The City of Ruins

He unsheathed his sword and beheaded the strange woman right away.

The Goddess's voice rang.  [New information is available.]

"Drop it."

He looked around, trying y understand the situation. The falling meteor... the pink smoke; something clicked. 

And the Goddess confirmed. 

[As you can see, when Charisma affects upon people, there are three types of reactions. 

There are those who accept it and become your loyals. 

There are those who twist the effects to their suiting of love, affection or lust and lose their minds. 

And then there are those who Rebel against the effects.

These effects are applicable as long as the user is alive.]

As he stood between the streets, in the windy daylight of morning air, several such strange people started were gathering before him.

[There is also more information regarding the Fragment of the Dammed that is now available.]

"Go ahead."

He moved through the crowd of these Zombie like creatures, unbothered, killing any that came near him. 

[The Fragment flocks to the strongest in it's vicinity. However, beyond a certain threshold level, the possessor can also willingly hold it back with them for a certain cost.]

"And what is the cost?" He asked as he casually killed five in one swipe, making his way towards a tall residential building in front of him. He wondered if no sane person is outside in fear of these abnormals.

[I am not allowed to disclose the terms of another's deal.]

"... once again." He made his way inside the building. It wasn't too spectacular but not shabby either. The walls and furniture made to dress the reception desk and the staircase reminded him of his own world. 

He climbed the stairs. 

One step. 

Two steps.

He soon stood on the first floor and rung every bell, checking each apartment. It was completely empty. 

He broke the doors and sought any useful item, though he found none. 

Then the second floor. 

Then the third. 

And then the fourth. 

He broke and entered room '403'. This apartment was quite different from the others. It seemed much more expensive, judging from the decor and furniture. 

He rummaged through the drawers and found three items. A book, a dagger, a ruby necklace. He put the items on the table and sat down comfortably before quickly moving his hands to examine the items.

First, he opened the book. It seemed like a photo record of a family's past. A red haired man, young and dashing, standing upon a pile of monsters. The same man fighting effortlessly against enemies with a smile. 

Soon a woman appeared among the photos. 

And then a little girl with matching red hair and red eyes.

As he flipped through the pages, the man got older, the little girl grew up and the woman disappeared. 

He tossed aside the book which seemed useless to him, and turned his attention to the dagger and the necklace. He then tucked them in separate segments of his coat.

'I wonder if I can sell the necklace', he thought as he moved to the next floor. 

After half an hour, he had reached the very top and the last floor. He stood before the room '901', and broke the door, once again not expecting anyone there. 

But to his surprise, a girl inside stood up in shock and ran over to the door, took over by panic and surprise. 

He quickly covered her mouth lest she screams. Before his eyes, the panic-stricken, fearful eyes were slowly turning quite...devotional? 

He signaled her to stay quiet and removed his hand. She weightlessly fell to her knees. 

"Master..." She called him. 

"Yes, I'm your master." And he answered her call.

The girl had striking red hair, a long slender body and a thin, pale face. 

"Tell me your name and occupation." He commanded.

She continued looking down, and answered like an obedient servant.  "My name is Sophia Ashver and I am a student."

"Ah. I see." It struck him that he would have been a student too had he completed his education... he pushed away the thoughts and decided to focus. 

"And why are all the other floors abandoned? Are there others on this floor?" That was the important question. 

We abandoned our rooms yesternight and came here, as many people were losing their minds and becoming Walkers. There are five other people on this floor."

She answered with a much softer tone, almost as if she wanted to express her pain, but couldn't.

Walkers. That's what they called those. He found it a fitting name.

They stood and exchanged gazes. Sophia looked at him like she was looking at her God.

[Sophia's God is looking at you!] And then her real God spoke. 

He shifted his gaze upwards.

[Sophia's God is angry at you!] And then he smirked. 

"Bring the other five here."

She nodded and finally lifted her head and herself. Then quietly made her way past him and beyond the broken door.

He waited patiently. What he needed right now was to find the strongest in this place. And take the Fragment from them. If they had also turned just as obedient, it would be a piece of cake. If they had turned rebellious, however....

She returned with the five people. And they kneeled before him. Three of them were young men, one was an elderly woman and the last was a child, sticking close to the elder. 

"Have any of you heard anything about something like 'Fragment of the Soul of the Dammed'?"

They collectively shook their heads. "No, master."

He had thought so. 

"Who is the strongest in the city?"

The others seemed to bow even lower and Sophia looked up, her eyes gleaming with something that might once have resembled pride. 

"My father, Ricardo Ashver, is the strongest."

His eyes narrowed and a sly grin took over his lips. He had clearly just struck gold. "Ah, that is very great. Can you call him here?"

She bowed her head again and spoke softly. 

"Yes, master."

The clockwork in his mind was racing. He explained meticulously the course of action to the others. 

He had a plan. 

________________________________________

'I hope she is alright...', the old man thought, as he made his way towards a certain building, killing any Walkers in his way.

He reached the entrance of this building so familiar to him and climbed the stairs. 

One step. 

Two steps.

Soon he stood on the first floor. He saw the broken doors and his expression hardened. 

Then the second floor. 

Then the third. 

And then the fourth. 

[Sophia's God is warning you!] [Your God is warning you!]

He stood on the floor and sensed a presence ahead. 

"I know you are there." He spoke with confidence.

A person emerged from beyond the turn of the stairs between the fourth and fifth floors.

King and Ricardo stood face to face.