"Black" creature | Metro 2033

Description

It is not definitively known from which creature this species of mutants originated, but according to Artyom's notes, the Dark Ones were created as "super soldiers" in the government bunkers of Metro-2 some time before the nuclear catastrophe as the next step in human evolution. Sukhoi, Artyom's adoptive father from VDNKh, calls the Dark Ones homo novus ("new human"). According to cut and unvoiced dialogues from the "Tower" DLC, the Dark Ones were created by the military in bunker D-6 as part of the "Darkness" project until one biologist released several specimens from the vivarium. For a long time, no one could locate the lair of the Dark Ones. Some even believed it did not exist within the city limits. However, with the help of Artyom and stalkers, it was discovered at the site of the main Botanical Garden of Moscow. It covers an area of several square kilometers and from a distance looks similar to an anthill. The Dark Ones' dwelling is connected by a path to an open entrance at the abandoned station "Botanical Garden," through which the mutants entered the Moscow Metro. Later, after its destruction, the remaining Dark Ones were found in hibernation in one of the locked sectors of bunker D-6, confirming that they were creations of humans who planned to use them to win the Third World War. Unlike the vast majority of other mutants, the Dark Ones are not hostile to humans—on the contrary, they want to establish contact with them in order to combine human scientific knowledge with the Dark Ones' physiological resistance to radiation and other modern factors, and thus revive a world in decline.

Life cycle

Upon birth, the Dark Ones do not immediately come into the world. They exist in a state of sleep, continuing to grow in special "nurseries," gaining knowledge from those who emerged before them through telepathy (thus, each Dark One can remember every thought of every kin, indicating that they possess a collective mind). These nurseries are located near the Botanical Garden, close to the TV tower, and in the bunkers beneath the television center buildings, which were connected to D-6. However, after the missiles struck, the entrances to the nurseries were buried. The Dark Ones who were due to wake up remained inside. Instead, the Little Dark One awoke. Awakened by the explosion and his mother's final cry, he did not know what had happened, knew nothing about the world, and was unprepared for life.

Appearance

Juvenile The head of a juvenile and an adult Dark One differs significantly. The former has pinkish tentacles in place of a jaw, while the latter has a human-like mouth and no mandibles. It is possible that juveniles have an oral cavity, but it is hidden behind the tentacles, which either dissolve or fall off with age. In terms of body structure, they largely mimic their parents. Their eyes have a greenish tint and thin, cat-like pupils. Adult Adult Dark Ones outwardly resemble humanoid aliens more than mutants. They have shiny black skin (hence the nickname) and large eyes without whites and pupils. An adult is two heads taller than an adult human. Dark Ones are capable of emitting a loud, mournful howl.

Abilities

Telepathy The Dark Ones are intelligent beings. They can read a person's thoughts from a distance and control their mind. Apparently, unintentionally, the Dark Ones exert a psychic influence on humans and other mutants, causing them overwhelming panic and fear. Many people who feel this influence go insane and soon die. Physical Strength and Speed In addition to telepathy, the Dark Ones also possess enhanced strength, speed, and agility. The Little Dark One demonstrated this well in Metro: Last Light. Thanks to their speed and agility, they can even dodge shots from rapid-fire weapons. Durability Due to their skin, the Dark Ones are very durable: they can withstand a machine gun burst and five direct hits from a revolver. However, it is still possible to kill them.