helios300

Apocalypse, Survival, Crafting, Superpowers

Ethan Cross never expected to wake up in the middle of the apocalypse—let alone with a power straight out of a video game. Stranded in a ruined Nevada city overrun by undead and monstrous mutants, he quickly discovers his unique ability: Duplication. Any non-living object he touches can be copied, but with a catch—the duplicates degrade over time unless reinforced. Armed with this power and his Dimensional Storage, Ethan begins his fight for survival, crafting weapons, fortifying shelter, and outsmarting both the undead and desperate survivors.

But he’s not alone. His first and only companion is Ash, a small, sentient tree with the ability to detect danger, purify the air, and grow stronger by consuming organic matter. As Ethan scavenges, fights, and builds, Ash evolves, proving to be more than just a plant—it’s a powerful force against the horrors of the apocalypse.

From escaping a high-rise deathtrap to constructing a fortified haven, Ethan faces relentless threats: undead swarms, ruthless human factions, and grotesque mutated beasts. But the deeper he digs, the clearer the truth becomes—this plague wasn’t an accident. And the key to ending it lies within a hidden research facility, now a nest for nightmares.

With the world collapsing and an even greater force stirring in the shadows, Ethan must make a choice: continue as a lone wolf or forge a new civilization from the ruins. But survival isn’t just about weapons and walls—it’s about trust. And in a world where everything rots, even alliances can decay.

As the apocalypse enters its next stage, one thing is certain—Ethan will not be a pawn in someone else’s endgame.

Duplicator’s Apocalypse

**Chapter 2 - Meeting Ash** 3,075 word count

The moment the zombie lunged, Ethan reacted purely on instinct. His gamer reflexes, honed through years of high-speed action and survival games, kicked in. He sidestepped just as the creature's clawed hands swiped at his chest, the wind of the motion brushing against his jacket. Without hesitation, he drove the knife into the side of its head.

The blade sunk deep, but the zombie still twitched, its glowing eyes flickering with mindless hunger. Ethan yanked the knife free and shoved the creature down the stairs. It tumbled, landing in a grotesque heap several floors below.

Panting, Ethan wiped his blade against his jacket. "Okay, that was too close."

A rustling sound from his backpack made him pause. He turned his head slightly, feeling a faint warmth radiate from inside the bag.

Carefully, he unzipped his pack and pulled it out. The tiny plant quivered in his hands, its leaves glowing faintly with a pulsing green light. The roots extended slightly, shifting, moving, almost as if they were alive.

A sudden image flashed through his mind—not a memory, but something else. A sensation. A feeling of connection. Hunger, but not for food. For something deeper. Energy. Life.

The plant was… communicating with him.

His grip on it tightened slightly. "You… you're not just a normal plant, are you?"

The response was subtle but clear. The leaves rustled, and the roots twitched again, as if reaching for something unseen. Ethan didn't know how he understood, but he did.

This tree was alive. Not in the regular sense, but something more.

"You need to grow," he murmured. "And you need… fuel."

He glanced down the stairwell, his eyes landing on the unmoving zombie corpse at the bottom.

Testing his theory, Ethan carried the sapling down the steps, crouching near the body. As soon as he got close, the roots in his hands extended and twitched wildly, sensing the decaying flesh. Before he could change his mind, he lowered the sapling toward the corpse.

The transformation was immediate. The roots shot out like tendrils, piercing the flesh. The glow in the sapling intensified as it absorbed… something. The decay, the remnants of whatever force had animated the creature. Within seconds, the corpse shriveled, turning into a dry husk.

Ethan stared, fascinated and slightly horrified. "Well… that's new."

The sapling pulsed in his hands, its leaves unfurling slightly, its roots retracting. It had grown—barely, but enough for Ethan to notice.

He exhaled. "Alright, guess you're sticking with me. But you need a name." He thought for a moment, then smirked. "How about Ash? Seems fitting."

The plant gave a soft pulse in response, as if approving.

Tucking Ash securely into his backpack again, Ethan straightened and continued his descent. The stairwell was dangerous, but now he had something else on his side—something that could consume the enemies in his path.

And in this apocalypse, he'd need all the help he could get.