Dying Light: Volatile Virus

After seeing yourself unable of entering, you had an idea. You grabbed your backpack, and placed it up of your head, and then you walked through without any issue.

Once inside, you placed correctly your backpack on your back, and then got up of the little wall to really enter the Tower with ease.

You look around, everything is normal, yet being infected, no one notices you as infected, but as other survivor, even the guards greet you as you came back after so much time.

Despite the low time they saw you, they show surprise seeing you back again after so much time until last time they saw you.

You greet back, wavering, not talking in case your voice was changed, but yet, gestures was much more than enough.

You walked freely without any complications, so you go to the infirmary, in search for Dr. Zere, as the only times you saw him, were in the infirmary.

After some time in the elevator, you reach the floor where you remember the infirmary was, but when you enter the infirmary, Dr. Zere isn't there, but you reach to meet Lena.

Lena looks up from her work, surprised but composed.

Lena: "You're back. I didn't think I'd see you again. What happened to you out there?"

-"... Yeah, our first time meeting each other was... Complicated... Do you know where that Doctor is? Doctor Zere."

Your voice sounds slightly deeper, but yet, similar to your normal voice.

Lena narrows her eyes slightly, noticing the change in your voice but doesn't comment on it directly.

Lena: "Dr. Zere? He's not here right now. He's working on something in the lab upstairs. If you're looking for him, you'll need to head up there."

-"You have a lab in this tower building? Well, I guess I can have enough with you only. You are a medic after all, no?"

Lena crosses her arms, giving you a measured look.

Lena: "I'm a field medic, yes, but if this is about something Zere-specific, I might not have the answers you need. Still, if it's urgent, tell me what's going on, and I'll do what I can."

-"Just a look of how I am going. I had another case of symptoms very actively, and wanted to know how it looks right now."

Lena's expression shifts to concern as she steps closer, studying you carefully.

Lena: "Symptoms flaring up again? Alright, let me take a look." She gestures to a nearby chair. "Sit down. I'll check for anything unusual. How long has it been since the last episode?"

You take a sit, and then she starts inspecting and observing your eyes, easily noticing red lines from the sides of your eyes, reaching the pupil, as your pupils seem to have faint green color, but mostly a red overwhelming color.

-"This night. Last time was last night, while fighting the group of Volatiles. This time I was escaping from other group with Crane being near me. Crane went by himself up of the buildings, and I had to go how I could while being chased. A moment later, the same beginning of the red lines from the sides of my view, the growling noises, the flame all over me... But then, I started seeing different things, like a different reality."

Lena leans back slightly, her brows furrowing as she processes your description. Her eyes linger on your red-streaked sclera and faintly discolored pupils before she speaks, her tone calm but serious.

Lena: "Red lines, growling, flames… and now hallucinations? That's not a good sign. It sounds like the virus is progressing—and faster than we'd hope."

She crosses her arms, clearly troubled.

Lena: "Did Crane notice? Did anyone else see you like this?" Her voice softens, but there's an edge of urgency. "I need to know exactly how far this has gone. And... you're sure you didn't hurt anyone during the episode?"

-"Yes. While I was seeing everything white, with floating small isles, obstacles appearing, and other things. I was chasing Crane as I was seeing him infected. In the way, I felt myself jumping with no gravity and almost floating, and even learnt how to impulse myself with high intense for boost of speed. In a moment, I reached a sort of fortress, where Biters were launching at me strange very small fire balls at high speed, but I dodged all while climbing. Inside, there were more of this red shadow Biters, so I killed them. But while I was trying to continue chase Crane, a sudden purple light flashed me, blinding me, loosing track of Crane, so I started killing the red shadow Biters. Even saw a strange red light on a part of the wall of that fortress, and a simple kick made it shatter."

Lena listens intently, her expression growing more alarmed as you recount your experience. She takes a deep breath, trying to remain composed despite the strange and troubling details.

Lena: "White landscapes, red shadow Biters, purple flashes... This isn't just hallucination—it sounds like some kind of altered perception tied to the virus. And the things you're describing—superhuman abilities, the speed, the strength, even shattering a wall—" she pauses, her voice dropping to a concerned murmur, "—it's like the virus is amplifying you in ways we haven't seen before."

