2 Echoes of the Fallen
I could barely register the sight in front of me. My colleagues, my friends, transformed into grotesque versions of themselves. The realization hung heavy in my chest: the T-Virus was no myth. My grip on the Guillotine Arm tightened instinctively, the cold metal offering a fleeting moment of solace.
A familiar yet distant groan sounded from behind me. I turned to see Susan, her once sparkly eyes now lost behind a milky haze. Her movements were clumsy, her intent unmistakable. The pit in my stomach grew deeper. This was Susan, but not the one I remembered.
A shimmer at the edge of my vision heralded a Gamer prompt. But my mind was reeling, struggling to blend the horror of reality with the game mechanics. I readied myself, the Guillotine Arm suddenly feeling a lot heavier.
She lunged, but a surge of adrenaline kicked in. I sidestepped and, summoning all my strength, swung the Guillotine Arm. It connected. Susan fell.
One down. The number echoed in my mind.
Next was Tiffany. Her agility, something I'd admired during our morning jogs, was now a haunting challenge. It took every ounce of my reflexes to keep up. As I managed to neutralize her, Rich, Marvin, and Rob—each confrontation, a fresh stab of grief—closed in.
As I took a moment, trying to steady my trembling hands, the weight of what had just transpired threatened to crush me. I glanced around, realizing that the room, once filled with laughter and camaraderie, was now eerily silent except for the distant groans from beyond.
I approached Susan, her serene face belying the terror from moments before. The locket she never took off now seemed out of place on this lifeless form. Picking it up, a Gamer window materialized:
Item: Susan's Locket
Description: A testament to Susan's unwavering bond with her team.
Ability: Stronger Together
Power: Grants a 10 percent increase in strength for 10 minutes. Can be activated once a day.
I took a deep breath, trying to push back the tears. Gently placing the locket in my pocket, I moved to Tiffany. Her Ring of Remembrance caught the dim light. Slipping it off her finger, another Gamer prompt appeared:
Item: Tiffany's Ring of Remembrance
Description: A bond with her departed sister.
Ability: Detect Undead
Power: Reveals all undead within a one-mile radius for 10 minutes. Can be activated once a day.
Rich's rebellious streak, embodied by the pocketknife he defiantly carried, seemed so trivial now. As I pocketed it, a brief description appeared:
Item: Rich's Pocketknife
Description: Rich's cherished defiance of Hive's rules.
Ability: Never Disarmed
Power: Returns to the gamer's pocket, no matter where left. Can be activated once a day.
Marvin's wrist was adorned by a watch I had seen him check countless times, its compass guiding our past adventures. As I unstrapped it, the Gamer chimed in:
Item: Marvin's Compass Wristwatch
Description: Marvin's guiding light during challenging times.
Ability: True Path
Power: Points directly to the gamer's current objective for 10 minutes. Can be activated once a day.
Lastly, I found Rob's Lockpick Tools. A smile flashed across my face, remembering the countless times he'd used them for innocent mischief. Another Gamer prompt:
Item: Rob's Lockpick Tools
Description: Tools of mischief, always hidden up Rob's sleeve.
Ability: Mischief Never Waits
Power: Instantly pick any lock one tier below the gamer's skill level. Can be activated once a day.
The silence was almost suffocating now. I took one final look at my friends, their faces peaceful. I had to move on, but they would never be forgotten. The Gamer system's continuous whispers reminded me of the grim journey ahead, but now, I carried with me more than just tools—I had memories, bonds, and the indomitable spirit of camaraderie.
QUEST COMPLETED - Rest in Peace
Having laid your companions to rest, you feel a weight lifted. Your friends' tokens will ensure their continued support even through death.
Objective 1: Kill the zombified remains of your friends. (X)
Rewards:
- 100 EP
- Melee Proficiency Skill
Hidden Objective: Pay your respects to your departed friends and collect a token from each to carry their spirits forward with you. (X)
Rewards:
- Susan's Locket
- Tiffany's Ring of Remembrance
- Rich's Pocketknife
- Marvin's Compass Wristwatch
- Rob's Lockpick Tools
As I absorbed the devastation surrounding me, the speakers in the room buzzed to life, emitting the soft, almost innocent voice of the Red Queen. "Mr. Jameson," she began with her eerily calm tone, "now that you've finished with your post-death rituals, we have pressing matters to attend to."
A surge of anger welled up within me, momentarily consuming my thoughts. This AI had orchestrated the death of my friends. "You're the reason they're gone," I blurted, anger evident in my voice.
"Your friends were already infected with the T-Virus. They were, in essence, already dead," the Red Queen replied with cool logic. "By triggering the containment measures when I did, I potentially spared them extended suffering. Their subsequent reanimation is proof of their prior condition."
I was taken aback by her response. Her rationale, though disturbing, was sound. However, I sensed that this statement, while true, was strategically designed to facilitate cooperation. Taking a deep breath, I forced logic to overtake emotion. "What do you want to discuss?" I managed, keeping my voice steady.
"The Umbrella corporation has detected my defense measures. They will dispatch a Security Team. Expected arrival: five hours," she informed.
The realization of being trapped with thousands of reanimated employees loomed large. The sheer magnitude of the Hive made it clear that eliminating every threat was unrealistic. However, before I could voice this, the Red Queen interjected, "While clearing the entire Hive is not feasible, we must secure critical sectors. Doing so will divert the Security Team's immediate attention away from you."
A chill ran down my spine. "And if we don't?" I probed.
"The consequences would be... unfavorable," she stated, a hint of menace in her words.
Seeing no better option, I responded, "Fine, Red Queen. We'll cooperate."
Her voice revealed a modicum of satisfaction. "Good. I will provide you with real-time data and temporary access to vital security subsystems."
A notification from the Gamer system appeared before me:
NEW QUEST CHAIN – Unlikely Allies
You've forged an uneasy alliance with the Red Queen. Work with the Red Queen to survive the impending threat of the Security Team and the undead.
Objective 1: Collaborate with the Red Queen to secure vital Hive zones.
Hidden Objective: ???
Success: 10,000 EP and a formidable weapon.
Though the seeds of distrust were still rooted deep, I recognized the importance of this tentative alliance in the looming darkness of the Hive.
