As night falls, the tension in the apartment slowly dissipates. Mai sits on the worn sofa, she tosses Greg's pistol to him as she start to wipe her crowbar with a rag while Greg and his family gather nearby. The dim light of a battery-powered lantern flickers, casting long shadows across the room.
"I'm Mai," she begins, breaking the silence. "I figured we should clear the air before tomorrow."
Greg nods slowly. "I'm Greg," he says, his voice still carrying guilt. He gestures to the others. "This is my wife, Heather, and my grandma, Dae."
Heather offers a small smile, resting her hands on her stomach. "It's nice to meet you, Mai. Thank you for sparing Greg earlier."
Mai exhales and leans forward, her elbows resting on her knees. "I think you all deserve to know what happened out there. Your husband here... robbed me."
Heather's face pales, and Dae gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. "Greg! How could you?" Heather exclaims, staring at him in disbelief.
Greg looks away, his face betraying the shame he's trying to hide. "It's true," he admits quietly. "I did it because I was scared. I'm just a regular human with no magic. so of course I would be scared when there's super zombies out there."
Heather's expression softens as Greg continues. "I didn't want to look weak in front of you or Grandma. I'm all you have left, and if I can't keep you alive, then what good am I?" His voice cracks as he finishes.
Mai watches him for a moment, then nods. "It's fine, Greg. I forgive you. But it does make me wonder... how have you all survived this long without a community or any magic to protect yourselves?"
Heather takes a deep breath and begins to explain. "Years before the world went to hell, we were in Nemura City. Back then, there were rumors about the end of the world—talks of a coming apocalypse. So, we prepared. We stocked up on as much food and supplies as we could. When everything fell apart, the people in this apartment building banded together. They fought hard to protect each other... but in the end, we were the only ones left."
She pauses, her eyes welling with tears. "The supplies we hoarded lasted us for a couple of years, but they ran out about a month ago. That's when Greg started going out to scavenge. I never thought he'd go so far as to rob someone... but I understand. We do what we have to do to survive." Heather glances down at her stomach and places a hand on it, her voice softening.
Mai nods slowly. "You won't survive much longer at this pace," she says. "And Nemura City is too far away for you to make it. But if you come with me, you'll have a better chance of surviving."
Dae, who has been listening quietly, finally speaks up. "Darling, Nemura is a long trip. I told Greg before—there's a community nearby called Trano. He brought back posters about it a few times after scavenging. Maybe that's a better option, and it's closer, too."
Greg pulls a crumpled poster from his bag and hands it to Mai. It reads:
"Follow the train tracks to Trano! We serve to protect and survive!"
Mai studies the poster, then nods. "All right, I'll help you get to Trano. You're right—you wouldn't be able to keep up with me on a long trip to Nemura City. But Trano might be exactly what you need."
Greg hesitates, then asks, "How are you so calm during all this? And how did you even get away from that super zombie earlier?"
Mai leans back on the sofa, tapping her crowbar thoughtfully. "I have a little magic," she admits. "I'm still learning, though, so I wouldn't call myself a pro. Honestly, it's just experience. I didn't spend years hiding in a box, you know. I fought. I survived. And I surrounded myself with powerful people. That's what gave me the strength to get stronger."
She turns to Greg. "That's what you need, too. In Trano, you might find people like that—people who can inspire you to grow stronger. People who can help you become the protector your family needs."
Greg's eyes glisten with tears, and he quickly wipes them away. "Thank you, Mai. I don't deserve your kindness, but I'm grateful for it. I'll do my best to keep my family safe, no matter what it takes."
Mai gives him a small smile and leans back, closing her eyes for a moment. "Get some rest. We'll leave at first light."
The room falls into silence again, but this time, it's filled with a sense of hope.
As the morning light filters through the dusty windows, Greg stirs awake. He rubs his eyes and steps out into the living room, surprised to see Mai already standing by the window, gazing out at the city.
"Oh, you're already up," Greg says, stretching. "I'll start packing right away."
Mai turns, resting her crowbar on her shoulder. "I've been up for a while. I did a quick scan of the building and found some useful stuff we can take with us. While you pack, I'll finish gathering supplies."
Greg blinks, confused. "Wait—'scan the building'? What do you mean?"
Mai smirks but doesn't elaborate and steps out into the hallway, leaving Greg scratching his head.
