Mutation Abyss-Chapter 27: In A Rush

[Suppress? You couldn't suppress a virus in a sandbox. Let's be honest, you were never the dominant half. You just got here first.]

The space around Theo cracked like glass. Images flickered into existence, of power he hadn't unlocked yet, of him standing over burning cities, of his own hands glowing black with uncontrollable force.

His stomach turned. "I don't want that kind of power," he whispered.

[Oh, but you will. When you're bleeding out, when your sister is screaming your name and you can't help her, when you watch people die because you chose to be good... you'll want me.]

[You are not his path.] The calmer voice interjected, louder now. [Do not be deceived. The Mutation Abyss was given to you to protect, to adapt, not to destroy.]

[Adapt? Ha! You call this adapting? He's still weak. Still afraid. You've been coddling him like a pet project. I'm offering evolution.]

The shadows twisted into beasts... Meteorborns, MB Infectees, corrupted AMS members, even twisted versions of people he knew. One of them looked like Aries. She turned to him and screamed as black veins consumed her face.

Theo staggered back. "No. This isn't real."

[Not yet.] the darker voice purred. [But it could be. All it takes is one choice. Stop trying to be a savior. Be a survivor.]

[You don't need him. Your humanity is your strength. Choose your own will. Choose balance.]

[Choose me.]

[Choose truth.]

The voices overlapped now... arguing, tearing the void into halves of golden light and corrupted crimson. Theo stood at the center, pulled by both.

"Stop this! Stop!!" he screamed, closing his eyes and covering his ears with his palms. If this was a nightmare, Theo simply wanted to wake up.

Then... a hand. Warm. Real.

"Theo!"

The voices shattered like fragile glass. His eyes snapped open.

He jolted upright, gasping like he had surfaced from drowning. His skin was slick with sweat, and his heart thundered in his chest.

"You okay?" she asked gently. "You were twitching. And you kept whispering something about... mutation."

Theo wiped his face, trying to ground himself. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just a... weird dream."

Yet something inside Theo told him it wasn't just a dream. He shook his head, trying to calm himself and push away the unease, especially after seeing the worried look on his sister's face.

'Maybe it was just some random nightmare,' he thought, forcing himself to believe it.

Then he realized the car was no longer moving. Blinking, he asked, "Wait, are we already here?"

Aries finally smiled and nodded. "You slept like a log after eating that burger. We just arrived. I was about to wake you up, but... it looked like you were having a nightmare." Her frown deepened as she asked, "What were you dreaming about?"

Theo stretched his arms as he stepped out of the car, trying to shake the stiffness from his limbs. He quickly changed the topic and said, "I can't really remember now, Aries. My whole body feels numb!"

He simply didn't want to worry his sister, so he didn't want to tell her. Besides, it was just a dream. He was probably just too tired, burned out, and exhausted, not to mention he was in pain from their mother's passing and had a lot on his mind.

Then he turned to look at their surroundings and froze.

"Holy cow!" he burst out, eyes wide.

"I know, right?!" Aries grinned. "It's perfect! Calix's parents turned on all the lights so you could see better. But I bet it'll look even more amazing in daylight!"

The mansion stretched across a vast property, nestled near the beach, with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The first thing that caught Theo's eye was the sheer size of the place. Towering, modern, and sleek. It was clear this place had been built with both luxury and security in mind. The gates at the entrance were large and imposing, designed to offer both privacy and protection.

"The estate is surrounded by a high, reinforced cement wall, but also equipped with motion sensors and discreet security cameras at every corner," Theo heard a deep, unfamiliar voice from behind.

He turned, slightly startled, and saw Calix standing next to an elderly man. The man was tall and sturdy, his posture straight even though age had weathered his features.

"This is my father, Andres Moore," Calix said proudly. "You see, he's a retired military soldier!"

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Andres smiled warmly at Theo, his hand extending in a gesture of greeting. Theo shook his hand, "It's an honor to meet you, sir."

The man smiled. "Please, just Andres. I was a military soldier, part of an elite unit specializing in bombs and technical operations."

"We should call him 'Uncle,'" Aries said, interrupting the conversation, as she extended her hand to the older man. "Uncle Andres, I'm Aries, Theo's sister."

Andres chuckled softly, his weathered hands taking hers with a warm, firm shake. "A pleasure, Aries," he said with a genuine smile.

Just as they exchanged greetings, an older woman approached them. Come inside," she said with a kind smile. "The owners are already waiting for us on the video call. They're eager to finalize the sale, they're in a rush because they need the money urgently."