Author's Note: It is here, ladies and gentlement, the perhaps belated sequel for Dawn of Uroboros. I'm really glad I wasn't very late in posting it; it's been hellish to be able to write properly. Now I warn you: until I have a more decent work station, the updates will be very slow; I have the two prologues and four chapters completed, and I wouldn't like to see the updates catching up to the current amount of... story xD Anyway, this picks up at where DoU left off, just a mere five days-full week after the ending. We're starting with short prologues as an introductory note, to put it like that, and to introduce new characters that are going to play a BIG role in this story, be it directly or indirectly (I'm not sayiing how xD). At the same time, we still focus on the triangle I have going on (W/J/C) along with some L/C (yup, this is new), some action on both sides for Rebecca and pairings with my OCs; I have to do something, don't I?

Oh, and by the way... this is rated M for serious psychological moments and others. Yup, my big hit.

Disclaimer: Usual disclaimer; if not, RE5 would've been a whole different deal xD

Without further ado, I present to you... Resident Evil: Symphony of Madness. Enjoy!^^

Resident Evil
Symphony of Madness

Summary: After being double-crossed, nothing is the same. With Chris gone, it's all a shambles. Some minds are still strong... others careen on the edge of sanity until nothing is left of them and they're lost in darkness. Revenge, hatred, rejection... madness.

Prologue I

Moving On

"Look who's back from dead."

And then, fear, genuine fear that made him think his blood had literally frozen in his veins. Hesitant, as fearful as one who was about to face the Devil himself, Chris turned and then the cold hands of disbelief and horror clutched his heart as his eyes caught sight of the person in front of him. As he approached, Chris found the strength and the will to fully turn around and back away with a strangled gasp.

"You shouldn't have come," he heard Jill say. What the hell was happening?

"Jill, what's... what's he doing here?" he asked, looking at her for some kind of convincing answer. "Tell me this isn't- You're supposed to be DEAD!"

–

September 2nd, 2009

It's all been a dream.

As such Chris would've liked to think if it wasn't for how real the dream had felt. Nothing was more loathsome than reliving dreadful moments like that one, distant but yet so familiar. He tried to focus on something else at the same time he rubbed his eyes, then proceeded to look outside the window but he found no comfort in the rainy darkness that surrounded them. Once more, sleep was not on his side, which made him wonder if losing sleep was part of the side-effects of the virus. What wouldn't be, in any case? It had changed him completely, modified even his soul, that at the moment felt all but alive. It would be ironic to consider himself a living dead, and he even smirked at the joke.

After settling the final plans with Marco, they had proceeded to pack everything they had at Vancouver HQ to move it back to Europe, where they would finally stay to take care of things. Chris himself presented no complaints against the scheme, since keeping tabs on everything that would take place was far from useless when it came to adjusting his agenda. Whatever information he could acquire from the people that surrounded Marco, like how they worked or what kind of people they were, was useful to him, even if that included Vithar. He'd admitted -not unwillingly- that he had become more perceptive than before, more observant and cool-headed, examining everything and everyone closely. It didn't keep him from seeing the big picture, which was what interested him the most at the moment. As reluctant as he was to say it, he was becoming more like his enemy.

I'm nothing like him. I hate being like him, that's why I'm so intent on getting everything back.

If that's the case, then why the desire for revenge?

Chris sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly. Because whatever I've taken from him, he's augmented the feeling almost a hundred-fold. He's human, I'm not; that's not like it should be. I'm being guided by reason and not instinct, unlike before. The virus has changed me as it perhaps changed Wesker, considering he didn't shape himself into the man he is now. What if I'm going down the same lane? I hate to consider the prospect, but what other choice do I have?

If you think you're going down the same lane as Wesker, Christopher began with nonchalance, then it's because you're allowing yourself. I'm not to blame, mind you. I'm you, after all. Whatever choices you make, it's because we both agree.

Perhaps that's the case. Chris sighed again, thinking about the many times he'd thought of Wesker as a monster, a human without a soul. For a moment, he decided to analyze himself as he was now and his former self. As he stared at his dull reflection on the glass, he asked himself if he had turned into that same soulless human Wesker had been until now. He had seen him completely human, physically and emotionally, and there was him on the other hand. Were the changes so severe they had both stepped through the looking glass?

What an Alice-esque kind of situation, don't you agree?

Chris leaned back in his seat, the lack of sleep quickly catching up to him. What was leading him? What was driving him to continue? Was it ambition? Was it greed?

I told you: greed is not bad once in a while. After all, variety is the spice of life.

I was never like that.

Ah-ah-ah! That's it, Chris, you were. What about now? Why would you have embarked in such a quest if you hadn't chosen ambition and greed as your guides? It's time to truly seek what you are looking for and not stop before whatever simple damper that gets in your way. You heard me: no mercy. It's time to lose the naivety you still possess and look past all you see.

I've lacked the means until now, have I? Chris glanced down at his hands, frowning. I've always wished to get stronger but I've never felt like so despite all my efforts.

Why would you give up now? Don't be foolish; accept what you've become already! There's no shame in it!

"Everything alright?"

