MD (Voidblight) AU

(DISCLAIMER NOT A REAL AU) The Voidblight was a strange infection that started somewhere beneath Copper-9. Nobody knew where it came from, only that drones who went into certain abandoned tunnels often never came back. At first, people thought the stories were fake. Drones claimed they saw dark figures with glowing white outlines standing in the shadows. Then the disappearances started. The drones that returned weren't the same. Their bodies slowly darkened, their memories became fuzzy, and they always seemed to be smiling. As more drones became infected, they started acting connected, almost like they were sharing one mind. Voidblight Infection Stages Stage 1 — Whisper The victim has been exposed to Voidblight. Symptoms: Hearing faint static and distant voices. Brief memory lapses. Feeling constantly watched. Seeing dark figures in peripheral vision. Appearance: No visible corruption yet. Eyes occasionally flicker. Most victims dismiss these signs as system errors. Stage 2 — Fracture The infection begins taking hold. Symptoms: Forgetting names, faces, and recent events. Hearing voices clearly. Increased isolation and paranoia. Speaking to unseen entities. Appearance: Small black marks appear on the chassis. Eyes lose some brightness. Unnatural smiling becomes common. Victims spend long periods staring into dark areas. Stage 3 — Hollow The victim's identity starts breaking apart. Symptoms: Emotional numbness. Memories blending with those of other infected. Difficulty recognizing friends. Growing loyalty to the collective. Appearance: Large portions of the body become pitch black. Eyes turn dull gray. Movements become stiff and unnatural. Stage 4 — Shade The drone is almost completely consumed. Symptoms: Original personality is barely present. Direct connection to other infected. Ability to sense nearby minds. Little to no fear or pain. Appearance: Pitch black as if taken vOid.