He crouched, staring into the Colonel's fading human eyes.

"You won't just be another Night Hunter."

"You will be the Void Hunter."

"My Supreme Void Hunter of darkness."

Then—he turned to Aiden, his smirk growing wider.

"And as for you… get comfortable~"

With that, Waltz turned and strode out of the room, leaving them alone with the infected in their cages.

The Colonel coughed violently, his body still resisting the transformation, though it was inevitable.

Aiden, however—was planning.

His mind raced.

There was no time to think about his surroundings.

He needed to break free.

Aiden's Attempt – The Shock of Failure

Aiden took a slow breath.

Then—he pushed against his restraints.

Electricity surged through him instantly.

His entire body seized.

Pain ripped through his nerves, sending violent shocks coursing through every muscle.

His veins burned.

His limbs spasmed.

The electricity didn't just restrain him—it attacked his very infection, throwing his virus-accelerated nerves into chaos.

Aiden bit down a scream, but a distorted snarl escaped his maw.

Then, as quickly as it started—it stopped.

Aiden slumped forward, gasping, his body twitching involuntarily.

His vision flickered.

But he wasn't done yet.

He just needed time.

Time… and an opportunity.

Waltz's Call – The Beginning of the Mind Games

Meanwhile, in another room—Waltz turned on the radio.

He adjusted the antenna, listening to the static buzz.

He waited for a minute.

Then—he smirked.

"Maybe it's broken—"

But before he could change the frequency…

A voice cut through the static.

Calm. Controlled.

Deep, yet calmly commanding.

Draemir.

"Yes, Aiden?"

Waltz's grin widened.

"Hello, killer~"

A pause.

For the first time in years, Draemir felt a chill crawl up his spine.

A tension he hadn't felt since Harran.

A hesitation.

"Excuse me? Who are you?"

Waltz Introduces Himself – The Monster in the Shadows

Waltz let the silence stretch, savoring the moment.

Then—he leaned into the radio, his voice smooth and deliberate.

"Waltz."

"Vincent Waltz, if we're being formal. But no one is these days, are they?"

"I imagine my name doesn't carry much weight in your ears, does it, God of the Sun?"

"But trust me… you and I? We've been dancing around the same battlefield for years. You just didn't notice."

Waltz chuckled, dark and quiet.

"I was the lead scientist behind some of the most advanced viral mutations in history. The GRE's crown jewel of genetic evolution. My work—your infection—wouldn't exist without me."

"And yet, despite everything… you killed the Night Hunter."

Waltz's voice took on a mocking sadness.

"I must admit, I was quite fond of that one. He was the first of his kind. A pioneer. A failure, yes—but an important failure."

"But don't worry, Draemir."

"You didn't destroy my creation. You merely set the stage for something… greater."

Waltz smirked, gripping the radio tighter.

"And now, I have something you created. Something that should not exist. Something I plan to dissect, study, and—if I'm feeling generous—evolve beyond even you."

"Tell me, Draemir… how much would it hurt you… if I broke your little successor?"

The Sun's Wrath is Coming

A tense silence filled the airwaves.

Draemir's breath slowed.

His fingers tightened around the radio, his golden pupils narrowing into thin slits.

He knew this tone.

The tone of a man who saw others as nothing but tools.

Of a scientist drunk on his own power.

Of a monster in human skin.

Then—his voice came.

Low. Controlled.

But burning with fury.

Draemir: "…Don't you dare."

A chuckle.

Slow. Mocking.

Waltz: "Oh? Did I strike a nerve, God of the Sun?"

Draemir's claws flexed.

His teeth bared.

Draemir: "Waltz… if you are really true to your word, you better prepare. Because the wrath of the Sun is going to disintegrate you."

Waltz's smirk widened.

He leaned back, tapping a finger against the radio.

Waltz: "Disintegrate me? Oh, Draemir… That's cute."

He laughed.

Waltz: "You took my specimen—the Night Hunter—from me~"

Waltz: "So, I simply took yours, while it tried to sneak in~"

Draemir's pupils flared.

His blood boiled.

A low, guttural growl rumbled in his chest.

The air around him felt heavy. Charged.

Draemir: "…Waltz."

A deep inhale.

His voice dropped into a lethal whisper.

Draemir: "I don't know why people want you dead… but if it's for the same reason as what you're doing now…"

His claws tightened into fists.

Draemir: "Then it's clear why you should be dead."

A sharp exhale.

His muscles tensed.

His entire body burned with purpose.

Draemir: "Get ready."

Draemir: "Because I'm coming."

STATIC.

The radio hissed.

The connection cut.

Waltz's Game Begins

Waltz's smile widened.

His chest rose and fell with excitement.

His fingers curled around the radio, gripping it tightly.

"That's right… rage for me, God of the Sun."

"Burn bright… and run straight into my hands."

He exhaled a slow, satisfied breath.

Then, his eyes drifted toward the laboratory.

Aiden.

The Colonel.

His precious new test subjects.

The virus was evolving.

His work was far from finished.

"Before the Sun arrives… I'll be ready."

He turned on his heel, walking toward his experiments.

A storm was coming.

And Waltz…

Was going to make sure he was the one controlling it.