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Project Lazarus - A Path to a Cure."

Kabanata 1: 1: The Catalyst

The night air was thick with anticipation as young Ethan Moore crouched behind the dense foliage, eyes locked on the illuminated windows of the laboratory. Inside, his father, Dr. Alistair Moore, was pacing excitedly, his silhouette cast against the walls of their home lab. Ethan's heart raced as he watched, knowing his father was on the verge of a monumental breakthrough.

"Just a little more, Ethan," Dr. Moore had said earlier that evening, his voice tinged with excitement. "We're so close to curing Morterra. Imagine a world free of that disease."

Ethan's father was a genius, and even at eleven years old, Ethan understood the gravity of his father's work. But tonight, something felt different. As he watched, another figure emerged from the shadows of the lab—Edgar Vance, his father's partner. There was an unmistakable tension in the air, and Ethan could sense that this was no ordinary meeting.

Ethan's mother had passed away when he was very young, leaving him and his father alone. The lab had become their home, a place of science and discovery. But tonight, it was about to become a place of horror.

Inside the lab, Alistair looked up as Vance entered, a wary smile on his face. "Edgar, I didn't expect you this late."

Vance's smile was cold, predatory. "Couldn't wait to see the final results, Alistair. You know how invested I am in this project."

Alistair nodded, turning back to his notes. "We're almost there. Just a few more tests, and we'll have it."

Vance's eyes gleamed with something dark as he took a step closer. "That's wonderful news, Alistair. But tell me, have you considered what happens next? The implications of this cure?"

Alistair frowned, confusion clouding his features. "Of course. This will save millions of lives."

Vance's smile widened. "Yes, but at what cost? Think of the money, the power we could wield with this cure. We can't just give it away."

Alistair straightened, his expression hardening. "This isn't about money or power, Edgar. This is about saving lives. I won't let greed corrupt this discovery."

Vance's expression turned icy. "I was afraid you might say that."

Ethan watched in horror as Vance pulled out a syringe filled with a dark liquid. His father didn't see it coming. In one swift motion, Vance plunged the syringe into Alistair's neck.

"No!" Ethan screamed, bursting from his hiding place. But it was too late. His father collapsed to the floor, convulsing as the poison took hold.

Vance turned, eyes widening in surprise and then narrowing in malice. "Ethan, isn't it? Such a shame you had to see this."

Ethan's world spun as he rushed to his father's side, tears streaming down his face. "Dad! No, no, no!"

Alistair reached up with a trembling hand, touching Ethan's cheek. "Ethan... listen to me. You have to... finish... what we started. Don't let him... win..."

With those final words, Alistair Moore took his last breath. Ethan's scream of anguish echoed through the night, mingling with the cold laughter of Edgar Vance as he disappeared into the night.