New Threat

Six months after the explosion.

When the morning sun cast its warm glow over the desolate landscape, Ronan stood alongside Kevan and Lysandra, their gazes fixed on the rooftop garden they had meticulously tended, but their farming efforts didn't stop there.

Alongside the traditional soil-based cultivation, they dabbled in hydroponics, growing crops indoors without soil using water solutions packed with nutrients. And they also had their vertical farming setup, where crops grew in stacked layers, making the most of their limited space.

As they surveyed the devastation stretching out around them, Lysandra turned to Ronan. She had a question for him, one that had been on her mind since they began this journey of rebuilding. 

"Dad, why are you insisting to plant all the sunflowers, marigolds, and ferns everywhere around our place?" Her curious glance went over the variety of blossoming plants dotted over their land.

Ronan paused, considering her question carefully. "Well, I read that certain plants have been known to help. Countries affected by nuclear incidents, such as Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima in Japan, have used plants like sunflowers, marigolds, and ferns to help mitigate the effects of radiation. These plants are known for their ability to absorb radioactive particles from the soil. This approach has been part of ongoing efforts to restore and rehabilitate the environment in regions impacted by nuclear disasters."

Kevan nodded, his expression serious. "So, it could help make things safer for us?"

Ronan nodded. "Exactly. They can help in reducing the overall contamination levels in the affected areas. It's worth a shot."

As the days went by, they came to the horrifying truth. The cataclysmic disaster that had brought them here had altered the laws of society where existence was a daily struggle.

In fact, it turned out to be a total chaos and everything's had just gone completely haywire, with no order or sense left. It was as if all the usual rules had disappeared, and chaos was the new normal. It was a wild, unpredictable time, and the future seemed pretty grim.

They were stripped down to nothing but skin, blood, and bone. When everything else was taken away, it might seem like there was nothing left. But Lysandra refused to believe that.

She held onto the belief that deep within the flesh and bones, there was something more profound—a soul.

They were Sceyrians, a ragtag bunch if ever there was one, the world's underdogs, those tossed aside and shackled, united by their shared struggle. Their origins were steeped in oppression, but over time, they adapted, became more resilient, and waged a relentless battle for their independence and, ultimately, their very existence.

They had once seen themselves as resilient and capable, possessing the strength to defy the looming specter of death, and determined enough to overcome it in order to protect their loved ones.

Their goal was the same one for which countless predecessors had shed their blood, endured injuries, and fractured bones: to ensure the survival of their nation.

They were unbreakable, deep within, at the very core of their being. Countless had attempted, but none had succeeded in reaching their essence. Throughout their history, they had faced wars, terror, and diseases head-on, emerging each time as a formidable force.

What began as a bunch of folks merely sharing a homeland had transformed into a cohesive, unyielding unity. Together, side by side, their hearts beat as one, always prepared to go the distance to protect their beloved country and all that Sceyrians stood.

The apocalyptic impact turned their daily lives upside down in the blink of an eye. Gone were the comforts they had grown so accustomed to. Life as they knew it came crashing down, with power grids failing and technology rendered useless.

Electricity and technology became a distant memory, plunging them into darkness. No more smartphones, no more internet, and no more instant communication. The hum of machines and the glow of screens were replaced by an eerie silence and the soft flicker of candles.

As the conveniences of the digital age vanished, people relied on their ingenuity to adapt. Lacking the convenience of modern technology, they had to rediscover the old ways of doing things.

Without access to the internet, physical books, once considered relics, now held the key to preserving knowledge and wisdom in a realm where digital information had become a memory of the past.

The warmth of a wood-burning stove replaced central heating, candles and lanterns flickered where electric lights once shone. 

They also relied on solar power systems to generate electricity for essential tasks, such as charging communication devices and providing limited power for their new way of life. 

As the remnants of modern technology faded into the background, the world seemed to hurl back in time, reminiscent of the Stone Age. Instead of automobiles, people traveled by foot or horse-drawn carts on dirt roads.

Cooking and heating were done over open flames or wood-burning stoves, and the absence of electricity plunged homes into darkness each night, except for the faint glow of candles and oil lamps.

Agriculture and manual labor became vital for survival, as reliance on machines waned. Human rediscovered the essence of self-sufficiency, as the remnants of the past slowly faded into the annals of history.

Food preservation was a challenge as refrigerators ceased to function, and perishables became a luxury of the past.

People had to rely on their resourcefulness, preserving food through traditional methods like canning and drying. They learned how to farm, hunt, and gather, skills long forgotten but now essential for survival.

Somehow, they scrambled to survive, adapting to a sudden, primitive existence in a short span. 

Communication was no longer instantaneous; handwritten messages and messengers became the primary means of conveying information, instead of emails and texts.

