Author's Note: ok I was really excited for this chapter. I have been waiting a long long time to reveal it. It is 3:49 am and I finally finished it !! It is my big reveal! Please enjoy!
Book 2 C 9 Day 37
As I slept Cindy and Julie found me and laid down with me, Julie pulls out a blanket from her inventory as we all cuddle up and sleep. The sounds of the Pave Hawks waken us briefly as they land, refuel, load up and take off once more. I glance at my watch, it is now 11:30 pm, they will be back at 1:30 am and then rest.
We will resume operations at 8:30 am letting them get 7 hours of rest. My guys and I will hit the area hard and grab what we can. The feeling of urgency grows stronger by the passing minute. I am compelled to get back to the Keep as soon a possible. Right now with this last load a total of 238 people plus children have been evacuated. Another 4 runs and we can load up the buses and Hum-Vee's and head out. So about 2:30 pm when the last load leaves so do we.
We all awake to the sound of the Pave Hawks final return, is is just before 1:30 am, they made good time. I drift back off to sleep, the ominous feeling is still strong and a slight fear fills me. I can not shake it.
I awake and it is still dark outside. I glance at my watch it is just shy of 6 am. In the distance to the east the creeping light of the sun is starting to break the night sky. It is cold outside, as I pull the blanket over me and the girls tightly. It has been a while since I slept outside. But I wanted to be here in case of an attack and help defend if needed. Others had done the same and slept inside the other Hum-Vee's.
I finally rouse myself to get up. Julie and Cindy wake too, not happy at the lack of sleep., but the promise of our warm bed tonight motivates them quickly. I check with Sergeant Raymond and Foster, they inform me Halloway and Montgomery were finally getting some shut eye. Both had stayed up until only a few hours ago.
I scan the perimeter and see nothing moving out there, it is quiet like a ghost town now. Julie, Cindy and I go into the Hospital and find that there is food left over from last nights dinner and Coffee was in abundance. Six huge Coffee makers, industrial sized, were lined up in a row brewing or ready to drink. We grab a bite and some coffee to sate our hunger.
Definitely taking those with us. I muse to myself
Scott you are awake?
Yes Princess....
A few of the first arrivals have caused some issues, I hope you do not mind, my Father had them thrown into the Dungeons.
What?
They were demanding unreasonable requests saying the Colonel already cleared everything for them. After a while my Father snapped and had Alexander throw them in the dungeon.
What dungeons?
Alexander made the suggestion saying they were below the basement now.
Haha that Alexander, ok whatever you all think is right, I will support it. Once I get back we will give the new people a lesson on the chain of authority there. The Colonel was a fraud.
The rest are all women and children, so many children Scott, are there more?
Yes, probably 4 more loads more. I do not have the exact numbers yet. I guess Ms Roberts School will have to be built sooner or we can find another close by.
There is an Elementary and a Middle school nearby Scott
Ah thank you Cindy. Hopefully they will be enough, but I feel danger is closing in on us. It is a feeling I have been having for the past few days and I can not shake it. KI'Diera make sure we keep everyone close, as close as possible. And let Rick, your dad and Alexander know to have the guard on high alert. Something is coming.
Scott you are starting to scare me.
To be honest I feel scared too, I have never felt this way before. Anyways, lets get these people back home first and worry about the rest when we get there. Just be ready for anything. Julie and Cindy lets start packing up anything we can use from the hospital back home. Contact the others who have inventories and have them store stuff.
Alright Scott.
Cindy?
Yes Scott.
Is anything the matter?
Why do you ask?
It is nothing, never mind. Let's get to work.
Julie and Cindy search for others who have unlocked their professions to assist in cleaning out the Hospital of medicines, and supplies as well as other useful items. Several Doctors were of the healing class and had treated the wounded over time. We have lots of Doctors and Nurses now. Of the 807 people a large potion were Hospital staff and the Hospital did not suffer any direct spawns inside. What got them was day 7 and most of the patients. Only 168 Staff remained of those who worked there.
I head back out to see many are already rising from their sleep. The light of the approaching sun was pushing the night sky away giving off the typical red and pink sunrise of New Mexico morning. The air was crisp and cold, you could still see your breath this time of May. It would warm up quickly tho.
