Sun

The villagers told about a woman named Vasanthi, a young Bharatnatyam performer who was locally admired for her grace, discipline, and stage presence. She aspired to compete professionally, elevate her family’s reputation through performance, and eventually teach dance to young children within her community.

Due to her talent and commanding presence, many of her peers referred to her as “Apsara”, which means a celestial angel belonging from Svarga Lok, that is Heaven.

Outside the household, Vasanthi’s family was also widely regarded as respectable and socially disciplined. Her father was viewed as stern but honorable, a man deeply devoted to order, stability, and familial responsibility. Her mother was regarded as patient, religious, and dutiful. Witnesses frequently described the household as traditional, structured, and well respected within the local community. But from inside, nobody knew the truth.

Vasanthi’s ambitions gradually became the source of severe domestic conflict. Her parents disapproved of her desire to pursue dance professionally. While dance itself was considered culturally respectable, her father reportedly viewed the idea of building an independent life around performance as irresponsible and unsustainable.

The family valued discipline, obedience, and social order above personal ambition, particularly for women expected to maintain domestic responsibilities within traditional households. From this, there were frequent arguments between Vasanthi and her father, regarding her continued performances and increasing desire for personal independence, that escalated into emotional neglect, resentment, humiliation, and repeated psychological abuse. 

Vasanthi even stopped performing publicly under parental supervision, instead leaving the household in secret to continue participating in local performances. 

As The Apsara began gaining popularity within nearby communities, resentment toward her success also increased. Prior to a major local performance, her own rivals that grew envious of her, tampered Vasanthi’s anklets by placing sharpened metal fragments within the inner bindings.

Vasanthi continued performing despite severe injury and visible blood loss before collapsing during the performance, forming multiple deep lacerations to both feet, requiring extended recovery and temporary inability to continue dance activity, to which she protested and panicked, fearing she'll lose all the status she made.

Realising Vasanthi’s been sneaking out to perform for her art without their knowledge from the injury, the father discarded her multiple costumes, and performance materials that belonged to Vasanthi outside the family residence in view of neighboring residents.

He then blamed her artistic ambitions for the incident and lying to her parents, which accelerated the chances of her marriage. Her mother supported the arrangement and made no attempt to intervene. Despite repeated objections from Vasanthi, the marriage proceeded against her will.

During the days preceding the ceremony, Vasanthi became emotionally withdrawn and displayed signs consistent with dissociation.

The marriage ceremony was completed. Weeks passed, and Vasanthi later saw her husband’s true colors, and began to endure physical and psychological abuse from the man. From this, she gradually became emotionally unstable and un-reactive, as if she was bottling herself up despite evidence of ongoing abuse.

Vasanthi’s husband was later discovered deceased inside the marital residence, his body on the bed extensively mutilated, with an Aruval that was kept inside of their home. One day later, both of Vasanthi’s parents were too found murdered under similar circumstances, with other victims identified to be suspected of involving in sabotaging Vasanthi’s last performance.

Search parties organized shortly after Vasanthi’s disappearance later discovered her within a forest, clearing near an aged Kali shrine surrounded by fire pits.

Vasanthi was barefoot, and dressed in her dance outfit, but this time, splattered and tainted with blood, with the same anklets from her last performance, attached to her legs. Her hair was disheveled, ceremonial makeup smeared across her face, and her clothing heavily saturated with blood.

When approached, Vasanthi turned toward the group and formed a dance posture which resembled the Nataraja, extending her tongue as if her presence threatened the group to not come any closer - as if she became unstoppable. They ran away before they could get killed, never returning to the forest again.

Following independent investigation, Clyde Perry identified the subject as a highly viable candidate for Project Lathe, and was subsequently transferred to Murkoff custody for further evaluation and experimentation under the protocols.

PROJECT LATHE REPORT OF “THE APSARA”: 

Vasanthi displays severe trauma-induced dissociation combined with compulsive behavioral fixation centered around discipline, control, humiliation, emotional suppression, and ritualized order.

Unlike most violent subjects, Vasanthi maintains unusual composure under psychological stress, and demonstrates a pronounced ability to influence surrounding individuals through intimidation and representing herself as an authoritarian presence that she adapted from her father.

Despite the brutality of her actions, Vasanthi frequently presents herself in a calm and instructional manner, but later bursts out of impatience if ticked off. Vasanthi demonstrates obsessive perfectionism, emotional detachment, ritualized movement patterns, and heightened sensitivity toward disorder, disobedience, emotional vulnerability, or perceived failure in others due to her upbringing.

Periods of composure are frequently interrupted by sudden emotional instability, including violent outbursts of anger and sadness, compulsive self-correction, and dissociative mumbling directed toward unseen individuals believed to represent deceased family members and her former spouse. During such episodes, Vasanthi appears to relive traumatic experiences associated with humiliation, forced marriage, emotional neglect, and prolonged psychological abuse.

