Several hours had passed since their training had begun. Wesker hadn't even broken a sweat, while Leon on the other hand was slouched over and panting.
"Your lack of endurance is your weakness. You must disconnect yourself from your setbacks or they will be your downfall."
"Easy for you to say… you are practically flawless." Leon huffed and straightened, taking a deep breath. He'd mastered the use of his wings as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
"Come with me."
Wesker turned and walked out of the room, leading the way through the large mansion. As they made their way into the foyer, Wesker reached into the left pocket of his pants.
"Do you know your purpose?"
Leon raised a brow. What kind of question was that? He had known his purpose, before he'd been kidnapped by the blonde for the second time. It had been saving people and riding the planet of the viruses, which had become a bit complicated since both he and Wesker bore unique strains, but he'd done an alright job otherwise. Now he wasn't so sure. He'd assumed it was something along the lines of filling all of Wesker's wishes, but that sounded a little cliché.
"No." Leon replied curtly. Wesker stopped at the edge of the bannister that overlooked the lower floor of the foyer and Leon walked up beside him. Wesker turned to face Leon, who looked up at the blond before his eyes were drawn to the quick movement of his hand which held something small, red, and metallic. He recognized it immediately as a smaller, more advanced version of the spider-like device Chris had told him about. He didn't have time to react as Wesker pulled the collar of his shirt down and slammed it onto the center of his chest.
"What the fu- augh!" Leon cried out a metallic limbs pierced his skin, burrowing beneath the skin and wrapping around muscle and tendon. He was filled with an excruciating pain as a large shock was emitted throughout his body, tensing his nerves.
…didn't even recognize me…
…obeyed Wesker's every command…
…mind slave…
Chris' words echoed throughout his mind as he convulsed, letting out cries of agony.
"H-How could you..?" Leon stuttered through the pain, looking up at Wesker who seemed indifferent to the younger man's suffering.
"It's simple, really. I can best harness your power without your emotional ties interfering. I have great plans for you, Leon… I will rule this world with you by my side. Only those with superior dna will be chosen to live amongst us." Wesker paced before Leon, his arms folded behind his back. "Of course, I knew you would never accept this willingly. You will be my perfect weapon. The downfall of the world will be by your hands."
Leon's eyes widened. Oh, god. Wesker was serious. A new shock of pain had him falling to his hands and knees and he grit his teeth. He would only be able to fight the torment for so long before Wesker gained control of him. And when that happened, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from disobeying Wesker's commands.
The pain had gone on for more than two hours. Each shock would be harder, last longer than the one before it. Leon was both physically and mentally exhausted, and he knew he was near his breaking point. He could feel his will weakening. He pushed himself up off the floor only to fall back onto his stomach with another shock. He was trembling visibly and his breaths were quick and uneven. The pain came so frequently he barely had time to think about anything other than his agony. It was the last real thing he had to hold onto before he would lose his humanity.
"I loved you!" Leon cried out in pain, both physical and mental. Wesker didn't seem fazed by his words at all.
"You think you are the first? Excella, Jill, Chris… People are very easy to influence when you have such a powerful hold over them."
"Fuck you!" Leon snarled, saliva dripping from his lips. Wesker made a tsking noise and walked around him, producing a digital phone and entering a code.
"I tire of this and of you. You shall be so much more enjoyable without that annoying personality of yours… puppet."
With a push of a button, Leon felt himself lose control over his body. The pain stopped, and so did his will. He no longer had control.
"Stand." A simple command, short and straightforward. Leon pushed himself to his feet, standing straight.
Wesker smirked as he walked up to Leon, looking him in the eyes.
"Your purpose is to kill everyone. Unless they are deemed fit to live in our new world, you are to dispatch of them immediately. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Leon's reply was automatic.
"Good. Come with me."
Wesker led Leon into the lab, stopping in front of a table covered with a cloth. He tossed it aside, revealing two sets of 5 long, metallic spines. Leon stared down at them indifferent.
"Open your wings."
No sooner than Wesker spoke the words had Leon's wings snapped open. He eyed the appendages for a moment before taking one of the two largest spines.
"Turn away from me."
Leon turned, facing the wall. Wesker gripped the younger man's left wing and fitted the spine over the top of the wing, sitting it snugly over the lesser coverts. He then connected the four smaller spines to the largest, which coupled to two of the primary feathers and two of the secondary feathers, spaced in even internals. He repeated the process with Leon's right wing before spinning him to face the mirror.