Her gaze sharpens as she studies you again.

Lena: "This... fortress and these red lights you mentioned. Do you think they were real, or were they part of the hallucination? And when you killed those red shadow Biters, were there actual bodies left behind when you came out of it?"

-"I'm unsure. I continued until obtaining the trail of Crane, and then I continued chasing him. I don't know anything of that strange fortress, and how it may be. But I'm sure it was real, but just... I saw it differently... Maybe they were survivors?..."

Lena's face tightens as she processes your words, her concern deepening.

Lena: "If they were survivors..." she hesitates, then sighs heavily, "then this is more dangerous than we thought. Whatever's happening to you is distorting your reality, and if you're seeing people as infected or... something else, it could put everyone around you at risk."

She crouches slightly to meet your eyes, her tone firm but empathetic.

Lena: "You said you're sure it was real but saw it differently—that might mean the virus is not just affecting your body, but your mind. I need you to stay grounded, no matter how real it feels. And until we figure out what's going on, you have to be careful about who or what you attack."

Standing upright, she steps back, her voice steady but urgent.

Lena: "I'll see what I can do to slow this down, but we'll need Dr. Zere for a deeper analysis. You might be walking a fine line between survival and... something else entirely."

-"... Well... After continuing chasing again Crane, after a moment I reached him, took him down, but when I grabbed him, he injected me an injection of Antizin, I think it was. Then everything shattered like a broken mirror, and slowly, started seeing things normal. But then, felt my left arm cold and heavy, and then I collapsed down, laying and resting for a while."

Lena's eyes widen slightly as you describe the encounter, and she places a hand on her hip, the other pinching the bridge of her nose as she processes the information.

Lena: "An injection of Antizin brought you back? That's... interesting. It sounds like whatever state you were in—this altered reality or hallucination—was interrupted by the Antizin. It might mean the virus is still reacting to treatments, even if in unpredictable ways."

She glances at your arm, her expression turning more clinical.

Lena: "Cold and heavy, though? That's unusual. It could be a sign of localized effects of the virus—or even damage from the episode. I'll need to take a closer look at that too."

Her tone softens as she looks you in the eye.

Lena: "Whatever's happening, it sounds like you're teetering on the edge of something dangerous. Resting might have helped, but this isn't something we can ignore. You need to let me—and Zere—run tests. If we can understand how the virus is affecting you differently, we might be able to stop it before it gets worse."

-"Yes, but... I guess this is... Also very important?"

You slowly ask, first talking while looking at your hands, then when asking, looking at Lena while raising your hands, opened at her. Your black gloves with the effect of being melted and taking the shape of your hands, but also, your fingers becoming more like claws.

Lena's eyes widen as she notices your hands, the melted, claw-like appearance making her take an instinctive step back before catching herself. Her professional demeanor returns quickly, but there's no mistaking the unease in her expression.

Lena: "...This isn't just the virus anymore." Her voice is low, measured, as if trying to process what she's seeing. "Your body is changing... mutating. The gloves—they're fused, like they've become part of you."

She steps closer cautiously, examining your hands without touching them, her gaze darting between your claws and your face.

Lena: "This isn't something I've ever seen before. It's not just an infection anymore; it's transforming you. And if this is happening on the surface..." she trails off, clearly worried about what might be happening internally.

After a pause, her voice steadies, resolute.

Lena: "This makes it even more urgent to get to Zere. If anyone can figure this out, it's him. But you have to trust me—we need to act now before these changes go any further."

-"Understood. Also, you know something about a cult of the children of the Sun? And some Mother?"

Lena furrows her brow, confused by your question. She tilts her head slightly, clearly searching her memory but coming up short.

Lena: "A cult? Children of the Sun? And a... Mother?" She shakes her head, her confusion evident. "No, I've never heard of anything like that. If it's some group outside Harran, we wouldn't know—we've been completely cut off from the outside world since the quarantine began."

She crosses her arms, studying you with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Lena: "Why are you asking about this? Did you see something... or someone, during one of your episodes?"

