It turned out that fighting Zombies one on one wasn't so difficult, the bastards were slow and as long as you kept moving you could dart in, split their skull and dart back out of the way.
Ryusei, the fucking moron, had blown the gates wide open, leaving an opening fifteen feet across for the undead to just waltz through. However, the jackass had done us one favour: his mad dash for freedom had taken out the zombies that had already begun to congregate around the gate and the racket he made had drawn any others towards him. It'd only last for a short time as he was going far too fast to make a good decoy. They'd turn their attention back to the school soon.
But until then, I'd make a fighting retreat until the boys showed up. And as thin as the horde was at the moment I was making progress. I kept my head on a swivel, making dead sure not to let the fuckers get too close to me or in my blind spots.
Occasionally, I'd give one of them a swift kick with my heavy-duty boots, they weren't steel toed, though, despite the possible protection those had they were more likely to break your damn toes, then smashing in their skulls with a swift stomp with my heel.
Thankfully, though, they were still coming in a trickle, which meant I could take them individually. I was determined not to allow the bastards to enter the school grounds because if they did we'd lose our choke point and would never be able to push them out.
This location would serve as our Thermopylae. And while I had no intention of dining in hell, we'd hold these Hot Gates for as long as we could...
If they made it in time. The trickle I'd been able to handle was now becoming a stream I was having to move back and forth to prevent the undead from getting behind me or around me. I was now dual wielding with my axe in one hand and a knife in the other, hacking and slashing in all directions. Shit, I was getting surrounded. Dammit! If I died now everything would be for nothing!
The thought of leaving behind Shizuka and my boys lit a new fire under me and I began swinging faster, becoming a whirling dervish of destruction, the corpses were dropping faster and faster, yet for everyone I took down, two more took their place. I'd always heard that term before and I'd never really understood the true horror of such a situation until now.
With a final burst of effort I cleared as large an area around as I could to buy myself a few moments….and more and more kept coming right towards me…
Then, as if by magic, everything changed.
I heard an impact next to me and standing there, axe in hand, was Takashi Komuro.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes," I muttered as I stood up. Nothing like a bit of backup to trigger your second wind.
To the side I saw Rei Miyamoto holding one of our spears at the ready as well as his friend Hisashi Igou who was standing in a Kempo pose.
"I was cutting when I got the call," he admitted. "Saw everything from the roof. Made it as fast as I could."
"Attention all students!" the speaker system suddenly announced. "This is an emergency situation and all students are to seek shelter in the school! I repeat! All students are to seek shelter inside the school! If anyone is bitten, please report it to a teacher immediately!"
I smiled. It seemed that Kyoko had made it to the PA system. Thank God, that could keep things from going to complete shit… just partially shit…
"Miyamoto! Igou!" I barked. "Do not engage the enemy!" I ordered.
"But we can fight!" Igou cut in.
"If they bite you, you die," I stated as I caved the head of another zombie. "You aren't properly armed. Right now I'd have to waste time to protect you. Both."
Rei flushed, "Just because we're not in your stupid club doesn't mean we're useless! I know how to fight"
"No," I snapped. "You're not!"
Pulling back from the fight for a moment I fished a key out of my pocket and threw it to her. "And you'll get your chance. But right now I need more than just another spear on the line. I need you to get all the martial arts clubs together and have them go to service room 0-14. Unlock it and take what's inside!"
"W-what?"
"We don't have time for questions! Just do it! Use the PA!"
She nodded and ran off.
Then I glanced to Igou. "Get everyone else who can fight. I don't care who, and head to gym and get every piece of sports equipment you can find that can double as a weapon! Get the fire axes from the hallways too!"
He nodded. "Right. I'll protect the school!"
Maybe it was because of an adrenaline shock but I had to fight down a giggle at the deadly seriousness of his words. Japan, such a funny place.
"You do that, kid. And don't die. That's an order."
"Yes, Sensei!"
I smiled as he ran off. And then smiled even more as a horde of latter-day Saxons came pouring from the side door of the school.
Every single one of my boys had answered the call. Including poor Kenji, the poor sod had failed a class from his own actions and was forced to take a remedial semester before he started studying for University exams. I'd pitied the poor guy at the time, but now I was thanking all the saints and every kami in Japan the guy stunk at math.
"Holy shit," Kouta exclaimed upon seeing the horde. "You really were serious!"
"Yes, because I'm one for tall tales, Kouta." I muttered flatly as most of the boys rushed forward and shield met zombie with a mighty crash.
Taking a moment to catch my breath, I took a look at my knife. Half the blade has snapped off in some zombie's skull at some point.
With a sigh I tossed it to the side and looked over to Kouta. "You have my gear?"
"Right here, Sensei!" Several of the other boys called out. Grinning, I broke from the fight, having faith that my boys could handle themselves.
I called over my shoulders as I ran to get my gear on. "Aim for the head and don't let them bite you! If they do, you're dead!"
"Like the movies?" Hayato asked from the front line.
"Just like the movies!"
