Learning About Zombies

It's been over a thousand years since the invasion began, and humanity still struggles to reclaim its lost territory. What was once a straightforward battle for survival has transformed into an ongoing war of attrition. The zombies, once slow, have evolved over centuries, adapting and growing in strength and coordination. What started as a chaotic, disorganized outbreak has turned into a formidable force that has overwhelmed vast swaths of the planet.

The war for territory, once a beacon of hope for humanity, now feels like a fleeting dream. Many of the reclaimed areas that were once hard-won were lost again just months after being retaken. It became apparent that simply taking back ground wasn't enough.

As a result, reclaiming land and defending it has become more of a symbolic gesture than a practical pursuit. The fight for territory has been relegated to secondary importance, with the focus shifting to survival and containment rather than conquest.

The cost of retaking territory, both in terms of lives lost and the depletion of resources, has become prohibitively high. A victory may only last weeks or months before the relentless tide of the undead reclaims it. Humanity has adapted as well, retreating into heavily fortified cities.

Most major settlements, after a thousand years of struggle, have had to abandon the notion of aggressive expansion. Instead, they've settled into a grim but practical approach: gradual expansion where possible, or simply holding the line to prevent collapse. These settlements are fortified strongholds, constantly battling against the encroaching tide of zombies and the internal strain that comes from dwindling resources. Each day is an act of survival, a delicate balancing act between securing vital supplies, maintaining a semblance of order, and keeping the dead at bay.

In these harsh times, the age of 14 marks a pivotal moment in a child's life. It's when they're expected to make a choice—one that will determine their role in the world for the rest of their lives. Each young person is asked to choose how they'll contribute to the survival of their settlement. They can stay within the walls, helping with farm work, manufacturing essential supplies, or working in medical facilities. Alternatively, they can join the mercenary forces—the brave few who venture beyond the walls to clear out zombies, hold back advancing hordes, and explore the world outside in search of vital resources. It's a dangerous life, filled with constant peril, but it pays handsomely.

However, the decision to become a mercenary is never easy. The dangers of the world beyond the walls are well known, and many have lost family members to the unforgiving nature of the wilderness.

For Ella, the decision was personal. Her husband, Marcus, had been a mercenary—a brave and determined man who left the settlement to fight the undead and protect what remained of humanity. It was a noble cause, but it came at a devastating price. Marcus contracted the Chao Vein sickness, a deadly disease that ravaged mercenaries who spent too much time in contaminated zones or inhaled large quantities of zombie spores.

Ella knew the risks all too well. She had seen firsthand the toll that the dangerous life of a mercenary took on a person, both physically and mentally. Now, as Levi—her only son—approached the age of 14, the prospect of him becoming a mercenary filled her with dread. Ella refused to let Levi follow the same path, unwilling to lose him.

Her refusal was rooted in love, in a mother's instinct to protect her child. She also knew that the world outside the settlement would not be kind to him.

So, Levi chose a different path—making symbiosis weapons. These were weapons that integrated organic, semi-living parts with mechanical components. Think of them as hybrid weapons, far more adaptable than traditional ones. They were a blend of technology and biology, creating tools that could evolve with the challenges of the post-apocalyptic world.

It was an ambitious choice. While other kids his age were out in the training fields, swinging swords or practicing with firearms, Levi needed to understand the creatures they fought against—the zombies.

As Levi stepped into his new class, he immediately noticed the diversity of students—some eager, others hesitant. The classroom itself was a well-lit, reinforced chamber, its walls lined with preserved zombie specimens, organic components, and half-formed symbiosis weapon prototypes floating in glass containers. The air carried a faint metallic tang, likely from the biological fluids and synthetic compounds used in their craft.

Despite the growing demand for symbiosis weapons, the knowledge required to craft anything beyond basic ones was locked away, hoarded by the upper echelons of society. The highborns—those born into privilege—controlled access to the most advanced research and materials. While they didn't outright despise ordinary citizens, their indifference was just as damaging. To truly gain access to better symbiosis weapon technology, one had to essentially enslave themselves to the elite—working tirelessly for scraps of information.

His class had over twenty students. Some, like Levi, were from the lower districts, hoping that mastering symbiosis weapons would provide a way out of mediocrity. Others were middle-tier citizens with enough resources to afford decent training but not enough to access the elite knowledge reserved for the highborns.

A tall, skinny woman with sharp features strode into the classroom. Her long black coat swayed slightly as she moved, the worn leather creaking with every step. A black patch covered her right eye, adding to her intimidating presence. Despite her thin frame, there was an air of authority about her—one that silenced the room the moment she arrived.

"I'm Lily. I'll be your physiology instructor," she said in a sharp, no-nonsense tone. Her single eye scanned the room, assessing each student in turn.

Without wasting time, she launched into the lesson, her voice clipped and direct.

"Before you can create effective symbiosis weapons, you need to understand what you're working with—the enemy." She gestured toward the massive anatomical charts displayed on the walls—detailed depictions of zombies, their mutated organs, and enhanced muscle structures.

"There are different types of basic zombies," Lily continued, pacing as she spoke. "The lowest level are the shamblers—slow, predictable, and barely a threat unless they gather in large numbers."

She tapped the board, shifting the projection to a leaner, more grotesque figure with elongated limbs and claw-like hands. "Then there are runners—fast, vicious, and able to adapt. If you hesitate, they'll rip out your throat before you can lift a weapon."

Her expression darkened as she flipped to the next type—a monstrous, hulking figure with rock-like protrusions along its arms. "Brutes. Stronger, tougher. Their bodies adapt to damage, and they don't go down easily."

Then, her voice dropped slightly, her gaze locking onto each student with a warning. "And then, the worst of the basic types—the elementals. These creatures don't just rely on raw strength or speed. Their mutations have granted them abilities—fire, ice, electricity, even toxic fumes. They use their powers on instinct to enhance themselves, making them faster or more elusive."

Levi listened attentively as Lily continued her lecture, her voice unwavering as she delved into a more dangerous category—the evolved zombies.

"Unlike elementals, these aren't just creatures that enhance themselves with elemental abilities," she said, her eye narrowing. "Evolved zombies don't just use raw elemental power; they use structured, deadly abilities. Their instincts are much sharper than those of basic zombies." She tapped the board, revealing a recorded battle clip. The class watched in silent horror as a massive, disfigured zombie lifted its decayed hand and conjured a swirling fireball before launching it at a squad of soldiers.

"Some can create fireballs; others can summon earth walls to shield themselves. There have even been reports of ones capable of regenerating almost instantly. The further they evolve, the less they resemble mindless monsters and the more they become true predators."

Levi swallowed hard. He had heard about them before from gossiping youths, but seeing the footage made it all too real. His mind raced through the possibilities, imagining the kind of weapons that could be created from such creatures.

But before he could fully process the thought—

A sharp, eerie chill shot from his spine to his head.

Levi's breath hitched. His heart pounded—

"Ahhh! Get away!" Levi screamed, startled.

Instinctively, he waved his hands in front of him, his chair screeching against the floor as he stumbled back. His eyes were locked on the air in front of him, wide with panic.

The entire class turned to stare. Some students chuckled; others whispered.

Lily let out a tired sigh and crossed her arms. "Levi," she said, her voice carrying a mix of exasperation. "Am I to assume it's the floating box you always mention?"

Levi panted, his pulse still racing as he slowly lowered his hands. "It—it is," he muttered, swallowing hard.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you have it under control by now?"

Levi clenched his fists, his face burning with embarrassment. "I—I thought I did," he mumbled.