A synthetic teenager, 17 years old biologically, created to be stable—perfect physical form, no rapid aging, and a mind that could be reprogrammed if necessary.

Professor Alaric watched from behind the monitor screens. His eyes full of certainty. She was the only one capable of carrying the "seed" of the next generation experiment. A synthetic child... designed with data from his long-deceased son.

A cold room was prepared. The walls were white, the lights too bright.

The girl sat in the examination chair, her wrists lightly bound, not to hurt, just to prevent escape.

"This is a standard procedure," one of the technicians said.

But her eyes caught Alaric standing behind the glass. She knew this wasn’t a standard medical procedure. This was something that had been prepared for a long time.

A needle was injected into her arm. A cold liquid began to flow into her body. The liquid carried artificial life—not hers, but Alaric’s.

Her body began to react. Her systems adapted quickly.

Alaric spoke quietly through the intercom: "You will carry something greater than yourself. Don't resist."

And within her, something she never agreed to… began to grow.