Prototype-The Killing Instinct-Bloodlust
By the time Alex Mercer finally tracked down PARIAH things had very nearly gotten out of hand, the other Virus had already set up its own hive, had its own army and indeed its own kingdom so to speak. Alex could have forgiven this, had only PARIAH been the same strain as Virus as himself. Yet PARIAH was not, it was all wrong in a way Alex could not quite put a finger on-it looked the same and felt vaguely familiar while at the same time generating within Alex a growing unease, a kind of buzzing pressure in his mind which told Alex Mercer that PARAIAH and all its works had to be either absorbed or destroyed. Whenever Alex dwelt too long upon the constant buzzing his teeth would become as glue within his mouth, sharpening into jaw distorting fangs, his human looking hands transforming into claws far more monstrous than the pair he now only occasionally sported. The buzzing distorted Alex's control over his godlike power, warped his form almost beyond recognition before Alex reasserted his will. It was as though every cell, everything inch of his being longed to destroy the other Virus-with or without the identity of Alex Mercer. The Virus grew impatient with the Alex Mercer persona and almost developed a malevolent will of its own to twist Alex into something like a Hunter-yet Alex would not so easily fall prey to the primal desire and mind, he soothed the Virus by absorbing relevant memories on PARIAH, Alex neither slept nor rested in any way, he could not while PARIAH lived.
PARIAH PARIAH PARIAH PARIAH PARIAH PARIAH PARIAH PARIAH
A big bell of doom and destiny, fate and paradox ran through Alex's mind. Black hateful malice filled the mind that was once, or was, Alex Mercer. The virus wanted to kill the virus strain, Alex Mercer desperately wanted to kill it too...and if Elizabeth was unhappy, well he supposed he was getting bored of her anyway. It wasn't like he couldn't replace the stupid bitch if she decided to try anything against him-any desirable human female could be infected and replace her at a moment's notice. Alex was prepared should she try to betray him. Alex was prepared for PARIAH. Alex Mercer was unprepared for absolutely nothing.
The unease was worsening; Alex thought that a good sign, the rogue strain must be close. How to kill it he thought, he could do any manner of sadistic, slow and very painful acts before actual death occurred...or maybe it shouldn't be killed at all...maybe locking it in a furnace to burn forever and not die would satisfy the wrath of Alex, then again maybe not. When you were an angry, vengeful god there were so many ways of seeking and performing divine retribution that one had to constantly invent new ways to prevent the killing from becoming tiresome. Alex new throughout history many a good tyrant had become bored or gone insane. Alex smiled, could when ever get tired of this? A human mind with its various imperfections and boundaries and limitations perhaps could get tired, even though Alex would be the first to confess human were ingenious at hurting their fellow humans. The insatiable lust for slaughter of the virus mind did not tire, nor did it feel guilt or remorse. If it spared life, life was thus spared and if it killed death came quickly or slowly depending on Alex's preference. Alex wanted to kill PARIAH for several reasons, some irrational and others perfectly rational. Firstly he hated it, secondly he wanted to kill it regardless as to whether it was enemy or friend, thirdly...well why not? As for the rational reasons one had Elizabeth's loyalty to test, to prevent the rival strain from gaining a foot hold and one day challenge him, to prevent humanity from daring to dream Alex could be defeated and many many more. Maybe Elizabeth had to die. Maybe she didn't. Maybe Alex Mercer just didn't like people-virus or human. Dana being the sole exception to this rule...perhaps the doctor also was to be put into this category. For Dana's sake, if not Alex's the doctor would live. Alex had considered launching nuclear missiles at PARIAH, just test the effectiveness of multiple countries nuclear arsenals. In the end, Alex decided he was above using their weapons.
How did one define greatness? Alex unashamedly defined it as himself.
Who else had achieved what Alex had, nearly the whole world in his grasp, humanity subjugated, and rightly so, to his will...Yet greatness, Alex knew, was not merely accomplishing such goals but maintaining them. This hunt against PARAIAH was not only a necessity, but a highly personal and highly vengeful affair. Words could hardly express Alex's sincere desire to inflict pain upon pain upon this upstart, make its mind stretch taut with pain and misery, and let it wallow in despair. Alex knew it would not be much longer...till his blade cut the cancerous flesh of the imposter, pulverised and crushed it into all agony nothingness, the void of oblivion. Ah, it would be a fulfilling experience...Alex Mercer savoured each thought that his twisted imagine brought fourth, every diseased atrocity seemed to give Alex more and more enthusiasm to actually do the deed. Alex Mercer would have blood. Alex Mercer would inflict pain and Alex Mercer would not be, could never be stopped. To stomp and stomp and stomp until it skull came apart and its mind itself broke under the pummelling.
Then suddenly, beneath this rage, the devious mind of Alex Mercer unleashed a lightning bolt. A Certain James Heller had been hunting him, ever since Alex had given him the gift of the virus, kidnapped his daughter and generally done his best to piss the other man off. Normally such things never bothered Alex, he could have killed Heller any time he liked. Until of course Heller had grown in power. Despite various evolved infiltrating Blackwatch at various stages Heller had proven superior. With some shock Alex Mercer had foreseen his own death at the brutes hand, Heller's DNA allowed him to evolve exponentially, which of course would be a great asset if it could be consumed. And he would be consumed. Once PARIAH's virus had been assimilated and replaced by his own strain, at least enough for him to fall under Alex's control, Alex would have PARIAH act as him. While Heller spent his rage and absorbed PARIAH, thinking it was Alex, its different makeup PARIAH's strain would weaken Heller. Then Alex Mercer would strike and finally the secret to Heller's immense strength and staggering evolution would be revealed. It was all going according to plan, let the fools dare to dream he was dead. Let the fools think this upstart Heller could beat him. Once the final piece upon the board, PARIAH belonged to Alex, all Heller's strength would do was quicken his own defeat. It was perfect, and once the Sergeant had served his purpose...perhaps Elizabeth would have plans for him, just like dear Karen Parker.
Leaping from building to building now with his beloved blade formed, cutting down the rabble infected that sought to oppose him. They were cut down in their droves as the blade extended, a special modification for crowd control, Alex took the time to spear one as the blade extended underneath the mouth and through the brain and out of the skull. Such decadence kept things from being utterly tedious. The rest were, within less than a minute, dismembered body parts. Alex mocked his past self, to think he thought, you once found this sort of thing difficult. Soon, very soon, the last threats to the god that is Alex Mercer would finally be destroyed. The Human race was already smashed and subjugated. Mercer would take his seat upon the throne of eternity; it was only a matter of time and patience. Despite what some might think, Alex Mercer had plentiful quantities of both at his disposal.