Prologue - Atlas

"Atlas." The low, raspy voice of my boss cut through the stillness of the garden, beckoning me with a weight that felt almost tangible. Though he never raised his voice, each word reverberated with a commanding presence, rich with authority and unyielding control. His sunken black eyes, dark as the depths of an unfathomable abyss, seemed to pierce through my very thoughts, leaving an unsettling impression that lingered long after he spoke.

Without a moment's hesitation, I rose from my kneeling position within the vibrant blooms of a garden bed. Beneath the bright growlights, I had worked diligently to nurture the flora he valued, yet I caught the faintest hint of disdain in the fleeting glance he cast my way.

 "Finish this later," he demanded, his tone devoid of any warmth. Immediately, I obeyed, turning to follow him with practiced discipline. In my world, he issued orders, and I adhered to them without question.

As we moved, I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead, my eyes unwavering as I walked in his shadow. He was a towering presence who seemed to eclipse everything around him, yet I felt a hidden sense of pride knowing that I was becoming massive in my own right.

We made our way through the vast compound—his sanctuary, filled with the manifestations of his relentless ambition. The air buzzed with the electric intensity of his experiments, where the fruits of his labor thrived under constant surveillance. I could see the long, sterile corridors lined with rows of secured rooms, each housing unique creations that were the culmination of his life's work. Each door, sealed and guarded, held secrets and wonders that danced just out of the reach of my understanding, backed by the shadowy smiles of success and harrowing risks. This was his empire, and I was but a soldier in his grand designs.

"Atlas," he barked, his voice cutting through the air with an authoritative edge to his unspoken command.

We halted in front of a stark, vacant room, its front wall a formidable expanse of reinforced glass that offered a clear view of the desolation within. The room was vast, its expansive dimensions stretching out in every direction, allowing for an almost cavernous feeling. The walls, painted a muted gray, rose high above. In the center of the ceiling, a solitary light fixture hung precariously, its bulb casting an inconsistent glow. The flickering light created an eerie ambiance, casting long, dancing shadows across the smooth, cold floor. 

"I need this space swiftly filled with soil for a rather exotic plant," he continued, gesturing with a sense of urgency. "It requires proper drainage and adequate lighting to thrive. This needs to be perfect. I'll send a note for the proper soil blend and the lighting ratio."

He tilted his head over his left shoulder, casting me a piercing glance that bore down like a weight, laden with expectations. I swallowed my apprehension and nodded tightly, aware of the subtle power dynamics at play. His response was a dramatic sigh, as if my presence had added an extra burden to his busy agenda. "I have an important meeting with one of my clients. "

With that, he began striding away, his pace brisk, the air thick with unspoken authority as I followed closely behind, already anticipating the tasks ahead. "Collins is pitching an absolute fit for that hybrid from last week," he scoffed under his breath. 

As I approached his office, I paused briefly before opening the heavy door just as he brushed past me, his focus elsewhere. "Come in," he instructed, his voice tinged with distraction. I stepped inside, quietly closing the door behind me with a soft click, a sound that seemed to echo in the silence of the room.

I quickly assumed the posture he had instilled in me: eyes fixed forward, chin lifted high, and hands clasped neatly behind my back, knowing too well the consequences of distraction.

I could hear the soft, ominous creaking of his leather chair as he settled into it, the noise echoing slightly in the otherwise quiet room. He fixed his gaze on me, steely determination flickering in his eyes. "Wait here," he commanded, his tone low and authoritative.

With a slight, impatient rustle, he began fumbling through a cluttered drawer. Papers shuffled, and the metallic clink of office supplies punctuated the silence until he abruptly stood again, his posture rigid and imposing. "You got that?" he drawled, the words dripping with a mix of disdain.

I felt a surge of urgency, nodding quickly in response before I stepped aside, making way for his movement. Once he had exited the room, I instinctively returned to my previous position, my mind racing with the implications of his command.

I stood waiting patiently, a sense of curiosity coursing through me as I remained on high alert. It was difficult to ignore the soft, melodic humming that gradually filled the air. It took longer than I would have liked for my eyes to locate the source of the sound. His office could only be described as a glorified madman's library—an overwhelming expanse of organized chaos.

The walls were crammed with towering bookshelves, each one overflowing with an eclectic assortment of tomes, their spines worn and frayed from years of diligent study and use. The air was thick with the musty scent of old paper, mingling with an underlying hint of something more peculiar than old leather. Scattered across any available wall space were peculiar sketches and diagrams depicting bizarre mutations of every conceivable kind, each one thumbtacked haphazardly as the ramblings of a disorganized genius.

At the center of this chaotic haven stood a massive oak desk, its surface cluttered with stacks of handwritten testing data and various scientific instruments, all clearly intended for his eyes alone. The desk bore the weight of his endless quests for knowledge, papers teetering precariously at the edges.

Amidst this whirlwind of eccentricity, a curious focal point caught my attention—a sad little plant. It was perched somewhat precariously under a flickering lamp, its frail green bulb tilting at an awkward angle. Stiff, brown vines curled around a transparent glass pot, their lifeless appearance suggesting that even this humble plant struggled to thrive in the shadow of its surroundings. The juxtaposition of the chaotic brilliance of the office and the forlorn state of the plant underscored the strange, almost tragic nature of the space.

With slow, careful steps, I got closer to examine it. It was beautiful even in such a pitiful state. Amid the desk's disarray, my eyes landed on a long-forgotten water cup, its surface covered in a thin layer of dust. I reached out, my fingers curling around the cup's cool ceramic exterior. Tilting it gently, I avoided the curling vines and watered his plant. Before thinking better of it, I rubbed the side of the tilting green bulb to set it back upright. A vine shot out and curled lightly around my wrist, keeping me in place. I clicked my tongue.

I lightly stroked the side of the now vibrant green bud. Lost in the plant's renewed humming, I didn't register the sound of the door opening. A dangerous mistake. "Atlas." His voice strung out in absolution. I froze and whipped around, arranging myself into position.  A hand was already raised. His fingers were adorned in gleaming gold rings, each one catching the light before it made contact. I lowered my head, feeling the weight of the moment as I turned toward the door, knowing what came next.

Each step I took felt heavy, as if the air itself was thick with unspoken words. I didn’t glance back, even as a high-pitched humming pierced the silence, cutting through my resolve. The call of my master was unmistakable, his voice low and raspy, like dry leaves rustling in a desolate wind. He never yelled; instead, his words had a peculiar resonance that would linger in the air, echoing with an undercurrent of authority that demanded attention. My heart quickened as I sensed his presence behind me, his stern, lifeless black eyes boring into my thoughts with a piercing intensity. It felt as though his gaze could reach into the very depths of my mind, unraveling my secrets with just a whisper.