Journey to Become the Zenith

The First Wave [Part-2]

”No... please...”

The horrified cries echoed across the battlefield, carrying fear, grief, and disbelief through the ranks of the defenders.

Many froze where they stood.

They simply couldn’t bring themselves to raise their weapons against the people they had lived beside for years. Faces they had shared meals with, laughed with, and fought alongside only moments ago now staggered toward them with lifeless eyes and twisted bodies.

That single moment of hesitation cost them everything.

The newly risen undead showed no mercy.

Former comrades became ruthless executioners.

Former brothers became mindless monsters.

A soldier lowered his sword, his voice trembling.

”T-Thomas... it’s me... don’t you remember?”

The corpse that had once been Thomas answered with nothing more than a guttural growl before driving its rusted blade straight through the man’s chest.

Blood splattered across the dirt.

The dying soldier stared at his friend with tear-filled eyes before the light slowly faded from them.

Only seconds later...

His own corpse began to twitch.

Then it rose.

Panic spread through the battlefield faster than the undead themselves.

Every defender who fell strengthened the enemy.

Every death became another nightmare waiting to happen.

Every fallen ally returned as another monster for the living to face.

Hope slipped away with terrifying speed.

”All of you retreat! RETREAT! RETREAT, I SAY!”

The desperate order rang across the battlefield.

The footmen, only now realizing the horrifying truth of the undead army, finally broke formation.

But it was already too late.

The retreat held no structure.

No discipline.

No command.

It became a desperate stampede.

Some soldiers sprinted toward Fantom City’s towering gates.

Others fled aimlessly across the scorched battlefield, their minds consumed by terror.

Several abandoned their weapons entirely, believing speed offered a better chance of survival than steel.

The undead pursued without slowing.

Without tiring.

Without fear.

Skeletal archers calmly drew their bows.

A storm of arrows darkened the sky before raining down upon the fleeing defenders.

One by one, men cried out as arrows pierced their backs.

Some collapsed instantly.

Others stumbled forward a few more desperate steps before skeletal warriors caught up to them.

The sound of steel striking flesh mixed with agonized screams echoed across the ruined plains.

Nearby, a wounded farmer struggled forward while supporting his injured friend over his shoulder.

Blood soaked both of their clothes.

Each step looked like it demanded every ounce of strength they had left.

”We’re... almost there...” the farmer panted, forcing a weak smile despite his pain. ”Don’t give up... we’ll make it...”

Before another step could be taken—

Thwip!

A single arrow tore through the air.

It pierced straight through the farmer’s back and emerged from his chest.

His body stiffened.

His eyes widened in shock.

The strength left his legs.

He collapsed beside the friend he had desperately tried to save.

Neither of them ever reached the city.

The undead advanced over their fallen bodies without even slowing.

Above them, on the towering walls of Fantom City, complete silence fell.

Hundreds watched the massacre unfold below.

Some soldiers gritted their teeth so hard their jaws trembled.

Others lowered their heads, unable to bear watching friends, neighbors, and family members die such horrific deaths.

The cries from below reached even the highest battlements.

Every scream felt like a knife twisting deeper into their hearts.

Every desperate plea echoed long after it had faded into silence.

Videl stood frozen atop the walls.

Her sapphire-blue eyes trembled as they reflected the horrifying battlefield below.

Her hands slowly curled into trembling fists until her knuckles turned completely white.

She recognized them.

So many familiar faces.

People who had smiled and greeted her every morning.

People who had laughed together during festivals.

People who had shared meals, stories, and dreams.

People who had willingly marched out today, believing they only needed to buy enough time for the city to survive.

One after another...

They fell.

Some were cut down.

Some were dragged beneath piles of undead.

Some rose again moments later as enemies.

Each death struck her heart like another crushing blow.

”I...”

Her breathing grew heavier.

”I can’t...”

She couldn’t keep watching.

Every instinct inside her screamed the same thing.

Help them.

Save them.

Do something.

Without another thought, Videl stepped forward.

Mana surged through her body as she prepared to leap from the city wall and throw herself into the battlefield.

Even if she died...

She refused to stand by while everyone else sacrificed themselves.

But before she could jump—

Two figures stepped directly into her path.

Eon.

And Clara.

”What are you two doing?!” Videl shouted, anger and desperation filling her voice. ”Get out of my way!”

”Calm down, girl!” Eon roared, planting himself firmly in front of her, refusing to move even an inch.

”Calm down?! People are dying out there, I need to go and save them!”

Videl’s voice trembled as it echoed across the battlements of Fantom City. Her sapphire-blue eyes remained fixed on the battlefield below, where desperate cries blended with the clash of steel and the hollow rattling of skeletal warriors. Every passing second claimed another life. Men she had trained with, laughed with, and promised to protect were falling one after another.

Her hands tightened into fists until her knuckles turned white.

”I can’t just watch...”

”You can’t do that. If you go and help now, how many do you think you can actually save? A hundred? A few dozen? A single person?” Clara spoke in an ice-cold tone as she glared at Videl.

Her words were harsh, but there wasn’t the slightest hint of cruelty behind them. She was forcing Videl to face reality.

”Does it matter? I’ll save as many as I can!”

”You really are nothing like Victor.” Clara’s voice remained cold, but every word landed with ruthless precision. ”He weighs every possibility before taking a step. He knows when to fight and when to endure. You, on the other hand, are letting your emotions control your judgment.”

She took another step forward, her unwavering gaze locking onto Videl’s.

”Sometimes I honestly wonder how a man as intelligent as Victor ended up falling for someone as reckless as you.”

The words struck Videl like a slap across the face.

Her breathing grew uneven. Her sapphire-blue eyes widened for a heartbeat before narrowing into a furious glare. Her fists trembled at her sides as anger, embarrassment, and hurt surged through her chest.

”What did you say...?”