Chapter 1
Deep in the forest, where the canopy of trees almost completely obscured the sky, a facility that seemed completely insignificant from the outside was hidden. The concrete walls were covered with moss and creepers, as if nature itself was trying to hide one of humanity's darkest secrets. But inside, a cold, sterile light reigned and suffering reigned.
In one wing of the lab, cells with thick, transparent walls were lined up side by side. In the cells, men and women stood or sat silently, all wearing the same white clothes with a black number on their chests. Their faces were a mixture of fear, fatigue and hopelessness.
In the inner part of the complex, a separate testing room operated. In the center of the room stood a strange structure: a metal chair, full of tubes, cables and moving robotic arms. A man was attached to the chair, unconscious. The robotic arms inserted syringes into his body with precise movements, while the scientists standing around him watched the monitors.
Surgery successful. Test underway. Wake me up, one of the scientists said dryly.
In the next moment, an electric current ran through the man's body. His muscles tensed, then he suddenly regained consciousness, gasping for air.
Shapeshifting. Now.
The man fell from his chair to the floor. His body began to tremble. A few seconds later, he was no longer a man but a huge mountain puma.
The scientists took notes with satisfaction.
Good. Now back.
Another shock. The puma's body twitched, then transformed back into a human. The man lay panting on the floor, drenched in sweat.
Two robots approached him, lifted him up, and carried him back to his cell.
When the door closed behind him, the man looked around. His gaze settled on the cell next to him.
So? How did it work? a female voice spoke.
The man smiled faintly.
Well… I didn’t explode.
The woman laughed softly.
Once I get out of here… will you come to me?
What do you mean? Sure. Very welcome.
The moment was short, however. Two robots arrived and roughly dragged the woman out of the cell. The man watched helplessly as they took her away.
In the test room, the woman soon also turned into a puma. A strange helmet was placed on her head, which was connected to the machines with wires.
And now we’re stimulating her, a scientist said.
The test was stable at first. The woman was moving, reacting, the data was correct. Then suddenly one of the monitors started flashing.
Something is wrong… the system is unstable! Her body can’t handle the load!
In the next few seconds, the man in his cell would only hear a scream and then a huge explosion.
His heart sank. He knew.
His eyes welled up with tears. He was filled with rage.
He was his only friend.
In the cell across from him sat another man. Thin, with a restless look.
Hey… Mok.
Yes? He looked up.
Get one of the scientists’ keycards.
Mok grinned. He winked, then his body suddenly shrank into a tiny squirrel. He quickly slipped between the bars, climbed onto a nearby table, and with his nimble little paws, lifted one of the scientists’ keycards.
A few seconds later, he threw it back.
The man opened his cell and started running.
An alarm siren blared. Two guard robots immediately chased after him.
The man ran to a control panel. He inserted the keycard. He pulled the lever.
All the cell doors opened.
The prisoners poured out.
In the next few minutes, complete chaos erupted. Transforming people, animal power, screams, fleeing scientists. Among them were wolves, bears, big cats... and a black cougar, who remarkably did not attack anyone.
Everyone rushed towards the exit.
However, the door began to close.
Hey! You! the man shouted at a large prisoner. You are a bear! Hang up!
The man transformed into a bear and pushed with all his strength against the armored door... but it did not move.
Then the door suddenly opened.
A squirrel was sitting at the control panel.
All he had to do was press the open button, he said innocently.
In the next moment, everyone ran into the forest.
Inside, an overturned gas cylinder began to spark.
Then…
BOOM.
The lab burst into flames.
The survivors stood among the trees, gasping for breath, in shock. Most of the scientists had fled.
The man clenched his fists.
I will take revenge on them.
The man in the shape of a black puma looked at him.
Revenge is never an option.
But with me it is. Whoever wants to… follow me.
The next moment, he transformed into a mountain puma and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
The black puma looked after him for a while… then headed in the opposite direction.
The survivors slowly scattered.
No one knew it yet, but that was the night it all began.
The story.
The adventure.
And a new era
