Zombie Domination

Glain folded his arms, his stern gaze sweeping across the group. "Now then... care to explain why you two were about to start a brawl in the middle of my city? You're adults, yet you argue like children."

Kevin scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "Uh... yeah, that was mostly my fault. Julian's angry because I made a decision on my own. I tried to save someone, someone we found trapped in the nest."

Glain let out a heavy sigh and shook his head slowly. "Kevin... your heart is in the right place, but you need to understand something. In times like these, you must choose carefully who can be saved, and who cannot. Your intentions were noble, yes. And I won't condemn you for that. But your naivety… it could endanger the entire human race."

Kevin's shoulders tensed, but he didn't look away. "I understand. And I accept that. But… I don't regret it. I'll take full responsibility for what happened."

Glain tilted his head, regarding Kevin in silence for a long moment before speaking. "You say that, but responsibility won't mean much if the world burns before you can act. Still…" His eyes softened slightly. "We don't have the luxury of dwelling on what's already been done. We're now faced with a much more urgent threat."

He turned toward Julian. "So. What do you say, young man? Will you help us?"

Julian raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing. "You're going to help Kevin? Even after what he's done?"

Glain nodded firmly. "Yes. Because I know Kevin. He didn't release that creature out of malice. And besides…" he smiled faintly, "I owe him a debt."

Julian glanced at Kevin, his expression unreadable. "You said you don't regret saving that child?"

Kevin met Julian's gaze, his voice steady. "I don't. I made that decision. And now, I'll take responsibility for it, with my own hands. I'll be the one to stop him, no matter what he's become."

Julian stared into Kevin's eyes, searching for doubt, and found none. Only resolve.

He exhaled slowly. "Tch… fine. I'm in."

Kevin clenched his fist with newfound resolve. "Yeah! Thank you, Julian!"

Julian didn't smile. He kept his arms crossed, gaze sharp. "So what's the strategy? With just us, we're severely underpowered. That thing… we don't stand a chance on our own. Do any of you have contacts we can call in?"

Kevin nodded. "You're right. We need more people, strong ones. Not just numbers, but fighters, tacticians, specialists. We can't face that sky-beast without backup."

Nia stepped forward, her eyes focused. "Then maybe we should contact the other groups we've worked with before. Some of them owe us favors."

Glain snapped his fingers with a grin. "Exactly what I was thinking. I'll send word to all of them, every capable survivor and leader I can trust. I'll tell them to gather here."

Julian turned toward him, brows furrowed. "Wait. Are you seriously thinking of making this city the battlefield?"

Glain chuckled darkly. "Cities can be rebuilt. Lives can't. And don't worry, I'll begin evacuating the civilians immediately."

"You should relocate them to another city. I have contacts. People I trust."

Emma's eyes lit up with a sudden realization. "Wait… are you talking about going back to Father and Mother's shelter?"

Julian gave a single, firm nod. "Yes. It's well-fortified and big enough to house a few thousand, at least. We'll keep them safe there while we prepare for what's coming."

Kevin clapped his hands together. "Then it's decided."

Reimon raised his hand suddenly. "Wait, wait. We're talking about groups spread across distant locations, right? They're not exactly next door. So… who's going to pick them up?"

Everyone turned toward him in unison.

Realizing what that meant, Reimon sighed in resignation. "Alright, alright… I'll use my Warp Gate skill as much as I can. Just don't expect me to warp across half the continent without some rest."

Kevin laughed and gave him a firm pat on the back. "That's my Reimon! Always dependable. My pride and joy!"

Reimon narrowed his eyes. "Even if you flatter me like that, Big Bro, I'm not going to smile—"

But the small curl at the edge of his lips gave him away.

With that settled, the team gathered around to begin executing their plan.

Later that evening, Julian stood with his team, ready to enter the shimmering gate that pulsed with Reimon's magic. The air around it buzzed with quiet energy, like electricity dancing between dimensions.

"That warp point should place you near the shelter you described," Reimon explained, brushing sweat from his brow. "I'll open the next gate tomorrow at dawn. Be ready to return by then, preferably with reinforcements."

