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 8 - Trust and Treachery**

Ethan kept his hands raised as the group of survivors studied him. The woman with the rifle—clearly their leader—narrowed her eyes but gestured for him to step closer. Ash pulsed faintly in his arms, its leaves twitching as if sensing the tension in the air.

"Ethan," he replied, keeping his voice steady. "Just passing through."

The woman scoffed. "No one just 'passes through' anymore. Not without a group."

Ethan hesitated. He had always preferred to work alone, but he couldn't deny that finding allies, even temporary ones, might help. Still, he needed to be careful.

"I manage," he said simply. "Look, I don't want trouble. Just needed supplies."

A wiry man beside the woman grunted. "You sure did take your time sneaking around."

Ethan didn't respond. He had no reason to justify himself to them.

The woman studied him for another few moments before finally lowering her rifle. "I'm Kayla. This is my group." She motioned to the others—three men and another woman. "We're heading to a safe zone outside the city. If you're looking for somewhere to settle, you might want to come with us."

Ethan frowned. A safe zone? It sounded too good to be true.

Kayla exhaled. "The undead. The mutants. The raiders." Her expression darkened. "And whatever the hell else is out there."

Ethan glanced at Ash, then back at Kayla. He wasn't ready to put his faith in strangers, but he needed more information. "Where is this place?"

"About fifteen miles west," she said. "Old military installation. Some people have fortified it. Plenty of supplies, fresh water."

Fifteen miles was a long way in an apocalypse. Too many things could go wrong.

Before he could respond, one of the men, a burly guy with a scar down his cheek, muttered, "Why are we even talking to him? He could be a threat."

Kayla shot him a warning look. "And if we leave him out here, he could turn into another problem later. Better to know what we're dealing with."

Ethan smirked. "Appreciate the concern."

Kayla sighed. "Look, I'm not forcing you to come. But if you do, you pull your weight. We leave at dawn."

Ethan weighed his options. He didn't trust them, but information about this 'safe zone' was valuable. If it turned out to be a lie, he could always leave—or fight his way out.

"Fine," he said. "I'll go with you. For now."

Kayla nodded. "Good. But if you try anything…" She tapped the side of her rifle. "You won't like the outcome."

As the group settled in for the night, Ethan sat near the edge of their makeshift camp, Ash nestled beside him. He didn't fully trust these people, but for now, he'd play along.

Because in a world like this, trust could be the most dangerous weapon of all.