As Zayzal turned the key in the ignition of the 1999 Volkswagen Polo, the engine rumbled to life. He glanced at Sera, who was already studying a crumpled map they had found in Ingrid's house.
"Our best route would be to head north from Røisheim Hotel, then east on the RV15 until Otta. From there, we'll head south on the E6, passing Oslo, and continue to Gothenburg, then Malmo," Zayzal remarked, outlining their journey.
Sera nodded, her fingers tracing the route on the map. "And from Malmo, we cross the Øresund Bridge into Denmark."
With a plan in mind, the two didn't waste any time and took off from Ingrid's house.
The world outside was a mixture of peace and chaos, with abandoned cars littering the highway and occasional drifters seeking refuge or the next meal. The lush green scenery of the Norwegian countryside was eerily juxtaposed against this post-apocalyptic backdrop.
Normally, there would be tourists and natives about, taking day trips or taking pictures of the views, but nobody was out today, as if the world took a day off.
As they drove, Zayzal and Sera saw remnants of the disaster that had befallen the world. Burnt-out cars, looted shops, and blood dried on the concrete.
By the time they reached Oslo, the devastation was more apparent. Empty streets with a few groups scavenging for supplies and the smoky remnants of fires painted a grim picture. Still, they pushed through, determined to stay on course.
The drive from Oslo to Gothenburg was more relaxed. The road was mainly clear, and the farther they moved from major cities, the fewer signs of distress they saw. They passed through vast stretches of untouched landscapes, a stark reminder of the world's beauty.
Upon reaching Malmo, Zayzal's heart raced. The Øresund Bridge was their gateway to Denmark and one step closer to Greece. But as they approached the bridge, they noticed something alarming.
The once majestic bridge that connected Sweden and Denmark was now half submerged, with water levels having risen drastically.
Sera's eyes widened. "I didn't think it'd be this bad."
Zayzal's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "...Neither did I. Looks like we might have to find another way through."
Parking the car on a nearby elevated spot, they both stepped out, studying the expanse of water before them. The bridge's upper section was still visible, but driving across would be impossible.
'What about Denmark? If the water levels are this high, is the entire country submerged?!' Zayzal looked out into the horizon, trying to find Copenhagen, but all he saw was water.
'Is it because I'm not high enough, or is the Island of Zealand really gone?' Zayzal's face paled just thinking about it, and his body started to tremble.
He didn't know much about Denmark, but from what he knew, there were almost 3 million people living on that island.
If it was really gone, didn't that mean almost 3 million people died just like that? Was he looking at the 'remains' of entire cities right now? How could this have happened?!
Zayzal wasn't exactly sure what to feel right now. He didn't know these people and didn't watch them die either, but something about witnessing such large-scale devastation left him with a sort of existential dread.
'I could very well be one of those millions of people, living my life, only to be swept away by some freak encounter…' He thought as the reality of the situation started setting in.
Looking at the vast expanse of murky water, he promised he would never forget this scene. It was a perfect example of the kind of world they lived in now, one where everything could be taken in the blink of an eye.
Meanwhile, Sera, unaware of his plight, pointed at a few boats tethered nearby. "Maybe we can find a boat strong enough to get us across?"
Zayzal snapped out of his thoughts and nodded, appreciating her quick thinking. "...Worth a shot."
He decided to keep the information to himself for now, as their focus should be on reaching the mainland and crossing into Germany.
As they approached, they found that most of the boats were damaged or unsuitable for the journey. However, among them was a modest-sized fishing boat that seemed somewhat intact.
Zayzal jumped aboard and started inspecting the boat. He found a fuel tank that was nearly full, a radio, and a few days' worth of canned food and water. "This might work," he declared.
He quickly rummaged through the drawers, cabinets, boxes, and compartments, looking for the keys until he eventually found one under the floorboard.
'I'm sorry to whoever this belongs to, but I'll be borrowing your boat.' Zayzal inwardly apologized but turned on the boat without much remorse. Some random person's vehicle was less important than his family, after all.
They quickly loaded their supplies onto the boat, casting one last look at the Polo that they honestly traded too much for. Leaving it here also meant they'd have to find another car in Denmark or Germany, but they could deal with that later.
Once they were out in the water, the vastness of the sea seemed even more overwhelming. The remains of buildings and landmarks peeked out from the water's surface here and there, grim markers of the disaster's scale.
Sera tuned the radio, hoping for any news. Static crackled for a few moments before a voice cut through. "...remain calm. Evacuation points have been set up in Jutland... water levels rising ... seek shelter immediately..."
The distant hum of the boat's engine and the crackling of the radio were the only things that broke the eerie silence that hung in the air. But as they progressed, a low, rumbling noise slowly became more prominent, almost like a large creature had swam under them. Sera strained her eyes, scanning the murky water surrounding them.
The first indication that something was amiss came in the form of a chilling shadow gliding under the boat. Then another. And another. Soon, the once-clear water was dotted with pockets of darkness, circling and pacing the vessel like predators circling their prey.
Then, the color came. A deep, dark red began seeping in, staining the water around them. It wasn't until they saw the occasional floating hand or tattered piece of clothing that the horrifying reality hit them: the sea had become a feeding ground.
