Eye of the Storm Part-1

March 15

A kaleidoscope of vivid and surreal scenes begins to unfold before my eyes, engulfing my senses in a mesmerizing journey through the vast tapestry of interdimensional travel. The transition between universes is a spectacle that defies comprehension, and as I became a mere observer on this ethereal voyage, I witnessed a series of breathtaking phenomena.

If I'd not known better, I would have just thought that I just snorted something, but unlike everything in the past, all of this is not happening in my head but before my eyes.

My head was spinning, and it was hard to keep my eyes open, but I did nonetheless. The first thing I glimpsed was that of a swirling cosmic vortex, spinning with vibrant hues of pulsating energy. I find myself surrounded by a torrent of shimmering particles, akin to stardust, as they twirl and dance in a mesmerizing display of celestial choreography.

It's as if the very fabric of reality is being woven and unraveled before my eyes.

As I get sucked into that vortex, I catch glimpses of celestial bodies and breathtaking landscapes, each belonging to a distinct universe. I witnessed the majestic splendor of nebulae and star clusters, their vibrant colors and ethereal formations stretching across the cosmic expanse. Planets, both familiar and alien, loom large and rotate in graceful orbits.

The transition between the universes was accompanied by a symphony of sounds; it was hard to distinguish what sounds they were, but some rang clearer than the others. I could hear the cosmic hum of energy as well as the sounds of various life forms, both familiar and alien, evoking a sense of wonder and awe in me.

At this point, I had forgotten the unbearable headache and the twisting of my stomach. As I flowed through this cosmic vortex, as I was nearing the end of this interdimensional travel, I became an unwitting witness to a mesmerizing spectacle.

It is a spectacle of various life forms emerging from the vortex. Amidst the torrent of energy, my senses are inundated with a cascade of emotions, which I perceive as the flow of life, as if I were observing the essence of creation.

It is as though the vortex has become a conduit for the birth and demise of countless beings across a multitude of universes.

At first, it was just small specks of radiant light materializing and swiftly transforming into microscopic organisms. I am witnessing rapid growth and adaptation by observing the intricate process of cellular division and the formation of complex structures. This realm of creation unfolds before me, revealing the intricate beauty of life's building blocks.

I surrendered my body to the mesmerizing flow of life. As I delved deeper into the vortex, I encountered a diverse array of lifeforms, each unique in its appearance, behavior, and purpose. Some possess delicate wings, fluttering with ethereal grace, while others move with sleek precision, crawling with their countless legs.

The lifeforms continued to evolve and transform before my eyes. I witnessed their journey through various life stages, from the vulnerable fragility of infancy to the prime of their existence and finally to the graceful surrender of old age.

Time seems to accelerate and compress within this maelstrom of existence as generations pass in the blink of an eye. The evolution and communication of various life forms are achieved through the melodic harmonies of the universe bending together to form a cosmic chorus.

I witnessed not just animals but humans and several other humanoid creatures as well, along with sensing some pairs of eyes observing me that I wasn't able to observe back.

The dance of life reaches its climax as the beings complete their life cycle, their essence bending back into the swirling vortex from which they emerged. Their energy merges and intertwines, becoming a swirling tapestry of colors and forming a mesmerizing display of interwoven life forces. I witnessed the cycle of birth, growth, and dissolution, a remainder of the impermanence and interconnectedness of all things.

As I approach the end of my teleportation, the beautiful yet nihilistic scene of lifeforms gradually fades, replaced by the anticipation of my arrival in the new realm.

As I gradually near my destination, the cosmic vortex starts to dissipate, gradually revealing the new universe awaiting me. I witness the seamless transition from the dazzling cosmic tapestry to the unique characteristics of the selected universe. The scenery morphs and solidifies, unveiling landscapes both familiar and strange, where the laws of physics and reality may diverge from my previous experiences.

In the final moments of my teleportation, I am greeted by a rush of energy, as if the very essence of the universe embraces me, seamlessly integrating me into the fabric of the new reality.

I emerged from the teleportation process as the glitch in the space around me began to fade. I took my first steps in the new world, but my mind still lingered on the swirling dance of life within the cosmic vortex.