-"After Crane leaving me again after the injection, a moment later I coughed blood, sited down and injected myself with a dose of Antizin. I have a lot of supplies in my backpack I collected, but well. The dose didn't work, but the red lines became blue line. After a moment of walking, the Volatiles and Virals weren't interested in me, and then I started hearing in my head, a very distant as very far away motherly voice, calling me her child, to join her cult, being the successor of the Sun... I'm not sure of how to explain how or what she told me. But that moment is when I noticed my hands being like this."

Lena's expression darkens as she listens to your explanation, her concern deepening with every word. She presses a hand to her forehead, visibly trying to piece together what this all means.

Lena: "Blue lines instead of red... Volatiles and Virals ignoring you... and now a voice in your head?" She exhales sharply, her tone serious but calm. "This isn't just the virus anymore. It's like... something else is influencing you. Something beyond what we've seen with the infection in Harran."

She looks at your hands again, then back into your eyes.

Lena: "This 'Mother'—whatever or whoever she is—could be connected to these changes. But if she's reaching you like this, even from far away, it's not just your body mutating—it's like your mind is being drawn to something."

Her voice softens, but her concern remains clear.

Lena: "You said the Antizin didn't work. That's a bad sign. It's supposed to suppress the symptoms, not change them. Whatever's happening to you might be beyond what we know... and if this 'Mother' is real, she might hold the answers—whether we like it or not."

She steps back, her tone resolute.

Lena: "We need Zere to analyze what's going on. But if this cult is real and they're connected to your condition, we'll have to find out more. This isn't just about you anymore—it could change everything we know about the virus."

-"Alright. May we go? May I wait here until your return along Dr. Zere? Also, may I be capable of asking an important question?"

Lena nods, her expression steady but tinged with urgency.

Lena: "You can wait here if you need to rest, but I'd recommend staying out of sight for now. The others might not react well to... the changes you're going through." She glances at your hands again before continuing. "I'll go find Zere and bring him back as quickly as I can."

She pauses, her tone softening slightly.

Lena: "Of course, you can ask your question. What's on your mind?"

-"I couldn't enter in the Tower, this tower as is how people is calling it. I couldn't enter because when the purple UV light impacts me, it makes me feel as internally burning and it hurts my skin, not severe, but hurts. And when it impacts my eyes, it blinds me, followed after a sudden flash of purple light. I needed to use my backpack as shield or umbrella to enter."

Lena's eyes widen slightly, and she instinctively leans back, concern etched across her face.

Lena: "UV light hurts you now? That's..." she hesitates, clearly troubled, before continuing, "...that's exactly how the infected react to UV. The fact that you're feeling pain from it is a serious warning sign."

She crosses her arms, her voice steady but grim.

Lena: "It means the virus is advancing—changing you in ways we've only seen in fully turned infected. But the fact that you're still conscious, still... you, means you're in some kind of in-between state we don't understand yet."

Lena sighs and looks at you earnestly.

Lena: "You need to be careful. If this keeps progressing, UV light might become even more dangerous for you. And if anyone else here notices, they'll assume the worst." Her expression hardens with determination. "I'll bring Zere as soon as I can. Stay here and stay out of the light—literally. We'll figure this out."

Lena left the infirmary, in search of Dr. Zere, while you remained sitting, looking around at the empty infirmary, as is empty for now.

You think about the lighting hurting you as Lena said, but... You passed through all the light in the building, and no effect or damage inflicted. Maybe she meant the sun light? Maybe other type of light?

You remain thinking, while waiting patiently. But you can't remain relaxed, as your chest burns in a constant flame, making you in a constant need to release and unleash yourself breaking things.

After a big while, you unknow how many minutes, but quite a big while, what was for you like hours, Dr. Zere enters the infirmary along Lena. Dr. Zere instantly checks your hands, seeing your gloves and the shape of your hands.

Dr. Zere adjusts his glasses, his eyes narrowing as he carefully inspects your hands. His face is a mix of curiosity and concern as he gestures for you to extend them further for a better look.

Dr. Zere: "Hmm... fascinating," he mutters under his breath, his tone clinical but laced with unease. "The gloves appear fused to your skin, and the fingers... claw-like. This isn't just infection—it's something far more complex."

