Chapter 157: Chapter 154: Strange Illness (1)
Through the Seer, Blaze learned about many things. They had multiple branches spread throughout five states. Each branch had an end goal.
The branch in California, which was the headquarters, was tasked with killing all the so-called zombie lords in the state. Their plan was to make California a "safe haven" for humans.
Why California? Because the Blightlord liked the place. Also, it was where their cult had originated from and held a special place in their hearts.
That sentence there made Blaze want to puke.
He had assumed they chose California because of its strategic positioning. After all, since it was surrounded by the ocean on one side, it would be easier to fortify it.
I guess I expected too much from them.
Blaze shook his head as the Seer relayed to him more information regarding the cult’s operations.
Next were Nevada and Utah.
That’s where the cult’s most strenuous project was located. They were building a wall... a wall to shield the five states under the cult from zombie hordes and other threats.
"So, it’s the Great Wall of China, but within the States?"
"Yes, my lord," the Seer replied. "We have already completed the section in California, and about ten percent of it in Nevada."
Blaze didn’t know whether he could condemn them for their stupidity or praise them for their efforts.
There had been one such attempt before. To close off borders with a nearby country with an impenetrable wall. It started when the world hadn’t gone to shit and still faced a lot of challenges.
The cult was trying to replicate that on a smaller scale in the midst of a raging apocalypse.
"How are you people even getting the manpower... no, scratch that, I think I know how. Those initiates of yours are probably being used there."
Seer nodded, opening his mouth to praise the all-knowing lord, only to stop when he met Blaze’s glare.
"The materials. Constructing such a project would require a lot of materials. Where are you getting those from?"
The Seer shrugged.
Blaze got up, adjusting his new white suit. While he didn’t like it, it was the only one available with the cult, so he had to use it.
"Find out about it," Blaze said. "What about the other two states?"
"We’re in the middle of a recruitment drive there," Seer said, checking the notes. "The process is nearly complete in New Mexico, though it says they ran into a troublesome duo in Phoenix, Arizona."
"What trouble?"
"It seemed to be a chosen couple. One has the ability to run at high speeds, and the woman has an undisclosed ability. Their names—"
"Min and Neha..."
"That’s right, my lord... My lord?"
Blaze was shaking with fury. At least, that’s what the seer assumed. However, the next second, Blaze began laughing.
"Found you... finally."
Out of all coincidences, this one was beyond Blaze’s belief. Who would have thought he’d find out about them in such a manner?
Last time, they got away during the mess with the headless. But not this time.
No. Not yet. I don’t care about Min, but I can’t let Neha get away. That brain of hers is too precious.
"Forget about everything," he told the Seer. "Get me all the information you can about them. Their base, their strengths, their weaknesses, everything you can manage. Put the entire cult on them if you have to."
"At once, my lord."
"Before that, take a few men and get a teleportation circle up and running from my lair in San Diego. I’ll go ahead."
***
Meanwhile, in San Diego.
At the edge of the second spire’s range, a small silvery orb, unseen to the naked eye, floated around. It appeared to be looking for someone.
Some zombies turned their heads toward the orb, but didn’t see anything and continued on their patrol. The orb had no voice, just an erratic thought of revenge.
Wick couldn’t digest the fact that he could not contact the cult. The two prophets he had left behind knew about his immortality. He literally couldn’t die.
If he died as a zombie, he could shift into a human. If he died as a human, he would turn into a spirit. In theory, he should’ve been able to reincarnate as a human soon.
But that old fool is nowhere to be found!
They had discussed that in the event of his death, the prophets would arrive there. Wick had hoped to take over the old prophet’s body and then continue his journey as a zombie until a more suitable human was found.
Yet, it had been three days since Wick had arrived at the spot, and the prophets were nowhere in sight.
A zombie... should I try—no! This temptation... it’s a trap. I must not forget about my existence!
After finding himself in the blight zone, the first creature Wick came across was a zombie. Thinking nothing of it, he tried entering its body.
He assumed it wouldn’t be any different from what he was used to. As long as he had a physical body, he could find his way to a stronger undead and repeat the process until he found a human host.
Unfortunately, he forgot two important rules.
First, he could only take over an undead after assimilation. For which he required the table he had left in the cult’s base.
Second, the undead inside the spire did not have free will.
Blaze’s will was their will.
Still, he tried and successfully took over an undead. However, he had barely gained control when the rest of the undead turned on him.
They attacked and ripped him to shreds, forcing Wick back into the form of a wisp.
The zombies had noticed their brethren had disconnected from the spire’s influence, and Wick was killed and forced back into his spirit form.
It wouldn’t have been such a big issue if the corpses they had buried outside the spire were still there.
Those undead had already been assimilated into Wick’s consciousness. There would be no issues in taking over them.
If not for some stupid fucker who dug up all the corpses and took them!
The fucker in question was Blaze. While he wasn’t aware of Wick’s continued existence as a spirit, he saw the undead he had gathered as precious resources.
Hence, he instructed the Seer to have the cultists dig up all the corpses and dump them within the spire’s range. From there, the undead ants took them to the spire, where they waited for Blaze to resurrect them.
Wick saw his precious corpses being hauled away and could only curse. It was at that moment that he resigned to the fact that Blaze had taken over his precious cult.
That mere thought pissed him off.
Wick created the cult. He was their ruler and savior. Now, all of that belonged to Blaze, not the other way around.
I was supposed to get everything. Not to lose what I had!
Wick was in the middle of airing his grievances when he noticed a horde of undead approaching the edge. He panicked, thinking the zombies from earlier must have reported him.
Why am I panicking? I’m a spirit! They can’t harm me—
Just then, he saw a familiar flash.
The teleportation circle had been activated.
Wick’s non-existent heart exploded, thinking it was the prophets. However, what he saw enraged him even more.
Blaze had arrived, followed by the Seer and the inner circle.
What the hell is he up to?
As the Blaze came into view, Marrow bowed to him. The zombies behind her followed suit, welcoming their master with reverence.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to do this?" Blaze asked, shaking his head. He knew that no matter what he said, they’d do as they pleased.
The humans behind Blaze were surprised and terrified by the sight of thousands of undead before them. They instinctively took a step back, only for the Seer to rein them in.
Marrow stepped out of the spire’s range, followed by Breaker, Chimera, and, of course, Fester. The little rat had been separated from its master for too long and jumped right into Blaze’s arms.
"Skree! Skrrr!"
"I know," Blaze replied, playing with Fester’s tail. "Next time I’ll take you along."
"Reh!" Chimera scoffed, crossing his arms.
"I can take you on now, kitty. So behave."
"Reh!"
Chimera showed Blaze his fist, as if saying, challenge accepted.
Breaker remained quiet, watching them from a distance. He didn’t have much to say, especially after seeing the cultists around Blaze.
Marrow, however, had a lot to say. But before all that, she went to her knees, bowing her head.
"Welcome home, my lord."
"You’ve done well, Marrow," Blaze replied, caressing her cheek. "I shall reward you later—"
Suddenly, his head snapped to the right, straight where Wick’s soul drifted. For a moment, Wick froze, wondering if Blaze saw him.
Impossible! Mortals, living or undead, cannot perceive spirits.
Although he said that, he could see Blaze’s crimson eyes staring right at him.
"My lord, is something the matter?" Marrow asked, concerned.
Blaze shook his head.
"Just my imagination."