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 12 - The Abyss Stirs part 1**

The chamber pulsed with an unnatural energy, the eerie glow of the strange symbols casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. Ethan's breathing was steady despite the tension twisting in his gut. Ash curled its roots around his arm, sensing the growing danger. Kayla and Brent stood rigid beside him, their eyes scanning the cavern with cautious precision.

Brent swallowed hard. "I don't like this."

"None of us do," Kayla muttered, her hand hovering over her gun. "But turning back isn't an option."

Ethan ran his fingers along one of the glowing symbols. It was warm to the touch, pulsing as if alive. The moment his skin made contact, the air around them grew heavier. A deep, reverberating hum filled the chamber, echoing through the tunnels behind them.

At first, it was subtle—small shifts in the stone, dust trickling from unseen cracks. Then, the symbols brightened, their light throbbing like a heartbeat. The floor trembled, sending small ripples through the stagnant pools of water that had collected in the uneven terrain.

Kayla tensed. "Ethan, tell me you didn't just—"

A guttural, inhuman growl cut her off.

The walls peeled back as if something massive had been sleeping beneath the surface, and now, it was waking up. Shadowy figures began to emerge from the crevices, their bodies elongated and unnatural, their hollow eyes glowing with the same eerie light as the symbols.

Ethan yanked his knife free. "We need to move. Now."

The first creature lunged. It moved like liquid, its form shifting and twisting unnaturally as it darted toward them. Ethan barely had time to react before Ash's roots shot out, slamming into the entity. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but the creature only recoiled for a moment before surging forward again.

Brent fired his shotgun, the blast reverberating in the chamber. The creature staggered but did not fall. Instead, it let out a shriek that rattled their bones, calling more of its kind from the darkness.

Ethan grabbed Kayla's arm and pulled her toward a narrow passage that branched off to the left. "Run!"

They sprinted down the corridor, the sound of their pursuers close behind. The tunnel twisted and turned, deeper into the underground labyrinth. The deeper they went, the more the symbols seemed to come alive, their glow intensifying.

Ash pulsed against Ethan's arm, a warning vibrating through its roots. The passage was leading them somewhere—somewhere the creatures feared.

And that meant something worse was waiting ahead.

Brent, gasping for breath, barely managed to choke out, "This better not be a dead end."

The ground beneath them suddenly gave way.

They plunged into darkness, their screams swallowed by the abyss.