I woke up groggly, my head pounding like absolute hell.
I felt pain, primarily from my left leg, and a few deep wounds on the rest of my body. The living room was empty when i woke up, the sun shining outside.
I saw a note.
– Sorry Cass. You'd get in the way of our plans. Have fun~
– Astra
I was speechless.
"I knew it. Absolutely fucking knew it." I laughed hysterical, even though my wounds hurt like hell.
They know im good in combat, not in professional, but enough to stand on my own. Being injured would be extremely difficult.
"Wait," I muttered.
"Zack? Violet?" I called out, sitting up though the pain.
I heard grunting as two figures came from the front door. My blood went cold. I felt my stomach drop.
"Fuck..." I responded.
Using any strength, i got up immediately, going up to the second floor.
"They put the virus in the food, or drinks." I muttered.
I noticed immediately, the false bag and my weapons. Gone.
I went to the picture, opening it and seeing my backpack. I got my pistol out immediately, loading it with a bullet and bringing 4 other bullets.
I went to the staircase, "Im sorry. Very Sorry."
Tears went down my cheeks as i shot at Zack.
Reloaded. Shot.
He went down on the second.
Violet become aggressive, running up the stairs, like an injured animal.
I reloaded and shot.
Reloaded. Shot.
She fell down the stairs, making it impossible for me to go down.
"Damn it..." I collapsed to my knees, tears running down as i silently cried.
'First Luke who doved in the way to keep us safe, and now this?' I thought.
I knew something was suspicious from the very beginning. Astra returned durung the middle of the second week, a day after Luke died, saying she 'found' a place.
The place was Shelter 6, she was there for days before coming back. It took us a few hours from our location, which was on the outskirts of the city we lived in after the termination.
Shelter 6 reside in a remote bunker. VIRELLA's outdated bunker unit 6.
Our project being dangerous, we established bunkers all over for safety measures.
After a few mins, I reclaimed myself. Calming down the best I could.
Out of everyone, Zack and Violet were the people I knew the most. They were with me shortly after the project established teams for each variant.
I stood up, collected my things, used any bedsheets to make bandges. Made do with any remaining medical supplies I have on me.
I sighed heavily as the pain reduced a tad bit, made a makeshift cast for my leg.
Going to the stairs, i grimaced.
It hurts seeing the two i trusted the most like this, worse, i was the one to kill them.
I pushed back the emotions, safely making pass of the bodies.
Blood-to-blood is what can infect someone, being in the same air as well as consuming the red liquid.
I got out of the house, noticing that, it wasn't 'clear' at all.
The other 5 team members were also turned. Forcibly so. Along with 7 extras.
Pulling out my pistol, i began to shoot. I didn't care for them.
"14 F Grade soul cores, just like that..." I mumbled.
– Soul cores. They developed during the process of the early symptoms, once the advanced happened after 7 days, they are set.
– Current Grades recorded are: F, E, D and C.
– What is exactly ZV-SR09? The Crimson Halo called by survivors? It was a variation of the project. We referred it as the Crimson Blood as that's what it looked like.
– ZV-SR09 was tested, turns out, it was a zombie virus instead. We've made 9 variations, i finished variant 5, SY-SR05 by the time termination came.
– Im not all knowing when it comes to that variant, I was tasked in refinement of each variant made.
I limped along the road, using my memory to the best of it's ability.
We were 18 hours away from Shelter 6, hence the need to sleep.
"Ah... isn't the shelter like... 9 hours away or something from the facility? To the south i believe." I spoke to myself.
"Mmm... there are a total of 100 bunker units that start at 10 residents. Each bunker has a 'core' called the Ascension System. It was developed by Dr. Kingsley, a core member."
"He said it was like... a game...?" I questioned, I've never played any.
"It's function is to help 'ascend' the bunker. It's primary thing to 'wake' up is by putting a soul core." I realized.
"Ah. SC-SR05 is actually the soul core function. It seems his been using the variants and updating the ones with the refinements." I was surprised.
"LC-SR01 is a neural language cognition. Allowing better understanding of all forms of languages."
"VE-SR02 is the vital exposure. Allowing the necessities of certain things, like a living breathing organism."
"CH-SR04 is the core healing. Allowing any wounds to heal much faster then regular rates."
"SC-SR05 is the Soul Core. Allowing the development of the heart to into a 'core', a crystallized gem."
I explained outloud, talking to absolutely no one.
"Now then." I looked at the towns name, Riverdale. "There should be Unit 13 nearby in the woods, the entrance should be easy to see."
"I giant piece of 10ft height and 5ft wide concrete in a archway, entering a hill, with a 7ft bomb proof door."
I walked for a while, get exhausted from the walk itself. Realizing, without the proper equipment, i wont find it easily.
It took 2 days. 2 whole fucking days.
"Finally!"
I collapsed to my knees, in a worshipping manner, as i stared at the huge entrance way.
I used the houses to recover strength and stamina, eating my 7 day rations of food. I also killed 70 more infected.
