《Winds of chaos in the head of a novice writer.》


 What was it about tigers and their spots?

    "Haaah!" a deep and exasperated breath escaped my lungs, as if I had fought against an unseen force, choking me out. My lungs were hurting, my head dizzy and my legs felt like jelly. Were I standing at this moment, I would have, without a doubt in my mind, fallen on my ass, embarrassing myself in front of however many people were around me at the time. Luckily, I was in my bed, the pale light of the moon shining in through the mirror. Full moon, with just the slightest amount of purple miasma in the air, making the sight unforgettable. And unforgettable it was, for I could easily place the time and place I saw a sight like this.


    Ten years ago. The first night after enrolling in the defenders academy- and institution founded to combat the flood and the monsters it brought with them. Ten long years of fighting against hordes and hordes of monsters. Pushing them back time and again. Fighting until our hands bled from the bruises the endless hilt holding inflicted. The screams and cries of your dying friends as they were overwhelmed by yet another monster wave.


    Those moments were the hardest. The screams haunting my dreams for a long while, until the death of yet another friend and then theirs were the screams that haunted me. And yet, for all the pain and suffering that the fight put us through, for all the nightmares and heartbreak they brought along with them, the alternative was far, far worse. The promised death of all those waiting back home- friends, family, lovers. If the flood was not stopped, not pushed back, all would be lost. Yet another plane devoured by the never ending and eternally hungering maw.


    And if all of that was not a kick in the gut for a traveler of the worlds who grew far too attached to the people around him, then the slight taste of final despair and betrayal should do the trick. Oh yes. This was not the first time I had jumped worlds, nor would it be the last, I reckoned. There was the slightest difference though this time. You see, whenever I defeat a monster of considerable power, my bloodline devours a slight amount of their powers. It has served me countless times, making me stronger in the long run. And now, since it had not worked any time before, A temporal shift was activated upon my death, bringing me back here, giving me yet another chance to go through this damn world. Seeing yet once again as my friends died, as group after group was overwhelmed. The worst thing of it all? I had nowhere near enough time to change things.


    Sure. Ten long years have passed, theoretically giving me plenty of time to prepare, to forge plans and strategies utilizing my knowledge to the best of my ability, and that was a simple matter for someone with my particular skill set. And yet, I also knew that I would be deployed the day after. I was no one in this world. Actually, I was considered worse than no one- just a lowly commoner with slight affinity for mana- a good enough material for the front line meatshields, powering the force shields and protecting the precious noble born mages as they rained fire upon the battlefield. And if they accidentally his some of those meat shields? It did not matter. Not like they could not just send more. The force shields could whether the hits after all.


    And so, I gritted my teeth and tried to go back to sleep, tossing and turning the remainder of the night. If there was anything that occupied my mind the most, it was the betrayal. The blade in my back as we had slain the last monster, the gatekeeper of the flood, saving the world from this nightmare, ending the ever present fear and uncertainty plaguing our minds. Edgar. The softie that I am, I could easily understand his plight as well as my own. A noble born son, his father executed for abandoning his post, losing a notable defensive location. As the heir apparent he was then sent to serve alongside the commoners, to atone for his bloodlines taint.


    And as expected, most of the people there looked at him with disdain. It was because of people like him that the rest of us were there. Still, he was a valuable asset, his bigger than average affinity and maan pool, result of centuries of selective breeding by his ancestors, allowed more of our squadron to survive. And as I noticed the painful, yet obvious truth, I did all that I could to keep the fold like me, the commoners and downtrodden, from shanking the arrogant young man with a chip the size of a mountain on his shoulder.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    And so, year went on after year, with me serving the role of a gatekeeper. I had saved plenty of the guys in our squad, proving my desire for us all to survive, no matter how begrudgingly others had to admit it. And, I did so again this do over. Time and time again I saved as many of my group as I could, all while doing my best to bring us all together. No longer was there the gatekeeper, the squad and the abandoned mut, as the others used to call Edgar, laughing of his disgraced and sullied bloodline. ''Hounds of the empire my ass!'' the men would laugh openly. ''I would at least die with dignity were I offered my pick on several virgin girls for my valliant bloodline to propagate!'' There were as many insults as guys in the squadron, growing by yet another when one of the guys was picked off.


