Dying Light: Volatile Virus

You start leading the survivors out of the Tower. The survivors remain near behind you, seeing a lot of infected near the Tower outside, but you growling seem to remain all Biters and Virals out of the way, and not getting near.

As you continue leading them, Volatiles also start getting in your way, but then, instead of not getting near, the Volatile also follow you, having a barricade position in the sides of the survivors. You continue growling slightly, and the Volatiles observing you and the survivors, but not a single one of the Volatiles seem really interested in the survivors, apart in observing.

You lead the survivors carefully, your low growls maintaining control over the Biters and Virals that would otherwise attack. The infected part like waves as you move forward, allowing a clear path for the group. The survivors stay close, their footsteps cautious and their breathing tense as they glance at the Volatiles now walking alongside them.

The Volatiles' glowing eyes follow every movement of the survivors, but none make an aggressive move. Instead, they position themselves on either side of the group, forming an eerie escort as if they are acknowledging your authority and protecting the humans under your command.

The survivors exchange nervous glances but remain silent, unsure if they should feel safe or terrified. Meanwhile, you occasionally glance back, ensuring they're keeping pace. The Volatiles seem to understand your unspoken command—this group is not prey. They are under your protection.

The growls and snarls of distant infecteds echo through the streets, but none approach, deterred by your overwhelming presence. The tension is thick, but the path remains clear. The survivors follow your lead, trusting in your ability to control what would otherwise be a certain death for them.

After much much time traveling a long way, you finally reach the entrance of the sewers to the countryside, but stop against it, looking at the entrance for a short moment, and then you turn to look at the survivors.

-"... I couldn't protect Dr. Zere... Not even reach in time when he called me for help... I don't even work for GRE anymore... But don't worry, I'm the glowing bright light of guide... I'm the God of the Sun... Inside the sewers, there is only darkness... Endless night... But I'll light your way..."

You turn around, placing your hands together in front of your chest, and entering inside the sewers. Almost instantly, the survivors follow you. But the Volatiles doesn't continue the way, they stop at the entrance, observing.

As you continue leading, you start glowing more and more, as from your hands, your symbol sun mask on your front part of your vest, your vest, and your veins, start to glow, slowly more brighter and brighter, as a real light, similar to the sunlight.

The sewers' oppressive darkness engulfs the group as you lead the way. The survivors, initially hesitant, draw closer to your radiating form. Your glowing veins and vest cast a golden light, illuminating the damp walls, stagnant water, and broken pipes around you. The faint symbol of the Sun on your chest gleams like a beacon, pushing back the suffocating shadows of the underground.

The survivors' whispered fears quiet as the path ahead grows clear. Your light, warm yet commanding, fills the tunnels, breaking the oppressive silence with a sense of strange hope. The survivors' footsteps quicken as their confidence grows in your presence, their fear gradually replaced by awe. Some glance at one another, as if silently asking whether they are walking beside salvation or something far beyond their understanding.

The sewers twist and turn, the echoes of distant infected growls a haunting reminder of the danger lurking beyond the light. Yet none dare approach. The infected—Biters, Virals, and even an occasional distant Volatile in the shadows—halt at the edges of the illuminated path, seemingly repelled by your radiance. 

The survivors follow without question, their faces reflecting the glow of your light as they navigate the treacherous terrain. You don't speak, but your presence alone reassures them. The journey continues, every step taking you and the group closer to the countryside, closer to the unknown beyond Harran.

After a big while, walking slowly, you finally reach the end. After more than 20 minutes walking slowly through the sewers, you get out, again seeing the view of the countryside.

-"We reached out of Harran... There is no easy way down... Getting down of this mountain will require even much more time than walking through the sewers... You don't have anything for help you climb, do you?"

The survivors exchange glances, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and determination. The leader steps forward, shaking their head. 

Survivor Leader: "We don't have any climbing gear—just what we could carry from the Tower. But if there's no other way, we'll find a way down. We've made it this far." 

The group looks over the steep, rocky descent ahead. The uneven terrain is littered with loose stones and patches of vegetation, making it clear the journey downward will be slow and treacherous. 

One survivor nervously pipes up: "Maybe... maybe you could help us down? You seem... strong enough to carry at least some of us." 

