I awoke in a cold sweat. Panicked, I looked around only to find I was in my room. Was all that just a cruel dream? A figment of my subconsciousness that demonstrated my negative outlook on life. As I got lost in thought I noticed something in the corner of my eye. It was that journal I found at the used bookstore. I thought this was odd was I so mentally unstable that I’m melding my dreams with reality? I picked it up and reread the few words in its pages. It had the same dramatic introduction, however as I turned the page, I noticed there was more writing. As I read on, I was baffled. It described the very events that I dreamed of. The worlds end due to the stars coalescing with the Earth, being sent to an open field with numerous people, and the descent of an angelic being. Although, what really messed with me is what came after those events.
72 hours after The Fall the first sequence occurred. Most people were not prepared for this. The first round could only be described as chaotic. Animals and some humans would quickly mutate and evolve due to the high concentration of Mana we were exposed to during the three-day period before the first sequence. A family pet once as big as a loaf of bread was now the size of a mastiff or a pig that was on its way to be slaughtered now resembled goblin, orc, and ogre-like creatures. Humans on the other hand would change the most. Some would change into grotesque abominations that would lose their sense of reason and self, while others would change into a whole new species. Fiction became reality, the creatures from folklore and mythology became real. Some people were able to adjust and quickly adapt to the new environment we were thrown in and utilize the system to survive, while…
“System?”, I thought to myself.
Suddenly, a menu popped up in front of me.
Dante Alcantara Grade F Level 1 EXP: 0/10
Class: N/A Title:
Affiliation: None
Karma: 0
Health 12/12 MP: 14/14
Stats
Strength: 6
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 8
Mind: 7
Vitality: 4
Toughness: 5
Spirit: 7
Charisma: 5
Luck: 10
Extra Points: 0
Resistances
Fire: 0%
Water: 0%
Earth: 0%
Air: 0%
Poison: 0%
Cold: 0%
Acid: 0%
Electricity: 0%
Radiation: 0%
Equipment
Shirt +0
Jeans +1
Shoes +0
Skills
“Why the fuck is there a picture of me?”, I thought.
After looking over the menu I was contemplating my sanity. An RPG like menu materialized before my very eyes, and even weirder a journal I found in a used bookstore is predicting the future. It was like I was in a bad web novel, and now I can’t get that dumbass song from Falling in Reverse out of my head. I decided to read on and maybe take out some money from my savings to go see a therapist just in case I’m going nuts.
I read on:
Most people were slow on the come up. The first round was a survival of the fittest scenario. With an estimate of 40% of the population becoming abominations, 20% of the population mutating, and half of the remaining humans dying in the first-round; things looked bleak. Even taking into consideration the mutates only about 35% of humanity survived. The first round is essential for future growth. It is important to obtain an artifact in this round. The artifacts in the first round are few, but they are growth-types which can grow alongside you. There are approximately one to five in each country depending on the size. In the USA there are four artifacts, the fourth artifact was never found, so you’re in luck. It has been rumored to be located somewhere in the West Texas area near the border. It was not known then, but these artifacts emit an energy that is often confused with radiation. If possible, I would purchase a Geiger counter. For these artifacts they’re still currently common tier so you want to find a source higher around 100 rad. Just be careful not to accidentally expose yourself to radiation. A lot of people died that way.
After absorbing the depressing statistics, I decided to contact Alice and Jack. Jack didn’t pick up, but I messaged him asking if he could get to our hometown within the next two days. Thankfully Alice did answer.
“Hey, Dante what’s up? You would not believe the dream I had.”, she said.
“Yeah, I know the one with the stars falling, an angel, and the end of the world. Tell me about it.”, I said.
“How’d you know that?”, she questioned.
“Long story, but from what I’m seeing this is getting deemed as an unexplainable phenomenon. It’s getting swept under the rug any article or video of the starts falling have been wiped from the internet but do me a favor do you think you could come over?”, I said.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Yeah of course, we need to talk about this anyway it’s all so weird. I’ll be there in 30,” she said.
