The night air was thick with the acrid scent of burning steel and decay. The ruins of the West Block still smoldered behind General Viktor "Bloodfang" Kruger as he stood, his enhanced body pulsing with newfound power. His red beret, now charred and tattered, sat atop his head like a warlord's crown. His glowing crimson eyes reflected the carnage around him.
Sergeant Darius "Hellhound" Rook stood frozen. The undead troopers behind him, bound to Kruger's will, instinctively took a step back. They could feel it too—their master had changed.
"General…" Rook started cautiously, gripping his rifle. "Are you—"
Kruger's gaze snapped to him, and in an instant, he was gone.
A blur. A shadow. A force of death itself.
Rook barely had time to react before Kruger reappeared right in front of him, inches away. His speed was unnatural.
"Something wrong, Hellhound?" Kruger's voice was deeper, more guttural. He grabbed Rook by the vest and lifted him effortlessly off the ground.
Rook struggled but knew resistance was useless. Kruger could snap him in half if he wanted.
Instead, the General smirked and dropped him.
"I'm better than ever," Kruger growled, clenching his fists as dark veins bulged beneath his skin. "Stronger. Faster. I can feel the virus changing me."
He turned toward the ruins of the blast site, his enhanced senses locking onto something. Black Widow.
"She thinks she can kill me." His smirk twisted into a savage grin. "It's time I return the favor."
Eva "Black Widow" Morales moved through the desolate ruins of the East Corridor, her body still aching from the explosion. She had detonated enough explosives to turn an armored platoon into dust.
But it hadn't been enough.
She could feel it—the creeping sensation of a predator closing in.
"Morales, report," the voice crackled in her earpiece.
She pressed a hand to her ear, whispering, "He's still alive."
She swallowed hard. "I don't know… but he's different. Stronger."
A low growl rumbled through the ruins. The air grew cold.
She turned slowly, knife in hand.
Before she could react, something slammed into her. She tumbled across the concrete, crashing into a rusted beam. Pain exploded in her ribs.
She looked up, her vision blurring.
Kruger stood there, watching her.
"Did you really think you could kill me, Widow?" His voice was almost amused. Mocking.
She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to her feet. "I should've used more explosives."
Kruger's grin widened. "Next time, bring an army."
With blinding speed, he lunged.
Eva barely had time to react before the nightmare truly began.