Chapter Text
*CRASH*
I woke up in an unfamiliar place, the chill of the air making me shiver. Blinking, I realized I was no longer in Astralium. The last thing I remembered was the escape pod, the chaos, and the frantic hope that we would make it out alive.
"Where am I?" I wondered aloud, my voice echoing in the dimly lit space. The room was cold, almost sterile, with a metallic sheen to the walls. I pushed myself up, my body aching from the rough landing.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to focus. "Okay, Selene, think. First, figure out where you are, then find a way to contact the others."
As I moved around the room, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. This place was nothing like Astralium, and the sterile environment made it feel almost...lifeless. I needed to find a way out and fast.
I took slow, cautious steps around the room, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Normally, I cherished quiet moments, but now, the silence only heightened my fear. The place was a mess, looking as if it had been ransacked.
"Okay, Selene, deep breaths," I whispered to myself, trying to keep calm. "Let's see... a dirty room. Wonderful. Just what I needed."
I glanced at the sofa, which had been moved from its original spot. "Great, someone redecorated. And they have zero taste."
The walls were torn apart, and other furniture lay in pieces. "Wow, and I thought my room was messy."
I spotted a torn-up photo of a family on the floor. Picking it up gently, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. "Looks like someone didn't like family pictures. I mean, who needs memories, right?"
Despite my attempts at humor, my heart raced, and my hands trembled. Every corner I turned revealed more destruction, and every joke I made barely masked the fear bubbling inside me.
"Alright, let's keep it together, Selene," I muttered, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "There has to be a clue around here somewhere. Maybe a nice, friendly map labeled 'You are here.'"
Moving deeper into the room, I kept making comments to steady my nerves, but the eerie silence and the state of the place weighed heavily on me.
I stepped over a broken chair and made my way to what looked like a hallway. The dim light filtering through the dirty windows barely illuminated my path, casting long shadows that danced ominously around me.
"Whoever decorated this place really has a thing for gloom," I said, trying to keep my spirits up. "Maybe they should try a nice pastel color next time."
As I walked down the hallway, I noticed more signs of struggle—scratches on the walls, a shattered mirror, and scattered belongings. "It’s like someone had a very intense argument with the decor."
I reached what seemed to be a living room. The place was even more trashed than the rest of the house. Papers and books were strewn across the floor, and the coffee table was upturned.
"Looks like a tornado had a party in here," I murmured, carefully picking my way through the debris. "And didn’t bother to clean up after itself."
I bent down to pick up a book that caught my eye. It was an old, leather-bound volume with strange symbols on the cover. "Well, this looks promising. Or ominous. Probably both."
Flipping through the pages, I couldn’t make out the language. It was filled with strange characters and diagrams that made no sense to me. "Just what I needed, a book in hieroglyphics."
Placing the book aside, I continued to search the room. I noticed a door slightly ajar and decided to investigate. "Let’s hope this door leads to something useful and not a haunted basement."
Pushing the door open, I found myself in a small, cluttered office. A desk covered in papers and a computer that looked like it hadn’t been used in years stood in the corner. "Ah, an office. Maybe I’ll find some clues here. Or at least some pens."
I started sifting through the papers, looking for anything that might give me a hint about where I was or what had happened. Most of it was mundane—bills, receipts, and notes. "Nothing screams 'evil plot' here. Just regular old paperwork."
Then, I found a crumpled piece of paper under the desk. Unfolding it, I saw it was a letter. The handwriting was messy, but I could make out some of the words: "danger," "escape," and "trust no one." My heart skipped a beat. "Well, that’s not ominous at all."
Leaving the office, I continued my search, keeping my nerves in check with a steady stream of commentary. "Just another day in the life of a goddess, right? Getting lost in creepy houses, finding cryptic messages. Totally normal."
I headed back to the kitchen, trying to push aside the unsettling feeling that lingered from the office. My stomach growled, reminding me that it had been a while since I’d last eaten. "Alright, let’s see if this place has anything edible left."
The kitchen was as trashed as the rest of the house, but I began searching through the cabinets anyway. "Come on, there’s gotta be something in here that hasn’t expired in the last century."
I opened the fridge, only to be greeted by a waft of unpleasant smells. "Nope, definitely not getting anything from there." I quickly shut the door and moved on to the pantry.
After inspecting the shelves, I found some canned goods. "Jackpot!" I pulled out a can of beans and inspected it. "Not exactly gourmet, but it’ll do."
I continued my search, hoping to find something to go with the beans. After a bit more digging, I found some stale crackers. "Better than nothing, I guess."
Gathering my meager findings, I sat at the kitchen table. The quietness of the place was unnerving, but I tried to focus on my food. "Beans and crackers, a Superly meal fit for... someone stranded in a creepy house."
