Nico's eyes narrowed as he watched the J'avo struggle with the massive cast. Their inhuman movements—jerky and uncoordinated, yet frighteningly efficient—reminded him of their origins as T-Virus abominations. The Hive Mind connection pulsed in the back of his consciousness, a constant reminder of the viral network that bound his subjects together.
"The J'avo report the first cast is complete, Creator," Deborah's voice carried the distinctive rasp of the C-Virus that had transformed her. Her skin shifted subtly as she spoke, the insect-like mutations just beneath the surface threatening to emerge at any moment.
The cast loomed before them—two hundred fifty feet tall and forty feet in diameter—a monument to their ambitions in this new world. The metal gleamed with an almost biological sheen, as though the very materials they worked with had become infected with their presence.
"Heisenberg and Lucas have been productive," Nico mused, examining a chunk of raw ore. "But still no sign of adamantite or any other exotic minerals." He tossed the ore aside, his fingers momentarily elongating into claw-like appendages before returning to human form.
"We need something to stabilize the cast," Nico announced, eyeing the towering metal structure. "Without support, it'll collapse and crush everything beneath it." His mind raced through possibilities, calculating the viral modifications necessary for a living support system.
Deborah's eyes flashed yellow for an instant. "Might I suggest an Ogroman, Creator?" The infected woman stood straighter, speaking for both herself and the absent Radames and Simmons, who were busy with the grisly task of human creation in the laboratories below.
"An Ogroman..." Nico savored the word. The B.O.W.s had proven useful, their mindless strength perfect for the heavy labor that even J'avo couldn't manage. "Yes. Prepare the lift."
The Umbrella Corporation base—a twisted mockery of the original corporation's facilities—had been modified to accommodate creatures of considerable size. The lift groaned under strain as it descended into the bowels of the facility, where the true horrors of their operation lurked.
Ten minutes later, the ground trembled. Two Ogromen lumbered into view, their flesh a patchwork of tumorous growths and exposed muscle. Standing over thirty feet tall, the hulking B.O.W.s' breaths came in wet, rattling gasps as pustules on their bodies inflated and deflated with each inhalation.
"Magnificent," Nico whispered, as the monsters gripped the cast with hands large enough to crush a human skull like an egg.
"Now we'll see if Williams' idea works," Nico announced to the gathered leaders. The assembled viral horrors—each one a testament to different strains of Umbrella's research—watched with unnatural stillness.
The Ogromen carried the cast toward a nearby tree. Nico removed a syringe from his pocket—the familiar green glow of the T-Veronica virus pulsing within the chamber. With practiced precision, he plunged the needle into the trunk, the woody flesh accepting the viral agent greedily.
"Now!" Nico commanded, backing away swiftly as the first tremors of mutation began. The Ogromen slammed the cast around the tree as tendrils of infected tissue began to writhe beneath the bark.
"And now we wait," Nico said, settling onto a blood-stained stump as the others gathered around him. The air filled with the sound of cellular destruction and rebirth as the virus worked its horrific magic within the confined space of the cast.
Minutes passed. The cast shuddered. The Ogromen's muscles strained as something inside fought to expand beyond its confines. A viscous fluid began to seep from the bottom of the cast—tree sap corrupted by viral agents, now a sickly yellow-green.
In less than ten minutes, the infection had driven the tree to reach the full two hundred fifty feet. A high-pitched keening sound—like the death cry of the natural organism the tree had once been—echoed across the clearing.
"Lift the cast! Quickly!" Nico ordered. As the Ogromen pulled the metal structure away, Nico readied another syringe—this one filled with the milky white DEVIL Vaccine. He injected it directly into the mutated trunk, which now pulsed with visible veins just beneath the bark.
The growth halted instantly as the vaccine neutralized the virus's ability to continue its corruption. The tree stood tall—unnaturally so—its surface a twisted parody of nature, useful but horrifying.
"The latches," Deborah pointed out, drawing attention to the metal fasteners holding the cast together.
"Alcina," Nico called through the Hive Mind, the psychic connection carrying his commands instantly to Castle Dimitrescu. "Send your daughters. Their particular talents are required."
"As you wish, Creator," came the aristocratic reply, tinged with a predatory eagerness that only centuries-old vampiric entities could express.
