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 14 - The Depths Unleashed**

The figures moved like shadows come to life—quick, erratic, and disturbingly silent. Ethan barely had time to react before the first one lunged, its grotesque, elongated limbs stretching toward him. He twisted to the side, Ash's roots whipping forward in a sharp, jagged motion, impaling the creature through its chest.

For a second, it froze, head snapping downward to stare at the writhing roots piercing its body. Then, with an unnatural twitch, it twisted itself free, as if bones were optional. Its hollow eyes locked onto Ethan's, an empty hunger radiating from their glowing depths.

"Move!" Kayla shouted, firing her rifle. The gunshot roared through the cavern, the bullet striking one of the creatures square in the head. Instead of dropping, the thing merely staggered back, its flesh rippling like water before the wound sealed itself shut.

"They're regenerating," Brent spat, pumping his shotgun. "Not good."

Ethan swung his blade in a wide arc, slicing clean through the arm of another attacker. Black, viscous liquid sprayed from the wound, but just as quickly as the limb had been severed, the creature's flesh writhed, reforming the missing appendage.

Ash pulsed against Ethan's arm, sending a sharp warning through his nerves. A larger shape stirred in the darkness beyond the other creatures—a towering figure, its form less human and more like a tangled mass of roots and bone.

Ethan's mind raced. They couldn't fight these things directly. Not like this.

"We need to go. Now!" he barked, turning toward the far end of the chamber, where another tunnel yawned open into darkness.

Kayla and Brent didn't argue. They fired a few parting shots, not to kill, but to slow their pursuers. Then they ran.

The tunnel twisted and sloped downward. Ethan's breath came in sharp gasps as his boots pounded against the damp ground. Ash's roots lashed out behind him, swiping at the creatures that tried to follow.

"Where the hell are we going?" Brent hissed between breaths.

"Anywhere but there," Ethan shot back.

The walls of the tunnel changed as they went deeper. The carved symbols became more intricate, and the glowing veins of light pulsed faster, as if responding to their presence. The air grew thick, humming with energy that sent a chill down Ethan's spine.

Then, the tunnel opened into another cavern—this one even larger than the last.

A vast underground lake stretched before them, its surface disturbingly still. Stalactites dripped from the high ceiling, their pointed tips glowing faintly. In the center of the lake stood a massive stone structure, a temple-like monolith covered in more of the strange symbols.

But Ethan barely had time to take in the sight before the screeching of their pursuers echoed from behind.

Kayla scanned the water warily. "And if there's something in there?"

"We either take our chances with the lake," Ethan said grimly, "or with those things."

Brent groaned. "I hate this plan."

Without another word, Ethan waded into the water, keeping his grip on Ash firm. The liquid was ice-cold, sending a shock through his body as he pushed forward. Kayla and Brent followed, weapons held above the surface.

Halfway across, the water shifted.

A ripple spread outward from beneath them. Then another. Then, slowly, something enormous began rising from the depths.

Ethan's blood ran cold as a pair of glowing, blue eyes opened beneath the surface.