Revolution: The New World

Six Years Ago

May 4, 2069

2019 CDT

Near Del Rio, Texas

Luke Miller's Point of View

“Olympus is a very civilized kingdom, home to thousands of people inside of the city and its nearby settlements,” Veronica explains in excitement.

Olympus! I can’t wait to see it! I’m so tired of the desert, and the further we get away from Scorpius, the better! But road trips make me so sleepy. The loudness of the dune buggy’s engine was annoying at first, but I’ve adapted to it, like everything else. The sun will be setting soon, so maybe sleep is a good idea. There’s nothing out here except sand, rocks, cacti, and desert animals anyway. No zombies in our sights, at least for now, and it’d be impossible for them to catch up to us at this speed. Despite that, the Black Scorpions and bandits are our newest threats to look out for. We’ve been on the run for four years, never getting a chance to rest, but it’ll all be over soon.

It’s been twenty-nine days since the hellish mansion incident. Finding a functional vehicle is never easy, and obtaining gas is even harder. The Deathstalker’s cars didn’t suit the terrain for the destination, yet we were able to make use of their gas by siphoning it.

“Olympus is run by a council, each member in charge of overseeing separate sections of the kingdom. Not only am I one of those leaders, but I’m also a founding member,” she continues while adjusting her sunglasses.

Being out at dark is too risky but the Black Scorpions limit our options. Their “shoot first and not even bother with the questions” mentality only increases the mortality rate of The New World. At least we have plenty of spare gas, food, weapons, and water for the trip, but something is missing, and I think she knows what it is.

Sniff sniff.

We stink, almost as bad as a zombie!

“They should have warm water in Olympus,” she assures with a chuckle.

Your laughter is as soothing as our newly scavenged black cloaks, but it doesn’t match that constant cold look in your eyes. Your sunglasses are just another disguise, like the movie stars of The Old World. You only go by Veronica Shinka when you’re alone with me, “Hisako Tsumi.” I don’t really know much about you, but I still trust you with my life, despite what I’ve overheard about your past. You’re the perfect guardian and a great teacher. Nevertheless, your history is the one thing you always avoid, because of the unspoken rule. You like to be in charge, ever humorless, and only smile whenever you’re around me.

You’re human though, just like me so how in the world are we still alive?! I’m still too scared to even ask. Neither of us experienced a fever, uncontrollable sweat, rapid dehydration, or periorbital puffiness. Even our clearly fatal wounds have turned into normal scars.

“I lost contact with my friends shortly before I met you. Like all kingdoms, Olympus contains a barrier that prevents the undead from entering the city,” she proceeds with her explanation. “An abyss known as The Styx River encircles the entire city. Four drawbridges are located on the north south east and west parts of it, allowing Olympians to safely enter and exit the kingdom.”

“It’s a good thing that zombies can’t fly, Veronica.”

Shit, that’s a terrifying thought!

“Thank God they can’t fly, they’re already horrifying enough! I’m getting nightmares just thinking about it,” she quickly acknowledges in frightening haste. “Anyway, Olympia has protection on the inside as well. Every citizen must wear an electronic bracelet known as a Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt lights up red if someone is infected, green if healthy, and black if dead. The communications branch oversees overseeing and dispatching the Police Force to deal with an infected or dead citizen,” she explains in her usual informative tone.

You always love explaining and breaking things down to me. Your emotions are proof of your humanity. I wouldn’t know what to do if you were a robot.

“I’m going to remind you of our overseers now because it feels appropriate,” she states in a somber tone. “Nineteen years ago, after The Old World collapsed, and The Age of Zombies began, The World Government turned their back on humanity and fled from their responsibilities like cowards. They were smart enough to leave some of their own behind as they occupied a kingdom for their inevitable return. This kingdom became known as Gaia, formerly Los Angeles, California, and Hawaii. The remaining Royals escaped into orbit on a dozen massive ships, known as The Twelve Zodiacs, each containing one thousand people. The bastards… just sat on their asses in peace as we all suffered!”