Psychological deterioration intensifies whenever routines are disrupted, authority is challenged, or surrounding individuals fail to comply with instruction. Under these conditions, Vasanthi responds with disproportionate physical aggression and threat, fearing the people around her will take away what she had.

PRIME ASSET'S PURPOSE:

Before her breakdown and becoming a Prime Asset for Murkoff, she used to hold dependency over her parents, her husband while meeting the standards of the society that caused her to suppress her passions that she had with her for the sake of pleasing whoever she loved. Even if the ones who didn't love didn't give her anything, she was in the mindset that maybe they’d change after a while, and prove them wrong with her talent. 

It all went into shambles the moment she was forced to abandon the only thing that kept her alive - breaking her apart and killing the people who made her what she became.

As Easterman gives her a trial environment, she feels she has her own stage, she feels liberated, and dances with all pride. Anybody trying to intervene in her trial makes her feel they're one of the "people" who tried to take her passion away, and she murders them with an emotionally, yet deadly intent in the exception they're trying to spoil whatever she earned so far. She cries, she screams, she berates them for being "one of them".

Her trial signifies and teaches the Reagents that reality will always take away what you always wished to be, or have, or desired.

TRIAL ENVIORNMENT:

Her trial environment is an ancient-themed architectural pavilion - with the roots of her culture. They call it the Mandapam.

MAIN TRIAL

“Appease the Audience” - “A successful performance requires discipline, coordination, and obedience behind the scenes. Maintain the theater, successfully conclude the performance, and we will let you out."

MK-CHALLENGES

“Prepare the Performer” - “A well dancer graces the stage and it's own audience. We want you to prepare the performer for it's biggest debut, before we set you free."

The Haunted’s head exploded mid-air, its body crumpling at her feet. Jenna turned back just in time to see Sebastian lowering his shotgun, eyes sharp and focused.

Not wanting to waste any more ammo or deal with the rest of the Haunteds closing in, they both ran for their lives. Panic flooded Jenna’s veins, terror tightening its grip as she realized just how many monsters were chasing them. Instinctively, she stayed close to Sebastian, afraid to let him out of her sight.

Sebastian glanced back at the Haunteds, still on their trail—torches raised, axes, sickles, and knives clutched in their hands.

Sebastian noticed the rotating lights from a distant hospital sweeping across the village like a lighthouse beam. He watched their bodies change, skin stretching, flesh warping, wrapped around barbed wire with glowing white eyes, twisting them into something grotesque and unimaginable.

Sebastian feared what might have happened to his team, but his concern lingered heavily on Jenna. She had never expected a case like this, never imagined surviving a nightmare such as this.

Jenna barely had time to follow his gaze before she saw it: a thin wire stretched low across the narrow alley ahead, almost invisible in the dark. A trap wire.

The Haunteds’ screams grew louder behind them, footsteps pounding closer and closer.

“Get down!” Sebastian barked.

He shoved her forward just as they reached the alley. They both hit the ground hard and slid beneath the wire, dirt scraping against Jenna’s palms as she tucked herself low.

The first one charged into the alley, torch raised high. It passed through the wire, triggering the bomb attached to the surface. The explosion tore through the group, blowing the rest apart in seconds.

Sebastian threw an arm over Jenna’s head, shielding her from the debris and shrapnel that ripped through the air during the blast.

Smoke drifted through the alley. Unconscious bodies and disfigured remains of the villagers were scattered across the ground as blood pooled around their carcasses.

Sebastian caught his breath and looked down at her as he slowly lifted his arm. “You okay, Campbell?”

Jenna looked up, and saw that Sebastian had wrapped his arm over her, her cheeks softly warming at the closure between the two.

Clearing her throat, she instead kept her composure and nodded to make it less obvious, still catching up onto her breath as she wiped the sweat off her forehead after the chase.

“Yeah.. l-let’s just get out of here.”

Sebastian pushed himself to his feet and offered her his hand. She took it and stood, brushing dust from her clothes.

“Hope you’re not hurt, detective.”

“I’m not.” Sebastian looked away, keeping an eye on the bodies in the distance, hoping they wouldn’t rise again. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

Jenna lightly huffed, as if she didn’t like how Sebastian never appreciated someone showing concern for him. In fact, he had been doing that ever since they two started working with each other. But, that never stopped Jenna reaching out to him in case he decides to open up.

“Right.” Jenna shakes her head, crossing her arms on her waist as she looks around herself.

“We’re too exposed. We need a place to hide somewhere where we can upgrade our resources.” Sebastian checks his weapon as he speaks. “How many shots do you have with you, right now?”

She checked her ammunition and frowned.

“Only five. I don’t think I can take down a swarm with that.”