The air before them shimmered as thousands of flies appeared, swirling in three distinct clouds. One by one, the insects coalesced into the forms of three pale women—the Dimitrescu daughters. Their beauty was haunting, otherworldly, and the faint scent of blood followed them like perfume.
"You called for us, Creator?" Bela purred, her sisters flanking her with identical hungry expressions.
"Remove the latches," Nico commanded, gesturing to the cast. "Your... unique form makes you perfectly suited for this task."
The sisters exchanged delighted glances before dissolving again into swarms of flies, their collective consciousness directing them to the metal fastenings. The sound of their buzzing filled the air as they worked their way from bottom to top, a living tool adapted to their specialized purpose.
"Hold steady!" Nico bellowed at the Ogromen, whose simple minds struggled to comprehend the transformation occurring before them. "If that cast falls and destroys anything, I'll feed you both to the Lickers!"
The latches fell away, and the cast separated down the middle. Each Ogroman carefully handled one half, setting the pieces aside with uncharacteristic gentleness born of fear.
Standing before them was the fruit of their experiment—a two-hundred-fifty-foot monstrosity of wood, veined with viral modifications, perfect for their building needs. The tree's surface rippled occasionally, as though something lived just beneath the bark.
"Now for the final test," Nico said, satisfaction evident in his voice. "Birkin, since this was your brainchild, would you do the honors?"
William Birkin stepped forward, a thin smile on his face. "With pleasure, Creator."
The scientist's body contorted suddenly, bones cracking audibly as his lab coat split along the seams. His right arm swelled grotesquely, skin giving way to expose glistening muscle tissue. An enormous, bloodshot eye erupted from his shoulder as his jaw distended to accommodate rows of jagged teeth. The G-Virus—his own creation—transformed him into the third-stage Golgotha form, a nightmare of claws and exposed tissue.
"Even after all this time, your mutation is... impressive," Nico remarked, watching as the monster that had once been Birkin flexed its four clawed arms experimentally.
"Secure the tree!" Nico ordered the Ogromen, who immediately grabbed the infected trunk to prevent it from falling.
Birkin-Golgotha attacked the base of the tree with surgical precision, his claws slicing through the mutated wood as though it were human flesh. With each strike, the tree oozed a thick, amber fluid that smelled of pine sap and formaldehyde. Six powerful blows separated the tree from its stump, and the Ogromen caught it before it could fall.
"Perfect," Nico said, approaching to inspect their creation. The wood felt warm to the touch, almost alive. "This will serve our purposes admirably."
Nico turned to address the assembled B.O.W.s and viral creatures. "This experiment has been a success. Return to your stations—except you, Birkin."
The others departed with inhuman grace—some slithering, others flying, a few lumbering away on misshapen limbs. The Dimitrescu sisters transformed into clouds of flies once more, disappearing toward their castle home.
Birkin's body contracted, bones realigning with sickening cracks as he forced himself back into human form. Only his eyes—unnaturally bright and constantly shifting focus—betrayed his true nature.
"You'll be stationed here with Deborah and the Baker family," Nico informed him. "Your expertise with the G-Virus makes you uniquely qualified to oversee our wood production. These Ogromen will be under your command."
Birkin nodded, his scientist's mind already calculating viral dosages and growth rates. "I understand, Creator."
"Good. I expect you to work harmoniously with the others. No... experiments without my express permission."
They walked to the Baker residence—a structure reminiscent of the Louisiana house where Eveline had once wreaked havoc. Inside, the family that had once been terrorized by the E-Series bioweapon now served as willing subjects of Nico's viral empire.
"Baker family, Deborah—William Birkin joins your operation from this moment forward," Nico announced, guiding the scientist inside.
Jack Baker—his body riddled with Mold but his mind now firmly under Nico's control—rose immediately to shake Birkin's hand. "Welcome to the family, son," he said, his voice carrying the familiar southern drawl that had terrorized Ethan Winters.
"Now, to business," Nico said, satisfied that Birkin's integration would proceed smoothly. "Who among you has construction expertise? We need walls, buildings—and infrastructure for our growing operation."
Silence greeted his question. The viral abominations, for all their terrifying abilities, lacked architectural knowledge.
