Chapter 4

Oliver heard people approaching his new home. There were about 10 people in total. Six men and four women. seven were of military age, and the other three looked to be in college. One of the three may have been closer to Oliver's age, a highschooler.

“Quiet down, I'm sure there's something useful here!” Said the man at the forefront of the group.

“It's going to get dark soon and we have no food or water! You promised us—” said one of the women. She had bright blond hair and wore a fancy red dress.

“I'm sorry… your highness.” said the man at the front. “We'll find something soon.”

“You said that ten minutes ago. I think we should g—”

She went silent when the leader put his hand up. “Who's There!?!”

“Greetings, my name is Oliver, welcome to my humble home.” Replied Oliver, appearing from the darkness in front of the group. “What can I do for you?”

“Are you military, what's with that outfit?” Asked the woman in the red dress.

“I'm afraid I'm not from the military. I'm simply making use of the supplies I've found here.” Said Oliver calmly.

The leader approached Oliver. “Do you have any food or water?” He asked. Still slowly approaching, Oliver stepped back and held out his hand to form a fireball.

“I ask that you refrain from approaching me, unless you want to get burned?”

The man stopped, “I'm sorry, I was just trying to get a better look at you.”

“Wow, is that a fireball? That's so cool, how'd you do that?” Asked the High School Aged boy.

“Oh, well… It's quite simple, I just used some mana and pictured the fire—” he stopped, puzzled. “Do I know you? You sound very familiar.” Oliver asked.

“Um, maybe. My name is Zack. I go to Steelton Brooke High School.” Replied Zack.

“Zack Astle?” Said Oliver.

“Yeah, are you Oliver Briege?”

“Oh my God, Zack it's been so long. I haven't seen you since 9th grade.”

“Wow, who would have thought that you of all people would be here. But yeah, it really has been a while, so… could you give us some food?”

“Hmm, instead of that, how about you join me Zack? I trust you enough, as long as you're… loyal.” Asked Oliver

“Really… I'd love to.” Zack started to walk to Oliver. But as Zack was walking to Oliver's side, the leader asked “What about us?”

“...What about you?” Replied Oliver.

“Surely you’ll offer us food?” said the woman in the red dress.

“Why?” Replied Oliver. Zack had reached Oliver by now and was standing behind him.

“Couldn't we just give them some food?” Said Zack, “They did let me join their group.”

“Hmm, since you guys kept my frie— …subordinate alive. I'll give you some MREs, that should last you, but you'll have to leave this building.”

“Okay. That's fine, we'd appreciate it.” replied the leader. “Thanks so much we’ll be sure to lea—” He was interrupted by the woman in the red dress.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS. Do you have any idea who I am? I’m—” she was suddenly cut off by a glowing red hot orb passing over, just inches from her head.

“Shut up, it doesn't matter who you were. You're nothing now.” Snapped Oliver. “ Stay here while I get the MREs. If you follow, I'll incinerate all of you.”

“Of course, thank you for your help Mr. Oliver” replied the leader.

Oliver took Zack with him to the armory and gave him gear that was similar to his. Oliver grabbed a cardboard box full of MREs. “This should do.” He said. “Here’s a helmet, it's pretty durable and there are quite a few attachments that could go on them.” Zack took the helmet and spoke nonchalantly.

“Oliver… you've really changed.” Said Zack.

“Only my appearance.”

“Ha, what's our next move… Boss?” asked Zack

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“You go and give this box of MREs to those people outside. Then we fortify the hell out of this place.” Said Oliver, in an imposing tone of confidence. He needed something to cheer him up from all the survival stuff he's been doing, and showing that smug brat of a lady her place, was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Zack left the armory with the MREs and headed towards the group. “I sure hope this new arrangement with Oliver will work out. He’s a good guy, from what I can remember.” He thought.

“Here are the MREs, now get out of here!”

“Yes, we’ll be going now… um, if it’s okay with you and Oliver, can we leave someone else here?” Asked the Leader.

“What?! Oliver showed you mercy, gave you food, and now you want us to do more for you?”

“Listen, she’d be of great help to you, she’s a Doctor who graduated from Harvard in 2021…”

Zack looked at him in displeasure.

“...and, and she is pretty young, you may only be a few years younger than her.” said the Leader, now worried by Zack's displeased look.

“What are you insinuating? That I’d just let her join us because she’s somewhat good looking, I’m not a simp!”

“No, no, I mean that Oli— I mean your Boss might like to… you know… have some company?” said the leader, sweating like a dog on a hot summer's day.

“Hmm… Fine, wait here so I can ask Oliver.”

The man stopped Zack from leaving and said “Of course… She also has a companion… right there, the large guy. I think he was on a college football team.”

“Is there anything else?” Asked Zack?

