Apocalypse Of The Living Dead

Chapter 2: Another Realm

The Other Realm

Draken took several steps backward as the creature charged towards him, emitting guttural noises. 

  

Once the creature was only a few inches away from him, it leaped into the air and descended towards him from above. 

  

Reacting swiftly, Draken jumped backward, causing the creature to miss its target and land on the bare floor.  

  

The creature regained composure instantly and slashed its vicious claws towards Draken's chest. 

  

CLANG! 

  

In the last second, Draken managed to lift his small knife and block the claws before they could make an impact, creating a resonating clanging sound.  

  

'If I get scratched by its claws, I'm a goner!' Draken pondered, leaping a few meters backward to create a gap, but the creature didn't relent.  

  

Closing the gap instantly, it swiped both hands forward, and the claws headed straight for Draken's head. 

  

'It's not giving me a chance to regroup!' Draken lamented internally, ducking low, and the claws passed above him. 

  

After successfully dodging the strike, he swung his blade towards the creature's open stomach.  

  

'Dammit!' 

  

Once the blade made contact with the creature's body, it shattered to pieces. The scales of the creature acted like a shield, and most weapons weren't strong enough to penetrate.  

  

'My only weapon!' Draken mused, swerving his body sideways and dodging another swift attack from the creature's claws. Dodging the strike, Draken wasn't fast enough to react to the incoming tail.  

  

SLASH!  

  

The blade-like tail connected with his chest and tore his skin, causing blood to be drawn. The force behind the hit lifted him off the floor and sent him crashing against a nearby tree.  

  

Draken's body crashed into the tree, and he fell to the ground.  

  

'Ugh...' He grunted in pain while lifting himself back up to his feet. Blood trickled down from his wound, but that was his least worry right now.  

  

The creature still charged forward at an incredible speed, while Draken stood in the same spot, assuming a fighting stance.  

  

When the creature was in striking distance, it swung its tail forward once more towards Draken.  

  

The tail traveled towards Draken's injured chest but was stopped midway as Draken grabbed onto it. His palm bled as he struggled to maintain the grip.  

  

He then pulled the creature forward using the tail and connected his elbow to its head.  

  

BoooM!  

  

The elbow made contact with the creature's head and knocked it down to the ground.  

  

Draken took a few steps backward, unsure whether it was over. Blood trickled down from his palm and chest, and beads of sweat dripped down his face while he panted heavily.  

  

'Is it dead?' Draken pondered, examining the creature that lay on the ground motionless after taking a single hit. 

  

Draken stood there for a few minutes before taking a step forward to take a closer look. 

  

The moment he took a few steps forward, the creature rose back up and tackled Draken to the ground.  

  

"Shit!" Draken exclaimed as the creature was now above him, attempting to shred him to pieces with its vicious claws while he struggled to prevent it.  

  

Draken struggled for several minutes, and it was clear that the creature wouldn't relent while he was running out of energy to keep up.  

  

"Argh!" He screamed in pain as the creature dug its claws into his arm, and blood gushed out.  

  

Draken gritted his teeth in pain as he gave up struggling with it and proceeded to lift both of his hands, grabbing the creature's head.  

  

Getting hold of the head, Draken pulled it downward with every ounce of strength he had and slammed it on the hard floor.  

  

BooM! 

  

The head hit the floor with great force and shattered instantly, and black blood splattered around.  

  

Draken lay on the ground, panting heavily, and tears could be seen gathering up in his eyes.  

  

"I've been infected," Draken uttered to himself, and the tears that had been gathering up were released like rain. 

  

"Dammit, I won't get to say goodbye to Mom. I won't get to say goodbye to Tini and Nadine. I don't even know if they are still alive." Draken's tone was filled with sadness as he lay there, thinking about his whole life up until this moment.  

  

Both the good and bad memories came rushing back. 

  

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect any of you. I am sorry I abandoned you all and ran for my own safety," Draken wept, regretting his decision of running without looking back when the crisis began.  

  

"If only I had another chance, I promise not to be a coward and make sure I eradicate this disease," Draken uttered, his vision becoming blurry, and he knew it was time to die and become an undead.  

  

*** 

  

YOU HAVE ENTERED THE VOID REALM

  

COMPLETE THE ENTRY QUEST OF SURVIVAL TO RECEIVE YOUR SKILL AND ALSO RECEIVE YOUR QUESTS PANEL

  

SURVIVAL ONLY BEGINS WHEN YOU ARE READY TO SURVIVE

  

Just as he was fading away, he saw what looked like a holographic screen floating in front of him. Even with his eyes shut, he could still see it. Draken lifted his eyelids in confusion and glanced around the foreign area he found himself in.  

  

The place was like a desert, but with no sand, just emptiness and darkness that overwhelmed the place. 

  

The vast void stretched endlessly, a sea of darkness beneath an obsidian sky. Eerie whispers echoed through the emptiness, creating an unsettling atmosphere. 

  

Shadows danced, distorted by unseen forces, casting an otherworldly ambiance over the desolate expanse.  

  

'What is this place?' Draken pondered, noticing some other people scattered around, and they were also staring at the same window screen that was in front of him.  

  

Noticing everyone's eyes were glued to their screens, Draken moved his gaze towards his to read the content of the notification.  

  

'Void realm?' Draken intoned, his fingers placed on his chin in contemplation.  

  

The void realm was what the Awakeners called the place where they were transported to when they went into a deep slumber, and the notification just made it clear to Draken that he was now in the Void realm, meaning...  

  

'I didn't die and become a void creature; instead, I went into a deep slumber? Does this mean I have a shot at becoming an Awakener?' Draken pondered, a slight smile appearing on his face.