Descent Into Madness

The figure standing before them was taller than the last. Its body was wrapped in tattered remnants of what might have once been a lab coat, though it had long since been stained with something dark. Unlike the first creature, this one didn’t lunge immediately. It simply stood there, its head tilted slightly, as if observing them.

Haruki felt Aoi’s grip tighten on his sleeve. Her breath was uneven, trembling. Kisaragi, frozen in place, was staring at the figure, his eyes wide with something dangerously close to recognition.

“Doctor,” the creature rasped. Its voice was raw, broken, like something that hadn’t spoken in years.

Haruki’s gaze snapped to Kisaragi. “You know what this thing is?”

Kisaragi didn’t answer immediately. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

The creature stepped forward. Its movements were slower, more deliberate than the first one’s, but there was something about it—something more dangerous. It was aware.

Renji groaned, still rubbing his ribs. “If you’ve got some big revelation, now’s the time, glasses.”

Kisaragi swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know for certain, but if this is what I think it is, then we need to leave. Immediately.”

“That’s already the plan,” Natsuki said, raising her gun. She aimed directly at its head this time, finger hovering over the trigger. “Move and I shoot.”

The creature’s head tilted further, an eerie, unnatural motion. Then it did something none of them expected.

It smiled.

“Bullet won’t work,” it rasped. “Not anymore.”

Before anyone could react, the creature shot forward, crossing the distance between them in an instant. Natsuki fired, but just as the bullet was about to strike, the creature moved. Not dodging—shifting. As if its body simply refused to be hit.

Natsuki cursed, pulling the trigger again, but the creature was already upon her.

Haruki moved instinctively. He slammed his shoulder into Natsuki, pushing her out of the way just before the creature’s clawed hand could reach her throat. The force of the movement sent them both sprawling onto the cold concrete floor.

The creature let out a low chuckle. “Faster than the others. But not fast enough.”

Renji lunged, his knife flashing in the dim light, aiming directly for the creature’s neck. This time, the blade connected—if only for a second. The creature’s skin rippled unnaturally around the wound, as if absorbing the impact. Renji barely had time to react before the creature’s hand wrapped around his throat.

Aoi screamed. “Renji!”

Renji choked, his feet lifting off the ground as the creature effortlessly held him in the air. His fingers clawed at the hand around his neck, but it was like steel. His knife fell from his grip, clattering uselessly to the floor.

Haruki scrambled to his feet, his heart hammering. There was no time to think. He grabbed the nearest thing—a rusted metal pipe leaning against the wall—and swung it as hard as he could. The impact struck the creature’s head, and for the first time, it actually reacted. It staggered, dropping Renji to the ground.

Renji gasped, coughing violently as he clutched his throat. “Son of a—”

Haruki didn’t let up. He swung again, this time with more force, aiming for its legs. The creature twisted its body at the last second, but the pipe still connected, sending it skidding back across the floor.

“Run!” Haruki barked, already pulling Renji up by the arm.

“No argument there,” Renji wheezed.

They bolted down the hallway, Aoi practically dragging Kisaragi behind her. The scientist looked shaken, his normally composed demeanor slipping.

“Which way?” Haruki demanded.

Kisaragi snapped out of his daze. “Left—there’s an old security exit—”

They turned the corner and froze.

The first creature was there, waiting for them. Its head twitched, mouth curling into a grotesque grin.

“Shit,” Natsuki muttered.

Trapped. One behind, one ahead. The walls around them were solid concrete. No windows. No doors. Nowhere to go.

The second creature rounded the corner behind them, its smile never fading.

“Nowhere left,” it said.

Haruki’s grip tightened on the pipe. “Like hell.”

He lunged, swinging the pipe with everything he had. The creature caught it mid-swing, its grip crushing the metal like it was paper.

Haruki’s eyes widened.

Then, with unnatural speed, the creature struck. A fist slammed into his stomach, sending him flying back. He crashed against the wall, the impact knocking the air from his lungs.

Aoi screamed his name, running to his side.

The first creature took a step forward.

And then it stopped.

So did the second.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence.

Then a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the hallway.

Footsteps followed, casual, unhurried. A figure emerged from the shadows.

Tall, composed, dressed in a pristine black suit. His silver hair was slicked back, and his piercing blue eyes held a cold amusement. He looked human. Too human.

Kain.

Haruki’s fingers curled into fists.

“I was wondering when you’d show up,” Haruki spat, pushing himself up despite the pain in his ribs.

Kain smiled. “You flatter me. But really, I should be the one impressed. You’ve made it this far.” His gaze flicked to Kisaragi. “And you, doctor. I see you’ve been explaining my little projects to your friends.”

Kisaragi’s expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—something dangerously close to fear. “They deserve to know the truth.”

Kain tilted his head. “Truth?” He chuckled. “What a funny word. The truth, doctor, is that you were part of this. You built the foundation for what I have perfected.”

Haruki’s stomach turned. “What the hell is he talking about?”

Kisaragi’s fists clenched. “…It was never meant to be this.”

Kain sighed. “Intentions are such fragile things, aren’t they? But don’t worry. Your work isn’t going to waste. In fact, you should feel honored. You’re about to witness the future of humanity.”

Renji let out a dry laugh. “Yeah? Because from where I’m standing, the ‘future of humanity’ looks a lot like an undead freak show.”

Kain smirked. “You lack vision.” He snapped his fingers. The two creatures straightened immediately, their heads jerking toward him like obedient soldiers. “But don’t worry. I’ll show you.”

Haruki barely had time to react before the first creature moved. It was fast—too fast. One moment it was standing still. The next, it was in front of him. A fist collided with his side, sending him to the ground again.

Aoi screamed. Renji lunged at Kain, but the second creature intercepted him, throwing him aside like a ragdoll.

Haruki gasped for breath. His vision blurred, pain radiating through his body. He heard Aoi calling his name, felt her hands on his shoulders.

Kain crouched in front of him, watching with something like amusement. “You have spirit, I’ll give you that. But you don’t stand a chance.”

Haruki forced himself to meet Kain’s eyes. “Screw you.”

Kain chuckled. “Ah, defiance. How predictable.” He stood, dusting off his suit. “But I’m afraid playtime is over. I have more important matters to attend to.” He gestured to the creatures. “Kill them.”

Aoi’s breath hitched.

Haruki clenched his fists.

No.

Not like this.

He forced himself to his feet, ignoring the screaming pain in his ribs. If they were going to die, they’d die fighting.

Then—

A deafening explosion rocked the building.

The entire hallway trembled. A section of the ceiling collapsed. Smoke and dust filled the air.

And through the chaos, a voice rang out—sharp, commanding.

“Get away from them.”

Haruki turned, coughing through the dust. His eyes widened.

Kaede.

And she wasn’t alone.