“These sons a’ bitches won’t even let me rest for these last couple hours!” growled an angry raven-haired woman as she pushed through a mass of onlookers. “Get outta my way before I burn your faces off!” she screamed gruffly.

Not a soul in the camp didn’t smile when they recognized the scowl of Morgan, who held the advanced job of Witch. She was both one of the sweetest, and angriest people in the camp. Morgan pushed her way to the front of the crowd to see a powder keg about to explode between the camp leaders.

“That idiot! We don’t need this now” she said while staring at the two most influential figures humanity had left. One was a bald, middle aged, slender African American man with a graying goatee. Where Joshua could be described with the word Power. Alexander gave the feeling of Absolute Authority.

Threads stood tall and still with his trademark condescending gaze. His compassion tended to have people flock to him as a natural leader. The problem was his weakness in combat; which is why the person across from him was so dangerous.

The other was Joshua, the most powerful of us. He led with decades of combat knowledge and tactics even before The Fall. He taught them to fight and rallied everyone against our common enemies. A true leader during these daily struggles for survival. His disdain for following any authority, outside of his own, shown brightly. Even though he could be a temperamental ass, she still loved him with all her heart.

“You don’t own grief, Alexander!” screamed Joshua. “Who I speak to, and when I choose to do it, is completely my choice.”

He turned to the crowd, eyeing Morgan instantly. “These precious few hours left should be spent saying what’s needed to our loved ones. As the frontline, I only felt the need to offer my assistance to Maeve. Would you rather I not? Does that interfere with your plans?” he said righteously.

Morgan slammed her hand onto her forehead. “This was a mistake.” she said quietly.

Everyone knows the rules on personal space and memories. If you see someone in thought and they want to be left alone, you leave them alone. It was one of Threads’ rules that eased tension between survivors. He always believed ‘time to process’ was important for everyone. The other unspoken rule was don’t start a fight with Threads about his children. You wouldn’t realize until much later, that you’d lost the fight. His ability to gather comrades was one of the reasons he stood out amongst the people. If he ever gained proper self confidence, Joshua would have a serious problem.

Everyone waited in silence, as even the rain seemed to stop to hear his answer. Here stood a man who could be crushed like a flea by the other, yet his silence felt more palpable than Joshua’s booming voice.

Threads stepped up to meet Joshua; then walked right past him toward the crowd. “I don’t care about contribution points, I don’t care about power, and I don’t care about your petty jealousy. I just want to protect my loved ones and my new family.”

His back towards Joshua and his arms wide. With that one motion, he stole control of the crowd. “I believe it’s time for us to broach a topic that we’ve only skimmed. As it stands you, Joshua, are more than likely Earth’s highest contribution.” Threads said, masterfully turning to face Joshua.

“Aren’t you going to finally tell us?”

“Tell you what?” questioned Joshua.

‘No, No, No…this is a bad idea.’ thought Morgan.

“J, don’t!” she yelled trying to get his attention. She glanced left and right looking for any help to disarm the building situation. Looking around, she saw Micah staring at her with a shaken composure.

“God, please don’t let this be the day,” she begged internally. “Not when we’re this close.”

“What would be your wish, Joshua?” the sly man questioned as he turned to face Joshua, lifting his glasses with his index finger.

There it was. “Damn it, Alexander!” she said with her voice low. Why did he have to get into it with Threads of all people. The crowd closed in and she noticed the others starting to walk closer to the campfire.

Michael, who took the Samurai advancement at level 10, sat near the tree with his sword next to him. His attention focused acutely on the unfolding situation. One hand was already moving slowly to its grip as he caught her eye.

Vlad, the Necromancer, stood in the back with his trademark cowl pulled over his face listening intently. Everyone thought his name was fake, but when a man can summon literal zombies from the ground you call him what he asks. His eyes glowed with a sickly green hue as she saw them flash at her in warning.

‘This might be a serious problem. He needs to calm down.’ Morgan felt the heavy feeling of mana starting to gather in the air as the tension grew.

“I don’t see what that has to do with anything, each man’s wish is his own. That’s what freedom is; or have you forgotten what that means?” said Joshua confidently.

If this was a battle of strength, Morgan would share in his bravado. This is a war of hearts and speech craft, however. Even though he shied from it, Threads was a much better politician. It’s why Joshua couldn’t remove him from power, and one of the sources of their constant conflict. To Alexander, the pen really is mightier than the sword.

“It matters because our world is in your hands Joshua. You are our commander and the strongest that Humanity has left.” He said as Joshua swelled with pride.

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Morgan sighed, knowing the trap her love had fell into. She inwardly cursed why she loved him so much.

“You preach to everyone constantly about your military career and the politics that destroyed it. Your hatred for me stems from the fact that I can speak clearly.” Threads continued. “Though I was never in politics, nor have I ever slighted you; you chose to target me with your baseless aggression at every turn. You hate authority and seek to set yourself apart from it, yet you expect our blind obdedience.”

Threads moved his hands in gestures as he talked with the crowd. He looked into the eyes of every member, engaging each on a personal level. Finally he turned to face Joshua, locking eyes. “So here and now, in front of everyone, be truthful with us, Joshua. Do you have Humanity’s best interest in mind, or were you hoping to just wish yourself away while leaving the rest of us to die?”

As he finished his last sentence Joshua took a step closer to Threads, rage barely contained. The crowd went silent as the veteran just stared at the unflinching man menacingly. The tailor held his gaze and only returned it with a condescending stare. The kind of an adult being patient with a child.

