Evelina - a young girl in her twenties with determination on her face. She was lucky enough to find the powers that kept her alive, but she found herself in a difficult situation.
The Monstro-Apocalypse was slowly ravaging the world, forcing her to flee the safety of her mansion. A lonely Evelina sought temporary shelter to reach her older sister later, but she was lost in the woods.
«Phew, I don't know where I'm going! I need to get out to a populated area to get a map of New York State or access the Internet. Otherwise I might not make it to Agatha in time,» pondered the green-eyed, brunette girl.
Evelina walked through the thick forest, completely unaware of the ordeal awaiting her in the dark.
As the moon broke through the dense canopy of trees, Evelina stumbled upon an eerie sight: countless zombies were headed toward her, dotting the ground.
Their empty eyes and decaying flesh served as an eerie testament to the horrors she now faced.
«It won't be easy, but I can handle them! They're slow, I just have to make sure I don't get bitten,» Evelina pondered, kneading her hands.
The night seemed to intensify her inner terror, but Evelina did not despair. She began to release a caustic green energy from her hands and carefully killed a few dozen zombies.
Then Evelina began to smear her clothes and hair with the guts of the decomposing dead. This reduced the number of interested zombies.
Sighing more calmly, Evelina made her way through the grim maze of lifeless figures. Her critical thinking, in spite of her inexperience and stupidity, helped her overcome the difficulties.
At one point, a black mist began to seep out of the trees. Evelina experienced indescribable horror at the dark figure with yellow eyes that began to shine through the pitch blackness.
Just 50 yards (45 meters) away from Evelina, a frightening figure appeared: pale skin with shades of blue, snow-white hair in a crown of purple fire, eye bioluminescence, a perfect body shape, and long purple claws. At the stranger's disposal was an unknown horned monster, resembling a cross between a zombie and a skeleton in armor.
This woman emitted an unthinkable aura and pressure that caused Evelina to immediately fall to her knees and put her head down.
«I AM CORPSE! I REALLY DEAD! Oh my God, why would I do this! She's going to kill me! I feel like I'm just an ant that got in the way of the immortal Goddess!» cried Evelina to herself in despair, beginning to shed tears. Inwardly, she regrets that she will never know love in the arms of Thanatos.
Sniffing at Evelina's disgusting scent, the outlandish woman took a closer look at her prey and loosened the royal aura she emitted, — Hmmm, interesting.
— Mistress, shall I bring her soul to you so that you may feed on it? Or perhaps nurture her and serve it in a more mature state of juices? — The horned minion spoke, kneeling down on one knee.
— Dracolich, I have changed my mind. Let the lower undead leave this forest and occupy the next settlement. I could smell that boy on her, the one my aura of suppression has no effect on. He might be the son of that bitch, and I'd like to keep a close eye on him.
— I obey, Mistress, — Dracolich bowed once more, and then vanished from the forest in an instant, along with the black mist and a thousand armies of the undead.
All the while, Evelina was crying silently, her face buried in the cold ground. She trembled with her whole body, afraid to move and not to please the majestic female figure.
— My child, why are you crying? I will not eat you. Not yet, — the stranger's words soothed Evelina a little. She realized that there was no point in being afraid, for her fear would not change her likelihood of survival. Her fate was in the hands of the pale-faced woman.
Grabbing Evelina by the chin, she bellowed in a commanding tone, — Raise your head when you are addressed by Morena, the true Queen of the Undead and Empress of G... ahem. The first title is enough.
— H-Hello, Morena! W-what do you want with me? — Evelina inexperiencedly began to address the powerful figure by her first name.
— Ha-ha-ha, and you're just as beaten down and crazy as he is. That guy gave me the middle finger and insulted my greatness, and you dare address me by name! It's an interesting planet of pathological fools.
Evelina couldn't help but think to herself, «Gosh, I should be listed as one of the dumbest girls in the world! I make so many mistakes, I should have been dead long ago. Okay, now that I've started, I have to follow the path of insanity to the end.»
— Were you talking about the smell? I-I only interacted with Thanatos! But he was in a hazmat suit, and maybe you were wrong.
— Right, Thanatos, — Morena mumbled, and immediately got Evelina on her feet, saying, — So here's what we're going to do. I'm going to give you a means of communication, and you're going to get in touch with me from time to time. Talk about all his secrets, successes, failures and problems! Keep me fully informed.