Kouta helped me get my chainmail on and slid my helmet onto my head as I cinched my belt over the mail. One thing the movies never mention is that if you don't do that then the weight of the chainmail is utter murder on your shoulders. Checking myself over one last time I took a deep breath. Back to the battle.
Then my Cellphone rang.
Gritting my teeth, I answered. "What is it Oga?"
"Am I the only one who's seeing fucking zombies?"
"No you're not! We're fighting for our fucking lives here." I snarled back. "It's the fucking Zombie Apocalypse!"
"Huh. Well, shit. Listen, we're holding out for now but I'm guessing you want me to save as many of these morons as I can before we get overrun, right?""
"Yes, Oga..."
"Well shit. Guess I gotta go smash some heads and see how many of them I can kick some sense into. Meet up with you later."
"Don't do anything stupid. We're gonna need you."
"... Heh. Thanks, Sensei. Remember not to die."
He closed the line and I glanced up to watch my Huscarls throw themselves into the fray. To my relief, it seemed they were holding the line just fine. Even pushing back the horde back out of the gates and forming a two man thick line, with the ones in the back stabbing over their compatriots with the lugged spears I'd also trained them to use.
Taking a step forward, I readied myself to reenter the fray.
And then my phone rang again.
"Oh for fuck's sake!"
----------
From the door to the school, Saya Takagi looked on in mute shock.
When she'd seen that musclebound midget dork Kouta bolt from the classroom she'd been infuriated and, against her better judgement, had followed with the intention of giving him a piece of her mind. She was, after all, Class President and while she had only taken the rank to shut up her father, it still came with responsibilities and just letting him cutand run in the middle of a lecture would make her look bad.
She'd been shocked when he ignored her and dashed into the changing room with a couple dozen others of his cosplaying dork friends. She'd been ever more shocked when they came out couple minutes later looking like they were were preparing to raid the English coastline.
She wasn't about to scream at a bunch of suddenly scary-looking boys with suspiciously authentic-looking battleaxes, but she did want to know what was going on. So she followed. And then she saw something that would stick with her forever.
Fucking zombies.
She was smart. Very smart. Genius level smart. She knew because she'd been tested and was easily in the 99th percentile of intelligence in most fields. She prided herself on having an answer for everything, and when she didn't, she'd do her all to figure it out using the elements she could observe. Most of the time it worked.
Most of the time. Right now as she ran through the possibilities every she found flaws in every possibility. Rabies? No. These bodies were dead, not rabid. Fungus? No. No signs of fungal infestation. Nanotechnology? It could have been a possibility if it actually existed.
Again and again she tried to figure out something rational. And again and again, it was shot down.
About the only thing she could even make stick was "Alien Space Bats", but even then, it was a complete cop out to just shrug and say "A Wizard Did It".
But that wasn't the only thing that had caught her eye. In fact, it actually caused the lesser reaction of the two.
It was Takashi, her Takashi, with shield and axe ripping through a horde of zombies, looking like he'd tripped and fallen out of an issue of Vinland Saga.
For as long as she could remember, he'd been there for her. He was her rock, and once, maybe she'd even loved him. She knew him as well as she knew herself, or at least she'd thought she did.
As he formed a line with the other boys she was left to wonder: where had he hidden this? How had she missed this?
She frowned. It was because she'd stopped paying attention. Ever since it'd become obvious that him and Miyamoto were an item she'd forced herself to distance herself from Takashi, acting surly and insulting him at every opportunity. She'd been ashamed for herself later, but it was for the best. Better to set boundaries now and prevent heartbreak later. Then he started to act like an irritating slacker who couldn't even show up for class half the time and she felt she'd been proven right in her actions.
It had vexed the hell out of her and twisted her perceptions. But now her mind was processing new data and the end result was right in front of her.
"Hold the line!" he cried out. "If we fall, the school falls! Give them nothing! Take from them, everything!"
"That's 300, you jackass!" A male voice called from the shield wall.
"Shut up and fight, Kenta! I'd like to see you come up with something better!"
That actually started off laughing among those idiots! How could they be laughing in a situation like this?
Then it struck her. No. They weren't idiots. They knew what they were doing. They were keeping their spirits up. They were risking their lives so that their classmates could survive.
Her eyes locked on Takashi, and she thought back to how she'd been treating him. He, her oldest and most beloved friend. She'd thought that he'd turned into a wastrel, but she'd been wrong, he was a hero.
And the only feeling she could summon was a cold and biting sense of shame.
---------
Most students knew service room 0-14 as the unassuming door in the basement nobody ever went into. It was the most remote and least convenient of the various maintenance rooms in the school. As such, it was also the most uncommonly used. Kept inside were rarely-used seasonal items and equipment of no great importance to basically anyone. The kind of stuff everybody needed but nobody used.
When he'd changed jobs, Tom had made sure to make copies of all the keys. He knew in the days to come being able to access any room in the school would be useful. Such as right now.
This, however, was not known to Rei Miyamoto as she ran down to said room as quickly as she could.
She'd given the announcement, and after some screaming from Ms Hayashi, Principle Yamada had acquiesced and sounded the call.
Moments later, she found herself running towards the storage room as fast as she could.