    No, now there was only the squad. The accursed. The hungry. The undying. I had grown particularly good at the whole saving my men part, losing one guy for every hundred other squadrons lost. This efficiency of ours eventually brought us to somewhere I had not been the first time around. Still, with the accumulated experience of my past and current lives, I still managed to maintain an incredibly high survival rate. So much so that even the mage squad was warned to care with their attack spells.


    And as we fought and fought on, the squad grew closer. Sure, there were still casualties in our group, new people came in one after another. Sometimes someone was wounded bad enough that they would no longer were fit to serve and sent back, once again promising a new member for the squadron. And as the years went on, even Edgar was getting along with the men in the squad. I was pleased. My efforts were rewarded. The squad grew tighter, less and less en died and we pushed the flood back more and more. What used to be desperate struggle to even hold our line, had changed into slow, suffocatingly so, yet still push forward.


    I should have seen it back then. Much like the first time around, though it happened much faster on my second go around. You see, even on my first go at this shitty world, my abilities to keep my men alive and around was exceptional, no doubt earning the attention of the higher ups, their devious and always scheming minds immediately turning on their scheme machines. Curse me and my overly trusting personality. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...


    "Cough!" a large amount of blood left my throat as I coughed, the sword pierced through my torso from the back doing its intended purpose quite well. I could not help myself but struggle to turn my head to see the perpetrator, the corpse of the gatekeeper in front of me, and? Yes, of course it was Edgar. Where had I gone wrong? What could I have done better. Thankfully, my self depreciation was interrupted by Edgar himself, my actions this time clearly had crossed a line that caused him to vent openly.


    "You damn, filthy commoner. To have the gall to consider us on equal terms? INCONCEIVABLE!" he screamed the last word, as if demanding support from the other nobles of the squadron and the mage artillery. The then inhaled deeply, as he turned around and faced his compatriots. "THIS VICTORY WAS EARNED WITH THE BLOOD SWEAT AND SACRIFICE OF THE NOBLE BLOOD! LET OUR VALOR BE HEARD!"


    "Heh." I chuckled, coughing a copious amounts of blood blood once again, sensing the irritation of the man at my last act, the sword sealing the wound still giving me precious little moments. And to be honest, I was actually, finally, dont with this shity world.


    "What was it about tigers and their spots exactly? See you soon you damn bastard!" the last words escaped my lips as the sword was tugged, the last jolt of pain coursing through my body as it shut down.


    Temporal shift devoured.............


    Already existing ability. Replacing.......


    Error. Cannot be replaced........


    Merging.....


    Merge successful...


    Initiating......


    ''Ahhh, the sweet sound of revenge''...............

 All your victories are actually mine.

    Laios stood still, his eyes closed, even as three women diligently moved around, placing armour piece on his body after armour piece, double, or even triple checking after wards that each piece is also properly strengthened in its place, ensuring optimal protection and stability. All while he had a fourth woman lightly pressed against one of his flanks, her round belly indicating the late stage of the woman''s pregnancy. And yet, as Laios would attest, her derriere was still round and perfect fit in his hand, calming his mind perfectly before the coming fight.


    "That''s enough Laios. Maya, go take a seat. He has had enough. It has been almost half an hour. Go rest your legs." spoke on of the other three, quickly earning a slight groan of disapproval from Laios, and immediate response from teh pregnant Maya. "Yes mistress." and with that, Maya extracted herself from Laios'' hands and sat nearby, one of her hands landing on the round belly as she gazed at the remaining trio also finishing up their own tasks.


    "Come here Fionna. I just know you wanted a bit of these magical hands of mine on that precious bottom of yours as well." Laios laughed as his hands were quick to move, catching the ''mistress'' in their embrace and proceed to fondle those firm cheeks of the younger woman, causing her to both smile, as if actually achieving what she wanted, all the while pouting and berating the man.


    "I need you to get serious you big dumb oak! This is the last fight and I hear that your opponent is a mountain of a man, even more so than you are! If you are actually not careful, you might die out there." she scolded, sounding actually worried. Not something she would show all too often. And that was quite telling. The woman had spent most of her life watching warriors fight to the death in the arenas and she had learned to evaluate the fighters quite well.


    Losing the silly grin on his face and adopting a serious expression, he all the same kept lightly fondling the woman in his arms. "And I am. Trust me." his eyes were crystal clear, without the slightest hint of him fooling around, even as the hands kept their unholy work. "And besides, I remember all too well that you still want at least a few kids. And I am nothing if not a man who keeps his women satisfied." Replied, lifting her a bit higher to steal a long and passionate kiss, as Fionna''s arms wrapped around his neck, a minute later releasing him to reach past the man, receiving a helmet from one of the other two women who had helped him get armoured up.