Each spine had a sharp blade lining the other edge, making them deadly weapons. The metal was created of titanium or a similar strong, anodized metal with a chrome finish that made the light reflect off the surface.
While Leon flexed his wings and got used to the new attachments, each movement making small metallic noises, Wesker pulled out his phone. He was nearly ready to let Leon lose on the world, but first his mind would need a few adjustments…
The device Leon was endowed with was far more superior to its previous prototype. While both had the ability to control its user through verbal commands, this version was able to rewrite the victim's brain almost completely. He would be able to cut off emotions, turn off verbal and physical reaction to pain, and even influence the way the victim's brain functioned, through not only actions but thoughts and words as well. The best part was, if the victim was to remain in that state for an extended period of time, they would be changed even if the device was removed.
Wesker smirked to himself as he turned off Leon's reaction to feeling pain. A quick jolt went to the younger man's head, making him let out an involuntary gasp and falling to his knees before going quiet again. Wesker entered several codes and commands, severing Leon's ability to feel emotion. The final process took a bit of time, but Wesker was determined. He'd waited a long time for this moment, and he would be damned if he let it get screwed up. Once set, he pulled Leon to his feet and stared at him intently, speaking in slow, well enunciated words.
"All of the humans must be destroyed. You are better than all of them. I will rule this world with you at my side. You will make this happen. You are not to stop until they are all dead, or you deem them worthy of living in my new world. Only the strongest, smartest, and perfect are allowed to live."
Wesker stepped back, watching Leon as he processed the words. Satisfied, he turned away.
"What about Chris Redfield?"
Wesker stopped. He hadn't expected those words. While Leon would have no feeling towards the man, it made sense that he would still question it, even if his response would be indifferent to any of the outcomes. Wesker turned back, his eyes glowing.
"Let him watch the world burn."
Wesker finished, looking over his perfect weapon. He'd added narcissistic and sadistic undertones to Leon's personality that would make him an optimal killing machine.
"Go and prepare. You will be departing soon." Leon turned and strode from the room with Wesker's eyes boring into his back. He was completely aware of what he was doing, but his movements felt mechanical. He let himself into his room and sifted through the dresser. What does one wear to the end of days? He opted for a white dress shirt with the top two buttons undone and black denim skinny jeans. He rolled the sleeves up to his elbows and slipped back into his shoes. His eyes fell on his phone, which sat on the bedside table. Leon picked it up, the screen coming to life and revealing he had nine missed calls, all from Chris. He tossed it onto the bed without a care, heading into the bathroom and quickly splashed water over his face. He stood staring at his reflection in the mirror. He felt disconnected from his mind in ways he couldn't quite place. Like he wasn't whole. He grabbed his leather jacket in one hand headed back downstairs.
When Leon made his way back, Wesker was standing in front of one of the locked rooms. He unlocked it and let Leon inside, who eyed the contents of the room. Dozens of weapons lined the walls, ranging from handguns to rifles, grenades, throwing knives, explosives and even rpg's. Boxes upon boxes of ammo lined the floor, and one corner was filled with protective gear. Leon felt his mouth salivate. He looked back at Wesker, who was watching him with a satisfied look on his face.
"Take what you'd like."
Leon was unsure of where to start. Weapons weren't necessary, but they would make things easier. He'd only be able to carry so much, so he decided to stick with lightweight, non-obstructing weapons. He grabbed one of the chest holsters and slid it on, tightening the leather straps. It provided no defense but was more for holding concealed weapons. He spotted a pair of nice leather gloves and black combat boots as well. He took two pistols, attaching them to the clips on either side so they hung at rib height at would be easy to grab. He also took several throwing knives, a standard combat knife, and a flash grenade. Leon couldn't help but wonder if this is what Wesker had gone "shopping" for.
When he turned back Wesker was gone. Leon slipped on his leather jacket and made his way into the foyer. The front door was open and he let himself out. Wesker was standing at the edge of the driveway by a sleek black sports bike. Leon approached him, meeting the blond's level gaze with his own.
Wesker reached out, taking Leon's jaw in his hand in a firm hold.
"Do not fail me."
He released Leon, who nodded and mounted the bike. With one final look at the blond, he kicked the starter and it roared to life. He revved it once before releasing the brakes and speeding off down the road.
