As Ampelius turned to leave, he found himself staring directly into the barrel of a handgun aimed at his head. His breath caught in his throat as the gravity of the situation sank in. Slowly, he raised his hands above his head, silently cursing himself for lingering too long.
The person holding the gun wore a red beanie and a black bandanna, their face partially hidden. Dressed in a mismatched T-shirt and dark sweatpants, they looked distinctly different from the group Ampelius had been observing. Are they even related to that group? He wondered.
“You just witnessed something you weren’t meant to see,” the gunman said, their voice steady and cold. “The boss will want to speak with you. Move!”
Ampelius's heart pounded as the gunman gestured sharply with the weapon, forcing him to move. He swallowed hard, struggling to maintain his composure as he took a hesitant step forward. The situation had taken a dangerous turn, and he knew he had to comply. As he walked, he scanned his surroundings, searching for any possible escape routes or a way to turn the situation to his advantage.
He stepped out from behind the dumpster, his hands still raised. The gunman struck him hard on the back of the head, shoving him toward the fire and the group of thugs. His heart hammered in his chest as he fought to stay calm.
“Look what I found! He was hiding and watching you from that dumpster over there,” the gunman announced.
How did I not notice him sneaking up on me? Ampelius thought, his mind racing. He was kicked down onto his knees, the rough pavement scraping his skin, and then forced to the ground. Someone grabbed his hands and quickly tied them behind his back. They searched him thoroughly, looting whatever they could find. Their efforts yielded little more than a few coins and the medical tape he had used for his knuckles earlier that day.
“What did you do to your knuckles? Are you some kind of tough guy? Did you rob an old grandmother and then punch her?” one of the thugs taunted, drawing laughter from the group.
“Actually, I punched a mirror and shattered it. The shards cut them. Funny thing is, it didn’t really bother me until you mentioned it. So, thanks for the reminder! Now it hurts like hell!” Ampelius retorted with a forced grin, struggling to keep a semblance of control.
“Alright, stand him up,” someone ordered.
Two of the thugs grabbed Ampelius and hauled him to his feet. The man with the revolver stepped forward, his expression dark and menacing. “Care to tell me why you were watching us? We don’t take kindly to spies.”
“I wasn’t—” Ampelius started, but before he could finish, the thug struck him across the face with the butt of the gun. Pain exploded through his jaw, and he staggered, barely managing to stay upright.
The revolver-wielding man cracked his neck, preparing for another round. “Let’s try this again,” he said, his voice dripping with menace. “Do you know who we are? I’m sure you’ve heard of us.”
Ampelius shook his head nervously, struggling to steady his breath. The thug’s eyes narrowed, clearly displeased. Ampelius felt the weight of their stares, the fire's oppressive heat, and the restraints' cold metal digging into his wrists. The situation was spiraling out of control, and he knew he had to tread carefully.
“Alright, then. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. We call ourselves the Iron Vandals. Ever heard of us? No?” The thug’s smile was cold and cruel. “Let me give you a history lesson. Our legacy goes back thousands of years, rooted in Germanic origins. In ancient times, countless wars were fought between the Germanic tribes and the Romans.
Eventually, after centuries of conflict, the Romans broke the stalemate and subjugated all the German tribes. Many of our ancestors fled their homeland, seeking refuge across the ocean, hoping the vast waters would finally separate us from the Romans for good.”
“The Germanic refugees—what was left of their warriors—slaughtered the indigenous people already here and claimed this continent as their new home. They rebuilt with what they had, raising and training a new generation of warriors with the hope of reclaiming their ancestral lands someday. However, several hundred years later, the Romans began to industrialize and expand their empire again, setting their sights on this continent.
This time, though, the Germanic people were ready, and a long, drawn-out war began. It turned into several hundred more years of back-and-forth battles, with countless lives lost. In the end, the Romans emerged victorious. Many of our grandfathers and grandmothers fought in those final, bloody battles. For us, those events are still fresh in our minds.
Now, what’s left of our culture fights as partisans against Roman rule, still hoping to gain independence and reclaim our ancestral land. But it’s been over thirty years since the Romans settled these lands. An entire generation has been born under their rule, raised by their culture and norms, knowing nothing of their true heritage. And here we are, fighting a losing battle, yet your government calls us terrorists.”
“So, what do you want with me? I have nothing to do with what the Romans did to your people. I moved here as an infant, and I don’t even know where I was born or my own heritage, but I can tell you it isn’t Roman,” Ampelius replied, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.
