The Eternal Tomb

____________

Book 1 - The Southsea Safe Zone

****

Day 1

“The apocalypse.”

A strange silence instantly spread throughout the classroom. If it wasn't for the occasional scream or crash coming from the outside world, the silence would have been deafening. Everyone knew that Andrew had mental issues. A few of Andrew’s older acquaintances had even heard him scream ‘The apocalypse is coming!’ multiple times before.

...

“How.. how d-do you know it’s the apo-apocalypse?” A petite girl called Emma asked with her eyes still glued on the black insect corpse.

Looking at his classmate Andrew decided not to answer. Who would believe him if he told the truth anyway?

“Thank you…” A soft, mosquito-like voice suddenly came from behind him. Turning around Andrew was probably the only student at Southsea High who had ever heard Ms. Weeks use a meek tone before.

Nodding slightly Andrew decided not to make fun of her. Looking at the insect corpse his eyes suddenly turned cold.

“I'm leaving.” Andrew said frankly. For years he had prepared himself for this. He was by far the most emotionally stable person in the room, school or perhaps even country. He wouldn't lock himself in here, hoping that the military would save him.

Of course, Andrew didn't know if the military would come or not. He only knew that humanity would fall, so why should he leave it up to fate?

“No you're not.” The class president Eva, said seriously. “You don't know what kind of.. of monsters there are outside! We should wait for someone of authority.” She concluded.

Looking into Eva’s eyes Andrew instantly saw the fear and reluctance hidden inside.

Andrew would not define himself a cruel person. He knew, or well he could guess, what would happen to these people, his classmates, if he left them here alone.

Sighing he looked carefully at his classmates. Some of them were his bullies, some of them had ignored him, some of them had looked down on him.

In this classroom, he didn't have a single ally.

But could he leave them to die?

…

“You can go. But if you do, you have to leave your knife behind.” Alex, Andrews main bully and the class’ informal leader, suddenly broke the silence.

Hearing Alex’s words the atmosphere in the classroom suddenly froze.

“H-how could you say that Alex?! Do you think he will survive if he walks out there unarmed?!” Ms. Weeks suddenly regained her wits. Even if she didn't particularly like her job as a teacher, she still possessed the least amount of responsibility for her students safety. Hearing Alex’s words… it was the same as killing Andrew!

“Do you think we will survive in here without it?” Alex frowned. “We all saw how the Mantis appeared, it spawned out of thin air! Do you think we will live if we fight against those things with our fists?!” Alex raised his voice, glaring at his teacher. Hearing his words several of his ‘subordinates’ nodded affirmingly.

“You’re getting something wrong.” A cold, strangely unfamiliar, voice suddenly interrupted the student vs teacher argument.

“There's no way I'm handing my knife to you. If you want it, you're welcome to try to take it.” Andrew said provokingly, like a wolf warning not to come close. He had already saved this arrogant bastard’s life once and now, instead of thanking him, he wishes to take his knife away? Not a chance in hell.

Alex, noticing Andrew's strange behaviour, felt something was wrong and frowned. “How? How has this little weasel suddenly turned so ferocious?” Staring into Andrew’s cold gray eyes Alex suddenly felt a bit of fear and uncertainty.

“Is this really… Andrew Ashby?”

...

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

After a short but hot discussion the students inside 3B classroom decided to split into two factions.

The majority of the students felt safer inside the classroom, this group was obviously led by the class president Eva. Their goal was to wait for an authority figure to show up. They lived in the naval city of Portsmouth, England after all. The navy would surely not sit idly by while monsters terrorised the citizens...

The other faction was smaller. Consisting of those who wished to leave the classroom to search for family members or friends.

This group was oddly enough lead by two people, Andrew Ashby and Alexander Bishop.

Ms. Weeks looked at Andrew and the other students getting ready to leave.

She wanted to leave with them! However with the majority of the students wanting to stay, she couldn't just get up and leave them.

…

Andrew scrutinised the six students equipped with broken desk legs and brooms in front of him.

Alexander and his three subordinates; Tommy, James and Dick. The petite beauty Emma and her best friend Kate.

Out of everyone present Andrew knew Alex the best. He was an arrogant bully, sure. However he was also a smart and incredibly sly individual. His three subordinates however, were stereotypical gangster teenagers. The only thing they ever talked about was booze, sex and clubbing.

Emma didn't seem like someone who would want to leave the classroom. In fact, ever since the insect died she had been in constant shivers.

Kate was, on the other hand, surprisingly calm and collected. Looking into her sky blue eyes she returned Andrew’s gaze and nodded.

“Ok, before we go.” Andrew paused, hesitating. “Have any of you noticed any floating screens?”

Strange looks appeared on the students faces.

“What the f*ck are you talking about?” Tommy, Alex’s minion, snickered in confusion.

Seeing as no one else spok-

“Um.. I-I have!” Emma, who had previously been silently staring at the ground, suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone, including Kate, looked shockingly at the petite beauty.

