The two zombies bat futilely on the doors leading to the lobby. I stand at the corner of Second and Everett. Looking east towards the river I see no bodies. Looking west and past the two zombies I see figures a few blocks down.

“Alright I’ll go and incapacitate those two. You guys wait here.” I whisper.

Looking back at the group they all nod in agreement. Trusting that Anglia will keep any surprise zombie at bay I sneak out from around the corner. The closest zombie turns towards me, ceasing it’s beating on the bullet proof glass.

Zombie

Level: 3

HP: 15/15

I stand waving my arms above me to silently get the attention of the other. The second zombie, a level two, stops it’s banging and follows the level 3 with a moan. As the two approach me I summon three Mana Scythes costing me about 30 percent of my mana.

When the level three is in range I dart to the side and charge the zombie. One scythe sweeps out at the zombies feet knocking them out from underneath it. My attention turns to the level two as I jump back away from it’s lunge.

A smile breaks across my face as I feel adrenaline pumping through me. Looking down on the two zombies I feel like I’m in my element. Like I’m the predator again.

I run forwards kicking the level two zombie causing it to fly over onto its back. The attack drains a point of health from the thing. Through my Magical Sonar I sense the level three trying to get back to its feet.

I spin on the spot reaching out with a scythe. The blue curved blade of energy snakes out towards the zombie. It rips across the back of the zombie’s neck causing it to fall back to the ground like a puppet that had its strings cut.

Returning my focus to the level 2 I find it rolled over onto it’s stomach trying to get it’s feet underneath it. Two of my scythes dig into its calves and pull the thing towards me. Once it’s only a few feet away I send the third scythe cutting through its neck.

Through my Magical Sonar I feel the level three’s head moving but it’s body remains motionless. Watching the level two only opening and closing its mouth. It produces an annoying clicking sound but is otherwise harmless.

The fight lasted less than eight seconds and after pulling the Mana Scythes back into me I find that I’ve only used seven percent of mana. The few points in Wisdom and Will Power really feels like it’s made a difference in my combat ability. I make a mental note to not neglect my other attributes anymore. Min maxing is not how you should be trying to build yourself in this world.

I take a second to scan my surroundings and find no other dangers approaching. I turn to second street and bekon the group of four over to me.

They all have their heads peeking around the corner with their mouths open. As they approach I feel embarrassed by their attention.

“That was impressive.” Abby says. “You have to teach me how to use those blade things.”

I nod while turning away.

“Just stab them in the head until they die or something.” I say to the group.

Abby stands above the level three, whose health has dropped from fifteen to ten. She looks down at the zombie, who despite being paraalyzed from the neck down is still trying to snap at her.

“I hope you find peace in the afterlife.” She says

She raises the spear I gave her and hesitates. Her eyes focus on the zombie biting nothing but air. She closes her eyes and trusts down with the spear with all her might and a scream.

The light above the zombie flashes black after the spear sinks deep into the zombie’s skull with a wet thunk. Abby opens her eyes and they instantly glaze over as some invisible screen obscures her vision.

Kyle takes the tip of his spear and brings it down on the other zombie’s head. The bones crack and split as the skin parts from the blow. Chunks of a pale grey and yellow brain oozes out from the wound. The light above it’s head flashes black and vanishes.

Kyle’s eyes glaze over as he deals with whatever screen appears before him.

“Did you guys get the class choice?” I ask.

“Yeah there was a screen saying that I completed a quest of gaining one level. Then another screen gave me the choice of a Mage or a Warrior.” Abby says.

“Same for me.” Kyle says.

“Good but don’t pick just yet. From our experience it can be painful.” I say.

Abby pouts looking sad at having to wait. Kyle looks at me but then frowns.

“The screen won’t disappear.” He says.

“Shit I forgot about that.” I say. “Try to deal with it for now please.”