"Alright folks lets do this, we got till 2:00 pm to get what we need and then head back home. Sergeant First Class Montgomery will hold this perimeter, Staff Sergeant Halloway will lead two teams along the I-40 corridor, I will take the I-25 Corridor. We will hit all large warehouses along the off ramps. Each team will take a tank to clear path." I order.
I look to our Tanks, all have a large metal tiangle shaped rams attached to their front, courtesy of the Builders and Terry Williams. We get in the Hum-Vee's, I am leaving Cindy and Julie behind to coordinate things here at the Hospital. 40 of us take off in two team of 20. A tank with 4 people in it each and 4 Hum-vee's per group. The tanks lead the way. I leave the rest behind to guard the Hospital.
We hit several places along I-25, several Warehouses are right off the highway, we do not bother with the off ramps and use the tank to plow thru fences and barriers. I contact Ki'Diera every so often and send more stuff to her, not sure where she is putting it all, as we have gathered a lot. Canned goods to last many months at least. Sadly all the produce, vegetables and meats were spoiled.
We came across many types of the typical creatures, Owlbears, Worgs, even BugBears , we also saw some of the Hook Horrors. All fell to the focus fire of the Rifles of the Super Soldiers. On occasion, if it was really thick, I would pull out Big Daddy and freeze the area, then follow up with an explosive shot to wipe them all out. Halloway reported they had all filled up their inventories and were headed back. I decided it was time for us to do the same. I am not sure how much more the Keep can hold. But I am sure we filled the Auditorium four times over at least with no space to walk in. I was close to 12:30 pm when we began the return trip.
As we were driving along. I spotted a sign on a roof with the giant word HELP! on it. I quickly ordered the Tank to plow to it. We made quick time there. We entered the parking lot of the warehouse facility, the air was thick with death. We searched, but found only corpses, we were too late. They must have been dead for at least a week. A few even had their Profession gear on. We honked horns, yelled and made as much noise as we could to see if any others were around before we headed back, but no one came or called. My presence detector also did not pick up anything. We mounted up and returned to the Highway, all of us feeling down at seeing the loss of life.
It has been now 36 days, 29 days after day 7 and danger was screaming at me now. We returned to the Hospital just after 1:15 pm, the Tank can go a max of 45 mph and plowing thru barriers and cars we went enen slower, but we made sure a path was clear for our return home, we still had one more city to pass thru after Albuquerque and it's roads were not as wide and probably just as congested if not worse.
Another hour and 15 minutes and the Pave Hawks would returns for their final load, so I pulled out the buses and we began to load up people, we manned all the Hum-Vee's and put extra people inside them as well. Julie and Cindy had the last load of people ready for the Pave Hawks waiting, we would drive with a tank in front till we passed the next city, Bernallio, which would take over an hour driving time for the tank, but could not be avoided at this time. The Tank would be followed by 2 Hum-Vee's then a bus and 2 more Hum-Vee's between each following a bus with 2 Hum-Vee's covering the rear. Once past that city, we could pick up speed as needed and put the Tank back into inventory.
I enter the Hospital and with the help of our new found friends they showed me where the Generators were. I claimed them and stuck them into inventory as well. Before exiting I grabbed the six industrial sized Coffee makers too, can not forget those.
2:30 pm came and the Pave Hawks, on schedule, arrived and refueled one last time and loaded up. I sent a salute to the Pilots and they Saluted back, and we parted ways there. Watching the Pave Hawks leave, we all in turn got into our vehicles and followed the tank as it began it's journey thru Albuquerque once more.
As expected Bernallio was congested beyond belief and was overrun by thousands of Worgs. That they had not died of starvation was amazing to me, maybe they did not starve, I do not know. Our gunners fired non stop at the creatures wiping them out as we approached them , due to their low levels I got almost no xp at all, same with the Orcs, but the new guys were leveling left and right and were excited about it, shooting anything that moved and yelling when they leveled.
As we passed thru the city, the road finally began to clear up and it was passable without the Tank, so we put it away and moved at a quicker pace from there on. Unfortunately, we still encountered various creatures and over turned wrecked vehicles. So getting up to the speed limit proved impossible and the predicted 5 hours came true.