I opened the can and started eating. As I chewed, I couldn’t help but think about my friends and what they might be doing right now. "I hope they’re okay," I said to myself, trying to stay positive.
Finishing my makeshift meal, I stood up and stretched. "Alright, Selene. Time to get back to figuring out where you are and how to get back to Astralium."
I left the kitchen, feeling slightly more energized. I needed to keep moving, keep searching for answers. And hopefully, find a way to reunite with everyone.
As I left the kitchen, the thought hit me. "Wait a minute... going back home isn't enough," I muttered to myself. "I need to find the... the... what was it called again?" I smacked my forehead lightly, trying to jog my memory. "Ugh, come on, brain. The shiny thing... Celestalis mentioned it... Sun... Sund...ball!"
I snapped my fingers. "That's it! The Sundball! I need to find that before anything else."
I began searching the house again, this time with a more focused goal. "Okay, so where would a magical celestial sand ball be hiding?" I said, checking under furniture and in drawers. "I mean, it's not like it has a special hiding spot marked 'magical object here.'"
I sighed and looked around the trashed living room. "Think, Selene. Where would it be if you were a mysterious, powerful artifact?"
I wandered through the house, checking every nook and cranny. "Maybe there’s some kind of secret compartment or hidden room. It’s gotta be somewhere!"
As I continued my search, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of determination and frustration. "Come on, Sundball, show yourself! I promise I’ll keep you safe and shiny!"
I knew I had to find it soon. Not just for myself, but for Astralium and everyone else who was counting on me.
I was deep in my search for the Sundball when a sudden, loud noise startled me. My heart skipped a beat, and I froze in place. I felt a chill run down my spine, and I could almost swear I’d just wet myself from sheer fright. I was pale as a ghost, my legs trembling.
“What was that?” I whispered, trying to steady my breathing. The sound had come from somewhere deeper in the house, and curiosity got the better of me.
“No, no. I should just stay here,” I told myself, attempting to sound brave. “It’s probably nothing.”
But despite my best intentions, my feet were already moving towards the source of the noise. “Okay, Selene, just a quick look. No need to get too involved,” I muttered, trying to convince myself.
The noise had stopped, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was out there. I tiptoed down the hallway, peeking around corners and trying to stay as quiet as possible.
“Come on, Selene. It’s probably just a cat or something,” I said aloud, though I wasn’t sure who I was trying to reassure more—myself or the nonexistent cat.
As I approached the noise’s origin, I braced myself for whatever might be lurking in the shadows.
I crept forward as quietly as I could, my eyes adjusting to the dark thanks to my natural night vision. To my relief, I spotted what I thought was a human. They were wearing a tattered brown coat and seemed to be struggling with something. My shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Well, it’s nice to see a fellow human in this mess,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Though I must admit, I didn’t expect humans to look quite this… Grey."
As I drew closer, the figure turned around. The face was pale, gaunt, and covered in a grotesque expression that sent chills down my spine. The groans it emitted were eerie and unsettling.
“Oh, crap! What kind of human is this?” I asked aloud, my voice trembling despite my attempt to stay calm. “Looks like someone forgot to tell them about the concept of ‘personal grooming.’”
The creature continued to groan and shuffle closer, its eyes empty and lifeless. I realized, with a sinking feeling, that this was no ordinary human. I took a step back, my mind racing.
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“Okay, Selene, time to rethink your life choices,” I muttered to myself, inching away from the disturbing sight. “Definitely not the kind of company I was hoping for.”
As the zombie lumbered closer, its groans grew louder, and it began to repeat, lifelessly and monotonously, “Brains! Brains!” My heart pounded in my chest as I felt a warm, uncomfortable sensation trickle down my legs.
“Oh no, oh no, oh no!” I whimpered, my face flushing with embarrassment and fear. “This is not how I imagined my happy exploration day going!”
I took a few stumbling steps backward, trying to escape the gruesome sight. The zombie’s relentless “Brains!” echoed in my ears, amplifying my anxiety. My brain, now thoroughly fried from the shock, couldn’t process anything other than sheer panic.
“Why did it have to be zombies?” I muttered, desperately trying to regain my composure. You know what screw composure! “Of all the things to encounter, why this?”
Panicked and desperate, I sprinted away from the zombie, my breath coming in short, terrified gasps. Suddenly, the windows shattered around me, and grotesque zombie arms reached through, clawing at the air.
"Why me? Why now?" I cried out, dodging the grasping hands. I frantically searched for another path, my mind racing.
Spotting a narrow hallway to my left, I darted towards it, praying it would lead to safety. The zombies' groans and the sound of shattering glass followed me, urging me to move faster. I could only hope that this nightmare would end soon and that I’d find a way out of this terrifying place.
