..
The car rumbled forward, navigating through the corpse of the city, the tension within the vehicle thick enough to cut. Minutes passed, stretching into what felt like an eternity.
Then, finally—they arrived.
---
Location: Earth – ??? – ???
Year: 2026
Date: February 17th
Time: 12:29 PM
POV: Third Person
---
Johannesburg - South Africa.
Fort Sentinel – The Last Bastion.
The city was a graveyard of steel and stone, its once-thriving streets now buried under rubble and carnage. Buildings stood as hollowed-out husks, their windows shattered, their interiors dark and lifeless. Fires burned in the distance, their orange glow licking at the blue sky, casting eerie shadows over the ruined landscape. The air was thick with the stench of decay, a mix of burning metal, rotting flesh, and the acrid scent of gunpowder.
Yet amidst the chaos, one place still stood strong.
In a par of the city, surrounded by reinforced barricades of scrap metal, sandbags, and makeshift concrete walls, stood Fort Sentinel—a military stronghold turned sanctuary. Guard towers loomed over the perimeter, their mounted machine guns sweeping the streets, ready to unleash hell on anything that moved. Floodlights bathed the surrounding ruins in harsh white light, ensuring that nothing could approach unseen. At every entrance, hardened soldiers clad in scavenged riot gear and combat fatigues kept watch, their fingers never far from their triggers.
Beyond the outer defenses, the base itself was a repurposed military installation, originally a National Guard outpost. Now, it was the last refuge for those who had survived the nightmare of the past few days. Concrete barracks had been converted into shelter spaces for civilians, while underground bunkers stored dwindling rations, ammunition, and medical supplies. What few military vehicles remained—Humvees, armored personnel carriers, and a single functioning tank—were lined up inside the compound, their fuel carefully rationed for emergencies.
At the main gate, a reinforced steel door stood shut, marred by claw marks and dried blood, a silent testament to the horrors that had tried and failed to break through. Above it, a large banner, hastily painted in bold red letters, sent a simple yet desperate message:
"SAFE ZONE – SURVIVORS ARE WELCOME"
Every few hours, a new wave of survivors arrived, battered, starved, and haunted by what they had seen. Some came alone, others in small, ragged groups. They limped toward the gates, their faces hollow with exhaustion, their hands shaking from either fear or hunger. Some barely made it, collapsing just within reach of the floodlights before being dragged inside by soldiers.
But the stronghold was not without its dangers. Every other night, the monsters came. They lurked beyond the lights, their twisted forms watching, waiting. Some were once human—now grotesque mockeries of their former selves, driven by hunger and madness. Others were beasts that had never belonged in this world, creatures of nightmare and shadow. They tested the walls, the gates, the defenses. Sometimes, they found weaknesses. Sometimes, they broke through.
Each attack left the walls bloodied, the defenders weary, and the survivors more desperate. Yet still, Fort Sentinel stood—a lone island of order in a world that had fallen into chaos.
For those who reached it, there was no guarantee of survival. But compared to the nightmare beyond its walls, it was the only hope they had left.
..
.
--
[ February 17th ]
[ 12:45 PM ]
--
The group of five stood before a massive steel gate, its towering presence casting a long shadow over them. Rusted yet reinforced, it loomed like an unyielding sentinel, separating them from whatever remained of civilization within the city.
Beyond the thick barricade, they could hear the faint hum of machinery, the muffled voices of soldiers, and the occasional bark of orders. The wall itself was a fortress—stacked sandbags lined its base, barbed wire curled along the top like the thorns of an iron beast, and watchtowers flanked either side, armed figures barely visible behind tinted visors.
Their car sat parked nearby, engine still warm from the long drive. The exhaustion of survival clung to them, but this—this was the closest thing to safety they had seen in days.
Taking a step forward, Damian's eyes narrowed as he studied the gate.
Damian Derulo "Now what?" he muttered.
..
.
--
[ February 17th ]
[ 12:48 PM ]
--
A soldier stood high above on a watchtower, his rifle aimed downward, visor glinting under the harsh midday sun.
