Her body began to morph, the sound of bones cracking and crushing into a new form disturbing the hearts of those who witnessed it. It was a grotesque display, her human body transforming into something otherworldly. Her beautiful face twisted and elongated into a wolf-like head. Her sun-kissed skin peeled away, replaced by fur and thick, dark skin. Her height increased dramatically, from 184 cm to an imposing 270 cm.

Kira's scream of agony echoed through the room, mingling with the horrified gasps of the soldiers. They watched, transfixed, as her muscles bulged and reshaped, her limbs lengthening and thickening. Claws extended from her fingertips, sharp and glistening. Her clothing tore apart, unable to contain her new form. Fur sprouted along her arms and legs, a dark, thick pelt that covered her once-human skin. The air was thick with the scent of change, an almost metallic tang that accompanied the cracking of bones and the stretching of sinew.

As she grew taller, the room seemed to shrink around her. Her once-penetrating hazel eyes now shone like molten gold, filled with a mixture of rage and torment. Her new form was a towering, nightmarish figure, a blend of feral strength and raw power.

The transformation complete, Kira let out a roar that shook the very foundations of the building, a primal cry that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it. She stood there, a monstrous version of her former self, radiating an aura of fear and dominance.

The primal fury of her new form took over, and she began to trash the lobby, smashing furniture and tearing down walls. The soldiers scrambled to avoid her rampage, their eyes wide with fear and shock.

"Contain her!" the lead scientist, Dr. Moore, shouted, his voice sharp and commanding. He threw a collar at her, a device designed to control beasts like her. The collar snapped into place around her thick neck, emitting a series of beeps as it locked.

Kira, now the HellHound, roared and clawed at the collar, but its grip was unyielding. Her rage was palpable, but the collar's influence began to seep into her mind, a controlling force that tempered her wild aggression.

Dr. Moore stepped forward, holding a device that connected to the collar. "HellHound, listen to me!" he commanded, his voice steady and authoritative. "Eliminate patient zero"

HellHound's golden eyes narrowed, a guttural growl emanating from deep within her chest. The collar tightened slightly, reinforcing the command.

With a low, reluctant snarl, HellHound nodded, the command sinking into her consciousness. The primal beast within her raged against the control, but the collar's influence was too strong to resist.

"Good girl!," he said, a satisfied smirk on his face. He turned to the soldiers. "Prepare for escape. HellHound will fight patient zero and buy us some time."

HellHound ran outside with blinding and raw speed, her monstrous form a blur as she charged through the doors of the police station. The soldiers and scientists, fearful of the battle to come, immediately ran to the trucks, seeking safety.

In the center of the chaos stood a creature that seemed almost ethereal. He looked like an elf, tall and unnervingly handsome, with crimson eyes that glowed with a malevolent light and sharp fangs that protruded from his lips. Dressed in a tattered hospital gown, his pale skin glowed under the sunlight, giving him an otherworldly appearance. He hovered a few inches above the ground, a bone sword clutched in his hand, and around him lay the lifeless bodies of soldiers he had effortlessly defeated.

HellHound snarled, her golden eyes locking onto the figure before her. The collar around her neck pulsed, the command to kill Patient Zero thrumming through her veins.

Patient Zero turned his gaze towards her, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Ah, humanity's latest weapon," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "They really must be desperate."

HellHound's response was a guttural growl, her claws digging into the pavement as she prepared to strike.

"Stand back, everyone!" the scientist commanded, his voice crackling through a megaphone. "HellHound, engage the target!"

With a deafening roar, HellHound launched herself at Patient Zero, her claws extended. She moved with a speed and ferocity that was almost too fast to follow, but Patient Zero was equally swift. He parried her initial attack with his bone sword, the thud of bone against bone ringing out.

"You'll have to do better than that, beast," Patient Zero taunted, his crimson eyes flashing.

HellHound snarled, her muscles tensing as she circled him, looking for an opening. The two titans clashed again and again, their movements a blur of fury and power. HellHound's claws swiped at Patient Zero, but he dodged with inhuman agility, countering with strikes of his own that slashed HellHound on her back, igniting a painful fury.

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From the sidelines, the scientist barked more orders, trying to maintain control over the beast he had unleashed. "HellHound, use your strength! Overwhelm him!"

HellHound's eyes flickered with a mix of rage and desperation as she pressed her attack, her claws finally catching Patient Zero's arm and drawing blood, but the wound was quickly healed by an unworldly healing factor. He hissed in pain but retaliated with a vicious slice of his bone sword, leaving a deep gash in HellHound's side.

