Zombie Domination

From the pilot's seat, Beatrix glanced at the rearview mirror, her hands steady on the helicopter controls. Her tone remained as flat and casual as ever, but her eyes lingered on Julian longer than necessary.

"He's probably just worn out," she said, tilting her head slightly. "He used three completely different skills, [Gravity], [Lightning], and [Shadow], and sustained them all at once. It's honestly a miracle he lasted as long as he did."

Dori looked down at Julian, whose head still rested gently on her lap. Her hand moved slowly, brushing a few strands of hair from his forehead.

"I see… So that's why he collapsed," she murmured, her voice tinged with quiet worry as she watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

Zoe, who had been sitting close beside them, leaned in. With a curious look in her feline-like eyes, she extended one finger and poked Julian's cheek.

Then again.

Poke.

She tilted her head, ears twitching. Her mouth said nothing, but her expression, carried a subtle weight of concern. Even her tail had stopped swaying.

Rogan, perched near the side door with a small rifle across his knees, turned his head slightly. His lips, small and almost childlike, pressed into a tiny pout.

"Let him sleep," he muttered in his usual quiet tone. "He needs the rest."

Sebas adjusted his glasses with one hand, still scanning the controls in front of him.

"He didn't sleep at all last night," he added calmly. "Only managed to nap for maybe fifteen minutes this morning. And then we got attacked right after that. His body's probably at its limit."

Cindy exhaled slowly, her brows drawn together.

"I hope the captain will be okay…"

Fey, who stood near the door keeping watch on the skies beyond, turned her head slightly, nodding.

"He will," she said, her voice steadier now. "For now, let's complete our analysis of the Whale. And return home alive."

Rea, who had been sitting near the side of the cabin, suddenly furrowed his brows. Hia gaze shifted between the unconscious Julian and the steady altitude of the helicopter. Something wasn't adding up.

"Wait, guys," he said, his voice tinged with confusion. "If Julian's passed out… then why is this helicopter still flying? Didn't he use his gravity skill to lighten the weight so it could take off in the first place?"

The cabin grew quiet for a beat. All eyes momentarily turned toward Sebas, who, true to form, adjusted his glasses, already in deep thought.

"Hm…" he began, his tone calm but thoughtful. "If I had to guess, I'd say Mr. Julian's gravity ability operates more like a temporary buff than a concentration-based skill. The effect probably persists for a certain amount of time after activation, even if the user loses consciousness, the skill can still be activated"

Rea blinked a few times, trying to process that.

"So… it's like the skill lingers for a while on its own?"

Sebas gave a nod. "Exactly. Some support-type skills function that way, especially ones that affect the environment or objects rather than people directly. It's probably a passive duration effect."

"Oh," Rea murmured, finally understanding. He let his shoulders relax, leaning back slightly in his seat. "That makes sense…"

Outside the window, the sky stretched wide and clear, the threat of the swarm left behind.

With that, the cabin fell into a brief, calm silence, broken only by the soft hum of the helicopter's blades slicing through the open air, carrying them farther from danger and deeper into mystery.

Meanwhile, in the quieter, more stable part of Meltdown City, the air was far more still, yet the tension remained just beneath the surface.

Clarissa sat curled up in her favorite corner of the lounge, the scent of herbal tea lingering in the room, her hands wrapped around a porcelain cup. A gentle breeze flowed through the half-open window, rustling the light curtains. She stared at nothing in particular, her mind clearly elsewhere.

"…I wonder if Julian is alright," she said softly, her voice just above a whisper.

Veronica, seated not far away with her usual upright posture, crossed her arms over her chest. "He'll be fine," she replied firmly, one brow raised. "Or do you not trust him?"

Clarissa shook her head gently. "It's not that," she answered, her tone warm but edged with worry. "I just… can't help feeling concerned."

Emma, who was lounging lazily with a half-eaten snack in hand, rolled her eyes with a grin. "Maybe he's off chasing another girl," she teased.

A collective sigh moved through the room.

Celestia, arms folded across her chest, leaned back against the wall beside a bookshelf. "I should've gone with him," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Veronica's sharp eyes swept across the room. A moment passed before she narrowed them slightly. "Wait. Where's Aya?"