Sera's voice wavered as she spoke, "Zayzal… what's happening?"
Before he could answer, a forceful bang against the boat nearly threw them off their feet. The boat teetered, tilting dangerously to one side. "Sharks!" Zayzal yelled, his eyes widening in disbelief. But these weren't any ordinary sharks. Their ferocity, their relentless pursuit, suggested a changed nature. Similar to the wolves and bear they fought days prior.
A massive fin cut through the water, homing in on their position. Another powerful impact shook the boat, tipping it further. Water began sloshing onboard. The sharks, sensing vulnerability, intensified their assault.
Zayzal, driven by adrenaline, gripped his spear. "Stay in the center, Sera!" he ordered. Each time a shark lunged at the boat, he thrust his spear down, piercing through water and flesh. But for each shark he deterred, two more seemed to take its place.
Sera clutched onto a support post, her knuckles white. The boat was tossed about, dancing to the whims of the predatory frenzy below. Every tilt, every crash of a shark against the hull sent shivers down her spine, making her heart race faster.
"Zayzal! Do something!" Sera shouted as she held on for dear life. She'd lived in the mountains her entire life! Riding on a boat and being shaken around like this was a terrifying experience, one that left her feeling powerless.
"I'm trying! But these damn sharks won't go away!" Zayzal yelled, piercing his spear into the water.
Zayzal's spearwork was relentless, his motions swift and precise. One particular shark, its mouth wide open revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, lunged at the boat like a battering ram.
With a mighty heave, Zayzal drove his spear deep into its maw, pushing it back into the depths.
But the odds were stacked against them. The boat was starting to take in more water, the weight causing it to list even more. It seemed only a matter of time before they would be thrown into the ravenous waters.
With a surge of water, one massive shark lunged upwards, its gaping jaws revealing what seemed like hundreds of razor-sharp teeth, closing in on Zayzal. Time seemed to slow, and in that split second, Zayzal knew he couldn't evade the oncoming predator. His spear, still thrust in the water from the last attack, wouldn't be swift enough to defend him.
But before those teeth could connect, there was a blinding flash, and a shimmering translucent barrier materialized between Zayzal and the leaping shark. The creature's momentum crashed it against the barrier, its teeth scraping across but unable to penetrate.
Sera's outstretched hand was channeling the barrier's energy, her eyes locked onto the shark, veins in her temples pulsating with concentration.
Seizing the chance, Zayzal quickly pulled his spear from the water, positioning himself and thrusting it deep into the belly of the momentarily stalled shark. It let out a guttural cry, thrashing and rolling in agony before sinking back into the blood-streaked waters.
The barrier faded and Sera, drained from exerting so much energy, stumbled back, collapsing onto the boat's floor. Panting, Zayzal quickly went to her side, ensuring she was unharmed. "Sera! Are you okay?"
She took a few deep breaths, her chest heaving, "...Yeah… Just a bit tired… Haa… I didn't think it'd take so much… mana."
"We need to get out of here," Zayzal murmured, assessing their situation. The sharks, still frenzied by the scent of blood, were closing in, seemingly even more enraged by their unsuccessful attack.
Zayzal went to the boat's controls, pushing it to its maximum speed. The boat hummed to life, speeding away. The pack of bloodthirsty sharks attempted to follow, but the sudden burst of speed left most of them behind, and the rutters deterred any that got close.
Zayzal kept a watchful eye out, and whenever another shark got close, he'd attack with his spear, but eventually, they stopped and turned on each other instead.
The boat roared forward, cutting through the waves, leaving behind the deathly frenzy of the sharks.
The sight of red-tinted waters, once filled with danger and despair, was slowly replaced by clearer seas. Zayzal's grip on the controls remained tight, each muscle in his body coiled, ready to fend off any other threat that might emerge from the abyss below.
As the boat sped on, the horizon slowly transformed. The sea's endless expanse started to give way to landforms, and the vague outline of a coastline began to form.
Zayzal's eyes searched for any signs of life, any indications that their journey to the mainland would be met with more than just a desolate wasteland.
Gradually, the coastal region of Jutland came into view, its landforms offering a stark contrast to the sea's vastness. The sandy beaches and grassy dunes hinted at what was once a picturesque landscape, now forever marred by the global catastrophe.
From a distance, the land appeared deserted. But as they drew closer, Zayzal noticed something peculiar: large wooden signs erected along the coast, some towering above the dunes, others anchored firmly in the sand.
"What are those?" Sera whispered, her voice hoarse from exhaustion.
As they approached, the messages on the signs became legible. Written in large, bold letters, they read:
"SURVIVORS: HEAD INLAND FOR SAFE HAVEN"
"FOOD, SHELTER, MEDICINE AT EVACUATION POINTS"
"DON'T GIVE UP. TOGETHER, WE REBUILD."
The signs, while rudimentary, bore a message of hope and resilience. It was evident that a community had banded together, providing refuge and succor to all who sought it.
Zayzal guided the boat closer to the shore, searching for a suitable spot to anchor. Once they made landfall, he helped Sera up, their feet sinking slightly into the soft, damp sand.
They took a moment to regain their bearings, the sensation of solid ground beneath their feet a welcome change.