Prelude
Recap:
While aboard the Ultra Train on their way to defeat Obsidian at The Shrine Of The Crescent Moon, the Vampires were ambushed by the Shadow Cult. Amid the chaos, Ophelia was separated from the others. Suddenly, a portal tore open, and dark tentacle-like tendrils lashed out, trying to drag Aurora and the Vampires into the abyss. Instinctively, Ophelia charged toward the portal, clutching a blood bomb—and with a blinding flash of crimson red light, both the portal and Ophelia vanished. Is she dead? Was she captured? Keep reading to find out.
As Ophelia charges toward the portal, she pulls out her blood bomb and activates it, hurling herself toward the tendril-covered vortex. Before she can throw the bomb, a tentacle snaps around her. As she’s pulled to the edge, the bomb explodes in her hand, severing her left arm and knocking her unconscious. The tendrils explode as well, but the portal’s energy is too strong, and it sucks her in.
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Ophelia slowly begins gaining consciousness. She musters the energy to open her eyes, but everything is blurry. All she can make out are two unfamiliar silhouettes. A deep, sinister voice cuts through the haze: “Oh, good, you’re awake.” She snaps into reality—it’s Obsidian, standing beside someone who appeared to be a scientist. In an attempt to lunge at him, she finds herself completely immobilized, her left arm missing, and every nerve ending screaming from the pain. Strapped to an operating table, restraints lock her wrists and legs in place. “Where am I?!” she yells. Obsidian laughs.
“You are deep underground in Octavian’s Laboratory. And you’re going to be part of our little experiment.” He gestures to the scientist who holds a syringe filled with a strange red liquid. “What Dr. Octavian and I have created here,” Obsidian continues, “Is something called the Red Virus. A virus that will turn you into a mindless zombie with lust for violence, and force you to obey my every command. You’ll serve me forever. And if successful, we’ll unleash it across Nocturne Nexus—turning everyone into loyal followers of the Shadow Cult. My domination will be complete.” He leans closer. “So, I’ll give you a choice. Humble yourself and pledge your loyalty to me now… or Dr. Octavian will inject you with the virus, and you’ll pledge it anyway.” Ophelia spits back, “I’ll never pledge allegiance to you or your cult. I belong to the Vampires—forever.” Obsidian shrugs. “Very well. Inject her with the Red Virus.” Dr. Octavian plunges the syringe into her.
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The virus courses through Ophelia’s veins. Her body trembles as she screams, feeling a strange sensation in her brain—like spiders crawling to the forefront of her mind and biting down. Her memories begin to dissipate, sliced apart as if someone were cutting a film strip with scissors. But her mind is too strong. She resists, regaining control of her body. Adrenaline surges through her, granting enough strength to break the metal cuffs restraining her. She leaps off the operating table—only to find herself surrounded by Shadow Cult members. A battle erupts. She fights fiercely, but they overwhelm her. “Quick, you idiots! Hold her down and get her to the hyperbolic chamber!” Obsidian barks. Dr. Octavian punches in a code, and a hiss echoes through the room as white mist swirls around the opening chamber door.
Ophelia thrashes violently, screaming until her lungs give out, but their grip is ironclad. They drag her inside, strap her down, and cuff her neck, legs, and arms. Dr. Octavian jams an IV into her vein, pumping her full of a sedative. Her struggles weaken. Her eyelids flutter shut. Once again, she lies helpless at the Shadow Cult’s mercy. Obsidian and Dr. Octavian insert more IVs, flooding her system with the Red Virus. The scientist seals the chamber, typing the locking code. “Clearly, the virus isn’t strong enough,” Obsidian mutters. “We’ll make revisions and return later.” “And the girl?” Dr. Octavian asks. “Leave her here until we perfect the formula,” the cult leader responds. “A higher dose might work. She’s no threat trapped in there.” They exit, leaving only the hum of machinery—and Ophelia, alone in the silent chamber.
