CHAPTER 9: The Moon as Witness

CHAPTER 9: The Moon as Witness

The van moved along the rural road, its headlights cutting through the fog like knives. Fénix gripped the steering wheel with his enhanced lycan hands—the scars from his encounter with Darem still fresh beneath his gloves.

"The bastard cut off my hand. He stabbed his damn bayonet in my neck."

His claws sank into the leather of the steering wheel.

"But now... now I'm stronger. Faster. Next time we meet, I'll rip out those elegant fangs one by one. I'll feel them crunch between my fingers..."

A shiver of pure ecstasy ran down his spine.

The vehicle stopped in a clearing. Lucian jumped out as if the seat had burned him.

"Do I really have to be the bait?" he protested, adjusting the reflective vest with trembling fingers.

Fénix smiled, showing too many teeth.

"Relax. You just have to stand there and look delicious." He loaded his rifle with silver bullets. "I'll handle the tricky shot."

Vanessa crossed her arms.

"If the lycan bites him, I reserve the right to say 'I told you so'."

The plan had already begun. Lucian ventured into the woods, each step crunching the dry leaves. The air smelled of moss and danger.

"Hey, Fido!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "Come get your prize!"

The roar came before the beast. A three-meter lycan of twisted muscles emerged from the underbrush, drooling green bile.

Fénix, from his hiding spot, raised the rifle. The laser sight danced over the monster's hairy chest.

"Pathetic. Compared to what I am now... this is like hunting rabbits."

The shot echoed like thunder. The lycan fell with a smoldering hole in its heart.

Back in the van, Fénix prepared his dose. Three syringes lined up like soldiers:

Right eye: The green liquid burned like acid. His pupil dilated until it almost burst.
Shoulder: Muscles inflated like balloons under his skin.
Spine: An orgasm of pain that left him panting.

Lucian paled.

"Hey... something black is coming out of your ears."

Fénix wiped the dark liquid away with a handkerchief.

"Side effects. Nothing I can't handle."

Vanessa looked at him like someone watching a bomb about to explode.

Back at Enid Corp, Fénix personally delivered the report to his boss. Enid's office smelled of expensive perfume and secrets. Fénix tossed the report onto the desk.

"Lycan dead. Mission accomplished. Everyone alive. Boring."

Enid raised a perfect eyebrow.

"Boring?" She approached, her heels stabbing the silence. "Perhaps you need... a more interesting challenge."

Her hand caressed his shoulder. Fénix felt the serum's poison burn in response.

"Like what?" he asked, suppressing a growl.

Enid whispered in his ear. The words made his claws emerge involuntarily.

"See?" she smiled upon seeing his reaction. "Not so boring after all."