I stumbled down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. The dim light made it hard to see, but I could make out a door at the end. I dashed towards it, hoping it wasn't locked.
Behind me, the zombies' groans grew louder, their footsteps slow but relentless. I reached the door and fumbled with the handle, my hands shaking. It gave way, and I burst through, slamming it shut behind me.
Leaning against the door, I tried to catch my breath. The room I entered was dark and musty, filled with old furniture covered in dust.
I moved further into the room, trying to find something—anything—that could help me. My eyes landed on a rusty old toolbox. I hurried over and opened it, sifting through the contents. Most of it was junk, but there was a small, heavy wrench that might be useful.
Clutching the wrench tightly, I turned back to the door. The groans and scratching were getting closer. I needed to find a way out of this room and, more importantly, figure out where I was and how to find the Sundball.
I spotted a window at the far end of the room and knew I had no choice. Gripping the wrench, I hurled it with all my might. The glass shattered, shards flying everywhere. Without wasting a moment, I ran and leaped towards the opening, activating my power to lift myself through the jagged frame.
Pain shot through my hands as I felt the glass slice into my skin. I landed on the other side, stumbling onto the ground. I looked at my hands, now stained with blue blood, and winced.
"Great," I muttered to myself, trying to stay calm despite the throbbing pain. "Just what I needed..."
The night air was cool against my face, and I took a deep breath to steady myself. I was outside now, but I knew I wasn't safe yet. The moans of the zombies were still audible, and I needed to find shelter or a way to defend myself better.
I glanced around, assessing my surroundings. The area was overgrown with vegetation, and the buildings looked abandoned. It was eerie, but at least there were no immediate threats.
"T-Time to relax!?" I ask myself while striking a defensive pose.
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I sighed in relief. The zombies relaxed. Thank the gods.
"Time to relax..." I shrunk a little as I looked up. Finally, a moment to think...
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Or so i thought.
Just as I began to feel a hint of relief, I heard a rustling sound behind me. I turned, and to my horror, a wave of zombies was emerging from the ground, their lifeless eyes fixated on me.
"Oh no, not again!" I screamed mentally, feeling a fresh surge of panic.
Without wasting a second, I turned and sprinted away as fast as I could. My heart pounded in my chest, and my breathing grew ragged. The sound of their groans and the shuffle of their feet seemed to be growing louder, and I could feel their presence closing in on me.
I pushed myself harder, desperate to put as much distance as possible between myself and the undead.
I dashed through the twisted landscape, zigzagging to throw off the pursuing zombies. My eyes darted around, searching for anything that could help me.
As I ran, I spotted a pile of debris and dove behind it, crouching low. The zombies shuffled past, their groans echoing in the night. I held my breath, waiting until they had moved on before slipping out and continuing my escape.
In the distance, I saw a narrow alleyway and made a beeline for it. The tight space worked to my advantage, as the zombies had trouble squeezing through. I squeezed past garbage bins and jumped over broken crates, my heart pounding as I heard the undead struggling to follow.
I turned a corner and found myself facing a high fence. Without hesitation, I leaped up, using the last of my strength to pull myself over. I landed on the other side, gasping for breath, but I knew I couldn't stop yet. The groans were still too close.
Spotting an open manhole, I jumped down into the sewers, hoping the zombies wouldn't follow.
"AHH! Gosh! Its It smells like mouse burgers!" I complained, covering my nostrils.
The stench was overwhelming, but it was a temporary refuge. I waded through the muck, using my ability to see in the dark to navigate the tunnels.
After what felt like an eternity, I found a ladder and climbed back up to the surface. I emerged in a different part of the town, the zombies seemingly left behind for now. I took a moment to catch my breath, but the fear still gnawed at me.
I found myself in the eerie remnants of a city. A dilapidated sign loomed ahead, reading "Welcome to Zomburbia," with a chilling population count of "0" beneath it. My heart sank at the sight, fear creeping up my spine.
Before I could process the scene, a loud crash echoed nearby. I spun around just in time to see an entire metal plate crash to the ground, dislodged by yet another wave of zombies rising from the earth.
"Oh, come on!" I yelled, half-exasperated and half-terrified.
With no time to waste, I bolted into the city, weaving through the deserted streets. The buildings, once bustling with life, now stood as hollow shells, their windows shattered and doors hanging ajar. My footsteps echoed ominously as I ran, the sound bouncing off the empty structures.
I needed to find shelter, somewhere safe to regroup and plan my next move. But with zombies sprouting up like weeds, safety seemed like a distant dream. I ducked into an alley, hoping to lose them in the maze of backstreets.