At just short of 8 pm we arrived at the Keep, many stood on the walls waving and cheering once again as the last returned safely from Albuquerque.
As we enter the West Gates, I see boxes and boxes of canned goods stacked outside the Keep in mountains on the North side. It is quite a sight to see, but for now our food issue is taken care of, we just need a place to store it all.
Weary from the drive, we all get out and are cheered as we exit the vehicles. The Ny'Har'en are mixed in with the rest cheering too. I see Ki'Diera waiting patiently for me next to her Father and Rick with Alexander standing guard by her.
I rush to her and take her in my arms
“I am home my wife” I say to her affectionately holding her tightly to me.
“My warrior, you have returned home safely to me.” she says softly and holds me tight as well. Together we move back to the West gate, Ki'Diera leading me, wanting to show me something.
The new arrivals are escorted to the new Residence area made ready for them. As dusk was approaching all the lights were on in all the houses lighting up the entire neighborhood giving it life. A feeling of happiness swept over me at the sight of it all. It felt like we might be able to live a normal life once more. Each of the houses had food and drink waiting for the new residence and their refrigerators were full as well with needed items. Each house was stocked with daily needs. In case of an emergency the furthest someone was away from the gate was less than 10 minutes of running. As all were 18 again this was not an issue for most if not all.
Mana Crystals sparkled in the evening sky where the Builders had tied them into the power grid. Julie joined me in an hug and laughs happily at the sight as well. I glance a look at Cindy and see she is looking on as well. But she keeps her distance from us. A mix of emotions on her face as a tear slowly trickles down.
I move to Cindy and try to take her in my arms, but she backs away, then turns and runs away from us. Julie and Ki'Diera both look at me, I am confused. Then both Julie and Ki'Diera run after Cindy as I watch on.
Let us handle this Sweetheart, I think I know what is bothering her, and this is a hard time for her.
I understand I will find another room tonight ok?
I ....I did not mean that Scott......
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
She needs her space right now, let me sleep alone tonight while you two help her thru this. She has to make up her own mind and me being there will only confuse her more.
I understand and I am so sorry .....I love you Scott, with all my heart know that please.
My warrior, I love you too, know I am always here for you no matter what.
Thank you both....I will turn off my mind link so you can talk to Cindy freely. And Ki'Diera my Princess, Julie my Kitten, I love you both too.
I turn off my mind link and head for the Cafeteria to get a bite and a beer. I need a beer and maybe something harder even. I begin to search my emotions. I know what is bothering Cindy as it bothered me once too...and now we know a love spell is in effect, so she doubt this is even real, no matter how hard she tries, she can not know for certain.
“So what is bothering you Scott? You look down”, Rick says joining me.
“Oh Wife trouble times three hehehe” I joke.
“Haha that was bound to happen sooner or later you know....always does.” He says to me with understanding,” got a place to stay the night?”
“Actually not yet. Was thinking of grabbing a tent.” I say.
“Oh nonsense, I have a room to myself, and spare beds in it it. So you can stay there for as long as you need ok?”, I nod and accept, with my sleeping issue taken care of we talk into the evening about Albuquerque and the survivors. The new residence and more. He had all the Guards stationed there and had a thick presence, you could not go 1 full minute without seeing a guard passing by or they criss cross paths on their patrols.
I then take my leave to go grab a shower and then head for the shared room. In the room I unequipped my uniform and equip my undergarments, sleeping nude while in another guys room does not feel right. I let myself fall into the spare bed and quickly fall asleep. I wake up and find Ki'Diera had sneaked into bed with me and was sleeping soundly next to me, she still wore some clothing as well, I guess she followed my scent and found me in Rick's room. I fall back to sleep holding her, feeling the warmth in my heart for her as her peaceful face showed a happy expression while she slept.
I awake once again but it is day light outside, Rick was still asleep, he returned late at night, if he saw Ki'Diera he did not say anything, I will have to apologize to him later for the intrusion. Ki'Diera is already awake and laying there watching me quietly. I smile and give her a kiss then get out of bed.
