Khaenri'ah, Hidden Laboratory
A city that was once the pinnacle of humanity's technological advances is now a city in ruins—red clouds overhead and strange cubes floating all around. A city of death, with inhuman monsters roaming the shattered streets. Yet within these ruins stands a building that appears to be some kind of laboratory. A blue-haired human with red eyes, wearing a scientist's outfit, walks through the ruins carrying a camera and a briefcase on his back.
"I've been inside the ruins of Khaenri'ah for one week now. I've explored buildings that were once important, but I haven't found anything—dodging Abyss creatures and the eyes of the Abyss Order. I've finally reached my last research site," he says as he positions the camera to record his face.
He then turns the camera forward and continues walking. "This is the research laboratory belonging to the Chemistry Department, managed by one of the Five Sinners, Rhinedottir." He keeps walking, explaining to the camera everything he knows and has discovered, until he finally reaches a door. When he opens it, he finds a ruined laboratory?
"I've found what appears to be the final laboratory in the building. I will proceed to search for information."
The man enters and sets the camera so that the entire laboratory is visible. He then opens the briefcase he brought and pulls out a lamp, placing it near the center of the laboratory on top of a table. When he turns it on, it illuminates the entire room, dispelling the darkness and revealing powered-down computers and documents scattered across the floor.
"Unlike the other laboratories, this one is more intact. I will now review any documents that are still readable."
After speaking to the camera, he begins reviewing each document one by one, searching for information, until his eyes widen in surprise.
"This is interesting. According to this information, Rhinedottir was working on another project before Durin—but this one is different, because it's a combination of technology and alchemy."
The man continues speaking about what he has discovered and how he may have uncovered a third invention.
"If this is true, Rhinedottir created a third individual in addition to the dragon Durin and the alchemist Albedo."
He keeps searching for more information, commenting on each new discovery. Just as he is about to give up—since the project's location is not mentioned in the documents—he feels a breeze as he passes by a wall. Confused, he looks around and approaches the wall, touching it until he presses something and the wall opens.
The man looks intrigued. "Interesting… a secret passage."
He rushes to grab the camera and his briefcase and enters the tunnel, which for some reason still has power.
"Interesting. I suspect the reason it still has power is that it's most likely using a new energy source."
He continues commenting, growing more excited, believing he may have discovered something truly remarkable. After a few minutes, he reaches a spiral staircase descending deep below. Without hesitation, he decides to go down.
"I am now descending to what may be the greatest discovery in the history of the Fatui," he says excitedly, until he finally reaches the bottom and is stopped by a door. He looks at a panel that requires a password, but instead he pulls out a lever, inserts it into the damaged part of the door, and forces it open. After several minutes, the door opens by force. Before it can close again, he grabs his briefcase and the camera he had placed on the ground and enters, letting the door shut behind him.
Once he regains his composure, he looks around the room. It is small, with only a table holding a computer and, at the center, what appears to be a cryogenic chamber.
Excited, he approaches the cryogenic chamber and wipes away the icy vapor from the glass. What he sees shocks him. Inside is a 12-year-old boy connected to many cables. Strangely, his skin does not appear fully human, as mechanical lines run across his body. Yet everything else looks human—even his anatomy. It is clear he is neither a synthetic human nor a machine.
"An android," the man says.
He records his discovery with the camera and walks over to the computer. He grabs the chair and sits down, positioning the camera so that the still-powered screen is visible. He searches for information until he finally finds what he was looking for in a private document.
Artificial God Project
The objective of this project is to create a deity capable of confronting the gods and taking control of the Celestial Principles of Phanes. The project, designated as Ardas, will bear the responsibility of replacing Phanes, bringing the greatest glory to the people of Khaenri'ah. If we do not believe in a god, then we will create a god that we will control…
The project is in its final phase. Its abilities are still unknown, but we have managed to implant the heart of a corpse found in the deepest depths of the earth—an extremely difficult acquisition. The heart was converted into a half-machine component, creating a perpetual motion engine that grants infinite energy. It can wield all elements and has resistance to physical and elemental attacks. Testing will be required…
The project is close to activation, but we have discovered that something is still missing. The body was created using the corpse of an orphaned child, which was converted into a synthetic being through a combination of technology and alchemy. However, the problem with using a biological being is that something essential is missing: a soul. Therefore, the project is considered concluded. We will begin dismantling the project in the coming days.
The man continues reading the records in shock.
"Even if it doesn't function, everything here could be useful to the Harbinger."
He looks at the camera. "I will proceed to open the chamber and secure the project."
He presses a few more buttons, and an alarm sounds throughout the room. He turns toward the chamber as it begins to open, releasing freezing air. He smiles maniacally—unaware that the project believed to be incomplete is not incomplete at all.
.....