    With the helmet on, Laios had no choice but to place Fionna on the ground, releasing the woman. He still had to finish his ritual and he had just enough time, his hands stretching to the sides, grabbing the remaining two and fondling their full breasts. "Wait for me my lovelies. Daddy will play with you all soon." He damn near purred as he was handed a shield, swords and a spear. Shield on his left hand, sword on his waist and spear in his right. He was armed, ready and locked, a sudden change of air around him coming to life as he stepped of the stone floor and on the sandy ground of the arena.


    He could hear quiet sound of drums and a couple other instruments as he walked through the corridor, a light awaiting him on the other end. Soon enough, just a few steps before he exited, he heard the word poetry of the new announcer, the old man having died a few months prior. Age took them all, and this man had been no exception, but Laios had to admit, the new guy, while obviously green behind the ears and making a rookie mistake here or there, was a jewel in the rough. How did the old money kept finding them, he had no idea, but he would always be grateful for what he had. Of course, it would all be for naught if he went and died today, so his reminiscing and kind self went to sleep once again, giving way to Laios the Hungry, Laios the Hundred Slayer, Laios the Immortal. There were almost as many names for him as fights he had fought by this point, and that was well in the hundreds, with him emerging victorious every time. And there is was, the roaring applause and cries of adoration, calling for his presence.


    Damn near ear deafening cheer exploded in the colosseum as Laios stepped inside the arena, his impressive frame dwarfing most other men. There, on the other side of the arena stood his opponent. Much like Fionna had said, the other fighter was a veritable mountain of muscles, some would say even more than him. And yet, for all that apparent disadvantage he seemingly had, being the smaller of the two giants, the crowd was chanting his name, his monikers. He was the champion. He was the pinnacle everyone strived to surpass. And today, he would become an immortal legend not only in the hearts of the fighters, but every spectator as well.


    Ten years. Ten, long and bloody years he had held the title of the champion, crushing everyone who stood in his path towards the top, and then anyone who had tried to steal his place on the throne. And now, he walked over towards the wall, a decorative ornament standing there, one last ''fruit'' on it remaining. He walked over, stabbed his spear in the ground, drew his sword and swung it, cutting the last fruit down. With the small ritual done, he turned around and walked over towards his opponent, reaching him a short few moments later.


    The announcer was also done by this time, having said all he had to, a breathtaking silence washing over the place. Then, the old monkey''s voice resounded over the arena, both chiding and mocking.


    "Ten years. For ten years you have reigned. For ten years you have done as you wish, no greater fighter existing in this world. But ow, the irony. On the last day of your rule, I have found the one to take you down! I am still too young to retire, you upstart. Ha ha ha ha ha ha." he laughed. "Ergh- hemm." he cleared his throat a few moments later. "That enough waiting I suppose." he raised a hand of his, a drumstick like object in his hand. And a moment later, he truck a metallic plate a clear sound resonating across the colosseum.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "I HAVE YOUR HEAD! DIE!!!!" screamed the enemy, his two handed axe cleaving down with extreme force. And yet, Laios the champion was here, not the lover, so it was relatively easy to avoid, all things considered. Then again, only he would be not only brave enough, but also skilled enough say such words, most other fighters would either already be chopped in half, or have their limbs broken. In the short span of several minutes, the enormous axe was swung time and time again, the speed or destructive power not lessening one bit. And as he dealing with the string of berserking trikes, every other strike feeling as though they became heavier and heavier, an interesting scene was forming on the old monkeys balcony.


    "Ahh, Fionna dear, give grampa his dear grandson. I have missed him dearly!" the master of the colosseum spoke as he stretched out his hand, his gaze shifting between Laios and the four year old kid following Fionna.


    "It would help if you stopped your effort on putting his father in the ground, you senile monkey." she scoffed, guiding the other three women from earlier along with her to the seats nearby.


    "No can do. We made a deal and we both know he would never back down." Fenix, the colosseum master replied, his gaze lovingly settling on both his only daughter and her first(for the time being) son. Gods knew she was going to end up pregnant with the next any time soon, what with how often they did it. Once she had her three servant ladies sitting besides her, she sighed. "Wanna play with grampa Atlas?" and only upon receiving a nod from the kid himself, would he left go of the boy who stammered over towards Fenix, who quickly grabbed the boy and lifted in his lap, the fight happening in the arena open to the boys eyes.