It served as a profound reminder of the beauty, fragility, and resilience inherent in the vast tapestry of existence. It served as a reminder for me that I too am a part of this grand cycle of life and death.

As I materialize in the new universe with Edward trailing behind me, I find myself thrust into a world shrouded in an eerie gloom. The air hangs heavy with a musty scent, and the faint sounds of distant, incomprehensible sounds echo through the desolate streets.

The cityscape stretches out before us, a haunting tableau of crumbling buildings, broken windows, and abandoned vehicles. Nature has begun to reclaim its territory as vines creep up the sides of structures and weeds sprout through the cracks in the pavement. The sky above is murky gray, casting a somber pall over our bleak surroundings.

Suddenly I grabbed my head as it began spinning. I had an urge to throw up while my vision was getting blurry. The agony lasted just for a moment as everything went back to normal.

"A few more jumps, and you'll get used to it."

Edward spoke as I surveyed the surroundings, my gaze taking in the signs of chaos and decay.

"It looks like we've landed in a nightmare."

There was a mix of concern and determination in my voice, but Edward seemed unhinged by the surroundings.

Right." He nodded. "We need to stick together and regroup since the denizens of this universe don't seem to be the friendly type."

As we cautiously navigate the desolate streets with our senses on high alert, we encounter the remnants of a once-thriving city. Storefronts are boarded up, graffiti adorns the walls, and overturned debris litters the sidewalks. The occasional gusts of wind sent whispers through the empty streets, adding to the eerie ambiance.

As we moved further, we spotted some movements in the distance. Me and Edward immediately took cover behind one of the many decaying vehicles lying on the streets. Peering through the shattered window, we see a group of...

"What are these things?"

It was hard to describe what they were; the surroundings reminded me of a zombie apocalypse, and thus I naturally expected zombies to be here, but these creatures seem more like aliens than zombies to me.

"Clones"

The answer clearly didn't help. Before me was a group of weirdly different-looking creatures; one looked like a human but with a tail and a pair of wings where one wing resembled an insect wing while the other resembled a bird's; there was another whom I could have mistaken for a human if not for his skinless face; and the other two, well, they looked like something straight out of a fantasy novel.

Not thinking about it further, I tightly grip my weapon, aiming at the one that seems more dangerous, the humanoid with wings.

Stop," Edward whispered in a low hum as he placed his hand on my aiming arm to stop me from firing a shot.

"We can't disclose our location to them; they possess a hive mind. We need to find a way to evade them."

I lowered the grip on my gun as I stared at these creatures. It was my fault for expecting anything to go my way. The multiverse is not that simple and predictable anyway.

My eyes darted around, searching for an escape route. In a normal zombie situation, getting to higher ground would have been the best course of action, but what can we do against an enemy who can fly?

We patiently waited for the group of four to move further so we could switch our positions. We carefully surveyed the surroundings and moved from one cover to another until our eyes focused on a single building that could give us a good vantage point.

Together, we stealthily navigate the maze of dilapidated buildings, our moments calculated and deliberate. As we neared the building, we ascended its crumbling fire escape, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and adrenaline. Soon enough, we entered the building, which was closed off for any normal undead clone to enter.

From our elevated position, I got a good look at the city below and the horde of monsters still shuffling through the streets. There were various shapes and sizes; some looked human while others looked like animals. Despite their differences in race and appearance, they were surprisingly well coordinated.

My eyes darted off to an unusually fast-moving creature that was climbing a building. Upon taking a good look at that creature, I wonder if I should call it a creature or creatures. It was a giant centipede, to be exact, but it was made of humans; yes, it had human legs and skin, with a giant abomination of a mouth.

Interdimensional travel might not have made me throw up, but this definitely did.

I take a deep breath and look at Edward, who is staring at the same scenery as me.

"We can't let fear consume us; there are way worse things in the multiverse than this."

I could merely nod, my gaze still fixed on the horizon, until I noticed something out of place.

Considering what I have been through after all this, I shouldn't consider anything out of place at all, but this is a phenomenon that shouldn't be in a zombie apocalypse.