“No sir”

Zack left with a smug grin on his face, he had never been so respected and feared by someone older and stronger looking than that leader.

“Sir, I have news, there's this girl—, where are you?” asked Zack

“Back here, in the garage!” Shouted Oliver from the garage, he had gone back into the garage to check out the EOV.

Zack followed Oliver's voice and arrived at the open door on the other side of the Armory storeroom. He entered to see Oliver trying to lift a wheel out of a box. “What the hell is with this freaking huge box?!” asked Zack to Oliver.

“Oh, it's a vehicle of some sorts, not sure, but I think it will be useful. What did you say earlier, I think you said there was news. Do those intruders want more?” asked Oliver

“Umm, yes, they actually want to unload two people onto us.”

“Oh, which ones, the younger two?”

“Yes, the guy told me she was a doctor who had just graduated college as a Doctor or some nurse. And the other one was the big guy in the back, he was standing next to me when you recognized me. The leader of the group told me he was a football player for a college. I’m not sure about their relationship, but the guy told me he was her companion.”

“Hmm,” Oliver dropped the large wheel on its side. “That football player could be useful. I’m currently lacking muscle right now. And the girl… we’ll I’m sure she’ll help us tons.” said Oliver with a smile.

“Yes, I agree, shall I go bring them here?” Asked Zack

“Let's both go.”

Both Oliver and Zack walked out to meet their new odalisque and muscle man. A sly grin on Oliver's face appeared as he walked out the Armory Door and in front of the group.

“So, who’s my new Doctor?” Said Oliver to the group.

The leader waved his hand to Oliver. Next to him was a girl.

“Ahem… o…over here. My name is Elana.” said a small timid figure, she must have been only a few inches shorter than Oliver, but she was hella hot.

“Okay, nice, very nice.” The girl blushed a little. “Who's the strongman?” Oliver asked the group once again.

“That be me, sir.” said a tall and muscular man next to the girl.“What are your intentions with us, if we were to join you?”

“Simple…” He pointed to the group's leader and then pointed towards the exit. A silent understanding between them had formed for a moment, and so, the leader led his group outside the building and into the parking lot. It was still light out, but it was approaching dusk. “... now that they're gone… I want to use both of you for your respected strengths. Alana will be the Doctor and help around with many of the chores. You, good sir, will be my muscles, for obvious reasons.”

“Okay then, just making sure you weren’t a complete idiot, I don’t want to follow someone who would go easy on a girl, equality and all that.” He smirked, “Thanks for letting us join you.” Replied the Muscular man. “My name is Michael, and I used to play for the Harvard Crimson Football Team.”

“Yes, thanks for taking us in.” Said Alana.

“Sure thing, all I ask for is your loyalty and for you to not slack off. You should know that just because you’re under a man with food, it doesn't mean your lives will be easier. Alana, you will be something in between a maid and a nurse. We don’t exactly have much medical equipment so you won’t be able to be a full doctor. And you, Michael, will be, as I’ve said, our muscleman. You’ll be doing all the heavy lifting.”

“Of course.” Replied Michael.

“Yes… s-sir.” Said Alana.

“Good, now let's get you in some cleaner clothes.” Said Oliver as he motioned for them to follow into the Armory. “Why exactly did your group leave you with us?” Asked Oliver.

“I think they just didn’t want the extra mouths to feed, we don’t fit in well with those older people.” Replied Michael.

“Fine then, put these clothes on, they should fit. I imagine it shouldn’t get too cold in this room tonight, with all the fireballs around.”

“Yeah, I was going to ask about those, did you make them? You must have the Fire affinity?” Asked Zack

“Yes, that reminds me, what did you all do with your points?” Asked Oliver.

“I put all my points into Strength and Agility, luckily I can get more if I kill monsters.” Said Michael.

Michael’s Status:

Race: Human

Sex: Male

Strength: 21 (Avg 10)

Agility: 11 (Avg 10)

Luck: 6

Mana: 0

“I put my points into Agility and Luck. I also bought the Water affinity, and I have 400 mana.”

Alana’s Status:

Race: Human

Sex: Female

Strength: 12 (Avg 10)

Agility: 12 (Avg 10)

Luck: 5

Mana: 400

Affinities: Water/Ice

“I see, have you tried out your water magic yet?” Asked Oliver.

“No, I haven't had the time to do that.”

“Pity, you’ll have to learn.” Replied Oliver.

“Zack, what's your Status look like?”

Zack’s Status:

Race: Human

Sex: Male

Strength: 14 (Avg 10)

Agility: 12 (Avg 10)

Luck: 7

Mana: 600

Affinities: Fire, Earth

“Okay, not bad.” Said Oliver. “I’ll assume you haven’t learned how to use your affinities either. Now then, let's get to work.”