Chapter  15

August 11 2014, 12 10 a.m. Monday

The Aroma coming from the coffee was so strong and had that pleasant characteristic that makes you feel revitalized and awake. It had a rich and inviting scent, filled with hints of roasted beans and a subtle sweetness. The aroma wafted through the room.

Grey was lying on the floor behind the bakery shop counter, while his team was taking point in protecting the mayor's staff by rolling the truck upright, and securing the food that was supposedly going to be delivered to the city hall, ensuring that the mayor's remaining people would not go hungry. Despite the chaos outside, Grey couldn't help but be drawn to the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee, which provided a momentary escape from the tense situation. ,

Lailah saw his brother sitting upright; he was touching the wound in his upper chest, and she recalled that the small vial bottle of blood pendant was no longer around his neck. Lailah hugged her brother and thanked him for saving her, expressing her relief that he was still alive. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, especially after everything they had been through together. With tears in her eyes, she vowed to protect him and ensure their safety no matter what.

Grey brushed her hair and told her not to worry; he will never die until he gets to avenge their parents and make sure everything returns to normal, no matter the cost. He promised to be her guardian and shield her from any harm that might come her way.

Lailah felt a renewed sense of hope, knowing that they would face the challenges ahead together. Caleb and Seo Jun were inside the bakery; they were both two years younger than Grey and stood Five feet seven, three inches lower. than Grey,

They greeted their leader with delight. Seo Jun was Korean American and well-versed in hand-to-hand knife combat. gave a summary of what was happening. While Grey was unconscious, Malik took command of the situation because he was second in command.

He might not be a good tactician like Grey, but he was the type that doesn't get scared easily and was known for his bravery in the face of danger. Caleb, on the other hand, was a skilled hacker and had an uncanny ability to gather information quickly. Together, they formed a formidable team that complemented Grey's leadership skills.

Emma entered the abandoned bakery shop and saw that their leader was already up and was fine. She went to greet him with the usual loyal affection and gave a salute. Grey smiled and reminded her, they were still not part of the military, and all they were doing was just surviving. Emma nodded, understanding Grey's reminder.

She admired his ability to stay level-headed in such chaotic times. As they discussed their next move, Emma, a feisty five-foot-five Greek American of decent who was once meek and shy, but after getting influenced by Grey, is now one of the best in light tactical assault, known for her quick and strategic manoeuvres.

Grey was happy that they all were ok, went he felt something peculiar and his vision started to become hazy, everybody was still talking when suddenly everything stop and just stood still, as if time just stop and he was the only person who could move, when a sudden apperance of a person just appeared and that standing in front of him,

everybody around him just remains still , and the person was wearing a robe and smiled at him, the figure was in human form but the face was unrecognisable as if the mysterious person doesn't have a fixed facial form, it was a wierd thing to see as the person wearing the robe was non human, and the only thing that he could identify it was the calm peaceful aura it was imitating,

Grey knew this was the time were supernatural accurances was no longer a fictional matter, he look back and never took his eyes from it, and because it wasnt doing anything that could be considerd hostile, he just ask

"might I ask who you are? and what is happening?"

the person , pointed at his chest and said

"The blood now residing both in your body, is the salvation of humanity."

"God can never set foot on the realm of its creation, it's now up to you both to change the course of destiny and fate,"

Suddenly everything went back to normal; everybody was talking and moving again. Grey was now confused but didn't give out any reactions based on what just happened to him. Openly saying and questioning what just happened might lead to more confusion, so he kept it to himself, for now, trying to process the strange occurrence. He couldn't help but wonder if anyone else had noticed the sudden shift and if it had affected them in the same way. Grey decided to observe his surroundings closely, searching for any clues or signs that could explain the bizarre event.

Grey now felt differently; it was a feeling that he never had before, as if something within him had been opened but he could not pinpoint what it was, leaving him with a sense of unease and curiosity. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was more to this situation than meets the eye, and he resolved to delve deeper into uncovering the truth behind the mysterious occurrence.

Grey just stood up and asked his team to prepare to move and secure the package, as they needed to head back and report to the council about their encounter with this new treat. Maeve Thatcher was hearing some information on the dead Mutated Vile when she saw Grey come out and walk towards her. This made her emotional, so she just ran toward him and leaned forward. She placed him on his chest and murmured a little, "I am sorry!"

