Back in the server room, Uni's eyes continued devouring the information in the hidden files on the console she used. She clicked on the file titled: “CLASSIFIED — Imago Gene”.
“Oho, what's this?” Uni whispered to herself with a curious smirk as she read the classified information, reading it aloud under her breath.
“The Imago Gene is an entity made of aura that, when implanted into a host via Possession, forms a symbiosis with it. Over time, the host's internal body parts will be replaced with improved duplicates made by the Gene. The Imago Gene has been implanted in several subjects already, with more to come down the line. The Imago Gene replaces and reinforces the body's damaged systems whenever the host experiences any stress or harm, resulting in an evolved clone of the host's body. The Imago Gene's growth process could reach drastic proportions in its later stages, as it quickly infiltrates the body and replaces over half of it with its own improved version, and there's no defined limit to the process. The Imago Gene not only drastically affects one's proficiency in Void Magic but also one's personality, as hosts are at a high risk of insanity as the Gene infiltrates more and more of the host's body.”
Uni quickly scrolled down to the next paragraph.
“When Void users with the Imago Gene become adept enough in Void Magic, they can enter their special Imago State, which grants them a unique aura armor molded specially to fit them.”
Uni was reminded of seeing Trixie's ice armor, wondering if that's the same as described in this file, pushing her thoughts away as she continued.
“The Imago State is the ultimate culmination of all aspects of the user as an individual, and how the user's transformation looks will tell others quite a bit about them. "Imago" is the last stage of development of an insect; the completion of a metamorphosis. In other words, the adult stage. In order to gain this transformation, one must suffer enough physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual punishment, and what the user's transformation will look like is determined by the user's true nature. For example, one consumed with rage and violent, primal instincts can achieve a wicked, monstrous appearance. Those with the Imago Gene who cannot undergo their own Imago State either were a Void user for too short of a time, or have been through fewer physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual trials than others with the Imago Gene. The Imago State—although some can maintain it longer than others—will only last for a brief moment, so one must take advantage of the temporary boost the transformation gives them. While in this form, the user's aura consumption is far more unforgiving, and failure to keep their aura reserves in check can result in death.”
The server room was silent for a moment, save for the soft hum of machinery. Uni's eyes gleamed with intrigue, her mind spinning with the implications of this information. She re-read the passage of the file to better absorb it all, not yet finished with her research.
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"So the Imago Gene can replace damaged body parts with improved duplicates, huh?" Uni mused quietly, tapping her finger on the console. "And it's linked to Void Magic, of course.”
She continued reading. "This 'Imago State' sounds powerful. A unique armor molded to each user, that's intense. And it takes a lot to get there? Sounds like you have to go through hell and back.”
Uni's eyes widened as she read ahead. "Oh crap, there's drawbacks too. The host could go insane, and if you're not careful, it can kill you. Damn, talk about a double-edged sword.”
She took a deep breath, processing the information. "Okay, so this Imago Gene is no joke. It can make you stronger, but it can also wreck you. And this 'Imago State' sounds like a big deal too. Sounds like the only ones who can activate it are those with the Gene, and only after getting through some serious stuff. I gotta keep this in mind.”
Uni made a mental note to keep the Imago Gene and the Imago State in mind. As she continued skimming through the information on the console, she started to grasp the scope of its potential power and the risks involved. Every step of the way, Uni was reminded that the world she lived in was teeming with abilities and powers beyond imagination.
"Damn, I can't believe they were hiding all this info on the Imago Gene," Uni whispered to herself, her face lit up with intrigue. "I need to bring this to Trixie’s attention later." She quickly pulled out a hard drive and ported the important points over to a separate file, ready to be shared later.
After she was finished reading this particular file, Uni went on to go through more of the classified information on the console, looking for anything else of importance. The server room was quiet, the ambient hum of the machines the only sound filling the area.
Uni continued scrolling through the rest of the classified information, occasionally muttering to herself as she discovered more details before making it to a list with names of the implanted subjects. "Looks like they've implanted this Gene in multiple subjects already...wonder who those poor souls are. And the Imago State could really come in handy, but the risks...man, that's serious business.”
As Uni combed through the names, none of them ringing familiar, eventually she landed on one name that made her heart stop. Trixie.
Uni gasped silently as she stumbled upon Trixie's name in the list. She could hardly believe it. Trixie, her friend and ally, had her name on the list.
Uni's mind raced with questions and disbelief. How could this be? When was she implanted? Why didn't she talk about it? Her hands trembled as her eyes remained locked on the name staring back at her, trying to comprehend reality.
Her heart racing, Uni knew she had to find out more. She kept scrolling, searching for additional information, looking for anything that could shed light on what this meant. Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions, torn between her faith in Trixie and growing shock at this revelation.
Uni looked around, ensuring no one was nearby, before speaking under her breath, "This...can't be right. Is Trixie...?”
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She had to remain calm, logical. Uni continued scrolling through the file, looking for any additional information regarding Trixie's case, but there was only the long list of names remaining, sifting through them before hitting the bottom of the file.
She silently cursed under her breath. This was a bombshell; the implications and repercussions of such a revelation were immense. Uni considered her options, knowing she needed to talk to Trixie immediately and get some answers. It was divine timing that at this very moment, she saw Trixie sneaking back into the server room, with Esther in tow as Uni marveled at the former with all the
questions she had boiling over the surface.