Radio communication emerged as a crucial lifeline in the absence of electricity. With the power grid down, radios powered by batteries or hand-cranked generators became essential tools for staying connected and informed. Unlike other forms of communication that relied on physical delivery, radios offered real-time updates and instant access to information.

In this post-apocalyptic era, radios served multiple purposes. They provided a means of broadcasting emergency announcements, weather updates, and important news to the population at large. Community leaders used radio broadcasts to disseminate critical information, such as evacuation notices or safety instructions, to residents in affected areas.

Also, radios facilitated communication between remote settlements and outposts, allowing survivors to coordinate relief efforts, share resources, and exchange vital information about threats and dangers in their vicinity.

Radio networks formed the backbone of communication infrastructure, enabling isolated communities to stay connected and support each other in times of need.

Despite their importance, radios had their limitations. Limited battery life and the scarcity of replacement batteries posed challenges for long-term use. Furthermore, radio transmissions were susceptible to interference and jamming, making secure communication a concern in hostile environments.

Ronan sat at the makeshift table in their underground bunker, his brow furrowed with worry as he glanced over the latest reports.

His kids sat nearby in the dim lit room. They worked quietly, absorbed in their tasks. Kevan pored over maps, tracing paths and marking key spots with intense focus, while Lysandra meticulously checked their supplies, making sure they had enough of everything. 

"Kevan, Lys, the situation is getting worse out there," Ronan began, his voice heavy with concern. "It comes another new threat."

"What is it, dad?" Kevan asked, widening his eyes.

"I've been monitoring the updated information of the new regime. They are planning to spread a new plague," Ronan explained, gesturing to the data and charts laid out before them.

Lysandra's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she took in her father's words. "A new plague? But why? What possible reason could they have for spreading even more suffering and death?"

"It's the Crimson Fever, unleashed as a result of biochemical effect. It's a bioweapon, Viral Carnage Catalyst (VCC), intended to wipe out the increasing numbers of zombies but it has an adverse effect on humans. It's a relentless enemy that crept through the veins of humanity, claiming lives with ruthless efficiency. It isn't just a virus; it's a silent assassin, lurking in plain sight."

Lysandra's eyes widened with alarm. "How bad is it?"

"It's spreading rapidly without warning. People will be getting sick right away and there's no cure yet. This deadly disease is going to devastate the population. The mortality rate will be high, harming mostly women, children, and making childbirth a very risky attempt for both mothers and infants."

Kevan's expression turned grave as she voiced her concern, "What's the worst of it, Dad?"

"If we can't find a way to stop it, humanity as we know it will gradually become extinct. Without a cure, our future is bleak, with the very survival of our species at stake."

Gritting his teeth, Kevan clenched his fists. "What are our options, Dad?"

"Our options are limited, but it's not impossible," Ronan replied. "We need to keep everyone safe and containing the spread as much as possible. We need to focus on two fronts: prevention and cure. Firstly, we must do everything in our power to avoid further exposure to the contagion. This means strict quarantine measures, ensuring that our supplies are uncontaminated, and minimizing contact with potentially infected individuals."

"As for a cure, they're exploring every avenue of research available," he added. "From traditional medicine to experimental treatments, they're leaving no stone unturned. But progress is slow, and resources are scarce. We need to remain vigilant and resourceful if we have any hope of overcoming this threat."

With the deadly disease had devastated the population, fear and distrust grew even faster than contagion itself.

They had braced themselves for external threats, for diseases and disasters, but what blindsided them was the enemy within—neighbors, friends, and even their own flesh and blood. It was a foe they had never anticipated. They were utterly unprepared to wage a battle against an enemy they cherished and loved so deeply.

In the midst of all that chaos, violence erupted like a wildfire. People turned on each other, and it seemed like there was no end to the fighting. It was a grim and turbulent time, where anger and desperation often led to conflicts that left scars both physical and emotional.

They had become the Shadows, the survivors, those who had the strength to carry out the harsh tasks that had to be undertaken. Yet, each terrible act, every injury inflicted, every ounce of blood shed, and every life extinguished had a profound impact on them.

Once bound by the common goal of overcoming external threats, they now faced a new battle within themselves. The world had become a place of grim solitude, where individuals fought not only against the external horrors but also battled the demons of their own making.

The lines between friend and foe blurred, as trust became a scarce commodity. Humanity's resilience was put to the test like never before, and the fight for survival continued on multiple fronts—against the remnants of technology's destruction, insidious virus, the rise of zombies and mutant animals, and the internal struggles that threatened to tear them apart.

Those challanges may have taken the lives of their fellow humans, but it was they who had ultimately brought about their own downfall.