“What do we want with you? What do we want with you?” the thug mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Well, for starters, we found you hiding behind that dumpster. You watched me kill that piece of shit traitor, which means you’re either a spy for the Romans, or maybe you want to join us. Or perhaps you’re just a grunt in the Roman army gathering intelligence for an assault against us, but I doubt that. So, my guess? You’re a spy!”
The thug stepped closer, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Do you know what we do to the spies we capture? Do you know how many we catch on any given day?” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “We deal with them swiftly and brutally. They don’t last long, and they don’t get to tell tales. So, if you’re hoping for a quick death, you might want to reconsider your options.”
Ampelius felt a chill run down his spine as the thug’s words hung in the air. The situation was growing more dire by the second, and he could sense the imminent danger closing in on him.
“My friend here loves to skin animals—and he’s got experience with humans, too. It’s a natural-born skill of his. The flesh he takes off you will be fed to the hungry dogs we’ve got caged up. The best part? You’ll be alive for the entire process, at least until you bleed out. But don’t worry, he’ll keep you alive long enough to enjoy it. Maybe we’ll even place bets on how long you’ll last.”
Ampelius felt an overwhelming urge to piss himself as his heart dropped and a cold wave of fear swept over him. His breaths came in short, frantic gasps as he unknowingly began to hyperventilate, desperation clawing at his throat. He was on the verge of pleading for his life when, suddenly, the thugs started giggling like schoolchildren, the sound jarringly out of place in the grim setting.
“Oh man, well, unfortunately, we don’t have time for that kind of fun. We’ve got business to attend to, especially with this blackout. I suspect the Romans are up to something, and any moment now, the military will be entering the city, putting us at the top of their shitlist. Lucky for us, this blackout happened when it did. I almost found myself in a foot chase at the train station; some guy ran past me, almost costing me my freedom. The authorities knew my face, but they were too focused on him. Makes me laugh just thinking about it. Anyhow, I’ve talked enough. I hereby offer you this gift: a goodnight bullet for your forever sleep.”
His pupils dilated as he stared down the barrel of the revolver raised to his head. Sweat trickled down his face, soaking into his shirt. His life flashed before his eyes in a rapid, chaotic montage. He took a deep, final breath and closed his eyes, bracing for the end. Time stretched into an eternity, but the expected bullet never came. After what felt like an interminable wait, he cautiously opened his eyes—and realized why.
The ground beneath him trembled violently, the force of the quake making it nearly impossible to stand. His senses were overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the shaking. The thugs around him were equally caught off guard, struggling to maintain their balance.
Seizing his only chance to escape, Ampelius attempted to run despite his hands being tied behind his back. The earthquake was so severe that the thugs could barely stand, let alone give chase.
He stumbled and fell as he made a desperate dash for the street. The ground buckled beneath him, sending him crashing onto his stomach. Each time he tried to get back up, the tremors knocked him down again. He gritted his teeth, fighting through fear and pain, determined to seize this fleeting opportunity. The air was filled with the sounds of crumbling buildings and the panicked shouts of the thugs, who were too preoccupied with the quake to notice his escape.
Every step was a battle against the quaking earth, but Ampelius pushed on, his heart pounding with a mix of terror and hope. He knew his survival depended on his ability to keep moving, no matter how many times he fell.
One of the thugs spotted him trying to escape. They drew a handgun from a holster and aimed. Two shots rang out, but the bullets zipped past Ampelius and struck a car in front of him. One shattered the window, spraying glass everywhere. Loose debris from the buildings rained down around him as he struggled toward the street. Almost there! he thought.
A third shot narrowly missed, hitting the car's rear tire and causing it to violently deflate. Ampelius tripped and landed hard on his stomach next to the vehicle. Quickly, he maneuvered himself upright and locked eyes with the gunman, who was still struggling to stand and aim. Another shot rang out, missing Ampelius but hitting a bystander across the street.
The bystanders collapsed, a pool of blood forming around them. Ampelius saw the thug frantically trying to reload. Meanwhile, the other thug—the one who had almost executed him—began firing his revolver, taking potshots at him. Ampelius scrambled, using his feet to push himself behind the car for cover. The earthquake continued to shake the ground violently, causing nearby structures to weaken and crack, on the verge of collapse.
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The ground continued to tremble violently, making it difficult for anyone to stay on their feet. The creaking and groaning of the buildings grew louder as they began to give way, dust and debris filling the air in a chaotic cloud. Despite the turmoil, Ampelius focused on his escape, knowing his survival depended on reaching safety.