Leon pulled onto the highway, shifting the bike into fifth. He roared past the traffic, a blare of horns and angry yells sounding behind him. His eyes narrow as he focused on every detail in quick progression. The green mileage sign on the side of the road red: Tall Oaks: 14. He was getting close. The carnage would begin there. And he knew exactly how he would start it.
Leon stopped the bike and turned it off, swinging one leg over and dismounting. He tugged at his leather gloves and began walking, heading towards the park. It wasn't the nicest of days, the clouds overcast and the weather chilly at best, but still there were dozens of people going for walks, running, or having picnics.
He needed to call attention to the area. He spotted a male jogger running along the sidewalk and drew one of his pistols, aiming at the man's head. His hand followed the man's movements as he ran. Before, he would have never even considered killing an innocent civilian. But that was before he had a purpose.
Leon pulled the trigger. The bang of the bullet was loud enough to shock everyone in the immediate area. A splatter of blood exploded from the joggers head before he fell to the ground, lifeless. A woman's shrill scream echoed and everyone in the vicinity began running in panic. Leon turned, his movement fluid as he began picking people off one by one, every shot deadly precise, until dozens of corpses lay in the stained grass. A woman that had hid behind a car began running and he chased her down, catching her by the wrist as she struggled and cried.
"You will tell these events to a news station before you go to the police. If you don't, I will find you and end you. I know what you look like, and I have all the time in the world." The woman sobbed and nodded. Leon pushed her away and she ran from sight. He let out a breath, reloading his magazine and holstering his pistol. It was only a matter of time now.
Leon hid behind a nearby tree as the news crew shot their footage. He'd done a good job. The park looked like a massacre from a horror movie. The news lady took her place in front of the camera.
"Horror has struck Tall Oaks this afternoon in a planned mass shooting. Just over an hour ago dozens of citizens were enjoying the cool, fall weather here in central park when an armed assailant opened fire, killing everyone in sight. A local witness said the man had dirty blond hair, was about five-six and roughly one hundred and sixty pounds…"
Leon slowly turned, revealing himself and walking up towards the news lady from behind. He grabbed her and snapped her neck easily, her lifeless body falling to the ground. The camera man dropped the camera and tried to run, but was killed with a single bullet to the back of the head. Leon reached down, grabbing the camera and pointing it up at himself, the red recording light blinking softly.
"Captain! You need to see this!" Chris raised his head from the paperwork he was filling out. One of the younger men from his team had run into the room, his breaths coming in fast, uneven bouts.
"What is it, Jackson?" Chris put down his pen and sat back, raising a brow.
"There's been a multiple homicide at central park, sir. And the assailant left a message for you."
Chris sat up straight, shock covering his features. Nothing bad happened here. Ever.
"Show me." Chris stood. Jackson nodded and leaded the way to the lunch room, where several of his coworkers sat staring up at the tv with slack jaws. Chris grabbed the remote and rewound the broadcast before hitting play.
The female reporter is talking to the camera. In the background, several bodies lay, all recently deceased. Everything seems hauntingly calm, despite the carnage, yet something is off. Before the woman can finish her statement, a figure appears in the background and approaches her from behind. Chris gasps as the figure comes into focus.
Leon snaps the news reporters neck, and her body falls to the ground with a thud. The camera is dropped, focused and still recording. A gunshot can be heard, and then Leon is taking the camera in hand and smirking down into it. His look is wild, his mutated eyes burning brightly.
"Come and get me, Chris."
Leon crushes the camera, cutting off the footage. The screen is replaced with grey static and everyone in the room is deathly quiet. Chris is still staring at the screen in shock. Leon would never kill someone unless he absolutely had to, and even then he would take the guilt to his grave. But innocent civilians? He pressed his lips together. It must have been Wesker's doing.
"Sir, the general is on the phone. He doesn't sound too happy." Chris stands and heads into the hall, taking the phone from the younger man and holding it to his ear.
"Tell me you know why one of the government's top agents goes MIA then turns rogue?"
"Yeah, I have a few ideas."
"They want to send half the army in there and take him out. I've managed to hold them off for now, but it won't be for too long. You've got two hours to capture of kill him. Take a team with you. After that, it's in the governments hands."
"Affirmative."
Chris hung up the phone, signaling to five of his best men as he passed. They stood and followed, making their way to the locker room. There was a sense of dread building in the pit of Chris' stomach. He knew with whatever lay ahead, the possibility of killing his friend was very real. He just hoped he would be able to break Wesker's influence over Leon and saved him before he brought upon his own downfall.