Above the dark sky in some parts of the city floated a giant whale-like creature. It was hard to see from the ground since all the buildings covered up the sky, but now I could clearly witness this sight beyond imagination unfold before me.

The sky above seems to have transformed into an ethereal ocean, teeming with holographic representations of majestic deep-sea creatures. A colossal holographic whale glides gracefully through the air, its iridescent form casting a mesmerizing glow, while multiple shimmering schools of holographic fish dart and weave in intricate patterns.

This is a spectacle totally opposite of a zombie apocalypse; my eyes widen in awe, and my voice barely rises above a whisper.

"It's like an ocean has taken to the sky."

Edward grates up, his face still indifferent despite the surreal display.

"It's the storm's effect, as if the barrier between land and sea has been dissolved."

I didn't fully understand the concept of the storm, but I kept watching the holographic creatures move with grace that defied logic. The whale's massive tail breaches the holographic surface, creating ripples of shimmering light that cascade through the sky.

The holographic fish swim in synchronized harmony with a larger predator, eventually eating them. It was an incredibly beautiful display of light showcasing the aquatic ecosystem.

I was so lost in the beauty of the spectacle above that I forgot about the ugliness that awaited us below. Lost in contemplation, I let out a soft sigh.

"It's as if these holograms are a remnant of the world we've lost... The oceans, once a place of mystery and wonder, are now recreated in the skies above."

It's a poignant reflection of the beauty that once existed. A bittersweet remainder of the wonders we might never experience again.

We stand in silence, our gaze fixed on the ethereal display, allowing ourselves a moment's rest before we go back to navigating the horrifying landscape below. The holographic creatures dance, their movements imbued with an otherworldly grace.

The holographic whale emits a haunting call, its song resonating through the air as if mourning the loss of something.

Upon the whale's cry, even the howlings from the surface stopped, creating a moment of silence. Edward's voice then breaks the stillness, his tone filled with calmness.

"It's moments like these that remind me of the world that we are fighting to protect. It's not just survival, but the preservation of the very essence of life itself. We owe it to the beauty and wonder of our past to forge a future worth living."

I softened my graze and looked towards Edward, forgetting for a moment about the horrors below.

"You know, when I was a child, my dad used to say that the outside world is bleak and cutthroat, and we must strive to create moments of beauty and hope with our family to not let the darkness consume us, turning us into mindless demons navigating the hellscape called life. Perhaps one day the oceans will thrive again and these holographic creatures will have fulfilled their purpose."

Edward went silent on my reply. We merely watched the holographic whale dive back into the sky-ocean, leaving behind a trail of shimmering light. We both took a moment to absorb the profound scene of the resilience of life before we turned our attention back to the challenges that lie ahead.

It was like what my dad used to say; now I fully grasped the meaning of those seemingly simple words. This one moment of light buoyed my spirit with its fleeting sense of beauty in a world consumed by darkness.

Leaving the rooftop behind, Me and Edward make their way towards an isolated section of the city. The car we had spotted earlier, its windows covered in a thick layer of dust, sits abandoned on the side of the road. As we approach, the crunch of broken glass under our feet breaks the silence.

Edward peers inside the vehicle, assessing its condition.

"It's seen better days, but it might still get us where we need to go," he remarks, his voice tinged with cautious optimism.

I, standing guard nearby, keep a watchful eye on our surroundings.

"Let’s hope the engine still has some life left in it."

We climb into the weathered car, the worn leather seats creaking under our weight. Edward fumbles with the ignition, a spark of hope igniting as the engine roars to life. The sound cuts through the quiet streets, momentarily disturbing the dormant city.

As we navigate through the desolate roads, the broken buildings and abandoned homes blur past the car windows. Edward’s grip tightens on the steering wheel, his gaze focused on the path ahead. The occasional bump and jolt remind us of the world we now inhabit, a constant reminder of the uncertainty that lies beyond this vehicle’s metal shell.

Edward breaks the silence, his voice filled with a small hint of determination.

"We’re not alone in this. Our teammates are out there; we just need to find them."

I could merely nod, my eyes flickering with a mix of resolve and concern.

"I guess we can’t let them down."