Buildings connected to the alleyway crumbled, sending large chunks crashing to the ground. Ampelius peeked out from behind the car to see what the masked thugs were doing. The one with the handgun was struck in the head by a piece of falling debris. It wasn’t large enough to kill them, but it delivered a strong enough blow to knock them out cold, promising a nasty headache upon waking.
The thug with the revolver wasn’t as lucky. As they struggled to reload their weapon, a massive piece of the building broke free and plummeted down, crushing them beneath its weight. The impact was instantaneous, leaving no chance for survival. Ampelius watched in a mix of horror and relief as the scene unfolded, the earthquake continuing to shake the city’s foundations.
Debris rained down from above as the ground shook violently. Dust and rubble choked the air, making it difficult to see and breathe. Ampelius knew he had to stay alert and seize this chance to escape. The collapsing buildings and incapacitated thugs provided a narrow window, and he intended to take full advantage of it.
Smoke and dust filled the alleyway as more chunks of debris rained down from the sky. The massive fire had been extinguished, and the remaining thugs vanished into the thick, choking haze. All Ampelius could see now was a landscape of destruction and chaos. He breathed a sigh of relief as another large chunk of building crashed down nearby, narrowly missing him.
He wondered if any of the thugs had survived but ultimately hoped they hadn’t. He remained crouched, waiting as the earthquake continued to shake the ground beneath him. The tremors felt endless, each one threatening more destruction. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the shaking stopped. Yet the sounds of crumbling buildings and distant cries continued to echo through the air.
Looking around, Ampelius saw people slowly emerging from their hiding places, cautiously stepping into the devastation that had befallen their city. The streets were choked with dust and debris, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. The once bustling city was now eerily silent, save for the occasional sound of collapsing structures. Ampelius took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves as he surveyed the damage. The scene was surreal, a stark reminder of the fragile nature of their existence in this tumultuous world.
He searched the ground for anything sharp to cut through the binds, holding his hands. It didn’t take long to find a jagged piece of metal. He used it to see through the restraints, feeling a surge of relief as they finally fell away.
The earthquake had caused massive damage to everything within sight. Some buildings were partially collapsed, while others were completely destroyed. Shattered glass and debris littered the street and sidewalk. Bodies of the dead and wounded lay scattered, with survivors tending to themselves or helping those around them. His apartment building appeared relatively intact, but he knew better than to assume it was safe.
Suddenly, he remembered that Bella was still inside. "BELLA!" he screamed, panic rising in his chest. He sprinted across the street, narrowly avoiding an injured person. His heart pounded as he dodged debris and maneuvered through the chaos, desperate to reach the apartment building and ensure Bella’s safety.
As he approached the main doors, he reached out to open them, but the weakened hinges gave way, causing the entire frame to collapse the moment he touched the handle. With the doors now lying on the floor, he carefully stepped inside, his eyes scanning the area for any potential hazards. Cracks marred the walls and ceiling, clear signs that the building was unstable and could collapse at any moment.
Treading carefully, Ampelius made his way to the stairs, each step echoing ominously in the silence. The staircase was littered with debris, and the banister wobbled dangerously under his grip. Despite the treacherous ascent, he pressed on, his heart pounding with fear and determination. The creaking of the structure and the occasional sound of falling debris kept him on edge, but the thought of Bella drove him forward.
Every step felt like an eternity. The air was thick with dust, making it difficult to see and breathe, but he pushed through and focused on his goal. The building groaned under the strain of the earthquake, a constant reminder of the danger he was in.
The fourth floor appeared relatively untouched, only missing a few wall paintings that had fallen during the tremors. Ampelius sprinted toward the apartment, shouting for Bella as he went. His voice echoed through the hallway, but there was no reply. Frantically, he searched his pockets for the keys, only to realize they had been taken when he was searched.
Desperation fueled his actions as he positioned himself in front of the door. He delivered a powerful kick with all his might, splintering the door and sending it flying open. He rushed inside, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of Bella.
“Bella! Where are you? Are you here?” Ampelius screamed, his voice filled with fear and urgency. The silence that followed was deafening, amplifying his anxiety. He moved further into the apartment, his heart pounding as he continued to call out for her, hoping desperately for a response.
The apartment was a complete mess, as if a tornado had ripped through, turning everything upside down. Darkness enveloped the space as Ampelius cautiously moved further in. His eyes struggled to adjust to the gloom, but a fire outside offered just enough light to reveal the faint gray outlines of the couch and nearby shelves.
The once familiar surroundings now felt eerie and disorienting, shadows dancing ominously on the walls. He carefully navigated through the debris, his heart racing with every step. Just as he began to lose hope, he heard a faint voice calling from the direction of the bathroom.
