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 18 - The Guardian's Bargain**

The void around them pulsed, shifting like liquid darkness, neither fully formed nor completely empty. Ethan gritted his teeth, struggling to steady himself as reality twisted around him. The masked guardian stood at the center of it all, motionless, watching them with unseen eyes.

Kayla swore under her breath. "Where the hell are we?"

Ethan turned to the guardian, his patience wearing thin. "You pulled us out of there. Why? What is that thing?"

The guardian tilted its head slightly, the motion eerily precise. "It is what remains of an ancient hunger. A force that should have been erased."

Brent, rubbing his temples as if fighting a headache, grunted. "And I suppose you expect us to fight it?"

The masked figure hesitated for the first time. "No. You would not survive. Not yet."

The void around them trembled, its boundaries warping. Faint whispers drifted through the air—memories, echoes of things long forgotten. Ethan felt Ash's roots tighten around his wrist, the small tree quivering in response to the unnatural energy.

Ethan exhaled slowly. "Then what do you want from us?"

The guardian stepped forward, and for the first time, Ethan noticed the cracks spreading along its mask, as if the weight of centuries had finally begun to wear it down.

"There is a way to seal it again," the guardian said, voice thin like wind through hollow bones. "But the key was lost. Stolen by the foolish and the desperate."

Kayla's eyes narrowed. "You're talking about the artifact, aren't you?"

The guardian nodded. "The fragment you carry is part of what binds the beast. Without it, the prison weakens. If it shatters completely…"

The whispering around them intensified, carrying traces of screams, of a world swallowed whole.

Ethan exchanged glances with the others before looking back at the guardian. "Then we give it back. Simple."

The guardian's gaze seemed to pierce through him. "If only it were so. The artifact is tainted. It cannot simply be returned. It must be reforged in the depths of the ruins, within the heart of the last forge."

Brent let out a heavy sigh. "Of course there's a catch."

The void around them rippled violently, and the guardian suddenly turned, its form flickering. "The hunger senses us. It will not allow you to leave easily."

Ethan clenched his fists. "Then let's move before it catches up."

The guardian extended a hand, and the void folded in on itself once more. When the world solidified, they found themselves back within the ruins, but something was different. The walls pulsed with faint, golden veins of energy, and the air carried the scent of something ancient, something burning.

They stood before an enormous set of doors, embedded deep within the rock. Symbols like those on the monolith glowed faintly along its edges.

Kayla approached cautiously. "This the forge?"

The guardian inclined its head. "The last."

Ethan placed a hand on the cool surface of the door. "And what happens if we fail?"

The guardian didn't answer immediately. Then, softly, it spoke.

"Then the world will be devoured."

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Ethan took a deep breath and pushed against the doors. With a low groan, they began to open, revealing the darkness beyond. Flames flickered to life within, casting jagged shadows across the chamber.

**Chapter 18 - The Guardian’s Bargain**

Chapter 18 - The Guardian’s Bargain