As we drove, the atmosphere in the car oscillated between moments of tense silence and fleeting glimpses of camaraderie. The weight of this mission rests upon our shoulders, a shared burden that neither can shoulder alone. We occasionally exchanged glances whenever we thought there might be impending danger ahead, both of us understanding the unspoken support that we offer one another.

Honestly, I don't know what my role in all of this is yet. I had absolutely no help in all of this; it took me quite a while to find who I am among the memories of distant universes. To be honest, I felt like a burden Edward carried around. The only thing that I could offer is my combat ability, which I inherited from the memories of the rebellion leader from the first universe of the clone war.

While I was immersed in thinking, the car sputtered to a halt, its engine emitting a series of groans before falling silent. My eyes widened in frustration, and my voice was laced with disappointment.

"Damn it. It looks like our luck just ran out."

Edward remains calm, scanning the area for any signs of danger.

"This is to be expected when we were driving a car abandoned for who knows how long. No need to panic. We’ll have to continue on foot from here. Our base can’t be too far now."

Edward assessed the situation, occasionally taking a glimpse at his QS-Band for the location of our other teammates.

We step out of the immobilized car, our feet once again hitting the cracked pavement. The city’s eerie silence wraps around us like a shroud, broken only by the distant moans of the undead. With our resolve unshaken, We set off on foot, navigating through the treacherous terrain with determination etched on our faces.

As we trek through the desolate streets, our conversations fluctuate between practical strategies, snippets of personal memories, and moments of levity amidst the darkness. Our words, a blend of resilience and vulnerability, serve as a lifeline, keeping our spirits afloat in this seemingly unending nightmare.

With every step, We draw closer to our destination, our bond growing stronger, or so I think. Edward was quite stoic when I first met him; he was the no-nonsense type of guy. Well, he still is, but it seems he is willing to share snippets of his life in his original universe with me now.

Together, we pushed forward, our shared purpose propelling us towards the safety of our base, where I hope to find the remaining answers. There are so many things that I don't understand about my situation. My best bet currently is Aiden, who, I hope, can provide us with the information needed.

"Seems we arrived."

Edward broke the silence. In front of us stood a three-story building. It was old and not in the best of condition, but that was to be expected of a building from the zombie apocalypse. The walls of the building had mosses grow over them, nearly painting the white walls green, but it also helped blend the building with the nearby woods.

Aside from the mosses and vines enveloping the building, it had other external modifications. The building had long metal walls to fortify it from threats, and it had multiple turrets on its top floor.

The sky above the building had sea creatures floating above, creating a similar light show; it was the first time the sea was above a forest.

"Are you sure this is the place?"

But I held my own doubts; the building looked familiar—way too familiar. Something that I can't forget even if I want to, after all, it was related to Limbo.

"The band points out this location; is there something wrong with this building?"

Edward had every reason to become curious; we are in a zombie-filled world anyway, not to mention we are also being chased by a lunatic.

"On March 9, I found a photo of this same building in the pocket of that blue-hat guy who tried to kill me. When I tried to visit that place, I was killed by Limbo."

Edward flinched upon the mention of Limbo.

"He told me to stay out of this before killing me."

Various possibilities ran through my mind; the elephant in the room was that Aiden had betrayed us, but why? This seemed impossible, but I couldn't be sure since I had known him for less than a week.

"I don't think Aiden would betray us." As if sensing what I was thinking, Edward spoke.

"It's possible Limbo beat us into finding Aiden and others and is luring us here, but QS-Bands cannot be used by anyone other than their registered user."

But it's Limbo we're talking about.

I didn't say that out loud, but it's still a possibility. Limbo always had some weird trick, and to be honest, I still don't know what he is. He seemed to possess supernatural powers. Is there a universe where supernatural powers are commonplace? There could be, since there are infinite of them, but what is his goal?

Why would he want to stop us from repairing the Glitch? This question had always plagued my mind, but I just brushed it off as him being a psychopath with a twisted ideology.

"Why are you both just standing here?"

A sudden voice before us broke both me and Edward from our deep thinking states.

"Damien?"

Yeah, it's me."