— I'm sorry, but I can't do that! — Evelina cried out desperately. Morena immediately frowned and grabbed the girl by the throat, beginning to slowly cut off her oxygen. On her last gasp, Evelina confessed, — I-I love him and... c-can't betray... I can't...
As Evelina began to lose consciousness, the Undead Queen let go of the girl, and she fell to the ground.
— You have no other choice. The other outcome is a painful death. Since that bitch invited my great undead army to slaughter her weak offspring, then I must know what I sacrifice my recruits for.
Evelina didn't understand Morena's words, but she was in mortal danger. After thinking for a while, she concluded that if she could get to Thanatos alive, she could eventually tell him about Morena, so they could find a way to kill the Undead Queen together.
Feeling the growing shortness of breath in her lungs, Evelina said confidently, — All right! I will serve you if you promise to let me and Thanatos live!
— Do you think you can put conditions on me? Even other Emperors and Empresses, Niks excluded, dared not speak to me in that tone! Your ignorance is annoying. But I still wasn't going to get my hands dirty or cause any serious trouble with that strong bitch.
Morena gave Evelina the communication device and explained how it worked and when to call her. She also instructed her on how to act in various critical situations and gave her a few amulets that would ward off an army of undead in the most crisis of her life.
She needed Evelina alive, so Morena gave her some protective amulets. Then the Undead Queen made Evelina's body and clothes very clean with one move of her hand. The weak girl now smelled of flowers and nature.
— Evelina, don't let me down. And in the end, become stronger. You are pathetic, and also a disgustingly weak nothing, — Morena stated with deep pity, stroking her airy purple crown.
— But I don't know what my powers are, where they come from. What their nature is, and how to become stronger!
— Really? Does no one on this planet know how to cultivate? It's pathetic. I won't waste my time on you. All I will say is that you need to absorb monster kernels while meditating, and learn to control the energy your nature or lineage has bestowed upon you, — Morena agreed, disappearing from Evelina's sight as quickly as she had appeared before her about one hour ago.
As soon as Evelina felt lonely and free, she fell to the ground from physical, psychological, and mental exhaustion.
— Had I really survived? Was I really able to communicate with some divine Queen? So she was the one who attacked our planet! But why? What is the purpose of all this? And how is my beloved Thanatos connected to her?
Evelina asked a lot of questions into the void. Things became too confusing, and her head began to boil with intense pain. In addition, Evelina was really starting to feel a lack of oxygen. And it wasn't because of the Undead Queen's actions. Evelyn had developed a very severe form of Asthma because of the situation in which she had found the First Star inside her soul.
After catching her breath for a couple of hours near a stump, Evelina headed straight ahead, eager to get out of the damn forest.
As the first rays of sunlight broke through the gloom, Evelina's heart quickened. She was relieved when she stumbled upon a settlement in the middle of cleared ground.
— HOORAY! I'm alive! — Evelina began to brag about her good fortune. She walked into the first random store and ran into the grocery section.
She was very hungry and thirsty. She found several muffins, sodas, and nutritious bars.
After gorging herself on junk food, Evelina gathered some supplies into bags and dragged herself onward. It was strange to see a completely quiet and empty town.
«Perhaps Morena has been here? Then I should thank her very much, for the whole township is at my disposal, hee hee»
As she explored the town, Evelina noticed a blue parrot flying over her, as if to call out to her.
Evelina had never seen such a beautiful animal and of course she ran after it.
The bird hid in a sheltered building, upsetting the girl.
But Evelina's green eyes widened in hope as she approached the police station. Evelina thought she could find a firearm there, but once inside she was met by a squad of five survivors.
— Who are you! — shouted a guy who didn't look more than 23 years old. His comrades quickly ran to the guy's voice and pointed their guns at Evelina.
Evelina spoke out of breath, — Phew! My name is Evelina Palmer. I got lost in the woods and miraculously survived the night. I can provide protection and help you find a decent shelter if you will temporarily take me in. Being alone is extremely scary and unsafe.
Hiding a terrible scar on his face, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said, — What's the point of you? You're a weak girl with asthma.
At that moment Evelina took a deep breath and released a blob of energy that hit the police shield. The shield immediately corroded with acid, and everyone stared at Evelina in horror. They cocked their weapons, which were aimed at the green-eyed girl.
