Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Awakening
Land of Isvan, Ishgar
Deep within the dark heart of the Land of Isvan stood the Bureau of Magical Development, a shadowed, foreboding fortress of science and sorcery. Once a beacon of magical research, it had long since twisted into a haven for forbidden experiments under the rule of its cold, calculating overseer, Brain. The corridors were sterile and dimly lit, the air tinged with the acrid scent of alchemical reagents and the faint coppery tang of blood.
In the central laboratory, a massive chamber brimming with flickering magical runes and arcane machinery, the culmination of years of twisted research lay dormant. A massive containment pod, reinforced with enchanted steel and humming with unstable energy, loomed over the room. Its transparent walls revealed the shadowy silhouette of a hulking beast within, its form obscured by swirling mist and liquid suspension.
Brain stood at the edge of the chamber, his cloak flowing like an ominous shadow. His eyes glinted with a mix of anticipation and hunger as he observed the culmination of his efforts. Beside him, a group of researchers and enforcers busied themselves, making final adjustments to the intricate array of magical conduits and machinery.
"Today marks the dawn of a new era," Brain announced, his voice cold and measured. "This creation will be the ultimate weapon. A being that transcends the boundaries of magic and nature. A living force of destruction."
One of the researchers hesitated, glancing nervously at the containment pod. "Sir, the creature's magical core is unstable. The fusion of dragon and dinosaur traits... it may be too volatile to control."
Brain's eyes narrowed, and a cruel smile curled on his lips. "Control is irrelevant. Chaos breeds power. Let it burn everything to ash if it must. Our goal is to show the world the pinnacle of our craft."
Inside the pod, the creature stirred. A low, guttural growl echoed through the chamber, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. The mist began to clear, revealing glimpses of the monster's form. Scaled armor-like hide glistened with an unnatural sheen. Its claws, sharp as razors, twitched with latent power. Its eyes, glowing a fierce, malevolent amber, opened, and for the first time, the beast stared out at its captors.
"It's waking up!" one of the researchers cried, panic evident in his voice.
Brain raised a hand to silence him. "Good. Begin the awakening process. Feed the runes more power."
Magical conduits crackled as energy surged through them, pouring into the containment pod. The beast roared, its voice a deafening blend of raw fury and primal dominance. The pod trembled violently, cracks forming along its reinforced glass walls.
"Sir! The containment field is destabilizing!"
Brain didn't flinch. "Let it. Let the world see what true power looks like."
With a deafening explosion, the pod shattered, shards of glass and arcs of magical energy scattering across the chamber. The researchers screamed and scrambled for cover as the beast emerged, its massive form dwarfing everything in the room.
It was a nightmare made flesh—standing on two powerful legs, its muscular body rippled with strength. Its jagged, oversized teeth gleamed under the harsh laboratory lights, and its long, whip-like tail swept across the floor, smashing equipment and scattering debris. Its pale skin still showed remnants of fluid.
The monster roared again, shaking the very foundations of the Bureau. Its amber eyes locked onto Brain, who stood unyielding in the face of its wrath.
"Magnificent," Brain whispered, a twisted sense of pride in his voice.
But the monster had no intention of bowing to anyone. With a speed and ferocity that belied its size, it lunged forward, claws slashing through enforcers and machinery alike. Magical blasts ricocheted off its armored hide as the researchers tried in vain to subdue it.
The chamber descended into chaos. Flames erupted as magical equipment overloaded, casting the room in flickering orange light. The monster tore through the laboratory, its roars accompanied of fire from its mouth, blending with the screams of the dying. Brain, for all his ambition, was forced to retreat as the beast turned its wrath on him.
"I have to escape from here before the council arrives." Brain didn't think it would be this powerful, but he didn't even think to abandon it. He'll find him later.
The Bureau of Magical Development, once a fortress of forbidden knowledge, was reduced to a crumbling ruin in mere minutes. As the monster burst through the outer walls and into the open air, it let out a final, triumphant roar, announcing its freedom to the world.
It was no longer an experiment, no longer a weapon to be controlled. It was a force of nature, a living disaster that would leave destruction in its wake.
---
The midday sun beat down on Magnolia's bustling streets as Kael and Erza stepped off the train. The vibrant city was alive with activity, merchants called out their wares, children played in the streets, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafted from nearby bakeries. It was a stark contrast to the forests and wilderness Kael was used to, and he found himself overwhelmed by the sheer energy of it all.
