Chapter 19

As expected, it took some time for them to reach their destination. There was practically an ocean of cars on the main road, so even with two zombies clearing the way, they still got delayed. Most of the zombies present did not cause any major problems either. Alphonse was enough of a deterrent for them.

As for the zombies that couldn’t resist the scent of fresh human meat, well, they were quickly dispatched. Those that were a tad bit too invested in sniffing Tsuki were practically reduced into pieces.

The sun had nearly set when they finally reached the warehouse. Alphonse quickly took care of the few zombies present before signalling to Riot that they could come out now.

Alphonse: “Riot, go help Mercy and Veyn carry Steve out of the trailer. We’ll be using the third warehouse found in section B. Midori and Tsuki, you two go through the supplies and bring only the essentials. I’ll go clear the way and inspect the warehouse in the meanwhile. Don’t dally.”

Midori and Riot nodded while Tsuki let out a soft ‘be careful’, before all three went to do as asked.

The layout of the warehouses was a bit like a compass with the admistrative buliding situated in the middle.

Section A (where Alphonse and co entered): was situated at the south point and is where all petroleum products were stored.

Section B: was situated at the north point and is where all vehicles and spareparts were stored.

Section C: was situated at the west and is where all medical equipments were stored.

Section D: was situated at the east point all is where all perishables were stored.

Each section was independent from each other and had various subunits. Section B's route just happened to provide the quickest and easiest escape towards the mountainous region of Valacram. This place was isolated and unpopulated. The topography also provided great coverage from a defensive point of view. It would be the best place to construct a base.

After making sure that there was no danger, Alphonse browsed through the vehicles that were stored there while waiting for the others to arrive.

Alphonse: 'I didn't have the heart to tell Tsuki this, but that trailer is too impractical. We can't keep it; even though the idea of filling it with supplies was not a bad idea. It won't make it through the rough terrain of Valacram either.'

His thoughts were interrupted as his senses detected the others approaching.

"Woww! So many cars!" Tsuki exclaimed as he ran towards Alphonse.

" Of course. This section is dedicated to warehousing imported cars." Alphonse explained before turning to the others, "Let's get the camping gear and supplies settled while there is still a little light.'

****

All of them sat in a circle around a camping light. The sleeping bags had already been arranged and the eerie glow from the light created a strange atmosphere. Of course, all of this was mostly done for the sake of the humans. Zombies had no need for such things after all. With Tsuki being an exception, of course.

Alphonse sat with Tsuki on his left side and Midori on his right side. His team sat in front of them, nibbling on the little food that remained. Alphonse took this time to do the introductions.

"These are Veyn,Mercy, Riot and Steve. I've known them for a long time; they are trustworthy." Alphonse introduced.

Veyn had dark blue eyes and foxy eyes of the same colour. He was the same height as Alphonse and was slimly muscled.

Mercy was red-haired with hazel eyes. She was not that tall but was physically fit at view.

Riot had dark blonde hair with brown eyes. He was only a little taller that Mercy and was slimly muscled.

Steve, the one who got bitten, sported his black hair in a spiky short cut. He was taller than Alphonse and had a body densely packed with muscles.

" This brat here is Midori. We collected him along the way.” Alphonse introduced nonchalantly.

Midori: “Why are you saying it like you just casually picked a dirty bag by the road?!”

Alphonse gave him a quick glance, “If the shoe fits.”

Midori jaw dropped incredulously while Mercy burst out laughing at him.

Mercy: “Hahahahahaa ! I feel better about earlier now!”

Midori: “Shut up you stinky human!”

Mercy: “You were human too before! You stinky zombie!”

“Both of you. Shut up.” Alphonse interrupted.

There was no shouting ; no yelling. Just two simple sentences made all of them freeze. Well, one exception was Tsuki who was casually dozing off by Alphonse’s side. Said small zombie hugged Alphonse’s arm tighter while muttering ‘let me sleep baka…zzzzz’.

Alphonse softly caressed his head and after having ascertained that the other fell back asleep, he directed his gaze at Midori and Mercy.

Midori and Mercy sat rigidly under Alphonse’s dead stare.

Alphonse: “Are you both finished now?”

Both of them nodded quickly with a ‘Yes Sir!’

Alphonse: “Continuing from when I got interrupted; this little fool sleeping here is Tsuki.”

Veyn stared at said zombie with a strange gleam in his eyes, “ Tsuki? He is not a normal zombie, is he? He is sleeping, he ate the same food as us earlier and he can even cry….”

Alphonse: “He is a unique little zombie, that is for sure. And he is the reason we are not like other zombies.”

Mercy gasped, “is it because of his blood? Earlier you said his blood is only effective on those bitten.”

Alphonse: “Yes his blood is special. I have now ascertained that it is only effective on those infected by the zombie virus. Without this, well it is messily fatal.”

Riot: “Wah really?! Does this mean Steve has a chance?”

Alphonse: “ He does… if he survives the transformation. I won’t hide from you that it is extremely messy and painful. One dose will be enough for him since he hasn’t transformed yet. Midori is a testimony of that. I, on the other hand, had already transformed into a zombie for an indeterminable amount of time. So I needed more doses than him to get to my current state.”

Midori finally couldn’t keep his mouth shut, “Alphonse! Are you sure it’s safe to tell them all that?!”

Alphonse stared straight into Midori’s eyes, “Midori, I’ve known these people for years. We’ve been through hell and back together. We had to have each other’s back where we came from. We are practically family. They’ve never let me down even on the brink of death. You may not trust them now but you must trust my judgement.”

Midori searched Alphonse’s eyes before nodding and sitting back down with pursed lips. Alphonse reassured him with one last glance before continuing, “Another reason beside trust is because we are going all the help we need and trustworthy people in the future. We are safe right now because most humans are in hiding and the military forces are in chaos. But what do you think will happen in the future?”

Veyn clenched his fists, “ after a status quo has been established and they have gotten a foothold again, it is certain that the presence of fully functional zombies will be discovered. And the military will do what it has always done, seize them while their numbers are still contained and obtain the secret of this phenomena to strengthen their own army. Human greed knows no bounds after all. You would all be guinea pigs being tortured in labs for the sake of research. More specifically, him.” Veyn said while nodding in Tsuki’s direction.

Alphonse nodded calmly while Mercy slammed her fist on her thighs while exclaiming ‘those bastards!’

Rio asked gravely, “What plans do you have Alphonse?”

Alphonse: “We’ve always had our freedom restricted and now is our chance to break free. The human population has been greatly diminished and their power are currently restricted. Fear of the unknown is still lagging them. So we can act and take advantage of this time-lapse. It is safe to say that right now, the number of zombies far exceeds those of humans.”

Veyn suddenly stood up and gasped excitedly, “You mean…..!”

Alphonse smirked before he stood up with Tsuki in his arms,“Yes. We are stronger than them and we have the advantage of numbers. They are also greatly destabilised right now.” He said while gently laying Tsuki down on a sleeping bag. “I also won’t allow them to hurt Tsuki nor us.”

He stood back up and faced his companions, “So how about we create something that will allow us our freedom? Something so strong that the humans will not dare attack us. A place where we will not be ‘abnormal’. A place where we can live in harmony. A place where they won’t dare do anything to us…… How about we build our own empire?”

“AN EMPIRE FOR THE DEAD!” Alphonse finished with his arms wide open.

Right now, with the camping light illuminating his silver hair, his cruel charisma and fierce red eyes; he looked like an unstoppable conqueror. Even without the garb.

He looked like an UNDEAD KING.