The sterile glow of synthetic dawn filtered through the frosted glass of the underground lab, but time held no meaning here. Beneath thick layers of reinforced obsidian alloy, the true heart of the Starveil Research Facility pulsed like a living organism—alive with power, purpose, and anticipation.
A rhythmic hum echoed through the dimly lit chamber. Towering machines lined the walls, webbed together with tubes of glowing blue fluid and cables carrying encoded DNA streams. At the room's center stood a massive cloning tank, cylindrical and tall, filled with pale green suspension gel.
Inside floated a teenage figure—naked, still, and bathed in biolight. Sixteen years of accelerated growth had sculpted his body into youthful perfection, lean and muscled with latent potential humming just beneath the skin. Haio Starveil, the son of a visionary geneticist, remained in silent slumber. His eyelids flickered faintly, but consciousness had yet to take root.
Outside the tank, Dr. Nerion Starveil—stoic, brilliant, and burdened by purpose—hovered over a floating interface. Streams of code surged across the transparent screen as he initiated the next crucial phase.
> "Spec Archive interface online," the system's feminine voice intoned.
"Ready for genetic infusion."
Dr. Nerion adjusted his glasses, the light from the interface reflecting off his tired but resolute eyes. His fingers danced over the holographic console.
> "Begin Phase II: Archive Download. Initiate Spec encoding—Batch One."
The tank pulsed once. Then again. Nanites—biomechanical agents encoded with superhuman potential—entered the cloning tank through small injectors. They swarmed toward Haio's chest and spine, merging with his DNA strands like sparks of divinity woven into mortal flesh.
First came: Tissue Forge
Muscle fiber templates flickered to life on-screen—schematics for braided, elastic, and spring-loaded fibers. The Spec embedded itself into Haio's neuromuscular system, allowing him—someday—to restructure muscle groups on the fly.
> "On-demand transformation… adaptable muscle matrix complete," the A.I. confirmed.
Second: Energy Reservoir
Nerion watched as artificial energy cores formed inside Haio's lower sternum and spine. They shimmered, faintly reactive, designed to passively absorb heat, motion, and force from the world around him.
> "Internal charge capacity: stable. Synergizes with kinetic patterns. Ready for burst-mode integration."
Third: Erode
The screen darkened momentarily. Haio's fingertips twitched in the gel as black-purple subdermal energy fields activated at the cellular level. This one was dangerous—Nerion knew it. But necessary.
> "Disintegration field… stabilized. Contact limitation engaged. Gloves advised upon awakening."
Fourth: Vital Bloom
A radiant hue overtook the monitor as luminous, petal-like cells blossomed along Haio's bloodstream. His regenerative capabilities would make him virtually untouchable in the battlefield—and a lifeline to allies.
> "Internal regeneration: active. External healing: enabled. Risk factors logged."
Fifth: Quirkscope
His cerebral cortex lit up under the scan. Synaptic networks rewired, allowing Haio the power to scan and dissect other Specs with terrifying precision.
> "Analysis lattice complete. Mental load thresholds calibrated. Caution advised during mass scans."
Sixth and final: Echo Reservoir
This one caused a noticeable tremor in the tank. A specialized organ formed within Haio's chest cavity—the Echo Chamber. Built to store and weaponize kinetic force.
> "Impact feedback buffer installed. Overflow protocols uploaded. Resonance stability… green."
Dr. Nerion exhaled. The downloads were complete.
> "Spec integration: successful. Subject Haio Starveil now contains six genetic Specs. Archive synchronization locked."
The room fell quiet, save for the soft ripple of gel within the tank and the slow, rhythmic beat of Haio's synthetic heart.
Nerion reached toward the tank's glass. "You are almost ready, my son," he whispered. "Six gifts—six blades to carve your destiny. May you never forget who made you... and why."
Outside, the world remained unaware of the force being born beneath their feet.
But deep inside the cloning tank, Haio's fingers twitched again—more certain this time.
The awakening had begun.