It has been ten years since the beginning of the cataclysm known as the apocalypse. The whole planet was suddenly filled with mana causing countless species that failed to adapt, to perish.

Humanity has dwindled and only a few communities led by elites have survived. Natural disasters have wrecked the planet. With the rapid mutation of diseases and viruses and coupled with the fast evolution of the flora and fauna, a great portion of modern human society collapsed. No one knows what really occurred, it all just happened too quickly.

The blue screen and the entity known as administrator did explain and foretold humanity’s doom but only on the limits of a human. Administrator only explained the what and not the why and how. And what use are explanations in the face of monstrosities and calamities.

A humungous solar storm was detected on a nearby system, just before the apocalypse, that was suspected to be the cause of all these. It was also debated that evolution as we know it isn’t constant but occurred in short bursts due to some unknown factors, like these solar storms. A great example of this is the Cambrian Period where Eukaryotes and different animals started appearing.

But with the regression of interstellar technology, the question remained unanswered.

Beginning from when humans took root in this world, we have been fighting with beasts. With our capability of sentient intelligence we have triumphed over the mindless beasts. But in the apocalypse, the gift of intelligence isn’t enough anymore for survival. Our tools can only persist for so long. The new trend now is evolution.

For the beasts lack intelligence they evolved to gain it and because the humans lack strength we evolved to gain it. But originally, even with our prided intelligence, humans are still such an insignificant and weak race. Even if we know the solution, not everyone is willing to act it out. Unlike beasts that are simple. If they are threatened, they retaliate with full force. To live as a human is to make a lot of foolish mistakes, this part of being human is inevitable. In the apocalypse many factions lead by evolved humans emerged. Even religious fanatics led by lunatics arose. Of course the government still existed but it is just one out of the hundred forces that was established. In any world the weak always submits to the strong so many survivors was taken advantage of the superior humans, which is the evolvers, and did many unspeakable things to them.

The apocalypse is where the truest and purest of human nature was shown, the day where human became beasts and beasts surpassed humans.

 As we did our little games of war and conquest the beasts continued to strive for improvement and we soon got overtaken by them due to our infighting.

If we united earlier and didn’t fight with ourselves maybe we have the chance to survive and retake our world. But it is too late now.

The hope of being the top of the food chain in the world has become a pipe dream. Many mythical beasts that evolved have rampaged and trampled over the weak humans.

“My fellow humans let us bravely show them the strength of our race! To protect our loved ones and preserve our legacy, let us defend till our last breath. The fire of survival may be a sputtering flame, but let's show the Abberants, the beasts and the dammed system! that even with that sputtering flame we are still capable of making a blaze for the survival of our family, friends and fellow human beings. Survive and Live!!!”

"Survive and Live!!!" Countless voices of the crowd shout out like thunder.

A tall black haired man overflowing with charisma is giving a speech in front of thousands of elite survivors. He can be called a hero or a messiah. He is currently the strongest evolver from within this survivor base of the Philippines, no one is his match from charisma, leadership and strength, he is a one in a thousand years genius as you call it.

In the apocalyptic world there are four giant factions or should I say the top four survivor-bases in the world. One is located in China, one in Norway, another is in Europe and the other is in the archipelago of the Philippines. The Philippines was an insignificant country before the apocalypse and it was wrecked by a lot of natural disasters and it was abused by a lot of countries. The situation here during the apocalypse was one of the worst. Besieged by beasts and disasters from all sides, the Philippines have been thought to be a hopeless country. But it was proved wrong, after the apocalypse many legendary figures appeared in this insignificant place. Though the population here was low, their fighting force rivals that or even surpasses the bases with millions of survivors.

In front of me are brave souls fighting for their race. I thought to run away while they distract the enemy, but I quickly chase those thoughts away.

I survived till now not because of my skill but by my heaven defying luck.  With so many fortuitous encounters a coward like me became an elite. But I fear that my luck can only last for long.

“Kriss! Why are you staring there in a daze? Scared?” A gigantic man with a burly physique, about 2 feet tall, is talking in front of me. He is grinning from ear to ear and seems to be not scared of the upcoming battle.

“Why are you so relaxed Marivick? The whole human race depends on us. I’m scared of course.” I replied.

“What are you saying? Of course the human race depends on us. But as a human, you should trust in the human race too.” Michel at the side with a white robe and glasses chimed in at our conversation and advised me with a serious face.

“I did trust on this race in ages past, but I have learned countless lessons the hard way. But don’t worry because the people I love are the people I trust and the people I trust are the people I love.” I closed my eyes and then reminisced the numerous betrayals I have encountered.

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“Well, I’ll just leave my fate to the hand that controls us all just like what I always did. I’m too tired fighting against fate.” Michel sat down and also closed his eyes, cherishing the memories while he still could.

Michel and Marivick are my long time friends that have accompanied me through thick and thin, you could say we are brothers born from different parents.

“You should know that God is there and he is watching us and judging our fates. This is just a trial given by him, I’m sure there is a reason for all of this.” A petite girl that can be mistaken for a dwarf chimed in. She wore a rugged chainmail pants and heavy looking plate armour and holding a hammer that is almost the same size as her, an example of a comical appearance that should never be laughed at.

“Katrina, why do you still believe in that stupid idea? If there is a god why would he bring humanity to the brink of extinction? How can he be so merciless and cruel? In addition to that I and only I alone decide my own fate.”  Arnold irritably said. Katrina wanted to retort but a shout made them stop. Katrina is a very devout believer and the cruelness of the apocalypse didn’t stop her from being one while Arnold is an atheist. The two of them are siblings but they are like fire and water always competing whether in their beliefs or skills.

