..
Without waiting for further conversation, Zayne climbed into the driver's seat, acting like he owned the place.
Elise slipped into the front passenger seat, her movements graceful and effortless.
Damian climbed into the back, taking his seat next to Adrian, while Mira slid in between them, effectively placing herself in the middle.
As the doors shut and the vehicle hummed to life.
Damian Derulo ' At least if we get ambushed, we're driving a damn tank.'
..
---
Location: Earth – ??? – ???
Year: 2026
Date: February 17th
Time: 4:29 PM
POV: Third Person
---
As Zayne reversed the armored Hummer and made his way toward the front gate, the vehicle rumbled with raw power, its reinforced frame creaking slightly with each movement. The sound of gravel crunching beneath its massive tires echoed in the air.
Just as they approached the heavily fortified checkpoint, a soldier stepped forward, raising a gloved hand to signal them to stop. He was clad in standard military fatigues, his tactical vest strapped tightly around his broad frame. A rifle hung securely over his shoulder, though his posture was relaxed.
Soldier 1 "Going out again, Zayne?" the soldier asked, peering into the vehicle with a knowing smirk.
Zayne grinned back. "Yeah, man. We wanna check out something we found last time. Thought it might be useful."
The soldier folded his arms. "You know the drill. Keep your weapons close, stay sharp, and no unnecessary risks." His gaze flickered to the others in the car before settling back on Zayne. "And be back before 7:30. You don't wanna be out there after dark."
Zayne Callister "Yeah, yeah, I got it," Zayne said, still smiling. "I promise we won't die out there... probably."
The soldier sighed, shaking his head. "You're a real pain in the ass, Callister. Hold on."
Turning toward the gate, he cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Open the gates!" His voice boomed over the courtyard, and within seconds, the heavy steel doors began to groan and shift. The mechanical whirring of gears filled the air as the massive barricade split apart, revealing the world beyond.
As the doors slowly opened, the soldier leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Listen, just... be careful, alright? Things have been weird lately."
Zayne's grin faltered just a little. "Weird how?"
The soldier hesitated before answering. "Patrols have spotted things in the distance. Not just the usual infected, goblins, orcs or ogres... but other things. Ones we can't explain."
Damian, who had been listening silently, tensed slightly at the soldier's words.
Zayne, however, simply chuckled. "C'mon, man. You're making it sound like some horror movie."
The soldier didn't laugh. He just stepped back and gave a curt nod. "Just don't be stupid, alright?"
Zayne gave him a two-fingered salute. "No promises."
With that, he revved the engine and drove forward, leaving the safety of the base behind as the heavy gates rumbled shut behind them.
..
.
--
[ February 17th ]
[ 4:49 PM ]
--
The Hummer moved steadily down the cracked and abandoned road, its massive tires rolling over scattered debris and the occasional pothole. Damian sat by the window, his gaze fixed on the remnants of the city that once thrived with life. What remained now were hollowed-out buildings, shattered glass, and rusted vehicles—silent testimonies of a world that had changed beyond recognition.
As his eyes traced the eerie skyline, he felt an odd sensation—like someone watching him. Tearing his gaze away from the ruins, he caught Zayne staring at him through the rearview mirror.
The red-haired narcissist wasn't just looking at him. He was squinting, then widening his eyes, repeating the motion like some deranged signal.
'What the? What's wrong with this idiot?' Damian thought, furrowing his brows in confusion.
Elise, sitting in the front, noticed but merely rolled her eyes and kept her focus on the road ahead.
Zayne, however, kept going.
Damian sighed internally. He already knew what this was about.
'I see, he wants me to ask about his eyes… News flash! Not interested.'
Without acknowledging him, Damian turned back to the window, silently hoping Zayne would get bored and drop it.
Unfortunately, that was never an option.
Zayne Callister "Hey, Damian, have you noticed my eye color?" Zayne asked, flashing a smug grin.
Damian closed his eyes briefly, suppressing a groan.
Damian Derulo 'Ugh. Leave me alone.' "Yeah, I have," Damian answered, keeping his tone neutral.
Zayne Callister "Haha, wanna know why?"
Damian internally rolled his eyes. 'Why ask if you're gonna tell me anyway?'
"Yeah, please tell me," Damian replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Zayne Callister "Hehe, they changed because of my Title."
Damian hummed noncommittally. 'Oh my, I didn't know, tell me more.'
"I see. What are your Facets?" Damian asked, knowing full well Zayne would reveal it regardless.
Zayne Callister "Guess," Zayne said with a mischievous glint in his now-red eyes as he slowed the vehicle, scanning the road for a safe turn.
