Chapter 16: Conqueror and new rules
Chapter 16: Day 11
A boy in a finely tailored suit sat in an opulent office, surrounded by exquisite furnishings that spoke of a life of privilege. He delicately sipped his tea, his gaze fixed on the swirling liquid as memories washed over him. The weight of the recent events still clung to his heart.
"It's been a while since I had a nice tea like this," Arthur murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and melancholy.
The girl sitting near him, his sister, watched him with concern etched across her face. "Arthur... are you sure you're okay?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.
A faint smile danced on Arthur's lips as he turned to face his sister. "Yes, sister, I am okay," he reassured her, his voice calm but carrying a hint of sadness. "What happened in that day was nothing. You're the only family I have left, and if I had been just a little late, you would've been lost to me forever."
His sister's eyes softened, reflecting the deep bond they shared. "I'm glad you managed to save me," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude and relief.
Arthur's expression grew solemn as memories of their father flooded his thoughts. "What happened to Father... it's his fault," he uttered, his words heavy with a mix of anger and sorrow. "He was too kind, too trusting of people. Letting them all into our mansion... it was a fatal mistake. He saved them, offered them sanctuary, and how did they repay him? They betrayed him in the end."
He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with a mixture of emotions. "Okay, I'm calm now," he continued, his voice steadier. "Father's sacrifice was noble, but it led to his downfall. If only he hadn't chosen that moment to give himself up to the horde..."
The memories of that fateful night on Day 5 resurfaced in Arthur's mind. Politician Allan, their father, had opened their luxurious mansion to those in need. With the protection of numerous guards, they had managed to survive for a while, sheltered within the mansion's grand walls. But then, as night fell, a horde of creatures descended upon them, their hunger and fury unleashed.
Allan did his best to evacuate everyone, urging them to listen and follow him to safety. But fear and panic clouded their judgment. Blaming Allan for their predicament, they turned on him, pushing him toward the encroaching horde. In a moment of selflessness, he ordered his guards not to shoot, convinced that these creatures were simply sick, a result of the hatred directed towards him.
The following morning, as the chaos subsided, the local police arrived in helicopters, attempting to save those who had survived. But by then, everything that Allan had worked hard for had crumbled. His once-majestic mansion stood as a hollow shell, stripped of its former grandeur. Only Arthur, some of their remaining servants, and a handful of guards, who had been ordered to protect him, managed to survive by hiding in the mansion's basement.
The tragedy of Allan's story reverberated through Arthur's soul. The weight of his father's actions and the ultimate betrayal he had faced from those he sought to save bore heavily upon him. The mansion, once a symbol of power and influence, now stood as a haunting reminder of the fallibility of human nature and the cost of trust in a world consumed by darkness.
"I would never make the same mistake as my father did! Also, it was lucky for us to uncover the reason behind the sudden surge in those creatures' numbers," Arthur declared, determination burning in his eyes.
His sister leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What's the reason?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
Arthur turned to face her, his gaze steady. "There were too many of us staying in one place for too long," he explained. "The police force that came to rescue us faced a similar fate. They were also attacked by a horde, but they managed to escape thanks to their helicopters."
"After their escape, they intended to join forces with our father. But by the time they arrived, everything had already fallen apart. Fortunately, due to our father's influence and the respect they held for him, I was able to command them. Our uncle, the chief of police, was among them."
Arthur walked toward the balcony, his gaze sweeping across the landscape. "Without this sanctuary of ours, we wouldn't have come this far," he mused.
His words held a ring of truth. Arthur may still be too young, but Arthur possessed an unwavering ambition and a keen sense of strategy. Leveraging our father's power and influence, he commanded the police force and their guards, leading them with astute judgment and precision.
With each passing day, Arthur's desire for success and recognition grew stronger. He had the remarkable ability to inspire and influence those around him, rallying his followers toward a common goal. Together, they had conquered the rural land, claiming numerous villages as their own.
Within the countryside, they built sturdy walls and erected lights that pierced the darkness. Through their combined efforts, they established control and safety, providing the necessities of life—food, water, and shelter. Their group, consisting of approximately 200 individuals, half of whom were being trained as soldiers while the others served as civilians, thrived under Arthur's leadership.
Arthur's rule was simple yet crucial for their survival. Each village was limited to a population of 20, ensuring that their presence wouldn't attract the horde. Meanwhile, the military consisted of smaller teams of 10 individuals who were tasked with scavenging for supplies and rescuing other survivors, expanding their reach and influence.
It was evident that Arthur was born to be a conqueror, leading his people with a vision for a brighter future. I can't believe I have a brother like him.
On the other side, Mico's group consisted of 20 individuals, all celebrating their accomplishments and getting back to work. As the afternoon sun bathed their surroundings in a warm glow, Alex and his team returned from their expedition. Mico, however, remained behind, still feeling the weight of recent events lingering within him.
Mico's team had ventured out, accompanied by three additional individuals, in search of supplies and potential survivors. The journey went smoothly. They had managed to secure essential resources and bring back a few more people to join their community.
As Alex and his team entered the base, they were greeted with a mixture of relief and excitement. The group gathered around them, eager to hear about their journey and the fruits of their efforts. Stories were shared, lessons learned, and plans were made for the future.
Mico observed from the sidelines, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He watched as his friends and newfound allies recounted their experiences, their faces animated with a sense of purpose and hope. While a part of him longed to join in their celebration, to feel the same sense of accomplishment, he couldn't shake off the unease that still weighed heavy on his heart.
Guilt and doubt clung to him like shadows, reminders of the choices he had made and the life he had taken. The celebrations seemed distant, their echoes drowned out by the turmoil within him. Mico withdrew into his thoughts, grappling with the consequences of his actions and searching for a way to reconcile the conflicting emotions that threatened to consume him.
As the night came and they were all sleeping peacefully, the danger lurking on the forest will break them apart.