So absorbed he had been within his thoughts that Chris hadn't noticed Marco Gionne creeping up on him, his pace calm and inquisitive. With one of his lean eyebrows arched, it was more than obvious that the question was sincere. Chris couldn't help but smiling inwardly at the contrast between his status and how he reflected it. He was more than casual when it came to clothing: a simple checkered shirt under a black sweater and slightly bleached jeans was all he was wearing at the moment; not to mention his hair, which was barely combed properly. With a dip of his head, Marco sat at the opposite side of the small table between them, eyeing Chris intently. Chris shifted, somehow uncomfortable.

"Yeah, nothing to worry about."

Marco tilted his head to one side. "Lack of sleep?"

It was Chris' turn to cock an eyebrow. Does this guy read minds or what?

He's observant, you fool. Besides, if you were careful enough to look at yourself in a mirror, you would agree with his thoughts: you look dismal.

Do you read them too?

Chris dismissed the bickering and nodded, acknowledging there would be no way around the bush with Marco around. "Recurring dreams, too. I suppose it's more than familiar with you."

Marco nodded. "Yes, it's a familiar feeling. Your sleep is not that deep, I assume." Chris almost narrowed his eyes to slits, a gesture to which Marco chuckled. "No offense, but you do give off that vibe. Always being alert, I suppose, makes you slightly paranoid."

For some reason, Chris felt like he could push the matter a bit further. "It happens to you?"

"Oh, yes, and since I was a mere kid," Marco replied, smiling absently. "I was competitive and quite the idiot, so I had the feeling I would always fail. Defeat is horrible, particularly bitter to those who haven't tasted it frequently, and I was afraid of it. I too know what it is to suffer insomnia, but I don't think that's your condition."

Chris shook his head. "It isn't, fortunately." He measured his next words with a teaspoon. "You don't seem to be like... your sister, Excella."

It was then that Marco's features changed, ever so slightly, but they changed. Whilst his smile didn't disappear, it still faltered; his brow creased and he became a bit tense. He took his time to speak. "Yes... I'm not like her. She was a mentor figure for me, someone I'd back up until my last breath, but we were worlds apart, too. She was haughty, she strove for a higher place in society whilst I liked to keep a low profile. I was always prudent; I tried to tell her that fitting in wasn't important when it could risk everything, but she didn't listen." A pause. "Now I know that she was right in her own way, after all."

Chris had never expected to see such a side to a man like Marco. Whilst it was true that Excella had already shown what reputation the family had, Marco was making him think otherwise. It was almost acceptable that they had something in common: people dear to them both had been taken away both by circumstance and a single man, so perhaps sticking by him was not such a bad idea in the end. Chris saw Marco twitch another smile.

"I take it you didn't expect me to say this?" he asked, amused.

Chris hesitated. "Perhaps not, but I felt like I could push the matter a bit further."

Marco's smile widened. "Careful, it's not about trust. You and I have a bit in common, maybe more than this."

Chris shrugged, but Marco was quick to pipe up again. "There's something I have to discuss with you, if that's okay."

Chris perked up his head at the seriousness in his tone and paid full attention; whatever was going on, it would have to sit well with his current agenda.

Pay close attention, Chris; whatever he wants you to do, judge it wisely.

I plan to do that.

"Sure. It's all planning and planning, right?"

"Right on. Well... the executives at Tricell, as I told you, are proving to be a bit problematic. The situation's quite unstable when it comes to dealing with the company and making it resurface, and at present we don't stand a chance to live up to our former reputation. At the same time..." Marco paused, rubbing his chin pensively. "Since I've agreed with my part of our deal, I'll have to conduct some research on the vaccine. Of course, it's mandatory to notify the board of all the projects that are ongoing or will be started, and I don't want them on my back."

But if the executives kick the bucket too early, then... Oh, God...

He wants to make the company plunge into bankruptcy so that it closes down. Or perhaps just offer it to other company. In any case, he wants to get rid of Tricell for good.

Chris frowned, fearing where the conversation would lead. "Let me guess: you want them all taken care of?"

"Precisely."

"That would make the company go berserk; it would be pandemonium," Chris piped up, suspicious. "Why would you want to sink the company?"

"And that's where you come in," Marco hurried to add. Chris was left surprised.

"Me?"

"Yes. It's going to be swift; no need to worry. The upshot of what I plan to do will be the perfect bait for your... 'friends', I assure you. You want them to be taken care of the sooner, the better, right?"

All doubts disappeared and the plan was met with positivism.

"Then, it's my turn to die."

The game was on.

A/N: HA! I'm leaving you all to guess who said that last line; I'm going to play a lot with ambiguity here. Also, I wanted to show a bit more to Marco; he's not a complete bastard and a haughty idiot like Excella, which was what I like to play with. Marco is seeking revenge but he is careful and treads slowly. As you can see, Chris is starting to get an eeny bit "stupid", things are affecting him more than they should... It wont' end up good.

So, do you think it was a good beginning? I really hope everyone who stuck around DoU finds their interest piqued about what happens in this one. I will try to get the next update up as soon as possible.

Reviews are appreciated!^^