Zombie Domination

The night was still. The sky was dark and silent, save for the faint, gliding movement of the sky whale above them and the quiet tremors of the ground forces trailing behind it.

Their small camp, hidden just behind the colossal creature, was dimly lit by a soft blue flame. Everyone had settled in, some resting, some talking in hushed tones.

Julian, sitting near the edge of the firelight, glanced at the woman sitting cross-legged across from him, her white coat stained and ragged. Her expression was unreadable, half bored, half exhausted.

"So," Julian asked, arms crossed, "how the hell did you survive all that? I mean, the raiders, and the zombies… Why would they even spare you, seriously?"

Beatrix let out a long sigh, resting her cheek on her palm. "Because," she said flatly, "I'm a [Catalyst] user"

Cindy, who had been half-asleep with her chin on her knees, tilted her head. "Catalyst? What's that? Like... chemistry?"

Beatrix waved a hand lazily. "Too tired to explain the full version. Think of it as... someone who crafts magical gear and enhances it. Enchantments. Modifiers. You get the idea."

Everyone around the fire gave a collective "Oooh…" of half-understanding, their nods slow and unsure. except for Julian and Sebas, whose brows lifted slightly.

Sebas adjusted his glasses. "So they spared you because your skill was valuable," he said, tone analytical.

Beatrix nodded. "Yeah."

Rea gave a low whistle. "That means your skill must be really useful if you managed to stay alive through all that."

Julian leaned back on his elbows. "So you're like a blacksmith, but with magic stuff."

"Pretty much," Beatrix replied.

Dori, with a bright smile and hopeful tone, said, "Wow, teacher, you're amazing! You've survived through all that… It's okay, we'll protect you now."

Beatrix, sounding thoroughly drained as if she'd heard the same words far too many times, replied flatly, "Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Just don't get yourselves killed because of my misfortune. If something happens, just throw me away. Maybe I'll still survive somehow."

Dori frowned in concern. "No, teacher, we won't abandon you."

Rogan, wearing an expression more fitting for a clueless kid, added, "Come on! We survived the sky whale and stared death in the face. We'll be fine!"

Cindy shot him a look. "Where the hell are you getting that confidence…"

Rea crossed her arms and muttered, "Yeah, yeah. You're way too optimistic, dude. What if we've already been marked by the god of death?"

Sebas adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly, "We should be fine. We've been here long enough, and that whale hasn't detected us yet."

Julian, who had been watching them quietly, finally spoke with a composed voice. "All of you should get some rest. We've got a lot to do tomorrow."

Dori beamed and said with genuine joy, "Wow, teacher, you're amazing! You went through all of that and still survived! Don't worry, we'll protect you now."

Julian glanced at Beatrix, who looked visibly drained, her shoulders heavy with fatigue.

"You should sleep too, Ms. Beatrix," he said softly. "You can use my sleeping bag tonight."

Beatrix raised an eyebrow. "How generous of you… but what will you sleep on?"

Julian's voice was calm and unwavering. "I'll be keeping watch tonight. I won't be sleeping."

"Is that so?" she murmured, letting out a quiet sigh. "Well then... good night."

Without another word, Beatrix disappeared into the tent, accompanied by Cindy and Dori.

Rea lingered a moment longer and asked, "You sure you'll be okay, man? It's cold out here."

Julian gave him a small reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I have spares in my inventory."

"Alright then. I'll turn in first," Rea replied, yawning as he ducked into his tent.

"Night, Julian," Rogan said, stretching.

Sebas adjusted his glasses and said firmly, "I'll stay up with you, Mr. Julian."

Julian nodded, appreciating the company.

Then he turned to the smallest member of their group. "You too, Zoe. Get some rest."

Zoe looked up at him with sleepy eyes and a still-flat expression. "'Night."

She shuffled toward her tent and slipped inside without another word.

The night fell even quieter, save for the distant creaks and groans of the enormous sky whale drifting overhead.

After a brief silence, Sebas looked up and asked,

"Would you like to play chess, Mr. Julian?"

Julian gave a small nod. "Just call me Julian. And sure, let's play."