Sebastian checked his own ammo and saw he wasn’t much better off.

“Then we find shelter somewhere nearby and grab some ammo here. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good to me.” Jenna nodded, shivering a little from the cold. Sebastian noticed it but that made him more adamant to look for somewhere safe and warm.

They searched for a house where they could briefly take shelter and upgrade their resources before moving further into the village. Jenna found herself glancing toward Sebastian more than once, a quiet nervousness settling in as she hoped he wouldn’t separate from her again. That moment had already traumatized her, and she wasn’t willing to go through all of it alone again.

As the two walked, their feet pressing gently against the grassy ground, Sebastian suddenly spoke sharply, but not loud enough. “Careful!”

Jenna gasped, realizing she was just a step away from triggering one of the bear traps hidden in the grass. She let out a shaky sigh of relief as Sebastian groaned.

“Seriously, Campbell?”

“How was I supposed to know?” Jenna replied, irritation slipping into her voice. “It’s too dark to see anything down here, Detective Castellanos.”

“Excuses won’t help if you lose a foot. Explains why you're just so clumsy all the time.” With that, Jenna didn’t really have anything else to say, but rolled her eyes in annoyance at Sebastian's response.

He then added, being gentle this time. “I’ve got you. Just don’t be in a hurry.”

Jenna’s gaze softened at his words, the irritation in her expression slowly fading. She nodded quietly, adjusting her pace to match his, and staying closer to Sebastian, reassured by the fact that he was watching out for her, even when things felt uncertain.

Sebastian walked up the concrete steps, his movements cautious as he peered through the dusty windows, scanning the interior for any sign of Haunteds lurking inside. After a brief pause, he reached for the door and gently pushed it open, lifting his hand to signal Jenna to wait while he listened carefully before moving in.

She nods, while she covers him from behind, making sure there was no other Haunted coming their way here.

Aiming his gun, he stepped into the empty living room, checking every corner of the space. Sebastian noticed that the fireplace of the room was still lit, making its surroundings warm and cozy amidst the chilly, haunting night.

Still, there were none of the villagers in sight, but only a few scattered supplies he could grab along. Green gel, handgun ammo and shotgun shells, with syringes.

Satisfied that the area was safe, Sebastian called out to her, “You can come in.”

Jenna let out a breath of relief and stepped inside, closing the door behind her gently as she entered the living room. Without a second thought, she moved toward the small couch beside the fireplace and dropped onto it, stretching out as her head fell back against it.

Sebastian paused, clearly taken aback by her sudden lack of urgency. He let out a low groan and scoffed. “Great. Is that really the first thing you’re going to do? Relax?”

“Let me have at least a moment of peace, detective,” Jenna shot back, glancing at him, with a raised eyebrow.

Sebastian huffed and shook his head as he moved toward the desk, gathering the supplies. “You and your little breaks.”

“You always say that when I’ve barely rested for five minutes." Jenna replied, looking at him back from the couch.

“You do realize officers are never really on break, right?” Sebastian said. “Have you ever seen me take one?”

Jenna paused, then turned away as she faced the fire. “I mean.. I did see you once, snoring in your office while you had a mountain of paperwork on your desk." She pursed her lips slightly, eyes widening just a bit. She didn’t turn back, though her gaze flicked to the side, toward him, half-expecting a sharp remark in return.

Sebastian suddenly froze into whatever he was doing. Slowly, he looked over at her, eyebrow lifting. He wasn't annoyed, but more curious than anything. How she even knew that unsettled him.

“Just saying,” Jenna added with a small shrug. “We’re not machines, after all, detective.”

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, finding no argument left. “Fine..” He muttered, lowering his head. “You’ve got a point.”

After a brief beat, Jenna watched him quietly as he continued gathering supplies. The strain in his expression didn’t sit right with her. She had seen Sebastian stressed back at the precinct before, but never like this. Never this worn down. The weight of the situation finally settled in, and she didn’t want to pretend it wasn’t serious.

Still, after everything they’d just survived, she tried to ease the moment in the only way she knew how.

"You can join me here for a while if you like. You'll feel better."

“No, I’m good,” Sebastian replied without looking at her. “Besides we’re leaving here anytime so—”

She tilted her head slightly. “Only for a few minutes. Please?”

He groaned, clearly resisting the idea, before finally giving in. Sliding his handgun back into its holster, Sebastian crossed the room and sat down on the couch. He leaned back, closing his eyes as the warmth of the fire washed over him.

Jenna watched the tension slowly leave from his face, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Something in her always urged her to see him let go, if only for a moment, of the weight he carried.

Wanting to break the silence, she spoke again. “Sometimes, there’s always this one place that makes you feel like home, doesn’t it?” Jenna murmured. “Like this place. It still feels alive as if people were here inside, even when.. everything outside looks like Hell.”

