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Chapter 2 - Relay

Sir Alister ventured toward a towering structure that he mistook for the castle of this unknown kingdom. The building was rundown and broken, with strange metal contraptions hanging precariously from its roof. Ignoring these alien objects, Alister pressed on, his gaze fixed on the immense edifice before him.

The building was colossal, dwarfing the surrounding structures. Its pointed spire pierced the sky, making it a dominant figure in the landscape of this broken-down kingdom. Two bizarre metal contraptions clung to its sides: one with large, broken blades atop it, and the other a massive, winged structure with a twisted and torn body.

What truly caught Alister's attention was the larger contraption. Its interior was stained with blood, and at its base lay a gruesome sight human bodies, mutilated and transformed into the monstrous creatures that had attacked him earlier. The sheer size of the building, combined with the grotesque scene below, left Alister momentarily stunned.

Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and continued toward the building. He needed answers, and this imposing structure, which dominated the skyline like a mighty castle, seemed as good a place as any to start his search in this bewildering new world.

Sir Alister marched forward toward the towering structure, determination fueling his every step. As he approached, a group of grotesque monsters emerged from the shadows. He contemplated what these creatures could be, but lacking any information, he had no answers.

Brandishing his sword, he assumed a practiced, battle-ready stance. The monsters were slow, their movements lethargic and awkward. Alister waited for them to draw closer, then dispatched them with swift, precise slashes of his blade. Each fell, their mutilated forms reminiscent of the bodies he had seen beneath the massive contraption. They were missing limbs, bearing injuries that would be fatal to any normal human.

As he wiped the blood from his sword, Alister pondered the fate of these creatures. What had befallen them? What purpose did they serve in this world?

Steeling himself, he continued his march and finally arrived at the entrance of the imposing building labeled, the Bank of America Plaza. The doors, once grand, now hung ajar, creaking eerily as he pushed them open. Inside, the air was thick with dust and decay. Sunlight filtered through shattered windows, casting long shadows across the vast, abandoned lobby.

Alister's eyes scanned the interior, taking in the remnants of what must have once been a bustling place. Desks were overturned, papers scattered, and eerie silence pervaded the space. The grandeur of the building, now tainted by ruin, struck him with a mix of awe and sadness.

Curiosity piqued, he approached one of the strange wooden constructs (desks) and ran his hand over its surface, marveling at the smoothness of the polished wood. Nearby, he picked up a curious object (a stapler) and examined it closely, trying to discern its purpose. He pressed its levers experimentally, watching as it opened and closed with a small clink.

He moved cautiously, every sense heightened. The echoes of his footsteps on the marble floor resonated through the empty halls, each step a reminder of his isolation in this foreign land. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking through the remains of a fallen kingdom, a place that had once been mighty and now lay in desolation.

He approached a large, reflective surface (a broken mirror) and paused, seeing his own image fragmented and distorted. The sight of himself in this alien environment was jarring, a stark reminder of how out of place he was. He wondered what manner of sorcery had brought him here and what secrets this colossal structure held.

Determined to uncover the secrets of this place, Alister pressed on through the ruins until he stumbled upon a small crate of paper, its contents untouched by time. Beside it lay a curious box that resembled a miniature coffin, though too small to hold anything of substance. With cautious curiosity, he pried open its hinges, revealing a small metal device nestled within.

The object was unlike anything Alister had ever seen. Its smooth, polished surface gleamed faintly in the dim light, and a small mechanism near the grip caught his eye. Instinctively, he grasped the device, feeling its weight and balance in his hand, then cautiously pulled at the trigger.

A thunderous noise erupted from the metal contraption, shattering the silence and causing Alister to recoil in surprise. The force of the blast propelled the device backward, shattering a nearby window with ease. Alister released it quickly, eyes wide with astonishment at the power contained within this small, magical artifact.

In his world, swords and armor were the tools of combat, but this device represented a new and mysterious form of warfare. Its ability to destroy with such force and precision was both awe-inspiring and deeply unsettling. As he stared at the broken window and listened to the echoes of the blast, Alister's mind raced with questions. What other secrets lay hidden in this forsaken place? And how would he navigate this strange new world where even the smallest objects held unimaginable power?

Gripped by a mix of fascination and apprehension, Alister knew that understanding this device would be crucial to unraveling the mysteries of the building and the world beyond its walls. With newfound determination, he carefully stowed the metal device away, its potential and danger weighing heavily on his mind as he continued his exploration.

Alister meticulously sifted through the crate of papers, hoping to uncover clues about his inexplicable predicament. Yet, the documents yielded nothing but indecipherable gibberish, their modern language and terminology baffling him. Frustrated, he was about to give up when his eyes caught sight of a lone parchment that seemed promising. It bore a drawing perfectly replicating of the mysterious artifact he had found, labeled "Beretta."

"Beretta..." Alister murmured the name softly, as if recognizing an old friend. He studied the parchment intently, trying to decipher its contents. It depicted how to handle and fire the Beretta, yet the instructions were incomprehensible to him.

Suddenly, a voice emanated from a device lying beside the papers. Startled, Alister turned to see a small, rectangular object (walkie-talkie). It crackled to life with urgency.

"You there inside! You need to leave now! The walkers will be swarming in any second!"

Alister's bewilderment grew at the talking device. "Who are you? Are you the one thay brought me in this godforsaken land?" he demanded, his voice echoing through the desolate building.

A tense moment passed before the voice on the other end responded, "Listen to me! I don't know what you're blabbering about but you need to get out now! You'll die if you stay any longer!"

Though Alister couldn't comprehend everything being said, the urgency in the voice was undeniable. With a nod of determination, he clutched the Beretta in his hand and fastened the walkie-talkie to his belt. As he hurriedly exited the crumbling structure, he was met with a chilling sight—a horde of monstrous creatures pouring out from the building's depths.

"Hey, you! What are you wearing is that a full set of armor medieval armor? Are you the idiot who fired that gun in there? what a fucking dumbass! You just rang the doorbell of all the walkers near that building!" the walkie-talkie blared suddenly.

Alister, striding away briskly, shot back defiantly, "How dare you speak to me in such a manner! I am Sir Alister of Greya Kingdom! Explain why I am here!"

There was a moment of buzzing silence from the device before the voice abruptly ceased, leaving Alister alone with his thoughts and the pressing urgency of survival in this unfamiliar and perilous world.

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