Survive 1

Survive 1

7.01pm, November 25th, 2210

Kale Moore was a loner, cast out from his home and stranded on new soil, he had been 18 when the continents split. No one knew if it was a consequence of the war or natural chance but it had ended the War of Tears, forcing many like Kale to claim new lands as home, their original homes no longer theirs or claimed under new banners.

He had been granted a new identity by the Free World Union, a combination of eastern countries, remnants of the world before it was torn. The world had been shuffled as the maps were drawn anew, the satellite images horrifying the world, it no longer looked like home.

Even now smaller countries acted as buffers between the stronger countries that had been forced together, where racial hate and histories of injustice ran strong. These smaller countries allowed them to retain the strength of their former selves, slowly rebuilding over time, to retain some individuality whilst still co-operating on certain levels.

No country was going to relinquish their power easily or forget previous slights.

Kale Moore was now identified as 'Citizen F01287359,' this ID granted him the same basic rights as an ordinary citizen of the Free World Union, but that didn't mean he would have it easy.

Racial barriers still existed and were harsher than ever since the realignment of the world, Kale was lucky enough to find himself a job, one that may pay poorly but was better than nothing.

He currently worked as security for a small steel factory, he was paid minimum wage with no incentive to cover the night shift but still he had to ensure that nothing was stolen. If it was, then he had to cover the cost. 'Metallic Alloys' was the only place that would hire a 26 year old such as himself, Kale had been scraping and struggling to get by just for a chance like this.

He couldn't afford to screw up.

Checking his phone Kale began to get ready, he had no basic uniform just heavy jeans and a white faded t-shirt, the best his money could buy. Looking around his small crappy apartment he couldn't help but sigh, his family when they were alive had owned a much larger place, he missed it but had to force himself to not think about what happened.

It only hurt if he did.

7.25pm, he had just enough time to quickly visit the throne before having to leave, he would eat the food leftover at work, it saved him using his already insufficient funds. With his pants by his ankles Kale scanned through his phone, checking for updates and news of the world, in this day and age everyone had to be careful and keep up to date. Swiping across he checked out 'The Immoral Devourer' a novel that had kept his interest for many years, 7.32pm, he could start reading it now and finish the rest at work.

'Mighty blows rained down on Aspher, he blocked as many as he could but his other arm that now lay torn and shattered displayed the state he was in. Bleeding and broken he continued to struggle, praying that his companions would somehow save him, even as his world turned dark and the pain melted away he grimly hung onto his sword..'

"The F*ck!"

Kale furiously tapped on his phone screen, as soon as he read the word dark his vision started to blur and fade, he had heard of hackers using the light installed on phones to confuse or disorient people but that didn't mean he wanted to be a victim of it. Even the sense of him hitting his phone faded away, the slowing warming porcelain beneath him now becoming cold as he slid off and hit the tiles beneath, splitting his lip in the process.

The First Summoning had started.

All across the world hundreds of people blacked out and entered into comas, causing mass hysteria and mayhem, fear from the past few years had already been engrained into many people and the First Summoning merely set if off again.

[Denizen of Planet ERY0248, You are summoned]

Kale had no idea what was going on, he was definitely not in his apartment any more, all around Kale could only see darkness, a deep ongoing shadow that swallowed everything in sight leaving him alone, apart from the voice that resounded within his mind.

A metallic, emotionless voice, devoid of warmth or life.

The only things that weren't swallowed by this ravenous shadow were small little lights, like dwindling stars so very far away, glistening up high above Kale. Somehow some part of Kale's mind knew that these lights were people like himself, he felt connected to them.

Kale knew he was correct.

Kale could see thousands of them, it was scary to be abducted without any knowledge but far scarier to gain the knowledge that something could indeed rule over the lives of all humanity. Being under such power would humble the hardest of hearts. Whoever had done this, whatever it was, it transcended all of humanities wildest imaginations.

