Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

The stench of blood and decay hung thick in the air, a suffocating miasma that mingled with the sound of Rika's strained breathing. Guldrin could barely process the chaos around him, the shock of the bloater's grotesque collapse and the following explosion still ringing in his ears. The ground beneath him was slick with viscera and chunks of infected matter that splattered over everything in the immediate vicinity, turning the once-hard earth into a battlefield of death. His own heartbeat thundered in his chest, and he could feel the adrenaline slowly draining from his veins, leaving him weak and drained.

He could barely make out Rika through the mist of blood and steam rising from the bloater's exploded remains. She was lying on her back in a patch of the dark earth, her breathing heavy and uneven, but her eyes never wavered, locked onto the direction of the warehouse. She was still ready for a fight, but there was a distinct weariness in her movements, a fatigue that seemed to bleed through her every motion.

Guldrin struggled to stay upright, his body threatening to give way beneath him. His arms were shaking, his fingers too numb to grip his rifle properly. The weight of the weapon was unbearable, but he clung to it, unwilling to let go. Every breath felt like it might be his last, each one harder than the last. But the world around him was not yet safe. He still had a part to play.

"Rika…," he muttered, his voice hoarse. He could see her form through the carnage, her knife still clutched tightly in her hand, glistening with blood. She was alive, and that was all that mattered. He dragged himself forward, his movements slow, but there was a fire inside him that refused to let him stop.

Rika didn't look back at him immediately, too focused on the surrounding area. But as soon as she saw his stumbling, bloody form begin to move toward her, she took a deep, steadying breath, as if forcing herself to maintain some semblance of calm. She did not speak, only stood, slowly and purposefully, and motioned for him to follow. She was still the perfect soldier, the perfect warrior, even in the face of the overwhelming carnage.

"Let's go," she muttered, her voice low and steady, though a flicker of something unspoken passed between them, something that went beyond the bloodshed, something that spoke of history, of a bond that ran deeper than words.

Guldrin nodded, though his body screamed in protest. He could barely stand on his own, but he forced his legs to carry him forward. Every step felt like a battle in itself, the pain of his wounds sinking deeper with each movement. His body screamed as he felt the torn muscles and bones realigning inside him. But there was no time to rest, no time to stop. The warehouse was their destination. Their safe haven.

And now, it was even more precious.

As they moved forward, they were joined by the others, Kohta, Saya, Saeko, Shiro, Rei, Yuriko, Maki, Miki, and the others from the warehouse, each of them armed and prepared to defend the only refuge they had. The group fell into line, their collective survival instinct pushing them forward. Kohta's eyes flickered nervously between the group and the carnage they left behind, but there was a quiet understanding in his gaze. They had survived, and now it was time to regroup.

Guldrin's vision was swimming, the edges of his sight blurred and foggy. He could barely feel his hands anymore, the rifle slipping from his grip as he forced himself to focus. The shadows in his mind were growing louder again, the dark whispers tugging at the edges of his consciousness. But Rika was there, always there, and the others were with him, pushing forward.

They reached the warehouse, its massive structure looming in the distance. The door, which had been barely ajar before, was now fully open, and the group was greeted by the sight of Shizuka waiting inside. Her figure, though no stranger to this kind of world, was a comfort. She was dressed in her usual medical gear, and annoyance, the faintest hint of concern, crossed her expression when she saw them. She was used to seeing blood, used to seeing injuries, but Guldrin could tell she was not accustomed to seeing the toll this kind of fight had on them. She had just told him to rest, and here he was more injured than the last, she was livid and had every intention to let him know.

Rika, ever composed, didn't stop moving as they entered the warehouse. She was already scanning the room, her eyes sharp as ever. Her gaze swept over the others, her silent command in the way she moved, her authority still unquestioned despite the brutal encounter they had just survived.

"I need help, my legs feel like iron, I am surprised I am still able to move." Guldrin managed, his voice barely above a rasp, but Rika didn't pause. She knew exactly what was needed. She dropped her rifle, moving to a table where medical supplies were hastily laid out. Guldrin stumbled towards it, the world spinning beneath him, his hands trembling as he steadied himself. He could barely see Shizuka as she approached, but her presence was unmistakable but clearly angered.

