8 Month Later

A month had already passed. Days have been similar, filled with fighting. Humans showed their true nature, it was the same as in all those apocalyptic stories. Number of monsters rose. Some evacuation centers were destroyed, grounds filled with human and monster bodies. Fighting was getting harder, groups were getting larger and larger, our journey was slowed down because of this.

Zombies got stronger and faster. However, we didn't slack off either, I was able to cover two-thirds of my body in rocks while Leon could now reach higher strength than those who gained that ability, base strength of our bodies also rose. Apart from ability improvements we also had a lot more experience. I deemed Leon as trustworthy, our teamwork also got much better.

After a long long travel, we were finally here. Leon and I separated, as we couldn't wait to see our families. I just needed to take a right turn and I would see my family. Anxiousness rose in me as I got closer.

I scanned the street, all the houses were destroyed, except one. My house was surrounded by at least three dozen monsters. Gate was getting punched. As I saw this, without any plan, I ran faster than I could possibly manage before all of this.

While running I concentrated on my plastic spear. Making straight-line of a thin rock layer, connecting my hand and a tip, as I focused on a tip I surrounded it with rocks and made sure to make rocky tip as sharp as possible. With the fastest one-handed stab I could achieve I pierced a brain.

Using the advantage of surprise I killed three more. Generated in the air, two small icicles flew towards me. Predicting their trajectory I covered my chest in a layer, successfully protecting myself. But that wasn't all, three hands were coming at me

Making layer on the concrete beneath my feet I morphed it into the small pillars, using their momentum while springing up, I jumped into the air. Landing behind two water zombie Mages from before. Covering my hand I made space between the tip of my pinky and wrist as sharp as possible. Using my hand as a blade I finished them off. This all happened in a few seconds.

Using the same tactic as before I jumped outside from the center of the group. Small fireball was making its way towards me, instead of tanking it like I would icicles or wind blades I dodged it, as a ball of fire would've exploded all over me.

After many dodges, slashes, stabs and stamina now there were half a dozen left. I was completely exhausted, this group was much larger than usual and I also had to fight alone.

Zombie used the time while I was panting heavily and ran to me. Muscles on this guys arms were massive, probably strengthen arms.

They weren't like in the beginning, they were only slow in comparison to Runners, only ones that were really slow were Mages, as their bodies didn't naturally grow stronger.

Zombie formed a fist, using its momentum it slammed it into my belly. Even if I made layer in time I was still sent flying in pain. Not waiting for me to stand up, it slammed its fist into my layered stomach again. I was banged to the ground, my naked head hit the concrete. My head was in pain and conciseness started to slip. However, I still knew I could go like this for a long time, I was on the doorstep of my house.

RAWHHHHHHH

It screamed in direction of the gate and started to run to it, ignoring me. Now with time I quickly rose up.

It ran towards someone. I needed some time to recognize it was my brother. He was staring into the monster that was approaching. Fist was already flying towards him, but he didn't move. Worried I jumped from the concrete while praying to make it in time.

It connected, but instead of my brother being sent flying like me it seemed that he was unaffected. Dumbfounded I still kept running.

Thud

Before I reached them, the body was already on the ground, killed by the knife in my brother's hand. Others were also dead.

He didn't look anything like he used to, his innocent eyes were gone, he was taller than before and with blood all over him.

"Why did you come?" He asked me, even his voice got deeper.

Tears went down my face as I rushed to hug him. However, my feelings weren't met, he stepped aside. Looking at him, I felt lost. I couldn't stop thinking about them for even an hour while he wasn't happy to see me?

"Brother!" It was Emma, crying, she came into my still open arms. She was also taller than before and her voice got more mature. Forgetting about that I was just happy to see them.

"I missed you guys so much." I tightened my grip around her.

I looked at Noah, he had annoyed expression as his eyes stormed around the street, looking for any danger.

"Can you just hurry, we need to go inside." He said. I didn't know what to think anymore.

"Noah! How can you be like that!" Emma said with eyes full of tears.

"It's fine. He's right, we need to go inside." Sadly he wasn't happy about me being here, but he was right, we were in the open.

No one else was in the house. Emma looked at my eyes.

"Luke, Mom... Mom, s-she's dead." Emma put her head to my chest. I was opening and closing my mouth, words didn't come.

"...It's gonna be okay." This was the only thing I could say.

"It's your fault." Noah pointed his finger towards me with eyes full of hatred, before he went to his room.

"It's not your fault brother. Don't be mad at him, a lot of stuff happened." Even if Emma didn't agree with her brother she still understood him.

"Of course I'm not gonna be mad. Will you tell me what happened?" I made sure not to ask this question roughly.

"I will. Let's sit first."

Now that we were in the living room she started.

"Soon after we lost signal we ran out of supplies. Mom decided to not go to the evacuation center as it was far away and it was too dangerous, instead the target was a supermarket. She didn't want to bring us with her, no matter how much we asked and tried, and so she went alone." Taking some deep breathes she continued.

"After a few hours she still wasn't back, we were getting worried. And then... a massage came... saying 'Survve'." She didn't continued as it was obviouse what happened.

I now knew why Noah acted like that, if Dad was home than Mom wouldn't have to fight alone, Noah and Emma wouldn't have to fight. 'Because of me both of my parents are dead, I wasn't there for my siblings, they were all alone, what kind of big brother am I?'

"Noah's righ-." Emma grabbed my cheeks with both of her hands making me unable to speak.

"He's not! Don't shoulder the blame on yourself like you always do! How could you know that something like this would happen, Dad's and Mom's death isn't on you. Noah's blame is in the wrong direction, same as yours. Instead, blame this world!"

"..."

"We need strength, we need to be ready for whatever is to come, we need to protect each other!"

My sad expression from before now instead became full of determination.