Capítulo 19: Chapter 19
A month had passed since the encounter with the mutated wolves, and Alex, although he had been close to death, now found himself in a very different place. He stood before the creature that had once been a simple chicken, watching it with a mixture of awe and pride. The transformation was, in every sense, extraordinary.
What he had before him was not an ordinary bird. Standing nearly three meters tall, the animal had the silhouette and features of a dinosaur, a modified velociraptor, still covered in feathers but with a musculature and bone structure that made it appear more terrifying and majestic. The feathers were not soft or fluffy; they seemed more like protective armor. The body leaned forward, with a sharper head and deeply intelligent eyes that followed Alex's every move attentively.
Smiling, Alex leaned against the makeshift fence he had built for the creature.
"I didn't expect this," he murmured with a grin, feeling cold sweat run down his back even though the sun barely showed these days. "A damn dinosaur, Ariel. Is this what you had in mind when we started the experiment?"
"Evolution returned to a point of ancestral adaptation," explained Ariel in his usual clinical and precise tone. "The chicken's DNA contained dormant genetic information from millions of years ago. With the constant addition of Omega particles and the manipulation through the synchronization of your brainwaves, the chicken showed a tendency to develop primitive characteristics. This result was unexpected, but now that we've recorded the entire process, we can replicate or modify the outcome in future experiments."
Alex shook his head, scratching the back of his neck as he observed the creature standing before him.
"So all we did was awaken something that was already there, buried deep in its DNA."
"Exactly," Ariel confirmed. "The Omega particle allowed access to those ancient genetic sequences that had remained inactive. The characteristics we see here were encoded deep within avian DNA. Evolution, under these circumstances, opted for a regression that maximized physical efficiency and survival skills. This form is essentially a more advanced version of a velociraptor, adapted to current environmental conditions."
The dinosaur, if it could still be called a chicken, tilted its head toward Alex, emitting a guttural sound that was a cross between a squawk and a soft rumble. It approached with agile yet controlled steps, as if it knew Alex wasn't a threat. Though its sharp claws and massive size made it look like a perfect hunting machine, it moved with a certain gentleness as it approached its "creator."
"I didn't think you'd become something so… terrifying," Alex joked, stroking the creature's feathers. Despite how intimidating it looked, the dinosaur gazed at him with a curious expression, as if seeking his approval.
"It seems to like you," commented Ariel. "However, according to my observations, it is more oriented toward protecting its territory. This connection with your presence is part of the bond established during the brainwave synchronization process."
Alex observed the dinosaur for a few moments, reflecting. Then he smiled slightly.
"You need a name too, right? I can't just keep calling you 'chicken' now that you're this creature."
He thought for a moment, recalling the names of his dogs and how each one had a special meaning to him. After a few seconds, an idea came to mind.
"I'll call you… Vela," he finally decided, stroking the dinosaur's neck. "It's short, strong, and sounds imposing enough for what you are."
Vela tilted her head again, as if understanding that this was now her name. She made another sound, this time softer, and moved even closer to Alex, rubbing her head against him. Alex laughed, surprised by how docile the creature was.
"I guess I'll have to find you a companion," Alex said with a smile, watching as Vela continued to cautiously explore her surroundings.
"That could be possible," Ariel replied. "However, we cannot allow all the chickens to go through this process. Such evolution would compromise food production and other resources they currently generate. We must find a balance between species that evolve and those that maintain their practical functionality."
Alex sighed, stroking Vela's neck.
"I can't have an army of dinosaurs running around here."
Vela made a small sound, as if responding to Alex's voice. There was something fascinating about the way she looked at him, as if she truly understood what he was saying. It was impossible not to feel a connection with her after spending so much time together in the evolution process.
"Ariel," Alex continued, "what's next? We've succeeded with Vela, but we can't stop here. What do we do next?"
"It's time to proceed with the dogs," Ariel responded without hesitation. "The process will be similar, although there will be differences in how the Omega particles interact with their biological systems. I have already recorded everything necessary during the experiment with Vela, which should make us more efficient in this next phase."
Alex nodded, watching his dogs, who sat nearby, curiously observing the giant creature that had once been their barnyard companion. He knew this next step would be crucial, and he couldn't afford to make mistakes.
Alex looked at the dogs, evaluating which one would be the first to undergo the induced evolution process. He had worked with them since they were puppies, and each had its own personality and abilities, making the decision more difficult. After a brief reflection, he decided to start with Rex, his Belgian Malinois, the most loyal and energetic of the pack.
"Come on, Rex," Alex said with a smile, gesturing for the dog to follow him.
