Day 0

When the sun slowly erased the shadows of the vacant city, Noah woke up in a foreign bed. He labouriously stood up and witnessed the familiar city of Rome, but something was off. Noah took to the streets where he saw thousands of others do the same, wandering the deserted road.

Day 14

"Mr. Oppenheimer"

An officer handed Noah a document pertaining to the details of the current situation. He knew the man, a commander now reduced in a dire time. Noah was surprised to see so many influential people; presidents, and prime ministers.

 Population: 144,000

 Location: Unknown (Replica of Rome)

 Cause: Unknown

 Transport Date: 1999/12/31

 Note: Communications incapacitated, Incident may be related to Y2K

Reflecting on his past role in special forces, he was an important figure in this "Non-Rome". Noah made his way to the meeting, passing strangers of all shapes, colours and sizes.

A formicarium is an enclosed cage for the study of ant colonies and how they behave. Just like humans, they are quick to divide labour and systemize even in an unfamiliar environment. After a brief period of stabilization, a temporary government was established and the people began to work various jobs.

One of these jobs was the topographer, who mapped out the city and the surrounding area, looking for food and water - limited resources in the concrete desert. Recently, they found a 1m2 hole leading beneath the crust.

"...and that is why we require your assistance, Mr. Oppenheimer"

Noah looked up, breaking out of his ponderance. 

"Sorry, what was that?"

"We would like you to lead the Zeroth squad"

Day 21

The Zeroth squad stood awaiting Noah's arrival above "The Maw" as they called it. They checked their communication gears in the meantime.

"I'm getting tired of the light…" said squad member '2' to '4'

"Same, I can't believe I miss the night now"

"Good, more motivation to get out of this place," said Noah, appearing from the shadows

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The Zeroth squad was confidential in nature, a public First Squad would establish later. The council expected it to be a suicide mission, unfit for the anxious public. The main purpose of the squad was to gather supplies as well as to expand the map until expiration.

"Let's get started"

The crew linked their climbing gear to the metal rope and began descending the endless pit. 

Day 28

Only a week had passed, but it felt like years to Noah. It reminded him of his old life back home, but at least back then he had a vague idea of the future. Now his foresight was blinded in the pitch-black jungle. 

"The sun is still hot down here…" said squad member '2'

After landing on the soft soil, the squad looked for shelter in this unexpected environment - not that they expected anything. They encountered various life forms and biomes, a refreshing scenery from the people and bricks. The main objective was now to survive and send information back to headquarters. 

"Mr. Oppenheimer, if I may, I have an idea," said squad member '3' "This place… whatever it is, it seems a bit like an ark. The various animals and environments have been preserved here for a reason"

"What are you getting at?"

"I fear the worst, sir. But to know for sure, I suggest we explore further below. The Non-Rome seems to be the vertical limit, but the ark still lacks seawater for the sea creatures"

"...Are you implying it isn't a flood this time?"

"This is no mere boat, sir"

Day 35

Indeed they found another pit leading far below. Noah and squad member '3' would advance to floor -2 while the rest stayed behind.

When they landed on the coarse sand, they were greeted with the refreshing breeze of the sea. Noah began to deploy the inflatable raft while member '3' set up the communication devices. The intense sun radiated stronger as if it was repelling pests.

“Whew, it’s burning hot even by the sea”

"So, is this the end?" asked Noah to no response

The low ceiling combined with the unseen horizon created a bizarre sense of scale across the water as if they were ants under the foot of a giant.

Day 42

Noah waved goodbye to member '3' as he entered the pit at the root of a massive tree. He was oblivious to what floor -3 would hold. 

This time, there was no soft floor to land on, but a dark obsidian floor. Now he was faced with the most bizarre architect he had seen. The wall folded upon itself like waves, flowing elegantly like paint in water. The room was lit with sunlight from an unknown source, warming his skin. The floor was reactive to his movement and the strange patterns lured him.

A voice called out to him from the beyond.

“Greetings, Sinner”

"Wh-who are you?"

"I am the Sun, but you can call me Hell"

"...What have you done to us?"

"This 'ark' is but a surgical instrument. Life faced salvation in the face of death as I removed the cancer of Earth"

A cold sensation ran down Noah's back as he processed the words that were spoken. They were wrong, this was an anti-ark. The world was saved from another flood of Genesis with the expulsion of sinners.

"Then why bring me here?"

"You will witness me, brave one. Tell the rest and despair"

A circular opening expanded, revealing how close the ship was to the star. Noah felt the intense heat radiating through the hole as he stumbled back. He began to run, even in the face of futility. The news spread like a disease as the sinners spent their last days immersed in panic, fear and evil.

And so the ark was successfully delivered to the sun, and the cycle began once more. Perhaps one-day mankind will escape this ritual, but until then, Hell will shine brightly upon Earth, cultivating life, waiting for another end of the world.