"Guldrin," Shizuka said, her voice soft but firm. She had seen him at his best and worst, and she knew exactly what kind of damage this world could do to them.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to sit on the nearby chair. "It's nothing. Just a few cuts. A little exhaustion," he lied, but the trembling in his hands and the heavy bruises beginning to blossom across his skin betrayed him.

Shizuka didn't argue. Instead, she moved with practiced speed, her hands pulling out medical supplies as she assessed his condition. "You're not fooling anyone," she muttered under her breath, but she didn't say more. Her hands moved to his chest, checking for signs of internal damage, and then she moved lower, checking his limbs.

Guldrin winced as her touch pressed against a particularly tender spot. The strain on his body was too much. He had pushed himself past his limits, but he had to. There was no other choice. Not with Rika still out there fighting, not with their survival hanging in the balance.

"Broken ribs… If you had rested, they would have healed… But nooo~ You had to disregard the medical advice I gave…" Shizuka noted, her voice clinical despite the concern in her eyes. "You're going to need some rest, Guldrin. And these cuts… they're deeper than you're letting on. What did I tell you!?!? TAKE IT EASY! REST AND RECOVER!" She continued to yell at him, and Shiro nodded along, even though she was the one who sanctioned this mission.

He didn't argue. He didn't want to, not when he knew she was right. His body was broken, beaten down by the sheer force of what they had just encountered. His gaze shifted toward the others, their faces lined with exhaustion but filled with determination. Seeing Asami with her sister, Akane, and Alice sitting in the corner with Maki's daughter; Guldrin finally let out a sigh of relief. He could finally rest, he did his job, no one died, and they removed the plague that was Shido and that foreign element in their city. Takashi being killed was a hard pill to swallow, but it needed to be done, now they can move on.

"Everyone's in one piece," Kohta said from across the room, his voice tense. "We made it. The warehouse is secure. But…" He trailed off, his gaze flickering toward the door. "We can't just sit here and wait, we need to improve, today has shown me my weaknesses; if we don't learn to survive, this world will eat us alive. That bloater was 3 times bigger than any that we have fought before, and this is just the first week… I, for one, will not give in, we will survive, and I pledge myself to you; lead us and help us evolve in the ever-changing world!" Kohta seemed way more serious than ever before, but Guldrin couldn't help but tease him.

Guldrin stared at him before giggling, "Aahaha… Oww… What are you, a knight pledging to his lord?" He shook his head and Shizuka scolded him, "Stop moving, I am TRYING to treat your wounds, AGAIN!" Guldrin didn't argue and stayed silent, Shizuka could be scary when she wanted to be.

The tension in the warehouse hung thick as Shizuka continued tending to Guldrin's wounds, her hands steady despite the anger bubbling beneath her surface. The others settled into various tasks, some cleaning their weapons, others checking on supplies, but there was no mistaking the unease that lingered after their encounter with the bloater. The battle had shaken everyone, even those who wore their bravery-like armor. While most may not have fought the creature, they felt the explosion, heard the gunfire, and felt the trimmers; it was all too much, a stark reminder of how their lives had been altered.

Guldrin sat still, his body aching from head to toe. Shizuka muttered under her breath, scolding him between precise movements as she applied antiseptic and stitched up a particularly nasty gash on his arm. "You keep doing this," she snapped, her usually calm demeanor cracking. "Throwing yourself into danger like you're invincible. You're not, Guldrin. You're 16 years old, for heaven's sake! If you die out there, who do you think is going to lead us?" 

'Thank God she doesn't know I am 14… I wouldn't hear the end of it if she did.'

He flinched at her words, guilt settling in his chest. "I didn't have a choice," he said, voice low. "If I hadn't stepped in-"

"Don't," Shizuka cut him off sharply, her eyes blazing as she looked up at him. "Don't give me excuses. Every time you push yourself like this, you make it harder for me to keep you alive." She paused, her voice softening slightly. "You're important to this group, Guldrin. We can't lose you. I can't lose you. EVEN if you for some strange reason are able to heal MUCH faster than normal, even more so after yesterday when I patched you up… I am not even going to get into that change, and or what caused it"

Her words struck a chord deep within him, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He nodded silently, the weight of her concern pressing down on him. Kohta wanted to explain that Guldrin gained that new healing from eating zombie flesh, but a single glare from Guldrin reminded him to keep his mouth shut.

