Hybrid Dominion

 **Chapter 16: The Evolution**

The lab was a marvel of ancient technology, its walls lined with glowing panels and strange symbols that pulsed faintly with energy. The air was cool and sterile, a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind in the wilderness. Paul, Maxim, and Alfred stood in awe, their eyes scanning the room for anything that might help them understand the Oni's legacy.

Paul's golden eyes immediately fell on a table by the side of the lab. On it lay an unopened box and a book, its cover worn but still intact.

He approached the table cautiously, his heart pounding as he picked up the book. To his surprise, he could now read and understand the words—a lingering effect of the trance he had experienced earlier.

The book was a log, filled with idetailed entries about the Oni scientist's experiments and struggles.

Paul flipped through the pages, his eyes widening as he read.

The scientist had spent years developing a series of serums—Evolution Potions, Genetic Enhancement Serums, and Awakening Serums—each designed to enhance the physical and mental capabilities of the Oni, in preparation for the Fight with the Abyssals.

The log detailed the challenges he had faced, from failed experiments to the constant threat of the Shifters, who had hunted him relentlessly.

"Listen to this," Paul said, his voice low as he read aloud. "The Shifters are closing in. I've managed to hide the lab, but I can't risk testing the serums. If they find me, all of this will be for nothing..."

Maxim and Alfred listened intently, their expressions shifting from curiosity to shock as Paul continued.

The scientist had been a visionary, his work driven by the hope that one day, an Oni would find his legacy and use it to restore their race.

But he had never imagined that the one to find it would be Paul—a hybrid,and not an Oni.

Paul's eyes fell on a rack of potions near the Med pod.

The labels matched the descriptions in the log: Evolution Potions, Genetic Enhancement Serums, and Awakening Serums.

There were thousands of them, neatly arranged in rows.

"Alfred," Paul said, turning to the goblin, "I need you to tally the number of each serum. Can you do that?"

Alfred nodded eagerly, his small hands trembling with excitement.

Paul had taught him how to count, read, and write during their time in the outcast village, and now that knowledge was paying off.

Alfred began counting the serums, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Master," he said after a while, "there are approximately 100,000 of each serum."

Paul's eyes widened.

That was more than enough to create an army.

But first, they needed to test the serums to see if they worked on non-Oni species.

Paul picked up a bottle of the Evolution Potion, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied its contents."I'll test it on myself," he said, his voice firm.

"No!" Alfred shouted, his voice filled with panic. "Master, you can't! What if it's dangerous? Let me do it As your humble servant, I… I can't let you risk your life."

Paul hesitated, his heart torn.

Alfred's loyalty was unwavering, but the thought of putting him in danger was unbearable. "Alfred, I can't ask you to do this."

"You're not asking," Alfred said, his voice trembling but resolute. "I'm offering. Please, master. Let me do this for you."

Paul looked at Maxim, who nodded solemnly. "He's right, Paul. We can't risk you. Not now."

Reluctantly, Paul agreed.

Alfred stepped into the MedPod, his small frame dwarfed by the sleek, metallic machine.

The moment the door closed, a gas-like substance filled the pod, and Alfred's eyes fluttered shut as he fell into a deep sleep.

Paul and Maxim watched with bated breath as Paul inserted bottles of the Evolution Potion, And the rest into the side compartment of the pod.

Almost immediately, three injections pierced Alfred's neck and shoulders, their contents flowing into his bloodstream.

The transformation was nothing short of epic.

Alfred's body began to change, his small frame growing taller and more robust. 

A thick mane of black hair sprouted from his previously bald head.

The MedPod adjusted its size to accommodate his new form, its mechanisms whirring softly as it worked.

When the process was finally complete, Alfred woobly stepped out of the pod, his new appearance leaving Paul and Maxim speechless.

He was no longer the small, frail goblin they had known.

He was taller—though not as tall as Paul—with a slim build and sharp, handsome features.

His eyes glowed faintly with a dark, otherworldly light, and an aura of power surrounded him.

Alfred's transformation wasn't just physical.

As he stepped out of the pod, he felt a strange energy coursing through him—a connection to the dark elements.

He raised his hand, and a shadowy mist formed around his fingers, swirling and twisting as if alive.

"I… I can feel it," Alfred said, his voice filled with awe. "The dark elements. They're part of me now."

Paul and Maxim stared at him, their expressions a mix of shock and admiration."Alfred," Paul said, his voice soft, "you're… incredible."

Alfred's eyes filled with tears as he realized what this meant. He was no longer a liability, no longer extra baggage. He felt he could finally stand by his master's side.

Maxim, emboldened by Alfred's success, stepped forward. "My turn," he said, his voice filled with excitement and determination.

Paul hesitated, his expression showing his concern. "Are you sure? We don't know how the serums will affect you."

Maxim nodded. "If Alfred can do it, so can I."

Ultimately, Paul agreed, and the process was repeated.

Maxim stepped into the MedPod, his heart pounding as the gas filled the chamber.

The injections pierced his skin, and the transformation began.

But as Paul and Alfred watched, a question lingered in their minds:

Would Maxim's transformation go as smoothly as Alfred's? Only time would tell.