"I see. Then we'll need to recruit from elsewhere." Nico focused his thoughts, sending a command through the Hive Mind. "Pedro Fernandez and Neil Fisher, report to the surface immediately."
While waiting, Nico contemplated priorities. "Walls would provide security, but housing would allow us to expand the J'avo population more rapidly," he mused aloud, fingers tapping against the table where Marguerite had once served human-flesh meals to her infected family.
Footsteps approached, and two men entered. Pedro Fernandez—a former mechanical engineer infected with the C-Virus—and Neil Fisher, once a TerraSave leader before Radames's manipulations.
"Creator," they said in unison, kneeling before him with the synchronicity that only the Hive Mind could achieve.
"You'll oversee our construction efforts," Nico informed them. "The J'avo will provide the labor."
Pedro's expression shifted. "Creator, without architectural plans, we cannot begin. None of us possesses the necessary knowledge."
Nico frowned, realizing the limitation. "Then I'll have to acquire that knowledge from somewhere in this world."
A voice suddenly intruded in his mind—Carla Radames, her thoughts carrying the distinctive signature of the enhanced C-Virus strain she had developed.
"Creator," her voice echoed in his consciousness. "The J'avos on the Ninth floor have discovered a pod in the underwater section. I've ordered them not to approach it until you arrive."
"A pod?" Nico responded through the viral link. "Interesting. Investigate but take precautions. I'm on my way."
Breaking his connection to the Hive Mind, Nico addressed the men before him. "Our construction plans must wait. Stay at the farms for now—enjoy some of Marguerite's cooking. It's quite good now that she's using... conventional ingredients."
The men bowed and departed. Nico smiled briefly, remembering how Marguerite's meals had once contained human body parts, courtesy of the Mold's influence. Perhaps Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters would have appreciated the earlier menu.
Nico made his way to the Laboratory—sterile white walls bearing the Umbrella logo, a mockery of the corporation that had started it all with the T-Virus in the Arklay Mountains. He checked the mouse enclosure where Radames usually worked but found it empty.
Taking the elevator down to the Ninth floor, Nico felt anticipation building. The vast underground complex—modeled after Umbrella's most secret facilities—sprawled before him as the doors opened.
"Carla?" he called through the Hive Mind. "Where is this pod located?"
"The underwater facility, Creator," came her immediate response. "The deepest section."
Nico let out a frustrated screech. "Of course, it would be in the furthest possible location."
An hour of flight later, Nico arrived at the underwater facility entrance. The antiseptic smell of the research area was undercut by the distinctive organic scent that accompanied all of Umbrella's most dangerous creations.
"HAOS," Nico whispered reverently, passing the enormous chrysalid containing the ultimate B.O.W. that had once threatened the world aboard the aircraft carrier. In this new reality, it slumbered, waiting for Nico's command to unleash devastation.
Proceeding to the escape pod section, Nico found J'avos standing guard around a sealed capsule. Carla Radames—in her Ada Wong guise—waited beside it, her crimson dress a stark contrast to the sterile environment.
"Found something interesting, Creator," she said, her voice carrying the smooth confidence that had once fooled Leon Kennedy.
"I think I know who this is," Nico said excitedly, approaching the pod. The activation sequence was familiar—standard Umbrella emergency protocols. The hatch hissed open to reveal a man inside.
"Piers Nivans," Nico breathed, genuinely surprised. "They actually preserved you!"
The BSAA operative—Chris Redfield's partner, who had sacrificed himself after C-Virus infection aboard the underwater facility—opened his eyes. His right arm pulsed with bioelectric energy, a permanent reminder of his heroic choice.
"Creator," Nivans said, immediately kneeling as the Hive Mind connection formed, giving him instant knowledge of his place in Nico's hierarchy.
Piers had been a favorite character—one who hadn't survived like the franchise mainstays Chris Redfield or Leon Kennedy. If Ethan Winters were here too, Nico would be ecstatic. He had planned to create that character, but the guild had disbanded before he could implement it.
"Piers Nivans reporting for duty," the enhanced soldier saluted, electricity crackling subtly along his mutated arm.
Nico laughed and uploaded current events directly into Piers's consciousness through their viral link. The soldier's eyes widened as he processed the information dump.