Rika, who had been leaning against a nearby wall, spoke up then, her voice calm but firm. "Shizuka's right. You're not a machine, Guldrin. You have limits, and if you keep ignoring them, you're going to get yourself killed. We need you alive, not broken. You may be 'him' but that doesn't mean you are invincible, even if you act like it. Thank you for saving me, but start caring about yourself more."

He looked at her, seeing the exhaustion etched into her features, the blood that had dried on her face and clothes. Despite her injuries, she radiated strength, her presence a reminder of why they were all still alive. "I'll be more careful," he promised, though he wasn't sure he could keep that promise. The world they lived in didn't allow for caution. He knew he made the right choice, just like he knew they were right in scolding him.

Kohta, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, stepped forward. His earlier pledge still hung in the air, and he looked at Guldrin with a determined expression. "I meant what I said," he began. "We're all in this together, but someone has to lead. That someone is you. You've proven it time and time again. Just… don't forget that you're not alone. We'll follow you, but we need you to trust us to pull our weight, too. Teach us, enable us to survive without your sacrifice each day." 

Everyone nodded, Shiro looked around, "Does everyone else feel the same way?" 

Saya pushed up her glasses, "Well, he is kinda reliable, and I didn't die when he fed us crystal dust… So maybe he is the right choice. But that doesn't mean I am praising you!" She crossed her arms, her typical tsundere nature showing itself.

Saeko stepped forward and turned to face him, her piercing purple eyes locking onto his. There was no hesitation in her gaze, only conviction. Slowly, she knelt, lowering herself into the traditional seiza position. Her hands moved gracefully, placing her katana horizontally in front of her, the blade gleaming.

"Guldrin," she began, her voice steady yet filled with emotion, "I owe my life and my strength to the bonds we share in this broken world. You've given us direction, hope, and a purpose to fight. For that, I cannot remain indifferent, nor do I want to."

She bowed deeply, her forehead nearly touching the ground, the act so deliberate it seemed like time had slowed. The stillness was profound, her every movement imbued with ritualistic weight.

"I, Saeko Busujima, pledge myself to you. My blade, my strength, and my life are yours to command. I swear upon my honor as a warrior that I will protect you, fight for you, and never falter, no matter the cost."

Guldrin stared at her, stunned by the solemnity of her words. He wanted to step forward, but a single strong glare from Shizuka who was still treating him, rooted him in place. "Saeko, you don't have to-"

She raised her head, her expression calm but unyielding. "This is not out of obligation. It is my choice, one I make freely. A samurai's loyalty is absolute, and I have chosen you."

Reaching for her katana, she lifted it with both hands, presenting it to him hilt-first. "Take it, if only for a moment. It is a symbol of my oath."

Hesitating briefly, Guldrin reached out and gently accepted the blade. Its weight felt heavier than it should have, as though it carried the burden of her promise. "Saeko… I'll do everything I can to be worthy of this."

She rose to her feet gracefully, her gaze never leaving his. A faint smile curved her lips. "Then let us face this world together. You will lead, and I will follow. Always… I am yours, do with me as you will."

Guldrin felt the weight of these words like a mountain being placed on his shoulders, nodding, he firmed his will and handed her the blade, which she took with reverence. The katana returned to her hands, she sheathed it with a practiced motion, the sound of the blade sliding into its scabbard echoing in the stillness.

Rika, ever the one to disregard subtlety, clapped his shoulder with a grin and spun her rifle effortlessly, planting its butt against the floor with a solid thud. "Well then… if we're doing pledges, let me make mine official." She straightened, her tone shifting to one of solemn intensity.

"I, former Master Sergeant Rika Minami, codename: Reaper, pledge myself to you, Boss… Guldrin, or whatever name you choose to bear. I will be your silent guardian, your Quiet, the angel of death to any who dare threaten what you aim to build. My gun, my skills, and my blade are yours to command, brat. Use them as you see fit."

With a sharp salute and a sly smirk, she added, "Diamond Dogs, reporting in."

Guldrin stared, momentarily speechless, before managing a grin. "That… was unexpected, but not unwelcome. Rika, I accept your pledge, as I always have, in the past and now."