She follows suit and does the same. Quietly we exit the room as not to disturb Rick and leave. It is just before 7 am. We head for the Cafeteria and I see Julie and Cindy sitting there already, as if waiting. Upon seeing me, Cindy gets up and runs to me and busts into tear. “I am so sorry, please forgive me, I am sorry, please don't leave me.” she cries.
I hold her tight and say nothing at first, the feeling in my chest is overwhelming holding her once again.
I now this is not the spell, there is no way it is. This is a true feeling. The spell only brought us together at first, but what we have now is real.
“What are you thinking Scott, I can't hear, you please say something,” Cindy begs.
I lead her to a table and sit her in the chair, then I kneel before her, taking both her hands and place them to my heart. “Cindy with all I am, I love you, no spell can ever do that for me. Know that I will always be here for you and give you my all.” Then I lean in and kiss her, at first it is light and simple but it quickly turns into more. Anyone watching would probably get embarrassed, but I care not, as this is my wife.
We part, out of breath and stare into one another's eyes, I can see the love there in her eyes, there is no doubt within. I see into her soul and I feel her in me as well, that feeling is not fake. Nor what I feel is fake. I feel the same from Julie and now recently from Ki'Diera. How can I love three so much and equally, but I do. There is no doubt about it in my mind at all.
We rejoin Julie and Ki'Diera at the table as they both gave us time alone. Smiles of understanding and happiness greet us. We speak of many things that morning, and as we sit and sip our coffee, Rick finally shows up and joins us as does Bre'Tirgan at some point. We joke and laugh, Cindy smacks me playfully and giggles when I made a remark about her. All seems to be returning to normal.
At 8 am we finally break up the gathering and I go with the girls to survey the boxes of food wondering where to store it all. I go to look at the Gym, as I recall it should still be unused and stop in my tracks when we enter. It is completely changed, Not just a little changed, but massively changed. It is now a Throne room with 4 Thrones side by side all equal looking. One for each of us.
Two guard greeted us at the doors and had opened the massive doors for us. A Red carpet led from the entrance way to the four thrones which sat on top of four steps. Chairs lined either side of the path, while white marble pillars lined up behind them, creating a walk way for spectators to sit and watch.
We inspect the room and each of us take a seat in our Thrones. The girls are giggling having fun with it, even Ki'Diera. We sit and talk some more about the upgrades, Ki'Diera had as planned ordered the entire upgrades of the keep and walls at the same time, I wanted to go ahead and take advantage of the Builders offer, so right now I am going to splurge on funds a bit.
At 8:45 am a clock appears in front of each of us and begins to count down from 1 hour.
“What is this?” Ki'Diera says quickly
“I am not sure it, is some kind of countdown” Cindy says to her.
“This is what I was feeling it is happening now.” I say, jumping from the Throne.”Guard! Alert everyone!! Get them into the keep now. Get Everyone into the keep recall everyone who is out on patrol or at the portal site. HURRY!!” I yell and both guards go running.
“What is it Scott?” Cindy asks
“Remember I said I had a feeling of fear I could not shake?” I ask her.
She nods with a confused look.
“It is happening now that fear is going to become real when that timer hits zero. I pray everyone is in the keep before then” as I say that the warning bell goes off and other guards begin to yell outside.
Rick, Bre'Tirgn and Alexander as well as Montgomery and Halloway all come running into the throne room.
“What is going on Scott?” Rick asks
“Your Majesty?” Alexander simply asks.
“Gather everyone inside, recall all patrols, abandon the portal site and get everyone inside the keep including all the Builders. Please hurry!” I say almost pleading, the fear is growing so strong, I feel myself starting to shake.
Everyone scrambles to follow my orders, Cindy Julie and Ki'Diera begin to leave to help,”NO!!! you stay with me! All three of you! No matter what you do, do not leave my side under any circumstance you got it? I feel even your Divine protection can not protect you from what is coming. In-fact and I am not sure why, I know it will not protect you.”.
They all look at me with frightened expressions now, even the fearless Ki'Diera is shaken by my words.
I hurry forward to the main entrance, 50 min are left on the countdown, “EVERYONE TO YOUR ROOMS” I yell at the top of my lungs, fear has gripped me, leadership will not kick in.