    "Bad Grampa!" the kid was smooth though, his small hands finding purchase in the older man''s beard. "Why hurt papa?" he asked with clear confusion and clear dislike.


    "Because he stole your mommy from me. Look how cold she treats me now. What if he steals your mommy from you too? Would you not want to punish him too?"


    The question had been clearly well planned ahead of time, the kid stopping in his tracks, his small mind trying to wrap around the problem presented before him. And unfortunately, he was indeed stuck. He loved his parents, of that there was no doubt, both spending time with him as much as possible. His father had even started to teach him the way of the sword to protect both his mother and younger siblings in the future. He was the next man of the house after Laios, and that was a big responsibility, one Atlas would carry with pride and ease, much like his name suggested. His was a fate to carry the world on his shoulders, and so he would start with his family instead.


    But if his father stole all of mothers attention, then some punishment would indeed be fair, but mom was angry at grampa, so he could not go and outright admit it, thus, a damning silence was all he could provide right now, earning a laughter from the elder man.


    "Ha ha ha ha ha. It''s fine kid. Your old man is as stubborn as a mule. There is no way he would just go and die that easily. I did not raise him like that. Nooo. He stole my daughter and now he will live his life making her happy. Or die trying. No middle ground allowed." the old man grinned, earning an eye roll from Fionna who was focused on the fight. but still listening to their conversation.


    Meanwhile, the larger muscle mountain, wildly swinging his meat chopper like axe of insane proportions was slowin down. For as seemingly powerful he was, Laios had immediately found more than a couple of holes in his opponents attack and defence. He had initially thought that to be a trap, but now it no longer seemed so. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry, a single mistake deciding the difference between life and death, and he was totally looking forward to the promised special time with the twin slaves. Damn, he had been waiting for ages for Fionna to give him the green light, those two were hers after all and yet to join their fun even once.


    Another thirty minutes later, covered in dust and sweat, he buried his sword into the skull of his opponent, ending the match, a roar of a majestic beast escaping his lips, drawing a cacophony of roars from the audience as well, concluding the match. A few minutes later, once the cheers and roars died down, Fenix standing at the front of his balcony, damn near victorious smirk on his face, skillfully masked by what appeared to be a scowl of once again foiled plan.


    "Time and time again have you foiled me. There is no better tale than that of a new champion rising over the fallen body of the last one. And while I could never find a warrior to best you in combat, I can still do so in other ways. Now then, retired champion, I ask thee this, will you take what''s already promised, or will you take this instead." he clapped his hands and from the same side the other fighter had come, a dark skinned goddess was brought out.


    "Well?" Fenix asked as Laios eyes damn near devoured the perfection before his eyes. What better to ignite a man who had just gone through a deadly battle than new conquest of female form? Fenix had him this time, he was sure, only to almost squawk when Laios replied.


    "A beauty near as fine as a lesser goddess no doubt. But I already have found mine." Laios smirked, his proud gaze locked on Fionna. His mind though was being honest, a slight spark there ''Look at her Fionna. I know you want her even more than I do. Does your old man not know who the real devourer among us is?''


    "Tch. So be it Laios. The undefeated. The immortal. Let your legend be forever recorded on the walls of this sacred place. Let them sing songs of your valor and proves."


    He then turned around and left the balcony. A real smile creeping across his aged features even as the cheers and roars deafened the stadium once more. ''tsk tsk tsk. My young prot¨¦g¨¦. Already close to your forties, yet still so simple and easy to read. You think I don''t know? Think I am unaware of my own daughters appetite? Why else did I push you so hard, trained like my own son. I made you for her. You never knew it, but I will always have the last laugh. All your victories have always been mine to begin with.'' Felix thought as he laughed. Damn, decades long schemes working as planned was far too fun. "I wonder if I have enough time for one more?" A savage grin crept on the old, dried up face as his mind whirled with pans.

 The new god of nature.

    Ray woke up as the first rays of the morning sun hit his face, the fresh smell of a forest assaulting his senses as he rose, reminding him of just how good the life was right now. As he slowly got up, he carefully extracted him from the entangled limbs. The two, beautiful redheads sleeping in the bed were still asleep, finally having gotten used to the safety of the place they now loved. For months had they ran, scraping by as they fought for their survival, escaping both the mutated beasts and the greedy humans that now roamed the earth, developing a habit of shallow sleep, waking at the smallest of noises. As he gazed down from their enormous tree house, he smiled and appreciated everything that he had now, remembering how it all started.