Emma looked up, mouth still full. "She went off with Vivi earlier. Something about making new weapon…."

"Hmm i see," Veronica muttered, though her brow furrowed with thought.

Then Celestia, as if switching gears, spoke up. "By the way… what do you guys think about that man named Joe?"

Clarissa straightened slightly. "He just seemed like someone who was worried about the people under his command. I didn't sense anything malicious."

"They're cowards," Veronica snapped, eyes sharp. "They're afraid to fight back against the Sky Whale. They would rather hide behind prison than risk their lives."

Celestia didn't immediately respond. Her gaze lowered as she tapped her fingers on her arm. "…I can't entirely blame them," she finally said. "That creature is beyond comprehension. We've never fought anything like it. Their fear… is understandable."

Clarissa nodded slowly. "Even so… we still have to try. No matter how hopeless it seems."

"Damn right we do," Emma chimed in, punching one fist into her palm. "We'll roast that overgrown whale until it can't even float."

Veronica smirked faintly, then added, "Still… we don't know whether Mr. Glain will imprison that man Joe or let him go to help us fight. He hasn't told us anything."

Clarissa let out a soft sigh, her fingers tightening briefly around the teacup.

"I just hope there won't be any more incidents like that," she said quietly.

Celestia tilted her head slightly. "If I had to guess… Mr. Glain will likely release him. Joe's made mistakes, sure, but maybe letting him fight alongside us is his way of paying the debt."

She paused, then added thoughtfully, "And who knows… that might be the motivation he needs."

But before anyone could respond, the door to the lounge creaked open. All heads turned toward it instinctively.

Aya stepped in, slightly flushed from the walk, followed closely by Vivi who, as always, wore a soft smile and carried herself with calm confidence.

"Excuse us," Vivi said politely as they entered.

Clarissa returned her smile warmly. "Please, come in."

Vivi glanced around at the gathering, her eyes gleaming slightly in the sunlight pouring in from the windows. "Wow, you're all here. What's the topic today?"

Veronica, her arms still crossed and eyes half-lidded, replied flatly, "Just discussing something. Where have you two been?"

Aya stepped forward, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Vivi asked for my help. She wanted to get some materials for her weapon, so we went out together."

Vivi nodded in agreement, adding with a bright expression, "You know how my skill relies heavily on speed. I want my weapon to be light, something quick and smooth to handle in a fight. So I'm working on a new design."

"I see," Veronica murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity but withholding further comment.

Aya smiled and opened a paper bag she had been holding. "We brought snacks. Please help yourselves."

Emma, already halfway out of her seat before the sentence ended, zipped over and peeked into the bag. "Ohh, thank you, Aya! You always bring the good stuff."

As the room buzzed softly with casual conversation and the rustling of snack wrappers, Veronica tilted her head slightly, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

"By the way, Vivi, I've noticed you haven't been clinging to Luke lately. What's going on?"

Vivi blinked, then let out a small chuckle as she sat down gracefully beside Clarissa. "Oh, that's intentional," she said, resting her chin in her hand. "I want to see how he reacts if I'm not around. He's so... oblivious sometimes."

Emma, mid-bite into a cracker, chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Why not just confess to him already? Straight up."

Clarissa nodded in agreement, her tone gentle. "Emma's right. It might save you a lot of time."

But Vivi shook her head firmly, cheeks flushing ever so slightly. "No way. I want him to be the one who confesses to me."

Veronica raised an eyebrow, folding her arms tighter. "That's going to be tough. Luke's the second most clueless guy I've ever met."

"I know," Vivi said with a soft laugh, completely unfazed. "But that's fine. I'll wait. When he finally confesses... we'll get married right away."

There was a short silence. Then...

Aya, who had been quietly sipping her drink in the corner, nearly choked.

"P-Please don't raise a death flag like that!" she blurted, waving her hands nervously. "That kind of talk never ends well...!"

Then Celestia, who had been quiet for a moment, finally spoke, her tone calm, almost wistful.

"It's alright," she said, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as if seeing something far beyond. "Because sometimes... a simple wish can become a real hope."

Vivi looked down at her hands, clasped together on her lap, and smiled faintly.

"You're right," she whispered.