And it was something of a bother when she saw Saeko Busujima waiting for her, bokken in hand.
Seriously? She'd run as quickly as she could! She'd been the one to tell them to make the announcement! How the hell did she beat her?
"Miyamoto-san," Saeko said with a nod.
"Senpai," she replied in greeting.
"Do you know what this is about?" her senior asked with absolute seriousness. "Through the windows I saw Brody-Sensei's club fighting with a mass of individuals at the gate.There are bodies. I was already on my way out when I heard the announcement. Explain. Now."
"I...this is going to sound crazy but…" she sighed. "Zombies."
If there was one absolute with Saeko Busujima it was her iron clad control. The girl always wore a mask of ironclad serenity. As such, Rei had to resist the urge to laugh when the girl took on one of the most gobsmacked expressions she'd ever seen.
Then her eyes narrowed. "Do not joke with me, Miyamoto-san..."
"I'm not joking!" she exclaimed. "Takashi's out the fighting a giant horde of zombies and Brody-sensei told me to get everyone from the martial arts club and unlock this room!"
At the mention of Brody-sensei's name, the older girl blinked and then gave a stiff nod. "I see."
Rei blinked. Wow. That was all it took for her to believe her?
"Please open the door."
Rei blushed and nodded, fishing the key out of her pocket. Then she placed it into the lock of the heavy wooden door and turned the knob. The door opened smoothly with a slight squeak, then she reached over and flicked the light switch.
What she beheld was one hell of a sight.
On one side of the room was a vast pile of various holiday decorations, capped off by a large plastic santa someone had decided to glue a pair of aviator sunglasses to.
On the other was an honest-to-god armory. Leaning against the wall was row upon row of weapons. Spears, compound bows, quivers full of arrows, a mountain of martial arts weapons, even swords, honest to god swords!
Like the ones from the club room, the spears Brody-sensei had hidden down here were different from the traditional yari. They were larger and heavier, with a viciously long triangular blade with two crossbars underneath it. Her guess was that they were some kind of European spear. Not exactly what she was used to, but well balanced and wickedly sharp. A dependable, no frills weapon.
Her head turned at the sound of a gasp.
Saeko had followed her into the room and was standing in front of the row of swords. A flush had spread across her face and the expression she was showing was indescribable. Tentatively she reached out and picked up one of the swords.
Most of the swords had been dojo-grade weapons. The kind used by senior students of a style to showcase their skills without endangering a more valuable weapon. They were almost entirely utilitarian in design, not even bothering to have many of the common decorations given to a traditionally made Japanese blade. This one, however, the one Saeko had chosen, was a very different weapon indeed.
The blade had a black Saya and Tsuka, wrapped in purple silk with finely polished brass detailing. The Tsuba was not entirely traditional, being made of black steel with an inlay of brass in the shape and form of a lotus.
Almost reverently she drew the sword and gasped. The blade was traditionally forged.
Saeko gave the weapon a quick study and a test swing, and he smile turned to a pout for just a second, but returned quickly when she noticed the small tag hanging off of thesaeko of the weapon.
Looking over, she read it.
Saeko. Protect the school.
The older girl took a deep breath and quickly sheathed the weapon. Her look was one of absolute determination. "Of course, sensei."
Clenching her fist, Saeko rushed over to the final part of the armory: a rack full of leather jackets. There were various styles and in various conditions from good to beat to hell. Many still carried their thrift store sales tags, but they were heavy leather. The kind that would protect against a good, strong bite, she realized. Also along the wall was a large box of work gloves that proudly stated that they had a puncture-resistant kevlar lining. Just how prepared for this was sensei? How had he paid for all of this?
Her fellow student dressed herself like a woman possessed then turned to the door. Since they'd entered the hallway had filled with the members of the clubs.
Rei could hear them commenting on all the weapons and gear and wondering just where had all this come from, and what the hell was going on.
Rei panicked for a moment, Brody-Sensei hadn't told her what to say to the other students and she had no idea how to explain this without looking like a lunatic. But as she dithered, Saeko stepped forward and took control of the situation.
Taking her sword in hand, Saeko turned to them. "I know that you're confused, so was I until a moment ago, but this is what is happening: outside right now, our school is being besieged by the living dead."
Several of the other students started to laugh and comment but she silenced them with a quick draw of her blade.
"Silence! If you do not believe me, look outside, see it with your own eyes and know that for every second you delay one of our classmates risks his life to preserve yours!"
She pointed at the weapons. "Brody-sensei has, in his wisdom, prepared for this eventuality and has given us the tools to protect our school! I for one will not reject his generosity. I intend to fight, for my school, for my classmates, and for my life. And if any of you have even a gram of courage or pride in your hearts, then you'll grab a weapon and follow me."
"For years we've trained in the martial arts of our people, now is the moment where that training proves it worth! Take your weapon and follow me. I will not force you, but if you do not, know now that your cowardice may very well have doomed every one of us!"
She raised her sword. "Who Will Follow?"
The responding cry was deafening, each and every one of the students gathered answered her cry in the affirmative. It was actually a moment before Rei realized that she was screaming too.