Rex, always alert and ready for action, immediately stood up and walked alongside Alex toward the special platform Ariel had prepared. The space was designed to concentrate the Omega particles and maximize their effect on the animal's body, just as they had done with Vela.
"Ariel," Alex said as he prepared Rex on the platform, "are you sure the process with the dogs will be more stable than with Vela? I don't want Rex to turn into something so radical."
"The process will be more moderate," Ariel replied. "Dogs, as mammals, have a more recent genetic lineage and are better adapted to current environments. They do not have the same dormant ancestral sequences as birds. Moreover, their characteristics have already been shaped by evolution under human supervision, so the transformation will focus on optimizing their current abilities rather than reverting to primitive forms."
Alex nodded, relieved to know that his dogs wouldn't turn into drastic creatures like Vela. However, he was still aware that any significant change would have consequences, both good and bad.
Ariel activated the platform, and the air around it began to vibrate slightly. Rex sniffed the air, curious but showing no signs of discomfort. As before, Ariel placed one of the red crystals into a compartment on the platform and prepared a bowl of food enriched with crushed crystals.
"This is for you, boy," Alex said softly, offering the bowl to Rex.
The dog sniffed it for a moment before enthusiastically beginning to eat. As Rex ate, Alex placed his hand on the dog's head, closing his eyes and starting to synchronize his electrical energy with the animal's. The process already felt more natural, and the connection was quick.
"I'm ready," Alex said, focusing on the energy flowing through his body and into Rex.
As the connection deepened, Rex began to show the first signs of change. His fur, already short and dense, became even thicker, adapting to the harsh climate. His muscles tightened and expanded slightly, giving him a more robust and athletic appearance. Alex watched closely, seeing how Rex's claws elongated a bit, becoming sharper, while his fangs grew subtly but noticeably.
"The process is working," Ariel said as he monitored Rex's vital signs. "The absorption of the Omega particles is optimizing his physical structure, enhancing his endurance, speed, and strength."
Alex knelt next to Rex, gently petting him as the dog continued his transformation. However, like with Vela, Rex began to show signs of fatigue. His breathing became heavier, and his normally bright, alert eyes started to close slowly.
"Is everything okay?" Alex asked, visibly concerned. "He seems really tired."
"It's normal," Ariel replied. "The process of absorbing the Omega particles consumes a large amount of energy. The nutrients he's ingested are being used rapidly to support the physical changes. It will be necessary to give him more enriched food to prevent extreme exhaustion."
Alex frowned. He didn't like the idea of forcing Rex through something so exhausting.
"Isn't this too much?" he asked cautiously. "I don't want to hurt him."
"There is no permanent damage," Ariel assured. "But the situation requires us to move forward. Internet reports indicate that bears and other predators have evolved rapidly, and our drones have detected wolves near the farm. If we don't accelerate the process, we could face significant danger without being prepared."
Despite his doubts, Alex knew Ariel was right. They couldn't afford to fall behind in this evolutionary race. His dogs were his first line of defense, and they needed to be at their best to protect the farm.
With a resigned sigh, Alex took another bowl of enriched food and placed it in front of Rex.
"Come on, boy. We need you to be stronger," he said, stroking the dog's head.
Rex, although visibly tired, trusted Alex and began eating again. As the dog consumed the food, the platform vibrated once more, and the energy from the Omega particles intensified. This time, the change was more noticeable. Rex's legs lengthened slightly, giving him more height and strength. His claws, now sharper, seemed adapted for running through snow or facing any threat. His gaze had also changed; his eyes now shone with a fierce intensity.
"It looks like he's reaching his limit," Alex murmured, watching as Rex sat heavily on the platform, panting heavily. "I don't want to push him any further."
"That's enough for now," Ariel responded. "We'll stop the process with Rex and continue with the other dogs later. However, remember that time is limited, and every day that we don't complete this process, the threats outside grow."
Alex gently petted Rex, relieved that the process was over for today. He looked at the other dogs, knowing that they would soon go through the same.
Alex panted, his hands on his knees as he watched the last dog on the platform. It was Max, the agile Border Collie who had been his most faithful companion for years. Now, Max was showing evident changes: his fur had become thicker and more resistant, his fangs longer, and his eyes gleamed with fierce intensity. Alex watched as the process continued, knowing he was forcing his animal companions to undergo a change he didn't fully understand.
"We're done for today," Alex said, breathless as he collapsed into a nearby chair. He ran a hand over his face, trying to shake off the fatigue.
