“In my experience, pathogens mostly follow the same pattern. They invade the host’s body, reproduce, and damage cells or release toxins, which leads to illness. They either destroy their host, or are removed by force.” Seraphim’s voice lost its zeal, became slower and more deliberate. “The reports smuggled out to me suggest the Holophage does something different. Instead of going to war with the host, it convinces it to change on its own. Become something totally different.”

Ruk pondered this for a second. “Like the Sthrirad? It has significantly changed the Chekeri respiratory system, and rewired our brain chemistry.” Seraphim locked eyes with her.

“Perhaps. Though the Sthrirad took four thousand years to integrate with the Chekeri people – the Holophage may have managed it in just one. Either that, or it has been circulating in secret, without our knowledge.”