Cowards…

“The rest of humanity entered a short state of chaos before The Nine Kingdoms were created for shelter. Olympia, Athenia, formerly Fernando De Noronha, Brazil. Scorpia, formerly Mexico City, Mexico. Rion, formerly Nagoya, Japan, Inpu near Osaka, Japan. Hephaestus, formerly Tokyo, Japan. Sarpedon, residing within Africa’s Lake Victoria. Prometheus, formerly Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya Russia, and Gaia, were… are humanity’s last line of defense against the undead army,” she calmly explains. “Each kingdom is unique from one another, with their own set of regulations, but then the Royals decided to dictate the survivors with an unjust set of laws. The cruelest of their rules state that each kingdom can only have a certain number of people inside. They warned The Nine Kingdoms to obey their authority or face the deadly outcomes of their uncooperative actions.”

Bullies.

“The Nine Kingdoms were rightfully pissed, Rion being the most vocal of all. They threatened immediate retaliation; consequently, the Royals decided to use them to illustrate what happens when a kingdom defies their law. They aimed their superweapon directly at Rion as a demonstration of their powers. All of humanity observed in awe as a glowing red beam of light illuminated across Earth’s blue skies. Rion was obliterated just like that. Nobody knew the Royals had such a destructive weapon in their possession, and this superweapon became known as Azrael, The Archangel of Death. The Eight Kingdoms dared not to defy the Royals ever since Azrael’s emergence.”

How cruel.

“Leaving a kingdom and its borders means being forced to fend for yourself in The New World but staying within one means you’ll have to follow rules you don’t agree with.”

Bastards! Life is already hard enough without safe shelter, but the added oppression from the Royals is evil! This hellish world is fucked beyond repair, and it’s all because of the zombies and the Royals!

*

“One more thing, Luke. Don’t ever bring attention to your scar. If anyone notices and asks about it, tell them you got it from scavenging. It’s crucial for both of us that you understand, ok?”

There’s that serious tone again.

“I understand, Veronica.”

Huh. The sun is finally setting. Wait….

“Holy shit! Veronica, look! A shooting star.”

“Oh, wow. Make a wish, Luke.”

I wish I was an astronaut or a ranger. All I would do is explore and protect the ones I love in a perfect world. I want the Royals to stop being jerks, and I wish that the zombies would just disappear.

“I wish we could shower. We really stink, Veronica.”

“Hilarious,” she snorts with a hysterical laugh.

I’ve almost forgotten what your laughter sounds like. Now, I can’t stop myself from laughing! Humor makes us forget how shitty the world is, even for just a few seconds! Wait! This will be the best wish!

“Oh, come on, you’re going to waste your wish on something as silly as that?” she questions with a disapproving nod.

At least I finally made you laugh. Now to reveal my real wish.

“I wish this moment could last forever. Just me and you, and the sound of our laughter. Watching the sunset and stargazing in this perfect weather. If I could make time go on repeat, this would be the definitive moment I’d choose. Cruising through the desert on this perfect night with no immediate worries. If only the buggy had unlimited gas or-,”

That’s a huge smile.

“Luke, you have no idea how much that means to me because I was thinking the exact same wish,” she interrupts as she takes off her sunglasses.

You’re crying?

“There’s just one small thing I’d change,” she reveals as she wipes off her tears.

“What?”

“Music. We need some tunes. If only we had a CD.”

“Nah, we don’t need any music. It’s perfect as it is.”

Getting sleepy. Let me grab this blanket before I freeze. Staying warm is the priority now.

“Maybe you’re right, Luke,” Veronica considers.

“But I’ll keep an eye out for a CD.”

This blanket is so comfortable.

“You’ll keep an eye out for a CD in the dark, scary desert while falling asleep?” she asks softly.

“I’ll sleep with one eye open.”

“Smart-ass,” she chuckles.

“I wonder who I get it from.”

“Goodnight, Luke. I’ll wake you up before sunrise so you can keep watch and let me rest.”

You’re saying, I love you and will always protect you.

“Goodnight, Veronica.”

I love you and will always protect you too, but life is so ruthless. Anyone can die at any moment without warning. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll know what safety is like for the first time once we reach Olympia.