REBORN IN X-MEN

Elias Carter worked in the gleaming high-rise of *GenTech Innovations*, a state-of-the-art research institution that loomed over the city skyline. The building itself was an architectural marvel, its sleek glass facade reflecting the shifting hues of the sky. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with a palpable sense of purpose.

The lobby was a cavernous space bathed in natural light, with polished marble floors and minimalist decor. Digital displays adorned the walls, showcasing the company's breakthroughs in biotechnology: disease-resistant crops, advanced prosthetics, and experimental genetic therapies. A faint hum of machinery and conversation filled the air as researchers and executives moved briskly through the halls, each absorbed in their own tasks.

Elias's lab was situated on the fifteenth floor, a sprawling workspace filled with cutting-edge equipment. Rows of advanced workstations housed microscopes, centrifuges, and sleek computers displaying streams of data. Glass cabinets lined the walls, containing meticulously labeled samples and vials of brightly colored substances. The faint scent of sterilizing agents hung in the air, a constant reminder of the precision required in their work.

At the heart of the lab was the *Genesis Project*, Elias's lifelong research. It was a series of experiments aimed at unlocking the untapped potential of human genetics—enhancing strength, intelligence, and resistance to disease. To Elias, it was more than science; it was a way to give humanity a chance to evolve beyond its limitations.

It was nearing midday when Dr. Preston, one of Elias's senior colleagues, entered the lab. Preston was a man of sharp features and colder demeanor, his presence commanding yet unsettling. His tailored suit contrasted starkly with the white lab coats surrounding him, a subtle reminder of his position in the corporate hierarchy.

Elias looked up from his workstation, frowning slightly. "Dr. Preston. Didn't expect to see you here."

Preston offered a thin smile. "I like to keep an eye on promising projects. The *Genesis Project* has caught the attention of the board, Elias. Your work is… revolutionary."

Elias straightened, his expression wary. "That's the idea. But it's still in its experimental stages."

"Indeed," Preston said, his tone shifting to one of feigned casualness. "But have you considered the applications beyond simple human enhancement?"

Elias paused, his hands hovering over a vial of luminous blue serum. "What are you getting at, Preston?"

Preston stepped closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "The military, for instance. Imagine soldiers who could heal from wounds in seconds, operate without sleep for days, or endure extremes of pain and temperature. Governments would pay a fortune for such capabilities. You'd be a hero, Elias—a pioneer of the next era of warfare."

Elias's jaw tightened. "This research wasn't designed for war. It's meant to improve lives, not destroy them."

Preston's smile faltered, replaced by a calculating look. "Idealism is admirable, but let's not pretend you're working in a vacuum. The board sees potential, and they're prepared to fund the project indefinitely if you cooperate."

"I won't turn this into a weapon," Elias said firmly.

Preston's expression darkened, and his voice dropped to an icy whisper. "You're making a mistake, Elias. Refuse, and you may find your project—your career—at risk. Think carefully."

With that, Preston turned on his heel and strode out of the lab, leaving Elias to stare after him, the tension in the room thick and stifling.

Hours later, Elias sat alone in his office, staring at the vial of serum in his hand. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of his desk lamp casting long shadows on the walls. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts.

The *Genesis Project* was his life's work, born from a vision of a better future. But now, that vision was being twisted into something monstrous. He couldn't let the research fall into the wrong hands, even if it meant sacrificing everything he'd built.

With a deep breath, Elias slipped the vial into a hidden compartment in his briefcase. He made a decision then and there: he would protect the serum, no matter the cost.

That night, when Elias returned home, he was quiet and distracted. Jade noticed his father's uncharacteristic mood, but before he could ask about it, Elias gently shooed him off to bed.

As the family slept, the attackers came. They bypassed the house's security systems with chilling efficiency, their movements silent and calculated. By the time the first explosion rocked the house, it was too late.

The second blast sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, reducing the Carter home to a smoldering wreck. Inside, the serum Elias had hidden burst free from its containment, its glowing liquid seeping into the debris.

Jade lay unconscious amidst the rubble, a jagged piece of wood cutting into his arm. The serum trickled toward him, its ethereal glow casting eerie patterns on the charred remains. As it touched his blood, a chemical reaction began, the serum bonding with his DNA in ways no one could have predicted.

The attackers believed their mission was complete, unaware that the original serum had survived—and that it now coursed through Jade's veins, quietly rewriting his genetic code.

The Carter household fell silent, consumed by smoke and darkness. But amidst the ruins, a transformation had begun—one that would change Jade's life forever.