“What did it say?” Andrew forced down his excitement and asked. Finally, he thought, I'm not just seeing things anymore. They are real!

“Um…” Blushing at the different gazes directed at her, Emma slowly opened up. “I-it said something about m-my spirit and that I’ve e-ehm.. awakened…?”

Focusing on her words Andrew thought of one of his previous suspicions.

“If I have an uncharacteristically high attribute, then there must be others who has well.”

“Good. If you utter the words ‘display profile’ you’ll be able to see your personal attributes. I recommend you don't tell anyone about their details.” Andrew said slowly. At his words several of the students muttered ‘display profile’ softly, only to be met with disappointment and confusion.

“Wow! It's like a game!” Emma exclaimed in surprise. Focusing on the empty space in front of her.

“So that's how I look when I am reading my profile…” Andrew sighed. No wonder his teacher thought he was daydreaming or something.

Alex, who had been observing this exchange, frowned deeply. Looking at the pondering Andrew a strange thought suddenly appeared in his mind...

“He knows more than us.”

…

Outside the classroom there was nothing but an eerie calmness. No monstrous insects, no blood and no people.

Only and empty corridor.

With Ashby and Alex taking the lead the group of horrified students sneaked their way forward.

Dick, who was walking closest to the left corridor wall, took a quick look into an adjoining classroom.

Splurge.

Vomiting Dick fell to the floor. In the classroom he had seen a scene more absurd than any nightmare.

Blood, limbs and gore covered the floor, walls and windows. In the middle of the room stood two devil-like Young Obsidian Mantises, their black insect bodies coloured red.

Alex, seeing his friend kneeling on the floor, could barely guess what he had seen inside the classroom. Beckoning to his two other minions, James and Tommy, they supported the shaking Dick before continuing to move.

The shivering Emma held onto Kate’s arm as they tried their best to ignore the other classrooms…

Arriving at the 3rd floor stairway the group froze.

On the platform between the 3rd and 2nd floor a short, red-skinned humanoid with sharp claws and horns crouched and was eating the entrails of their mathematics teacher, Mr. Newman.

Focusing on the monster, a name eventually materialised up above it.

【 Red Imp Scout 】

“A-an Imp?” Emma whispered in fear and terror. The only thing keeping her from falling was the strong arm she held on to.

Andrew wasn't immune to the horrifying scene either. Clenching his teeth he forced a mouthful of burning puke back down his throat. This wasn't something a normal person could get used to. Even the sly Alex had to hold onto his stomach, a pale expression on his face.

The Red Imp Scout wasn't alerted by the arrival of six new humans. In fact, due to the absolutely delicious treat below it, it even failed to notice them!

Andrew, clenching his knife, looked at Alex holding a broken broom beside him, the wooden edge having formed a sharp point.

The two of them had instantly realised the opportunity in front of them.

With a surprisingly equal look in their eyes, they nodded.

…

The Red Imp Scout only felt a fleeting hint of danger before a wooden ‘spear’ pierced its left shoulder. Black blood instantly spewing.

Gjaaa.

With an inhuman scream the frenzied Imp slashed its demonic claws towards the spear.

Tick.

Instantly a large piece of the spear was cut off.

However with its left arm disabled by the spear and its right arm extended towards Alex, the Imp failed to defend against the cold knife heading towards its neck.

With a single swing, the small Imp was nearly beheaded. If it wasn't for Andrew’s shoulder still being wounded, the head would have certainly grown wings and flied.

【 You’ve defeated a [Red Imp Scout]. Reward(s): 5 Contribution Points (SP). 】

Receiving his reward Andrew replayed the attack inside his head.

“Terrifying…”

Andrew wasn't a trained soldier, nor was he a black-belt martial artist. Yet each time he was placed in a life-threatening danger, time seemed to slow down. This in turn, lets his brain process things much more smoothly. Resulting in him accomplish things he normally wouldn't be capable of.

Like that swing for example. When the knife was just a few centimetres away from the Imp’s neck it had actually moved slightly! However with an exceptional perception Andrew actually caught this tiny movement and adapted his swing.

That's why he thought it was terrifying.

“I awakened.” An amused voice suddenly interrupted Andrew's mental replay.

Looking at Alex, Andrew suddenly thought of something.

“Is it because he helped me kill the Imp?”

Observing the dazed expression on Alex’s face, Andrew cleaned his knife.

“Did you receive any rewards?” He asked curiously.

Alex, who was already reading something in the air, nodded softly.

“Ah! So these are the screens you were referring to? Yes, I received something called 5 contribution points. You?” Alex answered with a surprisingly honest tone. It seems the previous fight finally convinced Alex that the Andrew in front of him wasn’t the introverted Andrew he was used to, but a force to be reckoned with.

“The same.”

“Alex? Is it dead?” The still shaking Dick asked with a pale-face from the 3rd floor.

Looking up Andrew and Alex both nodded.

“It's dead.”