《The Earth’s Redemption Arc》Chapter 20
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The blazing sun outside beat down mercilessly. It would have been a perfect day for beach enthusiasts to get a golden tan if it weren't for the hectic harassment of zombies guarding the block below.
Lounging on sofas comfily, PQ never expected that he would one day, invite strangers over to his place. This little gathering under the living room chandelier filled the isolation in his heart.
"So, how's life?" Scuffing his bushy beard, the 5th neighbor whom PQ has never met before broke the awkward atmosphere. The man who looks like he was going through a mid-life crisis is Raphael, a rather poetic name that doesn't really fit well with his unkempt appearance.
Despite having the appearance of a middle-aged hobo, Raphael was actually a genius PhD graduate in engineering and had just turned 30 last month.
"Cut to the chase Raphael, we've gotta talk about this dude's insane powers." Eyes sparkling with admiration, the gothic teenage girl who built the impressive barricade downstairs rocked PQ's arm back and forth, raving about her savior's heroic deeds. "I didn't know superheroes actually existed!"
PQ answered back with an embarrassed smile, not knowing how to react to the petite girl latching onto his arm.
Dressed in an eclectic mix of clothing, Teresa had a rather unique style that encompasses her personality.
"Chill out Teresa, this young gentleman isn't trying to catch a case." Dragging her away to put a stop to her fangirling, Raphael bonked Teresa's forehead with the heel of his palms. Turning to PQ, he clasped his palm, bowing down with genuinty. "Thanks for saving us back there PQ. We appreciate it."
"Don't thank me for that, it's just basic human decency." Subduing his tone, PQ's flurry of hand gestures revealed his shyness around the compliments of others. "In fact, I'm the one impressed by your abilities. You guys really handled that monster well!"
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"You bet! I've been waiting to set up that trap of mine!" Dancing in jubilation, Teresa flaunted confidently, tapping her brain to emphasize her intellectual capability.
Chuckling, Raphael rubbed her head playfully. "Hey give me my credits! I designed the blueprint for you."
"But I invented the idea!" Teresa shook her head in denial, shrugging off Raphael's arm.
The dynamic between Raphael and Teresa was sweet, but it reminded PQ of his garrulous yet caring younger brother. He was at a school trip, far away from this city.
Without technology in such a vast, dangerous world, any human would be clueless and frightened. How could he revel in comfort while his family could be suffering out there!
The pride he manifested from defeating that monstrosity of a dog faded away, bringing him back to reality.
"Are you good man?"
Observing the somber glimmer in PQ's eyes, Raphael offered to comfort him, but PQ quickly brushed it off with a reassuring grin. "It's not as bad as you think Raphael. I'm just worried over my family's whereabouts…" He paused to entice himself with a positive mindset. "They're most likely safe. I'm sure of it."
Walking to the nonfunctional refrigerator, PQ diverted the focus back to his neighbors. "What about you two? Any family members you worried for?"
"No, not at all. I live alone and my parents has passed away years ago." Raphael replied, exchanging glances with Teresa. "She lives with her step mother. I'm pretty sure you've seen her already."
"Yeah you've definitely seen her PQ! She's the dead fat witch eaten by Chloe!" Teresa described the death of step mother nonchalantly as if it were part of a normal daily conversation. "I've always wanted to get rid of her."
"Couldn't you be a little more emotional about death Teresa?" Picking up a napkin from a tissue box, Raphael smeared off the black eye shadow concealing the dark circles under Teresa's eyes. "See? What have I been telling you. Stop binging the internet! Look at those early stages of under-eye bags."
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Stealing away the napkin from Raphael, Teresa ran to the other end of the living room and protested. "Hey! You ruined my beautiful makeup for PQ to enjoy!"
"See PQ! This is the result of easy internet access!" Carrying a tray of soft drinks and coasters over, PQ was bombarded with Raphael's cries of complaints. "There's so much gore and sexual content that corrupts the younger audience! She's so desensitized now!"
"Shut up Raphael! You're embarrassing me in front of my idol!"
The lively and chaotic atmosphere put a smile on PQ's face. Even though he was kind of an introvert, he still craved for interactions. Before the apocalypse occurred, he never had the initiative to allocate time and bond with his family. Looking back on his decisions, PQ could only bear remorse.
Placing the drinks down, PQ rest them on the coasters he brought. It was an involuntary habit he had developed thanks to his mother.
"Mom always did this to protect the table." Murmuring, the detrimental effects of home sicknesses struck. His heart felt hollow and barren. This comfy apartment wasn't his home. As long as his family weren't safely together, it would never feel like home.
