[After 2 days, W-7.11]
Nexus can be seen in the woods, sitting on a rock beneath a tree. Meditating.
When he suddenly hears footsteps.
Opening his eyes, he notices Horvath approaching him, thinking about something.
Nexus: What are you thinking right now? Horv.
Horvath comes to a halt, staring oddly at Nexus before speaking.
Horvath: You know what? Can you go back to your cool personality? I still can't get used to your new personality.
Nexus: I can't help it. Everyone must hold for a while. My hormonal system is still in chaos. It needs some time to function properly. Until then.
Horvath: We have a cat on sugar... Ugh... Still, it's better than testosterone.
When they both hear a second pair of footsteps. Sounding from behind Horvath. When they hear Luna's voice.
Luna: What are you guys talking about?
Horvath: about how his personality is...
Luna: A little new?
Nexus: awkward; no need to sugarcoat. Luna
Horvath and Luna look at each other awkwardly, still not used to his new personality. Horvath's eyes suddenly change to serious. When he talks to Nexus
Horvath: So, what did you think about it?
Luna looks at Nexus intently, searching for anything on his face. When they hear him reply...
Nexus: It can be possible.
Horvath let out a begrudging sigh, disoriented at the thoughts of his teammates, while Luna let out a sigh, unsure of what to say at his support.
Nexus: After all, I wouldn't be alive if it was just radiation that was in that cave.
Horvath: What cave?
Luna and Horvath appear shaken, their faces shocked and curious about what Nexus has just said.
Luna:wai-,what?
Horvath: no. Leave it at that. I don't want anymore mind-blowing truths. One is enough for now.
Nexus looks at Luna, shrugging his arms, while Luna looks at Horvath in mock anger. Only to hear Horvath speak once again.
Horvath: So, your new power, are you able to control it?
Nexus: Yes, I am still practicing. Can't you see
Only now did they discover that the rock Nexus has been sitting on is actually floating just above the ground.
Seeing this, both Luna and Horvath are stunned, when suddenly Luna turns to Horvath, saying...
Luna: See, against nature.
Making Horvath sigh resignedly...
Horvath: So you have telekinesis, danger sense, and enhanced healing. right.
Nexus: enhanced strength, vision, durability. Yeah.
Luna: So, we have a super soldier. And you don't feel anything uncomfortable, like some mutations, a third mouth, another tail, or fur falling off. Nothing?
Nexus and Horvath eye Luna weirdly, unsure as to why she asks these nonsensical questions.
Seeing them watch her as if she is an idiot. She shouts at them angrily...
Luna: He doesn't have any of the symptoms of radiation poisoning. That means either his body is perfectly compatible with the radiation or our previous doubt is right.
Both Horvath and Nexus look at each other, then continue to talk to each other, ignoring Luna.
Making her mad.
Nexus (thinking): Why do I think that both of them are right?? Ugh.. do I need to go through this every time I evolve?
Nexus sighs thinking about the days to come, already imagining the suffering he has to go through every time he evolves.
[Luna P.O.V.]
Luna (thinking): We should continue our search for supplies, and this time we have to search for information about the outside. I think it would be great if we could search for a map of the outside, though I don't think it would be possible.
Luna thinks about the supplies and information they would need to go outside the city and survive on the outside.
Unknown to them, their aim to escape from the city would be filled with dangers that even they themselves may not imagine or even think about.
Luna: So, when are we going to start...
[End of POV]
Luna's voice pulled Horvath and Nexus back from their thoughts
Horvath (thinking): We can't rush into this. We need a solid plan.
Luna nodded, her eyes scanning the camp, taking in the condition of it.
Luna (whispering): I've been thinking.. we'll need water purification tablets, some food, first aid kits, fuel, and do you remember where we left our car?
Both Luna and Horvath look at each other as realization hits them, and they both make a sad face.
Luna: Do you think it is still there?
Horvath: I don't know.
Nexus: Don't worry, we will just go for it and information. We need to know what's waiting for us outside.
Luna's gaze locked onto Nexus.
Luna(nodding): I've heard rumors of a hidden library on the outskirts. Pre-Catastrophe texts, maps... it could be our best chance. We can try to retrieve the information needed from there.
Horvath's eyes narrowed. His face was skeptical.
Horvath: And what makes you think it's still intact?
Luna's smile was a thin line. Her smile wavered before returning to normal.
Luna: We have to try.
Nexus: So, do you want to go now?
Horvath: Right now.
Nexus: Yeah.
Luna: Like really right now.
Nexus face shows a puzzled expression, unsure about their intention for asking those questions.
Luna: I mean, shouldn't we wait for your hormones to come under control?
Nexus: I am not a cat in heat. Ok. It will come under control gradually. We can search first.
Luna's heart calms down, still unsure to move now.
Nexus: We have to move. The faster we search for supplies, the faster we leave for the outside.
Luna and Horvath nod. Their thoughts resolved.
Horvath: We'll gather what we can and make a break for the library tonight.
The trio exchanged determined glances, unaware of the dangers awaiting them in their journey for survival.
[The next day, W- 7.11]
Nexus, Luna, and Horvath walk through the desolate streets, scavenging for supplies.
Old buildings stood as barriers around them, casting shadows, their windows shattered, and doors hanging off hinges. Making creepy sounds due to air and the sounds of mutates
Luna: We need to move quickly. We don't know when another mutant creature will arrive. We can't have another battle and delay our.
Nexus: I've got movement. About three blocks east.
They turn to see towards the area where Horvath is pointing.
Nexus: Mutates and many of them!!!!
Horvath: Yeah. And they're getting closer.
The trio quickened their pace, spotting a supply cache in an abandoned supermarket. They quickly reach the supermarket, and Luna kicks open the supermarket's door. Going in and checking for any danger.
Luna: Clear!
Inside, they grabbed edible food, water, and medical supplies.
anything that may be useful for them in their journey.
But their progress was cut short when a rotting stench spread through the aisles, accompanied by the sound of shuffling feet and guttural moans.
Mutates poured in, their bodies grotesquely disfigured, flesh hanging from bones.
Luna, Nexus, and Horvath ready their weapons. Ready to cut through the massive horde of mutates.
Horvath: Time to go.
The trio fought their way through the horde, Horvath's axe cleaving zombies with deadly efficiency. Nexus's sword sliced through rotting flesh, while Luna's dagger darted between mutates, striking vital organs.
Mutates collapsed, their bodies bursting with festering sores, releasing a repulsing tide of gore. The air smelled of death, attracting more mutates
As they neared the checkout counters, a monstrous creature emerged from the shadows.
Nexus: A Mutant monster!!!
The mutant, once human, now twisted by radiation, towered over them. Its body bulged with distended muscles, skin stretched taut, and eyes glowing red.
Seeing the mutant, Luna shout at Nexus
Luna: Take cover!
The mutate charged, its massive fists swinging. Horvath met it head-on, his axe biting deep into its shoulder.
Horvath (grunting): Don't let it get past us!
Nexus struck from the side, his sword slicing through the mutate's back. Luna slides between its legs, her dagger striking upward.
The mutate howled, its body convulsing. The trio pressed their advantage, striking in perfect
rhythm. Forming a symphony with their weapons. Painting a beautiful sight with the creature's blood
Finally, the creature collapsed, its massive body crashing to the floor.
The supermarket fell silent, except for the sound of heavy breathing.
Luna (panting): We need to keep moving.
Nexus (wiping his sword clean): We can't stay here.
Horvath (axe still trembling): Agreed.
As they exited the supermarket, Nexus spots a black shadow flashing past a window in an abandoned building.
To be Continued!!!