    Apocalypse. The end of civilisation. The Gods punishment. There were many names that the people surviving the collision called the event. Whatever name used, the result was still the same. There was no actual knowledge regarding what had started it all. Some say a meteor struck earth somewhere, escaping the sight of the satellites and all those numerous government organizations keeping track. Others say it was a weapons experiment gone horribly wrong, the scientists responsible for it all making a huge mistake in their calculations. Whatever the case, it did not truly matter, as the result was still the same.


    First, came the EMP. Electro Magnetic Impulse, frying all existing technology on the planet, resulting in numerous crashes, both cars and planes, causing countless casualties. Then the chaos started. Without the technology, it had only taken days for all hell to break loose. Riots, skyrocketing crime and lawlessness since people could not acquire any food and supplies without their credit cards and what not. As people started cannibalizing each other, both figuratively and soon enough literally, came the sand storms.


    It lasted for a few weeks, burying quite large areas in sand and changing the topography of the lands quite a bit, all while people still were fighting for survival. It was estimated that during these few weeks, more than half the population in the urban areas died, leaving only the best prepared and most ruthless to thrive. But that was only the beginning. It was after the storms that the true tests started. people noticed the speed with which the plant life died out, as if decided by a higher power that the world had to go in an early reset. It was odd though, since nobody could actually feel the lack of oxygen that was supposed to appear due to the extinction of plant life.


    And then, the beasts appeared. Creatures that resembled what had always lived besides humans, though in monstrous sizes and with acquired taste for flesh, though what else could they be feeding on, truth be asked? Plants were dying out in rapid speed and with no advanced tech working, people could not even try to start figuring out the reasons behind it all. Though not all was bad, as some would say, for the humans started to realize they too had come out for the better, with some people noticing paranormal abilities they had acquired.


    If only the world had not been going to shit as it had been, people could perhaps rejoice in the newfound, incredible things they could pull of. The abilities varied anywhere from physical prowess many times over the perceived human limits, allowing one to jump and and down multiple story buildings to the ability to control magnetic fields to a certain effect and everything in between. Still, the lack of food was an issue that demanded immediate solution, with the larger human congregations formed to try and collectively survive the end of the world asking these empowered individuals to hunt down and sustain their settlements, in turn receiving privileges and royalty treatment. Women, men, even children to spend the nights with. There was little these individuals were not allowed to enjoy, after all what was a small sacrifice to ensure the survival of the larger group.


    Ray was one such individual, though he was not part of any such settlement. He had been on a survival camping trip of sorts when the disaster struck, training and experiencing what it would be like to survive on his own after a tragedy had struck. He was a man in his late thirties, having both served in the military and now an owner of a small company creating games. Though he thought that all they made had to be based off of some kernels of truth and since they were making a survival game and due to his ideals and training he was out there on an island, preparing an extensive report to ensure their game came out gritty and realistic feeling, even if they decided to add some fantasy elements in the mix in the end.


    He had noticed the death of his tech, just like everyone else, though because of his old fashioned and some would say paranoid personality, he had been making a written copy as well, filing out a notebook with his observations and experiences, resulting in him switching over to old fashioned writing entirely for the time being. he had not panicked all that much, chalking it up to some nasty storm cooking his gear, expecting his guys to come by and replace it all once they were able, continuing with his task as planned.


    The storm had been much harder though, but he had persevered, his training and quick with providing him with plenty of ways to survive. The lack of other people in his vicinity helped though, as he only had to worry about what the nature could throw at him. It was about the time the storm was coming to and end that he realised he had changed, understanding his own mutation, or the awakened power as some would call, on an instinctual level. Since it was quite useful, though it did take him some time to realize just how amazing it was, he continued on, realizing that what he was facing was in no way a small, local issue. He would have been extracted already if that was the case. No, this was a problem on a larger scale.


    He did worry about his guys in the company, but since he did not have any family to care for and he loved being alive, the world being far too fun a place, he focused on his own survival first, developing his powers in the process. Some would say that his ability to command and control flora was useless, what with it dying out faster than the word could afford to, but that was until he realised he could ''order'' plants to mutate in ways he wanted them to and be capable of growth and survival in this new world of theirs.


