Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Zones of Ash and Wilds
The last thing he remembered was turbulence—a strong one—followed by screams and the echo of terrified voices. Then, silence. It didn't last long.
He knew clearly: they were crashing. Yet, somehow, he didn't care. His focus was captured by a monstrous white light devouring the world outside.
"Majestic," was the only thought that came to him as his sight faded into darkness.
---
"Hey! How long are you going to sleep?!"
Beatrice kicked Linus's leg. He grumbled and slowly sat up, blinking in confusion.
"We're not dead? Or is this the afterlife?" He looked up at her, smiling lazily. "Nahhh, if this is the afterlife, I must be in hell... especially if you're beside me."
"You wish, bastard!" Beatrice snapped, her face flushing with anger. "Do you even know how reckless that was?! If not for the cargo's defense shield and sturdy frame, that shockwave would've crushed us to death!"
Linus barely paid her any attention.
He stood, taking in the scene around them. The floor was rocky, scattered with burning grass—signs of intense friction from impact. They had landed far from their initial position. The cargo ship had crashed through the trees and come to a halt one kilometer from the explosion's origin.
Behind him, a trail of destruction stretched like a scar across the forest—a straight line of shattered trees and scorched vegetation. In the distance, a colossal pillar of smoke curled into the sky. Terrifying. Beautiful.
"It looks like the door to hell was opened," Charlotte said, stepping out of the damaged cargo.
"How bad is it?" Beatrice asked, walking toward her.
"Pretty bad. All systems are down. The reactor's damaged. Basic utilities like communication are unstable. We can still use the positioning interface to signal the other team... but," Charlotte hesitated.
"I know," Beatrice said. "It's risky. Others might pick up our signal—and that could be a death sentence."
"Exactly. If this world is as chaotic as I imagine, meeting anyone out here is almost certainly a confrontation to the death," Linus commented, examining his suit to ensure it wasn't damaged.
Charlotte and Beatrice both glared at him. It was his fault, and yet he showed no signs of remorse.
Beatrice sighed and turned back to Charlotte. "Which zone are we in?"
Charlotte's frown deepened.
"The force of the explosion was too strong. We've landed in a grade 3–4 Frontline Zone," she said.
"What's a grade 3–4 Frontline Zone?" Linus asked, finishing his suit inspection. The girls walked away, ignoring him.
Paul emerged from the cargo, inspecting the damage. Linus called out.
"Hey, you!"
Paul jumped, startled. He turned to see Linus grinning.
"You need something?" Paul asked, annoyed. He was frustrated with Linus, but he couldn't deny the man's extreme plan had worked—it had wiped out all evidence of their presence.
"Tell me more about these so-called grade zones," Linus requested.
Paul hesitated. "Fine, but first... there's something I want to know."
Linus's face went still. "What do you wish to know?"
"How did you predict everything that Rhys would ask?"
"Oh, I ran a simulation," Linus replied casually. "Based on your description of him, I formulated hypothetical questions and built answers around those."
"So you gambled with everyone's lives?!" Paul was shocked.
"Now answer mine," Linus said flatly.
Paul sighed. "Alright. Grade zones are marked based on levels of danger. There's no layered or fixed structure. A region outside a human colony could be grade one—safe. But reaching it might require crossing through grade six or seven zones."
"How many grades are there?" Linus asked.
"It's hard to say. The new Earth isn't what it used to be. Plates have shifted, and new lands emerged. Zones are now broadly classified into ten-plus categories."
"Grades 1–2 are under full human influence—safe for humans, dangerous for other species. Grade 3–4 zones are mostly wild territories, dominated by powerful species like the Bipedals. Beyond that is the vestige of the Tech-Magia war—also called the Frontline."
"Grades 4 and 6 often appear within other zones. These areas are inhabited by anomalies, SCPs, and mysterious entities. They can infiltrate colonies and wreak havoc—even other species aren't safe from them."
"What lies beyond that?" Linus pressed.
"Beyond grade six? You'd be mad to go. Grade seven zones and beyond are home to otherworldly beings, supernatural phenomena, divine existences."
"Divine?" Linus asked.
Paul nodded. "There's something... extraterrestrial in those zones. It's said these regions were directly hit by the Blackout. Everything inside has changed beyond comprehension."
He checked his scanner and cursed. "Damn. The energy won't last through the night."
"What about beyond that? What lies in the highest zones?"
"The 10+ zones are called the 'Dead Thought.' Nothing alive has ever come out. They're surrounded by a thick black layer. Nothing goes in. Nothing comes out."
"Maybe it's to keep us from entering," Paul speculated.
"Or to keep what's inside from getting out," Linus added.
---
Elsewhere
A sharp gasp.
Velvet clutched her chest, struggling to breathe. It felt like her lungs were full of needles. Her vision was blurry, and she had no idea how long she had been unconscious.
"Found her!" someone shouted.
She tried to lift her head. A blurry figure knelt beside her. Another person rushed forward with something in their hand.
"Don't waste time! Put it on her!" another voice yelled.
A mask was strapped onto her face. Cool, filtered oxygen rushed into her lungs. Her breathing steadied.
She looked around. Beside her were Kelly and Fischer—both roughed up but alive. She tried to stand but collapsed.
"Don't force it. You were exposed to the atmosphere for too long," Fischer said, helping her sit up.
Velvet glanced around and froze in disbelief.
"This is..."
Fischer nodded. "The colony we were held in. I was right—it's a past human colony taken over by Beastmen."
The buildings were tall and futuristic, illuminated by faint lights. Yet, 90% of the structures were overrun with vegetation. It was a surreal fusion of nature and lost technology.
"Who maintains the power?" Velvet asked.
Fischer looked toward the approaching Beastmen. "We'll find out soon enough."
From the outside, the colony appeared as a massive pentagon fortress, swallowed by wild growth and strange creatures. This was Ooron Tribe Colony—a human settlement lost and overtaken by the Beastmen.
---
Somewhere on the road to Ooron
"Damn. Today wasn't the right day for this mess," grumbled the scavenger.
He tapped on the panel inside his military-grade vehicle.
"Execute damage protocol."
[Damage at 78%]
[Maintenance required]
"Tch. Not good. Energy level?"
[Energy level at 45% usage]
"Redirect all energy to stabilizing the hybrid fetus. Maintain them until we reach Ooron."
The onboard AI complied.
"Teilvel missions are always like this. Dangerous—and never any insurance. And now they're doing business with the enemy?"
His mood soured even further. The armored vehicle roared as it sped through the broken forest toward Ooron Tribe Colony.
---
To be continued...