Ahead, I spotted a convenience store with its door slightly ajar. Summoning my courage, I dashed inside and quickly shut the door behind me, leaning against it to catch my breath. The store was dimly lit, the flickering fluorescent lights casting eerie shadows on the walls.
I knew I couldn't stay here long, but it was a temporary reprieve. I took a moment to inspect my surroundings, searching for anything useful.
Out of nowhere, I heard a voice say, "Hello ma'am, what do you want?"
I thought it was a salesman. I sighed in relief, "I don't have any money—"
The figure turned around, revealing yet another zombie. For a moment, we both just stared at each other, the surrealness of the situation sinking in...
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"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Then, as if on cue, we both screamed at the same time.
I bolted out of the store, my heart pounding as I ran down the street again. The city seemed endless, each corner revealing more danger. My mind raced, trying to think of a plan, a way out of this madness.
"I've got to find some shelter," I muttered to myself, dodging another zombie that lunged at me from an alleyway. "And fast!"
The city, once full of life, now felt like a maze of horrors. I needed to stay focused, stay alive, and somehow find that Sundball before it was too late.
I spotted a house that looked surprisingly well-kept amid the chaos. I sprinted towards it, heart racing, and began pounding on the door with all my might.
"Please, open up! Let me in!" I cried, my voice trembling with fear and desperation. I felt ticklish on my cheeks like something was falling. Tears streamed down my face as i pounded on the door, my sobs echoing in the silence of th street.
"I don't want to die! I want to see my friends again, my family," she wailed, her fists still hitting the door. "I want to try the new ice cream flavor that came out last Saturday, I even saved my money! Please let me innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!"
Suddenly, a voice cut through my cries, "Hey, Neighbor!"
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"Huh?"
I turned around, bracing myself for yet another zombie encounter. But much to my surprise, I saw a human. Honest to god Human being. a man in a white shirt with a big brown beard and a frying pan on his head. He looked utterly outlandish, yet there he was, very much alive.
"Hey there! Just bought the house, huh?" he said, his voice carrying an odd, cheerful tone that didn't match the chaos around us. I noticed his eccentric way of speaking and the peculiar headgear he wore.
"Uh, what?" I managed to stammer, still processing the situation.
"Zombies are causing havoc in the city," he continued as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "Maybe not the best choice to come live here right now."
"But hey! If that's your thing, I won't judge ya!" he added with a chuckle. Before I could respond, he handed me some packets of seeds and a watering can.
"Here, you can use this to defend yourself," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Name's Crazy Dave, but you can call me Crazy Dave."
I blinked, utterly confused by his nonsensical statement. "Uh, thanks?" I muttered, still trying to wrap my head around what was happening.
Crazy Dave gave me a thumbs-up. "Good luck!" he said before vanishing as suddenly as he appeared, leaving me alone with the seeds and the watering can.
"Wait!"
I stared at the seeds and watering can in my hands, trying to make sense of the bizarre encounter. "Okay, Selene, think," I whispered to myself. "You're in a city overrun by zombies, and some crazy guy just gave you gardening supplies for self-defense."
I took a deep breath and glanced around. The zombies hadn't reached me yet, but I could hear their groans getting closer. I had to do something, and fast.
"I know Jackcrap about gardening. I think that's Orion's thing...Oh well. I guess there's always a first time."
"Alright, let's see what we've got here." I examined the seed packets. Sunflower seeds, pea seeds, and some other plants I didn't recognize. "I guess I should start planting these?"
I found a small patch of dirt near the house and quickly began planting the seeds. It felt ridiculous, but I didn't have any better ideas. I poured some water from the can over them and hoped for the best.
To my astonishment, the plants grew almost instantly. Sunflowers sprouted up, their faces turning toward the sun, and strange plants with green pods appeared. The pea shooters.
"Whoa," I said, staring at the rapidly growing plants. "This is actually working?"
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"Brains!"
"Oh! Crap! They're coming!"
The first zombie stumbled into view, moaning and shuffling toward me. The pea shooters reacted immediately, launching green projectiles at the undead creature. The peas hit the zombie, causing it to stumble and eventually fall apart.
"The sunflowers and the peas created live and started attacking the zombie... S-Superly!!I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Okay, this might actually work."
I planted more seeds, creating a small garden of defensive plants. Sunflowers provided sunlight, which somehow made me feel stronger, and the pea shooters kept the zombies at bay.
I couldn't believe how surreal this all was, but for now, it seemed to be my best shot at surviving. "Alright, Crazy Dave," I muttered. "Let's see if your crazy idea can keep me alive until I find a way out of here."
With my makeshift plant army growing, I stood ready to face whatever this strange world threw at me next.
'Nevermind guys. I think i'm ready for this!'
TO BE CONTINUED.