“Close your curtains and windows and stay away from the windows and no matter what happens do not look. PLEASE DO AS I SAY NOW!” I keep yelling, the fear is in my heart and my trembling worsens.
“Where is a builder?” I cry out.
“(We are here your Majesty, why have you ordered us into the keep?)” one asks followed by a large of group of Builders.
"(If you value you lives, cut all power to the keep, make us go dark right away,)” I say to them with a pleading tone.
“(Very well your majesty it shall be done)” The Builder says and as one all builders head outside, while few run to the basement. The building is surrounded and several go to each wall and they all begin to glow.
“Please be in time, please god let them be in time.” I begin to pray.
Scott you are really scaring everyone.” Cindy now says.
“Guards tell everyone to cover their ears, put something in them, cotton, cloth does not matter then cover that as well GO GO GO!!!” I yell as fiercely as I can. Trying to muster all my courage, I only hope it is enough.
“Everyone fill your ears and your children too, please make sure the children are covered, with anything you can find and cover them so you can not hear anything, please do this now and head to your rooms and stay away from the windows” I repeat the order.
“ALL OTHERS GO TO THE CAFETERIA AND WAIT THERE!!” I yell once again and then grab my wives and lead them to the Cafeteria to join the others.
"Quickly fill in your ears", I instruct the three, "turn on your Mind Links, we can talk there" I say and turn mine in as well
Scott what is going on
Scott please tell us
My Warrior I have never seen you like this, tell us what comes.
Hell is coming and I do not know if we will survive it.
The Builders finish what I asked them to do, they removed all traces of mana from the walls and Keep and disconnected the mana crystal from the Keep power. All lights go out and silence took over the keep it was now effectively darkened and looked no different from the rest of the area. Small cries and sobs could be heard if anyone had not covered their ear by now, as most everyone huddled in fear. The countdown reached 5 min.
The builders joined us in the Cafeteria and were handed cloth for their ears too, which they put in and then used their hands to cover their ears. Some people had an amused expression wondering if this was a joke or something and a few even had nothing in their ears.
Then the clock hit 0
SYSTEM NOTICE!Greetings fellow Aventurers!
30 days have passed since the mass removal of those
who did not conform to the System.
You have since been given 30 days to adapt to the creatures
real abilities and levels. Some of you have even stagnated in
levels due to lack of higher level difficulties.
Now it is time to introduce all creatures to you.
Rejoice as we introduce to you, new challenges and dangers.
Can you conquer them? Good luck and good hunting!!
The message disappears. We wait in silence ears covered, most of us. Then it comes. It is loud even with covered ears. Those without protection simply fall over dead. Windows shatter instantly, all of them, none are spared. The Roar shook the very soul of a person as many fall to the ground in convulsions. Many cry out in fear. I pray we are not heard. Those of us able to, look involuntarily out the window and see the massive shape moving slowly in the distance. If one had to say, it was nearly as big as a mountain.
Its head is as large as football field with two massively large horns coming from it's skull with it's snout protruding out able to swallow 5 elephants whole, with rows of sharp teeth that would make any great white shark envious. It's neck is over 100 meters long, its body was bigger than the biggest aircraft carrier in existence, and covered thickly in black scales, while it's spine had jagged edges protruding out covering the spine all the way to the tip of it's tail. Each time it took a step the ground shook as if a small earthquake hit.
It then stopped and spread it wings slowly, they were hundreds of meters longs, webbed looking and black, it raised it's head into the air, high above the city in the distance and roared once again. It then slowly looked down to the city before it and spewed a long stream of flame, thick and wide, engulfing everything in flames, explosion going off everywhere around the Beast.
It's head swung left, then right, then it looks in our direction, it's eyes were black Obsidian's looking and looked beyond you, anyone who saw them lost their breath and relieved themselves in fear, including myself. Many were still on the floor in convulsions. Many had died from fear.
The Dragon looks away and fully spreads it wings now, and begins to flap them. The Gale force wind created by them blows away any remaining buildings around the Dragon. It then moves forward and uses it's massive spiked tail to lift off, as it springs into the air and flies North quickly disappearing from sight.
We watch, still holding our breaths, as death itself left our presence.
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