"Is this Magnolia?" Kael asked, gripping his spear tightly as he followed Erza. His voice was tinged with awe and unease.
Erza nodded, her crimson hair catching the sunlight as she surveyed their surroundings. "It is. Now we just need to find Fairy Tail."
Kael opened his mouth to reply, but a sudden, sharp pain shot through his left arm. He stumbled, clutching it tightly as a searing heat radiated from beneath his skin.
"Kael?" Erza's voice was laced with concern as she turned to him.
"I'm fine," he managed through gritted teeth, though the pain was quickly becoming unbearable.
The world around him seemed to fade, the vibrant streets of Magnolia dissolving into a swirling haze of light and shadow. A faint, otherworldly voice echoed in his mind, low and resonant, like the hum of an ancient machine.
"You have been chosen. Your path is not your own. Survival is key. Adaptation is strength. You are the one we were waiting for."
Kael's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, his vision darkening. As the pain in his arm intensified, a glowing symbol began to emerge just below his wrist, a triangular implant, pulsing faintly with an otherworldly blue light.
"Kael!" Erza dropped to her knees beside him, her hands hovering uncertainly as he writhed in pain.
The woman's voice in his mind grew louder, its words incomprehensible now, a cacophony of whispers and commands. Then, as abruptly as it began, the pain ceased, and Kael's body went limp. His breathing was shallow, but he was alive.
Erza's eyes widened as she noticed the glowing implant on his arm. She reached out to touch it but hesitated, her instincts warning her against interfering with something so clearly unnatural.
"Kael… what is this?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the city.
Realizing she had no time to waste, Erza gently lifted him onto her back, her arms gripping his legs securely as she rose to her feet. Despite her petite frame, she carried him with ease, her strength betraying her young age.
Magnolia was vast, a labyrinth of streets and alleys teeming with life. Erza adjusted Kael's weight on her back, her determined gaze scanning the crowds as she pushed forward.
"Excuse me," she called to a passing merchant, her voice steady despite the strain. "Do you know where I can find Fairy Tail?"
The man scratched his head, eyeing her curiously before pointing down a street. "Keep going that way. You'll find a large building with a guild mark on the front. Can't miss it."
"Thank you," she said curtly, setting off in the direction he indicated.
Kael stirred slightly, his head resting against her shoulder. "Erza…" he mumbled weakly, his voice barely audible.
"I'm here," she said firmly, though her heart clenched at his vulnerability. "Just hang on a little longer."
The streets blurred together as Erza pressed on, her legs burning from the effort but her resolve unshaken. She passed bustling markets, cheerful street performers, and the occasional curious glance, but her focus never wavered.
Finally, she turned a corner and saw it, a building adorned with the unmistakable Fairy Tail emblem. The sight filled her with a strange mix of relief and trepidation.
"This must be it," she murmured, quickening her pace.
As she approached, the sound of laughter and shouting spilled from the open doors. Members of the guild were clearly in the midst of some lively celebration or brawl, it was hard to tell which.
As Erza stepped through the threshold of the lively guild hall, her presence caused the room to quiet briefly. Members paused mid-drink, mid-brawl, and mid-laughter to look at the determined young girl carrying an unconscious boy on her back.
Makarov, the small but commanding Guild Master, was seated on the bar counter, observing the raucous scene with amusement. His jovial expression shifted to concern as he noticed Erza's strained figure and the unconscious boy. With a quick hop, he landed lightly on the floor and made his way over.
"Well now, what's this?" Makarov asked, his voice gentle yet authoritative. His kind eyes swept over Erza and the boy she carried.
Erza straightened despite her exhaustion. "My name is Erza. This is my friend, Kael. He suddenly collapsed, and I… I didn't know where else to go. Someone said Fairy Tail could help."
Makarov studied her for a moment before giving her a reassuring smile. "You've come to the right place, child. We'll take care of him."
Erza hesitated. "But… there's something strange about him." She shifted Kael slightly to expose the glowing implant on his wrist. The soft blue light pulsed faintly, almost as if alive.
Makarov's expression grew more serious as he leaned closer to inspect it. His small hand hovered over the implant, his brows furrowing. "Hmm… this is no ordinary magic. It feels ancient… and not of this land." He looked carefully at the implant trying to understand what it is, but in vain, it's the first time he sees that.