“That’s why it’s called a home,” Sebastian said quietly, opening his eyes. “Because it’s the only place that ever really feels safe from a cruel world out there.” Sebastian tried to reach out for his flask, shaking it slightly to check if there was still of his drink left. Disappointed with it being empty, he closed his eyes and huffed, his head shook, then softly murmured to himself. “Mine was taken away a long ago..”

Jenna turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”

“Uh, nothing.” He cleared his throat and instead, turned away from Jenna to avoid being obvious. Though that didn't stop her from noticing Sebastian's sudden hesitation from telling about the things he still refrains himself from sharing or so.

Sebastian tried to divert the topic away, talking about something else. “And also, you can stop acting professional with me. Just call me Sebastian..”

Jenna’s lips parted in quiet surprise, her expression softening as she realized what he was offering. For someone like Sebastian, allowing that familiarity meant more than words ever could, and she felt the weight of it settle gently in her chest. “Alright.. Sebastian.”

As much as she felt weird calling him by his name, not because she cringed at it, but because she was so used to addressing her superiors professionally when she was a junior detective. It was surprising how Sebastian, quite old and more experienced than her, wanted to warm up with him. As grumpy and stoic this man looked at work, she was seeing this side of him for the first time.

The silence filled the room, as Jenna was slowly getting lost into her own thoughts, her mind wandering around about how she even ended up in this place. Still, she counted herself lucky to have found Sebastian Castellanos in this wretched nightmare. All she remembered was how she arrived at Beacon Mental Hospital, and everything faded to black.

She woke up, all alone in the jungle, and made her way into the nearby village, hoping to find someone who could help her. Unfortunately, that hope was short-lived. She instead ran for her life, fighting through every villager who turned hostile and monstrous, terrified she was the only one left alive in this hellhole.

But the moment when she spotted that familiar figure in the distance, shooting his way to safety from the Haunteds, she realized she wasn’t alone after all. Relief washed over her. For the first time since waking up, the fear didn’t feel so suffocating anymore.

Somehow, knowing Sebastian was there made this nightmare feel survivable. Maybe that was all she needed, someone at her side.

Meanwhile, Sebastian was just as relieved to find her alive.

He had survived the crash only to wake to his own nightmare one of his team standing over him, twisted into something inhuman. Connelly. The shock hadn’t lasted long before instinct took over. He pulled the trigger before he could think, before he could process that the only familiar face he’d seen since waking had been lost in an instant.

So when he spotted Jenna in the village, fighting her way through the Haunteds, something in his chest eased. She was alive and that mattered more than he wanted to admit.

When Sebastian first met her during a case, he saw her face, filled with determination with a clear dedication to serve the police department, and protect the city of Krimson.

But due to the tragedy that tore apart his family, Sebastian had grown stoic and distant, shutting himself off even from those closest to him. Seeing Jenna join him just as she had freshly become a detective left him doubtful, unsure if she was truly ready for a job that demanded more than most could give - to the point he secretly kept his hopes up for the woman.

Yet her constant willingness to learn, to adapt, and to keep moving forward no matter how brutal things became, that was what made her steady in his eyes.

And now, seeing how far she had come after facing such horrors, it had completely changed his view of her. At that moment, he had seen himself in her, remembered earning his gold badge, and how proud and hopeful he had once been.

Suddenly, he broke free from his thoughts the moment Jenna started to speak out.

“I’m so glad I found you, Sebastian..” Jenna stared at the fire, feeling its warmth soothing her from the harsh and hauntingly cold of the night. “I thought I was going to die, all alone. I don’t even remember how I ended up here.”

“Me too.” Sebastian replied. “But we’re not going to die. We’d fight our way out of this, together. We still need to re-locate the others.”

Jenna felt a glimmer of hope stir within her after hearing Sebastian’s words, the fear that had once begun to consume her loosening its grip, if only a little. She drew in a slow breath, letting the warmth of the fire and the steadiness of his presence ground her.

She didn’t look at him right away. Instead, she nodded to herself, her fingers softly rubbing against each other as she warmed her hands. “You’re right.. we can’t stay here like this forever.” She later stood up from the couch, reloaded her gun with the supplies, looking back at Sebastian as she walked closer to him. “So, where to now, Detective?”

Sebastian gave a sly smile, loving the determination inside Jenna - that also, painfully reminded him of Myra too, who had faced every challenge head-on, refusing to back down. He’d once been the same. After her disappearance, things had become harder for Sebastian. Hope didn’t come as easily anymore, and resolve often felt heavier than it used to. But standing there, watching Jenna, gave him the belief he once thought he lost.

“We’d find out once we go outside.” Sebastian also lifted himself up from the couch, reloaded his gun, and Jenna gave him a nod, with a smile.

Lineart version!