Damian resisted the urge to rub his temples.
Damian Derulo 'Ugh. Just tell me already.' "Flame manipulation," Damian guessed, keeping his eyes on the outside scenery, utterly uninterested.
Zayne Callister "Nope, try again."
Damian Derulo "Special eyes?"
Zayne Callister "Nope."
Damian sighed, finally giving in. "Just tell me."
Zayne grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
"Hahaha, it's Blood Manipulation."
At that, Damian's expression finally shifted. His passive interest sharpened into something more focused.
Damian Derulo "Blood Manipulation?"
His mind raced. That was an insanely broken ability. The applications were limitless—from controlling his own blood to manipulating others, enhancing his body, creating weapons, or even stopping someone's heart. If Zayne trained it properly, he could be unstoppable.
Zayne smirked, pleased that he had finally caught Damian's attention.
Zayne Callister "What about you, Damian? What's your ability?" Zayne asked curiously.
For a moment, Damian hesitated. Then, without much thought, he answered plainly.
Damian Derulo "…Disintegration."
*Screech!*
The Hummer lurched to a violent stop as Zayne slammed on the brakes, the sudden force throwing everyone forward slightly.
Elise Laurent "The hell, Zayne!?" Elise snapped, gripping the dashboard.
Zayne, however, wasn't paying attention. His head whipped around, his red eyes wide in disbelief.
The car was dead silent.
Damian blinked, suddenly feeling self-conscious as all eyes turned to him.
'Did I say something wrong?'
"Is something wrong?" he asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable under the weight of their stares.
Zayne twisted his body to face him fully, his voice uncharacteristically serious.
Zayne Callister "No, it's just… You just said Disintegration, right?"
Damian Derulo "Yeah? Why?"
Zayne let out a slow exhale before gripping the wheel again and resuming the drive, though his usual playful attitude was nowhere to be found.
Zayne Callister "How long have you been in the base, Damian?"
Damian Derulo "I got there today. Is there a problem?" Damian asked, now genuinely confused.
Zayne's hands tightened around the steering wheel, his usual lighthearted demeanor absent. His jaw clenched slightly as he stared at the road ahead, his mind seemingly elsewhere. After a few moments of silence, he muttered under his breath, almost as if debating whether he should say anything at all.
Zayne Callister "Damian… you may not know this, but we were in the city when the whole Rapture thing happened."
His voice carried a weight that immediately drew Damian's full attention.
"Because of that, we were among the first to arrive at the base."
Damian Derulo " Okay? " Damian's response was short, but he was listening now. He could hear the tension laced in Zayne's tone, something uncharacteristic for the normally arrogant and playful redhead.
Zayne inhaled deeply before continuing."It was the evening of the day we arrived… That's when it happened."
"A monster horde came out of nowhere, a massive wave of goblins, Zombies, and god knows what else. They swarmed the base, and we—along with every other survivor—did everything we could to hold them back. Bullets, blades, powers—it didn't matter. We fought with everything we had, trying to stop them from breaking through the gates."
His fingers drummed restlessly against the wheel. His red eyes darkened as if he were reliving the moment.
"And then—'he appeared."
A slight shiver ran down Zayne's spine.
"He leaped over the massive gates like they were nothing, landing right in the middle of the horde. No hesitation. No fear. Just raw, unfiltered carnage."
Zayne shook his head slightly, as if the memory was still hard to process.
"He fought like a savage beast, like a seasoned warrior who had spent his entire life on the battlefield. No wasted movements. No unnecessary flair. Just brutality. He tore through them with his bare hands, his claws, his feet—anything that could be used as a weapon."
Zayne's grip on the wheel tightened further.
"And the more he fought… the more he killed… the stronger he got."
The atmosphere inside the Hummer had shifted entirely.
Mira and Adrian, who had been quietly listening, exchanged uneasy glances. Elise's hands tightened slightly over her thighs, though her face remained composed.
Damian's expression didn't change, but he could feel a strange sensation creeping up his spine.
Zayne Callister "We could only watch. That's all we could do."
"Every goblin, every orc—every single one that crossed his path fell like wheat to a scythe. He wielded swords with the precision of a master, but even without them, he was a walking catastrophe. Limbs were torn apart, skulls were crushed, bodies were ripped in half."
Zayne exhaled sharply, as if even talking about it was exhausting.
"At the end of that battle… there was only one thing left standing in that sea of corpses."
He turned slightly, his red eyes locking onto Damian's.
"And that thing became the strongest in the base."
