When the First change shattered the world in the year 2034, humanity was thrown into a state of profound confusion. Many found it hard to grapple with reality as they saw the world crumbling in the front of their eyes.
Before they could try to make peace with reality, another haunting truth assaulted their souls.
The Second change destroyed humanity in more than one way. Not only the population dwindled but the majority of population above 45 years old fall. This mean that the most of the former leaders, who were experienced and insightful, have now departed from the world.
The burden of preserving and restoring humanity have to be shouldered by the new and aspiring younger generation.
The path ahead, which was already filled with countless number of thorns and riddled with torment, turned even bleaker as the Third change descended.
And that point marked the start of a new era.
An era drenched in torment and despair, which plunged humanity into a relentless struggle for survival.
The change first revealed itself in the year 2036,and since then 13 years have passed but the assaults and rampage wrought about by monsters have only increased by each passing day.
By 2049, the human population had dwindled to fewer than 10,000 souls, struggling to survive in a world devoid of sunlight, under the ominous glow of a crimson moon. Constantly under siege by Monsters and plagued by the harsh environment, they were forced to relocate their settlements multiple times. Every time a stronghold was overrun or became unsustainable, the survivors had to pack up and move, often losing precious resources and lives in the process.
Currently, humanity has been pushed to the far north of the Northen continent, with the situation of the other continent, the Southern continent completely unknown. Although no human has ever laid it's eyes on the said piece of land, there was never an ounce of doubt about it's existence.
At present, humanity has consolidated into a series of stronghold, with the headquarters, the Central stronghold serving as the heart of this fragile society.
Surrounding the headquarters, the Central stronghold, are 8 other strongholds in a circular pattern to guard the innermost hub.
With the Central stronghold as the center, the 8 stronghold are spreaded in all eight directions at increasing distances from the Central Stronghold and each other, creating an anti-clockwise pattern of defense. This strategic layout ensures that if one stronghold falls, the others can still hold their ground, giving humanity a fighting chance to endure in this unforgiving world.
•••
The two men, Connor and Ron, continued to traverse the abandoned expanse at an ridiculous speed. Their steps were firm and their gazes were sharp, knowing the severity of the situation.
As both of them were headed towards the Stronghold, Connor, who was currently drenched in sweat, subtly turned his gaze to take a peek at the expressionless figure of Ron, whose face didn't have an ounce of exhaustion visible on his face.
Connor eyes widened a bit as he once again realized the fact.
'He's slowing his pace to match that of mine.'
Unlike the time where Ron made it hard for Zilya to keep up to him by merely walking, this time he didn't have such considerations as he was travelling with a General rank.
'The Marshall Rank.'
Connor thought inwardly, gritting his teeth as he once again found it hard to accept reality.
'I am still far from it.'
As his thoughts reached that point, he started to once gain question his competence.
He had reached the General Rank 7 years back, when Ron was still at the Commander Rank. The boy, who he considered as something like a nephew and vowed to protect after his parents has fallen, effortlessly bridged the gap between them within a month of the disaster.
Not only that, but Ron, within 3 and a half years, reached the unreachable Marshall Rank, a rank that only existed in theory before he reached it.
At that time, Ron became so strong that even General ranks, who were thought to be at the top of the food chain, were no longer a big deal for him.
And currently, he who has continued to polish his skill all these years while also attaining mastery over his new power, it's unknown what the current limits of his all out combat power are.
Connor witnessed all of this happening before his very eyes. He was happy for Ron, who will now be able to protect himself from harm on his own, but at the same time a mountain like guilt continued to weigh on his conscience.
He was scared that what happened 6 six years back would repeat itself.
'Just like that time.'
Just like that time, the only thing he would be capable of doing as his friends met their demise is to watch helplessly.
Ron watched Connor gritting his teeth, his expression saddened for a moment, but quickly changed back to the usual expressionless one.
He has spend enough time with this uncle of his that it wasn't hard for him to guess what was going inside his mind, but he couldn't do anything about that.
He has already provided as much guidance as he possibly could to not only him, but all the Generals about the next Rank, going as far as to recount all his experiences from the time he was only a Recruit to the moment he Ascended to the Marshall Rank.
He has already done all he could possibly do and now it's upto him to fight. He would have to overcome these obstacles, both mental and physical, on his own.
Both of them looked ahead once again, putting a halt to their thoughts.
