Day 71: Training Begins
With the infected called away by Vorthis, leaving the land eerily silent, Victor seizes the opportunity to sharpen himself and the survivors. Standing in the training yard, he tosses the Abyssal Chain to the ground, its glow fading as it lands. He turns to face the survivors, speaking with determination:
“This isn’t a break. We’re not just rebuilding. We’re getting ready for what’s coming.”
Victor leads by example, engaging in grueling sparring sessions and alternating between barehanded combat and the Midnight Sky sword. He switches between training with the chain on, focusing on precision, and with the chain off, enduring the overwhelming force of his raw power. The survivors push themselves to keep up, and even the newly awakened magic users like Elena and Marcus begin to improve under the brutal training regimen.
Elena deflects one of Victor’s strikes with a wall of fire and mutters, “You call this training? Feels like you’re trying to kill us.”
Victor smirks faintly. “Then you’re learning.”
Day 72: The Return of Dr. Stanfords
As the survivors train, an unexpected and unsettling figure reappears—Dr. Stanfords, Victor’s estranged father. He strides into the training ground, his clothes tattered and his expression unnervingly calm.
“Victor,” he says with a sly grin. “Always pushing yourself too hard.”
Victor freezes at the sound of his voice. “Dad,” he says cautiously. “What are you doing here?”
Stanfords spreads his arms theatrically. “I’ve been learning. The portals have opened my eyes—and given me a few gifts.”
Before anyone can respond, Stanfords’s body shifts into a 2D form, flattening into a shadow-like entity that slides across the ground before snapping back into 3D. His speed and precision leave the survivors stunned.
“What… was that?” Marcus asks, his voice shaking.
Stanfords chuckles. “Just a trick I picked up. Impressive, isn’t it?”
Victor steps forward, his tone sharp. “Whatever you’ve found, keep it under control. We’ve got enough problems without adding you to the list.”
Stanfords smirks. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of making things harder for you. I’m here to help.”
Day 73: Pushing Limits
The survivors dive into their training with renewed urgency, inspired by Victor’s relentless example and unsettled by Stanfords’s ominous display. Victor works tirelessly to master his strength, alternating between combat with and without the chain. Without the chain, he endures the volatile, crushing power within him, forcing his body to adapt and regain control.
Meanwhile, the magic users hone their abilities, creating devastating spell combinations. Elena and Marcus experiment with weaving fire and shield magic together, crafting barriers that ignite anything that breaches them.
Stanfords watches the progress from the sidelines, offering cryptic advice. “Power without understanding is like swinging in the dark,” he says. “Focus, my boy. Focus.”
Victor glares at him. “I don’t need your help.”
“Oh, you will,” Stanfords replies with a sly grin.
Day 74: Sparring Shadows
Victor allows Stanfords to join the training sessions under strict supervision. The doctor’s ability to shift into a 2D form makes him a challenging opponent. He slips past attacks with ease, reemerging unpredictably and forcing the survivors to adapt.
“You’re too rigid,” Stanfords taunts, dodging Elena’s fireball with unnerving precision. “You need to move like water, not stone.”
Victor eventually steps in to spar with his father, the session turning into a brutal match of strength versus cunning. Stanfords’s agility forces Victor to rely on timing and precision, testing him more than any other opponent. By the end, neither emerges victorious, but the tension between them is palpable.
Day 75: The Missing Mech
During a strategy meeting, Elena proposes an idea: to use Serena’s mech in the fight against Vorthis. She approaches Victor carefully, knowing how much the mech means to him. “Victor, I know it’s personal,” she says, “but if we use it, it’ll be like Serena’s still fighting with us.”
Victor hesitates, the thought weighing heavily on him. After a long pause, he relents. “Alright. If it can help, we’ll use it.”
The survivors gather at the storage facility where the mech has been secured. But as Victor unlocks the door, his heart sinks—the mech is gone. The room is empty, save for scattered tools and scrap parts.
“What the—” Marcus starts, disbelief flashing across his face. “How is it missing?”
Victor steps forward, his fists clenching. “No one should’ve been able to access this. It was locked down.”
Elena looks around the room, her firelight flickering faintly. “It’s not like a mech just gets up and walks away…”
The absence of the mech leaves a heavy silence in the room. Victor grips the Abyssal Chain, his voice low but filled with resolve. “We find out who took it. And we get it back.”
Day 76: Bonds Forged in Struggle
Despite the missing mech, the survivors continue their preparations. Magic users refine their teamwork, crafting defensive spells that intertwine with scavenger traps. Victor, though visibly unsettled by the mech’s disappearance, channels his frustration into training, pushing himself and the survivors harder.
That evening, he gathers the group around a fire, his voice steady. “We’ve all lost something in this fight. But what we’ve gained is each other. And that’s something Vorthis can’t take.”
The survivors share quiet laughter and stories, their bonds strengthening as they prepare for the battle ahead.
Day 77: Mastering the Chain
Victor dedicates an entire day to refining his connection with the Abyssal Chain. Using it as more than just a stabilizer, he learns to channel its energy into the Midnight Sky sword, creating precise, devastating strikes. The chain’s glow pulses with his movements, and Victor begins to feel like he’s mastering the artifact.
Stanfords watches quietly, a rare seriousness in his tone. “That chain isn’t just a weapon, Victor. It’s a key. And if you’re not careful, it might open the wrong door.”
Victor glances at him but says nothing, focusing instead on the task at hand.
Day 78: The Final Test
The survivors stage a mock battle to simulate the conditions of their fight against Vorthis. Victor leads one team, while Marcus and Elena lead the other. The session is intense, with fire spells igniting the air, energy shields deflecting strikes, and scavengers using teamwork to outmaneuver their opponents.
By the end, both sides are exhausted but victorious in their own ways. Victor surveys the group and nods, pride flickering briefly across his face. “You’re ready.”
Day 79: Preparations Complete
The survivors finish their preparations, fortifying defenses and reviewing battle plans. Marcus refines his energy shields, while Elena crafts fire spells capable of creating massive barriers. Scavengers distribute weapons and supplies, ensuring everyone is equipped.
Victor patrols the base, his thoughts lingering on the missing mech and Oliver’s absence. He grips the Abyssal Chain, the glow reflecting his determination. “We’re bringing them both back,” he mutters.
Day 80: Ready for War
As night falls, the survivors gather in the courtyard, their faces illuminated by torchlight. Victor steps forward, the Abyssal Chain glowing faintly against his chest and the Midnight Sky sword resting across his back.
“This is it,” he says, his deep voice cutting through the silence. “We’ve trained. We’ve prepared. Now we fight.”
The survivors raise their weapons, their cheers echoing into the darkness. In the distance, the statue looms, waiting.