They sat beside the fire, the warm glow flickering against their faces as they set the board between them. Their movements were calm, deliberate, the kind of quiet focus born from experience.

As the cold night stretched around them, Julian's expression grew more serious.

"Is the communication device still down?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the board.

Sebas responded in the same measured tone, sliding a pawn forward.

"Still nothing. It won't connect. I suspect either a powerful interference or some sort of magical field is jamming the signal."

Julian nodded slightly and made his move.

"That's within expectations."

Sebas exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.

"Luckily, we have Miss Zoe. Thanks to her ability, we can still send messages through birds. It's slower, but it works."

"True," Julian agreed. "Also… it seems some of my shadow techniques aren't functioning. I tried to teleport earlier, but it failed. Could be either the distance… or that same magical field is blocking teleportation."

Sebas folded his arms, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Looks like we're stuck here for a while then."

Julian gave a slow nod. "Seems so."

He glanced over the flames, then casually asked, "By the way… can you fly a helicopter?"

Back in the city of Meltdown, late at night, inside a dimly lit room, someone was hiding under a table, trembling with fear.

Nearby, a figure was searching for them. At first glance, it looked like a woman, but upon closer inspection, the figure had a prominent Adam's apple. Wearing a sleek professional bodyguard suit, with straight blonde hair falling just to the shoulders and striking blue eyes, the figure spoke in a calm but firm voice.

"Mr. Rafael, if you keep acting like this, it'll be hard for others to see you as an equal."

Rafael sighed deeply. "Better this way... I don't want to face them anymore. Let's just go home, Noah...."

Noah exhaled sharply. "Come on, sir... This is your own fault. You owe Mr. Glain a lot of money, so you have to take responsibility and pay your debt."

"We're going to help them fight that whale, or whatever the hell that thing is. So act like a leader, Mr. Rafael," His eyes fixed on Rafael, who was still trembling in fear.

Rafael looked away. "That was your idea, wasn't it? And I'm just not cut out to be a leader. Why don't you take over, Noah? Just leave me alone."

"No, sir. Don't say that. You can't keep giving up like this. Everyone is waiting for you to rise and lead them."

Rafael shook his head. "No... I wasn't born to be a leader."

Noah said firmly, "You will be a great leader, Mr. Rafael. Please, just believe in yourself."

Rafael shook his head repeatedly. "No, no, no... I can't."

Noah could only watch patiently as his master struggled with his doubts.

Suddenly, the wail of a siren pierced the silence, an urgent, blaring alarm.

Noah's eyes widened. "Is that... an attack?"

The scene shifted, to a shattered city drowning in chaos.

Crowds rushed in every direction. Panic gripped the streets. Shouts, sirens, and the crashing of broken stalls filled the air. Looters had breached the city and were running wild.

At the center of the madness stood a large man wearing a dragon-like mask. His reptilian eyes glinted with malice as he roared with laughter.

"Hahaha! Wreck everything! This city is ours now!"

City guards rushed onto the scene. "Stand down! You're disturbing the peace! Arrest them—!"

Before the command could be executed, the masked man barked, "Take them out!"

His followers charged, and the clash began. Blades, fists, and explosions turned the plaza into a warzone.

The guards were overwhelmed. The looters fought like wild beasts, far too strong for ordinary soldier.

The dragon-masked man inhaled, and then unleashed a torrent of fire from his mouth, scorching the ground ahead. "Burn, fools!"

But just before the flames could reach innocent civilians, a brilliant shield of glowing energy blocked the blast.

Kevin had arrived.

"Hey!" he shouted. "Don't destroy someone else's home! You'll hurt the people here!"

He stood tall, his cloak whipping in the wind, eyes locked on the masked attacker, until something clicked in his memory.

"…Mr. Joe?"

His voice faltered. The aura, the long black hair, eye and the voice, it was familiar.

Dawnlight members moved swiftly around him, guiding citizens to safety and forming a perimeter. Belle approached him, panting.

"Evacuation's complete, Kevin! Everyone's out!"

Kevin nodded. "Good. You should fall back too, Belle. I think… this guy's serious."

The masked man threw his arms wide, laughing maniacally. "Joe? No, no… I am Dragon God! Tremble before me!"