Ampelius froze, straining to hear it again. “Bella?” he called out, his voice barely above a whisper. The faint voice responded, confirming his hopes. He hurried toward the bathroom, urgency renewed, but he remained cautious, aware of the unstable surroundings. The voice grew clearer as he approached, guiding him through the wreckage.
“Bella?” he called again, his voice filled with concern.
He listened intently but was met with silence. Undeterred, he called out again as he reached the bathroom door.
“I’m in here! I’m stuck! The roof collapsed, and I can’t move!” she replied, her voice strained.
“Okay, hold on! I’ll get you out!” Ampelius shouted back, his determination growing as he closed the distance to the bathroom.
Ampelius searched frantically for any light source. Rummaging through jackets and pants, he eventually found a lighter. After a quick, successful test, he scanned the room for something strong enough to break down the door. He tried opening it first, but as expected, it was jammed and wouldn’t budge. He then attempted to kick it open, but his efforts were in vain. He thought I probably shouldn’t try kicking it, realizing it might cause more harm than good.
“There’s debris blocking the door. You won’t get through that way; you’ll have to tear it down,” Bella's voice came from the other side, strained but clear.
“Okay, give me a minute; I have an idea,” he replied, his mind racing for a solution. He knew he needed to act quickly but carefully, as the unstable building could collapse further with any sudden movements. Holding the lighter in one hand, he began searching the apartment for something to help him tear down the door.
He remembered his cousin had stored a hatchet in his bedroom. Navigating through the chaos, he pushed open the bedroom door. The bed, dressers, and nightstands were all shuffled around, making it difficult to move. He had no idea where the hatchet was but decided to start with the closet. Carefully, he made his way through the mess and opened the closet door. To his relief, the first thing he saw was the hatchet. Good guess, Ampelius, he muttered to himself.
He rushed back to the bathroom door and started hacking away at it with the hatchet. Each swing sent splinters flying, but he pressed on, his determination unwavering. It didn’t take long to dismantle the door and remove the debris blocking his entry. The sound of the hatchet striking wood echoed through the apartment, but he paid no mind to the noise, focused solely on freeing Bella.
Once he cleared the way, Ampelius saw Bella lying in the bathtub, trapped by fallen debris. Her face was pale and covered in dust, but her eyes were open and alert. "Bella, I'm here," he said, his voice filled with relief and urgency. He quickly assessed the situation, trying to figure out the best way to free her without causing further injury.
“Hang on, I’m going to get you out,” he reassured her, his mind racing with possible strategies. The sight of her trapped and vulnerable fueled his determination even more. He knew he had to act fast but carefully to ensure her safety.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice tight with concern.
“I’m fine. I got lucky; I just can’t lift this off myself,” Bella replied, her voice steady but strained.
“I’ll get you out. Just hang on,” Ampelius repeated, his resolve unwavering.
He carefully removed the last bits of debris, clearing the way to help Bella out of the tub. As she stood, he glanced up and noticed the night sky visible through a hole in the ceiling, stars twinkling in the dark expanse. Bella appeared shaken but miraculously unharmed.
As they left the bathroom, Ampelius spotted a blanket draped over a chair. He grabbed it and gently wrapped it around her shoulders. “Here, this should help keep you warm,” he said softly, offering her what little comfort he could.
Bella nodded; her eyes filled with gratitude. Together, they navigated through the wreckage of the apartment, the weight of the night’s events pressing down on them. The apartment, now a testament to the earthquake's destruction, stood in stark contrast to its previous state. But despite the devastation, they had each other, and that was all that mattered at that moment.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, his eyes scanning her for any hidden injuries.
“Yes, and I don’t need this damn blanket. I’m shaking from the experience, not from being cold,” Bella replied, tossing the blanket aside. “Anyway, what happened? That was a violent earthquake. What a time for it to strike!”
“Well, we do live on a fault line that runs up the entire west coast, but this area hasn’t experienced an earthquake in years,” Ampelius explained, trying to make sense of the situation. “And you’re right about the timing. I went outside and nearly got murdered when the earthquake hit—ironically, it saved my life.”
Bella’s eyes widened in shock. “What? What do you mean you were almost murdered?”
“Yeah,” Ampelius said, taking a deep breath. “I got caught up in serious trouble with a group of thugs. They had a gun to my head, ready to pull the trigger, when the earthquake hit. It threw everything into chaos, and I managed to escape. I don’t even know if they survived.”
Bella shook her head, trying to process what she was hearing. “That’s unbelievable. We need to get out of here. This place isn’t safe.”