Soldier 1 "Who goes there?!" his voice rang out, firm and commanding.
Kai Renji took a step forward, raising both hands slightly in a non-threatening manner.
Kai Renji "We're survivors seeking refuge!" he called back.
The soldier glanced down into the base, exchanging a quick word with someone through his radio. A moment later, the heavy gates groaned as they slowly began to part, the reinforced steel doors sliding open just enough for them to pass through.
Marcus turned back, jogging to the car and driving it inside while the others cautiously walked in. The moment all of them—including the vehicle—were within the compound, the gates slammed shut behind them with an eerie finality.
Before they could breathe a sigh of relief, a squad of heavily armed soldiers surrounded them, rifles raised, fingers resting dangerously close to the triggers.
Soldier 2 "Take off your weapons and put them down!" barked one of the soldiers, his tone brooking no argument.
The group hesitated only for a second before slowly complying, dropping their weapons onto the ground. Damian, however, found himself reluctant to obey. His grip on Nyx Fang tightened. The sword's [Focused Mind] ability kept him steady, his thoughts clear, his senses sharp. Letting go of it felt… wrong.
But he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he released the sword, immediately feeling its effect fade. His heartbeat pounded wildly in his chest, anxiety creeping in, but outwardly, he remained composed.
Soldier 2 "Now step away from the weapons" the soldier ordered.
They complied once more. Five soldiers—three men and two women—stepped forward, swiftly disarming and frisking them. Their searches were thorough, hands patting down for any concealed weapons or signs of infection.
The female soldiers pulled Sofia and Hannah aside, leading them to a more private area for a detailed examination. Meanwhile, the men remained in the open.
One of the soldiers, a sharp-eyed man with a trimmed beard, stopped in front of Damian. His gaze was unwavering as he spoke.
Soldier 3 "Take off your mask and your clothes."
The sudden demand made the rest of the group glance toward Damian. Marcus and Kai were already removing their shirts, the afternoon sun biting against their skin, but their eyes lingered on him with mild curiosity.
Damian took a slow breath. "…Is that really necessary?"
Soldier 3 "Yes. I need to check for injuries." The soldier's tone remained professional, but firm.
Damian Derulo "I'm not injured."
Soldier 3 "Then you have nothing to hide."
Damian sighed internally. 'Why do I have to go through this?'
Realizing there was no way out of it, he turned to the others, catching their gazes for a brief moment before they awkwardly looked away.
With another deep breath, Damian began stripping. He peeled off his hoodie first, then his shoes, followed by his sword strap and pants, until only his mask and underwear remained.
He wasn't as muscular as Kai, nor did he have Marcus' solid frame, but his body was well-toned—lean, with faintly visible abs, a result of good genetics rather than dedicated training. The kind of physique that made gym rats say, "He's got potential. A few months of regular workouts, and he'd be shredded."
The soldier methodically inspected his arms, chest, and back before nodding in approval. Then, his gaze settled on Damian's face.
Damian tensed. 'How embarrassing.' He could feel the heat rising to his cheeks.
The soldier crossed his arms, nodding toward Damian. "…Now the mask."
Damian could feel the stares of Kai and Marcus boring into him, their curiosity practically radiating through the air. Even the other soldiers seemed subtly interested in the reveal.
But instead of hesitating or panicking, Damian smirked internally. 'I know what to do.' A metaphorical lightbulb switched on in his mind.
With a nonchalant nod, he bent down, picked up his clothes, and calmly began dressing himself.
Kai and Marcus blinked.
'What is he doing?' they both thought simultaneously.
Even the soldiers exchanged puzzled glances.
After buttoning his shirt and securing his hoodie, Damian pulled the hood over his head. Then, positioning himself at an angle where only the inspecting soldier could see, he let out a quiet sigh and finally removed his mask.
The soldier studied his face for a few seconds, his expression unreadable, before turning away and nodding to the rest.
Soldier 3 "He's clear!" he announced, his voice carrying no hint of surprise or suspicion—though his gaze lingered on Damian's face.
