In the midst of the relentless chaos and rampant destruction that engulfed their surroundings, the soldier sprang into action with a lightning-quick response, swiftly grabbing hold of Setai and propelling them towards a concealed haven. Their movements were fueled by a fierce determination to elude the menacing horde of monsters that threatened their very existence. It was the soldier's remarkable ability to think on their feet, their quick-wittedness, that became the saving grace, shielding both of them from the prying eyes of their adversaries.
Peering cautiously from behind a battered and battle-scarred van, its metal frame bearing the visible marks of the earlier turmoil, the soldier's keen senses took in the dire situation that unfolded before them. They knew, with unwavering certainty, that escape was imperative. However, even in the face of imminent danger, Setai couldn't resist interjecting with a sarcastic comment. Yet, undeterred by the remark, the soldier remained focused, understanding that time was of the essence.
Stepping back a pace, their eyes never leaving the approaching horde, the soldier's hand instinctively reached for their radio, a lifeline to potential salvation. Fingers trembling with urgency, they deftly manipulated the knobs and buttons, desperately attempting to establish a line of communication. "Command, this is Alpha, over," the soldier's voice rang out, cutting through the chaos.
Setai, positioned nearby, overheard the plea for assistance. As he shifted his attention towards the horde of monsters emerging from the once pristine walls of the hospital, a sense of unease settled upon him. He watched as the monsters stood there, scanning the desolate surroundings, as if seeking solace in the familiarity of their environment. It became clear to Setai that these were not mindless creatures driven solely by insatiable hunger; these monsters possessed a twisted consciousness, a malevolence that set them apart.
"Great, just great..." Setai whispered, his voice laced with concern and disbelief. The realization of the sentient nature of these creatures only heightened the level of alarm for among the throng of monsters, one stood out—a creature exuding an aura of otherworldly power. Tall and slender, it defied gravity, hovering above the ground with wings made of inky black liquid. Setai strained to catch a glimpse of its complete form, his eyes squinting to discern its features. And then, in an instant, the creature's head snapped towards Setai, its blood-red eyes locking onto his very soul.
In an eerie display of supernatural speed, the creature materialized right in front of Setai, its large hand closing around his throat, effortlessly lifting him into the air. Panic surged through his veins as the grip around his throat constricted his breath. In his struggle for survival, Setai couldn't help but marvel at the creature's ethereal beauty. Its pale skin seemed to glow in the dim light, and its piercing, cold eyes held an ancient wisdom within them. But amidst the terror and the threat to his life, what struck Setai the most was the swirling red mark adorning the creature's forehead. The symbol stirred a deep sense of recognition within him, though its significance remained just out of reach, like a distant memory on the verge of resurfacing.
As the creature's grip tightened, Setai's vision blurred at the edges, darkness encroaching upon his consciousness. With each fleeting moment, he fought to draw in precious breaths, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic being that held him captive. In the midst of his struggle, a fragment of memory surfaced, like a whisper from the depths of his mind, attempting to unravel the mystery of the symbol. It was a symbol he had heard before, etched into his memories that seemed to fade with each passing second. Straining against the creature's unyielding grasp, Setai sifted through the fleeting recollections, desperately trying to grasp the significance of the mark. Recognition danced just out of his reach, slipping through the cracks of his weakening mind like grains of sand carried away by a gust of wind.
The creature, its presence both sinister and captivating, remained unmoving. Its grip never loosened, and its power was undeniable. Setai felt his struggles growing feeble, his body weakening under the relentless pressure. The world around him blurred, and he wondered if he was doomed to succumb to the creature's merciless clutches.
The creature slithered with a ferocious hiss, its monstrous voice a terrifying blend of curiosity and intrigue. "You..." it croaked, the weight of its words heavy with an enigmatic intent. "Why does his scent cling to you?" Setai's mind spun in a whirlwind of bewilderment, struggling to decipher the creature's cryptic inquiry as the grip around his throat constricted, mercilessly severing his supply of air. The chilling specter of his impending demise hovered ominously, smothering his thoughts in a cloak of suffocation. But just as the final vestiges of hope began to wane, salvation manifested in a cacophony of gunfire, an onslaught of bullets piercing through the creature's eye, rendering it momentarily blind. The vice-like hold around Setai's throat faltered, allowing him to crumple to the ground in a desperate gasp for much-needed oxygen. With trembling breaths, he bore witness to the wounded beast convulsing in agony, its colossal ebony wings unleashing razor-edged gales towards the valiant soldier who had come to his rescue.