He paused, his eyes distant for a moment before shaking his head. "Diamond Dogs… no. That name belongs to another time, another place, it's long buried. Instead, let us be something new. How about… Ash Walkers? From the ashes, we forge anew. We endure, we thrive, we survive. And as we scour this broken world, we do so in search of resolution, hope, and like-minded souls."

Kohta stepped forward, his expression steady, a look of resolute determination on his face. "Ash Walkers," he repeated quietly as if testing the name in his mind. "I like it. It's survival, it's about carrying on, no matter what the world throws at us. We walk through the ashes of everything that was, and we move forward together."

Saya, still a bit grumpy but with a flicker of respect in her eyes, adjusted her glasses. "I suppose we can't exactly argue with that logic. Ash Walkers it is then. But don't get cocky, you're still far from perfect in my book, Guldrin." She crossed her arms, her usual sharp tone returning, though there was no mistaking the subtle shift in how she regarded him now. Yuriko giggled, she knew her daughter and that was as close as it came to giving someone a compliment. She could see the flickers of something more, something that she would welcome wholeheartedly 

Shiro, always quick to support Guldrin, gave a slight nod, her usual playful demeanor softened. "Well, as long as we don't start walking around quoting cheesy movie lines, I'm all in."

"Right, because you wouldn't love to be throwing around anime catchphrases and other cliché lines." Guldrin rolled his eyes and Shiro blushed, "Asshole… Let me be cool for once… What kind of boyfriend are you?" Guldrin chuckled, "The unrepentant kind… I won't cut you any slack." He smiled and kissed her cheek, returning the favor from last night.

The others chuckled at the comical scene and murmured their agreement, some more vocal than others, but all standing firm in their decision. The bond between them was now stronger than ever, solidified by each pledge, each word spoken. The atmosphere in the room was thick with the weight of the moment, the importance of their shared future, and the understanding that they were all in this together.

Guldrin's eyes swept across the group, taking in the loyalty, the commitment. He could feel the gravity of their trust and the responsibility it placed on him. "Ash Walkers it is," he said, his voice steady. "We walk this path together, and we'll face whatever comes our way, together."

Saeko stepped forward, her katana now securely sheathed at her side, a silent but powerful presence. She glanced at Rika, her gaze filled with silent approval, then looked back at Guldrin. "We are united in this, in purpose and in strength," she said, her voice calm yet fierce. "I stand by you, as I always will."

Rika gave a low chuckle, adjusting her rifle with ease. "Sounds like we've got ourselves a crew. No more looking back."

"Right," Guldrin replied, his voice filled with newfound resolve. "From this moment on, Ash Walkers will carve our own path. We'll be the ones to change the future. Together."

"Ding, Loyal Followers gained, 6/4… Mission Completed… Please complete the rest of the quest requirements: 236/500 Zombies slain."

The moment the message flashed before his eyes, Guldrin's body stiffened as if jolted by an invisible shock. He blinked, processing the words, but they barely registered over the lingering exhaustion that gnawed at his every muscle. 

Shizuka had finished with his wounds, and despite the throbbing pain in his ribs and the bruising that marred his skin, he felt the familiar weight of a mission's completion wash over him. It was a strangely familiar sensation, a mixture of victory and the harsh realization that this world would never stop testing them. They would never be free of it.

Rika, who had been standing to the side, her posture rigid as always, approached him. The others were busy, Kohta helping Asami settle and reunite with her sister Akane, Yuriko assisting Alice with her dog Zeke, and Maki overseeing their preparations. There was a quiet authority in the way Rika moved, and even without saying a word, she conveyed her concern. She was always focused, but there was something different in the way she looked at him now.

"You're pushing yourself too hard, Guldrin, like you always used to," she said, her voice low but carrying a weight of warning that even the chaos of their lives couldn't diminish. She knew him, how he behaved in the past, and even if he wasn't the same person now, she could see the shadow of who he once was.

He gave her a tired smile, nodding as he wiped sweat, grim, and something else he didn't want to guess what it was from his brow. "Yeah, I know. I'll take it easy... after a little while."

She didn't respond. Instead, she walked away, gathering her rifle from where it had been set down and motioning for the others to join her. There was no room for weakness or hesitation. Not now. Not after everything that had happened. Not when they were so close to solidifying their place in this new wasteland.

Shizuka, having finished tending to the last of Guldrin's injuries, walked over to where he stood, shaking her head. She still hadn't fully forgiven him for his reckless behavior, and it was clear from her stern look that she wasn't about to let him off the hook so easily.