Then, just like that, he walked off.
Damian swiftly pulled his mask back on and turned, only to be met with the expectant gazes of Kai, Marcus, and even a few of the other soldiers.
Damian Derulo ' I wanna crawl into a hole.' He quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
At that moment, the girls returned, accompanied by their respective soldiers.
"They're clear!" one of the female soldiers reported.
Hannah immediately spotted Kai standing there, still shirtless, and her face turned slightly pink. "Babe, put on your clothes."
Kai blinked, then looked down at himself. "Oh, right." He quickly started dressing, Marcus following suit.
Sofia, however, was more focused on something else. She leaned toward Kai, lowering her voice. "So… did you see his face?" While her tracked him as he wore his clothes.
Kai shook his head as he pulled on his shirt. "No…"
Hannah's eyes widened. "Huh? But wasn't he inspected?"
Kai sighed. "He was. But he made sure only the soldier inspecting him saw it."
Marcus, now fully dressed, chuckled. "Now I'm curious what the dude looks like." His gaze flickered toward Damian, who remained silent.
The group watched as Damian walked back to where his sword lay. He picked it up, securing it in his waist strap before exhaling a small sigh of relief.
For some reason, that reaction only made them more curious.
They all exchanged glances, unsure of how to react.
..
.
--
[ February 17th ]
[ 1:15 PM ]
--
The group followed the soldiers deeper into the military base, their footsteps echoing through the dimly lit corridors. After parking their car in the designated lot, they were led toward the underground bunker—a sprawling network of reinforced chambers built to house civilians seeking refuge.
As they descended the metal stairwell, the air grew colder, the scent of concrete and sterilized surfaces filling their nostrils. The underground bunker was a vast, repurposed military shelter, designed to hold hundreds of survivors. The walls were thick, lined with steel reinforcements, and the overhead lighting flickered occasionally due to the strain on the power grid.
Rows of metal doors lined the hallways, each leading to small rooms meant for temporary housing. The ceilings were low, making the space feel more cramped, and the atmosphere was heavy with exhaustion and quiet conversations. Several civilians, some wounded, others simply resting, sat along the corridor walls, wrapped in blankets or whispering amongst themselves.
To the left, a communal area had been set up with folding tables and chairs, where families gathered to share what little rations they had. Further down, a makeshift medical station had been arranged, with nurses and medics tending to the injured. A bulletin board near the entrance was filled with hastily written notes—names of missing persons, supply requests, and handwritten messages pleading for lost loved ones.
Sofia had separated from the group after asking for her Father's presence, and a soldier who recognized her immediately escorted her into another part of the underground bunker where her father's office was located.
The remaining four continued their walk until they reached a steel door.
Sergeant Harry, the soldier guiding them, stopped and turned to them. "Here's where you all will be staying," he said, unlocking the door and pushing it open.
Inside was a simple, windowless room approximately ten square meters in size. The walls were bare concrete, and the floor was cold, unpolished tile. Four metal bunk beds were positioned against each side of the room, making space for up to eight occupants. Each bed had a thin mattress, a basic blanket, and a small pillow.
Against one wall stood a metal shelf stocked with bottled water, ration packs, and a small first aid kit. A single lightbulb flickered overhead, casting weak illumination over the space.
It was far from comfortable, but at least it was safe-ish.
..
.
Damian settled onto the bunk at the far end of the room, separate from the others. It wasn't as if they had told him to stay away—but the unspoken distance between them was clear. They weren't close enough to invite him into their circle, and he wasn't the type to force his way in—nor was he interested in a permanent member of their little group.
He dropped his duffel bag beside the bed, the soft thud barely noticeable against the bunker's quiet hum. With a practiced motion, he unstrapped his sword and placed it on the thin mattress beside him.
Lowering himself onto the bed, he stretched out, his legs still touching the cold floor. The hard mattress did little to offer comfort, but it didn't matter. As the tension drained from his muscles, the exhaustion from the earlier battle settled in like a heavy weight.