Damien, the youngest member of our team, gave us a questioning look, finding us just standing here near the base.

"Why are you guys just standing here?"

"Where is everyone?" Edward asked hurriedly

"Inside, we were monitoring your position, but you eventually stopped here. Aiden thought you both might have encountered something that had skipped the radar, so I went to check on you both."

Now that he mentions it, Damien has a mechanical device on his back, which seems similar to that mechanical scythe that Edward used against Limbo.

"I apologize; it seems my paranoia was misplaced."

I quickly apologize, knowing that my blunder was caused by my paranoia.

No, you can't be too careful with this. That motherfucker is just way too unpredictable."

Damien, who was listening in on our conversations, didn't speak much. He could easily guess who this motherfucker in question is.

Inside the building, my eyes scan the surroundings. The walls, the corridors, the layout—all of it triggers a sense of déjà vu, as if I had been here before. A flicker of recognition danced in my mind, but the memory remained elusive, like a fragment from a distant dream.

Aiden and Noah stood before us, their expressions a mix of relief and determination. Noah maintained his stiff attitude, though.

Aiden steps forward, extending a hand to both of us.

"Welcome back. We’ve been waiting for you and Edward. It’s good to see you both safe."

I just shook Aiden’s hand, a glimmer of recognition flickering in my eyes.

"So...are you going to explain about this base?"

Edward chimed in, and Aiden calmly complied, giving us a tour of our new base of operations.

As Aiden leads us through the fortified base, he explains the intricacies of its defenses, highlighting the reinforced walls, surveillance systems, and hidden escape routes. Each step reveals the extent of the base’s fortification, leaving no doubt in our minds that this is a stronghold built to withstand the harshest of challenges.

"Why this universe, though?"

It was a question that had been on my mind as well, but it beat me to it.

"You see, while analyzing our previous encounters with Limbo, we found out that he can sense living beings, or more precisely, the living beings that are not affected by the glitch."

"In Layman's terms...?"

"Meaning he can pin-point the location of people who are normal, who just die when they are killed, and who are not jumping universes after their death. A human coming into contact with another will cause a change in their aura; normally he would be able to sense the person who is in contact with them, but if he is unable to... well, that pretty much means he either found us or another universe drifter."

"And thus you choose this universe, where there are no living humans."

Exactly. Well, there are still some surviving humans, but we would hardly interact with them, so that gives us time to work in peace."

I was quietly listening in on their conversation, but it would be an understatement to say that I was surprised after hearing that revelation. Limbo can sense the presence of all living humans, and there are infinite universes to boot.

Just who is this guy? I am also surprised by the lack of reaction from Edward; it's as if it were totally natural. But I had no time to be surprised by that, and thus I interjected between their conversation and my own question.

"Aren't clones classified as living beings as well?"

Edward told me that the undead here are clones, not humans turned zombies.

Well, they are not exactly clones." Aiden took a pause before explaining everything in detail.

"These creatures lack individuality; they lack a single brain. They are part of a machine hivemind, which is the central core of all the zombies on this planet. They are more of a silicon lifeform meant to constantly evolve while being controlled by an AI.

It suddenly turned from a zombie apocalypse to a dystopian sci-fi setting in an instant, but we had bigger problems to worry about now.

"The majority of the surviving humans fight with EMP weapons that can render a clone useless, but the central core would just spawn more of them since evolutionary data is stored there."

Aiden continued his explanation while he also showcased the entire base.

"The last is the basement, where the weapons are stored. The majority of them are the EMP ones."

It was a good thing that Limbo wouldn't be able to find us here, but we still had those clone zombies to worry about. We made our way towards the large basement, where the weapons room was separated by a large metallic gate.

As we approached the weapons room, anticipation mounted within me. The doors swing open, revealing a vast array of weaponry gleaming under the room’s stark lighting. It’s a sight that would make any warrior’s heart race, but amidst the impressive arsenal, something catches my attention.

Standing amidst the weapons, a man in a blue hat holds a menacing chainsaw, his gaze focused and intense. Shock floods mine and Edward’s faces as we exchange a quick glance, our memories of this man from the previous universes flooding back.