As they traversed the area, they continued to look around, scanning their surroundings with vigilance, in search for any potential information about the monstersmonsters and their movements.
The landscape around them, though treacherous, was all too familiar. Jagged rocks and twisted trees, remnants of the First Change, lined their path. The ground was scarred by deep fissures, and patches of withered grass struggled to survive in the shadow of the crimson moon. They knew every turn and obstacle by heart, having walked this path countless times in their fight for survival.
As they approached their destination, the Central Stronghold came into view, a beacon of hope in the desolate expanse. The stronghold was a makeshift fortress, constructed from salvaged materials and reinforced with whatever could be found. Tall, imposing walls made of steel sheets and concrete rubble surrounded the perimeter, marked with dents and scars from past battles. Barbed wire and metal spikes topped the barriers, a deterrent to any would-be intruders.
Watchtowers, hastily erected but sturdy, stood at each corner of the stronghold, manned by vigilant sentinels scanning the horizon for threats. Inside the walls, structures of various shapes and sizes were cobbled together from wood, metal, and stone. Despite their rough appearance, they were capable of lasting years.
The central building, a large bunker-like structure, served as the heart of the stronghold. It was also the place where the meeting of Generals would take place one and a half hour from now.
Surrounding the bunker were smaller huts and shacks, where the community went about their daily lives, always wary of the dangers lurking beyond the walls.
•••
Near the entrance of the stronghold, three figures, one men and two women could be seen talking to each other. Their presence was completely different from weaklings at the Recruit or Soldier Rank, as they seemed to exude an aura of power and authority.
These people were not ordinary combatants; they were the Generals, the backbone of the human race's defense. Clad in rugged, battle-worn gear that spoke of countless skirmishes and hard-won victories, their presence demanded respect in whichever stronghold they might set their steps upon.
The only reason humanity hasn't already gone extinct because of people like them, who coordinate the efforts of remaining human population, while also taking on the most dangerous tasks themselves.
A woman with flowing black hair and sharp black eyes, who had a rapier attached to her waist and seemed to be of Asian descent, looked at the stronghold intensly.
She was none other than General Ria Chauhan, a warrior from the historic Chauhan Dynasty, which although don't have any traces left in the modern world, still had their family name going strong even after centuries.
The members from the then family, who took pride in their family legacy, make it so that their family members would at least learn the basic techings of their ancestors. Ria, a modern girl, who at that time hated learning such things, as it took away her potential free time from her already busy schedule, never expected that it would become her saving grace in an post-apocalyptic earth like this.
She looked at her fellow Generals and spoke.
"The summons from Marshall Ron that came this time around.... They were rather unexpected. I wonder what new threat he's discovered at the moment."
As she spoke, she also tried to hide her tense demeanor as she already had an idea of the potential threat, but it didn't help much in face of the strong and powerful Generals.
The man standing in front of her, General Ryuto Ryuzaki, a man with dark brown hair and light grey eyes, standing at 6 feet and 3 inch tall and had a slender and toned build, replied back to her colleague's question with a grave tone as he looked at the bunker from afar in anticipation of the meeting.
"Whatever it is, it must be significant. It isn't like Ron to change the timings of the meeting this abruptly. It must be something that can potentially change the course of our survival."
His tone was calm, but the upheavals in his heart couldn't be hidden.
"Don't worry. We will be fine. I am sure all of us together will find a way counter to whatever is thrown at us."
The last girl, General Sophie Brown, the head of the Anatomis stronghold, said to her ally and partner, trying to ease the now tense mood. But it didn't help much as the waver in her eyes couldn't escape the gaze of the sharp Ryuto.
"Sophie."
Ryuto looked into Sophie's light brown eyes, trying to ease her worries, but all of them were similarly worried.
Just as they were about to head into the stronghold and move towards the bunker, they sensed a presence, no, two presences in fact.
All of their heads snapped towards the direction they sensed the presence from, their tense expressions showing a hint of relief as they sensed their leader and the strongest of the human domain, a figure of absolute power, Marshall Ron, approaching along with General Connor.
Their relieved expression showed a hint of resolve, as they waited for Ron's arrival.
Soon, both Ron and Connor arrived at where the three were standing.
Just as Ryuto was about to ask Ron about the signal and the reason for such urgent summons, Ron gave all three of them a subtle, solemn look.
All of them, understanding the severity of the situation, shut their mouths and clenched their fists.
The fragile peace they have managed to achieve in the last few years, was once again going to be shattered.