A Dragon's Wrath

Rowan handed Marcus a flat piece of slate with some writing scratched on to it:

Law 1: Stealing is prohibited.

Law 2: Murder results in exile.

Law 3: Assault is not tolerated.

Law 4: Don't rape.

Law 5: Vandalism is banned.

Law 6: Don't go against orders from superiors.

Law 7: Never desert your post.

Law 8: Laziness is not allowed.

Law 9: No discrimination.

There were more rules that were less notable but helped maintain the order specifically in Rowan's base. "Punishments range from cleaning duties to exile. Murder is of course always exile. We can fine people survival coins, put them in isolation, sometimes we'll even decide on one as a group," Rowan grinned at the last part he mentioned. Marcus grinned too imagining all the funny forfeits he must have made people do.

Rowan also rewarded people for good work done as well though. These rewards entailed things like getting to choose your work for the day, receiving your own new personal tools or weapons, promotions, survival coins, better rations too.

"We've been awake for a year now and although our food had to be rationed, we still survived last year's winter. This year however, we're much more prepared." Marcus soon left with Lana after receiving a tour of their base.

They'd offered him and Lana a place to stay and join their clan but Marcus explained his own clan members were still waiting back at home so he'd bring them next time. Lana made it clear she was staying with him too.

Once they'd made their way back to the valley, it was beginning to get dark. James and Sam told them they'd been worried so Marcus sat with them in the bunker next to the warmly lit hearth and explained everything.

"Woah, that sounds intense bro!" James exclaimed. His eyes were shining with the sheer thrill of knowing there were other survivors. Marcus was just grateful they'd let him go. As though there'd never been any tension between them and some unspoken agreement that Marcus would definitely bring his group to them real soon.

Laws were something he hadn't thought about until now because his group didn't have enough members for it to be worth the time. If only Marcus had been ready for the responsibility he'd have to shoulder very soon...

The quiet calm of dinner as the world's most dysfunctional family enjoyed talking with each other was an unforgettable moment. Well, not really. But the sudden contrast made it stand out so obviously, even saying nothing would make it difficult to forget.

As Marcus was just about to finish his turn doing the washing up for the night, his ears pricked at the tremor he felt shake the bunker despite being under many layers of dirt. Something had entered the valley and by instinct alone, Marcus knew it was something bad.

"What's the problem Marcus?" Asked James. Nothing in his voice hinted at nervousness but James knew by now to trust Marcus' instincts. Marcus climbed out of the bunker and helped the rest out. He instantly sensed another sign that not all was right. A black and acrid smell like death assaulted his nose.

Running as fast as he could, Marcus leaped up the side of the valley in record time. Once he reached the lip, it was clear what was wrong. "What do you see?!" Hollered Sam from the bottom of the slope.

Gazing at the danger with a focus able to shred through even nerves of steel, Marcus could only utter a single sentence. "I see fire."

"Sorry, what?" Sam had just reached the top too with everyone coming up behind her. She came to an abrupt halt when the view presented itself to her as well. One by one, Lana and James also stopped as though they'd just hit a brick wall.

Spanning across the horizon was the pink and orange sunset that always brought an end to the days they'd survived. Only, a wilder orange blended with it tonight. An untamable beast. Fire.

The direction in which it came from worried Marcus. He opened up his map. Almost immediately the green dots showed up. All moving away from the blaze at such a fast pace only possible under immense terror. How they knew to find Marcus' base was unimportant right now but they were close enough to show up on the map so he scanned the land for any signs of life.

It wasn't too long until the people themselves could be spotted too. Great disappointment befell Marcus and Lana though. They'd counted a total of 17 before. Now there were just 8 left. The sweat and fear on those 8 people's faces was all Marcus needed to guess what had befallen those 9 other survivors.

Every single one of those 9 was dead.

Their injuries suggested the fight had been nothing else but one sided. So much so, that retreat must have been chosen as soon as the first person had fallen. The other 8 probably died with their backs turned and legs pumping desperately for a safe escape only to find themselves unable to move again.

Lana, Sam and James had all run down straight away to help them. Marcus ran down to join them after snapping himself out of his trance.

Thankfully, Rowan was amongst the survivors. So was Tarik, Clary, Michael and Jessica. Mord was no where to be seen. The two men who'd held Lana were gone too. They'd most likely been the first to fight and the first to die.

None of them would talk. They only said 'thank you' or 'why us?' As though they were questioning their own survival. Questioning the tragedies that had left them fleeing their own stronghold. It was all they could do to climb into a bunk bed. The bunker seemed to have enough space to house twenty people as that was the number of beds available as well as the room provided on all the sofas surrounding the few hearths.

It was then that Marcus got a new notification from the system. 'New section unlocked! Clans. User may choose to form a clan as your group member count has reached the minimum requirement of 10. Y/N?'

Marcus found it slightly grim for the system to be telling him about this now. He didn't think too much about it and selected the yes option.

'Members from the recently dissolved black crows clan have been accepted into the Georift clan. Do you wish to change the new name?' Marcus selected no and the system didn't bother him anymore except for one last panel.

There was a new clan tab in the system and upon opening this there was information available:

Name - Georift

Member count - 12

Leader - Marcus Addler

Co-Leader - unknown

Wealth - 0

'Is that my full name? Addler?' A memory flashed inside his brain again. Every time it felt like a file being downloaded onto a computer. Images of a contract appeared and were replaced by a man who shook hands with him. Who was that man?

He quickly shook it off. Marcus was also interested in the wealth section. Could it be some sought of government fund like taxes? The co-leader part was also intriguing as it said unknown. 'Maybe I have to choose someone...'

The night had been exhausting for Rowan's group so Marcus decided to ask them questions in the morning. He'd find out the truth tomorrow. If they made it through the night.