[Commencing Test Scenario 08 - Survive]

[Preparations complete]

[Time remaining : 24:00:00]

[Countdown commence in 00:02:00]

It happened in an instant, the darkness was pulled from Kale's eyes revealing his new surroundings, astounding him with its surreal beauty.

He was in the middle of a meadow, seemingly cut straight from a Sci-fi writers mind. Long purple grass ebbed and flowed as two large blue moons swayed and bobbed above, shimmering in the dark azure sky. The trees were much like Earth's own, brown but covered with depths of different luscious greens that brought them too life, this strange view was slightly blocked by a shimmering dome that encapsulated them all, like bugs in a jar.

100 people had appeared with Kale, seemingly out of mid air, all finding themselves in the same strange location and wearing the same ashen grey clothes. Looking down Kale saw that he too was wearing the same grey clothes, a basic pair of shorts and t-shirt, comfortable and easy to move in with sporting footwear.

But offering no protection.

"WHAT IS THIS? WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?"

"I demand that someone explain what is going on at once?"

"My child….Where is my child!"

Shocked himself Kale sank to his knees as people shouted and hollered, none knew what was going on or why they had been selected, everyone was panicking but the timer continued.

[Countdown : 00:01:02]

[Countdown : 00:01:01]

Were they to receive no help or guidance?

[Countdown : 00:01:00]

"Everyone, please, calm down."

Moving in front of them was a middle aged man with tinges of grey to his otherwise black hair, he spoke to them all, attempting to calm them, "My name is Captain Hyun Park of the Free World Union Defence force."

At the mention of a military title many people grew calmer and watched intently, even Kale began to feel slightly safer as someone who could step up and take charge was here. The Captain had easily become the focal point of the entire group. As was the current predicament of humankind, years and years of forced servitude to the state had long shown its effects on all.

"I know that everyone is worried but panicking will solve nothing, we must group together and figure things out slowly. Does anyone here have any combat or survival experience?"

Captain Hyun's words were sure and strong as he addressed them all, settling some of their nerves. Kale watched as some arms were raised in acknowledgement whilst volunteers stepped forward and announced their experience, in particular was a large bald headed muscled man who strode forth with a peculiar grin on his face.

"I am an experienced soldier and survival expert from the Reunited Nations…,"

This was good news for Captain Hyun as he couldn't help but cut in, "please help me in organising everyone here, we must work together to survi…"

Before he could finish his words the bald soldier continued to finish his sentence,"…I don't know how I can understand trash such as yourself, it might simply be because of this place but I will never work with someone from a foreign force. Everyone from the United Nations follow me, I will ensure that you survive."

Kale watched on as the group began to fragment and split, those who originally joined Captain Hyun stayed on his side whilst others chose the Soldier who seemed more domineering and powerful. Kale himself chose neither as he started to stretch, having struggled alone for so long had taught him to always prepare for the worst, right now there were only a few seconds left of the countdown timer and he feared for what was going to happen after.

[Countdown : 00:00:14]

[Countdown : 00:00:13]

…

[Countdown : 00:00:10]

Everyone was growing tense as the timer ticked down, even Captain Hyun and the United Nations Soldier couldn't help but fidget nervously, they had no weapons and no clue about what was going to happen.

[Countdown : 00:00:07]

Peering closely at the trees Kale could see nothing among or in between them, just more trees gently swishing on this strange planet.

[Countdown : 00:00:03]

[Countdown : 00:00:02]

[Countdown : 00:00:01]

[Countdown : 00:00:00]

Silence spread throughout the group, the dome around them had simply vanished, no warning of its departure, it was just gone, as if it had never been there. Nervously standing around everyone watched the gaps between the trees, fearing monstrous beasts that may or may not exist.

[Time remaining : 23:59:59]

One second had passed on their test and finally it began.

The blare of rampant drums and horns spread from the forest, up into the air strange double beaked birds of various colours flew, fleeing whatever was coming their way.

Kale saw it first, a small hobbled figure, standing amongst the trees, flashing him a wicked grin as it raised a horn to its lips and blew.

Only then did it click in Kale's mind.

They were to be hunted.