— Does she really have superpowers like Miss Spica? — said the young girl.
— We can be useful to each other, don't you think? — Evelina turned to the oldest adult in the survivor squad.
At that moment another adult man with a gray beard emerged from the shadows and said, — Let Spica talk to her. We are alive only because of her grace, so she makes the final decision. Emma, escort our guest to Miss Spica.
— All right! Come with me, I will tell you a little about us, — said Emma cheerfully, who hid deep sorrow and fear within herself.
So Evelina learned the short backstories of all the survivors. The only younger members of the group besides Miss Spica were a pair of siblings, Emma and Liam, who were just the first to speak to Evelina. They experienced great grief when the black fog overtook the locality. All 10,000 people disappeared within an hour, including their parents and relatives, and only a chance encounter with Miss Spica saved the four people from a terrible fate.
Evelina knew who was hiding behind the black mist, but of course she wasn't going to tell strangers.
The first adult male, Victor, was a military man from another country who had decided to live in the United States of America. Fate had dealt with his life differently.
The second adult male named Samuel was a very experienced carpenter and builder. His life experience was useful to the group in the present setting.
And finally, Spica Smith, an unknown benefactor with superpowers who saved the lives of all four people.
Before the night began, they occupied the police station and watched for safety in shifts.
Fortunately, no dangers occurred, except for Evelina's arrival in the early morning hours.
Evelina thought nothing of it. She was just curious to meet someone who also had superpowers. Even before the night began, she thought she was the chosen one, but she was brought down to earth when she met the powerful Morena.
Evelina really was very weak in front of her. But she wanted to change that fact with a deep determination.
«I will surely succeed in my endeavors! If Morena will allow me to become stronger, one day I will be stronger than her and it will be her, not me, on my knees» Evelina sincerely swore to herself.
The two girls walked into the office of the police captain, who had changed beyond recognition.
— Who is it, Emma? — asked a very beautiful woman, who was Spica Smith.
For a few moments Evelina was mesmerized by the beauty of the girl, who was like a priceless jade. She reminded her a little of the Nemesis she had always envied. Evelina thought perhaps they were cousins, but then quickly dismissed the silly thought as such an event was not possible.
— You're very b-beautiful, — Evelina said, looking at Spica's elegant style: a blue skirt, leather stockings, and a firm corset that held medium-sized breasts. Evelina didn't pay as much attention to her long ears, for she was more attracted to her smooth skin without a single blemish.
Spica threw her leg over her leg as she sat on the sofa, which was surrounded by sharp spikes. Her crystal-colored hair and confident gaze instilled a slight awe in Evelina's heart.
«I can feel her holding back her aura! Is she really just like Queen Morena? This is some fucked up shit! Why do I go from the clutches of one predator to the clutches of another monster? How is this fucking possible, shit?!» Evelina began to mentally curse, but her face was as calm as possible.
Emma clarified the situation that had happened a little earlier, to which Spica nodded satisfactorily, — Okay. A girl with a First Star is more useful than an ordinary mortal, anyway. Though there's almost no difference... I'm Spica Smith, nice to meet you, Evelina Palmer. I hope our cooperation will do me some good, heh heh.
The girls briefly introduced themselves to each other, then Spica pointed her finger to Emma and Evelina towards the door, — Go to lunch. I'll join you later, and we can discuss a plan of action as a group.
Both girls nodded and left the room, which Spica had converted into a luxurious property.
When Spica was left alone, a blue parrot flew in through the open window and sat on the beautiful girl's forearm.
— Well, Florence, you are a very good bird. You've brought a girl who will help me get together with my cousin without suspicion. If it weren't for my help, I don't think she would have been able to create a First Star so quickly, sitting like a slave in a mansion. After all, she's not Thanatos, — Spica said with a snide yet graceful smirk as she affectionately stroked the bird on the top of her head.
The bird hummed something in Spica's ear, eliciting a frown, — What is Morena doing on this planet? What a viper! The contract she'd made was as simple as possible: she was gradually dispatching units of undead and staying out of the war, minding her own business. But even that she has managed to break! I must report this insolence. I'll see how you behave when Niks beats you, ha-ha-ha.
Spica assumed a lotus pose and began to immerse herself in meditation, surrounding herself with a dome of sharp twigs and sturdy lianas.