Since the beginning of time, man has wondered what limit humanity's essence or being could be taken to. Scientist have spent their entire lives researching and experimenting on the very possibility that such evolution could be taking place in society at this very moment. Although there have been thousands of discoveries concerning mutations or "abilities", so to speak, governments all over the world have gone to great lengths to suppress it from the unenlightened. That being said, it is very difficult to find an individual with such abilities and perform actual test that may benefit society in ways only imagined. That is why I have taken the liberty of leaving behind my notes and records on the DNA samples of these gifted individuals to whomever it may concern.

Dr. Richard E. Kensington

CHAPTER ONE: Cold Beginnings

It was a brisk night on the back roads of Alaska; a lone truck could be seen driving into the darkness as if heading towards something only imaginable in nightmares. The headlights were bright enough to reflect the snow that just started falling only minutes ago but everything else was lost in the night. There happened to be two people in the front of the truck on this fateful journey, but there was nothing particularly interesting about either of them. They happened to be two agents working for the IAA, also known as the Irregular Ability Agency to most. The IAA was an organization bent on quieting or containing anything dealing with genetic mutations at any cost. In fact, the truck was headed to the local "Barren Facility" where highly trained IAA agents are assigned to rehabilitate and train citizens considered to be dangerous in any way. However, anyone with any knowledge of the Barren Facility knew the training program was only a veil to lock away the dark secrets that lurked within those walls.

"You know, we have a level eight locked up back there."

The driver suddenly became very tense, his eyes shifting from side to side as he glanced out at the snow piling up on the windshield. "Are you sure? We haven't had one of those since…"

"…since the 'Crimson Fate' case five years ago. Usually I would also be very doubtful but the file seems extremely accurate on this guy."

The passenger began thumbing through the rather large file on his lap once more, trying to remember what their prisoner's supposed crime was.

"The guy's name is Zach Benson. He was a pretty smart high school student in Arizona until he was involved in a case about a year ago while visiting some relatives in Arkansas where twenty-two people were frozen to death in some sort of massive explosion."

"Jesus…" The driver felt a bead of sweat trickle down his neck as he gripped the wheel a little tighter than usual.

"Yeah, Benson was arrested due to the fact that not only was he lone survivor during the attack but he was reportedly screaming his guilt and insanity. Given the nature of the case, the FBI realized what he could do and transferred him to us immediately."

They both remained silent for a few miles down the winding roads before the driver spoke up once more.

"Has headquarters figured out what the kid can do yet?"

The passenger pulled out a slip of paper from Benson's file and skimmed the details. "Lab results from some quick test suggest our friend here likes to create and manipulate any form of ice or snow at will. It also says there may even be an outside chance that Zach can use cold weather to his advantage. One could assume that's why the FBI marked him a 'level eight' case."

There was another pause before the driver let out a long chuckle.

"Well, were almost to Barren and there's no way the kid can escape with the measures we took to secure him. Zach Benson will be rehabilitating for many years to come."

However, the passenger was no longer paying any mind to his fellow agent. He pressed his ear flatly against the chilled window pane to catch a noise he heard faintly only moments ago.

"Is there something wrong?"

The passenger stayed in the same position for what seemed liked hours before finally moving away to his normal stance.

"Sorry, I thought I heard something. It must have been something on the road back there."

Without a single sign or warning, the truck was launched into the air by a tremendous tremor that threw the truck like a lifeless doll into the snow covered field lying beside the highway. The tires had been blown away by the impact and the windows were completely shattered and left many glass fragments scattered in the winter landscape. The passenger managed to inch his way slowly out of the broken windshield and fall onto the ground beneath him. His body was badly broken with glass and blood seeping out of every inch of skin. His vision was very blurry as he could barely make out the outline of the truck's steel cargo hold remaining intact but there was no sign of the driver. With the remaining strength in his muscles, the driver lifted himself to observe the scene left up on the highway. What he saw made his heart race to an unnatural speed, his eyes straining to capture the horror in its entirety.

"I believe you have something of mine that I'd like to have back…"

A hand reached for the passenger in the darkness and lifted his broken body up by the scruff of his neck, the feel of leather squeezing the very life out of him. The stranger's cold breath washed upon the passenger's frightened face like a dragon blowing smoke before unleashing a wave of burning flames upon its hapless victim.

"You see, Zach Benson is a very important individual to me. I have been sent here to make sure that Zach can use his splendid talents to abolish your mindlessly pathetic organization from top to bottom. Your death will be a symbol of what's to come for IAA and the rest of the cowering public. I wish you well, friend."

With that, the stranger tightened his grip around the passenger's neck until the final breath of air passed through his lips allowing his bloody remains to fall aimlessly into the snow.

The stranger stared at the dead body for only a moment before trotting off to the fallen truck, never taking his eyes off of the cargo hold as he approached it quietly.

"It seems that the IAA has been strengthening their security measures, and that can't be good for anyone."

With a bit of concentration, the stranger managed to peel apart the thick wall of steel separating him from the cargo. Inside was a younger man restrained to the bed of the truck with several chains of many varieties. He had light tan skin with shaggy brown hair to match, but his features and body motions were completely lifeless. The stranger stepped into the truck quick and put his hand against the young man's neck, the faint trace of a pulse running through the fingertips.

"It seems they drugged him quite heavily. However, I suppose that will make the trip much more manageable for both of us."

The stranger grabbed a hold of the chains binding the boy down and tore them apart one by one until Zach was completely free. With little or no effort, the stranger slung Zach over his shoulder and proceeded to carry him from his steel prison.

"It's time to embrace destiny, Mr. Benson. Let us not keep it waiting any longer…"

With that, the two vanished into the wintery night that surrounded them. The beginning of a dark chapter in humanity was about to begin but there was not a soul who could have predicted the horrors to come.