"Under-Eden"
Over 100 meters beneath the ruins of the capital... another world existed.
The sounds of hammers striking steel, steam engines hissing, and people shouting echoed through the massive cavern, formerly a grand subway terminal. Makeshift homes built from shipping containers and scrap metal were stacked atop one another, connected by rickety suspension bridges.
This was the home of "The Reclaimers," over 5,000 souls who survived the Cataclysm by burrowing deep into the earth.
In the central plaza, a muscular young man with short-cropped black hair stood inspecting weapons at a workbench. This was "Axel," the fierce 25-year-old leader of the resistance.
"Is the black powder ammo ready?" Axel asked sharply.
"Ready, Boss!" An elderly, stout man wearing welding goggles named 'Uncle Ben' reported. "We managed to press another 500 rounds. The powder isn't military-grade, but I guarantee it'll crack a demon's skull."
Axel picked up a handcrafted rifle. It looked crude, cobbled together from pipes and wood, but it felt deadly.
"Good... Tonight, we make history, Ben."
"Axel..." A woman's voice came from behind.
Axel turned to face 'Mina,' his second-in-command of the scout unit. Worry was etched deeply into her face.
"I checked the old archives in Zone C again... Some logs suggest these 'Shadows' aren't just aggressive. They say they are... unkillable at night."
Axel sighed, setting the rifle down and placing a reassuring hand on Mina's shoulder.
"Mina... those are just bedtime stories to scare children, or ramblings of men who lost their minds." Axel smiled confidently. "My grandfather told me before he died that only a few stragglers remain up there. We've been hiding too long... Our resources are drying up. Food won't last another month. If we don't reclaim the surface farmlands, we die down here anyway."
Mina looked down. "I know... but what if your grandfather was wrong?"
"Impossible," Axel replied with absolute conviction, his eyes burning with a hope so bright it bordered on recklessness. "We have 200 strong fighters, fully armed. What can a handful of stray beasts do against a human army?"
He turned to the rows of warriors assembling behind him. They wore armor fashioned from street signs and old tires, their eyes filled with blind faith in their leader.
"Brothers and Sisters of the Underground!!" Axel bellowed.
"YEAH!!!"
"Tonight... we take back our moon!!"
Cheers echoed through the tunnel, until—
"WAIT!"
An elderly voice pierced the air. It was frail, but carried an authority that silenced the crowd instantly.
The militia parted, revealing an old woman with snow-white hair, leaning heavily on a cane. Her face was grim, twisted with a mixture of anger and fear.
"Don't do this, boy..." She pointed a trembling finger at Axel. "You will get us all killed!"
Axel let out a long, frustrated sigh. He lowered his rifle and stepped toward her.
"Oh, come on, Grandma Saeng," Axel said, trying to keep his voice steady. "You know exactly what I'm doing."
"You only know the surface! You don't know the darkness!" She snapped.
"If we don't do this, we starve!" Axel's voice rose, fueled by pent-up stress. "Do you want me to watch the children die of hunger?"
He glanced at the crowd, then locked eyes with the old woman, pain flashing across his face.
"Ten years ago... my father led the supply run. He risked his life to feed us. But after 'That Event'... he and the entire scavenging unit were wiped out!"
Axel's voice cracked slightly at the mention of his father.
"We survived on reserves and underground farming. But that's over, Grandma. The food is gone. The water filters are failing."
Axel clenched his fist, pointing up at the ceiling again, driven by desperation and a fatal underestimation of the threat.
"Besides... how bad can the demons outside really be? They're just wild beasts. My father failed because he was ill-equipped. We are better prepared!"
He gestured to his 200 warriors, armed with homemade rifles and explosives.
"We won't die like my father did... We will win!"
The old woman looked at the young leader with pity and despair. She knew words could no longer stop him.
"May the ancestors protect you..." she whispered, retreating into the shadows.
Axel took a deep breath, shaking off the doubt. He turned to his men and roared.
"OPEN THE CARGO ELEVATOR!! TO THE SURFACE!!"