We were about to go to the Illuminati's headquarters, but... Well...
An invisible force wrenching us from the comfort of our reality into the unknown. I attempted to channel my cosmic power, to create a barrier, to manipulate the situation, but it was futile. My tendrils even didn't work. Even the System didn't respond. The force was too overwhelming, and in an instant, everything blurred.
The disorienting sensation of freefall gripped us as we plummeted through the unknown expanse. MJ's hand clutched mine tightly, her eyes wide with shock. Despite the chaos around us, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination to protect her, to find a way out of this.
"We're falling!" MJ's voice trembled amidst the rush of wind.
"I know!" I yelled back, scanning our surroundings for any sign of stability or a way to control our descent. But there was nothing but the endless void beneath us.
My cosmic abilities were useless here. This was something beyond my control. We were at the mercy of this unknown force, hurtling towards an uncertain destination.
I tightened my grip on MJ's hand, trying to reassure her despite the panic rising within me. "Hold on tight!"
I focused on harnessing my gravity manipulation powers, attempting to halt our terrifying descent. As we neared the ground, inches away from the asphalt's unforgiving surface, I exerted every bit of strength within me.
Gravity obeyed my command, slowing our fall abruptly. We hovered just above the crumbling pavement, the force of the impact dissipated by my efforts. MJ and I hung in the air for a moment, suspended in a gravity-woven cocoon.
"Fuck!" I gulped. We were just a split second away from being a meat splatter.
"Yeah! That was a close one..." MJ nodded.
When our feet touched the ground, the desolation of the surroundings struck us like a blow. Ruined buildings loomed around us, shattered and broken, as if ravaged by some cataclysmic event. The streets were littered with debris, overturned cars, and an eerie silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional gust of wind.
"Whoa..." MJ's voice trembled as she surveyed the destruction surrounding us.
I scanned the desolate landscape, my mind racing to comprehend where we were. This was unlike anything I'd seen before, a wasteland devoid of life and hope. The thing that brought us here is a portal of some kind, but the question is 'Where the hell are we?'.
"We're... not in New York anymore," I muttered, trying to mask my unease with a hint of humor, though the gravity of the situation wasn't lost on me.
"Are we even on Earth," MJ added, her eyes wide with disbelief. "This place... it's like a scene from an apocalypse movie."
Fuck! I thought I was lucky since I copied Domino's power, but this... How the fuck is this good luck? There is not a single sign of life around us. The System is working, but I can't hear it anymore. I tried to open the status window, but only the skill window appeared.
"We should move," I stopped abruptly, my senses on high alert. Something felt off, an unsettling feeling creeping up my spine. The air was heavy, charged with an eerie energy that set my Symbiote-Sense tingling.
MJ's eyes widened, catching on to my sudden stillness, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know... I feel like we're being watched," I murmured, my gaze scanning the desolate landscape.
"Is this shivering feeling on my skin?!" She asked looking around us.
"Yeah, that's your new sense. You will get used to it," I replied with a nod.
We cautiously proceeded, our steps measured and wary. Every shadow seemed to hold a hidden threat, and the silence amplified our unease.
As we moved deeper into the barren landscape, a sense of foreboding hung in the air. The ruined buildings loomed over us, their shattered windows like gaping eyes following our every move. But the good thing is that I have access to my power.
A rustling sound nearby made us both freeze. I instinctively reached out to shield MJ, my senses on high alert. "Stay close," I whispered.
I can sense a group of people hiding in the nearby buildings. Humm... An underground tunnel...
Out from the shadows emerged a figure, its movements furtive and hesitant. It was a woman, her clothes tattered and dirty. Her eyes held a mixture of fear and curiosity as she cautiously approached us.
"You... You fell from the sky..." She stammered, her voice trembling.
I furrowed my brows, "Yes, we did."
Her eyes widened, "How... How did you survive the crash landing? You look human... You two are human, right?"
"Of course we are human," I responded, unsure how to process her words.
She paused, considering us carefully, "There haven't been any humans here for years... Where did you come from? Are you with the Avengers? No, they died years ago... You have superpowers..."
I exchanged a glance with MJ, her expression mirroring my confusion. Avengers dead?! She said Avengers, not Illuminati... Which means the Illuminati might not exist in this reality. What in the fucking world is going on? Don't tell me we are stranded in a zombie-infested earth...
"Look, we don't mean any harm. We're just trying to figure out what's going on and find a way home," I explained, keeping my tone calm and reassuring. "So, why don't we go somewhere safe and have a chat? Exchange information?"
She hesitated, eyeing us warily. After a moment, she let out a resigned sigh, "Fine... Follow me. It's not like we will survive another month the way things are going..."
We followed her through the abandoned streets, the oppressive silence punctuated by our footsteps echoing eerily. As we walked, she filled us in on the dire state of this reality. Her name is Penny. It turns out that a powerful entity known as the Maker had unleashed an army of Ultron Sentinels, robotic drones programmed to exterminate all organic lifeforms.
These Ultron Sentinels wiped out most of humanity, leaving only a few survivors scattered across the globe. The Avengers fought for years, but ultimately, they were defeated. Now, the Ultron Sentinels maintain order through brute force, enforcing a strict curfew and executing anyone who dares to defy them.
It's a grim tale, one that weighs heavily on our minds.
Every time the number of lifeforms goes past a certain limit, the sentinels start killing them one after another until the count reduces. Luckily, we found a way to escape their grasp, somewhat, through the tunnels. But, it won't be long before they find out. They always do...
"Here we are," she gestured to a dilapidated building looming over us. "Welcome to our little sanctuary."
The interior of the building was surprisingly well-organized, with makeshift beds and other basic amenities scattered around the large room. A few people sat huddled together, their expressions weary and haunted.
"Follow me," Penny led us to the underground tunnels through a secret hatch.
The tunnels were dimly lit, the musty air heavy with tension and despair. Our footsteps echoed ominously as we made our way through the winding passageways, the atmosphere suffocating.
After walking for a while, we arrived at a small chamber. Penny motioned for us to enter, her expression grim.
The moment we stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind us, plunging us into darkness. She lighted a makeshift torch, illuminating the dank space.
"I will take you to our leader. She is kinda paranoid, so don't mind her rudeness. She is just cautious after losing most of her family and friends," Penny sighed.
"What's her name? Your leader?" I inquired.
"Gina Lawson," She replied curtly.
"Did you just say, Gina Lawson?!" I exclaimed in surprise.
Penny gave me a puzzled look, "Yes, why?"
Holy shit! Gina Lawson is my mom's name! Is she my mother from this reality?!
"No reason..." I trailed off, my mind racing with possibilities. I can't be certain with just name... I have to see her with my own eyes.
Penny led us through a maze of tunnels, the air becoming increasingly stale and claustrophobic.
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Next Chapter: HOPE
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