    Creating a new world jungle as he moved forward, he was always both protected from whatever mutated creatures roamed the devastated lands as well as fed, the plants growing food for him to sustain his life. He had advanced, using all of the skills in his arsenal, along with his new ability to find his way home. He was already expecting absolute chaos and anarchy in the urban areas, but it was not until he actually reached the first city on his way that he realised just how bad it had gotten.


    Tribes of people roaming around, hunting each other to either rob their supplies or to consume the other groups, each looking out for their own. Some hunting the mutated beasts that roamed around, using them as sustenance should they succeed in bringing one down. Those without powers, or those with ones not suited for combat relegated to servants, if not outright slaves of those in charge. There had been plenty of people who, upon noticing him had tried to take him down, but thanks to his training and strengthened body, all thanks to some special fruits he had demanded to grow, he could take them all down.


    It was on the end of the second month since the apocalypse started that he ran into Natalie and Rika, the two women now sleeping peacefully in his bed. They had been running for a week or so, pursued by a group of guys who had seen them scraping by and had decided that the two beauties could relieve their needs. It was a sheer coincidence that Ray had appeared before them moments before they were caught up with, their last ounces of strength waning, their supplies having run out as they had been on a constant run. The group chasing them had caught up just moments later, the few human skulls used as decorations on their attires not giving the slightest ounce of humanity off of them.


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    Ray did not look much like the older guy in his late thirties anymore, resembling a buff and well trained young man in his mid to late twenties, not displaying the slightest of the problems most people dealt with in these trying times. His insanely good condition was instantly noticed by the leader of the group, stopping some solid ten to twenty meters away from Ray, the two redheads collapsed at his feet.


    "We want no trouble stranger, but those two are our prey." their leader spoke in english. "We have been tracking them for a few weeks now. If you would be so kind and hand hand them over, we will be on our way. This does not have to get ugly." he added, his muscles bulging visibly as he displayed an ability of his own, hoping Ray would recognise an evolved.


    "Please sir." heaving, begged the older of the two "Help us. I will do anything."


    The clothes she wore were quite shabby, worn and torn from the harsh conditions she had gone through, revealing more skin than intended as it had started to tear in certain places. And while quite dirty from all the running and hiding, he could still see the beauty underneath, with curves that could ignite fire in most men should she get the chance to tidy herself up. And while he would be lying if he said he did not consider the offer with some dirty thoughts in mind, the lack of a female companion for a few months doing it''s thing, he was still rational enough to solve the problem at hand first. Judging from the skulls the other group carried, they did not give Ray the best of impressions.


    "You may leave then and there will be no trouble. These two will stay with me though." Ray replied, causing the two, exhausted women to sigh in relief.


    "Afraid that is not quite possible man. We have spent quite a bit of resources tracking them and can''t just leave empty handed." the leader replied. Ray in response took off his large backpack and opened it, fishing out fist sized, black fruits. He placed ten of them on the ground and then put the backpack back on.


    "These ten fruits have five lobes each. Every lobe contains as much as six thousand calories, give or take plus some vital vitamins and amino acids. You will have to do with that. Or you can try and learn the hard way what happens if you don''t accept my offer." With his words said, people felt the ground tremble a little, realising just how dangerous Ray could be.


    "We will take the fruits then." the leader quickly deflated, his hands rising in surrender.


    "Wise choice." Ray replied, kneeling, carefully picking the two exhausted women from the ground, each in one of his hands and walked away, leaving the group alone. Wisely, the other group did not pursue Roy, allowing him to get away and find a secluded spot to stop and rest. He gave the two some of the fruits, explaining their properties and asking them to tell him what they knew, where they were going any anything else that could be of use.


    They thanked him, though were guarded around him as if expecting him to reveal his cannibalistic tendencies or worse, only eating the fruits after he had done the same, showing it was safe. They could not understand how Ray was so relaxed, as if the apocalypse had not affected him at all, with the younger woman, no older than eighteen even blurting out the question at one point, causing the two redhead to quickly get embarrassed and shy their eyes away.


    "Well, I am no beautiful pair of women for starters." he joked with a light laugh, earning a funny glare from the duo. "It is true though. Beauty in women is a double edged sword, doubly so in times like these. It can open you doors no others would have, but at the same time it paints a target on your backs. Men are simple like that. It is how you offered to do anything for my help, no doubt realising that your chances of survival were higher with me than that group of likely cannibals." his words caused a moment of awkward silence, him reminding of the promise spoken, though both women were now well aware he could just do as he pleased. Observing him now that they were well rested gave them no hope of escaping.