"I've recorded the changes," Ariel announced in his usual methodical tone. "The correct frequencies for each species have been identified and stored. Tomorrow, the process will be more efficient and faster."
Alex raised an eyebrow, staring at the ceiling as if it would help him process the situation better.
"Tomorrow?" he asked, still unwilling to accept what that implied.
"Yes," Ariel confirmed without a hint of doubt. "We will need to continue every day. The threats in the environment are becoming more dangerous. If you're not prepared, the farm will be at risk."
Alex could only sigh in defeat, leaning forward and letting his head drop into his hands. Exhaustion weighed on him, but he knew Ariel was right. Things were escalating faster than he had anticipated. The world wasn't going to wait for them to be ready.
At that moment, his phone rang, breaking the tense silence of the place. When he looked at the screen, he saw his mother's name flashing. With a deeper sigh, he slid his finger to answer.
"Mom," Alex greeted with a weak smile, trying to sound calm.
"Alex," his mother's voice sounded worried, almost on the verge of panic. "Honey, how are you? Are you okay?"
Alex frowned at her alarmed tone.
"I'm fine, Mom. Just tired from work. What's going on?"
"You need to come back to the city. We can't wait any longer," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Your father is organizing a convoy. They can come get you if you need it, but you can't stay out there alone."
"What are you talking about, Mom? I'm safe here. The farm is secure," Alex replied, although he knew that wasn't entirely true. Still, he wanted to reassure her.
"No, Alex, you don't understand," his mother insisted. "Things aren't what they seem. Haven't you seen the news? The animals are changing in terrifying ways, faster than we expected. Everything is more dangerous. Even people are getting desperate. There are looting everywhere, attacks in cities. It's chaos."
Alex leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of his mother's words. Of course, he knew what was happening, but he hadn't thought the chaos would come so soon.
"I know, Mom, I've seen it. But I'm better prepared for what's coming here. Besides, if things are that bad, wouldn't it be better for you guys to come to the farm? We have everything we need to survive here."
"No, honey," she replied quickly. "We can't leave the city. Your father has an important position at the base, and… well, your sister and he have awakened their abilities too. The government is protecting them. They have resources, security… but things are getting complicated."
Alex remained silent for a moment. He had shared with the world how people could awaken abilities, and now it seemed even his own family was beginning to manifest them. But that wasn't what concerned him.
"What kind of abilities?" he finally asked, trying to keep the conversation practical.
"Your sister… she can manipulate the wind," his mother said, though her voice sounded more fearful than proud. "And your father, well, it seems he has some kind of superhuman resistance. But that's not important, Alex. The important thing is that you have to come. It's not safe out there anymore. There are groups of bandits, people who have awakened abilities and are using them for evil. You don't know what you're facing alone. Please, come to us."
Alex took a deep breath, giving himself a moment to process everything his mother was telling him. He knew the situation in the world was getting worse, but he hadn't thought the problems would come so quickly. Cities were falling into chaos, and looting was spreading while animals mutated and became more dangerous. But here, on the farm, he had Ariel, his dogs, and now… his dinosaur-chicken, or whatever Vela had become. The idea of leaving all this behind and running to the city didn't appeal to him at all.
"Mom," he began in a firm tone, "I'm better off here. I know things are bad, but the farm is safe. I'm not going to risk being trapped in a city where everything is falling apart. If something happens, I have the resources here to survive."
There was a long silence on the other end of the line before his mother sighed.
"You won't be convinced, will you?"
Alex smiled slightly.
"You know how I am. I'm stubborn. But listen, if things get worse, I promise I'll contact you. I'm fine here, and I have everything I need to take care of myself."
"Alright," his mother murmured, still sounding worried. "Just… don't hesitate to call us if you need anything. We can make arrangements to help if necessary. I don't want you to be alone if things get worse."
"I will, Mom. You guys take care too, okay?"
"We will. I love you, Alex."
"I love you too, Mom. Talk soon."
He hung up the phone and let out a deep sigh, rubbing his tired eyes. Ariel spoke in his mind at that moment.
"The situation in the cities is really chaotic. It's no surprise your mother is worried."
"I know," Alex muttered. "But this is where I need to be. If I leave, none of this will mean anything."
He stood up, looking around. His dogs, the dinosaur-chicken, and everything he had built were there, waiting for him to make the right decisions. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but at that moment, there was nowhere else he'd rather be.
With one last sigh, Alex prepared for the next day, knowing that every step he took was crucial to his survival.
"Tomorrow we continue with the other dogs," Alex said, thinking about what lay ahead. He knew the future wouldn't be easy, but he wasn't ready to give up just yet.
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