As I waited for Alice I decided to make a list of essentials. Worst case scenario I’m going crazy, best-case scenario I’m prepared. Thankfully I’ve been working a lot of overtime as of late and have quite a bit saved. I decided I will buy a gun, three bats, three machetes, and three knives for protection. I also just searched up a survival kit and will buy 4 of each on the list plus a Geiger counter. For food I’ll get a bunch of nonperishables that should last us a month and 6 cases of water. Hopefully this will be enough. While finishing the list, I heard a knock at my door.
“Give me a second, I’m coming.”, I shouted.
I opened the door for Alice and to my surprise Jack was with her.
“Hey guys come in.”, I said with surprise.
As they walked in Jack said, “Hey man, I was going to surprise you yesterday, but I had the craziest dream. My bad…”
“It’s all good bro and trust me I know.”, I said.
Alice joined in and said, “Just want to throw it out there that he showed up to my place right before I was leaving, and I thought it would be best if we talked about this together. I had no idea he was here either.”
“It’s really fine I asked him to come down here a few hours ago, so this works out. Just sit down because I have something crazy to talk about.”, I said.
I explained the whole situation to Jack and Alice. How I found a book that explained what happened yesterday, how it seems like any evidence this event occurred is wiped from existence, and how I think as crazy as it sounds, everything I’m saying might be real. They sat there in silence for a while. Until Jack finally broke the silence.
“Alright bud, let’s say this dream we all had was not a dream what do you plan to do.” He spoke.
“Yeah, I know it sounds crazy man, but just hear me out please. Here read the book, you’ll see I’m not going crazy.” I responded.
I handed him the journal, expecting him to see where I’m coming from. However, handed me the book with a concerned look on his face.
Jack said, “Hey man it’s blank, I know you’re going through it still what hap-.”
I cut him off before he could finish his sentence, “Look, it has nothing to do with that. I have no clue why you can’t see it, but you can’t refute the fact that we all had the same exact dream. That’s not normal just please hear me out.” I shouted.
After some contemplation from Jack and Alice. They decided to hear me out. Most likely because they were extremely worried about my mental health, but nevertheless they listened. I explained how I intended to go to West Texas as I was instructed to find an artifact that would be supposedly extremely helpful in the apocalypse. After another moment of awkward silence mixed with looks of concern. Alice decided to be the one to break the silence.
“Look I know us having the same dream is weird, but it doesn’t mean that the world is ending in less than three years. I think you’re just stressed Tay.”, Alice said with concern.
“Look Ali, I know it sounds crazy, but would it really hurt just to come with me. Just think of it as a mini road trip to make up for the one we never did after we graduated high school. You have time off; you’ve literally been complaining about work just come. Also, Jack you’re going to be here for a week or two, so come on man we will be gone for two days max if I’m wrong.”, I said.
After some deliberation, they both decided to tag along with me out of pity. After explaining the supplies I’ll be purchasing it hit me. They may not have been able to read the book, but what about the system? They should have access to that as well.
I then asked, “Hey Alice do me a favor and say system either out loud or just think it.”. I requested.
After begging her she said it, “System.”
After standing in shock for a moment she then asked, “Am I going crazy too.”
Alice Carter Grade F Level 1 EXP: 0/10
Class: N/A Title:
Affiliation: None
Karma: 0
Health 9/9 MP: 16/16
Stats
Strength: 3
Agility: 7
Intelligence: 6
Mind: 8
Vitality: 3
Toughness: 4
Spirit: 9
Charisma: 7
Luck: 5
Extra Points: 0
Resistances
Fire: 0%
Water: 0%
Earth: 0%
Air: 0%
Poison: 0%
Cold: 0%
Acid: 0%
Electricity: 0%
Radiation: 0%
Equipment
Shirt +0
Jeans +1
Shoes +0
Skills
“You see it right?”, I excitedly asked.
“Uhhh, Yes I do…” she said.