However, the creature's impaired sight impeded its accuracy, causing the projectiles to stray from their intended mark, instead slicing through the metal flesh of a hapless nearby vehicle. The shrill clamor of rending metal reverberated through the air, an anguished duet with the shattering of glass. Setai's heart pounded fiercely within his chest as he observed the deadly dance unfolding before him. The injured creature, robbed of sight and ignited by an inferno of rage, unleashed its unfettered wrath upon its surroundings, the sheer force of its wings conjuring a maelstrom of devastation. Yet, despite its formidable might, the creature's aim remained compromised, its assaults careening off course like wayward arrows. The soldier's voice reverberated through the chaos, a potent mix of astonishment and urgency lacing his words.
The soldier's voice reverberated with a mixture of shock and urgency as he exclaimed, "What in the name of god is that?!" His wide eyes darted around, swiftly absorbing the devastating aftermath of the powerful gust of wind that had just mercilessly swept through the area. The destruction it had wrought left no room for hesitation, compelling the soldier to spring into immediate action. With a surge of determination, he rushed towards Setai's side, extending a firm hand to help him rise from the ground."Sir? Sir!" the soldier called out urgently, his voice laced with a sense of urgency that echoed through the chaotic scene. "We need to get the hell out of here!" His words hung in the air, heavy with the palpable danger that surrounded them. Setai, an indomitable figure, maintained an unwavering gaze fixed upon the creature ominously hovering above. It was an enigmatic entity, dependent solely upon its heightened senses to locate their presence as it floated menacingly in mid-air. The soldier's command for them to flee resonated through the wreckage, propelling Setai to swiftly arrive at a decisive choice. With a heart clenched firmly by the hands of destiny, Setai forced his weary body upwards, gratefully accepting the helping hand offered by the steadfast soldier.
With a commanding tone, Setai ordered, "Get to my car." The urgency in his voice was impossible to ignore, conveying the gravity of the situation. The soldier, well-trained and responsive, wasted no time in acknowledging the command. He knew that their survival depended on their ability to act swiftly and decisively. As they sprinted towards the vehicle, their hearts pounded in their chests, fueled by a surge of adrenaline. Each step they took reverberated with the weight of their survival, their determination unyielding. The soldier's mind raced, calculating their chances of escaping the clutches of this unknown creature. He couldn't help but steal a glance back, his eyes widening in sheer horror as he witnessed the stationary monsters spring into motion, closing in on them with relentless determination.
Setai's heart pounded within his chest, the rhythmic pulsations syncing with the urgency that consumed him. With a desperate plea reverberating in his voice, he shouted, "Quickly!" His trembling fingers grasped the car door handle, forcefully slamming it shut on his side. The soldier, propelled by pure instinct and invigorated by a surge of adrenaline, barely managed to slide into the passenger seat. His breath came in short gasps, his entire body trembling with the weight of the impending danger that loomed over them. With a trembling hand, Setai inserted the key into the ignition, cursing himself inwardly for having turned off the engine earlier. The car roared to life, its powerful engine revving with a resounding vigor that resonated like a symphony of hope. The soldier's eyes darted towards the pursuing horde of monsters, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity, fixated on their prey.
"GO!" The soldier all but shouted, his voice laced with a fierce howl that cut through the air. The pedal pressed firmly beneath Setai's foot, the car surged forward with a surge of momentum. The tires screeched against the asphalt, their relationship with the road tenuous at best. The vehicle danced on the edge of control, propelled by a determination to outpace the horrors that threatened to consume them. The wind howled through the partially rolled-down windows, a haunting chorus that underscored the chaos that pursued them. Setai's knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, his every muscle straining against the raw power of the accelerating car. Time seemed to bend and distort, warping under the weight of their desperate flight. Setai's eyes flickered towards the rearview mirror, a fleeting glimpse of the monstrous creatures that gave chase. Their twisted forms blended with the darkness, a nightmare come to life. Each step they took was infused with malice, their determination unyielding. As they hurtled forward, the world around them blurred. Buildings whizzed past in a cacophony of shapes and colors, a blur of life juxtaposed with the encroaching shadow that threatened to snuff it out. Setai's breath came in ragged bursts, his eyes shifting between the road ahead and the relentless pursuit that threatened to engulf them finally coming to an end.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
The car continued its rapid escape, leaving behind a trail of dust and shattered dreams. Setai's heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins like a tempestuous storm. As the chaos of their desperate flight began to subside, he stole another glance at the once rearview mirror, now a fractured reflection of a nightmarish reality. The infected horde, monstrous in both appearance and intent, gradually receded into the distance. Their menacing figures merged with the fading twilight, their glowing eyes reduced to mere pinpricks of malevolence. Setai's eyes lingered on them, momentarily captivated by the realization that this was now his new world—a world where the line between human and monster blurred with terrifying clarity.
