Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

At this time, the Abyss Knight that Asad summoned was unlike any he had ever called before.

Normally, his Abyss Knights were clad in blackened steel with their weapons covered with deathly energy. Even their skeletal steeds were armored in shadow.

But this one was different... it was actually shining...

Golden armor covered its entire body!

It even had polished plates that reflected the dim light of the cavern...

Of course, its helmet was also made of gold, and even the lance it carried had golden brilliance.

Lastly, the horse beneath it was no ordinary skeletal steed... its armor was also plated with gold, including the single horn protruding from its forehead like a weapon.

The sight alone made the Zombie Lord hesitate for a brief moment.

Asad’s lips curled into a smile. ”I’m not sure if you’ve seen an Abyss Knight before... But this one... this one will kill you all for sure!. A guardian forged from the essence of the relics I carry.”

The golden Abyss Knight charged, its lance piercing through the first wave of armored zombies!

Each strike shattered bone and armor alike as the golden energy burning through its body seemed unstoppable. The horse even trampled lesser undead with its horn, skewering abominations with its dash!

Behind it, Asad summoned Skeleton Warriors as they advanced in ranks.

Shields locked in place while their spears continued thrusting...

They fought not like mindless summons but like soldiers under a general’s command.

Every movement and every strike were coordinated.

Soon, even wraiths swooped overhead, shrieking endlessly as they tore into the Zombie Lord’s minions!

Roooaaar!

Suddenly, the cavern shook as the Zombie Lord roared, raising its staff of bone.

Soon, dark energy gathered and dozens of zombies rose from the ground, clawing their way into the fray.

But Asad was ready.

He lifted his own staff, channeling his own Necromancer Spell of Domination. The weaker undead dazed as their eyes glowed differently! Just like that, they started, Asad’s command, turning against their master.

The battle became chaos.

The golden Abyss Knight carved a path straight toward the Zombie Lord with its lance glowing brighter with each strike.

Skeleton Warriors then clashed with the Lord’s elite guards...

Soon, Asad’s Skeleton King was summoned and smashed through barricades! It used its massive fists, crushing abominations into dust.

The Zombie Lord fought back, unleashing waves of decay that melted armor and bone.

But the golden Abyss Knight was not stopping!

It deflected the blasts with its shield, countering with thrusts that forced the Lord to retreat step by step.

Finally, Asad raised his staff high, chanting in a voice that echoed through the cavern.

Soon, his Skeleton Warriors charged forward in perfect formation, overwhelming the last of the Lord’s defenders.

”Crash them all! Let’s kill this Zombie Lord!”

Suddenly, the Abyss Knight lowered its lance as it was about to use a different move to end this battle!

Boom!

The impact was thunderous. The lance pierced the Zombie Lord’s chest, golden light erupting from the wound.

The creature then shrieked in pain as its body convulsed!

Soon, the Dark Energy binding it strengthened!

With one final roar, the Lord collapsed, its staff shattering, its army crumbling into dust.

[ You have eliminated a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]

[ New Title Unlocked: ]

Bony Scourge: Increases any type of defense by 30% and grants a 20% boost to damage against regenerating-type Zombies.

[ Additional Rewards: Silver Treasure Chest, 8,000 Experience Points, Territory Key Fragment ]

Silence fell.

The cavern was littered with broken bones and scorched corpses, but Asad’s army still stood.

”Perfect... I got decent rewards.”

The golden Abyss Knight reined its horse beside him before lowering its lance in salute before returning to the Underworld Realm.

***

”Now... I should find those things...” He muttered.

Asad’s breath echoed in the cavern as the dust settled.

The Zombie Lord was gone, its army reduced to fragments, but the Necromancer did not leave immediately.

He knew that this Lord often hoarded treasures, and this den was no exception. He was curious what he’d find.

He moved deeper into the chamber, his skeletal warriors forming a protective perimeter while wraiths hovered above, scanning for threats.

At this time, the walls were lined with crude alcoves, each filled with strange items the Lord had collected.

”Whoa~ Now... What do we have here?” He muttered as he looked around.

Rusted weapons, broken shields, and fragments of enchanted armor lay scattered. Their power was faint but still lingering.

One area contained jars of preserved organs, pulsing faintly with dark energy... Still, they were probably trophies or perhaps fuel for the Lord’s rituals.

In any case, another area had piles of coins and gemstones, clearly looted from fallen survivors.

Asad examined them briefly...