"I see you need architectural expertise, Creator. May I join your expedition?" Piers requested, his military background evident in his posture.
"No, Piers. I need you here to oversee J'avo production and training," Nico instructed, still cautious after the Dimitrescu sisters' public feeding attempt. "Your combat experience will be invaluable."
"Understood, Creator." Piers bowed before departing with several J'avos, his enhanced arm glowing faintly as he exercised control over his C-Virus abilities.
Nico turned to Carla. "How is our human production proceeding?"
"Efficiently," she replied with clinical detachment. "Simmons and I have streamlined the process. Batches will be ready for distribution to each floor by tomorrow."
"Excellent," Nico said, sprouting wings from his back as viral mutations rippled beneath his skin. "I'm going to acquire our architect."
"Taking someone with you?" Carla asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Yes... Lady Dimitrescu, I think," Nico mused. "A noblewoman seeking architectural services would be the perfect cover. And her... unique stature should make for an interesting experiment in human perception thresholds."
The Castle Dimitrescu loomed against the skyline of the twelfth floor—an imposing structure transplanted from Eastern Europe to this new world. Nico landed on the balcony of the mistress's private chambers and knocked on the glass door.
Inside, Alcina Dimitrescu—nine feet tall and imposing even in repose—reclined in a chair suited for her enormous frame, drawing from a cigarette holder nearly as long as a human arm.
"Creator," she acknowledged, rising with inhuman grace as she admitted him. "What brings you to my domain?"
"I require a companion for a mission to the outside world," Nico stated directly.
"Shall I summon my daughters?" she offered, reaching toward a bell pull.
"No," Nico said quickly. "As charming as they are, your daughters have demonstrated... difficulty in restraining their appetites in public."
"I apologize for their indiscretion, Creator," Alcina said with formal regret, though her eyes betrayed no genuine remorse for human deaths.
"It's their nature," Nico dismissed the concern. "But I came specifically for you, Lady Dimitrescu."
Surprise flickered across her aristocratic features. "Me? Despite my appearance?"
"Precisely because of it," Nico explained. "I want to test how humans perceive someone who stretches the boundaries of normal human physiology without breaking them entirely. Besides, a noblewoman seeking architectural services is the perfect cover."
Interest sparked in Alcina's golden eyes. "What must I do to prepare?"
"Bathe," Nico instructed bluntly. As she turned to leave, he called after her: "In water! With soap! Humans don't smell of blood and decay!"
"Of course, Creator," she replied, a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips.
Nico settled into an oversized armchair, the day's exertions catching up with him. "I'll just rest my eyes while waiting..."
He awoke to the sight of Lady Dimitrescu wrapped in a towel that, while enormous by human standards, barely contained her statuesque form. Water droplets traced paths down her pale skin as she selected clothing from an armoire.
"The curves," Nico whispered, transfixed by her inhuman yet perfect proportions. Blood trickled from his nose, and he hastily wiped it away before she could notice.
Soon they stood at the farm level, preparing to depart. The standard elevators couldn't accommodate Alcina's height, forcing them to use the industrial lifts designed for Ogromen.
"Transform and fly us to E-Rantel," Nico requested. "We'll land outside the city to avoid detection."
Lady Dimitrescu's body contorted, her elegant form elongating further as her skin hardened into scales. Wings erupted from her back, tearing through her dress as her face elongated into a draconic visage. The transformation—a result of the Cadou parasite that had merged with the Progenitor Virus in her system—was both horrifying and magnificent.
Nico mounted the dragon-like creature that Lady Dimitrescu had become, and they soared toward E-Rantel.
Landing far from the city walls, Nico slid from Dimitrescu's back as she reverted to her human form, her clothing remarkably intact thanks to the viral reconstruction.
"One moment," Nico said, focusing as mold shifted beneath his skin. His features rearranged into a different face, and his clothing transformed into the attire of a proper butler. "Remember your role—a noblewoman seeking architectural expertise for a new manor."
The city guards' reactions upon their approach were everything Nico had hoped for. Their eyes widened at Alcina's towering height, then glazed slightly as they processed her inhuman beauty. A mixture of fear, awe, and inappropriate desire rendered them nearly speechless.