“Okay your turn, Jack!”, I said.
“Fine man, I’m happy to prove that I’m the only sane one here. System.”, he said.
Just as Alice he stood there dumbfounded.
“Alright, looks like I’m still dreaming…”, he said with confusion.
Jack Townsend Grade F Level 1 EXP: 0/10
Class: N/A Title:
Affiliation: None
Karma: 0
Health 21/21 MP: 4/4
Stats
Strength: 9
Agility: 6
Intelligence: 4
Mind: 3
Vitality: 7
Toughness: 7
Spirit: 2
Charisma: 9
Luck: 6
Extra Points: 0
Resistances
Fire: 0%
Water: 0%
Earth: 0%
Air: 0%
Poison: 0%
Cold: 0%
Acid: 0%
Electricity: 0%
Radiation: 0%
Equipment
Shirt +0
Jeans +1
Shoes +0
Skills
“Alright, soooo one Dante, Zero Jack and Alice. Also let’s go shopping so we can prepare for the incoming apocalypse I was right about”, I gloated.
After giving them some time to let reality hit, we went purchased everything on the list, and hoping that money becomes worthless due to spending more than half of my savings. We contacted everyone we cared about and begged them to be careful the next couple of days. We packed everything up into Jacks SUV and got some rest. After a full night’s sleep we embarked to West Texas, specifically El Paso. After a couple hours into our legendary journey, I got bored.
“Hey, so I know we live in Texas, but it’s crazy how fast I was able to buy a gun.”, I joked.
“I literally have been telling you to get a gun after you got robbed last year.”, Alice said.
“Wait, what the fuck man you were robbed?”, Jack questioned.
“Ohhh yeah, I did. It was crazy I did not expect that being in a deep depressive episode could have saved me.” I spoke.
“Hey what did I tell you! I know it’s your way of coping, but you could have been hurt. If they didn’t feel bad for you after you told them to shoot you. You could have been killed. I know you don’t care what happens to you, but we do…”, she scolded.
“Hey man, you know were always there for you. You haven’t talked about what happened at all.”, he worriedly said.
“Look, guys I’ve always been like this. The two of you should know better than anyone. I’m sorry I haven’t contacted you for a while Jack. It’s just every time we would talk you would bring it up. I don’t want to talk about it,” I said.
“Alright man. Anyways change of topic, do you guys want to play I Spy.”, Jack said.
“Dude, we’re heading towards West Texas. I know where we live in Texas has a little more greenery, but you do realize it’s nothing but desert from here on out.”, Alice laughed.
“My bad, my bad let’s just listen to music. Dante, can you play some music?”, Jack said.
“Yes sir!” I replied.
After putting on brain rot covers for an hour to get on their nerves. It was decided that I lost aux privilege and had to hand over the connection to Alice. I eventually fell asleep and by the time I awoke we arrived at El Paso.
“Hey guys I wonder if we will see any places that were shown in Breaking Bad.” Jack said.
“Hate to break it to you Jack, but all of the scenes that were in El Paso were shot in Albuquerque and that’s four hours away.” I said.
“Oh well that sucks, it’s not like we are here for sightseeing anyway.”, Said Jack.
“Yep, were here because we are all crazy.” I said.
After some arguing whether we should get a hotel or Airbnb. We decided to go to a hotel and stayed at the Hotel Paso Del Norte. El Paso was the same as some of my online friends described. Very little trees, a lot of rocks, and a mountain that somewhat reminded me of The Hills Have Eyes movie. The people were relatively nice, and we tried this place called L & J Café and it was honestly some of the best Mexican food I’ve had in a while. After filling our bellies, we headed to the hotel. The hotel was nicer than any I’ve ever stayed in. We decided to spend the next 36 hours enjoying the experience. We went sightseeing, swimming, drinking, and I even met up with my online friends for lunch. It was a nice final day before the world ended. After a busy day I was exhausted. I told Alice and Jack goodnight and got ready for the Cataclysm that would be tomorrow.