Setai's trembling hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white with the intensity of his confusion. The events that had transpired in the last few hours seemed like a nightmarish blur, a whirlwind of chaos and peril that had upended his perception of reality. The once familiar streets now lay in ruins, their crumbling facades mirroring the wreckage within Setai's mind. His mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of this new world he found himself in. How had humanity succumbed so swiftly to this terrible calamity? He sat in deep thoughts, his mind trying to process for an answer, his mind shattering like fragile glass. But thankfully, the soldier's voice had broken him out of his stupor before his thoughts were to be adrift in seas of bewilderment.
"Marcus. Sergeant Marcus Gordon," the soldier introduced himself, his voice strong and confident, though hinted its previous agitation. He still shaken from the circumstances they found themselves in but still greeted him back with a shaky voice, grateful for the quick distraction.
"Setai Isao," he replied, his voice trembling slightly. "It's... it's nice to meet you, Marcus. Despite the circumstances of how we met." His words hung in the air, laden with tension. However, Marcus couldn't help but find amusement in the situation, and a deep laugh rumbled from his chest, breaking through the heaviness.
"Yeah, one hell of a meeting if you ask me," Marcus chuckled, his tone transitioning from easygoing to serious as he contemplated the gravity of the current state of the world. "The end of the world, could you believe it? It definitely feels real now... with what? Flying monsters, talking zombies?"
Setai nodded, a casual response escaping his lips. "Yeah, definitely." He reached for his phone, desperately attempting to call his wife. Frustration washed over him as he realized there was no signal. "Damn it!" He slammed the phone down in frustration, choosing to focused on driving while pressing hard on the accelerator to quickly reach his home.
Curiosity sparkled in Marcus's eyes as he observed Setai's reaction. "What's that all about?" he asked, genuinely interested. Setai took a moment to collect himself, his mind still filled with worry and determination. "Family," he replied simply, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions.
Understanding the gravity of Setai's response, Marcus dropped the subject but continued his line of questioning. "So, want to explain to me why a civilian is outside their home?" He paused briefly before adding, "Don't get me wrong, sir." Setai interjected, a hint of a smile forming. "Setai is fine."
Acknowledging the correction, Marcus carried on. "I'm glad that you were there because if it weren't for you, I'd be dead." Setai remained silent, contemplating whether or not to answer Marcus's question.
"Sir, you weren't going to take part in the protest, were you?" Marcus's use of "sir" and the question itself brought a mix of surprise and amusement to Setai's face. He studied Marcus, taking in his dark complexion and youthful appearance, realizing that Marcus was about twenty years younger than him. Despite this, Setai couldn't help but feel shaken by the question.
"No... I... I'm the chief physician at the Los Angeles Medical Center," Setai finally answered, his voice carrying a mix of pride and responsibility. He braced himself for Marcus's reaction, unsure of how the sergeant would respond. It seemed that Marcus's reaction was something Setai had anticipated. "Mr. Isao, did you know then? The virus and what it did to those infected?" Marcus asked, his voice a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
A heavy silence hung in the air as Marcus's voice trembled with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. His eyes were wide with the weight of the revelation he sought from Setai, a man whose knowledge ran deep and whose somber expression betrayed the gravity of the truth he carried.
Setai took a moment, his eyes reflecting the burden he bore. The weight of knowing the devastating effects of the virus on those infected pressed heavily upon his shoulders. He had known, to a certain extent, the havoc this affliction had wreaked upon humanity. But the extent to which it escalated, the monstrous transformations it brought forth, surpassing all expectations, left him reeling.
"We were aware, Marcus," Setai finally spoke, his voice laced with solemnity. "We knew of the virus's devastating effects, the darkness it cast upon those unfortunate enough to become infected. But none of us could have foreseen the extent to which it would endanger the entire world, turning individuals into monstrous creatures capable of unleashing the forces of nature at their command, or withstanding a hail of bullets as if they were naught but gentle rain."
The weight of the truth seemed to bear down on Setai's words, his sentences punctuated by a heaviness that stemmed from the burden of withholding such knowledge. He had never anticipated the toll it would take on his own conscience, burdening him with an unwelcome responsibility.
Marcus, his face etched with an agony born of realization, leaned back in his seat. The amusement that once danced in his eyes faded, replaced by a deep pain that seemed to infiltrate every fiber of his being. His voice, fragile yet resolute, broke the solemnity of the room.