    "Lets go over there then." the older of the two spoke. "Rika does not need to see this." Natalie spoke as she began to stand up, stopped by the younger redhead Rika.


    "i will do it mom. It''s not safe for you now."


    "Shush now. Let mom figure things out. I have to protect you no matter what." Natalie shook her head.


    "Or you could not rush to decisions and sit down. While I would love to take you up on that promise, let''s save that for a time when we find a better place and have get ourselves a nice bath and stuff. Why ruin such pleasant activity?" Ray spoke, his reasoning both what he had said and hoping that his words would put the duo at ease around him. If they believed he was protecting them as they traveled to still have his fun, but detested the idea to ruin the experience, they might just relax around him, learning to trust and depend on him. The idea of living alone in a world without internet and all the fun stuff it offered was truly terrifying for Ray and natalie and Rika were the first people who had not been hostile towards him after the apocalypse started.


    That was how their journey started. They traveled for another month, getting to know each other better as Ray guided them, providing the fruits that sustained their group, eventually stumbling upon a rather nice place, the desolate surroundings not included. A rather large lake came into their view, with quite a large island visible in the center even from the shore, with tracks of humans passing by regularly, coming and going from multiple directions. Apparently the lake was a place quite a few groups took their water supplies from. No surprises there, the water was good for drinking, not something that was visible often.


    It was here that ray had offered to make their own place to live. All he needed was a place like this to start his sanctuary plan, something he had thought off for a while.


    "I know we should not be the ones to ask, seeing how you have quite literally kept us alive so far with your supplies, but there is nothing to sustain ourselves with here. You too surely must be running low as well by now." Natalie spoke, having come to appreciate Ray, looking towards him with as more than just their savior and she saw how Rika looked towards him as well. And she knew she was in her late thirties, while both Ray and Rika were young, very much so.


    "I told you I am an awakened, did I not?" Ray smiled as spoke.


    "Yes." nodded the duo.


    "Neither of you have asked me of my ability, have you now?"


    "Did not seem appropriate. We already are in your debt so much I don''t think I could ever hope to repay you, no matter how many times I would offer myself to you." Natalie said, a sad smile on her face.


    "It''s okay mom. Ray no doubt would not mind if we made him Oyakodon." Rika spoke, a large smile on her face, causing Ray to spit out the water he was drinking right now.


    "Where would we find chicken?" asked Natalie, stopping halfway in her sentence and blushing, realizing what her daughter meant.


    "Rika!" she exclaimed, clearly flustered, her eyes darting between her daugher and Ray.


    "How about I first make a place for us to live?" Ray asked a moment later, though his eyes kept darting between the two, beautiful women, his imagination running wild.


    He then took out a small piece of root from his backpack, placing it in the water. Moments later, the root started to grow in an astonishing rate, in mere minutes reaching a size that could easily support the three of them.


    "Hop on board!" Ray exclaimed, getting on first and gesturing for the duo to follow. Once all three were on, he guided the raft towards the island, reaching it mere minutes later.


    "This place seems perfect!" Ray exclaimed, looking towards the two women. "As I was saying, there is no reason to worry about my supplies, since I can just grow as much as I need. All that is necessary is light and water, something that can be found everywhere here, not to mention that a trees roots can reach deep enough to tap in the waters below as well." He smiled as Natalies and Rikas eyes widened in realization. "Yep. I can make this whole place green again." he spoke as he looked at the duo.


    "Just promise you will take care of Rika for me  no matter what, will you?" asked Natalie as she looked at Ray.


    "But there is so much more Nat." Ray spoke as he smiled. "You know," he smirked suddenly "I am actually almost forty years old." fishing out another, much smaller fruit from one of the pockets of his back, handing it to Natalie, causing both redheads to look at him in disbelief.


    -----------------


    It had taken Ray another month to reach the level the island was now at, dealing with the people from settlements around who had come for the water and noticed the sudden development of the island. He had established rules and laws that had to be followed to receive support from him, allowing the forest to grow further out around the lake. providing the people around with a reliable and nutritious food. It was clear to the people around that without him, nothing here would exist, ensuring that his word was law. Though Ray cared little to exercise his power, except for regular reports regarding the lawbreakers. He had all the time in the world now, so he, alongside Natalie and Rika would make sure that there was at least one place in this new, messed up word of theirs where people could still maintain humanity.