A heavy silence settled inside the Hummer. It was as if the weight of Zayne's words had smothered all conversation, leaving only the echoes of that horrific night in their minds. No one spoke. No one even breathed too loudly.
Damian, processing what he had just heard, finally broke the silence.
Damian Derulo "Then what does that have to do with my disintegration?"
His voice was calm, but his mind was racing.
Zayne's hands tensed around the steering wheel. His red eyes flickered toward the rearview mirror before he exhaled sharply.
Zayne Callister "Because after the battle… after he had killed everything in his path…"
Zayne swallowed, the memory still haunting him.
"He stood there—atop a mountain of corpses. Blood-soaked, eyes glowing like molten embers, completely still. And then—"
Zayne's voice dropped lower, his words almost a whisper.
"A pulse of red energy exploded outward from him in a shockwave. Everything it touched—every goblin, every orc, every corpse—disintegrated into nothing."
Damian's body stiffened slightly, but he said nothing.
Zayne's knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel tighter.
"Even an injured soldier, someone who survived that hell, was caught in the blast. He didn't even have time to scream before he turned to dust."
The truck seemed colder now.
Zayne's jaw clenched as he continued.
"Some people tried to shun him for it. They thought he lost control, that he needed to be held accountable."
His voice turned bitter.
"They tried to reason with him… and you know what he did?"
Zayne let out a dry, humorless chuckle, shaking his head.
"He killed them. All of them. Not even a blink of hesitation. Just—"
Zayne mimicked a slashing motion across his throat.
The truck was dead silent again. Even Elise, usually the most composed of them, looked tense. Mira had gone rigid, while Adrian kept his gaze lowered.
Damian felt a faint chill creep into his bones.
Damian Derulo "Where is he now?"
His voice, though steady, carried an edge of wariness.
Elise finally spoke up, her tone quieter than usual.
Elise Laurent "We don't know. Nobody does. After that battle… he just picked up his sword and walked away. Into the night. No one stopped him—"
She exhaled sharply.
"More like… no one could."
Damian tapped his fingers against his knee, a mental note forming in his mind.
Damian Derulo "...What does he look like?"
Zayne stared at the road ahead, eyes unfocused, as if looking back at the past.
Zayne Callister "Red slit eyes. Shoulder-length black hair… but there were a few strands of silver in it."
A slow, creeping realization settled over Damian.
Damian Derulo ' Alright. Note to self: Avoid anyone with red slitted eyes. Avoid anyone with black and white hair. And if I see someone with both…? '
He let out a slow breath.
' Run. Run for my damn life.... Do I even need to run? '
Zayne Callister "We're here."
Zayne pulled the truck to a stop.
They had arrived in front of a rundown blacksmith shop. The sign above the door was half-broken, the letters barely legible under the dirt and grime.
As Damian stepped out, he turned to see the others heading to the back of the truck.
Zayne popped open a large metal box, revealing their weapons. One by one, they armed themselves.
Zayne grabbed a worn-out sword and a chainsaw.
Elise unsheathed a katana with practiced ease.
Mira pulled out a bow and a quiver full of arrows.
Damian's gaze lingered on the chainsaw, curiosity flickering in his eyes—but he didn't ask. Instead, he turned to Adrian, who hadn't taken anything.
Damian Derulo "What about you? Don't you have a weapon?"
Adrian smirked slightly before raising his arm.
His entire fist and forearm shimmered—then solidified into pure black steel.
Damian's brows raised slightly in appreciation.
Damian Derulo 'Cool.'
As Adrian's arm returned to normal, Zayne clapped his hands together.
Zayne Callister "Alright, let's head in."
With that, they stepped into the blacksmith shop.
..
.
--
[ February 17th ]
[ 5:09 PM ]
--
The interior of the blacksmith shop was a complete disaster. It looked like a hurricane, a stampede, and a gang of rabid monkeys had all passed through at the same time.
Broken tools and weapon scraps littered the floor. Rusted anvils were overturned, and shattered furnace bricks were scattered around. Dust coated everything in a faint layer, save for a few spots where someone had recently walked.
Half-melted swords and daggers sat abandoned on workbenches, as if their creators had suddenly vanished. The racks that once held pristine hammers, tongs, and chisels were either empty or had their contents dumped haphazardly onto the ground. Even the bellows near the forge were torn, rendering the smithy useless.
A single smithing apron hung from a rusted hook, swaying slightly in the faint draft that crept through the shattered windows.
Damian remained silent, following Zayne as they walked deeper into the building.
The deeper they went, the worse the mess became—until they finally reached the smithy itself.
