Chapter 1:The Shadow's Domain

The camera pans into a sprawling mansion surrounded by high iron gates and dense foliage. Victor Esono's house was as imposing as the man himself—a fortress of wealth and secrecy. Inside, the air was cold, and the atmosphere stifling.

Victor sat in a grand study, a cigar in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other. The flickering flames from the fireplace cast eerie shadows on the walls lined with rare books and hunting trophies.

Across from him stood a doctor, visibly nervous. He adjusted his glasses and clutched a file close to his chest.

"Mr. Esono," the doctor began, his voice shaking slightly. "I regret to inform you that Lukas's condition is worsening. The Vitalis Syndrome… it's progressing faster than we anticipated."

Victor's hand tightened around the wine glass, his expression unreadable. "Faster? How much time does he have left?"

The doctor hesitated before answering. "Weeks, at best. The disease is attacking his vital functions. Without a breakthrough, there's nothing we can do."

Victor's gaze hardened. "There's always something to be done, Doctor. That's why I hired you. You're supposed to find solutions, not excuses."

The doctor swallowed hard. "There is… one possibility. Dr. Joy Davidson. He's a brilliant geneticist. His work on genetic therapies is unparalleled. If anyone can help, it's him."

Victor leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "Joy Davidson," he mused, the name rolling off his tongue with a hint of menace. "Find him. Bring him to me. By any means necessary."

The doctor nodded, relieved to leave the room. As the door closed behind him, Victor stared into the fire, his mind already plotting.

"Joy Davidson," he whispered to himself. "Let's see if your genius can save my son… or destroy you trying."

Scene Shift: The Congo Basin Laboratory

The camera pans over a hidden lab deep in the Congo Basin. Its steel walls gleamed under the dim artificial lights, a sharp contrast to the vibrant jungle outside. Inside, scientists moved briskly, the hum of machines filling the air.

Victor Esono stormed into the lab, his expression cold and impatient. Behind him, Dr. Elena Rossi was trying to keep pace, clutching a clipboard.

"Tell me the results," Victor demanded, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.

Dr. Rossi hesitated. "The serum's effects on the animals are… volatile. While it amplifies their physical capabilities, it destabilizes their cognitive functions. The virus mutates unpredictably."

Victor's jaw tightened. "And my son? Will it work on him?"

Dr. Rossi's gaze faltered. "We can't guarantee safety in human trials yet."

Victor grabbed her by the arm, his voice a low growl. "I don't care about guarantees. Lukas is dying.

Administer the serum now."

The scene shifts to a sterile room where Lukas lies on a hospital bed, his breathing shallow. A group of scientists hesitates before injecting him with the glowing serum.

For a moment, there is hope—his vitals stabilize. But then his body convulses violently, and the monitors erupt in alarms. Lukas's breathing slows, then stops altogether.

Dr. Rossi steps back, her face pale. "He's gone," she whispers.

Victor's roar of rage echoes through the lab. He grabs a vial of the serum and turns to his guards. "Bring me Joy Davidson. He created this. He'll suffer for this failure."

Scene shift: The Date Night

The restaurant glowed with warmth, the gentle flicker of candlelight creating an intimate atmosphere. Joy arrived early, rehearsing the words he wanted to say. He fiddled with the small box in his pocket, his fingers brushing against the cool metal as he tried to steady his nerves.

When Tia arrived, her presence lit up the room, and Joy felt a wave of calm wash over him. He stood to greet her, pulling out her chair as she took her seat. The scent of jasmine lingered as she settled in, a reminder of why he had fallen in love with her.

For a moment, everything felt normal—perfect, even. They ordered their favorite dishes, and the night unfolded with quiet laughter and stolen glances. But as Joy reached for his glass of water, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck.

His vision blurred. The edges of the room seemed to distort, the laughter and clinking of glasses fading into a muffled hum. His hand trembled, the glass slipping from his grasp and shattering on the floor.

Joy collapsed, unconscious.

Scene Shift: Victor's Captors

Joy opened his eyes to blinding light. His hands and feet were bound, and Tia's unconscious form lay nearby. A group of men in dark suits surrounded them.

One of the men spoke into a radio. "We have Davidson. Prepare the transport to the lab."

Joy tried to struggle, but a sharp prick in his arm stopped him. A serum coursed through his veins, and his vision darkened again. The last thing he heard was a name whispered among the captors—"Victor Esono and The Congo Basin."