Mrs. Sheila having been briefed about everything, sent a message to the city. They were unsure if they would get any reply and were doing their best in preparing themselves.
Sam, taking charge, briefed them about the zombies, the dangers from a scratch, and how to kill them. Ray, along with two other boys around the same age as him, decided to join Sam in fending the zombies.
The little ones were gathered at the large room in the building with Mrs Sheila overseeing them. Although there was no sign of any zombies, Sam continued with his preparations.
They carried all sort of furniture and objects, setting up barriers and a narrow passage at the front.
"Once they get here, they won't be any time for rest, I need to hold on as long as possible, maybe till when help comes." Checking his storage ring, he brought out a little bottle, which he passed to Zoe.
Currently, they were at the front of the building. "This would help in restoring your mama," he whispered in her ears.
Sam stood up, walking forward, his face set in a hard line. "There are here, prepare yourselves!"
Hearing this, they scrambled forward, looking at the plain field. "I can't see anything," one of the boys said, looking at Sam. Though they could feel a slight vibration from the earth, though.
Sam with a spell had enhanced his hearing and could hear the shuffling feet clearly. "Let's say, about twenty minutes," he said to them.
Zoe, with a deep breath, steadied her shaky hand. The boys had taken their positions with Zoe placed at the back.
"Why don't you go and help Mrs. Sheila?" Ray suggested once again with a worried expression.
"No, I think you guys need more help here. She would be able to take care of the kids, don't worry about that."
Finally, the rumble was heard clearly by everyone. "Here they come, conserve your strength, and don't let them scratch you!"
Slowly, they made their way across the expanse in a staggering manner, their disfigured body giving them a terrifying appearance.
Sam raised his hands up, a large energy beginning to gather, with him muttering some words. He walked forward and, in one movement, swung both hands forward.
"Dark torrents!" A wave of dark energy shot forward, consuming everything in its path, dealing substantial damage within the zombie ranks.
"That took a lot from my mana reserve, I guess I have to be careful now." Bringing out a dagger, be edged closer quickly, dealing with the zombies trying to surround him.
The zombies continued forward, crashing into the barriers set up with some falling to the ground. Ray moved forward, stabbing his weapon, a broken leg of a wooden chair, into the head of one, causing it to die.
"I did it! I killed one!" he said with excitement. The other two, after resolving themselves, moved forward, both taking out one.
Zoe did her best. With the water gathered around her, she would send out a blob of water hitting the zombies that had passed through, making it easier for the rest to kill.
They tried their best but were soon finding it difficult. Some passed through continuing onward and towards the building.
"Dark strike! Thorny vines! Shadow lash!" Sam did his best trying to hold them off. "Retreat!" He shouted. Systematically, they moved back to a presumed spot.
"The zombies, they are much. These are just futile efforts," he thought, shaking his head. The zombies spread through the area, moving towards them.
Opening a little bottle, he poured the content into his mouth, drinking it in one go. He could feel his mana replenishing along with a few buff.
"Dark seed!" Stretching forth his hands, he unleashed a large amount of dark green seeds that exploded on contact. The field was lit in flames as the zombies within the specified area began to burn.
"We just have to hold on as long as possible!"
~~~~
The group finally got to the border of the middle zone and gathered around.
"Alright, listen up! This is your first expedition, and I don't want anyone dying this early. You all are about to experience real battle, and I urge you all to fight to your best."
"Never underestimate your enemies even if they are just dumb zombies. One scratch, and you're gone!"
They listened quietly, some unable to contain their excitement, eager to go out for their first real battle.
Since there's five centres within the border, we will be divided into five groups. They were shared equally with each group having a hundred students.
Alex joined the group, which was headed to the orphanage where his sister currently was. "OK, I will go with this group. They might need help since the guard isn't there." The lady said said pointing at the group Al3x was.
"The rest of you take care," she said with a wave of her arms. They were only three higher rank sent with them, and two group were lacking leaders. A leader was chosen with the order of following the commands of the guard placed at the centre when they get to the area.
"Alright, we'll meet here once again!" They all went their separate way with Alex group heading further west.
They rode across the area with bated breath. Finally, after a long ride, they arrived at the orphanage.
"What the hell happened here," one of them muttered, taking in the sight before them. The only building on the land was on fire, with most of the structures already burnt.
"No! This isn't right!" Alex exclaimed in a panicked expression. They could all see the dead bodies of zombies littered across the area. "Arghhh!" He let out a frustrated scream, earning a stern look from the lady.
Judging by the lack of human bodies, I believe the rest are still around the area.Take care of the zombies within the area quickly," she commanded.
The zombies sensing the fresh scents of human bodies stumbled towards them. At first, everyone stood still, staring at the scene before them. Grotesque humanoid creatures heading towards them, causing some to catch their breath.
"What are you waiting for! Get rid of them quickly!" Her words spurred them into action as they all charged forward. The mages cast spells with the warriors charging in.
The creatures posed no threat to them. With the swing of their weapons, they were able to kill them in one go. Alex wasn't left out as he fought furiously, taking out the zombies surrounding him with each swing of his blade.
"Alright, follow closely," she said as she urged her horse forward. The zombies were cleared easily without any casualties.
They strode forward with full alertness. "Where the hell did they go!" Alex thought, clenching his fist tightly. "I can't afford to lose her also!" They soon appeared before a wide path with broken buildings etched at each side.
"This... we are at the outer zone," he thought, taking in the deserted terrain with wrecked buildings over the area.
"Did they happen to take shelter here?"
The deeper they went, the more zombies they encountered swiftly dealing with them.
"Can you hear that sound?" One of the students asked, looking at the guy next to him.
"Yeah, it sounds like a fight is going on." The other replied, stopping his horse. "I think we've found them!"
There weren't the only one that discovered their location. Alex, with his heightened senses, was able to pinpoint the area and charge forward, leaving the rest behind.
"You aren't supposed to go out alone!" Abby, the lady screamed at him but got no response. "C'mon, let's go," she said as she spurred her horse onwards, following behind Alex.
They discovered a few human bodies, young ones, long dead. "This isn't from a zombie," Abby jumped down from her horse approaching one of the bodies. 'This is from a beast,' she thought with dread.
"Be careful! The zombies aren't the only threat her..."
From the roof of a barely standing house, a creature leapt towards the group of students. His target who noticed it a tad late brought his hand forward trying to protect himself. The creature bit his hands ripping it off causing blood to spill on the others nearby.
"ARGHHH"
Alex ahead of the group, stopped his horse, staring at the area with a mixed expression of pain and anger. Strange memories began to play in his head as he stared at the wrecked buildings and stony ground with wild grasses beginning to grow at some area.
"This... this is home!"