Damian Derulo 'I really need to work on my stamina…' he thought sluggishly, his eyelids growing heavier.
The last thing he registered was the distant murmur of the others before sleep pulled him under.
..
.
--
[ February 17th ]
[ 2:49 PM ]
--
A heavy silence filled the underground bunker, interrupted only by the distant hum of ventilation fans and the occasional drip of water somewhere in the concrete depths.
Marcus leaned toward Kai, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Should we do it?" he whispered, barely able to contain his grin.
Kai hesitated, glancing at the sleeping figure across the room. Damian's breathing was steady, his masked face shrouded in shadows. "I don't know, man... Don't you think he's covering his face for a reason?" Kai's voice was low, uncertain.
They stood a few feet from Damian's bed, their hushed plotting cut short by a sudden voice in their ears.
Hannah Lee "What are you two up to?"
Kai / Marcus "Hiiiiek!" Kai and Marcus nearly jumped out of their skins, whipping around to find Hannah standing behind them, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
Beside her, Sofia mirrored her stance, one brow arched in suspicion. Sofia Hayes "Seriously, what are you idiots doing?" Sofia's voice was unimpressed but laced with curiosity.
The sudden noise made Damian shift slightly in his sleep, his fingers twitching near his sword. The group collectively held their breath.
Marcus quickly brought a finger to his lips. "Shhh, you'll wake him! We're trying to see his face," he whispered, eyes darting between them like a conspirator on the verge of a grand heist.
Hannah shot Kai a knowing look. "Are you actually in on this?"
Kai raised his hands defensively. "Hey, don't look at me! This was his brilliant idea."
Hannah exhaled sharply, clearly unimpressed. "Guys, no. We have to respect his privacy."
Marcus turned to her, his grin widening as he leaned in dramatically. "Come on, Hannah. Don't tell me you're not the least bit curious." His eyes bore into hers, as if trying to unravel her resolve.
Hannah faltered for a split second.
Hannah Lee " Of course, I'm curious! But that doesn't mean we should just go and yank his mask off while he's asleep! " Hannah whispered harshly.
Sofia Hayes " Exactly. You two are acting like children. " Sofia crossed her arms, shaking her head.
Marcus Hale " Oh, come on! We've been traveling together for a while now, and we still haven't seen his face. Isn't that weird? " Marcus insisted.
Kai Renji " I mean, yeah, but he's obviously hiding it for a reason. Besides, if we do this and he wakes up, I don't think he's gonna take it lightly. "
Marcus smirked. " That's why we have to be stealthy. "
Hannah stayed silent, her conflicted expression hidden in the dim light. Instead, Sofia spoke up, arms still crossed.
Sofia sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is the dumbest idea you two have ever had.... So? What's your plan?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism. She knew they weren't dumb enough to just yank it off—Damian was a light sleeper, and they'd be caught instantly.
Marcus grinned, pushing up his glasses as they glinted ominously. "Hehe, simple. Kai uses his Silent Death to make sure he doesn't notice a thing," he whispered, sounding far too pleased with himself.
Sofia considered it. ' That... could actually work '
A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "So? What are you waiting for, Kai?" she asked, her curiosity finally getting the better of her.
Kai groaned, rubbing his face. "You guys are going to get me killed," he muttered.
Still, he turned toward Damian's bed. The room seemed to grow quieter, the air thick with anticipation. Kai exhaled slowly, activating "[Silent Death]", his body moving with unnatural grace as all traces of his presence faded.
He crept forward, his every step calculated. The others leaned in, barely breathing as they watched.
Kai reached the bedside, lowering himself carefully. His hands hovered just above Damian's face, his hand reached into the hood, fingers brushing against the thin strings securing the mask behind his ears.
Carefully, he grasped the straps. Damian remained still—his eyelids hadn't even twitched.
Kai swallowed and began to pull.
Halfway there.
Just a little more.
Then—
A sound.
All four froze, their breath catching in their throats.
And then—
.
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.
.
.
.
To Be Continued...