The Galaxy of Orber I, a vibrant and active galaxy, was being observed by a mysterious individual from the void of space. Slowly, the being approached Orber I, intending to annihilate it—yet something stopped it...
A massive, flame-coated trident tore through its head, vanishing with an agonized scream, followed by the sinister laughter of a man... Who could he be? This man had two devil horns, a tail, an exposed, well-built chest, and a strikingly handsome face. But most importantly—his eyes flared a deep, glowing red.
He floated silently around the galaxy, unseen and undetectable to mortals. After a few moments, he vanished mid-air without a trace. No one knew where he had gone... or why he eliminated the other being.
Six days later.
Crydan woke up early, as usual. Today was Saturday—the day he adopted Jaylee. Essentially, it was her birthday. He checked the time: 6:23 AM. Rising from bed, he went to wash his face, cook breakfast, and prepare a surprise for her special day.
At 6:50 AM, Jaylee woke up. She stepped out of her room and into the bathroom to freshen up. Afterward, she changed into a casual shirt and shorts before heading straight to the kitchen for breakfast.
When she entered, she found Crydan seated at the table, reading the newspaper while eating. He hadn't noticed her yet.
"Morning, Doc," Jaylee greeted, sitting across from him.
The sound of her voice made Crydan look up.
"Morning. You woke up a little later than usual." He smiled faintly, handing her a plate of sandwiches and a mug of cocoa.
"Yeah, I studied until 1 AM last night," she mumbled, scratching her head drowsily.
"You really don't have to study that late. Most teens your age aren't that… studious, you know?" He chuckled, setting the newspaper and his glasses aside.
"Yep, but I'm different," she replied with a grin, then grabbed a sandwich and devoured it like a beast—reminding Crydan of his own younger, wilder days.
"Finish up quickly. Then we'll learn about a new disease," Crydan said as he stood and moved to wash the dishes.
"Wait! You don't know what day it is todayyy??" Jaylee pouted. It was her birthday, after all—she deserved some recognition.
"Yeah, but this particular disease is rather unique. I think you'll find it interesting." He explained while putting the dishes away in the cabinet.
"Fine, fine… but let me have the evening off, okay? I want to invite some friends and throw a party!" she said excitedly, finishing her sandwich.
"As if you have any," Crydan teased. It was true—Jaylee didn't have many friends. But she was an incredibly intelligent girl.
"I do have friends!" she protested. It might've been slightly offensive, but it was the usual playful banter between father and daughter.
The morning passed, and Crydan brought Jaylee to his laboratory—one granted to him by the government for his accomplishments. This was the first time he had ever brought her there.
As they entered, the lab's entryway was dark and cold. Other than a few security guards, it was empty.
"Woah… this lab is huge," Jaylee whispered in awe. She had only ever known Crydan as a surgeon and her father—not someone this accomplished.
"There's more, Jaylee," he replied, opening a door labeled "Neuro-oncology" with the number "02" above it.
"Welcome to Sub-Laboratory 02. This is where we study neurological systems and brain cancers. The government has supported us throughout our research," Crydan explained as he swiped a keycard to unlock another door.
"Woah, this place has strict security, huh?" Jaylee remarked while scanning the room.
"Of course. This division is classified as top-secret. If the public knew it existed, they'd go crazy—because they'd realize we're on the verge of curing everything. That's the biggest concern." He put on a surgeon's mask and handed Jaylee one as well.
Jaylee nodded and wore the mask. "So, why are you bringing me here?"
"Because today's case is tied to you. You need to learn about this," he replied, retrieving a plastic bag containing a tumor sample.
"This is a result of Cereflux Syndrome—a brain tumor caused by exposure to radioactive water," Crydan explained as he placed the sample into a glass container under a headlamp.
"This tumor isn't just tissue. It's a living amoeba," he said, grabbing laser instruments. Jaylee looked both intrigued and disturbed.
"Then why are you storing it?! That's dangerous! What if it breaks free?!" she exclaimed, stepping back.
Crydan laughed and picked up a serum. "Don't worry—we're not idiots. This serum was developed specifically to suppress these creatures." He injected it, and the tumor began to thrash violently… before slowly falling still.
"It's time, Jaylee. Do you know what causes this brain tumor?" he asked.
Jaylee tilted her head, puzzled.
"This happens when someone pushes their elementary blood cells beyond their limits… or tries to use blood types incompatible with their body. It begins as a small tumor—ordinary at first. But when it reaches the terminal stage, the tumor is granted life by the Yin Element and starts taking control of the victim's brain," Crydan explained.
Jaylee frowned, confused by the unfamiliar terms. They sounded foreign to her ears.
"What's the Yin Element? And what blood cells are you talking about?" she asked, eyes narrowing with growing curiosity.
Crydan gave her a calm, almost solemn look.
"Well..." he said, his voice dipping into a deeper tone. "It's time… to reveal the abilities that everyone has—yet most don't even realize."