"So, why would the government lie?" Marcus's question, seemingly directed more at himself than to Setai, pierced through the silence like a cry of despair. His voice carried with it a mixture of confusion and determination, as if he was unwilling to accept the distorted truth that had unravelled before him.
It was then that Marcus revealed an even more heartbreaking aspect of his ordeal. "My mom, my sister... they were infected," he confessed, his words trembling with fragility. "Did you know that the one who attacked me was my own mother? I recognized her, yet she didn't recognize me."
The room seemed to close in on Setai, the weight of Marcus's revelation hitting him with full force. He understood the depths of anguish that flooded Marcus's heart, the countless unanswered questions that plagued his every thought. Clenching his teeth, Setai took a moment to gather his thoughts, his empathy shining through in his every word.
"Marcus, the motivations behind the government's lies are complex," Setai began, his voice filled with a mixture of abhorrence and resignation. "I cannot condone the fact that we were compelled to withhold such vital information, even from our own loved ones. But in times of crisis, difficult decisions are made, often with the intention of preventing panic or maintaining control. It is not an excuse, merely a sad reality we must confront."
Setai's voice carried a weight of sorrow, a reflection of the immense remorse he felt for participating in the deception. He understood that the truth, no matter how painful, had the power to bring about healing and understanding. Yet, in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, those in positions of authority sometimes make choices that sacrifice transparency for stability.
As Marcus absorbed Setai's words, a mixture of emotions swirled within him. The anguish he felt for his infected family members intensified, and a newfound anger blossomed, directed towards the powers that be. The image of his own mother, transformed by the virus into an unrecognizable force of destruction, flickered in his mind.
"I cannot fathom the heartbreak and confusion you must be experiencing, Marcus," Setai spoke with sincerity and compassion. "The virus affects individuals in different ways, distorting their behavior and cognition. It is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions, a devastating consequence of this malignant affliction."
Marcus's expression softened, his hardened resolve giving way to a glimmer of understanding. Although the pain remained, he could sense the empathy in Setai's voice, and it resonated within him. The weight of his own grief was not alone; it was shared with someone who had borne witness to the horrors of this merciless virus.
Silently grateful for Setai's presence and his understanding, Marcus wordlessly acknowledged his desire to be left alone with his thoughts. Recognizing this, Setai nodded, allowing the weight of the conversation to settle in the car despite the air in the vehicle crackling with tension. It seemed that Setai's words hung in the air, their weight settling upon Marcus like a heavy burden. Setai, ever the observer, watched silently, his keen eyes taking in every nuance of Marcus' demeanor. The furrowed brow, etched with worry, spoke volumes, revealing the depth of Marcus' thoughts as they swirled within his mind.
But Setai chose not to delve into the pressing matter that now occupied their thoughts. Instead, he averted his gaze, allowing his mind to wander, retracing the unsettling incident that had rocked their world just hours ago. The memory of that dark morning seeped into Setai's consciousness, an unwelcome visitor refusing to leave. His heart sank as he recalled the young boy, infected and suffering, whom he had inadvertently struck with his vehicle. The boy's haunted eyes pierced through Setai's soul, a visceral reminder of the horrors that now lurked within the city's depths. The mere thought of those monstrous creatures prowling in the shadows sent shivers cascading down Setai's spine.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Setai knew better than to cling to the naive hope that only a handful of these abominations had emerged. The hospitals throughout Los Angeles, he wagered, were likely overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of the infected, teetering on the precipice of an impending cataclysm. The realization gnawed at Setai's being, propelling him forward into the realm of fear and uncertainty. As the memory of the boy's horrifying transformation continued to play out in his mind, Setai couldn't help but be haunted by the echo of his own son, Mino. Like a jigsaw puzzle slowly coming together, the mark on the winged creature's forehead triggered a surge of recognition within Setai's very core. A dormant memory stirred, resurfacing the remnants of Mino's desperate attempts to communicate a haunting truth – an invisible tattoo adorning his palm. At the time, Setai and his wife had dismissed it as a child's imagination running wild, assuming it to be a figment of Mino's unique perspective. But now, the pieces were falling into place with devastating clarity, threatening to consume Setai with a potent concoction of despair and dread.
"Marcus," Setai's voice sliced through the heavy silence, commanding attention with an urgency that brooked no room for hesitation. "Hold on." His words lingered in the air for a fraction of a second, hanging like a silent plea before he took decisive action. Without waiting for Marcus to process his directive, Setai's resolve coalesced, igniting a fire within him that propelled him forward. With an unwavering determination, he pressed his foot against the accelerator, unleashing a surge of power that propelled the vehicle forward