The pain only fueled her fury. She roared, the sound echoing through the devastated streets, and leaped at Patient Zero with renewed vigor. Their battle was fierce and unrelenting, each blow shaking the ground beneath them.

"You are a formidable opponent," Patient Zero admitted, his tone almost respectful. "But this ends now."

He raised his bone sword, preparing for a final, decisive strike. HellHound, sensing the danger, summoned every ounce of her strength and lunged forward, her claws aimed straight for his heart. But Patient Zero was faster. With a swift, brutal motion, he pierced her heart with his bone sword and kicked her meters away, the force of the blow sending her crashing into the walls of the station. She dropped to the ground in a pool of blood, slowly, her monstrous form began to revert back to her human self, her hazel eyes dimming as life slipped away.

Seeing this, the soldiers and scientists quickly started their trucks, their faces pale with fear. "Fall back! Everyone fall back!" Dr. Moore shouted, his voice cracking. They didn't dare look back, not wanting to share her fate, and the trucks roared to life, speeding away from the scene.

Patient Zero, initially poised to chase them, halted. His curiosity was piqued by the fallen figure. He approached Kira's body, his crimson eyes narrowing in curiosity. With a swift motion, he flipped her body over with his bone sword to face him. As he looked down, an unholy sadness graced his face. He recognized her.

"Kira..." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Meanwhile, in the helicopter, Vicky clasped her hands together, her knuckles white with tension as she hoped for Kira's safety. The worry gnawed at her insides, a persistent ache she couldn't shake. "She has to be okay," Vicky murmured to herself, the fear in her voice barely contained.

Captain Namec, seated across from her in the helicopter, noticed her distress and leaned forward.

"Lieutenant Winters is one of the bravest and most resourceful warriors I've ever known," he said, his tone firm but kind. "She will be safe, and you two will be reunited in the Ark. Trust in her skills.”

Vicky nodded, trying to take comfort in his words, but her heart was still heavy with worry. The helicopter flew over the ruined cities, the devastation below a stark reminder of their perilous world. Then after some time, finally, the Ark came into view—a majestic and gargantuan ship, its massive structure sailing steadily on the sea.

As the helicopter touched down on the Ark’s helipad, Vicky was greeted by the Ark’s staff. Captain Namec, ever the picture of military composure, guided her through the ship. They moved through corridors adorned with luxurious furnishings and advanced technology, but Vicky hardly noticed the opulence around her, her mind preoccupied.

Before they reached her quarters, Vicky stopped and turned to Captain Namec. "Please, Captain, promise me.. to keep me posted ... .about.." she implored, her voice tinged with desperation.

Captain Namec gave her a reassuring nod. "Of course, Dr. Sinclair. I'll make sure you’re informed."

They arrived at her quarters, and Vicky stepped inside, momentarily stunned by the modern furniture and elegant decor that adorned the space. The bed was luxurious, with plush pillows and soft blankets that beckoned her to rest.

Captain Namec paused at the door. "Try to get some rest, Doctor. You'll need your strength for the days ahead."

She nodded, giving him a grateful but weary smile. "Thank you, Captain."

As the door closed behind him, Vicky took a deep breath and let her eyes roam the room. It was a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction they had left behind. The plush comfort and safety of the Ark felt almost surreal. She moved to the window and looked out at the sea, her mind still on Kira, hoping with every fiber of her being that her friend was safe and that they would be reunited soon.

She sank onto the bed, the weight of the day’s events finally catching up with her. Despite the luxury and safety of her surroundings, sleep was elusive as her thoughts remained with Kira, and she silently prayed for her friend's survival.

***

As the moon ruled over the night sky, casting a silver glow on the world below, Patient Zero moved silently through the outskirts of ZeroCity. The lush trees and greenery dominated the space, a stark contrast to the urban chaos. He carried Kira’s bare and lifeless body in his arms, her once powerful form now limp and fragile.

He approached a hidden bunker, its entrance camouflaged among the foliage. The bunker seemed unbothered by the outside world’s turmoil, a sanctuary from the apocalypse. He pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside, revealing a spacious interior with corridors and rooms designed for survival. The space was eerily empty, with only the hum of machinery breaking the silence.

Patient Zero made his way to a central chamber, where a single tubular tank stood illuminated by soft, sterile light. Beside it, computers and machinery hummed, ready to power the tube. The room was a stark contrast to the natural beauty outside, filled with the cold precision of technology.

He gently laid Kira’s body on a table beside the tube. His crimson eyes, usually so fierce, softened with sorrow as he looked down at her. "I'm so sorry, child," he whispered, his voice trembling with regret. "I never wanted this for you.”