Chapter 1: [Prologue] In Esse

Dr. Lynch stood before a large cocoon hidden within a remote forest in the Swiss Alps. Her crimson-haired companion, Rosa R. Oni, took photographs of a distant rock face covered in white mycelium. The mycelium had only been there a couple hours, but it was enough for small fungi to grow upon the rock, still quickly spreading.

Rosa joined up with Dr. Lynch and said, “Looks like the mycanid spread some spores. Gonna need a cleanup crew for this when we’re done… How’s the chimera?”

Dr. Lynch examined the cocoon. “It’s barely alive and in some kind of stasis.” She produced a knife from her belt and placed it against her palm. And with a quick slash, her hand started to bleed. She placed her bloodied palm upon the wispy husk and let the crimson nectar be absorbed. “This should wake it up.”

“Let’s hope your hypothesis is right, then. I still don’t think it’ll come out how you intend—even if it comes out of this alive.”

Dr. Lynch shook her head. “Only one way to find out.”

Rosa mended Dr. Lynch’s wound with a spell after she finished feeding the chimera. The two waited through the night with Dr. Lynch sleeping while Rosa kept a watchful eye on the fungus. And eventually, as night was pierced by morning light, so too was the silence broken by the violent cracking of the cocoon.

Dr. Lynch lifted a slimy child from the cracked husk. “It’s a boy,” she said as she bundled up the sleeping child and wiped away the fungal afterbirth. “He appears to be healthy—and completely human.”

“Strange that it isn’t older. A bit premature, perhaps?”

Dr. Lynch took a long look at the peaceful spawn in her arms. “I think we should give him time. Maybe he will age, just like a human.”

 “Maybe… But what do you intend to do now that you got your wish?”

With a pause, Dr. Lynch held the boy close. “I will raise him myself.”

“So be it. I’ll go ahead and tell the security team we’re done here.”

As Rosa left, Dr. Lynch cooed and cradled the human chimera. “Welcome back, my little one. May your life be much longer than the last.”

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