"Excuse me," Nico addressed them in his most servile tone. "My Lady Alcina Dimitrescu wishes to commission a manor and requires a skilled architect. Might you direct us to such an individual?"
"I—We—" The guard stammered, sweat beading on his forehead as Alcina's golden gaze fell upon him. "We can e-escort you during your s-search, my lady."
Their procession through E-Rantel drew stares from all quarters. Guards formed a protective cordon around them, though whether to protect the citizens from Lady Dimitrescu or vice versa remained unclear. Occasional catcalls from braver (or more foolish) men reached their ears, causing Alcina's fingers to flex in a manner reminiscent of her extending claws.
"Pay them no mind, my Lady," Nico murmured soothingly. "Commoners lacking both education and survival instincts."
As they rounded a corner, they passed a robed figure that Nico immediately recognized as Ainz Ooal Gown in his adventurer disguise. The undead magic-caster visibly shuddered—his emotional suppression activating—before collapsing in a faint, overwhelmed by whatever his undead senses detected in Lady Dimitrescu.
One of the guards approached, bowing deeply. "Lady Alcina, we've located Master Wymond Hawkinge, a renowned traveling architect currently in the city."
Nico rewarded the guard with coins stolen by the Dimitrescu sisters during previous excursions. Soon, they were introduced to a well-dressed man who exuded professional confidence.
"Greetings, Wymond," Nico said cordially.
"Lady Dimitrescu," the architect exclaimed, his professional composure slipping momentarily as he took in her full height. Recovering quickly, he performed a courtly kiss on her hand. "How may I be of service?"
Alcina withdrew her hand with practiced grace, offering a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Nico recognized the expression—a predator seeing potential prey but restraining herself for the moment.
"My Lady requires a vacation manor for herself and her daughters," Nico explained. "She will compensate generously for exceptional work." He displayed a bag of platinum coins created from his own viral tissue, perfectly mimicking the currency of this world.
Wymond's eyes lit with avarice. "I would be honored to discuss this further. My carriage awaits just outside the city—we can review designs there in privacy."
The architect led them to his carriage, isolated deep in the woods. "For security," he explained, unaware that this isolation would seal his fate.
"Now then," Wymond said once they were alone, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Let's discuss your requirements for this manor."
"Before that," Nico interjected smoothly, "my Lady requires refreshment after our long walk."
Stepping closer to the architect, Nico's hand shot out with inhuman speed, clamping over the man's mouth. White tendrils of Mold—the evolved form of the fungal bioweapon that had once consumed Dulvey, Louisiana—spread from his fingers across Wymond's face, sealing his lips before he could scream.
"Alcina?" Nico offered, pushing the struggling man toward her. "Would you care for a taste?"
The Lady of Castle Dimitrescu considered for a moment before shaking her head regally. "I prefer to select my own vintage, Creator."
"More for me, then," Nico chuckled. His jaw dislocated with a sickening crack, expanding to reveal rows of needle-like teeth—a mutation borrowed from Lisa Trevor's immortal form. The mold-covered architect could only watch in horror as Nico's inhuman maw engulfed him.
The consumption was not merely physical—Nico absorbed the man's knowledge, memories, and skills directly into his viral network. Architectural principles, design techniques, and years of experience flowed into him like data being downloaded.
"Perfect," Nico said, his face restructuring to its previous form as he wiped traces of blood from his lips with a handkerchief. "Pedro and Neil will now receive this architectural knowledge."
Through the Hive Mind, Nico transmitted the stolen expertise to the waiting Subjects, instantly converting them into capable architects despite having never studied the field.
"Is there anything you desire, Lady Dimitrescu? You've been most helpful today."
Alcina considered for a moment. "The castle grows lonely with just my daughters and me. Perhaps... a human slave? For companionship and... sustenance."
Nico nodded thoughtfully. In the game, Lady Dimitrescu had kept human servants—most destined to become ingredients in her wine or victims of her daughters' feeding frenzies. He wondered briefly what the market price for female slaves might be in this world.
"I'll acquire some for you in the future," Nico promised. "For now, we should return and begin construction before anyone notices our architect friend has vanished."
As they walked away from the empty carriage, Alcina's golden eyes gleamed with anticipation. Another hunting ground would soon be open to her and her daughters—a thought that brought a genuine smile to her bloodstained lips.