All organisms infected by the living glass will be altered in some form. The glass usually consumes an individual slowly, spreading like a cancer. In humans, the disease has been observed to follow four stages, eventually leading to death one way or another.
The same glass that grows in the ground and fractures the land, can proliferate inside anyone and cause the disease, but how it happens is often less understood. Generally, large shards of the glass penetrating the skin won’t trigger an infection, but pieces small enough to be breathed in or enter circulation by any means, the likelihood of the disease spreading in the body is much bigger.
» Stage I:
After the living glass installs itself on someone or something, it will start spreading slowly, initially only showing a mark or two on the skin, a budding dark red crystal.
» Stage II:
After a week or two of infection, typically a strong fever takes hold, sometimes leading to hallucinations and a delirious state. Visions at this stage usually make it seem as the individual is seeing through another infected creature’s eyes or show grim images of the depths of glass caves.
» Stage III:
As the crystal spurs start to grow more and more, motor functions start to suffer, as the the individual’s thoughts become cloudier. Aggression is often also observed, along with other behaviour that increase the chances of spreading the disease. Eventually, the infected passes away as the living glass takes control of his body, turning them into a shattered/estilhaçado.
» Stage IV:
At this stage, the shattered is completely covered in the crystalline growth. Although this stage is when they are most dangerous, the chances of finding one are lower overall, since the creatures only last a few weeks after the host’s death. When found, they typically stay motionless until a vibration is sensed.
<aside> ⚡ Electricity (with very high voltages) is often the only effective way to neutralize living glass without risking dispersal of shards.
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