Ampelius nodded, glancing around the damaged apartment. “You’re right. Let’s grab what we can and find a safer place. We can’t stay here with the building this unstable.”
Together, they quickly gathered essentials, preparing to leave and face whatever challenges awaited them outside.
Suddenly, the apartment began to shake again. Ampelius and Bella braced themselves against the walls as loose debris rained down. A glass fell from the kitchen counter, shattering on the floor. The aftershock was intense but brief, lasting no more than twenty seconds.
“This building could collapse at any moment. We need to leave while we still can. You were supposed to meet Emmett at your place, right? Maybe we should start there,” Ampelius suggested, his voice urgent.
“Yeah, he was supposed to be there hours ago. I don’t even know what time it is now, except that it’s night,” Bella replied, worry etched on her face.
“The people on the streets are starting to lose their minds. I don’t know how violent it will get, but if I’ve learned anything, fear often leads to chaos,” Ampelius said grimly.
Bella nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “You’re right. We need to move quickly and stay together. Let’s take what we can and get out of here.”
They swiftly gathered essential items, their movements deliberate and cautious. The apartment continued to groan under the stress of the aftershocks, the walls seeming to close in on them as they worked. Each creak and crack of the building heightened their sense of urgency.
Ampelius glanced at Bella, his expression resolute. “Stay close to me, and if anything happens, don’t stop. We have to make it to your place and find Emmett. He’s our priority now.”
Bella nodded, determination replacing the fear in her eyes. “Let’s go,” she said, and together, they moved toward the exit, ready to face the chaos outside and find Emmett.
As they gathered the last of their belongings, the shattered glass from the windows littered the floor, letting in the chaotic sounds from outside. The noise made Ampelius uneasy; it sounded like a riot was unfolding, a cacophony of screams and explosions. He avoided the window, resisting the urge to look outside as curiosity tugged at him.
Suddenly, another aftershock struck, causing the building to tremble. This one was brief but intense, ending as abruptly as it began. This isn’t normal, he thought, unease creeping into his mind. Then, the outside noise abruptly stopped. Not a single sound came from beyond the walls.
His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he walked cautiously toward the window. As he approached, his heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and anticipation driving him forward. Each step toward the window felt like a descent into something he could no longer control. The chaos below was more than a scene—it was a reminder of how powerless he’d become, watching his city torn apart, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it. The weight of that realization settled on him, heavy and cold.
The street below, filled with chaos moments ago, was now deserted. The riotous crowd had vanished, leaving behind a scene of desolation. Fires still burned in the distance, casting an eerie glow over the wreckage, but no movement could be seen. Cars were abandoned, and debris was scattered everywhere, but the people were gone. It was as if the earth had swallowed them.
Ampelius felt a pang of loss, realizing how drastically his home had transformed. This was the city he’d once walked through daily, each corner familiar, each street carrying memories. Now, it felt foreign—an alien landscape of destruction and emptiness. This wasn’t just a city under attack; it was his world unraveling before him.
Ampelius scanned the area, his mind racing with questions. What had caused this sudden disappearance? Where had everyone gone? The silence was unnerving, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had reigned just moments before. He turned back to Bella, who was watching him with wide eyes, sensing the gravity of the situation. The memories of simpler days flooded back, of a Vetera that felt stable, even under the Empire’s watch. Now, that stability was a distant dream, buried beneath smoke and ruin. Ampelius clenched his fists, feeling the ache of nostalgia mixed with the bitterness of loss. How had things fallen apart so quickly? The city he knew, the life he’d built—it was all slipping away, piece by piece.
“We need to move, now,” he said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. “Something’s not right out there, and we can’t stay here.”
Bella nodded, and together, they steeled themselves for whatever awaited them outside the fragile safety of the apartment.
As they prepared to leave, a strange, eerie light began to filter through the windows. Ampelius and Bella looked out to see glowing green volcanic ash clouds rising from Mount Nerva, spewing high into the sky. The mountain had begun to violently erupt, sending shock waves through the city. Ampelius recalled the video of Mount Blackrock releasing the same glowing green volcanic ash into the atmosphere. Why is it green? he wondered, a sense of dread creeping over him.
“I think whatever happened in Capsai is happening here,” Ampelius said nervously.
They exchanged a worried glance, the gravity of their situation sinking in. The eerie green glow illuminated the sky, casting an otherworldly light over the desolate streets below. The once familiar city now looked alien and foreboding, heightening the urgency of their escape.
“We need to find Emmett and get out of here,” Ampelius said, his voice firm with resolve.