‘It’s utterly infuriating.’ Morgan thought.

“Everything I do,” slamming his hand to his chest. “Is to protect Humanity.” Joshua shouted facing the crowd as the campfire blazed high. “Our world will never return to what it once was. What should we wish for? All those lost returned to life? To this? Wouldn’t that mean a swarm of new mouths to feed? Billions? They’d die almost instantly, it would be a complete waste.” he shouted at the top of his lungs. “We have no way forward other than amassing power for Humanity. I would choose to become the strongest for our people.”

The crowd exploded into a cacophony of voices that ranged from anger to astonishment. A fair number of onlookers agreed, but just as many squinted their eyes in disgust.

“Why not make us all stronger if that’s the case, sweetie?” said a heavy southern accent. It was Jax, a witch who specialized in poisons and a fierce rival to Morgan. Her obvious advances on Joshua caused a hatred to form between the two since the beginning.

Morgan narrowed her eyes at the serpentine woman. “Snake.” she spat out, louder than she intended.

Jax merely smiled back with devilish glee.

“Because it’s MY wish! If I can appoint it to others, then following me will also be a promise of power.” bellowed Joshua.

“So, this is what conviction looks like to an insecure man. Foolish men and their power struggles.” Jax mused softly with a giggle.

“So let me get this straight, you alone will have all the power of a god and you alone, gets to choose who wields it?” Threads said from behind Joshua.

He didn’t even need to raise his voice. The quality of his words spoke volumes.

“What would make you different from any other Tyrant that you went to war against, Joshua?” said Threads unflinchingly as he stared the giant man down.

That was his power. Not magic or might, just the ability to communicate a complex issue in a single sentence.

“You are feared Joshua.” Threads stated. “However, there’s a difference between fear and respect. And you... are far from respected.. I don’t doubt you have the best intentions but even now, an hour and a half from the stroke of midnight, you’re trying to keep martial law off your tongue. Let’s skip ahead and just get to the point here and now, in front of everyone. Tell us how this is right, and not the ravings of future tyrant?” he said spreading his arms wide.

The moment the words left his mouth Morgan knew Joshua was about to pop. Threads had set the trap and Joshua ran directly into it. She decided that this would be the best time to intervene before things spiraled anymore out of control.

“That’s enough you two! We’ve got about an hour and a half…”

“You’re right.” said Joshua.

Morgan turned and looked him directly in the eyes. That was the gaze she was afraid of. She had no idea what Threads had been planning here, but this just became real. Everyone turned their gazes to see Joshua standing tall and pulling out Legion.

Michael’s hand on his blade tensed as his thumb near his blade’s edge tightened near the hilt. Vlad’s eyes flashed with green flames as he turned towards the fire. All around the camp, you heard the preparations for battle. Maeve’s hands flashed to her weapons within an instant, already aiming in her mind’s eye at exposed flesh.

“I’ve been a coward. Constantly afraid of what you’d all think of me if I had a dream so big. A better question would be; why not me?” he said pointing his sword at the stoic man.

Threads didn’t flinch. He held the large man’s gaze.

“Let me state this firmly.” Joshua said turning his head slightly to the crowd.

“If anyone has the highest contribution, your choice will be your own. I am your only choice for survival, and you all know it. In a little under two hours, God knows what will come streaming out of that crack in the sky. My choices are my own and my life is my own.That’s what freedom is. This isn’t our old world. Here are where the strong survive, that’s our new reality.” he said with absolute conviction. “From this moment forth, I take full control of the rest of the leftovers. You’re right Alexander, I will take over from here.” he said turning towards the crowd.

“No one else has commanded a force, none of you have a life tomorrow if I’m not on the battlefield. Are there any objections to my rule?” he bellowed turning to face the thin man in the ragged suit. “I thought not. Make your final preparations and form up, we’ve got a war to fight!” he bellowed.

The words spoken, he sheathed his blade and turned to Threads. “At the end of the day, your petty words mean nothing against absolute force. I’m done with you, Alexander. I no longer require your services. When this fight is over, if you still live, you are no longer welcome in the camp. I leave you your life for Aurora’s this once. Speak to me like that ever again, and I’ll kill you myself. End of the world, or not!” he said with emphasis as he turned to walk away.

No one moved as the mad titan left. He had just declared absolute control before battle. After that show, you would think Threads would be losing his shit completely. Yet he stood, Morgan noticed, the same as always; a complete mask of indifference. He seemed almost relieved. As she hurried to follow behind Joshua, she noticed that no one moved at his dismissal. They all ran up to Threads after the altercation, checking on his well-being.

“I’m ok, I promise. You guys go ahead and get ready. Take a moment with your memories and your families before we get started.” said Threads with a calm smile.

If she had heard all this, then she knew he did. She glanced forward and saw Joshua’s fists opening and closing repeatedly. Micah ran to catch up to calm his brother.

'I don’t know which is gonna kill me faster, the monsters or the men.' she thought to herself before catching up to the hulking figure. One thing is for certain, our world is about to change, again.

Morgan looked to the skies as she walked to his tent. She remembered just sitting on the porch eating boiled peanuts, thinking her life was boring day after day.She thought of mama constantly telling her to get a better job.

“Baby you can do so much better than the fireworks stand,” she would say as she sat in that big outdoor recliner. They would just laugh and talk about nothing while sharing each other’s company.

A tear dropped from her eye at the memory and she wiped it quickly and ran to catch up to Joshua. The feeling of dread that twisted at her stomach had to be pushed back down, there was work to do.