As she strides down the long corridor, faint wisps of magic aura shimmer around her body, glowing softly in the dim light. She closes her eyes briefly, her mind drifting back to a time in Old Berry Town—a memory of training with Simbad.
In her memory, Simbad stands before her, his calm voice carrying wisdom. "The basics of magic start with your aura. You can channel it into specific parts of your body or surround yourself completely. Here's a beginner trick every magic user should be able to do."
He stretches out his hand, and his magic forms a gentle current, lifting a water bottle from across the room and guiding it to his palm.
Mai watches intently before trying it herself. She focuses her energy, and the bottle wobbles into the air, moving halfway across the room before clattering to the floor.
Simbad chuckles. "Don't worry about that. You've only just awakened your magic. Most people start with a small mana pool. The key to growing stronger—and increasing your mana—is consistency. Meditation is the easiest way to build your reserves."
The memory fades, and Mai opens her eyes, determination written across her face. She steps into an empty apartment room and surveys the space. Closing her eyes again, she channels her aura, guiding it to envelop her hands. A soft glow emanates from her palms, rippling outward.
Suddenly, gears, screws, nails, metal pieces, circuit boards, and batteries from the room are drawn toward her glowing hand. Each item that touches the aura and is absorbed into it, disappearing as if stored in an invisible pocket.
Mai moves systematically from room to room, repeating the process with calm precision. Occasionally, she dispatches wandering zombies with a casual swing of her crowbar, not breaking stride.
By the time Greg, Heather, and Dae emerge from their apartment room with backpacks slung over their shoulders, Mai is walking back down the hallway toward them, her aura still flickering faintly.
"I've gathered as many tools as possible for our trip," Mai announces, stopping a few feet from them. She holds up her hand, magic swirling around it like a miniature storm. "Now it's time to show you a little of what I do best."
Greg, Heather, and Dae watch in awe as the glow intensifies. Suddenly, the tools Mai had collected begin to materialize from her hand, floating in midair. The gears, metal parts, and circuits combine in an intricate display, fusing together as if guided by invisible threads.
In a matter of moments, the process concludes with a soft hum. The glowing aura dissipates, and a small drone hovers before them, its sleek design a testament to Mai's skill.
"This will be our eyes," Mai explains, stepping back as the drone flits around them, scanning the hallway. "It'll notify me of any threats nearby, so we won't get caught off guard."
Greg's jaw drops. "That... is incredible. I had no idea magic could be used like that."
Heather clutches her stomach, her expression shifting from awe to hope. "With you on our side, Mai, I think we might actually make it to Trano."
The group steps out of the apartment building into the soft morning light. The streets are eerily quiet, with only the distant echoes of the occasional zombie groan or shuffling feet. Greg scans the area and speaks up, "First, we need to find a car. My wife and grandma can't walk all the way to Trano."
Mai glances around, tapping her crowbar against her shoulder thoughtfully. "Hmm... I might've spotted something useful for transportation yesterday."
They walk down a few desolate blocks, weaving through abandoned debris and overturned vehicles. Eventually, Mai points ahead with a triumphant grin. "There it is!"
Greg looks where she's pointing, his face falling when he spots an old, broken wooden wagon leaning precariously against a lamppost. One wheel is missing, and the entire frame looks like it could collapse with a stiff breeze.
Greg crosses his arms skeptically. "That's not a car."
Mai smirks, rolling her eyes. "No kidding. But finding a working car in this city is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most of them are rusted out, need way too many repairs, and the require materials is a bit much to gather. This wagon is simpler. Plus, my magic reserves are running low, so even if I wanted to fix up a car, I couldn't."
She steps toward the wagon and raises her hand. The aura from her palm flares back to life as tools, metal, and gears emerge from her palm. They begin floating and assembling themselves, fusing with the broken wagon as Mai concentrates. Sparks of energy crackle around her as the wooden frame is reinforced with metal plating, the missing wheel replaced with a sturdy new one. The wagon morphs into a sleek, reinforced metal cart, complete with cushioned seating for Heather and Dae and a handlebar for steering and pushing.
Greg watches the transformation with wide eyes.
Mai pats him on the shoulder with a mischievous grin. "I'm assuming you'll be doing the heavy lifting since you're strong, right?"
Greg sighs deeply, his shoulders slumping. "I walked right into that one."
Mai chuckles as Dae gently helps Heather into the wagon, making sure she's comfortable. Once everyone is settled, Greg takes his place at the front, gripping the sturdy metal bar with both hands.