Everybody knew how Maeve saw Grey, and she also understood her feelings as they trained, ate, and spent their rest days together. Gray gently wrapped his arms around Maeve,

comforting her with a reassuring squeeze. He understood the weight of her apology and silently conveyed his forgiveness through their shared embrace. Their bond, forged through countless shared experiences, allowed them to understand each other without the need for words.

Lailah was standing near the two and mildly gave out a cough. and politely asked about her findings on the Mutate Vile, curious to hear if Maeve and Gray had any insights or information that could help her in her research. She knew that their deep connection often led to valuable insights, and she hoped that this time would be no different.

Grey heard the information and finally gave the reason why this grotesque monster was so violent and mad at him: these were the bullies he had badly beaten in the past. Maeve chimed in, explaining that the Mutate Vile had a unique ability to tap into individuals' memories and emotions, amplifying their negative experiences and turning them into uncontrollable rage.

This revelation shed light on why Grey had become a target for the creature's wrath, as Grey processed this revelation, he couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and regret for his past actions. The realization that his violent behaviour had fueled Mutate Vile's anger made him determined to find a way to stop it and make amends for his past mistakes. With Maeve's knowledge about the creature's abilities, they now had a better understanding of how to confront and neutralize the threat it posed.

Grey stood near the dead-fused, mutated Vile of those billies and thought about the circumstances that led them to end up in this form. Herey couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and empathy towards the mutated Vile. He realized that if they had been allowed to change their ways and find purpose in their lives, they could have turned out differently. when she heard a voice saying

"Release them from their torment and absolve their souls.

"Say these words and place your open hand above their dead bodies.

" With Authority from the one who reigns above heaven and hell, In his name, I absolve them of their sins!"

Suddenly the dead mutated Vile turned to ash and slowly weathered away. , Everybody saw this and was shocked to see what just happened. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of awe and disbelief as the crowd stood in silence, witnessing the miraculous transformation before their eyes. It was a moment that would forever be etched in their memories, a powerful reminder of the potential for redemption and the profound impact one person's actions can have on others.

Harvey asked Grey what just happened; he could not explain, but considering he just mentioned those words might be just a coincidence and there was nothing special, Esther and Levi gave their theory but suggested addressing this, because they still had a task to accomplish. Grey nodded and gave out his orders to proceed with the relief mission and return to Alpha.

stressing the importance of focusing on their mission rather than getting caught up in the mysterious event. As they continued on their journey, the incident lingered in their minds, leaving them with a sense of curiosity and a newfound appreciation for the power of human connection. They continued toward the fortified settlement, and people were all happy to see them again, as they were once the city's young generation and now their hope and salvation. The few religious leaders greeted them, gave their blessings, and offered their prayers.

Knowing that faith and a strong mind would keep the madness at bay and leave them alone to face the challenges of their journey, their squad felt a renewed sense of determination. They were reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and how it can transcend even the darkest of times. As they embraced the support and encouragement from the religious leaders, they carried with them a newfound strength that would guide them through whatever lay ahead.

As they unloaded the cargo, Grey, Saad, Caleb, Harvey, Seo Jun, and Emma started their patrol around the areas that were considered weak and had the possibility of a breach. Grey wanted to make sure that the mutated Vile they killed was just one of its kind and that no other Vile was roaming the area. He was talking to Saad and asking for his opinion on the said matter. Saad was a quiet person but never afraid to speak out if a certain situation needed vital attention.

Saad nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. He expressed his concern about the possibility of more mutated Vilre lurking nearby and suggested they increase their vigilance during the patrol. Grey appreciated Saad's input, and together they devised a plan to thoroughly search the area, ensuring the safety of their team and the cargo they were protecting.