If only he had taken half an hour of free time everyday to chat with his family, he wouldn't be this regretful.
But what if… what if he could one day reunite with his family? What if he could become strong enough to neglect all the dangers of the apocalypse and find his family himself? Was that the only way he could redeem himself and right his wrongs?
All of a sudden, an explosion of light ignited the morning sky.
Peeking at the blinding flash through his fingers, PQ was utterly stupefied.
"Is this nuclear Armageddon?"
Outshining the golden threads of the fiery sun, a grand condensation of light penetrated the stratosphere, beaming vertically into the city center like a massive pillar shouldering the infinite sky.
Pumping the planet, tremendous amounts of energy undulated within a fixed region as a rosy hue adorned it.
Persisting for mere seconds, the transient concentration of light vanished into thin air as abruptly as it appeared. All over the globe, massive obelisks erected at the locations of meteorite spottings, stunning the surviving populations. Like a drop of blood in an ocean infested with hungry sharks, established humans surged towards the obelisks, desperately seeking for hope and answers.
"Say, would you like to go on an adventure with me?"
"Huh?" Raphael and Teresa had ceased their bickering long ago, turning towards PQ with shocked expressions.
'Why would anyone leave this safe haven?!', was they would have exclaimed before witnessing the grand phenomenon outside.
After encountering a human with extraordinary superpowers beyond scientific explanation, they had no choice but to succumb to their fervid curiosity.
Clenching his fist, PQ felt the warm sensation pulsating intensely in his palms, as if trying to convince him to travel towards the towering obelisk.
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Agent of the Realm?
I am Seria, the goddess of life and death. I was fathered by Chaos and born by Order. I am the first ambassador who leaves the realm of Dedessia to make contact with the other realms. Dedessia is a harsh place, a place in which even immortals, demons and gods struggle to survive. Nonetheless, we carved a path for ourselves and created a great kingdom. Something to be proud of. I am their representative and the first to make contact with the other realms. Can you imagine my surprise when they greet me with a fireball to the face? Me, the one who governs life and death!? Well, my wrath should be the least of their fears. They should hope that my parents never pay them a visit. But until that happens I'll play a little... ——————————————————————————————— Reading Order of the Multiverse-Books ——————————————————————————————— Author’s Comment: I was asked about reading my work on other sites. The answer is simple: Currently I am not active in any other networks than royalroadl.com. Only here, I correct mistakes and errors. If you read it anywhere else and have to pay for it, or have to deal with an annoying amount of advertisement, You Are Being Betrayed. You would do good if you make other people in that network aware of it. This is a free project of mine for the purpose of having fun. And if people try to make money with it you shouldn’t bother visiting their website. The only one whom I actually allowed to have my work on his website is Armaell who invested the time to compile them into pdf. (http://armaell-library.net/author/andur)
8 147Conscripted
Just imagine a world in which the gods have to answer your prayers. You might think that such a world should be a paradise, but would all-powerful beings really be pleased about being teleported out of the shower? This is the direct Prequel to Until Death. ——————————————————————————————— Reading Order of the Multiverse-Books ———————————————————————————————
8 162New Spartan
This is the story of a man who's family was murdered. Then in a fit of rage he hunted down the men who took away the precious things in his life. Now he has be sentenced to a new hellish prison where the inmates are place in suspended animation and their minds are sent to a virtual world where the fight to entertain the rich with the hope of surviving long enough to be granted their freedom. This is the story of Captain Alexander Washington, code name Spartan. Follow him as he uses his military training and skills to try and survive in a hellish world where he and every other human are hunted for food, entertainment, and pleasure. Will he survive or he die with all of the other convicted criminals.
8 132The Guild of Black Sheep
A group of 9 members, in a fantasy world with litrpg elements, form together to become a guild. From meeting one another, to creating the guild ‘Black-sheep’ and the adventures from there on, will everyone achieve their own goals? (Thanks for Whisper for doing the cover.)
8 203RE: DIVINE
(Mature story with language, with possible sexual situations and gore later on) Partially a parody for people who complain of the influx of op reincarnated mc's. The main character died and won a prize for doing so. The prize? Divinity! Follow our main character in a realm where he is absolute!
8 75THE WHITE ROSE PAINTED WITH BLOOD
[ poetry story / teen fiction ] : about teens, who were afraid. NOTE : feel free to skip the entirety of book i ; autumn and jump straight to book ii ; winter // © 2021-2022 @uranium-girl
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