It was an organized mess. Unlike the front of the shop, where chaos reigned, this place had some semblance of order.
One side of the room was stacked with neatly arranged ingots of iron, steel, and even some rare metals. On another, there was a pile of half-forged weapons, as if someone had started crafting them before abruptly stopping. The forges were cold, their once-roaring flames long extinguished, and the quenching barrels were now nothing more than pools of stagnating, murky water.
The faint scent of ash, molten metal, and oil still lingered in the air.
Zayne led them to the center of the smithy, where a large, tattered rug sat on the floor. Without hesitation, he grabbed its edges and yanked it away—revealing a steel trapdoor beneath.
The trapdoor was massive, at least three inches thick, and bore deep dents and scratches—clear signs that someone had tried to force it open and failed miserably.
There was no handle, no keyhole, no visible mechanism to open it.
Sealed tight.
Zayne let out a small sigh, setting down his sword and the chainsaw before gripping the saw's starter rope.
Zayne Callister "Back up a little!"
His voice had to shout over the deafening roar of the chainsaw's engine as it came to life.
Damian instinctively covered his ears, grimacing at the noise.
Damian Derulo 'So that's what the saw is for.'
The sheer volume of the chainsaw was overwhelming, even through his hands.
Damian Derulo 'But… isn't this a little too loud?'
A flicker of concern crossed his mind as he glanced toward the entrance of the smithy.
Then, a realization struck him.
Damian Derulo 'Wait… this is a smithy.'
His eyes flickered to the thick stone walls and reinforced doors.
'It must be soundproof.'
Reassured, he turned his focus back to Zayne—watching as the blade of the chainsaw tore into the metal with an ear-splitting screech.
..
.
After a few minutes, Zayne managed to cut a perfect square, after which the trap door fell within.
The air inside the hidden bunker was thick with dust and the lingering scent of aged steel and oil. Unlike the wreckage above, this underground forge was a testament to craftsmanship. Racks of weapons lined the stone walls, gleaming under the dim glow of enchanted lanterns. Smithing tools—hammers, chisels, and tongs—were scattered across a heavy wooden workbench, which bore deep cuts and blackened scorch marks from years of use. Several large furnaces stood dormant at the far end, their grates coated in soot, while cooling basins filled with stagnant water reflected the flickering light.
As they stepped deeper inside, their eyes were drawn to two weapons resting on a pedestal at the heart of the chamber. They weren't like the others—these radiated presence.
One was a massive battle hammer, almost as tall as Adrian himself. Its dark steel head, inscribed with ancient runes, seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. The handle was wrapped in aged leather, reinforced with steel bands. It exuded weight, power, and an unyielding sense of finality, as if meant for a warrior who struck without hesitation.
Beside it lay a long, blood-red sword, its blade sleek and subtly curved. A faint crimson glow pulsed along its razor-sharp edge, giving it the eerie semblance of a breathing entity. The crossguard was minimalist, simple yet refined, while the pommel bore silver filigree, almost like veins running through a living body. The moment Zayne laid eyes on it, something inside him stirred.
"Dibs," Zayne declared without hesitation, stepping forward.
"Dibs?" Damian scoffed. "You didn't even check what it does."
Zayne grinned. "Doesn't matter. Look at it. It's practically calling me."
Adrian walked past them, reaching for the battle hammer. He gripped the handle, testing its weight. "This... feels right." His voice was low, contemplative, as if recognizing an old friend.
Elise ran her fingers along the weapon racks, eventually selecting a simple but exceptionally sharp katana. It lacked enchantments, but its craftsmanship was undeniable. She tested its balance with a few quick swings before nodding in approval.
Damian folded his arms. "Alright, let's see what you've got, Zayne. Try it out. Origin status "
Without hesitation, Zayne gripped the Crimson Reaver, and the moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a surge of energy pulsed through his arm. A notification appeared before him.
//
____________________________________
[ Origin System Interface ]
--
* [Name]: Zayne Callister
* [Race]: Enhanced Human
* [Title(s)]: [Crimson Executioner] (Low-Celestial Grade)
* [Power Tier] : Echo (Awakening Stage)
* [Identity]: Ruthless warrior, wielder of the Crimson Reaver
____________________________________
[ Facets ]
---
[Facets]
1.[Blood Requiem] – Manipulates his own blood offensively and defensively, forming weapons, tendrils, or armor.
2.[Crimson Domain] – Enhances all blood-related Facets within a radius, making him stronger the longer he fights.
____________________________________
[ Resonances ]
---
1.[Enhanced Physique] – Superior strength, speed, and endurance beyond normal humans.