"Next time, I swear, Guldrin, if you push yourself like that again, I'll be the one to knock you out," she said, her voice full of exasperation but with a hint of affection buried in the reprimand.

He smiled weakly, letting out a breath that rattled in his chest. "I'll try to be more careful, I promise." They both knew that was a hollow promise, but it pacified her, at least for now.

Inside the warehouse, the flickering lights cast long shadows on the walls. Despite the atmosphere of relative safety, there was still an undeniable tension that hung in the air. Guldrin sat in the window watching, smoking his blunt, the crackle of the cherry and ever-constant support after a day and night as dark as this. Leaning back, he watched as the fire burned in the side building outside, where those bastards had taken up residence. 

As the blunt burned, he gazed at the lit fire as it burned itself out, but their enemies were still out there, and if anything, they had learned that nothing could ever be taken for granted in this new world. He made a mistake by allowing someone to sneak into the gated area, but no more, this wouldn't happen again.

—

–

-

"Are you settling in?" Kohta's voice broke through the silence, the faint sound of his boots hitting the concrete floor giving away his approach. He approached Asami, who looked troubled, her eyes darting back to the door, but her face remained as unreadable as ever. She didn't like being separated from her sister. Her attachment to Akane was something that had been clear to everyone, even Guldrin could see the discomfort in Asami's movements as she settled onto one of the few makeshift cots in the warehouse. Her back was stiff, her posture defensive, and for a moment, he wondered how she would cope in a world like this without Akane. Akane had spoken to her sister, but after seeing she was fine, Akane decided she would care for Alice, who looked like she had been through Hell.

Kohta noticed too, his gaze lingering on Asami for a moment longer than was comfortable. "You okay?" he asked, his voice softer than usual. He seemed to care, despite his awkward exterior, an odd attraction could be seen by all who witnessed it.

"I'll be fine," Asami replied, her tone cool but slightly strained. "Just... worried about Akane."

Yuriko, ever the motherly figure, was nearby, her eyes soft with understanding. "You don't have to worry about her, Asami. She's in good hands," she said, glancing over at Shizuka, who was running an examination on Akane and Alice, her face paling with every second, she appeared to be discovering causes for concern as she checked them both. Alice and Akane were adjusting to their new setting, but being away from where they were, seemed to be enough at this moment.

Guldrin made a point of making a mental note to ask Shizuka about what was making her upset, but for now, he was content to watch Kohta who crouched down next to Asami. "You know," he said, trying to lighten the mood a little, "If you're worried about Akane, you don't need to be. Shizuka is by far the most caring woman I have known. She was our school nurse, she might seem ditsy, but don't tell her, "He leaned in next to her ear and spoke in a conspiratorial tone, "We all think it is an act to ease situations, she can be smart, and aggressive when the situation calls for it. Her act is known to everyone."

Asami didn't respond immediately, her gaze flickering toward her sister before she stood abruptly. "No. I'm fine," she muttered, her voice tight with frustration. She turned and began walking toward the back of the warehouse, toward the makeshift training area where Rika had been working on teaching everyone how to hone their skills. Under her guidance, these run-of-the-mill survivors will become something formidable, or at least not get themselves killed by being caught unprepared.

Guldrin watched her go, his brow furrowing slightly. There was more to it than just her sisterly concern. Asami was a police officer, someone who had survived this far because of her sharp instincts and strength, she must have had no choice but to do some things that made her mentality change, but there was a vulnerability to her, one that only Akane seemed to be able to soothe. But for now, she was pushing that away, burying it beneath layers of stubbornness.

Shaking his head, he focused on what was eating at him, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something. They had made it this far, yes, but the weight of their survival hung over them. This warehouse was a temporary refuge, and even as they huddled together, there was the constant reminder that the world outside was still broken. The Ash Walkers were a symbol of something larger, a resistance to the crumbling world that they had been thrust into, but even their strength would eventually falter without more allies. Without more resources. 

Soon, they would have to branch out, but that would be a future issue. They owned a boat that Shiro bought before the outbreak, but where would they go, how would they cross the waters, and what terrifying creatures now inhabit the ocean? If they traveled across the water, if; then they would need so much more preparation… More than this world could provide.

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)