“Would you two shut up?! This isn’t the time to fight over your beliefs. And speaking of time, we don’t have any surplus of it to waste on useless quarrel.” A woman in black tights scolded the two.

The woman had wavy black hair and brown eyes. She wore black tights that accentuate her dashing curve and figure. At her back is an innocent looking girl that you would rarely find in the apocalypse.

 “Cut us some slack Glenn, this battle has a high probability to be our last. Let us relax in our final moments” Kriss glanced at Glenn with an annoyed face.

“You can relax when you’re dead Kriss.” Glenn replied with a cold and unperturbed face

“I guess we’ll be relaxing in the yellow springs soon.” Michel immediately retorted

The stakes in this battle is the survival of the human race. And most of the signs point to defeat. I have many thoughts of running away.

One of the skills I’m proud of is running. If I say I’m second in running away, no one will dare to say they are first. But now the situation does not permit to run. If I run away now, I will surely fail the trust of my companions and even if I live, there will be no sense in it. Even if I’m a coward, I will never betray my friends because of fear. It’s better to die together than be left in this cruel world alone. But these are just minor reasons; the major reason is that it is useless to run away.

The beasts and aberrants are now nearing our stronghold. Their army covered the horizon and blood thirst can be felt even with the long distance. Many humans started turning pale and shivered and my heart started beating fast.

In the face of fear and death’s entice

Brave warriors set out and fight

Hoping to witness tomorrow’s light

Hoping to stop thy race’ demise

A flame blaze on the battlefield

With corpses of demons around

Not stopping, in despair never yield

Until the trumpets of victory has been sound

With comrades defending my back

As I sought to protect theirs

When will this cease this countless attacks

Will my life ends or the war

Claire’s voice sounded all throughout the battlefield, planting a burning passion in each battle hardened warrior’s hearts. Many unique abilities cropped up after the apocalypse and Reyna happens to be a holder. Her ability has to do with the voice. Her voice can entice, kill, sooth, heal and many other. The only problem is that her body was just too weak due to some inborn disease.

This scene was just like the war of the ancient times. Beauties singing for the brave warriors as they set off to fight. As the unnecessary nervousness was eased the soldiers continued their orderly march unto the battlefield.

“ROAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!” The battle started with the roar of a black dragon and a giant aberrant.

The battle is a massacre. If we fought just one of them then we may have a chance of winning. But with the two of them, our stronghold soon crumbled. All hope was lost when we saw the strongest of humanity being torn to shreds by the razor claws of the black dragon. In the middle of battle I was swept away by a dragon’s tail and got thrown away from my comrades.

As I was flying through the air and seeing the nearing ground I thought

‘Maybe this is the end for a hopeless case like me.’

It’s fortunate that aside from my ability of running away I have top notch defensive capabilities. Running away and defence, you can say I'm a cockroach. My abilities reflect my will to survive.

Though I lost consciousness afterwards after I dived headfirst unto the ground.

Losing consciousness in a battlefield should be lethal. But what can I say, I friggin possess this dammed luck.

I woke after a few moments up and saw our forces dwindled and I know that even if I came back nothing will change.

The most dreadful thing was I can’t saw any vestige of my comrades with my very sharp eyesight

I glance at my back and saw the life crystal, the thing we defended with our lives.

The treasure and at the same time curse that the dammed SYSTEM gave us. It is the last lifeline of the race. Should it be destroyed then the race will go extinct and the destroyer will gain immense power.

A desperate idea came into me as I saw the losing battle

‘If we can’t defend the jewel, then at least none shall gain it’.

With my fast running speed I quickly arrived at the life crystal. I found a club from a nearby fallen comrade.

 With my strength I kept banging the crystal with the club. Due to my injured body the progress seems slow. I saw a small crack in the crystal and I kept bashing with renowned vigour. I don’t know how many swing I did but my hand have long turned numb. The crystal is now full of cracks and it seems to break any moment. I saw within the crystal’s reflection a humongous figure rushing here, the black dragon.

‘Human! Stop! That is mine and mine alone!’ A headache inducing voice appeared in my head. The voice of the black dragon is filled with anger and a hint of fear. The dragon spat a black fireball towards the crystal. I smiled then whispered with my hoarse voice

“It’s too late”

A shattering sound was heard as the crystal was broken into pieces with my last swing.

My life flashed before my eyes. Did I live a good life? Before the apocalypse my life can be considered a failure. Friends that can be counted with one hand, a broken family, financial problems, introverted personality, bullied and many other reasons to make me feel that my life is f*cked up.

 Did it change in the apocalypse?

Yes, it did change; it became a lot crappier.

Always running away, betrayed again and again, I watched the death of my friends, living day by day in fear of not seeing tomorrow and more importantly and lastly I made humanity extinct. My life is extremely filled with regrets.

Had I sold a world in my past life for me to deserve this?

I don’t particularly fear the pain of death but I just can’t bear to leave this “wonderful” world. I don’t know what will happen after I die. If I reincarnate then I will surely suffer the karma of eradicating my own race. Maybe I will go to hell. But to go to hell is still a relief, I'm sure the suffering there can’t contend to this world.

My last remaining consciousness is fading away and pure will power isn’t enough anymore to prevent the inevitable. 

I slowly sink into oblivion and darkness engulfed me.