2.[Battle Instincts] – Reflexes sharpened through countless fights, allowing quick adaptation.
____________________________________
[ Relics ]
---
[Weapon]: Crimson Reaver (Blood Red Sword)
Type: Long Slashing Sword
Facets:
Blood Siphon – Absorbs a portion of damage dealt as health.
Vital Edge – Increases damage output with consecutive hits.
Crimson Echo – Slashes leave lingering energy that detonates after a brief delay.
Executioner's Wrath – Amplifies killing blows on weakened enemies.
Sanguine Surge – Gains a temporary speed and power boost after drawing blood.
____________________________________
//
Zayne exhaled sharply. "Damn... this is a monster."
Adrian, curious, called out, "Origin System."
A status screen materialized before him as well.
//
____________________________________
[ Origin System Interface ]
--
* [Name]: Zayne Callister
* [Race]: Enhanced Human
* [Title(s)]: [Crimson Executioner] (Low-Celestial Grade)
* [Power Tier] : Echo (Awakening Stage)
* [Identity]: Ruthless warrior, wielder of the Crimson Reaver
____________________________________
[ Facets ]
---
[Facets]
1.[Blood Requiem] – Manipulates his own blood offensively and defensively, forming weapons, tendrils, or armor.
2.[Crimson Domain] – Enhances all blood-related Facets within a radius, making him stronger the longer he fights.
____________________________________
[ Resonances ]
---
1.[Enhanced Physique] – Superior strength, speed, and endurance beyond normal humans.
2.[Battle Instincts] – Reflexes sharpened through countless fights, allowing quick adaptation.
____________________________________
[ Relics ]
---
[Weapon]: Crimson Reaver (Blood Red Sword)
Type: Long Slashing Sword
Facets:
Blood Siphon – Absorbs a portion of damage dealt as health.
Vital Edge – Increases damage output with consecutive hits.
Crimson Echo – Slashes leave lingering energy that detonates after a brief delay.
Executioner's Wrath – Amplifies killing blows on weakened enemies.
Sanguine Surge – Gains a temporary speed and power boost after drawing blood.
____________________________________
//
Zayne exhaled sharply. "Damn... this is a monster."
Adrian, curious, called out, "Origin System."
A status screen materialized before him as well.
//
____________________________________
[ Origin System Interface ]
---
* [Name]: Adrian Vaughn
* [Race]: Enhanced Human
* [Title(s)]: [Titan of Steel] (High-Mystical Grade)
* [Power Tier] : Echo (Awakening Stage)
* [Identity]: Unyielding warrior, wielder of the Titan's Maul
____________________________________
[ Facets ]
---
1.[Steel Morph] – Can transform any part of his body into hardened steel at will.
2.[Iron Grip] – Gains limited metal manipulation over nearby objects.
____________________________________
[ Resonances ]
---
1.[Unshakable Will] – Resistant to fear and mental attacks.
2.[Colossal Strength] – Strength significantly surpasses normal humans, allowing for immense physical feats.
____________________________________
[ Relics ]
---
[Weapon]: Titan's Maul (Battle Hammer)
Type: Heavy Melee Weapon
Facets:
Impact Crush – Concussive blow staggers enemies in a moderate radius.
Shockwave – Releases a controlled shockwave with each swing, dealing area damage.
Breaker's Might – Deals increased damage against armored enemies and fortified structures.
Earthshatter – Slamming the hammer into the ground creates seismic tremors.
____________________________________
//
Adrian smirked. "I can work with this."
Mira, meanwhile, found a sleek black bow that was slightly larger than her old one. The drawstring had a firmer pull, and the arrows were well-crafted, perfect for her needs. She grabbed additional quivers filled with black-feathered arrows, specially made for armor penetration.
Elise and Mira didn't bother activating their system screens, as their weapons remained standard—just better crafted than their previous ones.
Elise tested her new katana, performing a few controlled slashes before nodding in approval. "This will do."
Mira, adjusting the grip of her new bow, pulled back the string to test its tension. "Much better." She slung additional quivers over her shoulder.
Zayne rested his sword on his shoulder, looking at the others. "So, we're all good?"
Adrian hoisted the massive hammer onto his back. "Yeah. Let's get out of here."
Damian gave one last glance around the forge. There was nothing else of interest—whoever worked here had clearly been a master of their craft, but the real treasures had already been claimed.
As they walked toward the exit, their footsteps echoed in the silent chamber. The weight of their new weapons wasn't just physical—it was a promise of the battles ahead.
And just beyond the bunker doors, the world awaited.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To Be Continued....