Chapter 14: The Wesen Plague
The city of Portland, usually vibrant and bustling, felt heavy, almost sickly. A new kind of fear was spreading, not just among the human population, but among the Wesen as well. It was a plague, a mysterious illness that caused Wesen to woge uncontrollably, to lash out in a feverish frenzy, their bodies covered in sharp, toxic quills. The Quill case.
Adam knew this was a critical moment. In canon, it had been Rosalee Calvert, the Fuchsbau apothecary, who had developed the cure. But in canon, she'd been a reluctant participant, drawn in by circumstance. Adam wasn't waiting for circumstance. He was going to be proactive.
"We need Rosalee," Adam declared, standing in his coffee shop with Nick, Hank, and Monroe. "She's the only one who can help us. Her family's spice shop… it's a treasure trove of Wesen remedies. She's got the knowledge, the ingredients, and the scientific mind to figure this out."
Monroe wrung his hands. "Rosalee? Oh, she's… she's a bit reclusive, Adam. And she's still grieving her brother. She might not want to get involved."
"She will," Adam said, his voice firm, imbued with a subtle hint of his aura. "Because lives are at stake. Wesen lives. And she's a Fuchsbau. They're healers. It's in her nature."
They found Rosalee at the spice shop, a quiet, unassuming woman with intelligent, wary eyes. She was meticulously organizing jars of herbs, her movements precise. She looked up as they entered, her gaze lingering on Adam, a flicker of recognition, and something else, in her eyes. The Aura of the First Grimm was working its magic, making her feel an involuntary respect, a subtle compulsion to listen.
"Rosalee Calvert," Adam said, his voice deep and reassuring. "My name is Adam Stiels. This is Nick Burkhardt, Hank Griffin, and Monroe. We need your help. Desperately."
Rosalee's eyes flickered to Monroe, then back to Adam. "Help with what? I'm just an apothecary."
"You're more than that, Rosalee," Adam said, stepping closer, his voice resonating with a quiet authority. "You're a healer. And there's a plague spreading among the Wesen. A terrible illness that turns them into violent, quill-covered monsters. We need a cure. And you're the only one who can make it."
He explained the situation, the urgency, the danger. He didn't hold back, detailing the symptoms, the rapid progression of the disease. Rosalee listened, her scientific curiosity warring with her natural reclusiveness.
"It sounds like… the Quill," she murmured, her brow furrowed in thought. "An ancient disease. Very rare. My family's texts… they mention it. But a cure… it's incredibly complex."
"Which is why we need you," Adam pressed, his aura subtly nudging her towards acceptance. "We'll help you. We'll get you whatever you need. But we need your expertise. Lives depend on it."
Rosalee looked at the desperate faces of Nick and Monroe, then at the calm, authoritative presence of Adam. She felt a pull, a sense of responsibility she couldn't ignore. "Alright," she said, finally. "I'll help. But it won't be easy. I'll need samples. And time."
They immediately set to work. Adam, using his knowledge of the canon, directed Nick and Hank to the locations where infected Wesen were likely to be found. They subdued the Quill Wesen, carefully taking blood samples, which they brought back to Rosalee's lab in the spice shop.
Rosalee, a true scientist at heart, meticulously analyzed the blood, poring over ancient texts, mixing potions, her movements precise and focused. Adam and Monroe assisted, offering what little they could, mostly moral support and coffee.
The process was arduous, but Adam's foreknowledge, combined with Rosalee's genius, accelerated it significantly. They bypassed dead ends, avoided unnecessary complications, and focused on the most promising avenues.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rosalee held up a small, clear vial filled with a shimmering, golden liquid. "I think… I think this is it. The antidote. It should reverse the effects of the Quill and boost their natural healing."
A collective sigh of relief swept through the room.
"Brilliant, Rosalee," Adam said, a genuine smile on his face. "Absolutely brilliant. You just saved countless lives."
They immediately began administering the antidote to the infected Wesen, and the results were almost instantaneous. The woged Wesen reverted to human form, the quills retracting, the fever breaking. They were weak, but they were alive.
As they administered the last dose, Adam approached one of the subdued Quill Wesen, its body still weak but no longer thrashing. He carefully took a blood sample.
[System] Wesen Defeated. Wesen Type: Quill. Extracting... Alchemical Vial Created: Quill Potion.
[System] The Quill Potion grants a minor resistance to disease and a slight boost to natural healing.
A new vial, a vibrant, leafy green, materialized in his hand. He pocketed it, a sense of profound satisfaction washing over him.
Rosalee watched him, her eyes wide. "What… what was that?"
Adam gave her a knowing look. "Trade secret, Rosalee. But let's just say, this little vial is going to ensure we're even better prepared for the next plague. And trust me, there will be a next plague. Welcome to the team, Rosalee. You're going to be an invaluable asset."
Rosalee, though still a bit bewildered, felt a strange sense of belonging. She had found her purpose, her place, among these strange, extraordinary people. And she had found a new kind of family.
Rosalee's in, Adam thought, a triumphant glint in his eyes. The team is getting stronger, smarter, and more capable. The Grimm-verse doesn't stand a chance.
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