Another mutters under their breath: "Yeah, if he doesn't throw us off the cliff." 

The leader silences the murmurs with a stern look, then turns back to you. 

Survivor Leader: "If you can help, we'd be grateful. But if not, we'll manage. Just guide us safely to the village when we're down there."

Slowly, you look around to see what could be a good way to walk down. You don't see any path, but you see you could make one.

You start quickly creating a poor path where you could, but in parts you couldn't, you take them in group of two, carrying one with each arm, and jumping to the other side. This way makes all stick together, despite the effort you have to do. After few hours, you reach to lead them down. You are exhausted, but you don't show any sing of exhaustion, and the sun mask helps you hide any possible sign of exhaustion, but your constant growl noises persist as you take your breath, and leading the survivors through the plain.

As you lead the survivors across the open plains, the afternoon sun bears down heavily. The golden rays illuminate the countryside, but the quiet fields are deceptive—Biters wander aimlessly, and Virals occasionally dart across the distant roads. Despite this, the infecteds seem to instinctively avoid your group, staying well clear of your path. 

The survivors stick close, murmuring amongst themselves. The tension is palpable; they're not used to this strange sense of safety in such an exposed area. Your glowing veins and occasional growls remind them that you're no ordinary protector, and they keep their distance while following closely enough to stay within the invisible boundary of your influence. 

After about an hour of steady walking, you spot the faint outline of the village on the horizon. The buildings are small and clustered together, surrounded by patches of farmland and the occasional abandoned vehicle. You can hear faint growls from infecteds within the village, and further away, you see faint trails of blue smoke rising into the sky—another sign of the cult's presence. 

One of the survivors speaks up, breaking the silence. 

Survivor: "That's it, right? The village you mentioned? It looks... quiet. Too quiet." 

You stop for a moment, observing the area. The trails in your vision are scattered, mostly Biters and a few Virals. No Volatiles are nearby yet, as the sun remains high, but you know the situation could change quickly. 

As you resume walking, the survivors grow restless. The leader approaches cautiously. 

Survivor Leader: "What's the plan when we get there? Do we find shelter or... keep moving?" 

You stop again, gazing at the village ahead, your mind calculating every possibility. You slowly lift your hand, gesturing for them to stay close. The growls in the village suggest it's not entirely safe yet, but it's the only hope for shelter before nightfall. 

The faint gleam of the sun mask intensifies slightly, your glowing presence a reassuring beacon as you lead them closer to the edge of the village. The time to act is drawing near.

-"It's almost morning. About shelter... I think there are houses free. I didn't check, neither had time in doing so... And don't worry, you can join the cult, they will tell you everything. Speaking of cult..."

Suddenly, you stop walking, as a member noticed you, and now was bringing something, along few other members of the cult.

The members quickly went towards you, and covered you and the group of survivors with the blue smoke.

The blue smoke engulfs you and the survivors, its faintly sweet, chemical aroma overwhelming their senses. The survivors cough and stagger at first, panicking slightly, but the cult members move calmly, waving the smoke in rhythmic motions with their censers as if performing a sacred rite. 

The cult members, dressed in their distinct robes, lower their censers and bow slightly before you. One of them steps forward, speaking in a reverent, steady tone. 

Cult Member: "The God of the Sun has returned. And you have brought new souls to the light. These will be welcomed into the embrace of the Sun." 

You remain still, observing the scene, as the survivors exchange wary, confused glances. Their fear and exhaustion make them compliant, but they stay close to you, still unsure of their fate. 

The cult members begin guiding the survivors towards the village, their gestures calm but insistent. Meanwhile, one cultist remains by your side, holding up a smaller censer emitting a more concentrated stream of blue smoke. 

Cult Member: "Draemir, you are the light that guides us. The Mother awaits your presence in the inner sanctum, where your path forward will be revealed. But first, let us secure these souls. They will need protection as the Sun's will is fulfilled." 

The survivors hesitate but ultimately follow the cult members deeper into the village, drawn by the sense of safety your presence provides. As they disappear into the heart of the settlement, you glance up at the rising sun, its golden rays glinting off your mask. 

For now, the survivors are safe. But you know this momentary peace won't last long. The Mother's call awaits.