He glances briefly at Lena before focusing on you again, his voice calm but direct.

Dr. Zere: "Tell me everything—every symptom, every change. Start from the beginning. When did these transformations start, and what triggered them? And..." he looks at your hands again, his expression tightening, "have you noticed any other... abilities or sensations that aren't normal?"

Lena stands nearby, arms crossed, watching closely, her expression a mix of worry and hope as she waits for your response.

-"It started like the first event, yesterday at night. Red lines, the growling, and the other symptoms. But this time it went further, as while I was running, everything changed, as I was running through an abandoned hospital hallway. I felt myself floating when I jumped, learnt how to impulse myself to obtain speed boosts, much higher strength, different views, as I saw trails of different colors of different infecteds and survivors. And I still see you two with a fade red trail emanating from you two, even fade trails of each survivor in the Tower, almost seeing where they are exactly, but the so many trails... Makes me confuse a little of the exact location of each one of them."

Dr. Zere strokes his chin, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he listens.

Dr. Zere: "Trails of energy? That level of perception isn't human—or even like the infected we've studied. The virus is enhancing you in ways we don't fully understand."

He leans closer, his tone becoming more serious.

Dr. Zere: "Are you able to control these changes, or do they overwhelm you?"

-"It doesn't necessarily overwhelm me. But is something I can't control myself. Or at least didn't learn how to. Tell me doc, does it look bad? Do I look bad?"

Dr. Zere straightens up, his expression grave but honest as he examines you closely.

Dr. Zere: "Physically, you look... altered, but not in a way that's fully turned. The red-streaked eyes, the claws, the veins—it's clear the virus has taken hold of your body."

He pauses, choosing his words carefully.

Dr. Zere: "But you don't look like a monster. Not yet. And the fact that you still have control over your mind gives me hope. We just don't know how long that will last."

He glances at Lena, then back at you.

Dr. Zere: "I won't lie—this doesn't look good. But it's not over yet."

-"Well, each time it happened, was in nighttime. I guess the virus as far I reached to know, it does really get active in night. And so..."

You say while getting up, grabbing your backpack, placing it in a table nearby, along your specialized M4. Then, you opened the backpack, and started getting all the crates, letting up of the table a total of 9 Antizin crates and 6 medical supply crates.

-"Better give what I get, before not being able to give it an use. Also, one of this crates is missing one, as I told Lena, I used one, and yet, it didn't work. The effects it gave me. Changing the red line to blue lines on my view, and... I don't know other symptoms to describe, as far I know or can."

Dr. Zere's eyes widen slightly as he takes in the sheer amount of supplies you unload onto the table. He adjusts his glasses, a mix of awe and urgency crossing his face.

Dr. Zere: "Nine crates of Antizin and six medical crates... This is remarkable. You've done more in one night than most survivors manage in weeks."

He steps closer to inspect the Antizin crates, picking one up and carefully examining the doses inside.

Dr. Zere: "You said the Antizin didn't work as intended? That's concerning. Changing the red lines to blue suggests a shift in how the virus is affecting your system. It's possible your mutation is interacting with the Antizin in ways we don't fully understand."

He sets the crate down and looks at you with a serious expression.

Dr. Zere: "I'll need to analyze your blood further, along with the dose you used. If Antizin isn't working as it should, that could mean your condition is... beyond its reach."

He pauses, glancing at Lena before returning his gaze to you.

Dr. Zere: "Tell me, Marco, did you notice any other changes—physical, mental, or even... sensory—since using that dose?"

-"Of course, doc."

You place your right arm straight and firm. Dr. Zere moves the sleeve of your right arm, and after he takes a blood sample, he places back the sleeve.

-"And I did notice more changes. Slowly while I was walking through the Slums, my vision was at first half blurry, half perfectly clean, and slowly changed to be clean mixed along night vision, and the trails of each infected around me. The Volatiles had a fade blue trail emanating from them, along an aura of the same color. The Virals had a cyan color instead, and as said earlier, you have a red color."

Dr. Zere carefully collects the blood sample, his hands steady but his expression deeply focused. He nods as he listens to your description, his brow furrowing in thought.