Julian gave a sharp nod. "We will."

No more words were needed. Julian and the others stepped through the portal, leaving the safety of Meltdown behind, and returning to the place where everything once began.

After stepping through the gate, Julian and his group emerged in a quiet, forested area. The sun was beginning to dip behind the treetops, casting golden streaks across the ground. The air smelled familiar, of dry earth, leaves, and memory.

Emma took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the treeline. "This place… it's so nostalgic."

Clarissa, walking just beside her, glanced at the distance ahead. "We're still a bit far from the shelter."

Julian, however, turned in a different direction. "Before that, let's make a quick stop."

He reached into his inventory and summoned an armored vehicle, one that shimmered faintly before materializing fully with a soft mechanical hum. Without hesitation, the group climbed inside.

Celestia, taking a window seat, looked outside with curious eyes. "Is this… where you used to live?"

Julian nodded silently, his hands steady on the steering wheel.

Veronica leaned forward from the backseat. "We're heading to the school, aren't we?"

"Yes," Julian replied. "There's someone there who might be able to help us. A skilled fighter."

Emma perked up. "You mean Mr. Leighton?"

Clarissa smiled faintly. "That's a good idea. The more fighters, the better."

Before long, they reached the outskirts of the school grounds. But the school they once knew was no longer just a place of learning, it had become a fortress.

Tall makeshift walls lined with steel plating and barricades stood firm around the perimeter, with lookout towers rising at key points. The main entrance was guarded by men in patchwork armor, their weapons primed and eyes alert.

Julian brought the car to a stop and everyone stepped out. As they approached on foot, one of the guards at the gate recognized them immediately.

"Hey! Julian? Clarissa? Emma? It's been ages, how've you all been?"

Julian gave a nod of acknowledgement. "Still breathing."

The man smiled warmly and motioned them in. "You're here to see Mr. Leighton, right? Go on in. He's in the faculty building."

Then Celestia said, "You all seem pretty popular around here."

Emma smiled proudly. "That's right. We once saved this school."

"So that makes you heroes to them," Celestia replied with a nod.

Suddenly, Zoe muttered, "Big sis Veronica's acting weird…"

She turned to Aya and added, "And big sis Aya too…"

Emma sighed and said, "That's because Aya's too introverted here. She doesn't want people approaching her."

Celestia tilted her head. "Then what about Veronica? Why is she acting like that?"

Veronica quickly responded, "I'm fine! I'm not acting weird at all."

Then Emma asked, "Hmm, really, Veronica? Are you nervous being here?"

Clarissa quickly stepped in. "Don't say that, Emma. That's not nice."

Julian added calmly, "They used to be part of two opposing teams. So it's understandable if Veronica and Aya feel a little tense."

Celestia nodded in realization. "I see... so now you've all joined forces as one team. That's kind of strange, huh? Hehe."

Veronica sighed. "Yeah, even I don't know why I suddenly ended up with this team."

Clarissa smirked. "Because you were charmed by Julian."

Veronica snapped, "Don't say things like that!"

Emma giggled and added, "You even talk in your sleep about him… 'My dear Julian...' I couldn't sleep because of it!"

Veronica blushed furiously. "Stop iiiit!"

Then Celestia said, "What's wrong with that? It just means you care about Julian."

Clarissa nodded. "Exactly. So there's no need to be embarrassed."

"Hehe," Zoe giggled softly, watching Veronica's face turn bright red from embarrassment.

Then Aya turned to Emma and asked nervously, "I… I don't talk in my sleep like that, do I?"

Emma tapped her chin playfully. "Hmm… I'm not so sure~"

And the group walked through the familiar school grounds, now filled with makeshift tents, training zones, and lines of supplies. It was strange, seeing the place transformed so thoroughly, yet still retaining the soul of the past.

Inside the faculty building, they finally came upon the man they sought.

Mr. Leighton looked up from a table covered in maps and reports, and his eyes widened in disbelief.

"You guys…? You're really here?" he said, rising to his feet. "I thought it'd take you years to come back."

Julian stepped forward, his voice calm but urgent. "I need your help."