”Interesting... but useless,” he muttered. These trinkets were valuable to mortals, but his mission was far greater. He ignored the piles of wealth, stepping past them with cold focus.

Further in, he found something stranger... There were actually relics of different Survivors... They had banners torn from fortresses, medallions inscribed with runes, even fragments of some special blueprints.... It seemed the Zombie Lord had been collecting not just items, but symbols of power, perhaps in a twisted attempt to mimic human authority.

Asad’s eyes narrowed. ”So even the dead crave dominion.”

Finally, at the deepest part of the cavern, he saw them. Crystalline shards glowing faintly, embedded in a stone altar.

Gate Stones.

Not one, but several more than he had expected.

”Amazing... I completed my mission!”

Their light pulsed in rhythm, resonating with the relics he already carried.

Asad approached slowly...

He extended his hand, and the stones responded, vibrating as if recognizing his command. ”Perfect... Shane will be pleased. With these, the network will grow stronger than ever.”

He gathered them carefully, storing each within his enchanted satchel.

For some reason, they couldn’t store the stones inside their inventory...

In any case, it was only for a while...

The cavern’s treasures were stored in their inventory... Of course, it meant nothing compared to these artifacts.

The Gate Stones were the true prize, the key to survival and dominance in the apocalypse.

Asad turned back, his skeletal army falling into formation.

The mission was complete... the Zombie Lord defeated, and a total of 18 Gate Stones secured!

***

Asad sat against the cavern wall while his skeletal warriors stood guard. Soon, he unfolded a worn sheet of parchment.

The paper was covered in notes, symbols, and coordinates... his personal map of Gate Stone sightings. He traced his finger across the ink, stopping at a mark.

”This should be a decent last stop,” he muttered.

Soon, Asad sealed the Gate Stones with his Skeleton Scorpio...

Since he couldn’t store them, he could only have his undead carry it for him...

With that task complete, he allowed his army to fade back into the Underworld Realm, leaving him alone.

He wrapped himself in a tattered cloak, smeared ash across his face, and dulled his aura until he appeared no different from a weary survivor. To anyone watching, he was just another man who had escaped the jaws of death.

By dawn, he reached the outskirts of the Celestial Circle Clan’s shelter.

It was the area where Gate Stone traces were found...

It was information that only Travis could truly obtain.

”Ohhhh...”

Asad was impressed as he saw the shelter built into a hillside. The gates were reinforced with steel and adorned with banners of silver and blue.

Lanterns could be found along the walls, casting long shadows across the ground.

Asad approached slowly, limping as though injured.

It was already getting dark so the guards at the gate raised their weapons. ”Who goes there?” one demanded.

”A traveler,” Asad rasped, feigning exhaustion. ”I escaped a horde... I only seek food and rest.”

The guards exchanged wary glances before opening the gate.

Soon, Asad was checked for any Zombie infection and paid his fee before being able to enter...

Inside, the shelter was alive with activity.

Survivors carried crates, repaired armor, and tended to cooking fires.

The air smelled of broth and roasted meat....

Asad kept his head low, moving like a man grateful for safety.

Soon, he was escorted to an open area within the shelter...

Here, anyone could camp and use this place basically for free.

It was better than sleeping outside, where Zombies could suddenly jump on you.

”Here... Are you alone?” Suddenly, a woman approached him, carrying a bowl of stew...

”Yes... I’m just passing through this shelter.” Asad replied.

”Haha! We’re the same. Our group is heading towards the New Genesis Shelter owned by Shane. Are you also going there? Ahhh... Sorry, I’m Trisha by the way...”

”I’m not really heading there. Right, I’m Asad....” Asad replied as he finally looked at the woman.

She looked average, but she was definitely ready for a fight, considering how she was actually carrying a huge sword behind her.

Asad then smiled and lifted the bowl of stew... The warmth immediately started seeping into his hands.

He took a slow sip, letting the taste linger. It wasn’t much compared to the rations he carried, but after days of dust and blood, even simple broth felt like luxury.

Seeing this, the woman smiled...

”Stay close to our camp for your safety. There are too many visitors lately.”

”Got it...”

***

Later, Asad wandered the open camp area, blending in with the other travelers.

Some shared stories of battles, others traded scraps of gear. Asad listened quietly, never offering more than vague tales of escape...

Then, as he was listening, he soon realized that he couldn’t get the Gate Stone in this shelter.

Apparently, it would be a reward for a Martial Arts Tournament that the Celestial Circle Clan was about to hold!