Dr. Zere: "Enhanced vision, night adaptation, and the ability to see these... energy trails or auras. This is extraordinary—and highly unsettling. It's as if the virus is heightening your perception of infected lifeforms, perhaps even distinguishing between their types."

He places the sample in a small container and looks at you with both curiosity and concern.

Dr. Zere: "You said the trails for Volatiles were blue, Virals were cyan, and survivors like us were red. It's almost as if the virus is categorizing what it sees as a threat, an ally, or something else entirely."

Lena chimes in, her voice soft but urgent.

Lena: "This level of perception—could it be the virus trying to gain control of his mind? Shaping how he views the world?"

Dr. Zere nods slightly, stroking his chin.

Dr. Zere: "It's possible. But Marco's ability to retain his consciousness suggests that, for now, he's holding onto control. Still, this progression is unprecedented."

He looks back at you, his tone serious.

Dr. Zere: "Marco, these changes are rapid. If the virus is adapting this quickly, we need to act fast. I'll run tests on this sample immediately. In the meantime, do you feel... stable enough to continue functioning? Or do you sense any other changes looming?"

-"Only a flame in my chest, constantly making me struggle to remain calm, and makes me feel wanting to break things."

Dr. Zere nods slowly, his expression growing more serious as he processes your words.

Dr. Zere: "A constant flame in your chest... It sounds like the virus is fueling an increased aggression, a fight-or-flight response pushed to the extreme. It's as if your body is primed for combat at all times."

He exchanges a concerned glance with Lena before turning back to you.

Dr. Zere: "This struggle to stay calm—it's critical that you maintain control, Marco. If the virus takes advantage of that aggression, it could drive you to act on impulses you wouldn't normally have."

Lena steps closer, her voice steady but concerned.

Lena: "Are there specific things that help you manage it? Breathing, focusing on a task, anything? We need to know how you're holding yourself together."

-"Maintaining my position. Standing while awaiting my mission or orders being given. But at this moment I have two missions to accomplish. So I must continue, until accomplishing such missions assigned to me."

Dr. Zere listens intently, his expression a mix of admiration and concern.

Dr. Zere: "Your discipline is what's keeping you grounded—that unwavering focus on your missions. It's remarkable, Marco, but also dangerous. If the virus pushes you too far, even discipline might not be enough."

He adjusts his glasses and speaks firmly.

Dr. Zere: "Tell me about these two missions. If we understand your priorities, perhaps we can assist you or prepare for what comes next."

Lena nods, adding softly,

Lena: "You're carrying a lot, Marco. Let us help where we can."

-"My main mission of arriving at Harran along Kyle Crane, was to capture the man known a Rais, as he changed his name for what Crane told me. My second main mission is to go in search of the Mother, as she asked me to do so, in exchange for answers and more, adding a wide invitation of sort of belonging while confirming me with words about me being the successor of the Sun. And my always priority, to secure the safety of all civilians as possible, placing those in need as main priority before me or any mission if there is or are any current civilian in need. As I was trained by the GRE, doc."

Dr. Zere nods slowly, his expression serious as he processes your words.

Dr. Zere: "Capture Rais, search for this... 'Mother,' and prioritize the safety of civilians above all else. You're balancing a lot, Marco—especially with what you're going through."

He glances at Lena, then back at you, his tone firm but empathetic.

Dr. Zere: "The first mission aligns with what we know of Crane's objectives, but this 'Mother'—she's an unknown variable. If she has the answers you seek, she might also pose a risk, to you and everyone else."

Lena steps closer, her arms crossed, her voice calm but concerned.

Lena: "You've been trained to protect, but the GRE didn't prepare you for... this. Are you sure you're ready to face both Rais and this cult, especially with how quickly the virus is changing you?"

-"Yes, I am sure. Please open the window, so I don't have to go all down, and then use my backpack as shield for the UV light."

Dr. Zere goes and opens one of the windows, while you grab and wear your backpack, and place your M4 in it's slot on your back. Then you walk to the open window, and jump.

With your new hands claws, you easily slip down the wall, and then, after a moment, you jump, landing on the ground without any damage, and continue jumping with impulses, making your jumps very fast in reaching large distances.