Kyle shrugs but Abby looks physically annoyed by my request. I ignore them and look for Rabeca’s kill. Two blocks up the street is a group of four zombies or so. I tell the group to crouch and to try not to make much sound.

We skulk up the block stopping when we get to the intersection of Everett and Third street. Looking up and down Third I see figures in the distance on each side. But both groups are at least three blocks away. Figuring it’ll be safe I lead the group away from the block and head towards the intersection of Fifth and Everett.

Fourth street holds no individuals close enough to be of concern so we continue our trek to the group. Once we are half a block away I turn back to my little group.

“Angila do want to try and take out a few of them?” I ask.

She looks at me as she thinks it over. Then she nods her head and moves to the front of the group. She stops and summons a Rifle Round. The blue energy humming as the air whips around it.

Holding her palm outwards she takes aim at one of the zombies. After a second she mutters something under her breath and the bolt of energy races out across the street. It splashes into a zombie causing a light to flash black above it.

The zombie falls to the ground drawing the attention from the other three. They look down at their now actually dead friend and moan. Angila summons another Rifle Rounds and I realize that it takes her slightly longer than it does for me to do the same.

I should have her boost Wisdom and see if it speeds up her channeling speed. Looking at the others I know that Abby wants to be a mage too. If I instruct her right I’ll probably be able to figure out how individual Attributes affect the different aspects of using magic.

Angila again whispers something under her breath, bringing me back to her assault on the zombies ahead of us. The blue energy races out and again kills a zombie. Leaving only two more.

“Leave the last one to me.” I whisper to her.

She nods as she concentrates on forming another Rifle Round. The energy hums in place. Angila again mutters under her breath and kills the third zombie. I tell the group to hang back as I summon my Mana Scythes.

As quietly as I can I race forwards to the last zombie. A blue tendril of energy snakes out from each of my arms as I sprint towards the last zombie. I feel it enter my range and swing out with one of the tendrils.

The energy slams into the zombies side knocking it to the ground. It lands on its back causing me to curse mentaly as I had hoped it would land on its face. I run up to the zombie, placing my foot down onto it’s chest.

I take the Scythe from my right hand and fashion it into something like a narrow rectangular tipped shovel. It’s arms raise up grabbing at me as it’s mouth clicks trying to bite me.

I ignore it’s hands and push down with the mana around my right hand.The energy punches into its skin digging through it’s throat.

I feel the energy meet something tough and imagine the edge of my mana rotating like a saw. Blood flies from the wound as I cut through the thing's spine.

It’s health depletes to six by the time I’m done. I draw the energy back into me and take my foot off of the thing. It’s arms drop to the ground but it continues to click it’s teeth.

I motion for the group to come over and tell Rebeca to finish it off. As she's bashes into it Abby taps my shoulder. I turn to her, raising an eyebrow.

“Don’t get annoyed.” She says

Instantly I feel the annoyance in me flair up.

“But you're a total badass.”

I feel my face heat up at her compliment and close proximity. Trying to figure out how to respond, I stammer out the first thing that comes to my mind.

“Why would that annoy me?”

“You got annoyed earlier when I complimented you on taking charge.”

The annoyance that was replaced by embarrassment flares up at her comment.

“Just be quiet.” I tell her

Turning away I see the blue above the zombie become a black. Rabeca’s gaze glazes over as she reads something invisible before her.

“Alright I got the screen with the choices.” She says.

“Good then it’s time to head back. Keep an eye out for danger.” I say.

We turn around and head down Everett towards our building. Leading the group we reach the first intersection. Looking up and down I find nothing close enough to be of much danger. We dart across the intersection and reach the intersection of Third and Everett.

Looking to the north I see zombies shambling further away from us. Looking south I see a single zombie enter the intersection of Stone and Third from behind the building. It turns to me and I feel it’s gaze lock on me.

It howls in a sharp high pitched tone. Then it sprints towards me. As it gets closer the light above it’s head flashes into view as red. My heart sinks.

Banshee

Level: 20

HP: 100/100