Grey wanted to use the Metal cargo container that was at the River Army Depot. However, Saad voiced his reservations about relying solely on the Metal cargo container, citing its potential vulnerability to the mutated Vilre's attacks. He proposed exploring alternative options, such as reinforcing the container or considering a different location for obtaining materials, to minimize any potential risks. Grey agreed

a swarm og Ghouls were spotted near the residential buildings a few blocks from the city hall, they have been clearing the city every time they deliver supplies to the new settelment and they had to overcome so many hurdles even if they were accompanied by their seniors, killing the the citizen that once part of their city was heartbreaking , but seeing them turn into dead ghouls was more sad,

seeing this many was rather surprising considering they were sure they already have eliminated more than 60 percent of the Ghouls in the surrounding area, luckly bullets and normal weapons can kill them, even if they were face with hell hounds ,Harvey was counting quaetly how many times they went out and killed these undead beings,

Grey and the rest were in a crouching position, and I gave them orders by hand gestures and pointed to double-check their exact number. They went in pairs and went in three separate directions because they were always surrounded by items; they were trained to move like thieves and pickpockets and never accidentally bump into objects. Their movements were precise and calculated, ensuring that they remained undetected as they navigated through the crowded space. Each member of the team had undergone rigorous training to develop their stealth and agility, allowing them to seamlessly blend into their surroundings.

Grey and the rest were in a crouching position, and I gave them orders by hand gestures and pointed to double-check their exact number. They went in pairs and went in three separate directions because they were always surrounded by items; they were trained to move like thieves and pickpockets and never accidentally bump into objects.

Their movements were precise and calculated, ensuring that they remained undetected as they navigated through the crowded space. Each member of the team had undergone rigorous training to develop their stealth and agility, allowing them to seamlessly blend into their surroundings.

Grey was a good assistant instructor and teacher, based on what his uncle told him: Life must be seen as a daily struggle, and never let your guard down. Taking risks is inevitable, but knowing you can come out alive means never taking any risk that you will end up dying in the process, as his uncle mentions.

"That's just plain stupidity!"

All their Guns were equipped with newly developed suppressors that Seo Jun's father created with less noise, allowing them to operate covertly without drawing unnecessary attention. The suppressors were designed to muffle the sound of gunfire, making it difficult for enemies to pinpoint their location and giving them a tactical advantage in combat situations. and with their earpiece communication device,

which was just a normal Bluetooth earbud, they were able to reconfigure it to become an open-channel communication device, allowing them to communicate silently and securely without the need for any visible equipment. This innovative modification gave them the ability to exchange vital information and coordinate their movements without alerting their adversaries, further enhancing their stealth capabilities on the field.

Having the right people be part of their community was the proper decision: engineers builders, farmers, doctors, blacksmiths, chemists, aquaculturist, and are all under the influence of the military culture and mindset set, a diverse group of individuals brought a wide range of skills and expertise to the community.

this is to ensure its self-sufficiency and ability to adapt to various challenges. With their collective knowledge and military mindset, they were able to efficiently allocate resources, devise strategic plans, and maintain a strong sense of discipline within the community.

Grey, Saad, Caleb, Harvey, Seo Jun, and Emma were all in their position and Grey told everybody to mark all the targets for visual confirmation, secure firing are and be aware their targets can track them by smell sound and movement, one by one the confirmed and awaited final check from their leader, this was their routine every time they clear an area, constant reminding then not to be a hero, take risk but be sure to come out alive,

" targets were stationary, some stragglers are lurking within a few meters all confirm visuals!"

"Saad here, targets are marked at the parking lot east side, twenty Ghouls, no Vile detected, "

"Caleb here, targets are marked at the barber shop across the street with twenty-seven Ghouls confirmed, no Vile detected"

"Emma here, targets inside the residential buildings are unconfirmed, marking only those roaming the front ten-storey residential building, count ongoing,"

"Seo Jun here, assisting Emma location residential front building, be advised number confirmation is negative, changing position, wait for confirmation"

"Harvey here, suggesting aerial bombardment of the Building using

Milkor MGL?"

"Grey here, confirmed, how many rounds are at your disposal, "

"Harvey here, confirmed 6 fragmentation rounds, on the chamber, with 4 extra on hand"

"Seo Jun here, location now at the side alley in front of the Residential building, physically beside Emma, no visible Vile!"

" confirmation all in order?"

"aye!" x5

"Grey here, time to hunt guys, fire at will!"

August 11 2014, 2 18 p.m. Monday