The apocalypse was no longer a whispered fear or a dismissible rumor, it had arrived with monstrous clarity. Across the globe, chaos erupted as news spread like wildfire. Gates had opened in multiple locations, spewing out creatures that had been habiting that world. Cities once bustling with life now resembled war zones, with roars of monsters piercing the night and buildings trembling under their weight.
In some parts of the world, people had mocked the crimson countdown in the sky, calling it a hoax or an elaborate prank by governments. But now, reality hit like a thunderclap. Families fled in terror, clutching what few belongings they could carry, as the monstrous horde spilled forth. Governments scrambled to establish emergency safe zones humanitarian strongholds hastily constructed in just two days, fortified to protect the masses and serve as rallying points for those who could still fight.
Yet, not everyone had reached these sanctuaries. Across Verdantra, terror gripped the streets as those who had stayed behind or had refused to believe scrambled to find safety. The deep midnight shadows seemed alive with menace, and the once-familiar city was now a labyrinth of horrors.
In the heart of the city, Luca Farren fought for his life. The high orc stood before him, a monstrous figure of muscle and rage, its crimson eyes gleaming with unrelenting fury. Luca's breathing was ragged as he tightened his grip on his sword. The fight had already dragged on too long, and his stamina was waving.
The orc roared and lunged forward, its massive axe swinging with devastating force. Luca dodged to the side, but the shockwave from the missed strike sent him hurtling backward, crashing through the wall of a nearby building. Dust and debris rained down around him as the orc followed, its footsteps shaking the ground.
"Damn it," Luca muttered, pushing himself to his feet. His body ached from the impact, but there was no time to dwell on it. The orc was relentless, and Luca knew he was at a disadvantage.
The orc leaped, its hulking frame crashing onto the ground where Luca had been moments before. The sheer force of its landing sent cracks spidering through the stone floor. Luca rolled to the side, barely avoiding the attack, and darted toward the nearest door. He needed space to maneuver, and staying in this confined area was a death sentence.
The orc roared in frustration as it tore through the building, smashing through walls in its pursuit. Luca could hear the structure groaning under the strain, its stability compromised by the orc's rampage. He didn't look back as he sprinted through the crumbling building.
Luca was no stranger to danger. As a former member of a prestigious mercenary group within the gates, he had faced countless threats even similar and stronger than the orc. But this high orc was different. Its strength and speed were beyond the norms for a high orc.
Even for a high orc, this one seemed unnaturally powerful, almost as if it had been enhanced or something.
He remembered the days before his dismissal, when he and his comrades had been hailed as heroes. But that was three years ago, and much had changed since then. Now, he was a wanderer, taking on dangerous quests to survive. The irony wasn't lost on him, risking his life daily just to stay alive.
"This isn't like the others, he is definitely" Luca muttered as he parried another strike, the force of the blow nearly sending his sword flying from his hands. His arms burned with the effort of holding his ground.
The realization hit him like a blow to the chest. He had barely managed to scratch the creature. Its wounds, superficial at best, had already stopped bleeding, and its movements showed no signs of slowing. Meanwhile, his stamina was draining fast.
He leaped backward, putting distance between himself and the orc. "I need to end this, or I won't survive," he thought. But another, more pressing thought crept into his mind. Elina and the others, they should have gained enough distance by now.
The orc roared again, The sound wasn't just one of rage, it felt more like it was a call. A signal to others.
"I have to go," Luca decided. His time was running out, and staying here was suicide.
Elsewhere, Viktor and the others pushed forward, their breaths heavy as they navigated the desolate streets. Elina clung to Viktor's back, her small frame trembling with exhaustion and fear. The group had barely paused since fleeing the orc's wrath, but their pace was slowing.
"Are we not going back for big brother?" Lila asked, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.
The group halted. The question hung in the air like a stone, its weight pressing down on them. No one dared to answer, but the grim silence spoke volumes.
Viktor's gaze hardened. He had only just met Luca, and their brief encounter had left little room for trust. Yet, something in Viktor's gut told him that Luca wasn't the type to go down easily. "We'll meet him outside the city," Viktor said firmly, his voice steady despite the doubt gnawing at him. "For now, we have to keep moving."
Elina hesitated, then nodded timidly, her tears still falling. "Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
With renewed urgency, the group resumed their flight, Viktor leading the way.
Back in the crumbling city, Luca made his move. He darted into a clearing, the orc hot on his heels. The beast's bloodlust was palpable, its every movement radiating fury. Luca skidded to a halt, raising his sword as he began channeling a powerful skill.
[Lightning Roar]
The blade crackled with energy, arcs of electricity dancing along its edge as the skill charged. The orc closed the distance, its massive axe raised for a killing blow. Luca's muscles tensed as he focused, his mind racing.
"Come on, come on…"
The orc swung. Luca sidestepped at the last possible moment, his skill finally reaching full charge. The blade glowed brilliantly, illuminating the night as he released the pent-up energy.
A deafening crack split the air as a bolt of lightning erupted from the sword, striking the orc square in the chest. The force of the impact sent the creature flying, its massive frame crashing into the remnants of a nearby building.
Luca didn't wait to see the outcome. He turned and he made his quick exit. The system didn't notify him of a kill, which meant the orc was still alive, which didn't brother him, cause after all that was not his goal.
As Luca fled, the world around him continued to unravel. Fires raged in the distance, casting an ominous glow against the dark sky. The roars of monsters echoed through the city, a constant reminder of the new reality humanity faced.
Luca sprinted through the chaos, his mind racing. He needed to regroup with the others, to warn them of the orc's call and the growing danger. But above all, he needed to survive.
As Viktor and the others reached the city's outskirts, they paused to catch their breath. The night was still, but the tension was palpable. Viktor scanned the horizon, his grip on his blade tightening.
"We're not out of this yet," he said, his voice low.
In the distance, a faint roar echoed. It was a chilling reminder that their fight was far from over.