He straightened and turned to the crowd. "Someone fetch Polysca. Quickly!"
A young man dashed out of the guild without hesitation. Makarov gestured for Erza to follow him. "Bring him this way. Polysca is an exceptional healer, she'll know what to do."
Erza followed Makarov through the guild hall, her steps heavy but steady. The members of Fairy Tail watched silently, their usual rowdiness subdued by the gravity of the situation. They passed through a side door and into a quieter room filled with various healing supplies and an empty cot.
"Lay him here," Makarov instructed.
Erza gently lowered Kael onto the cot, brushing a strand of damp hair from his face. Her worry was palpable as she stepped back, allowing Makarov to examine him further.
Moments later, the door opened, and Polysca entered. The elderly healer's stern demeanor softened slightly as she took in the sight of the unconscious boy. "What trouble have you brought me this time, Makarov?" she asked, though her tone held no malice.
"This boy collapsed in Magnolia," Makarov explained, stepping aside to let her examine him. "And he has… this." He motioned toward the glowing implant.
Polysca leaned in, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied the symbol. She reached out but stopped just short of touching it, sensing the energy radiating from it. "This isn't any magic I've encountered before," she murmured. "It's… alive, almost. Not a curse, I can't define it. Did he say anything about that?" She looked at the little girl who seemed to be the one who brought this boy here.
Erza spoke up, her voice steady despite her fear. "Before he collapsed, he mentioned hearing a voice. It said things like… 'adaptation is strength' and 'survival is key.' Does that mean anything?"
Polysca shook her head. "Not yet. But I can try to stabilize him. Whatever this thing is, it's connected to him deeply. Removing it could be more dangerous than leaving it."
She began to work, preparing and giving medecine as she focused on Kael. The boy's breathing steadied, and the tension in his body eased, though the implant continued to pulse faintly.
Makarov turned to Erza, his expression kind but firm. "You've done well to bring him here. He's safe now. But tell me, child, where are you from? And how did you come to carry such a heavy burden at your age?"
Erza hesitated, her mind flashing back to the horrors of Rosemary Village and also the Tower. She decided to lie. "We… we lost our home," she admitted quietly. "I promised to keep Kael safe. He's all I have left. Someone told me to come here."
"Oh, and who could it be?" Makarov asked curiously, not many would recommend this guide for "traumatized" children.
"It was Rob who advised me to come here..." Thinking back to the old man who sacrificed himself to protect her, her heart grew heavy.
"Rob! It's been a long time since I've seen him, I haven't heard from him in a while now. What's he doing now?" The old man seemed excited upon hearing the name of one of his close friends after a long time.
Seeing Erza's heavy silence as she only lowered her head while holding his arm, Makarov understood that Rob was no longer of this world. How could he remain indifferent to one of his guide members when he died? His tears rose by themselves as he thought back to the moments spent with him.
"He told me... that Fairy Tail would be a great place for me and that I would be welcomed like family." Her voice was shaky, feeling a lot of guilt and sorrow.
Makarov's heart ached at the raw pain in her voice. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault for what happened. You're strong, Erza. Stronger than most your age. Stay here in Fairy Tail. We'll protect you both."
Erza looked into his kind eyes, her own filling with tears she refused to let fall. She nodded. "Thank you."
Polysca stepped back, wiping her hands on a cloth. "He'll wake soon. But don't let him overexert himself; whatever this is, it's bound to his very being. He'll need time to recover."
Erza nodded and moved to sit by Kael's side, her hand resting lightly on his. She wouldn't leave him, not now at least. If she took her eyes off him for even a second, he might leave or even disappear.
---
Meanwhile, Land Of Isvan, Ishgar.
The beast that had once been confined in the Bureau of Magical Development prowled through the dense forests, its powerful legs crushing everything in its path. Its amber eyes glowed with unrelenting fury, and its guttural growls echoed through the trees, sending wildlife scattering in terror.
In the distance, Brain watched from the shadows, his lips curling into a twisted smile. "Run wild for now," he murmured. "But you'll come back to me. You're mine, whether you know it or not."
As the beast roared into the night, the faint glow of the implant on Kael's arm pulsed in unison, a silent harbinger of the chaos to come. The monster headed instinctively towards Kael's location.
A monster was born.
No, the Indominus Rex is released.