"Alright," Mai says, taking the lead. "Just follow me, and try not to slow us down."
Greg exhales sharply, then starts pushing. The wagon rolls surprisingly smoothly over the cracked pavement, its wheels designed to handle the rough terrain. As they move through the deserted streets, Mai's drone hovers overhead, scanning for threats and ensuring a safe path forward.
As they make their way through the abandoned city, the group comes to a stop in front of a faded and weathered city map posted on a crumbling wall. Mai examines it closely, her eyes scanning for any useful landmarks. She points toward the train tracks marked on the map and says, "That's our best route to Trano. Let's head this way."
The group nods, and they resume their journey, moving cautiously through the desolate streets. The occasional groans of zombies echo faintly in the distance, keeping everyone on edge.
As they walk, Greg glances over at Mai. "Hey, you never answered my question yesterday. How did you handle that... super zombie?"
Mai stops for a moment, smirking as she turns toward him. "Hmm, super zombies? Let's not call them that—it sounds way too generic. How about A-stars instead? That's what I've always called them by."
Greg raises an eyebrow. "A-stars?"
Mai nods, her tone becoming more serious. "It stands for Awaken-Star. 'Awaken' because they've evolved or 'awakened' into something stronger. 'Star' because their eyes and hearts glow as bright as stars. You can tell when you're dealing with an A-star. They're smarter, faster, and way more dangerous than regular zombies. I've been studying them for years, so I've given most of them classifications based on their behaviors and abilities. Maybe someday, I'll lend you my guidebook about them."
Greg listens intently, his curiosity piqued. "Alright, so what was the deal with that host zombie? How did you deal with him?"
Mai shrugs casually, as if the encounter wasn't a big deal. "It was simple, really. A-stars are often driven by their strongest desires from when they were human. That host zombie? He was probably a club host in his human days, and I'd bet he loved partying with women. So I played into his desire. I told him we'd party if he could finish his wine bottle, because being sober isn't a party at all."
Greg stares at her, confused. "And he bought that?"
Mai grins, pushing a button on her wristband. A small screen lights up, displaying the drone's view from above. She zooms in to show the host zombie sitting in the same spot she left him, still drinking endlessly from his bottomless wine bottle.
"See? It worked. His wine bottle is practically endless, so I knew he'd never finish it. While he was distracted, I bolted," Mai says smugly.
Greg shakes his head in disbelief. "You're incredible, Mai. I wish I was as strong as you... or even half as clever."
Mai pats him on the back. "Don't sell yourself short. Everyone has their strengths. You'll get there."
They continue following the train tracks as the day drags on. The sun begins to set, casting a warm orange glow across the landscape. Eventually, they come across a large sign with a brightly colored poster plastered on it. In bold letters, it reads:
"This way to Trano!"
Excitement fills the group as they camp out and shared a peaceful night together by the campfire. In the morning they continue on their journey as the tracks lead them to a big train tunnel, they spot a massive gate blocking the entrance. A group of armed men emerges from the shadows, their rifles trained on the newcomers.
"Stop right there!" one of the guards orders, his voice firm but not hostile.
Greg steps forward, raising his hands to show he means no harm. "We're here because of these posters! We want to join Trano!"
The guards exchange glances before lowering their weapons. "Alright, but for safety, you'll need to hand over any weapons you've got."
Mai nods, motioning for Greg and the others to comply. Reluctantly, Greg hands over his gun, while Mai hands over her crowbar.
The guards guide them through the massive gate and down the long, dimly lit tunnel. As they near the end, light spills into the tunnel, revealing a bustling community built within a massive transit station. The space is alive with activity.
A man steps forward, his presence commanding yet welcoming. He's tall with broad shoulders and a kind smile, wearing a utility vest adorned with various patches. "Welcome to Trano," he says warmly. "My name is Aaron, the leader of this community. You've made it to one of the safest havens in the region."
Greg, Mai, Heather, and Dae take in the sight of the thriving community, a mix of relief and hope washing over them.
Aaron extends his hand to Mai, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"
Mai shakes his hand firmly. "Name's Mai. Just passing through and helping these three get somewhere safe."
Aaron nods, his smile widening. "Then you've done a great thing. Trano will welcome you all with open arms."
The group finally breathes a sigh of relief, though Mai remains alert. She knows that even in a place like this, dangers could still lurk.