I got up and headed over. "It should be on it own water system, if not, I'll connect with my arcane."
I took out a black ID card and scanned it at the pad. VIRELLA's symbol, DNA strand going though a hexagon in the center that was shaped as a helix ring. Another symbol beside it, a skull with two shotguns behind it.
[Card Confirmed]
[Welcome, Cassius Parish.]
A mechanically voice acknowledged. Moments later, the door opened automatically.
I headed in, "It was built 3021, I believe. 4 years ago.. hmm. Hopefully everything is still functional. Based on the outside, it's solar powered. Who am i kidding? The door opened and the pad worked."
A stale air came in, just as the doors closed. Lights flicked on, brighting the entrance.
A small room meant to be a elevator location.
– Each bunker had specific designs.
– Underground; 10 sleeping quarters, 2 communal bathrooms, a large kitchen, dining and living room, a storage room, a power room, a water room, 5 utility rooms. All in a circle format.
– Upperground; The entrance, a contamination room (for resons such as this), an elevator area going down, and staircases for emergencies.
I went into the elevator, thankful the powers on. Going down, a more different elevator music played, a lot more upbeat.
I shook my head.
Ding.
I walked out and was greeted with the kitchen to the left, diningroom to the right, the living room to the center, two hallways on either side.
A massive floor to ceiling window stood out, going across all the first level.
I made way to it. The second level had a beautiful tree in the centre, like a small park. Windows second level with other rooms, and entrances to the space. Above was a massive dome shaped window, allowing fresh light in.
Looking around, I saw the rooms.
20 rooms all on the first level.
I looked around, before entering the power room.
I noticed a little area, walking to it, a tube or sorts with a sign: "SOUL CORES".
Taking out one, I placed into the tube, watching it go into the generator.
—. . .—
[F Grade Soul Core consumed.]
[Shelter 13 has awakened.]
[Please state your name.]
—. . .—
I was speechless, a mechanically calm voice echoed as a augmented grey screen popped up in front of me.
"...Cassius Parish."
I stated after a few seconds.
—. . .—
[Name recognized from VIRELLA Co. system.]
[Accepting person. . .]
[Person accepted.]
[Please state the new name of the unit B-13.]
—. . .—
I flinched, 'So this is also contected to VIRELLA's core system..'
I thought for different names before finally thinking of a good one.
"Deviant Springs."
—. . .—
[Accepting name. . .]
[Name Accepted.]
[Unit B-13 is now Deviant Springs.]
[Deviant Springs is now within the Shelter Ascension System.]
[Deviant Springs is now connected to the Hub.]
[Please state a personality and system name.]
—. . .—
'There even this option?!' I thought surprised.
I then remember Zack and Violet.
"Is it possible for two options for personality?"
—. . .—
[Assisting question.]
[Questioned Answered: Yes.]
[Please state two personalities and a name.]
—. . .—
"Oh thank heavens!" I sighed in relief as i muttered.
Zack was more of a straightforward man, Violet was more outgoing but reserved as well.
"Straightforward and outgoing. Name: Deviant."
—. . .—
[Personalities accepted.]
[Name Accepted.]
—. . .—
The grey screen disappeared before a light blue screen appeared.
—. . .—
{Welcome to Deviant Springs, I am Deviant! Your Shelter Ascension System assistant! Your job as the leader is to build up your base into a livable and cohesive shelter! I will give recommendations, advice, and other stuff needed.}
—. . .—
I was stunned.
I felt maddness rise up before i burst into a hysterical fit of laughter.
"I feel like my life has went mad."
—. . .—
{Checking leader's mental and physical activity.}
—. . .—
Two orbs flew out of the generator, a beam of purple light came out, as they started from the top to the bottom. It took a few seconds before they went back.
—. . .—
{Scanning Complete.}
{Subject: Mental health}
{Leader's current mental health is over the recommended amount, 90% of 30%. Deviant has made quick research on current situation.}
—. . .—
The screen appeared showing the current happenings.
—. . .—
{Due to radius limitations, 30 Km has been searched. Deviant believes Leader is experiencing loss of close friends, maddness due to loneliness, fear of death, negligence in health, and insomnia.}
{Recommended for help: A healing bath, a walk in the park on second floor, watch a movie, or a deep sleep.}
—. . .—
". . ." It was to accurate.
—. . .—
{Subject: Physical health}
{Leaders current physical situation is commendable. Deviant is surprised you made it here.}
—. . .—
The screen changed to my body type. Parts showing color.
—. . .—
{Green is considered safe. Leader has none.}
{Yellow is considered urgent. Leader has shoulders, arms, legs, stomachache, and neck.}
{Red is considered emergency. Leader has left leg which is broken, and head.}
{Recommended for help: A healing bath, It will heal all yellow injuries and bits of red. A regen pod, will heal all injuries especially for the leg and head.}
—. . .—
Way to accurate!
I sighed before blinking.
"Regen pod..?"